Tuesday

Grove News:

Topper is on a sugar kick, but not the way you think. He's going around saying this and this has sugar and it's bad for you and he won't eat it. I got a phone call from Daughter asking if I've been telling him anything. She explained. I laughed and no it wasn't me. However, he might have picked up on conversations Spout, Troll and I have been having on diabetes and sugar or he may have picked up something from TV.

Well, it looks like March is going to come in like a lion and that's fine with me. I rather see it go out like a lamb anyway. We're in the middle of rain storms and possible flooding again. Actually, I'm not but then again, my grandfather was a smart man when it came to building.

Troll is seriously thinking of applying to Pet Smart, which we hear is coming to town. His boss at Petco mentioned something about loyalty to which Troll replied, "Loyalty doesn't pay my bills". He's worked for Petco for almost 10 years now (in Aug) and if they pay him more than Pet Smart offers, he'll stay put, maybe... he's not all that convinced about Petco at a corporate level. I told him he should be watching the stocks. So, I've been working on his resume for him this week.

Sprout called me on Saturday, on his break, he needed to hear me, for me to talk him calm. Apparently the ladies decided to put into policy something stupid and he has a real hard time swallowing stupid. One of the first things out of his mouth was, "Mom, why did you have to teach me this %$#$ work ethic. I hate you." *chuckle* Poor baby. He'll live. We talked some and when his break was nearly over and we had finished talking, he went back in there and finished up his job for the day. Bottom line is, he can't quit this job until he has another one lined up. So if he wants out, he better hit the pavement.

I'll be glad when the work season kicks in. There's lots of bids floating around, more than I've seen since we started doing business 10 years ago. Now, they just need to start so we can start getting some cash flow. I've got a plan and it will put us relatively out of debt in a year. It means no cruises for another year or two, but I don't mind as I plan on going to Disneyland next year for my unbirthday anyway.

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Outside the Grove:

Well the Winter Olympics are over. This year seemed to be chalk full of highs and lows. Bodie Miller should not even have been chosen to go, if you ask me. One, his attitude sucked. Two, he needs to grow up. I'm glad he's proud of himself because I hardly think anyone else is. Two of our speed skaters showed less than Olympic and U.S. spirit by their snipping at each other while there. And little miss thing and her little show-off at the bottom of her snowboard run that cost her the gold... I just have one word for them, immaturity. I was amused and touched by "The Flying Tomato" though. A typical teenager it seems from every angle, but put him upon that medal stand, let the National Anthem play and one had only to see the emotions that choked him up enough to make tears form, tells you that this young man, in that moment, got it. Our skating pair, though not in medal contention, made Olympic history with a certain move of theirs, another couple medalled and after all the hard work to get her citizenship before the Olympics so she could represent the country that has given her so much... the Japanese woman's gold medalist in skating, their only medal in the Winter Games, gorgeous, fluid, graceful and elegant. She deserved it. Our men's curling team for the first time in American history, brought home a bronze in this sport by beating out Great Britian, which were made up of mostly gentlemen from Scotland (where the game originated), our women's team not doing as well as expected and our hockey teams, what can I say? Who's to blame for all the disappointment? The individuals or the media for all the hype? Probably both. Still, all in all, I learned a few things even about certain sports I knew absolutely nothing about, that's not a bad thing.

I am glad to see Mardi Gras happening. The people of New Orleans need that little break in serious life to just quit thinking and be in the moment of celebrating life, laughter and fun. We all need a bit of that to help balance out the drama. New Orleans has a long way to go, there are people still without homes, areas that still look like something that the cat chewed up and spit out in distaste, but for most of that, I blame the politicians. They need to step off their egos and get things done. Why are there still rows upon rows of mobile housing still on the airport property and not being placed and used yet? Why are people still living in sub standard quarters? Bet dime to a doughnut if it was one of those lawmakers without a home, they'd soon have one. The country is paying for rental space for these homes, still paying for hotel/motel expenses for displaced persons and it just doesn't make any sense. Doesn't anyone who's a law maker have any common sense left? Or did it get flooded out with the advent of the hurricanes?

I see Saddam ended his self imposed hunger strike for 'health reasons'. His stomach was probably complaining too loudly for him. I applaud the Iraqi court for not tolerating Saddam's attempts are bullying, something he has done all his life. He probably will never understand what he did wrong, clear up until he's swinging from the end of a rope.

Crankiness, Thy Name Is Woman, This Woman

It all started with the parking lot at Costco. Some fool woman let her macaw out of her vehicle. I guess she thought it was okay because wedged at the back of her SUV, between the spare tire and the back window was a sign, " My name is **** (meaning the bird's) and please don't pick me up, I bite. Mom will be back shortly." Well, not shortly enough. The parking lot is already full of people pushing shopping carts full of stuff, not watching where they are going or not caring, drivers not paying attention when backing out, and now, NOW there's a friggin' macaw taking its sweet time crossing the parking lot! Let me behind the wheel, Mr. M, I run that feathered, two-legged, slow stepping hunk of lower-on-the-food-chain than I am, over with the front wheels of the truck.. not my fault if she's gonna leave it outside unattended. I am aggravated, but it doesn't end there, oh heck no. So, we go inside and people are blocking the aisles with their carts while they mull over something to buy, like they own the real estate there, people slowing down or outright stopping their carts in the flow of traffic just so they can get over there and try out a sample of something.... And to top it off, what I went in there to buy, they were out of...my teeth are grinding.

Then it was on to the grocery store, where everyone and their relatives are today. What are all these people doing in the store? Why aren't they outside gardening or fishing or building something? People riding in those electric carts who stop their carts right in the middle of a two basket(two way traffic) aisle while they wait for the person in front of them to move along causing me to bump my cart into pallets that are on the floor waiting for an associate of the store to stock. Then we have small congregations blocking the openings of the aisles where they decide to socialize. There are people who are going the wrong way up an aisle. Come on now people, you drove here, right? You used the road to get here? You're in the U.S, right? So why can't you drive your blipping cart on the right side of the aisle? And oh no, you didn't just stare at me as if to silently say, "Why are you just standing in my way?"

By the time I get to the cashier, I'm ready to kill something... go postal... slap the gray out of someone's hair.. anyone's... just come near enough and get on my last retaining nerve and I promise you, it will happen... I don't care if they lock me up with Big Mama for the night... I'll have her crying for someone to save her.... go ahead.. try me... strip me of my last nerve of humanity...

So when we get home, unpack the truck.. and I'm relating this to Troll, who, btw, is LHAO at me... only my loved ones would dare... I decide it might be a wise course to test my blood sugar... I'm not feeling real great... okay... finger prick, test strip saturated with drop of blood and in a few seconds, I find out my blood sugar is low...

Hm.... feed me before the world is my oyster...

Then I need two tylenol and a dark room...

Don't bug me if you know what's good for ya...

A Little Corporate Humor

FIVE CORPORATE LESSONS

Corporate Lesson 1

A man is getting into the shower just as his wife is finishing up her
shower when the doorbell rings. The wife quickly wraps herself in a
towel and runs downstairs. When she opens the door, there stands Bob,
the next door neighbor. Before she says a word, Bob says, "I'll give
you $800 to drop that towel." After thinking for a moment, the woman
drops her towel and stands naked in front of Bob. After a few seconds,
Bob hands her $800 dollars and leaves. The woman wraps back up in the towel
and goes back upstairs.

When she gets to the bathroom, her husband asks, "Who was that?" "It
was Bob the next door neighbor," she replies. "Great!" the husband
says, "Did he say anything about the $800 he owes me?"

Moral of the story: If you share critical information pertaining to
credit and risk with your shareholders in time, you may be in a
position to prevent avoidable exposure.


Corporate Lesson 2

A priest offered a lift to a Nun. She got in and crossed her legs,
forcing her gown to reveal a leg. The priest nearly had an accident.
After controlling the car, he stealthily slid his hand up her leg.

The nun said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?" The priest removed his
hand. But, changing gears, he let his hand slide up her leg again.
The nun once again said, "Father, remember Psalm 129?"

The priest apologized "Sorry sister but the flesh is weak." Arriving
at the convent, the nun went on her way. On his arrival at the
church, the priest rushed to look up Psalm 129. It said, "Go forth
and seek, further up, you will find glory."

Moral of the story: If you are not well informed in your job, you
might miss a great opportunity.


Corporate Lesson 3

A sales rep, an administration clerk, and the manager are walking to
lunch when they find an antique oil lamp. They rub it and a Genie
comes out. The Genie says, "I'll give each of you just one wish."

"Me first! Me first!" says the admin. clerk. "I want to be in the
Bahamas, driving a speedboat, without a care in the world." Poof!
She's gone.

"Me next! Me next!" says the sales rep. "I want to be in Hawaii,
relaxing on the beach with my personal masseuse, an endless supply of
Pina Coladas and the love of my life." Poof! He's gone.

"OK, you're up," the Genie says to the manager. The manager says, "I
want those two back in the office after lunch."

Moral of the story: Always let your boss have the first say.


Corporate Lesson 4

A crow was sitting on a tree, doing nothing all day. A rabbit asked
him, "Can I also sit like you and do nothing all day long?"

The crow answered: "Sure, why not." So, the rabbit sat on the ground
below the crow, and rested. A fox jumped on the rabbit and ate it.

Moral of the story: To be sitting and doing nothing, you must be
sitting very high up.


Corporate Lesson 5

A turkey was chatting with a bull. "I would love to be able to get to
the top of that tree," sighed the turkey, but I haven't got the
energy."

"Well, why don't you nibble on my droppings?" replied the bull.
"They're packed with nutrients." The turkey pecked at a lump of dung
and found that it gave him enough strength to reach the lowest branch
of the tree. The next day, after eating some more dung, he reached
the second branch. Finally after a fourth night, there he was proudly
perched at the top of the tree. Soon he was spotted by a
farmer, who shot the turkey out of the tree.

Moral of the story: BS might get you to the top, but it won't
keep you there.

Someone Catch Me Quick!

D!!!!!! You updated yer blog... and a few entries at that, just not one of them... oh my... did the moon eclipse? Now if only we could get the Fire Lady to update hers... maybe she forgot her password again... living over there in the land of one arm bandits, one can forget just about anything *g*

I just remembered... I have someplace to be *dash*

Natal Day

Today is Topper's 5th birthday. Wow. Is it just me or are the years just flying by? Pookie's going to be 10 in Aug. When I think about the grandkids, that's when I start to feel my years. The other day, while waiting for Daughter to pick up Topper from Head Start, Pookie and I were talking about something and somehow it turned into me making a statement about now being 49. Pookie was shocked and then she said, " But Meh-Meh, you don't look old." That made me laugh. I asked her what she meant. She replied, " Your hair isn't all white." Again, I laughed and reassured her that I did have some white hairs. But she reassured me yet again by telling me that at least they weren't all white. She's something else again. She went further on to expound how Mr. M's hair is all white and I suppose that equates to being old in her book. LOL. Poor Mr. M.

I got a phone call last night. I let the answering machine pick it up. I didn't recognize the number. Good thing I did. It was from my mother's oldest son, the other one that more than helped put me into debt. I had heard from his ex-wife that he was getting divorced again. So, I shouldn't have been so surprised to find him calling me, but I couldn't help but think he had some nerve. What he was looking for was Daughter's phone number and, or, her email addy. Apparently mother's son is being transferred back to California (after being kicked out by his wife), he's a truck (18 wheeler) driver. He left me his phone number and I passed it on to Daughter. She and I had a wee talk too. I don't want to see him using her and he just may try to do that. He doesn't have anywhere else to go. He'll just have to live in his truck until he can afford an apartment. Hopefully, he'll stay down in the Sacramento area because he isn't getting any kind of positive feedback from this direction.

Whelp, time to go deliver a birthday cake and presents to an eager birthday boy!

Cute

Don't let your worries get the best of you,
remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Quote Of The Day

No man or woman of the humblest sort can really be strong, gentle and good, without the world being better for it, without somebody being helped and comforted by the very existence of that goodness.
- Phillips Brooks

Up On The Roof

It just feels like one of those days where the only place to be is up on the roof, watching the world go around, hugging your knees and soaking up the sun and fresh air. It's a gorgeous day today, heck, it's been gorgeous the last few days. It's cold in the morning but it warms up quick enough. It's one of those days that I would rather be outside than be stuck inside. However, I got things I have to do in the house today, unfortunately. BUT I have to run into town to get some stuff for Topper's 5th birthday tomorrow and a quick run into Home Depot so, huzzah, I avod being cooped up in the house for bit. At least I shouldn't be stuck inside all day and maybe if I can sneak in a few 'on sale' plants for the side of the house, I'll have a good reason to get out. Sprout is complaining that I am making his burn pile grow larger. Well, duh. I think he partly feels gulty because I'm the one out there gathering this stuff up. I don't mind, honestly. I love getting outside and working. I never realized how physically ill I have been for the last couple of years because I just couldn't get outside to do anyting. Now, life is great and I have an enthusiasm that I haven't had in a long time. So, for the moment, I am sitting here at the computer, sipping my second cup of coffee, listening to an oldies station on the radio and just hanging out until Mr M is ready to go into town.

I have been doing some writing. FK and I have been talking about the group and something we found out we both were thinking at the same time. So yesterday while waiting for Daughter to get through her medical appointment, I started scribbling on a legal pad and I got two parts hacked out. Now, I just got to make time to catch up on my "Mending Camelot" series. Two others have started writing as well and it's great to see. So at the moment we have 4 people working on stories. I haven't had time to check in with our resident artist yet, but I need to find out how she's doing with the layout for Camelot. I need to get together with a couple of others and see which one of us are going to hack out the basic description for Camelot to go up on the website. The web site made the transition over to the new domain easily enough. Hopefully, the bots won't be far behind. I have FK's web site to update but I've been so busy doing research work for the Camelot stories and creating more pages for my personal site, that I'm a bit behind. I think I need to find another picture for one of his characters before I can proceed. That's on my agenda this evening while being online.

Well, I can tell Mr M is coming down the hall, all the cats are racing to the kitchen. Feeding time. The spoilt brats.

Make it a good day.

Dang Tests

You scored as Deep Space Nine (Star Trek). You have entered the dark side of the Star Trek universe. The paradise of Earth is far from you and you must survive despite having enemies on all fronts. But you wouldn�t have it any other way because you thrive in conflict and will know what needs to be done to take care of those around you. Now if only the Founders would quit trying to take over the galaxy. Deep Space Nine (Star Trek) 94% Babylon 5 (Babylon 5) 75% Serenity (Firefly) 75% Galactica (Battlestar: Galactica) 75% SG-1 (Stargate) 69% Andromeda Ascendant (Andromeda) 63% Bebop (Cowboy Bebop) 63% Millennium Falcon (Star Wars) 63% FBI's X-Files Division (The X-Files) 63% Nebuchadnezzar (The Matrix) 56% Moya (Farscape) 56% Enterprise D (Star Trek) 38% Your Ultimate Sci-Fi Profile II: which sci-fi crew would you best fit in? (pics) created with QuizFarm.com

Doing The Snoopy Dance

Yes, the Lady's Grace is appreciated! I was out on the riding lawnmower when I got the call from Mr. M. saying that one, my hard drive was fine, it was the power source that went out and the guy in the shop (not our usual shop) seemed to be surprised that I still had a power source in there from 1999. So, he was kind enough to go right to work on it, replaced it and sucked out all that fine red dust we get from around here AND it didn't cost me an arm and a leg to replace it. So, I have my baby hooked up on the I still kitchen table for now while I straighten out my office desk and get it reorganized. I still have to pull stuff off my laptop and the other desktop, but I can work on those a little at a time. For now, I'm just happy to have my baby back *stroke* *caress* *sigh*

Roller Coasters and Windmills

Well, Mr. M had to do a funeral this morning, in fact they had to split the squad up into two because there were two funerals scheduled for the same time today. I haven't had the pleasure of meeting the whole squad yet, but I daresay, I will. Mr. M, like the rest of the squad, believe in what they do, that all veterans deserve the military honors at burial. The squad is made up of the rifle men, the flag folders, and the man who plays Taps and let me tell you, I always get a lump in my throat when I hear that lone trumpet play Taps for a fallen serviceman, retired or active. This Honor Guard is out there, rain, snow, wind, you name it. I'm very proud of them all.

After the funeral, Mr. M is taking my beloved comp to the repair store. I'm on pins and needles because I am not sure if I have a hard drive left. With a bit of the Lady's Grace on my side, my hard drive will still be fully intact. Like I mentioned before, all the important stuff is backed up on an external hard drive, but there were some things I hadn't gotten around to backing up yet, like all the wallpaper I created and my my web pages that were in the middle of being created. All the other stuff I can copy from the web, so I'm not worried there. I'm hoping I haven't lost all my emails either. So, hopefully by this afternoon, we'll know something.

I've got just about everything uploaded in this computer that I need to make it workable for me. mIRC is finally uploaded. I spent a bit of time yesterday in channel with our wee dragoness. I don't have all my scripts darn it, but I might have them stashed in my external drive. I'll have to check.

Things have been fairly calm and easy with Mr M these days. I say this with a bit of caution. He seems to have found an easy place to stay in for the moment. I am grateful. That in turn makes it easier for me to relax a bit and really turn my attention to things outside of The Grove, which is nice.

Today is sunny with a light breeze and I have already informed Sprout he is helping me to mow the growing winter grasses around the homestead today. The clear skies mean that it's bloody well COLD outside first thing in the morning and well into the afternoon. I don't think I'll need to order another cord of wood for this year.

I got a nice surprise in my email box this morning, a picture. I'll have to print it up after I get things all set to rights with the computer and stuff. Between looking at their pictures and the ones I took of myself on the webcam this past weekend.. I've come to the conclusion... we're getting old. LOL. No way of avoiding that. However, we can all still get things done and that is what matters.

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*ahem* Dude, you know, you need a good sweat in a Stone People's Lodge and mending some of that karma would help... then again... a trucker's life is anything but sane *grin* So long as you didn't look like something the cat drug in... seriously though, it was nice of you to get routed so you could get down there. I am sure they both appreciated it. You're a good man... got yer head in a bucket sometimes, but a good man... we'll work on that bucket *snicker*. Hmmmmmm.. a bucket.... a new weapon? ......Nah... doesn't feel right. The search continues....

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I think I'm going to go outside and bask in the warmth of the sun while cutting some grass, enjoy the sight of my flowers blooming, the cat chasing the dog (you saw that right), the birds singing and hopping around.. all those wonderful things that Spring brings...

Hair Pulling

At some point in time I remember having said that I want to choke Mr M or in the very least, pull my hair out because of his lack of keeping his virus definitations updated. It seems like it never fails and he always has a virus on one of the computers he uses. Originally, he had a personal desk top and the business desktop. I encouraged him to use both. But, being who he is, he chose to ignore that and so this computer languished. I have worked all morning to get rid of viruses, trojan diallers, you name it... the viruses I got rid of, the trojan dialer, well, that little sucker has copied itself somewhere I have to track it down. AVG found the cop in the restore file and snagged it but the dang thing keeps coming back. It's bothersome. It pops up a dialog box for a porn site. *growl*. I surely can't let Pookie use it until I get rid of the little sucker.

I hooked up the web cam to the laptop yesterday...uh.. can we say no? It does not make me look nice. Maybe I can get it hooked up to this computer and I can set it somewhere where the the angle is more flattering. Yeah.

I have a couple more things to download but Sprout is chopping at the bit to use my line. So, I will let him use it and hopefully, I'll get it back in time to put in some channel time tonight, if not, I'll work on my storyline. Heaen only knows I can't get in some web design. I hope my hard drive is okay. *sigh* Even if I have to have everything transferred over to this computer, that would be okay. My baby is going on about 5 yrs old or so now. A new desktop will have to wait awhile.

I talked to Dad last night and everything seems to be ok. I'm just a bit worried aobut him but that could just be my anxiousness over his health. He calls me a lot more these days.

Everyone else is doing okay. Topper has his 5th birthday this Friday. I can't believe he's already going to be 5. Where has the time gone? I'm baking him a cake and supplying the ice cream ..oh.. and a video thingie he wanted. 5... I'm getting old.

Oh My Aching Head

Since my laptop didn't want to stay connected, I broke down and set up the spare desktop at the kitchen table for the time being. This is Mr. M's personal computer that he never uses. I had planned on setting it up for Pookie at some time in the future. (translation: when I got around to it) I got everything all set up but I didn't realize how many updates I needed to do on this thing. ARUGH! So, I managed to get the AVG on and now Im downloading a new browser and I have yet to add mirc and my incredimail.

I may have to check with my provider but I've had some people try to send me an email at my main email address and it seems my provider has been kicking some back. I'm not sure what's going on...yet. So, if any of you are getting stuff kicked back that you sent me, be patient. I'll be back yet. It looks like all my group stuff from Yahoo is doing okay though. If you're on mirc, leave me a memo, I'll get back to you. Since tomorrow is a holiday, it probably won't be until Tuesday. My guess is that my provider is having a problem with some other providers and things are getting kicked back.

In the meantime, I'm working as fast as I can to get this computer up to speed so I can safely use it on the net.

North Winds

Yesterday, around 3pm, the weather broke up, patches of blue sky can be seen and it was as if it never snowed. Go figure. Today it's cold as heck, because there is a soft gentle breeze blowing off of Mt. Shasta. Still, the sun is quite warming. So, I think after a late brunch, Cheyenne and I will head outside and do some work. Gotta swing by Home Depot and pick up a part for the dishwasher but while Mr. M is doing that, I'm sneaking over to the home gardening center and see what kinds of plants they might have on sale. I still have to work on the pond and Mr M still have to work on my sprinkler system. Luckily the rose bushes Daughter bought me for my birthday are in the ground and doing good. I got them in just ahead of the snow.

I haven't been online because my laptop can't seem to stay connected. I'm going to fix that today. I think I'll hook up the other desk computer and get mirc uploaded in it. I see mirc has a new version available. It won't have all my stuff I've accumulated over the years but it will give me the basics until Mr M can get my computer down to the repair shop. We'll check and see if they are open tomorrow, despite that it's a holiday. If not, we'll get it down there on Tuesday. I want my baby back! I am sooo nekky without it. (you all hush out there and be nice)

Heaven save me! It's NASCAR time again. I woke up to the thundering surround sounds of cars speeding around a track. *sigh* There is no personal justice around here. If it's not football, it's baseball, if it's not baseball, it's NASCAR and throw in (this year) the Winter Olympics. You know, I think I'll plant a nice veggie garden this year... yeah.... with raised beds.... the only question is.... who's gonna run the rotor tiller for me? Who? Me? hahahahaha. I'm too short and that thing comes alive and runs off with me when I turn it on...

Who Let The Snow Out?

Okay, I wanna know who on the East Coast blew the snow back in my direction? I got up this morning to fix Topper and Pookie some breakfast and Troll pointed out the HUGE snowflakes floating down from the sky with not a care in the world. My poor daffodils. It has snowed off and on all morning. Nothing is sticking at this point, thank the heavens for small mercies.

Well, Mr M didn't get back in time with the truck to take my computer to the fixer uppers. I'm not all that sure he's going to get back from Mt. Shasta in time to take it down there either. I can't as I have my hands full today and since Monday is a holiday, I probably won't get it into the shop until Tuesday. At least I have my laptop and I do have use of another desktop if I want to go through the trouble of setting it up. But I want my baby back. Wah. I'll survive.

Topper has been a real pill and I've been up since 5:30 am. I am tired. The kiddos go home around 2 pm and then it's off to go get groceries since I am running low on a lot of stuff. It's a three day holiday but I need these next two days to recoup. LOL. Gotta love the grandkids, even if they make you work at patience some days.

So today, I'm grumpy and need to be a shroom.

ARUGH!

My main computer, my desk computer has had a meltdown. HOPEFULLY, it's merely the transformer's fan that went out, overheated the computer and the computer shut down and my hard drive is still intact. Let me hope so or I'm going to have a ton of recovery work to do. Depending on what's wrong, it may be up and running in a new tower or I'll be starting over from scratch. I'm no computer authority so I'm not sure what's wrong... all I know is I have smelt a faint odor of like, burning electrical but I couldn't ever pinpoint it.. and this morning, my comp fired up but then when I went in two hours later, it's dead.. nada.. no response anywhere. So, when Mr M comes back, off the shop it goes. Luckily, my computer shop merely moved and didn't go out of business. They have worked on my computers for years now. So, I hope for the best. In the meantime I make due with my laptop, which has minimal amount of my stuff on it... I am cranky to say the least...

My thoughts and prayers are out there...

For The Ladies....

This is for all you girls 30 years and over.... and for those who are turning 30, and for those who are scared of moving into their 30's... This was written by Andy Rooney from CBS 60 Minutes.

Andy Rooney says:

As I grow in age, I value women who are over 30 most of all. Here are just a few reasons why:

A woman over 30 will never wake you in the middle of the night to ask, "What are you thinking?" She doesn't care what you think.

If a woman over 30 doesn't want to watch the game, she doesn't sit around whining about it. She does something she wants to do. And, it's usually something more interesting.

A woman over 30 knows herself well enough to be assured in who she is, what she is, what she wants and from whom. Few women past the age of 30 give a damn what you might think about her or what she's doing.

Women over 30 are dignified. They seldom have a screaming match with you at the opera or in the middle of an expensive restaurant. Of course, if you deserve it, they won't hesitate to shoot you, if they think they can get away with it.

Older women are generous with praise, often undeserved. They know what it's like to be unappreciated.

A woman over 30 has the self-assurance to introduce you to her women friends. A younger woman with a man will often ignore even her best friend because she doesn't trust the guy with other women.

Women over 30 couldn't care less if you're attracted to her friends because she knows her friends won't betray her.

Women get psychic as they age. You never have to confess your sins to a woman over 30. They always know.

A woman over 30 looks good wearing bright red lipstick. This is not true of younger women.

Once you get past a wrinkle or two, a woman over 30 is far sexier than her younger counterpart.

Older women are forthright and honest. They'll tell you right off if you are a jerk if you are acting like one! You don't ever have to wonder where you stand with her.

Yes, we praise women over 30 for a multitude of reasons.

Unfortunately, it's not reciprocal. For every stunning, smart, well-coiffed hot woman of 30+, there is a bald, paunchy relic in yellow pants making a fool of himself with some 22-year-old waitress. Ladies, I apologize.

For all those men who say, "Why buy the cow when you can get the milk for free". Here's an update for you. Nowadays 80% of women are against marriage, why?


Because women realize it's not worth buying an entire Pig, just to get a little sausage.

Tempered

Today is tempered by the loss a dear friend and partner is going through. There are no words I can express to him and his family that will do anything to ease this loss. Though silent, those words are between here and there, somewhere in the Universal flow.

Nothing, no matter how we reason it, can prepare us for the time of that actual reality of death. There is no preparing for it, no way of knowing of the emotions that will fill you when such a thing happens. For some of us, the emotions are overcoming. For others, there appears to be a void of emotions, at least for the time. Still, there is no denying the emptiness, the missing part, that is felt.

May the Divine hold this gentleman close. May his journey to this far better place be a gentle one, held securely and warmly in the Arms of the Divine. I have no doubt his presence will be missed by all those whose lives he has touched, his love, forever felt.

Quote For The Day

There is only one happiness in life, to love and be loved.
- George Sand

Happy Valentine's Day

So.... like.....

Yesterday evening. I sat down at the computer yesterday evening, fired it up and was looking forward to some down time and play. Yeah. What is it about kids? Do they have some sort of subconscious antenna that says, " Mom is going to relax right about now and I have needs..." ARUGH.

scenario: I'm wiggling in my chair, time is my own, getting comfy. Phone rings.

Mr.M: It's Sprout for you.

Me: Hello

Sprout: Hi Mom.

Me: Hey Kiddo, what's up? Where are you?

Sprout: I'm over at Tony's and I locked my keys in the car.

Me: You what? *sigh*

Sprout: I locked my keys in the car *lots of background talking* Tony's gonna try and use a coat hanger and pop the lock.*more background talking and seemingly no success yet at opening the car door*

Me: Okay. Sooo, do you just want me to drive over there and bring you the spare key? (the car came with three keys. I have one, Sprout has one and the third is attached to a tiny pair of pink handcuffs *don't ask* and are hanging on the key rack here at the house)

Sprout: Uh, yeah. Bring the key, please. *more background chatter about Sprout having fat little fingers*

Me: Okay, I'm on my way. *click*

I gather up my wallet, my keys for the truck and dig through my purse (moms carry everything in their purses that's why as time goes by our purses get bigger not smaller) to find his spare key, grab my cellphone, kiss Mr M and I'm out the door. Once I get on the highway, I just have this funny hunch that half way there, I'm gonna get a phone call and sure as heck, my cellphone rings.

Me: Hello

Sprout: Mom? Tony got the door unlocked. *growls can be heard from my end*

Me: Sprout, I'm gonna beat you. *he laughs and makes kissy noises*

Sprout: I looooove you, Mom.

Me: yeah yeah. I love you too so come home so I can show you how much.

Sprout: Nuh-uh. We're headed over to the bachelor party now. I'll see you when I get home. I love you.


Me: Yeah yeah. I love you too. You WILL pay for this tomorrow.

Payment as in, he will be doing some hard physical labor for me today. The corral needs to be torn down and the bad wood burnt. The paddock fencing needs to come down, rolled up for disposal or stored for other uses and the t-bars pulled up and stacked by the barn. But that's not all, no not by along shot.

Today, Sprout and Troll will be working on all that stuff AND splitting wood since we are in for some rainy weather.

The main part of the house is heated by the fireplace. Since the house is so small, this works really well and is much less expensive than the central heating (it uses propane) or space heaters (the electric prices are outrageous here in Calif). Kerosene is the way most people are going these days. So, yeah, Sprout's in for a workout. He is constantly telling me this is why is stays away from home. He hates chores. But what he hates even more is knowing that Mom or Dad are doing these things. He really hates when I do it. As I've pointed out to him however, someone has to. Troll is usually working. I've grown up doing all these kinds of physical things, so for me, they're no big deal. I'm a bit slower at it than I use to be. My muscles complain more, but I do take pride in the fact that I can still do them. For the last two or three years, that hasn't always been the case. A great many things have fallen by the wayside because of my health issues that I just didn't see. Now, I'm able to function again on a level that I am comfortable on and it feels really good. I sure as heck don't feel 49 years old (okay, give me another day, I just may feel like it then...birthdays are such horrible reminders. Who thought them up anyways?).

Needless to say, my evening did not go as planned. When am I ever going to learn? Tonight Mr M has his group meeting and I promised the guys some homemade cookies so I guess it's time for me to do my culinary thing and make them some homemade chocolate chip cookies. I'm no fool. It's not my cooking, it's that someone is baking them something sweet.

Quote For The Day

Faith that the thing can be done is essential to any great achievement.
- Thomas N. Carruther

Sunday

For everyone I know on the East Coast, I hope you all stay warm, safe and that storm blows over with minimal damage. It almost makes me feel guilty that I'm running around here in a tank top and shorts. I am grateful for this weather. It's a nice break but I hear that we'll be seeing some temps back down into the 50's and some more rain for a few days. Still, I stand by my preception that Spring has come to the West Coast. My daffodils came up and they're quite lovely. I'm seeing more and more wild flowers blooming every day.

Yesterday, Sprout wasn't feeling well and called in sick. To prevent me from listening to him whine about how he feels (the kid is hardly ever sick and can't stand it when he is) and to keep him occupied, I gave him the use of my internet line yesterday/evening. I have the fastest connection in the house. I'll be glad when the guys get their new account set up with faster speeds.

I had so many things to attend to yesterday that by the time dinner rolled around, all I remember is stretching out on the couch to catch some of the Olympics and then it was time for bed and my old bod was getting stiff. I think at some point Troll came out and stuck a mirror under my nose, smart arse. He skidaddled before what I threw at him actually landed.

Had a bad night so I ended up sleeping in but now I'm going to go off, hunt up my old tennis shoes and go sink my fingers into some soil since there is no one else about, online or off... I'll step in tonight for some rp and maybe even this afternoon. it just depends how hot it's going to get outside today. These medications and the sun's heat don't sing harmony. There's always something, isn't there?

Quote For The Day

There are many ways to measure success; not the least of which is the way your child describes you when talking to a friend.
- Unknown

Is Spring Springing?

Well not according to Punxsutawney Phil, but then, rumor has it the grand old groundhog is blind in one eye and the other one is going. We're suppose to have 6 more weeks of winter. I'm not so sure.

In the years that I have actually paid attention to Mother Nature, I have yet to find her fooled in any way. I found some wild buttercups blooming yesterday. I didn't wander further afield to see if I could find any other wildflowers blooming though. Usually the buttercups are the first to sprout with the others not far behind. This tells me that Spring is definitely here, early, but here. The weather here has been 78/80 degrees. It's suppose to stay that way up to the end of next week, when, we may experience again some rainfall. I'll take the sun and warmth thankyouverymuch. I wouldn't complain about a nice leisurely Spring.

Yesterday, I actually got to get my fingers into the soil (it's not dirt. Sprout taught me that from his AG class in high school). I can't explain it, but that makes me feel so good. I can forget about anything that bothering me. It's compelling and a change of pace. I draw some sort of fortitude from the earth. I got half the flower bed done and will get outside and do the rest today. Cheyenne was enjoying herself, jumping for the clumps of grass and soil as I tossed them from the bed, much like a dog jumping for a frisbee. Silly dog. She finally figured out that if she sat on the growing mound of grass, she could actually catch something without much effort. Once she caught them, she'd shake them roughly, tearing them to shreds. Oh, such a vicious dog . *snort* She gave me some laughs and we both had a good time, that's what counts. I even got Mr. M to lay out the sprinkler lines that need to go in the bed so I can rebuild the planter and the small pond. I'll need to get him out there and working on it today again. He says he plans to. I just have to keep him on task.

I signed onto the internet to download mail and retrieve some info I needed from mirc before I skittered off to go take a much needed shower. I had just settled back down to relax at the computer when Mr. M informed me that the waterbed sprung a leak. Oh, happy day! Not. So a quick dash uptown to the store that sold us the waterbed to buy another patch kit, which they offered for free. I guess because to replace my side of the mattress is going to cost around $150.00, they could be generous with patching kits. After all, sooner or later, you're either going to replace the mattress or buy a different bed. There's no winning, I'm telling ya. They got you coming or going. By the time we secured the waterbed, cleaned up, shop vac'ed the room, I got dinner ready, my desire to relax at the computer went to hell in a hand basket, not tonight dear, I have a headache....I think it was prudent to simply call it a night before something else could happen.

I got FK's basic website done. I have 2 more to work on and mine to update. Maybe this weekend will look good. The idea of sitting at the computer in all this nice weather is not appealing. Maybe I'll go fishing with Troll this next week for my birthday. He took a week's vacation. Oh goodie. I get to have Troll under my feet for a week. Maybe I can just throw him into the lake and run like hell.

OH! And for GQS, your Polynesian God dropped a wooden shelf on his wee bald head earlier this week. He's fine, just sporting this bruise on the top of his head. I should have known he would be okay. This is the same man who was jacking up a car to change a tire with an old fashioned jack when the bar slipped out of his hands and he took a solid shot to his jaw and it merely knocked his glasses off his face. Well, his jaw hurt like hell, but we found out he doesn't have a glass jaw. Hehehe.

Dad finally got the okay to drive his little car. He is in heaven. His cardiologist is still amazed how he managed to survive this heart attack with minimal damage. His kidneys registered in one point below normal. He got his staples and stitches out and is still doing good. He sounds better every time I talk to him on the phone. You know, there's still one small part of my mind whispering... "we got lucky this time, but what about next time?" Then I remind myself not to borrow trouble until it troubles me. It's hard. We're all so mortal and our time comes to end sometime. We're just never sure when that is.

Ponderisms

· I used to eat a lot of natural foods until I learned that most people die of natural causes.

· Gardening Rule: When weeding, the best way to make sure you are removing a weed and not a valuable plant is to pull on it. If it comes out of the ground easily, it is a valuable plant.

· The easiest way to find something lost around the house is to buy a replacement.

· Never take life seriously. Nobody gets out alive anyway.

· There are two kinds of pedestrians: the quick and the dead.

· Life is sexually transmitted.

· Health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die.

· The only difference between a rut and a grave is the depth.

· Some people are like Slinkies. Not really good for anything, but you still can't help but smile when you see one tumble down the stairs.

· Health nuts are going to feel stupid someday, lying in hospitals dying of nothing.

· Have you noticed since everyone has a camcorder these days no one talks about seeing UFOs like they used to?

· Whenever I feel blue, I start breathing again.

· All of us could take a lesson from the weather. It pays no attention to criticism.

· In the 60's, people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take Prozac to make it normal.

· Politics is supposed to be the second oldest profession. I have come to realize that it bears a very close resemblance to the first.

· How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes a whole box to start a campfire?

· Who was the first person to look at a cow and say, "I think I'll squeeze these dangly things here, and drink whatever comes out?"

· Who was the first person to say, "See that chicken there? I'm gonna eat the next thing that comes outta its butt."

· Why is there a light in the fridge and not in the freezer?

· If Jimmy cracks corn and no one cares, why is there a song about him?

· Why do people point to their wrist when asking for the time, but don't point to their crotch when they ask where the bathroom is?

· Why does your OB-GYN leave the room when you get undressed if they are going to look up there anyway?

· Why does Goofy stand erect while Pluto remains on all fours? They're both dogs!

· If Wile E. Coyote had enough money to buy all that Acme crap, why didn't he just buy dinner?

· If quizzes are quizzical, what are tests?

· If corn oil is made from corn, and vegetable oil is made from vegetables, then what is baby oil made from?

· If electricity comes from electrons, does morality come from morons?

· Why do the Alphabet song and Twinkle, Twinkle Little Star have the same tune?

· Do illiterate people get the full effect of Alphabet Soup?

· Did you ever notice that when you blow in a dog's face, he gets mad at you, but when you take him on a car ride, he sticks his head out the window?

· Does pushing the elevator button more than once make it arrive faster?

· Why doesn't glue stick to the inside of the bottle?

Quote Of The Day

You stand for what's right, even if you stand alone.

-----Unknown-----

Super Bowl Sunday

The guys are working today but both of them get off before the Super Bowl kicks in. Respectively, they are off to Super Bowl parties, leaving Mr M and I with the house to ourselves and to enjoy the game. You will not find me complaining.

For the most part this weekend, I have been sleeping. When this Shroom spends her weekend sleeping, all is not good. Not sure what I caught but today, at least, I almost feel normal again. I was even able to create the dessert dish for Troll to take to his party this afternoon. I also made weekend breakfast. At least once over the weekend I try to make an old-fashioned breakfast. The menu usually is, homemade hash browns, egss, buttermilk biscuits, sausage or bacon, orange juice and coffee. If Mr M is really lucky, he gets served his in bed. Because of the Super Bowl, we'll just be noshing on lots of little things with no set dinner menu, from cheese and crackers, chips and salsa, to hot wings... oh and if he has room for it, a little dessert as well.

Happy Birthday to my sister-in-law, Marla. I hope it's a good one and that this year you're not working. I'm not taking any bets though. I've got my fingers crossed about the FEMA opportunity.

Role play was nice last night. We've even been working behind the scenes on a possible storyline for the channel to indulge in. It's kind of nice to see others writing as well. I'm still looking for the right combination of wolf and outhouse to forge into a logo. It may have started out as a joke.....

I've got some writing to do today. It's on my list but I don't know, I may run out of daylight and energy before I get to it. The next part of my story is almost complete. I just need to add in some little tidbits before I start again. I'm working on wriitng up some of the research material I found and putting forth a broad idea for the channel... if it flies, it will give us some material to work with for a time. The thing I like about it is that no one person has to run it... everyone makes their own contributions, while two or three of us, maintain the boundaries.. hopefully, this will prevent burnout for any one person. I *think* I have one website to design and set up, another to finish up to make it current, and still another to help with... that should keep me out of trouble for awhile, eh?

FK, yeah, that's a hint.... stay a mile or two away from you for the next day or two *snicker* And heaven help anyone who rides in that truck for the next couple of days.. ewww weeee... frijoles... and if there were onions and salsa with that... anyone know where to buy a gas mask, cheap? *dashing*

Quote For The Day

Forget past mistakes. Forget failures. Forget everything except what you're going to do now and do it.

- William Durant, founder of General Motors

Saturday

Post For The Day

Hello

Mid-Week Thoughts

It's drizzly outside. They say we may get some sunshine or in the very least, lack of rain for the rest of the week. The temperatures are suppose to be higher and for that alone I am thankful.

We had several bids to do for the business this week so that has kept me hopping on one front. I've been playing with designs for a friend's website. I still need to get together with him and see if he has any ideas what he would like to see. *grin* He's suppose to get a crash course in html this weekend. I wonder what that entails.

Mr. M and I were circling each other yesterday and pretty much so since Saturday. Yesterday had to have been the worst of it. Roleplay helped take me out of that. We got to laughing and cracking so hard on someone who was temp. MIA, that I lost my train of thought for the actual roleplay, but that was fine. I had a good chuckle or two. My writing partner did a good job of taking my mind off things too. He always manages to make me laugh and forget about the tensions for awhile. It's nice to trot off to bed with a smile on my lips and a light heart. There's time enough to deal with things, but for just a little while, I get to come up out of that.

I haven't gotten any further in my writing, but I hope to remedy that soon. I have some other pressing things claiming my time at the moment. I need to get back in the habit of using a notebook so I don't forget ideas and plans.

I'm inputting some questions and suggestions to the Camelot group so that I can take the material and do a descriptive blurb. Then we'll do a model of Camelot for the website. It's kind of hard, even a bit uncomfortable, to decide what to keep and what to let go, things such as "The Hook", a part of Camelot where trouble usually erupts or even "The Trade House". Both of these were the creativness of two other people and I'm sure they went with them when they left. To use them seems uncomfortable but to not include them seems equally uncomfortable. The best I can come up with is that both places will stay established, but maybe with a different view from another side of "The Hook". The "Trade House" is not smething we'll promote but something that is an establishment there. I can see us using "The Hook" though, just not the same *ahem* establishments as before. One of those tricky areas in my mind, but, we'll sail through it as we start to resettle in. So while I might not be working on my storyline, I'm working on other aspects of the channel to help re-establish ourselves and to give everyone else someplace to work from.

Also behind the scenes, we have a person who is pretty good at using another medium of graphic art, one I just don't have time to explore (wish I did though). We'll put her to good use, so long as she doesn't mind. Maybe making her feel useful and a part of the re-developement will help forge some new bonds, better bonds. At least, that is my hope. People can get off on the wrong footing. People can change. After being burnt a few times, you just want to see that change become a reality before you let your guard down again, you know? And your guard is never every truly let down ever again, but you're not waiting for the other shoe to drop either. So, it's a doable stand-off in my book.

Got things to do, like exercise (ugh) so, I'm out of here. Make it a good day and if that isn't possible, find something to smile about. It's out there, yours for the taking.