Second Post About the Neat Little Book

Here's the second post about the "woodpecker book." This section is still really me. Again, you may have to click on it to enlarge the text. It is availabe for purchase (so says the cover) through DK Publishing at www.dk.com if you'd like to buy your birth month book.

My husband is a "salmon." And here I always thought he was a stallion... :) teehee!

This is how you figure out where you fall on the totem.

Okay, that's my fun for the time being.

Again, if you really want true life answers...on how to deal with the nitty gritty real hard hitting issues...my heart says go to the One who made the trees and the woodpeckers and the salmons and the streams. The good stuff is in the Bible! :)

Neat Little Book

My friend, Bipsy, :) had a book entitled "Earth Medicine" by Kenneth Meadows. It was really neat. It is all about Native American healing stones and birth wheels and seasons and what not. Now, let me say that I am not a practicer of earth medicine or Native American healing, etc. My mother was fascinated with our Native American heritage and studied all kinds of books on the subject. I, on the other hand, take my faith from the Bible and run with it. So, Earth Medicine isn't a religion for me.

I think I'll compare my interest with this book to the Chinese Astrology placemats that are always under my plate at the yummy Chinese Buffet down the street. Coincidently, they say that my husband and I are the perfect match. Which I think we are...so I would agree with that. Would I bet my life on what they say? No. No more than I would the fortunes that I find in my fortune cookie at the same restaurant. Although my last one said that "the star of riches will shine on you beginning next month." I wouldn't mind that one being correct. Seriously.

Anyway, it's like Dr. Kevin Lehman's books on birth order. They're super informative. They also say my husband and I are the perfect match. Again, I have to agree. Do I agree with every statement made in the book? No. I laugh at the ironically on-target stuff and kind of shake my head at the non- on-target stuff.

So, that disclaimer having been made, I am still laughing at the irony in this little book. It's a smaller version of the book Bipsy had. She bought it for me...it is all about my animal totem, the Woodpecker. I've had it for a few years, and every time I read it, I chuckle at how on target it is as far as describing my personality. It's almost as if the person looked in on me and wrote the book. Thought I'd share it with you. **** You will most likely have to click on the picture and enlarge it to read the text.*****

Just in case Kenneth Meadows of one of his friends/associates/relatives is reading this blog (HA!) and decides to sue me for reproducing photos (without permission) of this book, please keep in mind that I said it was neat (free advertising) and that I will delete this post faster than you can shake a stick at me rather than be sued. :) Thank you and have a nice day, Mr. Meadows and company.

I hate to admit that this is how I really am, but it truly is very close.

The Good, The Bad and the Indifferent

Good:

We got a pool. It's 14' (wide) x 3 1/2' (deep.) The kids are thrilled; the swim trunks and towels are out! Yeah!

Bad:

We filled it, but then had to drain it and move it because it was off center and it leaned.

Good:

We own our water...and our well is very deep. No water bill, nor running out of water.

Bad:

Well water is....filtered through dirt. It looks it.

Good:

The pump and filter that come with the pool are highly efficient.


NEXT subject:

Good:

We went to see Superman Returns. We had free tickets that came with some dvds Rob bought.

Bad:

The food was outrageously expensive.

Good:

The theatre had the best variety in food I've ever seen. To choose from, there was pizza, subs, hamburgers, fries, onion rings, ice cream, salads, fruit, etc., etc.

Bad:

We were late getting to the movie and had to go to a later show. The movie was long. We got out at almost ten, and the theatre was a long drive for us to start with.

Good:

The movie was very entertaining, and worth the effort to see in a real theatre, instead of going to the drive in as is our usual routine.

Bad:

Two people behind us were yacking away (in nearly normal tones) for twenty minutes at least. Dirty looks and head shakes didn't get the hint across, so we had to move to other seats. We could have gotten security involved, but we would have missed more of the movie in the process. I can't figure out why anyone would pay to see a movie and then carry on a conversation through the whole thing. It's bizarre.

Good:

We came out in a good mood, and we happily walked to the van and drove off, chatting and sharing thoughts on the movie.

Bad:

We got turned around coming home, it was raining and we ended up totally lost. My cel phone was dead, so I couldn't call for directions (seeing that there wasn't a gas station in sight) and finally, we started bickering. We ended up arguing and the whole pleasant mood of the evening was lost.

Good:

We found our way and made it back safely.

Bad:

I am very tired today and my allergies are acting up.

Good:

I have no plans for tonight so I should be able to go to bed early.

Bad:

I work this weekend at my second job.

Good:

After this weekend, I will be off, getting a much needed break.

So, that's my good/bad list.

Hope you have more goods than bads on your list today!

Shared Email Chuckles

These were too cute for me to keep to myself.

* Save the whales. Collect the whole set.

* A day without sunshine is like... night.

* On the other hand... you have different fingers

* 42.7 percent of all statistics are made up on the spot.

* 99 percent of lawyers give the rest a bad name.

* Remember, half the people you know are below average.

* He who laughs last... thinks slowest.

* The early bird may get the worm but the second mouse gets the cheese in the trap.

* Support bacteria. They're the only culture some people have.

* A clear conscience is usually the sign of a bad memory.

* Change is inevitable, except from vending machines.

* How many of you believe in psycho-kinesis? Raise my hand.

* OK, so what's the speed of dark?

* When everything is coming your way, you're in the wrong lane.

* Hard work pays off in the future. Laziness pays off now.

* Every one has a photographic memory. Some just don't have film.

* How much deeper would the ocean be without sponges?

* Eagles may soar, but weasels don't get sucked into jet engines.

* What happens if you get scared half to death twice?

* I couldn't repair your brakes, so I made your horn louder.

* Why do psychics have to ask you for your name?

* Just remember - if the world didn't suck, we would all fall off.

* Light travels faster than sound. That is why some people appear bright until you hear them speak.

* Life isn't like a box of chocolates... it's more like a jar of jalapeno's. What you do today, might burn your butt tomorrow.

Friendship Tribute

I posted a tribute to my friends on my poetry blog. I haven't had time to edit my "link list" on either blog. Editing HTML isn't my idea of fun, and I haven't had the time or inclination to work with it. So, in case you haven't jumped over to my poetry blog lately, there are some new poems listed. I'm not ever sure what mood will strike and what kind of poem will go up next. If you feel like checking it out, here's the link: www.ifeellikewritingapoem.blogspot.com.

Have a good day! More later.

A Tuesday Hello

Hi, hope your Tuesday is going along without incident. Mine is pretty uneventful so far.

I do have a couple of prayer requests to throw out at you. My friend, Sandy, asked me to pray for her mother-in-law who is to have surgery in early July. She has a very large tumor that will have to be removed. The family has not been told whether or not the tumor is cancerous yet. The lady's name is Rose.

Also, my cousin's son, Gary, who is four years old, will be having surgery July 9th to repair a hole in his heart. This is my favorite aunt's grandson. Aunt Marlene lost a daughter-in-law to a car accident in June of last year, her twin sister (my birth mom) in November of 2005, and her best friend, Chris, committed suicide on Mother's Day weekend this year. She is just about maxed out stress-wise. If you could pray for my aunt to have peace about this, as well as for the surgery to go well, I'd appreciate it.

I'm going to be out most of next week, so I probably won't be posting at all. I may or may not get to my computer to check up on my favorite bloggers, but be assured that out of sight is not out of mind. I will look forward to hearing how many of you celebrated the 4th upon my return.


This Friday I have a crop to go to after work, which is always a good time. I look forward to visiting with friends just as much as working on my albums.

On Friday, July 7th, we will be traveling to Chicago for a combined family/business trip. We went last year and enjoyed the time together. It's nice to get away from the daily routine on occasion.

Today I am so sleepy for some reason that I have to struggle to keep my eyes open. I'm not sure what that's all about, but if this keeps up, I'm going to give in to the urge and just close my eyes. The way my monitor sets, I'd hear anyone approaching my desk before they could tell I'm asleep. I think I need some afternoon coffee, but I'm too sleepy to get up. Calgon, take me away!

I'll try to write more later this week. Have a great rest of the day!

IBC: A Form of Breast Cancer. Who Knew?

I got an email from a friend that alarmed me. It was a link to a website...and a video...regarding a form of breast cancer that I had never heard anything about. It is a cancer called Inflammatory Breast Cancer and Mammagrams don't detect it. Self breast exams also do not help with early detection, because no lumps occur with this type of cancer. Having watched the video, I felt like the information was important enough to pass along.

So often I become angry about the lack of information available to women...and people in general...about health issues. I've taken medication in the past that caused problems that I didn't even know were potential side effects. Doctors either don't know or don't have time to discuss these details with their patients.

Even my recent surgery in February...I didn't know that simply having children can cause the problems I had. I had never heard of the conditions I suffered from. Are people too shy to ask questions? Or like me, are they just in their own little worlds, not knowing?

Anyway, if for some reason, you can't load the video, by going to the website listed below, you should be able to read up on general information about the disease. I highly encourage you to do so, then share what you know with the women in your life. What if we save one woman's life down the line somewhere with this information? What if it prevented someone from losing a daughter...a sister...a mom...a wife or a friend? I know taking the time to share this knowledge would be worth the inconvenience of a few clicks of the mouse.

The video is a bit graphic in some parts, but I think it is extremely worthwhile.

Click here: komo Video Player


The IBC website is: http://www.ibcresearch.org/

I will post more later.

Have a good day!

Wheh! Posting Photos can be a Pain!

Okay, after much fighting, the photos of the pamphlet are up. They are briefly descriptive, but I am not sure if blogger appreciated me trying to post them. Oh well.

I think this is why I don't post pictures every time I blog. Ya never know when the site is going to be contrary.

All this complaining, so little appreciation. After all, it is a free service. Sigh. The older I get, the whinier I become.

Have a good day.

Sincerely,
Oscar the Grouch

Murano Glass Pamphlet Page 3

Murano Glass Pamphlet Page 2

Murano Glass Pamphlet Page 1

The Student Will Now Be the Teacher

I am always learning something from the blogs I follow. I hardly ever put anything on my blog that "teaches" anything. My blog usually consists of the details of my mundane little life.

Until today!

My boss and friend, who I am tired of calling "my boss and friend," so I will now call Bipsy just for the fun of it....(I am changing her name to protect the 'innocent'....) went away to Italy recently. I had fun house and cat sitting, and because a.) she always buys the coolest souvenirs when she travels b.) she's just a very giving person and c.) she really, really loves me d.) I do her job while she's gone...(can I call that even if I messed up a gazillion things in her absence?) she ordered a beautiful glass cat...Murano glass...and had it shipped home.

The box contained a pamphlet...certificate of authenticity.... that described the glass making process and serves as an advertisement for the company as well. I thought it was neat information, so I thought I'd share it.

***For some reason, blogger isn't allowing me to add those photos in to this post, so I will try to create a new post with them in it. ***

Anyway, I can't help feeling a little spoiled as my pretty glass kitty sits nearby and watches me type. It really is unique!

Did I mention that I have awesome friends? I keep forgetting if I have ever brought that up.....

Sweet, Healthy Berries

Here is what I've had for breakfast for the last two days. Look out! This might actually be construed as eating healthy. I can feel my body gearing up to fight cancer, prevent heart disease and shrink fat cells. The food looked so delicious that I had to take a picture of it.

....yum!

Wardrobe Malfunctions and other Ramblings

I am here. It's Wednesday and I am here. I'm getting ready to pack up and leave work, but I thought I'd drop a post before I do.

It's a hot one today! Very hazy and hot, but I've been hiding in the a/c most of the day. I didn't volunteer to go out for anyone or for any reason today. Yesterday I went out for lunch, because my boss and I wanted more than fast food. So I headed out to the grocery where the salad bar beckoned. By the time I got back, I was thankful to be in again.

Right now I am driving the car we own that doesn't have a/c while we save up to get our newer one fixed. Our newer car needs brakes, shocks and struts. It's one car at a time when it comes to major stuff. We just got our van back on the road last month. It has been so nice having it back in action! We have taken the kids to the drive in twice. They were able to bring friends and we weren't crowded. We plan to take the van on a trip in July to Chicago. It will be so nice to have some leg room.

I have such awesome friends, by the way. Have I mentioned that?

My friend, Sheila, has a electrician/mechanic husband. He has helped us however he can with repairs to our house and vehicles. We try to help them if we can, but I must say it seems like the scale has tipped in our favor of late as far as helping goes. Anyway, Sheila's husband has a trailer that can pull vehicles. I'm not sure if trailer is the right word...but, anyway, it can pull vehicles. He loaned it to another friend of his who was going to tow a van the same make and model as ours. They were going to piece it out at a junkyard because it had all kinds of engine and transmission problems. Anyway, he told his friend that he wanted to see what condition the tires were in. They were like new tires. He pulled them off and called me....he said, "I'm bringing you a set of almost new tires that are in better shape than yours." What a blessing!

Okay, and here's another blessing...as well as an embarrassing story. It just goes to show you that I mean it when I say I have awesome friends.

Last week my boss was off for two days for a trip. I was running the office by myself, with no way of leaving. The one person who can usually answer phones or greet people while I leave for a moment was simply too busy to get away from a pressing project he had.

I had worn a pair of my favorite jeans and light sweater. When I put the jeans on, I noticed a little tiny hole in the back of them, but I thought nothing of it. I had washed them so many times that they fit great...though not too tight...and were just plain comfy.

So, I got to work and I was working away, getting up and down a lot, because I was busier than usual.

All of a sudden, I heard a huge "RRRRRRRIIIIIPPPPP!" Of course, the little hole turned into a rip down the entire backside of my pants.

What to do? What to do? No one was here to save the day. I couldn't leave, I couldn't cover up the gaping hole, and I sure couldn't walk around all day like that! Wasn't that also the day I chose to wear the most multi-colored, flowered underwear that I own? Of course.

I searched every drawer in the office for a needle and thread. I located some safety pins, but every time I sat down, one popped open and stuck me in the butt! Geez!

So I thought, "Who can I call? What can I do?"

Finally, the thought occured to me that my friend, Sandy, might be home from vacation. I knew we were close to the same size, so I took a chance and called her.

She had just arrived home from vacation that day. In fact, she had just walked in the door. I hated to ask for her help. I know how eager I am to lie down and rest after a road trip.

But without hesitation, she came to my rescue, bringing me- within minutes- a pair of jeans. They fit perfectly, and I was able to finish my day without further humiliation.

See what I mean? I have awesome friends!

In closing, I want to say, "Hi, April. I posted. I hope this provides your 'fix' for the week. Thanks for keeping tabs on me! Love ya, sis!"

Hope you all keep cool and that you don't have any wardrobe malfunctions in your life this week! :)

Just Something Cute To Share

Our production manager cut this cartoon out and shared it with me. I got a kick out of it, and thought you might, too. I've got a great boss and a great job, but who hasn't had a boss at one time or another worthy of this cartoon? In fact, some days I feel like looking in the mirror and saying this very thing to myself....tee hee.

Reminds me of the movie, "Liar, Liar." What if all of a sudden we had to say exactly what was on our mind? Honesty without limits.... Oh, that would be the day that a whole lot of people would be starting over in careers and relationships!

Anyway, that's it. This is the last post for 100 miles...or at least until Monday. Hope you have a good weekend!

Would This Scare You?

If the sign is bigger than the dog, does the warning then become laughable?

This is who greets me every day after work....he and his band of merry dog friends. He is extremely tenacious about guarding our yard. This earns him many dog treats and lots of hugs and cuddles.

He's Smiling, So He Just Doesn't Seem Warning-Worthy, Either

Here's Carlito saying, "Hi, Mom! You're Home! I bet you can't guess what we've been into all day!!!"

He is at least bigger than the sign, but his smiles don't look all that intimidating.

I will say that he always makes me feel welcome upon my return.

Oh Wait! There's More! I Thought of Some More!

I thought of some more stuff to add to my list! It's fun! In the past I have sent out lists like these to my friends, asking them what their favorites are. Then I compile them into a friendship album. It's fun figuring out stuff about my friends that I didn't know or had forgotten over the years.

My Favorite Commercial

* My favorite commercial has been out for awhile. A man is talking, while golfing, mowing his lawn, barbequeing and whatnot. He's talking about how his kids go to the best schools, he belongs to the country club and lives in a great neighborhood, etc. Then he asks, "And how do I do it? I'm in debt up to my eyeballs. Somebody help me!" All while smiling. That is hilarious. Because I soooo understand how that is. :)

I also love the recent commercials for a cel phone company...T Mobile, I think. It's about having enough minutes for even the biggest talkers. There's one about a teenager who is rambling on and on about nothing. That is SOOO Jess! Then there's one where the salesman says, "And then I said, that's no St. Bernard, that's my grandmother!" Oh my gosh! Finally, there's one with a lady real estate agent who says, "If a celebrity dies in your house, it's a landmark!" and "No, the boy that started those fires is in jail now," or something like that. They crack me up.

* Oh, and how dare I forget to mention that I sang in choir from sixth grade until I graduated. I had many solos and duets. It was so much fun. I was disappointed in my sophomore year when I tried out for our sing and dance "show choir" which had about 12 members total. Both my brother and I made it! We were so excited! Then my grandmother told us that we had to do one activity only. We couldn't do two at once. The choir was year 'round, but I wasn't willing to drop tennis for it. Nor was my brother willing to drop basketball. So it was a no go. Being a parent now, I can understand her reasoning. At the time we were bummed.

My friend, Wyn, and I were in a play together written by Neil Simon called "Fools." That was in my freshman year. It was a blast! It was a great comedic show.

Having enjoyed the stage so much, I decided to take public speaking in my junior year. It was like debate in a lot of ways. We wrote speeches, argued our points of view, etc. I received the award in our class for top speaker.

I've never had stage fright or jittery nerves getting in front of a crowd. I attribute that to being privelaged enough to be able to sing in groups with the school choir. It became almost habit to stand in front of crowded rooms and sing or speak.

Wyn was one of those people though, who literally could wear a shirt that said, "Whatever you can do, I can do better," and it be truthful. I could do many things well, but she excelled in EVERYTHING. Whatever she touched turned to gold. It was amazing.

She got an "A" rating every time she sang at individual choir competition. She had an almost opera-like quality to her lovely soprano voice. She ended up in the highest vocal class for a soloist in our area.

She could paint pictures like a professional. Our high school art instructor had a show for Wyn's work in our senior year. Our principal, along with many other staff members, bought Wyn's paintings.

She was naturally athletic. She was a fast runner, always getting blue ribbons in the track and field competitions in elementary school. She swam like a fish. I truly felt like there was nothing that she couldn't do.

Hanging around her, I always felt stuck between privelaged to be her friend and angry that I couldn't quite measure up. She raised the bar too high.

Looking back, I am so glad I had her in my life. She was six months older than me, so she always did everything first. She went through "girl stuff" first, kissed a boy before me, wore makeup first, drove first. I always looked to her for advice on what to do in new situations. She seemed so wise to me.

Now, six months is a very short age difference. Of course, the tables have turned. Being younger just means I have six months to gloat that she's older than me, and has already hit 34. :) Payback is sweet! :)

I am really having a good time with these posts. I get to walk down memory lane and force you to come along! :)

Hope your Monday is a good one!

Who Am I?

I read this neat post on a blog that I follow regularly. The blogger wrote about herself, just a list of likes and dislikes more than anything. I found it interesting and thought, "Hey! Maybe I'll do that!" So here it goes:

I am a mother of three children. Two of those children are teenagers. They are all neat kids.

My birthday is July 4th. I have always considered this special. Growing up, I thought that people were having picnics and BBQs in my honor. I have a lot of Americana stuff that people have bought me over the years. I was told over and over again by various members of my family the following: I was born at 10ish in the evening. When the doctor told my dad that I had arrived, the fireworks started going off at a nearby show. The hospital overlooked the venue, so they all had a great view. The doctor said something like, "This one's going to be a firecracker." They say Dad cried.

I purchased the house I grew up in, that my dad grew up in and I am now raising my kids there.

When I was little, my brother and I suspected the house was haunted. My kids suspect the house is haunted. I don't know what I think now.

My least favorite foods are pecan pie, sour kraut, and egg rolls.

My husband and I will celebrate our 15th wedding anniversary in July.

I have green eyes. My eyes are one of the only features I have that I wouldn't change something about if I could.

My favorite singer is Phil Collins. My favorite group is Blesid Union of Souls. Audio Adrenaline is a close second.

My childhood dream was to be a missionary in Africa.

I can't eat tomatoes or anything with tomatoes in it or one of the following happens: my eyes swell shut or my lips puff up. This started happening just a couple of years ago.

My hair is red, brown, blonde and grey, but not necessarily in that order.

I never talk politics. It's against my religion. :) I vote, but will never have a bumper sticker telling anyone who I voted for. I consider my political views extremely personal information.

The thing I find least attractive about a person is a conceited or "know it all" attitude.

My favorite foods are rice and chicken. I love chocolate. I am mildly suspicious of any woman who doesn't like chocolate.

In high school, I made it a point to see every movie Steve Martin was in as soon as it came out.

I've been working for eight years at my current job. I still like coming to work every day.

My favorite color is peach.

I love to scrapbook. I love the circle of friends I've made through scrapbooking. I've been a Creative Memories' consultant...hobbyist only...for almost 4 years, I think. I've done over 30+ albums to date...some as gifts, some to keep.

My favorite t.v. shows are reruns of "Whose Line is it, Anyway," "Everyone Loves Raymond," and "America's Funniest Home Videos." I like "Cold Case," but always seem to miss it.

My pet peeve is that racism still exists in 2006.

My least favorite t.v. show is pretty much any reality show. I find it hard to believe that people are going to be "real" with a camera in their face.

I am still friends with almost all of the friends I had in jr. high. My friend, Wyn, and I have been friends since I was three and she was four. My friends are precious to me.

I love to send cards and hand written letters.

One of my life goals is that I want to learn to play the guitar. I want to learn sign language. I also want to learn to speak fluent Spanish. Right now I speak very choppy and extremely halting Spanish.

When I had allergy testing done, I was only NOT allergic to one thing: down feathers. Everything else including cat dander, dog dander, dust mites, trees, grass, mold, etc., I was allergic to. I still have three cats and three dogs. I cope by taking a benadryl every night before I go to sleep. I also don't have carpet anywhere in my house. I feel very healthy.

My favorite female singer is Allison Krauss.

My favorite beverage is diet anything. Despite loving diet pop, I try not to drink more than a can a day. I force myself to drink water, because it's just plain better for me.

I graduated high school with a 3.7 GPA, but did not go on to college.

The job I have normally would require some college education or at least several years of experience in this field. My boss met me, liked me, hired me, and sent me to school to learn what I needed to know to do the job. It was an amazing blessing.

I'm cranky if I don't have one cup of coffee every morning. I love flavored creamers. I can't drink black coffee.

The person who I would consider my flesh and blood hero is my grandfather.

I am ambidextrous. I eat left handed, throw ball left handed, use my adding machine with my left hand, mouse with either hand and write with my right hand. They made me pick that hand in grade school.

I have never flown on an air plane but can't wait to try it.

When I met my husband he was a cook and I was a waitress.

I have never been out of the country.

The neatest city I've ever been to so far is Boston. I love the amazing mix of old and new architecture. I didn't like driving there.

My husband has a fear of flying so all of our family vacations are road trips. Plus, it's cheaper with a family of five.

I stood on the bank of the Detroit River and gazed over at Canada, wishing I could just step foot on Canadian soil so I could say I had been out of the country.

I plan to go to college when the kids are all adults. I want to study photography. I would love to have my own studio.

I hate clutter but my house is full of it.

I used to own 125 pairs of shoes. I gave almost all of them away. I now have about 15 pairs I wear regularly.

I have OCD when it comes to Christmas trees. I obsessively "straighten" mine until it gets on my own nerves.

I only swear when I am mad, and even then I try not to. I haven't conquered it yet.

I have an occasional alcoholic beverage, but not often. Both my biological parents were alcoholics. When I do have a drink, it's usually a marguerita.

I enjoy buying new clothes, but I don't enjoy paying very much money for them. I have always been blessed with clothes. I never sell the clothes I don't want anymore. I give them away. I think that's why I have always been blessed with clothes.

I love the feeling I get after working out, but I still don't do it enough.

The one man I might leave my husband for is Weird Al because he makes me laugh. :) Looks take a backseat to sense of humor any day in my eyes.

Despite this, I think sexiest thing about my husband is his biceps.

I can cook, but I don't like to. Hate it. Would rather not eat than cook. Would eat peanut butter and crackers every night rather than cook.

I can't drink wine because it gives me a sinus headache.

I love celebrating birthdays. Other people's, mine, doesn't matter.

I love to watch NFL football on t.v. I don't like watching it in person.

I hate watching baseball on t.v. I love watching it in person.

I was a pretty decent tennis player in high school. I was first singles' varsity on our team.

I don't like watching other people play tennis, but I like playing it.

My husband and I both love music from the 80's. We both like going to the drive in. Other than that, we don't have any other hobbies we both like.

My husband does the grocery shopping in our house. I don't like going with him to the store because he takes forever to shop.

I won't let my husband near the laundry.

I enjoy thrift store shopping.

My happiest childhood memory is going to my brother's little league games with my grandfather. My grandmother always said, "Don't you get those kids any candy!" The minute we got there, he handed us money for the concession stand. I always got candy.

One of the first things I want to do when my kids are grown is take a cruise with my husband. He says he'll go, despite his fear of flying.

I can't swim, though I took swimming lessons. I can float and tread water.

I love to fish. We always catch and release.

I have one brother, three half brothers, a half sister and a step sister.

My ancestry is divided almost equally: Native American and Irish.

When I start to feel stressed, I immediately want to take a nap.

I require at least eight hours of sleep every night or I get cranky. I hardly ever have insomnia.

I love Jesus, and have since I was three. I don't read the Bible like I should. I seldom go to church. I do pray for others daily.

I have a fear of admitting what I'm afraid of.

I'm not afraid of heights or snakes or spiders or water.

I am fiercely protective of my kids.

I get my feelings hurt rather easily.

I was selected to represent our school in Jr. High at a Young Author's Conference. I would like to write a book one day. I write poetry almost daily.

I love blogging, because it satisfies the need to write that is always nagging me.

I like to read. Lately I've been reading nothing but "fluff" books. I don't want to think too hard these days.

By the doctor's scales, I'm at least 30 pounds overweight. I was always thin until I took an office job. I didn't keep baby weight after the birth of my kids and I never had to diet. I know I should be more proactive about my weight, but I'm not overly concerned. I suspect I should be.

When people around me are sad, I get sad. When they are happy, I'm happy, too. I sponge too much off of other people's moods. I am trying to quit doing that.

I hate "Butterfingers" candy bars.

I love Boston Cream Pie.

I personally know and love three people that have full blown AIDS. They are all enjoying good health at this time.

My biological mother was a cancer survivor. She died of a blood clot. My biological father survived skin cancer.

When I am in a bad mood, I don't like to talk or be talked to. Same if I'm in physical pain.

I forgive easily. I seldom hold grudges.

If I could change one thing about my personality it would be this: I wish I didn't show my feelings so easily. I'm very transparent emotionally.

My face still breaks out at 33. Not terribly so, but very regularly. Nothing has ever helped. I would change that about myself if I could.

My favorite cartoon is Dilbert.

I don't watch the news. It makes me cry. I read it on the internet.

I am really looking forward to taking some time off work next month. I hope to do absolutely nothing for at least two days.


Okay, that was fun. If you're still awake, hope you have a good weekend and that life is treating you kindly.

Laugh, and the World Laughs with You

Some say these are real answers to children's science exams. Who knows? Maybe they're just made up answers sent around in the form of email forwards intended to amuse readers. Either way, smiles seem to be in short order these days, so hope they bring one your way.

I read somewhere that the average child laughs hundreds of times every day, but the average adult only laughs something like seven times. I'm not sure if that's true, but if it is, it's sad. I know most kids don't have to pay bills or go to work every day, but I figure why should they have all the fun?

Real Science Exam Answers:

Q: Name the four seasons.
A: Salt, pepper, mustard and vinegar.

Q: Explain one of the processes by which water can be made safe to drink.
A: Flirtation makes water safe to drink because it removes large pollutants like grit, sand, dead sheep and canoeists.

Q: How is dew formed?
A: The sun shines down on the leaves and makes them perspire.

Q: How can you delay milk turning sour?
A: Keep it in the cow.

Q: What causes the tides in the oceans?
A: The tides are a fight between the Earth and the Moon. All water tends to flow towards the moon, because there is no water on the moon, and nature hates a vacuum. I forget where the sun joins in this fight.

Q: What are steroids?
A: Things for keeping carpets still on the stairs.

Q: What happens to your body as you age?
A: When you get old, so do your bowels and you get intercontinental.

Q: What happens to a boy when he reaches puberty?
A: He says good-bye to his boyhood and looks forward to his adultery.

Q: Name a major disease associated with cigarettes.
A: Premature death.

Q: What is artificial insemination?
A: When the farmer does it to the bull instead of the cow.

Q: How are the main parts of the body categorized? (e.g., abdomen.)
A: The body is consisted into three parts - the brainium, the borax and the abdominal cavity. The brainium contains the brain; the borax contains the heart and lungs, and the abdominal cavity contains the five bowels, A, E, I,
O, and U.

Q: What is the fibula?
A: A small lie.

Q: What does "varicose" mean?
A: Nearby.

Q: Give the meaning of the term "Caesarean Section"
A: The Caesarean Section is a district in Rome.

Q: What does the word "benign" mean?'
A: Benign is what you will be after you be eight

Hope you find something to smile about in your day today.

For Those Who Need a Smile

Here's another email forward I saved because I thought it was cute. Hope it brings a smile to your face.

Inside me lives a skinny woman crying to get out.
But I can usually shut her up with cookies.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.
-Helen Hayes (at 73)-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I refuse to think of them as chin hairs. I think of them as stray eyebrows.
-Janette Barber-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Things are going to get a lot worse before they get worse.
-Lily Tomlin-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A male gynecologist is like an auto mechanic who never owned a car.
-Carrie Snow-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Laugh and the world laughs with you. Cry and you cry with your girlfriends.
-Laurie Kuslansky-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
My second favorite household chore is ironing. My first being, hitting my head on the top bunk bed until I faint.
-Erma Bombeck-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Old age ain't no place for sissies.
-Bette Davis-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
A man's got to do what a man's got to do. A woman must do what he can't.
-Rhonda Hansome-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
The phrase "working mother" is redundant.
-Jane Sellman-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Every time I close the door on reality, it comes in through the windows.
-Jennifer Unlimited-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Whatever women must do they must do twice as well as men to be thought half as good. Luckily, this is not difficult.
-Charlotte Whitton-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Thirty-five is when you finally get your head together and your body starts falling apart.
-Caryn Leschen-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I try to take one day at a time -- but sometimes several days attack me at once.
-Jennifer Unlimited-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If you can't be a good example -- then you'll just have to be a horrible warning.
-Catherine-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not offended by all the dumb blonde jokes because I know I'm not dumb -- and I'm also not blonde.
-Dolly Parton-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
If high heels were so wonderful, men would still be wearing them.
-Sue Grafton-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not going to vacuum 'til Sears makes one you can ride on.
-Roseanne Barr-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
When women are depressed they either eat or go shopping. Men invade another country..
-Elayne Boosler-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Behind every successful man is a surprised woman.
-Maryon Pearson-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man.
If you want anything done, ask a woman.
-Margaret Thatcher-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I am a marvelous housekeeper. Every time I leave a man, I keep his house.
-Zsa Zsa Gabor-
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Nobody can make you feel inferior without your permission.
-Eleanor Roosevelt-

What Seems Like a Bad Thing.....

It seemed like a bad thing to get hit in the head by a 15 lb. stereo in the middle of the night. Yes, it hurt. In fact, today my head is throbbing. I'm starting to think it is more sinus pressure than anything.

Yet so much good has come out of that unpleasant incident. Here's some examples:

#1. I had the weekend off. I spent Friday night over at my boss' house with my daughter. Just some Mother-Daughter time. Relaxed. Rested. Talked.

#2. Saturday, since I was off at the second job, I spent the day with my youngest. I had planned to spend the morning at my boss', have breakfast, tidy up, check the mail, feed the cat and leave to spend the day running errands. I went to get in the car, and the interior light had been left on all night, draining the battery. I then made the decision to stay there until my husband got off work. We went back in, got in the hot tub, and spent the day talking, watching t.v., cuddling the cat, snacking, kicking back and just enjoying doing nothing important.

#3. After my husband came to get the car back on the road, we all went out to eat as a family. We went to an "all you can eat" pizza place that had games as well. It was a good time. Played. Took pictures. Wasn't overtired.

#4. When I was off over the weekend, I had multiple visitors at my second job. Of course, I wasn't there, but I had numerous messages that friends, relatives and acquaintances stopped by to see me. When they didn't find me, they kept stopping by my husband's shop asking where I was. It touched me that so many people that I knew both in my personal life and from the shop took the time to ask about me. My boss said he was impressed that I've made such an impact there, having only worked there just over a month.

My second cousins (who are my dad's age) came by and returned some scrapbooks that I had loaned them. The scrapbooks were all about my family. One was about both sides...my grandmother and grandfather that raised me...and their parents. The other one was just about my grandmom in her later years. The third one was about my brother and I growing up. My grandmom was my one cousin's favorite aunt, so I encouraged her to peruse the scrapbooks at length. She had kept them for several months and was making sure I got them back safely. It was sweet for them to all come up to see me.

#5. For the last few months I have long been dissatisfied with my living room furniture. When we moved to the country and bought my grandmom's house, we gave all of her antique furniture to my dad. Having kids still at home, I envisioned the beautiful furniture getting systematically destroyed, so I opted to pass it on to dad. I knew he would take good care of it. We had given away our furniture from our city house, so we had sparse furniture remaining. We had a loveseat which was sinking fast and a really nice recliner that my friend Sheila couldn't fit in her living room. I had made up my mind that with two rowdy boys and their friends around, I wouldn't buy any more new furniture until they were no longer living at home. If I had to sit on lawn chairs, I was stubborn enough to do it, rather than buy something new and watch it go downhill.

I had griped about this very fact to my good friends, commiserating with those who had teenagers as well. One of my friends, Debbie, had a couch specially made that was reinforced to withstand her family's roughhousing. Over the weekend, this same friend came to my rescue. She knew I was having a bad week. We had talked about it via email since Thursday. She's one of those type of people who is a blessing to everyone she meets. In keeping with her generous nature, she obtained a couch for me this weekend. She had a business associate who was selling a gently used leather couch. This associate owed her a favor, and she called it in by getting the couch for me.

Having pretty severe dust mite allergies, my doctor advised me to have leather furniture. The first leather set I bought was cheaply made and it ended up only lasting about two years. Since that experience, I have had my eye on the kind of leather couches that have the reinforced front with brass furniture tacks or whatever they are. Anyway, that's exactly what this is. I remember seeing the couch once before, thinking "that couch would look great in my living room." Now that it's there, it does look great! It's very comfy, too! I am blessed to have such caring friends.

In conclusion, I think what this accident caused me to do was simply slow down. Rest. Rejuvenate. Breathe.

Neicybelle, I bet you can relate to what I'm saying. Like your recent illness that made you slow your pace, my world has been spinning a tad more slowly since last Wednesday night.

Other praiseworthy items: My boss is back from vacation. Wheh! I made it!
Also, it's gorgeous here today. Again, cloudless, sunny, balmy and no humidity. Gotta love it! Moreover, the kids' last day of school is tomorrow. I always breathe a sigh of relief. There are too many things for me to remember during the school year because each of the three are in a different building in the district. Ugh! I'm not sure some parents are rejoicing that school is out for the summer. I am one of them who finds it a welcome reprieve.

Hope it's a beautiful Monday where you are!

How Hard Headed Can Ya Get?

That's a good question for me....I just may be more hard headed than I would have ever guessed!

You know how they say a large percentage of accidents happen in the home? Here's one for the census...

Last night I threw a load of laundry in the wash. It was late when I did that, and I ended up falling asleep before I put it in the dryer. I have a high efficiency washer/dryer set. The wash cycle was set for an hour. I didn't make it that far.

So, in the middle of the night, I woke up and thought, "I really should get that laundry in the dryer." So, I decided to walk downstairs with no contacts or glasses on and do just that. Did I fall down the stone stairs into the unfinished basement and break every bone in my body? Nope. I made it downstairs just fine. I made it back up the stairs as well.

At this point I noticed that Jess wasn't in her room, that she had slept on the couch. Her room is closer to the basement than ours, so I decided instead of going back in the room and risk waking up my husband, I'd just sleep in her bed.

All was going as planned. I laid down, rested my head on her pillow, and got all comfy. Jess' bed is what is known as a Murphy bed. My grandfather built it...it was a storage/space saving unit before they became popular. The bed can either fold into the wall for extra floor space or out for a twin bed. There are two sets of shelves above the bed and swivel-close drawers below. Again, all built into one unit. Jess uses the first row of shelves for scrapbooks and books, notebooks, etc. The second row has her stuffed animals and in the corner is the monster stereo we got her for Christmas. There is nothing space saving about this stereo. It's a five cd disk changer, not compact: it must weight 15 pounds if it weighs an ounce.

It seems that the boys had borrowed the extension cord to Jess' stereo for one of their video games. Consequently, she had pulled the cord tightly, just barely reaching the outlet to the right of the bed. To hide the cord, she had placed some stuffed animals at the head of her bed.

This explains why I didn't see the danger. So, when I turned my head it bowed the cord, sending the stereo flying forward off the (at least 6 foot high) shelf and on to my left temple. It knocked me out. When I tried to get up, I kept falling backward on to the bed. Then the nausea hit.

As of right now, I am still seeing stars and it hurts to smile or laugh. I'm a little befuddled and sleepy. Other than a pretty decent headache, I'm doing well, considering. The bruising, thankfully, is all concealed by my hair.

That was quite an experience. One mild concussion and a lessoned learned....quite a bit of excitement for the middle of the night. I just keep thanking God that it was me and not Jess. She might not be quite as hard-headed yet. :)