towel boy?

This gives the phrase "towel boy" a whole new meaning!

thought you'd like to know

*****Permission to repost or forward granted*****

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just trying something out

well, that didn't work!

My PDA is dying

so I've been considering what to do. Cybook? Sony? Kindle? Palm?

sony doesn't support Mac. Cybook was at the top of the list with Kindle. Palm? Well, I already have several palm books, it has a calendar, address book and other features I've been using.

Amazon has a 30 day return policy. It was expected to arrive on Wednesday - yes, was expected tomorrow. I went to "track orders" just for fun to see where it was and it was already here!

We'll miss you

A church friend died this weekend. Just to show that life goes on, it was the same day my niece got married. Josie was a lovely lady but I didn't know her well. She was always happy when I saw her and cheered my day. Her favorite group was Van Halen. Isn't that a kick? Her daughter is almost as old as I am! This was on the cover of the funeral program.


May the sun bring you new energy by day,
May the moon softly restore you by night,
May the rain wash away your worries,
May the breeze blow new strength into your being,
May you walk gently through the world and know its beauty all the days of your life.

~ Apache blessing

Good-bye Josie, it will be a while before I stop looking for you at church. Wish I'd known you better.

Sexy Comments & Profile Graphics

only 100 things?

Time magazine had an interesting article. The idea was to clear up your clutter by paring everything down to 100 things. Here's the guy's blog.

One lady was quoted as keeping categories, such as "shoes", so she kept most of her shoes and counted it as ONE of her 100 things. That's what I'd have to do with my books. There's no way I'd be able to pare down my collection to less than 100 books. It would be work to pare it down to 100 authors!

Let's make categories: clothing, shoes, accessories, reading material (that includes text/technical books), housewares, music, movies, computer related, hobbies.

So check out the link and come back to comment. Can you think of other categories? Do you have something that demands that you count all of them as one? You may not do this, but do you think you could?

I read, sew, quilt, cross-stitch, do yarn work and scrapbook. In addition to all my books, I have two sewing machines, a serger, countless needles & thread spools, scrapbook tools & papers and skeins of yarn. And fabric. Oh, man, do I have fabric. Really, this one is almost as bad as my books.



I've been reading the comments on the link. I think some of these people just don't get it. Just because the list says "Undergarments" instead of "underwear", the post asked if the guy was going to go commando. Duh!

The paring down is only for personal items. If you live alone, that may be easier. Married? don't touch their stuff or you may not be for long. I don't understand...

plates - though apparently not silverware...

How can silverware not be a shared item in a family setting?

I have never lived by myself. I was with my parents, roommates at college (shared bedroom), then with my husband. We started in a one bedroom/no garage unit. Moved to three bedrooms/carport unit. Now we're in a four bedrooms/2-car garage unit and our stuff has expanded to fit each larger home. Well, we also went from two people to four but I am a...stasher? I know I have too much stuff but we aren't living in wall-to-wall stacks.

Towel Day

That's right, I said TOWEL DAY. Started in 2001, in honor of Douglas Adams, author of the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, people have been asked to wear their towel on the 42nd day of the year. This year it's Sunday, May 25. I guess the date only changes during Leap Year but just remember the 42nd day and you'll be fine.

I've read his books & seen the movie several times but I'm not a hard-core fan. I'll still be taking my towel to church with me.

Give it a try!

It's still the first week so sign-up. Yes, it says female but that's because all the email info sent out is geared towards females, there's no reason a male can't sign-up and walk across America.

Day of Silence

I follow a web story that updates on Friday. Sometimes early but most of the time it's late afternoon for me. Imagine how happy I was to log on early on the 25th to see the update already there. I didn't read down farther to find out why, I just considered it a happy day and went from there. This week I read down farther on the opening page and found out that he had posted on the 24 in order to observe a Day of Silence.

What is a day of silence? Basically, to bring awareness the bullying and harassment in schools of the LGBT community. Here's what the website says:

The National Day of Silence brings attention to anti-LGBT name-calling, bullying and harassment in schools. This year’s event was held in memory of Lawrence King, a California 8th-grader who was shot and killed Feb. 12 by a classmate because of his sexual orientation and gender expression. Hundreds of thousands of students came together on April 25 to encourage schools and classmates to address the problem of anti-LGBT behavior.

An eighth grader?! Have we taught our children to be so unbending that anyone who is different doesn't deserve to live? How can our thinking be so rigid? Just because someone is different then you (fat, gay, two-left-feet, etc...) doesn't make one of you better, it just makes you different from each other. Just because you don't agree on something, doesn't make one of you wrong!

This day is as much about tolerance as anything else but they're not "hiding behind the word, we're gay and we're not changing the name".

Next year's date has been picked: April 19. Oh, man, I hope there aren't any Earth Day celebrations that day - that would so suck.

You've got some time; what do you plan on doing to bring to light the bullying of gays? How can you bring tolerance of those that are different then you?

Another site to visit is GLSEN Gay, Lesbian and Straight Education Network. Check out what some of the teachers did when it was unavoidable to lecture.

Sad to say but there will ALWAYS be someone/group that thinks it okay to bully/harrass/beat-up/kill someone else - if only because they got looked at funny. Let us do our part to make them the minority. We all live here, let's make it a safe place.

Speaking of safe places...don't even get me started on Megan's Law or foster care....I don't have the time or calmness needed to discuss these right now

Ready for the beach?

If this is my view, I am so there!

Insect repellent

A salesman was traveling through the countryside, selling insect repellent. He came to a farmhouse and tried his pitch on the farmer. "Sir, my bug spray is so good you will never be bitten again, I guarantee it."

The farmer was dubious. "Young man, I'll make you a proposition. I'll tie you out in my cornfield buck naked, covered with that bug spray. If there is not a single bite on you come morning, I'll buy a whole case from you."

The salesman was delighted. They went to the field and he stripped. The farmer sprayed him thoroughly with the bug spray and tied him to a stake. Back to the house went the farmer. The next morning, the farmer and his family trooped out to the corn field. Sure enough, the salesman was there, hanging in his bonds, not a single bite on him. Yet he was a total wreck! Pale, ghastly, haggard, and drawn, but not one bite on him.

The farmer was perplexed. "Son," he said, "Now, you don't have a bite on you but you look like hell! What the devil happened?"

The salesman looked up through bloodshot eyes and croaked, "For crying out loud, Mister, doesn't that calf have a Mother!!!"

from Elizabeth Lowell's bulletin board - posted by Mirm on Jan '03





and just in case you need some help ;)

Who is watching out for you?

I found this great ad in Horizon magazine. It is a gay magazine but safety is safety and we should all follow the advice:


dang, you may not be able to read it:

Trust your gut:
Don't leave anywhere with anyone you feel uncomfortable about

Get your own drinks/Don't leave drinks unattended:
Getting you drunk or slipping you something are easy ways for someone to cloud your judgment.

Find out who the person is:
Get as much info on him as possible. Look for unique traits like tattoos, scars, jewelry, etc..

Spread the word.
Introduce him to friends and/or the bartender

Watch your belongings:
Don't carry excessive cash. Protect your wallet, money and valuables. (And identity)

It's not your fault:
If you are the victim of a pick-up crime, remember you're not to blame! He is probably a professional and has probably done this before.


This is good advise even if you're there with friends or a date. It isn't that hard for someone to slip something in your drink or dip into your purse. Sad world isn't it.

Also, advise from one of Lori Foster's characters. Use protection, only go for girls (or guys) you know and if they're giving it out too freely, skip 'em.

I did a 5k today

I'm so jazzed! My workout buddy and I (plus my daughter) did a 5k today. Sa ran some of it so she finished first but didn't see the time clock :(

L & I finished in under 54 minutes! Not super fast but I was afraid it would be closer to 90 so I'm happy.

Ready for the next one - in two weeks.

I need a hug...

but this will do for now.

Never wanted to be a shirt before...

New Story

Prologue

Wow, she never thought she’d come back to Creekside to live. Sure, she had been back for visits but only once in the last five years. She had managed to return for her Dad’s funeral but she hadn’t stayed..., couldn’t. Now she was ready for a fresh start but never once had she dreamed it would be here. She was back but only because she was the only one who could come to stay.

Dad had been gone for over a year when Cory called. He said Momma wasn’t doing well. He and Marcy had enough to do with their three kids and someone else needed to take care of Momma. How could she refuse? Everyone but Cory had moved away, they all had jobs and family. She had two kids but they weren’t in school yet. She had no spouse and could work from anywhere. Just because she never looked back didn’t mean she hated the place.

She had kept in touch with Momma. There had been many phone calls and never any hint of trouble. Cory wasn’t much help about what she needed to do so she was going into this blind. Not wanting to be under her Momma’s feet, she found a house to purchase.

Chapter One

Coming back hasn’t been easy. There have been many changes but so many things have stayed the same. The strangest thing is that women are coming up to her and telling her how much they love her books, that they’ve opened their eyes. One woman said she and her husband take turns reading them aloud after the kids are asleep. Lisa managed to stammer some kind of reply but she’s not sure what. The real surprise is the age range, some are old enough to be her grandmother and some look like they’re still in high school!

Lisa was relieved to find out her momma was still an early riser and was willing to come over before breakfast so she could run. There was a park on the other side of town with great trails. Lisa had always been a people watcher and the scenery there was fantastic! It was during one of her daily runs that she first saw him, fantasy material as well a model for her books. He had broad shoulders and a narrow waist, his arms and legs in nice proportion. So much better than some of the gym rats she used to watch. From the back anyway, she had yet to see him from the front. She got used to running behind him, making up scenes, wondering how soft his skin was, what it tasted like. It was such a beautiful spring morning she was only paying half a mind to where she was at, too busy thinking of chocolate covered pretzels, she glanced up and saw her inspiration and all thought left her head. Then she tripped. Now that was just stupid. She knew better than to zone out when she’s running outside.

“Oh, hey? Are you all right? Nice roll, anything hurt?”

As a man stops beside her, she realizes it is her fantasy man. “I think I’m okay.” She wiggles her toes, circles her ankles and bends her knees. “Stuff seems to be working.” And gasps as he stands her up, picking her up as if she weighed nothing at all.

He holds her steady then looks at her, “Lisa? Lisa Thompson? I’m Tommy Freeman?”

Good thing he’s still holding her steady because Lisa would swear her heart stopped. Her fantasy man is her little brother’s best friend? No wonder she hadn’t recognized him, there is nothing little about him anymore.

Oh, god, she was just staring at him. “Hi Tommy,” dang, did she just squeak?

Tommy laughs so she must have. “It’s great to see you, are you sure you’re okay? Are you in town visiting your mom? How long will you be here?”

Now it’s Lisa’s turn to laugh, “I’m okay” and laughs again at the face he makes, “Really. I’ve bought a house by momma’s so I guess I’ll be here a while.” She brushes off her clothes a bit then starts walking back to the parking lot.

Tommy looks over at her as he starts to follow and stumbles, “Whoa,” as he laughs at himself, “guess I can’t walk and talk at the same time. The Hunter place? How bad is the inside? I know Mr. Hunter hadn’t been able to keep it up for a couple of years before he went into the nursing home.”

Lisa can’t help but smile, you’ve just gotta love small towns, “Yeah, the poor realtor thought he had an out-of-town sucker. Actually, most of it is just cosmetic. The only major problem is that the rooms upstairs are all too small. I’ve got two daughters and I might have to give them two rooms each. One just for toys and clothes. Either that or knock out a couple of walls.”

“My dad still has his construction business if you decide to knock out those walls.” Tommy glances at his watch as they near the parking lot. “It was really nice seeing you, but I’ve got to hurry. Will you be okay if I take off? Are you running tomorrow?”

Lisa nods.

“See you tomorrow,” and Tommy sprints to his truck.

Wow, another reason to look forward to running.

New "toy"

M bought a motorcycle. No, this isn't him but I don't have a picture of the bike yet. It's just that the registration expired and the previous owner hasn't done the paperwork yet. So we've paid for a bike but don't have the registration so we can't insure it. Dang. It's been over a week but he said he call "his people" to find out why. sigh.

I have class tonight (4-7, strange time) and a lunch this afternoon. M's going away for work so this morning I said 'have a good day', but added 'see you tomorrow'. It was weird. And since I'll be at the gym at 4:30, it may be late before I see him.

Have a great day

just wanted to share

Cruising around on the 'net lead me to STUDIO 1088 - The Art of Michael Breyette I love this picture. The Artist says the couple is getting ready for a night on the town but it could be that they've just gotten home. I look at this and think old world/Duke kinds of things.

late for the train

Okay, it may not be what everyone would call creative but I tinkered with a recipe. Since I do NOT consider myself a cook and it came out great, here goes. (original picked up from someone at Spark People, I don't know where they got it.)

Slower Cooker Taco Stew

1 16-oz can black beans (drained)
1 16-oz can kidney beans
1 16-oz can corn (drained)
1 16-oz can white beans (drained) Northern something?
2 16-oz cans tomato sauce
2 14.5-oz cans diced tomatoes
1 packet taco seasoning
Chili Power to taste
1 cup barley


Directions

Mix everything in a slow cooker except the barley. Cook on low for 6 to 8 hours or on high for 3 - 4 hours. Cook barley per package directions and stir i to slow cooker during the last 30 minutes. This makes an awful lot but froze & reheated well :)


If you'd like, add chicken on top of everything, then during the last 30 minutes, remove, shred and stir back in.

Class Canceled

The last post mentioned my textbook problem. Now my entire class has been canceled for lack of enrollees. Grrr..... I was able to add a different class but the time & days are different, interfering with other plans. ahhhh! I guess it's a grin & bear it kind of thing.

Happy Sunday

the 13? what happened?

I've been doing a lot of reading. My son and I are reading the same series and it's been hard when we want the same book! How it all started, there was a book sitting out of the end table that wasn't mine. The cover had a man holding a woman wearing a wedding dress with an arrow in her back. That raised an eyebrow so I read the back. I knew it was my son's book but he told me I couldn't start with it since it was book three. Since then I've read 17 books.

The last book in the next trilogy in the series won't be released until the end of March! Worse, it will be hardcover, we own the others in paperback and my son (and my storage) would prefer they all be mmp. I don't think I'll be able to wait a year but the library doesn't have it on order!

I start school next week and ordered my textbook online for half the cost of getting it at the school's bookstore. I log in on the day it was supposed to ship and find an email telling me they don't have it! DANG! Actually, (*^*&$^(*&_)(*. Sigh, it's too late to get it anywhere else, now I have to pay over $100 for it.

I started a new craft project. Someone else sewed holes along the edge of a flannel blanket (hem stitch) and I'm using the holes to croquet around the edge. I'm really excited about it.

I went to a nephew's birthday party. I was great to see family but he's 3 now and he had friends. Can you imagine the noise? Add older brothers on top of that and I stayed as long as I could....

I start another writing challenge on the first. I hope to do as well as I did the first time.

I think that's it. Oh, Happy Valentine's Day!
(I had glass swans on my wedding cake. I wonder where they are?)

February already?

I haven't written a word since 2007, sigh. My sleep hours have gotten flipped around again so I went to bed at 7 am on Friday. I had two final thoughts - "that's would make a great storyline, I should get up and write it down" and the last thought before falling asleep, "you'll remember, if you get up, you'll stay up." That's the last I remember. Do I remember the storyline? NO! Do I have any idea what it was about? NO!

grrrrr

I really need paper & a pen or something, just a few notes would have done it. I could see the whole story.... sigh

Happy Monday :)