Quote of the week

"If you want your life to be a magnificent story, then begin by realizing that you are the author and everyday you have the opportunity to write a new page." -- Mark Houlahan

Season's Greetings

Merry Christmas to everyone!

Stay safe, be merry, have fun, be with family.

Kiki will return in a couple of days.

Link of the week

Here is where you need to go today. This boy is someone I know indirectly, and he has suffered more than any one little boy should have to suffer. Despite that, he gives of himself as shown in the video. Please, if you want to spread some extra Christmas cheer, pass Isaac's video around to your loved ones. He deserves plenty of good thoughts and prayers.

The I-Man Christmas Train Project

Something cute

Apparently, this was written by a male. Not confirmed, though. I thought it was cute.

Why do boys fall in love with girls?

1. They will always smell good even if it’s just shampoo.
2. The way their heads always find the right spot on our shoulder.
3. How cute they look when they sleep.
4. The ease in which they fit into our arms.
5. The way they kiss you and all of a sudden everything is right in the world.
6. How cute they are when they eat.
7. The way they take hours to get dressed but in the end it makes it all worth while.
8. Because they are always warm even when its minus 30 outside.
9. The way they look good no matter what they wear.
10. The way they fish for compliments even though you both know that you think she’s the most beautiful girl on this earth.
11. How cute they are when they argue.
12. The way her hand always finds yours.
13. The way they smile.
14. The way you feel when you see their name on the your cell after you just had a big fight.
15. The way she says “lets not fight anymore” - even though you know that an hour later....
16. The way that they kiss after you have had a fight.
17. The way they kiss you when you say “I love you”.
18. Actually...Just the way they kiss you…
19. The way they fall into your arms when they cry.
20. Then the way they apologize for crying over something that silly.
21. The way they hit you and expect it to hurt.
22. Then the way they apologize when it does hurt (even though we don’t admit it).
23. The way they say “I miss you”.
24. The way you miss them.
25. The way their tears make you want to change the world so that it doesn’t hurt her anymore. Yet regardless if you love them, hate them, wish they would die or know that you would die without them it matters not. Because once in your life, whatever they were to the world they become everything to you. When you look them in the eyes, traveling to the depths of their souls and you say a million things without trace of a sound, you know that your own life is inevitable consumed within the rhythmic beatings of her very heart. We love them for a million reasons, no paper would do it justice. It is a thing not of the mind but of the heart.

A feeling. Only felt.

Video

This is what hubby and I have been doing with our time tonight... looking up commercials on youtube. We also found some hilarious standups. Here's one for now.

Someone new to pray for...

Everyone,

However you do it, please pray for this little girl. I heard of her through a prayer list at work. She needs everything we can give her. Morgan (Click on "Visit a Caring Bridge Site" then type in ladybug).

Well, you know what happens...

Here's that whole phrase: "Well, you know what happens when you ASSUME, don't you?"

Well, excuse the heck outta me or whoever says it. I think that is the most smart-assed comment anyone could make. I just heard someone I know say it to someone else. That someone else happens to be one of the nicest people here. I love how people think things like that make them sound so much more intelligent than whoever they’re talking to, when in fact, it makes the person saying it look like a jerk.

Actually, it makes an ass out of you only. So there.

Quote for the day

I have no idea who penned this, but I like it. If someone knows, please tell me.

"Your children's future is with what you play. Your time has gone, `twas yesterday."

Video

I thought this was beautiful. Enjoy!

Kiki's week of busy-ness

I'm here. I swear!

I have had no time to update lately at all. With Grandma-sitting, working on mortgage loan paperwork, Halloween, and our vacation, I have had no down time. I feel bad, but what can you do? Plus, with Thanksgiving coming up, plus Christmas decorating/shopping, etc. etc, it may not get any better LOL.

Writing here is something I really want to do, but I have taken to electronically reminding myself to do so. Argh!

Oh, there will now be a plant update here as well. I have killed one "angel" plant, almost killed and in the process of saving one begonia, and maintaining one violet, a bamboo and some kind of greenery whose name escapes me.

The poor begonia... poor, poor plant of mine. It was a birthday gift last year. It was HUGE when I got it. The leaves were as big as 5 inches (circumfrence). It actually had blooms as well. If I remember correctly, the blooms were pink. Eventually, everything dropped off except one leaf. I replanted it and am trying to save it. It gained three extra leaves, but now there are only two total.

My pansy, though, is gorgeous. My grandma gave it to me. The 2 purple blooms are huge. I'll show pics when I have my camera at work again.

Until later. I have to run to Pecknel Music to drop off some music for the concert band during lunch.

Do you ever...

...feel left out sometimes?

There is a group of people I know who gets together (there are only 2 ppl we don't know in that group). We're never a part of anything unless it's a huge group, maybe 3-4 times larger. Even then it seems like an obligatory 'let's invite them b/c we kinda have to.' it almost makes me feel like getting something together and not inviting any of them either. i shouldn't feel this way, but it hurts my feelings. i feel like maybe we're not thought of enough to be invited.


i'm not a busybody, and i don't think i should be invited to everything, so don't think of me as that. Just to be asked to come along just once would be nice.

I just didn't.

I was going to blog tonight, but I got caught up in my new facebook. And surfing. And catching up on DVR'ed shows. That was very trifling of me. Therefore, this is all you get tonight.

Until tomorrow!

Kiki News

Well, my bro's birthday was on Sunday the 23rd (OMG - the number 23!!! It's everywhere!!!). I got him apple butter, but he doesn't know it yet. Um, yeah, so bro - pretend you didn't read that part. I got it from a N.C. orchard on Sunday with D. We went to pick apples, but alas, no apples on the trees, so we bought them from their barn. Oh well. I still have many delicious apples in my kitchen now. Plus, we stopped by a fruit/veggie stand and bought peaches, potatoes, and tomatoes. I will go a long way for good fruit. ☺ (i just learned the smiley this week!)

I have added a blog widget capability to my blog today. See? Over on the left side? You will use it to turn me into a widget for your desktop. Yes, you will...

I am going back to my CRON commitment and my '101 in 1001' list. I had abandoned a lot of things after PaPa died, and I am making myself go back to just about everything. I have to re-examine my 101 list to see what I have done recently (probably not much since I'm just getting back up on my emotional feet). I've decided that I cannot abandon my goals and such. He wouldn't have wanted that. Some people say that to make themselves feel better, but I know it's true for all of us. He would have been almost embarrassed if he'd known how much attention he got after he died.

We are in the middle of filling out the necessary paperwork for home loan pre-approval. I am kind of nervous about it, actually. I am doing some serious finger-crossing. You should, too, because a KiKi with a house = happier KiKi.

Our Gatlinburg trip is coming up in about 5-6 weeks. Yay! I'm excited to go somewhere that is not here. I love Greenville, but sometimes you just have to get away.

That's it for now. ☺☺☺

This Monday in the KiKi-World

Good afternoon.

Well, I did go Grandma-sit. She and I had a pretty good night. We watched most of Wyatt Earp, which I'd never given a chance since I'm a die-hard Tombstone fan. Funny though, Wyatt Earp is the more accurate movie. Of course I pick the one starring Val Kilmer. =) Dennis Quaid held his own, though, in the world of Doc Holliday portrayers. That's always my favorite character, no matter which version I watch. Anyway, I locked Grandma in and went home to get ready for work VERY early this morning. She was up, too. Nothing gets past her, LOL.

I brought my lunch to work today. I ought to do it more often. I would put some $$ back in my pocket, that's for sure. We need every penny lately. We're trying to pay off all the piddly things that eat up our paychecks. I'm half done with paying off my NordicTrack, and next is our high-interest computer account, Dell. 29% APR is no joke. I feel like it'd be better to just have to come over and bring their baseball bats. I think it would have been a better interest rate if it'd been in my name, but I proclaimed that I was overextended at the time, since most everything is in my name. Besides, it's good to have something in hubby's name since he's trying to rebuild his own credit. We also have to pay off our furniture, which is a little over $3,200.00 now. I've been putting a little here and there toward it, but nothing huge until I pay off the other two.

We didn't get to go to our nephew's baptism yesterday. I felt so bad about it, but hubby was sick, and still is. He woke me up and told me he felt bad. I checked his head and it felt like he had a slight fever, but I could tell he was freezing. Needless to say, we didn't want to have him spread his potential germs all over North Carolina and his own nephew. We felt so bad about it, though. Mother-in-law told me this morning that Jacob asked about us, and had written a birthday card for Josh. So I have family guilt today.

(My goofy brother trying to wear my niece's hat)

I also have hubby guilt, but that takes explanation.

I had a plan of taking him out to dinner on Saturday for his birthday. On our way out of the apartment parking lot, there was a note on his old car (the crappy one without a tag) stating something like 'have it outta here in 24 hours or face it being towed at your expense.' We called his best friend to see if hje knew anyone who could deal with it on a weekend. I was finally able to get our landlord when they open on Sunday at noon and beg for an extension. However, he got so upset about the whole thing that he said turn the car around and go home; he wasn't hungry anymore. What he really meant to say, I found out later on, was more like 'let's deal with this first and then we'll go back out.' It didn't come out like that, so I got pissed, yanked the car around (literally), and drove home. Shame on me. Shame on him, too. We both overreacted and blew our tops. That's embarrassing to say, but we did. We got home and our attitudes didn't get any better. Then I got upset and started cleaning (as many of us females like to do when we're ill). Many details aside, we got into fighting about other things (cleaning, responsibilities, etc.), and we both ruined the night.

We eventually made up, chalking it up to stress and frustration. I paid for takeout from the place we were going to go to, he picked it up, and we ate at home. I have decided that I want to have a make-up date where I do everything. I feel bad that his birthday night went badly. He's trying to take all the responsibility, but we are both to blame.

We are having a birthday dinner night at his mom's on Saturday or Sunday. That's at least one good thing in the future. So many bad things have happened in the last few months that we need a break. I can't wait for vacation in November. I know some people go through worse, but when things were good for so long, it's hard to take in bad things when they all hit you at once (Crissa, PaPa, finances, etc).

Jung Test

ESTJ - "Administrator". Much in touch with the external environment. Very responsible. Pillar of strength. 8.7% of total population.

Free Jung Personality Test (similar to Myers-Briggs/MBTI)

Better Today

I'm not much better today, but at least I feel like writing.

I've changed my blog's name again. More than likely for good. My brother called me KiKi when he was first learning to talk (he couldn't pronounce Carri), and his middle daughter calls me Aunt KiKi now. It only seems appropriate.

Hubby's 29th birthday was today. I got him dinner and Macy & Lucy got him the complete works of Edgar Allan Poe. I think they did better than me. They've outdone me twice now. I think I need to plot against them.

I've been on Neopets for half the day trying to gain neopoints and earn avatars. That is how bored I was. I got sick of doing chores. However, the apartment is almost quite nice.

I probably am going to "grandma-sit" tomorrow night. We've been staying with her since before PaPa died, and we are continuing to do so until she kicks us all out. Josh is off and on a third shift week, so he'll be up and might come along.

My team at work (which just happens to be the only all female team) got together and not only had a peace lily sent to PaPa's funeral, but when I came back to work last Monday, later on I got a beautiful bouquet of yellow flowers. I pressed about ten of them, some of which will go into my scrapbook with a couple of really good pictures of PaPa.

That's all for now. I'm sleepy and we are getting up early to drive to North Carolina for our nephew's baptism. Night all.

PaPa

I've been sitting here looking at this blog for a few days, trying to decide if I want to post. I guess now I do.

I'm not okay by any stretch of my imagination. One of my favorite people in the world, my Pa-Pa, is gone. For the rest of my life, I'll never see him again. That hurts so much more than I can describe. Some people understand, and some, thank goodness, don't have to understand because they haven't lived it. I hope they don't for a long time.

(Mom-Mom and PaPa)

Another thing that has come to mind is this: I don't have anymore Pa-Pas. I lost my other grandpa (who was also a Pa-Pa) back in 2003. So there aren't anymore grandfathers for me. That thought makes me sadder than I have ever been. When Pa-Pa died last week, it hit me so hard. I have never felt so hopeless in all of my life.

(me and Pa-Pa)

I gave him one final doggie beanie baby about a week before he died. A dog that goes with the ones I had been steadily providing him for years, stuffed bean dogs of every sort. You can see some of them in the background of the last picture. It's a little black dog called Chaser. It stayed in his hospital room until the night we all came when the doctors called us. That was the first thing I picked up. I have in right in front of me. I look at it and that whole night comes back.

(me and Pa-Pa again. This picture was an accident, but I couldn't delete it even if I'd wanted to)

I am angry. He should be here. It was NOT his time yet. Yeah, he was 83, but it was a shock, unexpected. He was in the hospital because he'd been in a car accident on July 30th, my niece's birthday. He pulled out into a street from his road on a stormy day (his fault for "not yielding the right of way," supposedly). A 16 year old girl was speeding (I don't need damned skid marks to tell me that) and hit him directly in his side. All that was between him and that van was 4 inches of hollow metal. She hit him so hard that his car was bent on the side that was not hit, shattered all the windows, and knocked his glasses off his face and into the street.

He was hurt so badly. He suffered a broken scapula, cuts on his head that required staples, bleeding on his brain, massive internal & external bruising, a bleeding kidney and a bleeding spleen.

So much of that was healing though, and there was talk of moving him to a local rehabilitation hospital. That's why it is so hard to accept. He was getting better, and all of a sudden, he's gone. Just over two weeks to the day of his accident, we were called and told to come to the hospital, that they were trying to revive him, and we needed to get there immediately. Everyone knew what it meant but no one, including me, wanted to believe it.

I and my cousin had been sleeping over with Grandma for the entire time he was in the hospital, and I just happened to be there that night. Mom called me at 12:45AM and told me to get Grandma up because they were coming to get us. I knew that Mom had said they were trying to revive him, but I couldn't bring myself to say that to Grandma. I just told her to get ready and that I didn't know much. I prayed the whole way over.

I got there and walked into the hospital wing with my Dad. Or, I thought I did. Somewhere between getting out of the elevator and the waiting room, Dad stopped being beside me. Maybe he went over to Mom? All I know is that I was standing there for the ten seconds that felt like ten hours watching everyone cry, hoping they were just stressed and letting it out in a huge way. My aunt stopped what she was doing (hugging someone or just sitting there, I don't remember) when she noticed me standing there by myself. She got up and walked over to me like she was going to hug me. I remember saying 'no, don't you tell me that,' or something, her grabbing hold of me, and I never made it to the chair where she was guiding me. My legs failed to work and I was on the floor almost near screaming. I couldn't get up; I didn't deserve to get up, not when PaPa would never get up again. I remember grabbing hold of a coffee table with one hand, and my fingertips turning white on the other hand when I tried to strangle the floor. I couldn't breathe.

Somehow Dad ended up behind me. He put his hand on my back while I was on the floor. I knew it was him. He always had a gentle touch. I turned around and cried in his arms. He helped me up off the floor. Eventually, the on-call hospital chaplain was with us and trying to explain what happened before the doctors came out. I couldn't listen. I got up and walked to the elevator foyer. A short time after walking over there, Josh showed up with the best timing in the world. I had called him right after Mom called me and told him to meet us there. I cried in his arms for what seemed like forever.

We came back after some time and sat with everyone else. The doctors finally came out, and by now, my brother had come. He was by himself, and eventually I went over to him. The doctors explained that Pa-Pa had said he felt like he was being smothered during a late-night breathing treatment and he became non-responsive and then "coded." They worked on him for two hours. Two hours. I knew what it meant. It still didn't hit me. Not all the way. I'm not sure if it has yet.

We were eventually let in to see him. Grandma was so pitiful. She cried like I'd never seen someone cry before. So did my Mom, my uncle and my aunt (Pa-Pa's children). We all did, but we knew the four of them were even more affected. My uncle took it so hard. My mom passed out numerous times. The only other time I ever saw her pass out was over 15 years ago when she was having anemia problems. The only way anyone got her to stay alert after the last time was me, my brother, and my Dad's voices telling her that Grandma needed her.

I knelt down and took hold of his hand at some point and stroked his fingers. His hand was still warm. God, I swear that I felt it contract for just a second. That's just wrong to say, but that's what I wanted it to feel like. I cried for a long time. Josh never left my side. When I let go, someone else did the same. More people had shown up by then. My sister-in-law, almost the entire family. I had hold of the doggie and his pillow Grandma had brought from home for him. It still smelled like him. When I went over and grabbed his hand again, it was getting colder. That's when I really knew.

I can't write anymore tonight. Maybe some other time.

thinking

I thought I owed this page another entry. I am not abandoning my blog, as it might have looked like based on my last entry. I just need some time to reflect on everything I and my family have gone through over the past week. As I wrote in a comment below, I can't talk here about everything that has happened yet. I just cannot bear to talk about my PaPa in the past tense for very long without lasting emotional consequences.

I have been out of work since Tuesday. My boss told me she didn't want to see me back at work until I was ready. I work for a really great company; I couldn't ask for better. Some people up there do not know what they have in front of them.

I think I'll sign off for now. I just wanted the people who read this to know that I am not going anywhere; I just need some personal time.

Thanks, everyone.

today

My PaPa (grandpa) has died. I don't know what else to write.

Chinese Toy Recall

BEIJING — The head of a Chinese manufacturer whose lead-tainted Sesame Street toys were the center of a massive U.S. recall has killed himself, a state-run newspaper said Monday.

Cheung Shu-hung, who co-owned Lee Der Industrial Co., committed suicide at a warehouse over the weekend, apparently by hanging himself, the Southern Metropolis Daily reported.

Read more at FoxNews.

This makes me so very sad.

Sir, the world didn't want you to pay for this mistake with your life. No one intentionally does things like buy from someone who uses lead in their paints. Things like that are accidents, and it wasn't your fault.

One of my parents' friends did the same thing once. He was at fault for something and felt that he had no other way out. He then killed himself, leaving his wife and many others wondering why he couldn't have come to them and just told them he was drowning. It's just a shame there are no more chances for either one of them.

On Monday...

To do today:

• Be out of work b/c I'm sick and SO not up to it. DONE!!
• Catch up on laundry (5 loads b/c our dryer was out last week). DONE!!
• Do the dishes. DONE!!
• Dust living room. (update: this may not get done, as the rest has taken a lot more time)
• Catch up on Charmed episodes I've DVRed. DONE!!

Oh yeah, I finished Harry Potter 7 the week before last. I LOVED it, and now I'm looking for other people's opinions of it now that nothing can be spoiled for me.

Hollywood Pigeons Being Put On The Pill

It's about time someone came up with a humane way of treating overpopulation. I don't remember where or when I heard this, but I'd heard people were given permission to shoot "excess" squirrels or pigeons or some animal they believed need to be shot. I guess I should really be in PETA, but I'm not.

LOS ANGELES -- Pigeons living in tinsel town are going on the pill. Hollywood residents believe it's a humane way to reduce the pigeon population and the messes the birds make.
People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals and other animal rights groups approve of the measure.
If you want to read the full article, go here. That way, I am not actually re-publishing the article LOL. Copyright 2007 by The Associated Press.

Looks like someone has a case of the Mondays.

Well, maybe not, but it was a funny enough title.

Aww! I checked my site stats, like I do every once in awhile. I'm so excited that I actually am starting to have return visitors!

I'll update my 101 in 1001 stuff sometime tonight. Not much new to add except pictures & whatnot, which are right here!

Long overdue money in the piggy update: $16.42 (which is now extra $$ for Gatlinburg).




D and I stood in line Friday afternoon during lunch break to get a ticket for the Harry Potter midnight book release that night. For book 6, Josh and I were approximately #1300-something, maybe worse. This time, we were there at the beginning of the ticket-giving-out time, so we were #130! We took his parents out for dinner (late birthday present for his mom) and came home later to meet D, who went with us to Barnes & Noble at about 11PM.

We got there and were surrounded by 1500-2000 people (of course, mainly children). Actually, we couldn't have arrived at a better time. Ten minutes after we walked in, they started telling people where to stand. We were in the 3rd group, and 3 groups at a time got called, so that put us in the first combined group. We were only there until 12:30 this time (compared to 2:30ish for book 6 - horrid!!). I went home and read a chapter before I even went to bed. Ha! Now I'm at page 350 or so.

I also want to read a little before I go to bed, so I'm off. Night!

Puppy Cuteness

(update 8-2-07: Josh and I look at this video almost every day, at least two or three times in a row - we just can't stop!)

This is from gigglesugar.com - I couldn't help myself.



Puppy Whistle - video powered by Metacafe

scared kitties

Our city has an outbreak of Feline Panleukopenia Virus (FPV) - basically feline distemper. Scary thought that my babies might get that. Luckily, they're not outdoor babies, so unless I took them out, they don't have a risk. It's mostly killing kitties who haven't been vaccinated. I got worried b/c I'm taking them in a week & a half to get their yearlies again (what they lovingly refer to as "being poked in the butt"). I am NOT taking them out of their perfectly healthy environment just to get sick. My ex vet-tech friend, though, called up her old boss and asked if there was a risk to vaccinated cats. We're ok!

Sigh... I don't need scares like that. :)

Do you really want these two cuties to get sick for no reason? Note cuteness below.

new pics

Today's Carri pic (#2). I've lovingly named it "Kilroy Carri," from the blurry period. This is what happens when coarse-hair girl gets out of a chlorine pool.

I call this "The Insolent One." Laying on my clean clothes... bad piddy.

"The Tired Hubby"

#79 - IMDBs top 250 movies

Here is a list of the movies I have watched so far. 53/250
I'll just keep updating this post when I watch something new.
Updated 7-16-07

The Godfather (1972)
The Shawshank Redemption (1994)
The Godfather: Part II (1974)
Pulp Fiction (1994)
Schindler's List (1993)
Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)
The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003)
Star Wars (1977)
The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001)
The Usual Suspects (1995)
The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002)
The Silence of the Lambs (1991)
Memento (2000)
American Beauty (1999)
Se7en (1995)
Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind (2004)
Alien (1979)
The Shining (1980)
Reservoir Dogs (1992)
Saving Private Ryan (1998)
Aliens (1986)
Sin City (2005)
Forrest Gump (1994)
Jaws (1975)
Full Metal Jacket (1987)
Batman Begins (2005)
Braveheart (1995)
The Wizard of Oz (1939)
Million Dollar Baby (2004)
Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)
Back to the Future (1985)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989)
Finding Nemo (2003)
The Sixth Sense (1999)
The Green Mile (1999)
Crash (2004/I)
Gladiator (2000)
The Princess Bride (1987)
Die Hard (1988)
Gone with the Wind (1939)
Groundhog Day (1993)
Snatch. (2000)
Twelve Monkeys (1995)
The Exorcist (1973)
A Christmas Story (1983)
Mystic River (2003)
Cinderella Man (2005)
Shrek (2001)
Pirates of the Caribbean: The Curse of the Black Pearl (2003)
The Lion King (1994)
Shaun of the Dead (2004)
Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007)
A Clockwork Orange (1971)

Total Loss of Internet

Meanwhile, while I am updating another 101/1001, here is a video.


Breaking News: All Online Data Lost After Internet Crash

#1/#36

So far, I have seen 16 of AFI's best 100 movies. They are as follows:
The Godfather
Gone with the Wind
The Wizard of Oz
Schindler's List
Star Wars
ET
The Godfather Part II
West Side Story
Jaws
Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs
The Sound of Music
Fantasia
The Silence of the Lambs
Forrest Gump
Rocky
Pulp Fiction

Next up is the creep-me-out "A Clockwork Orange" and Amadeus, the story of Mozart. I am thinking about getting a Netflix or Blockbuster online account. Then I can just have these titles automatically sent to me. LOL. This is going to be a fun task.

Oh, before I forget, here is my #36 for the day (a pic of myself everyday). It really helps if one grooms oneself before snapping said pic. However, I am being "real" and taking pictures on an as-is basis. So there.

101 in 1001

Here it is - my 101 things to accomplish in 1001 days list! This was actually an easy list to make. I thought it would take forever, but it really didn't. Here is the main page for other peoples' lists as well. 101 in 1001

My start date is 7-15-2007 at 1:07:00 AM.
My goal date is 4-11-2010 at 1:07:00 AM.



1> Watch American Film Institute's 100 Years...100 Movies. (17/100)
2> Read the entire Bible.
3> Read Shakespeare's complete works.
4> Light a candle every day for 100 days. (1/100)
5> Put together scrapbooks of our wedding, the kitties, and my family.
6> Work up to 100 pushups.
7> Work up to 100 situps.
8> Reach my goal weight of 140.
9> Have our own house.
10> Have children.
11> Run a mile.
12> Color an entire coloring book.
13> Recite the Greek alphabet from memory.
14> Learn elementary Latin.
15> Learn elementary Gaelic.
16> Take a photography class.
17> Learn a new instrument.
18> Take my older niece out for girlie time once every 3 months.
19> Send a care package to a soldier.
20> Get a passport.
21> Contribute to a savings account every paycheck... indefinitely.
22> Submit an entry to PostSecret.
23> Go to RenFaire.
23> Go to Medieval Times.
24> See another Broadway show.
25> Do something nice for a stranger.
26> Volunteer in Habitat for Humanity.
27> Help someone in need.
28> Grow a plant that actually blooms more than once.
29> Watch a sunrise and a sunset.
30> Learn 25 new meals and cook them all at least once for hubby.
31> Eat 20 new healthy things I have never tried before. Stick with five of them.
32> Work up to 40 minutes a day on my elliptical trainer.
33> Learn a new word every week and use it three times in everyday language.
34> Host a real get-together for my friends (not just a candle party).
35> Learn how to use Photoshop.
36> Take a photo of myself every day of the 1001 days.
37> Write a haiku.
38> Go to sleep on time or earlier for 1 month; track results.
39> Give up a junk food.
40> Entertain in a retirement home.
41> Stop swearing.
42> Read 10 banned books.
43> Finish my Sudoku book and the Sudokus in my Nintendo DS.
44> Backup my important files on my computer.
45> Find time to go camping with hubby. Go camping.
46> Create a property will and a living will.
47> Buy our burial plots.
48> Attend a poetry reading.
49> Pay off my car and finally own something.
50> Really clean out my closet and donate everything I clean out to local battered women's shelter.
51> Give 20 undiscovered bands a listening chance.
52> Grow a small herb garden; keep alive until I have harvested something I can use in the kitchen.
53> Have one of those western pics taken with hubby.
54> Take a picture of something different every day for a month, twice. Review.
55> Volunteer at an Animal Shelter with hubby.
56> Dress up as something horribly scary for Halloween.
57> Spend 10 minutes in silence each day for a month.
58> Read all books we currently own.
59> Foster a rescued animal.
60> Have a picnic 5 times with hubby.
61> Say yes to something I would normally reject.
62> Go to an IMAX theater and not get sick.
63> Drink only water for 3 months.
64> Have flowers delivered to my Mom for no reason.
65> Dig for fossils.
66> Drop money where only a child can get it.
67> Have my teeth whitened.
68> Put together my Disney puzzle.
69> Read/reread all 7 Harry Potter books.
70> Do something crafty that requires mosaic stone.
71> Make a blanket from my old marching band/college t-shirts.
72> Get certified in Adult & child CPR.
73> Buy a lottery ticket.
74> Watch 10 movies I don't want to watch.
75> Choose an affirmation and say it each day for a month, changing every month for 6 months. Continue if it makes me happy.
76> Stop twirling my hair with my right hand.
77> Read the 100 Best Novels.
78> Beat hubby at chess 5 times in a row.
79> See all of the IMDB's Top 250 movies I haven’t seen yet (53/250).
80> Send 25 e-cards.
81> Send snail mail birthday cards to all of my family members.
82> Donate platelets 15 times.
83> Have BBQ at 10 new places (list to follow!)
84> See 'Shakespeare in the Park' in Cleveland Park.
85> Attend Main Street Jazz next year.
86> Learn how to play Flight of the Bumblebee on my piccolo.
87> Have professional photos taken with hubby.
88> Get my name fixed on my SS card.
89> Attend a first time home buyer's class.
90> Pay off NordicTrack.
91> Increase 401k contributions by 2% every time I get a raise (constant).
92> Go to a play with hubby.
93> Complete Christmas shopping early every year. (0/3)
94> Watch all the DVDs we own.
95> Visit Crissa's grave once every few months and on Memorial Days.
96> Attend Greenville Symphony performance.
97> Go without fast food for a month.
98> Clean out storage room.
99> Learn to recognize 10 constellations. (1/10)
100> Do my Mindleaders course at work for 30 minutes every week (starting in two weeks when it's available again).
101> Make a new list!

At the end of my 101 things, I will donate $2 to an animal rescue charity for every completed task, $1 for each failed task, and start my new list of 101 things in 1,001 days! This will be re-posted with updates once a month.

Latest Dentist Trip

Y'all, I have to tell you about my latest trip to the dentist on 7-9.

As one who consistently reads my blog, you'll know that I have had a helluva time with fixing a dental issue that another dentist created. Therefore, you've read a lot about my dental history. This is just another tick-mark in that plane of my existence.

So, I go for a regular six month appointment, which I had to cancel once before since I didn't have any time off left at work. I'm finally in the chair, relaxing with the chair massager. I love this dentist. He makes it so comfortable for his patients. His philosophy is basically that I'm not paying him to make me uncomfortable.

Based on that theory and the fact that I have really temperature-sensitive teeth, I am able to use happy gas (nitrous oxide, if I remember correctly) during cleanings since the water is cold and I have to keep my mouth open so long. This time, though, I seriously hallucinated. I swear I thought I was somewhere else. All drug-high descriptives aside, let's just say I was happy on the happy gas. Then I felt sick. I don't know what was so different about that time than any other, but I came out of it and that was it for the gas. I was queasy for the rest of the day. At least I didn't have to go back to work; I was off for the day.

101 in 1001 update: I have finished my list, and will be starting it as soon as I post it and find a good countdown ticker. I really think it's doable. Yay - I'm excited!

CRON

I just stumbled upon this. CRON, or Calorie Restriction with Optimal Nutrition.

I've always thought that calorie intake, obviously, is the key to better health and a better body. I think I might give it a shot the way it's described here. I'm not stupid. Proper nutrition means a healthy life. I'd never let myself get to the point where my body is eating muscle to live.

Other links:
Easy CRON
CR Calculator
One person's experience with CRON
Civilization's Exploding Killer Disease
Calorie Restriction
CR Diet
CR Society
Wikipedia Info
4 Corners of Optimal Nutrition
Pure Reflection

Smart 6 year old

Anyone who knows me knows I am very serious about education and the sad lack thereof in some cases. Here is a bright spot in the education universe. Plus, she's such a cutie!

In another video, I watched her recite part of Martin Luther King's famous speech at age three. This girl has a fabulous memory. It's obvious that she not only has a wonderful raw talent, but her parents have really cultivated her mind to its highest potential.

Harry Potter V

I have come to the realization that I like Firefox SO much better than Internet Explorer. Every time I update my page in FF (which is the norm), I have to redo it for IE. Grr... grumble... piss/moan...

We saw Harry Potter five last night - I loved it! A lot was left out, of course, as is the norm. Nothing was skipped that would have meant the demise of the movie for the book readers, but I wish certain things had stayed in. For one, I wish they'd kept in how hard it was for them to get into the Department of Mysteries' prophecy room. All they did was walk in and it looked it it was just right there with an open door, inviting all to join. I mean, if it'd been that easy, why wouldn't Voldemort have just walked right in and gotten his own dang prophecy? I loved the twin's exit scene. Very well done. Plus, the soundtrack was, as always, spectacular.

The movie was 138 minutes long, but it felt shorter than that. I guess that's a testament as to how easily it flowed into the storyline. Apparently, it's breaking some records for yesterday's opening day... making something like $44.8 million just yesterday. $12 million alone came from the midnight showing. Good Lord, JK Rowling's richer. $27 richer from my wallet alone as demonstrated below.

Parents, y'all need to know this!

Here are some online acronyms parents really need to learn. this is how kids get away with talking about things they know you don't like. Examples are PAW, or parents are watching; LMIRL, or let's meet in real life; and ADR/addy, or address.

Go to: http://www.netlingo.com/top20teens.cfm to get the whole list.

And here I thought LMFAO was risque'. I guess that was an EBKAC on my part.

Living Tips

Like everyone else, I get these random forwards at work and home. Most of them are crap, as in misleading, fake, etc. This one, I liked.

• Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.
• Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, their conversational skills will be as important as any other.
• Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have or sleep all you want.
• When you say, 'I love you,' mean it.
• When you say, 'I'm sorry,' look the person in the eye.
• Be engaged at least six months before you get married.
• Believe in love at first sight.
• Never laugh at anyone's dream. People who don't have dreams don't have much.
• Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.
• In disagreements, fight fairly. No name calling.
• Don't judge people by their relatives.
• Talk slowly but think quickly.
• When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, 'Why do you want to know?'
• Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.
• Say 'God bless you' when you hear someone sneeze.
• When you lose, don't lose the lesson.
• Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; and responsibility for all your actions.
• Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.
• When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.
• Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.
• Spend some time alone.

For some reason, I like these things

Yeah - I stole a personality quiz again... this time from It ain't safe NOWHERE!. Being fellow "The Color Purple" fans (this will also slowly start to give away my future girl chillun's name if you catch my hint), I appreciate this woman's humor.

1. How tall are you barefoot? 5'4 1/4" (have to count the 1/4, you know)

2. Have you ever flown first-class? No

3. Your favorite books when you were a child? Charlotte's Web, The Giving Tree, Where the Wild Things Are, Where the Sidewalk Ends

4. Good restaurants in your city? Fatz Cafe', California Dreaming, Outback, Zaxby's (yeah, well, that one is semi-fast food, but it's only in the south)

5. What is your favorite small appliance? toaster oven, there isn't much I can't bake in there. Oh, and my ice shaver, of course!!

6. One person that never fails to make you laugh? My husband

7. What’s your favorite Christmas song? O Holy Night

8. What was the first music that you ever bought? Madonna cassette tape

9. Do you do push-ups? No - ow.

10. What were some of your favorite board games as a child? CandyLand, Connect Four, Monopoly, Checkers

11.What is the one thing that you cook that always receives compliments? My "cocaine brownies" as my co-workers put it, and my lemon pie

12. When you were twelve years old, what did you want to be when you grew up? I wanted to be an astronaut. Then I turned 13 and wanted to be a band director.

13. Your favorite Soup of the Day? Loaded Baked Potato from California Dreaming

14. What in your life are you most grateful for? My health, my husband, my entire family, my kitties

15. Have you ever met someone famous? Drake Hogestyn from Days of our Lives, entire Atlanta Falcons team a few years ago (they had football camp at the college nearby and they all came bowling at one time. I was around Michael Vick most of the time. They have some serious appetites!!)

16. Date Of Birth? 10-23-1976

17. Top 3 thoughts at this exact moment: 1) I hope we get a house soon. 2)I love my DVR. 3)I love my hubby.

Why is there no 18?

19. Name five drinks you regularly drink: Water, Sprite, Slushies, Strawberry Smoothie from Liquid Highway, Countrytime Lemonade

20. From what news source do you receive the bulk of your news? wyff4.com, fowxnews.com, courttv.com

21. Current hair? same as I've always had - auburn, almost shoulder-length

22. Current worry? getting a house, losing weight, going to the dermatologist to have two moles looked at (dang red-head non-tanning curse, we just burn, freckle, and get scary skin tests)

23. Current hate? I know it sounds cliche, but I really don't hate anything. Things get on my nerves and I feel like I could ring some necks (especially at work lately LOL), but I'm overall content.

24. Favorite place to be? geographically, I guess it would be Virginia Beach

25. Least favorite place to be? in traffic, or on any busy road (Woodruff, Pelham, Pleasantburg right in front of Pecknel Music), I REALLY need to control my anger on the road. I'm not a rager, and I would never cause problems, but dang, do I ever internalize it.

26. Do you consider yourself well organized? organized chaos LOL, although I am working on the chaos part!

27. Do you believe in a afterlife? yes

28. Where do you think you will be in 10 Yrs? watching my nieces continue with school, playing with my own future children, enjoying a 13th year of marriage

29. Do you burn or tan? burn, big time.

No 30 either?

31. Are you more optimistic or pessimistic about the future? Optimistic

32. Last time you had an alcoholic drink? a month or so ago. can't remember exactly when. i make the best frozen midori sours. :)

33. What songs do you sing in the shower? yakkity yak

34. What did you fear was going to get you at night as a kid? whatever was in the closet, cows

35. What’s in your pockets right now? nothing at all

36. Last thing that made you laugh? my hubby

37. Best bed sheets you had as a child? My little pony

38. Worst injury you’ve ever had? an ankle sprain or two, never broken a bone in my life!

39. Favorite song? SO many. I'll make a separate list for this later!

40. How many TVs do you own? 2

41. In the last calendar year, how many people have you told that you love them? Not sure - I have a BIG family!

42. Last thing that made you blush? When I overheard my PaPa tell my MomMom that I have a natural beauty.

43. Best Compliment received? when my hubby told me I made him want to be a better person.

44. What song is in your head? Theme song from Charmed; that's what I'm watching right now.

45. What is your favorite book? Harry Potter series right now.

46. Last meal you cooked for the opposite sex? can't remember, we've gone out a lot recently!

47. What songs do you want played at your wedding? Been there! Just wanted classical music. We didn't have a DJ, so I made a compilation of all of my favorite appropriate songs to play at the reception.

48. What song do you want played at your funeral? Not sure. Haven't really given that much thought. Is that mandatory?

49. What were you doing at 12 midnight last night? surfing the internet (I love firefox)

50. What would you like to accomplish with the remaining years of your life? Actually, this requires another list as well. See a future post called 101 in 1001 for details.

Dog's Prayer

I found this on Everything Eli and thought it was appropriate for my past few posts.

A Dog's Prayer

When I am gone, release me, let me go-
I have so many things to see and do.
You must not tie yourself to me with tears,
Be happy that we had so many years.
I gave you my love, you can only guess
How much you gave me in happiness.
I thank you for the love you have each shown.
But now it is time I traveled alone.
So grieve awhile for me if grieve you must,
Then let your grief be comforted by trust,
It is only for a while that we must part,
So bless the memories within your heart,
I will not be far away, for life goes on,
So if you need me, call and I will come.
Though you can not see or touch me, I will be near.
And if you listen with your heart, you will hear
All my love around you soft and clear.
And then, when you must come this way alone,
I will greet you with a smile and "Welcome Home".

quiz 11

100%The Movie Quiz

FilmCritic.com - Movie Reviews

quiz 10

You Passed the US Citizenship Test

Congratulations - you got 8 out of 10 correct!

Could You Pass the US Citizenship Test?

Doggies/Family get-together

New update on the doggie situation: We went with D to have the big boy put to sleep. I'll tell you, I've never done anything like that before. If you haven't witnessed euthanasia, know that I am not kidding about the 'going to sleep' part. He really just laid his head down and fell asleep. Soon after, you could tell he was gone. We all just cried. Even the vet was misty-eyed. he was the one who saved his life over a year ago as a stray. Eventually, I noticed he wasn't breathing anymore. Honestly, I hope I go like that... so very peaceful.

When the veterinarian was putting in his IV, I began to wonder if it was really the right thing... ending a life before God takes it. I couldn't have done it (the doctor's part, I mean. I don't want to think of any of my pets in that situation right now). I knew right there that I could never have become a vet or a vet tech. D was very brave; she kissed him goodbye (we all did, actually), and told him 'bye, baby.'

He was going to be buried in her backyard, but at the last minute, one of the other girls decided to pay for the cremation. Another girl and I are going in 1/3 as well.

We had a family 4th of July pool party at my brother's house yesterday. It's the first time I've been in a pool in over a year - I'm so pale! I've decided that even if I am overweight, I am getting in the apartment pool so I can get a little bit of a tan. At least enough so that I won't glow on my own.

I got to hold my 11 month old niece in the pool. She's so cute! I love her tiny pot belly!

time off

I have been sick for the entire past weekend. I stayed out of work yesterday, and to tell the truth, I felt like doing so again today. Luckily, I was already getting off at 3 today, so I stuck with that. Plus, my work was WAY behind when I got in today.

Today I am getting off early to help my friend with her dog. She is putting him to sleep today. He's such an old man; he can't get up by himself, has arthritis, and is in constant pain. As of now, she's agreed that she is only keeping him alive for her, not for him, and has made the decision to put him down. I didn't want her to be by herself, so I am going with her. Josh and his BF are coming over later to dig a place in her backyard, his favorite spot, under the azaleas. He's such a sweet doggie, and he will be missed. I took some really good pics of him and her last night; I'll post them after I crop them and send to her.

Tomorrow, we have a pool party at my brother's house. The WHOLE family is invited, from grandparents down to 2nd cousins. This is going to be our normal holiday crowd, though, just somewhere different. Their poor black lab, Ben, isn't going to know what to do with so many people there! Hopefully, fireworks and much carefree abandon will ensue.

Ducks!

Anyone who knows me knows that I am a fan of rubber duckies, so when this story came out, I was thrilled to hear about it. I love that there are thousands of ducks floating in the currents around the world!

Long-Lost Rubber Duckies Head for British Beaches (found at http://www.foxnews.com /story/0,2933,287759,00.html)
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
By Simon de Bruxelles

A flotilla of rubber duckies, washed overboard from a container ship in the North Pacific in 1992, is about to invade Britain, according to an American oceanographer.

For the past 15 years Curtis Ebbesmeyer has been tracking nearly 30,000 Chinese-made plastic bath toys — yellow ducks, green frogs, blue turtles and red beavers — that were released into the Pacific Ocean when a container was washed off a cargo ship during a storm.

Some of the bath toys, marketed in the U.S. as "Friendly Floatees," are expected to reach Britain after a journey of nearly 17,000 miles, having crossed the Arctic Ocean frozen into pack ice, bobbed the length of Greenland and been carried down the eastern seaboard of the United States.

Ebbesmeyer, who is based in Seattle, said yesterday that those that had not been trapped in circulating currents in the North Pacific, crushed by icebergs or blown ashore in Japan were bobbing across the Atlantic on the Gulf Stream.

Any beachcomber who finds one of the ducks or their kin will be able to claim a $100 reward from the toys' American distributor, The First Years Inc.

The ducks began life in a Chinese factory and were being shipped to the U.S. from Hong Kong when three 40-foot containers fell into the Pacific during a storm on Jan. 29, 1992.

Two-thirds of them floated south through the tropics, landing months later on the shores of Indonesia, Australia and South America.

But 10,000 headed north and by the end of the year were off Alaska and heading back westwards.

It took three years for the Friendly Floatees to circle counterclockwise east to Japan, past the original drop site and then back to Alaska on a current known as the North Pacific Gyre before continuing north towards the Arctic.

Many were stranded as the currents took them through the Bering Strait, which divides Alaska from Russia.

Ebbesmeyer predicted that they would spend years trapped in the Arctic ice, moving at the rate of one mile a day towards the Atlantic.

In 2000, eight years after their journey began, the ducks were reported in the North Atlantic. In 2003, when they were expected to wash up on the American eastern seaboard, The First Years announced the reward offer.

By that point the Floatees had been bleached white by the sun and sea water.

Sightings in the past two years have been scant, but oceanographers believe that their next port of call is southwestern England, southern Ireland and western Scotland.

Simon Boxall, of the National Oceanography Centre in Southampton, England, said that the ducks offered a great opportunity for climate-change research.

"They are a nice tracer for what the currents are doing as they travel around the world, and currents are what determines our climate, and cycles of carbon," he said. "I would ask [vacationers] to keep an eye out, as they might be very few and far between by now. It's a real adventure story and the plastic should last 100 years, so we hope it will continue."

The landfalls have all been logged on a computer model called the Ocean Surface Currents Simulation, which is used to help fisheries and find people lost at sea.

Two children's books have been written about the saga and the ducks have become collector's items, some changing hands for $1,000.

video

This is just funny. This guy plays Bohemian Rhapsody on his hands.





Same guy doing Mario Bros. LOL!!!

Expensive pants? Or not.

Mr. Pearson, paying their court costs serves you right for harrassing these people. You should have learned the valuable lesson of "enough's enough." See below... once again, not my article. Look it up at wyff.com or click the link in the title.

Verdict Reached In $54 Million Pants Lawsuit
Judge Sides With Dry Cleaner

WASHINGTON -- A judge on Monday ruled in favor of a dry cleaner that was sued for $54 million over a missing pair of pants in a case that garnered international attention and renewed calls for litigation reform.

District of Columbia Superior Court Judge Judith Bartnoff ruled that the immigrant owners of Custom Cleaners did not violate the city's Consumer Protection Act by failing to live up to Roy L. Pearson's expectations of the "Satisfaction Guaranteed" sign that was once placed in the store window.

"Plaintiff Roy L. Pearson, Jr. takes nothing from the defendants, and defendants Soo Chung, Jin Nam Chung and Ki Y. Chung are awarded the costs of this action against the plaintiff Roy L. Pearson, Jr.," the ruling read.

Makes you wonder who the sheep are...

This is not my article. See wyff4.com for the article in full.

'Chemical Ali' Sentenced To Hang
Saddam's Cousin Allegedly Used Mustard Gas, Nerve Agents Against Kurds

BAGHDAD, Iraq -- The man who became known as "Chemical Ali" after a 1980s crackdown killed 180,000 Kurds in northern Iraq has been ordered to the gallows by a judge in Baghdad.

Ali Hassan al-Majid is Saddam Hussein's cousin and was head of the Baath Party's Northern Bureau Command. He was accused of using chemical weapons during the campaign against Iraq's Kurds.

Kurds are celebrating Sunday's verdicts by slaughtering sheep.
_______________________________________________

I'm sorry? You get news that someone has to pay for their crimes with their life, and you kill innocent sheep?!? I just don't get it sometimes... What a way to tell the world you're pleased.

Movies

	My Flixster

quote

Here's my favorite marriage quote to date:

Love is being stupid together. -- Paul Valery

game

I've been playing this game for most of the day. Click the link and try it! It's called Antbuster.

amazing!

Amazing new footage of the Loch Ness Monster!


WOW! This Is Amazing - The best video clips are right here

Surprise

I don't think I've said this here yet.

My hubby tricked me into researching my own anniversary present!

We were talking about going back to the place we went for our honeymoon, Gatlinburg, TN. We've been twice (honeymoon, and then June 2005). That's the last time we've been on vacation together. I have been back since then with some colleagues, but I missed him not being there with me. Plus, that's how I destroyed my first iPod. Ha. That's what I get for not taking hubby.

So, he asked me what cabin we stayed in the first time and if it was pet-friendly "if we were to go again". I researched and found a similar cabin from the same company, since I couldn't find the old cabin. He then gave me his credit card and told me to book it! I was so surprised. I was NOT expecting that, because I didn't think we could afford a trip anywhere. Yay! Now that I have good tires, we're set to go already!

Oh, we're taking the babies, too. Provided Lucy doesn't poop in her carrier this time, we'll be great LOL.

Josh is going to to buy his xBox 360 this Friday. Bless his heart. He's wanted one for so long. This has made me realize that we can now afford to have a baby. Now all we need is the house and to pay off three large debts so they won't get in the way later. Woo-hoo!

More to write later. I and a group of colleagues helped another move a houseful of her mother's belongings, and she's taking us out for lunch as a thank you. So sweet!

quote

New Quote:

Be kinder than necessary.
Everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle.
-author unknown to me

quote

I love this quote:

Never let yesterday use up too much of today.
- Will Rogers

weekend

Wow - we've been without internet since the 12th of June. So I'm actually writing this on notepad. I'm going to post it at the appropriate time that I can get on the internet again (probably whenever I can save it to my "baby" drive (ha) and take it to work with me.

Oh, quick note: Cricket, my in-law's doggie, is back. She was only at their neighbor's house, and the neighbor brought her back within ten minutes. All is well in the puppy world.

Today is Father's Day. Well, at least 36 more minutes of it. I got my Dad a Best Buy certificate; which for him, is better than a present. He can pick put his own present out. Since he's a gadget Dad (go-go Gadget office LOL), he usually already has everything I can think of. I got PaPa a big three CD compilation set of Big Bands Classics from WWII era, which he just loved. Mom & Dad got him a scrolling wireless laser mouse (better than mine!), btu I'm not sure he knows what to do with it yet. :)

Oh yeah - I learned something new yesterday. I should have known to ask, but alas, I didn't. We cannot get Direct TV like we thought (at least while we're in this apartment). We are not in the line of sight of the satellite, and our landlord won't let us put a receiver on the roof, so we're screwed, for lack of a better word. So now, we have to call Charter and get cable back, only 6 days after we gave it up. I'm disappointed, and I wish we'd known that could have been a problem, because we wouldn't have given up Charter until we knew for sure we could get satellite. That's our latest luck, though.

Until tomorrow...

Cricket

My in-law's doggie broke loose of my father-in-law's hand and ran away. She's dragging her leash too. Her name is Cricket, and she's a little Welsh-Corgy mix. She's absolutely the sweetest dog I have ever been around. Josh is driving over there to help find her.

Poor baby... I really hope she comes back.

Wow

BAD Day...

I'm screwing up everything around me today. My computer has a virus/trojan (im doing this from work, FYI), my job is overwhelming me, my accounts suck. Well, putting it down on paper makes it not look so bad, but when you're right in the middle of it, it sucks...

Sorry I am not more of a talker today.

Hubble

This shows us just how small we really are on a galactical scale.

Wisdom

I got this from lucidcafe.com

Pearls of Wisdom

"Fourteen Things That It Took Me Over
50 Years To Learn" by Dave Barry

Never, under any circumstances, take a sleeping pill and a laxative on the same night.

If you had to identify, in one word, the reason why the human race has not achieved, and never will achieve, its full potential, that word would be "meetings."

There is a very fine line between "hobby" and "mental illness."

People who want to share their religious views with you almost never want you to share yours with them.

You should not confuse your career with your life.

Nobody cares if you can't dance well. Just get up and dance.

Never lick a steak knife.

The most destructive force in the universe is gossip.

You will never find anybody who can give you a clear and compelling reason why we observe daylight savings time.

You should never say anything to a woman that even remotely suggests that you think she's pregnant unless you can see an actual baby emerging from her at that moment.

There comes a time when you should stop expecting other people to make a big deal about your birthday. That time is age eleven.

The one thing that unites all human beings, regardless of age, gender, religion, economic status or ethnic background, is that, deep down inside, we ALL believe that we are above-average drivers.

A person who is nice to you, but rude to the waiter, is not a nice person. (This is very important. Pay attention. It never fails.)

Your friends love you anyway.

Thought for the day: Never be afraid to try something new. Remember that a lone amateur built the Ark. A large group of professionals built the Titanic.

quiz 7/8/9

You Passed 8th Grade Math

Congratulations, you got 8/10 correct!

Could You Pass 8th Grade Math?

You Are Apple Cider

Smooth and comforting. But downright nasty when cold.

What Part of Fall Are You?

Your Pirate Name Is...

Evil Jimmy Jailbird

What's Your Pirate Name?

quiz 6

Actually, I really am more right-brained, so I've been told. I like this quiz. :)

You Are 40% Left Brained, 60% Right Brained

The left side of your brain controls verbal ability, attention to detail, and reasoning. Left brained people are good at communication and persuading others. If you're left brained, you are likely good at math and logic. Your left brain prefers dogs, reading, and quiet. The right side of your brain is all about creativity and flexibility. Daring and intuitive, right brained people see the world in their unique way. If you're right brained, you likely have a talent for creative writing and art. Your right brain prefers day dreaming, philosophy, and sports.

Are You Right or Left Brained?

Flagpole Sitta

You've got to see this. My favorite lip-sync ever!

Band funding

Here's the official buzz on the school funding I mentioned once before.

GREENVILLE, S.C. -- The Greenville County School Board on Monday approved a $430 million budget for next year.

Trustees voted for the plan that includes additional teachers and school employees to accommodate 1,500 new students and provides raises for existing teachers and staff.

School officials pointed to the fact that the budget does not include a tax increase to make ends meet.

A new state funding system replaces property tax money with funds from an increased state sales tax to pay for school operations.

In addition to new teachers and staff, the budget also includes additional funding for high school bands, district-wide technology upgrades and global positioning systems for school buses.

from WYFF News 4 online @ wyff4.com.

Quiz 5

What have I done? So much more than I'm willing to put on this list. Maybe someday!

(x) Smoked a cigarette
(x) Drank so much you threw up
( ) Crashed a friend's car my car into my friends house
( ) Stolen a car
( ) Hitchhiked
(x) Been in love
(x) Been dumped
(x) Dumped someone
(x) Been laid off/fired
(x) Quit your job
( ) Been in a fist fight...
(x) Had feelings for someone who didn't reciprocate
( ) Been arrested
(x) Gone on a blind date
(x) Lied to a friend
(x) Skipped school (college for me)
( ) Seen someone die
( ) Been to Canada
( ) Been to Mexico
( ) Been to Hawaii
(x) Been on a plane
( ) Been on a train
(x) Been Lost
( ) Been on the opposite side of the country
( ) Gone to Washington, DC
(x) Swam in the ocean
(x) Felt like dying
(x) Cried yourself to sleep
(x) Played cops and robbers
(x) Recently colored with crayons/markers
(x) Sang Karaoke....
(x) Paid for a meal with only coins ....
(x) Done something you told yourself you wouldn't
(x) Made prank phone calls
( ) Laughed until beverage came out of your nose
(x) Laughed till you peed your pants (almost!)
(x) Caught a snowflake on your tongue
( ) Danced in the rain
(x) Written a letter to Santa Claus .
(x) Been kissed under the mistletoe
(x) Watched the sun rise with someone you love
(x) Blown bubbles
( ) Made a bonfire on the beach
( ) Crashed a party
(x) Gone roller-skating at least once
(x) Gone Ice-skating at least once

1. Any nicknames? KiKi, too many others to count, but KiKi's my favorite
2. Mother's Name? Jane
3. What is your favorite drink? Sprite
4. Tattoos? none
5. Body piercing? ears
6. Where's #4? Above #5.
7. Fav. vacation spot: mountains
8. Ever been to Africa ? no
9. Ever steal any traffic signs? no
10. Ever been in a car accident? yes
12. Salad dressing? None - hate it
13. Favorite pie? Million dollar lemon
14. Favorite number? 13
15. Favorite movie? Not sure - too many
16. Favorite holiday? Halloween
17. Favorite food? Chicken Alfredo
18. Favorite day of the week? Saturday
19. Favorite brand of body soap? Irish Spring!
20. Favorite TV shows? Law & Order, House
21. Favorite smell? Fresh cut grass
22. What do you do to relax? Sleep!
23. How do you see yourself in 10 years? w/ 2 kids and a house!
24. Furthest place you will send this message: 5 feet
26. Who will respond the fastest? I've never liked this question...

news

My brother was asked to be a pall-bearer for Crissa. He was so much closer to her than anyone in our family, since he and her father were best friends growing up. I just sat and cried last night when I thought of my baby brother carrying the tiny casket of the little girl we all held in our arms as a baby. It's still just so mind-numbing.


Here is the latest from our local news on Crissa (link available if you click on the title of this post):

The parents of an 11-year-old girl who died after being pulled out of Lake Hartwell on Memorial Day said that their daughter did know how to swim.

The girl’s parents said that Crissa Powell must have panicked when she couldn’t feel the bottom of the lake after she jumped off a dock.

She was under water for about 10 minutes before witnesses were able to locate her and pull her out.

Two medical students performed CPR to keep the girl alive until she could be taken to the hospital, but she was taken off life support on Tuesday evening and died.

Her parents, Crystal and Nye Powell said that they kept a lock of their daughter's hair and a card with her handprints on it.

Crystal Powell said that she was with her daughter when she died.

"They moved her over in the bed a little bit so that I could get in with her and tell her goodbye. I waited there with her for a while," Crystal Powell said.

The Powells also thanked the witnesses who tried to save their daughter.

Crissa Powell was a fifth-grader at Berea Elementary School in Greenville County. She turned 11 earlier this month.

The school announced plans to plant a tree on school grounds in her honor.

Update

Crissa's battle for life has ended.

She was determined to be brain-dead, and her parents made the heart-wrenching decision to pull the plug this afternoon.

Not long after I wrote earlier today, Crissa went to be with the Lord.

Please continue to keep her family in your prayers. They are all completely devastated.

My brother went to see her today. It must have been right before.

It's hard to imagine that the little girl I once held as a baby has passed away before any of us. 11 years is not long enough on this earth.

Note: Pic is of Crissa (in the purple) and her sister a couple of Halloween's ago.

post-weekend

I got my NordicTrack today... in all its fragmented glory. Every possible piece is separate from each other. Wow...this is going to be an ordeal just to put it together. I hope it only needs a Phillips head (just kidding - I do have more tools than that)!

We have our first Furman Lakeside band rehearsal tonight. I'm excited to have a semi-obligatory ensemble to play in during the summer. Don't get me wrong, I love the band I play in year-round. It's just nice to not HAVE to go unless I want to. Concerts in the summer are done in a week, with no further obligation unless you want to do the next one. The year-round concerts require a month or more of rehearsal attendance to be able to play.

Since we were off yesterday, I've been trying to play catch-up again today. I think our sales department is making up for it too LOL.

Oh, I finally bought a little half-gigabyte flash drive for work. I can stop emailing important documents to myself and just save them on that instead. I swear I've heard them called "jump drives" before too. That's what I went looking for when I went shopping. Maybe not!

No new news on Crissa. Things are, thankfully, no worse, but sadly, no better. Please continue to keep praying for her. She needs all she can get.

Prayers needed

A little friend of mine was in an accident today. The whole situation has actually made the news, too.

Our childhood friend's (mine and my brother) oldest daughter (only 11 years young) was rescued from a local lake earlier today. She was climbing up a pier ladder and either jumped or was knocked off. No one is really sure, but she cannot swim, and she's a very obedient little girl, and she wouldn't have done something she wasn't supposed to do. The other girl with her turned for a moment, turned back, and she was gone. She immediately started screaming for help, but she was not found for around 5 or more minutes, only 9 feet from where she fell in.

Some people nearby were nurses-in-training, and performing CPR until EMS arrived. They said she was blue and had so faint a pulse that EMS couldn't even shock her. Brain damage has already been mentioned and partly confirmed. That is, if she even pulls through.

I think of her little face and cannot imagine it being blue. It's almost unreal.

I was ok until I saw her school picture pop up on TV when I turned to the news earlier. Then I just cried.

The last time I saw them all was on Halloween. I even got a cute picture of the girls I had always planned to copy and send over to their mom and dad.

Lauren, my niece, is 11 also. I can't imagine that happening to her.

She's just too young.

Please put Chrissa in your prayers tonight.