Here's a collection of my pix that are in landscape layout. I have theme here at work because I have a digital picture frame on my desk at work. But if I try to mix landscape & portrait layout pix, something is going to wind up too small (or you have to tilt your head (LOL).
South Dakota Tourist Info
The Badlands
Mt. Rushmore
Crazy Horse
Needles Highway
Devil's Tower
Yellowstone & vicinity
Buffalo Bill Cody Museum
Little Bighorn Battlefield
The Spam Museum
Yeah, I didn't get around to weeding through my portrait layout shots and uploading those. There's some good pix there too. Take a million and one or two are bound to be pretty good {grin}.
It was a great trip. I just wish we could have spent more time. It was zip... zip... zip.
looking for a job. Going for seasonal right now. Might lead to full time if I get one. I really hope something comes up. Other then that, doing ok and so are my cats.
The trip was nice. No Buffalo Round-up or Grand Tetons {pout} but I did cadjole {sp?} my Dad into trying to make up for it a little by stopping at the Spam Museum on the return trip. I'm totally serious. And it was fun! We left too soon.
Maybe I'll get some pix posted the weekend. Right now we've got 3 grant proposals the boss wants submitted by Friday. Keep the coffee brewing!
I moved to Texas in July and am very homesick for my friends back home in S.C. I'm thinking of moving to New Mexico or Colorado next year as Texas in the summertime is beyond belief..106 degrees and counting. It's cooler now, but I know it will only get hot again next year. I have found a good writer's group here, though, and I'm thoroughly enjoying it. We had author Leanna Ellis speak at our last meeting, and she gave us some very good writing tips.
My mom is in the hospital and it isn't looking to good. I have told her she can go "home" and be with my dad and all of her friends. I can use all of your prayers and good thoughts to get through this. I will keep you posted. Thanks to all of my (((((((((((((((Sister Friends)))))))))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
It's never easy to find the right words at times like these. I'm so sorry for your loss and I'm holding your in yours in my hearts and prayers tonight.
I'm so sorry to hear this. And, I understand completely. Even though my mama had been gone for 10 years now, I still miss her so. Know that I'm here for you if you need me. Love you, sister friend.
I will be out of touch until a week from tomorrow (09/02/09)so I won't have a computer. Wanted to say Love ya to all my (((((((((((Sister Friends))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
...at the race track for the 3-day holiday weekend. Dunno if I'll bunk in someone's camper on-site or drive back and forth each day. I think it's about an hour and 45 minutes or so one-way.
Just thought I would check and see if anyone was hanging around. Keeping you all in my heart on my mind and in my prayers....(((((((((((((((((Sister Friends)))))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
And there's another trip in the planning. Several weeks ago, my mom mentioned the possibility of her and Dad taking a couple weeks vacation to see Mount Rushmore and the Crazy Horse Monument then either Yellowstone or Branson. Then it looked like the trip would be put off til next summer. But now it's back on... it's Yellowstone, not Branson... and the plan includes me joining them {VBG}. Their original kernel of a plan was to take 10 days to 2 weeks in early Sept. Now, however, it's looking like it will be late Sept. Dad asked me to surf the net for "things to see" ideas because his internet is deadly slow. I discovered that the annual buffalo roundup at Custer National Park, SD, is something like Sept. 27 and he's keen on seeing that
{{{Quilla}}}} sounds like a good trip. I've never been up to that part of the country, I only got as far north as places in Montana but that was straight north not that Dakotas part of the country.
For all the rest of the {{{{{{{{Sister-friends}}}}}}}}}
we had a record hot July but August is seeming more normal. Still hot but the cooling bills go down a little from here and the evenings and mornings get cooler every few days it seems to me--or I'm just telling myself that to courage fall thought.
And who is that lovely Amazon putting Snow White to shame?
Still, you guys always get me with the flowes close-ups! And I'm guessing that one green picture with the holes is... leaves?!!! If so that's sooooo cool!
Here are some of the pix from my trip to California in March. They are mostly from San Diego/La Jolla. A few in the middle, I think, are from LA. The two black mucky ones are from the La Brea Tar Pits museum in LA. I think they call the bubbling one "Old Faithful" or some such thing (LOL).
That means a lot given your knowledge/experience with photos of flowers! I can't compete with you guys on technique but Mother Nature did help me out with some primo subject matter {grin}.
Me? I tend to be most fond of the ones that suggest a "story" for lack of a better description - ex. the "smiling" sea lion with his head on the "rock pillow" and the lady meditating in the living, hollow tree...
I haven't been here to look at all the pics that Lyrical and Quilla have posted! I'll do better tomorrow mogning, besides I know that they're all good pictures, too!
thanks for posting them here, {{{{{{{{{{sisters}}}}}}}}}}}}.
It was a lovely weekend here. On Saturday I put the top down on my Cabrio and drove about 2.5 hours north to a town called Wausau. They were having an event called a Balloon Rally and Glow. It also included a mini BBQ competition, live music, kites, some kiddie attractions and biplane rides. Annoyingly, not one of my several sets of rechargable batteries had juice when I arrived and I had to go on quite a hike, but managed to purchase some. I got back to the event grounds at between 6-6:30 PM so the sun was on its way down and the kites were gone. I over-edited some of the pix too in my attempt to compensate for the not so good lighting. But there are a few pretty nice ones.
It wound up being too windy for the balloons to launch. So, as much as I enjoyed the BBQ and music... and imagined I would enjoy the "glow" when it got darker... 5 hours round trip seemed like a lot for just that. So I shelled out some bucks for a biplane ride. It was just as cool as you might expect.
The Ren Faire pix were really neat! Is that you in costume???
And, although I couldn't open the Animals "scrapbook," unless I miss my guess I'm betting that thumbnail is a sealion (or seal?) at the "Children's Beach" of La Jolla Cove??? I went to San Diego and LA for the Supernatural (TV show) con and have my own pix of the cove and other sites. Pehaps if I get my pix uploaded we can trade notes (LOL).
And had an awesome time!! Disney World was great and seeing Hunter after so many weeks was grand!! We rode all the rides and ate till I'm ready to pop! I did do a new thing they have at Hollywood Studios and it's American Idol. I tried out and made it all the way to the show. I was an alternate because they had already picked 3 girls for that show and of course all of them showed up...but I did it!! Got 4 free Fast Passes and my son and I had a blast!!
Mom is doing better. They moved her out of the skilled nursing and into long term care. I will be checking on her tomorrow, I be off till Wed. so I can do these things for her, and will keep ya posted.
Love and Hugs to all my ((((((((((((Sister Friends))))))))))))))!@!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Sorbo, that is. I was volunteering at our local charity pro am golf tourney saturday and Kevin was there. I was security of all things(on my first shift on monday a guy commented, "Security? You're security? You're too little to be security." And then he laughed. I started to tell him I was one tough little amazon, little did he know. )
My job was to check credentials of those going into the banquet hall. I was at the end of the long breezeway at the clubhouse. I had been keeping an eye out for Kevin, because I knew he was going to be there. He walked into the pro shop, and then sat on a bench. I was just working up the nerve to go up and speak to him, and to say hello from all of us at the Castle, when the head of volunteers called me inside to help. Of course, when I came back out he was gone. What is it about Murphy's Law? Just my luck, huh?
When I volunteered on monday, I did have a strange experience, though. It was freezing as I stood on my guard duty. I was practically bouncing on my toes to stay warm when a group of guys approached me. The one nearest me fumbled in his jacket trying to locate his tag, and mumbled, "It's in here somewhere." I remember thinking at the time, "Wow, he looks just like Dennis Quaid." Turns out, it was him. I found out later in the week that he was part of the celebrity lineup.
It's good to see you, sister friend. Is the castle empty or what? I can hear the echo of my voice off the walls. Where is everyone? I have been so busy lately. Just got back from a Highlander Con in L.A. And, yes, I had a fantastic time. Hope you're doing good. I so miss everyone.
How cool was that!!! Not only our Kevin...but Dennis Quaid to boot! Sounds like you had a great time. Volunteering is one cool way to meet people you otherwise wouldn't and you also help out. It's a win win situation.
Update on my life:
Mom is still in the nursing home, things are going slower than I would like but at least it is moving ahead. I go to see my hunter in 8 days. Thanks to my mom. Yes I will be heading to rainy fl. LOL. We have had such great weather here in Ohio that I could rub it in to my honey. LOL I was in a contest for singing and got chosen for the final 3. Of course waking up Sat. morning (murphy's law!!) I could hardly sing a note and now I have a really bad sore throat. I did manage to sing for the judges, didn't win, but the there is always next year.
Bless all of my dear (((((((((((((Sister Friends)))))))))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
... to see hubby soon. I hope you're feeling better by then. It should be enough time I'd think {fingers crossed}.
And how cool about the contest!!! Let us know ahead of time next time around so we can send some luck your way. Well... not performance luck cuz you don't need that... but health luck for sure! {grin}
Sounds like you had fun. I guess you'll have to pack your warstaff the next time you work security... show 'em you mean business (LOL).
Sorry to be so late with the reply. The boss wants to get out 2 grant proposals in the next 3-4 weeks plus I tried to squeeze in an all day experiment Thursday which got abandoned after 3 hours' time investment and conducted Friday instead. Then I was away for a 3 day track weekend.
On the celebrity front, I went to the left coast in late March to see So.Cal. and to attend a Supernatural convention. I went ahead and bought the 2nd priciest ticket. I'm not normally much into autographs but I thought it would be fun to collect signatures on my "author's copy" of the Supernatural essay book that had arrived a little over a month before the con.
I had simple surgery on my foot yesterday and the doctor told me not to do the March of Dimes walk but I had promised and taken donations so I did half of it. Dixie and Lauren did the whole 5 miles. It was a lot of fun. If there is one in your area you should go because it's a great family day out, free food, games and things for the kids. Lots of fun.
The surgery was because I had a peice of glass in my foot. With the neuropathy I didn't even know I had glass in my foot. I thought it was just the usual pain. It got really infected and the swelling pushed the glass in really deep. The doctor had to cut way in to dig it out! eeesh!
BTW, new doctor...set me up with pain management first thing. She said the pain was the root of a lot of the problems!!! Thank the gods! Finally one who really cares and knows her job! I think I may actually be getting better soon after 10 years!!!!
Thanks BT!
Every bomb that is made,every warship launched,every rocket fired,signifies, in a final sence, a theft from those who are cold, and are not clothed
I'm glad you had fun but you need to take care of yourself!!!!
I'm sure they told you, with the neuropothy you need to check your feet at the least, once a day. I know of people with neuropothy who had very serious consequences after not knowing they had a foot problem ....
I'm so happy that someone is going to help you!!!!
the other doctors have brushed the neuropathy off, acted as if I were a drug seeker, and never told me a darn thing, except for the foot specialist who said, "Yep, You have neuropathy." The new doctor didn't tell me that either. I guess she thought someone else would have surely told me by now. Thanks for explaining that to me!
Thanks BT!
Every bomb that is made,every warship launched,every rocket fired,signifies, in a final sence, a theft from those who are cold, and are not clothed
If you have neuoropothy you don't have the feeling in your feet the way the rest of us do. You HAVE to wash your feet every night carefully checking for cuts, blisters, cracks even between your toes (never mind glass and splinters and nails!) and always keeping them well moisturized so you don't get cracks. If you get a hangnail, don't pull on it. You might ask your good doc for a good podiatrist or... ask her what to do.
See the thing is, being diabetic, you don't heal as fast and infections are more aggressive. That on top of not knowing immediately when you hurt yourself can be a life threatening event. I'm not trying to panic you, but but I am not exaggerating at all.
So never walk barefoot, always wear well fitting shoes and Check Your Feet!
Judging from the looks of my kitchen I think a lot more than cooking went on in here. LOL. Hope your day was filled with joy, happiness, presents and above all LOVE!!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Hey, I finally got my new computer up and running!! It's still not fast, I still have to settle for cheap dialup...but it's a great improvement all the same! The pix of the Guys look amazing on a bigger screen, wow! I don't have all those...so they will be the first images saved onto this new hard drive...
A little Off Topic: Can anyone tell me how to install Adobe Flash Player? I know that sounds like a stupid question. But I can't get past the .exe file that installs the components but never really lets me access the program! Or maybe it's already installed and I'm not supposed to access it? I don't know. Maybe I should just forget about this and switch to Shock Wave? Any help or advice would be much appreciated...
* GAS! High Priestess To The SOSS Iolausian Gauntlet * Level 6 - Full Debaucherette * TAC - Iolaus's Tush Guardian * Fire Child, born under sign of Aries * Monkey Boy's Main Squeeze * YoYo Expert Extraordinaire * Manhandlers Incorporated * Passionately Purple Vest & Leathers Repair Service * Proprietor of "The Gauntleted Arms" Tavern * Hunky Heroes Healing Center * Founder of The T.P.L. (Tush Protectors League) *Hercules & Iolaus's Private Massage Parlour
* Keeper of The Golden Apples * Keeper of the White Manaia * Gauntlets R Us * Golden Huntress * Guardian Of The B.S.T. * Wild Iolaus Zookeeper * Widow Twanky's Assistant Dance Instructor * Captain Ryan's #1 Android Starmaiden & Chief Maintenance Officer * Administrative Secretary for Nigel Tweed * Dreamboat Skipper * Inventor of The Deadly Hoolie Attack Bag * Member of the Deb U Bawdy Ballads and Lascivious Lullabies Class * Iolaus' Most Dangerous Lover
"Next time, show me a woman who wants to kill me with kisses!"
{Iolaus, Warrior Princess}
I think Flash is a browser plug-in, not stand-alone software. Try using the Windows search function an look for files/folders with "flash" in the in the name. I did and one thing I found was an install log with things like "Opera," "Netscape," and "Mozilla" (for Firefox probably) listed. I didn't see anything that looked like it would "launch" Flash despite finding something like GetFlash.exe and another .exe that wound up asking if I wanted to update my Flash {grin}.
to give up on Flash player software. I ventured to install ShockWave and the process went smoothly and it works fine. It even shows in my Program Folder, unlike that stubborn Flash player. Weirdly enough, I must have an old flash player installed somewhere (Macromedia?) because in my extensive job of restoring my IncrediMail data, an animation came up saying it was being run by that version of flash. I wouldn't have a clue how to find that in this machine!
But at least Shockwave is working...even though I still cannot view online videos on dial-up. There are some dandy H:tLJ YouTube vids out there, I saw the links on another forum...but I can't view the vids.
There is supposedly a plugin you can use on Firefox to save YouTube vids to your own hard drive. But I am leery, I don't go around just downloading anything from any site, it's too risky out there these days.
Using Internet Explorer, go to Adobe.com and get it there. Like Quills said, it's a plug in. I'm personally not too fond of any Adobe stuff - even tho I use it. They always seem to have security vulnerabilities in Flash and Flash is in almost every program they have, I had to snort thru the site to update my new installs of Adobe programs.
I only use it in IE not Firefox and I don't use Shockwave. At all.
That way when I use Firefox, I never see those annoying floating ads or the moving ads. I also use AdBlock Pro addon in Firefox...
I see you didn't play favorites, not that I would have minded {grin}.
Very cool!
Somewhat related to this, with nothing else of interest on TV a couple days ago, I left "Legend of the Seeker" on. I grinned when I saw that the episode was directed by Michael Hurst. There were quite the actiony fight scenes where it was easy to see his "fingerprints" {hee}
All of the food is prepared and the wine and ale chilled. Iolaus is on the way with the rest of the hunters and The Castle has never looked better all decorated in pinks....(had some help from the goddess of LOVE). Everyone will be arriving in about 3 hours so I suggest the birthday girl get her cute little butt up the stairs and into the spa where several of her sisters are waiting to help her get even more beutiful.
May the day be spent with the ones you love who love you!! I wish you joy, happiness, peace, LOVE and above all good HEALTH!!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Sorry I'm late. I flew to San Diego last week and my computer time has been very limited. I fly back home in a few hours so computer time is also limited this morning {grin}. Won't get home til around midnight. Gotta fly east to Detroit to go back west to Madison {pout}.
I plan to sleep in tomorrow
Anyway... That's the reason for this belated message wishing you a new year filled with health, happiness, and enough dinero so there's no impediment to the H&H.
I haven't been anywhere on the net the past week since my allergy attack last week. I'm full of anti allergy drugs from the dr, fortunately they are working but I haven't had an attack like that before. Citrus blossoms did it, I think.
Just thought I'd post a little update on my favorite subject! Aren't they gorgeous. BTW, I am walking in the March of Dimes march for Babies coming up April 28th. I really appreciate those who have already sponcered me but I need more sponcers to reach my goal of $250.00. There's a link at the bottom of the page if you can help. it's such a worthy cause. My grandkids and Calico's and probably others you have known have benifited from the work of the March of Dimes. Remember Dillan weighed only 1 pound and 9 ounces when she was born. 40 years ago she probobly wouldn't have made it...but look at her now!
The last picture is of Hope, a friend of mine I've mentioned before whose delivering Caleb Avery in may, her first. I'm posting the picture because I made the cake and I think it turned out fairly cute. It looked better in person.
Hello (((((((((((((((((((((Sister Friends)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))) one and all. Mom is back in the hospital and is having a very hard time remembering things. This started about 3 weeks ago and they did an MRI today and I'm waiting for the results. So if you could all pray that they find something that can be corrected that would be awesome. I will keep you posted.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Well, they found a mini stroke that didnt seem to upset or surprise them and a major sinus infection that did. Today she sees the neurologist and we will find out something tomorrow. Back to the waiting game. Thanks (((((Shait))))) I can use all the prayers I can get!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
I'm glad the stroke was mild. Hopefully the doctors can get a handle on the infection too. And hopefully the stress doesn't wear on you too much. Take care, of you while you take care of everyone else.
Well they couldn't find anything wrong with mom aside from a mini stroke and she is still confused but not as much as before, thank God. She just can't figure out why she is in rehab and keeps asking me to take her home. I finally came up with an answer that seems to work. When she asks me about going home, I simply say, can you get off the bed, walk to the bathroom, get on and off the toilet, and walk back to bed with no help? She says no and I say that is why you're here.
The stress is kinda hard to deal with but then I have my dear (((((Sister Friends)))))) to help me and pray for both mom and me. Thanks for all of your prayers and keep them coming.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Looking for those answers that seem to work is the key, or ir was with my mom. I'd just use that answer over and over again when she asked certain questions. Trouble is, there's no script, or libretto (!), to check for the answers in.
...the actual Bday, the 12th, was OK... not stellar. But it seems to have been ramping up for a good couple of weeks. I'm still operating on the assumption that the necklace my sister gave me as a Bday present is lucky (LOL). I didn't get the package til the 12th... so the 1st day I wore it was the 13th. Friday the 13th... and I got better than expected results in a test experiment I did that day. Way better. The 14th I went to breakfast and a movie with a friend to celebrate my Bday (not Vday). We went to Slumdog. I enjoyed it and it gave me a rooting interent in the Oscars as the only movie I'd seen. We then got good news about a grant proposal we submitted in November. If my funding gets extended to July, and I expect it will, all things considered, I should be guaranteed another 2 years of salary! That would such a nice change from the perpetual... here's another 3 months... of the past few years!
And those are just some of the highlights of the past week and a half. I picked up my two "authors copies" of the book with my essay in it on my Bday too. As I suspected based on correspondance from the editor, my name is actually on the back cover. I was kinda tickled even though this is only one step above a vanity press book. I didn't pay them to publish it... but it's just pulp non-fiction. Still, ya gotta enjoy the little things, right?
The actually Bday day had plusses and minuses but things have been going pretty good since then! Heck, I've even enjoyed this winter a lot. The past month finally put us well behind last year's record-setting pace of snowfall. Nonetheless, the pattern of the snowfalls and the fact we haven't seen a lot of extreme temps either way has meant when the snow falls it sticks around a long time! It's been a pretty, pretty winter!
Yes, it's pretty to look at but H--L to drive in or work in, IMHO. And like I say, I will NEVER shovel snow again. I'm serious. Either I pay somebody or cripple myself permanently.
Overall it sounds like your February (BD included) wasn't too bad all things considered. Yeh, maybe not stellar, but I agree, Enjoy the little things... That's what I try to do. Winter has been difficult around here, and I'm sick of feeling frozen all the time. But we can all feel confident that spring is just around the corner...
Sincere Belated Birthday Wishes for a very happy and fortunate 2009!
It's bliss not having to shovel... and driving in the snow usually doesn't bother me. Although there has been a time or two I left work early because the radio said they were pulling the plows... only to have blue skies and plows return to the roads long before the workday finished (LOL).
March is turning out to be OT-heavy at work... a little stressful. Not a lot, but it's not Feb anymore to be sure. But I decided to splurge and get 2nd-expense tier tix for the Supernatural con in LA at the end of the month I'm not much for autographs but the gal who prompted my winning essay effort has said I need to bring "my book" to get autographs (LOL). She is a scientist like me and she lives in San Diego. Just like I did Tulsa to get together with my Herc-friends, I'm really going to CA to meet my new SPN friend. Aside from LAX airport, the only place I've been to in CA is Disneyland, so I plan to take about a week and see a little of LA and a little more of San Diego. Should be fun!!!
Thanks for the B-day wishes. I just got a B-day card from my aunt & uncle in the mail yesterday, so these wishes here weren't really late at all {grin}.
So sorry I missed it. As long as that cute cuddly Iolaus was around I'm so sure you didn't mind that I stayed away. LOL.
Love ya (((((((((((((((((((((((((Quills)))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Hi (((((((((((((((Sister Friends))))))))))))))))))))))!!!!
Just a heads up, my mom is really doing very well. I on the other hand have been really sick with a cold that won't quit. I am so much better now and I want to keep it that way. Joe, my hunter, is doing the college program again and will be at Walt Disney World until June 5. I am going down to see him the week of June 1 thanks to my mom. She is footing the bill. I will fly down and drive back with him. Speaking of mom, she is getting married. Yup, 88 and getting married to an 80 yr old man. He is so good to her and really takes good care of her. It is so cool to see them together. Well that is about it. I'll keep ya posted.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Oh my gosh, kiddo!
You're usually so good about remembering birthdays and here, one of yours sneaks by us.
I've instructed Herc and Iolaus to dig up those old guitars of theirs to serenade you. Dite it on standby to deck you out like Cinderella. And Sal has concocted a Triple Chocolate Decadence cake that adds no inches to the waistline. And yes, it's even safe to eat {grin}. I tested it out over New Years... and obviously I've lived to tell the tale.
Best wishes for health and happiness through the coming year!
Love, Quilla
I missed the party...but who sez we have to restrict parties to BD's (or other national holidays)?
Sounds like it was great!!! I normally present a BD Tap Dance, quite the dazzling performance (so say those I've tap danced for in the past), but this year, due to back probs, I would have had to simply sit by and dazzle you with my beaming smiles...
Sorry I haven't been around much but so much has happened in this new year.
First, my hunter is going back to Disney World at the end of this month on the college program again. We got each other web cams so we can see and talk to each other. It will help a lot. I'm going to try and get a part time job so I can save enough money to go and visit this time so wish me luck.
On the down side, my mom broke her hip and is now in Rehab. She is doing ok sort of but she just does NOT act or seem like herself. Please keep her in your prayers.
Love to all of you dear (((((((((((Sister Friends)))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Oooh...Lyrigal going techie with the web conferencing {grin}. Too cool! Sounds like and exciting if stressful time. I'm sending positive energy for your mom. Hope she's doing better ASAP!
Our longest residing student in the lab successfully defended his Masters thesis yesterday. The boss is taking the lab to lunch today to celebrate. We're picking up a couple students when the semester starts... but rumor yesterday says they are girlfriend prospects of a student in the lab and "drama" is being predicted. Ouy.
Job situation remains up in the air. Under standard circumstances a university employee can expect a letter 3 months in advance of layoff for insufficient funds... but Marcin's been paying me off borrowed funds so long I'm not sure that rule applies anymore.
I was hoping to hold off going to work until the straight temp warmed up to minus 10, but it's 10 minutes to 10:00 and it's still minus 13. It's sunny though... and I did park the car facing east...
Windchill right now is minus 27. That's warmer than I expected. Last night the forecast was for daytime windchills today approaching minus 35.
...for us, we should have a high above zero tomorrow and be back in the 20s on Saturday. It's only about seven miles through business and residential areas to get to work so I haven't bothered with a supply kit. But Saturday, I head to IL for a car club banquet, so it's a good thing the weather will break for us tomorrow night! {grin}
But don't you wander too far astray Saturday!
Aquillea
Hi, I haven't been around much lately either....been very, very busy moving 2 websites to a new, hopefully more suitable webhost. Tons of space, 5 GB even on free accounts, once I get things straightened out maybe I won't have to worry about keeping my sites strung together with duct tape and galvanized wire...over some dozen different teeny space-stingy webspaces...
You may have heard that WE in southeast Indiana are supposedly in the path of a huge winter storm (well, huge for us, anyway!). The weather people were talking ominously about maybe a foot of snow total, plus about 1/2 inch of ice in the midst of all this. So far we have about 5" inches of snow, I'm guessing (don't feel like going out and measuring, I shoveled out the entire driveway this morning and wooow, do I have a serious backache!) and about an hour ago there was a brief spell of sleet coming down. But thus far the situation isn't as bad as they predicted. Maybe with any luck we'll only get the outskirts of the storm. KY will probably get the worst of it (they usually do). If it does get as bad as they said, overnight into tomorrow, I won't be going in to work, nor will I be able to get out and buy cat food either!!
Not sure what Thursday will bring. The snow's supposed to stop, but I don't look forward to shovelling the driveway out yet again. Doing that job again will have me in enough pain that going back to work on Friday and Saturday will be a misery... My hours have been cut, as many people can easily relate to these days. But I still have to work the weekend. My Mom has a Dr. appointment on Friday morning, too; I'm not sure she will make it, even thru the driveway. She's elderly and not strong. I can't carry her!!
Oh well. Love and best wishes to all, and please stay safe!!
That was me... this thing is dragging worse than usual, too many people at home and playing games on the 'net... I thought i had signed my name, but it didn't "take", apparently.
The sleet is coming down again....so we may be in for some major problems yet...
It's easy for me to like the snow since I don't have to shovel. I bet I'd have an entirely different opinion. Ice... bleck. Hope the storm does manage to dump the worst of it further south. We were far enough north and west to get out of this one.
Managed to get the van out today and run some errands. Had to get cat food, for one thing. But many of the roads are terrible! We got a good inch or more of ice, a middle layer on top of 2" of snow and then buried under another 6 or more. West of here it actually wasn't quite as bad, but east of here it gets worse. Plenty of trouble in Cincinnati and still a big power outage in that area AND in western KY. My Mum worries that we might lose our power here, if the wind comes up and some icy lines break...
Next week we are supposedly in for another big storm!! I will certainly be stuck at home then...once again. I KNOW I won't be shoveling any more snow. My back is hurting and other parts of me ache too. I feel a bit queasy otherwise--enough pain will do that to me--and I reeeeeeeally wish I didn't have to work tomorrow and Saturday.
Yesterday, a neighbor boy came by looking for work and asked if we would let him shovel our driveway. I told him I had already done it the day before. And shortly before he came by I had used a broom to sweep the latest snow away, which fortunately was very powdery...perfect snow for skiing! We have a ski-slope resort about 25 miles from here, most of the time they have to use artificial snow but not right now!! I really didn't feel I could shell out $30 or more to pay someone anyway... But next time, if worse comes to worst, I might have to! Either that or simply be stuck in here for a week, or however long it takes for the snow pack to melt. I know now that I won't be shoveling, ever again.
We finally got a warmup and the snow is almost totally gone! Yippees for that. Sun is shining, birds are singing like it's April.
Bad news, my back is worse! Since I shoveled all of that snow it's been bothering me more than it has for ages. The sciatica kinda/sorta improved some, thanks to heavy doses of OTC painkillers. Then the "old fashioned" lower back pain started in. Feels like it's in the spine. Oh joy. I'm sure my spine's a mess; a few yrs ago I was diagnosed w/ degeneration. And now the "one two punch," the sciatica returned, much worse again....I'm not sure, but I suspect it may all be the same thing! Last night was terrible and today, well...it ain't pretty! It's Sunday and I'm for taking a walk, not a lengthy one, but just to get those muscles moving and maybe relaxed a little. I'm on my feet constantly at work but around home we can rest when necessary! AND relax more.
I almost find myself dreading Spring. Sad, really, that's my absolute favorite time of the year. But with back problems and a big garden to care for, it's not a good mix! Plus living in a rural area, there are lots of other activities to enjoy. It would break my heart to have to miss out.
I have been doing a bit of surfing online about sciatica troubles and it seems to me that a great many people are suffering just as I do, but not everyone is finding relief. They are spending tons of money, but not always getting a cure. I was thinking of calling my doctor Monday (well, in this case it would be a question of getting a recommendation for a specialist) but now I'm not so sure. I tend to be one of those stubborn "Oh, I'll just suffer through and manage on my own" types, learned it from my Mom, I guess ~LOL~ which is why I've waited all these years & not done anything seriously to treat this. But I don't have the financial means to just waste money trying to find answers.
Hi all! Mom is doing very well and things are looking up for her. Joe is back at Disney until June working and I'm about to get 3 to 4 inches of snow tonight...IF we can trust the weather people.
Hope this finds everyone well and that the new year has started off on the plus side. Take care ((((((((Sister Friends))))))))!!!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Mom is back in the hospital as of this past Sunday. We almost lost her. She had to have 4 units of blood and they are currently running tests to find out the cause of the internal bleeding. After getting the blood she is doing very well and will be having a test this afternoon. Not sure what it is called, however, it involves a camera down her throat and her to be unconscious.
Other news we didn't get 3 to 4 inches of snow we got 11". All of the roads are clear now and there is still a lot of snow in the yards etc.
I am doing fine, my son shovels, and things are looking pretty good. Keep those prayers and good vibes coming and will keep you all posted.
((((((((((((((((((((((((((Sister Friends))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))))
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
My Birthday was AWESOME!! I had a phone call from Shamba and I went to Century Inn (bar/great food) with my girlfriend Marilyn and did karaoke. It was so much fun only thing missing was all of my sister friends....
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
What a crazy December. Overtime grant proposaling, head East, only get 99% of the family Xmas shopping done before I get the stomach flu, in bed nearly 2 days and "in recovery mode" longer, pass it on first to Mom then Dad. Next, fly back, do my Xmas shopping for the handful of car club friends that's grown to shopping for 10 people! Shop for gift bags, prep the gifts, unpack, do laundry so I have something to wear, prep my "dish to pass."
Hope everyone else's Xmas was at least healthier than our back East! {sheepish grin}
I want to thank you all for all the support I get here. I truly miss being here on a daily basis. I was thinking I'd get a computer this month but I am doing the pre-need funeral planning instead.
As you may have guessed from that statement, Greg didn't make it. He died the same day as Fay, Dixie's stepmother, whom I considered a dear friend too. She was responsible for opening up communication between my daughters' father and me after many years of brooding and loathing. I am eternally grateful for that and so are the girls.
So I had to choose between funerals. I made Fay's wake in Mississippi and it was bittersweet. It's an unusual feeling to see the love of your life as a grieving widower. The desire to hold him and comfort him is as storng as it is inappropriate. Still I felt a lot of love from his family and hers (and ours) and I know it was right for me to be there. Her daughter cried in my arms for quite a while and I was so glad to be there for her and that she found comfort in me. It was surreal.
Then I came home for Greg's funeral. It was only a graveside service so I didn't get to see him. I heard his family had had his bread shaved off and his hair dyed brown from silver, so I'm glad I didn't see. He would have hated that. He had not been in contact with them for 2 years and I couldn't help feeling that Furry and I should have had more input. The service was nice except that it was windy and cold. This has been a very cold season for the Deep South.
The day before Fay's wake, Greg's family decended on my home like a fock of vultures wanting to strip away every shred of him from the home he loved. I cried too much but tried to behave in a loving mannner. I think they saw through me though because they suddenly just stopped and left. I actually ended up gettig to keep many of the things he loved having in our home and that's what I wanted...him in my home. Also, it turned out that his car was actually still in the name of his former partner,Tony, also deceased, and Tony's family gave me the car. That's cool, although I havewn't driven it yet. I think I see it as Death's car. I know that's weird.
I'm feeling more fear than sadness. Greg was so active and thin , never out of breath, a healthy eater. There was just no clue and he was gone so quickly! So quickly...I never felt a glimmer of hope after the paramedics left the house. He crashed again going out the door and when I got to the hospital, the receptionist said, 'I'll find the tech who was working on him.'
So for the past week I have been a lump. I get that way. Paralized. I'm getting better starting today! ;)I have still got to cleanse my house of bad energy. The evil ex came by in a drunken stupor and said , "You and Greg are both going to die here." 2 days before Greg's heart attack. Logical people would say it was a weird coincidence...then again logical people would say it was just too weird a coincideince.
Sorry for rambling on and on but the shrink says it's good to type it out.
I left a post on Deb U. Sending prayers for your life to do nothing but get better and better. So sorry you had to go through all this. If I could have been there for you I would have in a heartbeat.
What a sad, sad, and weird story. But yes, Dear, it IS always good to type it out and tell others. ALWAYS. Trust me, I know!! Been there & done that way too many times.
I love you, and you know that you have all my sympathy. Check your email too WHEN you have the opportunity.
I've been thinking about you the past 2-3 nights particularly late at night our time--but that wuld still be late at night your time, too.
Oh, my dear {{{{E!}}}} I knew you'd do okay at fay's service but I wondered what would happen with Greg's. I didn't know how much he still kept in touch with his family.
I'm terribly glad they left stuff of his for you and I'm glad you've got the car, too.
I think that being paralized and sitting around is pretty normal after a death and you've had that and too much other stuff going on.
As for your damn ex, well sometimes fools can be correct in lucky guesses but more often they are just fools and he's got other demons, too.
I like what Shoshana said about having the house blessed and "bad vibes" cleaned out of it. I wonder if some of us could do that by proxy??? I've got a book somewhere here about that stuff ... I'll see what I can do. It wouldn't matter if it was Christian, wiccan or many things all together, it would just help move out bad stuff and prevent any from coming back. that house was full of you and Greg and your friendship and affection.. something your ex didn't find there so that was an element of what he said, too.
is there a phone or address I can reach you at? If you send it to shana could she give it to me?
Please come a type all this stuff anytime you want.
I like what Shoshana said about having the house blessed and "bad vibes" cleaned out of it. I wonder if some of us could do that by proxy??? I've got a book somewhere here about that stuff ... I'll see what I can do. It wouldn't matter if it was Christian, wiccan or many things all together, it would just help move out bad stuff and prevent any from coming back.
I agree, totally!! I am a Christian and yet I am more open-minded than some...who would cringe in polite shock at the thought of cleansing and purging from evil spirits... Some people forget that this was just what the Apostles were doing in the time of Christ!
Well...
I'm very glad to have your new address! But I wish this could be a time of celebration and nothing else. Once again it seems to be a time to hold the little ones close and try to be mindful of a brighter future.
I like the idea of playing Greg's CDs in the car and I'm glad his more important things can stay with someone who truly appreciates them.
I'm so sorry for all of your troubles. Just remember, you are loved and cared about by many people. I promise to send lots of snail mail stuff.
Remember, God is with you through everything.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
E! I'm so sorry that you're having to go through this. I haven't been here as often as I like, and I just now read your post. You are in my thoughts and prayers, dear, sweet sister. Take care.
I'm new to posting & think I messed up & put my question on the fanfic page instead of this page. Sorry, I don't know how to remove it from that page. Could you please remove it for everyone?
Now here is my original question:
I just found "The Castle Forum Fanfic Site" stories & want to make sure I read everything from the beginning to end.
I started reading "Calee's Tale" but there are mentions of an earlier battle with somebody named "Ichor" & I just wanted to be sure this is the first story in this Alternate Universe.
Is "Calee's Tale" the first fanfic story & "Eeyoraus's Birthday Adventure" the last fanfic story, so far.
I don't have the answer to your question, however, I did write some of the chapters and it's nice to have someone new reading it.
Hope to see you around a lot. We are not as fast moving as other sites, but that happens to be one of my favorit parts of The Castle. We are all sister friends here and I know once things calm down in real life, a lot of them will be returning.
Take care and nice to meet ya!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Did you pick your name or did your parents? Such a perfect name for a December arrival!
As for the stories on the FF board...
You'll find that the stories were written by current or former denizens of The Castle. That said, the stories attributed to a single author tend to be independent works that don't closely relate to other stories except for the main character. Many provide backstories for characters that appear in the longer Castlewarming saga.
Be forwarned that several stories are unfinished. I think minimally Maddie's last and Angel's last are not finished.
I'm surprised to see the Castlewarming (CW) on page 2! You'll also find it on page 1... because at several points in time there were server glitches where the CW seems to have gotten erased, and one of them lasted a looooong time, so a couple of us who had copies on our home computers rebuilt it. There's aren't 2 CW stories. It's just that the early installments got posted twice.
In the end, it doesn't really matter what order you read any of the stories but they are arranged in (reverse) order of their being written with the exception of the double posting of the CW. But, as you can see, since the original CW disappeared for a while, installments beyond #800 only appear in the newer posting. The CW is also unfinished. I haven't officially given up on it myself, but I took on editing a club newsletter and that ate up my free time. That doesn't excuse my inactivity in 2008 though. I still hope to rectify that however... {giggle}
Maybe all it needs is a new, enthusiastic contributor to jump start her again??? {wink}
~Aquillea
This message has been edited by Aquillea on Dec 6, 2008 12:32 PM
Welcome! :::rolling out red carpet for the first newbie in ages::::
December 6 2008, 7:22 PM
Greetings Holly! A new arrival, how about that! A bit of a Christmas gift to all of us Castlezons!
Quills, your post gives me an idea. I wonder whether it would be OK to post my novel here on the fiction board... It is unfinished, I confess; but we only have maybe 10 chapters more to complete, IF a certain co-author can ever pull her life together, find some leisure and resume being my "partner in crime," :::snigger::: Anyone who's ever visited my website knows about this novel and maybe has even read it... But we LOOOOVE feedback! The more the better!
And yes I know I ought to be updating my signature and using it on NW54 again...it contains my website links. But I'm also guilty of a too-busy RL and hence I've been rather lazy here...
...I may have been given editing ability for the forum but this is Calee's and/or Antares' baby. That said, as long as it's PG-13 {wink}, I can't imagine anyone would object to you sharing your story here. After all, the poor FF forum is collecting dust
it's all PG-13, so no over-the-top stuff, I assure you. Once upon a time many moons ago I checked with Antares...but she didn't respond with Yea or Nay concerning the Fiction board over at DebU. So even though a rough version of the original story still can probably be found there, I hesitated about posting the 'new and greatly improved' version even though I'm certain that everyone would have enjoyed it. OK then, as soon as I can get time to do so, it will be posted here!!
It isn't finished, and I don't know now when it will be. Not long ago I had a time frame for when that great day would dawn...but my writing partner seems to have been swallowed up by her 60 hour a week schedule, or something...I haven't heard a peep out of her in many weeks... The last time she emailed, though, she mentioned her plans for the current chapter we've been working on.
Be that as may be, it would be nice to receive FB from anyone who reads it here. And whenever my buddy returns, she will be happy to find out what people around here have to say about our joint project.
Oh, and there is a 'bibliography' section on my website that I should provide the link for. Not only did we use a lot of graphics--most manipped to some degree--we also used a great many song lyrics. The graphics and the song lyrics have all been painstakingly credited on the website pages. That is, the materials that we have used so far have been credited; those pages won't be finished till the novel is finished...
One of my mom's best friends and roommate, Greg, had a massive heart attack on Monday night. She happened to be checking on him right before it started and was standing there, so she got the paramedics there within 4mins. Still he was dead when they got there and died once more at the hospital. They revived him and did surgery. They had to put ten stints in his heart and found a bleeding ulcer. They cooled his body temp for 24hrs to try to avoid brain damage. They warmed him up today and at first thought that he was doing better than expected, but after removing his medication they said he has no brain function. They are keeping him hooked up to the machines until Friday and then they will remove them if he still has no activity. You know we are still dealing with the loss of my grandmother and this would be a another big hit on us, so please pray for a miracle here. Thank You.
So sorry to hear this. Please tell your mom my prayers are on their way as I type and all the good vibes I can muster. You all have been through so much lately. She is just getting things back together and I hope her path stays that way.
That's terrible news!!!
Things finally seemed to be looking up just a little!
Prayers for her and for Greg have already been sent. I wish the situation looked more hopeful. This is just... wrong!
who may respond. It will be a few days before I can thank you, so thank you in advance. My stepmother is passing away tonight, from cancer, and I will be out of town. Thank you all again and we love you.
Too much sorrow in too short a time!
My thoughts and prayers are with you... and your mom!
I'm so sorry about all this, chiquita. And did I read at DebU that the fish got damaged too? I don't know wheter to cry or to punch something. I suppose if I do the latter I might hurt myself... unless I punch a pillow. But where's the satisfaction in that?
Wishing you all a very Happy Thanksgiving whatever you are doing. I do have a lot to be thankful for including this forum family. Have a great day everyone.
"Will you keep it down in there! She is going to hear you and it will spoil the surprise!" whispered Shait. "Sorry!" came the sheepish reply from the dining room. "Did you get the dress laid out on the bed and the bath drawn?" asked Shait. "Sure did and I have Eeyoraus waiting upstairs to assist her with everything." said Lyrical as she came out of the decorated dining room and made her way into the kitchen. "Now all I have left to do is stir the veggie soup and take the bread out of the oven." "Quick, everybody scatter!" Honeybunch said, "I see her coming up the path now with greenie!"
When Shamba and greenie came into the Castle, greenie led her up the stairs to her first surprise as Aquillea brought Iolaus in through the kitchen.
"NO!!" said Lyrical firmly, "You may NOT sample everything to see if its good. Quills get him out of here and make sure the bar is set up and that we have enough ale."
After her bath, Shamba dressed in the empire waist emerald green dress. Eeyoraus fixed her hair while greenie put the silk slippers on her feet. Looking at the dressing table she discovered a small velvet pouch. "Go on and open it, " greenie said, "It's from Iolaus."
Shamba smiled and opened the pouch to find a pair of tear drop emerald earrings.
Just as she finished putting them on, there was a knock at the door. She opened it and found Iolaus waiting for her. He took her into his arms and kissed her then turned her around and placed a matching teardrop emerald on a thin gold chain around her neck.
"Happy Birthday my love!" he said softly.
He then led her down the stairs into the dining room where all of the sister friends and Hunters were gathered.
"Happy Birthday to you!"
"Happy Birthday to you!"
"Happy Birthday, dear Shamba!!"
"Happy Birthday to you!"
May your day be filled with joy, peace, happiness and above all LOVE!!!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Um. Wasn't it summer only, like... last week? Where does the time go????
Belated Birthday Wishes
With NO Salmoneous dishes
Instead, its glass covered quail
With some Antianos Ale
Have your cake and eat it too
Piled up presents, all for you
Sing a little - dance with friends
Hope the evening never ends
Now... who's hand are ya holdin'?
Iolaus, honeyed, golden
And off goes Shams with Blue Eyes
We won't see her 'til sunrise
Zeus granted a wish, belated
Details Please!
But PG-13 rated...
This is a family forum after all {snicker}
{{{Sister-friend}}}
Feliz Cumpleanos, Amiga Mia!
(Happy Birthday, my friend)
Love, Quilla
This message has been edited by Aquillea on Nov 20, 2008 11:51 PM
greenie smiled as the last of the happy birthday song resounded in her ears. She looked around at her sister friends, and thought how very lucky she was to have these special people in her life. They had always been there for each other, through thick and thin, and they always would be. Castle sisters, amazon friends, lifetime family, their bond was one that would never be broken.
Sounds like you two were playing (!!) in a vat of honey and Iolaus got it into his eyes...and now, Dr. Shambie has to attend to the situation, poor baby.
glad to hear from you. Happy to hear your doing ok and all the cats are fine.
Me, I'm still looking for a job and getting more depressed about it as time goes on. I know there are a lot of people in the same situation as me, but that just doesn't help the state of mind. LOL
Keep in touch. Oh, my kitties (cats) are doing ok also.
Nothing exciting to report here. One grant proposal got submitted today. I've got 3 more to work on as a part time job. In other words, OT and vacation time. They're due Dec. 5. That means playtime is gonna be very scarce the next few weeks. I'm gonna try to fit in next Saturday with the racing and other gal pals... the annual shopping trip. We'll see how that plan goes.
I'm OK too, but nursing another cold, seems these days I catch one cold after another! Had severe bronchitis/sinus infection in October, took me almost 3 weeks to get well...now I have something else developing. I'm healthy otherwise, but bugs seem to navigate right toward me when I'm around so many people! My job involves being out in all kinds of bad weather, at the same time...not a good combination! It is only PT but I do wish I didn't have to work at all, I have plenty of responsibilities elsewhere!--including my elderly mother....and 3 healthy and happy kitties...
I am going to call my Dr. today and ask a few basic Q's about disability. A lady at work (a bit older than me with similar physical issues) says she gets it even though she IS working...but like me, only PT. I never knew you could do that!--work and also get disability payments, I mean. But I don't want it to interfere with my social security in the coming years. I looked online but there is so much information that I'm confused. Maybe the Dr. office could just send me some basic info that would clear up the mysteries. I will also ask my pal when I see her again.
Been looking online at work-at-home possibilities. There is a super website called The Rat Race Rebellion, it's huge and full of information about how to avoid scams and locate REAL JOBS. However, it appears that it is designed for the executive types. Many of them really DO 'telecommute.' I left an email briefly describing my own situation and basically asked, "What should I do, I'm lost!?" Haven't heard a peep out of anyone yet, they prolly think I'm crazy...
Sorry to say, nothing, just an absolutely exhausting Friday evening at work! Place was a ZOO!!! Now that's scary enough for me!! If I'd had the stamina, I prolly could have stayed 'overtime' for a couple more hours; but 6 hours in that place is aplenty, with my issues. I felt kind of sorry for the other workers. Our manager insisted he'd have them out by 2 am, but I felt certain they'd be there all night long till dawn, trying to 'close' after that mess quieted down. But the 'openers' arrive about 4, I think, so the night people almost had to be out at least by 3. I noticed today (Sat.) the floors looked dirty, like they hadn't been mopped the night before, so I am sure a few things just had to be left!
Yup, seems as we get older, the holidays and other 'special' days become less fun and games and just more struggles with RL.
came for only about an hour and half, if that. It seems like every year we are getting less and less kids. It was crazy for just that short of a time. They start at 6 and went to about 7:30 and then the street was totally empty. Weird for around here. I just don't know what's going on anymore. We all figured since it was a Friday more would be out. Oh, well. Anybody want all this candy I still have? LOL
You can send it to me, I love candy!! I was just telling a friend of mine that now I'm older, I find it much easier to control myself even around chocolate. I'm well past the "Big M" (went thru it early) so I just don't have those insane cravings anymore. But the wisest thing I can do around the house, if I have extra goodies, is just stash them in an out-of-the-way place, like a drawer, shelf or cabinet, where I know where it is but it isn't in my face all the time tempting me. Then if I decide to eat a piece or two (or three, or four ) I know where it is and I can take some and put the rest away. Most of the goodies I didn't even buy, we have a floor manager at work who loves to cook and bake, and often brings in treats for the workers. Honestly sometimes it's like a smorgasbord! Of course this month there has been a lot of candy.
Since I live out in the country, we don't have any trick-or-treaters, only my great nephews...well, just the one little guy now, he's only 7 but the bigger one has turned 15 so he won't be going out anymore. We have children next door but they never come over here on Halloween.
I always think of the days when we lived in town, and I stopped going trick-or-treating by the time I was 12. But I thought it was really fun to decorate the livingroom and then be 'hostess' at the door when the kids came around. Many of them i knew, they were classmates; others were younger and I wasn't acquainted with them.
Sheesh, how time does fly, that was over 40 years ago but it doesn't really seem like it!
Well, the fish are on the street! They will stay out until next May when they will be auctioned off for charity. I totally love our spot too! It's in a courtyard area of a very tall building on the main street of our busy downtown area. It's very easily seen. Some fish are inside buildings and even behind signs so we were really blessed to get this spot.
There's a picture of Jester Fish and Lauren my inlusive business partner, the fish and me and then there's me the night of the James Blunt concert. I just threw that one in there for your veiwing pleasure.
I have shots of more fish. Since I am computerless they are loaded to Lauren's myspace
Go here, click pics under her avatar, and it's the Katfish4kids album. There are some really spectacular fish. I don't have pictures of all of them but there are fish that make me want to cover mine with a sheet!!! for sure!!!!.
The fishes have hit the streets and made a big splash!! ASAP I will check out Lauren's Myspace section; you know how my computer is! I love courtyard type locations...and a spot easily seen, what could possibly be any better?? You WERE fortunate! You guys are also lucky to be where the weather is nice all winter, so that the fish won't be blanketed in snow and/or ice like they would be in, say, Cincinnati!? Although, on second thought, maybe ice on a fish would lend a certain extra realism...
So, that last image is YOU, Sis?? Hooray and Huzzah, raise the tankards, it does appear that you are losing weight!! **Applause, accentuated by stamping of feet** Keep up the good work! Artistically as well as personally...
**sigh** Man. I wish I had time to flaunt MY freak!! And it is highly flaunt-able.
I don't suppose you know what an E1 and an E2 thingy on a digital tuner contraption are for...do ya?? One thing is certain, one has to do with the front and the other, the rear.
Here's the problem: My digital signal quit on me, very suddenly for no reason. None that I can figure out anyway. I don't know of anything 'wrong' I might have done. I spent an hour searching thru the manual and was completely baffled by the time I threw it down in disgust. I kept messing with the remote, and finally got a COUPLE of the digital stations to come in...but that "E1," "E2" keeps showing on the display and I've a sneaking feeling that this has something to do with the problem of why all of the other stations aren't showing. The manual makes a huge deal out of recording and dubbing. I haven't even learned how to record (on DVD, that is) or dub just yet. It doesn't really tell much of anything else about how to trouble-shoot in areas that don't involve messing with the connection cables. And I'm sure those have not been disturbed, I don't see how they could be. I am even beginning to wonder whether our roof antenna might be to blame. We haven't had any damage to it, though (not even during the "hurricane" a month ago).
My Brother was the one who set up the unit for me, and he lives a ways off and won't be back around for quite some while. I shouldn't be pestering you, but I wondered whether maybe there would be an outside chance that you--or anyone else around here--might have a clue.
Looks like I won't be able to watch "Supernatural" or several other faves anymore for a while, till this problem gets sorted out. Thank goodness the station DOES still show reruns in summer!
...so I don't know about this stuff. In a quick web search I get the impression that E1 and E2 may be bands of frequencies??? Like say VHF vs UHF. Do you have to program the system so that it knows what wavelengths your signals are? Maybe there was and electrical glitched that erased programmed settings for your tuner...
Sorry I can't be of more help.
Someone dubbed me the Queen of Spec at my Supernatural haunt. I've just been going nuts with the spec and analysis. Bummer if you miss this coming episode. The trailer looked interesting.
Everything SEEMS okay now! In a nutshell...apparently for some unknown reason I managed to delete all the antenna stations from the DVR's auto-scan function...not the analog ones but the diggy ones. Last night I saw that it was still set on 'antenna' option, rather than either of the 'cable' ones...since we don't have cable. But even set correctly, it just wasn't working. I decided in sheer desperation to see what it would do if I tried 'cable - analog/digital'. Again it scanned all analog stations first...including a whole slew of stations I didn't realize existed and have no clue where any of them originate from. Whoah, didn't know I could do THAT! Nice. But it wasn't helping the digital situation any.
So today (after sitting up till 3 am trying to find answers online--gah!! Good thing it was a day off from work) I thought i would try again, see if something would occur to me. I re-set the unit to 'antenna' and tried the scan operation again. It didn't bring in near as many analog stations...but oh well. I don't have that much time for TV anyway. (And one of these days, all analog stations will be history!) Then it jumped to the digital listing. I held my breath. After it finished, I tried them again....and they were WORKING! Halle-freakin'-looyer!! Didn't have to call up Bro or anything, risk his irritation and "I TOLD YOU NOT TO TOUCH ANYTHING..." speech. But I'm sure the problem didn't result from my playing with the Auxiliary option that disconnects the digital signal and lets you watch analog. It all started while I was rewinding that videotape...so I don't know what caused it... The tape just happened to be last week's Supernatural, I even had the random notion of the tape being cursed...!
But I thought of you right away, since I figured no one else gives the 'play by play' episode recaps like our beloved Dark Amazon does ...and I might have to rely on you for them for awhile... But all seems to be well, knock on wood!
So, what did you think of last week's black & white Dracula ep? I thought it was cute and interesting, with plenty of humor (and a nice smooching scene near the end, aaiiahhh)...but somehow I miss the nitty gritty serious topics, this was a little too lightweight for me. I wouldn't say it was in my Top 10 fav SN episodes...
All rightee, now I'm off to watch tonight's recording!!
the whereabouts of your SN haunt, Quills? Off and on lately, I've been looking around for a 'haunt' that I could hang out on, to listen and learn and discuss our mutual favorite show. I found one last nite, but it was so full of raving maniacs (well, I can sympathize!!--they were ranting profusely about the show, particularly the latest AWESOME ep!!) that I doubt anyone even noticed I had subbed on. There doesn't seem to be a thread where we can introduce ourselves. I had problems downloading the pages too, some forums are very graphics-heavy and make DL painfully slow. One thing about The Castle and even DebU, the pages DL quickly even for me.
Toxic Sam? Spleen juice? Killer Yorkies? Dean playing air-guitar on his leg? WhaaHHAAA!!! I gotta see that one again today!!
The episode recaps are blogs by an editor of tvguide.com... not a print editor, a site editor. She doesn't get paid to do the recap blog as part of her job and, she planned to "retire" after season 3 ended, but she came back. The 1st day or two after an episode the responses to the blog will be weighted towards one-off posts of a "loved this... loved that" variety. After that the responses will be more heavily weighted towards the "regulars." If you decide you want to check out comments more than a couple episodes back I'll need to give you another link. They just switched to a new site/format. Although you'll find links to all episodes this season, you'll find the early episodes won't have many comments. We were at the other site and that's where all the comments are.
The "regulars" are predominantly Dean-leaners in their mid-thirties or older.
Regarding the last couple episodes...
I actually like MoMo (Monster Movie) a lot. It's good fun if you want to take it on a superficial joy-ride level but it's actually got mytharc relevance all over the dang place if you want to look for it. One of my specs is that nothing that's happened this season is "real." Sam double-dosed on african dream root last season (episode 10) and I think he may still be working the dreamscape. There's been a lot of dreaming... sleeping... time-loop do-over type stuff since then. I'm also spec'ing that the whole series will be a 5-yr Trickster tale. {smirk}
I was perhaps a bit less fond of this last episode. A couple episodes ago I was giving thumbs up to the repetition were seeing in the show cuz I think it's purposeful rather than a lack of original ideas. Like I said... Trickster tales. I think this is about teaching the boys life lessons and repetition is part of the learning process. BUT, this episode is making me wonder how long and slow this rift process is gonna go. All the classic Monster of the Week (MotW) episodes so far have been driving home the same lessons/worries... that's 3 of 6 episodes... and the others aren't far off in the message either. Rougaru Jack... poor different "freak" who got pushed over the edge by a hunter to become a monster. Dracushifter... poor different "freak" who got pushed over the edge by his abusive dad etc to become a monster. Ghost Guy last night... poor different "freak" who got pushed over the edge by his own murder to become a monster. Yeah... OK... I get it guys... 3 episodes out of 6? I really, really get it... {sheepisg grin}
JA did rock that "PS" for certain sure. God, that boy's all that and a bag of chips!
Dreamscape? Trickster tales? Hey, you might be right about that!! Too bad I missed a whole season or more...
At the CW Lounge (I confess, that was where I TRIED to sub on, I bet no one has noticed YET! Too much wild drooling ranting and raving, a quiet voice of reason won't get much attention there, I fear.) most of them seemed "Dean-leaners" around the age of 30 or less. I 'privatized' my own age, since at 53 I would almost feel like an old lady among them. One is like 45, but the rest are way younger.
...see the 1st Trickster episode? That was Tall Tales in Season 2. That's one's most famous for the slow dancing alien and JA stuffing the handful of caramels in his mouth. There was a second overt Trickster episode last season... aired in February and is the "Groundhog Day" episode where Dean dies over and over and over. The episode before that was the African dreamroot episode where a college student was killing people in their dreams...
BTW, he seemed to have become a killer (monster) partly because his daddy abused him as a child - ringing any bells?
After the Groundhog Day Trickster episode, I found a number of reasons to think the previous dream root episode was also a "Trickster episode" even though he doesn't appear in it. And from there I've come to see Trickster all over the dang place.
Faith... the season 1 episode where Dean's dying of heart failure and Sam takes him to a faith healer... Um... I think that's a Trickster episode too. OK, so Tall Tales didn't hit the air until roughly a whole year after Faith... I don't care. Faith is sooooo a Trickster episode. I feel it (ROTFLOL).
nothing more than feeeeeeeelings....lolol, just kidding!
Some things you mention kinda ring bells (hell's bells? Whahaha!) ESPECIALLY the Groundhog Day ep where Dean dies over and over and over (that sure put me in mind of the Xena ep where the same thing was happening!...entitled "DejaVu All Over Again" I think!) Made me cry...till I realized what was really happening. And I remember The Trickster in that, I shorely shorely do. Seems to me that this was the first time I'd seen him. Boy! I hope someone gives me enough moolah for Xmas that I can afford to purchase all of the season packages. Then we can pick apart every detail and I won't miss a--erh, miss a trick.
...was perhaps my least fave SPN episode, Which amuses a fellow SPN fan since I've now become obsessed by Trickster.
As I believe one of the guys put it during the episode, Tall Tales (Trickster's 1st appearance) was your typical, angry spirit, slow dancing alien, man-eating aligator in the sewer case (LOL). The boys go to a college campus to investigate the suspicious death of a professor. They learn the prof. who died slept with some of his students and he went upstairs with a young woman before he fell out the window to his death. But certain facts about the case aren't adding up. Meanwhile, the boys are grwoing increasingly impatient with one another over "squeezing the toothpaste" type issues that escalate.
As they continue their investigation they wind up interviewing a jock-type who's drinking heavily to drown out his recent trauma. He claims to have been adducted by aliens that made him slow dance. The boys find a cricle of burned grass that might have been made the alien craft. Then a research scientist gets killed by what the evidence suggests is an aligator in the sewer.
Eventually we see this janitor in his apt. It just now occurs to me he had a lap dog kind of pet, I think. Not unlike out Toto in this last ep. Anyway, he's in a white undershirt (and boxers), not unlike organ-playing Ed was in MoMo. He's reading a National Enquirer-type mag with stories about aliens and sewer aligators etc and getting a chuckle out of it. He goes into the kitchen and snaps up a feast... then snaps up a long haired blonde & brunette... not unlike Lucy and Jamie in MoMo (?).
Bobby listens to the boys tell their outragous stories about what's been going on including Dean supposedly stealing and/or breaking Sam's computer and Sam supposedly letting the air out of the Impala's tires. Bobby figures out right away that they have a Trickster on their hands. He likes to take the high and mighty down a peg or two. The jock was disliked on campus for fraternity hazing stuff. And Trickster was creating chaos to distract the guys...
Later, Dean and Sam get into a fight outside Trickster's building. Sam takes off to investigate further or something and tells Dean not to do anything til he gets back. After waiting a while Dean goes in anyway. Trickster tries to bribe Dean with his buxom gal pals. Dean really likes Trickster's style and is clearly full of regret when he informs Trickster he's gonna have to kill him. Trickster ominously notes Dean should have listened to Sam and not come alone. Dean tells him he didn't... and Sam and Bobby walk in. Trickster smiles. So that fight... that was a trick then? A fight ensues involving the gal pals and a chainsaw weilding monster.
Eventually one of the boys stabs Trickster with a stake and he dies. There's an abbreviated chick-flick moment outside the Impala. Then we cut back to the building where dead Trickster disappears, like FauxBobby did in Mystery Spot (Groundhog Day), and we see Trickster appear nearby, alive and well.
I am good at catching patterns...and yeah, if I had been fortunate enough to see ALL eps and/or have copies of 'em, I think I would have noticed this too. You got me convinced! Now to see whether the PTB are better at carrying on plot threads, such as this, than the former PTB were on the Herk/Xena shows? (I knew I would manage to get back around to mentioning them sooner or later! )
Ahhh, 8 more hours as of this typing, till our boys (in SN, that is) make their next appearance on a TV near you.
And yes, I have visited your SN hangout and I did also successfully logon to the CW lounge...but like most folks, my time is limited; and my computer is "Old And Cranky" (as my author-partner/friend dubbed it), which results in yet more time being taken up by simply trying to navigate graphic-heavy pages...pretty hard on dialup...
I left my glasses at home so I don't know if I'm typoing or not. Greg and I have been in the house for 3 weeks but we still don't have much furniture and we are still going all over town collecting our stuff and trying to get it unpacked. WE don't have a phone or internet and I don't have a computer so I will be hard to get in touch with for a while. If you have an emergency I need to know ca;; Dixie. I am going to try to get a computer soon but neither one of us have a steafy income so......
Anyway, it's beeb really good in a lot of ways. Greg is a great cook and I tell him that I feel like I'm eating out in a nice resteraunt every night. He likes to use the "good" dishes and candles and stuff too. It's really nice. He gets up at dau;ihjy or before and is helping me to get in a better schedule. Hw's a really cool girlfriend!
I'm sorry I can't read your post. I will have my reading glsses with me next time. PRAy that I can afford my prescription glasses soon!
Mixed blessings are better than none at all. Hopefully this is sing of a turnaround in your fortunes... well, not literally "fortunes" {grin}... and your situation will continue to improve. I hope your roommate cooks healthy as well as tasty. But a good neighborhood with a good friend and good food on the good china?! Things could be worse. What am I saying, things have been worse! Sending positive energy your way in the hope of keeping the forward momentum going!!!!!
life is happier than it's been in quite a while for you, anyway...even if you don't have a phone or computer access...or prescription glasses either... Keeping the warm thoughts and earnest prayers going out as always!!
I am so sorry that I have not been around much however, with Hunter being in school full time, my mom not doing so great(she got pnumonia again) amd my one son falling into debt at a rediculas rate life has beem insane. I am on the edge of going crazy and know that I can't so I keep on picking up my acting skills to make life the same for all around me. I know I can count on all of you to keep me in your prayers send out love my way as I do right back at ya. Thanks for letting me get this out of my system. Money is so tight I wonder what a $10.00 dollar bill looks like. Sorry about any spelling mistakes but I have these dumb tears running down my face that I can't control. I just needed to vent. Thank you all...
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Money is so tight I wonder what a $10.00 dollar bill looks like.
Geez louise, and here I thought I was the onlyest person around having that problem!!! Just goes to show that when we think we're alone in our troubles, 'taint so, someone else, maybe lots and lots of people are in the same boat. Lots of love, prayers and healing thoughts being sent your way, Lyri...and don't be embarrassed about the tears, they are a means of purging and healing, even if it is uncomfortable! Sometimes I have to cry, too, about a number of things in my own life...I just try not to let anyone actually see me doing it...
I did get your two messages over the past couple of weeks but I wasn't home and didn't get back to you, I'm sorry my dear. I'll try to call you in the next few days.
I hope your Mom gets better and you feel better. I'm here to listen, heaven knows, you and other have listened to me.
Don't ever feel you can't vent. What are sister friends for, if not to provide a comforting shoulder for you to cry on? Believe me when I say you're not in this alone. I've cried myself over finances the last few days. Just know that God won't let our fears go unnoticed. He will provide somehow, some way, I just know it.
You definitely need to find time to slip away with Herc to the hot tub! Just remember you won't be able to help your family if you push yourself past the breaking point!
I'm sending up a prayer for you and your family. And of course you know tons of positive energy is being channeled your way.
I hope brighter days are just around ther corner!
Love, Sherillea
Update from this end of the Cyber verse? Hercaverse?
October 14 2008 at 6:51 PM
Shamba
I am well and kind of tired. My mom's memorial service went well; manyh people came and it was a very cool day--only 72 degrees or so. Shait was able to come and devlivered hugs!
Things with my brother went okay. Cousins from Montana and Ohio were able to come that was nice.
Glad to see that your thought processes seem to be on the positive side despite all the tragedy and other downers. Looking forward to more news from down your way!!
I'm glad things haven't been too much of a struggle and hope all continues on an untroubled healing course. Much love and positive energy continues to flow your way!
Mom was unresponsive today; she talked a little last night when I was there but only I could figure out what she was saying. she's not opening her eyes today either. she's coming close to drawing her last few breaths on earth, I figure. I talked to a couple of counselors at the Hospice today. One is an elderly man named Eamon who has an appealing Irish accent. These people have been really helpful and caring.
E~!, she hasn't been able to walk to the bathroom on her own since she was in the ER last tuesday night. Too out of breath and unsteady on her feet. She's got some kind of briefs, adult diapers(Ugh what a terrible name!) on.
hugs to you all,
shamba
I guess I'm doing as well as I can; I cry sometimes and sometimes not.
Eleanor Trego breathed her last at 4:20 p.m. or so yesterday just an hour after I left her. She was peaceful and quiet. She just breathed in and then breathed out and didn't breathe anymore. I will miss her but she lived a long, relatively peaceful, prosperous, life with a good marriage for her.
we'll have amemorial service in the next week or so, haven't done anything about a date. It turns out my brother can come from California for it. he has to come and go right back but he can come.
You all have been great support and I want you to know it.
You are in my heart, on my mind and in my prayers. I shall pray for your mom and you and your brother. Call me (and I'll call you right back) if you need me.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Life has been a struggle for you and your mom for a while now, but it was a journey you shared together. A lot of people will never be able to say that, because they were weak or unlucky, or both. Now your mother's struggle is over and for that we can be grateful. Your struggle continues, changed in nature now... but as the saying goes... this too shall pass. In time.
I'll bet your mother's favorite place to be was in your heart. As long as you continue to hold her there, I think that's what truly matters... for both of you.
Again, sweetie, if there's anything I can do... just whistle.
Try not to grieve too hard, my friend, because, as my mom once said to me when I told her I wouldn't ever be able to survive her death, "I would want you to live your life." I know your mom would want this too.
I know there's a piece of you that's missing now, but your mom isn't hurting anymore..her soul is at peace.
I'm glad your brother is coming. I'll be thinking of you, dear friend. Take care.
Peacefully, sleep comes
to a dear, beloved heart.
Quietly, we understand
the time has come to part.
Tenderly, the love shines on,
a never-ending light.
Gratefully, we feel its warmth,
and say "Sweet dreams, good night."
we're having a memorial service for my Mom next Saturday, oct 11.
Her friend, Mildred, and mine--she's my second Mom and I grew up in the neighborhood with her son--helped me plan it. It's not anything fancy, her body will be cremated, the memorial service won't necessarily include her ashes (it may not be done by then). We picked out some music, talked to someone to do the service and did all that stuff for death certificates, obittuary, small programs for the service and state legalities. The staff at the mortuary were very kind and nice.
my brother is coming next Friday and goes back to Californai on Monday.
I'm doing okay but my sleep is even more interrupted than it was before my mom went to the hospital.
I thank you all for your prayers, thoughts and poems, they are an enormous life for my spirit.
I am so, so very sorry!!! You have my total sympathy. At these times there is such a world of statements I want to make but can never seem to organize my thoughts, as an event like this is so huge for most of us, it defies description. I felt much the same as you do when my dear Father died in '93, we were brokenhearted and yet accepting, as he was a wonderful (though flawed) man with a loving family who supported him. His struggle with cancer was valiant even though he ultimately failed to beat it... Actually when he died we were relieved, in general, for it was his release from his horrific struggle with pain and suffering...and a release for the family as well...
Mom wouldn't eat anything yesterday; she just wanted to "go to sleep". And she curled up with her head at the foot of the bed. so we moved pillows and cover to accomodate her. Since she has been trying to get out of bed all the time, until yesterday, the hospital has someone sitting with her in her room 24/7. They are very gentle kind staff doing this. In the morning, she said she was dying and was afraid, a little later she said why can't I just die, as in, why do I have to go through all this?? We've talked about that before. I wasn't too upset by this but it was disconcerting to have her address me directly on this matter!
She's been asking me a fewtimes each year why can't I just die. Becuase her time isn't up yet, I say. That didn't always satisfy her since she'd say that god didn't want her ( I spelled God wrong) and the Devil didn't want her! Or that my father would have all new women by the time she got to him! You can only laugh at that!
I'm with her part of the morning and part of the afternoon and I just want quiet when I come home, so I'm actually not turning on the TV. I've been making phone call to people who should know about her, too.
prayers still being sent for your mom and for you. I hope she improves at lest a little - for her sake as well as your's. (((((((((((Shambs/Mom))))))))))))))
I've been trying to avoid saying this but I know exactly how you feel! It sounds so much like what I went through with my mom that it makes me cry. If you need to talk call me
318-631-4424.
Add me to the list if you can think of anything I can do to help. I so wish your brother could be a shoulder for you instead of an extra source of stress {sigh}.
You mom is lucky to have you {{{{{Sister-friend}}}}}
I know this isn't easy for either of you but it would be so much harder on her if you weren't there...
And if you weren't... you.
I wish there were something I could say to make what you're going through easier, but sometimes it only seems like words. Know this, if you need me for anything, or just to talk, email me at destiny22335@yahoo.com, and I will send you my cell. You know I went through the same thing with my mom. And, I was the one whom everyone depended on, so I understand the feeling of needing someone to talk to, if, for nothing else, to relieve some of the worry that seems to cloud your every waking moment.
I love you, shamba. All of you here are really like my sisters. Take care and remember I'm here for you if you need me.
My mom is in Hospice of the Valley as of Sunday. Days are going by too quickly.
It's a lovely place and she still hasn't eaten anything since Saturday. She still knows me but I don't expect her to get any better, still they can fool us. We never know for sure.
they can fool us, but don't get your hope up. I hate to have to say that but you know why I'm saying it. Not eating was what mom did first. Can your mom still walk to the bathroom? My heart swells with concern for you.
Father God and Mother Earth, comfort Sheri's mom whether it be on this realm or the next.
Amen
Prayers being sent for your mom and you. Which ever way this goes please keep in mind (as hard as it will be) that it is for the best. I don't mean that in a mean way. I hope you know that.
she's becoming more confused and speaks less coherently and clearly everyday, this is since Tuesday night. The coorinating dr and cardiologist checked out xarays, cat scan, ultrasounds of heart and blod tests. The right side of her heart is pumping quite right, and she has some irregularity of heartbeat. They don't want to do an angiogram because it would be too hard on her at her age and condition. A pacemaker is not an answer right now befcause what is really the problem is what's happening in her lungs; the pulmonologist and the cariologist and other drs have said that the xrays show her lungs have something happening but they can't tell if it's a form of pneumonia or could be cancer. She had breast cancer about 12 years ago and no signs since then except for a skin cancer growth that was removed abpit 5 years ago. And of course, cancer can always come back many years in another place after the origianl recovery.
to really find out hwat is going on in the lungs they would have to do a bronchoscopy?? and take a piece of tissues for biopsy. That could make major complications in her case. I told the pulmonologist today, he asked about intubation (respirator) and he looked like he wasn't sure about that and I told him clearly NO respirators. I have her living will and power of attorney and they got copies of both when we were in the ER.
I'm not real upset about it right now but I was more in the ER Tuesday night befoer I had some idea of what I'm dealing with. Besides my mom and I have talked about this before and she NEVER wanted to be on a respirator unless there was a total guaranty she was coming off of it and could be okay later.
They are trying a series of antibiotics over the weekend to see if that will take care of any infection in the lungs. I'll know a lot more in a day or two; but I've talked to the coordinating dr about hospice.
My brother knows but he can't come over without court permission, I know, but that's okay with me. I'd have to cough up the money to pay for him to come here and all that shit--ugh ugh ugh. I really don't want to deal with all that stuff with him. Once he was here he'd have to have more money to get back there. I feel like my responsibility is to see my mother peacefully and securely out of this life, however long that takes.
anyway, that;'s where we are here and I'm glad you're all here, too!
I'll let you know how it goes .... did you realize that most of us have been here 10 YEARS THIS FALL???
I'll see how she is doing today and let you know. The nurses tell me in the hospital with anyone its a day to day thing--people doing 180 degree turns from day to day.
I'll see how she is doing today and let you know. The nurses tell me in the hospital with anyone its a day to day thing--people doing 180 degree turns from day to day.
she couldn't breathe yesterday afternoon very well. So, she's going to be at the hospital for a few days for tests about lungs and heart. no, she hasn't done this before. She does retain some water sometimes but yesterday she had a lot and in the afternoon she said she couldn't breathe. No chest pain, no nothing came before this... so I'll know more in a few days. They couldn't tell too much from her xrays and cat scan about what was really going on in the heart-lung thing.
The emergency room staff were great to us at the hospital but you still have to wait endlessly in ERs so Mom was admitted and then I got home about 1:30. Fortunately, the hospital is only about 3-4 miles from me.
I'll probably fall asleep in the middle of the afternoon wherever I am!
I hope everything is better now. From what you describe, it sounds like congestive heart failure. My mom had it, and she had the retaining water and breathing problems. Hers was well advanced before she went to the doctor about it, and I think that's what made everything so bad. It's good that your mom got attention soon. I hope she's feeling better now. Take care of you.
After the ordeal you two have been through, it would be wonderful if the doc's could treat this promptly and make your Mom better FAST!! It does sound like CHF, I bet that is what it is.
We didn't sell much but we leanred a lot and made a lot of contacts and I flirted a lot!!! Lauren managed to keep herself out of all the pictures <insert explitive>. The other vendors were so helpful and encouraging. The art class was bigger this week than last and is going VERY well.
Me at the booth with our biggest draw, our slogan, Flaunt Your Freak
The stand
We meet Joanna, who taught us so much and will be our friend and mentor.
This is Lance. He is soooooooooooo sweet and funny, it made him exceptionally cute!! And he's a really good kisser.
he doubled my meds and put me on a no carb diet. No carbs...whats the point in living!!!. Actually I'm getting used to it. I feel better. I thought that the sugar going down was helping with the stomach problems and then I ran out of Nexium at the very same time that I started the no carb diet. I was wrong! It was the Nexium! Hopefully I'll have more tomorrow!
'shana and her sister have given me all sorts of info on the diet. I've lost 29 pounds with the gastro paresis and the diet.
...means the work of the goddess of art. Glad you like it.
I will send you info as soon as I get it all organized.
Lance was with the tribal council booth,of course, that was right next to us so we talked all weekend. When he was leaving he but his fingers under my chin and pulled me in for a short sweet liss. He has really full juicy lips too. I was SSSSSWWWWWEEEEEET!!!!
had a wonderful time. Good luck with it all. I'm working on starting my own photography business. I've got my tax ID # already, and business cards. Hopefully, I'll go live with it next month.
And, did you say flirting? And kissing?? Details, sisterfriend, details.
I can't wait to see what you've done. Lyircal, ya know, has a photography business. WHen you're out there selling your work it's a whole different ballgame than creating it but it's just as much fun. Selling is the part you really have to do best!
This our card:
I wish it didn't say scrapbooking. I don't have the supplies for that.
He was with the Twin Eagles tribla council who had a booth next to us. They also did dances and rituals and were in the parade. They had to pass us to get in and out of the gate and to the food and so forth. He stopped by almost everytime and talked and joked and I flirted boldly ... like I do...and before he left for the last time he put his fingers under my chin, pulled my face to his and gave a slow sweet kiss. How's that for details????
you are a little flirt, aren't you. No, really, I wish I had the ability to do that. I'm usually too shy. And, for some strange reason, I attract stalkers, so I tend to be wary where the opposite sex is concerned. It seems I have another one now at the second job where I've worked for the last year and a half. One of the assistants has had to walk me out to my car at night several times because this guy comes in to order to go just to watch and leer at me and freak me out. It's really strange because he is a nice looking, well dressed man, but the way he looks at me sends chills down my spine. He came in four nights in the past week to order, and every night was when I was working. I'm afraid he's looking out for me, and knows when I'm working. Oh, well, it's a crazy life I lead.
...sre very scary. Ex2 left and took everything I owned including the food out of the refridgerator, then he stalked me for 2 years! Men are highly untrustworthy! I have been very reserved the past few years but Lance was so cute and friendly and I must point out that the picture makes him look like he's wearing a mullett but it's not...it's a shag!
and if you want, there's a great site you can go to for all your business printing needs. It's vistaprint.com. If you sign up for the special emails, they'll send you free things. You just have to pay shipping and handling, and it's not usually that much unless you order a lot. Once you choose the style of card you want, you can click on advance editing, and change the card however you like. You can also save them to your portfolio for later. It's a great site.
is where we got our card, only lauren's brother did the ordering. I am going to sign up right now. We want matching Opus Oshun t-shirts to wear to events.
and design your t shirt just the way you want. I have two designs saved in my portfolio, along with some cool hats.
I went to our Greek Festival yesterday, and tried out the new Canon EOS Rebel XSI that I splurged on for my business. It takes great photos, but has a lot of different features I need to get used to. By the way, had a excellent time at the festival.
Congratulations madam business owner... with an inventory to track and everything! How awesome is that?!!! I hope you are successful beyond your wildest dreams!
And I can see why the sign was such a big hit! The message... combined with the colors! It really does rock!
Soooo... Lance huh?
Will you two be crossing paths again on the art fair circuit????
The art classes are growing so quickly that I'm feeling pretty good that something is going to work out.
I love the sign too. It was my comment and Lauren painted it. Her brother showed us how to upload it to a t-shirt and gifts site and as soon as I figure out how to open one of their e-shops it is going to be available as a t-shirt. Cool, huh?
And yes, I will probably see Lance again and that would be nice.
Hi y'all... I got power back after a week and things are getting back to normal. School resumes on Wednesday and we teachers go back tomorrow. They do not have power at all the campuses yet but hope to before Wednesday. We had lots of trees and fences down in town, and about half still do not have power yet. Hope everyone else is fine. I heard Ike went on through Texas and did some damage elsewhere as well.
glad to hear your alright and you finally got power back. I don't live near where Ike went but I know a lot of people who do and so far everyone seems to be alright. Thank God.
Well, we did loose electricity because of Ike and it was bad for Dixie and her family because everyone they could ask to stay with was without too. They were in the dark and heat for 3 days. I stayed at Lauren's because we have needed to work on thing to sell this weekend for an arts and crafts festival. I have done about half of what she has.
I have been very very sleepy all the time and suffering from (as Dawson would say) a mean ole stomach. I went to the doctor on the 5th and my BP was 240/136. I had not had meds for over a month because of changing doctors. So I got back on the meds and the tiredness and stomach problem got worse, some of it due to getting my BP back down to normal. Anyway, they's down bloodwork when I went but somewhere in sending my papers around my name was changed from Casey to Loga, which is what the insurence formerly used. So I was not called back with the results. I went in for recheck yesterday and he asked if I had gotten the bloodwork done and we figured out the problem and found it. So...with the old doctor and 3 tries of new doctors, they had all said my blood sugar was no big deal. This doctor who was my mom's final doctor did an A1C and found out that I have severe diabetis. My sugar runs between 500 and 800. I have a disease called diabetic gastro parisis that is causes the stomach trouble and should really ease up one the sugar is under control. Of course there is the neuropothy I already new about and I have an appointment with an opthomologist the 24th because my vision is really losing ground fast!
Probably not the best time to start a business, huh? But the art classes went very well we are going to add 2 more on Wednesdays. After the show this weekend we may not do anything but the classes until I get adjusted to all the meds.
In other news, really lift up Dixie because he's been on a lay off from the movies for 2 months and things are seriously scary financially for them right now. I still can't find a decent place to live that I can afford with or without my friend Greg and that is really driving me nuts. The van cost a lot to have repaired and then David and Dixie's car brokedown and they've had her ever since and say she's making a noise!!And I'm going back to court with Ex3!
Other than that it's lovely!!!
I don't get a lot of computer time what with all the sleeping all day.
I love ya!
E!
Thanks BT!
I dream of a better world, where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!
I'll keep the prayers coming. We didn't have power either but only Sunday through Tuesday. Just enough to have to pitch almost all of the food. We also faired well in the damage department, not so much as a loose shingle.
I'll keep all of my (((((Sister Friends))))))) in my prayers and thoughts!
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
It hasn't landed yet and the outer rain bands are just beginning but the storm surge is already causing bigtime sh***t, in Louisiana and the Galveston area.
If you believe in prayer, use it for the great mess that is coming because of Ike, water and storm damage to lives, property and oil/gas infrastructure. They'll retire the name of Ike from hurricane use after this one.
*Or maybe I need to use my solar oven more and be less fascinated by weather and hurricanes.
you are all very important souls to me, and it's been almost 10 years that we've been here in our castle.
Hiya Shamba! I am right in the middle of Ike (in northern Galveston county - Friendswood). I expect the power to go out any minute now. Thanks for your prayers!
Please check in once this passes and weakens to let us know all is well. The Weather Channel is pretty fixated on Ike. Does that mean we've got a break in the freight train of storms that have been steaming through the Atlantic & Gulf?
My heartfelt prayers for safety go out to all of you down there, too!!
Up here, we got the 'remnants'....nary a drop of rain (which is much needed but still a rare event these days) but on Sunday, horrific winds the like of which no one around this area has ever seen! In my immediate neighborhood we've had some mini-tornadoes and blizzards that packed a brutal punch. That time in the 1970's we saw a huge blizzard that featured 70 mph straight line winds. Not sure how fast the mini-tornadic winds were clocked; it's been too many years ago. But this time, we heard that there's never been a windstorm like this EVER in local history. Originally the weathercasters thought the winds would top out at 45 mph (in gusts, that is). But around noon time while I was sitting out in my garden in a decently protected spot (feeling what I thought was like a very strong breeze on me), the winds seemed to get stronger till I could hear a roaring and screaming in the trees that suddenly made me feel scared. I knew then it was time to go indoors. I thought I might get to come back out later. Well, I didn't!! One of the first tree limbs to be torn off by the wind flew right across the place where I had been seated in the garden just moments before... Darned thing could've brained me!
The winds got fiercer and fiercer till the gusts were coming every 15-30 seconds, I'd say...and shrieking as though they would tear the house off its foundation. The weather station finally updated the forecast to 60 mph gusts, and the storm might last till 9 pm. I wondered whether WE would last that long!! From the looks and the sound of things, I was sure that wind was stronger than even 60 mph. I thought, "So this is really part of Hurricane Ike?" My Mom and I live here alone, and we were scared. So were the cats, they were darting aimlessly around and meowing and ducking their heads the way animals do when frightened. I finally got all 3 inside to keep them safe, and good thing...because about that time the electric power went out. We use a radio fence for them, as I've mentioned before. We live so close to the main road that any time the power is off for any reason, we try and keep all 3 cats indoors, since of course their receiver collars won't work then...which puts them in grave danger of becoming roadkill.
They were not happy and WE were not happy. Everyone was a prisoner in their own home. All we could do was sit and listen to the battery radio for information, and I kept the cats company while trying to amuse myself reading. But I spent a lot of time pacing the floor worrying that the windows would get bashed out or one of our trees would fall on the house. My Mom said she could see out of one window that some of our roof shingles were flapping like they might let go. After several more stress-filled hours, the winds did seem to abate just a bit, and I was able to walk out into the yard without being blown off my feet. I checked the entire roof and from what I could see, no shingles had been ripped off. Even our TV antenna was still in its place. It was getting dark by then, but we could see a lot of debris all over the yard, and some broken tree limbs hanging down but still attached. I met a friend at Walmart late today after work, and she reminded me that we should count our blessings...the temperatures are not bitter cold, nor boiling hot, neither of us had any real damage to our homes (my flappy shingles can be nailed down), no trees were ripped out of the ground, and no one was injured or killed. As for food, we only have 2 people at my house to feed, not a houseful! There are thousands upon thousands of people around these 3 states still in bad shape, plus dealing with major property damage. I was also thankful that I did not have to go to work on Sunday!
After it got totally dark Sunday evening, of course we could do nothing but go to bed early...and toss and turn, worrying. Anyone dealing with a major power outage has to be concerned about their refrigerator and freezer stock. We just had to assume that ours would rot...nothing we could do about it.
Today at work, it was absolutely horrible, I keep saying "THIS was the most horrible day at work I've had yet!" but today truly was!! The entire state of Indiana seemed to be in there, b/c so many people had no power and no way to cook for themselves or their families. And we were short-handed, not enough workers. And I wasn't feeling well, I have chronic pain issues all the time and one of them was flaring up badly today....what rotten timing!! On days like these, I get no breaks, I work the lobby and restrooms, etc. and management doesn't seem to care if I EVER get a break...just when I need it most. Nothing to eat at home except Cheerios (dry, not allowed to open the refrig) and peanut butter; quick snack at work; then all day long running my legs off and trying to deal with that severe pain in my hip.
So I come home and discover Bro's and SIL's RV in our driveway...Bro had come out to use cords to connect the RV to our refrigerator and freezer. My niece had loaned her ice chest for milk and stuff. Bro said he couldn't leave the RV to run all night, "It's too expensive." Yeah right, and he makes something like $70,000 a year and I don't know what SIL brings down.....oh yeah, riiiiight, too expensive to help their poor mother. But later he realized my niece and her spouse have a small generator...which he brought and was able to hook up for us in the yard. We had received some good news from SIL, she works for civil defense and called to report the repairs were getting close, only about 2 miles away at my hometown; and the other town nearest us, only 1 mile away, already had power back on. Very gradually, the time came when we also got our power on...so that we could dispense with the generator and ice chest. So we were w/o power for 29 and 1/2 hours, a personal 'record' for us. From what we heard, we feared it might be several days to a week before we got our electricity back. It seems Ohio and Kentucky may be even worse off than us, and I had already heard a list of faraway cities in Indiana that were also hard hit. Everything's fine here now, except for my pain problem...I suspect that might have been made worse by the severe weather.
Bro and SIL were exhausted, they had been trying to get home from Kentucky on Sunday, and they had their own unpleasant adventures. They were pulling that RV and the wind at first was from the south, making them think their trip would be fine, no problems, since they were driving straight north. But it got stronger and stronger and began to blow from the S.W. and even the S.E. at times, till they were worried that the RV would flip over. The worst thing was all of the semi trucks roaring past, they won't slow up for anything and didn't seem to be having any trouble, either. Bro said they started out at a speed of 55 but by the time they managed to cross into Indiana, they were creeping along at only 10 miles per hour, just working to keep their RV from going out of control. They had even tried to stop at the airport in N. Kentucky to escape the winds for awhile, but that didn't help either, and there were SOOOO many people it was a regular zoo. I wonder about jet flight safety, too, in weather like that.
But, all is quiet here tonight, everyone has had something to eat, but I'm worn out and going to bed a little early. I had trouble sleeping last night and so hope I can get a bit more rest tonight! I'm not the world's best sleeper anyway...
I never thought I would see the day when we had a Hurricane in OHIO!! But, we did. I'm at work and since around 1:00pm on Sunday, we have had no power. Trees fell all around us but didn't hit anything, thank the Lord, and I didn't get around to defrosing the freezer in the garage so there was 4 to 5 inches of ice on each shelf. We put the important stuff down there and threw the rest away. According to the power company, we won't see power until Sunday at the earliest. Thank heavens it is cool right now.
((((((Honeybunch)))))))) I'll keep you and (((((((Tabbycat)))))))) in my prayers.
Love ya, mean it!
Lyrical
portraitpeddlers.com
home.cinci.rr.com/pennock
Hercules, Iolaus & Ares lover forever
Co-Birthday Scroll Keeper
Castle Cook
Bartender for THUD Club
Dang! We in the Ohio Valley had us a HURRICANE!!! Mom says she heard someplace on TV that true hurricane force winds are at least 74 mph, and we certainly had that at my house, and more! She said some places had winds as strong as 85 mph, well within hurricane range.
Well, we were lucky here, no one was hurt, and no trees down, just a ton of debris to keep us busy all week cleaning up. Some minor roof damage, but our local guy says we have some problems up there anyway and so this will have to be fixed before winter. We didn't lose any frozen or refrigerated stock, just some frozen tomatoes that aren't "right" anymore. Bro came to the rescue in about 24 hours after the outage, and between the generator and the ice chest, we barely saved our food supply...since power was back on before the gasoline in the generator even gave out. But I would guess that over these 3 states, there are still several million people total, still without power.
At work (which was MUCH better today, morning was crazy but by the time I arrived it was beginning to settle down) I heard a couple talking about trying to find a generator. They had a laptop and were surfing for one at a decent price anywhere within the tri-state. I'm sure generators are scarce as hens' teeth right now, and I wonder if some places will try price gouging to take advantage of the disaster.
I am applying for teaching an art class for home schoolers.Actually it's several classes a week! Lift me up y'all. My art business partner and I really NEED this!!! I have experience teaching art to kids/ My first art related paying job was assistant taching in elementary scool which is basically doing the art projects. I'm so excited about the possibility of teaching art to kids again!
Thanks BT!
I dream of a better world, where chickens can cross the road without having their motives questioned!
I posted the image below, where I "saw" some mysterious faces in the trees. You can see where I circled them, the main one in red and a smaller one to the side in purple. It shows better in a bigger view.
I saw it and I planned to get back to it. I was in lab til 10:30 last night working on a grant proposal due Fri. Got out of lab "early" today... about 8:30. Good news though. I think it's done. We'll see what the boss says first thing tomorrow morning.
Going 'down under' now. See ya there {grin}
~Kooky Quills~
What is it about Murphy's Law? Just my luck, huh?
![[linked image]](http://i131.photobucket.com/albums/p307/eeyoraus/e-2.gif)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/1124568813.GIF)
![[linked image]](http://action.one.org/media/banners/ONE_banners001_468_88.gif)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/babies.jpg)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/6.jpg)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/3.jpg)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/Devonsleeping.jpg)
![[linked image]](http://www.network54.com/Realm/Eeyorausstuff/hopescake.jpg)
