Flu Season

My husband sent me this as a forward yesterday.
I'm posting it here mainly for easy reference - it's good information to have on hand. Hubby says there have been people out with swine flu in both of the places where he works, so it's still a threat out there.
Consider this my public service announcement.

Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice

Dr. Vinay Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like Hinduja Hospital , Bombay Hospital , Saifee Hospital , Tata Memorial etc. Presently, he is heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and Critical Centre, Malad (W).

The following message given by him, I feel makes a lot of sense and is important for all to know

The only portals of entry are the nostrils and mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature, it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation is.

While you are still healthy and not showing any symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and development of secondary infections, some very simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official communications, can be practiced (instead of focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):

1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in all official communications).

2. "Hands-off-the-face" approach. Resist all temptations to touch any part of face (unless you want to eat, bathe or slap).

3. *Gargle twice a day with warm salt water (use Listerine if you don't trust salt). *H1N1 takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/ nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation. In a way, gargling with salt water has the same effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on an infected o ne. Don't underestimate this simple, inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
;
4. Similar to 3 above, *clean your nostrils at least once every day with warm salt water. *Not everybody may be good at Jala Neti or Sutra Neti (very good Yoga asanas to clean nasal cavities), but *blowing the nose hard once a day and swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in warm salt water is very effective in bringing down viral population.*
&nb sp;

5. *Boost your natural immunity with foods that are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits). *If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets, make sure that it also has Zinc to boost absorption.

6. *Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee, etc) as you can. *Drinking warm liquids has the same effect as gargling, but in the reverse direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from the throat into the stomach where they cannot survive, proliferate or do any harm.

FOG

This has been a strange year. Especially this Fall.

Usually the leaves turn and it's beautiful for a while - and then winter comes, but Old Mom Nature has it backwards this year - we're getting the nasty weather first before there's even any colored leaves in the valley.

What I'm getting at, is that this morning we woke up to FOG. ...In October.

Weird.

I'm off for a sister's weekend tomorrow (after work, that is.) We're all going to be there this time, so it should be all kinds of fun!
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What's New?

It's Monday again, and I feel like I've been AWOL forever.

I've got to learn how to manage my time better now that I'm working again - no more playing all day... (sob)

I'm working on cards today.

Tomorrow is the deadline for the Oct. Sketch for My Sketch World. I just barely made it under the wire.
...Can't show you yet, but soon.
I've got to get one done for my little gran's birthday this weekend too. They've come to expect grandma's cards, and I don't like to disappoint them.

Last weekend, I had to run over to the store to get my schedule for the next week, and I took my 2 girls with me. They had fun perusing the Halloween aisle, while I took care of business, and this is what they came home with.
(The outfit, not the dog.)

Pirate Puppy

Yes, I do believe he's snarling - I don't think he's amused at all.

If you want to see where I've been hanging out in my head lately, this is the place:

It's called Wings Neck Lighthouse in Massachusetts, and I've just added it to my list of dream destinations. The lighthouse can actually be rented - is that cool, or what?

As I was working on the computer today, my printer went *grind* spr@ing *pop* and died. Poop. This is not a good time for my printer to expire.
(As if there were one.)

So far behind on everything else,
...But I'll have to catch up later - got to run!
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Clackity Clickety Clack

I've had a very productive week. Sort of.

Besides typing up a very long chapter of family history, I've produced 6 new chapter's of my second "novel". (A record for me.)
...My second novel that no one will ever see.

Maybe by number 9 I'll have something I'm ready to share, (LOL) ...but right now, I'm just learning the ropes.

I must say, I'm enjoying it more this time around. The first one was excruciating, and felt like hard labor, even torture, but this one is almost writing itself.

I guess it's just less scary now.

Artistic productivity means, however, that my productivity as a housekeeper has gone down the chutes.
My house is a shambles, and spiders are building condos in every corner.

I'm going to have to take a break soon, and clean.
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It's All Good...

Some days are ok. I had one of those today...

I checked off all the little items I had on my list to get done before work, and I started to take some R & R, when I decided I needed to run down to Walmart and see if I could find a couple of shirts that would pass as work uniforms.
(I just can't justify spending money for their monogrammed gear, when I know I'm only going to be there a few months.)

I ran into hubby's mom there. She snuck right up behind me, and when I whirled around to see who it was, she said; "Oh, it is you."
(Scary, does she do this to people often?)

My mother in law is legally blind. She has to get right a person's face to see who it is.
I could see that she was in need of a "seeing eye child" (much like the ones I take to the store with me ) to read the labels and prices on the things she was looking at, so I stayed with her until her daughter caught up with her.

I headed off to work, and arrived there during the afternoon rush. It was really busy.
I thought I saw my neighbor wandering the isles, but each time I went to look for her, I couldn't find her. This happened a few times, until I finally caught up with her in the back corner of the store.
I had a fun chat with her for a few minutes before she had to leave.

Later, I was measuring fabric for a lady, when someone else came up and asked, "Can I just ask you a question?" I recognized her immediately, although it took me a few minutes to place her.
I told her to let me finish up, and I would go help her find what she was looking for, and called her by name.
She gave me a deer-in-the-headlights look, so I told her who I was. She was embarrassed not to know me, (but hugged me anyway.) It was one of my husband's favorite cousins who we don't see often because she lives out of state now.
I got to hang out with her and catch up a little bit.

You see?

Fun.

My shift went quickly, because it stayed fairly busy. I'm getting to know my way around a bit more, which helps too.
Things were going great, that is, until one of the managers came and insisted I take a break. (I've never had one of those before, and I only had half an hour left of my shift) I really didn't want to take it, but I obeyed.

...Just that few minutes off my feet made me feel so tired! If it hadn't been for all the weird noises in the back room, I could have fallen asleep.

Anyway, that was my day.

I came home and crashed, but hubby woke me when he came home, now I'm up for the night...

Going to go finish my chapter.
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BOO!

I've started a new project. It's a ghost story.

That being said, I was laying in bed this morning, half asleep - thinking about what I want to have happen next, when I received three distinct "pokes" on the shoulder.

I jumped about 3 feet!

...It was just my daughter, letting me know it was time to drive her to school.

Scared the bejeevers out of both of us!!!

Honestly, she is so quiet - I'm going to have to put a bell around that kid's neck or something...


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Again...

Doesn't it seem sometimes like you just live the same day over and over?

It happens so often to me, that I have a hard time knowing what day it is!

It's October today, and I'm doing the dance of joy. Not so much because it's October, but just because I'm finished with the job I was doing on my friend's scrapbooking website. I have to appreciate those girls more now - I never realized how much work that was!

There's actual frost on the pumpkin today (the pumpkin that randomly sprouted from a jack-o-lantern seed last fall - in my front flower bed, no less.)
Summer is officially over, but it would have been nice if we could have had Fall before Winter arrived!

My daughter made the comment last night, that she's tired of only having 2 seasons.

Amen to that!

I'm liking my short shifts at work so far - it breaks up the day, but doesn't wear me out. Good times.

I removed my previous post because I was getting some bizzarre and crazy searches on it. (I'll explain later - or not.)
Weirded me out a little.

Anyway - I'm babbling, so I'll go find something else to do today...
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The End.

This week is the end of September, and probably the end of Fall, since we are supposed to be getting snow by the end of this week.
(Yes, I said SNOW!)

We had a fun weekend celebrating my son's birthday. We barbecued ribs, (another last for the season) and just had a nice time visiting with his in-laws.

The birthday Boy (and company)


Jeff has a tendancy to choose gag gifts - he found this album at the local antique mall. Notice Brad's (forced) smile of delight...


Brad's second family - good people. :-)


As for hubby and I, we've gone more and more to giving cash for gifts, since the adult kid's want lists often exceed our budget (or ability to locate!)
We gifted Brad in the form of "shirt" cash. I often get asked how I make these, so I'll share this demo I found. It's really quite simple, and is always well received.



By the way, that thing with the fruit-flies and the apple cider vinegar really works! I've almost de-bugged my whole house now.
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Busy, Busy, Busy

Full of excuses today.

I started work this week, so I'm having to try to be a little more organized at home. That's not normal for me.
I'm pretty much a go-with-the-flow kind of person, and the flow ain't been going anywhere for a very long time!
Somewhere in this house is a "Button-gear" that I earned from the boy scouts. I need to dig that out and see if it still works!

I've been busy making wedding cards, and tending the "Gallery Pick of the Day" thread at "My Sketch World" (Did I mention I'm on the design team?) I haven't been much help on the forum in the past, and I'm trying to repent.
It's one of those jobs that is fun - but time consuming, and - well, just so daily!

Besides that, I've been churning out wedding cards for hubby to use, trying to keep up the house, working on a new story, visiting neighbors, and trying to keep up with the book club. (Hopeless)

Therefore, my absence...

My daughter in law came over the other night with a secret project for my son. He had a birthday this week, and she was given this hutch, so she wanted to paint it for him to keep his art supplies in.
It was late, and it was cold outside, so I offered to help. (I hope she doesn't mind me sharing the photo).
I've never been one who uses bright colors, so I was a little skeptical about this one, but once the color was on, I really like it - only, I can see it in their kitchen full of Libby's bright red dishes...

Changing the subject, has everyone else been plagued with fruit flies lately? They are just about to drive me nuts! I have then flitting around in every room in my house, and more disgustingly - in my pantry, fridge, etc. ...And when I lift the lid on the trash can outside, I have to close my mouth and every other facial orifice to keep them from flying in! Aauughh!

I almost hope it freezes soon so the little buggars will die off!

My other daughter in law said that a little cup of cider vinegar will catch and drown them - I'm ready to try that!
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Role Reversal

I've switched places with my husband lately - and I'm not crazy about that.

All our married life, he's had terrible allergies - kept me up nights with his coughing and wheezing... But the last couple of years, the doctor has had him on some new medication, and it's like he doesn't have allergies at all.
I, on the other hand, have never had allergies ...until the last few years. Now I'm the one who wakes up puffy and sneezy and unable to breathe.

Funny how that works.

Speaking of role reversal, there are times when I am talking to my daughter, that I feel like she is the grown up, and I'm the dumb kid.

We had a long chat the other night, about her college experiences, and how she could tell a person's major by their character traits. She had me laughing so hard - the thing that was the most funny about it, is that I could totally see it - it's so true!

I wish she could have been my room mate back when, I might have been able to make a decision and pick a major!

***

I had my first day of work today, it was actually kind of fun.
(It seemed like old times, in a completely different kind of way.)
I think I'm going to like it there.
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Survivor

I made it through my first day of orientation today.

It felt like old times, since I've worked in that building before, but some things had really changed. (Like them having to call homeland security to verify my citizenship!)

This is going to be my first time working with the public since the hearing loss. I'm nervous about that - I don't know if it's going to be a problem or not.

I came home so tired - I laid down just for a minute - and woke up at 7:00!

Feeling old.

I spent the afternoon yesterday making mini albums with my daughter in law. It was a little tricky making mine, since I don't really have a plan for what to do with it in mind. She got more done than I did.

I'm going to have to find more inspiration for the rest of my pages.

Mischeif

Some odd things going on in the neighborhood lately - I went to get in the car the other day, and noticed that one the front hubcaps were all mangled. It looked like someone had been trying to pry it off. One of the old cars had it's tire slashed (and a melted candy bar stuck to the front window), and the creepiest yet - I found a pair of rubber gloves on the street in front of the house - what mischief someone was planning to do with those, I'm not sure I even want to know!
Tonight, the kids came over, and just as we sat down to eat a bite - they heard a bunch of kids talking outside. We walked out, and there was a rather large group of them lurking in the shadows near the driveway.

Time to install more lights in the yard.

Oy - I think all my late nights caught up with me today - I'm headed to bed...
To steal a phrase from my daughter, "It hurts to live."

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Been Busy...

Had a busy week last week.
When the family takes time off, I work overtime...

I've been babysitting more than usual, (and having fun committing spoilage) ...and I had an actual, honest-to-goodness job interview.

I had to take my daughter to the fabric store, in search of something that eludes me now, but when we got there, they had a "Help Wanted" sign on the door. I asked for an app. and they had actual paper ones - not those stupid impersonal online things where they never have to look at you in the face before they reject you. (I hate those! Give me one where I can be seen, and interact - and at least get a foot in the door!)
...Anyway, I scored an interview, and I start this week.
It's only for the holidays, and it's part-time, but it's a paycheck! ...And it will help alleviate the stress of Christmas.
I'm thrilled.

I had baby for a couple of hours yesterday.
I am enjoying her so much lately. Since she's learned to process language, her random acts of spontaneity are much less destructive. I love talking to her and watching her process thoughts.

I took her to Walmart, because she missed out on the shopping trip with her sisters. I picked her out a couple of tops and a pair of jeans.
She kept trying to put the shirt on by putting her feet through the sleeves.
I told her "no honey, this is a shirt," and I tossed it in the front of the basket, lest she ruin it before we even checked out.
She gave me a blank look, and then a light went on - she patted herself on the head, and said "head."
She had figured out how it should have gone on!

I love moments like that with her - they are so fun. One on one time with her is a blast!

My little writing group has started up again, and wants me to play. (Oy, do I really want to go there again?)
...But, I have been wanting to redeem myself from that first chapter contest, so I did some repairs on that.
Maybe I'll give that story a go...

I've got a long "to do" list today, better get at it, starting with the haircut...
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Out of the Funk

I've been in shut-down mode for a while.
Depression is an ugly beast. Haven't felt like doing much of anything for a while, so I closed up shop here.

The fog has lifted somewhat, so we'll try it again, and see how it goes...
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Labor day

Another Onion Days has come and gone.
...Lot's of fun, but so exhausting! We went to the park on Saturday, to avoid Monday's crowds. I thought that was brilliant! We got our scones and Texas twisters, so we don't need those for another year. LOL

Ellie has finally decided she likes her grandma, and she stayed with me for most of the parade. I had her waving at all the Princesses, and I think she's destined to be one - she has the elbow, elbow, wrist, wrist wave down already!
She was so much fun.
This is our official city float. Who knew that a hollowed out onion could be so charming? I hope they have lots of air freshener in that coach though!
(Click on the picture to see it clearer.)


My family at the parade. We had a nice shady spot, and a nice cool breeze - it was a perfect day for a parade!


I didn't know this until Sunday night, but my 2 grand-girls were on a float with their karate class. So exciting - for all of us! (They're the two in the middle who are waving.) We heard that further down the route, Arilie broke two boards with her foot! I would love to have seen that!


We went from there to Wayland's folks house for lunch. So many of the family were there - even some of Wayland's aunts and uncles. It was good to see them all, but as those parties go (very long,) I got sleepy, so I snuck away and walked home, so I could get a nap in before the kids all came down for dinner.

I did get a short nap, but then my sister and her husband stopped by. We haven't seen them for ages, so we had a good visit. Before they left, the kids all arrived, and we spent the evening with them. Wayland and Jenny both had to work tonight, so Melissa and I got to relax for a bit, and watch a movie together (The Importance of Being Earnest)

It was a really great day, but I'm glad it's over - I'm exhausted!
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It's September!

Yay! Summer is finally ending.

This weekend is Labor Day - which means it's also Onion Days.
We talked about going camping this year for a change, but I don't know if that's going to work out. We just take things as they come these days...

We attended the funeral of a neighbor today.
One of those sad/happy occasions. Sad for the obvious reasons - he was too young, (4 years older than Wayland) and will be missed, and happy because it was a celebration of a really good life. I felt inspired from everyone's comments about him.
He was my favorite Sunday School teacher.

I hope this bug I have goes away soon - I'm getting tired of being so sleepy all the time.
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First annual Grandma Day

I took my little girlies shopping today.
I noticed that they could both use some new clothes, and I love to shop for little girls, so off we went.
I let them choose, but I let them know when their wants exceeded my budget. They were done choosing clothes in about 15 minutes - but then they wanted to look at toys.

Millie found one that was on clearance for a dollar, so I told her she could have it - and I told Arilie she could find something for that same amount.
Not so easy for her. We must have looked for a couple of hours. I finally took them up to the clearance table in the front of the store. We had to compromise a bit, but we finally figured something out that they were both happy with.

I picked out an outfit for Ellie so she wouldn't feel left out, but on the way home, I got thinking about the size I got and didn't think it would fit her at all.
We got to the house, and the girls started showing their parents what they got - so I got Eliie's outfit out after all, just so she wouldn't feel slighted. As soon as she saw it, she started stripping her clothes off to try them on. Amazingly enough, they fit her perfectly.

What a great day - I'm going to have to make a tradition of this.
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Thursday

Had a really nice visit with my sister today.
She looked so good, and acted more like herself than I've seen her in a while. I hope she's on the up-hill track.
We went out to lunch - and she was able to eat actual food. I hope she doesn't pay for that later...

I took her some books to read, but I think I came home with more than I left with. I'm excited to dive into these:

Sunday's at Tiffany's, James Patterson
Mayflower, Nathaniel Philbrick
The Wednesday Sisters, Meg Waite Clayton
The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society, Shaffer & Barrows
Unseen Odds, Shirly Bahlmann

I left Jenny the car to drive herself to work - that was stressful.
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Book Review - "Pillage"

Author: Obert Skye

This is going to be my last book review. I'm frustrated with the Summer Reading Thing website this year. They take forever to update. No one seems to be monitoring it at all. I don't think I'll even bother sending this one in.

Anyway, here's the description from the back cover:

When fifteen-year-old Beck Phillips travels by train to the secluded village of Kingsplot to live with his wealthy but estranged uncle, Beck discovers some dark family secrets. A buried basement, a forbidden wall, an old book of family history with odd references to... dragons? Beck's life is about to be changed forever in this suspenseful tale about the destructive nature of greed and the courage to make things right. Pillage is filled wtih Mr. Skye's signature humor as well as some very intense moments. including a surprising ending, that will keep readers young and old engrossed and entertained.

It's true.
This is a young adult fantacy. I'm not a young adult, and I'm not a fan of fantasy, but I still enjoyed this book immensely. Very fresh and different kind of story.

The main character talks about reading his mother's journal, and how as he learns about his family history that it begins to make more and more sense to him.

Likewise, at the head of each chapter is a "page" from the ancient book he finds later in the story. At first, those pages mean nothing at all, but as the story progresses, you begin to understand what they mean. I love how the author did that, so that you could "grow" right along with the main character. Brilliant twist!

I'm going to have to look into the other books by this author.

Rain.

No dreams today. Aren't you happy? I'm giving you a break.

Speaking of breaks - we had a doozy of a rain storm last night. A break from the dry and from the heat.
It didn't last more than an hour or two, but it thundered to beat the band - and it poured.
Long, lovely, soaking RAIN.
Maybe my lawn will last a few more weeks now.

On the other side of the coin - it's official. I'm becoming an antique.

My emails have been steadily dwindling, even my regular junk mail is giving up on me.
One of the few emails I got yesterday was a note from a company where I applied for a job.
The second time this year they have refused me.

Lately I feel like I'm becoming extinct. I've been fighting it for years, but it's inevitable. Maybe it's time to just give in and let go.
I'm tired.

*I feel as popular as Typhoid Mary.

*Stick a fork in me honey - I'm done.

*I can feel myself fossilizing as we speak.

Bleah.

...On the upside - I'm becoming a formidable presence on the High Seas. Arrgh - I have over 2 mil in ill gotten booty, a fleet of ships, me own private island, and a monkey named Jack.

My farm is the envy of all my neighbors...

...And I'm steadily rising in the ranks of the Mafia and my Sorority.

(Facebook games)

*Sigh*
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Curiouser and Curiouser

Sorry this is turning into a dream log lately, but I'm still on a roll here.
(And no body's reading this anymore anyway, so who's to get bored but me? LOL)

...OK, now I'm talking to myself -

Moving on...

Have you ever had a continuation of a dream you had years ago?

...Yes, I have, thank you very much.
Well, would you like to hear this or not?
Sure, go ahead.
Thank you, I will.

I dreamed a long time ago that I went back to college - only I kept forgetting what classes I had and where they were, until the professor would call me in and tell me if I didn't finish the whole term's worth of work, I would fail.

Well - this was a continuation of that dream. But this time, I was rooming with a former co-worker (who was still in High School when she became my supervisor.)
She had landed herself in a play, and asked me to come with her to rehearsal, because it was late and she didn't want to walk to campus alone.

I did go, and kept getting moved from seat to seat because I was in the way of the rest of the cast.
(This was some production - it was a musical, and had everything from dancing cowboys, synchronized swimming, and, at one point I was kicked out of my seat for the fleet of army trucks that had to come through.)

My friend finally went up on stage, and when it was her turn to get up - she fell down.

Meanwhile, I was wandering the crowd from place to place, not only to stay out of the way, but to stay awake.
(As I said, it was late - and I kept falling asleep.)
I kept running into people who either knew me (who I didn't remember), or knew my husband. It was a little disconcerting to keep hearing my name called out from the crowd - all the different versions of my name that I have gone by at different times of my life.

A couple of times, I even got ogled by some tall good looking cast gents, which was just creepy. I told them - "get away from me, I'm old."

Weird.

At one point, I sat on the front row, next to the costume mistress, who just happened to be Vonda Goodwin (a friend and neighbor who I grew up with, and haven't seen in over 30 years.)
She was harried and swamped everywhere she went, with problems people were having with their costumes.
I decided to offer her my services to help with her out, but while I was thinking about it, she got up and left. I had to wander the crowd again, trying to track her down. (More weirdness)
When I finally did, she immediately took me up on my offer, and before I could say anything else, she had buried me in a pile of sacks, and disappeared again.

A work crew came in and told all the cast members to get off of the stage, because they were scheduled to work there for the night.
I thought, "good, I can finally go home and sleep." ...But no such luck - the cast just broke up into separate groups, and split off into different rooms.

I never saw my friend again - and woke up aching for lack of sleep.

What does it mean when your unconscious life is more interesting than your real one?

Hmmm - that's what I thought...

In Other News:
I had the gran-girls for an overnighter this weekend.
I saw a lot of things I liked, (and a few that I didn't) but it was good for the most part.
I can vouch for God's wisdom in giving us kids when we are young. There's no way I could keep up with that full-time now!

I rented a whole stack of videos that I thought they might like.
- Did you know Rascal Flatts is in the Hannah Montana movie? I didn't, or I would have watched it a long time ago! (Ha ha.)

I have issues with that girl (Hannah Montana/Miley Sirus), and have avoided anything having to do with her - but it actually wasn't that bad.
Who knew?

I also picked "Ballet Shoes" and the American Girl "Kit" for them. The first one is based on a children's chapter book that I heard of somewhere, so I thought Millie would like it.
She didn't.

I watched it myself later, and I could see why. It's really not a movie for kids. It's about three girls, and how they manage to live through the depression. I liked it, but it was a little "scary" for my girls.
Kit is also about the depression. I liked that one too - it was cute, but again a little mature for 4 and 7 year olds.

I didn't miss completely - I got Green Lantern, which Arilie watched at least 3 times, and Barbie meets Thumbelina which Millie did the same.

I learned one thing - I need to preview movies before I get them for the girls!
(You can't make me watch those Barbie ones though...)

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More Bizarre Dreams

It's been a really active week for dreams.
I don't know if it's the change in the air, or changes in life (school starting), but - wow.
Last night I dreamed that I was in the hospital preparing for surgery, and they took me to this abandoned wing that was reminiscent of the operating room on M*A*S*H.
I had been drugged already, and was in and out of consciousness - but when I saw where I was, it alarmed me a bit. When I asked the doctor what we were doing there, and evil grin spread over his face... I wanted to scream or run, but I was too doped up to do either.

The scary part about this dream is that it really happened (the first part) but it never occurred to me at the time to think anything sinister about it. Makes you think twice about being so trusting about medical personnel. (Like the time I went in for a test and woke up black & blue from head to toe - I swear they dropped me off the table while I was out, but nobody bothered to mention anything about it.)

From there things got a bit more bizarre.
I was at another conference, that started out as one for writers, but morphed into one for musicians and dancers as well. Let me just say - men in tights and murder plots abounded. Adam Lambert was there, and was even creepier than he was on American Idol.

Anyway - got another boring weekend gaping before me.
I've got to find a new hobby to fill the time. Shopping requires cash flow.
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Joke of the Day

I ran across this as I was blog hopping yesterday.
I thought it was cute, and wanted to share. The person who posted it wasn't sure where it came from, so I Googled it to find the origin - But it's been posted so many times that it would take me years to track it down...
So, enjoy - and whoever wrote this to begin with - Good job!

Dear Tech Support:

Last year I upgraded from Boyfriend 5.0 to Husband 1.0 and noticed a slowdown in the overall performance, particularly in the flower and jewelry applications that had operated flawlessly under Boyfriend 5.0. In addition, Husband 1.0 uninstalled many other valuable programs, such as Romance 9.5 and Personal Attention 6.5, but installed undesirable programs such as NFL 5.0 and NBA 3.0. And now Conversation 8.0 no longer runs and House Cleaning 2.6 simply crashes the system. I've tried running Nagging 5.3 to fix these problems, but to no avail.

What can I do?
Signed, Desperate

Dear Desperate:

First keep in mind; Boyfriend 5.0 is an entertainment package, while Husband 1.0 is an operating system. Try entering the command

C:// I THOUGHT YOU LOVED ME

and download Tears 6.2 to install Guilt 3.0. If all works as designed, Husband 1.0 should then automatically run the applications Jewelry 2.0 and Flowers 3.5.

But remember, overuse can cause Husband 1.0 to default to Grumpy Silence 2.5, Happy Hour 7.0 or Beer 6.1. Beer 6.1 is a very bad program that will create Snoring Loudly.wav files.

Whatever you do, DO NOT install Mother-in-Law 1.0 or reinstall another Boyfriend program. These are not supported applications and will crash Husband 1.0.

In summary, Husband 1.0 is a great program, but it does have a limited memory and cannot learn new applications quickly. You might consider additional software to improve memory and
performance. I personally recommend Hot Food 3.0 and Lingerie 6.9.
Good Luck,
Joyce at Tech Support

My news is brief today.

My youngest started school today. That last and final school year for all of us. Wishing her a great year (and good grades.)

.

Book Review - Methods of Madness

Author: Stephanie Black

Book Jacket Description:

It's been three years since the terrible night Emily Ramsey suffered a double tragedy - the death of her sister, and the disappearance of her fiance. She deserves another chance at happiness, and gentle, adorable Zach Sullivan is the perfect man to mend her shattered heart. But from the moment Emily opens the hand-carved box holding a glittering diamond solitaire, she's seized by an unshakable fear: She's going to lose Zach.

That's exactly what Monica, Zach's ex-girlfriend is banking on. Bitter with envy, Monica will stop at nothing to sabotage Zach and Emily's romance.
A troubling note shows up in Emily's mailbox, fanning the flames of suspicion. A bloody photograph sends her reeling. But when someone is brutally murdered, will Emily be able to escape suspicion and the possibility that she might be next?

This tale is intricately woven, and the plot spirals deeper and deeper. Emily is led to suspect everyone - even herself, as questions are brought up about her sanity.

The only problem I had with this book was that, for being a murder case, the police seemed a little blase. Other than taking every one's statements, it didn't seem like they were doing much to help. That put me a little on edge. (But maybe that was the author's intent?)

...Aside from that minor point, this is a gripping, page-turning book. I read it in one sitting, and I promise the ending will blow you away!

Congrats Stephanie, this is another winner!
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Perchance to Dream...

Such crazy dreams last night.
I dreamed about my former employer, who had re-located the store into a house.
The employees were all too busy cleaning and doing laundry to help customers.

At one point, a girl came up to the office screaming and crying. I peeked out to see what was wrong, and saw that half of her face was pretty much scraped off. She had fallen from a scaffold in the warehouse.
No one else would do anything to help, so I was fumbling with my phone trying to dial 911, and was having trouble at the other end, because I didn't know the girl's name.
I asked one of the other employees, but in the midst of all the chaos, I couldn't hear her reply.
"That's (so-and-so) can't you remember?" she screamed at me. Then I was self conscious and upset because I couldn't - I had no idea who she was.
...Then I remembered that I have been away from there for 2 years - I didn't forget, I didn't even know her!

...And so it went all night long.

I don't know what I ate before bed, but when I figure it out, I'm striking it from the menu!

My oldest flew off for Washington DC yesterday. He called to let us know he made it safely. I hope he has a wonderful experience there.
Wish I were with him.

It's been feeling very fall-ish here the last few days - especially at night. I've been loving it, and sleeping under the open window, reveling in the cool breezes.
I had to give that up though, because when I wake up and see hubby buried in quilts and curled up in a ball, it makes me feel too guilty.
(I can't believe school starts this week - it just can't be!
.

No Rest for the Wicked

We had a good friend coming to visit yesterday, so hubby took the day off, and both of us spent the entire day cleaning up the house and the yard. (Yes, it did need that much work - and more!)
We managed to get ready in time, and had the whole family here to see him. We barbecued, and had a really nice time.

Hubby is in the guest room working again today. I don't know how he does it!
I am so exhausted, I could seriously stay in bed all day!

We've got the gran-girlies coming to sleep over tonight. (Their daddy is flying off for DC early in the AM.) I'm a little nervous about that. I'm sure the older girls will be fine, but the little one hasn't spent the night here since she was a wee one. She's one of those kids who likes to go home at night. I'm not sure how that's going to work, and still be able to get up for church by 8:30.

I guess we'll see...

(So much for the clean house!) LOL
.

That's What You Get...

I decided to be lazy today, since everybody is gone again (work, friends, etc.) so, I've been slopping around in my bathrobe. Wouldn't you know it - today would be the one day someone actually comes to see me.
My dear neighbor from next door came to visit.

She was telling me about a book she was reading ("The Undaunted" - local historical fiction) and I mentioned that I want to read it too, because I had ancestors who were involved in that historical event. (Hole in the Rock)

That led to a discussion of family history, and - can you believe it? We tie in a few generations back! Her great...(x3) grandfather was a brother to mine.

That is just too cool.

I've badly neglected my family histories for the last several decades, but she has been busily working on hers. Hoping we can share some information soon.

Veggie Heaven

Just when I was complaining about not having a garden this year, and how I would normally be up to my eyeballs in squash by now, my daughter's friend showed up at the door with some over-flow from her family's garden!
Squash, cukes, radishes and cabbage...

Tender mercies from strangers.

Private Screening

Last night was fun. My son came over with a copy of his friends' new film "City of Fitness 0" and we watched it together. It was such a hoot - and fun to watch with my son's commentary from behind the scenes.

These guys are getting really good with their filming techniques. They should be ready for the film fest at Sundance soon!

Here's one of the scenes - my son is in this one. (He's the random bandito.)
Warning - violent and graphic content...in a funny sort of way...


If you want to see the whole film, it's all on youtube here: City of Fitness 0
(If that link doesn't work, copy & paste this address into your browser: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R0sHRMQt3wU&NR=1)
Have fun!

I guess I should try to accomplish something today...
Where to begin???
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Murphey Lives Here

I've been on my own this week, and I cannot believe all the things that have gone wrong around here.

*That storm that had me running around all night trying to keep everything in the yard from blowing away.
*Trying to read my new book in the dark with no power.
*Something is funky with the pond - I can't keep water in it.
*I've had problems with the plumbing all week
*The alarm system "talking" to me all night,
*The dog freaking out for no apparent reason,
*Having to take care of the neighbor girl because her babysitter left her high and dry.
*The brain-splitting headache due to lack of sleep
*The pounds I'm sure I've gained self-medicating with food.

The family will be home soon - thankfully. I could use a break from my "vacation."
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Book Review - English Trifle

Written by Josi S. Kilpack

I was so excited to read this book - I loved the first book in the series (Lemon Tart)

Amazon's description:
High Crimes at High Tea Things to Do in England Visit Westminster Abbey, the Tower of London, and the London Zoo Take the Jack the Ripper tour creepy! Sample authentic English scones and crumpets Discover a dead body What begins as a holiday trip for amateur sleuth and cooking aficionado Sadie Hoffmiller and her daughter, Breanna, turns into a bizarre mystery when they discover a dead body in the sitting room of an English manor. Breanna's boyfriend, Liam, is heir to both the family title and the family estate of Southgate, where everyone seems to have a secret . . . or two. When the body in the sitting room disappears, Sadie and Breanna are stranded at the estate until the police can clear them to leave. With their departure delayed, they might as well solve the murder. Armed with a jogging whistle, her personal recipe collection, and an unfailing sense of American justice, Sadie begins her own investigation to find the killer. But as Sadie uncovers layer after layer of misdirection, secrets, and outright lies, she wonders if anyone is telling the truth or if the case is really as hopeless as it appears to be. Take a missing family history, toss in a secret romance, mix with a mysterious murder, and this is one vacation Sadie will never forget.

Rarely do I enjoy the second book in a series as much as the first, but I think I actually liked this one a little bit more.
I love that Josi chose such a different location for this one. The foray into life in an English Manor was a fun departure from Sadie's usual diggs.

The plot has lots of twists and turns, and no one escapes suspicion. I thought I had things figured out a time or two, but I didn't know for sure until the final few chapters.

I just wish I were a better cook, so I could enjoy the recipes more...
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Take me away... Please!

Here we are on a Thursday - of the most boring week of the Summer. (So far.)

It's been a lazy and depressing week.
Hubby has been gone a lot, and he's grumpy when he's here. We weren't able to go camping because of budgetary issues, so a happy "camper" he is not.

I myself have wandered around in a funk, because it's just too darn hot to leave the house, and I'm tired of trying to entertain myself all alone indoors.
Plus, it's been such a lazy week, that I'm as ugly as I can possibly be without getting arrested.

So, when I woke up this morning, and made the usual trek to the bathroom, only to find that something is amok with the toilet because everything has been cleared off the tank, I roll my eyes and think "Great, what's wrong with the plumbing now?"

These are the days, my friend, when one shouts to no one in particular, because, of course, there's never anyone there - "Calgon, take me away!!!"

From lack of anywhere else to go, I'm allowing my imagination to take me to what it naturally turns to at times like this - the Mysteries of the Universe.
(Not really, but wasn't that a great segue?)
...Sure beats pondering plumbing problems.

I wonder, for instance, (since it's space travel week,) is there really life out there somewhere? All those urban legends of alien life forms - is there anything to them, or is that all a product of a mind as unused and in need of entertainment as mine?

...And speaking of Space - what goes on in an astronaut's head, that allows him to submit to being hurdled thousands of miles into a void where, granted, the stars are pretty, but all other conditions are completely hostile to supporting human life?

Other questions come to mind, such as - how far can my car really go on empty, before it grinds to a halt?

...And what was in the diet of the Pharaoh's of Egypt, that made them so narcissistic that they spent (wasted) the entire extent of their reign, erecting monuments to themselves?

...And how about the slaves who had to build those monuments? - When the Pharaoh died, and a new one took his place - did they throw down their respective tools, and say "Crap, now we have to start all over."

Then deeper, more poignant questions emerge - what goes on in Cyber space on Thursdays? Where does everyone disappear to, that no one has bothered to tell me about?

I look around me and wonder; has the world's largest dust bunny ever been recorded? And I realize it's time to get up from this computer and muck my way through yet another day.

Hang in there, it's almost the weekend...
.

Bumpy Ride...

Senior class portraits this week. Ouch.

I can tell already that it's going to be a bumpy year.
My baby is a Mighty Senior, and the whole world is opening up for her ...but she is also my baby, and every first for her is a last for me.

To quote a stanza from a poem that I requested my sister to write for me when she was a year old:

"There are great days ahead,
of that I am sure, but there won't be a baby at home anymore.
I hope you'll forgive
if I cling to the past, I've loved all my babies,
but you are the last."

The song I wake up with in my head these days is this one:

Schoolbag in hand, she leaves home in the early morning
Waving goodbye with an absent-minded smile
I watch her go with a surge of that well-known sadness
And I have to sit down for a while
The feeling that I'm losing her forever
And without really entering her world
Im glad whenever I can share her laughter
That funny little girl

Slipping through my fingers all the time
(Slipping Through my Fingers, by ABBA)

She's well on her way to the driver's licence - passing all the tests with flying colors. She has the job, and the savings account - her plans for college, and very good friends. (And thankfully, has been resisting the boyfriend so far.)

Giving her wings, and hope she can fly...
Fasten your seat belts - it's going to be a bumpy ride.

Sunday Sojurn

Yesterday was a fairly quiet day. Jen stayed over with a friend, which is a good thing, because she attends the Sunday School classes with her age group, instead of hanging out with her old mum here. (There is hardly anyone her age in our ward.)
Hubby had to go to work very early, so it was just me at church, which makes me sad, because the choir did a fine job (if I do say so myself) and no one was there to hear it. *Sigh* I really don't like going to church by myself.

When hubby got home, we drove up the canyon to have dinner with my son & his family, who had borrowed our trailer for the weekend. He made some yummy dutch oven dishes, and we had fun playing with the girlies in the dirt. LOL

We're hoping to go back up for the holiday weekend, if we can figure out how to work it into the budget - if not, it's all good - we'll just go see the new Harry Potter flick instead.
.

Somebody up there loves me...

This weekend was the Scottish festival up at the park.
Good times, with bagpipers, Scottish dancers, singers, and all kinds of manly games. (Caber toss, etc.)
They also have booths selling all kinds of Scot-sy wares (mostly made in China!) ha ha.

So, the family went up to have a look-see. We walked around until we got tired - and hungry. We found a place selling hot dogs, so we got a couple and went looking for a place to eat. The park was so crowded, that the only place we could find, was standing behind the bleachers in front of the band competition.
Great! ...Dinner - and a show!
I set my shopping bag and my purse on the ground in front of me, and commenced to enjoy my lunch.

Hubby and I had had enough after that, so we went to the car to go home.
When we pulled up in front of the house, I went to get out, and bent over to pick up my bag and my purse - - except my purse wasn't there!!!
I can't believe I picked up my shopping bag, but left my purse just sitting there under the bleachers!
I totally freaked out - there were 20 million people in town today, and I just left my purse sitting on the ground in the middle of all of them!
(I've had so many nightmares like that, I can't even tell you...)

My daughter had stayed at the park, so I called her on my cell, and told her to go see if she could find it. I was really panicky by now...
Bless her heart - she ran, and searched the area. The miracle is that she actually found it! Intact, and nothing missing.
Is that a miracle, or what?

Archie Bunker used to say that the angels watch over babies and ding-bats.
I guess that's really true!

Happy Sabbath!
.

Sssshhhhhhhh!

I need a quiet day.
Celebrating all those birthdays and holidays this past week, has worn me out!
I may have to go out to the trailer to get it, but I'm in need of some quiet time.

Strange night
Yesterday morning, I woke up to find this:

My tree lost a limb in its sleep. It's really strange, because this tree is right outside my bedroom window, which was open all night (and I sleep right under it.)
I didn't hear any wind or anything during the night - and nothing else is out of place in the yard to suggest a storm.
Weird.




It's a good thing the little birdies had already left the nest, or they would have been dumped on their heads!


By the way - I do NOT have sleep apnea. I'm a little mystified why the Dr. ordered that test in the first place, because I told him I don't have those kinds of problems.
I went in for my follow up the other day, and I was told that news, and that the medication they usually start people on for the insomnia thing, is the one I've already been on for the past month!
What the heck? ...Was all that really necessary then?

Mystified, I tell you...

No more news today, so I'll just tippy-toe away...
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Book Report - Recovering Charles

Recovering Charles, a novel by Jason Wright.…

Description from the book jacket:

Luke Millward is a man who does not know he is lost. His career is going well; he has the love of close friends; and a future he looks forward to every day.

Only when the past reveals its twisted smile in a phone call and the disconnected voice asks him to come find his estranged father in post-Katrina New Orleans is Luke compelled to find out what kind of man he truly is; and who the man is that his father has become.

I really enjoyed this book. It's a sad reminder of the devastation that took place after Hurricane Katrina, but more importantly, it's a story of forgiveness between a father and son.

There is a song at the end of the book - you can go to the official website (www.recoveringcharles.com) and hear it played. It's lovely.
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Yenny Day

It's my baby's birthday today - she's progressed from the childhood stage to that of a potential responsible adult. She's got her first job, is learning to drive, and next year will be a Senior in High School.

My little bird will soon be ready to fly.


Just a little tribute to her today...

Jen is funny

She's quirky

...Sometimes, she's downright weird.

She's always plugged in to some form of media...

If you really want to freak her out - just tell her she's pretty...

Now, pardon me if I wax nostalgic and get really sappy here for a minute...

Jenny was a "caboose" child - born 8 years after her closest sibling. I prayed very hard to get her here, and she has been the answer to all those prayers. It's fun sharing a birth month with her. She is a dear, dear girl, and has been a joy in my life.


...I'll go turn myself in to the schmaltz police now...

Love you baby!
.

Monday

Hubby had the whole week off last week - from both jobs!
We talked about going camping or something, but when it came right down to it, he decided he would rather just stay home and relax and piddle around the yard some.
Nice and peaceful for him - but just more of the same for me. (Yawn)

Our Fourth was spent quietly in the yard with the kids...

The girls



Oooh - Aaahh

Sorry, that's about as good as it gets here...

Non - items

Just a couple of quick little signs of the times -
I went looking for one of my favorite magazines this week, and couldn't find it anywhere, so I went online and found that it has become a victim of the economy. Mary Englebreit's Home Companion is no more. Sad.

I found this comic on Facebook and it made me laugh - thought you might like it too.


...And this little photo - my family laughs at me and thinks I'm silly, but this giant tea cup was one of my favorite birthday presents this year. I got it planted, and I plan to paint some Alice in Wonderland plant stakes to put in it.
It makes me happy.

Going in today to get the results of that sleep study, other than that, just errands.

That's all -

Happy Monday.
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Fourth of July

Favorite 4th of July memories.
My mom loved parades, and dad loved rodeos - happily, those loves usually combined on the fourth. There was always a picnic involved somewhere, and in the evening, each little community around us had their own little fireworks display, so it was just a matter of choosing which one to attend.
One year, we discovered that the roof of one of our sheds was the perfect vantage point to view them all from one spot.
Happy carefree days.

I love this song by James Taylor, and it's not available for my playlist anymore, so I will treat you with a live performance.

Enjoy!



...And for an encore, David Archuleta's "They Come To America"



God Bless America (please)


.

Oldenhood

At my age, Birthdays are an unnecessary evil.
The best one can hope for, is that they will pass away unnoticed. But that was not the case this year. I had a delightful day.

I actually woke up to breakfast in bed. (I can count the times that has happened on one hand.)
Then, hubby brought me in a new outfit to wear, and said I had a big day ahead. I looked at him a little suspiciously, because it was a dark blue shirt and light pants. (Very much like the Walmart uniform.) I thought maybe he was putting me to work!

But instead, we went to Toucano's for lunch.
Wow, that is a very festive place! They beat the drums and sang to Jennifer and I in Portuguese. I sampled all the meats they brought.
One of the down sides to being deaf? It's quite possible that I ate chicken hearts.
I heard the word chicken, and gave the nod 'yes' because I wanted to sample everything, but it didn't look or taste like any part of the chicken I've ever seen...(ahem.)
My favorite was the grilled pineapple - and whatever that was with the bacon wrapped around it.
Jennifer's friend was the only one brave enough to order desert - the chocolate cake weighed in like a side of beef. Three of us shared it, and it was divine!

Next, we went to the mall and saw "The Proposal." Between us, we had enough gift certificates and coupons, that we all got in free! It was cute, we all enjoyed it (aside from those nude scenes...)

When we got home, they let me take a nap.
I needed it!
Then we had a barbecue with the family. Most of us were still to stuffed to eat much, but it was a nice way to end the day.

I told my grand daughter that I was older than dirt, but I guess she's too young for grandma's humor. She just looked confused.

I can always count on this one to help with the hard tasks.

Like I said, a pretty good day.
.

Test Over

Worst night's sleep EVER!

With 90 percent of the wires and miscellaneous apparatus attached to my head, face and neck, and one arm chained to the wall (practically) how is a body supposed to sleep normally?
When I did finally get into a deep sleep, they woke me up because a couple of the electrodes had come loose.

On the plus side - the technicians couldn't have been more accommodating. I would give them all gold stars.
The room was very nice, the building was gorgeous, and is located in a beautiful area. Too bad I didn't have a better time, because I'm sure that stay will cost me the price of a cruise ticket.

I won't know what, if anything, they find out for a couple of weeks. I'm not going to stress about it though - I'm (relatively) sure everything's fine.

I'm not going to be worth much today, but I'll get through it - I can have Pepsi now!

I hope I can get all this gunk out of my hair...
.

Sunday Tidbits

I noticed right off that there was a shortage of young men at church today. (All the old guys were doing their jobs.) After the service was over, I found out that it was because there was an outbreak of swine flu at the scout camp they attended last week, and they are all home under quarantine.
Yikes! That's a little too close to home for me!

Last night, someone broke into our house.
We heard comings and goings and footsteps on the stairs. We were relieved this morning to find that it was merely the Pepsi fairy (or Soda Clause?) He left two Pepsi's on the counter for hubby and I.
My son - always making sure his parents are taken care of.

Isn't it funny how the dynamic changes when the kids move out of the house?
When they're under my roof, I feel like it's my duty to try to keep track of where they are going (which is not easy) and make sure they eat regularly, (butt-in, meddle, etc.) But when they are out on their own, it becomes apparent that they are really quite capable of managing by themselves.
When they do drop by, even though it's only been a couple of weeks, it seems like they've been gone forever, and we need to "kill the fatted calf" and celebrate.
Weird.

Tomorrow night, I have to go do that sleep study. I'm pretty stressed about it. The thought of trying to sleep while wired from every limb, with people watching me, no less, is not a pleasant one.
My neighbor handed me a copy of the book that my book club is reading at church today. It's about some war in China. I was very grateful - if that doesn't put me to sleep, nothing will! (Just kidding, it might be good...)

I need to go out and go for a walk before it gets dark tonight. It's rained pretty much every day for the last 3 weeks - just long enough for me to get out of that habit that it took me so long to start. *Sigh* Back to square one.

It's the last Sunday in June - how did that happen?
.

Treats

I posted the Muddy Buddy recipe, but you'll have to go to my crafty site to get it. It's yummy, and it's here: Scrapworthy
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All's Quiet on the Western Front

It's very quiet around here today.
My youngest took her dad and brother to see the Transformers flick this afternoon. Yes, they did invite me, but I declined - I'm not a fan of 'monster' cars.

I've been re-typing those family histories today.
The first one was about a lady from Canada, who came to the US to join with the Mormon church. She dealt with persecution, was driven from state to state, volunteered to go with the Mormon Battalion as a laundress. When the men were sick and worn out, and had to be sent ahead to recover - she stuck around and finished the march.
She was there at Sutter's Fort when gold was discovered, left that behind to return to the people of her faith, and with her family founded one of the towns here that still carries her family name.
She outlived two husbands, raised 3 families, including some of her grand children, taught school and helped run the post office.

Wow. Makes me feel like a wimp.

The boys are going camping tonight, so it's girls' night at home.
What that means on a Friday night, is pizza, ice cream, and Ghost Hunters on TV. Sounds great to me.

Happy Weekend.
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Book Review - Dead on Arrival

Book by Jeffrey S. Savage
It's probably not fair to start my reviews with an older book that is no longer available in stores, but there has been a lot of buzz about this one on one of the blogs I follow, and I was anxious to get to it.

This book is a sequel to "House of Secrets".
The first book does lay the background material, and introduce the main characters, but this story does stand on it's own.

I love Mr. Savage's mix of suspense and humor.
I also love the way the mystery is unraveled slowly throughout the story, and how each new twist places the characters deeper and deeper in jeopardy.
The climax is a nail-biter, and the ending was very cool, but I'm sorry to say - a cliffhanger.

I hear he's working on book 3, and personally, I can't wait to read it!
If I were to rate this one, I would give it 4 1/2 stars. (Out of 5.)
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Bumpy Night

Rough night last night - I had trouble sleeping, and so did hubby, so we took shifts on the couch all night. (But the good news is, I finished my book.)

My daughter couldn't wake me up to take her to driver's ed, so hubby had to take her. He let her drive....his truck! Wow, is he a brave soul, or what?

We spent an hour on the road yesterday, and she is rapidly improving. I'm really proud of her. All she needs now is a little more confidence, and she'll be good to go.

Smashed hopes
I found a class online through a local extension that sounded like a fun diversion, so I called about it yesterday.
When I asked what I would need to do to sign up for it, I ended up getting a half hour spiel.

1. I would have to apply to the college
2. I would have to contact the last college I attended, and have them crawl down into their dusty archives and find my transcripts.
3. I would need to contact an adviser to see if any of those ancient credits are transferable, and to plan the rest of my life.
4. I would have to pay $550.00 (!) for the one class, plus the application fee.

She went on and on, but I shut down after that. Something about coming in to the office to discuss financial aid, blah, blah, blah.

Holy Hannah! All I wanted was to improve my mind a little. I didn't want to have to activate a cast of thousands or increase the national deficit!
It was a lovely dream, but it's not going to happen. I'll just have to find a way to learn things on my own.

Housekeeping

You may notice that my blog has been whittled down to almost nothing. I've been tidying up for the literary crowd. I'll be posting book reviews for others to check out, and they don't need to see all the family "clutter" everywhere.
No worries, the photos etc. are not gone forever, just stuffed in the closet and under the bed for a while. LOL!

Speaking of clearing away the clutter, I'd better get some housework done today - I've been pretty slothful this week.

One more day of sunshine - enjoy it!
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Time to read the books...

In an attempt to fill up my Summer, and not have it look so bleak - I'm joining the LDS Publisher's Summer Reading Thing again. So, get ready to see those book reviews again.
My reding list is to the right, but is growing even as we speak...
(I got the 2nd Shandra Covington book in the mail today - Yay!)
I haven't been doing so well on my reading lately. I've started 3 books in the last month, and haven't finished any of them. Hopefully, I can push myself a little bit to get-R-done now.

Off we go...

Changing subjects -

I've grown accustomed to having the neighbors' dogs and / or cats wander into my yard at any given time. Even the occasional child.
...But where in the heck did these chickens come from?
Old Mac Donald doesn't live anywhere near here!



Sleep (or the lack thereof)
I had my consultation with the sleep specialist today.
Long story short - he thinks my symptoms are weird, and wants to go ahead with the sleep study.
He's leaning towards anxiety being at the root of my problem. I'm saying it's just in the genes. We're all like this.

Not much news today - I'm hitting the sack early.
...Only 4 more days of getting up at 6:30!

'Night.
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What Not to Be

I never finished college.
Why? Because I could never figure out what I wanted to be when I grew up.
I tried every major I could think of at the time, and nothing seemed to fit.
My multiple decades of life experience haven't changed that. I still don't know what I want to be.
Not. A. Clue.

...But on one thing, I am crystal clear - I do NOT want to be a Driver's Ed teacher.

I've had to take that role with my youngest, and let me tell you - I am definitely not cut out for this work!
My nerves just will not take it.

I'm the only one available to take her out for those 30 hours on the road that she is supposed to get. I have left claw marks in the armrests, have nearly bitten clean through my tongue trying to keep from screaming, and the blood pressure has hit the boiling point several times, I have no doubt.

I'm too old for this!

...Come to think of it, so is my daughter's teacher.
He's over retirement age, but refuses to quit.
Why? I don't know, probably doesn't want to be stuck home with the wife all the time.
My driver's ed teacher was really old too. I mean, the guy had to be in his 80's, I swear.
My theory of why these old guys choose this path is that they don't fear death anymore. They have nothing left to lose. (ha ha)

In my opinion, they do things completely backwards these days. Why are the kids supposed to get those 30 hours in before having any classroom instruction? When they have no idea what the rules of the road are, or how to stay safe - and what a big responsibility it is to be in control of a 2 ton death machine?

Oy.

I think I may be getting the hang of it though. I'm doing a LOT more coaching, and a bit less clutching and yelling.
We may both survive this yet.

Still - not the job for me.
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Trouble in "Evil City"

I have a problem.

Only one, you say?
Well, let me rephrase that - only one that I will talk about tonight.
You see - the town my son just moved to... Hates me.

I'm serious - I have major issues with this place.
(The name has been changed to protect the innocent, if one such person can be found there.)

My husband used to run a business in this town, and I worked for him there. I had some appalling experiences, and ever since then - almost every trip I've made to that town, included some sort of disaster.

You think I'm kidding, don't you?

Well, I'm not.

Example A: I had to go to one of the city buildings once, (for a reason that evades me now,) and as I pulled into the parking spot right in front, the car groaned, shuddered, and died. It wouldn't start again.
I had to sit there and wait for hours for someone to come and rescue me.

Not convinced? That can happen to anyone you say? Well...

Example B: One day I was driving my children to a local college to check out the awesome bookstore.
We took the exit through this town, because there is less traffic that way.
Just as we were almost to the light - a golf ball came flying out of nowhere and hit us right in the front windshield.
There is not a golf course in that area, folks.
My son was so freaked out - it shattered the window right in front of his face, and he was sure we had been shot.

Oh no - that is not all - there's more...

Example C: This time, I was headed North for some rush errand, and just as I got to the previously mentioned exit - the engine of the car I was driving burst into flames! Yes - really!
A generous (and brave) lady stopped and tried to put it out with some newspapers. I had to keep yelling at her to get back, while I dialed 911 on my cell phone.
I was afraid the car would explode, and I didn't want to be responsible for her demise!
Luckily, a gentleman in a diesel truck stopped and ran over with a fire extinguisher. I say luckily, because the fire department couldn't find me, and we all would have been toast by the time they got there.

Do you see what I mean? One freak occurrence - maybe, but so many?
Something's up.

Now you see why it's a problem that my son has moved there.
I have managed to avoid going to that town for many many years - if by chance I had to go, I would sneak in the back way, and out before anyone could notice me.
But now - I will have to go, and often.

So far I've managed to get there and back without incident, but how long can this good luck last?
Could his moving there have broken the curse?
Only time will tell...

Pray for me.

(Hee hee)
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