A Tale To Share

You make the choice don't look for a punch line. There isn't one. Read it anyway.

My question to all of you is: Would you have made the same choice?

At a fundraising dinner for a school that serves learning disabled children, the father of one of the students delivered a speech that would never be forgotten by all who attended.

After extolling the school and its dedicated staff, he offered a question.

"When not interfered with by outside influences, everything nature does is done with perfection. Yet my son, Shay, cannot learn things as other children do. He cannot understand things as other children do. Where is the natural order of things in my son?"

The audience was stilled by the query.

The father continued. "I believe, that when a child like Shay comes into the world, an opportunity to realize true human nature presents itself, and it comes, in the way other people treat that child."

Then he told the following story: Shay and his father had walked past a park where some boys Shay knew were playing baseball.

Shay asked, "Do you think they'll let me play?"

Shay's father knew that most of the boys would not want someone like Shay on their team, but the father also understood that if his son were allowed to play, it would give him a much-needed sense of belonging. Shay's father approached one of the boys on the field and asked if Shay could play.

The boy looked around for guidance and, getting none, he took matters into his own hands and said, "We're losing by six runs and the game is in the eighth inning. I guess he can be on our team and we'll try to put him in to bat in the ninth inning."

In the bottom of the eighth inning, Shay's team scored a few runs but was still behind by three.

In the top of the ninth inning, Shay put on a glove and played in the outfield.

Even though no hits came his way, he was obviously ecstatic just to be in the game and on the field, grinning from ear to ear as his father waved to him from the stands.

In the bottom of the ninth inning, Shay's team scored again. Now, with two outs and the bases loaded, the potential winning run was on base and Shay was scheduled to be next at bat.

At this juncture, let Shay bat and give away their chance to win the game?

Surprisingly, Shay was given the bat. Everyone knew that a hit was all but impossible 'cause Shay didn't even know how to hold the bat properly, much less connect with the ball.

However, as Shay stepped up to the plate, the pitcher moved in a few steps to lob the ball in softly so Shay could at least be able to make contact.

The first pitch came and Shay swung clumsily and missed. The pitcher again took a few steps forward to toss the ball softly towards Shay.

As the pitch came in, Shay swung at the ball and hit a slow ground ball right back to the pitcher.

The pitcher picked up the soft grounder and could have easily thrown the ball to the first baseman. Shay would have been out and that would have been the end of the game.

Instead, the pitcher took the ball and turned and threw the ball on a high arc to right field, far beyond the reach of the first baseman.

Everyone started yelling, "Shay, run to first! Run to first!"

Never in his life had Shay ever made it to first base. He scampered down the baseline, wide-eyed and startled.

Everyone yelled, "Run to second, run to second!"

By the time Shay rounded first base, the right fielder had the ball.

He could have thrown the ball to the second-baseman for the tag, but he understood the pitcher's intentions and intentionally threw the ball high and far over the third-baseman's head.

Shay ran toward second base as the runners ahead of him deliriously circled the bases toward home.

Shay reached second base, the opposing shortstop ran to him, turned him in the direction of third base, and shouted, "Run to third!"

As Shay rounded third, the boys from both teams were screaming, "Shay, run home!"

Shay ran to home, stepped on the plate, and was cheered as the hero who hit the"grand slam" and won the game for his team.

"That day," said the father softly with tears now rolling down his face, "the boys from both teams helped bring a piece of true love and humanity into this world."

Here's A Thought For You

If you consider that there have been an average of 160,000 troops in the Iraq theater of operations during the last 22 months, and a total of 2112 deaths, that gives a firearm death rate of 60 per 100,000.

The rate in Washington D.C. is 80.6 firearm deaths per 100,000. That means that you are about 25% more likely to be shot and killed in our nation's capitol, which has some of the strictest gun control laws in the nation, than you are in Iraq.

Conclusion: We should immediately pull out of Washington D.C

Can I Scream Yet?

Okay. So yesterday, we had to get the recertification for the business off by overnight FEDEX because it needed to be in West Sacramento by the closing of business today. No matter how much I got done ahead of time, we were still pushing the button by four pm yesterday afternoon and FEDEX closes at five. Mr M kept telling me how finished he was but I sure wasn't seeing any paperwork to that effect. By four-thirty all paperwork was printed up, signed and sealed in its envelope and it's a good thing that we live only a few miles from the FEDEX office. So that part is done, but we're not done yet. We got some more paperwork that has to be done as one of our manufacturers is being *whisper* audited by the State Board of Equalization or better known as the State Sales Tax Board. We have a couple more days on that deadline but it really needs to get done.

Mr. M as part of the Marine Corps League, is now involved in the "Toys For Tots" program so life gets a bit more hectic until Christmas.

Daughter has a severe sinus infection to go with that really bad sinus cold she developed. Troll took her to the doctor's this morning. Her pain level is about a 9 or a 10. The pressure build up is not good either and her jawline is affected. Poor Baby. Hopefully they'll get her some antibiotics and something for the pain. Because Daughter is on Embril (I probably spelt that wrong) for her psoriasis, which she has a very bad case of. The Embril is working, but it also compromises her immune system.

Sprout is home today. He's been called in to work for the last few days. He's not complaining, mind you. They call, he goes. He just would like one day without a phone call. By now, I think if he hasn't gotten a call, he isn't going to. So the only person he isn't safe from, is me. I have a son's to-do list for him and most of it is bringing in wood. I feed him and even wash his clothes when he brings them to the wash room and he works for me.

I have an appointment with the diabetic clinician tomorrow morning and then off to go grocery shopping and a list of chores to accomplish so tomorrow is shaping up to be a busy day from the get go. Friday is nails with Daughter if she's feeling up to it. FB gets his daughter Shel for the weekend and he has to work on Saturday so nails on Friday. We'll play that one by ear.

The weather hasn't cleared but it sure has gotten colder. This morning when Troll got up to run down tot he job, his car door was frozen and it was cloudy out. That sort of thing usually doesn't happen. We usually get a freeze when the skies clear up. It's going to prove to be an interesting winter.

By the end of the day, after I get dinner done, I'm lucky to have enough oompah to get up on the bike for 30 minutes, but I do! I'm addicted now. I can't go without doing that 30 minutes worth of exercise. I just don't feel good without it. Will I be ready for a two piece swimsuit by next summer? *snort* Don't bet any money on it. I may be losing and tightening but it sure as hell doesn't do a dang thing for stretch marks. Besides, I'm no spring chicken. I'll leave the sexy swimsuits for the young ladies.

Hey Em? I deliberately don't have the comments section enabled. Why? Because even though I love hearing from my friends, it also leaves me open to many others I would not like to hear from. Besides, I figure my friends know how to email *grin*. I can't believe we're getting so blog reports from you... I better go see if that contractor got my ark built yet. Hehehehe.

Warm and healing thoughts and prayers still heading out to where they are needed.

LOL

Remember yesterday's post and my wishing for snow? And saying something about being careful what you wish for? LOL. Well, I got my wish. It's snowing up a blue streak and has been for the past half hour, big, huge snowflakes. It's just now starting to stick. Mr. M may have to climb up on the roof and wipe down the satellite dish. We're not currently getting any reception because of the weather. Sprout just walked in from outside shouting, " It's cold!" Well, duh. And for this I sent him to school? *chuckle*I'm not sure I'll have any online time tonight. I also gtot to go get busy and prepare for this snow storm. People around here just don't kow how to drive in it and someone always hits a power pole and a transmitter or two goes down. I have plenty of wood for the fireplace, water, and food.. I just need to fill one of the bathtubs in case we lose power. Snow.... I love it... my feet are protesting but I love it. *grin*

An Easy Sunday

It's kind of nice to float through a Sunday. Mr. M is embedded down in his his lounge chair watching the football games. I'm between the computer and puttering around the house. The other gents aren't home yet as they both are working. Later this evening the wide screen tv will blare with a WWE pay per view. (Heaven help me)Despite the looming deadlines for the recert and some State Board of Equalization verification we need to complete for one of our manufacturers, I'm relatively calm today. My only complaint is that I can't seem to get warm. My feet feel so cold. The house is toasty so it must be me.

Next week we're getting the Christmas tree. This means I need to rearrange the dining room area a bit as the tree sits between the dining room and the living room. In some ways, I'll be so glad when we get past the holidays. I can quit moving things around to accommodate. My second favorite time of year has to be Christmas, the lights(oooo, yeah the lights), the sounds, even the bustle, yeah you read that right, the bustle (so long as I'm not directly in it). Maybe, we wish that some day all people will have the kindness and patience they show during the holidays to extend year around, but you know, I'll even take it for just a season. It's always a good thing. Now, if only we could get a wee bit of snow this year for the holiday season. I know, be careful what you wish for. I did say just a wee bit.
**********************
For the protestors outside of the Bush ranch....

So you 've got both exits covered. Come on, people, what's that going to serve? You're not going to get any closer to the President because of it. There's that two letter group to account for called the : Secret Service. If anything, you'll just manage to get arrested.

This country allows for freedom of speech and thought. I acknowledge that. But I have to wonder... what about the Iraqi people? People who were murdered and in some cases even tortured simply because they had a different religious outlook or they were a different tribe or how about those people who came home from the Olympics without a medal? How about the women? The children? Do we simply turn our heads away and ignore it? Is it so hard to see that if left alone, these terrorist countries grow and what happens if they ever become so huge and because our country makes easy allowances for all nations, that they infiltrate and burrow in our nation with the single intent of killing as many Americans as they can without regard to any but their own? I've said it before, I'll keep saying it, Freedom is not free and I sure as hell rather have the fight go to them than to have them bring it here. All nations that have the ability, have the responsibility to protect, defend and secure the freedoms we all have been graced with. Besides, if we don't? How will there ever be enough peace, enough trust, enough civility for people to sit around a table together to peacefully talk out their problems? It has to begin somewhere and that somewhere isn't always pretty.

Be Still My Heart

You know, I could really smack myself sometimes.. that is if I was into self-infliction. Mr. M did a real number last night, scared me half to death, but judging from my attitude at the time, you'd never have guessed it. Mr. M sometime during the evening was slurring his words. For all intents and purposes one would have supposed he had a wee bit too much to drink, but Mr. M only had two glasses of wine yesterday. He got up from his chair and headed into the kitchen to fix himself a turkey sandwich. I was curled up on the couch watching tv when I heard this loud thud. I called out his name and he replied he was okay. He always does that. I know better. I got up hurried into the kitchen and found him leaning face first against the refrigerator. I called his name again and asked him what happened. He kept repeating that he tripped and hit the frig. The first place I always look is his face. The look on his face worried me. As I maneuvered around to check him out, I kept talking to him and calling his name so he'd respond back to me. For a brief while he didn't respond at all and right before my eyes, he crumbled to the floor at my feet in a heap. I rolled him over onto his back as best I could in that small space and his eyes were glassed over. I was leaning down to check for his pulse and he started talking to me, but he still looked out of it..then it dawned on me why these symptoms seemed so familiar. He had done this one summer night too. Now I had a damn good hunch what had happened. We worked together to get him up off the floor and into his lounge chair. I ran and got my blood pressure cuff. His blood pressure was way too low. He really didn't want to go to ER, not that his desires had any influence on me at the moment, but if it was what I thought it was, I could save us a whole lot of headaches later with the V.A. I scurried into Troll's room and got a couple bottles of Troll's power drink, the kind that replace the electrolyte's (did I spell that right?) in the body and made Mr M sit there and drink that. In the meantime, Troll comes home, and bless his heart, he went to Wally World for me and bought a blood pressure cuff that would fit Mr M better. After testing Mr M again, it confirmed that Mr. M's blood pressure was dangerously low. However, as Mr M sucked up the water stuff, his blood pressure started rising again. So, we opted for him to drink it, I would monitor his blood pressure every 15 minutes and if it didn't come up, we were headed out the door for the ER. Through the night I checked it and it was slowly coming up again. Of course, being fed through a needle, right into the blood stream would have brought it up so much quicker. However, since I was pretty damn sure what was wrong, balanced with the PITA crap we would have to deal with regarding the V.A for payment if we had gone to the local ER, Mr. M's mental health in having to deal with the admin. of the V.A. It just seemed logical to keep on with what I was doing. The slightest deviation from the path we were currently on and all bets were off. Sometime around 4 am, Mr. M's blood pressure was safe enough to allow me to get a bit of shut eye. Around 7 am, when Mr M got up, his blood pressure had returned pretty much to normal. I am grateful.

Mr. M suffers from degenerative nerve damage in his lower back which in turn affects certain things in his system. If Mr M does not continually and consciously feed his body some form of water, he dehydrates. I realized at some point that Mr M hadn't been drinking as much fluids as possible. Still, I could kick myself in the hiney for not realizing earlier what was happening and catching it sooner. I simply, at first, brushed it off as him bring overly tired because he starts to slur his words sometimes when he's overly tired. So far today, the only thing bothering him is a twisted ankle.

You know, I think I have more gray hairs and I'm exhausted. I can't afford to be. I have some things that I need to get done and they require some brain power. Maybe while Mr M works on some other aspect of the business recertification, I can cop a wee nap and be ready to be productive this evening.

Other than our respective blood pressures being all out of whack today, everything else appears to be good. In other news, Daughter has come down with the flu we think and FB is training at his new job, at Taco Bell. If anyone needed a lesson in humility it's FB. That young man seems to have the attitude of.. that if he gets his education, he can slide right into some cushy desk job and doesn't have to start from the ground. *snort* Maybe some people are born with that silver spoon in their mouths, but he isn't one of them. Troll was slammed yesterday for Black Friday and they didn't even have any kind of specials going on. Sprout's place of employment was slammed also, but that's not surprising, people really work up an appetite when shopping especially so early.

O...M...G... someone get me the smelling salts... Em has posted for the second day in a row... QUICK, QS, check the mathematical equations, oh wait.. this isn't NUMB3RS, is it.. okay, check the patterns... there must be a global warming happening somewhere. *snicker*

The Day After

I hope everyone had a good holiday. Things started early for me and ended late. It was well worth the time and effort. I don't think I sat down longer than maybe 15 minutes at one time and probably less than that. There were muchies galore and I didn't even get around to making a few of them. Dinner was good, if I do say so myself. By the time the family left and I could actually put my feet up it was about 9:30 or so. Today both Troll and Sprout had to go to work. Daughter and family are out shopping on this "Black Friday". I know she didn't get up by 5 am, but still it was early enough for her.

Today I woke up to a drizzly day. It's kind of nice to build a fire in the fireplace and curl up on the end of the couch with a cup of hot herbal orange and spice tea. I was getting a bit worried as my blood sugar had been high the last three days, but this morning it was back in the normal range although a bit higher than I would like. Last night my blood pressure was still a bit high. Did I mention the doctor upped one of my blood pressure meds from 180 to 240? That might be why I felt sort of crappy on Tuesday and Wednesday. I feel pretty good today. It's only Mr. M and I at home at the moment. That's nice. Dinner tonight, is, you guessed it, leftovers. I have the bones and such on a slow simmer on the stove for turkey stock so I can make a nice soup this week. It smells wonderful.

Troll called me on Tuesday before he got off work and asked me if I wanted two kittens. It seems this family had this cat and babies dropped off in their backyard and had managed to give away all but two kittens. They were trying to get Petco to take them as every other pet store wouldn't. I took them. So, I got tiny battle scars as the babies learn to adapt to the doggies and the doggies to them. It's actually coming along pretty nicely. I'm a sucker for animals, what can I say?

My prayers and good thoughts continue.....

Oh yeah! Before I forget... did someone check to see if hell froze over.. I mean, Em ACTUALLY wrote in her blog...There must be an Easter Bunny after all...*hushed whisper* I told her she'd sell that house. *dash*

Pre- Holiday Check In

I am finished shopping! I mean it. I spent far too much on...on...stuff and do you know what gets me? Starting tomorrow morning, it'll be gone in a wink of the eye. Oh, alright, that's a bit of hyperbole, but it will be consumed and that dinner I will have slaved over for most of the afternoon? One hour.. and *poof*. Maybe I shouldn't complain too much, it's only twice a year actually. So tomorrow morning, very early, I'll get up, drag Mr M with me and get the turkey in the oven. Then I'll set about getting the snacks and nibbles out. Space has been designated for card playing, board game playing and video game playing and all the while, making sure everyone can keep tas on the football games. Now THAT is not an easy feat, let me tell you. I still don't know I managed it...like.. I don't know how Mr M got all that food stashed in the frig.

I seriously considering setting up the laptop on my other desk in the livingroom and turning on the web cam *grin* Hmmmmmm. Maybe if I'm behind it, no one will catch me with something in my mouth. *snicker* Hell, I don't want to be caught on cam period.

Well folks out there.. you all have a pleasant, safe and enjoyable holiday....

I raise my goblet in toast of thankfulness for my family and friends, for my health as well as theirs and yours... all you give my life meaning.... To our troops who are spending another year away from home, Thank you and hopefully you'll be home soon enough.... To the people so affected by the hurricanes and the weather so far this year... may your lives make a change for the better soon.

To the Lord and Lady, thank you for the bounty that has graced my life. For the all the trials and tribulations yet to come, may they touch gently and may I face them with courage and hope. May I be as bountiful in my love, acceptance, understanding and patience as you both are with me...

I wanna do it, I wanna do it, do it...

Madagascar: ARUGH! Ever get a song stuck in your head? Dang lemurs. Cute movie. It played while we were on the cruise and I kept catching bits and pieces but never the whole movie. So when this one came out on DVD I got myself a copy. I keep switching up the lyrics but its still stuck in my noggin.

Speaking of movies, "Narnia" is on our Christmas Eve night movie list. I think we'll find some time in the next few days to go see the latest Harry Potter movie too. I can't miss that movie. I peeked in the dvd closet the other day. OMG. I don't even want to think about the money spent on all those dvds. Troll bought some of them too, but wow. What a collection we have now. I am running out of storage room and I haven't seen all the movies in there yet!

Well, I think I'm almost ready for Turkey Day. I have some last minute shopping to do on Wednesday and some prep work and some baking to do then too. Of course I get the grandbabies overnight on Wednesday so I'm looking forward to it. Thursday is also my Daughter's birthday this yearso they want to go out Wednesday night. She'll be 29. Damn, I feel old.

The weather continues to be clear and warm during the day but the evenings and mornings are beginning to get a snap to them. I've been raking and piling leaves for burning BUT Mr. M is forbidden from burning, either Troll or Sprout will be doing it. Why? Because Mr. M damn near got us fined one year when he decided to go all Viking on us and the neighbors down the road didn't have a sense of humor at all. Mr. Mushy also likes to make things go boom, as in, put some kerosene on the fire if the gas isn't making it work and instead of having two piles, one to take things from to throw on the fire, Mr. M rather save time and just light one great big fire. No wonder the neighbors get a bit antsy around here. No, it's safer for Mr M if he has to stick to decorating. *nodnod*

I still have all those Christmas presents to wrap and it has to be done before Wwednesday. My Pookie is a nosey little girl. Hehehe. She just gets excited about the holidays is all and grandma just needs to stay two steps ahead of her.

Oh! I just found out there will be one more for dinner, FB's daughter, Shel. Apparently Shel's mother screwed up for the second time in a row and didn't make it to court when she was suppose to. Her lawyer was there, but she didn't even bother to tell the lawyer she wouldn't be making it. So, FB got his daughter for Thanksgiving from 11am to 5pm. It means moving up dinner but that's okay. We'll just have an earlier meal and everyone can spend the rest of the night snacking.

Remember me mentioning wanting one of those blow up snowglobes for the front yard for Christmas? Well, Troll went out yesterday and bought me a miniature one for my livingroom. I love it. He's so good to me, when he isn't being a butthead.

Aside from working on T-Day, my time is taken up with the business' recertification. I am so glad it happens once every four years because it's a royal PITA. It seems like CALTRANS gets pickier and picker. I am so getting sick of it. I'm getting tired of all the back stabbing and the cloak and dagger stuff. Geez. It's a dang good thing we have some acreage to create a 'yard' with for some of the business materials we sell. Their idea of a 'commerically useful function' for a DVBE sucks. I guess that's what you get when a group of people get together and open a can of worms, never know when it's going to bite you on your own arse and affect everyone else too. Mr. M and I have been having some long talks about getting away from the CALTRANS stuff and working on minor bids for the state and of course, we're still looking into the federal stuff that seems to be still stuck up there on The Hill in DC. It's been there for a few years now. Gotta love it... not. After March, we could probably stop altogether if we want, but Mr M is not tired of the crap yet, not to mention the extra bucks it allows us to do things with.

I'm out of here for now. Got to go drink lots of water for the doctor today *eye roll*. I just adore being a human water tank *snort*

Procrastinatin'

Yep, that's me. Yesterday Daughter and I had our nails done and went to lunch, our usual date evrey two weeks. I came home and accomplished practically nothing. Today seems to be headed the same way. Maybe it's my little break before the hurricane of Thanksgiving? Actually, I do have to do something today. There's just so much to do. Thank the Lady my doctor's appointment isn't until late afternoon.

FB continues to be a thorn in my arse. Funny how when he talks to me on the phone he's all polite and respectful. Normally, I wouldn't think anything of it other than he's a smart man but it's more a matter of being two-faced. He hates confrontation, well who doesn't? I guess it wouldn't bother me so much if he practiced what he preached. The one thing I learned about those two however? I try really hard not to get drug in because in a day or two, they're back to their lovey dovey selves. Blech.

Mr. M is dominating the livingroom. It's the last NASCAR race for the season. Can you see my little Snoopy dance? I reckon there's about only sport that doesn't dominate around here and that's basketball.

The weather is nice today. It's suppose to get up to 74 degrees. I don't think we are going to have a rough winter this year. We had very little by way of acorns this year. The poor squirrels are out in abundance looking for these goodies and they just aren't to be found, at least in the measure that usually represents a cold winter.

Enjoy your day...

Okay *twitch*

Now that I got that off my chest(see last entry).....

Things here are getting done too, although I haven't sleep well the past two nights. I'm not sure why..could be worrying over business stuff, winter bills, the whole gambit... I haven't actively thought about all this stuff. It's stuff we go through every year and I take one day at a time and usually it all works by the end of the day. I guess my subconsciousness is having a hay day. I need to beat it back into submission apparently. *snicker*. Otherwise in the Grove, my days have been filled preparing for the holiday feasting next week. I am having to rearrange the furniture and such to be able to accommodate the 8 people due here (maybe a few of Sprout's friends) and all the other things needed, like tables to hold the snacking trays, card table for poker playing, small tv for video game playing, places to play board games.. and all the while keep them all out of MY kitchen. I just do not have the room in the kitchen for skulking around by grabby hands snitching at food yet to be put out. I'm a pretty damn quick hand smacker, let me tell ya. I've also been known to shake a knife at someone too, thank heavens no one takes me seriously, but at least they get the idea to vacate pronto.

I spoke at length with my number one son the other day. That was nice. I don't get to see him or my daughter-in-law often enough. Their religious tenets don't acknowledge holidays so those times are a bit incomplete for me without him. I haven't had much time for anything else other than catching the odd tv program or two. I really enjoy The Commander in Chief, CSI, Law and Order (and their host of shoot offs), Criminal Minds, Ghost Whisperer and couple of others(I can't think of their names at the moment). Of course the Food Network is a staple. I have everyone in the house watching it and only two of us actually cook. Hehe.

I've spent the morning and most of the afternoon on work related stuff so now I need to sign out of here and get some more housework related things done. At least Mr M is cooking tonight.

Prayers and warm thoughts still being sent out...

Up On The Hill

Oh for crying out loud! Is this where our tax dollars are going? To watch and listen to a bunch of grown men acting like children, pointing their fingers at each other and arguing about he said this and he said that?

It's bad enough we pay for their pricey cars, homes, clothing and sending their children to high priced private schools... but now to have to listen to them go back and forth over Iraq. Geez, Louise. Come On, People. Don't y'all have some important bills to pass or something? Excuse me, but in case it has slipped yer individual pea-pickin' minds, there are people out here doing without critical medications, schools that can't do their job properly because they don't have the funding to do so and oh, did you hear? FEMA is running out of money to take care of our hurricane victims. I hear tell they're thinking about stopping the payments for hotel rooms. Well, where are these unfortunate people going to sleep in the middle of winter?

Does it really matter at this point how or why we got into Iraq? We're there. Apparently the Democrates, as only they can be up there on the Hill, are about as wishy washy as Christmas pudding. "Get us out of there!" They're shouting their bloody heads off, yet when cornered about it, not too many want to get on that bandwagon because it doesn't look good that we would be considered the bad guys for charging in and then simply leaving the people of Iraq to fend for themselves all of a sudden.

Come on now, these were severely repressed people, unless you were in Saddam's back pocket. Every man has the basic instinct for survival, but unless they are taught how to combat terrorists in their own country, what's the worse that can happen? Yeah... think about it.

What's the matter, oh Gentlepersons on the Hill, is the money crunch starting to squeeze your political pocketbook? Maybe y'all need to come down here and live among the working poor. I know y'all have work pending on your desks. Wouldn't the time spent bickering and pointing fingers be better served by doing something constructive to actually HELP the people in this country? Oh and while you're at it, could someone please explain to me how some youngster, 18 years of age, end up with all those guns stashed in his house so he could have an easy way to go over and shoot his underage girlfriend's parents to death for no good reason? That's provided he did it. Innocent until proven guilty, dontcha know. Why don't you all work out some sort of legislation to stop guns getting into the hands of our youngsters? Do something constructive and worthy of my money, would ya?

Political Children on the Hill, do me a favor and GROW THE HELL UP.

Just A Quickie

Ack, Ack, Ack! Thanksgiving is next week and I am having Daughter, grandbabies and FB over for the day, which means I have to get busy with my tiny house and rearrange furniture and such to accomodate everyone. It also spells some super cleaning time, including carpets. I have been busy every day so I need today to get on it.

FB got my temper up and with it went my blood pressure and my blood sugar. Yes, I know, I shouldn't let him do that to me. Guess, I need to make a more conscious effort. It all involves Troll and Troll can handle it well enough himself, but still, it's my daughter and her husband. Sigh. I'm working on calm today and maybe moving all this furniture and throwing myself into cleaning will burn off the ire.

Got word this morning that our new Veterans Cemetary was vandalized. Luckily no one is interred there yet. Apparently they rammed the gates, ran it over, ripped up all the newly planted young trees and tore up the lawns. Dammit. People make me so furious some days.

Who Let The Wind Loose?

*yip* News Flash: It's friggin cold outside! Beautiful day and even warm, but that's before the wind snakes ya. Brrr. There's no budging Mr M today. He looked at me like I was crazy when I hinted at him to climb back up on the roof to finish up the holiday lights up there. Gee, I can't imagine why. *snicker*

Troll and I went shopping yesterday, Christmas shopping. As usual, the two of us started playing against each other. I made a suggestion and he got stubborn. I told him he was not going to blame his decision on me and he replies he's not.. HE IS.. and I told him that if he didn't quit being so damn stubborn and stuck with his stubborn decision, I would not speak to him ever again. Okay, so like, that might be a prize for someone, somewhere, but not Troll. We need each other and as much as it would kill me to maintain silence, dammit, I'm one helluva stubborn woman when I want to be and Troll knows it. So, I have the impression he's going to go with his first suggestion, he'd better or there will be no peace living around me that's for sure. He's fun, even when we're arguing good-naturedly and eventually even when we're not. If talking to him doesn't work a good kidney punch when he's least expects it usually does the trick.

I drug Mr M out of the house this morning to go with me to Wally World. I was dying for him to see those new huge blow up snowglobes they're offering for Christmas decorations. Awesome and I don't usually care for the blow up type thingies. No, I didn't buy one. I did get a couple of other things though, like a new gingerbread train for our outside display oh and some candle lights to line the front yard with.

In the meantime, my Thanksgiving menu is taking shape. I'll be shopping for groceries this week and next. Our order is in at the butcher's for the turkey already. I have two turkeys for donation and our Toys-For-Tots donation. I am almost done with my Christmas shopping. I have Daughter and FB to shop for but I already know what I want to get them so it's simply a matter of cruising the internet for pricing or a place to secure them from. There's a matter of getting "Angel" tags from Toys-R-US yet but those aren't out. I'm thinking after turkey day. We get the Angel tags and try to get one boy and one girl. Mr M and I go shopping for two items on their list, usually one toy and set of clothing.

In other news, the business has slowed down as per usual. The PITA vendor has been quiet *shhhh* *knocking on wood*. There seems to be another one in the making. I hope not. He seems to be trying to turn the tables by making this seem like we're at fault somehow and we're not. We have made previous attempts to contact him to no avail and now, out of the blue he wants to know what we're going to do about it? If you can't hear the internal scream, maybe you can sense me pulling my hair out by the roots. This is Mr M's territory, dealing with the public and soothing things over by striking up deals. I simply do not have the patience for their blindsidedness.

Health Watch: I'm continuing to lose weight, the right way, mind you. My blood sugar goes up and down at different intervals as I strive to figure out portions and what to eliminate from my diet. Caffeine is no longer an issue. If I'm not drinking decaf coffee, I'm drinking decaf green tea. If none of those are available, it's simply water. Yes, I realize that water is something fish fornicate in. Sorry, inside humor there. My blood pressure is improving with each day. I go see the doctor next week Monday so I'll get the official word then. The metal duckbill and plexiglass tests came back good so that's two less things to concentrate on.

My rolepaying partner has his hands and heart full these days. My heart is with him and his as they move through these trying times. I left a light on in the window for him. In the meantime I have been giving a great deal of thought to another side of my writing that is or will be incorporated into my website. I'm still working through the fuzzballs so nothing has come to fruitation yet. It's a spin off of something I use be a part of back when interactive chatrooms were nothing more than boards. You signed on the net, went to the board and caught up with all the replies before leaving your own. It was fun and a challenge to write stories that flowed. There's always been a small part of my heart that I left behind for this place. Besides *grin* this will keep me out of trouble. NOT, that I get into any when the partner isn't around *whistle*. The time also gives me some space to meander through some things that will or won't work where Dark Towers is concerned. But, let's face it, at the moment, real life has me in its claws as well. Maybe... after the first of the year.. who knows? Who cares? It could be years and we could pick up writing where we left off and it would seem like only a day or two. Our own private ecosystems must and have to come first. We understand each other well.

On things Divine:

hehe.. the Divine Flying Spaghetti Monster, eh? I wouldn't at all be surprised if IT had a New York accident, rolled up t-shirt sleeves with a pack of cigarettes and it really wouldn't surprise me if it answered to the name of Eddy.

Sunday's Thoughts

I was out raking leaves from the front of the house (we don't have a front yard) while Mr. M was up on the roof hooking up his sleigh, three reindeer, and three presents. The first of the Christmas decorations to go up. There are so many and this year I want a bang up job I can look at in wonder. Christmas lights always do that to me. While outside raking, very therapeutic btw, I got to thinking how damn lucky I was. My blood pressure was so high I was a heart attack just waiting to happen and that thought frightened me. My eyesight had already started getting worse and I just chalked it up to getting older when in fact it was due to the diabetes. I hate to think what could have happened to me if I hadn't gotten smart and gone to the doctor. Actually, I don't call it luck at all. I simply call it the Lady's Grace and man, she must love me dearly.

Last night we attended the Marine Corps 230th Birthday Ball. Even though Mr M promised me that he would focus on us, somehow, I knew it was not meant to be. That's okay. The night was very enjoyable for me. I got to meet some of the wives that I had only talked to on the phone as well as some of the Marines that call here looking for "Doc". What made my night was when escorting me inside the building, Mr M turned to me and simply said, "You look beautiful." Nothing in this whole world could have topped that or so I thought. As he held the door open for me so I could enter. He stopped in the entrance and said, "I love you." Okay so he topped it. There isn't one day that goes by without him pausing to kiss me or to say, "I love you". That does a body good. Of course, I also do the same thing. No matter what happens to us, no matter what we face, I know we face it together and with love. So long as we have that, we can face ANYTHING. So, I didn't get that dance. So, I ended up searching all over the room for the missing dinner raffle tickets. So, I ended up pretty much sitting with two other couples at the table alone... those are such small things in the grander scheme of it all. We'll have other times to share. I can wait for them. I look forward to them.

Take Care and Be well

Tell Me He Didn't Say That

Pat Robertson. Do I need to say more? Just because "Intelligent Design" was voted out and if a natural disaster were to hit their town, it's God's doing because they denied him? Give me a break and will someone offer to buy Mr. Robertson a clue, please? Does he even get the hint that God does not will these types of things to happen. There's this Universal chain and things cycle. Things happen because of a Greater Design plan. Surely no one believes that God is sitting up there somewhere pointing a finger, deciding this will happen there..and.. there and oh yes, and these people decided that Intelligent Design wasn't good enough for them so...*ZAP* *snort*

Did Mr. Robertson ever stop to consider that maybe, just maybe, Intelligent Design does not necessarily mean his "God"? It's so vague and broad that it could possibly mean, what we define as aliens. Do I need to keep an eye out for a bolt of lightning now for even mentioning that possibility?

What Mr. Roberston did was open his mouth and insert his foot yet again. You'd think he learned something the last time he did that. Then again, maybe he likes the taste of his foot on his tongue.

Veterans Day

Whatever you do, you need courage. Whatever course you decide upon, there is always someone to tell you you are wrong. There are always difficulties arising which tempt you to believe that your critics are right. To map out a course of action and follow it to the end, requires some of the same courage which a soldier needs. Peace has its victories, but it takes brave men to win them.
- -- Emerson

Saying thank you seems far too inadequate for what our servicemembers have given or are giving or will continue to give, yet I can find no other words to express my feelings. For those who serve today, I pray for your safety and your return home as the mission allows. I pray for your families.

National security, current or with an eye to the future, must be maintained in order for all to be able to sleep at nights or know no fear of being outside of our own little houses. What a wonderous thing would it be if only war wasn't a necessary evil. As long as there are ego encrusted people out there who think they are the be all, end all of a nation, people who judge others by their race or religion and are more than willing to kill innocents to eliminate them, we will have to fight because in the long run, in the end, there is no one left unaffected by these evil tyrants. We made a mistake before in being ignorant in thinking their evilness could not touch us and were proven wrong. Are you willing to gamble your children or your children's children that their long arm of evilness will not touch you? I'm not. I am thankful there are young people out there willing to fight for me and mine. I am thankful that I have enjoyed such a wonderful life as have my children.

Those from the past, those who are now, and those to come....
Thank you for your generosity of spirit, for believing in your country and all it stands for. It's not perfect and sometimes it is broken, but it still stands thanks to you all...

Semper Fi

Happy 230th Birthday, Marines. Hooah!

Monday

It's relatively quite. Maybe I shouldn't even say that. Don't want to jinx anything, that's for sure. It's rainy here today and cold. I'm not complaining however, because it's a nice change. I have a number of projects I need to complete today and it feels like I am spinning my wheels where I stand or rather, sit. I still have Halloween stuff to put away.

Saturday I took advantage of some sales and got some Christmas shopping done. Now I have to get Mr. M down to the shed to search out and recover my box of Christmas wrappings. That insures that no one accidently peeks at their present.

Today I have to get Mr M down to the clinic to get his flu shot. Unfortunately the clinic doesn't give CHAMPVA clients the flu shots so I will have to find someplace else to get mine done. I really don't want to get mine the same time as Mr. M. I don't care what they say, but I don't usuallt feel too good after getting shots period and Mr. M doesn't feel so great after getting a flu shot. It may be a dead virus entering his bloodstream but it's still foreign. We've gotten sick once before at the same time and it was miserable. We looked at each other to see who was going to get up and get something. We stagger such things as shots.

Friday is Veteran's Day. We will be attending the opening and dedication of the new Veterans Cemetary in Igo. That's a bit of a distance from here, but well worth it. You have no idea the sacrifices and the time it took to get the funding and the agreement to have this cemetary built. I may even have to listen to our illustrious Gov. Arnold speak. I am so enthused, can you tell?

Saturday evening I will be attending the Marine Corp's 230th Birthday Ball with Mr. M. Oh goody. I have put Mr. Mushy on notice. We will be attending this function together. We will eat together. We will dance together and we will have a good time.. together. That man has a tendency to leave me with a table full of strangers simply because he thinks he needs to see to something or go chat up one of his croonies. Hes's not in charge of the event so hence the reason for the notice. I have put up with this sort of thing long enough and if he does it to me again, I will not be attending any further functions with him, period. I simply hate having to attend one of these things only to have him abandon me while he goes off for periods of time. I am no social butterfly, but I can hold my own as need be. I just prefer small intimate gatherings. I shall endure. I always do and have fun doing it too!

Sprout is working part time as a dishwasher. At least he's working. He's still considering school and contemplating a different job that offers him more hours. I'm not sure what he's going to do at the moment.

FB just got hired by Taco Bell. Daughter finally managed to get through to him about working I guess. He still intends to go to Chico State in the spring. That's about an hour and a half drive one way. He has been making noise about moving his family to Chico but Daughter isn't biting. I don't blame her. In my opinion, Chico is no place to raise a family, not to mention the higher prices there. It's a University town and the police are always locking it down or discouraging people from visiting during big events. We'll see how long this lasts along with him attending college so far away. I have a feeling. Oh yes, and his daddy bought him a new car. Well, it's used but it's new for them. Not sure how he feels about it, like he has much to say. If he wants to drive something more to his liking then he needs to get out there and go to work and make those bucks he needs to have it.

Topper is making a big splash in school. His teachers are fascinated by him, the little charmer. This experience will help him when gets to the 'big school' with his sis.

Pookie is doing well. Showing signs of some rebellion with her parents, but all in all, doing well. She's good girl.

So, for the moment, that's all I have. I'm out of here.

Hmmmm

Interesting test

My temperament is: Guardian....what's yours?

Guardians, are the cornerstone of society, for they are the temperament given to serving and preserving our most important social institutions. Guardians have natural talent in managing goods and services--from supervision to maintenance and supply--and they use all their skills to keep things running smoothly in their families, communities, schools, churches, hospitals, and businesses.

Guardians can have a lot of fun with their friends, but they are quite serious about their duties and responsibilities. Guardians take pride in being dependable and trustworthy; if there's a job to be done, they can be counted on to put their shoulder to the wheel. Guardians also believe in law and order, and sometimes worry that respect for authority, even a fundamental sense of right and wrong, is being lost. Perhaps this is why Guardians honor customs and traditions so strongly--they are familiar patterns that help bring stability to our modern, fast-paced world.

Practical and down-to-earth, Guardians believe in following the rules and cooperating with others. They are not very comfortable winging it or blazing new trails; working steadily within the system is the Guardian way, for in the long run loyalty, discipline, and teamwork get the job done right. Guardians are meticulous about schedules and have a sharp eye for proper procedures. They are cautious about change, even though they know that change can be healthy for an institution. Better to go slowly, they say, and look before you leap.

Guardians make up as much as 40 to 45 percent of the population.

The Four types of Guardians are:

Supervisors (ESTJ) | Protectors (ISFJ) | Inspectors (ISTJ) | Providers (ESFJ)

Brief Note

SNOOPY DANCE!

Okay, so not entirely a time for total jubilation but my blood pressure is down, it currently registered at 184/108. Yeah. That's down. She doesn't want to mess with my meds too much to bring it down too quickly or else, well, I'm not going to feel very good. So she adjusted one of my meds again, tweaked it a little and I get to see her in two weeks. She also did a ECG, just to make sure my heart is working okay because I got faint a couple of times this past week and got sick to my stomach as well. She expected to see something a bit abnormal due to the meds, but instead it all looked good. Good deal. I am pleased. I didn't even have to take any of those little tiny pills to immediately bring my blood pressure down. I am thankful. Those things just make me loopy. Hey! No comment from the peanut gallery out there. No whispering either. I CAN hear you. Snickering will be considered a non-word peanut gallery comment.

My blood sugar has been in the normal range for days now. I'm feeling really good about it too. I also believe my Medic Alert bracelet is here. I missed delivery so I'll have to go down and pick it up this afternoon.

It is a chill in the bones day today. It's trying to rain and all it seems to be able to do is spit. Brrr. I can't wait to get home, change into something warm and fuzzy and hunker down for the rest of the day.

Btw, stopped over at Costco and purchased a new Christmas display for the front of the house. I can hear Sprout whining now. I think I found Topper's Christmas present there too.

Mr. M has been given his orders, quit meditating on where you're going to start decorating and just DO IT!

Well I'm off to my date with plexiglass, aren't I just the lucky girl, hm?

A Morning Note

Ah, yes....

A short morning note before I head off into the day. Blech. With any luck my appointmewnt with the doctor will short and sweet and she will be a doll and tell me my blood pressure is acceptable or else I'll be back in her office next week. Then we're off someplace for lunch before I have to head downtown and let a plate of plexiglass become intimately familar with my chest. Yanno...

When I was a young thing, I was rather proud of my chest, firm, upstanding and quite perky. Frankly the guys liked the looks of it too. Enjoy it while you can, girls because one day will come when you wish to hell you didn't even have them. Aging is a biotch.

Mr. M had a meltdown on the evening of All Hallows. I again thank the Lady for her indulging me and making sure he got home in one piece.

October had its highlights, mainly our cruise but I am happy to move into November. We're currently busy gathering the information we need for our business recertification. I swear state offices have nothing better to do than push a damn lot of papers around. Other than that, every night as I crawl into bed I wonder just what I accomplished for the day because the day seemed to flow out of my fingertips and I didn't accomplish half of what I wanted to.

Well as per usual, it is time for me to get ready and to hit the road.