The "G" Spot

Thirsty anyone???

2010-08-25T05:32:00.000-05:00

I hope this doesn't turn into a normal occurrence for me. I've had yet another nightmare. This time it was about vampires. I can remember when I was a little girl and how fearful I was when it came to those blood sucking creatures. There was a show called The Night Stalker that came on around 9pm one night a week and it was on that show that I was first introduced to the demons of the night. My mom told me that when she checked in on me that night that I'd had my covers wrapped so tightly around my neck she thought I was going to choke myself to death. lol

Anyway, the other night I had this nightmare that I was on some remote island somewhere. There was this huge cave that was like a round ball shape made of rock. There was a very large hole in the top of it which is where you would enter and exit the cave.
I remember seeing a little girl who I'm now assuming was me although she didn't look like me but I guess she represented me. This little girl was screaming and crying as she was being chased by this male vampire who happened to be, ( are you ready for this) Adam Ant! Yeah, that singer from the 80's. HA!!

The really weird part about this nightmare was that the little girl had an aluminum pan with raw chicken thighs that she carried the whole time throughout her chase. And she spilled one or two thighs as she was running which the vampire picked up and begin eating and once he tasted that raw chicken he really went into a feeding frenzy and became even more intense on catching her. The next thing I remember was this little girl being helped by a hand pulling her up and out of the cave as the vampire was clawing and trying to grab her little tennis shoes she was wearing. He couldn't come out of the cave as the dawn was upon them and would then burn him into cinders.
So I woke up at this point. The time was 1:25 AM.
I shook my head in disbelief and laid back down to go back to sleep. Guess what? As I fell back to sleep, the nightmare continued!!
It was the same island with the same castle and the same little girl with those raw chicken thighs again. WTF???

This time the poor child is being chased by a female vampire. And this time the vampire didn't seem to be or look like any kind of celebrity or person I've ever known or seen. It was odd running in a circular path in this cave. That's all I can remember now and of course I woke up once again but this time it was exactly and hour later. It was 2:25AM. Strange huh?...
And once again I'm a nervous wreck upon awakening with heart palpatations and fear and the turning on of all the lights in the house and Geez!!!
Needless to say my night was a very restless one.

Sleeping with the Aliens

2010-08-21T19:13:00.001-05:00

WOW! It's been a long time since I've been on here. I just wanted to share a weird nightmare I had about a week ago. It must have really freaked me out since I still remember it.

I was laying on my back in this narrow cylinder with a rather huge upholstered pillow over me at the opening of the cylinder. Now mind you I had just recently had an MRI done in my real life so I guess that's why I was in the cylinder. Anyway, there were these aliens who looked just like human beings. Some Chinese dude was shooting this pellet gun at me and I could feel the pellets going into the pillow I held above my head and body. My hands jerked as the pellets were piercing the pillow.

Then the nightmare cuts to a part where I've obviously been captured and they have me on this stretcher or gurney. A Vietnamese woman has now joined the Chinese man. The woman says, " She not dead!" and the Chinese man says in a very annoying voice, " She's dead!" But the Vietnamese woman insists, " I said she not dead!!" So now the Chinese man decides to prove it to her by shooting the pellets directly into my feet. And lemme tell ya, it hurt like hell but there was no way I was gonna make the slightest move because I wanted them to think I was really dead. The Chinese man looked at the woman after he shot me in my feet and said, " See, she's dead. She will die."

I'm sure that the gurney still represented my last visit to the hospital for ex-rays and other tests. lol

So now, the nightmare cuts to a part where I am sitting in what appears to be a dental office chair. You know, like when you're going to get your teeth worked on and there sits none other than that wonderful Vietnamese woman looking straight at me. She reaches to her left an takes this one inch pinkish color cube into her hand. She then extends her arm out in front of my face and says, " Eat this!" I'm looking at this thing that seems to resemble a liv-a-snap treat for a dog and as she hands it to me I notice right away that the texture of it is like lava soap. It feels like a little square stone. She then says in a more stern voice, " Eat it! My daughter OD ed on 3 of these." I must be looking at her like she has 3 heads at this point because she's really getting pissed at me. So, I stick it in my mouth and begin chewing and thinking all the while, " This bitch is crazy if she thinks I'm gonna eat this stuff. It'll kill me. " I begin to barf and she totally freaks out and passes me a waste basket to regurgitate in at which time I am able to spit that disgusting rough square piece of crap out of my mouth and into the trash.

Somehow I get away because the next part of the nightmare, I'm being chased by a Black man who just so happens to be the actor who played the president from that show called 24 with Keefer Sutherland in it. So I'm running to some elevators and he's getting closer as he chases me. I get onto the elevator and scramble my fingers on the buttons to get the doors to close and frantically push a button to take me down to the street level. The elevator starts to go downward but just as it begins to move down, the man on the outside of the elevator presses the button so the elevator begins going back up to pick him up. I have a coniption fit and begin frantically pushing the numbers to make the elevator go down as I mumble, " oh no he's gonna get me!" So that goes on back and forth maybe about 2 or 3 times and then, I wake up! My heart is racing a mile a minute and I'm still half asleep so I still think I'm being chased by aliens so I go around the entire house and turn all the lights on! Did I mention to you that the time is 4am?
I finally wake up enough to figure out that I was just having a bad dream and start to calm down and get ready for work. Man, I hate having nightmares. What's up with the aliens? And why weren't there any White, Mexican, Indian, or Italian aliens? Bizarre.....

WHATEVER........

2008-03-24T04:00:00.001-05:00

HA HA HA HA HA HA

Top Ten Reminders That You're Getting Older.....

2008-02-20T00:15:00.002-06:00

10. TAKE IT DOWN A NOTCH - You're not as quick as you used to be so stop trying to be Speedy Gonzales. Slow down. You'll still make it to the finish line, just a little later that's all....

9. LISTEN TO YOUR BODY - When you feel an ache acknowledge it. This isn't Jenny Craig's no pain no gain program. This is your friend Arthur talking to you. Don't ignore him 'cause if you know Arthur, he doesn't play around. Also known as Arthritis and you don't want him as an enemy. Believe me when I tell ya....

8. DRESS TO IMPRESS, NOT TO DEPRESS - You're not a teenager or 20 or 30 something anymore so don't dress like it. Be classy not trashy. There's nothing worse than squeezing into an outfit that's 2 sizes too small for you and revealing, thinking you look good only to see others perceiving you as outrageously funny. That's depressing........

7. MAKEUP ( REMEMBER LESS IS MORE ) - Natural looking is in. The character Mimi from The Drew Carey Show is out! You're not auditioning for the circus. Actually, this comment is mainly directed to the women well over 60. You know the ones. Eyebrows penciled in like Corky the Clown because they shaved them off and the small lips they once had are now 3 times as large brought to you by the miracle of lipstick. And it always has to be RED LIPSTICK! Walking around looking like Ruby Ragoña! Shame on you!! You just wanna enhance your natural beauty. Stop trying to hide your laugh lines. So ya got crows feet now Big whoop. And what's up with women close to 70 years old with no damn gray hair? Not one. So maybe you do still have a nice shape on you but what about the poor unsuspecting guy who walks up behind you thinking he's about to say a flirty hello only to find out that when you turn around towards him, you look like methusela all wrinkled up and everything. You're probably old enough to be his grandmother for Christ's sake! Age gracefully ladies, Please.....

6. ADULTS ONLY - You're an adult, not a child. So act your age, not your shoe size. It's okay to have fun and keep a youthful mind. But adult fun and child-like fun are two different things. Going out on the town for dinner and drinks and becoming a bit " tipsy " is one thing. Going out on the town for dinner and drinks, getting butt hole drunk and acting like a damn fool, dancing like Pee Wee Herman up on the tables while flirting with other people's dates and throwing up all over yourself in public is just plain stupid. Just say no......

5. A WALKING MEDICINE CABINET - Your pharmacist has become your newest best friend. Yes, it's no longer fun popping pills because you HAVE TO take them now! Geez!

4. MUSIC IN THE AIR - Elevator music is now appealing to you because you know all the songs! So don't be shy just sing along....

3. MEANWHILE, BACK AT THE WORKPLACE - The majority of your co-workers were born the year you started working there. Oh yea.....and some of them are YOUR SUPERIORS!! DEAL WITH IT!

2. A HISTORY LESSON - When you tell your child that their history book is wrong because you were there, you REALLY ARE old. - * shaking my head *

1. PATIENCE IS A VIRTUE - You have more patience, but actually, it's just that you don't care anymore. Gee, isn't that the truth.....

To Dream or not to Dream.......

2008-02-16T23:25:00.000-06:00

Dreams are interesting. Quite interesting really. A few days ago while at work, one of my co-workers, his name is George, started telling me about this recurring dream he has quite often. He dreams a lot about flying. He said that in this particular dream, he's sitting inside the batmobile, ( If you're thinking of Batman and Robin, you're right! )

So, in his dream, Batman and Robin are sitting in the front seats and he's sitting in the back seat of the vehicle with ( of all people ) Elvis Presley. lol
He told me that he looks over at Elvis and just opens the door of the car and starts flying. He doesn't have any special super powers or anything like that but he can fly. Also in the dream, he's wearing regular street clothes. He doesn't have any type of crime fighters attire on. Of course when he told me and my other co-workers about the dream, we naturally began laughing. I guess you'd have to know him to get the full benefit. George is an African American male about 60 years old. He's a very likable person. Very down to earth and friendly. There's just something extremely funny about seeing him in jeans and a T-shirt flying through the air. lol
There's also another dream he has quite frequently where he's pulling something in the form of taffy candy out of his mouth continuously. He just keeps on pulling he says and it never ends. lol Strange dreams, eh. We all have them at some point or another.

Which brings me to what I want to talk about. WHY DO WE DREAM???

I don't know if there is actually a concrete answer to this question but I have come across some interesting theories, if you will, concerning our mental brain activity in the dreaming process. In an article I found recently, a Neuroscientist by the name of Mark Solms explains how dreams may protect and distract our brains from the outside world and allow the body to rest.
According to Solms, he suggests that we may very well have been confusing cause and effect. He says that dreams are not a by-product of sleep as assumed all along but may very well be what allows us to sleep in the first place.
"Dreams protect sleep, " Solms says. His iconoclastic view of dreams springs from emerging evidence that REM sleep and dreaming are not synonymous, and that the brain mechanisms involved in REM sleep may be entirely different from those involved in dreaming. Dreaming, in fact, is now thought to recruit areas of the brain involved in higher mental functions. So in essence he's saying that dreaming is a diversion and without this diversion, the brain would be urging us up and out into the world to keep it fully engaged. Solms also states that " dreams are a delusional hallucinatory state " -driven by activation of the brain's basic motivational system. And like delusions, they appear to be stoked by an abundance of the neurotransmitter dopamine. Scientists now know that dopamine plays a critical role in directing our attention. The neurochemical dictates what is important in our environment, regardless of whether that environment is inside us or outside. Under dopamine's influence, events or thoughts jump out of the background, grab our attention, move us to act and drive goal-directed behavior.

Dreams trick us into thinking we're out striving in the wider world. Solms says that the fundamental problem of being alive is that we must get all our needs met in the outside world. The brain has an answer to that; it has developed a kind of unified motivational course variously called the " seeking " or " wanting " system, an orchestration of primitive and higher neural structures that orients us to the outside world with an air of anticipation and positive expectancy. As Solms puts it, " It's an all-purpose looking-for-pleasure-in-the-world drive " that sends animals out to satisfy their needs.

Pioneering neuroscientist Jaak Panksepp describes the seeking system as a " goad without a goal " ( goals, such as gathering food, being dictated by the specific situation ). It is a readiness for action, an appetitive arousal, the neurobiological decendant of Freud's idea of libido. Representing a very basic function of the brain, it commands and activates an array of neural circuits.
Researchers mapping the functions of the brain have shown that the hallucinations of psychosis involve hyperactivation of the seeking system's structures. They also involve dysregulated dopamine transmission. Increasingly viewed as " the wind of the psychotic fire, " dopamine prompts the brain to assign abnormal importance to its own internal representations. Delusions, in other words, are errors of salience attribution. We over value our own thoughts, which are mistaken for perpetual experience of the world.

Dreams share many qualities with hallucinations. They are the hallucinations we all experience. Both dreams and hallucinations involve intensive activation of the seeking system. And Solms points to accumulating evidence that dreaming, like hallucinating, is driven by dopamine. French neuroscientist Claude Gottesmann reported that dopamine release in the brain's nucleus accumbens, a site long recognized to be involved in the hallucinations of schizophrenia, is maximal during dream sleep. " Dreaming and schizophrenia have the same neurochemical background, " Gottesmann says.

Other studies show that the dopamine-boosting drug L-dopa, commonly used to treat Parkinson's Disease, prompts people to have more dreams, more emotional content to their dreams and more bizarre dreams. Driven by dopamine, dreams fill our minds with myriad stimuli that feel worthy of our attention, says Solms. " That's necessary because the body is withdrawn from the external world. "

Goaded into seeking but blocked from action by paralyzing neurochemicals released during dream sleep, we feed on our own internal representations of the world. And we wake hungry for new experiences that build our psychic cinema of internal representations.

Says Solms, " The dopamine hypothesis is at the core of why we dream. "

-So there you have it.....

SO CUPID'S PASSED ME BY AGAIN.......

2008-02-10T15:19:00.000-06:00

WELL, IT'S THAT TIME AGAIN. VALENTINE'S DAY IS UPON US. ANYONE DOING ANYTHING SPECIAL THIS YEAR? QUITE HONESTLY I'M NOT LOOKING FORWARD TO IT AT ALL. I NEVER REALLY DO. I MEAN, LOVE IS A BEAUTIFUL THING AND ALL BUT I DON'T HAVE A VALENTINE SO IT'S NOT SO GREAT FOR ME.
SOMETIMES I SIT BACK AND TAKE A LOOK AT HOW MY LIFE HAS PLAYED OUT. I CAN HONESTLY SAY THAT I'M NOT HAPPY WITH IT. NOT AT ALL.

I SURELY THOUGHT BY NOW AT THE AGE OF 42, I'D AT LEAST HAVE SOMEONE SPECIAL IN MY LIFE. I THOUGHT I'D BE MARRIED OR AT LEAST HAVE A SIGNIFICANT OTHER BUT THAT ISN'T THE CASE. NOPE, THAT SEEMS TO BE JUST A DREAM OR FANTASY IN MY LIFE. NOT A REALITY. I GUESS I SOUND LIKE I'M FEELING SORRY FOR MYSELF WALLOWING IN SELF PITY. I ENJOY MY FREEDOM BUT SOMETIMES I JUST GET SO TIRED OF BEING ALONE. I SURELY DON'T WANT TO GROW OLD BY MYSELF.

I GUESS THE THING THAT REALLY UPSETS ME MOST IS THAT MOST OF THE MEN WHOM I FIND ATTRACTIVE AND/OR COMPATIBLE TO ME ARE ALREADY TAKEN. AND THERE ARE SO MANY PEOPLE OUT THERE WHO PRETEND TO BE SOMETHING THAT THEY'RE NOT. I REALLY DON'T UNDERSTAND THAT. PERHAPS IT'S JUST NOT MY TIME RIGHT NOW. WHO KNOWS......

I SEE SO MANY HAPPY COUPLES EACH DAY. IT'S NICE TO SEE. I JUST WISH THAT I COULD BE AMONG THEM. THEY SAY THERE IS SOMEONE FOR EVERYONE. I KNOW THIS SHOULD BE TRUE ALTHOUGH I'M BEGINNING TO WONDER. I REALIZE THAT I'M NOT THE MOST ATTRACTIVE WOMAN IN THE WORLD BUT I'M NOT THE UGLIEST PERSON ON THE FACE OF THE EARTH EITHER. HMMMMM........

OKAY, MAYBE THAT'S A LITTLE HARSH. LOL
I DON'T HATE VALENTINE'S DAY. IT JUST MAKES ME SAD.

ANYWAY, I WISH A HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY TO EVERYONE WHO HAS SOMEONE SPECIAL IN THEIR LIFE.

RHYME TIME......

2008-01-24T21:35:00.000-06:00

I CATCH MY BREATH

SUDDENLY I FEEL SO ALIVE
UPON THIS NEW DAY'S DAWNING
MY MIND THOUGH CLOUDY IS ALERT
MY BREATHS SO DEEP LIKE YAWNING

DREAMY EYES AND POIGNANT SMILES
MY FACE REVEALS IT ALL
THE REASONING BEHIND ALL THIS
IS 'CAUSE YOU CAME TO CALL

EVERY TIME YOU'RE NEAR ME
MY HEART JUST SKIPS A BEAT
YOUR PRESENCE THAT SURROUNDS ME
AND THE DEEP EROTIC HEAT

YOUR LOVING TOUCH REVIVES ME
YOUR WORDS SWEET AND INDEPTH
AS YOU CRADLE ME IN YOUR ARMS
I SEEM TO CATCH ANOTHER BREATH

I LOVE THE FEELINGS YOU BRING TO ME
EACH ONE MORE THAN THE OTHER
MY HEART YOU'VE CAPTURED YOURS TO KEEP
I SEEK NO OTHER LOVER

I FEEL LIKE I'M AN ESKIMO
WHEN YOU BRING YOUR FACE TO MINE
THE WAY WE NUZZLE EACH OTHERS NOSE
SO SLOWLY IN RHYTHMIC TIME

SOMETIMES WHEN I'M ALONE
AND FEELING RATHER NUMB
MY MIND CAN'T HELP BUT WONDER
WHEN YOU'LL VISIT, WHEN YOU'LL COME

WHEN YOU'RE AROUND THE DAYS SEEM BRIGHT
JUST PERFECT TO SET SAIL
BUT WHEN YOU'RE GONE I LOSE MY BREATH
WHILE WAITING TO EXHALE

IT'S JUST LIKE THAT, YOU GIVE ME LIFE
TO RELISH BEFORE MY DEATH
IT'S JUST LIKE THAT, WHEN I'M WITH YOU
I ALWAYS CATCH MY BREATH

- MS. MARYANNE ( MARIA SUMATRA )
© COPYRIGHT 2007

MIA ~ SORRY I LEFT YOU HANGIN'......

2007-10-14T02:53:00.000-05:00

HI EVERYONE. I'M SURE YOU'VE NOTICED THAT I HAVEN'T BEEN AROUND. HOPEFULLY YOU STILL WILL VISIT ME FROM TIME TO TIME. I'VE BEEN AROUND BUT NOT ON THIS SITE AS MUCH. I HOPE EVERYONE IS DOING WELL. I'M OKAY.
JUST WANTED TO BRIEFLY UPDATE YOU ON THE STATUS OF MY FRIEND WHOM I'D MADE A FEW POSTS ABOUT IN THE PAST.
HONESTLY, HE'S DOING RATHER WELL CONSIDERING HIS CONDITION. HE FINALLY FOUND A DOCTOR WHO HE TRUSTS AND LIKES. AFTER SPEAKING WITH SEVERAL PHYSICIANS, THIS DOCTOR SEEMS TO HAVE A DIFFERENT APPROACH ON THINGS. RATHER THAN JUST THROW HIM UP ON AN OPERATING TABLE, GIVING HIM SOME PERCENTAGE OF LIFE EXPECTANCY, HE'S INCREASED THE DOSAGE OF ONE OF HIS HEART PILLS. IT'S A TIME RELEASE MEDICATION SO NOW HE RECEIVES HEART MEDICINE THROUGHOUT THE DAY. SO FAR, EVERYTHING SEEMS TO BE OKAY. HE JUST HAS TO TAKE THINGS A BIT MORE EASIER THAN BEFORE. HE GETS MORE REST WHICH IS GOOD. I FEEL MUCH BETTER ABOUT HIS CONDITION THAN I DID BEFORE. I'M CALMER. I HAVEN'T SPOKEN TO HIM IN A FEW DAYS BUT WE'LL BE CONNECTING SOON. I'M HAPPY THAT HE'S FEELING BETTER....

SO, HOW'S EVERYONE DOING IN THE BLOGESPHERE COMMUNITY? I'VE MAINLY BEEN HANGIN' OUT ON HERE. GUESS I'LL TAKE A SURF AROUND AND VISIT A FEW OF YOUR PAGES TO CATCH UP. TAKE CARE ALL!

THE BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE

2007-07-18T21:53:00.000-05:00

I found this on someone's blog somewhere. Don't really remember where but I liked it....

Our Birth is our Opening Balance !

Our Death is our Closing Balance!

Our Prejudiced Views are our Liabilities

Our Creative Ideas are our Assets

Heart is our Current Asset

Soul is our Fixed Asset

Brain is our Fixed Deposit

Thinking is our Current Account

Achievements are our Capital

Character & Morals, our Stock-in-Trade

Friends are our General Reserves

Values & Behavior are our Goodwill

Patience is our Interest Earned

Love is our Dividend

Children are our Bonus Issues

Education is Brands / Patents

Knowledge is our Investment

Experience is our Premium Account

The Aim is to Tally the Balance Sheet Accurately.

The Goal is to get the Best Presented Accounts Award.

Some very Good and Very bad things

The most destructive habit...............................Worry

The greatest Joy...............................................Giving

The greatest loss..........................Loss of self-respect

The most satisfying work....................Helping others

The ugliest personality trait.....................Selfishness

The most endangered species........Dedicated leaders

Our greatest natural resource...................Our youth

The greatest "shot in the arm".........Encouragement

The greatest problem to overcome.....................Fear

The most effective sleeping pill...........Peace of mind

The most crippling failure disease................Excuses

The most powerful force in life..........................Love

The most dangerous pariah.......................A gossiper

The world's most incredible computer........The brain

The worst thing to be without........................... Hope

The deadliest weapon...............................The tongue

The two most power-filled words....................."I Can"

The greatest asset................................................Faith

The most worthless emotion..........................Self-pity

The most beautiful attire.................................SMILE!

The most prized possession..................................grity

The most powerful channel of communication..Prayer

The most contagious spirit........................Enthusiasm

The most important thing in life...........................GOD

I'M STILL HOPEFUL.....

2007-07-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

UNFORTUNATELY I HAVE NO GOOD NEWS TO BRING. TODAY I DECIDED TO GET OUT AND DO SOMETHING TO GET MY MIND OFF OF THINGS SO, I WENT SHOPPING. DURING MY LITTLE SHOPPING SPREE, I GOT A PHONE CALL AROUND NOON FROM MY FRIEND AND HE TOLD ME THAT HE'D BEEN RELEASED FROM THE HOSPITAL. I COULDN'T BELIEVE IT! WHEN I ASKED HIM WHY HE SAID THAT THEY WERE GOING TO TREAT HIM ON AN OUTPATIENT BASIS. HE SAID HE'D EXPLAIN MORE LATER AND ASKED ME IF I COULD PICK HIM UP FROM THE HOSPITAL AND GIVE HIM A RIDE TO HIS HOUSE. OF COURSE I WAS MORE THAN HAPPY TO DO THAT FOR HIM.

FIRST THING WHEN I PICKED HIM UP IN FRONT OF THE SECTION CALLED: HEART HOSPITAL, HE GOT IN MY TRUCK AND SAID THAT HE WAS SO HUNGRY. HE HAD A TASTE FOR, ( OF ALL THINGS ) TACO BELL. HE WANTED A NACHOS BEL GRANDE. I WAS SO HAPPY TO SEE HIM THAT I COULDN'T DENY HIM HIS CRAVING. ( HOSPITAL FOOD SUCKS ) SO AS WE DROVE TO THE TACO BELL NEAR HIS HOUSE, HE EXPLAINED WHAT EXACTLY WAS GOING ON WITH HIM.

HE'S HAD A BARRAGE OF TESTS INCLUDING YESTERDAYS' HEART CATHETERIZATION. THE GOOD NEWS IS THAT ALL OF THE TESTS HAVE BEEN NORMAL. THERE IS NO BLOCKAGE IN HIS ARTERIES. BUT THE BAD NEWS IS THAT IT SEEMS HIS HEART IS FAILING. THERE'S NOTHING MORE THEY CAN DO AT THIS POINT BUT HAVE HIM MAKE AN APPOINTMENT WITH A PULMONARY SPECIALIST. ALL THIS TIME HE THOUGHT THAT HIS HEART WAS REGENERATING BUT IT REALLY WASN'T AT ALL. HIS BLOOD PRESSURE HAS BEEN CONSIDERABLY LOW AND NOW WHAT THEY'RE SAYING IS THAT HE MAY BE IN NEED OF A HEART TRANSPLANT. EVERYTHING IS UP IN THE AIR RIGHT NOW. NO ONE IS REALLY SURE ABOUT ANYTHING. IT REALLY UPSETS ME THAT THE DOCTORS CAN'T SEEM TO FIND AN ANSWER FOR HIM.
PERHAPS I'M JUST UPSET AND IMPATIENT BUT I JUST THOUGHT THAT WITH ALL OF THIS MODERN TECHNOLOGY THAT THEY'D HAVE A BETTER HANDLE OF THINGS.

SO, THERE WE SAT, HE AND I IN THE TACO BELL PARKING LOT AFTER EATING OUR NACHOS BEL GRANDES. HE LOOKED OVER AT ME AND GAVE ME THE BIGGEST HUG AND WHISPERED INTO MY EAR THAT HE WAS AFRAID. HE BEGAN WEEPING. IT WAS SO HARD FOR ME NOT TO CRY BUT I KNEW I HAD TO BE STRONG FOR HIM. I WAS AFRAID FOR HIM AT THAT POINT TOO. I STILL AM. ALL I COULD DO WAS HOLD HIM AND HUG HIM AND TELL HIM HOW MUCH I LOVED HIM AND THAT HE'S GONNA BE OKAY. I WISH THERE WAS SOMETHING MORE I COULD DO FOR HIM. THIS SHOULDN'T BE HAPPENING. NOT TO HIM....

WHEN I DROPPED HIM OFF TO HIS HOUSE, AND STARTED BACK TO MY HOUSE, I FELT LIKE A DRONE. I WAS EMOTIONLESS. DENIAL. TRANSPARENT. I WAS LIKE A ZOMBIE OR A GHOST-LIKE CREATURE.
AFTER DRIVING FOR ABOUT 30 MINUTES, IT HIT ME LIKE A DOWN POUR OF RAIN. I BURST INTO TEARS. I TOTALLY LOST IT. I WAS HYSTERICAL. I FELT SO HELPLESS, HOPELESS AND OUT OF CONTROL. I WAS FEARFUL AND FILLED WITH A GREAT SADNESS. I COULD BARELY SEE TO DRIVE. IT WAS AWFUL. AND NOW, I'M JUST WEEPY. CAN'T GET HIM OUT OF MY MIND. I'M REALLY HAVING A HARD TIME DEALING WITH THIS. I TOLD HIM TO LET ME KNOW WHEN HIS APPOINTMENT WILL BE WITH THAT SPECIALIST 'CAUSE I'D LIKE TO GO WITH HIM. I'M JUST SO SAD. I JUST WANT HIM TO BE WELL AGAIN.....*SIGH*

* UPDATE *

2007-07-07T22:15:00.000-05:00

HI ALL.

JUST THOUGHT I'D GIVE YOU AN UPDATE ON THE SITUATION AT HAND CONCERNING MY FRIEND.
HE CALLED ME JUST ONE HOUR AGO AT 9PM. CST. AND INFORMED ME THAT HE IS NOW IN THE HOSPITAL. SOMETHING I'D THOUGHT WAS GOING TO HAPPEN WHEN HE FIRST TOLD ME ABOUT THIS. APPARENTLY, THE SHORTNESS OF BREATH THAT HE IS EXPERIENCING HAS GOTTEN WORSE!
IT WAS A CHORE FOR HIM TO JUST WALK ACROSS HIS LIVING ROOM FLOOR. SO, THIS AFTERNOON, HE WAS ADMITTED INTO THE HOSPITAL. I AM SO WORRIED ABOUT HIM. IT WAS SO VERY HARD FOR ME NOT TO BREAK INTO TEARS OVER THE PHONE AS HE WAS STRUGGLING TO SPEAK TO ME. I WISH THERE WERE SOMETHING I COULD DO TO HELP HIM. I FEEL SO HELPLESS!

I SURE HOPE THEY CAN FIND OUT WHAT IS WRONG WITH HIM SOON. I ALSO HOPE THAT HE IS TELLING ME EVERYTHING AND NOT HOLDING ANYTHING BACK. I NOW KNOW THAT HE IS AFRAID. HE'S MAKING LOTS OF JOKES AND PLAYING IT DOWN AS IF IT'S NOTHING BUT I CAN TELL THAT IT'S JUST A FRONT. HE'S HAD SOME TESTS RUN ON HIM TODAY AND WILL CONTINUE TOMORROW. HOPEFULLY THERE WILL BE SOME GOOD NEWS TOMORROW. I'LL KEEP YOU POSTED. UNTIL THEN, PLEASE KEEP HIM IN YOUR THOUGHTS. THANKS......

PERFECT HEALTH

2007-07-07T09:39:00.000-05:00

IS THERE REALLY SUCH A THING AS BEING IN " PERFECT HEALTH? "
I DON'T THINK THERE IS , REALLY....

SOMETIMES IT SEEMS THAT YOU CAN BE LIVING YOUR LIFE, DOING ALL " THE RIGHT THINGS ", - OR SO YOU THINK YOU ARE, AND STILL WIND UP IN THE HOSPITAL OR WITH SOME SORT OF MAJOR ILLNESS. IT'S LIKE IT'S ALL CHANCE. YOU JUST NEVER KNOW HOW YOUR BODY IS GOING TO RESPOND DURING YOUR LIFETIME.

A VERY DEAR FRIEND OF MINE IS BEGINNING TO FIND THIS OUT. HE'S 42 YEARS OLD, TALL AND SLENDER. NEVER SMOKED A DAY IN HIS LIFE. ALWAYS ENERGETIC AND STRONG AS A HORSE. HE TAKES VITAMINS AND DRINKS PLENTY OF FLUIDS EACH DAY. ALTHOUGH HE'S NOT AN OVER-EATER, HIS EATING HABITS ARE NOT THE GREATEST. FAST FOOD IS A MAIN STAPLE IN HIS LIFE ALONG WITH HIS FAVORITE DRINK, MOUNTAIN DEW.
HE EATS ON THE GO A LOT BECAUSE OF HIS WORK SCHEDULE. I CAN ONLY ASSUME THAT THIS LIFESTYLE HAS BEGUN TO TAKE A TOLL ON HIM. A NORMAL WORK DAY FOR HIM CAN BE ANYWHERE FROM 4 HOURS TO 16 HOURS EACH DAY.

LAST YEAR, IN MID OCTOBER, HE BEGAN HAVING A TIGHTNESS IN HIS CHEST. HE IMMEDIATELY WENT TO THE DOCTOR FOR A CHECKUP WHICH WAS THE SMARTEST THING HE COULD'VE EVER DONE. HE FOUND OUT THAT HIS HEART HAD AN IRREGULAR BEAT AND IN ORDER TO KEEP HIS HEART BEATING A NORMAL PACE, HE HAD TO HAVE SURGERY AND THIS LITTLE DEVICE, ( ICD ) WAS PLACED JUST UNDER THE SKIN IN HIS CHEST AREA AND CONNECTED TO HIS HEART MUSCLES.
SO NOW, ANYTIME HIS HEART IS BEATING OUT OF RHYTHM, THIS DEVICE SHOCKS IT AND KEEPS IT BEATING PROPERLY. HIS HEART IS CONSTANTLY MONITORED BY THIS DEVICE. IT WAS VERY GOOD THAT HE'D GONE TO THE DOCTOR WHEN HE DID BECAUSE HE WAS TOLD THAT HE COULD'VE HAD CARDIAC ARREST AT ANYTIME.

TO KNOW THIS MAN, YOU WOULD NEVER THINK THAT HE WOULD HAVE A HEART CONDITION, EVER. IT JUST GOES TO SHOW YOU THAT YOU NEVER KNOW WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN WITH YOUR BODY. JUST A FEW DAYS AGO, HE BEGAN FEELING SOME CHEST PAIN BUT DISREGARDED IT THINKING THAT IT MAY HAVE BEEN DUE TO SOME BACK PROBLEMS HE WAS HAVING. A FEW DAYS PASSED AND HE BEGAN FEELING WEAK. HE HAD NO ENERGY AND HIS BREATHING WAS VERY LABORED. HE HAS NOW FOUND OUT THAT HE HAS SOME FLUID ON HIS LUNGS. THE DOCTORS SAY THAT THIS IS SOMETHING THAT TYPICALLY HAPPENS TO PEOPLE WITH HIS CONDITION. HE HAD BLOOD WORK WHICH CAME BACK NORMAL AND A CHEST X-RAY WHICH HE WILL FIND OUT ABOUT ON HIS NEXT VISIT ON MONDAY. HE WAS PRESCRIBED A DIURETIC SO WE SHALL SEE...

I'M VERY WORRIED ABOUT HIM BECAUSE HE'S NOT HIMSELF AT ALL. HE STILL IS VERY LETHARGIC AND SEEMS TO BE EXPERIENCING ACID REFLUX. I'M HOPING THAT HE MENTIONS THIS TO HIS DOCTOR ON MONDAY BECAUSE SOMETIMES ACID REFLUX IS NOT THAT AT ALL BUT SOMETHING MORE SERIOUS.
I HATE TO SEE PEOPLE THAT I CARE ABOUT BECOME ILL. ESPECIALLY A PERSON LIKE HIM. HE'S A VERY GOOD MAN. A HARD WORKING MAN. VERY KIND, ALWAYS WILLING TO HELP ANYONE. A VERY HONEST, CARING, AND GENUINE HUMAN BEING. I FEEL HONORED TO HAVE HIM IN MY LIFE.
THIS IS WHERE MY MIND HAS BEEN. THIS IS WHERE IT STAYS. I WISH HIM WELL EACH AND EVERY DAY. PLEASE JOIN ME IN SAYING A PRAYER OR A POSITIVE THOUGHT FOR MY DEAR FRIEND. IT WOULD BE GREATLY APPRECIATED.....

The New Highway 40 's - a - Comin'.......

2007-05-16T07:04:00.001-05:00

The time has come. St. Louis will be a bit topsy - turvy for awhile. Four years to be exact. Construction on I-64, also known as highway 40 , shall continue for the next 4 years. Unfortunately, this will cause major headaches for many of the motorists in the St. Louis Metropolitan area, including me. The main area to be worked on will be the stretch of highway located between Spoede rd. ( pronounced " Spadey " ) and Kingshighway Blvd.

I've been trying to find as many alternative routes as possible since I tend to use I-64 on a regular basis. However; this is not an easy task. If you know anything about St. Louis Missouri at all, you'll be aware of the road construction that is in process the majority of the time. There always seems to be some sort of work being done on the roads and highways most of the time. Needless to say, it would really be nice to have another home to go to in another state for the next 4 years.....

Of course I'm kidding. I've lived in St. Louis all of my life and would never want to leave. Traveling is one thing but the thought of leaving my hometown of St. Louis would make me sad. I love it here.

So, that's the big news happening in " the Lou " at the present time. Hope all is well with everyone!

Mmmm.....

Just had to throw this in. Don't they look delicious!

Toodles.....

2007-03-07T19:31:00.000-06:00

*** ~ MY LIST A - Z ~***

A. ~ Available or Single? - AVAILABLE

B. ~ Best Friend? - JESUS

C. ~ Cake or Pie? - HOW ABOUT TEA OR DEATH INSTEAD? I'M SWEET ENOUGH ALREADY....

D. ~ Drink of Choice? - ALCOHOLIC = WINE / NON-ALCOHOLIC = DIET PEPSI/COKE

E. ~ Essential Item? - DEPENDS ON THE SITUATION BUT GENERALLY DEODORANT COMES TO MIND RIGHT NOW...

F. ~ Favorite Color? - ANY VARIATION OF PURPLE

G. ~ Gummi Bears or Worms? - YUK! TOO MUCH CHEWING BLECH...

H. ~ Hometown? - THE SHOW ME STATE OF COURSE! GOOD OLE' ST. LOUIS, MO.

I. ~ Indulgence? - HARMLESS FLIRTATION. LOVE IT...

J. ~ January or February? - NEITHER ONE BUT IF I HAVE TO CHOOSE, IT'S JANUARY SINCE IT'S THE FIRST MONTH OF A NEW YEAR TO COME...

K. ~ Kids and Names? - NO CHILDREN BUT ALWAYS LOVED THE NAMES: GABRIELLE, BRIANNA, JASMINE, BRANDON, MICHAEL, JACOB, JEREMIAH....

L. ~ Life is incomplete without? - LOVE & HAPPINESS

M. ~ Marriage Date? - I'M DIVORCED BUT, 05/22/1982

N. ~ Number of Siblings? - 2

O. ~ Oranges or Apples? - ORANGES

P. ~ Phobias/Fears? - RIDING ON AN AIRPLANE/GROWING OLD ALONE

Q. ~ Favorite Quote? -

R. ~ Reasons to Smile? - LIVING, HEALTHINESS, HAPPINESS, LOVE

S. ~ Season? - SPRING

T. ~ Tag 3 people? - I'M ALWAYS TOO LATE FOR THAT....

U. ~ Unknown Fact About Me? - I HAVE FRECKLES WHICH ARE LESS NOTICEABLE WHEN WEARING MAKEUP.

V. ~ Vegetable You Hate? - EGGPLANT

W. ~ Worst Habit? - SMOKING

X. ~ X-rays You've Had? - TEETH, CHEST, FOOT

Y. ~ Your Favorite Foods? - ITALIAN, MEXICAN, SOUL

Z. ~ Zodiac? - LIBRA/SCORPIO

Desires Of You

2007-03-04T15:15:00.001-06:00

Spoken words alone cannot express,
The love I have for you.
The written art of love is what convinces
Myself, that you are the one for me.
As I gaze into your eyes
With every movement of your listless ways,
The grasping of your hand,
The warmth of your heart
I believe that you can make me feel like no other.

Once I believed that love was only a fable,
Configured in the mind, planted by others.
Then there was you.
Like a flower in bloom, wow, what a dream come true!
There are times we you make me happy,
There are times when you make me blue,
But what is even worse, is when
I don't get to see you...

- Dustin Lowe

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN IN LUST

2007-02-18T14:40:00.001-06:00

ATTENTION PLEASE!!

THE FOLLOWING ENTRY IS INTENDED FOR MATURE AUDIENCES ONLY!!
VIEWER DISCRETION IS ADVISED!
THANK YOU.....

MY CONFESSIONS, ALTHOUGH TRUE, SHOULD NOT BE SPOKEN TO
THIS AUDIENCE OF ONE. NO, NOT YOU. BUT MY EMOTIONS AND SPIRIT
ARE IN THE DRIVERS SEAT.
WITH THE PEDAL TO THE METAL I'M CRUISIN' IN A STATE OF EUPHORIC, OBLIVIOUS RAPTURE. I'M A HELPLESS PRISONER OF MY FREE WILLED MIND. SO SIT BACK AS YOUR EGO IS ABOUT TO BE ENLARGED. YEA, I'M GONNA GIVE YOU THE BIG HEAD, IN MORE WAYS THAN ONE...

MY CONFESSIONS?....MMMMMM.... WHEN I LOOK INTO YOUR EYES, YOU OWN ME. TAKE
CONTROL OF ME. YOU'RE THE ELECTRICAL POWER FEEDING MY CIRCUITS AND
AND THERE IS NO SURGE PROTECTOR. UH-UH. NO SIR. NOT IN MY QUEENDOM, UPON MY THRONE, INSIDE MY DOME. I'M OVER-HEATED. IN SEXUAL OVERDRIVE. LIKE A PIRAHNA ON A FEEDING FRENZY, YOU CONSUME ME. OH BABY DO ME. I'LL NEVER RUN FROM YOU. I'M YOUR CAPTIVE. TO BE WHATEVER YOU WANT ME TO BE.

HMM..DANGEROUS BUT I LIKE THAT FEAR.
HAVING YOU IN MY ARMS WITH MY LEGS SPREAD WIDE OPEN, AND YOUR STRONG GOLDEN ROD ALL UP IN HERE. TASTIN' MY EXCITEMENT AS YOU DELIGHT AND THRILL ME. THE WAY YOU DO ME COULD KILL ME
BUT I DON'T EVEN CARE. I'LL BE HAPPY AS A LARK AS I BREATHE MY LAST GASP OF AIR.
YEA, THAT'S RIGHT, I'M TALKIN' ALL OVER MYSELF. CAN'T HELP IT. I'M WASTED. INTOXICATED.
MY DRUG OF CHOICE? YOU.
TAKING ME ON A NATURAL HIGH AS YOU CARESS MY BIG BEAUTIFUL BREASTS I SIGH. NIPPLES STANDIN' TALL. THAT'S RIGHT BABY, HAVE A BALL!

THE ATTENTION TO MY PUDDY TAT IS ENDLESS AND CONCENTRATED. LIKE A DOG DIGGIN' IN THE MUDD, AND SO GOOD. LIKE THAT FIRST CUP OF JAVA IN THE MORNIN'. GOOD TO THE LAST DROP. KEEP ON LICKIN' 'CAUSE I AIN'T SCREAMIN' STOP!
I'VE NEVER KNOWN ANOTHER TO ENJOY MY SUGAR SO SWEET. YOU'RE THE DEEP SEA DIVER AS YOU'RE PLAYIN' IN MY HAIR. DISAPPEARING IN MY FRAGRANCE, NEVER COMING UP FOR AIR. HOW DO YOU DO THAT BABY? NO WAIT, DON'T ANSWER THAT. JUST STAY RIGHT THERE. MMMMMM.... WHAT.....IS.....THIS??? I'LL TELL YA WHAT IT IS. YOU'RE MY FREAKY LOVE MACHINE. THE MAN OF MY DREAMS.

I FEEL LIKE THE JOKER IN BATMAN SAYING, "WHERE DOES HE GET ALL THOSE WONDERFUL TOYS?" - YOU'RE THE MAGIC MAN. YOU GOT THE MAGIC HANDS. YOU'RE DA ONE WHO'S GOT ME TONGUE-TIED AND TRIPPIN'. MANY FOLKS AROUND ME THINK I'VE DONE LOST MY
M*THA F**KIN' MIND. THE WAY I ACT WITH YOU IN PUBLIC, YOU KNOW I AIN'T LYIN'...I AIN'T THINKIN' CLEARLY. I'M SLIPPIN'. YOU GOT MY WHOLE LIFE FLIPPIN'.

AND THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE I WANT. DAYUM! YOU MAKE ME SO GREEDY. I WANT SOME MORE. I KNOW I SOUND NEEDY BUT DAMN BABY! YOU DRIVIN' ME CRAZY!
AND THEN!... THEN!!!.... YOU SAVE THE BEST FOR LAST. AFTER ALL YOUR SENSUOUS TOUCHES, LICKS, SUCKS, AND KISSES, BRINGING EVERY NERVE ENDING IN MY BODY ALIVE IN ITS' OWN MELODIOUS CHORD.
TEASING ME. MY BODY FEELING AS THOUGH IT WILL EXPLODE LIKE THAT OF AN ORCHESTRA. YOU'RE THE CONDUCTOR, AND AS I WATCH YOUR EVERY MOVE, WAITING IN EAGER ANTICI....PATION, FOR YOUR FIRST THRUST. PENETRATION.

MMMMM, THAT'S WHAT I'M TALKIN' 'BOUT. YOU BRING ME SO MUCH JOY. ELATION. ALWAYS FRESH AND NEW. STAMINA, BEING YOUR CREATION OF COURSE. GOTTA BE. THE WAY YOU DO ME. BRINGING ME TO THE EDGE AND PULLING ME BACK. YOU GONNA GIVE ME A HEART ATTACK!
AND WHEN YOU DO FINALLY ALLOW ME TO REACH THE POINT OF NO RETURN, YOU CATCH YOUR SECOND WIND. NOPE, THIS IS NOT THE END. THIS IS JUST THE BEGINNING. THE BEGINNING OF THE PLEASURE ZONE. MY MIND IS TOTALLY BLOWN.

WHAT'S A WOMAN TO DO WITH A MAN LIKE YOU? A MAN WHO LIVES FOR INDULGING A WOMAN. THIS GIRL'S IN TROUBLE. AND LOVING IT. SO LADIES, DON'T BE ENVIOUS. PLEASE DON'T HATE BUT I BELIEVE I'VE FOUND THE ULTIMATE LOVER. MY VERSION OF ALEXANDER THE GREAT. THE BOMB. UNLIKE NO OTHER. THERE ARE OFTEN IMITATIONS BUT, THERE'S ONLY ONE TRUE SENSATION. AND I'VE GOT HIM IN POCKET. RIGHT HERE WHERE HE SHOULD BE. INSIDE OF ME. FOREVER......

© COPYRIGHT 2006
WRITTEN BY MS. MARYANNE ( MARIA SUMATRA )

For Lovers Only......

2007-02-14T07:37:00.000-06:00

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY !

I HOPE TODAY BRINGS HAPPINESS, JOY, PEACE, AND LOVE TO ALL !

ENJOY !

On Why I Seem To Be On A Poetic Flow All Of A Sudden.....

2007-01-31T15:20:00.000-06:00

I can't tell you why because I have no idea! I've always enjoyed reading poetry as well as attempting to write it but for some strange reason, I seem to be in the flow. I suppose it's just one of the many phases in my life that shall pass in the future. Who knows....
Hope y'all enjoy it.....

WHEN LOVE CALLS

YOUR EYES ARE OF A STRANGER
SO HAZEL YET SO DEEP
WITH YOU I SENSE NO DANGER
WITH YOU I LONG TO CREEP

MY LIFE I SEE BEFORE ME
MY PAST SO INCOMPLETE
YOU SEEM TO REPRESENT THE KEY
THAT I WAS BORN TO SEEK

I NEVER KNEW THERE WAS A YOU
I'D GIVEN UP ALL HOPE
I KNEW OF NOTHING ELSE TO DO
BUT LIVE MY LIFE AND COPE

AND THEN THE ANGELS SPREAD THEIR WINGS
AND USHERED YOU RIGHT IN
MIDWAY INTO MY LIFE IT BRINGS
ALL HOPE AND JOY AGAIN

AT FIRST I QUESTIONED WHY, WHY NOW
BUT THEN I REALIZED
THE ANSWERS TO LIFE'S WHYS AND HOWS
ARE FOUND WITHIN OUR LIVES

EACH DAY WE LIVE ONE AT A TIME
WHILE ISSUES COME ABOUT
WITH SWEET COMES BITTER SALT AND LIME
LIFE'S HAPPINESS AND DOUBT

AND SO MY TIME HAS COME TO PASS
LOVE'S FINALLY CALLED MY NAME
STEVIE WONDER'S TUNE CALLED " AS "
DESCRIBES IT JUST THE SAME

I'M CAPTURED IN THE THICK OF LOVE
ENRAPTURED BY YOUR BEING
THE HEAVENS SENT YOU FROM ABOVE
FOR ONCE MY HEART IS SEEING

SO MANY " FIRSTS " I HAVE WITH YOU
I'M TRULY TAKEN IN
I NEVER EVEN HAD A CLUE
SUCH HAPPINESS MUST BE A SIN

DOES ANYBODY HEAR ME
CAN ANYONE RELATE
DOES ANYBODY EVER SEE
THEIR DESTINY THEIR FATE

I FEEL I'M LIVING IN A DREAM
DON'T WAKE ME AS I SLEEP
JUST LIKE STILL WATERS IN A STREAM
SO BEAUTIFUL AND DEEP

SO NOW MY LIFE FEELS SO COMPLETE
THE PUZZLES FINALLY DONE
MY LIFE I SURELY WOULD REPEAT
NOW KNOWING IT'S OUTCOME

© 2006 WRITTEN BY MS. MARYANNE ( MARIA SUMATRA )

NOTHINGNESS

2007-01-17T12:05:00.000-06:00

I NEVER IN MY LIFE HAVE SEEN
ANYTHING SO POETIC
I FEEL I'M LIVING IN A DREAM
SO CLEAR I'LL NOT FORGET IT

THE RICHNESS AND THE PURITY
STRIKE THROUGH MY INNER SOUL
WHICH BRINGS ABOUT A PART OF ME
OF WHICH I CAN'T CONTROL

LAUGHTER PEACE AND HARMONY
CONTRIBUTE TO THIS BLISS
CROWNING ME AS YOUR MAJESTY
WITH EACH AND EVERY KISS

FREE FALLING INTO EMPTINESS
MY THOUGHTS I CANNOT HIDE
LESS USING ANY COMMON SENSE
AND SWEPT IN WITH THE TIDE

SUSPENDED ANIMATION
CAPTURES MY INNER SPACE
EUPHORIC HIGH SENSATIONS
BRING ME TO THIS DIFFERENT PLACE

THE SCENERY SO PRIM AND FULL
OF MANY DIFFERENT FORMS
THE STRUCTURE OF THE LANDSCAPES
SHALL WEATHER ANY STORM

I WISH THAT ALL COULD JOIN ME
IN THIS RAPTURED STATE OF MIND
AND REACH INTO THE EMPTINESS
AND LEAVE YOUR CARES BEHIND

IT'S SOMETHING TO EXPERIENCE
THE NOTHINGNESS AND CALM
AND CAPTURING THE ESSENCE
AND RELEASING IT IN SONG

SO IF YOU EVER GET THE CHANCE
GRAB HOLD YOU'LL HAVE A BLAST
TAKE MORE THAN JUST A LITTLE GLANCE
ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS

© copyright 2006
WRITTEN BY: HONEYMOLASSES100 ( MS. MARYANNE )
WHOSE PSEUDONYM IS : MARIA SUMATRA

2007-01-01T09:06:00.000-06:00

Happy New Year everyone!
Today is the first day of the year 2007. I'm hoping for this year to be a good one.
This year could quite possibly bring about a change for the better in my life.
We shall see....

I found a nice New Years Prayer and a top ten list while surfing around one day and thought I'd share them with all of you.
Enjoy.....

2007-01-01T09:05:00.000-06:00

I really like this prayer. It's very true for me. I'm sure a lot of people can relate to it. Hope you like it....

2007-01-01T09:00:00.000-06:00

An interesting Top Ten List. I like the sound of # 5. I can't wait for spring to come, although we've been rather lucky so far weather wise. I keep thinking I'm going to wake up to some below freezing temps. but so far it's been pretty mild. Yesterday is was 60 degrees!

I try to avoid #4 at all costs. The customer service lines are just too darn long for me. If I don't care for something, I just re-gift. I know, I know, it's tacky but it works best for me. lol It's better than just letting the items sit around collecting dust and MUCH better than standing in those god- forsaken long lines. YUK.....

On why I always seem to get a severe headache while driving in the city of St. Louis....

2006-12-20T16:30:00.000-06:00

What is this world coming to???
Times sure have changed. It seems that people no longer have even an ounce of patience anymore. With the holiday season in full force, tensions flaring and low tolerance levels are common. But even way before Thanksgiving and Christmas time, I noticed the selfishness and disrespect for other drivers on the road ways. For one thing, hardly anyone ever uses their blinkers anymore. I don't understand that. Blinkers were originally put on vehicles for safety purposes to indicate to other drivers the way in which you're going to turn. These are an essential part of driving safely folks! So, why do most people choose not to use them?

I've spoken several times about the people that I like to refer to as " Me First " drivers. They're still very much alive and well....lemme tell ya. What is up with these goof balls? I'm trying to figure out what exactly is going through their minds when they decide to dart out in front of you, only to miss getting rear ended by inches. Amazing.
And most times when drivers cut in front of others, they jump out in front of you and decide to do 20. THAT'S 20 MPH!! WTF is up with that??? I've been a little driving addict here lately spending a lot of time in transit daily and I guess it's just starting to get to me. The rough house driving isn't only city driving, it's also on the highway. Have any of you ever been entering a highway only to find that no one wants to let you on? The lane in which you're entering on is known as the acceleration lane, right? Let me know if I'm wrong here. So, you're accelerating in order to go with the flow of the traffic and of course you should never enter the highway going at the rate of speed of a turtle, UNLESS....... there happens to be a yield sign at the entrance ramp, right? Alright. So.... when you're exiting the highway, if you're in the lane that's closest to the entrance and exit ramps, you should be able to drive the speed limit or a little under in order to allow traffic to enter and for you to be able to exit safely. This lane is also known as the " deceleration " lane or the " slow " lane, right? So, why do some people turn into Mario Andretti or Shirley Muldowney in this lane? I notice some drivers tend to speed up trying to beat another driver entering the highway which, I can understand if you're already at a decent rate of speed. Sometimes it's harder to slow down than it is to speed up but, if the oncoming driver is already just about to enter before you have reached the ramp, why not just let him/her enter? Why must there always be a race? Does anyone ever stop and think about how dangerous it is to have little or no respect for other drivers? I'm not like that. Granted, I like to drive a little fast sometimes, even going above the speed limit at times, but I never disrespect other drivers. ( especially truck drivers)
I've seen some pretty dangerous moves by hurried drivers cutting in front of truck drivers. And if that isn't enough, they decide to slow down and just about stop completely sometimes. Do they not think about how hard it is for a truck driver to stop his rather large vehicle at the drop of a hat? Clearly, they do not.
I suppose I sound like a person with " Road Rage " and I'll be the first to admit that I do have some of the traits that would indicate my possessing this terrible behavior. I don't however follow through with the lewd and disrespectful behavior many drivers seem to have. I'm a bit of a temperamental driver at times, having a short amount of patience when other drivers are out there on the roads driving like complete idiots. But I don't ever provoke other drivers or even have any eye contact so as not to start any confrontations which can become quite dangerous not only to those who are arguing but to the on coming traffic and passers by as well. That just adds fuel to the fire. Normally, when I see someone out there on the road acting a fool, I just do my best to avoid them. --and the whole time, I'm wondering to myself, " Where the hell are the police now??"

Anyway, enough of my venting. lol

I hope that everyone has a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!
And if you happen to be out driving during this holiday season, be safe and perhaps try a random act of kindness toward your fellow drivers in the true spirit of the season. Who knows, maybe your kindness will return to you 10 fold.....

Weather Conditions in St. Louis

2006-12-01T08:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a link to the One hour radar loop .

Well, the weather here in St. Louis has finally changed for the worse. So far we've had a lot of heavy winds accompanied by sleet, freezing rain, and now snow. I've never been a big fan of wintery type conditions, not even as a child. I mean, I enjoyed playing out in the snow but after awhile I'd get cold and want to come inside to get warm. I enjoyed the view for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day but the day after that, I'd always be wishing for spring.

Today is Friday, December 1st. and I'm scheduled to work at 6am. as usual. I'm heading out the door and as I slowly creep onto the slick stuff and close and lock the door behind me, I take a couple steps and.......well, let's just say that the ground is cold and hard and I now know this for sure because I slipped and fell on my side. lol Of course I did the normal looking around to see if any of my neighbors saw that little slapstick of comedy. ( even though it was still dark outside) - I normally leave the house around 5 am. but I still had to take that embarrassed peek around to see who may have caught a glimpse of my little mishap. After a bit of a struggle slip - sliding around while trying to get up, I finally was able to grab hold of the fence and pull myself up. With that, I turned toward the door, unlocked it and returned inside the house. I figured that was a sign to stay home and so....I DID! Later on today, I'll hopefully be able to make my way to the garage and get the shovel and salt to clear a path for tomorrow.

I HATE THIS WEATHER!! GRRRRRRRRRRR!!!!!

It's that time again. GOBBLE GOBBLE.....

2006-11-19T09:34:00.000-06:00

Does anyone have any special plans for the The Thanksgiving holiday? I normally cook a large feast but this year, I'm just gonna go for something small. I'll have a turkey but it's not going to be very big. ( 10lbs. ) I'm also going to have a small boneless ham. I already have it and it's just the cutest little thing ! It looks just like a little football. lol It's just enough though. I don't need to have tons and tons of food 'cause that just tends to make me eat more and also, it ends up being wasted.

I'm still struggling with my weight issue but I also realize that this time of year is the absolute hardest time to lose weight. I'm not doing too bad but I could be doing a lot better too. I've recently received a renewal notice from Bally's Total Fitness gym and it's not too bad a price. Right now, they're offering me a yearly membership of $98.00. - which is really pretty cheap ! I'm debating on taking that or waiting for the next notice which should be even cheaper ! I remember one time, they sent a notice for only $78.00 per year. That's the one I'd like. Guess I'll be holding out a bit longer.....or not. I really should just go ahead and join now because as soon as the holidays are over, the gyms will be extremely crowded. Right now, I'd have free reign and be able to use any machines I want without having to wait while someone is in the middle of doing their sets. Decisions, decisions...

Anyway, I hope everyone has a very Happy Thanksgiving ! And remember....you are what you eat.....Enjoy !

Internet Love - A Poem

2006-11-09T20:30:00.000-06:00

Internet Love!

Do I love you, are you crazy, what makes you think that
We're just two people who meet up to talk daily in chat
Yes you know my sob story and I know yours too
But do you honestly think that I'm in love with you?

Yes I spend lots of time with you, oh please don't ask me again
Lets just carry on as we are, be happy just being my friend
My heart has been broken too many times to forget
And I'm still grieving for a love I've not quite gotten over yet

Yes you make me smile; and I love you in my way
And my feelings get stronger with each passing day
But you don't know me; you don't see what I hold deep inside
You see what I show you, not the parts that I hide

You've never even met me; it's just my words that appeal
Although you've heard my voice how do you know that I'm real?
I'm confused and I'm frightened, I'm not the person you think
Yes, I agree we've made connection, formed some kind on link

You've never asked what I look like, you say it doesn't matter
But I've been around long enough to know the truth is the latter
I can see the vision you've created of me in your mind
Somehow I think you will be disappointed when the real me you find

So lets just be friends, lets share time when we can
I'm not your Woman, and you're not my man
This is a fantasy world, its just a computer and words
I can't be in love that would be way too absurd

So don't push me, I beg of you, please don't make me choose
I'm not ready for this, if you continue you'll loose
I'll never admit to loving someone I can't touch and caress
But do I believe that you can love over the Internet? Then my answer is YES!

- Author Unknown

Things that go " POW " in the Night

2006-10-29T19:55:00.000-06:00

It's just 2 days before Halloween night and things couldn't be anymore scarier for me right now. Where to start.....

Okay. I'll start with the night of October 19th. That was on a Saturday night. It was just another normal evening, I didn't do too much. I remember going to bed rather early that night. Probably right around 8 or 9 pm. I was sleeping sound and at 12:30am, I received a phone call from a friend, asking me if I were alright. Apparently, he had heard some gunshots fired from an automatic weapon that night in our neighborhood. There were a total of 10 shots fired from a nine millimeter and it seemed as if they were shot directly up into the air. - That's the first scare.....

The next scare happened on the Wednesday following my birthday. It was October 23rd. right around 8:45 pm. I was sitting here on the computer, when all of a sudden, I heard 5 shots fired from an automatic weapon. I immediately fell to the floor so as not to get hit by any bullets. I do sit right next to a large window when I'm using my computer but it's located on the side of my house and the sound from the shots were coming from the front of the house. I was quite shaken up by this. I slowly crawled up toward my front door, located in the living room, and peeped out of the mini blinds on my door. I saw a lot of people standing outside, some in their pajamas with arms folded across their chests because it was a pretty chilly night. I stood up and opened my front door to see what was going on. I caught a glimpse of one of my neighbor's kids as he was running toward his house next door to me and I called out to him. He came over and I asked him what was going on. He wasn't sure but he did tell me that there was a person sitting on their couch in the house that got shot at. They had just gotten up to go into their kitchen and that's when the shots were fired. I've neglected to mention that this particular house that was shot at, is to the left of mine, directly across the street from me. Had that person living in that house been sitting on their couch during the gunfire, they'd be dead right now.

There are several stories going around about what the circumstances are. Some say that the shooter or shooters were shooting at a police officer who arrested a friend of theirs. Others say that it's gang related. I haven't a clue as to why this has happened. It hasn't been reported in the newspaper and hasn't appeared on the news on television either. So, I'm pretty much in the dark. It's odd 'cause there are 2 or 3 police officers living on my street. You wouldn't think that there would be any kind of foul play but some people have a lot of balls. Quite honestly, I'm not used to living in these kinds of conditions. The neighborhood I live in has always been very clean, quiet and peaceful so this is really surprising to me. I do hope that the authorities can catch whoever this is. It just goes to show you that there is no place totally safe. Sometimes, we seem to take things for granted like safety; for instance, and until you personally are involved or victimized by crime, you tend to think that it will never happen in your neighborhood. That's just not the case. If nothing else, I've learned that fact very well....

On a lighter note, I finally got my pumpkins all carved and ready for Halloween night! Tonight will be the first night I'll set them out all lit up with candles. I have 4 pumpkins and I'll place them on the steps that lead up to the porch in front of my house. ( 2 on the left and 2 on the right side of the steps) I love decorated lighted pumpkins! I hope everyone has a safe and fun Halloween! Don't eat too much candy.....hee hee

A Demon and a Bloodsucker....

2006-10-11T23:05:00.000-05:00

Good Evening....

How would you like coming home to her or him every night? It wouldn't be nuttin' nice, would it? Although some of us unlucky ones already experience this unfortunate ordeal. So, what does one do when they're the host to one of these demoniods every day of their life? You can't kill them 'cause they're already dead. Hmmmmmmm what to do...

Some interesting tidbits...

Hallowe'en is short for All Hallows' Eve, the evening before All Hallows, or All Saints' Day, which is November 1st. (Hallow meaning saint or holy person). Another name for Hallowe'en is Samhain, meaning Summer's End, a Celtic festival, when winter, and also their new year, started. This was also the time of year when everything withered and died, and the priests of the Celtic people, the Druids would perform magic rites and offered sacrifices to their gods to make sure life and new growth would return in spring.

The Druids thought all life came from the underworld and that was where the spirits of vegetation and growing things went during the winter. At Samhain the barriers between this world and the underworld were opened, and the Celts believed the spirits of their dead relatives would revisit their homes.

The Samhain festival began with the lighting of huge bonfires, which were lit to drive away evil spirits, to honour the sun, and to give thanks to the gods for the crops and fruit which had been safely gathered in. The fires also guided the souls of the dead on their journey back from the underworld. People thought the ghosts of their dead relatives returned to comfort themselves at the fire before facing the cold and loneliness of the coming winter.

As Christianity grew and spread many pagan customs and festivals continued but were given new names and meanings to fit in with Christian beliefs. Therefore in AD837 the Church leaders dedicated Nov 1st to the memory of the saints in Heaven, and called All Hallows' Day, but still the belief continued of the souls of the dead returning at this time of year, so the Church called Nov 2nd All Souls' Day, when people could say masses for their departed loved ones. As the centuries passed, people did not grow any less superstitious, and went on thinking of Hallowe'en as a time when witches and demons were active and when ghosts and spirits made an appearance.

Well isn't this special....

2006-10-04T21:35:00.000-05:00

How to Impress a Woman

1. Compliment her.
2. Respect her.
3. Honor her.
4. Cuddle her.
5. Kiss her.
6. Caress her.
7. Love her.
8. Stroke her.
9. Tease her.
10. Comfort her.
11. Protect her.
12. Hug her.
13. Hold her.
14. Spend money on her.
15. Wine and dine her.
16. Listen to her.
17. Care for her.
18. Stand by her.
19. Support her.
20. Go to the ends of the Earth for her.

How to Impress a Man

1. Show up naked.
2. Bring food.

TYPICAL....lol

Just one question....

2006-09-30T23:26:00.000-05:00

Reuters - Thu Sep 28, 6:19 AM ET
An undated handout photograph released on September 27, 2006 shows Lee Redmond of the U.S. who has won entry into the latest edition of Guinness World Records September 28, 2006 with the world's longest fingernails. EDITORIAL USE ONLY NO ARCHIVES NO SALES REUTERS/Drew Gardner/GWR/Handout (BRITAIN)

How in the HELL does she do anything????!!!

WELL, IT'S HUMP DAY

2006-09-27T08:00:00.000-05:00

I'm going into my third day of getting back into the swing of things, after being off of work for 2 weeks and quite honestly, it's not as bad as it normally is. I'm normally grumpy and miserable. You know, the not wanting to go back blues....
I'm not feeling that way this time. I don't know if that's good or bad. There was a slight difference in my time off this time. I WAS COMPLETELY ALONE. Normally, I have some company once in a while but not this time. I must admit that it was rather nice but I also have to admit that being alone like, ALL THE TIME can get old. At least for me it can. I mean, if I were to go out more I suppose it wouldn't be so bad but to simply go day after day by myself with no one to talk to would just drive me nuts! I do appreciate the privacy and freedom. I just don't know if I'd like it ALL OF THE TIME. Who knows....

I've just awakened from what seems to have been a short nap. I don't feel very rested today. I've got my coffee maker on so I'll be waking up soon. I gotta have my caffeine in the morning. Have you ever stopped to think about the many addictions we have in life hovering around us? We have so many things to choose from if we desire them. Well, there's caffeine which is something the majority of people in the world are addicted to in one way or another. I've cut down my caffeine intake considerably. I do have 1 - 2 cups of coffee per day and maybe one diet soda which is much better than what I used to consume. There was a time that I'd avoided it at all costs. That was a weird experience but as time went on, I'd gotten used to it. I'm not sure how it crept back into my life but IT'S BACK! lol
Tobacco is another addiction. I was just talking about this with a friend yesterday. It's a major addiction for me and quite frankly, I'm beginning to wonder if I'll ever be strong enough to fight this habit again. Unfortunately, I've already purchased a supply of nicotene patches since I was in the process of quitting awhile ago. They were quite expensive and their expiration date is for 2008 so I guess I'd better start thinking a bit more about that, eh? Hmmmmmmm.....

Let's see...other addictions....
There's sex but, well, you have to have that to be addicted to it, right?..AHEM...NEXT!!!

Alcohol is something isn't it. I can honestly say that I'm not addicted to that because I hardly drink any at all. Not even the occassional glass of wine in the evening. Truth be known, I've had a case of Bud Light beer in my refridgerator for about 6 or more months now!! Yep, that's right. Close your mouths. I know some of you are like, "What the hell are ya doin'?" I'm sure it's way past it's date for tasting good by now. Guess I should throw it out. Hehehe...I'm sure I've made some enemies now....

Drugs....I've no use for them. 'Nuff said....

Gambling. Now, this is a biggie. So many people are active gamblers and not one of them will admit to having a problem. I'm not saying that if you play the lottery once in awhile or go to a casino on occassion that you're addicted but come on.... Lets face it. You know there's a problem when you spend your hard earned money on this not knowing if you'll have enough money to pay your bills for the month or buy your groceries for the week but you just want to try to win big so you can do these things. THAT'S A PROBLEM! So many people gamble on a weekly or even a daily basis and see nothing wrong with it. I suppose if you're livin' large enough, it really doesn't matter but, if you're just the common person out there trying to make ends meet then....you better stop and think about that. I know I can't afford it. Nope, can't do it...

So, since I've seemed to have gone off into a rambling spree about addictions for reasons beyond my comprehension, I guess I'd better just stop here and say what I was intending to say from the start. Happy Hump Day everybody! I hope you enjoy the rest of your week and try to avoid some of life's addictions or at least cut down on them a bit. Oh yea, one more....computer usage. That's me! I'm guilty....lol TOODLESSSSSSSSSSSSSS

A Little Cyber Poem

2006-09-20T16:58:00.000-05:00

We met upon the Internet,
A friendship electronic,
Expressed alone in words and thoughts,
Inevitably platonic.

We live too far apart for us
To mingle in the flesh,
But much more close than family,
Our hearts and feelings mesh.

Your dear, dear self reveals itself
Without a voice or face.
We have our own sweet home within
Our precious cyberspace.

I found this recently on twisted love poems. It doesn't seem that twisted, more a sad commentary on an all too common occurence in Cyberspace....

WHEN ARE WE GOING TO GET THEM TRANSPORTER THINGIES THEY PROMISED US ALL THOSE YEARS AGO IN F**KING STAR TREK ??!!

...UM AHEM,JUST CURIOUS :)

I'm back again.....

2006-09-18T08:30:00.000-05:00

Two days later......

I'm here but not sure for how long. I took my computer into BestBuy for repairs and they ran a complete diagnostic test on my hard drive. It passed with flying colors they said. I still seem to have that awful clicking noise when I shut down the computer. They seem to think that it' s nothing. I disagree with them. I have this awful feeling that if I don't take my pc in to a different shop to have it looked at again, it's going to crash. That would be the worst. I'm going to make a few phone calls today to see what advise I can get about it. I was going to buy a brand new hard drive but the salesmen talked me out of it. A couple friends also told me that I didn't need to buy a new one. The salesmen said that it would be silly to buy new when my computer is just as good as the new models. Also, he said that there would be a limited variety right now everywhere. It's that time of year. I feel that he must be right since he stopped me from giving him a sale, right?

Anyway, only time will tell.... hopefully I'll get things on track here soon. I did purchase more RAM and my computer is running very fast now. It was very slow and sluggish so, that's nice. I also bought a sound card so that I can have my headset plugged in at all times and keep my speakers plugged in all the time too. This way, I can either chat on the mic or listen through the speakers without ever having to disconnect either one. I know, I'm lazy. LOL
At least I didn't spend a fortune trying to get things back to normal. Well, not yet anyway. Wish me luck.....

Another Disappearing Act.....

2006-09-15T09:15:00.000-05:00

This is just a note to let whoever would be interested in knowing that I'll be gone for a few days. (what else is new, right?) I won't be fishing but I posted the picture 'cause it seemed appropriate. This time, my absence will be due to technical issues. To be more precise, my hard drive seems to be failing and before it completely crashes and I lose anything of value, I figured I'd better take it in for repair.

Of course I'm going to have major withdrawals without my internet usage for a few days so I think my best bet is to stay busy and keep my mind occupied. ( I know, pathetic aren't I) I will still be able to use my email from my cell phone, I'm assuming. I should be able to. Anyway, that's what's happening in my little world of fun. So, Have a great weekend everyone and I'll see ya in a few days! TOODLES.......

Eight facts/things/habits, about me...you know, Zepplinlady...

2006-09-12T14:10:00.001-05:00

Well, I've been tagged. How that happened is beyond me since I'm hardly ever around anymore. LOL So, without further adieu, here's my list.....

1. I am an extremely shy individual. Even though I may not seem so shy around any of you, I tend to be quite the quiet, apprehensive type around people. Especially on first meetings.

2. I've been employed at the same place for a total of 19 years. I haven't changed my job classification/rank because it was in my best interest to stay right where I am. I'm not in management so therefore, no headaches and I have the job knowledge to be left alone to do my own thing. I kinda like it that way.

3. I am a heavy smoker. As you all know already, I attempted to quit and did so for only 17 days but I am also in the process of trying to lose weight so something had to give. I chose the weightloss. HEY! 40 LBS. LOST SO FAR!! YIPPEE!!

4. I love music and am an avid collector of vintage vinyl albums, cassettes, 8-track tapes, and cds. I even like the old 78's and 45's. (although I've recently joined the ipod bandwagon. LOL

5. I absolutely have an undying obsession of looking at sexy men. Especially men in uniform: firefighters, policemen, mailmen,repairmen... (I'm teased on a regular basis by my co-workers about firemen and repairmen with their toolbelts but....I won't go into that right now)

6. I truly enjoy writing poetry although I'm not a professional poetess as I'm sure everyone can tell. I feel so free and mellow when the words begin to flow from inside my mind. It's a good feeling.

7. I have one half sister from my mother's prior marriage and one half brother also from my mother's prior marriage. I've never met him before though. He's one of those people who can't seem to get over the color barrier. ('course there is no barrier but, he seems to think that there is..) oh well, his loss...

8. I have 2 other websites/blogs and am really having a hard time maintaining them. They are: http://honeymolasses100.stumbleupon.com/
and
http://360.yahoo.com/honeymolasses100
Okay, guess I have to tag some people.
How 'bout Bluez, Scribe, and ~K~...
TAG! YOU ALL ARE IT!!
GOOD LUCK!

9-11-2001 ~ A Tribute ~ We Shall Never Forget....

2006-09-11T09:11:00.001-05:00

For all the victims and volunteers killed in the terrorist attack on New York, the Pentagon, and the four high jacked flights.

September 11, 2001

A candle in burning for the victims and an entire nation's tears are falling for the families and friends of so many.

Beautiful Wallpapers

2006-09-04T23:40:00.000-05:00

These are some nice wallpapers I ran across and just wanted to share them. I really like them and hope you will too.

Test your Knowledge......

2006-08-27T23:08:00.000-05:00

True or False?

1. Apples, not caffeine, are more efficient at waking you up in the morning.

2. Alfred Hitchcock didn't have a belly button.

3. A pack-a-day smoker will lose approximately 2 teeth every 10 years.

4. People do not get sick from cold weather; it's from being indoors a lot more.

5. When you sneeze, all bodily functions stop, even your heart!

6. Only 7 per cent of the population are lefties.

7. Forty people are sent to the hospital for dog bites every minute.

8. Babies are born without kneecaps. They don't appear until they are 2-6 years old.

9. The average person over 50 will have spent 5 years waiting in lines.

10. The toothbrush was invented in 1498.

11. The average housefly lives for one month.

12. 40,000 Americans are injured by toilets each year.

13. A coat hanger is 44 inches long when straightened.

14. The average computer user blinks 7 times a minute.

15. Your feet are bigger in the afternoon than any other time of day.

16. Most of us have eaten a spider in our sleep.

17. The REAL reason ostriches stick their head in the sand is to search for water.

18. The only two animals that can see behind themselves without turning their heads are the rabbit and the parrot.

19. John Travolta turned down the starring roles in "An Officer and a Gentleman" and "Tootsie."

20. Michael Jackson owns the rights to the South Carolina State anthem.

21. In most television commercials advertising milk, a mixture of white paint and a little thinner is used in place of the milk.

22. Prince Charles and Prince William NEVER travel on the same airplane, just in case there is a crash.

23. The first Harley Davidson motorcycle built in 1903 used a tomato can for a carburetor.

24. Most hospitals make money by selling the umbilical cords cut from women who give birth. They are used in vein transplant surgery.

25. Humphrey Bogart was related to Princess Diana. They were 7th cousins.

26. If coloring weren't added to Coca-Cola, it would be green.

Answers below...

They are all TRUE.... Now go back
and think about #16!!!

Hey, remember me???

2006-08-21T20:53:00.000-05:00

Here's a beautiful piece of artwork.
Hi all, how's everyone been?
I'm still hangin'. I've just been roaming around and kinda got lost I guess.
So how is every little thing? Is everyone staying out of trouble?
I see that the old minister is still as crazy as ever, sending out emails. LOL
Life is good for me. I've been learning an abundance of new things to do with my pc from a good friend of mine. I'm still working like a dog, and I haven't gained any weight. - (haven't lost any either) I hope everyone is doing well. I'm way behind on my blogging and reading and am not sure if I'll ever catch up. but, I'll give it a shot I suppose. I'm gonna have to set aside a day for strictly blog reading 'cause I'd like to see what's up with you all. I gotta go now. I'm due for a tutoring session.
Take care all!

I'm Bored.....

2006-08-01T23:19:00.000-05:00

BACKGROUND MUSIC~ HOLE HEARTED~ BY EXTREME

Life's ambition occupies my time

Priorities confuse the mind

Happiness one step behind

This inner peace I've yet to find

Rivers flow into the sea

Yet even the sea is not so full of me

If I'm not blind why can't I see

That a circle can't fitWhere a square should be

There's a hole in my heart

That can only be filled by you

And this hole in my heart

Can't be filled with the things I do

Hole hearted

This heart of stone is where I hide

These feet of clay kept warm inside

Day by day less satisfied

Not fade away before I die

Rivers flow into the sea

Yet even the sea is not so full of me

If I'm not blind why can't I see

That a circle can't fitWhere a square should be

There's a hole in my heart

That can only be filled by you

And this hole in my heart

Can't be filled with the things I do

There's a hole in my heart

That can only be filled by you

And this hole in my heart

Can't be filled with the things I do

Hole hearted

I always did like that song.

Whatever happened to this group?

I only recall 2 songs by them.

This one and a song called:

"More Than Words"

Ever notice that sometimes the songs that have the most meaning are somehow forgotten about? These two songs for example. They were both full of love, and hurt, and feelings but they kinda just vanished....

And the lead singer was adorable. I don't remember his name but who cares....

Yea, I haven't been having a very creative couple of months here as I'm sure you all can tell. Gimme time, I'll come around....hopefully.

JUST WALK AWAY

2006-07-26T20:30:00.000-05:00

THOUGHTS OF YOU SHALL TEASE MY MIND
FROM DAWN UNTO THE DUSK
HOPES OF WHAT MIGHT COME OF IT
DIMINISHING DAILY

NERVES ON END MOST OF THE TIME
CAN'T HELP IT, ALL YOUR FAULT
WHATEVER YOU HAVE DONE TO ME
IS CURRENTLY IRREVERSIBLE

I SHUTTER TO THINK HOW LONG THIS LASTS
OR IF IT SHALL EVER CEASE
ALTHOUGH I FEEL HELPLESS
AND WITH HEARTACHE AND PAIN
I LOOK FORWARD TO IT DAILY

MAKES NO SENSE, I KNOW IT'S TRUE
BUT FEELINGS NEVER DO
ONE DAY AT A TIME I TRAVEL FORTH
TRYING NOT TO LOOK BEHIND ME

I MUSTN'T BE AFRAID
I MUST CONTINUE ON
MY LIFE DISECTED TENDERLY
DECISIONS, THOUGHTS, AND MEMORIES

WHAT'S BEST FOR MY WELL BEING
AND EASE MY TROUBLED MIND
WALK AWAY IN SILENCE
NEVER-EVER LOOKING BEHIND...

-WRITTEN BY MS. MARYANNE ~ MARIA SUMATRA~ JULY 2006

Some Positive Updates.......

2006-07-23T17:00:00.000-05:00

Hi all. I hope everyone has been doing well. I myself have been doing tremendously well lately. To start off with, I've quit smoking. After a 27 year habitual feeding frenzy, I finally got up some nerve(with alittle help from my doctor) and decided to try to live a life without the smoke. Honestly, it's a daily struggle for me but I know that in the long run, it will be quite beneficial for me healthwise, and it may prevent the aging process just a bit, as far as wrinkles go. I've had alot of support from friends to help me get through this rough beginning. So far, I haven't had a cigarette in 16 days, which is a very big accomplishment for me--a person who smoked just alittle shy of 3 packs a day. I admit that even as I'm sitting here typing this, I'm craving a cigarette. I was using the nicotene patch. It is the strongest prescription available, (21 mgs.) but for the past few days, I've forgotten to put it on. I suppose that that's pretty good. I like to think it's very good....

I've also managed to lose 28 lbs. and drop one size down in pants. This is another great accomplishment especially since I'm trying to quit smoking at the same time. My doctor suggested that I don't worry about what I eat, and just to concentrate on my quitting smoking but I don't want to gain anymore weight and I knew if I weren't careful, that that would be the exact road I'd be headed for. So I took the liberty of cutting down-drastically- the amount of food intake in my diet each day. I hope that I can continue with this momentum. I just have to stay motivated.

Recently, there were some very severe storms in the St. Louis Metropolitan area which created havoc in every neighborhood they reached. Some people are still without electricity because of the severity of the storms. For the most part, tree cutters and workers are seen working on peoples' yards, collecting the debris left behind from the strong winds. I feel that this was the closest we've been to having a tornado in a long time. I'm not ashamed to say this....I was so very scared. I didn't know what to do or where to go. I've never been in a tornado before. I hope that I never have to experience one upclose.

I've got another vacation coming up pretty soon. I'm hoping that this one will be different from all the rest. I'm hoping that this particular vacation will begin my climb of overcoming some fears that have haunted me for the majority of my life. That's all I'm going to say on that note for right now. A very dear, close friend of mine, who lives about 11 hours away knows what I'm talking about.
Anyway, I hope everyone's doing well. Take care all, have a good week and God Bless!

~Reason, Season and Lifetime~

2006-07-17T17:35:00.000-05:00

Reason, Season and Lifetime

People come into your life for a reason, a season, or a lifetime.

When you figure out which it is, you know exactly what to do.

When someone is in your life for a REASON,

it is usually to meet a need

you have expressed outwardly or inwardly.

They have come to assist you through a difficulty,

to provide you with guidance and support,

to aid you physically, emotionally, or spiritually.

They may seem like a godsend, and they are.

They are there for the reason you need them to be.

Then, without any wrong doing on your part

or at an inconvenient time,

this person will say or do something

to bring the relationship to an end.

Sometimes they die. Sometimes they walk away.

Sometimes they act up or out and force you to take a stand.

What we must realize is that our need has been met,

our desire fulfilled; their work is done.

The prayer you sent up has been answered

and it is now time to move on.

When people come into your life for a SEASON,

it is because your turn has come to share, grow, or learn.

They may bring you an experience of peace or make you laugh.

They may teach you something you have never done.

They usually give you an unbelievable amount of joy.

Believe it! It is real! But, only for a season.

LIFETIME relationships teach you lifetime lessons;

those things you must build upon

in order to have a solid emotional foundation.

Your job is to accept the lesson,

love the person/people (anyway);

and put what you have learned to use in all

other relationships and areas of your life.

It is said that love is blind but friendship is clairvoyant.

~Author Unknown

I'm Back!!! Well, kinda sorta........

2006-07-12T22:09:00.000-05:00

Hi all. I've returned from a wonderfully relaxing 9-day hiatus which actually could have been longer but, was still a rather great rejuvenating experience. I didn't get to do EVERYTHING I so desperately wanted but I did get to do atleast some of things that had been sitting on the back burners of my mind. I know I talked alot about going fishing. Well, I didn't get to do much of that but the good part of this deal is that I did get some major repairs done at home. The best part of this news is that this work cost me absolutely nothing. That's right, being that I am no longer a "home owner", my landlord foot the bill so that was good enough for me! Other than home renovations being done, I also was able to set up some appointments that I never would've been able to make since I'm hardly ever here in the daytime. It's funny how things work out. On my first day of vacation, I was washing some clothes and one of my washing machines wouldn't agitate. I took the clothes out of it and put them in the other washer. Guess what? That washer didn't want to spin.(hard to believe isn't it) So there I was, faced with no washers and a ton of dirty laundry.....The odd part was that these machines were only 5 years old. I'm not that hard on appliances. I always used care when loading them. Anyway, I had to make a call to Sears and luckily, they were able to give me an appointment for the next day. The only problem was that I was intending on going fishing that day with the weather being so nice and all. Well, that was shot because my appointment was anytime between 8am and 5pm.(how convenient) Atleast I have one of the washers working again. The other one unfortunately is going to cost more to get fixed than it's worth so, I'm going to have to buy a new one. If I go to Sears within 2 weeks, I'll save $65.00 on a new one so, that's what I shall do.

I know I've been rather scarce around here but I haven't forgotten any of you. I just seem to have too many irons in the fire right now I suppose. Here's something I'd like to share with all of you. Just a little something I ran across that I'm sure everyone here will be able to relate to in one way or another......

This particular post comes from a friend of mine who occasionally blogs on StumbleUpon. He goes by the name of MusZicMan. Enjoy....

MusZicMan's reviews

TO ALL THE KIDS WHO WERE BORN IN THE
1930's 40's, 50's, 60's and 70's !!

First, we survived being born to mothers who smoked and/or drank while
they carried us.

They took aspirin, ate blue cheese dressing, tuna from a can, and
didn't get tested for diabetes.

Then after that trauma, our baby cribs were covered with bright
colored lead-based paints.

We had no childproof lids on medicine bottles, doors or cabinets and
when we rode our bikes, we had no helmets, not to mention, the risks
we took hitchhiking.

As children, we would ride in cars with no seat belts or air bags.

Riding in the back of a pick up on a warm day was always a special
treat.

We drank water from the garden hose and NOT from a bottle.

We shared one soft drink with four friends, from one bottle and NO ONE
actually died from this.

We ate cupcakes, white bread and real butter and drank soda pop with
sugar in it, but we weren't overweight because.....

WE WERE ALWAYS OUTSIDE PLAYING!!

We would leave home in the morning and play all day, as long as we
were back when the streetlights came on.

No one was able to reach us all day. And we were O.K.

We would spend hours building our go-carts out of scraps and then ride
down the hill, only to find out we forgot the brakes. After running
into the bushes a few times, we learned to solve the problem.

We did not have Playstations, Nintendo's, X-boxes, no video games at
all, no 99 channels on cable, no video tape movies, no surround sound,
no cell phones, no personal computers, no Internet or Internet chat
rooms..........WE HAD FRIENDS and we went outside and found them!

We fell out of trees, got cut, broke bones and teeth and there were no
lawsuits from these accidents.

We ate worms and mud pies made from dirt, and the worms did not live
in us forever.

We were given BB guns for our 10th birthdays,
made up games with sticks and tennis balls and although we were told
it would happen, we did not put out very many eyes.

We rode bikes or walked to a friend's house and knocked on the door or
rang the bell, or just yelled for them!

Little League had tryouts and not everyone made the team. Those who
didn't had to learn to deal with disappointment. Imagine that!!

The idea of a parent bailing us out if we broke the law was unheard
of. They actually sided with the law!

This generation has produced some of the best risk-takers, problem
solvers and inventors ever!

The past 50 years have been an explosion of innovation and new ideas.

We had freedom, failure, success and responsibility, and we learned

HOW TO DEAL WITH IT ALL!

And YOU are one of them!

CONGRATULATIONS!

You might want to share this with others who have had the luck to grow
up as kids, before the lawyers and the government regulated our lives
for our own good.

And while you are at it, forward it to your kids so they will know how
brave their parents were.

Kind of makes you want to run through the house with scissors, doesn't
it?!

The sweet smell of roses....

2006-06-28T06:45:00.000-05:00

This one is called: Marco_Polo
I'm not sure of the names of the other two pictured here.

As I've stated in a prior post, I've been spending alot of time on

StumbleUpon

. In my most recent visits, there have been so many nice people I've come into contact with. These are some of the many photos that are shared between stumblers (which refers to people like you and me who view different websites) each day. I just wanted to share them with all of you. These photos are courtesy of a man named John, who goes by the username: Saar. He's from Germany. I hope you enjoy them as much as I do!

BTW, I'VE MISSED BEING HERE.......

Henrietta

2006-06-28T06:31:00.000-05:00

These are called Henriettas. I adore them...

Warm Welcome

2006-06-28T06:27:00.000-05:00

These are beautiful, don't you agree? Their name...Warm Welcome.

About That Last Post......

2006-06-28T06:20:00.000-05:00

I decided to yank that last post on the grounds of possibly incriminating myself. LOL

Bear with me here folks. There's no need to worry, I'm doing fine. I'm just alittle goofy right now but I'll be AIGHT!!!

Oh yea, almost forgot--My first vacation of the year OFFICIALLY BEGINS on Saturday, July 1st. Of course, I'll probably work at my part-time job on that Sunday but it's cool. I'll be doing alot of maxin' and relaxin' the first few days but right around the 5th., it's time to go fishing! I really can't wait for that. I need it actually. If I catch anything worthwhile, I'll take some pictures for you all to see.

Take care! PEACE.....

SEVEN KINDS OF SEX.....HMMMMM

2006-06-15T00:30:00.000-05:00

This is something that caught my eye as I was wandering around reading blogs on the

Stumble Upon

feature through the

Mozilla Firefox

browser. (yes.....I stole it) hehehe I just wanted to share it with all of you for a laugh or two. Enjoy!

Recent research shows that there are 7 kinds of sex:

1. SMURF SEX: This kind of sex happens when you first meet someone and you both have sex until you are blue in the face.

2. KITCHEN SEX: This is when you have been with your partner for a short time and you are so horny you will have sex anywhere, even in the kitchen.

3. BEDROOM SEX: This is when you have been with your partner for a long time. Your sex has gotten routine and you usually have sex only in your bedroom.

4. HALLWAY SEX: This is when you have been with your partner for too long. When you pass each other in the hallway you both say " SCREW YOU."

5. RELIGIOUS SEX: Which means you get Nun in the morning, Nun in the afternoon, and Nun at night.

6. COURTROOM SEX: This is when you cannot stand each other anymore. You go to court and get screwed in front of everyone.

7. SOCIAL SECURITY SEX: You get a little each month - but not enough to live on.

Thoughts on Graffiti

2006-06-10T19:00:00.000-05:00

As I was driving home one evening, I had the unfortunate occurence (or so I thought) of having to come to a complete halt for a train to pass along the tracks in a nearby neighborhood. At first, I was feeling inconvenienced and thinking about making a u-turn and going home a different way but, as the train began to move along the tracks in front of me, I saw some of the most beautiful graffiti art painted on the sides of the boxcars.

Although I realize that most graffiti is done on private property and is illegal, I couldn't help but be mesmerized by the beautiful display of pictures and words that slowly moved along the tracks before me. It was truly amazing and of course, I didn't even think to take any pictures. (wouldn't ya know it...) The pictures I'm showing are just some images I found by keying in "train graffiti" just to validate my point of the artistry displayed.

Art is a form of expression and these "vandals" as many people refer to them, are true artists. It's a God-given talent and a real shame that there is no happy medium regarding this issue. If only there were a way for the art to be displayed in such a way as to promote the railroad or buildings even, where their "marks" are so consistently painted. You have to admit that most trains leave alot to be desired in appearance. They're just mere boxcars with nothing on them most of the time and once in a while a company name of some sort is on a few but normally, they just look bare and unappealing. It makes for a boring, long and frustrating time for the person who sits and waits for that agonizing "never-ending" line of cars to pass.

When you have some pictures and writings to look at as the train passes by, at least it gives the driver and/or passengers something to do other than just sit there wondering how long the train is, or how much time will be wasted sitting and waiting for that there train to pass. I'm sure many of you will disagree with this post but that's okay. I'd love to hear your opinions on this issue.

An Inspirational Poem

2006-06-10T00:15:00.000-05:00

-Unknown

THE NEW BUSCH STADIUM

2006-06-01T21:00:00.000-05:00

GOOD NEWS HERE!!

I finally got the chance to catch a ballgame at the New Busch Stadium in St. Louis Mo. and it was an awesome experience, lemme tell ya! Viewing the stadium as a whole is totally breathtaking and the fans seem to be more than pleased with it's finish! Although the seating has been cut down to approximately 45,000 from 54,000 capacity, ( including standing room only ) the seats are quite comfortable and the new cupholders are handy and placed conveniently on the backs of the seats so everyone has a place to set their cup rather than holding it or sitting it on the nasty ground. To me, there seems to be a few more inches for leg room -- my legs are short so it may just seem that way.

I went with my two best buddies and everything seemed to be going perfectly for us, from the moment we pulled into the parking garage across from the stadium -- which by the way was $15.00 -- to our departure, there was not one dull moment. We arrived at the stadium around 5:15pm. and were lucky enough to find a parking spot right at the elevators. When we exited the elevator, my heart started thumping at maximum speed. I was so excited!!....and I brought my camera too!! Believe it or not, I took a total of 62 pictures so I'd have a wide variety to choose from to post a few on here and .....well, I'm one of those "tourist types" who like to snap a picture of anything that moves. Anyway, our tickets were for fieldbox seating - third base line -section 161 - WC (wheelchair seating).

Actually, my friend and his son were in the WC seating area and I was directly in front of them (one row below) in seat #9 of row #18. That didn't last long though because no one else showed up for the other WC seats so I ended up sitting up top with them. We were like the three amigos. LOL The WC seating area is very nice seating. You either sit in your wheelchair or the stadium provides sturdy folding chairs for you to sit in. There's lots and lots of leg room and the best part......CONCESSIONS, RESTROOMS, AND THE DESIGNATED SMOKING AREA WAS RIGHT AROUND THE CORNER!!!!! WHOO - HOO!!!! Before we actually entered the stadium, we took a few pictures which I'll show to you in a bit. The game was scheduled to start at 7:00pm. so we had lots of time to look around and familarize ourselves with the ballpark.

As we walked around the venue and passed the concession stands and souvenir booths, we noticed that this area is now enclosed. It used to be opened so you could see the downtown area and people passing by on the street below. I have to admit that I miss that part. I'm not sure why they decided to enclose it. It kinda reminds me of a big garage but at least it's air-conditioned. Well, most of it. The designated smoking area was God-awful hot.......Before we went to our seating area, we stopped at a concession stand to get three of those yummy Hunter " League Leader" jumbo hotdogs and three sodas 'cause there's nothing like having a hotdog at the ballpark. The cost for these items was right around $30.00. - OUCH! We enjoyed them and I don't know why but the hotdogs always seem to taste so much better at the ballpark. They must have a rotisserie because I've tried cooking the same hotdogs and they never taste as good. LOL Guess it's a mental thing.....

Finally, we went to our seats and MAN - O - MAN WERE THEY EVER NICE!!!

I'd say we were about 25 yards from third base and we could see everything! They were great seats!! The Cardinals were playing against the Houston Astros and there were alot of Astros fans in the crowd. As a matter of fact, there was a guy sitting two seats over from me dressed in an Astros jersey. Although we lost 6 - 3, the game was still intense and not boring at all. It was a very nice cool night and the rain that was scheduled was changed for the next day. Everything was wonderful. I only hope that I can go again one day but, I'll have to do some "heavyduty" saving since the ticket prices have really gone up alot. Our tickets were $78.00 a piece which to me seems pretty expensive but for the enjoyment and love of the game and the smiles it brought to me and my two buddies, it was well worth it. Here are just a few pictures of the stadium for those of you who haven't had the chance to visit as yet......

The new Busch Stadium. My first pic of the day!

The Third Base entance. The man with the sign is a main staple at the stadium. He's been around for as long as I can remember....

Stan "The Man". AWESOME!!

The Arch and the Millenium Hotel in the background. Most of the pictures were taken directly from my field of view where I sat.

On the left, a coca cola sign and in the center, a couple watches as batting practice ends before the start of the game. Below right, Budweiser. I love that clock.....
As you can see, the weather was beautiful. No rain with blue skies!
Another picture of the Millenium Hotel & the parking garage.

This sign is pretty in the day and even more beautiful at night with all of the lights illuminating.
Scott Rolen rounds the bases on his way home. GO SCOTTY!!
Scotty makes it home! And below, Albert Pujols at bat and sliding in "SAFE" at home plate.

Thanks for pushing to go to the ballpark Nathan 'cause if YOU didn't, we probably would've never gone....
Me acting goofy....
Nick - My best buddy in the whole wide world!!!

We're all happy, that's all that matters....

A very helpful usher and just a random pic of people running into old friends at the ballpark.

Fans leaving at the end of the game. Ever wonder how many people it takes to clean up the ballpark? I wouldn't want that job, would you? Well, that's about all I've got for now. Hope you enjoyed my little pictures as much as I enjoyed taking them. Have a nice evening all! Toodlesssssssssssss......

On my Neighborhood.......

2006-05-24T00:05:00.000-05:00

Sometimes I feel like I'm the luckiest person in the world when it comes to the neighborhood in which I live in. I'm on a street that's fairly quiet, with a few vacant homes or flats that I'm sure will soon be rented. There aren't as many families with children living on my block anymore but, the few that remain are pretty much well behaved. My neighbors are very friendly and (lucky for me) nosy. Well, atleast they're nosy enough to know if someone is snooping around my house that doesn't belong there. That makes me feel comfortable. Good neighbors are hard to come by now-a-days.

I have a neighbor who lives across the street from me named Joe. He's a retired man right around eighty years old. Joe is of Italian decent. His wife passed away a few years back so now, his daughter comes over to visit and check in on him several times a week. Joe is a rather stern, and stubborn man in his ripe old age. He still drives although his speed never goes beyond about 20 mph. He used to be and still is considered the "Block Captain" of our street. He still makes his rounds, driving around the block and through the alleyways, checking on the neighborhood and making sure that everything is the way it should be. (ie: no trash blocking the alley, stray animals running loose, lawn upkeep--can't have anybody growing forests around here--LOL, visible addresses on the backs of garages, etc....) All in all, he's a good neighbor.

A couple nextdoor to me, Cindy & Bill, have just become brand new grandparents to a beautiful baby girl named Kaylin. She's absolutely adorable with eyes as blue as the color font I'm typing with. Kaylin was born to their oldest daughter Elizabeth (Lizzy) prematurely. She only weighed not quite 2lbs. at birth. She's a little miracle indeed! Cindy & Bill have another daughter named Stacey who attends college full time. They've been wonderful neighbors to live by for many years. I hope they never move.

My neighbors on the opposite side are Bosnian. I've spoken of them before. They seem to be a very close knit family. The husband/father is named Mitsda and his wife Levita are very friendly. Mitsda doesn't speak english very well but his wife speaks it quite fluently. They have 3 children, all boys. Alan is the oldest, then Dennis, and the youngest is Chivall. Chivall is rather mischevious but he's only around 8 years old so it's to be expected. All of the children speak very fluent english. There is an older woman living there as well, I believe that she is Mitsda's mother. She speaks no english. I have never been more grateful to have neighbors like I have now ever in my entire life. Especially this family. These people are the nicest, most respectful, and cleanest neighbors I've ever had. Mitsda has a very bountiful garden in his backyard and so does Bill so, between the two of them, I have plenty of vegetables given to me. YUMMY!!

There is one thing that troubles me though. I feel that everyone has a right to live their life the way they want as long as they aren't breaking any laws. That's a part of one of our many freedoms we have in this beautiful country we live in. What upsets me are the people who want to dictate a way of life for others to live by. I can't stand that. My Bosnian neighbors have had the police called on them several times by some of the people who live on my street. This includes the other two families I've mentioned. I personally have no problem with them and I live right next door to them but some of the other people on the block seem to have many problems with them. Whether it's the loud music that they play--which isn't played at late hours of the night, only in the daytime and not everyday, or the fact they have a smokehouse that stands about as tall as an outhouse where they smoke their meats occasionally in the wintertime. Of course some of the neighbors on the block don't like the smell from the smokehouse so they claim that it bothers them and chokes them. I say that's a BUNCH OF HOGWASH!!!!! If that's the case, why doesn't the smoke bother them when I use my smoker or BBQ??? RACISM IS A MOT**RF**KER FOLKS!!! You all need to stop this sillyness and accept the fact that we are all human beings........Mitsda and his family are honest hardworking people trying to live the American Dream just like everyone else. THEY HAVE THAT RIGHT! I am so ashamed for the way in which they are treated by my neighbors. I hope things begin to change soon for the better because as it stands right now, I feel torn in the middle....I like all of my neighbors ya know what I mean?........Personally, I feel it is a gift to get the chance to learn about other people and their cultures that they bring with them but that's just me. A few days ago, I was feeling so guilty for the way they've been treated. I bought some T-bone steaks we had on sale at my store, ( six of them) and I gave them to Dennis on Mother's Day so they could have a nice steak dinner if they chose to do so. I told Dennis that I appreciated all the vegetables given to me by his parents and that I wanted to appologize for my fellow neighbors and their actions. He smiled and accepted the steaks and thanked me. I know this doesn't solve the problem but atleast it let's them know that they have friends on the block who appreciate being neighbors with them. Tonight, when I came home, Mitsda & Levita's son Dennis brought me a plate of pastry that his mother made. It smelled soooooooooo good and was still warm from the oven. Unfortunately, I couldn't eat any because I'd just eaten dinner but I wrapped it up in plastic wrap and intend on sinking my teeth in it tomorrow sometime. MMMMMMMMMM......can't wait for that!! Diet? What diet? LOL Oh well......

For the Inquiry Minds.....

2006-05-20T23:45:00.000-05:00

Yes, it is I. I'm still walking this earth and trying to survive in the "scheme of things." I'm not trying to be a party pooper but I haven't had alot of time to really get on my site here and type away. I did notice the tag dabich, but I'm so late that I'll just pass on it. -- now don't you go pouting and stomping your feet. Smile....that's better. LOL I did enjoy reading your post. It was really nice!

I would however like to talk about one of my most favorite things: MUSIC

I can't help but love it, as you all know by now. Anyway, one day last week while I was at work, me and couple co-workers were listening to the radio, (K-SHE 95 - *94.7 on the tuner - REAL ROCK RADIO) and they normally play a wide variety of rock including: CLASSIC ROCK, HARD ROCK, METAL, & ALTERNATIVE ROCK, just to name a few styles. My fellow co-workers are a few years younger than me. I believe they're both 32 years old. I know for certain that one of them is very much in tune with music of many different eras and genres. The other person, I'm not so sure about. We did all agree with the music station that was on the radio. K-SHE95 has been a main source of rock in the St. Louis area for 38 years and still going strong! I have to admit that I really don't listen to K-SHE as much since the birth of satellite radio but it still has a place in my heart. The music in itself is great and the memories from my "teenage years" are often replayed in my mind whenever I listen to it. * Ahhhhh * ~ sigh ~

It always amazes me that no matter what age group, most times people can relate on many levels to CLASSIC ROCK. And that's a good thing. At the present time, I know a few people ranging in age from 15 - 20 somethings, who really dig listening to many of the various artists from the 60's and 70's. Even though this music was produced way before they were ever born and is still popular among many people in my age group and beyond, they (the younger listeners) have an interest in it. I think that's sooooooo cool!! Especially when they know alittle history along with their love for the songs. In other words, they aren't just listening to be hip or up on it with the crowd. They actually enjoy it for the artform. Anyway, as I was saying earlier, as the music was playing on the radio at work, a song came on from the late 80's - early 90's. I can't remember what song it was right now but when it started playing, one co-worker said to the other, " Now that's a good song! That's from ' our ' past when ' we ' grew up." -meaning the two of them- " Life was so much more simple back then." I just shook my head grinning, as I continued to work and watch them as they reminised. I really enjoy seeing how music can take anyone--regardless of their age, color, personality, beliefs or morals, and put them in a state of mind or take them to another place....if nothing else, for the length of time it takes for a single song to play. It's a beautiful thing.

Although I love music of all forms, I have a special love (undying actually) for the group: LED ZEPPELIN. - Please note the spelling on that - I can honestly say that I love their music so much that I would want a few of their songs played at my funeral....well, them and maybe some PINK FLOYD. Bet that made you choke on your coffee didn't it? But it's true. I know, I know, I'm starting to sound like I'm wiggin' out here but as weird as it may sound, I have often thought about things like that. I mean, being that I was born into music with my father being a musician and the way I feel about music in general, it would only be fitting that I have a musical send off. Only I know what songs mean the most to me so perhaps one day I'll sit down and arrange something like a "funeral arrangement" or something. HA-HA! Speaking of " THE GREAT ZEP ", every weekday on K-SHE95 at 5:00pm cst., they do something called: " THE DAILY DOSE ", and what that means is that they play 2 songs by LED ZEPPELIN every day at 5pm. ~aka~ (LED FOR THE HEAD!!!) It Rocks!

Today was alittle different at work. Normally, if music is played on the radio, there are only 2 radio stations of choice that typically are agreed on by everyone. -- or maybe I should say "tolerated." They are: KEZK - 102.5 (soft rock) which is along the lines of artists such as: PHIL COLLINS, ELTON JOHN, GLORIA ESTEFAN and the like. This station also throws in alittle country music once in a while. The other station played is : KLOU - 104.3 (oldies) which is in the 50's, 60's, and some 70's eras. So generally you'd hear music from artists like: ELVIS PRESLEY, THE SUPREMES, JAMES BROWN, THE TEMPTATIONS, and so on. But today, we listened to a country station......well, not all day but for a couple hours. It was : 93.7 - THE BULL. They play a wide range of country music by various artists including: TOBY KEITH, BROOKS & DUNN, SHANIA TWAIN, and FAITH HILL, to name a few. It was cool. Unfortunately, we're never allowed to listen to any R&B or RAP MUSIC STATIONS. No one likes that type of music except for me, and majority rules so, oh well. Thank goodness I enjoy all types of music 'cause it would suck if I didn't. Of all the music listed, I have to say that country is my least favorite but I do have some interest in it. For instance: right now, my favorite country song is " I BELIEVE " by BROOKS & DUNN. I really like the video also.

To me, music makes the day so much more pleasant. The time seems to go by much faster and the work seems to be more productive for everyone. It really sets a good mood and is truly a motivational tool. I hope that we are allowed to continue listening to the radio at work. It's a welcomed sound amidst the normal activity of the shop that we normally hear everyday like -- bandsaws, slicers, meat grinders, sausage stuffers, and wrapping machines. Yes, music is a very welcomed sound. The beat of the music goes well with the machinery noise if that makes any sense at all....LOL Also, I'm not sure about other places but in my area, most stores ( grocery, dept., discount outlets, etc...) have piped in music over the speakers for the customers to hear. It's good for business actually. It's a known fact that a company can sell more items to consumers if they're in a happy mood. That's a pretty smart selling technique--think about it. There's alot of thought put into it to. Certain styles of music are played at certain times of the day, depending on the customer flow. And certain genres are played depending on the community served. To me, that's very smart. I guess music really does make the world go 'round......

Mother's Day wishes

2006-05-14T17:20:00.000-05:00

To all of the hard working moms out there, this is your day. A day of appreciation and love for all you do for your family and loved ones the whole year through. So enjoy the precious thoughts of GREAT LOVE and bask in the glow! You deserve it in so many more ways than we show. And for those of us who no longer have you here by our sides, we know that you're with us in spirit each day of our lives. For it shows in our ways and our moods, and as we grow old, we learn from your teachings and stories you told. After all, we are your reflection in a sense.....and we'll continue to make you proud of us. Thank God for Mothers -- God Bless!

This is a book I came across at a local bookstore a week or so ago that seems very appropriate for Mother's Day. I found it to be so beautifully written, that I bought a copy even though my mother has passed on. I bought it in memory of her. The book is small but holds so much thoughtfulness and meaning. Ms. Maya Angelou always finds the right words to say.....

HAPPY MOTHER'S DAY!!

Yard play

2006-05-07T21:52:00.000-05:00

I didn't get to do too much work on my rosebushes today because the grass was in need of mowing. But I did get to play with my yorkie and that's always fun! It was a blast...

On a lighter note.....

2006-05-07T08:03:00.000-05:00

I've got some news on my rosebushes.....they're coming along nicely. I've just got to get out there and tend to them before the weeds and suckers overtake them. Perhaps I'll try to do that later this evening after work. As you can see, they are in need of some TLC.

Life sucks and then it sucks some more, then alittle more and thennnnnnn(and only then) is it finally over-The End

2006-05-02T23:30:00.000-05:00

I guess I should just start out by saying that last week wasn't the best week for me and this one isn't looking any better. Frankly, I haven't been wandering around in the ever-so-pleasant blogesphere for the past week because my mind has been on so many other issues and my time has been pretty much absorbed by alot of misery and crucial bullcrap that has enveloped me with a great deal of stress and strain. Let's see......where to begin........

Okay, I'll start with Monday, the 24th. It was a very early start for me as it usually is on Mondays. I got up at 2:30am and started my work day at 5am. Believe it or not, that was the easy part. Since Monday's are the most challenging day of the week for me, I normally take a nap upon returning home but, not on this day. No sir. Instead, I had some important (extremely important) papers I had to fax to my mortgage company. -10 pages to be exact- so I did that. I had a few phone calls to make and they were less than enchanting. Thank goodness I know how to keep my cool, otherwise those calls could've become screaming matches and that would have been really bad. Did I mention that this day was also the day that I started screwing up a week's worth of healthy eating habits that I'd started on the Monday prior to this one. Yep......fell off the banana boat again.......

*JUST A NOTE FOR THOSE WHO DON'T KNOW*

I'd decided to start what I called, " The Battle of the Bulge" the day after Easter by starting to eat good meal plans with less calories and all that good stuff you do when following any kind of weight reduction plan. My plan was to start walking and doing light excercise at the beginning of my second week BUT....I got sidetracked--as usual--and upset with the way some things seemed to be going in my life and for some of us, we turn to food as a comfort zone. Now, what little water weight I was beginning to lose has returned and I'm still upset and the problems are still there so.......the food did absolutely nothing to make things better for me. Now that I know this, the only direction for me to go is back to the beginning of starting once again with healthy eating. Hopefully since I vented my aggressions (through poor eating habits) I'll be able to move forward in the right direction again .....AND STAY THERE!!!

On Tuesday, the day went rather fast for me. I had plenty of work to do to make the time move right along which is always a good thing. The weather was nice and I got a chance to talk with a friend and to be honest, this was the best day of the week for me--UNTIL.......later that evening. I reached into my purse to get my cell pnone and it slipped out of my hand and fell hard on the kitchen floor. I figured, no biggie but as I picked it up from the floor, I noticed a crack on the top of it and when I flipped it open, a small piece of my phone came off and into my hands. I'm thinking, "That's not good." I could actually see a part of the connector on the inside of the phone and I don't think that would be a good idea to have that up against my ear but with alittle fiddling around, I finally got the piece back into it's rightful place. Although everytime I used the phone, I had to be careful not to press onto the reciever too much or else it would pop back out. Being that I only have 5 more months till my contract is up, I was going to try to stick it out. Of course now with the phone falling onto the floor, in my life that represents the first shoe falling......

Moving on to Wednesday, it seemed to start out as a pretty good day. I went to work at my part-time job and inside of say, one hour, I was completely pissed off!! I'll put it this way, I felt like a firefighter putting out small fires in my path with every step I took. GEEZ, I'm thinking, "Things can't possibly get any worse." You know what happens when you think that way? I'll tell you what happens. A little "devil bird" comes soaring and hovering around above your head and takes a gigantic sh*t on you. That's exactly what happens, at least it does to me. Between cranky customers who don't seem to be pleased or very friendly no matter how much you bend over backwards to try and give them good service to disorganized workers who don't know what it is to prepare and get things in order for business, Well.....it was enough to make me wanna crawl outta my skin. I said to myself, " Hell with it" and went and had a cigarette to calm down and start getting things in order the way they should have been done earlier before customers began coming into the store. Here, let me give you an example. This is just one thing among many others but it's extremely important. It's around noontime and we're knee deep in customers waiting to be served.( I'll say about 30 people waiting) Do any of these customers have numbers in their hands? NO! And why don't they have numbers you ask????? BECAUSE THERE ARE NO NUMBERS IN THE NUMBER BOX FOR THEM TO TAKE!!!!!! So, I call a number. I get no response, just blank stares from all of the hungry people. I call another number. Again, no response. I then ask a lady what number she has and she tells me that there are no numbers in the box. At this point, my chest hurts. I'm thinking, "Just take me now Lord!" I call to one of the little troglodites as I affectionately call the younger workers, to get a roll of numbers out of the meat managers desk and fill the number box. Now, here's my dillema: What do you do when you have 30 pissed off people who happen to be in a hurry and they're all those "Me First types" so, when you ask "May I help who was next", they all say " I was." It's like, "KEMOSABE, WHAT WE DO NOW??" I personally don't think the Lone Ranger could even fix this one......So as you can see, this day was a real blast--ALL DAY LONG....Atleast I had one bit of excitement, I got tagged by Constant and that was fun.

Thursday, I got home from work and took a look at my phone bill. My landline phone bill. I swear I was about to have a heartattack and a stroke when I saw it. Needless to say, I had to call them because there were many different charges on my bill for services that I'd never asked for. When I paid my bill last month, I called the phone company because of these same charges and had them taken off, or so I thought. The woman I spoke with said she was going to take them off but that little devil bird didn't. SHE LIED!!!! So now, I get this gigantic phone bill for a phone that I only use really just for my pc and fax and I go over it only to find all of the same charges still there. (here comes my nineteenth nervous breakdown) *Mick Jagger's singin' to me* Here's alittle excerpt from the wonderful conversation I had with the customer service representative. His name was Miguel:

Miguel: "You have a balance due of 45.00 from your old bill."

Me: "I beg your pardon?"

Miguel: "You owe 45.00 in addition to your new bill of 112.73."

Me: "What old bill are you referring to? I paid my bill last month 5 days ahead of the due date over the phone."

Miguel: "No, this is an old bill, ma'am."

Me: "I don't understand, how can I have an old bill if I paid last month's bill in full and had a balance of zero? I always pay my bill on time and in full so I don't know what old bill you're referring to. The reason I called is because I'm being charged for services I never asked for."

Miguel: "Well, you owe this money so, would you like to pay this bill now over the phone?"

Me: "I would like to first find out why I'm being charged fo"

Miguel: (interrupting) "I'm going to connect you with someone else because I don't take care of that."

And I waited, and waited, and waited. 25 minutes went by and no one ever came to the phone. I hung up. PISSED OFF AGAIN!!!! Where is the justice? It's in dreamland. I took a nap.

Friday rolls in with a bang as I wake up to someone blowing the f**k out of there car horn at that wonderful 3am hour. There's nothing like waking up to a loud car horn in the morning. (ain't it great?) And they don't just blow the horn a few times intermittently either. NOOOOOOOOO. They flat a*s lean on it continueously. Such a beautiful start to the day.....yea, right. Anyway, I get up and ready for work and remember that today(friday) marks the start of the "One day sale" where we have 2 items featured at ridiculously low prices for just that one day. Lemme tell ya, people love those one day sales.......I was so happy to see 2:00 that afternoon I didn't know what to do. When I got home, I decided to barbeque. That turned out nice. Of course, I didn't eat anything because by the time I was finished cooking, I was too tired. I threw some clothes in the laundry and laid down. I slept straight through the night too. I must've been beat.

So Saturday begins and I'm running late. I guess I had too much sleep. I just couldn't get going. It was a long slow day at work and the clock was barely moving. Normally the day after a one day sale is pretty slow since many customers stock up with the sale items on that day. So, before I leave work, I'm making a quick trip to the restroom and then, the other shoe falls. (remember the first shoe being my phone falling on the kichen floor) Now, I drop my cell phone on the hard concrete floor at work. The poor phone breaks in two. It's all over. Now I'm gonna have to go to the nearest verizon wireless store and get another phone. Damn! It's raining outside as I drive home from work so I can't do any yard work. Then I remember that I have an appointment with my beautician at 2:30pm. or as my co-workers so affectionately call it, "The mortician". --No respect. LOL I get to the salon at about 2:35 and I'm there until 6pm. which sucked but at least now I feel alittle bit better. After the salon visit, I make my way to Verizon wireless. To make a long story short, I end up having to buy a new phone.....AT FULL PRICE because I didn't have any insurance on my phone(dumba*s) but now I have a much better phone with more capabilities and I am now proud to say that I'm among those people who look like aliens with gadgetry in their ears. Yes, I now have bluetooth technology folks! Another learning process for me to explore. By the time I get home, It's late so I throw some clothes into the dryer and get my butt in the bed.

On Sunday, I get to sleep in until about 6am which is very nice for me. I normally wake up at 5 or 6 on Wednesdays and Sundays since I'm so used to getting up at 3am. I get on the computer and fiddle around a bit and then lay back down. I enjoy being able to do that. It almost feels like i'm off work or living.....whichever you want to call it. I'm just glad that I get some time like this because I know what waits lurking in the shadows for me later this day. You guessed it, those little "TROGLODITES", ALSO KNOWN AS "THE CHAOTIC KIDS". You gotta love 'em.....I can't wait till they grow up. God willing, if I'm still alive when they turn 30 or even 40 years old, and I hear them talking sh*t and b*tchin' and moanin' like I'm doing now....HAHAHAHAHA I can't wait!

And now, I'm at the start of a new week as Monday rolls in. It's another a*s kicker as usual. Thank goodness for the 5-1pm shift. Otherwise it would be a real disaster. So much preparation is involved with cases being pulled and cleaned and the old ad being taken off and the new ad being put on. Mondays are definitely not easy. And the customers expect "grand opening conditions" with everything ready for them to buy when they come into the store at an early hour too. Most consumers really have no idea about what it takes to make their shopping trip easy and convenient.

Which brings me FINALLY to today. I have to say that today seems to have gone pretty darn smooth. No b*tching today, sorry. LOL So......do I sound like a person who needs a freaking vacation or what? All I've got to say is 8 more weeks and counting.....

And that's what's been happening in my f**ked up little world. I hope all of you have had a better week than I have. If not, perhaps we should all check into the nearest mental facility LOL

Random Quotes:

Challenges QuotesMotivational quotes, inspirational quotes on challenges. Let these challenge quotes inspire and motivate you when you are facing challenges in your life.

"Every problem has a gift for you in its hands." Richard Bach

"Before you can consider a problem water under the bridge, you must first patiently work on removing the dam." Michelle C. Ustaszeski

"Perseverance is the ability to keep going in the face of continuous challenges. It is the ability to disregard distractions and to stay focused." Catherine Pulsifer, from PERSEVERANCE IS THE ABILITY

"A challenge is an opportunity to prove your ability to yourself, and others." Contributed by Joe Brown

"To be successful you must accept all challenges that come your way. You can't just accept the ones you like." Mike Gafka

"Smooth seas do not make skillful sailors." African Proverb

"The true measure of a man is not how he behaves in moments of comfort and convenience but how he stands at times of controversy and challenges." Martin Luther King Jr.

10 of Life's Simplest Pleasures according to moi (Zepplinlady)

2006-04-26T07:15:00.000-05:00

There's a first time for everything and now I'm experiencing my first time being tagged. I'm probably alittle late in my response but I've been somewhat busy lately and have fallen way behind on my travel through the blogesphere but, better late than never, right? So without further adieu, here is my list 10 of life's simplest pleasures......

1. Music - I had to list this first because I have a deep infatuation with it. I was raised around music and I simply can't live without it. Music (in all forms) is one of the best ways for the whole world to communicate with one another.

2. Springtime mornings - My favorite mornings are in the spring season right before the dawn, when you can hear the birds chirping and rustling sounds in the grass from rabbits and raccoons scampering about. I love the sounds of nature and waking up to it is even better.

3. Rainy nights - I enjoy listening to the soft falling rain outside my window in the evening or at night while I'm relaxing. It brings in a nice cool breeze and the smell of clean air. It makes for a good time for me to collect my thoughts and organize my mind.

4. Long walks in the park - I love nature and there's nothing better than picking a nice park to view the beautiful trees and plants while at the same time doing something healthy for me. It's a real spirit "pick-me-up."

5. Fishing - For me, fishing is theruputic. It relaxes me. I'm no Bill Dance but I do enjoy the sport. My favorite way to fish is with a bobber or tightline. My favorite type of fishing is for catfish, bluegill, crappie, and perch.

6. Reading - Oddly enough, I was never an avid reader when I was younger. Now, it's truly enjoyable to me. I like to cuddle up on the couch with a good book or magazine and of course there's always the wonderfully insightful blogesphere.

7. Tuesday and Saturday evenings - I look forward to these days because they are the only two evenings that I know I can stay up late and sleep in the next day. Even though I have to work on Wednesday and Sunday, atleast I don't have to get up at that ungodly 3am hour.

8. Vacations - I love it when vacation time rolls around for me. The fact of knowing that I'll be off from work for a week or two is a good feeling for me. It's an added bonus if I am able to go somewhere during that time but not a necessity.

9. Spending time with friends and family - Although I don't get to do this very often, it's always nice to get together sometimes when time permits.

10. Home - Even though I gripe and moan about doing household chores and yardwork, there's no place like home. I love my house and I hope that I can continue to maintain an income to pay it off one day. It's a nice feeling to come home everyday to a place I can call my own.

And there you have it.

My simple pleasures in life.

Also, I'm assuming that many of you have already been tagged so I guess I won't tag any of you. Oh, what the heck...... I'll just tag a few for fun so Bluez, K, and whoever hasn't been tagged, U R IT!!

Happy Wednesday all! (Hump Day) - Toodles.....

Random Quote :

“Life's greatest treasures are life's simplest pleasures.”

Human Behavior

2006-04-19T15:30:00.000-05:00

As you now know, I have a fascination with human behavior in all aspects. Whether it be through communication, or actions, or personalities, habits, or what have you. The simple fact is that people are quite interesting and sometimes, in more ways than one can ever imagine. I can't help but question what makes some people act in certain ways. Sometimes the way in which a person reacts or, their quirky attitude can really stump me.

Here's just a few examples:

When a person asks me for my opinion on something, and I take the time to give them a well -thought out answer, why then do they always go straight to another person asking the same damn question again?? And then, (and only then) do they actually believe the answer--which just so happens to be the same answer I'd given them just moments ago--but now apparently, it seems to sound "right" to them so they believe in and feel rather comfortable with the answer now all of a sudden. I mean, far be it from me to proclaim the fame of being an information specialist but some of the issues brought to me for suggestions and help don't require one to be a rocket scientist to answer, they only require a little common sense and knowledge which I do posses. (even though some of you may think differently. lol)

Did I happen to mention that this only seems to happen to me with men? No offense here to my male counterparts but I can almost hear James Brown in the background singin' "It's a Man's World." **WHATEVAAAAAAAAAAA!!!!!!* Of course, I'm not speaking of the majority of the male population I'm in contact with, just a general view of a few who I tend to deal with on a daily basis. I suppose that this behavior typically stems from their upbringing which is what they choose to believe and how they see fit to feel "manly." The only thing I wonder is if they ever stop and think of how others perceive their action, not that it matters what others think but it just seems to give off a negative attitude and disrespect especially to their female counterparts. On the other side of the coin, I'm sure that this has happened numerous times with women as well. I'm only speaking of what I've experienced.....Men, hmmmm.....as I've said before, they're funny creatures but I do love 'em. Make no mistake about that girls. mmmmmmm(but enough of that before I get side-tracked)

Also, I've noticed that there seems to be a vast majority of people harboring a lack of communication. Why is it so hard for some people to communicate with others? Communication is a necessity, a main staple in life. In other words, WE NEED IT FOLKS!! So, why then is it such an intangible substance? If you want a certain outcome from someone, you must first communicate to that person to receive it. PURE & SIMPLE. Cut and dry. It's just that easy. So why is this such a problem for some of us? I can only assume that some people are running in fear of that black cloud called "Offensive". Sometimes, some people tend to be afraid of offending others by communicating their needs to them.(which I feel is completely idiotic) but, I guess it's a matter of opinion. These individuals often seem to shy away from any kind of confrontations at all costs....Regardless of the fact that it may be in their best interest to assure a successful outcome or not.

My views on this, you ask???

Well, you can't go through life being a total "WUS" all of the time if you ask me. You've got to get some backbone and tell people what you want or expect from them. Otherwise.....you got nothing coming and will constantly be let down or dissatisfied all the time. There's also the fact that your chances are next to none in gaining respect from people especially if you don't speak your mind to them and let them walk all over you. Be for real. Hiding behind your thoughts will never get you where you want to be or what you want out of a person. I could be wrong but that's just the way I feel. How many times have you wanted a person to react a certain way and they actually do without you ever letting them know what you want? Sure, this can happen on occasion but it's not all that common. There are those of us who seem to naturally have that ability or "gift" to be able to make things go their way. Shall I say, having a manipulative nature or playing those "little mind games" and steering individuals into certain directions that you may want them to go. I'd like to add that if this has happened to any of you in the past, it doesn't mean that you're a weak-minded individual, because some people are just very good at it. It comes natural for them. Anyway, I feel that the best way is the honest and straight - forward approach through good communication. Besides, what else you gonna do with that mouth of yours other than eat and well, whatever else comes to mind.....you naughty people. (always ends up going straight to sex) hmmmmmm.........

Some people I've come in contact with can be quite professional. Well, to be more exact, it's really 2 words: "PROFESSIONALLY ANAL." Yea, I'm sure y'all know what I'm talking about here. I mean those of us who seem to get on a certain path and allow ourselves to be drawn, (as magnets) to it, putting on our blinders and staying focused on that one item regardless of whatever may be going on around us. A house could be on fire not 5 feet away and yet we're still engrossed with whatever activity we're involved in at the time. See......that's what I mean by ANALLLLLLLLLLLL!!!!! LOL It's like no other thought process can squeeze into their brain because at that precise moment, their head is full of that one single item which must be in so many small pieces of thoughts that it takes up their entire brainwave function. It sorta reminds me of that "B -rated" movie called " Night of the Living Dead", when all of the zombies are zoned out and wandering around with one thing on their minds...."Humans for food." Bizarre, huh...Obviously some people aren't very coordinated in as much as muliple thought patterns. I know this one guy who gets a certain task in his little head and completely runs amock with it. As far as he's concerned, there's nothing else more important on the face of the earth other than whatever it is that he's obsessing at the present time. And if you try to talk to to him about certain repercussions that may be caused by his particular obsession, forget it 'cause he ain't hearin' it. End of story.....'Course if you use a little know-how and strategically place the problems occurring into what he's so anally obsessing on, in such a way that it seems to be beneficial to "His" current project, he may just listen to you. Again, that would require a well honed manipulative person to pull that off. ( I know what you're thinking and the answer is no) I'm not like that but I do know many people who are very manipulative and deceitful. Well, I've severed ties with them now because I found out that you can't always have a genuine friendship with people like that. Sooner or later they try to do you.....and not in the good way either. ROFLMAO

Random Quotes:

"Behavior is the mirror in which everyone shows their image."

~Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

"The 'self image' is the key to human personality and human behavior.

Change the self image and you change the personality and the behavior."

~Maxwell Maltz

"Everybody experiences far more than he understands. Yet it is experience,

rather than understanding, that influences behavior."

~Marshall Mcluhan

OH GAWD!!!!!

2006-04-15T21:59:00.000-05:00

HAPPY EASTER ALL!!!!!!!

The Grass is always Greener......

2006-04-11T18:10:00.000-05:00

after the first time you mow it....well, not always. I finally mowed my lawn for the first time this year just a few days ago. It has some brown spots but eventually, it will turn a pretty even green. (I hope) As I was mowing, I caught a glimpse of a guy down the block who happened to be mowing a lawn too. I don't believe he lives at the house where he was mowing but the most important thing is that he fit my ad(remember, the one for Hot Hunk needed) perfectly. He looked young, (late twenties to early thirties) was wearing no shirt, and had on some faded bluejeans. --your average Hunk of the mill.....I enjoyed staring at him. ALOT! LOL

Anyway, most of my daffadills and tulips have bloomed. They're beautifully "Perky." My pompass grass is still brown. UGH.... I'm hoping that I didn't damage it or worse yet, kill it since I had to cut it down earlier than I'd planned in order to comply with that silly bogus citation that wasn't even meant for me. I'll have to wait and see what happens with it. If it doesn't start coming back green by next month, I'll know. I also have a mimosa tree that had to be cut down however; a friend cut it down last fall for me and I think he butchered it too far so that's another worry. At the time, the decision was made to cut it down because it was starting to block my satellite dish and mess up the tv and that's not a good thing so, it had to come down.

As for my rosebushes......well, they're not looking as healthy as they normally do at this time of year either. I'm assuming that my gardening woes aren't all together my fault. Some of the problems are due to the very odd weather we've been experiencing over the past six months. I guess I just need to get out there and work on things. I was planning on doing that this afternoon when I came home from work but it looks like rain so I'll have to do it another day.

I do have some good news for those of you waiting to hear something positive! ( dabich & green)

I spoke on the phone with the young man who ran into my truck and we met one day last week and I showed him the estimate for the damage done to my truck. Frankly, it was quite expensive. Originally the estimate total was $834.66. YIKES!!--that's how the poor guy looked when I showed it to him. His eyes got as big as halfdollars. As we went over the itemized listings, I told him that we could just round off the total figure to $800.00. I also showed him the cost of the labor which was $259.20. I suggested that we round that figure up to $300.00 and just take that completely off the estimate. The total is now at $500.00. He seemed to be agreeable to paying that amount although he seemed as though he would've attempted to pay the higher price, but I knew it would have been a hard struggle for him to come up with that amount. Especially since he's going to school and only working part-time at a pizza joint. I do have a heart ya know...

He and I met yesterday and he made his first payment of $200.00 in cash. I wrote him out a reciept for his records as well as one for myself and we've made arrangements to meet in a few weeks for the next payment of $150.00. He seems like a genuine young man with a good head on his shoulders. At first I felt bad for having to make him pay for the damage but then again I thought, the best lessons learned are hard lessons. I feel that this will only make him a better man as time goes on in his life. I'm hoping that once I get the rest of the money for the damage done to my truck, I'll be able to go ahead and get it fixed--that is unless those "unexpected expenses" arise as they always seem to do...

Outside of that, I've been pretty much the merry little worker bee with the Easter holiday coming up this Sunday. I've been working some long hours and coming home passing out for a few hours and then waking up for a couple hours only to go right back to slumberville until the next day begins. My laundry and household chores have been put on hold with the exception of this afternoon. I had to fold some clothes from days gone by. Of course they're all wrinkled now but at least they're clean! Ohhhhhhhhhhh, come on Sundayyyyyyyyyyyyy!! A whole day off! AHHHHHHH!!!!

Random thought:
What to cook for Easter dinner.....
Hmmmmmmmm
Well, there's Ham,
and there's Lamb,
there's turkey breast,
some say brisket's best,

BUT.......

By the time Saturday rolls around,
I'll have been around these items so
much at work that I'll never want to
see them again, at least not for awhile.

Any suggestions???

The big ~{{CRUNCH}}~

2006-03-31T22:00:00.000-06:00

This evening, while out for a drive with a friend, I stopped at a mailbox just down the street from where I live. Being that the street where the mailbox is located at is somewhat of a busy thoroughfare, I decided to pull up onto the parking lot where the box sits just off the sidewalk but in front of the parking lot. The parking lot is like a mini-plaza with a grocery store, discount cigarette shop, law office, and a pizza joint.

I got out of my truck and put the piece of mail in the box and then returned to my truck. As I'm talking with my friend, He interupts me with a loud scream of words and frankly, I couldn't make heads or tails of what he was trying to say. He was hysterical!. Finally, I made out the last 4 words and they were: "He's gonna hit you!!!!!!"

Well, by the time I was starting to react and put my truck in gear to pull forward and out of the way of the person backing up, it was too late. I only had time to put my truck in drive and all of a sudden.....**CRUNCH**!!! Accident...... The impact from the other vehicle made both he and I lunge forward. I turned my head looking through the window behind the passenger side and noticed a young man in a Ford Explorer pulling back into the parking space he'd just backed out of. He immediately got out of his vehicle and so did we. We walked around to the back of the truck to see the damage and it wasn't pretty. Of course, I left my cell phone at home...*DUH* but honestly, I didn't really feel like calling the police because then we'd of been there for an hour or two what with all that paperwork and such.

Apparently, the young man worked at the pizza joint and was on his way to deliver some pizzas. You know how those pizza delivery guys drive, right? The poor kid seemed very nervous. It was probably his first time hitting someone. After I looked at my vehicle, I talked it over with the young man and we decided that I'd take down all of his insurance information and his name and information on his vehicle. I told him that come Monday, I'd bring my truck to a body shop to get an estimate of the damage. He gave me his cellphone number as well as his home phone number. Honestly, I really felt sorry for the kid. He seemed genuinely sorry. I told him that he could also choose a place for me to go to for an estimate and then that way, we could come up with the best deal.

I'm such a softy. I started to tell him to just forget it but then I thought to myself, "How will this young kid ever learn responsiblity if I let him off the hook?" I'm sure he isn't making much money at the pizza parlor but at least he's working. Perhaps this accident will make him pay closer attention when he's driving on the road or backing up out of a parking space. ( I hope)

Anyway, on the upside, today was a beautiful day weatherwise here in St. Louis. Sunny skies and 85 degrees. It was extremely windy but it sure was nice to see those blue skies and feel that warm temperature. I guess I'll be draggin' out the ole' lawnmower soon. Or better yet, maybe I should put an ad in the newspaper:' Hot Hunk wearing ripped jeans and NO shirt needed for yard work duties. All applicants must be at least 25 years of age and available anytime....' Everybody's gotta have a fantasy. LOL Happy Spring all!

*Just a Reminder*

Tomorrow is the 1st day of April also known as April Fools Day. (all fools' Day) It's also the day I have to remember to set all of my clocks forward.(and I have man-ee, many, so very many) Otherwise, I'll be the fool who's running an hour late to work. I've got my batteries so I'm ready!

Nothing to do? Try Googling you. It's fun, it's weird, it's something to do when you're bored.....

2006-03-28T20:15:00.000-06:00

Recently I came across a post from someone on Yahoo 360, and their blog was being featured. They googled their name and the results were quite funny. So, you know, I've just gotta try it for myself. Oddly enough, I've never done this before. It seems that all you have to do is type your name and the word " is " after it and let her rip. So, here goes........

MaryAnne is....

Mary Anne is here for fun,fact and fiction
Mary Anne is a voice sounding the warning
Maryanne is co-founder and Vice President of Stybel Peabody.
Maryanne is also on the Board of Directors of the New England Chapter of the National ...(National what?, I don't know. I didn't read any further)
As VP of Operations, Maryanne is in charge of all office procedures.
Maryanne is credited with coining the word “bloggersation” as a descriptor to the ...(bloggersation???)
Maryanne is the Graduate and Honours Co-ordinator for Women's Studies and currently coordinates: ...(women's studies, of course)
Maryanne is a member of the Academic Board of the Diploma in Community ...
Maryanne is also researching the concerns of refugee children from a child focus. ...
MaryAnne is responsible for a wide varietyof duties, ...
MaryAnne is being recognized for her nearly 27 years of unsurpassed ...(perhaps I should read up on this one...)
Maryanne is the friendly initial contact for ENZ as both Receptionist and ...
As well as Reception and Telephonist duties, Maryanne is webmaster for the ...(yea right, a webmaster. lol)
Maryanne is admitted to practice in the state courts of Pennsylvania and New Jersey, ...
Maryanne is a member of the firm's Associates Committee. ...
Maryanne is just a peach on her own. ( I like that one although I did change it just a wee bit. hehehe)
Mary Anne earned a reputation for superior performance. ( okay, maybe I left a little bit out on this one too. But, it sure does sound good!)
Maryanne is to be promoted and hence the man she wishes were dead is removed, is introduced after Jennifer has planned to kill him, ...(calm down, it's some tv show from 1994 folks.)
Mary Anne is going to have her revenge! ... It really is Sweet Revenge. Read it and find out. The Real New MaryAnne ...(something from Amazon.com)
The Mary Anne is just a blip in the distance now, a bump on the glassy skin of the sea, about to slide over the horizon. She no doubt carries wistful ...(great, I'm a trolling boat now.)
Victory is declared if MARYANNE is voted in as Most Popular Student. ... The PCs job is to make sure that MARYANNE wins the election. Supporting Cast ...(YIPPEE!! I'm a shoe in!)
Maryanne is currently involved in IIED’s project on Instruments for Sustainable Private Sector Forestry. (whoa!)
Maryanne is reading to us to take our minds off Wallace. (that's right, don't even think about Wallace, ever...)
MaryAnne is right. (OOOOHHH, nice to hear that for once!)
Maryanne is the best. (I think I'll stop here. Can't get any better than being best.) LOL

Gee, with all of this being said,

I'm a pretty busy girl, huh?

By the way, this is only 25 results of about 1,630,000. There's no way I'm gonna do that much searching. Anyway, if you've never done this before, try it out.

Random Think tank:

If you were me

And I were you

And we were we

Then who does who?

DON'T CHA JUST HATE IT??!! ~ RANDOM RANTS....

2006-03-25T17:45:00.000-06:00

Have you ever been over a friends' house to visit and watch a little television? Sure you have, nothing wrong with that. A show or movie is agreed upon and being viewed but, don't cha just hate it when your friend decides to either pause it or changes the channel to see what's happening on another show while you're right in the middle of watching it? I mean come on. You're all into the movie by now, sitting all comfy-like enjoying the moment, perhaps in suspense and waiting for the next scene and all of sudden, without warning, it's like....CLICK!!! WHY DO THEY DO THAT??!! DAYUM! I suppose if you're pretty close friends, (like family almost) they don't even give it a second thought that it borderlines being rude to their guest. What do you think? Maybe....probably, right? Or does this action even bother you at all? I guess it is their house, and their television, and their remote control, right? BUT YOU'RE THE GUEST!! (if that matters at all) Then again, this may be one of those "gray areas" among some friends. Who knows......

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How about conducting business over the phone? Everyone has to do this at some point or another, right? When you're speaking to someone on the telephone, possibly a professional of some sort, you try to be as clear, concise, and intelligible as possible. Regardless of whom it may be on the phone you're speaking with, (ie: doctor, lawyer, banker, creditor--made my eyes roll with that one) you want to conduct yourself with the utmost astuteness. It's necessary, I feel, in order to make things happen in a "positive light" or to be well recieved and therefore gain access to whatever it is you're seeking concerning your particular business affair. But, don't cha just hate it when the individual on the line with you isn't all that professional?....or even worse, if they seem to be (what I often refer to as) DRUNK WITH POWER?! --meaning arrogant and sharp tongued and also quick to cut you off, and asking repeated questions over and over as if they're not listening to what you're saying at all...

WELL EXCUUUUSSSSEEE MEEEE!!!!!

When you're discussing an important issue, business venture, bill payment, or discrepency of some sort, or even if you're just calling to find out some pertinent information of some kind, (just a simple question maybe) you want the person you're dealing with on the phone to be attentive and lucid. At least, I know I do......

--------------------------------------------------------------

I'm always happy to hear of a person's good fortune. Honestly, I really am. People deserve to have a little good luck in their lives. Heck, if I had it my way, there wouldn't be any bad luck at all....ever. Ok, maybe that's a little illogical. I realize that without misfortune, we'd never appreciate the good things we have. silly me....But don't cha just hate it when some people make it their main objective or "life plan" to talk about how great their life is--ALL THE TIME!! It seems there's never a dull moment in their lives and they're always on top of every situation. *BIG YAWN HERE* They never have any bad luck and they have sooooo much money or are getting ready to come into a wealth of "ultimate savings" of some kind. They've traveled the world, TWICE and all of their children are millionaires with chateaus in France or homes worth much more than the going market value in their neighborhood. Typically, these people always have it better than most--so they say.....Well I say, ENOUGH ALREADY!! Stop bragging and living in a dream. Can you hear me way up there on that golden pedestal??? I mean, it's fine to dream and dream big but, what is the satisfaction gained with snubbing others and making those around you feel so small or even worthless? Wrong or right here?? Geez.....

------------------------------------------------------------------------

How many of you have ever dabbled in home repair? I know I've had my fair share and frankly, it can be quite annoying. In the beginning it's not so bad because you have a plan and your mind is focused on the end result of your work. You've assessed the situation, or so you think and you're ready to begin. But.....don't cha just hate it when you get half-way involved in the project only to find that it leads to yet.....another project and there's no way around it because if you don't fix the problem you've just found out about, you'll never be able to fix the original problem. I hate it when this happens because now the repair that you've started on has taken on a "tree-like" form with many branches and it keeps on growing as the hours pass by. Before you know it, days go by and now you're in need of a multitude of repairs. Some that definitely need a professional and some that you can attempt to fix but really haven't the foggiest clue about so you now wish that you'd never even started this so-called project in the first place. GRRRRRRRR..........

--------------------------------------------------------------

And then of course, if you get to the point above, you may as well start making those calls to shop around for an affordable professional to fix your "Project Tree" that has grown ever so nicely now--know what I mean?.....Of course you do. Now, after you find a reputable business with affordable rates, the work is finally done. Your bill is calculated and it's time for you to make your payment. Only one problem though.....Don't cha just hate it when you're billed for services rendered but the work that's been done is not to your specifications or is unsatisfactory? I mean WTF???? If you pay to have some work done because you can't do it yourself, you should at least be able to get it done right. Sounds fair to me--after all....They're supposed to be professionals, right???

--------------------------------------------------------------

Do I sound a bit bitchy to you?

I'm sure I do.

Is it that time of the month?

Hell no, thank God!!

Am I a bit stressed out?

Yes, just a tad......

Will I be okay?

Sure, I just need some rest.

Sometimes you've just gotta vent, ya know? I'm starting to feel better already and I'm sure that after I get a full nights sleep, I'll feel less tense by tomorrow morning. I hate being crabby but we all have our days and mine is today. Hopefully tomorrow will be better, if not, I PITY THE POOR SOULS IN MY PRESENCE!! AAARGH......just kidding.....

Random Quote:

"Mary Mary quite contrary

How does your garden grow?

With silver bells & cockel shells

And one F**KING PETUNIA!" ~ *DOH*

Hello, my name is........and i'm addicted to the internet

2006-03-21T23:36:00.000-06:00

So I was sitting in front of the pc, relaxing last saturday evening, from a hard days work doing my "usual" thing: surfing the blogesphere, of course. I know what you're thinking...Ewww, Ms. Boring, sitting home alone on a Saturday night. Well, lemme tell ya, the weekend is just the same as the weekday to me. I worked all day and by the time i get home, do my little household chores, fix dinner, get a shower and change clothes, i'm lucky to even stay awake. Besides...at my age, the phrase "It's the weekend Baaaby!" is overrated. I like "Quiet time." Reading, listening to some smooth jazz, chatting with a friend or two, sippin' on a glass of wine or soda...Ahhh, yea easy does it, the slow pace. Coastin'....

So, anyway, as i'm going through the blogesphere, i begin reading a post from

Anonymous Midwest Girl

It was a post she'd done on March 15th concerning downtime meaning time without the internet. Apparently, while she was at work, the system went down leaving her with nothing to do. It was an extremely funny and true to life post especially for me. I didn't realize it at the time i was reading her post, that is until...it happened to me.

On this particular evening, i didn't stay up too late. I finished reading a few blogs and went to bed. When i woke up the next morning, i came over to the pc to start my morning music and get ready for work and the nightmare began. I had no internet. It seems that my 2wire portal monitor wasn't connecting. I'm supposed to have 3 green lights on at all times when connected but instead, it was only showing the top and bottom as green and the middle light was orange.(that's the broadband link) Okay first, i freaked out. Second, i said to myself..."Damn, i knew i shouldn've done something when i noticed that middle light flashing orange occasionally six months ago." But NOOOOOOOOOOOO, that's me....Ms. Procrastination.

I really didn't have time to get into trying to figure out how to fix the problem since i had to get ready for work so i just said the heck with it and went into the livingroom and turned on some music via my home theater system ~aka ~ The Monster Sound Machine. Whatever works, 'cause i gotta have my music in the morning. When i got home from work, i peeked into the computer room hoping that the orange light would miraculously be green and that it was just a temporary power outage problem or something, but no go. It was just wishful thinking on my part. That only left one choice...I had to fix it. UGHHH... Of course, I'm panicking at this point because i have no idea what to do. I try going to the home portal page and it all looks Greek to me so before i do something i'm sure i'll regret, i make that wonderful phone call. Yea, you guessed it, Tech Support. My best friends, my rescuers, my mentors, my neighbors from India. Yep, India...Whew!!

Actually, it wasn't all that bad this time. I called the phone company and went through the automated system...pressing the buttons(you know, but anyway)after a few menus, i was finally connected with a human voice, and her name was Edna. She was very polite and extremely helpful. She had me back online inside of 15 minutes! She even emailed me twice with 2 sets of instructions on how to fix this issue should it ever happen again--which by the way, i need to print out because if i don't and this happens again, i won't be able to retrieve the information to fix it. See, i'm procrastinating once again...No, after this post, it's next on my list.

All i can say is that i now know that i am completely addicted to the internet. I have no idea how i went so long in my life without it. I guess if you don't know how helpful it is or can be, you don't know what you're missing out on. And boy, was i ever crabby without it. It's kinda like coffee. hee hee

An Irish Blessing

2006-03-17T17:10:00.000-06:00

These 3 little teddybears sit atop this desk all year round with a wall -hang backdrop that just happens to be in the spirit of the holiday. Also, if you look closely you'll notice 2 masks. (1 black & 1 white)--still not too good at using photoshop as yet....

This is a fuller view. To the right is the bathroom(forgot to close the door) lol

Here's a view for you to see what is on the wall hanging. I feel it an appropriate piece to leave up always. HAPPY ST. PATRICK'S DAY! Have a great weekend everyone!

On the Eve 'o' St. Pats

2006-03-16T21:15:00.000-06:00

Tonight is the eve' before St. Patricks Day, hence the green colored font. Today is also a day i remember in a cheerful yet sad way as well. On this day, my father who is deceased now, was born in 1933. He would have been 73 yrs. old today. The real oddity of this day however; is that not only was it the day of my father's birth but, it was also the day in which we laid him to rest in 1992. I can still vividly remember the entire day as if it were, well....today. Everything from the days prior as family members and many, many endearing friends and associates came to pay respect and say their goodbyes at the wake, to the beautifully arranged funeral service and wonderful people who had so many fond memories to share, to the cemetary where he was saluted with full military honors. My father was quite an amazing human being--such a good man. I still miss him terribly to this day. He passed away on the 10th so he was 58 yrs. old. Just 6 days shy of his 59th birthday. ~RIP DADDY~ *SIGH*

On the fact that St. Patricks day is on a Friday during Lent.....Okay, call me a bad Catholic if you want but i really find this funny. We can eat meat tomorrow! Go ahead, it's been okayed!! Yipee!! Not that i was ever following any kind of strict rule or guideline in the first place. The way i see it is that if you can't follow the religion by going to church, reading an occasional chapter out of the bible once in a while, or keeping up on the activities of the church, (ie. sacred holidays and the like) why even worry about trying to attempt to follow through with the traditional fasting or refraining from eating certain foods on specified days? That reminds me of something a friend told me at the start of the Lenten season. He said that he was going to give up something for Lent so of course, inquisitive as i am, i asked him what he intended on giving up. His answer.......VINEGAR. I had no comment, of course. I didn't know and i didn't want to know..... -Bet that got me some evil stares and mumbling whispers didn't it? But as i was saying, that's what i feel. I do acknowledge the fact that i am of Catholic faith and i really would like to get back into going to church again but i just haven't been able to get it[my schedule & priorities] together. With the way it's been laying so heavily on my mind lately, i have a feeling that things may be changing in the near future. I know i'm in need of prayer-that's for sure.

I'm sure that many of you have started your St. Pats day festivities early. Have a good time and please, be careful. There's alot going on in my neighborhood too. A parade in what is referred to as, "Dogtown" and other happenings will have people mingling about--or stumbling for that matter. LOL Anyway, have a safe and happy St. Patrick's Day all!

" Erin Go Bragh! "

Beautiful Quotes

2006-03-13T17:45:00.000-06:00

I was passing by a church near my house a few weeks ago and i noticed this quote on a sign posted in front of the church.....

" FRIENDS ARE

GOD'S WAY

OF TAKING

CARE OF US. "

I believe that is a very true statement. When i read it for the first time, i got goosebumps. I liked it so much that i attempted to take a picture of it. Unfortunately my digital camera was at home and when i tried using my camera phone i couldn't get a good focus and being that it was early dawn, the light from the sign was the only thing that would show up. Lucky for me, i memorized it. Here are a few more quotes i like. I hope you enjoy them as well.

" NOTHING IS BETTER

THAN

A LOYAL FRIEND. "

-EURIPIDES

" BLESSED ARE THE MEEK;

FOR THEY SHALL

INHERIT THE EARTH. "

-MATTHEW 5:5

"WHERE WORDS FAIL,

MUSIC SPEAKS. "

-HANS CHRISTIAN

ANDERSEN

" MANY OF LIFE'S FAILURES ARE PEOPLE

WHO DID NOT REALIZE HOW CLOSE

THEY WERE TO SUCCESS WHEN THEY

GAVE UP. "

-THOMAS EDISON

Hell Night ~ or ~ Another lesson learned......

2006-03-09T19:30:00.000-06:00

There i was. Sitting in front of the pc lastnight disgusted. For about a month now, my computer has been really lagging. Everything i do on it seems to take forever. Me being Miss Fearful as usual, figured i'd just wait it out and things would maybe get back to normal but NOOOOOOO...... i finally had to get up the nerve to figure out what to do about it. I'd spoken to a few friends in the past about pc slowdowns and of course with them being "Ultimate PC Saavy Geek-a-trons", they seemed to have many, (oh so many) different answers and reasons to ease my troubled pc woes. I was so grateful that i had some friends who were willing to help me. There was only one itty bitty problem..... and it was the same in every case. From the moment they'd open their mouths to utter those wonderfully helpful words of information, it seemed like they were either in a race against time to say as many words as humanly possible inside of ONE MINUTE!! --OR--they were having (as grossly disgusting as it sounds) diarrhea of the mouth! Even the tone in their voices seemed mechanical or without pitch, almost monotone....and of course i just stood in front of them in a daydream state understanding absolutely nothing that was exiting their mouths and traveling into my ear canals. Although, i don't want to sound ungrateful--YEA, ANYWAY.....

So back to lastnight. I'm getting madder by the minute. The first thing i did was go into the kitchen and pour a glass of chilled wine. MMMMMMM-that'll calm my nerves. LOL Next, I took a look at the clock and the time was 9pm. *SIGH* Knowing that i have to get up at the crack of dawn, i proceed to roll up my sleeves and get ready for some elbow-grease cleaning. I'm now determined to get my pc back on track and running like it should be. I was afraid i had a trojan, worm, or some other type of virus so i decided to run a virus scan....AGAIN. I knew what the outcome was going to be since i do this everyweek anyway. While it was running, i keyed in a question like this: " Will a trojan slow down my pc?" After a few long seconds of waiting, i was finally directed to a page of sites and chose the first one 'cause it seemed to be what i was looking for. (TECHCORNER.CA) It showed 5 ways to optimize your pc. As i skimmed the first 2 sections since i'd already done these things, i found the third, fourth and fifth items interesting. I had never removed any programs on my pc because i was afraid i'd screw something up and possibly need them one day. I've realized that if i haven't used these programs in 3 years, i probably don't need them and i can always download them at a later date if need be. So, after completing tip # 3, i moved on to the fourth tip. It was about running scan disk on your hard drive. I'd never done this before. After carefully reading the instructions and following them i had to restart the computer for scan disk to run and check the C: drive for errors. Immediately after doing this, I moved on to the fifth tip which was to run a defrag on your hard drive. I normally do this at least once a month but i realized that i'd never defragged my external hard drive. I'm not sure if running the defrag on my external drive would have any bearing on my pc running faster but i figured i may as well go for the gusto!

......Two and a half hours later, yea the time was now 11:30pm and that darn external hard drive was taking forever! So, i went to bed. This morning when i got up at 4:15am, (running late) i took a look at the pc and the defraggin' was finally done. I decided to give it a whirl just to see if i'd done anything worthwhile for all the time and effort i'd put into trying to do things i really haven't a clue about and VOILA! --It worked!! I'm proud to say that my computer is running extremely well. It's almost as fast as it was when i first got it. I'm a happy camper now. It doesn't take much to make me happy-- Geek that i am....LOL

FTR: I may be moving like a heard of turtles
in this techno-saavy world, but i'm gonna
cross the finishline--if there is one....

Okay, so maybe there isn't an actual finishline,
just different terrains. Oh, nevermind......Toodles all, PEACE!

Remember that Poem?

2006-03-05T21:15:00.000-06:00

I decided to put the poem on some stationary. The only problem is, I couldn't figure out how to connect the 2 pages together. LOL Anyway, there it is....

Forgive me, I'm sleepy.....

2006-03-01T21:50:00.000-06:00

Just what we need....a monkey geek. Only validates the phrase: "A monkey can do your job."

If i could drive off in this sportscar, i wouldn't need a job.

All i wanted was some chicken dammit......

2006-02-28T23:00:00.000-06:00

I would start out by saying, "Good evening" but forget that. I'm not in too much of a good mood anymore and here is the reason why.....

Sometimes when you're hungry, you can eat just about anything to satisfy that hunger pain feeling, but every now and again you get cravings for certain foods and it seems that nothing will fulfill that overwhelming feeling of hunger except for whatever it is you're craving. And before anyone says it, no--I'm not pregnant. Anyway, it all started about 2 days ago. I'd thought about making some fried chicken for dinner but each day, i forgot to take a fryer out of the freezer so i kept on putting it off. This evening when i got home from work and realized that i didn't take a chicken out of the freezer and put it in the refridgerator to thaw for dinner, i decided to go to a fastfood drive-thru to order some greasy fried chicken. (yum, that's the ticket) There are a few chicken restaurants in my area so i decided to go to one that serves chicken livers, since this is what i had a taste for.
I haven't been to this particular establishment in quite a long time and was unfamiliar with their menu board setup. When i drove up to the speaker to place my order, i noticed that there was no one behind me which was good 'cause i wanted to take my time and look it over before ordering. As i was reading the menu, i heard a woman's voice over the speaker asking for my order. She didn't sound very happy to be at work, but who is now-a-days?...just take a gander at this and tell me what you would do if this were to happen to you. :

girl on speaker:(with attitude in her voice) "Help you."

me(the customer): "Yes please. I'd like to order a #3 combo with a dietcoke and I'd like"

girl on speaker:(cutting me off sounding mad & speaking louder) " What side you want?"

me(the customer): "mashed potatoes & gravy please."

girl on speaker:(sounding irritated) "You get 2 sides!"

me(the customer): "Oh sorry, I'll take coleslaw as well. I'd also like to order a 2 piece leg & thigh with a biscuit please."

girl on speaker: "What drink ?"

me(the customer): "No drink, just the leg, thigh, & biscuit."

girl on speaker: "What?!"

me(the customer): "Nevermind." ( I drove off.....)

Okay, I don't know about any of you but i for one am sick and tired of bad service from "Attitude Alice" types. First of all, i am the customer and should be treated as such. This person obviously shouldn't be dealing with the public. Second, if she keeps pissing off customers, she'll be out of a job soon. I'm assuming that she doesn't realize that. I don't know what her problem was. She acted as though she was doing me a favor by taking my order or something...
From the very start, she couldn't even speak "civily" to me. What's up with that? I'm sure she gets tired of dealing with the public. It's not an easy task but, it's her job. And here i am,(the dissatisfied customer) having to find something else for dinner 'cause there was no way that i was going to finish placing my order there now. With that type of caliber person working there, there's no telling what they might do to my food. I know what goes on in those places and believe me, I'm surprised i still frequent them. You really have to be careful especially if you can't see them actually make your food.(no joke here) I used to work at fastfood restaurants.....'nuff said.

Anyway, after i left that chicken coop, i decided to try another one in an opposite direction and closer to the rich side of town. Yep, believe it or not, the "richees" like to eat greasy fried chicken too. LOL I think i would have traveled to Venus to satisfy my urge. I finally arrive at the drive-thru and they aren't too busy so i take my place in line. After a couple minutes of waiting, it's my turn to drive up to the speaker & menuboard. Again, I'm not familiar with their menu so i read it as the girl asks for my order over the speaker....

girl on speaker:(very pleasant) "Hello, may i take your order please?"

me(the customer): "Yes please. Do you sell livers here?"

girl on speaker: "No, sorry."

me(the customer): "Okay, that's allright. I'll take a 2 piece leg & thigh combo with a biscuit with mashed potatoes and coleslaw and a diet pepsi please."

girl on speaker: "Will that be all for you this evening?"

me(the customer): "Yes that's all, thanks."

girl on speaker: "Thank you. Please pull around for your total."

Now see, isn't that much better? I'm not asking for the person at the speaker to give me their first born child or take my order while doing a headstand and spinning plates. I simply want to be treated as a human being with respect and dignity. Is that asking too much? Anyway, i feel much better now even though i didn't get my livers, the chicken was very good, (my tummy's happy) and that's good because if i had another episode like the one earlier, i probably would've had to go to the grocery store--of all places--and buy a fresh chicken to fry up myself, which would've sucked considering the fact that i already have several chickens in my freezer. I've got to start cooking up some of this food here and stay away from the fast food joints. Maybe with Fat Tuesday being over with and Lent beginning, i can give up on the fast food and try to cook something healthier.(no promises here) but it's worth a try.

Random memory jolt here:
(2 more songs with my name in the words)

"What it's Like" - Everlast
"Goodbye Stranger" - SuperTramp

.....feeling flirty?

2006-02-26T06:35:00.000-06:00

You Are a Natural Flirt

Believe it or not, you're a really effective flirt.

And you're so good, you hardly notice that you're flirting.

Your attitude and confidence make you a natural flirt.

And the fact that you don't know it is just that more attractive!

What Kind of Flirt Are You?

....just a few updates

2006-02-19T06:29:00.000-06:00

We finally have a winner folks! This lucky person's life has changed forever. Our newest PowerBall jackpot winner is somewhere in Nebraska. I was wondering when someone would finally hit it. I don't know if the jackpot's ever been larger than this but when you're talking about 365 million dollars, that's alot of money. I wonder when they'll come forward to claim it. Even if they choose the cash option, that's still more than enough money for them to live on for the rest of their lives. Must be nice! I'm truly happy for them...I mean sure, I wish it were me but I'm happy for anyone who wins or comes into money especially in our present economy. My only hope is that they actually NEED the money. If they're already livin' large, I hope they do something positive with it like give something back to their community or personal charity or even share it with friends and family. (or me) lol

Outside of working my tail off, I've mainly been spending alot of time with my little yorkie. (my dog, Tutti) She's always been very affectionate and she likes to be the center of attention especially now since her buddy Rusty is no longer with her. She's starting to get used to him not being with us. I've also been spending more time on my Yahoo360Page It's just another corner of my world.

I'm still the queen of procrastination. I mailed a copy of my poem to myself on February 10th and I have the correct forms copied(still need to fill them out) so all I need to do after I fill in the blanks is send in a copy of the poem along with the fee and it shall be done. My poem will be registered at the Library of Congress' copyright office. I'll try to work on this in the next week or so, hopefully....

As for the weather here in St. Louis Mo., I'll have to retract my last statement I made in my prior post: "So much for wintertime." Yesterday I walked outside from my nice cozy warm house, and into the frigid temperature of only 7 degrees!! Yes, I was a cold little monkey and really not even dressed properly for it. Luckily, we didn't get any snow or freezing rain but that wind was whippin' like crazy. February is making up for all the "spring-like" weather we've been having for the past couple months. This is definately not my favorite time of year. Bring on the spring and fun in the sun! There's only one good thing about this weather, it makes going to work all the more easier -- which is what I've got to do now. Hope you all have a happy Sunday and a very productive upcoming week!

5 hours of winter....

2006-02-08T21:51:00.000-06:00

This was the scene at 9:00am this morning while i was having breakfast at my local McDonalds before driving in to work. The temperature was 35 degrees so the snow didn't stick, but that didn't stop the wreckless drivers from having their careless accidents. (they'll never learn) The pictures aren't the greatest since i was using my camera phone. I just wanted to get a few shots of the very late arrival of Mr. Jack Frost. The snowfall ended at 2pm. and now it doesn't even look like we had any snow at all. So much for wintertime.....

HERE ARE SOME

2006-01-31T21:30:00.000-06:00

THINGS THAT TYPICALLY AMUSE ME

-OR-

TOTALLY FREAK ME OUT!!!

1. RESTROOM PRIVACY (status = amusing) :

Have you ever been in a public restroom minding your own business and doing what you need to do when all of a sudden, right in the middle of things, a person either enters the restroom or was already in there when you entered and they decide to start holding a conversation with you?? This seems to happen to me quite alot. It's bad enough if you know the person but when it's a complete and total stranger, it just boggles my mind. I find it so funny. The topic they choose can be on just about anything from A - Z of course excluding the common question : "Excuse me but could you please pass me some toilet tissue?" I'm not sure how often this question is asked in the men's restroom or if it's ever asked at all. I know you guys have urinals as well as stalls although as I'm reading and typing this it would sound alittle feminine asking that question in that way but I'm sure it's happened on occasion. It's a regular occurence with women and really holds no relevance to what I'm referring to but anyway, here is a perfect example:

A few days ago while at work, i went to the restroom that we share with our customers. A woman entered in right behind me and i naturally chose to use the smaller stall leaving the larger handicapped one available. This is pretty much a regular habit with me out of respect for people who may need the larger one. Anyway, as I'm using the facility, out of the blue this woman says, "It's a beautiful day today, don't ya think?" I don't want to be rude so i answer her by saying, "Yes it is a very nice day today." I'm assuming that she's said all she's going to say but then she continues with a complete conversation telling me about all of her plans and how she's going to spend her whole entire day, and "BLAH, BLAH BLAH, BLAH, BLAH, BLAH." Geez Louise!!! As i exit the stall and go over to the sink to wash my hands, she's still talking. Did i happen to mention that she was very long-winded?? It seemed as though her sentences had no periods. One just flowed into the next making it hard for me to get a word in edge-wise, much less trying to throw in a quick "Enjoy your day, ma'am." so i could leave in a proper manner and get back to work. LOL As she approached the hand sink, i moved out of her way while drying my hands, and she began washing her hands....you guessed it, and still TALKING! I began edging my way over to the door to leave but had to pause while she finished drying her hands since she was of course still in the middle of one of her neverending sentences. Finally as luck would have it, she took a breath. I couldn't believe it. I smiled at her opening the door and she followed behind me and guess what??? The conversation ended--that is, if you could call it that. As soon as we exited the restroom and stepped out onto the salesfloor, she didn't utter another word. Not a "good-bye" or "It was nice talking to you" nope. Not even a peep. I was dumbfounded as well as laughing my butt off in my head. She wasn't a very old woman but perhaps she was just lonesome and wanted someone to talk to or maybe she just liked to hear herself talk. Who knows? All i know is that some people are strange....AND FUNNY AS HELL!! LMAO

2. CELLPHONE USAGE IN RESTROOMS (status = freaks me out)

Since i'm on the subject of conversations in strange places, i may as well throw this one in too.

*Cellphone users please take note*

No matter how clean a restroom looks to you, it still contains many forms of bacteria, germs and diseases and is definately not a good place for cellphone use--besides, it's also really quite tacky in my opinion. Who wants to talk on the phone while taking care of their business?.....know what i mean? I see and hear so many people using cellphones in public restrooms and i often wonder if any of them ever realize how gross that is. Just imagine this:

From the time you enter the restroom opening the door, and open the door to the stall, you've most likely picked up bacteria on your hands. Now, as you sit down to take care of your business, you either recieve a call or even worse, make one and now you're about to place your phone up against your ear and mouth with your hands which have touched areas that many other people have already touched in an area, (the stall) where you know that no one has clean hands because.....well, it's the bathroom stall. There's no sink in there and you know what happens in there so how can that be sanitary? I'm not a clean freak but that's just down right yucky. It also makes it hard to figure out if the person is actually speaking to you or not. ( in the beginning).....LOL

3. TOTAL INTERNET USAGE (status = extremely amusing)

I'm sure that i'm not the only person on the planet without a problem discussing my use on the internet but there are many people who seem to have big issues with this. Why are people in general so apprehensive about discussing they're total internet usage? Can someone give me a clue here 'cause i honestly don't get it. I can only assume that being that the internet is associated with porn in some instances, that some people think that's all that happens on here and don't want anyone to think they are looking at it. Well, just because you're online, it doesn't mean that you're looking at porn. That's silly. I also feel that many people associate frequent internet use with being lonely--and you know how vain some people can be so they don't want anyone to know if they are. Again i say.....People are truly funny characters. Outside of my blogging, i basically enjoy playing card and board games, chatting with people, listening to music, researching and just surfing around like anyone else. No harm done. It's fun, atleast it is for me. I just think it's so funny how people react whenever you talk about anything regarding "the net". Here's an example:

I was with a friend a few weeks back and we were talking about some recipes we'd found on the net and i referred to an "internet friend " who had found a nice website for cooking a particular beef roast--That's it.....STOP THE PRESSES!! My friend immediately said, " Oh, you actually talk to people on there? That's not good, I don't mess with that--besides, i'm not online enough for that." As she was saying that, i noticed her head moving up to the sky with her nose up in the air and her voice seemed to change in a tone sounding somewhat like a "little miss can't be wrong" and if i were to close my eyes, i could've envisioned her being some rich socialite. I started laughing because i hear that same quote every time i mention chatting with people on the net. I mean there are times when people don't freak out about it but it's very rare. It seems that so many people view the internet in a black shroud and sickle waving that finger at you to come closer to the grim reaper...."BOOWAAAAAA, IT'S YOUR TIME, I'VE COME TO GET YOU NOW!!!!" - Or - If you're an internet user, you must be severely punished.... " AND THE gods OF HELL FIRE SHALL COME UPON YOU AND SWALLOW YOU UP AND YOUR SOUL SHALL BURN IN HELL FOR ALL ETERNITY!" WTF is up with that????? ROFLMAO--that's hillarious!

I understand that the internet is host to danger just like anyplace else and there are many different types or caliber of people, some of whom may wish to do you harm in some way or another but you can't barracade yourself from things you don't know about. ( the fear of the unknown) Where would we be if all people were like that? Use your noggin and alittle common sense and you'll have nothing to fear but fear itself.....Oh yea, i also need to mention the fact that this is the same woman who always seems to have an opinion or comment to throw into the conversation when she and i along with some of our other friends are discussing some news or funny stories we've come across on here recently. I wonder how she sees these things if she's hardly ever online? A "closet internet user." YOUR BUSTED..... AH HA!!

4. OUR ECONOMY (status = scared sh*tless )

I was having a discussion with a co-worker yesterday about the average person trying to make ends meet and he was telling me about an article he'd read in the newspaper. He said that according to this article, the average couple with 2-3 children needs to earn an annual income of at least $120,000 to afford just the "bare minimal essentials" meaning: clothing, a roof over their heads, and food on their table to live. If they want to have any recreation or entertainment in their lives well, that's gonna cost extra. That's a real travesty but it's true. I heard on the news yesterday that the U.S. is spending more money than we're making and that my friend is just plain SPOOKY....

We seem to be on a downward spiral and the ground is coming at us so fast that before we realize it, we'll have reached a point of no return--and i'm not gonna say the "C" word but that may just be our future. I hope not but that sure seems to be where we're headed; what with so many plants and businesses closing down one right after the other leaving so many people out of work and headed to uncertain futures. Corporate greed and downsizing and all. Times sure have changed. Somethin's gotta give here folks.....'cause time is definately not on our side.

A Fond Farewell from our Hearts.......

2006-01-25T16:55:00.000-06:00

Remembering Rusty

06/08/89 - 01/23/06

~ So long dear friend

You touched our hearts ~

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN

(a tribute to Rusty)

IN MY MIND I SEARCH FOR DEFINATIVE WORDS

TO EASE "OUR" TROUBLED FEELINGS AND SADNESS.

THINKING BACK AND REMEMBERING ALL OF THE GOOD TIMES,

AND BAD. OUR JOYS, AND PAINS WE SHARED.

I MISS YOU SO MUCH RUSTY......

*mere words can hardly express*

YOUR LITTLE QUIRKS AND ATTITUDES,

AND YOUR RESPONSES AND DIFFERENT MOODS,

MADE YOU "YOU."

THE WAY IN WHICH YOU'D CALL TO US,

YOUR SOUND WAS SO WELL KNOWN.

SO LITTLE ON THE OUTSIDE YET

YOUR IMPACT WAS SO GREAT.

THE BIGGEST "SMALL" FRIEND ANYONE COULD EVER HAVE.

I HAVE GREAT LOVE FOR YOU.....WE ALL DO.

YOU NEVER MISSED A TRICK,

ON A NEED TO KNOW BASIS WERE YOU

AND WE LOVED THAT ABOUT YOU.

ALWAYS MAKING A GRAND ENTRANCE INTO EVERY ROOM,

YOU MADE YOUR PRESENCE KNOWN

AS I'M SURE YOU'LL DO AGAIN

ONCE SETTLED IN YOUR NEW SAFE PLACE.

YOU MADE AN INDULLABLE IMPRESSION

ON ALL WHO CAME IN CONTACT WITH YOU

THROUGHOUT YOUR ENTIRE LIFE.

AND YOU'LL NEVER BE FORGOTTON.

YOUR SPIRIT AND PERSONALITY,

YOUR WARMTH AND PLAYFULLNESS SHALL REMAIN

EMBEDDED IN OUR HEARTS AND MINDS

FOREVER......

IT WAS TRULY A BLESSING TO HAVE YOU IN OUR LIVES.

SO I BID THEE FAREWELL

SO LONG FOR NOW, MY FRIEND

UNTIL WE MEET AGAIN.........

Hello everyone. As you can see I've lost one of my best friends in the whole wide world. My Rusty is no longer with me and it's very hard for me to comprehend but I have to. It's just so hard to believe that he's gone. I take comfort in knowing that he had a very full life. ( a good life) And for the most part, he was pretty much a happy good spirited dog.

The decision was made on Sunday evening. I'd been pondering the idea for quite some time but when I looked at him that evening I knew it was time. When I got home from work, I went into the house and picked him up into my arms. Looking into his eyes as if to read his mind. I believe in my heart that he knew it was time and was ready. I picked up his best buddy Tutti, ( *pronounced "Tootie"*-- my yorkshire terrier) and did the best I could to explain to her and let her say goodbye or see him one final time. --she licked him on the face. Perhaps she knew....Dogs sense more than most people are aware of. It's a fact that they can sense death.

When we arrived at Chippewa Animal Hospital, the receptionist said that Dr. Kurka had stepped out but would return at 4pm. It was 3:15 so I sat and waited. The wait seemed like it was forever and Rusty was shaking the whole time. He always did get nervous when we went to the vet so this time was no different. When the doctor returned to the office, the receptionist called us into an examining room. After about 5 minutes or so Dr. Kurka came in and said hello to us. He took a real good hard look at Rusty. (he'd known Rusty since his birth) I asked him to weigh Rusty in an attempt to see if he had lost weight. Since our last visit which wasn't very long ago, he'd went from 5 and 1/2 lbs. to 4 and 1/4 lbs. He was very small but had never weighed below 5 lbs.

After examining Rusty, Dr. Kurka agreed that it was time and asked me if I wanted to stay with him during the euthanasia process. I said yes. There was no way I was going to leave his side now. I didn't want him to be alone during this. Even though I knew he couldn't see me or hear me I knew that he could smell and feel my presence with him. A vet assistant entered the room with clippers and shaved Rusty's front legs while I held him in my arms and while Dr. Kurka got the injection ready. As the doctor began to pierce the skin, he asked me to hold his head against my bossom to keep him still. He also said that it wouldn't take long being Rusty was so small. And with that, in 5 seconds he was at peace. He was gone.....

It happened so quickly that he couldn't have possibly felt any pain. I pray that he didn't but if he did, it was very short. As hard as it is to say this, I must say that I feel I did the right thing. Dr. Kurka reassured me that he felt the same way. He said that animals are just like people, and sometimes they can live on for many many years but the difference is that they can't really communicate with us to let us know exactly what type of pain they're experiencing, and there really is no good life for an animal who's suffering from severe pain compounded with little or no vision and deafness. That's not a good life for the pet or the owner. It also could have been much worse. With time, there was always the growing possiblility that Rusty could've had a number of painful illnesses occur, ( stroke, heartattack, seizures) and I didn't want that to happen either. It's gonna take some time but I'll be alright. I (We) all need time to heal. And we will.

Life goes on.....

I tried to find as many pictures as I could to post on here. I hope they show up well.

Take care all.

Pictures of happy times from the past.....

2006-01-25T16:45:00.000-06:00

Me & Rusty 2005

The king of the mountain...

Here he is with a few of his closest pals.

Rusty loved the waterbed. It was always warm & cozy.

Christmas 2001

Better Days......

2006-01-16T18:43:00.000-06:00

{BACKGROUND NOISE} ~ SMOOTH JAZZY INSTRUMENTALS ~

I can honestly say that all is well in my world right now. Since my last post, my aunt has been released from the hospital and doing extremely well. Her doctor has made certain that she understands how important it is for her to continue taking her medicine everyday. I called her last evening to check on her and she made it clear to me that she understands and intends on never missing another dose. I was very happy to hear that. She has a follow-up appointment with her doctor in 2 weeks. I'm glad to hear that her doctor is going to see her and make sure she's doing allright. Before i called her, i was working on a poem that i'd started writing earlier this month but never had time to finish. As i was writing this particular poem, she was on my mind so when i finished writing it, i decided to call her.

During the course of our conversation, i asked her if she'd like me to read it to her. Her answer of course was yes...What aunt wouldn't want to hear a poem written by her niece, right? I began reading my poem to her and as i read it i could tell by her responses ( sighs & gasps) that she was really enjoying what she was hearing. After i finished reading the poem to her, she could hardly compose her emotions and praise. She really liked it --which meant a great deal to me considering that she's a retired school teacher. I'd like to post it on here but first, i'm going to look into getting it copywrited. I often write little ditties and poems but this one seems alittle different to me. I'm not quite sure why, it just is. I'm far from being an accomplished poet nor have i ever taken any courses in poetry outside of what was taught to me in my highschool days but this particular poem has deep feeling and meaning to me and i'd hate to lose it so i want to protect it. I've never had any experience in copywriting but when i do finally do what's necessary to protect my work, i'll post it for public view.

In the past, i've also mentioned that i was dabbling in writing a book. I really haven't been doing too much with it lately. I still intend on continuing with it when i get some fresh ideas and time.....yea time lol ( I know ....procrastination is a mofo) The book did start out pretty good so it's very likely that i'll get back into it. (Let's hope)

As for today, it was okay...long but productive--which is fine with me. When i have a dull day from start to finish, i feel so empty and the day seems wasted but when i have a day filled with activity and things to keep me busy, i feel a sense of accomplishment and that's a good thing as far as i'm concerned....And tomorrow's looking like another positive day so far so it's all good. This is more like it! The puzzles pieces all seem to be fitting in place perfectly. I know that everyday can't be good but i sure enjoy better days. And on what better day to have positivity, huh?.....Today is the observance of the Martin Luther King Day holiday. A day of celebration for freedom and equality for all. Here's to keeping the dream alive! Here's to Dr. King!

When it rains, it pours........

2006-01-10T20:28:00.000-06:00

Well, as they say, when it rains it pours. But then again.....they also say things happen in three's. ( Who are " they " anyway???) I've been quite busy lately and was intending on making a post about a recent funeral--well actually, a wake I had attended with a friend but never got around to finishing it on here. I did however talk briefly about it on my Yahoo 360 page. If you'd like to read more about it you can do so by clicking right here.

Today while I was at work just returning from my lunch break, I recieved a phone call from one of my cousins. Unfortunately the news was rather bad. She informed me that her mother, ( my aunt) had a fainting spell last evening at her house. Luckily, my cousin was with her mother last evening and able to call 911. My aunt is 84 years old.

Apparently, my aunt's potassium level was dangerously low and her blood pressure was quite high which is very serious for anyone and especially for someone her age. My aunt is set in her ways and happened to make a wrong decision concerning her medicine. It seems when her prescription ran out, she didn't get it refilled because at the time, she had some other things she needed to buy and didn't have enough money. This decision nearly cost her her life. Don't get me wrong....My aunt is no where near senility and is a very intelligent and independent woman but, at the time, she really didn't think things through and had her priorities in dis-array.

Right now, she's in very good care at a local hospital and recieving plenty of potassium as well as other medications that she desperately needs. I went to the hospital to visit her this evening and she seems to be doing much better. I think they're going to keep her for a few days just for observation purposes which I was very glad to hear. My aunt is my mentor. She's unlike any other woman I've ever known on the planet. She started teaching in 1944 and has won so many awards along with a list of interviews on television and newspaper articles. I am so proud of her. She has had a very full life and a very hard go of it in more ways than one. She is the mother of 6 children, all of whom live out of town with the exception of 2 daughters. ( one lives near here and her oldest daughter who passed away early in life)

She has seen so much in her life and can remember everything as if it had only happened yesterday. I can only hope to be half as smart and level-headed as her if I am lucky enough to reach her age. I do have one plea although it's not my place to say but I'm gonna say it anyway.......

It is my hope that her children will come home. I understand that they all have their own lives now but they only have one mother. The house in which she lives in is pretty large with alot of room for all of them and their children. I know it sounds crazy but I also know that they all love her and would be deeply distraught if they were to recieve a phone call saying that she'd passed away without them even getting to say goodbye to her. Of course I realize that this hope of mine can't possibly come to pass what with all of her children working. Their careers are in the places in which they live--not here. I guess I'm just wishing. Perhaps they can get some time off to come home for a visit.....

Anyway, I hope this is all the negative flow surrounding me for now. I'm searching for a rainbow of peace and happiness now......

A few more songs

2006-01-06T17:00:00.000-06:00

It's been a rather rough couple of days for me. I've been sick with the flu since Christmas and just when it seemed that I was beginning to feel better, It (the flu) came back up on me and hit me like a ton of bricks. I slept all day long on and off which is why I'm up now.

I'm still feeling listless and my nose is still runny/stuffy but atleast I don't feel like I did yesterday and this morning. It was the pits! Anyway, being that I did absolutely nothing today, I did happen to think of a few more songs with my name included in them. This post as well as my last post are continuations from an earlier post dated Dec. 19th, 2005. I'm only mentioning this in case if anyone has additional songs they'd like to contribute. You may want to check there first.

Here's what I've come up with today :

1. MARYLOU, I LOVE YOU - RICKY NELSON

2. MARYANNE WITH THE SHAKY HANDS - THE WHO

3. GILLIGAN'S ISLAND (THEME SONG) - GEORGE WYLE

4. MARYANNE - ARON RACHO

The last two songs are by Tori Amos but are listed as ORIGINAL NON-ALBUM SONGS, and they are as follows :

5. MARY - TORI AMOS

6. SISTER JANET - TORI AMOS

Well, that's all I've got. This will most likely be my last post concerning this subject because I can't think of anymore songs and I've searched and this is all I've come up with. If anyone else knows a few more, drop on by and list them. Have a good one, and please try not to catch whatever this flu-like cold is that's going around. It really SUCKS!!!

More Mary Tunes

2006-01-05T21:55:00.000-06:00

A FEW MORE TUNES CAME TO MIND THAT INCLUDE MY NAME IN THE LYRICS OR TITLE SO, I THOUGHT I'D JUST POST 'EM.

....THESE ARE FOR YOU ANDREW :

1. ALONG COMES MARY - THE ASSOCIATION

2. MY MARIA - BROOKS & DUNN

3. MARY HAD A LITTLE LAMB - (MOTHER GOOSE RHYME) - SARAH JOSEPHA

4. MARY MACK ( SCOTTISH TUNE) - ARTIST UNKNOWN

5. MAMBO # 5 - LOU BEGA

I'M STILL THINKING. LET ME KNOW IF YOU THINK OF ANY OTHERS.

MY LIST OF 20

2006-01-04T21:42:00.000-06:00

TWENTY THINGS I'D LIKE TO TRY

BEFORE IT'S TIME FOR ME TO DIE

ATTN: TO WHOM THIS MAY CONCERN,

{I'M NOT DYING & I'M NOT SUICIDAL. THIS IS SIMPLY A LIST OF THINGS I'D LIKE TO DO

BEFORE MY TIME ON EARTH IS THROUGH--THAT IS ALL}

1. RIDE ON AN AIRPLANE. ( I HAVE A PHOBIA )

2. SPEAK IN PERSON TO A MASSIVE AUDIENCE. ( ANOTHER PHOBIA )

3. LEARN HOW TO DANCE "AGAIN". ( USED TO DANCE AS A TEENAGER BUT LOST MY RHYTHMN SOMEHOW....ACTUALLY, I'M JUST TOO SHY. ) *BLUSHING NOW*

4. LOSE ENOUGH WEIGHT TO GET INTO MY OLD STARCHED, BEEN HANGIN' UP IN THE CLOSET NOW FOR ABOUT 25 YEARS, [SHOULD I BE WHISPERING?] OH, WHAT THE HELL......JORDACHE JEANS ( FROM HIGHSCHOOL )

5. TEST DRIVE A BENTLEY (BEIGE - OR- TAN COLOR ) + HAVE SOMEONE TAKE A PICTURE OF ME PERPETRATIN' IN IT. ( SINCE WE ALL KNOW I CAN'T AFFORD ONE ) BUT I CAN DREAM CAN'T I??? YEA BABY!!!!!

6. GO ON AT LEAST 1 CRUISE. ( DESTINATION PENDING ) I JUST WANT TO BE ABLE TO SAY THAT I'VE BEEN ON A CRUISE....

7. WIN A GIGANTIC LOTTERY - OR - A MEGA JACKPOT AT THE CASINO. ( SO I CAN GO SPEND-THRIFT CRAZY AND BUY ANYTHING I WANT!!! ) IT'S A WOMAN THANG, SORRY GUYS....

8. MAKE A TELEVISION APPEARANCE/CAMEO. ( NO, NOT ON AMERICA'S MOST WANTED - OR - COPS. ) GIMME A BREAK ALREADY, WILL YA????

9. LEARN TO PLAY THE DRUMS. ( MY FATHER ATTEMPTED TO TEACH ME LONG AGO BUT I WAS SO DOGGONE STUBBORN ) KIDS! UGHHHHHH.....

10. QUIT SMOKING ( BEFORE I DO IRRETRIEVABLE DAMAGE TO MY LUNGS AND/OR GET HEART DISEASE, EMPHYSEMA - OR - BOTH ) OF COURSE KNOWING ME, I'D BE JUST LIKE MY MOM AND KEEP RIGHT ON SMOKING IN BETWEEN THE USE OF MY OXYGEN MASK!! DAMN!! LIKE MOTHER - LIKE DAUGHTER.....

11. STOP TRYING TO DO TOO MANY THINGS AT ONCE ( MULTI-TASKING NIGHTMARES ) FOCUS ON ONE THING AT A TIME AND FOLLOW THROUGH WITH IT TO THE END.

12. RUN - OR - WALK IN A MARATHON.

13. READ THE BIBLE IN ITS' ENTIRETY.

14. UNDERSTAND IT ( WHETHER IT BE MY OWN INTERPRETATION OR THAT OF SOMEONE ELSE )

15. SING WITH A BAND - OR - SIT IN ON A JAM SESSION PLAYING MY FLUTE.

16. FIND THE " FOUNTAIN OF YOUTH " - OR - A DAMN GOOD FACIAL PRODUCT THAT SLOWS DOWN THE AGING PROCESS.

17. SEE THESE MOVIES:

THE LAST TEMPTATION OF CHRIST

THE PASSION OF CHRIST

MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA

THE DA VINCI CODE

STAR WARS FILMS ( ALL 6 OF THEM SO FAR )

OH YEA, AND THAT ONE RON JEREMY FILM CALLED FAMILY AFFAIR (SO I'VE WATCHED A FEW PORNOS......SOOOOOOOOOOO WHAT????? **ROLLING HER EYES **

WHATEVERRRRRR!!!!!!!

18. GET UP ENOUGH NERVE TO TELL THIS CERTAIN CUSTOMER, WHO COMES INTO MY STORE, THAT HE'S GOT THE MOST BEAUTIFUL BLUE EYES I'VE EVER SEEN!! ( I'M KIDDING. I'D NEVER DO A THING LIKE THAT BUT HE DOES HAVE THE DEEPEST OCEAN BLUE EYES......I LOVE LOOKING AT THEM.) **WINK - WINK **

19. MEET INTERESTING PEOPLE WHO CAN HOLD INTELLIGENT CONVERSATIONS WITHOUT PERPETRATING. ( I MEAN GENUINE PEOPLE WHO ARE HONEST, DOWN TO EARTH, FRIENDLY, RESPECTFUL AND ALSO WHO SEE OTHERS AS EQUALS. NON-JUDGEMENTAL, AND NOT SELF-CENTERED. LIARS AND BRAGGERS ARE NOT WELCOME!!! )

20. HAVE - OR - ARRANGE A BLOGGER'S INTERNATIONAL MEETING FOR FELLOW BLOGGERS & READERS ALIKE TO HAVE A " MEET -N - GREET TOGETHER. ( I THINK THAT WOULD BE SOOOOOOOOOOOO COOL!!)

OH MY! I ALMOST FORGOT THE ONE MOST IMPORTANT THING!!

21. I WANT TO RETIRE ( OF COURSE WITH MY LUCK, I'LL BE WORKING PAST RETIREMENT AGE--WHATEVER THAT MAY BE BY THEN-- WITH ONE FOOT IN THE GRAVE & ONE ON A BANANA PEEL )

SO I GUESS THAT MAKES IT THE LIST OF 21 THINGS FOR ME TO TRY BEFORE I KICK THE BUCKET. BUT THEN AGAIN, BEING THAT I'M ABSOLUTELY, POSITIVELY SURE I'LL NEVER DO #18 IT'S TECHNICALLY STILL A LIST OF 20.

For Laughing Outloud.....

2006-01-02T21:53:00.000-06:00

Outside of my love for music, I enjoy a good comedy. To be more precise--Stand-up Comedy. I got the chance to see a very funny stand-up comedienne on Comedy Central Friday night at Midnight. Her name is Lisa Lampanelli and she is extremely funny. She's known as " The Queen of Mean" and her routine is primarily regarding the races. And believe me when I tell you....No one is left out. She even jokes about the mentally and physically challenged.

Her point is rather clear. If you can't laugh at yourself then F**k You!--OR-- F**ck You if you can't take a joke!! Life is too short and people in general are funny, regardless of their race, gender, sexual orientation.....Yes, she had a few tidbits for the gay and lesbian population as well. I mean nobody was safe from her humor. It was all in fun and I laughed so hard I was in tears. I had never even heard of Ms. Lampanelli before and at first glance, you'd never even begin to think that she would produce such "naughty humor" to a jam packed audience.

She is of Italian decent and has a tendency to remind you of a female version of Andrew Dice Clay. In some instances, she even sounded like him only in female tone. She mentioned several times that she had a black boyfriend and made it very clear that she was proud of it. You could tell by the way in which she described.....Ahem well, I don't want to give away the details. You really need to see it for yourself.

Being that she uses an abundance of vulgarity in her routine, you may not be able to catch her in prime time--Late night for sure though. If memory serves me correctly, The name of the show was titled : " Lisa Lampanelli....Take It Like A Man" It's definately a MUST SEE if you're into stand-up and improv.

Well, I wasn't going to post tonight because it's getting late and if I don't get to bed soon I'll be a zombie in the morning however; I knew I'd be too busy tomorrow and would probably forget all about this particular item so....off I go! Nighty-Night.....

Smiles everyone, Smiles......

2006-01-01T13:05:00.000-06:00

THIRTY LINES TO MAKE YOU SMILE

1.. My husband and I divorced over religious differences. He thought he was God and I didn't.
2.. I don't suffer from insanity; I enjoy every minute of it.
3.. I Work Hard Because Millions On Welfare Depend on Me!
4.. Some people are alive only because it's illegal to kill them.
5.. I used to have a handle on life, but it broke.

6.. Don't take life too seriously; No one gets out alive.
7.. You're just jealous because the voices only talk to me
8.. Beauty is in the eye of the beer holder.
9.. Earth is the insane asylum for the universe.
10.. I'm not a complete idiot -- Some parts are missing.

11. Out of my mind. Back in five minutes.
12. NyQuil, the stuffy, sneezy, why-the-heck-is-the-room-spinning medicine.
13.. God must love stupid people; He made so many.
14.. The gene pool could use a little chlorine.
15.. Consciousness: That annoying time between naps.

16.. Ever stop to think, and forget to start again?
17.. Being "over the hill" is much better than being under it!
18.. Wrinkled Was Not One of the Things I Wanted to Be When I Grew up.
19.. Procrastinate Now!
20.. I Have a Degree in Liberal Arts; Do You Want Fries With That?

21. A hangover is the wrath of grapes.
22.. A journey of a thousand miles begins with a cash advance
23.. Stupidity is not a handicap. Park elsewhere!
24..They call it PMS because MadCow Disease was already taken.
25..He who dies with the most toys is none the less dead.

26..A picture is worth a thousand words, but it uses up three thousand times the memory.
27..Ham and eggs. A day's work for a chicken, a lifetime commitment for a pig.
28.. The trouble with life is there's no background music.
29.. The original point and click interface was a Smith and Wesson.
30.. I smile! because I don't know what the hell is going on.
Be thankful we're not getting all the government we're paying for. Will Rogers

Any day you wake up has already started out as a good day!!

Happy New Year!! **2006**

A very dear friend of mine emailed this list to me a while back. Just wanted to share it with you! Have a good one!!

The "G" Spot

Thirsty anyone???

Sleeping with the Aliens

WHATEVER........

Top Ten Reminders That You're Getting Older.....

To Dream or not to Dream.......

SO CUPID'S PASSED ME BY AGAIN.......

RHYME TIME......

MIA ~ SORRY I LEFT YOU HANGIN'......

THE BALANCE SHEET OF LIFE

I'M STILL HOPEFUL.....

*** UPDATE ***

PERFECT HEALTH

The New Highway 40 's - a - Comin'.......

Desires Of You

TRUE CONFESSIONS OF A WOMAN IN LUST

For Lovers Only......

On Why I Seem To Be On A Poetic Flow All Of A Sudden.....

NOTHINGNESS

On why I always seem to get a severe headache while driving in the city of St. Louis....

Weather Conditions in St. Louis

It's that time again. GOBBLE GOBBLE.....

Internet Love - A Poem

Things that go " POW " in the Night

A Demon and a Bloodsucker....

Well isn't this special....

Just one question....

WELL, IT'S HUMP DAY

A Little Cyber Poem

I'm back again.....

Another Disappearing Act.....

Eight facts/things/habits, about me...you know, Zepplinlady...

9-11-2001 ~ A Tribute ~ We Shall Never Forget....

Beautiful Wallpapers

Test your Knowledge......

Hey, remember me???

I'm Bored.....

JUST WALK AWAY

Some Positive Updates.......

~Reason, Season and Lifetime~

I'm Back!!! Well, kinda sorta........

The sweet smell of roses....

Henrietta

Warm Welcome

About That Last Post......

SEVEN KINDS OF SEX.....HMMMMM

Thoughts on Graffiti

An Inspirational Poem

THE NEW BUSCH STADIUM

On my Neighborhood.......

For the Inquiry Minds.....

Mother's Day wishes

Yard play

On a lighter note.....

Life sucks and then it sucks some more, then alittle more and thennnnnnn(and only then) is it finally over-The End

10 of Life's Simplest Pleasures according to moi (Zepplinlady)

Human Behavior

OH GAWD!!!!!

The Grass is always Greener......

The big ~{{CRUNCH}}~

Nothing to do? Try Googling you. It's fun, it's weird, it's something to do when you're bored.....

DON'T CHA JUST HATE IT??!! ~ RANDOM RANTS....

Hello, my name is........and i'm addicted to the internet

An Irish Blessing

On the Eve 'o' St. Pats

Beautiful Quotes

Hell Night ~ or ~ Another lesson learned......

Remember that Poem?

Forgive me, I'm sleepy.....

All i wanted was some chicken dammit......

.....feeling flirty?

....just a few updates

5 hours of winter....

HERE ARE SOME

A Fond Farewell from our Hearts.......

Pictures of happy times from the past.....

Better Days......

When it rains, it pours........

A few more songs

More Mary Tunes

* UPDATE *