the balancing act...

I'd like to quote my daddy by simply saying, "Um-hummp!"

It's a Bear, relaxing....

"Keep your mind on something you've always loved."

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Triple Digit Temps

Temperature reads: 102

... and the Queen of Panic! is due into town any minute now...

It will be nice to see her, again -plus- she's bringing me a 1/2 magnum of some very well travelled Mexican vanilla... (Mexico to AZ, AZ to WA, WA to MN, now MN to NE)
I have my Step-mom to thank for that.
(the vanilla - thanking the QoP! for taking it on an extended tour of the American heartland. "We" forgot to divvy it up on our way back from Dad's memorial service. "We" were extraordinarily tired & emotionally worn, too. So, the vanilla went a travelin' some more as QoP! leaves fresh sage and her favorite sleep pillow behind, driving off with her men folk towards their MN home...)
A few years back, when Dad and Marcy squared away a wintering spot in AZ - they asked me - what, if anything I'd like... should they cross over that southern border into Mexico for a little tourism, and shopping...???
The only thing I could think of was "Vanilla"

Love my favorite recipes made up even better with 'authentic ingredients' like real vanilla, butter rather than margarine...farm fresh eggs... etc...
Yum. I think the taste difference is both remarkable and worth the extra efforts.

NOT that I'm baking anything up this week... *sheesh*

It's been triple digit heat with humidity literally shimmering in the air... this last week

Hot, HOT, HOT at my place too...(scrimping on everything these days, got one tiny window a/c plugged into the liv.room to gimme a break during the daylight hours... my saving grace in this new rental is that all the bedrooms line the southern exposure to the house - so I can close off those rooms because they heat up first, thus, leaving the northern rooms a little cooler for much longer into the day... like that living room I mentioned, and the kitchen. ) I'm ok with this - but, I'm one who can sleep in the heat. (Some folks can't)

And,

I believe I'd rather have the heat than be dealing with the sub-zeros again - I think heat is much easier to beat vs. numbing cold. Maybe you've noticed, as have I, that the reality "Survivor" show always goes 'tropic' and never, ever drops the contestants off in say, the Antarctic?

;-)

Here's a "cool" site one of my e-mail buddies sent to me...
you might wanna check it out - once loaded up you can position your cursor to "fly" through the sceen...
http://www.electricoyster.com/electric3d/index.html

Coolio, no?

The BlondBlind Cowboy

An old, blind cowboy wanders into an all-girl biker bar by mistake.

He finds his way to a bar stool and orders some coffee.

After sitting there for a while, he yells to the waiter, 'Hey, you wanna hear a blonde joke?'

The bar immediately falls absolutely silent.

In a very deep, husky voice, the woman next to him says, 'Before you tell thatjoke, Cowboy, I think it is only fair, given that you are blind, that you should know five things:

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1. The bartender is a blonde girl with a baseball bat.

2. The bouncer is a blonde girl.

3. I'm a 6-foot tall, 175-pound blonde woman with a black belt in karate.

4. The woman sitting next to me is blonde and a professional weightlifter.

5. The lady to your right is blonde and a professional wrestler.

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'Now, think about it seriously, Mister.

Do you still wanna tell that joke?'

The blind cowboy thinks for a second, shakes his head, and mutters, 'No...not if I'm gonna have to explain it five times.'

=D

lol!

The Mysteries of God...

Job asks the question...

Alma points us to the way and means to find the answers:

...what natural man is there that knows these things? I say unto you, there is none that knows these things, save it be the penitent.

Yea, he that repenteth and exercises faith, and brings forth good works, and prays continually without ceasing—unto such it is given to know the mysteries of God; yea, unto such it shall be given to reveal things which never have been revealed...

(posting with love, in honor of the life and times of RKD2)

The world needs more healers...

Today's Gemini Horoscope: Jul 12, 2008



There is a warm, sensitive feeling to the day that you are apt to find quite comforting, dear Gemini. Your nurturing instincts are going to be extremely appreciated by others who might be grasping for something stable to grab hold of. Sensitive issues are your specialty and, whether you realize it or not, you have natural psychic abilities that are quite healing for anyone* who comes in contact with this side of you.





*[this I know...it's a big part of why I pray, everyday...]

DEADLINE TIME!!!

Yes.

That's 'deadline' not 'flat-line'... although option 2 is lookin' good as m'stress rises through the stratosphere, dear!

Hopefully I'll live through the ordeal to blog again. (j/k! - only the good die young... YOU know that.) Heeheeheee... I crack myself up sometimes. ...

B'bye for now!

Cheerios2all of you!

The Digital Divide...

Wonderful pot luck at church yesterday.
The general rule of thumb is that in any month when there are 5 Sundays in that month, the 5th Sunday will be a "Pot Luck" Sunday - to provide for additional fellow shipping (and food sampling) opportunities for the church membership.
We have a good number of great cooks in the area -
but then, with 64% of the US population categorised as over weight, I guess you could say that about ANY area of the good, old US of A.
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I made the Lemon poke cake... because my attempts to devil eggs for the event went awry, [No. Don't wanna talk about it. It could be a whole other posting, that story - *sheesh*] and because, I can put the finished cake into the freezer at Church just before services begin and take it back out when we break for Sunday school classes and it'll therefore be perfectly defrosted to a nicely done "chilled" stage for divvying up at the dinner. (extra YUM)
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WARNING: RANT AHEAD!!! .... stop reading now, or, well, ...you were warned.
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I guess I needed the extra sweetening because I was about to go on, to "take on," 2 major "maternal" influences in my life, who were, IMHO, in need of some correction!
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I don't believe for one second that either old lady liked it one iota (that I spoke up and spoke out), but hey - I'm not gonna stand for the old broads railroading along through my life - like crazy trains, irregardless of other people's feelings (MINE, for instance) and irregardless of defining fact vs fiction - not to mention, good old-fashioned common sense, for crying out loud, in what's good information to be passing along to folks and what isn't. I keep telling them that I am perfectly capable of talking about my own life to people, when and if I choose to do so. ... and quite frankly - THEY ARE NOT!!!! (GRRRrrrr)
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Situation 1 - "Marion the Librarian"
I have been giving a dear, 70s-something lady, a ride to church each Sunday since my move into town. We have a great friendship. She actually requested that I be the one to come, pick her up for the drive because we enjoy each other's company so much. She is, however, one of those who has difficulty discerning where to draw the line on the information she retells to others. Making her "Gerty the Gossip" from time to time - need to know something about someone who attends our church? Call this one, and get her going... warnings (like the one, I, and several others in attendance heard from the pulpit, in yesterday's talks )- to abstain from gossip - go over her head, completely. and sure... I do it too... no one is perfect... but I try not to, I really, really do.
I've learned I am learning, to manage the information I discuss with her (being taught a sore lesson on this very subject by my mother, just last year) any who...
I have been interviewing and doing up paper work to take a part time customer service position at the regional airport. It will be a grunt job, low pay, low hours, perk is I'll be able to fly where they fly...
The training will be intensive due to tighter-than-ever-historically-before security issues and FAA regulations, they needed work history back ten years, drug testing, finger printing, a letter of recommend - (which I lined up with my clergy whose wife also works with economic development here, so coin-toss on which one wants to do me the favor...) bla-bla-bla...
(I am kinda excited about it though)
SO!
I get to the point where I need to tell my friend about all this, because starting off next week, I'll pull weekend duty - ending my ability to get her to the church on time.
We talk about making other arrangements for her at the potluck - since there will be ample time to chat with the branch president about the issue then.
I tell her this Saturday afternoon and I tell her just the basics about what I am doing.
Sunday morning, the wife of the branch president, asks me, "As I understand it, We don't need to send out a reference letter for you (???)- because, we got a phone call, and as I understand it you have the job, starting this week, right????"
Hum..."we got a phone call" (red flag #1)
"We don't need to send out reference letter for you"... (red flag #2)
"REEEEeally," I say, "who called you?"
"Well, actually we got 2 phone calls." ...(red flag #3)
- I told one person, yet, now, 2 people are phoning discussing my personal business with the branch president! - who is now questioning rather or not a vital piece of info, [which I thought I had personally, all lined up with them] needs to be drafted and sent out for my file, for this opportunity!?
Yes.
"WE" had a little chat(another, "little chat" - we've had similar talks before...) on the way "home" from church yesterday... I asked and then pointed out... "Why are you jumping on the phone and discussing with various others what I may or may not be doing for this job? When, I haven't even discussed this with my own Mother yet!"
Speaking of which, I'd WAGER MONEY that I don't need to .... the probability that discussions, on my behalf, regarding this subject, have already taken place with Mother - is HIGH. (Small town, Mid-west... tradition. [Lore, maybe even?] Everybody knows everybody else's business. It's maddening, I tell you! But then, when trouble comes to town - everyone, including me, I confess, pulls together and gets whatever needs done, done.)
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speaking of Mom,
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Situation #2 - "Queen of the Dish"
I'm too poor for psycho therapy right now so I'll analyze myself... the bases for my livid disdain for the gossiping tongue lies right there with good ol' MOM. I've reach my saturation point with what stripe of information she'll blurt out to other people, about those trusting (or clueless) souls, that have shared their personal stories with her.
I first started taking a wide-eyed step backward from her on the personal information front in 1996 - when, heading to the bathroom to deal with a stabbing menstrual cramp, I happened to ask if she'd any midol or ibuprofen? ... and I also mentioned how lousy I was feeling, and always seemed to feel, in the first 24 hours or so of getting my period. Girl talk between a mother and daughter - or so I thought.
Phone rings.
From the sanctuary of the bathroom I hear her say to the caller... "Dorko got her period..." Yes, said casually, as if this revelation is as normal and familiar a topic as the weather is to whomever the fiddly-Fe-fie-foe-fum was on the other flipping line!!!??? It turn out to be a friend, and not one that I felt that close and comfortable with at the time, by any stretch of the imagination.
THIS behavior was doubly shocking because it came from the very person whom, in 1968 (or was it '69?) had told me that this 'menstruation' happens to girls (women) but not to boys (men) and that it is a personal thing that we don't discuss with others!!! [exceptions being Doctors, nurses... other female family members...]
Yesterday, however, it was not about the gossip - (I haven't shared anything 'personal' for her to gossip about for a long while now) - it was about e-mail validity... something she knows little about because she could well be the poster child for digital divide.
The conversation was pleasant - enjoyable in fact, until she began telling me about this e-mail her friend "Nancy" had gotten warning about Motel Room Key Cards - that you should never ever turn those back in - or even throw them out in the regular trash once you get back home, because, "THEY" load all your personal information up on those things and you could have you identity stolen off them.
You guessed it.
I called "Bullshit" on that - and well, I had to get the headstrong stuff from somewhere, didn't I? The Queen of Dish was not pleased that I had thrown down on her dish and was not about to buy into the cockamamie story! "Perturbed" doesn't even begin to describe my recompense, from her, for being able to think for myself and spot the falsehood. SHE does not like to be challenged, when she's stoked up full throttle like she was... That gets me too.
You'd think the woman would find some sort of satisfaction or reassurance in finding out that her child wasn't gulping down every thing she was ever gonna be feed... as gospel truths even from HER OWN MOTHER!
Ah, but No, No, NO....
[Thank you, Amy Winehouse, for giving us a universal sound byte for "denial"]
I got the cold shoulder and Siberian silent treatment - which I used to reason out why the story she was relating to me was a crock. It HAD to be a sham e-mail because logical thinking doesn't up hold it... why would the hospitality industry invest in soft ware and hard ware to compromise the security of their guests while simultaneously opening themselves up - good and wide - for law suit, after law suit, after law suit -if it were true?
...and...secondly why treat ME badly over the telephone, because I choose to NOT trust that something your friend told you about from an e-mail via the Internet was true - when we all know (and should continually REMEMBER) that the Internet is a buyer-be-ware land of malfeasance extraordinaire?
I was intrigued enough with the story (and Mom's peeved behavior towards ME - when I challenged it) to check it out on Snopes.com... Here's the link to what I found: http://www.snopes.com/crime/warnings/hotelkey.asp
So... breath a sigh of relief! You CAN (and should) return those key!
(ahem)
The TRUELY interesting story I found while looking up the hooey was THIS ONE!!!
http://www.snopes.com/horrors/gruesome/bodybed.asp ou!!!! GROSS ME OUT!!!!
Alright.
Enough.
I'm off to supper...
and yes, as if you didn't know - it'll be "egg salad" sandwiches for the rest of the week!

Suze Orman

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How exciting is this?
Suze Orman was on the Oprah Winfrey show today ... Suze is passionate about women gaining control of their financial destinies.
Home viewers can go to Oprah.com and download a free copy of Suze's book: Women & Money until 5 p.m. 6/27/08!
Coolio, huh?
Yep.
I already got my copy!
Thanks Suze!
Thanks to your publishers!
and
Thank you Oprah for 'make a difference' broadcasting!

Just in Time for Father's day...

It happened this week - Monday. A new arrival to the clan.

The first baby boy born to extend the 'paternal' family name in, like, 2 decades or so.

That makes 2 total.

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I'll be looking forward to furthering my "doting" Auntie duties, hehehee

Congratulations!

Note2self:

Weird:Art, Science, or OU!?

Last year News of the Weird reported on an organic art project, "Victimless Leather," in which artists Oron Catts and Ionat Zurr attempted to grow embryonic stem cells of a species onto an artificial platform, in this case creating leather from mouse cells without the need to kill cows. However, in the latest demonstration of the project, at New York City's Museum of Modern Art this spring, the exhibit apparently grew so rapidly that it overwhelmed the space available, and curator Paola Antonelli said she was forced to kill the organism. She told the Art Newspaper that it was a difficult decision. "I've always been pro-choice, and all of a sudden I'm here not sleeping at night about killing a coat." [The Art Newspaper, 5-1-08]

Just a Reminder...

For with what Judgment ye judge, ye shall be judged: and with what measure ye mete, it shall be measured to you again.

Truly, I believe I can...

Gemini - May 30, 2008

There are extremely slow moving subtle energies that are coming into play today, dear Gemini, which may not be felt so easily. What they are providing, however, is a key to manifesting your wildest dreams. Fantasy can become your reality, but it may only come one small, subtle step at a time. Don't give up. Focus on the unconventional way of getting things done. You will eventually achieve everything your heart desires - as long as you truly believe that you can.

Yeah, yeah, yeah... "I Believe"

...but WHY is it always that the heart's desires will 'eventually' be 'achieve' - able?

When, NOW is all we really have, man!?

*Sheesh*

(I know, I know - my impatience is showing.)

On ward.

Don't give up.

Never surrender.

One foot in front of the other....

and so it goes!

=)

Aging Gracefully

I LOVED it that my sister, the Queen of Panic!, sent this out for my (and now your?) Cyber-viewing "another year older, if not wiser" pleasure.

Hope you like it as much as I did - gotta have some respect for gizzers who still cling to that 'forever young at heart' thing! lol

Cheerios to all who pass this way...

=D

Wild Roses...& a B-Day

Roses and daisies make a beautiful bouquet don't they?

I've got wild roses... in full bloom at the new house.

Just in time for the Birthday!

The fragrance is pretty sweet all around the place...

earlier in the month all the lilac were in bloom.

I wonder what will be next?

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?

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=)

The Last Lecture

Just wondering if any of you watched this "Special" back in April... it was wonderful.

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"A Love Story for Your Life", indeed.

Memorial Day

This Memorial Day... along with my thoughts and prayers of gratitude for fallen soldiers whose heroic, ultimate sacrifices have time and again sufficed the cost of "my" freedoms; I will, of course, be thinking of 2 men, having separately passed 'through sleeps' dark and silent gate' who were so very special to me: my Daddy and Ricky.

The triumps and trials I obtained to in 2007 as well as events unfolding and flowing into this year... have continually been overshadowed by this, for me - it was the year in which I lost the 1st man I had ever loved, and the last.

Certainly, there will again be for me time and opportunity to give and receive the sublime gift: love... and not only do I have a testimony that, '...there is no end to love' but I have that faith to take comfort in the fact. To know that even though the opportunity to further enjoy the good things about these men and my relationships with them 'in real time' has ended, the love that we obtained to still, steadfastly, abides - along with many good memories. (Those of which, couriously, have come to mind in those coincidental, surprising ways - that nevertheless command your attention to the point of realizing this is not so coincidental, as what it is a comfort and relief - being particularly sweet.)


These relationships were soulful relationships, for me, like none other, and so I miss them - terribly at times.

They had this in common as I knew them to be, they were both hardworking, honorable men - who would reachout to help, and lift another whenever they possibly could... and they liked to sing, when feeling really good about themselves they would go bursting into song at any given moment (never predictible, always delightful when they did so) and they liked to laugh, too!

Still, there is no going back, and there will never be a 'repeat'.

...and so I celebrate, deep within my grief (as do we all, I believe, when we come to terms with sudden and significant 'change') that we had what we had, that we did what we did, and that we came to know what we know, because we experienced it.

"Now" for me, is still an evaporative thing - which is sometimes both physically and spiritually painful and chaotic.

For them "now" is freedom from their physical forms and ...peace.

So - here my thoughts turn back to current events - how many, Lord, have recently passed on from this world?

Globally - earthquakes, hurricanes, wars' battlefields - domestic and international terror is afoot and grief is rampant in the news.

No matter were you're at or what your circumstances are, it is a hard thing to bare... nevertheless, it is honorable to remember as long and as vibrantly as we can those that have passed on before us....
and to visit, and appreciate those that are still here!
... and ....
in remembering....

can I pause now and then to help and lift another?

can I burst into song now and then, for no other reason than that I am feeling really good?

can I hold on to my good humor (a gift, acquired from both of my parents) to my own ends?

I'm gonna give it my best shot.
=)

In memory of you, Dad:
February 13, 1934 - October 16, 2007
&
In memory of you, Rick:
July 14, 1952 - May 26, 2007
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(You had great "dashes")

Still Missing You...

"What greater thing is there for two human souls that to feel that they are joined...

to strengthen each other...

to be at one with each other in silent unspeakable memories."

-- George Eliot

It's Magic! (Really!)

SO... Rentals are NEVER really as "clean" at the walk through with the landlord as what you (maybe it's just me?) really think they ought to be after you've signed papers, paid money, moved your stuff, and begin to REALLY look around as you re-situate to the 'new' surroundings.For instance, I thought the bathroom of the new place looked fairly clean, if not woefully smaller than what I was leaving.Upon closer inspection I find: the toilet "wobbles", there's scum everywhere, and the sink is being supported by a stick. (yes. You read right - a stick, I tell you!) I will not tell you, in great detail, about what I found lifting the lid of the toilet - except to say that it did involved a raisin, and, yes, I almost hurled cleaning IT up. (shudders!)So! I've been re-situating and cleaning. I've been using those disposable disinfecting wipes. For the quick, let's-just-get-something-done-about-this NOW, thing and deal with the in depth cleaning details at a later date. These wipes are very handy for this type of deal. I won't move again without them!Then, yesterday I was looking around at the extremely ill-designed and old fashioned kitchen... my eye particularly landing, time and again, on the old-timey country kitchen sink. Boy was it grimy! Stained, hardened water deposits, soap scum - icky. Right beside said, icky sink was a product sample of Mr. Clean's Magic Eraser - so I pull up a chair, (I'm a 1/4 inch shy of 6' - the sink is sitting maybe a yard off the floor - I'll be sitting working at this sink a lot I think) and read the hype, er, directions to the 'Magic Eraser' ....: "Clean things you never thought you'd get clean!" it read. lol OK sink - meet Mr. Clean! ... and to my amazement, it was working! To be fair I did have to put some muscel power in, later on some of the thicker hard water deposits that had obviously built up over, say, the last 80 years... but I'm wondering if even that was because I only had a sample size eraser to work with - (they're designed to disintegrate, breaking down over time and usage.)Well, that's a lot of typing to say this: I'm sold on Mr. Clean's Magic Erasers and now have that on my shopping list.If you're dealing with incredible grime - you might try one however you might want to read this report first: http://housekeeping.about.com/od/productreviews/gr/mrcleanmagicer.htm

Pass the Oxy-Moron...

I found this groovy site Google searching. Which is to say I was once more avoiding the inevitable: writing one of my term papers. It does give one something to think about, no?

http://www.oxymoronlist.com/

Looking Forward...

To:

Better Tomorrows....

On this day in History...

5/14/2005



Your Huckleberry



Yes..go ahead my darling..do what needs be done


You know I expect you..to be loyal to GOD's son


We have a relationship..unlike most on this earth


And we center our love..around that heavenly birth


What's happening with us..is a love that's so real


There's a bond between us..that no one can steal


This plan that was written..so long long ago


Is a plan that neither of us..will ever let go


So by these words..


I can truly say


I'm your Huckleberry..and I'm here to stay!

Opie Outlaw

[Miss YOU, Huckleberry... one day - at the end of days, perhaps, I know I will see you again! Mmmmaaauuuhhh! =)]

Dad's Memorial

"We" are back from the coast... and my father's memorial service.

It was a good service - lots of pictures from the last 30 years or so... not too many from his younger days, but a few.

We shared our memories, we shared a lot of laughter - along with a few tears.

It was go0od to visit all the extended family and friends there.

Now I'm the one catching up on things, here.

I am 99.9% moved. (Yea!)

I did 'carpet-shampooing' and cob-web busting yesterday... there are some major cob-webbing spidies at m'old digs... saw several that I knocked down yesterday, well on their way to reconstruction today.

New Orleans should be so lucky.

I've plans to transplant some chives, purple sage, mint, and an iris or 2 from the old place to the new... this coming weekend and I'll be done-done. (c'mon! That purple sage was a gift, now!) lol

The bad news is:

I am pert near 'dead-in-the-water' with my advanced studies. (Doh!)

So, there will be no more posting 'til I can catch my breath there...

and can look around my new digs and find more than just a pathway through the mountains of cardboard boxes... sheltering the inside things I supposedly can't live without.

I swear - I'm going to seriously downsize all my kitsandkaboodles!

except maybe that purple sage...

and the good memories I have of special people in my life, like Daddy...

(and a few 'outthere' of you, too... perhaps...)

Love and Love s'more

D ~

On The Road...

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Stress from the move has given me hives!

(Rolls eyes heaven ward)

Currently on the road with family to Vancouver...

Gonna lay the 'Old Man' to rest.

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Peace

and

Love....

D. ~

Judgement

How good of GOD,

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the Almighty ...

to take a few days off

so that my brother can step in

and pass JUDGEMENT.

Apparently, people, I am not minding my own business in a manner that's acceptable to said brother.

How dare I!?

When Jesus Christ administered to the children of men in the flesh - He was careful not to judge.

Matter of fact, weren't some of His last words (during sore Crucifixion, no less) : "Forgive them Father, for they know not what they do." ???

My poor, dear, clueless brothter - thinks he can judge me.

He "knows not".

There is no way he can walk a mile in my shoes right now, let alone 2.

Human Sculptures

This artist works in plastic - constructs human beings in silica...

If you find this as facinating as I did you might google the name "Ron Mueck"

There's more information and a few more pix on the internet
- (albeit most images have a air of melancholy to them)

Happy Monday!

Um...

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"Ele-Ment-Tree?"

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LOL!

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Happy Monday!

Q12

Today, as I sat in on General Conference with other members of my church I felt blessed, reassured, and strengthened by the Lord's pattern in the organization of His church.
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- and -
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I felt thankful, for the inspirational leadership we continually receive from the Quorum of the 12 (Apostles);
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...from both the study of what the ancients preserved for us
- that wisdom of the ages awaiting all those with the ears to hear, and eyes to see, in likening the scriptures unto themselves...
and from what these latter day prophets, seers, and revelators
- our modern day, ordained members of the Quorum of the 12 Apostles have to say in baring their special witness of the divinity of the living Lord, Jesus Christ....
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It is particularly interesting when one of these, general authorities, (an Elder, from the 70, I believe)describes in vivid detail the process of spiritual 'rebirth' and you realize that he has somehow opened a window into the depths of your very own soul - because every bit of what he is describing is and was your experience.
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Amazing Grace - how sweet that vibe!
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A prayer from my e-mail files today:
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...Prayer is one of the best free gifts we receive.
There is no cost, just a lot of reward.
(a reminder...)
Make sure you pray, and pray believing God will answer.
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May today be all you need it to be.
May the peace of God and the freshness of the Holy Spirit rest in your thoughts, rule in your dreams tonight, and conquer all your fears.
May God manifest himself today in ways you have never experienced.
May your joys be fulfilled, your dreams be closer, and your prayers be answered.
I pray that faith enters a new height for you; I pray that your territory is enlarged.
I pray for peace, healing, health, happiness, prosperity, joy, true and undying love for God.
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I pray for these favors and blessings to be yours, and I pray for them to be mine as well.
Prayer has become a "special gift" for me.
It is indispensable for me, and yet - there are times when I 'forget'.
Double the blessings for that friend who sent this uplifting reminder to me today and double the blessings for any other who crosses by this way...
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Prayers go up.
Blessings come down.
...In the holy name of our brave redeemer, even the Lord, Jesus Christ
- Amen.
=)
~

Water Conservation

Wiki "How To" of the day: Build a Rain Water Collection System

Man-o-man!

I gotta settle down - quit renting and actually buy me a place so that I can do cool stuff like this!

I put the topic into, "googled images"... looks like these folks are way into it!

I thought this last one, though, was the most aesthetically pleasing... 'Go Anna!'

Me & Sully...

Sometimes things just fall into place, ya know?

Like yesterday, for instance.

I was in town early, mainly because I had an appointment, but also to run an errand or 2 - I've always multi-tasked on soirees into town and now a days, with gas being as pricey as it is - I can't afford not to! One of the tasks was to fill up on the cheap gas (discounted 5 cents per gallon on Thursdays) at Orscheln's. $3.13 p/gallon *sheesh* anywho...

I figured that post my appointment, I'd have a short line at the pumps given that it was raining outside...

After Gassing up...

Something said 'check your cel-phone' to my smarting little brain. ($3.13 p/gallon hurts me little head, I swear!) =)

There was an urgent sounding message from my friend 'Rose' ... Could I watch her little 'Sullivan' for a couple hours and git him to school on time (he's at that adorable 1/2 day age), for her?

Both of Sully's parents needed to be off to work and no 'regularly' scheduled sitter could bridge the gap!

The part I love here, is that I was heading her way and was literally 2 blocks from their house when the message finished up.

Sweet-D, me, to the rescue!

I called her back from her drive way.... "Yes...? He's dressed and ready to go...?" (She's tentatively, hopefully answering my questions)

"Great, cause I happened to be in the neighborhood when I got your message and I'm sitting right outside of your house - now. lol"

- crisis adverted-!

So... me and that 'QT-pie' Sully... (this little guy is sweeeeeet!)

We basically went to school together yesterday morning.

It was raining, so I took him up to the college with me and introduced him to the classroom where we've been attending to the advancement of my stress ... er, studies.

This involved a short elevator ride.

I let him push all of the buttons...which he did with great aplomb and minimal direction.

Once in the classroom, I introduced him to such wonders as the "Disney" and "Looneytoons" websites.

It was my goal to have him in as much control of PC operations as possible - took him through a little point and click 101... showed him how to google up the sites - even had him spell out D I S N E Y by himself, on the key board and briefly cross referenced the 'enter' key with him.

He was diggin' it.

and...

I was diggin' it... 'cause (boy howdy!) I was really multi-tasking now, bay-bee!

Kid sitting, teaching elementary IT, surfing the net simultaneously for looneytoons and reference articles for my Economics term paper... checkin' e-mail - Who-wee!

=)

(happy grin)

Time flew by...

Sully tapped into some Baby Einstein spaceship blast off game for awhile and then watched some cartoons.

He really seemed to be enjoying himself.

This was good - because I need to be maximizing every minute and hauling him back to my house 'til it was time to take him to his school wasn't gonna cut it for me nearly as well as this was.

By the time I got him to his alma matter he was on a decidedly independent track.

"I know where I'm going. You don't have to go in with me." He volunteered. . .

hummm... from the way his Momma described it - it was a pretty straightaway... so...

"Fine. You ARE quite the big boy today - going to College with me, playing around on the computers together, I believe you can find your way ok on your own. So! I am going to drop you off here - at the right door and then I'll watch and wait while you get inside the school and headed in the right direction to your class - ok!?"

I'm saying this while carefully eyeing the plate glass ensconced entry way to the elementary school...

Big smile from Sully!

I'd never do that in a million years in a metro area - rural America does have its graces.

Picked up another batch of local papers from my 'source' (Mother) on my way home - called every number I could find in it, and from the local open-line radio show, and from the local chamber of commerce listings... to earnestly try to nail down a new living space... because, 'the shelter over my head' status officially went into quasi-homelessness as of April Fool's day. ... and though the pickin's are slim right now, I did firm up a deal this morning.

I gotta finish up this post, visit my landlord to be, and sign the lease papers.

On the onset, this is not going to be as comfortable, in any way, shape, or form from where I have been... but I'll make it work for me AND it'll be easier walking distance to my classes. Mere blocks to walk compared to a 3 mile highway hike.

So that thing is falling into place today... It was the only rental I saw in my price range that met my 3 stickler requirements... enough room for all my "stuff", a hook-up for a washing machine, and a landlord that appears to have an amiable demeanor.

I don't wanna put anything in 'store age' (been there, done that, ended up filing police reports because it got broken into along with a string of other people's - damn you theives!)

I gots to be able to do my laundry at home. I've done the laundry mat sceen here and there throughout the years and it just SUX for me... I loath it. (The multi-tasker mindset has run to deep to change it now! lol!)

and...

I have to be able to get along from the get go with my landlord - if you act way too uptight showing your place to me - I am so not going to rent from you. I flat refuse to subsidize your income with my hard earned pay while you behave yourself to be little more than a walking anus.

I met a walking anus yesterday evening - he was hoping to rent me a 2 B RM Trailer... He opened up the door to a very clean looking spacious living room... I stepped through and immediately smelled "CAT"... the bad, smell of cat that no one (not even cats, I suspect) likes.

So I say, "Ou. I smell CAT....!?"

"Welp," He says, "That's it then - I'm not even going to fool with you. There has never been a cat in here and if that's the first thing you're going to say it's not going to be worth my time to even show it to you."

He was sooo right about that... and sooo wrongly in denial about whether or not there had ever been a CAT living in that trailer. My golly - I'd wager that the living room carpet was actually soak in their urine/spray - the way it reeked in there.

I mean, yeah, I got a cat - but I don't cotton to cat smell. No, uh-uh - nadda me! *sheesh*

The landlord I'm signing up with seems pretty lo-key in his walk through with me but fairly discerning in our conversation(s) in terms of landlord/tennant relations.

Gotta go...

Wish me luck in the movin'...

Happy weekend to ya'll!

=)

D~

The Greatest Love

The greatest love I have in my life is the love of God.

My love for Him, His love for me - very real, and undeniable, for me.

Periodically, I think about the times in my life that I have been an absolute fool for love...

(I was thinking about this just today, it being April Fool's day and all.)

The conclusion I derive to...

- from all that I have given

- and all that I feel I have been blessed with

- "'in the name of love" (even counting the not so "whoop-de-dew" stuff - in love's learning curve)

The conclusion I derive to is this: because He first loved me,

I will always be a happy and willing fool for LOVE!

Always... and in all the ways He directs me to be thus engaged.

I am certain everyone with internet access has seen this "Interview with God"

If there should be any other "Fool for Love" come across this post today (or any other day for that matter),

I would encourage you to visit (re-visit?) that link and drink in the inspiring imagry and message(s) contained there.

Jesus said: "But whosoever drinketh of the water that I shall give him shall never thirst; but the water that I shall give him shall be in him a well of water springing up into everlasting life."

.
.
.
May pure love attend all who pass this way - both the foolish and the wise...
all ways
and
always

D ~

Ha-Ha! "Peacock"

Joke:

I was at the mall the other day eating at the food court.

I noticed an old man watching a teenager sitting next to him.

The teenager had spiked hair in all different colors: green, red, orange, and blue.

The old man kept staring at him.

The teenager would look and find the old man staring every time.

When the teenager had had enough, he sarcastically asked,

"What's the matter old man, never done anything wild in your life?

The old man did not bat an eye in his response,

"Got drunk once and had sex with a peacock.

I was just wondering if you were my son."

.

... somethings just "invite" the eye (and the occasional wise-crack), no?

Should I widen my search...?

Someone e-mailed me this picture.
Pretty funny right?
Well, at this point I do believe I'd settle for it... or something similar.

QofP! Chocolate Chip Cookies

That's right.

The Queen of Panic gets all the credit for this yummy recipe.

That's because I got it from her... and...

That's what I'm calling it/them from here on out:

Panic's Chocolate Chip Cookies

or ...maybe you think that

QP's Chocolate Chip Cookies

has a better 'ring' to it?

Let's go with that then... here is the recipe, considering my stress level... I will definately be mixing up a batch of these over the weekend....

QP's Chocolate Chip Cookies

preheat oven to 350

2 1/4 C sifted flour

1 t. baking soda

1 t. salt

Combine and whisk together, those ingredients in a separate bowl - set aside.

1 C. (2 sticks) softened/room temperature butter

1/4 C. granulated sugar

3/4 C. brown sugar

1 t. vanilla

1 pkg. (4 serv.) instant vanilla pudding mix*

Combine the above ingredients in a large mixing bowl and beat until they appear to be 'light & fluffy'.

Add: 2 eggs - thoroughly beat until mix looks smooth and creamy.

Add, slowly: The reserved flour combination, mixing well after each addition until well incorporated.

Stir in: 1 - 12 oz bag of semi-sweet chocolate chips & (optional) 1 C. Chopped walnuts.

Drop by tsp. onto an ungreased cookie sheet, baking 10-12 minutes, then removing from the oven to cool on wire rack(s).

*May substitute Chocolate pudding - which I did a couple weeks ago & they were good too... only I think I will cut the addition of salt down when using chocolate pudding in this mix to only 1/2 teaspoon.

Mmm-mm-good comfort food, people! Maybe they'll make it to the pot luck on Sunday??? Maybe I'll whoop up a couple 'Dream Coconut Cream Pies' instead... at any rate you all have a great weekend, ya hear?

Enjoy!

D ~

Easter Eggs

I Love Easter! Hope everyone had a blessed one this year. We did the Easter Story Eggs with the little children in Sunday school. I love teaching Sunday school! My little class yesterday was full of boys - all full of life - ! At this stage in development they seem to be just as chatty as what the girls are, maybe more! lol! I just saw a list of 'Things I'd like to do before I die' on NWJR's blog... that reminds me, I'd like to take a stab at decorating eggs like these in the photo - at least once, before I get too old, arthritic, or 'shaky' to git r done! Here's a link to a web page about Easter Eggs.

Happy Spring! ...(???)

Boy Howdy... We made it through to SPRING! yippie-skippy!!!

Temps into the 70s today - that oughta take care of the snow we got on Sunday and Monday!

I just sent out a "Happy Birthday" card to my sister, in hopes that it arrives for her special day - this will be a mile stone one for her I'm guessing...

I put some smarty pants comments inside and: ???, for the return address on the envelope.

Alekx and Burfica have both asked about how I am doing in 'relocating'

Answer: Not too good, not right now - although I am keeping at it. [beams a hopeful, optimistic smile]

It just seems like everything in my world is either on hold or backed way up right now.

Like, I called the IRS 2-3 weeks ago and asked them to send me a 970 - the instructions for taking higher education credits... the packet arrived yesterday - with an order list that had my request alright, and ...bankruptcy forms... (I was not amused)... someday, though, that's gonna be funny to me. I just know it.

I haven't worked/had a pay-check in what (?) 12 weeks now?

This was going to be ok when I first 'found myself unemployed' because I had crunched the numbers and looked at the time factor.

I could take some time to rededicate my focus to my school work (And I have. I've pulled everything up to the 'A' standard I so dearly love - this was slipping before...) ... and find a much more suitable job in every sense of the word - including pay scale, because -

I had some 'reserved resources' and I figured on some pocket cushion in the form of my student loans (they have YET to come in btw, that has been the real killer for me ... dang it!) but then,

Dun-dun-dunnn! (insert ominous music here)

I hadn't foreseen the 'eviction' - I had not even dreamt that my dear relatives would pick right now (with real estate sales slumping of all things and times!?) as the time to want to spruce up the place and put it back on the market. Hello!!!???

You know, I can't say a bad word about it either - so I won't - other than the timing sucks (for me). All things considered, they (the collective 'they') have all been really, really good to me down through the years. I hope they get an immediate buyer and one willing to go their full asking price! Truly, I do.

Chalk all this up to a big lesson in unfortunate and unforeseen events. . . coming 'round and laying smack down.

(I've an elderly, retired school teacher friend, "Well, you should know by now that bad things do happen to good people - sometimes." Yeah, her timing was perfect, we shared a laugh, actually... the situation is ripe with stress, irony, stress, lessons to be learned (and then some!), stress, er... did I mention stress?)

Talk about a rough ride this month, though - up, down, up, down... the pressure, is 'on', as the saying goes.

Another example: One of the jobs I've applied for thus far, one with an attractive start-wage and benefits package - it would be with the State public power (Stability! Just what I'm looking for, yes!) called me back, asked me to take a 'blind typing' test (they cover the keyboard with a box so you can't/don't look at the keys as you type the test). I must have passed their minimum at least, because they sent out an interview packet with paperwork for me to fill out and made an appointment with me to interview on the 17th. Whoo-hoo, right?

I was feeling grrreat about that - until the phone rang again (last Friday) and they cancelled the interview - pending further notice - because my interviewer was down, sick.

Whatever.

I have a 'job' to do today. =)

My brother and his family are in Hawaii, right now - he couldn't get his buddy to feed/water the 2cats and 1rottweiler for the last 2 days they'd be gone, so he called on me. This will be a very temporary position, (lol)but it will pay - (and pay better than the last 'job' that I did have.) lol (see, irony here?) Bah-ha-ha-ha!

Yes.

Spring and the good weather are helping my attitude a bunch. . .

Jobs are opening up, a little bit here.

I've got several good prospects to apply for yet today and have already submitted my resume to a couple ahead of these this morning.

I know I have way too, too much 'stuff' to do right now but, the fact is that I just 'shut down' (other than reading through my assignments) -everything over the past weekend.

I think I pretty much had to.

I prayed alot and I focused on 'What's next?'

I should have fasted, along with the praying, perhaps, but I went with the self medication through chocolate chip cookie idea instead.

(I'll post the recipe at a later date - these have puddin' in the mix)

I mean, I was down to either taking 'a break' from EVERYTHING last week, or suicide... Guess which one I choose? (Insert more edgy laughter here: hahaha! Waves her fist wildly in the air!)

I mean, suicidal thoughts do not stand a chance in the face of ooie good chocolate chip cookies - do they? I fail to see how anyone could off themselves with a cookie in the house. Seriously.

(disclaimer: no worries please - I am oh, so kidding about the "S" word here)

... So, here I am - smack dab in the midst of the refiners fire (see previous post)

Loving... life, liberty, SPRING!, the good Lord above, you (for reading all the way down to here. lol) my studies (even though we are into economics right now), and the big unknown too - as in how is this all gonna play out and where is this taking me next?

"And we know that all things work together for
good to them that love God, to them who are the called
according to his purpose. " -- Romans 8:28

I have a testimony that this is true, at least, it always has been for me!

Cheerios! (and much love) to all who pass this way...

D ~