Hot off the presses

Here is your Tuesday evening news:

*The Iowa State Fair is to have a Michael Jackson statue made of butter.
(I am so not commenting on this one).
*In NM, a woman was killed when she was in the process of packing her
gun for a move. The death was ruled accidental. (Better not comment
on this one either).
*A cooking class in the Ozarks teaches kids to stay away from junk food.
(Riiiiiiiiiiiiiiiight).
*A panel of unnamed experts has recommended to the FDA to lower the dosage
in acetaminophen because people over abuse the stuff. (This means
we have to take twice as much to get the same affect, thus buying
more of the product...get it? I am going to change my career. I want
to go back to school and become an expert).
*Advocates (another thing I want to be when I grow up...'What are you
taking in school? Advocacy 101..and you?') are calling for an 'Ultra fast
train between St. Louis and Chicago. (They forgot to mention how they
plan to pay for it. They also forgot to indicate, uhm, WHY).
*Parents in Sweden are raising their child as a 'unisex' child, not
as a boy or a girl. It's an experiment. (Again the question comes
up - why?).
*New Tide removes stains without pre-treating. You can buy it
now before it hits store shelves. (I'm so relieved).
*The Atlanta Braves are undefeated when Jeff Francoeur
wears his lucky turkey underwear. (You need help Jeff,
but I'm not the one to call).

That's your news! :)

Ahhhhhhhhhhh - Break time!

I'm officially on a break.
A break from the crappy heat and a break
from totally messed up people. Temps stayed
in the 80s today and there are no emotionally
challenged people in my life at the moment -
it all feels fantastic! Plus I got a good night's
sleep last night. Ahhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh.

The only hiccup was finding out a missing child
who made national news was found dead in a
family member's pond, that makes me pretty sad.
Such a beautiful child, only 2 1/2. People
are just so sick.

Reservations were made for my trip to Las
Vegas in September, and talking to the hotel
directly I was so happy - they were incredibly
friendly people, talking to me like we were lifelong
friends. I've made plenty of reservations and traveled
many a places in my life, so I recognize a friendly
voice when I hear it. Calling back with a question,
the lady talked to me like we had known each
other forever. I plan on a very fun getaway to
Vegas with up to five or six other friends now?
AWESOME. Wonder if I could stay up six days
and nights straight? LOL. Now working on the
Indiana trip the end of July, not sure how that is
going to end up at this point. Severed a semi strained
relationship over the whole thing anyway, but that
relationship had problems from years ago, just not
worth arguing to people, life is too short!! Totally
and officially washed my hands of the messed up
person I had been dealing with before, with
antibacterial soap I might add, so that helps too.
The two incidents are not connected, though
those two people should be married to each other,
they'd get along great! LOL. I am totally joking,
oil (me) and water (the person or both people actually)
don't mix. And life goes on........
Oh and ps. The tv has stayed OFF! Woohoo! NOW
I'm only electronically addicted to the computer!!

Lock and Load!!

The door

The older I get the more I learn, thankfully.

I am so very glad I have been able to move to several states around

the country! It is so interesting to learn different people, different

cultures, different ways of life. The old saying that people are the

same no matter where you go? Don't believe it, it is not true. Not

unless you move and hang out with others from your same old area.

Doors open and close all of the time in my life. I think sometimes

I get so wrapped up in a door closing and tend to dwell on that,

that I miss the very opportunities offered when another door

is opening - I am so fixated on that door that closed. I am learning

to pay better attention! When a door is closing, it might just

be a door to an insignificant room, but because it is closing,

a door is opening to a very big room. In other words, if that

door hadn't closed then the other door wouldn't have opened.

I get so wrapped up in things I am interested in - putting forth

all of my efforts into that particular thing, that occasionally I

am disappointed when my efforts prove to be futile. Was

reading about Lisa Marie and her thoughts on when she was

married to Michael J - she wanted to help him, but she

recognizes now she was in way over her head. I can relate

to that! Some people are just so screwed up, a team of

psychiatrists and all the medication in the world wouldn't

help. But it's easy to get all wrapped up in trying. And then

while trying other opportunities are arising that we may

not pay a diddle of attention to, because we were so wrapped

up in a lost cause.

So I was watering the garden and doing some thinking about

how people are different. I have lived in Indiana, Colorado,

New Mexico, and Missouri....Ohio doesn't count as I was very

young and just wanted a toy or something!

Indiana:

The Good - Hard working people. Most of these people,

if they are your friends, they are your friends for life.

Very career minded. Very proud.

The Bad - Not open towards the unknown or new ideas.

Easily get stuck in ruts. Worried about what others think.

Lie easily due to being afraid of being judged. Blunt.

Very politically correct. Limited knowledge and education

leading to lots of 'immaturity' or 'tunnel vision' for

lack of better words.

Colorado:

The Good - Proud. Open. Open minded and accepting.

Smart, both with education or the chosen career field,

and with common sense. They do something because

they want to do something, not because they feel they

have to. Friendships created in Colorado are usually

very strong, and will survive the times.

The Bad - Stubborn. Critical, especially toward the

unknown.

New Mexico:

The Good - Dedicated people. Proud. Honest.

The Bad - Distrusting. Complicated. Hold grudges forever!

(With some only) Lazy. (With some) Jealousy.

Missouri:

The Good - Hard working. Friendly. Trusting. Easy going.

The Bad - Phony. Easily lie. No sense of commitment, including

to a friendship. Afraid of change. Lack of education and experience.

***In many cases these are from my observations, not from my

personal experience necessarily. Many times I am the quiet

one, I sit back, take notes, and study people. In some cases

these are from personal experiences, but also from

experiences of those I choose to know. Also I am NOT taking

into account the people that move and choose to bring

their past state with them, so to speak.

I will move past a door closing. I will look more to that

other door that is opening. Who knows what awaits on the

other side? I will never know if I don't go through and see!

I have more respect for those that barge ahead and go

through unknown doors, than I do for those that choose

to stay right where they are and not take a chance. I

will get over the closed door(s)!

To those that slam a door in a person's face - there is no

reason whatsoever to. And if you lie about why, expect

to face problems because of that. Stop whining when the

problems arise, as YOU were the one that slammed the door!

Every action results in a reaction.

It's hot!

Bathroom addition photos

Still a few small things to do - touch up some paint, add the doors to the

laundry area, trim in the breezeway. But it's all coming together.

I have seen bigger bathrooms on airplanes! I can vacuum the whole

room standing outside the door! I can sit on the toilet and clean the

entire room, including the walls! But it's a bathroom - hooray! We

are now a 1.5 bathroom family!

Garden Pics

Can you see my kid up there? I try not to look when he's climbing trees!

Random Thoughts

First off I want to tell you if you have emailed me recently - I might
not have received the email as several are reporting they were
having problems. My ISP must be having hiccups with the heat.
So if you want to please resend!

As I sit here staring at a heat index of 109, I am rejoicing in the
invention of central air conditioning. Having lived in the mountains
for 14 years I am certainly a self admitted whiny butt when it
gets ungodly hot. I am exactly the same way when the temp
drops below 60 too, as I'm working on my sixth year here in
the Ozarks. :) I would rather be hot with humidity than cold
with humidity however, I don't think I'll ever grow accustomed
to the cold damp weather.

Garden loving this weather - picking beans daily, corn and tomato
plants are five feet high. Tomatoes will be ripe starting in a
week or two. Watermelon and pepper plants really need to get
a move on. Need to go plant some more pumpkin seeds to
have pumpkins at Halloween.

You know those bite sized candy bars? I just stole a 3 Musketeers
from my son, and they're about half of the size they used to be!
I need to eat 3 to make up for the size one was a few years ago!

Tonite will be a nice dinner of rigatoni, homemade meatballs
(had to do something while inside under a/c), home grown
green beans, and a nice salad with lettuce from the garden
(the remaining lettuce in the garden is positively fried with
this heat).

I tried an interesting cake mix for my son's b-day. It didn't work
out but only because I tried to make it in a bundt pan. It would
have been great in a regular pan. It was a combo of extreme chocolate
muffin mix, with chocolate chips, and a regular chocolate cake.
I did make him a normal cake that I had as a backup, but I
want to try the muffin mix thingy again, as it tasted fantastic
(Just didn't look too hot after being turned upside down and
coaxed to come out of a bundt pan).

My list of top songs

I was asked to post my list of favorite songs ever. Absolutely
not hard at all!

#1. Kansas - Dust in the Wind
#2. Lobo - Me & You and a Dog Named Boo - this was my outro when
I did a radio show.
#3. George Strait - Baby Blue - This guy is not George, but he's pretty good :)
#4. George Strait - Amarillo by Morning - I watch this and really miss New Mexico. Yes I know
that Amarillo is not in New Mexico, I guess it's the rodeo part :)
#5. Oak Ridge Boys - It Takes a Little Rain, To Make Love Grow
#6. Credence Clearwater Revival - Who'll Stop the Rain

Father's Day

Happy Father's Day to all dads! It was a quiet day here, as my husband had to work on a job. We celebrated last night.I ordered a fruit thing for my own dad, and they upgraded it to a big one, so now he has enough fruit to eat for the rest of the summer I think..strawberries, melons, grapes, canteloupe, etc. Our son turned 12 yesterday, so we had a small celebration here with crab legs and shrimp, plus all the extras - yummy! He's only one year away from being a teenager - I'm so not ready!

Sleepy

Last night I couldn't sleep. Don't you hate that? I finally

gave up about 12:30am and decided to do maintenance on

one of the computers. The room was dark, the dogs settled

in to a peaceful snooze...all was quiet. I'd run one program

after another and just sort of mellow out. Sometimes I'd

do a little internet surfing. Around 2am, suddenly the computer

wouldn't connect to the internet. Argh what did I do?

When tired, it really isn't a good time to troubleshoot, but

it was still driving me nuts.

Opening the door quietly, I went to check the modem in the

other computer room. Both the modem and the router

indicated everything was fine. I quietly walked back to

the other computer, eager to finish up the last program

and get to bed. Suddenly our son walked in, turned on

the overhead light, and asked (not quietly I might add) what

I was doing up that late. Then the dogs said, "Oh, we're

getting up now? Great! Put us outside for awhile please!"

Aargh.

Well. The dogs were outside I had time...so I went back

to the other computer and tried to connect to the internet...

nope. Neither computer would connect. After the program

finished running and the dogs were back in I was pooped.

I went to bed but stewed for awhile wondering what was

wrong with the internet connection...could it be this? That?

Did I do something? It was around 3 I finally decided

I would just call the ISP in the morning, there was nothing

I could do, and I fell asleep.

This morning both computers were fine and connected

to the internet. I guess it was the ISP off line.

I bet I have no trouble sleeping tonite!

In other news - there is a strange cat hanging around. Living

in the country we do get people dropping off strays. There

is nowhere here to take an unwanted stray, so people just

take them for a ride in the country instead, pawning the

problem off unto people like us. But the difference is this

cat looks like he has a home and might even be the king

of his castle there - he is a beautiful gray cat with four white

paws, very plump, very big, and very comfortable with himself.

He does not look like a starving, unwanted, dumped off cat.

Tonite when I walked outside to water the garden he was

just laying casually on the sidewalk...I scared him off as one

of the dogs would fight him and possibly kill him, and our

own cat was highly p.o.'d that we had company.

A very busy tomorrow for us as we have a double celebration.

Have a great weekend!

The Mountain

Jack* owns part of a mountain. His house sits on 20 acres

in a canyon at the base. There is an old overgrown road,

barely driveable and not for the light of heart, up the

short side of the mountain to

an old cabin on his property

at the very top. Probably

at one time a hunter's cabin,

very small, very rustic.

(BTW this is not a picture

of Jack's mountain).

He is working to fulfill a dream. His wife of 24 years is finishing out her career

in Florida as an attorney, and will retire in 5 years and move permanently

to NM. By then the dream of Jack's should be finished.

Working hard to rebuild the cabin, he is making plans for water storage,

repairing the damaged roof, flooring, windows, doors, etc. He wants to turn

it back into a cabin for hikers. Hikers who climb his mountain.

The climb would be approximately four days to the cabin (not taking

the short road, rather hiking up the long way), then four or five days

back down the other side from the cabin. Sort of a 'find yourself' again

excursion with everything planned out.

First phase of plans include no strangers - only people he knows.

These people must go through firearms safety training (you should

carry a rifle if hiking over a mountain), also a training session on

camping and hiking in NM, plus a few lessons in dealing with wild

critters....you just can't shoot a bear or mountain lion for example.

Once the hiker reaches the cabin, he or she can replenish supplies,

wash, tend to needs, etc. A comfy cot provides the much needed

rest before hiking back down again the other side.

Sounds fantastic to me, and I'm not a camper! Problems

await of course. For one fire restrictions which are varied

pertaining to different times of the year. Two is communication

in the event of an emergency. And wild animals are indeed

a concern certain years, depending upon late freezes, etc.

Still, the dream, the idea, the hard work is there being

worked on with nary a thought to the problems. May we

all pursue our dreams with as much gusto as Jack!

In the news....

No need to turn on the tv tonite, I'll tell you what

the news is:

1. PETA is mad at the President for swatting that fly. *I wish

someone would swat PETA people.*

2. There were tornadoes in Nebraska and Minnesota. * It is maddening

to watch the news guys (who are as unprofessional as PETA) peeing

their pants on air over their excitement over the structural damage.

One can only hope that their own house got hit, we'll see how

exciting it is then!*

3. The recession is wrecking friendships. *no kidding*

4. In the housing bust you can find great remodeling deals. Remodeling

contractors are hungry for business because they don't have the

workload they used to carry. *Okay, if it makes you feel better

go ahead and believe this. I'd like to show you some great property

for sale while we're at it. Remodeling materials have skyrocketed

in price with no justifiable reason.*

5. Jon and Kate are planning a special announcement. *Who are Jon and Kate?*

6. It's hot here, possibility of a storm tomorrow. Maybe. They don't

know for sure. Possibly. They'll know better tomorrow. *Duh so will I!*

7. The Senate apologizes for slavery and segregation. *sigh...again?*

8. The mayor of Nixa (near Springfield) got a DUI. This comes out a

few weeks after the principal of one of the Nixa schools got a DUI.

If you live in Nixa, you are to preach about forgiveness. If you

don't, then you want to hang the guy.

How hot is it?

90 °F
Partly Cloudy

Heat Index:
95 °F

Humidity 53%

You know it's too hot when:

*you've experienced condensation on your butt from the hot water in the toilet bowl.

*you can attend any function wearing shorts and a tank top.

*you discover that it takes only 2 fingers to drive your car.

*you notice the best parking place is determined by shade instead of distance.

*you realize that asphalt has a liquid state.

*squirrels are fanning their nuts.

Annoying

Things get annoying to me. Some

things bother me more than

others. Some things REALLY

tick me off. Want to know what

I find annoying?

1. Liars - but I think we've

drilled that one into the ground.

2. Drivers in Missouri - many of

them insist on driving right on

your bumper. Moreso than

I've ever noticed in any other

state. And yes, there are plenty

of 'following too close' citations

issued. Drives me nuts!

3. Mics that don't work on

live local news.

4. People that think just because they are related to you it gives

them free reign to tell you what you should do or should not do.

These people don't make me angry they are just annoying! Like

a pesky mosquito in the middle of the night!

5. People that make really stupid remarks when they have

absolutely no idea what they're talking about.

6. Getting 110 channels and it's all the same - CRAP.

7. Digital tv

8. 20,000 keys that you have no clue what they go to, but

you're afraid to throw them out.

9. People that tell you how to raise your kid.

Learning a new skill

We are adding a bathroom to the house. As some of you know,

we looked at house after house for sale in the area and I finally

decided I liked this one that we lived in the best, so we made

remodel plans. We have a detailed plan on what gets done each

year, that way nothing will be too expensive at once, plus no

one is worked to death (not me). My other half is a licensed

plumber and electrician, and before we moved he was a state

licensed General Contractor (no such thing in Missouri so ... ).

Anyway.

Today he needed an extra set of hands. So guess who? suited

up in long sleeved shirt, pants, a hat, and gloves and headed

down to the crawl space. NO it was not the young'un. Twas ME!

I had never been in this crawl space (was in the house in NM's

crawlspace...once). Okay so I get down there and crawl then

roll under vents and such to get to the right side. Made

a mental note that next time (like that's gonna happen) will

wear kneepads. Anyway I can add that to my experience in

case I ever wish to pursue the plumbing profession, which

requires so many hours of working in the field to get licensed.

No worries, ain't gonna happen anyway.

Pics of the remodel week by week after it's done. This remodel

we are completely remodeling the breezeway, adding a bathroom

there, moving the laundry room over. Also on the agenda for this

year is to get the concrete poured for the new garage (existing

garage will be turned into a den/gameroom). And a new roof.

A couple of finches have decided they'd like to make my old dying

plant into a condo for their new family. So I moved the plant

to a higher spot and am going to let them have it. Must be

like a dream home to them - shaded, no direct sun, out of the

elements, and near the cat food.

Cut down a bunch of peppermint today and threw the cutoffs

around the field and along the sides of the road, as I would love

it if it would seed and grow there. Any leftover flower seed I have

I always throw around, and we have an abundance of wildflowers.

Plenty of moisture but no run and hide type stuff, which is nice.

Supposed to warm up to the point of 'OMG it's hot' here in the

next few days. Swimming pool weather!

Have decided that I'm not interested any longer in Alamogordo,

NM. Sure they have mild winters (to the point of the leaves

falling off the tree one day, that's their winter), but it's still

New Mexico and doing research they have the same old problems.

Plus it's still NM and I'm not sure I could get used to seeing

everything the color brown again, instead of green! So

we're playing that one by ear and just letting the chips fall

where they may.

Thanks for stopping by! Have a great day.

So what's going on?

Life's lessons

Okay I ripped this off from an email forward, these are the ones
I like and agree with and try to live up to:

Life isn't fair, but it's still good..

When in doubt, just take the next small step.

Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

It's OK to let your children see you cry.

Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

What other people think of you is none of your business..

However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

Believe in miracles.

Your children get only one childhood.

Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

An oldie but a goodie

>> A Woman and a Fork>>>> There was a young woman who had been diagnosed with a terminal illness>> and had been given three months to live. So as she was getting her>> things "in order," she contacted her Pastor and had him come to her>> house to discuss certain aspects of her final wishes.>>>> She told him which songs she wanted sung at the service, what>> scriptures she would like read, and what outfit she wanted to be>> buried in.>>>> Everything was in order and the Pastor was preparing to leave when the>> young woman suddenly remembered something very important to her.>>>> "There's one more thing," she said excitedly.>>>> "What's that?" came the Pastor's reply.>>>> "This is very important," the young woman continued. "I want to be>> buried with a fork in my right hand.">>>> The Pastor stood looking at the young woman, not knowing quite what to >> say.>>>> That surprises you, doesn't it?" the young woman asked.>>>> "Well, to be honest, I'm puzzled by the request," said the Pastor.>>>> The young woman explained. "My grandmother once told me this story,>> and from that time on I have always tried to pass along its message to>> those I love and those who are in need of encouragement. In all my>> years of attending socials and dinners, I always remember that when>> the dishes of the main course were being cleared, someone would>> inevitably lean over and say, 'Keep your fork.' It was my favorite>> part because I knew that something better was coming...like velvety>> chocolate cake or deep-dish apple pie. Something wonderful, and with>> substance!'>> So, I just want people to see me there in that casket with a fork in>> my hand and I want them to wonder "What's with the fork?" Then I want>> you to tell them: "Keep your fork, the best is yet to come.">>>> The Pastor's eyes welled up with tears of joy as he hugged the young>> woman good-bye. He knew this would be one of the last times he would>> see her before her death. But he also knew that the young woman had a>> better grasp of heaven than he did. She had a better grasp of what>> heaven would be like than many people twice her age, with twice as>> much experience and knowledge. She KNEW that something better was>> coming.>>>> At the funeral people were walking by the young woman's casket and>> they saw the cloak she was wearing and the fork placed in her right>> hand. Over and over, the Pastor heard the question, "What's with the>> fork?" And over and over he smiled.>>>> During his message, the Pastor told the people of the conversation he>> had with the young woman shortly before she died. He also told them>> about the fork and about what it symbolized to her. He told the people>> how he could not stop thinking about the fork and told them that they>> probably would not be able to stop thinking about it either. He was>> right. So the next time you reach down for your fork let it remind>> you, ever so gently, that the best is yet to come..>>>>>>>> Friends are a very rare jewel , indeed, They make you smile and>> encourage you to succeed . They lend an ear, they share a word of>> praise , and they always want to open their hearts to us.>>>> Show your friends how much you care. Remember to always be there for>> them, even when you need them more. For you never know when it may be>> their time to "Keep your fork.">> Cherish the time you have , and the memories you share .>> Being friends with someone is not an opportunity but a sweet >> responsibility..

Do I need to act my age?

The other half and I were discussing some things last night.
He's a good sport about it - LOL.

Anyway, we have never once fought about any of the things
that most married couples fight about. The trust factor is
high, we've been married almost 18 years. No one questions
things much, we know if we screw up that we go down together,
and that will never happen. When we do have a disagreement
it is usually involving a misinterpretation or misunderstanding,
lack of communication in other words.

Anyway this always stymies some people. We don't pick
on each other for example, or tell each other what to do,
wear, watch or think. We are individuals and we also each
maintain our privacy (to some degree) and independence.
If we did not, then if something should happen to one
of us the other one would be lost, and that ain't gonna
happen! There still has to be respect, admiration, love,
and manners though, or it won't work.

What I have noticed with other people and couples the
most often, is that some people are way too serious with
life. I am totally serious when I have to be, otherwise I'm
not. Why should I be? We have enough stresses,
heartache and things to worry about without worrying
about more unnecessarily. If something is important
to me then my husband makes it important to him as
well, and I love him for that and I do reciprocate. When
he talks about 'us as a family' for instance, he includes
the pets. He knows if it ever came down to a choice
between him and the animals he had better start
packing! So he just accepted that.

I don't dress like I'm 18, but I am not going to dress like
I'm 60 or 70 either. Admitedly I look young for my
45 years of age. From a distance (if you can't see the
wrinkles) I look like I could be in my 20s. I attribute
that to (of course) genetics, also the way I handle life's
situations. When the youngun was born I read a
book about raising kids, and one thing I read stuck
with me - PICK your battles, or else you'll be stressed
out constantly! And that's how I view life in general.
What's important, really important to worry about?
What's the worst that could happen? And while I
still worry sometimes about things I shouldn't, there
are many things I just dismiss and I am a better person
because of that. Also I am not in bad shape for my
age, and I'm at the lower end of normal body mass
index, thankful for that. I also don't play 'mind games'
with people or get moody and silent when something
is bothering me - I get it all out in the open, let's
talk about it (if possible) and hash it out right now.
I think that's important to living a healthy life.

I tend to pick up speech patterns of those I am around -
so occasionally I will suddenly slip into this southern
accent. I also use words like 'dude' from hanging out
with the young'un. I don't do it on purpose! I worked
for a guy from India once and I always use to slip into
an Indian accent while speaking.

Occasionally I still get flattered and my ego gets boosted
a tad - like when the youngun tells me I'm 'hot', or when
a guy in his 20s tries to pick me up at Ruby Tuesday's.
Just the other day a carload of young guys (probably 20s)
drove past me honking and waving. But this is happening
less frequently now, and I do know it will (sadly) come to
and end one day (soon). I don't think I'm 'hot' by any
stretch of the imagination, I have much room for improvement.
Also too many wrinkles now, but hey that's genetics :)
But everyone needs a boost from time to time, or a smile
in their day. Everyone. And I know if one of those guys
in that car were to speak to me, he'd confirm the fact
that he killed off all of his brain cells with alcohol.

I follow no precedent for how I should act, how I should look,
how I should behave. I have responsibilities to my
immediate family (husband, son, pets) and to God
but I mean I follow no political correctness, or fashion
trends. Most of my clothing I get at Wal-Mart (cheap)
or Penney's (high end). My hair gets cut twice a year
for about ten bucks. I'm not into high maintenance.
The most common word used to describe me have
been 'wholesome'. I guess that's the country girl in
me.

Some occasionally mistake all this for being naive, and
that is so far from the truth. I choose to live in small
town America. I chose to not pursue a big city career.
I've had job offers that I turned down because of this,
I just don't like what I see in the bigger cities.

Beer Thirty

As I sit here with a beer giving the finger to someone
on the television, I am skimming across news stories
online. What an interesting day:

1. Analog tv ends today, why no one has a clue.
2. Chastity Bono is having gender re-assignment surgery.
Why this is news I have no clue.
3. The F.D.A. is taking over control of cigarettes, even
though they lack the skills to protect us from
bad tomatoes or tainted peanut butter.
4. There is a dance move that will slim my belly down,
but I'm not curious enough to click the link.
5. One can 'do' Disney on a dime (somehow I'm doubtful).
6. We can all take a cue from Michelle O'Bama and marry
a guy with no money, and still do well. Hmmm. Well
when I met my significant other he had a car, a dog
and a television is all.
7. Sarah Palin and David Letterman are having some sort
of media fight. Again must be a slow news day.

Cheers! Now you don't have to turn on the tv tonite!

Quote of the month

Heck, maybe even quote of the year - LOL!

Don't you wish there were a knob on the TV to turn up the intelligence? There's one marked "Brightness," but it doesn't work. - Gallagher

Comedy of errors

There were storms yesterday in the Ozarks. I guess they
thought some of them were going to be severe, as many
tornado warnings were issued all over. After dinner etc.
I started to follow radar (online) with the Weather Channel
and whatnot, to see if anything was coming this way. Around
11pm I was waiting for the ABC local news to come on, and
there were tornado warnings to the west of us. Many storms
travel west to east. No it wasn't an anxiety attack or huge
concern, just wanted a heads up before going to bed and
what not.

I have an old tv in here with a converter box - hehe. Getting
up to do something, then returning, somehow the channel
changed itself (honest) to another channel. I changed it
back. Getting up to do something else then coming back
there was no tv at all. I tried flipping channels and no tv.
So I assumed I did something. Clickety click. Oops.
Somehow the language was now all in Spanish. Trying to
change it back (I don't know enough Spanish to interpret
'Push this button to change languages') didn't work. So
I looked up the converter box online to see what to do.
Then I figured out how to do a channel search in English
(yay). What I DIDN'T know was that several stations
had just been knocked off the air (stupid digital signals
anyhow, why did we have to switch?). So I ended up
with about 4 channels on my tv. (This afternoon had to
do another channel search to get them back, and they're
in English - yay).

While trying to do all of that last night, I wanted an update
on the storms too. I mean, last I left off there were two
or three tornado warnings west of us. Did I need to get
ready to hide soon? Nobody updated anything on their
news websites in the way of watches and warnings. All I
had to go on was radar, and I need a crash course in how
to read that thing! I did end up with one local channel
on the tv (10) that pretty much said the nasty stuff was
over. I could go to bed! Still this morning as a storm
went through (that knocked over my beans and corn)
I laid there listening for sirens (thankfully non existent
sirens).

Today was busy propping plants back to their upright
position :) Someone stopped by today that is going to
be doing some work for us, and when I asked him when
he would start he replied, "Well, waiting on five days
of good weather. These meteorologists do nothing but
lie." OMG I started laughing! (Maybe I need more sleep,
he).

True Friend

Why we have children

I now know why people have kids.
If anyone should ask my kid right now what he
did this summer, he'd reply with "Vacuumed,
dusted, dried dishes, tilled the garden, washed
windows."

Hehe.

So maddening

Maddening to find out people are not who they pretend to be.
Now that's something I rarely experienced in NM. But it's
commonplace in the midwest and upper midwest, that I know.
No, I don't mean everyone :) I resent highly being used
and lied to, but hey, dump 'em and move on right? That's
fine till one finds out more and more proof what an a$$
they are, and even more ways they lied. Then
I have a minor setback :) But hey, life still goes on and
living well is the best revenge! (So is watching that person's
mediocre career flush down the toilet, which I will
enjoy thoroughly, but I'm not bitter!).

Slices of Life pt. 5

I dressed up as Shirley Temple - We were seniors in high school,
me and 2 good friends. I had a teacher that hated 1) Shirley
Temple 2) Pockey the french poodle (a girlfriend's dog) and
3) Aunt Bea (Andy Griffith show). So on Halloween I dressed
up as Shirley Temple, one friend as Pockey the poodle, and
the other friend as Aunt Bea. The teacher wasn't home that
night, although we did go to another teacher's door trick or
treating.

I told someone I was the best boss ever - Radio station days.
I was dealing with a customer in his store one day, and one
of his customer's piped up and asked me if I worked for the
local radio station. When I said yes, he then asked me how I
liked working for that woman boss lady. I winked at the
owner of the store, turned around to face his customer, and
with a sweet smile on my face told him "Oh I LOVE working
for her - she's the best boss ever!" The customer nodded
and the owner was trying not to lose it in a fit of laughter.

I sang Margaritaville into a fan - With a friend. At
the top of my lungs. And I had had nothing to drink in the
way of alcohol. 2 years ago at a 4th of July celebration.
A great big industrial sized fan.
This is self explanatory I'd say. :)

I have faults

Contrary to what I might lead one to believe, I have

my faults, oh yes I do. Ask my husband :) Ask anyone

that knows me very well. These are my most heard

about faults:

1. I have no patience whatsoever.

2. When I am angry, I swear profusely.

3. I tend to babble and get a bit overbearing at times.

4. I ask too many questions sometimes.

5. I dislike anyone telling me what to do.

6. I'm stubborn.

7. I'm too honest and up front, to the point of being blunt.

8. I dislike surprises.

Anything to add to the list? :)

Making a decision

When making a decision, I take many things into consideration.
I have never worried about being politically correct, I have
never worried about what others have expected of me or
what others think about me. I only consider the opinion
of Mr. Lock an Load and the youngun, as any decision I make
directly or indirectly affects them.

I weigh into account all factors. I am never swayed by
guilt trips or personal attacks. And if someone outside of
my immediate family has an opinion on the subject then
I had better respect that person or it is unwelcomed.

Many decisions I make, although they only affect me
personally, will never please everyone. I know that. But
in the end one has to do what one has to do.

Mr. Lock an Load and I had planned years ago how things
would work out concerning our life, and most of it has
thankfully fallen into place. Plus not many toes were
stepped on in the process of life. Luckily we owe nothing
to anyone, there is a nice reserve, and a plan still in place.
We are not rich by any stretch of the imagination, we are
pretty fortunate and also made some intelligent decisions.

When someone tries to offer an opinion (aka telling me what
to do), I weigh into account their own personal history of
choices, their own intelligence level, their own security level.
Then that determines whether I respect them enough to
weigh their opinion in with my own. It is so simple and
easy to just sit back and tell others what to do all the time,
especially when your own life stinks!

25 random things about me

1. I hate self centered whiners.
2. I have a thing for cheese.
3. I don't know how to cook on a bar-be-cue grill, don't even know how to turn it on.
4. I haven't mown the lawn in over 13 years.
5. I hate shopping and do most of it online.
6. I practically have no butt at all, very little padding.
7. I get outside for at least a half an hour every day.
8. I don't own a cell phone.
9. I hate to drive.
10. It takes me forever to get angry, but when I do you'll know it.
11. I once took flying lessons.
12. I'd rather go up in an airplane than go in the water.
13. I try to make all my decisions in life wisely.
14. I've met Sam Elliott and Katharine Ross, also Buck Taylor
(Newly on Gunsmoke), among others.
15. I've had 12 dogs in my adult life.
16. I have a strong commitment to my immediate family, including the pets.
17. I can't sing worth a hoot.
18. My favorite series of books are Stephen King's 'The Dark Tower Series'.
*edited as originally I miswrote Watchtower*
19. I answer to me, my husband,God, and to no one else.
20. I like almost all my cooked foods over cooked.
21. I rarely eat fried foods and don't know how to cook much fried.
22. My favorite kind of pizza would be one with pepperoni, green pepper, and onion.
23. Creamy peanut butter all the way!
24. I can jump over a stick that I'm holding (think about it, you'll get it).
25. If I died tomorrow I'd be happy that I lived a full life.

Lowering my IQ

Been kind of a hectic time lately. The last few
days I was outside kicking butt in the garden.
With temps in the upper 80's and intense sun,
I ended up with sunburn, bug bites, dried sweat,
and dirt and grime plastered all over me.

Today was different. It was a nice day to me,
although weathermen have indicated it was a
blah weather day. It was lower 70's, rainy,
humid, and overcast. I spent time inside.
Did laundry and spent the afternoon dirtying
every pan in the house making tonite's dinner.
Refusing to accept a
rocky bump that threatened to insult my
intelligence and gloom the day, I indulged in
a mexican beer tonite (can't remember the name
as all beer tastes the same to me). Am listening
to drivel on the television, and soon I will watch
old George Lopez and Nanny reruns with the
young'un. Hopefully sleep with the temps going
into the 50s tonite and the windows open will
be sound.

I have a couple of new, pretty good fantasies to think
about as well One is a swimming pool right off of
the back deck. Ah. That would be nice, a late
night swim in the pool. Maybe when I'm 80.
Course then it will need to have jacuzzi jets for
all my aches and pains :)