Scribblings

Tonight's Debates

So tonight is the big debate between George Bush and John Kerry. Newscasters predict that Bush will win. I wouldn't be surprised because Bush comes across as a friendly, one-of-us and no matter how hard he tries, Kerry comes across cold. There's supposed to be a rule that they won't talk to each other. What kind of debate is that?

I want to watch it because I'd like to hear for myself what the candidates have to say without the usual spin by the media.

President and Mrs. Bush were on The Dr. Phil show yesterday and I found it interesting to watch because the focus was on family and raising children. Frankly, I think Dr. Phil talks too much and the Bushes spent much of the time nodding their heads in agreement. During this interview, I actually liked George Bush and what he had to say. He sounds like he is a good father.

I guess he can't be all bad.

Next week Dr. Phil is interviewing the Kerrys. I wonder how they will come across. I'm interested in that show because the Kerrys have a blended family like us.

Which Random Irish Gaelic Phrase Are you?

Take the quiz: "Which Random Irish Gaelic Phrase Are You? "

Is maith liom bananai
Is maith liom bananai - 'I like bananas.'You're laid-back and you enjoy the simple things in life. Some might say you're a little too laid-back. Just what is it you're smoking, anyway?

3x Thursday:

1.When you listen to music, do you focus on the music or the lyrics? Both? Neither? Why/why not?

The first few times I listen, I focus on the music. The song could have the best lyrics in the world but if I don’t care for the music I’m not going to listen. After I hear a song I like a few times I try to listen for the lyrics mostly so that I can sing along

2. Do you have a particular favorite instrument in which you focus on when you're listening to music? Are you able to pick out a part and concentrate on it?

I can pick an instrument out if I can hear it clearly – like the saxophone in “Baker Street” or the piano in “Piano Man” or “Don’t Let the Sun Go Down On Me”.

3. How important is it to you that band be able to play their instruments well? Why/why not?

If they’re not playing well then I’m wincing every other note. Who wants to listen to that?

Bonus Question for Comments: Would you be a good music critic? Why/why not?

No, I wouldn’t be a good critic because I don’t listen critically to music. I either like it or I don’t.

Thursday Threesome:

::Against All Odds::
Onesome- Against: Is there anything you are vehemently opposed to? Or just something that gets you up on your soapbox?

Well, I am vehemently opposed to abortion. I remember I had a high AFP (alphafetaprotein) level when I was pregnant with Heidi. I repeated the test and it still came back high so the next thing was my doctor wanted me to get an amniocentesis. Most of these AFP tests come back with false positive results BUT if the amnio showed that Heidi had spina bifida or something then we’d be prepared to deal with it. The trouble started when I called for an appointment. The counselor was pushing me to set in within the next couple of weeks which wasn’t convenient for me. She kept pushing though and I finally said, why? So she said because then I would still only be 20 weeks pregnant … and then she paused. Oh. Then I got it. If I wanted an abortion I’d have to have it in a smaller window of time. Well, I told her , I don’t want an abortion. If that wasn’t enough, when we got to Hopkins I had to have some social worker counsel me about the abortion option. It just wasn’t for me and I began to get really resentful that these professionals seemed to be pushing this choice for me. There was no way I was going to do this. My baby was living, “viable” or not, and I would not kill her. It turns out that Heidi is fine. But no matter what, I would have dealt with it. I don’t get on a soapbox about it though.

Twosome- All: Is there something that you have to give all or nothing to?

All or nothing? I don’t think so.

Threesome- Odds: Are you a gambler? What would you bet on and for how much?

I am no gambler. I saw what it did to my Uncle John and my father. They gambled on the ponies and they played cards. One night, my dad had his friends over and they stayed up for an all night session of poker. They were all drinking and my father began throwing blank checks into the pot. My mother was having heart failure. My dad also gambled away most of his $50,000 lump settlement from the Washington Star. Nope, no gambling for me.

Check Out William Shatner

I always want to remember the little things that make me smile. William Shatner played "Captain Kirk" in the series Star Trek in the 1960s. I heard he had a big ego but I thought he was very handsome. Now I realize he's very funny too and how can he be egotistical if he can poke at himself with great humor?

You'd have to be a Trekkie to get some of the humor. He was the spokesman for priceline.com for a long time and this year, he's been "replaced" by Leonard Nimoy, who happened to star with Shatner in the series. Supposedly they had a feud going and the commercials really allude to that well! Also, William Shatner had a singing (?) career for a while and he's written books. And he did this hilarious skit for Saturday Night Live in which he told a bunch of Trekkie fans to "get a life".

This is the latest, the article that brought a big smile to my face: Shatner Punks Town

What does your birth month reveal about you?

Take the quiz: "What does your birth month reveal about you?"

December
Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short tempered. Changing personality. Not egoistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

Midweek Music Meme

What is your lifelong theme song, the music and/or lyrics that defines something about who - and how - you are?

I write about this frequently it seems. My lifelong theme song is “The Greatest Love of All”. The meaning behind the words really got through to me when I was a young adult. When I finally understood the message, I was able to let go of a lot of baggage and I began to cherish myself and to take care of myself. If I didn’t love me and if I couldn’t parent or take care of me, I was going to become lost. I love that song!

Wednesday Matinee:

1. What's your favorite disaster movie?

Titanic

2. What's your favorite John Travolta movie?

It’s a tie between Phenomenon and Michael

3. What do you think of celebrity endorsements for political office?

They have a right to endorse a candidate just like anyone else – i.e. a union local or a newspaper, etc.

Wednesday Whatevers

1. Why does mankind feel the need to claim and posess?

Isn’t this a primal kind of thing? Even animals have dominant males and even animals squabble over possession of a water hole or a hunting area or something

2. Why does the cost of living rise?

The cost of materials and goods keeps going up. The prices of the things we buy goes up as a result of that. And then everything else goes up … except for our salaries

3. After gaining power, what else does one get?

Ulcers and migraines and heart attacks :P

Back to school night

Last night TB, Kristin and I went to Open School Night at the junior high. What an experience!

In the past when I've gone to these things, everyone starts out in the auditorium and listens to a little pep rally and sales pitch from the principal and the President of the PTA (it's called PTO here). After that, we go off to meet the teachers.

Well, the school had a special program planned for us. I think I would have enjoyed it more if it had been less crowded and if it had been shorter. First we heard from the school band. Then the chorus stood up and sang a song. Then came the rah-rahs as teachers and administrators were introduced

As a parent of a new student, I was in the dark regarding the school's past history. I guess there's been some problems there because the principal kept emphasizing that this year things would be different and how much everyone cared about the kids and, most of all, that our kids would be safe.

Everyone also marvelled that they had the biggest turnout of parents in many years. That was good to hear.

Part of the reason we felt pressed for time was because we'd dropped Linda and T at the high school so she could turn in some papers. I saw the schedule for the evening. The program would end at 9, almost an hour longer than we thought. So I suggested to TB that he go get Linda so she and the baby weren't sitting outside the school alone at night. On his way to the car (it was parked in a field and there were NO lights) TB stubbed his toe. He was in a lot of pain so I decided that Kristin and I would skip the last two classes, Art and PE.

That poor toe of TB's. It must have been infected a couple days ago because it began bothering him. It seemed to be an ingrown nail and he tried to remove it. He got most of it but not all and the pain kept him awake most of the night. So he went to the podiatrist and she got him fixed up right. That was the toe he stubbed. It ached all night again. I think the toe is better but he is tired from lack of good sleep.

Tomorrow will be a better day.

Quizzes:
What’s your political view?

Take the quiz: "Whats your political view."

Patriot
This is the best country in the world. Freedom and liberty is a human right.

Tuesday Twosome:

FALL...

1. Two things you love about the FALL:

The colors of the changing leaves and cooler temperatures

2. Two things you dislike about the FALL:

When the leaves are finished changing, they fall and the leaves are bare; Halloween – just don’t like all the candy/gimme-gimminess of it

3. Two things do you want to accomplish in the FALL:

Lose 10 pounds and 2 chapters of a story

4. Do you enjoy the changing of seasons and why:

Actually, I look forward to moderate temperatures. I think I would be very happy with mild temps year round.

5. Two colors that exemplify FALL for you:

Orange and red

Ten on Tuesday:

Ten Favorite Baby Names

Heidi
Kristin
Ashley
Caitlyn
Kirstin
William
Richard
Peter
Michael
Ian/Sean

Tuesday Newsday:

The Democratic and Republican nominees meet three times in 13 days, the first 90-minute forum beginning Thursday at 9 p.m. in Coral Gables, Florida. Their respective running mates, Sen. John Edwards and Vice President Dick Cheney, will debate on October 5 in Cleveland, Ohio.

1. Are you going to watch any, or all, of the debates

Yes, I’m hoping to watch them all

2. Who do you think will win them?

Whoever comes off looking better and sounding more intelligent

3. Do you think they will make a difference in the election?

I sure hope so because I haven’t heard a lot from either candidate about what they plan to do. All I seem to hear is one bashing the other

4. Are there going to be any local debates in your state or area? If so, will you watch, or attend those?

No, I’m going to have enough trouble making sure I watch the presidential debates

No 504 this year?

Today I learned Heidi may not get a 504 plan for this year. Heidi is allergic to everything and feels sick/congested/wheezy most of the time. When we first moved to NJ, we had a great big hassle about Heidi’s absences. We used to get these threatening letters that she might not pass a class because she was out a lot.

One time, the attendance secretary told me that if Heidi was going to be sick so much, I should get a 504 plan for her. I thought she was joking! I’d never heard of such a thing.

In Maryland and on LI, a note from me was always sufficient and Heidi was never penalized for being sick. In NJ, though, the only absences that would be excused where ones accompanied by a doctor’s note. Well, I wasn’t always taking Heidi to the doctor because it was fairly obvious she was having an allergy attack and not some bacterial infection. Here, though, I’d have to get a doctor’s note every single time Heidi wasn’t in school. That might not seem unreasonable but the doctor is like a 30 minute drive and if I ask for the note without the visit I still have to pay $10.

So we got the 504 plan. It meant that if Heidi was absent due to her allergies, I'd just call her in sick according to her 504 plan. She was not penalized in her school work. If she missed more than 5 days, she'd have a home tutor to help her catch up. It was a big relief to all of us because Heidi is frequently totally miserable and on the worst days, she really is very sick (but no temperature).

The secretary was apologetic and explained that they have this problem with all of the kids who had 504s for asthma/allergies. There are new federal regulations and they criteria for need is a lot more rigid and specific. Even with a specific diagnosis and a list of medications, I’d still have to provide a doctor’s note every single time Heidi is out.

Hello? Then what do I need a 504 for? To get Heidi a tutor if she’s out 5 days in a row? I have a feeling I wouldn’t even get that. I think this crack-down in asthma/allergy related 504s are because the budgets to schools are slashed so we can fund Mr. Bush’s project in Iraq.

It pisses me off.

How many .... ?

This was posted on Widownet and I just couldn't resist it.

How many members of the Bush Administration are needed to replace a
lightbulb?

The Answer is TEN:

1. one to deny that a lightbulb needs to be changed.

2. one to attack the patriotism of anyone who says the lightbulb needs to be changed.

3. one to blame Clinton for burning out the lightbulb.

4. one to tell the nations of the world that they are either for
changing the lightbulb, or for Darkness.

5. one to give a billion dollar no-bid contract to Haliburton for the new lightbulb.

6. one to arrange a photograph of Bush, dressed as a janitor, standing on a step ladder under the banner " Lightbulb Change Accomplished".

7. one administration insider to resign and write a book documenting in detail how Bush is literally "in the dark".

8. one to viciously smear #7

9. one surrogate to campaign on TV and at rallies on how George Bush has had a strong light-bulb-changing policy all along.

10. and finally one to confuse Americans about the difference between screwing a lightbulb and screwing the country.

An "Interesting" Day

It started out sort of normally but then events took an interesting turn.

Billy drove us to work and then I drove home. I stopped at Burger King and got sodas for the girls and me.

I sat down to lunch with TB and had a salad ... and I was still hungry.

Kennan came over to visit Tomas.

I took a nap.

Bored yet?

When I woke up, TB told me his mom called. She wanted to stop by to see us. She had TB's brother Jeff & his family with her. While I was sleeping, everyone had run around doing last minute picking up. Kennan left before the other family members arrived. I am sure he wanted to avoid being lynched.

The girls and I originally planned to go to the mall so they could shop a little before we picked Billy up. We decided to postpone the shopping until later.

Almost an hour after TB's mom said they'd come over, they arrived and I was feeling weird because I'd have to leave to get Billy soon. I don't know why I'd feel that way, it's just a me thing I guess. Anyway, we all greeted each other and then everyone turned to the baby. Little T was sitting in his saucer, his eyes huge. When everyone began to crowd around him, he got scared and started crying loudly. Poor kid. Linda picked him up and soothed him.

Meanwhile, I showed Kim around the first floor while TB took Jeff and their mother around the other way. Their two girls, Amanda and Amber, are around Heidi & Kristin's ages so I was hoping that the four of them would get together and chat. I had to leave and get Billy.

We got back in time to say goodbye to everyone. It was dinnertime and almost all of us were very hungry.

Then everything went crazy. Linda didn't look well to me and suddenly disappeared to the bathroom. Tomas began screaming. I guess all the excitement was too much for him. He'd also wet his clothes but Heidi didn't know where any of his clean things were. I held him and he'd quiet for a few seconds and then start crying again. Meanwhile, TB is trying to get dinner on the table. Linda came into the living room, looking totally white faced. She went upstairs to get T a change of clothes. And when she came back, she was in such pain she was in tears. T must have sensed it because he really began to get frantic.

Trying to figure out what happened to Linda, calm T, get dinner on the table ... I sure could have used a candy bar. I was awfully tempted to get one later, too, when everything finally calmed down and we went to Blockbuster.

Maybe Linda has the virus too. The pain became tolerable and T quieted and became calm again. I brought him to the table to feed him and he was okay enough to eat. Not long ago, Linda took him upstairs to put him to bed.

Hopefully tomorrow we'll all be muuuuuuch better!

Saturday Six:

1. Who is the last person you took a photograph of?

Little T, the cutie!

2. What decade do you hold the most dear and why?

The 1980s. I was a young adult, freeing myself from the BS of my upbringing. I was happy with who I was for the first time. I was a respected sign language interpreter for the deaf and even mentored some students. I met and married Rich and 2 of our 3 kids were born in the 1980s.

3. Take the quiz: What mystical creature are you?

You're like an angel. As everyone knows, angels
dwell in heaven. They were desribed as shining
ones wearing white and the idea that they have
wings is believed as well. Guardian angels are
the ones that many people think are dead loved
ones who try to protect the living friends or
family they have on Earth. They usually had
blonde hair and maybe brown with flawless
appearance and sweet dispositions. They were
cheerful, hopefull, selfless, loving, and kind.
Angels are the one mystical creature that a
majority of people truly believe in. Encounters
with angels are poping up all over the world
and reassuring people's beliefs in angels. (If
you cannot see the picture, go to my userpage
and look near the bottom. There should be the
picture and description for all the results)


What Mystical Creature Are You? (Pictures)
brought to you by Quizilla

4. What is your favorite alcoholic beverage?

It used to be pina coladas. I haven’t had one in like 20 years

5. What do you normally wear to bed?

A nightgown

6. READER'S CHOICE QUESTION #24 from Cherie: What movie character do you most identify with?

There was a made-for-TV movie in 1985, and it was called Love is Never Silent. I most identified with the heroine, Margaret Ryder, because she had deaf parents too. We had almost all the same issues of growing up with deaf parents.

Meeting of the Minds:

WHY DO YOU LIVE WHERE YOU LIVE? WHERE WOULD YOU RATHER MAKE YOUR HOME? WHAT WOULD MAKE YOU MOVE TO THIS OTHER LOCATION?

I live where I live because this is where TB is. I would live where ever he does. I would prefer it if we could be a lot closer to the shore so I could go to the beach often. What would make me move to the shore? The kids grow up, finish school, start making their way and TB retires. Then we could be free to buy a small condo or house.

Left Brained or Right Brained?

What Kind of Duck Are You?

My Memes

3X Thursday:

1.Do you remember your first crush? Who was it on? Did anything ever come of it?

I used to get crushes on movie starts but my first real crush was on my 8th grade geography teacher. He was young, handsome, funny and everyone was in love with him. I’d just sit there and stare at him sometimes. Nothing came of it, of course, because I was 13 and he was 26, married, and father of a young daughter. It was a very fun year for me, though.

2. What do you do when you like someone (or have a crush on them)? Do you say something, or do you just keep your mouth shut?

When? Back then, I’d worship from afar and pretend to intensely dislike my crush. As an adult, when I liked someone I wouldn’t exactly come out and say it. There are ways to let guys know you are interested. It’s all in the body language!

3. Do you have a crush on anybody now? If so, do they know about it?

No more crushes. I am happy in love with TB.

Bonus Question for Comments: What's your favorite sappy song?

“Honey” by Bobby Goldsboro. Oh it is sooooo sickeningly sweet!

Thursday Challenge:

Theme: imaginative

Now, Kristin didn't cut her hair alone. We went to the Hair Cuttery and she explained what she wanted to the stylist. The most creative piece I've found is the "ear tails". The stylist never heard of it and neither did I. Anyway, it was a totally different and unusual look...it was cool.

Thursday Threesome:

::Crockpot Marmalade Chicken::

Onesome: Crockpot-- Hey, Winter is just around the corner! Does that mean crockpot meals for you? ...and how about the students: When you get home for the holidays will Mom have had something simmering all day?

I love crockpot meals and can make them winter or summer. They are easy to make and delicious to eat! My favorites: chili, chicken cacciatore, eye round roast and veggies, pea soup and many other favorites!

Twosome: Marmalade-- Chunk style or creamy? Do you even do jams, jellies and peanut butters with bits and pieces in them? ...or is that something you like have stocked on the shelves?

Oh I love my chunky peanut butter and jams, the chunkier the better! Next to candy, it’s my biggest downfall!

Threesome: Chicken--pot pies? Do you love 'em or hate 'em? Simple, -eh? ...and if you love 'em, where do you find good ones? ...or is that even possible ?

There are no good frozen chicken pot pies anywhere anymore. When I was a kid, I loved pot pies. The pie had a top and bottom crust and boy, it was delicious! Nowadays, pot pies have top crusts only, a small bit or two of meat, and just a little more vegetables. Ugh. I’d make my own but it’s just easier to make a stew.

Something Right for a change...

Today, something went right for a change. We were afraid it was going to be a waste of time. Way back in the spring, when the company's workman's comp carrier decided they couldn't help TB anymore, his attorney sent them a letter asking them to reconsider. Dr. Farrell, the wonderful man who'd done the 2 previous operations, felt a 3rd surgery would be beneficial for TB. And we waited a bit but TB was in so much pain we decided to go ahead with the surgery. A couple of weeks ago, TB got a letter from those vampires wanting a second opinion (again) to Dr. Farrell's. So we went today.

That doctor was terrific! He doesn't BS around and doesn't tell the insurance companies what they want to hear. He was surprised that we got sent to him because TB already had the surgery. Well, we explained what happened and he dictated this great letter to the insurance company. He detailed everything he'd been through, talked about his own observations and ended by saying he would have agreed with Dr. Farrell.

Yay!

It doesn't mean we're going to get any financial help any sooner but it was good to have another doctor affirm that what Dr. Farrell did was right and necessary.

Now we wait for someone (the insurance company, workman's comp or social security) to make the next step.

Wednesday Matinee:

1. What's your favorite science fiction movie?

Right now that would be Sky Captain and the world of Tomorrow

2. Star Trek vs Star Wars: who wins?

My sentimental favorite, Star Trek

3. Who's your favorite sci-fi actor?

Harrison Ford

~Robots Will Rule The Earth Bonus~ Who's your favorite robot (android, cyborg, etc)?

I think his name was Sonny, from I, Robot

Wednesday Whatevers

1. Why are stories often exaggerated?

Stories are exaggerated to make them more interesting to read or to listen to. It’s like the book Dr. Seuss wrote about a little boy’s wild experiences on Mulberry Street. Actually, the kid had had an eventless walk that was entirely boring to talk about.
2. What does humor do for us?

I think it makes us healthier. Laughing releases endorphins which make us feel better. Feeling good is definitely healthier than feeling sad or down.

3. Why are social classes made?

Do I know the answer to this? No.

People are wealthy when they have a lot of something of value, like money. They hang together. They don’t associate with people who don’t have much. The poorer people hang around with others like themselves. I guess they have an affinity for each other because they have things in common.

Hippie Chick Name

Life is just a dream?

In Other Words:

What if nothing exists and we're all in somebody's dream? Or what's worse, what if only that fat guy in the third row exists?
 Woody Allen, "Without Feathers"

When I was a teenager, I’d wonder sometimes how our lives came to be and were they real or just a dream? Those thoughts triggered my anxiety attacks. I hadn’t felt that way for a long time but if I’d read that quote right after Rich died, I’d have identified with it right away. I wondered quite a lot if this was really happening or was it just a terrible dream? And if it was happening … was it happening in the twilight zone, I remember a TV series called St. Elsewhere. The show was successful and ran for years. The finale, though, was disturbing. It turned out all the people and everything that happened was the imaginings of an autistic boy looking at a snow globe.

QOTW:

What is one activity you thoroughly enjoy doing that a large percentage of people would probably consider, at the least, trite and boring ?

I enjoy clipping and filing coupons. Sometimes it’s relaxing to stop and do something trite and boring!

Linda began taking her classes this evening. She is working on earning her high school diploma which will open the door for her to even more training. I am so happy for her. She can do a lot of the work from home and just bring her assignments to the school. She can work at her own pace which is best of all.

Meanwhile, Kennan called. Who knows what he's up to or thinking? He didn't call to arrange any visits with Tomas until the very end of last week. Now he wants Linda to bring T over to his house and then he is supposed to drive the baby back. I hate that arrangement. I'll be worrying about the baby the whole time. What about the smoke in the house? What will they do when he starts crying and they can't comfort him?

Tonight Heidi and I gave Tomas a bath. He needed one and we figured that Linda might be too tired by the time she got home. T isn't used to us giving him a bath so I think he got scared. He started screaming and thrashing around. I bathed him real quick and got him out of the water ASAP. I wonder if Kennan's mother would do the same thing?

Yeah I am a worry wart.

A New Poll ...

Tuesday Newsday:

Will women decide this next election? And if so, for whom will they decide? An article on NPR yesterday said that Bush is winning the women's vote, in particular in the conservative swing states like Ohio, where they are coming out in droves to vote for Bush because he is against gay marriage.

A USA Today poll breaks it down thusly and calls it The 'marriage gap':

Bush Kerry Dem Advantage
Married women 54% 41% -13
All women 45% 50% +5%
Unmarried women 35% 60% +25
Marriage gap: +38
Source: gallup Polls from March-August 2004, including a total of 5,757 women who are registered voters,. Margin of error: +/- 2 percentage points.

This again, points to many of the swing states where there are more married than unmarried women. The questions are:
1. Does this surprise you?

Yes it does but I also realize that polls can be interpreted in all sorts of ways and are not necessarily accurate

2. Do you think gay marriage is really the reason, or is something else causing women to lean toward Bush?

I don’t know if gay marriage has anything to do with it. I hope not because there are much more critical issues than that -- like the damn war. Maybe it’s more that the wife is just going along with the husband, which is an equally horrifying thought

3. If you are planning to vote for a 3rd party candidate, does this information have any impact on you at all?

No

Coincidence?

I found this here and just couldn't resist! I wish homeless girl had left a link to where she originally found this. I'm assuming it was written by Bob Morris? Anyway here tis:

Heidi is Sweet 16

We wanted to make it special for her, especially because she's 16 only once. I'd been urging Heidi to tell me how she'd like to celebrate her birthday. We couldn't afford to do a big bash like what happens on Long Island. Here, though, a lot of Heidi's friends had "Sweet 16" sleepovers. I thought she might like that too but she was totally lukewarm about it. Billy gets movie tickets free so we decided on a trip to the movies. I asked her if she wanted to invite a friend. Billy can also get a free ticket for a friend. Heidi thought she'd invite Liz but it didn't work not. Not sure why. Liz stopped by while we were out. She baked Heidi some cookies, very sweet of her!

Heidi was also camera shy today and I guess I understand, but I sure wish I had a picture of her. We got her a sweet 16 balloon and a single rose. She'd wanted a watch, computer games, books, etc etc and we got her a watch and a nice cardigan sweater. Kristin got her some manga books, Japanese comics I think. Linda got her a beautiful unicorn with a light stand. It changes colors!

The kids decided they wanted to see Resident Evil 2 which is something I refuse to look at. TB and I went to see Sky Captain and the World of Tomorrow. That was pretty cool! It was a sort of sci-fi Indiana Jones story. I am really impressed with Jude Law. He has been a terrific actor in every movie I've ever seen him in.

We capped off the evening with pizza and one of those death-by-chocolate birthday cakes.

Billy has to work until 11 this evening and again tomorrow from 7-11 p.m. He is being trained to work in the box office.

So I hope today was special for Heidi.

Weekly Bit

This weeks Bit is about the internet...enjoy!

1. How long have you been online? Not today, but in total, how long have you had your computer?

I’ve had this computer about a year. I’ve had 3 computers previous to this one and have been online on one or the other for around 10 years.

2. Do you have many online friends? Have you ever met any in person or spoken to them over the phone?

I am fortunate enough to have a lot of online friends. I’ve talked to many in person and I’ve met Elfie, Nancy, Dawn, Robin, Cheryl, John, Jenny, and Rho. Some online friends are closer to me than friends I made in the more “conventional” way. My online friends, particularly Elfie, Nancy & Dawn were very supportive after Rich died. I don’t know what I would have done without them and all my other online friends. And the best of these, of course, would be TB. I met him online, we met, we dated and we married. Happy story, happy ending.

3. What are your favorite things to do while online?

I like to read the news, read other people’s journals and just surf. I enjoy writing but I don’t do much of that online.

4. List your favorite websites.

The Memes list

Useless Graphics

KYW Homepage

A Star From Mosul – journal of a 17 year old girl in Iraq

I Speak of Dreams, a little bit of everything

Circle of Friends, a group journal by friends and families

5. Do you know HTML, Javascripts? Do you create your own webpages and graphics?
Do you have any websites?

I know a little html but not javascripts … or at least I don’t think I do. I’ve created my own webpages … sort of. I use templates and I borrow graphics. I do have websites, one for fan fiction and one a memorial website for my late husband Rich. I have journals here and also on diary-x.

6. What do you hate about the internet? What annoys you most about it?

The search engines are a waste of time as far as I’m concerned. I also don’t like that it’s so easy for a kid to get into some serious trouble online.

Unconscious Mutterings:

1. Pointless:: useless

2. Sadistic:: cruel

3. Bunny:: rabbit

4. Betrayal:: stab in the back

5. Oliver:: Twist
   
   
6. Star Wars:: The Force

7. Let it ride:: forget it

8. Ray of light:: sunbeam

9. Tight:: squeeze

10. Gadget:: toy
    

You Are...

You're Betty Grable!


What Classic Pin-Up Are You?
brought to you by Quizilla

In Other Words...

In Other Words:

In times like these, it helps to recall that there have always been times like these.
 Paul Harvey

This is one of my favorite quotes. Everyone goes through cycles of good times followed by bad times. Now, we happen to be in a very stressful, bad time at the moment. I get stressed and sometimes I get depressed but I try to tell myself that we’ll get through this just fine and things will be better again on the other side. This quote encourages me in much the same way “this, too, shall pass” or “that which doesn’t kill us serves to make us stronger.” That may seem surprising to some, but it does help me to know that we are not the only ones who experience times of trouble. It’s just a part of life!

Going skating

There's nothing like skating right along the edge of disaster. TB and I have done this so many times we ought to be old pros at this. Everything always works out one way or another eventually but I have to say I could do without all the agita. The situation isn't great but it hasn't gotten to the danger zone yet. We don't qualify for emergency assistance. We're still waiting for the workman's comp insurance company to realize they've been real jerks and to pay TB for all those weeks where he didn't get anything (except for that ridiculously teeny disability settlement) , still waiting for Social Security to come through for TB -- the hangup is the doctors AND the freakin workman's comp insurance company-- and waiting for Social Security to come through for me. It's got to happen sometime! Meanwhile we just manage to squeeze by for now. The temptation to eat eat eat is very strong! Oh well Just have to keep on plugging, keep on fighting.

Friday Five:

1) If you came upon a time machine, where would you go? Would you alter anything? Why?

If I came upon a time machine, I think I’d turn and go in another direction. Why? If I change something in the past, I might undo my life and I’d not want that changed. If I went to the future I might unwittingly start a terrible war or some other catastrophe.

2) If you managed to capture the Questing Beast, an odd combination of animal forms that is said to know the answers to all questions, what one question would you ask it? Would the answer change anything?

Why can’t we have world peace? Would it change anything – doubtful.

3) You've found yourself a rather obedient genie in a bottle. Make your three wishes. Why, out of everything you could ask for, do these three win out?

I wish we didn’t have to worry about money
I wish there was world peace
I wish that everyone had enough of everything they needed to survive

Why do these three things win out? Because they are what I want

4) Someone presents you with a working voodoo doll. Do you use it? On who, why, and to what purpose?

If I did use it, it would be in a positive way … cure someone from pain or place a love spell on the doll or something

5) Pick a superpower, any superpower. What and why? How would this change your life?

I’d like to fly just for my own enjoyment. Maybe I wouldn’t be afraid to fly if I could just soar around through the air on my own and not be confined to the plane. It’d change my life because of all the wonderful places I could visit!

Friday Fiver:

1. How much TV do you watch?

Counting on my fingers, maybe 3 hours a day most of the time, sometimes 4 or 5

2. What is your favorite type of programming?

I like crime investigation shows or comedies

3. What is your favorite TV show?

Right now it’d be Cold Case

4. Do you watch a TV show from beginning to end, or are you a flipper?

I watch a show from beginning to end

5. Could you give up TV for a month?

I’m sure I could … the internet would be a great substitute!

Weekend Wonderings:

1. Do you think that the RIAA is right in trying to stop the downloading of music for free?

I understand why they are doing it but I disagree with their Gestapo methods

2. What are your thoughts on pirating (music and/or software)?

Well, it all used to be free until RIAA realized a lot of potential profts were disappearing. Now it’s called ‘pirating’ if you download and share music. Since I don’t download music from the Internet my thoughts stop there.

3. If a person is caught pirating (music and/or software) what do you think the punishment (if any) should be?

A fine – I do NOT believe their computers should be destroyed and I don’t think they should be sued for ridiculous sums of money.

It's Thursday Already!

Poor Little T! He has got an ear infection and so he is grumpy and uncomfortable. He's on an antibiotic. It turns out that half the family is sick with whatever this plague is. :yikes:

3X Thursday:

1.Do you remember your first crush? Who was it on? Did anything ever come of it?

The first crush I can remember was on Peter Breck, who played Nick in The Big Valley. Nothing came of it, of course, because I was just a kid and he was my mother’s age, already married, and thousands of miles away. But it was nice to dream!

2. What do you do when you like someone (or have a crush on them)? Do you say something, or do you just keep your mouth shut?

I had this crush on my geography teacher when I was in the 8th grade. I didn’t say anything about it but the other girls and I all hung around him, practically drooling over him.

3. Do you have a crush on anybody now? If so, do they know about it?

No more crushes. I’m in love and he knows who he is. ;)

Bonus Question for Comments: What's your favorite sappy song?

“I Think I Love You” by David Cassidy, I mean, by the Partridge Family heh

Thursday Threesome:

::Girl Scout Cookies::

Onesome: Girl- Girls' (or boys') Night Out- Do you ever just feel the need to drop everything and go hang out with your pals? What do you all do when you go out? Something "wild" like partying at the bar, or something as "mild" as just hanging out at a coffee shop and discussing the latest books you've read? Or do you head over to a pal's house to watch the big game?

I guess I am a loner because I’ve never felt the need to drop everything and go hang out with “pals”. When I was single, I played Rummy-Q regularly with my cousin and friends. After I got married, I was very happy to stay at home with my hubby – Rich first and now TB. I am content messing around on my computer, reading, watching TV and talking to TB.

Twosome: Scout- Were you ever a scout as a kid? Which branch? Did you join willingly or was it something you did because everyone else was or your parents thought it would be "good for you?"

I was never a scout when I was a kid. I think I would have enjoyed it very much. When my kids were old enough, I got them all involved in scouting. I think Billy would still be interested except that Rich and I made him quit when he was in 6th grade because he wasn’t focusing on school work at all. He nearly failed the year. Heidi and Kristin were both in active troops right up to our move to NJ. Now I’ve gotten a note from the teen scout leader about changes in the scouting program so we will go Saturday and check them out.

Threesome: Cookies- What's your favorite kind of cookie? What's the strangest cookie you've ever had or heard of but been too afraid to try? And do you buy Girl Scout cookies? Which ones?

My favorite kind of cookie has to be chocolate chip. I will buy a couple of boxes of Girl Scout cookies to be supportive. Truthfully, though, I think they are overpriced. As for the strangest cookie I’ve ever heard of AND been afraid to try is chocolate chirpie cookies. Check it out, heh heh

Everyone Is Sick

One by one we are falling to a new mysterious plague. Heidi's been sick for over a week. It started as allergies and turned into a sinus infection. Meanwhile, I seem to have picked up a virus. The other day TB wasn't feeling well and today Linda said she didn't feel good. Kristin just came and told me she's got a headache and a sore throat. Poor Little T has been sneezing, coughing, and now is cranky. Guess he's got it too. The only one I haven't heard from is Billy, but then he is still at school. He went to a debate club meeting. Maybe he will be able to escape it all.

Midweek Music Meme

What memory do you have that involves a birthday and music, but not the old standard song “Happy Birthday to You”?

One year I was working in a school system as an interpreter for a deaf kid. The school had an amateur radio station. The teacher in charge was a friend of mine and one day I mentioned I really liked “Baker Street”. The kids played it the morning of my birthday. It was a surprise, so cool!

Wednesday Matinee

1. What's your favorite movie featuring a sport?

Wednesday Whatevers

1. Is fact or fiction more interesting? Why?

I find fiction more interesting because the author can really let go and write about all kinds of things that couldn’t possibly be

2. Would you choose to live with only females or males for the rest of your life? Why?

Well, that would be weird … assuming TB is not around then only females

2. Why do we want what we can't have?

Because they are extra appealing to us when we can’t have them. They’re more exciting, more glamorous, more beautiful, yadda yadda.

Robin Publishes another Email Book!

My two girls have read Robin's stories and they enjoy them very much so I'm planning on getting this book. It's very reasonably priced and it would give Robin's career a real boost!

Subject: [writers-staff] XPOSTED: NEW RELEASE FROM WRITERS EXCHANGE - MID GRADE READER/HORROR
Date: Tue, 14 Sep 2004 23:15:23 +1000
From: Sandy Cummins
Reply-To: writers-staff@writers-exchange.com
Organization: Writers Exchange E-Publishing
To: writers@writers-exchange.com

Writers Exchange is proud to announce Robin Helene Vogel's third book for WEE, and her second Heartstopper Horror:

TITLE: Brad Simpson and the Ghostly Field (A Heartstopper Horror)
Author: Robin Vogel

ISBN: 1 876962 75 5

Book page: Book
Excerpts Page: Excerpts

Talented eleven-year-old actor, Brad Simpson, has just finished making movies with some of the most famous actors in the world, but he's more than ready to settle down with a steady role on "The Pioneers," an exciting new TV show. He and his young castmates are having a great time together. Brad even gets the chance to play baseball, his favorite game, against the cast of another show.

>From day one, however, Brad senses something seriously amiss on the set of "Pioneers"--terrifying visions, threatening ghosts, an accident that nearly costs the entire cast their lives. The director is forced to shut down filming while the kids recuperate, and it begins to look as if the show isn't even going to make it to the small screen--un lessBradandhisscaredbutdeterminedPioneerscastmatesteamuptoplayagameofbaseballagainsttheLosAngelesPioneers,aghostly,doomedbaseballteammadeupoffailedactorsfromthelate19thcentury.Theyneedaningenioussolution--andBradisconfidenthecansatisfybothteamsandkeeptheirshowinproduction.

Will Brad and his castmates solve the mystery of the ghostly field and successfully banish the ghosts from their set?

GENRE: Mid-grade Reader

PRICE: $3.00 (download) $9.95 (CD)

FORMAT: pdf, html, palm, rtf, Microsoft Reader and unencrypted mobipocket (prc) - Available by download and CD

RELEASE DATE: 14 September 2004

--
Sandy Cummins
Writers Exchange E-Publishing

Electronic Books starting at $3.00!

Blah 2

Tuesday Newsday:

In Other Words:

The real art of conversation is not only to say the right thing at the right place but to leave unsaid the wrong thing at the tempting moment.
 Dorothy Nevill

I think the temptation to say the wrong thing at the tempting moment can be strong – especially if you are angry. But to keep everything on a civil level, it’s best to control that urge and keep it light.

Ten on Tuesday:

10 Favorite Computer Programs/Games

In no particular order:

1. Webshots
2. Picasa (another photo management program)
3. Word
4. Excell
5. Windows Media Player
6. WriteCraft 3
7. StoryWeaver 3
8. Yahoo Messenger
9. Internet Explorer
10. Norton Antivirus

Neutron -- You don't take sides, you just sort of
hang out and blend into the crowd. If someone
lets you loose though, you can cause some
serious damage. If you are arround too many
other neutrons you get bored and start to
decay.


What kind of subatomic particle are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

The most famous person...

QOTW:

Who is the most famous person you've met face-to-face?*

I'm not sure who is the most famous. It depends on how many people have heard of:

Jonathan Frid, who played the one and only Barnabas Collins on Dark Shadows almost 40 years ago

Then there is John Karlen, who was also in DS but also had a recurring role in Cagney & Lacy, playing Harv Lacy.

Roger Davis co-starred in Alias Smith & Jones after Pete Duel killed himself. He was in DS too.

Abe Vigoda had a very short role in DS and may be better known for playing Fish in Barney Miller and Fish. He is such a lovely man!

David Selby was popular on Falcon Crest playing the evil but tormented Richard Channing. He was on DS too.

I've also met Marie Wallce, Donna Wandrey, Lara Parker, and Kathryn Lee Scott but I don't think they're well known anywhere except in the DS circles.

You're a girl power mommy! You love to be girly,
but you're no pushover. Your kids are learning
that gender differences don't have to mean
gender inequality. You've taken back pink, and
you don't care who knows it!


What kind of a freaky mother are you?
brought to you by Quizilla

Blah

I feel very out of it today. It's after 4 and I can't think of anything I did except remake the bed. I had intended to sit down and work on some stories and I wonder where the heck the time went and what was I doing anyway? Could be something is wrong with our scale. I feel like I've been starving myself all week, eating much smaller portions. I haven't had a lick of ice cream nor a taste of candy. I've been on the treadmill exercising. I've been recording everything I eat in my online weight watchers diary. My weigh day is Mondays but I thought a little encouragement might be inspiring. I asked TB to see how much I weighed ... and it was the exact same as it was when I started! He had me get off and try again twice -- one time I'd lost 2 lbs and the third try, I'd gained two. So for lunch I ate two cheeseburgers I was so darn mad. And my cravings are worse than ever now.

SCRIBBLINGS

Unconscious Mutterings:

Last Week:
I say … and you think …

1. Reporter:: Chris Albritton

2. Mythology:: legends
   
   
3. Wimbledon::tennis
   
   
4. Civilization:: Greek

5. Punctuation:: period

6. Party Games:: fun

7. Flawless:: perfect

8. Unprecedented:: never done before

9. Curry:: spice

10. Tropical:: storm
    

This Week:

1. Self-esteem:: love of self

2. Migraine:: headache

3. Phoebe:: name
   
   
4. Nervous::anxious
   
   
5. Punctual:: on time

6. Liver damage:: alcohol

7. Legal disclaimer:: don’t sue us

8. Reverend:: pastor

9. Supple:: flexible

10. Binder:: notebook
    

Friday Five:

1. What is the best dessert you've ever had?

It was a marvelously decadent Tall Cake at Applebee’s in Orlando, April, 2002

2. Is there a dessert that just plain grosses you out?

There isn’t one that exists yet!

3. Straight out of the container or with lots of toppings .... tell us how you like your ice cream.

Either way is fine. It depends on what I have access to

4. Cookie dough, brownie mix, cake batter or the finished products?

I like sampling but haven’t done so much of it since I heard of the hazards of eating raw dough. Now I prefer the finished products

5. You've just invented a great new dessert .... what's in it and what is it called?

Cassie’s Calorie Friendly Creation: no fat no sugar chocolate pudding, bananas, strawberries and no fat whipped cream

It sounds sort of blah but it’s actually pretty good

Friday Fiver:

1. When you are getting ready to leave your home, what are three things you always do?

Lock the back door, search for my keys, search for my purse :P

2. What is the most annoying habit that you have?

Procrastination

3. If you could develop a new habit, what would it be?

Non-procrastination

4. Do you participate in any religious rituals?

Daily prayer

5. Describe one custom that is unique to your community or culture:

Well, I don’t know that it’s unique to my community or culture – it’s the “gift of gab” and hospitality … storytelling and otherwise speaking effectively and then it’s making all visitors feel like they’re at home.

9/11 2001

I was at work that morning, trying to access the internet while the deaf person I was interpreting for was taking a typing test. Nothing would load and the teachers were becoming frustrated because many of the students needed to get on the internet. I figured I could wait and I wrote a letter to Rich, who had died in May of that year -- this was a way for me to deal with my grief.

Later in the morning, I tried to access the internet again and could only get yahoo to open ... and once it did all I could do was sit there in stunned horror at the images on the screen. This can’t be happening, I thought over and over, even as the twin towers came crashing down.

I didn't know anyone who died that terrible day. Other coworkers and students did have loved ones in one of the towers. No one could get through on the phones. Everyone was trying to stay brave about it and I began to think about all the new widows and widowers that day. I thought about all the families who'd lost a husband, a wife, a mother, father, brother, sister ... and I couldn't handle the magnitude of it all. For the first time ever, I was grateful that Rich was gone -- and I was terrified. We were at war.

I’d contacted the kids’ schools and learned that the news wasn’t going to be announced because of the fear that it would inspire. I was relieved. The kids didn’t know anything was wrong until they came home and saw it on TV.

Over the next few months, my terror almost diminished entirely but I was left with a smoldering rage I could just barely control. I was angry about a lot of things. Rich was gone and I was alone through all this. Talking to friends and to kids about it all just isn’t the same as talking to someone as close as Rich was to me. I was enraged that I didn’t feel safe anymore. This might have been similar to the way people felt after Pearl Harbor.

I remember when the bombing of Afghanistan began. I remember on Widownet, there were widows from 9/11 that were horrified by it. They said their husbands would not want that done in their names. The message board just about split, with one faction totally in support of war and bombing and the other against it. I used to voice my opinions there but not anymore. I’m tired of all the politics and hatred.

Now, I just mostly feel sad when I think of 9/11 … saddest for the families who lost their loved ones.

Today, some of the radio stations having been playing songs dedicated to what happened on 9/11. I was almost in tears when one station played “Miami 2017” by Billy Joel. It crossed my mind that, in 2017, Tomas & Nikolas might be graduating – and that it could be said about their class that they don’t remember 9/11 at all.

Some of the the song's lyrics really hit a raw nerve with me:

Never Forget

"To a Terrorist," by Stephen Dunn, from Between Angels

For the historical ache, the ache passed down
which finds its circumstance and becomes
the present ache, I offer this poem

without hope, knowing there's nothing,
not even revenge, which alleviates
a life like yours. I offer it as one

might offer his father's ashes
to the wind, a gesture
when there's nothing else to do.

Still, I must say to you:
I hate your good reasons.
I hate the hatefulness that makes you fall

in love with death, your own included.
Perhaps you're hating me now,
I who own my own house

and live in a country so muscular,
so smug, it thinks its terror is meant
only to mean well, and to protect.

Christ turned his singular cheek,
one man's holiness another's absurdity.
Like you, the rest of us obey the sting,

the surge. I'm just speaking out loud
to cancel my silence. Consider it an old impulse,
doomed to become mere words.

The first poet probably spoke to thunder
and, for a while, believed
thunder had an ear and a choice.

God Bless The U.S.A. Words and Music by Lee Greenwood

If tomorrow all the things were gone I’d worked for all my life,
And I had to start again with just my children and my wife.
I’d thank my lucky stars to be living here today,
‘Cause the flag still stands for freedom and they can’t take that away.

And I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

From the lakes of Minnesota, to the hills of Tennessee,
across the plains of Texas, from sea to shining sea,

From Detroit down to Houston and New York to LA,
Well, there’s pride in every American heart,
and it’s time to stand and say:

I’m proud to be an American where at least I know I’m free.
And I won’t forget the men who died, who gave that right to me.
And I’d gladly stand up next to you and defend her still today.
‘Cause there ain’t no doubt I love this land God bless the U.S.A.

Posted by Cassie at 11:02 AM

The Outsider

I answered this as if I was still in high school.

Take the What High School
Stereotype Are You? quiz.

Awwwww...

He's sooooo cuuute! What a sweetie! He is learning so many new things -- he realizes he can go around in his saucer, he can sit up unsupported for longer periods of time, and he can stand (with assistance). He's got the sweetest disposition! What a joy! In a way, I miss Brandon, Ryan & Taylor more because I'm having so much enjoyment of little T.

Wednesday Matinee:

1. Resident Evil vs Dawn Of The Dead: who wins?

Neither … I’ll take Psycho, thanks

2. What's your favorite horror movie?

Does Psycho count?

3. Who's your favorite male actor?

Tom Hanks

~I See Dead Sales Bonus~ What's the last movie you saw in theatres you wish you hadn't seen or regret paying to see?

I would have to go back years because it’s been that long since I saw a real bomb.

Wednesday Whatevers

1. What is the most humane way to kill an animal?

I guess it would be by injection. The animal just goes to sleep.

2. When is it acceptable to ignore someone?

When they are being incredibly rude

3. Why do people ask questions when they know the answer already?

Sometimes it’s to be ‘smart’ (they have an attitude).

Perspective

Well, today was the first day back to school for the kids. Billy is satisfied with his schedule. He is taking a class with a 15 year old kid who self-taught himself at home. He's so advanced that the administrators just skipped him to AP classes. Wow! Heidi and Kristin don't have any classes with their friends from last year. I see it as an opportunity to meet new people but you can't tell that to a kid and expect them to be okay with that.

I had Little T this morning and he was in such a great mood! He has got the sweetest disposition.

Michele is going to be induced on Thursday morning if Nikolas chooses not to make an appearance between now and then. Poor Michele. I know that she's very uncomfortable right now.

Kennan stopped by to visit T and, once again, Linda was busy on the computer. It's working out really well ;) Kennan gets quality time with his baby and not much opportunity to try and manipulate Linda.

The only bad thing about today was that TB accidentally took too much of his pain medicine and was feeling loopy. He thought it was the decongestant and he didn't have his glasses on. Never take medication without checking first to see what it is and it's a terrible idea to take meds without your glasses on! I used to go into my medicine closet in the dark and pull out what I believed to be my evening med. Luckily I've never swallowed anything bad but what happened today has made me swear off that practice. Pills are to be taken with the lights and the glasses on!

Ten on Tuesday:

Ten Things You'd Save if Your House Was on Fire

Assuming TB, Linda, the kids, Tomas, the cats and even that dumb dog are out safely:

1. my photo albums
2. my pictures that are hung up
3. my computer
4. my books
5. my ideas for stories
6. my family history
7. my CDs
8. my DVDs
9. my guitar
10. my rocker!

Tuesday is Newsday:

I'm sick of politics, sick of war, let's do something FUN this week. I saw the headline Viking burial site found in England and wondered when the space probe had gone down there. Of course it wasn't about the space probe but about the ORIGINAL Vikings.

That got me to thinking. Are we losing our perspective on long past events because of how quickly things changed in the 20th Century? And if you don't like that question, then how about, were there any archeological finds in your lifetime that sparked your interest enough to investigate further?

I am busy being mind-boggled with all of the amazing changes in the 20th century. I’m sure that we’re going to have to leave off studying ancient cultures in depth to leave room for all of the events and changes we’ve experienced in the last hundred years! Even the 1960s now seems like ancient history, and that was my growing up years!

In Other Words:

It only takes 20 years for a liberal to become a conservative without changing a single idea.
 Robert Anton Wilson
I am not entirely sure this is true. The radical Jerry Rubin isn’t much like the conservative Rubin. Beyond that, I suppose it’s normal for the views of young people to be opposite of their elders. As they grow older, their children’s views are more like the grandparents. These young people find themselves on opposite sides of the fence with their kids. It’s normal I think.

A Picture of Beauty

Weekly bit:

Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to find an image and post it. Find a photo of something beautiful. Something that really catches your eye. Something inspiring. Post it and write why you chose the photo & how it makes you feel. It can be your own photo, a photo of art...anything you want. If you can't post the photo, post a link to it.

I love pictures of babies and their mothers. Children are our hope for the future. They need to be loved and cared for and raised well. I feel very tender and protective of babies, just as mothers almost always are.

Sigh...

I am having some pretty strong cravings for ice cream or chocolate of some kind. We've been having some kind of dessert just about every night this week ... except tonight. Having a food addiction is really frustrating. I have to fight with it all night and it just sort of stays stuck in my head and won't go away. Once I have cravings like this, nothing like jello or fruit or fruit flavored icies will help. Maybe I need to be hypnotized.

Friday Five:

1. What is your favorite summer activity?

Swimming

2. What was one great thing you did this summer?

We basically hung out at home this year. TB was having surgery and we didn’t have a lot of spending cash.

3. When you were a child, what was your favorite summer activity?

going to the beach

4. What has been your favorite summer vacation?

going to Ocean City, MD

5. Summer goes well into September, but when do you feel like it is over?

Once school starts – that’s the end of summer. When I was younger, I’d watch the Jerry Lewis Muscular Dystrophy telethon. That was the end of the summer for me.

Friday Fiver:

1. What are you looking forward to this fall?

the change of green leaves to bright fall colors

2. What do you regret in the past year?

I not only didn’t lose weight, I gained it!

3. Who was your favorite teacher?

My all-time favorite teacher was Mrs. Cooper. I had her for drama when I was a senior.

4. What was your favorite subject?

Drama and English

5. I've handed you $500 that you must spend new clothing for the fall. Tell us how you'd spend it.

Lots of jeans, sweaters, and blouses. The rest I’d spend on books, I’m sure!

Linda is working part time every day now and so TB and I will be watching Little T until she gets home. We had a good time with the baby this morning. He was in a great mood, laughing and playing and going without a nap. He wasn't the same baby tonight, though, when we were taking Billy to karate. Everyone but TB and Heidi went. TB was trying to fix Kristin's computer and Heidi was trying to finish her Language Arts project. Linda needed some stuff from Acme and Alex and Kristin were going to pick out some fun gory movies for them to watch. Well, we weren't out of Browns Mills before Tomas began crying. Linda thought he sounded tired and he did but he actually wanted a bottle to put him to sleep. Once he had a couple of ounces in him, he was fast asleep for a while. And speaking of babies, Michele may be having hers any day now!

Midweek Music Meme:

What is your favorite song which contains a number somewhere in the title or lyrics?

“Miami 2017” by Billy Joel

Wednesday Matinee:

1. What are your thoughts about Hollywood making money on the life of Jesus?

Wednesday Whatevers

1. Other than identity, do names serve any other purpose?

Hmm…I tried to think of something and all I came up with boiled down to identity. So, do they?

2. How is slang invented?

by kids or other people who want to talk but not be understood by adults or others outside their group

3. Is it better to loved and lost, or not loved and not hurt? Why?

I’d rather have loved and lost. If I never loved anyone who loved me back, I would be so lonely!