Serenity

God grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change; courage to change the things I can; and the wisdom to know the difference. — Reinhold Neibuhr

I learned this prayer as a teen and again got to use it as a principle in a self-help group. There are many things in this life that we cannot change. For instance, the weather. Try as we might, it would be an exercise in futility. There is nothing we can do about it, so we let it go. We would exhaust ourselves otherwise.

Courage to change the things I can came much harder for me. I lacked a lot of self-courage. I knew I could look after everyone else, but I was certain I couldn't look after myself. Keyboard spoke of ruffling feathers. That was very difficult for me to do. I first had to discern what feathers I could or should ruffle without causing myself grief. This included the first part of the prayer again: what can I change and what can't I?

That takes us into the last part: wisdom to know the difference. This is actually easier than the rest of it. It takes a little thought, but you instinctively know what you can and can't change. Sure, there may be some things that you THINK you can't change but really you can. I suppose the opposite may be true as well, but not for the majority of people. Trust your instincts. (I think Keyboard touched on that the other day too.)

I am where I am today, by following this simple process in my life. I put it into practice on a regular basis, too, whenever I am faced with making a decision.

There is one other thing that I try to keep in mind as well ...

All good things take time, and they are worth waiting for or sometimes worth fighting for. In the meantime, try to maintain peace and serenity in the eye of the storm. That is where the real strength is.

Dreams

Dreams are never destroyed by circumstances. Dreams are born in the heart and mind, and only there can they ever die. Because while the difficult takes time, the impossible just takes a little longer.
- Art E. Bay

We all have dreams. Some are harder to achieve than others, but we must never give up on our dreams. We all need something to hope for. Our dreams can become reality. The difficult part is waiting for them. I know...

Fighting Injustice

Sometimes it pays to have inside information about a particular situation. It can become a useful tool to fight an injustice.

This week, I had to take my son's teacher to task. I found out that academic points were to be deducted from his mark for not having purchased a school agenda, or an alternate. Additional points were to be deducted for lack of having a binder. Being very familiar with the curriculum, I could challenge this teacher to show me where it is written in the prescribed outcomes for any course that academic points could be lost for such things. She, of course, became defensive and says that she is delivering a curriculum that was designed by their administration, and if I had a problem with this it should have been addressed in February and not now. Well ... hello!! What teen do you know who would tell you how a school has designed the marks for a course, particularly when their schedule for the semester had gotten screwed around by said administration so that the first week of classes had been missed completely when this information was communicated? Most teens, particularly those of the male gender (no offense intended), would not tell you about those minor details unless they became an issue. Although the curriculum is designed by the province, it seems some administration take it upon themselves to decide how to deliver it, sometimes using outdated methods and those proven ineffective. Yikes!!!

Long story short ... Yes, I probably should have asked for a course outline, but I had faith that the school would deliver the curriculum according to provincial policy and outcomes, not on this type of thing. I accept my part in this. I expected everything to be handled fairly and according to protocol. I hate to fight (it is not my nature), but when an injustice is done to the people I love, I will go the mile for them. They are well worth fighting for.

Green Acres

Do you remember Eddie Albert and Eva Gabor on Green Acres? Mr. Hainey and Arnold the pig? Well ... right now I can relate to that show. I am stuck here sitting in "a penthouse kind of view" when I want "to give me that countryside." I have decided that condo living is definitely not for me. I grew up in a house with a farmer and a farmer's daughter. I learned a great appreciation for the land and its vegetation. I want a garden again. I want a lawn to manicure. I want a clothesline to hang out clothes for that fresh air smell. I want to be able to live as I want to and not as a board of people tell me I must. Mind you, I am grateful to have this place to live. It was exactly what and where I needed it to be when the time came to start a new life. It has served me well, but I feel the time has come to try to move to the next level. Trouble is, I can't figure out how. Now the wheels in my head begin to turn. Somehow, there must be a way.

In the meantime ... if I can just figure out a way to sneak that pig in here ...

Success and Failure

I was watching a program on TV yesterday, and it reminded me of something from my past. The person speaking was a surgeon. He said that how he maintained balance in his life hinged on a few things, but most importantly having a supportive wife behind him to help pick him up when he felt he had failed and to bring him back to Earth when his head got too big. Having a support system is a very important thing.

During the past decade, I have had many times when I felt as though I had failed myself or someone else or just plain failed at doing something. I will never forget that one of my supportive friends reminded me that the only real failure in life was a failure to try. Yes, trying for something does not always mean that we will get the desired results, but we should never give up. Many successful inventors tried hundreds or even thousands of inventions before they stumbled across one that took off. Thomas Edison and Alexander Graham Bell are among them.

The one thing that stands out in my mind about my perceived failures is that they helped me to build my character and grow stronger and even figure out what makes me tick. I did not let these things destroy the type of person I wanted to be. They may have temporarily taken away my sense of value and hope for my future, but in the end they could not destroy my integrity and my ability to hold my head up and like the person I saw in the mirror. And you know ... loving yourself, treating others with kindness, and knowing you're a good person is what is most important. Those are the things we will be remembered for; not the things we may consider as successes or failures. I thank my friends for helping me to maintain this important life perspective. Never fail to try.

Speed Bumps

We all know what speed bumps are. They are those annoying, aggravating humps of asphalt that slow us down on the road we are travelling. They make us stop and look around and to proceed with caution. They make us look to see if there is something we may not otherwise have noticed. So also are the speed bumps on the road of life. Today, as with each day, we begin a new journey. May your speed bumps be few and far between.

Reason

The problem with life is that it is lived forward and understood backward.

The dictionary defines reason as the following:

Reason: (n,v) 1. a cause or motive for an action, feeling, etc.; ground
2. a justification; explanation
3. the ability to think and draw conclusions
4. right thinking; good sense
5. sanity

Under the present circumstances, none of these are appropriate. Let's take each number as it comes.

1. Well...there are no grounds but we certainly know what has caused the feelings we are all now experiencing.

2. The explanation defies us and was completely and utterly unjustified.

3. They know how to think and draw conclusions? That has proven itself to be untrue.

4. Someone missed the boat completely when they were passing out the ability to think and make good sense.

5. Sanity? Sanity? No, $#@%*&+ way!!!!!!!!! This is absolutely insane!!!!!!!!!!!! No one in their right mind would have wreaked havoc such as this.


It may take a very long time to see any sort of reason for this. There is no logical reason on this Earth that would ever justify this course of action. The repercussions of this are certain to be a lack of respect and credibility of the powers that be. The pain that this has caused is incomprehensible. Time will heal the wounds, but the scars will remain. The friendship and comradery that developed over the past year, however, is priceless. That is the one thing that will remain intact, and it is an important one.

Friendships

This has been an incredibly challenging week for which none of us can make sense. It has been one full of hurt, anger, and resentment. Very appropriate emotions under the circumstances. Thank heavens for the friendships that we have formed. The support of friends can carry us through our toughest times. What goes around does, indeed, come around. It just may take some time for that to happen. We will all be watching for it. It will happen.

... Some Days Coal

Wouldn't it be nice if everyday was a "diamond" kind of day? Well, today is actually feeling like a "coal" kind of day for me. Life kind of bites right now. I have a tremendous amount on my mind. I'm one of those people who can create all kinds of scenarios in their mind, none of which may come true, but which can cause yourself a great deal of self-imposed agony. Kind of like beating yourself with a stick unrelentlessly.

My horoscope for this week said this:

...though this week will be challenging, it will yet prove immensely satisfying.

Challenging? Oh yes. Prove to be immensely satisfying? I somehow doubt that, but it is yet to be seen, I guess. The sun may be shining outside, but the world is in a haze today. So is my head. The black cloud that is hanging over it is just waiting to relieve itself on my head.

Today Is a Rare Day!

Well...today is the day when Venus passes in front of the sun. It will do so again in 2012, then not for another hundred years after that. This time is supposed to be a magical time. Venus is the planet of love. It is said that if you make a wish today, your wish will most likely come true. Make it a good one. I know what I will wish for.

Ironically, today also marks the anniversary of a turning point in my life. It was two years ago today, that I made a life change. It is something I have not and will never regret doing. It has allowed me to find out who I really am and to make some very positive changes in myself. I knew for sure it was the right move when my children remarked on how much healthier I looked and how much more relaxed I was. I know that some may not agree that this was the best way to go, and I lost some friends in the process, but those are the ones who chose not to try to understand. They did not walk in my shoes. I will continue to walk forward, and will look back only to ensure that I do not make the same mistakes again.

Onward to a glorious future. Make a wish on Venus, and make it count!!!!!!!!!!!

? Questions ?

Well, Keyboard, you are asking why you do all these things. Didn't your parents ever tell you "just because and stop asking questions"? Think how boring life would be if you didn't have all these little things to give you a shot of adrenaline to bring up your blood pressure. What doesn't kill you makes you stronger. Life could be worse.

Here are some questions for you to answer:

1. How can a cow turn green grass into milk? Science can't do it.

2. How can the sky be blue then grey, then black, then purple and pink? Air has no colour.

3. Why do people have to take machinery to cut down a tree and tear up the stump, when a good wind, like in Hurrican Juan, can pull it out of the ground like it was a weed? We can't see the wind or even touch it, yet it has more strength than man-made machinery.

4. Why can't science explain how a bumblebee can fly? Their bodies are too big and their wings too small to make it possible.

5. Why can bees make the only food known to man that never spoils. Honey has been found in the tombs of ancient Egyptians that is still edible.

6. How can a tiny ant carry several times its own body weight, yet people cannot. Even with training, most cannot lift much more than their own body weight.

7. Why is the liver the only organ of the body that can regrow when part of it is removed?

8. Why is the pupil of the eye the only organ in the body that increases to 10 times its original size when excited?

9. Why do platypuses have a beak, web feet and lay eggs like a duck, yet nurse their young like a mammal?

10. Why does a giraffe have such a long neck?


It's an amazing world God created, isn't it? Take time to enjoy the intangibles of it all.

$Money$

I have often heard people quote Jesus as saying, "Money is the root of all evil." In fact, what He said was, "The love of money is the root of all evil." There is a big difference there. Right now, though, I hate money. I guess it is the lack of money that I hate. I have had some tremendous expenses in the past two months; more than my budget could ever afford. I have struggled with a lack of money my whole life, so this really is nothing new. I am not complaining, really. I'm just frustrated. It is just that sometimes it gets me down, like it does today. These recent expenses mean that I can't get a new TV when the one I have is about to give up the ghost shortly. It means I can't get the new computer desk I need before this sagging one collapses. It means I can't get the few articles of clothing that I need or a car or the house that I want so bad, but that is OK. I will get them eventually, and I will do what I can in the meantime.

I have made many sacrifices for my children over the years. The day will come soon when they can be self-supporting and not need to rely on Mom so heavily. Perhaps one day they will even appreciate all I have done.

I know that part of this issue is the result of a personal choice I made two years ago, but it is one I have never regretted. The financial restrictions will be temporary. I just need to be patient and do the best I can until then. And above all, pray for help with my finances. And, you know, I somehow always seem to manage. I do receive my daily bread. However, having a few loaves in the freezer would be a wonderful thing!

Self-Caring Is Not Selfishness

Too often people think that when they care about something for themselves or are focussing on themselves for a bit that they are being selfish. That is not necessarily true. The healthiest people know that it is necessary to take care of themselves and have their needs met in order to be there for others. This is self-caring, not selfishness. Self-care is not a spin-off of the "me generation." It is not selfish; it is self-esteem. Self-care means learning to love the person we're responsible for taking care of—ourselves. Self-care sometimes means "me first," but usually "me too." There are times when we cannot be there for someone else because we have our own issues we need to deal with. There are times when someone we need cannot be there for us because they have their own problems. Sometimes both parties have their own separate things to deal with at the same time and can't be there for each other. That is OK. When they have worked through everything, they will be better able to be there for us or us for them. Those who love themselves and hold themselves in high esteem are those who give the most, contribute the most, and love the most. So ... go ahead and take care of yourself. You are worth it!!

Whoa!! I See the Sun at Last.

Could summer really be coming after all? I felt so much better today being able to see the sun. It is amazing how much that ball of fire can lift my spirits. I was beginning to believe I would start to grow mould from all the dampness. At one point today, I was just sitting looking out the window taking in the sun and admiring how the trees were filling out with their leaves. My son told me I was just like the old ladies in this building sitting watching out the window. I had to explain that I wasn't trying to watch the happenings to be nosy. I don't get to see the sun all day when I am at work. I work in the interior of the building so there is no window beside me. I used to have a large window by my desk with a harbour view for several years until they renovated and took it away from me. I was upset. The windows were meant to be for the management with offices and closing doors; for the people who are not there day in and day out. Does that make sense to you? Personally, I am quite affected by lack of sun. I need to see the light of day each day. So let the sun shine in, face it with a grin, open up your heart and let the sun shine in.

Discs

Over at Sam's Place there is talk about the different kinds of scanners. Well discs are the same way. We have hard discs and floppy discs; zip discs, compact discs, and video discs; we have discs that we throw in competition; there are discs that we shoot at (also called skeets); and we have discs in our backs that help us to move. Anything that is round and flat has been dubbed a disc of one sort or another, even UFOs. I guess our English language only has so many words.

Rare Transit of Venus

On Tuesday, June 8, the silhouette of Venus will cross the disc of the Sun. It's like an extraordinary kind of eclipse—the last time it happened was in 1882. This won't happen again until 2012, and after that not until 2117. Venus is all about love!

That date means something to me too, but I will touch on that more then. Sounds like interesting times, if you have been reading anything about it. I'll be interested to see just what it brings about. Three astrologers knew that a bright star in the sky meant something special over 2000 years ago and followed it for 2 years. We all know the special meaning it had. Today's astrologers see something special here too. Let's wait and see the results. Just 5 more days to go.

Troubleshooting

Troubleshooting can be exhilarating by times and frustrating other times. It depends on what you are troubleshooting. I spent my entire work day yesterday troubleshooting a printing problem with a combination of software and operating systems. Several of us are having the same problem. I have checked the knowledgebase/technical support pages and found no answers. I checked the help menus in the programs, still nothing. I updated print drivers and fonts; uninstalled and reinstalled programs and still nothing. The only thing I think I was able to narrow down is that it is one particular program that is causing the issue, and not the one I originally thought was the problem. The fix for that is not a simple one since the product has been discontinued and the newer version is unsupported. Time is of the essence to find a solution, since we all need to move to XP, which is when the problem surfaced. It was not there with Win98. However, XP does not seem to be the problem. Even our IT techs can't find the problem, but we are all working together to find a solution. Wish me luck. I don't have a lot of time to find the solution. Talk about frustration!!!

Dreams

I know we all have dreams. I don't know how I could have gotten through my life without them. I'm always off somewhere on Cloud Nine weaving dreams. It's gotten me in trouble many times because I wasn't paying attention to someone I should have been listening to. I can't even remember when I started going off into a dream world. It was where I could find some peace and happiness in a world I once felt was so cold. I also imagine I am not alone in that thought either.

I've had many dreams for my life. I haven't seen very many of them come true. Perhaps I didn't have what it takes to make them come true. Maybe I still don't, but now I have faith. Faith means that I can trust that things will turn out as they are meant to be for me. They may not be as I had hoped for, but perhaps they will be even better.

The one major dream I have had since adolescence was to have true love in my life. The kind with unending passion. The kind where two souls are connected in ways that only they can understand and feel. Do I believe that this only exists in fairy tales? No, not for a moment ... I believe it can happen and does happen. I've watched it happen to others, and always with much envy. I hope they know how lucky they truly are. I believe they do, because if you have that kind of deep love in your life, you know how to appreciate it and treasure it.

Another dream I have is to have a 6-bedroom house on a lake. The master bedroom would have a balcony overlooking the lake where I could stand or sit on a moonlight night and watch the reflection of the stars and moon shimmering on the water. Wouldn't that be nice? I suppose this dream is way out there, but I can afford this house in my dream.

What do you dream about?

Last Word

It would appear that the resident at Sam's Place would like to have the last word. To that I say "take it and run with it." Some of us don't have the financial resources to have a computer that could handle all that stuff anyway. Consider yourself lucky and type til your heart's content. It's still a personal preference, and I can accept that people want different things in and for their lives. It would be a dull world if we all wanted the same things and thought the same way.

Answer about Slickrun

The answer to your question, Keyboard, is one click to the desktop. There is an icon on the status bar that brings the desktop to the front of everything else. Voila!! All icons are now visible for use. *blows a raspberry* To each his own.

In Defense of Your Comments
Keyboard, I didn't say that the program was no good. I am sure that it has its advantages and disadvantages as does every piece of software I have ever used. It comes down to a personal preference. From what I saw, I couldn't see any real advantages for me. Let me answer your questions in sequence.

1. One click to the desktop using the desktop icon found on the status bar.

2. One click to the bookmarked webpage and a scroll through the list. However, I do not do a whole lot of surfing.

3. One click to the control panel and then a scroll.

4. A double-click to start WP program and one click to choose the document if it is in the last used list. Two if I have to scroll from the drives.

5. Starting several programs at once has a tendency to crash a machine. I generally allow one to launch completely before starting another, so multi-starts are not a necessity. If I want to start more than one, I click that desktop icon and back to my desktop I go.

6. The carpel tunnel problem did not come only from using a mouse, but rather overuse of both a keyboard and a mouse. Just plainly too much repetitive movement. This is why I use a combination of both.

7. If it is faster to keep my hands on the keyboard for any one thing, that is what I do. When it is faster to move my hand to the mouse, I do that.

8. Other programs have that feature built into them too. WordPerfect has a quick correct feature that will allow that same option for commonly used words.

9. Many program install themselves as "quickstart" icons on the status bar or in the start menu. Same difference.

10. I suspect the amount of resources that takes is not a tremendous amount. I've not encountered many problems with low resources except on older machines with a newer OS on it.

I prefer not to run too many programs at once if I can help it. Whether you start them with the keyboard or the mouse, the computer can crash due to conflicts and lost ROM.

So...if you prefer to use this program, by all means go ahead. I'm sure it is a great program for anyone who prefers to use the keyboard almost exclusively. I still prefer the option to use both.

Update—Slickrun

Well, Keyboard, I tried your Slickrun program. I have to say that I fail to see the time-saving feature of it. It is just as fast, if not more so, to double-click on the icon on my desktop that launches the program or single-click on the quickstart icon on the statusbar. Sounds like Slickrun is actually more time-consuming than time-saving. I think this program is for those who have a fear of mice!

Is Technology Going Too Far/Too Fast?

Money talks ... but all mine ever says is goodbye.

I read this quote the other day and had to chuckle. I know mine sure says goodbye in a hurry, and I do not live extravagantly. This makes me wonder how people can keep up with the costs of upgrading technology at its ever-rapid pace. I find there comes a point if what you have does what you need it to, why spend the money to upgrade to keep up with the Joneses. When it no longer suits your needs and you can afford to, by all means, go ahead. By then, it is probably less expensive to buy it anyway.

I have to shake my head at some of the advancements. I question whether they are really necessary, but I suppose some people find a use for them. For instance, as Keyboard pointed out, cell phones can have options for taking photos and for playing games. I believe these are used to entice the younger generation to pester their parents for them. I understand the photo quality isn't great, so you still need a camera for good pictures. The games are not as sophisticated as some of them are on computers, X-box, and Nintendo systems, so why bother to pay the extra money. My children both have cell phones and have gotten sucked into going on line with them to identify and download new "rings" for the phone. Oh please ... the money you pay for that is not worth it. They come with the choice of 3 or 4 rings. Pick one you can hear and go with it. It's a freakin' phone already!!!! (I have to admit that the funniest one I heard was a chicken clucking. I laughed at that one.)

Now I just read an article that describes how Timex (in the US) has created a new "Speedpass" timepiece. It allows you to wave your watch in front of the fill-up tanks at Esso or Exxon to pay for your gas. You can even use it at 400 McDonald's outlets in two US cities to pay for your food. It gives a whole new meaning to "time is money."

Our world is progressing so quickly, that people no longer know how to be patient and never seem to have enough money to buy the latest and greatest. A lot of the important parts of life are whizzing past them without being acknowledged. Life is a wonderful thing, with all its ups and downs. Take time to smell the roses (or the coffee, if you wish.)

Cell Phones

There are times when cell phones are very convenient. There are also times when cell phones are a nuisance. The following are some of the times I believe that people should not use cell phones:

- while driving a car
- while driving a bicycle
- when giving someone your credit card information
- while in church
- in the middle of a meeting
- while in a public washroom

I cannot believe it when someone actually answers their cell phone in a public washroom. Don't they know the person on the other end can hear the noises and identify where they are? Who wants to hear someone washing their hands and getting papertowel from the dispenser. Who wants to hear someone pee (or worse) and flush the toilet? What are they thinking? The caller doesn't need to talk to you that bad that it can't wait a few minutes. If they do, they will call back, and you can answer it when you leave the washroom. Please people, have some couth. Consider the privacy of the other people around you.

Dear Keyboard

It would appear that you got angry at my comments. First of all, let me tell you that I know that answering machines are not a new technology, but then again neither are computers, but we refer to the latest and greatest versions of them as "modern technology." I was one of those "soothing female voices" (your words) 24 years ago. I was the person making recordings on a reel-to-reel recorder to advise of where you could go to "u-pick" strawberries and vegy's on farms in our fair province. So...you see, I am quite aware of when this technology began.

Then today, I had to make a call to a business where I had to press 1 for English, Press 2 for ___, Press 1 for ___, then press 1 again for _____. The difference is, I was patient enough to wait to get to that last person (the correct person) to do my business.

I guess the real problem here is one of impatience, but that is a personal issue. Now today, I see that you prefer to be patriotic during daylight hours only. That would mean that you are patriotic less than half of the time. It would seem to me that those people who fly their flags 24/7 are much more patriotic than that. I don't see it having less meaning to fly it all the time as opposed to only during the daylight hours. Would you put the same emphasis on people? Would they only mean something to you during the daylight hours so that you turn them away at night? Or perhaps they would only serve your purposes at night and send them away during the day so they will not be seen?

Long story short—very little we call "modern technology" is really new, patience must be learned, and patriotism doesn't take a rest.

Technology at Sam's Place

Well, well, well, MouseGuy ... lookee at what we’ve got here!!!! It would appear that our friend, Keyboard, has found himself a piece of technology that he doesn’t like. Isn’t he the one who has preached to us about the pros of having the “latest and greatest in technology.” It seems he is afraid of his own voice! He will take the time to search for hours on the Net looking for that one particular piece of information, yet he is intimidated by phone systems that ask him to press a single button to help him with that “advanced search criteria” to get to the one person who can correctly answer that all-important question that he is burning to ask? He can be patient for Web pages to load but not to listen to a human voice tell him to press “1” for technical support? Go figure!!!! Doesn’t he know that leaving a message in his own voice gets across exactly the message that he wishes to have received? What is next? Will he be afraid of his own shadow? Oh dear me...

Cuddle up Close & Make a New Friend

I've heard this expression more than once in all my years travelling the transit system. Well today, I had to do that twice. On the way to work, my bus broke down in a most awkward place—right in the middle lane of a three-lane highway. We couldn't get off because the right lane that we would exit into had cars driving onto the off-ramp. Several buses stopped in the lefthand lane to ask if they wanted us to get on their bus, but the driver says no, that there is a bus coming. Coming to the middle of a highway??? Finally, a kind bus driver pulled into the right lane and blocked traffic so we could get on his bus safely. Of course, by then, I was left standing on a crowded bus. In order to get everyone on, we had to "cuddle close and make a new friend." Some of the comments were rather humourous. Humour was a good since we would be late for work.

Then in the afternoon, that bus was late taking me home too. Apparently there was an accident somewhere that slowed things down. When I got on this bus, it was pretty full, but alas there was a sit in the front between two ladies. I turned around and sat my butt in it only to discover why it had been left vacant. Both of these ladies had rather large ... hips so there was not much room. I had to sit on one cheek and rest the other cheek against this stranger's hip. Good thing she had a sense of humour!!! Anyway, I guess today I was cuddling up close and making new friends. Not exactly my style, but necessary under the circumstances.

I Can See Clearly Now

I have new windows, and I don't mean on my computer. Today, in the midst of all the rain and wind, new windows were installed in my apartment. They are really nice, and now I have a bit of a window sill as well, so that is an added bonus. My apartment is still cold, however, from the wind ripping in here all day. Now to paint the trim.

I knew this was being done and that my current venetian blinds (which I hate) would no longer fit because the windows are different. So...I ordered roller blinds cut to fit on an outside mount so that I could have more darkness for sleeping. I can't sleep well in the daylight, if at all. Well...guess what? When they put new trim around the windows, they put a slightly wider trim on than what they took off. Consequently, my new blinds will now not fit. I know they can be cut for an inside mount, but I have no idea how, and I am not certain if they can be returned since they were a custom fit. Go figure!! Good thing they were not expensive. Perhaps these blinds will fit the house I will buy sometime in the near future.

In the midst of having the windows installed, I was baking a chocolate cake. I thought I might as well since I was craving something sweet and the only room I could really stay in the whole time was the kitchen. However, this was a bad idea. With all 3 windows out at the same time, it created somewhat of a wind tunnel. The doors were banging so much and so hard and so often, that my cake dropped in the middle. I figured, oh well, I will be the only one to eat the darn thing anyway. As it turned out, the workers had a piece too. The youngest one of the men (he was probably about 24), had a big smile on his face when I asked him if he wanted a piece. He was commenting on how good it smelled when I was baking it, so I figured he would like some. He was very grateful to have it. At least some people are not afraid to try my baking with alternate flours. I'm getting used to being asked "What's in it?"

Age

Last night my son, my youngest, said to me, "Mom, do you realize that in 3-1/2 months I will be 19?"

"Yes," I replied. "I realized that just a few days ago. Boy, it makes me feel old."

"Do you know how old my friends think you are?" he asks.

"No, how old?" I said.

"They think you are about 31 or 32. They are surprised when I tell them how old you are." he told me.

Now ... the question becomes, do they think I look young for my age or do they think I was some kind of loose woman as a young adolescent? Good heavens, I hope it isn't the latter!!!!!

We Have a New Multimillionaire!

Nova Scotia's newest millionaire resides in Cape Breton. She lost her job last week and then won $10m last night on the Lotto 6/49 draw. The word has spread like wild fire already, and she has not yet collected the money.

That is good for her, but I would never let word out until I actually collected the money. People know who she is and where she lives. She could run the risk of someone breaking in and stealing that ticket before she even makes it to Moncton to cash it in. That would be stupid, mind you, since her picture was on the news, but one never knows what desperation may do to people, especially in Cape Breton with the high unemployment rate. I only hope she is smart with the money.

In any case, congratulations to her. It is nice to see the money come to Atlantic Canada. In fact, every major prize in last nights 3 draws went in Atlantic Canada. Wahoo!! It's about time.

You and I, We're Different

One of the most important lessons I have learned in the past several years is the difference between the word you and I. "You language" can be very intimidating and cause one to be defensive. "I language" completely changes the perspective and can actually accomplish what it is you set out to do. Let me try to explain.

Think about this for a moment. If someone was in your face saying "You shouldn't ..." "You never ..." "You always ...," wouldn't your first reaction be one of defense? Would you immediately shut out the person yelling at you? If you heard this type of thing over an extended period of time, would it change how you felt about them? Would it affect your self-esteem?

Now change this type of thing around. If they said to you "I don't like it when this happens." "I feel unappreciated when I am treated like this." "What is the problem here?" instead of "What have you done?"

Pointing to someone and saying "you...you...you" is not effective. You are placing blame. Remember that when you point a finger at someone, there are always three pointing back at you.

The only time I recommend using "you language" is for building someone up. "You are very special." "You are a wonderful person." "You are doing a terrific job." That's when it needs to be very personal.

Mind you, no one is perfect. We will all slip up and say the wrong thing from time to time and hurt someone. The difference is to recognize that you have done that and make apologies. It is also the responsibility of the person being told something to ask for clarification before assumptions are made.

This is my opinion only, and one way that I know of to diffuse potentially hurtful/harmful situations. I really liked this lesson and try to practice it as much as possible. I wish those pointing a finger at me over the years had known about this.

More Antics

Here's what happened to me today:

For the past 3 days, I have been running late in the morning and just arriving at the bus stop as the bus is about to pull in. So this morning, I thought I would multi-task to speed things up. I decided to brush my teeth while I was packing my backpack. That is not easy with one hand, so at one point I stopped brushing and tried using both hands to pack when I accidentally clipped the end of the toothbrush and sent it flying out of my mouth. I watched it as it proceeded to flip over my halfwall and right behind my freezer into a dust bunny, where I could not reach it. Now what do I do with a mouth full of toothpaste foam and no brush? The only thing one can do. Swish it around in the mouth and go spit. No time to rescue and clean that sucker before catching the bus!!!!

Speaking of buses, I have had this one driver driving either morning or afternoon for the past few days. I have to say there are not many people I don't like, but there is something about him that just doesn't quite sit right with me. He picks me up after work today and before I can even get seated, he is pedal to the metal and jerking the bus. I nearly fell flat on my face. I would never be able to read on a bus he is driving. He was all power or all brake and the bus ride was really jerky. I would be car sick at that rate. Who trains these guys anyway? Surely it isn't my two favourite trainers? Must have been prior to their time. Had to have been. ;o)

Morning Chuckles

This morning, I went to talk to our AD to vent a little. We both tend to do that from time to time. He listened patiently and empathetically while I vented. Then he began to chuckle. He told me he had a present for me, but it wasn't long-term. I was rather puzzled. He began to open a box that had arrived in his office. He slit it open and reached inside pulling out none other than a rubber chicken. He handed it to me laughing telling me I could take it to work out my frustrations. I immediately began wringing its neck. He, his assistant, and I were laughing to kill ourselves. It was great! How appropriate, since I had begun my venting with wanting to wring someone's neck.

That was not all that happened this morning. I started both my computers this morning. The one I needed to use most of the day would not display anything on the screen. I pushed the on/off button again, and got the RGB test pattern that said the monitor was working but the computer was not talking to it. I was puzzled. Then the display disappeared altogether again. I checked all the connections and they were in place, but I noticed that the plug had a dual connector on one end. I hadn't seen it before because I had not put it together. I restarted the computer. Still nothing. So I called the helpdesk. Two and one-half hours later, they finally appeared. The tech reached over and pushed a second button beside the on/off button and voila. THe display appeared and he laughed his ass off at me. I didn't know my monitor had dual output and a second button that allowed for the switching. Somehow the button got pushed between the time I left last night and got there this morning. I couldn't help but laugh, looked at the tech and said, "So sorry to have troubled you. Have a great day!" He continued to laugh and walked away saying "No problem. I like this kind of call. THey are easy." He was still laughing as he went around the other side of the office and back upstairs. What a doughhead!!! I'll know for next time (I hope).

They Came Two by Two

You know, it is an admirable thing that Noah did. He allowed God to take a drunkard and make an ark to save humanity from 40 days and nights of rain. (And to think a professional built the Titanic.) Then he called all the animals into the ark two by two, a male and female of each species so that the world may continue to thrive once more.

However, I can think of a few animals that I believe would have been best to leave behind. It has been rumoured that the unicorn was one such animal. I believe that is a myth. The animals that I believe should have been left behind have wings and 6 little legs. That's right!! It's those blessed blackflies and mosquitoes. I fail to see the significance of these creatures in our ecosystem except to fill the bellies of bats. Those wonderful little flies love me. The feeling, however, is not mutual. That is my complaint about this time of year. I can dress for the rain; I can dress for the wind; but I have a lot of difficulty keeping those little suckers away from me, no matter how I dress.

If I ever have a house again, I will put a bat house (perhaps several) in my backyard. I'm told they eat their body weight in mosquitoes each night. Fill 'er up boys!!!! As for the blackflies, once those leaves pop out on the trees and their little legs start to turn white, we can be free of them once again. Thank God!!!!

PS: Noah, couldn't you have left them behind?

Health Care Crisis?

Most say we have a health care crisis. Maybe, maybe not. Tonight on the news I watched a man speak who has written a book about the subject stating that we do not have a health care crisis. In his opinion, what we have is a sufficient supply but too much demand. He says that we have more doctors per capita than a lot of other countries, but we are going to see the doctor for more things than we need to.

Hmmm ... I think perhaps he is right in a sense. I know many people who run to the doctor with the first sign of a runny nose. Some will even go so far as to go to the emergency at the hospital if their doctor is not available. I'm not talking about real emergencies. I'm talking about the things that will probably pass with time, like simple viruses, not critical issues. Do they not realize that to step foot in an emergency room costs the tax payer $200? I also know people who should go to the doctor with symptoms indicative of something serious, but won't go because they feel they will be wasting the doctor's time.

There is one issue that really burns me. That is requiring a medical excuse for absenteeism from school or work, particularly school. On more than one occasion, I have had to waste my doctor's time to take one of my children to the doctor to get a medical excuse because they were feeling sick with a head cold and couldn't function to be in school. Failure to have an excuse would mean they could not graduate, even if they had A+ marks. Excuse me, but that is absurd!!! An already overstressed system does not need that kind of foolishness. I am taking up the doctor's time for something that will run its course and taking time away from some other patient who may have a serious illness and can't get in to see the doctor.

An overused system? Yes ... I think perhaps we might.

Out of the Mouths of Babes

I love all those cute little things kids say when you least expect them to. Here is a list of some things I thought were cute when a teacher asked her class what they had to say to God.

- Maybe Cain and Abel would not have killed each other if they had their own rooms. That's what my Mom did for my brother and I.
- In school they told us what you do. Who does it when you are on vacation?
- Are you really invisible or is it just a trick?
- Is it true my father won't get into heaven if he uses his bowling words in the house?
- Did you mean for the giraffe to look like that or was it an accident?
- I went to this wedding and they kissed right in the church. Is that OK?
- Did you really mean, "Do unto others as they do unto you?", because if you did, then I'm going to get my brother good.
- Thank you for my baby brother, but I think you got confused because what I prayed for was a puppy.
- Please send me a pony. I never asked for anything before. You can look it up.
- I want to be just like my Daddy when I get big, but not with so much hair all over.
- My brother told me about being born but it doesn't sound right. They're just kidding, aren't they?
- We read Thomas Edison made light. But in Sunday school they said you did it. So, I bet he stole your idea.

Aren't kids cute? I just love them. I will leave you today with a quote I like:

You make a living from what you get; you make a life from what you give. Give til you heart feels full. Making a life is what it is all about.

Clarity Please!!

The English language is such a funny thing. So many words that sound the same but have different meanings. Tonight my daughter called me to tell me she watched part of the movie Willard in which there is an Gambian pouched rat. What I heard was poached rat. My first thought was that they cooked this thing. The thought of eating rats was gross. Then I thought they killed it when they weren't supposed to, much like poaching deer. What she actually meant was that it's cheeks have pouches like a chipmunk. Oh ... now I understand. I just couldn't imagine eating rats. Such a wonderful thing this English language is. Sheesh!!!!

Mouses or Is It Mice?

Mouses, mices, whatever you want to call them, are wonderful little tools, but can also cause pain. Ouch!!! I have been doing a lot of layout work the past two weeks. More than usual. Now ... I use a trackball to alleviate wrist and shoulder pain, but there is no perfect solution. I can roll the ball with my fingertips, but need to use my thumb for the button. Now my thumb is hurting. I told Keyboard about this, and he suggested that I am another MouseGuy, er MouseGal. (teehee) What can I say ... some things are just easier to do with a mouse, like placing graphics. Some things are just faster with a mouse. However too much mousing, or too much keyboarding, can both cause RMIs. So ... be careful.

Mystical Computer Chips

I find it really funny to get all these e-mails that say "Forward this to 10 people and your wish will come true within 2 days." "Forward this to 5 people and you will see a miracle in 30 minutes." "Don't forward this to anyone and you will receive bad luck."

Come on already!!!! Do you really think there are mystical computer chips in this machine? I have yet to open one up and find a genie, a leprechaun, or even Christ himself!!! This machine is made of metal, plastic, and silicon!!!! Didn't you take chemistry? I don't believe in good luck or bad luck. That is just the essence of life. It has its ups and downs, it triumphs and defeats. If you really want a miracle, try praying for one. You are sure to have more success that way than thinking that pressing the forward button to all your friends will produce the desired results.

Sure, I want good things to happen for me, and I would like them to happen now rather than later. I will admit I am impatient for some things, but I know that no computer in this world that is programmed by or used by a human will ever produce such results. So give it up already!!!! Send me the nice story or poem or prayer, but leave off that end part about forwarding it. I really hope you don't believe in all that crap.

Tourism or Terrorism?

You would think that since tourism is one of our biggest industries that the government would take steps to encourage tourists to come here, not scare them away. With gas at $1/gallon and construction on our roads and bridges blocking traffic it's sure to terrorize those contemplating visiting our fair province. What were they thinking??????

An Eye for an Eye
I heard something on the news last night that appalled me. There was a newsclip about the US construction worker who was beheaded in the Middle East by soldiers. There was much talk, investigation, and many apologies for the way the US soldiers had treated the Middle Eastern POWs they had captured. Those pictures in themselves were very disturbing. I could not, however, understand the politician who said that we should not be disturbed by what these soldiers did because these Middle Eastern soldiers had already killed many US soldiers. I'm sorry, but an eye for an eye makes the whole world blind. Two wrongs never make a right, and a human life is not something to take lightly or throw away. I do not believe we have the right to take another's life, regardless of what they may have done. Yes, they need to pay for their misdeeds, but I am certain there are much more humane ways of doing so. If that politician believes that people should be shot for their misdeeds, perhaps he should consider that the next time he has his hands in the pockets of the people!!!!

Time Flies

Wow! It has been a busy day. Some times I wish the days had more hours in them. Other days seem too long. I like being busy, though. Like now...gotta run. More to say tomorrow. Hope you had a good day!!

Gratuities

One of my biggest beefs is gratuities. I can't help but feel they are wrong. They are very unfair. Only certain professions are given gratuities. All the others have to slave away for no extra perks. These gratuities end up being tax-free for the most part, because no one ever claims they all. I know waitresses who can make more in one night on tips alone than I can make slaving away in a day, and I pay taxes on my earnings!!!! The only tips I ever get are "Perhaps we could do it this way." "Maybe next time we should do this first." You get the picture. The waitresses get tips for bringing food to your table. I know that takes no more than a couple minutes? How much of that tip gets to the cook who is slaving over the hot stove to cook your meal for a longer period of time or to the person who goes to buy the groceries to provide it? I think if businesses want their employees to get tips, they should increase their cost to the customer and pay their employees a little more so it doesn't appear as "a favour," and they will have to pay tax on it just like the rest of us. For this reason, I sometimes do not leave a tip or leave one that is less than would be preferred out of a sense of guilt of an expectation. Does that sound mean?

Mother's Day

I've had a great sleep so it is a great way to start off Mother's Day. My daughter brought me a beautiful single yellow rose last night. I think it will be a good day!

To all those mothers who gave of themselves unconditionally to their children, holding their hands when they were afraid, cuddling them when they were sleepy or sick, and listening to the endless stories they have to tell, Happy Mother's Day. Today, is your day of honour.

In-between

In-between is always a hard place to be, for anything. For instance:

- It is too warm for the winter clothes, yet not warm enough for the summer duds. So which jacket do you wear for this in-between weather?
- Being in-between grocery shopping days sometimes means you do without something for a few days.
- Being in-between paydays means waiting for that paycheque to buy something you need.
- Being in-between relationships can be lonely.
- Being in-between jobs is stressful.
- Being in-between the oldest and youngest child in a family also has its drawbacks.

No matter what the situation, being in-between where you were and where you want to be is a difficult place to be. Pray for strength to get you through.

Mystery Solved?

Someone sent this message to me today:

Women are like apples on trees. The best ones are at the top of the tree.

Most men don't want to reach for the good ones because they are afraid of falling and getting hurt. Instead, they just get the rotten apples from the ground that aren't as good, but easy...

So the apples at the top of the tree think something is wrong with them, when in reality, they're amazing. They just have to wait for the right man to come along, the one who's brave enough to climb all the way to the top of the tree.


So...Is this my problem? Am I one of these apples? I know for sure that I am not the one on the ground.

Venus, the Goddess of What?

I've always heard of Venus as the Goddess of Love. However, the astrologer's writing that I have been reading the past couple days refers to Venus as the Planet of Sex. We have an unusual phenomenon about to happen in the skies.

He says, "Next month, the world will experience an extremely rare astronomical event as Venus passes between Earth and the Sun, making the equivalent of an exact eclipse. Called a 'transit', the last time this occurred was Dec. 6, 1882. No living human has witnessed this event and no astrologer has felt its effects. But history is written, and because this event is so near, future history happening. The Venus transit is the astrological trump card of the year, and perhaps a defining event of our lifetime.

Now, imagine Venus, the planet of love, sex, beauty and abundance, and the planet of women, passing exactly in front of the Sun like a lens, and pouring across the Earth the concentrated rays of the Goddess. The last time this happened, we saw the spontaneous creation of the 'New Woman,' who demanded careers and public roles. "Frequently unmarried, often living with other women, they were associated with educational and political reform, the medical and legal professions, journalism, the arts, and literature," writes the Reader's Companion to Women's History...This transit will get results that may reach far beyond what we commonly think of as social issues. In the world of the male right to make endless war, the Venus transit is deeply welcome news... We live in a world where war is considered good and sex is considered bad...I propose a sexual revolution beginning with honest discussion of sex. Every revolution begins with words, and the new sexual revolution will begin when we can speak to one another about sex and pleasure in straight talk. Most of us lack the words to describe how we feel about erotic desires, much less the courage to ask for what we need. And most relationships are based as much on what is not said as they are on what is spoken openly."

WOW!!!! Look out world!!!! It sounds good to me. Let's talk dirty!!!!!!!!!!

BBQ Season

BBQ season is here again. Yahoo!! I love grilled food, at least for awhile. By about late August, I will be looking for that roast turkey again. I have an outdoor electric grill instead of a gas BBQ. It is much more convenient for me, but it is not quite as big as I would like.

The one thing I most dislike about grilling is cleaning those darn grills. When it comes to cleaning them, I admit I am anal retentive. I am very caution about food poisoning. I never use the same plate for the uncooked and cooked food. Old leftover food cooked on those grills carry a lot of contaminants. Some people believe if you just turn up the grill to heat it for the next time, the old food won't matter. Wrong!!! I am also very, very concerned about cross-contamination because of my food sensitivities, one of which is severe and hard to avoid. A friend of mine is the food inspector for the province. He was very impressed the first time he saw my BBQ. It was clean as a whistle. He commended me for it and told me how many people just don't clean them. I say Yuck!!

So...next time you use that BBQ, don't forget to scrub the grill. That's why so many people get "flu-like" symptoms in the summer and wonder where it came from. Get scrubbing!!!!

Viruses

I don't know what makes people want to create these awful viruses that cause us a great deal of grief. Is it some sort of power trip they are on to see how badly they can screw up people in the world and how many computers they can bring down? The nerve of some people's kids!!!! It is beyond my comprehension. I couldn't do such a thing. I hope the astrologer's prediction that the virus frenzy will die off toward the end of this year and into the next will prove to be true. That would be a good thing. Let's hope so anyway. My computer has been going crazy for the last two days downloading virus definitions automatically. I just don't get it!!!

$Graduation$

This June will see my youngest, my son, graduate from high school. I know on that day in June when he walks up and receives that diploma, my eyes will fill with tears. It has been a long, hard 13 years getting him there, and I will be very proud that he has accomplished this.

Now comes the expensive part. The school ring, the grad photos, the prom fees, tuxedo rental, boutineer and corsage. Good heavens, the costs never end and are phenomenal. I sure hope I win a lottery between now and then. Sheesh!!!! However, I can't wait to see him in a tux. The last time he wore one was when he was 3 and he stole the show and my heart. It was priceless. He may be 15 years older now, but I know he will still be my little boy in a grown man's body.

Muscles

My workout at the gym yesterday was great, but I believe I have discovered some muscles that I don't use much anymore. Ouch!!! My pecs are complaining the loudest. It even hurts to touch them. The next complainers are the gluts. Oh my!!! There are 3 sets of muscles in there. I think I found them all. It makes bending down a little tricky. Oh well, you know what they say "no pain, no gain." Yikes!!!

Legs Like a Horse

Today, my legs are like that of a newborn colt. Not because they are skinny and knobby, but because they are shaky and unstable. I went to the local community facility and joined again after a 3-year absence. Then I proceeded to do a workout. It felt really good to work out again. It is a 20-minute walk for me to get there and another 20 back home. I knew I was feeling the workout a bit, but didn't realize how much until I went downstairs to take the garbage out. Now, it is 5 flights of stairs to get down there. My legs were shaking with each step down. I was out the door when I realized I had forgotten my green kitchen bin. Oh no...that means I have to do these stairs again with shaky legs. So up I went, each step feeling the tired muscles. Down again. Not so bad. Then I began the ascent once more. Oh...each flight was a little harder than the one before. By the time I was halfway up flight 4, my legs began to lock up. More slowly now, I manage to pull my body up the rest of those stairs. Whew...I made it. I think I shall stay put.

Instructions Included
On my way home from the gym, I stopped at the local Canadian Tire to pick up a few items I needed. I got one of the fans I need to help cool my apartment on the sultry summer days that are soon to come. Now, these things come with instructions for assembly. I am pretty good at reading instructions and figuring things out, even though I am a visual learner. Because of this, I like to have diagrams and look at the picture on the box too. You gotta love that fine print, though, that says "Item may not be exactly as shown." Yeah...no kidding. There is a part in the box that seems entirely useless. It is in one diagram, not in the other, and not on the picture of the assembled thing in the box. Then the instructions consist of only about 2/3 of what I really need to know to put this together properly. After about 45 minutes, lots of frustration, and a few unkind words, the fan was finally together and working. Success at last, no thanks to the "instructions included."

Zippers

What would the world do without zippers? There are all different sizes and shapes and colours of zippers. There are plastic and metal zippers. There are zippers that only go one way and some that go both ways. There are reversible zippers.

Zippers have many uses. There are zippers for opening backpacks, fannypacks, purses, and suitcases. There are zippers on coats and jackets so we can get in and out of them. There are zippers to remove legs from pants to make shorts and sleeves from jackets to make vests. I even have a rain jacket with zippers under the arms to open up the jacket to help you cool off. I have clothing with zippers that serve only as decoration. There is no other purpose for them.

There is one kind of zipper, though, that gets more attention than the rest. That would be the zipper on a pair of trousers, otherwise known as the fly. (How the heck did it get that name?) You can use your imagination if you wish, but what I am referring to is the fact that people sometimes forget to close them. This morning, a gentleman got on the bus wearing a light beige coloured pair of pants. He had, however, forgotten to zip them up. This was quite evident from the design of his, I'm assuming, boxers shining through the gaping hole. Now you may wonder what the heck I was doing looking in the first place, but when you are seated and the person passes you standing up you are pretty much at eye-level there, even if you do not wish to be. It is hard not to notice such things. And I did (honestly) turn quickly away to avoid embarrassing him. Poor man. I hope some kind man on the bus broke it to him gently. How embarrassing!!!! Have you remembered to zip yours today?

Crosswalk Lights

Have you ever noticed people who are standing on the corner pressing the buttons for crosswalks? Having no car, I cross many crosswalks. I am always amazed at the people who walk up to these buttons and push it, then push it again, and again, and again. Do they think pushing it more than once is going to make it change any faster? If the light doesn't change when they expect it to, they push it again. Come on people! I will admit that I will push it a second time if I'm not sure I felt it totally depress, but I know the light will change at the programmed time. No amount of pushing it will make it change any faster. Some people are so impatient.

Dentists
I had to go to the dentist an hour after I got home tonight. I'm not sure anyone dislikes dental work more than I do. I had some bad experiences with a dentist when I was a kid. I think that has a little to do with it. Most of it, though, has to do with my great gag reflex. They stick that little mirror on my tongue, and it's game over. I grab their hands and pull them away from my face. Get out of there with that thing!!! I briefly spoke to my dentist about the sleep apnea problem since he sent me for the testing. He tells me about the laser surgery option to remove the soft palette tissue. He says it would completely remove the gag reflex. I don't want invasive surgery, but not having that gag reflex has real potential. ;-)

They tell you never to pick your teeth with sharp instruments, then they take this metal hook and scrap them, nearly pulling them out by the root. Pushing and pulling on the jaw, then the jaw begins to ache and lock up and just when you think you are going to drool all over yourself, they stick this little plastic straw in your mouth and suck out the spit and nearly take your tongue with it.

Now I have sensitive teeth, and they are more sensitive today because my sinuses are swollen and pressing on the nerves. So they clean my teeth with this disgusting mint flavoured sand, then spray cold water on the sensitive teeth, and say "Oh, is that sensitive?" and proceed to suck my tongue out again. Will they not learn?

Then they give me this disgusting fluoride to swish around in my mouth for one full minute. Hello!!! Didn't I tell you I have a great gag reflex. Have you ever tried to hold something like that in your mouth for that length of time and swish it around without wanting to gag on it? And to boot, they had run out of the mint-flavoured one (I don't like mint much anyway), but all they had was berry flavoured. I nearly puked!!

In any case, my teeth have been picked, sandblasted, pressure washed, and sealed for another 6 months. I get to do this all over again in November. Such joy!!!

Humour in the Office

It is essential to have some humour in the workplace. Otherwise, a person could go insane in such a busy environment. We tend to have fun from time to time. I usually enjoy a laugh at least once a day. This was my laugh for today:

I had noticed a difference in the amount of spam mail I have been getting the past few days, so I e-mailed the Helpdesk to ask them if they had done something. I didn't know who would be on the desk, but it turns out one of my friends was staffing the desk. This was the e-mail conversation.

Me: Is something being done differently with the spam mail in the past few days? I usually get about 200 a day, but in the past 4 or 5 days, I have only gotten about 30 a day. Is there perhaps a backlog somewhere?

Helpdesk: Are you complaining?

Me: Not yet, but I will be if I suddenly get 1000 in a day that I have to sort through. I just wondered if I should expect a flood.

Helpdesk: You should always expect a flood. - Noah

There is one in every crowd!!! What a character he is!!! Oh...I do love to laugh.

Friends & Mates

Keyboard, I love your tribute to your wife. Your ideals and mine are similar. When my friends ask me what kind of man I want in my life, I describe him as follows:

Tall, handsome, loving, and kind. He would be a family-type man, not the kind who lives for the nightlife and drunken weekends. He would love kids and know how to be a good father. He would appreciate and accept me for who I am without trying to change me. He would know how to be an equal partner and to negotiate give and take. He would be my best friend, my confidant, as well as my lover. I want a man who can take my breath away and make me weak in the knees. He would be strong and more of the rugged-type. No muscle-bound pretty boy for me. I want someone who would love to spend a day just going for a drive, walking on the beach or the park, and just enjoying each other company no matter what we are doing.

I'm told that a man like this exists only in my mind and that I am too fussy. I don't agree. I believe that man is out there. I settled for less than I wanted before and was miserable. I think I have the right to be a little fussy. Wouldn't you agree?

Personalities

As we all know, there are many types of personalities. These are generally categorized as dominant/aggressive, assertive, passive, and submissive. Me, I am passive but can become assertive or submissive by times, rarely, but as needed. This was my Dad's personality too. My mother was, is, and always will be the dominant personality. As a child growing up, it was hard to watch my mother browbeat my Dad and have him take it, time and time again, occasionally snapping back at her. He deserved far better than that. My siblings all feel the same way. We all wonder why the heck they stayed together for so long. The only positive thing I took from their relationship was a sharing of responsibilities, a partnership, if you will. At least I knew how that part of life should look. My mother grew up under a tyrannical, abusive father. Her idea of love for her children consisted of ensuring they were clean, clothed and fed. Not one more thing. It was my father who made us laugh, cuddled us, and to at least show love, if he was unable to profess it to us beyond adolescence.

As a result of growing up that way, the children's lives were affected. The only son was made the favourite of the family, the one who get it all. After all, he would be the only one to carry on the family name. He learned that more passive side, to the point where his spouse spends like a champagne style on a beer budget. He continually takes or asks for the monetary love that is extended his way in order to get out the debt he continually builds as a result. Money is love, after all. (Yeah, right!)

The oldest and youngest daughters—one assertive, one aggressive—both of whom like men who are dominant, not particularly nice men, and push the good ones away for fear of being hurt. If they sabotage the relationship first, they don't have to deal with the pain. They know the dominant ones won't work out, so they have nothing to lose.

Then there is the middle daughter, passive by nature, and far too submissive. The one who felt she served a life sentence as a child and couldn't wait to break out. She did so by getting married very young to someone who was much like her mother, without even realizing it. It felt so familiar and she wanted out so bad she was blinded to reality. She then served another life sentence under a dominant (and not so nice) spouse. In turn, her children have those traits that she feared so much would show up. A son who can be far too assertive, and a daughter with a passive/submissive personality who has chosen a few wrong male companions as well. She failed to show her children what a healthy relationship should be and has a challenge ahead of her to help them to see clearly and appreciate others.

And so the cycle continues. Oh...but to have the chance to begin this life again. The changes that could be made to produce different results. However, that is not possible and so all these things become a part of who we are today. And I shall continue, until the day I die, apologizing to my children for not showing them how a healthy relationship should be. It was the one precious gift I have always wanted for myself and one I wanted to bring children into. I hope one day they can forgive me for not succeeding on that level.

Moods

Well, here it is the 25th of April already. Just 8 months until Christmas. Start your shopping early. Get ahead of the crowds!!! Christmas always puts me in a good mood.

Yesterday, Keyboard was feeling cranky. That's a mood I can't stand to feel. I absolutely hate being cranky, and very seldom am. Today, though, I can't quite put my finger on how I am feeling. I think it is a combination of a lot of things that just make me feel "out of sorts" today. I am tired. I can't wait to see the doctor on Friday to see what my sleep test results were. I strongly suspect sleep apnea for many reasons. I'm just tired of being tired. Even to sing today at church, I had to struggle to want to even be there. To put emotion and energy into the songs was a challenge, especially with a small (and somewhat deadened) crowd. I am also feeling a little down and lonely. It's such a nice day, I would have loved to go for a drive this afternoon in the country. I love the country. I feel so good when I am there, especially when the trees are leaved, the flowers are in bloom, and the cattle are grazing in the fields. I spent a lot of time on my grandparents' farm growing up and at cottages most of my life, so I think that is where my love of the country comes from. That would have lifted my mood, I am sure.

However, I shall get through this day, just like any other—relying on my faith to pull me through. This, too, shall pass.

April Snow Showers?

OK, OK. The April showers I can live with, but who the heck asked for this snow? I know it wasn't in my prayers last night!! Come to think of it, I fell asleep before I got to finish those prayers. Could I have subconsciously prayed for this stuff? Nah...couldn't have been me. Snow like this looks pretty in November and December as we prepare for Christmas (as long as we don't have to shovel it), but we don't need it in April.

My father, who was a farmer most of his life, always said that late spring snow was called "poor man's fertilizer." I'm not quite sure why, except that the grass usually starts coming up greener right after the snows. In any case, I don't like it. I want the weather to be a little warmer. Where is the sun?

Still Tired

It's Friday, and I am still tired. In fact, I am more tired today than I was in my last post. I also seem to have a cold that is going backward. After 5 days, it seems to be getting worse instead of better. That can't be good.

I'm soon heading to bed again. Now...where did I put that blasted teddy bear?

Sleep

Sleep is something I never seem to be able to get enough of. I am particularly tired this week while trying to fight off this cold. My sleep test results are in, and I am anxious to see what they say. I may have some degree of sleep apnea. I will soon know for sure. I just want to curl up and sleep for about 10 hours straight. A really nice deep sleep. What a treat that would be.

My children's great-grandmother passed away this afternoon. I guess the eternal sleep she now has will be superior to what she has had in the past number of years. She has been praying for death for the last couple years. Just yesterday she was laying in her hospital bed repeatedly reciting The Lord's Prayer. She finally gave up the ghost early this afternoon. May you rest in peace, Edna.

Is it bedtime yet? Where is my teddy bear?

My Day

Yeah!!! Spring has sprung today. I love it. Spring and fall are my favourite seasons, minus the blackflies. I don't like those little suckers. They like me too much. What a beautiful day!

Today has been full of all kinds of things so far. I started out with a good sleep and felt about 50% better when I got up then I did yesterday. Then I get a phone call from my daughter 5 minutes before going out the door. Yet another of her beloved pet rats died. This time it was a healthy one that died unexpectedly. Who knows why? So she was sad. She had only just lost one 2 days ago and has lost 7 now in the past 8 months. She sure is strong is some ways.

Then I got to work to have a great laugh from the blog at Sam's Place. Oh boy, MouseGuy. It looks like you got your tongue tangled around your eyeteeth and couldn't see what you were saying. A keyless keyboard. We all make mistakes. That's OK. Hmmm...I suppose that would be much like a touchpad though, but we know how fond of that sort of thing Keyboard is!!! NOT!!! That second language would flow like honey.

I've had a pretty productive day in all, but the sunshine and warm air that greeted me when I left the cube farm after being cold all day was the icing on the cake. I love it. I just might have to go for a little walk tonight. We'll see what the evening brings. Think I will be grilling outdoor tonight for the first time. Bring on the spring!!!!

Memories

Where is spring? It poked up its head and then retreated like a scared turtle again. It is so cold and damp out today. It feels even worse since I am sick. I just want to be cuddled and pampered and sleep. I WANT MY MOMMY!! Not really...I have no memories of her ever cuddling me. My dad did though. Perhaps that is why I find it easier to relate to men. It was always the father figure that was prominent in my life. Dad used to make me homemade eggnog when I was sick. I realize the danger in having raw eggs these days, but they sure were good. I have so many wonderful memories of my father. He was a great man. I learned a lot from him. I miss him. Wish he were here now to hug me. Then again, angels are always with us. At least that is what I believe.

Fun at Sam's Place

It sounds as though Sam's Place was rocking last night. He was playing with a Trojan until 2:30 a.m. Hey...I've seen those on the shelves of the drugstore. Usually comes in a box of 12. He must have more stamina than some men his age. Woohoo!! Way to go!! I hope you had fun.

I had a great conversation yesterday too. It seems I am making new friends all the time. Got a busy day today. Gotta sing tonight. Hope everyone enjoys their day.

Addictions

I have to admit, Keyboard, that this fandangled machine consumes too much of my time too. As soon as my feet hit the floor in the morning, I come out and turn on the computer, then go back and make my bed while it is booting up. Got to check for e-mail from my friends and see what the latest horoscopes have to say about my day. I find them amusing because they are seldom right. So...I read them, but don't plan my day around them. I like to read them again at the end of the day to see if they even came close. I put my faith elsewhere.

I'm glad, in one way, that I don't have the financial means to upgrade to the point where I would want to play here all day. One of the computers I have is a loaner from work. One is a PII-350, the other a PIII-450. Boring huh? I have the power machines at work. Two of them!!! Scanner broke and is gone, so no other real toys. It's just as well.

Speaking of consuming my time, I'd better go now. This thing just took my last 1.5 hours from my chores. Oops...better get back at it. How the heck did that happen?

Stresses

Still no sounds coming from the Dungeon. :o( I wonder what is happening down there. MouseGuy? Where are you?

Over at Sam's Place things are getting stressful at just the thought of having no technology. Don't you remember the two days we spent like that in September, thanks to Juan? You must have just gone beserk then!!!! I have to admit that I found that a little stressful myself. My computer is my lifeline to the outside world right now. Sad isn't it? I was never so happy to have electricity again after those two days. It's funny how we could go camping for two days and not think much about the lack of electricity, but in our homes, the story changes.

My stress for today is now gone. Grocery nights are stressful for me. Without a car, it is the most stressful task I have to deal with. Being at the mercy of someone else's schedule is bad enough, but when you have to find alternate arrangements, it is even worse. So all is well now...until next week. THen I shall deal with this again.

Keyboard, why did you say yesterday for the rain to "fill er up"? Holy lightening it rained hard yesterday and today. I've had about enough of it. I don't mind light rain, but this torrential, cold rain is piercing. I've been feeling chilled to the bone. My father, being a farmer, always told me I had chicken manure in my blood. Perhaps he was right. Brrr.... Cold rain go away and bring on the sun.

Too Busy

Today has been a whirlwind day. Too busy to say much tonight. Sure do hope this rain bring a nice spring behind it. Here's hoping for sunshine tomorrow.

Speaking Different Languages

It would appear that Keyboard doesn't function well in the early morning hours either. It is not just me. He was balking tackwards this morning. He was having a blonde moment too!!!!

Well guys...since you love that second language so much that I understand you use over there at work, I thought I would introduce you to yet another one. See if you can read this and understand what it says:

vi
isder
sominny
more
orsesasses
danderis
orses

Good luck!!! Hope you had a great day!!!!

Spring

I think spring sprung backwards today, but I am ready for it to spring forward again. I even have the outdoor electric grill ready to go. I have to say, though, that it did me no good whatsoever during Hurricane Juan. I still couldn't cook. Now I have a single burner butane stove. That should help in those instances again.

So...Keyboard won't wear shorts. Why not? Are you ashamed of your legs? We all have them. Well at least most of us. Trust me...if I could withstand the ridicule of wearing shorts as a kid with sticks for legs, I'm sure your shoulders could bear the weight of any comments you might get. Besides, I'm told that what we fear is never as bad as the reality of it. So, I'm sure your legs are fine. Dare to bare them, Keyboard. It's a heck of a lot cooler in the summer heat. If they are white, so what!!! Be proud of them anyway. I'm not a sun worshipper and could care less if anyone comments on my white legs. At least I can slow down the wrinkling process.

Keyboard, will you give MouseGuy a poke or something. He doesn't seem to want to come out to play with us. What a party-pooper!!!! I think he keeps himself chained in that dungeon and won't allow himself to see the light of day for a few minutes here and there. Sheesh!!! Are you sure he goes to work? Maybe it is just a virtual copy of him that shows up there. Perhaps he is still down there in that dungeon, never again to see the light of day. Come on MouseGuy. Take a couple minutes here and there to play with us. You're missing all the fun!!! We miss you.

OK. I am bored. Now what? I can't pick on MouseGuy. He won't come out to play with us. I've already picked on Keyboard enough today. Sheesh!!!!!! I'm lost. :-(

Putting Winter Away

With spring finally rearing its head, I can now begin to put winter away and prepare for spring and summer. The winter coats have gone to the back of the closet and the spring ones brought forward. Today I cleaned up the humidifier now that the heat is turned off and the windows opened. Oh the joys of living on the top floor of a condominium. The heat is insufferable in the summer, but at least the heat can be turned off earlier than in a house.

Speaking of cleaning up the humidifier, did you know that bacteria is pink? It may be a pretty colour, but it is rather gross. I guess I should have cleaned it up more often. Next year I will remember that. Yuck!!!

Next, I shall put away the heavy sweaters and bring out the shorts and t-shirts in preparation for those nicer days to come. I love the sunshine, but the humidity and I are at odds. I can't stand it at all. Clothes, no matter how little they cover, are still too much in that weather. It might be interesting (?), though, to watch all those different sizes and shapes wandering around the city naked. You might also want to watch where you sit!

I Concede Defeat

OK. I give up. I have decided there is one thing that I just can't do very well, no matter how hard I try. That would be carving a turkey. I actually think men do a better job of this, for some reason. Or perhaps it is just the men in my life always carved the bird or roast, and I never had to. I think the biggest problem I have is not having the right kind of knife. Have you ever seen turkey sawdust? I know how to do that. You use a serated-edge knife to attempt to carve it. You saw away at the flesh with this knife and, sure enough, you have a cloud of turkey sawdust surrounding the cutting board. It was quite a sight. I eventually gave up near the carcass and pulled off pieces with a fork. Oh well...it all goes down the same way.

The funniest part of cooking the turkey dinner was when I went to take the bird out of the roaster. I don't have meat forks anymore. I left those behind when I moved. So I was using steak forks to try to lift this bird out of the pan. I got it half way out of the pan, and the bird broke into 2 pieces. I had the meaty breast part in my hand. The backbone and drumsticks were still in the pan, with the legs stuck up its a**. Now, that is what I call laying spread eagle!!!!! All I could do was laugh. That has never happened to me before. It was hilarious!

Anyway, supper with the kids was nice, but they have left already, without doing the dishes of course. They still have so much they want to do with their friends. I imagine the day will come when they will want to spend more time with their mother. I look forward to those days. I only hope I am not in a rocking chair before it happens.

Happy Easter!!

What a beautiful day for Easter Sunday! I remember Easter's like this as a kid. I also remember the ones with snow falling, but I'm glad that is not the case today.

I will be enjoying a turkey dinner with my children tonight. I look forward to that. I hope you, too, will be enjoying Easter dinner with your families. I hope Peter Cottontail was good to you.

Have a great Easter!!!!

I have such an interesting life!!!

Well it is another beautiful day. I so wish I had a house so I could be outside doing yardwork, but it is not to be. So I am stuck inside cleaning up. I was just cleaning the bathroom and decided I should clean the sink and tub drains again. Well...let me tell you that there are some wonderful lovelies living in there. I used some baking soda and vinegar to loosen some of it up. That was just disgusting. Good thing I have a strong stomach for stuff like that. I guess I should invest in some drain cleaner before I end up with a clog. The wad of my hair that I took out of the tub drain kind of made my skin crawl. I even use a hair snare, but some gets through anyway and builds up over time. Yuck!!! Such an exciting life I live. Nothing more interesting to do than clean drains or do overtime from work. As a friend of mine who is in the same position tells me, "We so suck!" I think she is right. Even my kids want me to get out and have some fun. I tell them my day will come...someday.

I have to brave these Easter crowds this afternoon just to pick up a few groceries. It really bites to be at the mercy of someone else's schedule to get them when you have no car. I would have preferred to skip the crowds and get them this morning, but that was not to be. Oh well...you do what you have to do, right? Now if I could just convince them to pay for them as well. I didn't win the S7 last night. That went to two ticket holders in Ontario. There is always next week though...$25m then. Wow, now that could change my life. I might actually have one then. (teehee)

I'm a Big Sap!

Today is a beautiful day for Good Friday. Our praise band played this morning for a youth service at the church. It has been a little controversial for the past 3 years that we have done it. A solemn vigil is being held at the same time that we play uplifting music with drums, piano, guitars, and bass, and us singers of course. People believed that the solemnity should not be broken. Our priest, however, believed, as I do, that there is also something to celebrate here as there is with any death. A celebration of life, if you will.

The service was done by one of the parishioners, as has been the case for the past number of years. There is a barren wooden cross erected in the sanctuary beside the altar. The altar lays bare, the cross has been removed, the icon of Jesus and Mary and the crucifix at the back of the church are shrouded with black cloth. The sacrament has been taken from its storage cabinet, and the cabinet left open. The sacrament is then shrouded in white cloth at a small altar in the choir loft where we sang and chairs are set up for those wishing to take part in the vigil. The atmosphere is one of quiet, peacefulness, and solemnity.

Then the music begins with a fast-paced song with a celtic sound to it, and the people begin to sway to the music. After the gospel reading and sermon, people are asked to come forward, if they wish, to kneel at the foot of the cross and leave their burdens there and walk away empty handed, having put them in the hands of a power greater than themselves to help handle them for them. During that time, we sang two songs with a much softer tone to them that gave thanks for the debt that was paid for us all on that wooden cross that black day in Calvary over 2000 years ago. As people knelt there and prayed, and a few tears were shed here and there, I had difficulty singing as a lump began to rise in my throat. The meaning of this day is very powerful for me. I had to concentrate at looking at my words or closing my eyes rather than watching the people gather there, but still my eyes were drawn to them. Those were the most difficult songs to sing today. I'm just a big sap at heart! Then we finished with another uplifting song to carry us through the day, and finally a song of peace.

I heard a quote that said: If love is your greatest weakness, then you are the strongest person in the world. I know this is my greatest weakness. It can get me in trouble sometimes too when some people tend to take advantage of me. As much as that hurts sometimes, I can't find it in my heart to hate them—only to try to understand what is inside them that makes them do the things they do. Trust me when I say, this has been one of those weeks when I have tried to have this understanding for some people. But today, I am totally at peace and will go for a walk to enjoy the weather.

I warned you I was deep, philosophical, and a big sap! May your Good Friday be filled with peace and love. God bless!

Power

There are different kinds of power all around us. There is the power of sunlight and the terrible burns it can emit with its UV rays. There is the power of the wind, and we all know what that can do since September 2003. Power runs my lights and appliances. As I look around my apartment, the word power is all around me. It is on my TV, my VCR, DVD player, microwave, etc. Everywhere I turn there are reminders that power is important in my life. A powerplay is happening at work, and a lot of it I am in the middle of without wanting to be. There is tremendous power in words. Simple words spoken the wrong way can inflict scars that last forever. Kind words emit a good kind of power. It can produce smiles and peacefulness. There is power in hatred, and we've seen that devastation time and again on the news. Unfortunately, it has hit too close to home for many of us. There is a power in the universe that we cannot see. Some call it Mother Earth, some call it astrology, some call it God. Whatever you prefer to call it, I believe it is out there. Otherwise, where did the planets and stars in the universe come from in the first place? There are many things science just cannot explain. How did we all get to be here, alive and kicking? (No...I know that way, silly. I mean in the beginning of time.)

Personally, the greatest power I know is the power of love. Love can endure and conquer all things. There is simply no comparison. To love deeply gives a person strength; being loved deeply gives a person courage. Amen to that!!!!

A Better Day

Today has been a better day than the last couple, thank heavens. Thank you, Keyboard, for the hug. That is very sweet of you. One more day to put in then I have 5 off, not just 4. My EDO falls on Easter Monday, so I get the Tuesday off instead. I will end up bringing work home, but at least I will get paid overtime for it. Woohoo! I won't have to get up at 5:20 for 5 days!!

MouseGuy, I think perhaps it is time to sit down with that remote and figure the darn thing out. It may save some frustration. I thought men were the masters of remotes, aren't they? I know I get frustrated with them. Computers I can figure out. TVs, stereos, and the like are much more challenging, probably because I never took much interest in them.

You know you are getting older (or at least feel old) when...
Tonight was the last parent-teacher interview I should ever have to attend for my children. My son, hopefully if he gets his ducks in a row, will be graduating this year. After 13 years of pushing him to do more than slide by, I look forward to the day I can say, "Yes!! He did it!!" He certainly didn't take after his mother in that respect. I loved school. However, while I was there, I looked around at all the teachers. In one row, there was my grade 8 homeroom and social studies teacher, my grade 11 physics teacher, and my grade 12 physics teacher. I know two of them remember me, and I speak to them every time I am there. Mr. MacD informed me tonight that they only had 2 more years to go and they would be retiring. Good grief!!! Considering I only have to put in 7 more to go on early retirement, that made me feel even older. They must have been really young chickens when I had them as teachers. Where has the time gone?

Municipal Year End

I see on the news that the municipal government ended their fiscal in the black in spite of the natural disasters we had. That is good news. They also say that Rapid Transit is a go-ahead. That's good news for those in Sam's Place and the Dungeon. No lack of work for some time to come. Maybe you guys will finally be as busy as I am. I understand you don't do much over there!! Shall I duck?

Life

Some days life sucks; other days it blows. Today both sucks and blows for me. I hope someone had a good one to make up for it. I think I need a hug.

What a Rush!

It's a good thing it is Holy Week because I have been saying some extra prayers this week let me tell you. This is my story. Now, I am not looking for sympathy. I know I will find that in the dictionary between shit and syphillus. These are just plain facts.

On Saturday night my son attended a party at which his 2-month-old sneakers got stolen. I figured it wouldn't be hard to track down who stole them, considering not a lot of people have size 13 feet. I prayed that someone accidentally wore them home and would return them the next day. My son promptly reminds me that people are not as honest these days as they were when I was his age. He is probably right, and was, since they did not show up. Who would steal a pair of used sneakers anyway?

I didn't need this aggravation since living on a single (and pitiful) salary is not easy. Any extra expense like that is not easy to deal with. So I went to the bank this morning before I went to work and got some money for him to buy a new pair. Then I had to go to the mall at lunchtime to get a pair of insoles for his old sneakers because they are too big and have no insoles in them. At least it would be something in the interim until he could find some new ones.

The day seemed very long and dragged on, and I got ready to go home. I got home, unpacked my backpack and then realized my purse was not in it. Panic didn't creep in, it dove in headfirst!!! It was hard enough to find the money that I really couldn't afford to spend in the first place, but to leave my purse out in the open where it was nearly 98% certain to be stolen (a common thing at work) was complete panic. Luckily I found someone to take me to Halifax in a hurry to check. I had to get there before the outside building doors were locked because they require a card entry, which was in my purse. The rest of the inside doors are key coded, so I could get through those. Let me tell you that I prayed the whole way over there. I rushed into the building like I was trying to save a child from a burning building (not a pretty sight). I walked up to my desk. No purse on the desk. Panic began to take over more intensely. I still had my cabinet key in my pocket, so I unlocked my cabinet. Lo and behold, there it was. I had forgotten to take it out of the cabinet. Praise God!!!

Yes, perhaps it was a blonde moment, but it sure did cause a panic. At least I know my heart is still beating, because it was beating hard. I'll bet you I won't forget it again for awhile. Live and learn.

Happenings

Well...it is really quiet over in the Dungeon this week. Has MouseGuy been put in stocks and gagged?

Sam's Place is going to the apes. It appears that Keyboard now has a new toy. Tsk, tsk. Men and their toys. They just never grow up. Their toys just get more expensive. Perhaps he has purchased a webcam? Maybe a digital camera? It appears he has taken to posting his picture on the web for us all to see. He even provided us with the link. Way to go!!! So...will you be taking pictures of us all to post on your web site now? Do we need to be careful that you may be watching us with a webcam? I guess I really should pay attention to what I am wearing before I sit here to type, shouldn't I? Oh well...I don't need to worry. I don't have a webcam for you to see me. I wouldn't want those pictures posted on the website of horrors!!!

Here at Cloud Nine, well...nothing much new here. I'm off to help out my Mom this afternoon. Then it is some overtime and to watch my favourite shows tonight. Guess I need a life, huh!! Oh well...someday. At least it is a four-day week heading into a five-day weekend for me. The best part will be the turkey dinner. Yummy!!!

Philosophy Lesson

We have all heard these stories that have been e-mailed to us before about "I've learned..." Well a friend just sent me one today. I can agree with most of them and have experienced most of them, but there are some that really stand out at me from my life experiences. This is what I've learned:

- That the Lord didn't do it all in one day. What makes me think I can? (Superwoman syndrome. The suit just doesn't fit me the way it fit her.)
- That love, not time, heals all wounds. (This entails finding love elsewhere. Oh yeah baby!!!)
- That everyone you meet deserves to be greeted with a smile. (Sure, it keeps them guessing what you are thinking.)
- That no one is perfect until you fall in love with them. (There is no such thing as a perfect man. *ducks*)
- That opportunities are never lost; someone will take the ones you miss. (Oh yes...they sure will. Grab them while you still can. I've missed a few myself.)
- That I wish I could have told my Dad that I love him one more time before he passed away. (I'm grateful to have had this opportunity. I miss him. He always made me laugh.) :-(
- That one should keep his words both soft and tender because tomorrow he may have to eat them. (Yes, I understand that crow is not that tasty. Yuk!!)
- That a smile is an inexpensive way to improve your looks. (Unless, of course, you need braces.)
- That I can't choose how I feel, but I can choose what I do about it. (That's it...let it all out. You will feel SO MUCH better.)
- That everyone wants to live on top of the mountain but all the happiness and growth occurs while you're climbing it. (Yeah, yeah, yeah. I know this, but my &*#@$%! legs are getting tired from the uphill climb.)

The other thing I have learned from all these stories and jokes is that someone has a lot more time on their hands than I could ever imagine having. I need a job like theirs!!!

Note to Keyboard: Don't forget to change your watches too. You don't want to be late for work on Monday. Those are the clocks I usually forget to change. Who the hell decided we need to keep changing the time twice a year anyway? Someone else with too much time on their hands and wanting to screw up the world?

Update

Keyboard, I'm not in the habit of cooking dates. I might turn up the heat with the right person, but cooking them would go a little overboard. Besides, that would be painful. I'm not in the habit of inflicting pain!!! Perhaps your bifocals are no longer working??

Friday, Finally!!

TGIF!!! Today was actually a good day, though. The powers that be were out of the office today so it was quiet and peaceful. I could do my work without many interruptions today. We even took time to share a story or a laugh here and there today. Then my landlady took me to lunch, so I got out of the office for awhile. That was a bonus too. Trouble with going out to lunch, for me, is that with my food sensitivities, I can make a much more tasty meal at home. I get the blandest meals you can imagine when I eat out most of the time and pay a fortune for it. It kind of takes the pleasure out of it, but it sure is nice to have someone else cook for me for a change.

When I got home, my son had made supper for me. Another bonus. I didn't have to cook at all today. Woohoo!!!! I like that. I get tired of cooking every single meal. Take out is not an option nor is almost any prepackaged food. It's like getting back to the basics of a century or at least a half-century ago. Oh well...life could be worse. At least I am cheap date. No wining and dining for me. Not even popcorn at a movie. Now...what would I do on a date? That's a secret!!!

Can't think. Brain dumb. Inspiration won't come.

I think some April fool stole my brain or maybe it's just that work killed it today. Is it Friday at 4 p.m. yet?