How Men and Women Think Differently

The following are definitions as men and women see them. I think I am part male when it comes to some of these. (haha)

1. THINGY (thing-ee) n.
Female ... Any part under a car's hood.
Male ... The strap fastener on a woman's bra.

2. VULNERABLE (vul-ne-ra-bel) adj.
Female ... Fully opening up one's self emotionally to another.
Male ... Playing football without a cup.

3. COMMUNICATION (ko-myoo-ni-kay-shon) n.
Female ... The open sharing of thoughts and feelings with one's partner.
Male ... Leaving a note before taking off on a fishing trip with the boys.

4. COMMITMENT (ko-mit-ment) n.
Female ... A desire to get married and raise a family.
Male ... Trying not to hit on other women while out with this one.

5. ENTERTAINMENT (en-ter-tayn-ment) n.
Female ... A good movie, concert, play or book.
Male ... Anything that can be done while drinking beer.

6. FLATULENCE (flach-u-lens) n.
Female ... An embarrassing byproduct of indigestion.
Male ... A source of entertainment, self-expression, male bonding.

7 MAKING LOVE (may-king luv) n.
Female ... The greatest expression of intimacy a couple can achieve.
Male ... Call it whatever you want, just as long as we do it. [I can relate to the male interpretation here too. Yummy!!]

8. REMOTE CONTROL (ri-moht kon-trohl) n.
Female ... A device for changing from one TV channel to another.
Male ... A device for scanning through all 375 channels every 5 minutes.

Living Will

Living Will

I, _________________________ (fill in the blank), being of sound mind and body, do not wish to be kept alive indefinitely by artificial means.

Under no circumstances should my fate be put in the hands of cockamamy, ethically challenged politicians who couldn't pass ninth-grade biology if their lives depended on it.

If a reasonable amount of time passes and I fail to sit up and ask for a cold beer, it should be presumed that I won't ever get better. When such a determination is reached, I hereby instruct my spouse, children and attending physicians to pull the plug, reel in the tubes and call it a day.

Under no circumstances shall the hypocritical members of the Legislature (Provincial or Federal) enact a special law to keep me on life-support machinery. It is my wish that these boneheads mind their own damn business, and pay attention instead to the health, education and future of the millions of Americans who aren't in a permanent coma.

Under no circumstances shall any politicians butt into this case. I don't care how many fundamentalist votes they're trying to scrounge for their run for the presidency, it is my wish that they play politics with someone else's life and leave me alone to die in peace.I couldn't care less if a hundred religious zealots send e-mails to legislators in which they pretend to care about me. I don't know these people, and I certainly haven't authorized them to preach and crusade on my behalf. They should mind their own business, too.

If any of my family goes against my wishes and turns my case into a political cause, I hereby promise to come back from the grave and make his or her existence a living hell.

_____________________
Signature

Date__________

_____________________
Witness

_____________________
Witness

Date__________

I Can't Take It Any More!!!!

Something has got to give and give now. I have prayed and prayed and prayed. I've even begged God to help. Why won't the changes I need in my life come? I don't understand. I've been waiting and waiting and waiting and only a few small things seem to change here and there. I can't figure out if any of them are segues into the big changes I need or not. I can't take this one more day!!!

I'm at my wits end. Why won't things come? It damn well better all be worth all this waiting when it does gets here. My patience has worn very thin.

Forward This to ...

Do you hate those e-mails as much as I do that tell you to "forward this e-mail to 10 of your friends or you will have bad luck in the next 3 days." Or they tell you "If you love God, forward this."

I'm sorry, but no amount of forwarded e-mail is going to change fate. All that will do is jam up the Internet with a lot of unwanted e-mails and piss off some of your friends. If the message is a nice one or a great joke, I will forward that to my friends, generally without the "forward this" part. Sometimes I forget to remove that.

For more information about what I mean, click here. This explains it all very well.

And, before you forward to 10 of your friends thinking you will have good luck, think of whether those 10 friends would appreciate the content of what you are sending. Just send the funnies ...

Animals Are Funny

It's another nice day out there. I love the sunshine and milder temperatures. The crows woke me up at 5 a.m. It was funny to listen to them talking to each other. Luckily I was able to get back to sleep.

I was just talking to my daughter too. She has hermit crabs for pets. Strange, but true. She tells me last night one of them decided to change shells as they do when they outgrow the one they are in. She tells me it is really funny to see them "naked." They might think the same thing of her. Who knows. Apparently they make some sort of noise as they shop for shells and stick their claws inside to check it out. Gee ... I guess he is house hunting the same as I am. Only thing is he gets his for free and doesn't have to compete much to find and take possesion of a new one.

Guess I should have been a crab...

A Little Bit of Nothing

I got bored with the old look, so I've taken on a new one. I hope you like it. I almost chose a rose look, but I know my blog friends would never let me hear the end of that one. They are "real men" and don't like pink much, if at all. (haha)

I still haven't found a house to buy, and time is closing in on me. It is really stressing me out. Something has to pan out soon or I will be living in the street. Please say a prayer for me.

I had band practice last night. In one song, the piano player couldn't figure out why the chords didn't seem to fit with the song. Lo and behold, it was my fault. I was singing it wrong. Oh well ... it was actually funny when I realized I had screwed it up. I didn't even hear myself sing it wrong. Amazing ... a real blonde moment for sure. We have a lot of fun at practices and when we lead the congregation on a Sunday morning.

Who got up at 4:30 a.m. to watch the Pope's funeral? Not me, I can tell you that. A friend so graciously reminded me yesterday that my religion would not have existed if it wasn't for an ancient Roman Catholic king that decided he wanted to get divorced and branched out from the RC church to create his own religion that would allow divorce to take place. Got me there, I guess. I still like my church better. I find RC to be too "stuffed shirt" and unwilling to change with the times much. Just my own opinion. Personally, I believe in a universal church of God. I don't believe any religion has all the answers. I like to look at the big picture and not get caught up in the petty details that people fight about. They miss the point.

Anyway, I hope you like the new look of my blog. See you again next time.

These People Vote?

Scary to think ... that these people vote!

While looking at a house, my brother asked the real estate agent which direction was north because, he explained, he didn't want the sun waking him up every morning. She asked, "Does the sun rise in the North?" When my brother explained that the sun rises in the east (and has for some time), she shook her head and said, "Oh, I don't keep up with that."
. . . She also votes!

I used to work in technical support for a 24/7 call center. One day I got a call from an individual who asked what hours the call center was open. I told him, "The number you dialled is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week." He responded, "Is that Eastern or Pacific time?" Wanting to end the call quickly, I said, "Uh, Pacific."
. . . He also votes!

So my colleague and I were eating our lunch in our cafeteria when we overheard one of the administrative assistants talking about the sunburn she got on her weekend drive to the shore. She drove down in a convertible but "didn't think she'd get sunburned because the car was moving."
. . . She also votes!

My sister has a lifesaving tool in her car. It's designed to cut through a seatbelt if she gets trapped. She keeps it in the trunk.
. . . My sister also votes!

My friends and I were on a beer run and noticed that the cases were discounted 10%. Since it was a big party, we bought 2 cases. The cashier multiplied 2 times 10% and gave us a 20% discount.
. . . He also votes!

I was hanging out with a friend when we saw a woman with a nose ring attached to an earring by a chain. My friend said, "Wouldn't the chain rip out every time she turned her head?" I explained that a person's nose and ear remain the same distance apart no matter which way the head is turned.
. . . My friend also votes!

My girlfriend and I were picking up some sandwiches from the sub place last week and she asked the clerk which of two sandwiches was better. The clerk didn't have an opinion but did say that the first sandwich was more expensive. My girlfriend got a quizzical look on her face and asked, "If that's the case, why are they both listed with the same price on the menu?" To this, the clerk responded, "I don't think we add tax to the turkey."
. . . The clerk also votes!

I couldn't find my luggage at the airport baggage area. So I went to the lost luggage office and told the woman there that my bags never showed up. She smiled and told me not to worry because she was a trained professional, and I was in good hands. "Now," she asked me, "has your plane arrived yet?"
. . . She also votes!

Oh well!!!! I vote too, and probably do a few stupid things myself.

Time Change

Over at Sam's Place, Keyboard is talking about the time changing tonight. I have to agree. It makes no sense to me to keep shifting the time. There are other places in the world where they do not do this. Why do we?

I've heard of saving time in a bottle and that is possible when we dry the plants from our garden (thyme). I've heard of people making money from bottling and canning fresh air. I've seen bottles of water from the Jordan River. Perfume bottles contain "Eau de toilette" (that's just gross). But can you tell me how the heck we can "save daylight time." We can increase our efficiency so that we use less time to perform a task, but time is not something we can save. If we could, look how long we could live. We could stop the aging process. Now that, would be something someone could make money from. Hmmm ... perhaps I should look into that. I don't like the effects of aging on my body. Not at all.

April Fool

Hey, Keyboard. I wish I could have seen how quickly you reacted. That would have been a sight to behold. Some April's fool jokes can be funny. Some people play really mean and dirty tricks on people. I don't like those ones, but one in good fun are fun.

No one got me today, thank goodness.

House Hunting

House hunting is a very frustrating task. It is hard to find what I am looking for. I seem to have everyone pulling me in different directions. I am trying to block them out and look for what I feel fits the bill, but it is hard. I'm the one who will be there most, so it has to work well for me.

I think I would sooner hunt for Easter eggs. They might be easier to find, and they'd be cheaper too. Wish me luck. It has to surface very soon.

Hoppy Easter!!

There once was a rabbit named Rex
Whose favourite pasttime was to have sex
He thumped all the bunnies
With cute little cunnies
But no diseases did he expect

Then one day he tried to pee
And in so much pain was he
That he zipped up his jeans
And without being seen
Off to the doctor went he

The many tests they ran did show
That his white blood cell count was low
The infection he caught
Was so terribly wrought
His life it would take from him slow

Such a valuable lesson he learned
Was that for sex to always discern
That when in the mood
Don't f*** the whole brood
Or you so terribly may get burned

Rabbits do it quietly because they have cotton balls!!!

I hope the Easter Bunny was good to you!!!

Long and Short

Keyboard seems to be having trouble with measuring. He doesn't know what the difference is between long and short. I think that is a male thing. They always think 6" is longer than it really is. (teehee)

Keyboard, a weekend is only 2 days long, always. A week is 5 days long, always. We may have holidays that fall on a weekday just prior to or immediately following a weekend, but that doesn't make the weekend any longer than it ever is. It just means we get to stay home an extra day.

A day is a day.
A holiday is a holiday.
A weekend is a weekend.
And 6 inches really is only 6 inches.
You can try all you want to stretch it, just like these sentences.

Just think about it the right way, and you can make anything bigger than it really is!!! It's all in the imagination.

How Long Is Long?: A Response

Over at Sam's Place, Keyboard is trying to figure out the definition of long. That brings a visual to mind that we will not speak of here, but I am sure each and every person's definition is different. I suggest we could ask that of the following people:

• The mother who has just given birth only to be told that something is wrong with her baby and tests will be run. The results will be back to her as soon as possible. What a long wait that will be.
• The person who has to go to the bathroom really bad only to find that someone just got in the shower and there is not another bathroom. How long can you comfortably hold it.
  
• The son who has just been told that his father, who lives 1000 miles away, is on his deathbed and he should hurry home to be with him. How long that time must seem to get there.
• The woman who is at home raising her children while her husband is overseas fighting in a war. How long that wait must be to find out if he will arrive back home safely.
• The parents whose child is lost in the woods and a search and rescue team are trying to find him. How long a search that must seem.
• The person waiting in the emergency room knowing there is something terribly wrong with them and 15 people are ahead of them.
  

For me personally, I've been waiting my whole life for true love. I can definitely define "long" for you when it comes to this waiting time. It is an excruciatingly painful wait. I can only trust that when it does come, it will be so incredible that it was worth the wait.

Good Friday

Today is Good Friday. A day of reflection. I just came from a service where our praise band played. It is rather unusual for a whole band to play during a time of vigil, but we have been asked to do this for the past 4 years. The theme today was about forgive of sins, and the songs we sang fit in very well with that theme and the Easter theme.

My reflections bring these things to mind:

• How often we inadvertently hurt someone and ask for forgiveness. Do they accept our apology or prefer to hold a grudge? Do we or can we accept their forgiveness? Sometimes I think that accepting forgiveness for what we have done is harder than accepting apologies from those who have hurt us.

• How many times do others impose their guilts on us because they judge us by what their beliefs are? Do we accept that guilt or do we know that it is not ours to carry?

• Do we believe these things to be wrong; something for which we need forgiveness? We all do them.
• Make illegal copies of computer programs and install and use them on our computer.
• Buy one legal copy of a computer program and put it on more than one computer, and loan it to our friends.
• Download songs from the Internet without paying for them.
• Make copies of CDs and tapes that we or a friend have purchased.
• Plagerize another person's work.
• Add pictures to our web pages or other published works for which we have not received permission.
• Taken a pen or other stationery items from the office for our personal use.
• Printed something personal from the work printer.
• Checked our home e-mail or do a web search for something personal on work time.
• Knowingly pick up something that doesn't belong to us and keep it because we don't know who the owner is and don't want to look for them.

We are all guilty of sin of one sort or another. As human beings not one of us is perfect. I believe that we are meant to be the best person we can be, and that we first of all need to accept and love who we are as individuals. Then we can begin to become better and more loving people to each other. I believe that we are all capable of being forgiven. The question is, Are we willing to accept that we are forgiven or do we want to carry around a big stick to keep beating ourselves up with as our own form of penitence? Do we keep ourselves imprisoned and believe we are not worthy of good because of any wrong we may have done or perceived to have done?

There surely is a lot of reflection that can be done on this Holiest of days. I will sign off with this thought:

When you throw your burdens into the lake of forgiveness, don't go fishing!!

Oh My Goodness!!

I knew this would be my year of transition, but these past two weeks have been phenomenal. Things are happening faster than anything has ever happened for me. I know that the things that have come are only material things, but I feel like they are the base that needed to be started for the rest to come. This is a summary of what has happened in the past two weeks:

• A big printer company finally validated to me that I had a hardware problem with a printer I bought 6 years ago and replaced it with an updated model that is even better than what I had. They wanted to restore my faith in their products and service. That they did!!
• A relative gave me an unexpected monetary gift that put me in a very good financial position for buying the house I need.
• Someone gave me their digital camera when they updated to a new one.
• My son updated his cell phone and I ended up with the old one.
• When my son updated his cell phone, he got a free portable CD-player that also plays MP3s. He already has these things, so he gave it to me.
• I found out the new computer armoire I bought 2 weeks ago went on sale this week. When I contacted the store I bought it from, they told me I could get the difference back, but screwed up in telling me that, so I took a trip there for nothing. So I called the manager today about the incident to let him know this happened, and he gave me back the difference.
• There are 3 paydays in March, so part of one is "extra" money. Fortunately, I had a fair amount of overtime on all 3 cheques this month too.

These are all material things, but I am very grateful for each and everyone of them. I feel truly blessed. It is also allowing me to pull myself up by the boot laces and try to keep a positive outlook for the rest of my life. The greater plan is good, and I feel it is coming. I just need to try to be patient a little while longer. That is the hard part.

I have next to no debt now and I have toys!!!!!!!!!!!! Wahoo!!!

A Miracle Happened

Today, I received an answer to a prayer. To me, it is a miracle. I have prayed and prayed so hard for miracles, and one finally happened. Some may consider it nothing more than a simple act of kindness or love, but for me, it was nothing short of a miracle because it was the last thing I would have expected to happen to me and from a person I wouldn't have expected it of.

I know I am confusing you. Today I received a gift from a family member that will help to change my present circumstances tremendously. I feel a great weight lifted from my shoulders, and my faith has been restored. If this prayer has been answered, surely the other substantial things I need in my life will be on their way too. God knew I was at the end of my rope, and He tied a knot in it so I could hold on and continue to climb to the top of that mountain. One of the obstacles in my life is being removed. So the others, I believe, shall follow. As scripture says, "If you truly believe and you tell that mountain to move, it will move." Today, I give thanks with a grateful heart, believing that the rest will come, if only I can be patient a little while longer. Thank you, God, for this miracle.

Spring

Well ... spring arrives today. It also marks the beginning of the new astrological year, so Happy New Year!

Spring marks a fresh start, a new beginning for many things. I hope it does for me. I'm very much in need of that. House hunting by myself is proving to be very, very difficult. I don't have the knowledge I need to make good choices. I am seeking help of those who know more, but I'm finding this to be very much an emotional rollercoaster. The excitement seems to be quickly dashed and replaced with a sense of hopelessness each time I look at a property. I am struggling to stay positive, but with time running against me, it is very difficult. I am hoping beyond all hope and praying fervently that a great solution shows itself quickly. I've never been good at rollercoaster rides. I prefer to have my feet firmly planted on the soil and know the direction to the gate out of the circus.

Happy spring!!!!

Words Women Use

Someone sent me this list of words women use. As I have said on several occasions, I do not consider myself a typical woman. My responses to these are in red.


Fine

This is the word women use to end an argument when they are right and you need to shut up.

My use of this word at the end of an argument would mean "Have it your way and live with the consequences."

Five Minutes

If she is getting dressed, this is half an hour. Five minutes is only five minutes if you have just been given 5 more minutes to watch the game before helping around the house.

Five minutes is five minutes is five minutes. If I'm gonna be a half hour, I'll tell you so.

Nothing

This is the calm before the storm. This means "something," and you should be on your toes. Arguments that begin with "Nothing" usually end in "Fine"!

If I tell you "nothing" it means I don't want to talk about, or now is not the right time to talk about (we'll discuss it later), or it is not worth discussing and is my issue to deal with.

Go Ahead

This is a dare, not permission. Don't do it.

I don't like this expression. This sounds like a threat to me, not a dare. Go ahead, means "do what you want and live with the consequences."

Loud Sigh

This is not actually a word, but is a nonverbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing."

A loud sigh means I feel overwhelmed by something. If I think you are an idiot, I would tell you so.


That's OK

This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's OK" means that she wants to think long and hard before deciding how and when you will pay for your mistake.

I try very hard not to bring up past mistakes. What is done is done. We will probably have a harder time forgiving ourselves than we do someone else.


Thanks

A woman is thanking you. Do not question it or faint. Just say you're welcome.

"Thank you" and "I'm sorry" are words that I use often and easily. I try never to take anyone for granted and have no problem accepting responsibility when I am wrong.

From the Mouths of Babes

What does Love mean?

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of 4- to 8-year-olds, "What does love mean?"

The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca (age 8)

When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy (age 4)

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl (age 5)

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy (age 6)

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri (age 4 )

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny (age 7)

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily (age 8)

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby (age 7) [Wow!]

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate." Nikka (age 6) [We need a few million more Nikka's on this planet.]

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it everyday." Noelle (age 7)

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well." Tommy (age 6)

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy (age 8)

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Clare (age 6)

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine (age 5)

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris (age 7)

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann (age 4)

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren (age 4)

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen (age 7) [What an imagination!]

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross." Mark (age 6)

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget." Jessica (age 8)

And the final one—Author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child.

The winner was a four-year-old child whose next door neighbour was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbour, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

I guess I must be a child at heart because I see all of those things as defining love as well. Love is beautiful, no ifs, ands, or buts about it. It's what makes this life worth living.

Taxes

The only thing that Revenue Canada has not yet taxed is the male penis. This is due to the fact that

• 40% of the time it is hanging around unemployed
• 30% of the time it is hard up
• 20% of the time it is pissed off
  
• and 10% of the time it is in the hole

On top of that, it has two dependents and they are both nuts.

Effective January 1st, 2005, your penis will be taxed according to size.

The brackets are as follows:

• 10"–12" Luxury Tax ... 30.00
• 8"–10" Pole Tax ... 25.00
• 5"–8" Privilege Tax ... 15.00
• 4"–5" Nuisance Tax ... 3.00

Males exceeding 12" must file under capital gains. Anyone under 4" is eligible for a refund. [You know who you are.]

PLEASE DO NOT ASK FOR AN EXTENSION.

I Did It!!!

I did it all by myself. Well, almost entirely. I got a new computer armoire and put it together and moved my computer into it, by myself. I had a little help putting the main structure together, but I did all the rest. Let me tell you that putting those doors on by myself was a real bitch. I made a couple little errors that I had to correct, but I did it!!!

I bought a house, by myself too. No one but the realtor went with me. I wish I could have called on someone to help, but anyone I really wanted to be there couldn't be. So I did it myself. There are several things to take care of to get it all in order, and I have been doing it by myself. I have had offers to help with things in the house once I get it, which I will accept.

Most of my life, I have had to do most everything for myself, even when I was in physical pain, very ill, or on the verge of exhaustion. It certainly makes for someone fairly independent. There is history to that, but I will let history stay in the past where it belongs.

This is my year for transition, and it is happening. For the last couple years my life has dragged on, not showing me much hope for my future. That has been very difficult. I'm not very patient when it comes to that. In hindsight I see that it was my healing years, my years to let go of the past, and to prepare myself for a very different future. It is ironic that within a couple weeks of writing an important e-mail of forgiveness to release my past from me, that my life began to plunge forward very quickly. I believe God has a plan for my life, and He is finally starting to reveal it to me.

I have had dreams over the years that are premonitions. I had a recurring dream recently about having a house of my own. The details of that dream and the reality of my house purchase have many similarities. I've had a couple other dreams about my future too. Now to see if they, too, are premonitions. I certainly hope so. Wish me luck!!

You Were Right

I have no problem admitting it. You were right. My friends kept telling me over and over again that what I need would come, when the time was right. Keyboard was one of those people.

This has been quite a week. I learned about a house coming back on the market that I was going to look at before. I viewed it that night, made an offer that night, and it was accepted, that night. Then the next day, I finally got action from a big company to replace a faulty product I have had that has frustrated me for the past 4–5 years. They are replacing the product with an updated version and adding in a few extra options for me to restore my faith in their company.

Then the offers of help to get my new home established have been pouring in. Some of them are shocking me, but are too wonderful for words.

So ... thank you to all my friends who had faith for me when mine was weak. And above all, thanks to God for blessing me with wonderful friends and great opportunities. I knew this would be a year of transition for me, and it is sure beginning to be just that.

This is only the beginning of something wonderful and new. I can feel it. This will be my year.

Dear Dad

Dear Dad,

It was 2 years ago today that you left us behind to start your eternal journey. I remember that day well. There were a lot of tears shed by your family, and a lot of happy memories shared. Dad, I even felt a sense of peacefulness for you because I knew you were in a wonderful place and would be very happy there.

My memories of you are wonderful, Dad. I remember all the times we spent together fishing, gardening, hunting, and walking. I remember all the wonderful laughs we had. You had such a great sense of humour. I will never forget how gentle and loving a man you were. You enjoyed the simple life, but you really knew how to enjoy it. I hope I can do that too.

Thank you, Dad, for loving me. I miss your smiles, your laughs, and your hugs. Do you think you can put a good word in for me with THE GREAT I AM so I can have arms like yours to hold me once again. I really need that. I miss you, Daddy, and I love you.

Your loving daughter,
Donna

Where, Oh, Where

Where, oh, where have my blog friends gone?
oh where, oh where, can they be?
with their blogs so short,
and time span long,
oh where, oh where can they be?

OK guys, where are you? Are you hiding from me? Keyboard wrote on Saturday, but he's not as consistent as he used to be. And that MouseGuy, hey, what about him? It's been six months since he wrote!!!!! Lard, love a duck!!!! He must have broken his fingers. Several times, I suspect, in this length of time. Or maybe he hit his head and forgot his password (again). Hey, Keyboard, do you think MouseGuy just doesn't like us any more? *pouts*

MouseGuy? Hey, MouseGuy? Do I need to send a cat to catch the mouse? What ya doin'? How come you won't come out to play with us anymore? Party-pooper!!!!! Come on out and play with your friends. We miss you.

Overcoming the Catch-22

Well ... it looks like I found a bank willing to give me just enough to squeak in the purchase of a semi or some other similar small home. It isn't, ultimately, what I really want, but it is a start at least. Now the challenge is to find something that will fit the bill. Wish me luck!!!

On another note, I read something today that had one line that really jumped out at me. Have you ever had that happen? Actually, a line of a song did that to me this morning too. When you stop to think about them, they make perfect sense. The lines were these:

In a Christian song - "He turns our weaknesses into His opportunities so that the glory goes to Him." That's very true.

In a daily meditation book - "The most comfortable people to be around are those who are considerate of others but ultimately please themselves."

I think they speak volumes.

Catch-22s

Have you ever been in a Catch-22 situation? I have many times, and am now again. What a frustrating place to be in.

I need to move within the next 4 months. I have been searching relentlessly for rentals and finding every way I can to be able to purchase a home. Well, the difficulty I am running into is that I don't make enough money to be able to afford to buy even a modest bungalow in this area. It is doubtful that I could even find a semi within the price range the banks will give me.

The Catch-22 part is that if I have to rent, I will end up paying about the same as the mortgage amount that the bank will give me in the first place or even more.

What the *&^% is a person to do? It is upsetting. I keep being told I need a second income, but I have no control over that. I also have no control over my own income. It has been under negotiation for the past year and not looking good for anything substantial. You would think that with the substantial agreement the province just made for money from the offshore oil that they could spread a little joy to their workers. I won't hold my breath.

Please say a prayer for me. I really, really need it.

Ever Wonder?

Have you ever wondered where some of those sayings come from? I have. I love it when I find out where they did come from. Here are a few of them:

• The whole nine yards — During the wars (and probably still today) a belt of ammo for a machine gun is 9 yards long. When the enemy was approaching, the command was to give them the whole 9 yards. This saying is still used today to indicate to "give them all you have."
• Good night, sleep tight — In Shakespeare's time, mattresses were secured on bed frames by ropes. When you pulled on the ropes the mattress tightened, making the bed firmer to sleep on. Hence the phrase ... "goodnight, sleep tight."
• Honeymoon — It was the accepted practice in Babylon 4000 years ago that for a month after the wedding, the bride's father would supply his son-in-law with all the mead he could drink. Mead is a honey beer and because their calendar was lunar based, this period was called the honey month, which we know today as the honeymoon.
• Mind your Ps and Qs — In English pubs, ale is ordered by pints and quarts. So in old England, when customers got unruly, the bartender would yell at them "Mind your pints and quarts, and settle down." Hence, the saying today "Mind your Ps and Qs."
• Wet your whistle — Many years ago in England, pub frequenters had a whistle baked into the rim, or handle, of their ceramic cups. When they needed a refill, they used the whistle to get some service. "Wet your whistle" is the phrase inspired by this practice.

And a bit of trivia for you:

• It is impossible to lick your elbow.
• What do bulletproof vests, fire escapes, windshield wipers, and laser printers all have in common? They were all invented by women.
• If a statue in the park of a person on a horse has both front legs in the air, the person died in battle. If the horse has one front leg in the air, the person died as a result of wounds received in battle. If the horse has all four legs on the ground, the person died of natural causes.
• 111,111,111 x 111,111,111 = 12,345,678,987,654,321
• Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history: Spades - King David ... Hearts - Charlemagne ... Clubs -Alexander, the Great ... Diamonds - Julius Caesar
• The first novel ever written on a typewriter: Tom Sawyer.
• The cost of raising a medium-size dog to the age 11: $6400 (US probably)
• Coca-Cola was originally green.
• Men can read smaller print than women can; women can hear better.
  
• Many years ago, in Scotland a new game was invented. It was ruled "Gentlemen Only ... Ladies Forbidden"... and thus the word GOLF entered into the English language.

Bet you tried to lick your elbow, didn't you? 75% of people will try it. (teehee)

Stress Management

I admit it. I let stress get the better of me in the past couple weeks. I lost all perspective. I haven't gone over the deep end like that in a long time. Not good.

Today someone sent me this list of ways to de-stress. I could have used some of them in the past few days. The good news, though—I am on the way back up.

Some ways of dealing with the burdens of life:

• Accept that some days you're the pigeon, and some days you're the statue.
• Always keep your words soft and sweet, just in case you have to eat them. [I failed on this one, I'm ashamed to say. They tasted bitter when I had to swallow them.]
  
• Always read stuff that will make you look good if you die in the middle of it.
• Drive carefully. It's not only cars that can be recalled by their maker.
• If you can't be kind, at least have the decency to be vague.
• If you lend someone $20 and never see that person again, it was probably worth it.
• Never put both feet in your mouth at the same time, because then you won't have a leg to stand on. [I fell flat on my arse.]
• Since it's the early worm that gets eaten by the bird, sleep late.
• The second mouse gets the cheese. [sucks to be the first]
  
• Birthdays are good for you. The more you have, the longer you live.
• You may be only one person in the world, but you may also be the world to one person. [If I am, I would like to know it.]
• Some mistakes are too much fun to only make once.
• We could learn a lot from crayons. Some are sharp, some are pretty and some are dull. Some have weird names, and all are different colours, but they all have to live in the same box.
• A truly happy person is one who can enjoy the scenery on a detour. [This I have done successfully.]

Remember this: "If we carry our burdens all the time, sooner or later, as the burden becomes
increasingly heavy, we won't be able to carry on. You have to put it down for a while and rest before holding it again. When we're refreshed, we can carry on with the burden."

And sometimes we just have to let them go completely. How important are they anyway?

Valentine's Day

So ... it is Valentine's Day again. It just feels like any other day to me. This day really sucks when you are really single. Most everyone around you is receiving expressions of love in one form or another from someone special while you stand by and watch it happen and wish it were you.

I know this is a day of love, but I think it is important to express your love for someone in special ways all throughout the year. Perhaps Valentine's Day is simply an over-rated Hallmark holiday.

Brace myself now for the upcoming Easter holiday. Oh joy!!

Get a Grip

There are all kinds of things we use to "get a grip" on things. For instance

• pot holders/oven mitts to grip hot dishes from the oven
  
• ice tongs to grip the ice cubes in the bucket
• salad tongs to grip all those loose pieces of salad
• studded tires to grip on icy roads
• snowshoes to get a grip for walking on snow
• pliers to get a grip on something small we can't grip with our hands
• holding a child's hand to keep a grip on them from running into the street

Today, I need to "get a grip"—period. I have allowed stress to overwhelm me to the point where I'm having a hard time getting a grip on my day-to-day life. It caused me to look at a situation the wrong way and misinterpret what was happening. As a result, I hurt someone I care about. I've made my apologies. I only hope I can be forgiven. I'm trying to "get a grip" and stop worrying so much. Get a grip, Miz D, get a grip now. You know better than that.

I Remember ...

These are some of the things I remember from my childhood:

• Being able to buy just half a popsicle for 4¢, a whole one for 7¢
• Scotties chips in a foil bag for 5¢
• Five Star chocolate bars
• Spearmint Leaves that were 3/1¢
• Five loaves of bread cost 96¢
• Ice cream cones were 10¢
• Admission to a movie was 25¢
• Tiny Tim was tiptoeing through the tulips
• Henry Gibson said, "Life is a many splendoured thing"
• Don Messer had a "jubilee"
• Lawrence Welk conducted his band with "uh-one-a, uh-two-a"
• Cry-baby Cannon was a wrestler
• Muhammad Ali floated like a butterfly and stung like a bee
• Searching the woods for blueberries, tea berries, and spruce gum
• Fishing for perch with my Dad to fill his eel trap
• Trips to my grandparent's century farm and spending time with the cows
• Picking mushrooms in a cow pasture
• Weeding the vegetable and harvesting the vegetables
• Playing "show and tell" with the boys next door and getting caught—twice
• Laying in the sun and listening to the Argus planes fly overhead
• Watching bumblebees collecting nectar from the clover on my lawn
• Swinging in the canvas hammock between the trees in our yard until I fell asleep
• Swimming naked in the lake at our cottage

I'm sure there are many things you, too, remember. When I review this list, these are the most memorable things. The one pattern I notice is that the vast majority of these things were enjoyed with my father or alone. I sure do miss him. I guess his influence in my life is why I feel such a great need to have a male as a prominent figure in my life. I love male companionship and really do need it in my life. How lonely life is without it.

Chiropractors

I owe a great deal to my chiropractor. He is wonderful. He has offered me so much relief from pain that drugs, physio, and accupuncture could not address. I went to see him yesterday. I go every 4 months for an adjustment to my back and neck and anything else that happens to crop up in the meantime.

He surprised me yesterday. I was complaining about muscles I had pulled in my ribs in October and had been suffering with since. I explained what happened and how I kept reinjuring them. He examined my back and said, "Oh good ... you have locked up all your ribs on the left side." Wonderful. Apparently the tight muscles pulled the ribs into a locked position and the locked position kept the muscles tense so they would not heal. It was a Catch-22 situation. One continued to affect the other. Now I need a few sessions to get my joints mobile again. I should have gone to see him in October. When will I ever learn???

Nice Change

Hey, Keyboard, it is nice to see a week dedicated to good things. It's like wishing the newspaper only printed good news and left out the bad stuff. Perhaps they should follow your footsteps, even if only for a week.

Your words about your wife are very touching. I believe everyone of us should have a relationship like that. Not that I believe either party should wait hand and foot on the other, but definitely to share that kind of love in whatever way works for them both. It's all about give and take, listening and hearing, understanding and empathy. And above all else, deep, true love with a soulmate. I believe we all have one, but we don't all find them.

I want that. I have always wanted that for as long as I can remember. I need that. I am determined that I will have that, soon.

My Gripes for This Week

These are the things that have aggravated me this week:

• Heat that doesn't seem to be able to be controlled in the office. First we froze so bad our hands were near numb, now it is so hot we can't breathe or stay awake.
• Searching the ads in the paper for rentals only to find the same things day after day and nothing that fits the bill.
• People wearing perfume in a scent-free environment when I am sensitive to it.
• Unrelenting dreams that have been disturbing my sleep for 2 weeks straight.
• Waiting for too long for someone to fix my dryer.
• Software programs that are looking for an installation disk when I try to open them because they were not installed properly, and I don't have the disk.
  
• My daughter's procrastination.
• Songs that are written in a key I can't sing in.

I'm sure the list goes on, but I am too tired from dreaming all week to think straight. Poor baby, huh? Hope you have had a good week. Mine was good in spite of all this. Everyday above ground is a good day.

My Birthday Wish

I have often read that writing down what you want and need in life sets in motion a powerful chain of events that gives God and the universe permission to fulfill them. So ... on this day, my birthday wish is a public one. This is what I wish for 2005.

• Someone incredibly special to be a major part of my life. Those strong arms to hold me when I've had a bad day, a shoulder to cry on when I need to, a ear to listen and understand when I need to talk, someone who enjoys spending time with family and friends, and to share an incredible passion with me.
• Financial relief so I don't feel so restricted in my life. I don't need expensive jewellery, furs, big houses, fancy cars, or to travel the world. I just want to feel comfortable and to be able to enjoy a little more of life.
• I want to have a home to live in. Something comfortable, in a convenient location, that fits in my budget. I want to have a bit of a garden to poke around in, and a yard I can enjoy sitting out in.
• I want to have a modest car. Something reliable with some warranty on it and that's good in snow. What I would really like to have is a Honda CR-V AWD.
• I want both of my children to be taking post-secondary courses and beginning to put there own lives in motion. It is time they planned their futures.
• I want my income to increase to be on par with my counterparts in the municipal and federal governments. We are soooo far behind them. I don't want to have to rely on overtime to make enough money to make ends meet. I want that extra time to enjoy life and to be able to get some of the things I have always wanted. Nothing elaborate, just some nice things.

I know this seems like a lot, but I trust that it can happen, and pray that at least most of it will. I've been waiting a very long time for some of these things. I am ready for them to happen. By Christmas 2005, I want my life to look very different from what it now does. I need it to. I really need it to.

How to Stay Young

I wondered what the secret was to staying young. Well ... one of my friends e-mailed me these suggestions. Perhaps there is something here that will work for you. I think #11 will work for me.

************

Remember, there is no way you can look as bad as that person on your drivers license.

1. Throw out nonessential numbers. This includes age, weight and height. Let the doctors worry about them. That is why you pay them.
2. Keep only cheerful friends. The grouches pull you down.
3. Keep learning. Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain idle. " An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's.
4. Enjoy the simple things.
5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath.
   
6. The tears happen. Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. Be ALIVE while you are alive.
7. Surround yourself with what you love, whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.
8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.
9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.
10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.
11. Don't sweat the petty things and don't pet the sweaty things.
    

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:
Humpty Dumpty was pushed!

Selfishness, Understanding, and Forgiveness

We so often hear that we live in a "me" society. That is often the case, and in the last few days, I sure saw evidence of it. These are the selfish comments people made on my bus trips in the past couple days:

• Why is this bus waiting here? Where is that driver going? He better not be coming back with a coffee in his hand. Hello people!!!! The driver is entitled to go pee. How many hours can you drive consecutively before you have to go, especially when the opportunities are few and far between?
• I can't believe that driver was checking to see if he put enough money in. I can't believe he asked that young fellow if he paid. If he had been paying attention rather than talking to that passenger, he would have seen it. Have you ever been talking to one person and missed something else that happened around you? Do you work in silence everyday, never conversing with your colleagues or the public?
• Push to the rear of the bus, please, or I will have to leave these people standing in the cold. The response was "Where do you want us to go? We can't go any further? Should we start stacking ourselves?" Excuse me ... but when there are that many people there, the driver may not necessarily be able to get a clear view in his mirror. It may be blocked. He is trying to help those standing in the cold.
• Someone pulled the bell, and because the bus was packed so tightly, the driver began to pull away before the last person got off. He couldn't see or know that someone else was trying to get off. He obviously didn't hear people telling him that someone was still trying to get off, and he is not allowed to stop between stops. Comments were "Turn your hearing aids up. Is that what she paid $1.75 for? To get let off at the next stop where she has to walk back in that freezing cold?" People make mistakes. He was following rules. Yes, it was unfortunate, especially given the weather, but it has happened to me too. We are all human.

The lady making all these comments took down the bus number to lodge a complaint, and told the driver as she disembarked that he was in the wrong line of work. She continued to look back at him and rant and rave as she walked away. I was glad to see her leave.

Once she got off, the driver began talking to a male passenger telling him how much attitude he has had to put up with in recent years and how he can't wait to retire in 6 years. I then listened to him rant and rave for the next 15 minutes. I was really glad to get off that bus that day.

The sad part of all this is that people just don't take the time to look at a situation from any perspective but their own. It is what works for them that they want, at any cost. People are imperfect. We make mistakes all the time. Understanding and forgiveness goes a long way. I wish more people would try that route.<>

Change

Bummer, I wrote something and posted it the other day, but it seems to have some how gotten deleted. That sucks!!! Oh well ... I guess it wasn't meant to be read.

I can't believe we got yet another blizzard. Unbelievable!!! I don't know where we are going to put all the snow if this keeps up the trend. Many years ago, this area was not so developed, so there was not too much to plow and always a place to put it. Now they have to haul it away and dump it somewhere else. How things change!!!

It's interesting to see how time changes things. That is certainly one thing we can all count on in life—change. It is always happening. Even when we think every day is just another ordinary day, we one day realize how things have changed from the way they used to be. Surprising, isn't it?

Change can be a good thing, and most often is, even if we don't at first realize it. My horoscope says that this week is going to bring a big change in direction for me. I will be interested to see just what that entails. Here's hoping it is something I will like.

Friggin' Ice

First it was the snow on Monday, then it was the ice later that night. It decided to attract me like a magnet. Let me explain.

On that friggin' snowy night, I had to take some garbage out. It couldn't wait. The plow had been to the parking lot earlier and plowed it out. It wasn't the same one that usually does it, but I didn't think much about that. The blizzard had finally stopped, so off I went. I put on my coat and boats and grabbed the kitchen green bin, a blue bag, and a couple kitchen bags of garbage and descended the four floors to the garbage bins.

All was well and quiet. No one was around. The doorsteps had been shovelled off, but the area in front of the garbage bins was not. I didn't want to wade through knee-deep snow, so I stepped into the parking lot. Therein lied my mistake.

I didn't realize that the plow did not spread salt. The parking lot looked like it usually does after it is plowed. I took one step onto the pavement and immediately ended up on my arse with bags flying and my arm wrenched into an uncomfortable position, still holding the green bin. Shit!!! There was sheer ice under fluffy snow, not compacted snow, as I had thought. I don't even remember stepping on the pavement. I went down so fast and so hard, it was unbelievable. It hurt like hell!!!! I was wearing only a thin pair of pants and have nothing more than a layer of flesh over my hip bones. I got up and dumped the garbage where it should be (actually I think I threw it) and limped back up those four flights of stairs, madder than a wet hen, and hurting like you would not believe.

I called building maintenance to tell them they should spread salt to avoid further falls, only to be told that it would be salted the next day and there was no salt in the building. I was then also told that there were already 2 or 3 people who fell. So why the hell didn't they post a sign of caution???? I live in a building where the vast majority of people are retired and elderly. What on Earth are they thinking? I bruised my hip really good and believe that I have sprained my shoulder and arm. They are lucky I don't sue them. Someone else might.

So, guess what I have to do to treat my injuries from the ice? You got it ... put ice on it. Hey ... isn't that what got me in this position in the first place? Go figure!!!

Friggin' Snow

Not another blizzard? Good grief!! I wonder if we will get these every third Monday? I already have every third Monday off, but having these ones makes for more 4-day work weeks. I like that part, but I have to use vacation time for these storm days. Our offices never close, well, almost never. In the 24 years I have worked for the provincial government, the only time they ever closed was for Hurricane Juan and White Juan because we were in a state of emergency.

In any case, I couldn't get to work because my only mode of transportation was not moving today in the storm. I don't blame them at all. I'm just thankful that I can still get paid for the day. Many others will not. Safety is far more important on days like today. Smart move to keep vehicles off the streets and people safely tucked in their homes.

Just Stuff

It seems that Keyboard is having some real difficulties with telemarketers. It would appear he gets far more of these calls than I do. They are frustrating, especially when they call at mealtime. It looks like he is coming up with some solutions to have them avoid calling him again. I think he is having fun with it.

I've been listening to some CDs this afternoon. I have decided that I really like the 3 Doors Down CD Away from the Sun. It has some really good songs. There is one that always makes me cry. It is called Here without You. Nice song.

I've also been doing a lot of thinking about my life. I really need some major things to change in my life this year. I'm looking at this year as a year of transition. I've also realized that my whole life I've always settled for less than what I really want. Kind of like I've never realized my truest dreams. I've often felt like the girl in that commercial on TV "You're number two!; You're number two!" I really want to be number one in someone's life. I don't want a man I can live with, I want one I can't live without. I will keep dreaming "the impossible dream" and reaching for "the unreachable star." Here's praying this is my year!!

Perfect Timing

I have often heard people speak of our lives happening in perfect timing, even when we don't realize it. I believe in that. It is usually after the fact that we can see that it did happen that way. We can look back and say, "Yes, if I had gotten that sooner, I may not have appreciated it the way I do now." or maybe we would think back and see that we really were not ready for it then.

I had a usual, but extraordinary day on Monday. It is the first time in my life that I can say I remember that absolutely everything in my entire day happened in perfect timing, from dawn to dusk. It was amazing. Only days before I had made a New Year's resolution to try to remain positive about my life. That this year is a new beginning for me in every way that I can manage. This phenomenon on Monday made me trust that it can and will happen in perfect timing. I need to remain trusting about that. I believe in the power of positive thinking. It is in this way that I want to prophesize my future, not in a negative way.

I finally believe that 2005 will be a great year for me, and I will do everything in my power to make it be so. Wish me luck and say a prayer!! (a contradiction in terms, I know)

Words of Wisdom

All human wisdom is summed up in two words ... wait and hope.

Wisdom grows when knowledge is lived.

Wisdom is knowledge that has been cured in the brine of tears.

The art of being wise is the art of knowing what to overlook.

Pain makes people think, thought makes people wise, and wisdom makes life endurable.

True wisdom lies in gathering the precious things out of each day as it goes by.

Comet

When I was a child, Comet was an abrasive cleanser for cleaning the kitchen sink and bathroom. There was even a silly little song we used to sing about using it to clean your teeth. (teehee) A comet, though, is a heavenly thing and can be scary.

The following is an excerpt from the website I have linked here for astrology.

Comets have always been seen as inauspicious omens. The ancients associated them with disasters, fires, plagues, famines and earthquakes. Late last year, a new comet, Machholz, suddenly appeared. It entered the zodiac hours before the tsunami and is still visible now. I shall be watching for such phenomena even more carefully this year. I shall also be watching the American mission to launch a rocket, this Wednesday, at a comet called Tempel 1. The collision will occur months later... on July 4! Maybe today's new moon is making me feel unduly apprehensive... but I don't approve of this plan. — Jonathan Cainer

Why are the Americans planning to launch a rocket at this comet anyway? Is it a threat to the Earth or is their missile going to create that threat to the Earth? My feeling is that we should not mess with nature if something is not a threat to us. Don't try to fix what is not broken. This is actually a scary thought. What will happen if they hit it? Will it cause the comet to fragment, scattering many pieces of it Earthbound causing more devastation? How much damage will it cause if left alone? If not left alone? How will that balance tilt?

Yikes ... I shudder at the thought of what could happen. Let's leave it in God's hands.

Single White Female...

... seeking a male ... perspective

OK. I know this is not the place for personal ads. Actually though, I am seeking male input on a question that all we females really want to know.

Do men actually enjoy and appreciate the aging female body? The society we live in is so full of advertisements promoting all these fixes to reverse the effects of natural aging. I, personally, don't like what my body is doing as a result of aging. I do worry if I am truly attractive to a man. Will a man accept my body with the beginning of wrinkles, sags, and grey hair, and love me in spite of it all? I admit that I am afraid that I will not be appealing, or at least not for much longer. I fear that someone would get tired of that look and begin to seek a younger, firmer body.

Personally, I have always liked older men. I find men get much more distinguished looking as they age. I love men, some more than others, of course. The aging process on them does not deter me in the least.

So, guys, what is the verdict? Am I marketable or do I just have to admit there is not much hope left? My horoscope tells me this is my year for love. I want to prepare and look my best. Bring it on!!!!!!

12th Day of Christmas

On the 12th day of Christmas, my true love gave to me ...

True love? Now, that would be a gift. Can I have my true love for the 12th day of Christmas?

Today is the 12th day of Christmas, tomorrow marking "Old Christmas Day." The old song about the days of Christmas was created many years ago when Christianity was oppressed. It was a song that signified to others that they were Christian. Only other Christians knew how to interpret it. As you may have guessed, the partridge in a pear tree signified Jesus on the cross. The 12th day is significant of the 12 disciples. I find it interesting.

Now that the season has past, we head into a whole new year, full of exciting possibilities. In the long winter to come, I will try to focus on the good that lies ahead for me. I've made up my mind that it has to be good, great in fact. Onward to a whole new year!!!!!

The Silver Lining

Over the past few years, we have seen many disasters of different magnitudes. The devastation has been tremendous. Have you noticed the silver lining to it all, though?

During 911, Canadians reached out to the US residents that were stranded. Other Canadians and US citizens went where they were needed to provide support. Britian extended its hands to the US to help. When the US attacked Iraq, they also helped to rebuild it and tried very hard not to shed innocent blood.

During Hurricane Juan, people came to NS from other provinces and the eastern seaboard to extend a hand to help those in need. The same thing is true of the white Juan we experienced shortly thereafter.

Now, we again see during the tremendous earthquake and tsunami devastation, that many countries of the world are putting their differences aside to lend a hand to those in need.

So ... is our world changing? Are we becoming a more unified, loving planet? I believe it is a beginning. I believe everything happens for a reason. Perhaps this is a hard way to make us stand up and notice that we are really all one nation under God, but it has gotten our attention. It's a hard way to get us to realize it, but maybe, just maybe, this is the beginning of a brand new world as we know it. Wouldn't that be nice?

Happy New Year!

Well ... 2005 has finally arrived. None of us know what it will hold in store for us. I'm sure it will be filled with ups and downs, just as every year is, but let's go into this one focussing on the positive. We can make it a good year if we want to, even a great one!!!

I'll leave you with this quote:

As you step into this new year, be bold enough and daring enough to believe in the abundant good that has been prepared for you. — Dr. Norman Vincent Peale

I believe there is an abundance of good in store for us all. Let's go boldly where no man has gone before!! Have a great 2005 everyone!

Hugs from Miz D

On the 7th Day of Christmas ...

... my true love gave to me ...

Oh how I wish!!

On this New Year's Eve, I wish you all much health, happiness, and prosperity for 2005. May you have a wonderful, memorable year to come!

Happy New Year!!

Birds

Have you ever watched as a mother bird pushes her babies from the nest? They are expected to fly or fail. That trip to the ground can be painful. Today, I took the steps to push mine from the nest. I now have a completed application form ready to mail for my son to take post-secondary education next September. I also was talking to my daughter about what she wanted to do and told her that it was time to either get educated or move on. In the midst of the conversation, I found out what she would like to do, and found a course that is right up her alley too. I sent her an e-mail with the URLs in it and left a message on her voice mail. My push, hopefully, is completed. Now they must fly or fall on their own.

Tomorrow is the last day of 2004. I can't say I will be sorry to see the year go. It's been a tough year. I'm hoping (and thinking positively) that 2005 will bring a lot of good things. It is time for my life to move forward as well. The past has been packed up and the period of transition is drawing to a close; time now to move into the next stage. I need my Christmas season next year to be very different from the last few. I'm ready for a positive change. I need it to come. I honestly don't know where to begin, but hopefully all will unfold as I need it to. I believe God has a plan for me. I only wish I knew what He was thinking.

White Christmas?

Well ... we missed out on having a white Christmas, but we appear to be making up for it today. It is a blizzard out there. Rather nasty, to say the least. Not too much is moving, nor should it. This is the kind of day where you want to stay home and curl up by the fire and watch movies or play board games. I think I am going to do some work I brought home from the office. It beats boredom.

If you would like to keep me company, I'll make you something hot to drink and find a way to get you warmed up from the bitter cold and blustery day. Any takers?

T'was the Night after Christmas...

T'was the night after Christmas
And all I could hear
Was absolutely nothing
It's too quiet around here.

The stockings are empty
The meal is done
The gaiety and excitement
For another year gone.

The new year is coming
It's just up ahead
The stars says it's my best yet
I have nothing to dread.

At the toll of the bell
At that midnight hour
The new year arrives
With all of its power.

I shall not fear
What the new year brings
But think positive thoughts
When that midnight bell rings.

For 2005
Holds a promise anew
Of good things in store
For both me and you.

At that very moment
With no one to kiss
I will pray very hard
To receive my wish.

Here's hoping that all
Of our wishes come true
And that 2005
Is a great new year too.

Merry Christmas!

Well another Christmas Day is almost over. It comes and goes so quick. The months of build up are great, but the day passes by all too quick. The smell of turkey is gone, the presents are unwrapped, and the spirit is dwindling. It's been a busy day, but a good one. I hope you enjoyed your day.

Merry Christmas, and God bless us everyone!

A New Frustration

My daughter and I both like games and puzzles that make you use your head. Well ... we met our match. She discovered a website for puzzles and passed it along to me. It has been driving me crazy trying to figure some of them out. I call her saying, "Give me a hint PLEASE! This is driving me INSANE!!" She, of course, laughs her head off at me. It is sooooo frustrating when you can't figure them out. So far I have gotten to puzzle 9 in round 1. I discovered there are 99 rounds. You may have to lock me up before I get that far.

If you want to give it a try to click here. It will drive you insane!! Let me know how you do. Sign-up is free and safe.

The Grinch Has a New Cave

Well lookee here ... the Grinch has found himself a new cave. He even has Merry Christmas on the homepage. Can you imagine that???? He even has a page dedicated to why Christmas should be humbug, but it doesn't hold much water. He claims no one will let him be a Grinch this year. Who is he talking about? Was it me? Was it you? Was it Rose? Who was it? Maybe it was a group effort. Well ... it's about time the old fart enjoyed the season. That puny heart of his had to grow at some point, just as the story goes. Perhaps this is the year.

Now ... if we can just get him some new glasses to see how to write his name on his license, all will be perfect in his world. Well ... almost. I'm sure he still faces a few challenges.

Hey Grinch!! Now that you have found yourself a new cave, do you suppose you can help me find a new abode too? I have only 6 months to do so. I know that seems like a lot of time, and it is if you are waiting for something; but for me, in this case, it is a source of stress because it took me 5 months to find the one I am currently in. Yikes!!! Another day has gone by without success.

It's Getting Closer

Just a few days to go. Are you ready yet for the jolly fat man yet? I hope he brings me something wonderful. Something that renders me speechless. Yes, I do dream big.

Me and Santa

Well ... there you go. It is true! See what my favourite astrologer has to say to me for Dec. 21. I have to say that opinionated is not an adjective I have ever thought of for describing me.

Santa Claus is, of course, an Aquarian. What other sign could he be? Think how opinionated you need to be in order to feel sure that you can find your way down millions of chimneys in one night. Imagine the resourcefulness necessary to receive and honour all those endless wish lists. Consider the courage it takes to ride a sleigh pulled by flying reindeer. You have much in common with Santa ... including the way in which you now have so much on your plate. But you have the same generosity too ... and the same inevitable date with a sense of satisfaction. Between now and the end of the week, there's more in store than you realise.

So ... Santa is an Aquarian too. Wahoo!! But now those last couple lines? What could that mean? Does it mean I am going to get lucky with Santa?

There is only one thing I know for sure: Santa can't bring me what I want for Christmas. If he does, it will be a huge shock. A delightful one, but nonetheless, a big shock.

Here is another story for you.

What You Can

When the challenge first comes along, it looks to be overwhelming. And yet, you know you must get past it, so you do what you can.

Day after day, you do what you can, when you can, as well as you know how. And something amazing begins to happen. What you can begins to be more than what you could. You learn, you experience, sometimes you succeed, sometimes you fail, and most of all you grow.

You grow stronger each time you do what you can. At the beginning it doesn't seem like enough, yet with persistence it becomes more. What once seemed difficult, becomes easy. What once seemed awkward and uncomfortable, becomes natural and even graceful.

Taking on a difficult challenge can bring about a great accomplishment, yet it can bring so very much more. In challenge there is strength to be gained, there are lessons to be learned, there is a kind of nourishment that cannot be delivered in any other way.

If the challenge seems a bit too overwhelming, that's the one you want. Take it on and let it pull you up. Do what you can do, again and again, and what you can do will truly amaze you.

— Ralph Marston

Someday has become one of my most hated words. It implies that I must be patient even longer. I found this poem that kind of puts it in perspective. I hope you like it.

Maybe someday

Maybe someday you'll start living every day true to the best that is within you. Maybe someday you'll really start to seriously pursue your most treasured dreams. Maybe someday you'll stop holding back and live the richness of every moment. Maybe someday you'll show the world who you really are.

Maybe someday you'll explore the best of those possibilities that you know in your heart are there. Maybe someday you'll tell them what you really think. Maybe someday you'll see how truly beautiful life can be. Maybe someday you'll understand that nothing can hold you back.

Maybe someday you'll decide that your life cannot wait any longer. Maybe someday you'll wake up, see how useless most of your worries have been, and simply leave them behind.

Maybe someday is coming. Maybe someday will be sooner than you think. Maybe someday you'll decide to start living life for everything it can possibly be, and you'll wonder why you ever waited so long.

Maybe someday is here.

— Ralph Marston

Need Faith?

I do. It is sometimes hard to hold onto faith, especially in times of adversity, times when it feels like your hopes and dreams are dying in front of your eyes. Here are some quotes I like to hang onto to find hope and strength to go on.

With God, nothing is impossible. — Luke 1:37

Faith expects from God what is beyond all expectation. — Andrew Murray

God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible; even when the circumstances seem to point to the opposite. — Colin Urquhart

Is anything too hard for the Lord? — Genesis 18:14

When God is about to do something great, He starts with a difficulty. When He is about to do something truly magnificent, He starts with an impossibility.

So ... I must believe in miracles and know that nothing that lasts happens quickly. May we always keep the faith that keeps hope alive.

Answer to Riddle

Well? Did you get the answer to the riddle? It is simple really. The answer is nothing.

Nothing is greater than God.
Nothing is more evil than the Devil.
The poor have nothing.
The rich need nothing.
If you eat nothing, you will die.

Simple, huh?

A Riddle

When asked this riddle, 80% of kindergarten kids got the answer, compared to 17% of Stanford University seniors. Do you know the answer to this riddle:

What is greater than God, more evil than the devil, the poor have it, the rich need it, and if you eat it, you'll die?

Stayed tuned for the answer ...

As It Was in the Beginning ...

Today we had an Advent caroling service at church. It consisted of several readings with songs inbetween. A couple things in those readings were signposts for me today. They are as follows:

• God had created the Earth and Adam. God looked down at Adam and said "It is not good that man should be alone." And as history has it, he created a woman for him and called her Eve.My question is "Why can God give Adam someone to keep him company, yet He forgets about me?"
• Then the readings went on to talk about Elizabeth and Zechariah conceiving a child in their old age when she was barren. Then Gabriel announces to Mary that she will carry the son of God a a virgin. The scripture reads "Nothing is impossible for God."
  

So ... miracles are possible. Can I have one, please? How long must I wait? Am I not worthy of such a blessing? Why not me?

I hope the author of the following quote is right.

God is the God of promise. He keeps His word, even when that seems impossible; even when the circumstances seem to point to the opposite. — Colin Urquhart

Answered Prayers

It's funny how you sometimes pray for a long time for things you really want to happen and then they do. You have gone so long not seeing it happen, you can hardly believe it when it does. Then the reality sets in about what it means. It is a good thing, yes, most definitely. Then follows the thoughts of what is involved in putting it all in order.

This just happened to me. I have been praying since I was sweating my ass off in this place this past summer that I wanted to get out of here. I didn't want to spend another hot summer here. Today I received official word that I am to vacate my rented apartment by the end of June. The reality caused me to reflect for a moment, and scared me at the same time. It is what I want, but my mind rushes into the "what now" mode of thinking. My mind is swimming with what options I will have, when I will actually move, the thoughts of packing, etc. I know it will all take care of itself, but I have to do my part.

The thoughts of packing up again and searching for a new place and arranging for the move, is more than I want to do by myself again, but I will get through it. I seem to keep finding the strength to get through my challenges. I'm sure soon I will become Lady Hercules at this rate.

Advent: Preparation for Christmas

Today is the first Sunday of Advent. It is the season of preparation for the birth of Jesus. Cool. It means it is viewed appropriate now to begin the decorating and setting the stage for the festivities. We lit the first candle on the Advent wreath today. It is the candle for hope. I liked that. I am constantly looking for hope in my life. I found it timely that we would do that today when I am again in need of hope.

I spent the day decorating the apartment for Christmas. Everything but the tree is in place. Now to address the cards and send them out, do a bit of baking, finish the shopping and wrapping, get trimmings for the turkey dinner, and let the season come.

I love Christmas. I am still waiting for the Christmas I have always dreamed of. Soon ... I hope ... very soon.

Something to Think About

Why does someone believe you when you say there are four billion stars, but check when you say the paint is wet?



Why does Superman stop bullets with his chest, but ducks when you throw a revolver at him?



Why do Kamikaze pilots wear helmets?



What is the speed of darkness?



If the temperature is zero outside today and it's going to be twice as cold tomorrow, how cold will it be?



If people evolved from apes, why are there still apes?



If it's true that we are here to help others, what are the others doing here?



If someone with a split personality threatens to commit suicide, is it a hostage situation?

Typoglycemia

I cdnuolt blveiee taht I cluod aulaclty uesdnatnrd waht I was rdanieg The phaonmneal pweor of the hmuan mnid Aoccdrnig to a rscheearch at Cmabrigde Uinervtisy, it deosn't mttaer inwaht oredr the ltteers in a wrod are, the olny iprmoatnt tihng is taht the frist and lsat ltteer be in the rghit pclae. The rset can be a taotl mses and you can sitll raed it wouthit a porbelm. Tihs is bcuseae the huamn mnid deos not raed ervey lteter by istlef, but the wrod as a wlohe. Amzanig huh? yaeh and I awlyas thought slpeling was ipmorantt.

Christmas (A Response)

Well, well, well. We have ourselves a Christmas Grinch. I thought all that grey hair was disguising something. It seems to be green skin and a shrunken heart. I must take a better look next time I see you. Perhaps you have hairy fingers and toes too. What a travesty!!!! A Grinch in our midst at this, the most beautiful season of the year.

OK, I have considered these things you mentioned:

1) Look at the money you waste buying useless gifts that no one wants.
[I take the time to know the person and figure out what the person likes and buy something I know they would like. I don't waste my money giving gifts that they don't want.]

2) Go ahead, make the power company rich with your strings of brightly lit decorations.
[Aren't we supposed to contribute to the local economy? Besides, the lights are pretty.]

3) Kill some trees - put one in your living room.
[I put up an artificial so I didn't kill any. Those real trees that get put up are chipped up and used as mulch or compost later, and new ones are planted every year in their place. No waste there.]

4) Upgrade your stress level worrying what to get Auntie (Insert relative) at the last minute.
[I shop early. No last minute shopping for me. I don't like crowds.]

5) Buy things for inflated prices that will be on sale the week after for half price or less.
[Nope, shop the sales and shop early to get them. Give gift certificates to those who want to get the after Christmas sales.]

Try as you may, you mean old Grinch. I won't let you destroy my Christmas. So there!!! *blows a raspberry* And Merry Christmas to you!!!

Christmas Is Coming

It is getting nearer all the time. I love Christmas. Who says Christmas is only for kids? I love the lights, the gift wrapping, decorating the tree, and the Christmas baking. Then there is that delicious smell of turkey cooking. It is just over a month away now. I hope you are beginning to get ready. I am.

ALF Buses

Our local transit company has invested in new buses over the past year or so. These buses are designed to lower the floor to the curb, release a ramp, and carry wheelchair passengers. Although this concept is admirable and provides for fairness, it doesn't work well for the masses. Let me explain ...

These buses have limited seating with the majority of seats facing each other on the exterior walls. This is to allow for extra space in the aisle for wheelchair accessibility. For that purpose, again, a good concept. However, these are the drawbacks for those of us who are not in wheelchairs:

• Because of the limited seating and no extra buses being sent to pick up the loads during rush hours, half the load are standing and struggling not to fall. The grumbles constantly are running through the crowd. Many are finding alternate ways to get to work to try to avoid this issue, if possible.
  
• The poles to hold onto are staggered alternately from side to side. This makes it impossible to stand and hold poles on both sides of the bus in order to gain stability.
• The majority of women cannot reach the poles at the top, so they risk dislocating an arm when the bus jerks and they can't keep themselves steady.
• If you are lucky enough to be able to stand by a pole, you will find them doubled in thickness with a foam covering. Again this does not work well for females whose hands are much smaller. Because you cannot grip tightly, can only grip from one side of the bus, and can't get steady footing, you run the risk of being thrown around in the bus.
• Because the aisles are wide, people tend to stand two people wide in the aisle. Again a loss of stability.
• There is almost always at least one person entering the bus with a baby or small child in a stroller. I can see one of these days that a standing passenger is going to lose their footing and land on top of that child in the stoller. If that child doesn't get seriously injured, I will be surprised. Look out law suit ...
• It is very hot standing up on the bus this time of year when you are all bundled up and the heat is cranked to keep the seated passengers warm. Don't try to let go long enough to unzip your coat or remove your scarf. You will fall into someone's lap for sure. Pity help you if you should pass out from the heat.
  

These buses have provided me with the most uncomfortable rides I have ever had in the 30 years I have been travelling with the local transit system. Although I can appreciate the concept and reasoning behind the purchase of these vehicles, I don't understand why the money was not better spent in upgrading the "accessibility" bus service already in place for wheelchair passengers. More of those vehicles and better scheduling would make much more sense. They offer door to door service. Who wouldn't prefer that to having to walk (or wheel your chair) in bad weather to the nearest bus stop. I know I would.

What WERE they thinking? Do they think?

Kisses

A kiss is not just a kiss. There are several kinds of kisses.

• A chocolate Hershey's kiss
• A kiss of death
• The dew kisses the grass
• Kiss my a** (not a nice thing to say)
• Kiss off
• A kiss of friendship
• A kiss of welcome, as they do in some countries
• A kiss of the hand (as a gentleman used to do to a lady)

My favourite kind of kiss, though, is that passionate kiss shared with the one you truly love. The kind of kiss that can make your knees weak, your heart beat fast, and take your breath away. The kind that sweeps you away into paradise. Wow!!! What a kiss that is. Mmmm ... mmm ... mmm. Yes!!!

Internet Dating

Many of my friends have suggested that I try Internet dating. Some of them have found successful relationships that way. Some are still trying to find that "Mr./Ms. Right" out there. They claim that it is a wonderful alternative to meeting the right kind of person than going to the bars. The one that most are suggesting to me is Lavalife.

So ... last night I decided I would take a peek and see what all the fuss is about. I was glad to see that I could just check out the "meat market" without ever having to sign-up to get in. There is quite a variety of people there. You get to put in your request as to whether you are looking for a male/female and the age range and location. I found quite a number of men from the metro area listed there. I was actually surprised that there were as many as there were. They seemed to be a quite diverse group. It was interesting that they posted their salary range there. I guess they figure money talks. Some did not want to post their pictures, perhaps because they don't have an electronic one or maybe they want it based on who they are, not what they look like. I know I would not want to put my picture there for the same reason. One man had posted that he would not even e-mail without a picture, so he is looking for someone with looks for sure. Personally, I could see what type he was just from his statement and his picture. Not my type for sure.

By the time I had scrolled through the list of people my search results produced, I had come to a conclusion. First of all, I would not be ready, if ever, to pursue this type of avenue to meet someone. It feels like picking out a book from the library by reading the cover. I also don't trust what some of them say, even in the very small "factual" profile. I need to see into someone's eyes to know if they are telling the truth or not. I like to think I am a pretty good judge of character, and I can detect lies pretty well too in person.

In conclusion ... I don't think this is for me. I would feel desperate meeting someone this way. I trust God to bring about what I am looking for. I just need to be patient, and that is not easy.

Storms of Life

I awake to the sound of thunder
A storm, it fills the air
The weather sets the mood that day
About life, I do not care.

The clouds; they are inside here too
They loom so close above
Threatening to drop their gloom
And dampen thoughts of love.

The winds of life; they change so fast
From north, then south, then west
They blow the clouds around and round
And do not give me rest.

The sun may shine again one day
And burn these clouds away
And love may come and rest once more
And in my heart will stay.

For love, it makes the world go round
It shines its light so bright
It fills my heart and soul with joy
And makes my world seem right.

Nothing in this world compares
To the power that love brings
It heals my wounds, and lifts my loads
And ensures that my heart sings.

Lest We Forget

Today, I am embarrassed to say, is the first time I have ever stood at a cenataph ceremony on Remembrance Day. It, too, was not planned. I had gone to the local gym this morning and came out just in time for the ceremonies to begin. I was going to leave, but something that a vet had said at our church last Sunday kept running through my mind and drawing me in. What he said was this: "There is not one day that goes by that I do not give thanks to the person who drafted me for the wrong country." (He was British.) He continued by saying, "This beautiful country we call Canada is the only country in the world that is not at war. It is the only country that is at peace. God has chosen this country to set an example to the others. We must NEVER forget those who gave up their lives so that we could live in peace."

He is very right. I also saw a wreath of poppies hung on a door in my building that said something to the effect of Don't complain about growing old; there were many who did not have that privilege. Another note that made me stand up and think.

Each time I started to feel cold and wanted to leave, I could only thing of how much more those who died endured for the freedom I now enjoy. Surely I could endure the cold for a short period of time to pay respect to them.

I'm not sure why, but after all these years, Remembrance Day now means something more to me than a day off work and a prayer of thanks for those who gave their lives. The messages I received this year kind of put things into perspective for me.

In Flander's Fields were poppies grow
Between the crosses, row on row.

Let us always remember...

True to Ourselves

This above all: to thine own self be true, and it must follow, as the night the day, thou 'canst not then be false to any man. — William Shakespeare

This is a grounding statement for those of us who can get caught up in the needs and feelings of others, while ignoring or neglecting our own.

We need to trust our instincts and feelings to lead us in the direction we need to go. We must honour and respect ourselves enough so that we can be true to those around us, even if it means displeasing someone else in the process.

To thine own self be true. Yes, they are simple words, but they can put us back on track with who we are and what WE want out of life. Let's follow our instincts, our heart, and our dreams. We owe it to ourselves to be true to us. We are so worth it.

Women

The difference between girls ...



What is the difference between girls aged 8, 18, 28, 38, 48, 58,68, and 78?



At 8 - You take her to bed and tell her a story.

At 18 - You tell her a story and take her to bed.

At 28 - You don't need to tell her a story to take her to bed.

At 38 - She tells you a story and takes you to bed.

At 48 - You tell her a story to avoid going to bed.

At 58 - You stay in bed to avoid her story.

At 68 - If you take her to bed, that'll be a story!!

At 78 - What story???? What bed??? Who are you???