Christmas Eve ...

I hope everyone has a joyous holiday! Remember this is the night of our Savior's birth ... Rejoice! My prayer is a happy, healthy, warm, and safe holiday.

MERRY CHRISTMAS

to all and to all a good night!

Sweet Dreams!

The Christmas Story

Visit here for the Christmas Story.

Your Christmas Angel, from ME to You...

Merry Christmas! Check out these: Country Shabby-Country Chic Faith Hill A Country Christmas

Baby, It's cold outside!

Here, in South Carolina, the rain has stopped, the sun is out, and the temperature has DROPPED! Baby, it's COLD outside! December is here ... hope is high. Thanksgiving was a blessing this year, spent with friends as the "unclaimed" couple ... a first for us; however, it was one of the best holidays in the recent past. In fact, I think I am still full with turkey and dressing, smothered in giblet gravy! YUMMY! Now our thoughts will turn to decorating, baking, planning, and blogging for the holidays. Have you started putting up your home decorations? Have you addressed and mailed your Christmas cards? How about the menu? Is your guest list finished? Invitations addressed? Mailed? Have you purchased your Christmas tree? What kind? Or have you moved from natural to silk? This sounds good in theory, saves money in the long run, but our children still say, "The real thing is better!" They love the smell that fills the house. This is a cheat sheet for you. I hope it helps you get organized and on your way to a wonderful holiday celebrating the true meaning of Christmas - the birth of baby Jesus! Have a blessed day. Let me know in comments about your plans for Christmas, OK?

"There's nothing sadder in this world than to awake Christmas morning and not be a child."

~Erma Bombeck (1927-1996), American author and humorist. Find a Christmas quote here.

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Puppies they are a'comin'...

Betsy's Jack Russell Terriers Hannah & Lander are pleased to announce the births have begun! so far ... proud parents of 2 young ladies and counting!

HAPPY "LATE" HALLOWEEN!

I KNOW ... LATE AGAIN!

BLOG ACTION POST DAY 2008

It's here! Blog Action Post Day 2008! The topic this year is POVERTY. Wow, this is a tough one ... especially with the problems in our economy over the last several weeks. It has hit most, if not, ALL Americans where it hurts the most - being able to take care of their families by providing shelter, food, clothing and the necessities for living, the basics. Jobs have been lost, homes have been foreclosed and families displaced, pension depleted, and people are scared! Poverty falls across the board and shows no mercy to race, gender, religion, politics or economics. Persons with a lot of money have "lost it all" and have been placed in the Welfare system of the Federal Government. Some are able to get jobs and pull themselves up and out of "the system". The people in poverty that pull at my heart the most are those that have been in this "hell" for three generations and longer ... whole families - father, mother, children, grandparents, aunts, uncles, nieces and nephews. It some areas the entire family is sharing a bathroom and sleeping in 1 or 2 bedrooms or on the floor, if they are blessed to have a house to live in. Others, are in shelters with their belongings in trash bags, carried from shelter to shelter - no privacy at all. Yet, they manage to get through the day, only to face the same situation when they awake the next day. And then we find poverty in the lowest form and the hardest to help or understand, those living on the streets of ALL towns and cities across our country. Some (a few) choose this life, I think, because it is all they have ever known. Others have been removed from mental health institutions and prisons and left without any means of taking care of themselves - if they even know how! This section will grow as our economy continues to stagnate. Whose responsibility is it to change the conditions of people in our society that fall into this awful category of poverty? EVERYONE ... that is the only way to help to eliminate poverty - the buddy system - every adult becomes the buddy of an adult in poverty. The BUDDY helps in this way ... when shopping for groceries purchase TWO of what they buy, bagged separately and taken to their buddy. Food is the first need to fill. If a person is not hungry, the chances increase that strength and health improve allowing the search for work each day until a job is found. Each BUDDY will check on their buddy each week, offering transportation to health care appointments, job interviews and church. Our country was founded by very strong Christian men and women. Prayer was a daily part of their lives. Church is where you could find them on the Sabbath. What we have forgotten is this is what made us strong as a nation and what kept us strong. Now we have removed prayer from schools, we try to separate church and state, and we ridicule the beliefs held dear by Christians. This MUST be changed, freedom of religion needs to return. No one should be forced to pray, believe, attend, or practice something that is not what they want to do. However, my personal opinion, is one that feels in some cases poverty can be helped by having the strength of prayer and a home church to help person(s) and families. Will we end poverty in a short amount of time? NO! Can we make a difference? YES! Let's start today.

TUESDAY TIDBITS

After the week of bail-outs, buy-outs, and left-outs- it is not clear what tidbits are available... Well, it appears there aren't any! See, if there is music available ... ---------------- Now playing: Aaron Goldberg - OAM's Blues via FoxyTunes Blues seem appropriate, don't they?

Autumn, Yet It Felt Like Summer Today

Today was hot and humid, as if Mother Nature was giving one more day of summer before letting Autumn officially begin. The leaves are changing color. It is such a great time of year. Children are in school and have a renewed focus. College students are back on campus and for most, weekends are spent tailgating at football games. Rivalries abound. This means FALL has arrived! Farmers markets are filled with pumpkins. Late summer and fall vegetables can be found. Craft shows are popping up with items for fall decorating, Thanksgiving themes, and gifts for Christmas! Attending the shows, whether just looking or making purchases it's a nice way to spend a day during the weekend. If craft shows do not excite you, this is the season for yard sales. Plundering through someones stuff is appealing to those looking for hidden treasures and bargains and can be a great adventure. Being the one having the yard sale may not be quite as much fun - choosing what to sell, pricing items, setting up early on a Saturday morning and dealing with the shoppers that come an hour early - no matter how early you open the gate. Everyone should have a great yard sale story to tell - whether a seller or a buyer! So check the ads in the paper, plan your attack, and have fun. Now, if all of the above sounds to exhausting, then fill the car with gas and tour your area enjoying the fall colors. This may be more relaxing, yet may cost more than shopping due to the price of GAS! Oops, SORRY TO BRING THE PRICE OF GAS UP ... maybe choose a good movie, have fresh popped popcorn, put your feet up and enjoy! God bless.

FOR ALL YOU HAVE DONE

Today is the Day the LORD hath made, let us REJOICE and be GLAD in it.

MONDAY TIPS ... success?

Tips this Monday are based on SUCCESS. I am reading SUCCESS, One Day at a Time, by John C. Maxwell and he gives a quote at the beginning of his book.

You will never change your life until you change something you do daily. The secret of your success is found in your daily routine.

When I read this I suddenly felt hopeful. How does the quote make you feel? Mr. Maxwell gives no credit to LUCK or WEALTH in a person's success. As his quote says it is what you do daily, habits formed by you leading to success or failure. He gives seven steps to success. I suggest you practice one each day this week ... learn it, do it, be it ... successful! Step One: Commit to grow daily. Step Two: Strive for lasting improvement. Step Three: Give your best on days you feel good AND days you feel bad. Step Four: Pay first and enjoy greater rewards in the end. Step Five: Go beyond your limits - potential is limitless and untapped. Step Six: Practice time management - lost time is lost, make the most of time. Step Seven: Sacrifice - trade up, not down. Following these steps should help you to improve. I have pledged to give it a try. Next Monday I'll let you know if I feel I have improved and grown in some way. We all have our 'rainbow', let yours remind you of your path to SUCCESS.

HOB ... SOUL FUNCTION ... DELBERT MCCLINTON

Hi, Well, gang, the "old lady" (ME) was invited to a concert at the House of Blues in North Myrtle Beach, SC this past weekend. As it turns out the opening band - SOUL FUNCTION was primed and more than up for getting the crowd in the moment of the music. They did a great job opening for Delbert McClinton. SOUL FUNCTION is a local band based in North Myrtle Beach ... but always excited about gigs in new places. This band brought a full house to "grooving" to their music; up, clapping, singing along and dancing for a solid forty-five minutes! I was there and "got my groove on", too! Needless to say, the crowd was primed for Delbert McClinton. He was good, but it seemed the crowd wanted more of SOUL FUNCTION. It was the best concert I have ever attended ... thanks to my daughter and her SO (significant other) who plays with SOUL FUNCTION, and the Band. Follow SOUL FUNCTION on their MySpace Page ... http://www.myspace.com/soulfunctionmb Next recommendation from my great weekend is a movie - "THE WOMEN' - with a stellar cast: Meg Ryan, Annette Bening, Debra Messing, Bette Midler, Candace Bergen, Jada Pinkett-Smith and the bad one(whose name I forget!). A group of women tied together by family and friendship who stick by one another through life's trials and joys, using a background of humor. I'm not sure this is a date flick, but I KNOW it is a great choice for a good chick flick! Do not miss it! In fact, I may go twice!! http://thewomenthemovie.com/index.html

JohnMcCain.com - McCain-Palin 2008

What do you think about the new commercial? Is this your choice for ELECTION 2008? I am still gaining information to make my choice ... JohnMcCain.com - McCain-Palin 2008

[via FoxyTunes / ]

LifeafterSAHM

THE DAY AFTER ...

Hall & Oates - me & Mrs Jones

[via FoxyTunes / Hall & Oates]

I hope everyone enjoyed the long weekend - I know I did! My 'hunting hubby' did, also! September 1 was opening day for hunting season our area. 'The Boys' worked hard getting the fields ready, putting corn out, repairing - replacing - moving stands around for optimum sighting of the deer. They are up at 4:00 am and on their way to the 'scene' by 4:30ish. It is an all day event on opening day... morning hunt, lunch break for something great cooked by 'one of the boys' and then back to the stands in the afternoon. It was great fun and hard work, but it was enjoyed by all ... even though no one 'bagged' a deer! There will be other days to try again and my 'hunting hubby' will be out there every free morning or afternoon he can work into his schedule. As for me, I'll be plugging away here at "Life after SAHM" writing and sharing with all of you what, how, where, and when wonderful things are happening at our place ...

Enjoy Labor Day

---------------- Now playing: Hall & Oates - Me & Mrs. Jones via FoxyTunes

I DID IT!

Yes, I am now a college graduate with an Associate Degree in Business Administration in Health care Administration. Yea! I am so proud of myself. This has been a dream since I was eighteen years old. My parents could not afford to send me to college, remember, this was before financial aid counselors and government programs for continuing your education! I joined the workforce, married, had a child, divorced, met the love of my life - married, continued to work in health care, had three more daughters, became a stay-at-home-mom and volunteered at the girls' schools, the museum, the library, Junior League, garden club, and at church in the children's department. My life was happy, full filled, and then the youngest left for SCGSAH at 16 and suddenly my "nest" was EMPTY! I tried several things to fill the time - reading, some volunteering, watching a lot of TV and movies, and slowly began to feel VERY sorry for myself. It was time to regroup after a very deep depression that led me to try and end my life, but by the grace of God and my youngest calling for help, my life was spared and it was up to me to decide what I was going to do with this "second chance". I chose to search the Internet for choices to LEARN. I looked at as many choices as possible. I wanted an online program, a degree in the business side of health care and a program that I could finish in a reasonable amount of time ... American Inter Continental University, AIU Online, offered all of my criteria. I made the call and it changed my life! I began in July, 2007 and finished my associate degree on July 13, 2007 - walked across our virtual stage on Saturday, July 26, 2008 at 11:00 AM CST with a smile on my face and a tremendous feeling of pride! Now, I plan to take a short break and return to AIU in November to begin work on by Bachelors degree in Business Administration in Health care Management. If any of my readers are thinking about returning to school, leave a comment and we'll "talk". I love the concept of getting a higher education and I would love to "toot the horn" of my school, AIU. I hope you are not bored with this post - it certainly means a lot to me. :)

Monday ... TIPS

The following is from a friend and Internet buddy, Ann. Enjoy ... and learn new tips! Some you may have seen before but think there are a couple of new ones................ DID YOU KNOW? Peel a banana from the bottom and you won't have to pick the little 'stringy things' off of it. That's how the primates do it. Take your bananas apart when you get home from the store. If you leave them connected at the stem, they ripen faster. Store your opened chunks of cheese in aluminum foil. It will stay fresh much longer and not mold! Peppers with 3 bumps on the bottom are sweeter and better for eating. Peppers with 4 bumps on the bottom are firmer and better for cooking. Add a teaspoon of water when frying ground beef. It will help pull the grease away from the meat while cooking. To really make scrambled eggs or omelets rich add a couple of spoonfuls of sour cream, cream cheese, or heavy cream in and then beat them up. For a cool brownie treat, make brownies as directed. Melt Andes mints in double broiler and pour over warm brownies. Let set for a wonderful minty frosting. Add garlic immediately to a recipe if you want a light taste of garlic and at the end of the recipe if your want a stronger taste of garlic. Leftover snickers bars from Halloween make a delicious dessert. Simply chop them up with the food chopper. Peel, core and slice a few apples. Place them in a baking dish and sprinkle the chopped candy bars over the apples. Bake at 350 for 15 minutes!!! Serve alone or with vanilla ice cream. Yum mm! Reheat Pizza Heat up leftover pizza in a nonstick skillet on top of the stove, set heat to med-low and heat till warm. This keeps the crust crispy. No soggy micro pizza. I saw this on the cooking channel and it really works. Easy Deviled Eggs Put cooked egg yolks in a zip lock bag. Seal, mash till they are all broken up. Add remainder of ingredients, reseal, keep mashing it up mixing thoroughly, cut the tip of the baggy, squeeze mixture into egg. Just throw bag away when done easy clean up. Expanding Frosting When you buy a container of cake frosting from the store, whip it with your mixer for a few minutes. You can double it in size. You get to frost more cake/cupcakes with the same amount. You also eat less sugar and calories per serving. Reheating refrigerated bread To warm biscuits, pancakes, or muffins that were refrigerated, place them in a microwave with a cup of water. The increased moisture will keep the food moist and help it reheat faster. Newspaper weeds away Start putting in your plants, work the nutrients in your soil. Wet newspapers, put layers around the plants overlapping as you go cover with mulch and forget about weeds. Weeds will get through some gardening plastic they will not get through wet newspapers. Broken Glass Use a wet cotton ball or Q-tip to pick up the small shards of glass you can't see easily. No More Mosquitoes Place a dryer sheet in your pocket. It will keep the mosquitoes away. Squirrel Away! To keep squirrels from eating your plants, sprinkle your plants with cayenne pepper. The cayenne pepper doesn't hurt the plant and the squirrels won't come near it. Flexible vacuum To get something out of a heat register or under the fridge add an empty paper towel roll or empty gift wrap roll to your vacuum. It can be bent or flattened to get in narrow openings. Reducing Static Cling Pin a small safety pin to the seam of your slip and you will not have a clingy skirt or dress. Same thing works with slacks that cling when wearing panty hose. Place pin in seam of slacks and .. ta da! ... static is gone. Measuring Cups Before you pour sticky substances into a measuring cup, fill with hot water. Dump out the hot water, but don't dry cup. Next, add your ingredient, such as peanut butter, and watch how easily it comes right out. Foggy Windshield? Hate foggy windshields? Buy a chalkboard eraser and keep it in the glove box of your car . When the window s fog, rub with the eraser! Works better than a cloth! Reopening envelope If you seal an envelope and then realize you forgot to include something inside, just place your sealed envelope in the freezer for an hour or two. Viola! It unseals easily. Conditioner Use your hair conditioner to shave your legs. It's cheaper than shaving cream and leaves your legs really smooth. It's also a great way to use up the conditioner you bought but didn't like when you tried it in your hair. Goodbye Fruit Flies To get rid of pesky fruit flies, take a small glass, fill it 1/2' with Apple Cider Vinegar and 2 drops of dish washing liquid; mix well. You will find those flies drawn to the cup and gone forever! Get Rid of Ants Put small piles of cornmeal where you see ants. They eat it, take it 'home,' can't digest it so it kills them. It may take a week or so, especially if it rains, but it works and you don't have the worry about pets or small children being harmed! INFO ABOUT CLOTHES DRYERS The heating unit went out on my dryer! The gentleman that fixes things around the house for us told us that he wanted to show us something and he went over to the dryer and pulled out the lint filter. It was clean. (I always clean the lint from the filter after every load clothes.) He told us that he wanted to show us something; he took the filter over to the sink and ran hot water over it. The lint filter is made of a mesh material .. I'm sure you know what your dryer's lint filter looks like. Well .. the hot water just sat on top of the mesh! It didn't go through it at all! He told us that dryer sheets cause a film over that mesh that's what burns out the heating unit. You can't SEE the film, but it's there. It's what is in the dryer sheets to make your clothes soft and static free ... that nice fragrance too. You know how they can feel waxy when you take them out of the box .. well this stuff builds up on your clothes and on your lint screen. This is also what causes dryer units to potentially burn your house down with it! He said the best way to keep your dryer working for a very long time (and to keep your electric bill lower) is to take that filter out and wash it with hot soapy water and an old toothbrush (or other brush) at l east e very six months. He said that makes the life of the dryer at least twice as long! How about that!?! Learn something new everyday! I certainly didn't know dryer sheets would do that. So, I thought I'd share! Note: I went to my dryer and tested my screen by running water on it. The water ran through a little bit but mostly collected all the water in the mesh screen. I washed it with warm soapy water and a nylon brush and I had it done in 30 seconds. Then when I rinsed it ... the water ran right thru the screen! There wasn't any puddling at all! That repairman knew what he was talking about! Thanks again to Ann for sharing!

HAPPY FOURTH OF JULY!

Blogs... Love em? or Leave em?

Writing for a site that is experiencing problems can be a real test to whether you enjoy the responsibility of writing. For over a month almost every attempt to post failed. It is frustrating, it wastes time, and your readers do not know what has happened to your blog. Is it still current? Has the URL changed? They only know - the writing stopped and there is nothing new to read. The company is experiencing growing pains while changing servers, updating systems, and installling new software ... not an easy task for the best-of-um. The turmoil is great, but the benefits will be, too! The blog will continue and be the best it can be - so stay tuned. The new start date will be posted here and on "cre8Buzz" here: http://www.cre8Buzz/profiles/1025 Not cool to rant, but sometimes you gotta do what you gotta do!

Happiness is ...

having your youngest daughter home for two weeks! Of course some of the time is being spent with her sisters - one local, one at the beach. Today is Father's Day and we will meet daughter # 2 and her significant other at the beach house at 6:30 and go out to dinner. We all are excited about getting away. The weather has been extremely hot and humid here in the Pee Dee, it will be nice to feel those cool ocean breezes! Our daughter and her dad love the ocean - a little quality time for them! One afternoon of fishing in our pond is the only time together so far and dad, surprisingly caught the MOST fish - not the usual way it goes for them. The time will fly by and it will be the day to take her back to the airport for her flight back to Maine - job, cooler weather, her "peeps", her cat, and her "home". My thoughts here on this blog are always about "Life after Stay-at-home-Mom" and it is a good thing, BUT sending her back always brings sadness that all the girls are grown and have homes of their own.

And the weekend turned into weeks

and I still am crippled by the MAC crash... and frustrated with new laptop running VISTA. My MAC brain can not comprehend the thinking of PC people. Why do they go out of their way to make something hard that should be SIMPLE? I for one do not need the busy work! I know I am whining again. I do try not to, but I can not help it ... my MAC way of thinking for so many years feels like a traitor to computering.

Oh heck, I am glad to have a PC that works. This is break week from school and thn only one class until graduation, July 27, 2008. My grades are good and I am PROUD OF ME!

What a weekend...

where do I begin? Friday was pretty much business as usual. Class at 8 AM CT, then study for a couple of hours. Next try to read and answer as many e-mails as possible in a hour (not enough, BTW). Hubby running errands most of afternoon; a great day for US - a new HD LCD TV, 40 inches! Never would have thought I would have a set that large in my LR. We are so spoiled! It is going on top of our entertainment center because it is a piece of furniture and we can not part with it. We will be looking across and up - the sales person said 40" is an "adequate size" for at-home viewing. I guess he/she did not grow up in the 60's or 70's with our 19" to 25" screens and they were "adequate" for our viewing! Oh, this is not a SPLURGE purchase. At the moment we have 2 TVs in the LR - a 27" 'main' TV that has lost a channel (if you find it, please call :) and a 19" from a bedroom to watch the lost channel. Lately, this TV has begun to loose the picture and turn to static in picture and audio. If you "BANG IT" as hard as you can, it will return for a while, then it goes to static, you must get up and "bang" it again. Yep, got old in a hurry - first reason looking for TV. Second reason, every 10 minutes it scrolls across TV - that on February 17, 2009 our old TVs will no longer work, EXCEPT with the CONVERTER BOX! Oh, they also run a commercial several times during programing - a real pain in the a**. Anyway, the in and out of the new TV (still sitting in the box)! I know you are bored to tears ... Saturday up early to work on papers for class - "Change in Management" and "Medical Assistant Role Influencing Factors". Went to turn on my computer, my baby, a pimped-up iBook G4, red with cut-out VW Beetle over Apple logo and purple inside, my baby! Well overnight my hard drive crashed/died/stopped functioning! Not good for someone in college online with assignments and group projects due in both classes! Needless to say, by this time, I am in panic mode. Light bulb comes on in my head, the flyer from Best Buy had several pages on computers for sale over the weekend! I finished writing my papers in long-hand. Then the phone rings ... My daughter, number 3, is on phone in tears, hysterical. She and her hubby had gone 'hog-hunting' (material for another post) with her horses Lea and Holly. They are Marsh Tackies' bred to hunt, work hard, good and dependable. However, accidents happen and one had - a terrible one. Somehow Lea had fallen through/off a bridge and injuries to both hind legs, very bad injuries. The decision had to be made ... put her down or get her to a Vet STAT. Lea had turned four on Friday, was raised by my daughter from birth - get help ASAP. She was calling as they drove frantically to NC State's School of Veterinary Medicine 4 hours away. They had to try. Any horse lovers out there will understand. Anyway, a call about six-seven hours later, was not good news. The vets could not help Lea and she was put down and then donated to the school for teaching purposes. I was bothered by this, even though I am an organ donor myself, but daughter #3 explained being in the medical field, she felt at peace with this decision. As do I, after a couple of days to come to terms with Lea's death. As sad as loosing Lea is, life goes on ... school work is still due, dinners need to be fixed, church is still happening and I have to have a working computer! After church and lunch, my hubby and I headed to town (20 miles) and Best Buy. The technicians were extremely helpful and I finally made a choice that was a good buy, especially with a manager honoring $75 off that had ended at midnight Saturday! Something good, YA! %) A 'few bumps in the road' later, a decision had been made, paid for and left with "The Geek Squad" to ready for going home with me. We had a couple of hours to fill, another light bulb going off, a MOVIE. Life is good! We made it to the theater as IRON MAN was getting ready to start. Excellent movie. Do Not miss it! After movie, rushed back to store to get my PC with Windows. I thought I would get an introduction to the new 'machine', but they were closing, so I have a new computer which is very strange to me, but I'm reading and typing, LOL! So ... how was your weekend?

Happy Birthday!

Happy Birthday

daughter of mine

May 11, 2008

with love

Mom & Dad

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day

with love

1926-1989

1908-1998

WHO'S ON FIRST?

Again, kudos to my friend and online buddy, Mona, for this computer humor! Enjoy! You have to be old enough to remember Abbott and Costello, and not too old to REALLY understand computers, to fully appreciate this. For those of us who sometimes get flustered by our computers, please read on... If Bud Abbott and Lou Costello were alive today, their infamous sketch, "Who's on First?" might have turned out something like this: COSTELLO CALLS TO BUY A COMPUTER FROM ABBOTT ABBOTT: Super Duper Computer Store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: Thanks. I'm setting up an office in my den and I'm thinking about buying a computer. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: No, the name's Lou. ABBOTT: Your computer? COSTELLO: I don't own a computer. I want to buy one. ABBOTT: Mac? COSTELLO: I told you, my name's Lou. ABBOTT: What about Windows? COSTELLO: Why? Will it get stuffy in here? ABBOTT: Do you want a computer with Windows? COSTELLO: I don't know. What will I see when I look at the windows? ABBOTT: Wallpaper. COSTELLO: Never mind the windows. I need a computer and software. ABBOTT: Software for Windows? COSTELLO: No. On the computer! I need something I can use to write proposals, track expenses and run my business. What do you have? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yeah, for my office. Can you recommend anything? ABBOTT: I just did. COSTELLO: You just did what? ABBOTT: Recommend something. COSTELLO: You recommended something? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: For my office? ABBOTT: Yes. COSTELLO: OK, what did you recommend for my office? ABBOTT: Office. COSTELLO: Yes, for my office! ABBOTT: I recommend Office with Windows. COSTELLO: I already have an office with windows! OK, let's just say I'm sitting at my computer and I want to type a proposal. What do I need? ABBOTT: Word. COSTELLO: What word? <>ABBOTT: Word in Office. COSTELLO: The only word in office is office. ABBOTT: The Word in Office for Windows. COSTELLO: Which word in office for windows? ABBOTT: The Word you get when you click the blue "W". COSTELLO: I'm going to click your blue "w" if you don't start with some straight answers. What about financial bookkeeping? You have anything I can track my money with? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: That's right. What do you have? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: I need money to track my money? ABBOTT: It comes bundled with your computer. COSTELLO: What's bundled with my computer? ABBOTT: Money. COSTELLO: Money comes with my computer? ABBOTT: Yes. No extra charge. COSTELLO: I get a bundle of money with my computer? How much? ABBOTT: One copy. COSTELLO: Isn't it illegal to copy money? ABBOTT: Microsoft gave us a license to copy Money. COSTELLO: They can give you a license to copy money? ABBOTT: Why not? THEY OWN IT! A few days later: ABBOTT: Super Duper computer store. Can I help you? COSTELLO: How do I turn my computer off? ABBOTT: Click on "START". originally posted by: Glenda Bohannon Sales Director Mary Kay Cosmetics www.marykay.com/gbohannon

Hilary, Barack, or John?

Where do you stand? ... with HILLARY, BARACK, OR JOHN? Sen. Clinton's win in PA is changing the way the tide is flowing. In my opinion, she is showing strength, answers to the problems of health care and Iraq, and also new leadership skills. I am not saying I am on board with her, YET .... but the possibility is there. Sen. Obama seems to be ANGRY, DEFENSIVE, and TIRED. The calmness he once brought to the table is dwindling. I, personally, think these changes are not a good sign for his electibility. The changes, also, seem to have 'red flags' attached to them. He will be watched intensely from now until the election. Sen. McCain is riding 'on a cloud' of optimissism, one I hope will see him through until the end. Now, do not assume by that statement that I endorse Sen. McCain ... Republican runs in my veins, but my head and heart are still able to make decisions ! McCain is in New Orleans on his: "It's Time for Action Tour" going to the depressed areas and telling the victims how different it would be now, had he been president when Katrina came through. The residents expressed their concerns are with housing, health care, the economy, and the levi's replacement. Today is DNA DAY ... did you know that? I sure did not. So, if you feel happy and alive today - it's your DNA celebrating! Democrats in the US Senate are hoping to increase their seats in 2008 ... they have 12 seats that will be available and the Republicans have 23 seats up for grabs. Everyone needs to esercise their rote to vote in this Presidential Election if you want your ideas, ideals, and political policies enforce. In NC there is much controversy over the ad to run next week linking GOP candidates with Obama. The chairman of the GOP insists the ad will not hurt Sen. McCain and nothing he can say or do will change ... the ad is running. So where do you stand? Democrat, Republican, or "I No Longer Care!" I want comments ... for, against, or indifferent. So make comments.

SUNDAY CARTOONS

My version of them ... I hope they gave you a chuckle on this Sunday morning. Enjoy your Sunday with family and friends. God Bless you, every one! Remember, "Y'all come back, ya' hear!"

SCHOOLS

These are schools I have attended or have helped to pay for someone to attend or someone I know is attending now. Confused? Not to worry, just something I was thinking about today ... I attended USC, Columbia, SC as a married student in the late 1960's, but did not finish. My second born attended USC, too, late 1990's. She, too, choose to stop and take a break. She is now thinking of returning. My first born and third child attended Converse College in Spartanburg, SC. The oldest in the early '90's and the third in 2000. Neither stayed to graduate. One is a writer and one is studying to be a nurse. The elder was 'chomping at the bits' to get back to California (a long story) and the other, simply not ready for college right after high school. Now they both seem happy with their choices. My youngest is attending MECA. She loves it and will graduate in 2009 (we hope). One left? AIU? I am going to AIU now. Yes, after 39 years I started in July, '07 and will get my AABA in July, '08. Only 5 classes left! Yay, ME! Anyway, just my thoughts today.

M.S. ... Multiple Sclerosis...

Has it affected you, a family member, friend, co-worker, or an acquaintance through one of the aforementioned? Chances are that it has or will. My father-in-law suffered from MS the entire time I knew him, 1972 to 1982. He was a brilliant man that could not voice or make his brillance known to many as his ability to communicate was slowly taken away. Oh, but those eyes! How they could talk! For those of us priviledged to be close to him, we knew what he meant - each sparkle, each blink, every tear. I feel privileged to have know him and loved him .... here, it comes .... BUT, I would not wish his life with MS on anyone. Today I am including an article written to all bloggers over at cre8buzz.com, introducing a new community in our world there. I hope my post will touch someone's heart to reach out to someone with MS, to contribute for research, and to spread the word about this oh-so-tricky disease.

Official PR Announcement: The Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) www.msrc.co.uk and cre8Buzz http://cre8buzz.com/ announce the launch of a unique and inclusive Multiple Sclerosis Community on the Internet, providing not only up to date MS News and Stories, but a place where those affected by Multiple Sclerosis can communicate with others affected by the disease, and the wider public, by means of Online Blogs, Discussion Forums and Net-based social interaction. To find out more please visit the cre8Buzz Multiple Sclerosis Community at: http://www.cre8buzz.com/multiple_sclerosis About the cre8Buzz MS community The place for families and friends affected by Multiple Sclerosis to Connect, Share, and Promote. Connect: Connect with others with MS. Talk, befriend, engage. Share: Share your stories, pictures, ideas experiences, give a little of yourself to others Promote: Promote the wonderful community of MSers, family, friends, and supporters who are all fighting this disease By partnering, cre8Buzz/MSRC will create THE single "HUB" for family, friends and those affected by MS to come together and drive public awareness of the disease. By leveraging the power of social networking MSRC and cre8Buzz are excited about the ability to give a voice to those with MS and empower them to interact with others with the disease in a safe and supportive environment, breaking down the barriers of isolation which can occur for those suffering from a chronic disease. About cre8Buzz cre8Buzz is a social network, designed to connect and promote the voice, talents, and ideas of people and communities to the world. cre8Buzz wants to change the world by bringing people together over common interests, and ideas to provide information, interaction, and entertainment. About MSRC - Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre. Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre (MSRC) is a proactive and innovative charity, passionately committed to supporting anyone affected by Multiple Sclerosis through access to unbiased information and advice. Our approach is to encourage individuals to make choices that are appropriate to their daily lives, empowering them to maximise their potential. MSRC Services Personal MS Support 24 Hour Telephone Counselling within the UK on 0800 783 0518 (Option 1) Specialist MS Advisor New Pathways Magazine MS Discussion Boards Live MS Chat Room MS Information Leaflets /Users/pamelaposton/Desktop/image.aspx.gif MSRC Insurance Services Please Contact Us: Multiple Sclerosis Resource Centre, 7 Peartree Business Centre, Peartree Road, Stanway, Colchester, Essex. CO3 0JN Telephone 01206 505444 Non UK - +441206505444 Fax 01206 505449 Website: www.msrc.co.uk Email: info@msrc.co.uk Buzzboard | About cre8Buzz | Blog | Careers | Terms of Use | Contact Us © 2007 cre8Buzz

Montel Williams on MS Special thanks to Antman for buzz'n this info and being a huge part of our world at cre8Buzz

Tax Time ... again *sigh*

How did it get to be March? February is a blur. I began looking at the calendar and I realized nothing was ready for filing our taxes. I love the concept of math, detail, projects - but, oh how I do not like tax math! Yes, the math with $. So, rather than continue to procrastinate ... I found the files, the expenses, the income, clicked on TurboTax and pulled an all-night-er, BUT they are ready. *grin* Why do we shiver when we think of "tax time"? I'll ponder that for a few moments and be right back, OK? Well, it is a power, authority thing. Most of us would rather NOT have to give our hard earned money to 'good old Uncle Sam', here in lies the rub, as the Bard would say. Who can tell me the movie and actor who used the Shakespeare quote? Leave your answer in the comments, please. My mind is wandering now ... to Quotes. I love them! I start my day with one, and a Bible verse. Today's is "Waiting is the hardest kind of WORK... - Lottie Moon. I wonder if Ms. Moon had to pay taxes? Something to look up later, if you find out, once again post in comments. Oh my, here comes the rain they have been forecasting for the week. Soothing sound, still daylight, my 'little piece of heaven' is smiling! A nice time to say, "See you, next week!"

Mercy me ...

Oh my ... enjoy! Like I said ... mercy me! You know you laughed, OK, it is PG-13, but it is so funny. Girls, especially, if you are there, been there or headed there ... See ya' next week!

Oops! I missed my Monday blog!

So sorry! 

My ISP is revamping and I have had major computer problems that started during the night Sunday. I spoke with them again this afternoon and I hope the worst is over. 

Our family is having little "crisis" every where we turn. I realize we all have it tough and I am trying to be positive, but it sure is hard sometimes. I will be making a new "I am thankful for ... " list, doing that always get my priorities in the RIGHT order!

In our area, SC, there will be an eclipse tomorrow night, best time to view 10 pm to 10:30 pm EST. 

The elections ... scary ... not sure what I will do when it comes time to vote. Have you made your choice? Please vote, it is so important; a right we worked so hard to get - yet it now seems so easy to not exercise our right to make the decision who will be the President in 2008. Give it some serious thought between now and then!

I feel scattered ... a long day ... time to study, then to bed - I hope by 3 am. I promise to be here next Monday (it is on my calendar!) with a brighter outlook and something interesting to say!

Until then ... think HAPPY!  ;)

New home ... um, new paint at least!

How do you like my new home for LIFE AFTER SAHM? I thought it would be a nice change. I hope you like it, too! Not much going on in rural America today ... yesterday was the end of a session at AIU. My instructors will be missed, they were both terrific, as were the classes, Biology and International Business. I will know by my next post how I did as far as grades go. Today is the first day in this five-week session, Project Management and Personal Finance. They both sound interesting and I hope they are because it makes the effort much more pleasant. A new beginning, fresh slate and renewed attitude. My fibromyalgia is in full force right now which makes the typing unpleasant. For you, what's a little pain? It is only an 8 on a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being , "I want my mama!" In the news ... politics! I am as patriotic as the next guy, but it all started to soon for an election in November, 2008. I am so tired of hearing, "We want CHANGE!" and "I am the CONSERVATIVE one!" This election will make history ... a black man, a woman, a prisoner of war and a minister/governor - thank goodness, the Morman dropped out! I know who I want in the White House ... but I will share another day. Our weather, in the South, has been sporatic at best! Today is brisk and sunny, last night it was chilly and tomorrow, who knows! Layering is the answer for choices in clothing this week. Right on, Woot - Woot! BTW, if any of you know where the "woot-woot" was started and why, please let me know ... until next time, BE HAPPY!

Winter hits my 'little piece of heaven' ...

The temperature is dropping as I write! It is expected to hit the teens tonight. BRRRRRRRRRR! I wanted it to be more like winter ... I forgot you have to be careful what you ask for. It is the end of January, it should be cold! I am not complaining, just commenting. Everyone here in SC is still talking about the Democratic debate held in Myrtle Beach at the Palace Theatre and broadcast on CNN this past Monday evening. Yes, it was an honor. I understand it set some records. What it did for me was cause embarrassment for the Democratic candidates ... they acted like elementary school children bickering over who's dad was the best or siblings "tattling" on one another. Issues, problem-solving, foreign policy, economy, the war in Iraq - should not the focus be on these? The Republican debate the week before was much more civil and covered topics of concern to voters. Way to go, GOP! The Democratic Primary is this Saturday, January 26, 2008 in SC. If you are a registered voter in SC, remember YOUR vote counts! However, remember if you voted in the Republican Primary - you may NOT vote in the Democratic Primary! The Democratic race is close and you could decide the outcome ... VOTE! Sad news ... death of Heath Ledger. He will be missed by his many fans. Our thoughts go out to his family and friends. It is past my bedtime and I still have papers to write for class ... so, chat with you next time!

Democratic Debate TONIGHT in SC ...

Monday, January 21 - 03:32 PM EST

The debate will be broadcast LIVE on CNN tonight. Once again South Carolina is the focus of voters across our state and the country. Myrtle Beach is thrilled to be hosting the Democratic Party candidates.

Sens. Hillary Clinton of New York and Barack Obama of Illinois and former Sen. John Edwards of North Carolina share the stage at Myrtle Beach's Palace Theatre in a showdown as the nation honors the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. with a federal holiday.

The debate, put together by CNN and the Congressional Black Caucus Institute, comes five days before the Democratic primary in South Carolina, where almost half of the Democratic primary voters are African-Americans.

These voters will be crucial to the outcome of Saturday's primary in South Carolina. They now appear to be leaning heavily toward Obama, who if elected would become the country's first black president.

This is quoted from CNN and is part of an article written by CNN's Paul Steinhauser, Rebecca Sinderbrand, Chris Welch and Josh Levs contributed to this report. Please read the entire article and check out the links within it for additional information about the debate, the candidates, and the Democratic Party. Do not forget the sand sculpture of the Democratic candidates' faces on display. Tomorrow we will share reviews of the debate. [tags]Democratic Party, SC debate, sand sculpture, Myrtle Beach, CNN, Congressional Black Caucus Institute[/tags]

VOTE!

Our GOP Primary in South Carolina is tomorrow, Saturday, January 19th.

In previous years, the candidate that wins SC wins the election in November ... talk about pressure!

My personal choice is Mike Huckabee. Please check out his web site, http://www.mikehuckabee.com and see what you think. I had the honor of greeting Mr. Huckabee in Florence on Thursday at our airport for a short press junket stop. I must admit I was undecided. However, he represented all the characteristics of the man I want in the White House and his issues are my issues. My decision is now one of pride to be casting my vote for the next President of the United States in 2008, Mike Huckabee!

If you are a registered voter in the US, please exercise this special privilege and vote in your primary and then in the election in November, 2008! EVERY VOTE DOES COUNT.

Friendships ...

I could NOT resist!

If you are like me, you have a handful of TRUE friends ... friends you see only occasionally, but who are dear to your heart. When you spend time together it does not matter how much time has passed since the last visit, card, or phone call, the conversation picks up where it left off. It amazes me each time it happens.

Then you probably have friends you have made through group activities that you see during the activity and, possibly, some of the group move over into the TRUE friend category. Next, church friends, work friends, neighborhood friends, and in a category all by themselves ... relatives! (That category will be a post all by itself in the near future.)

I had the pleasure of catching up with a TRUE yesterday ... the only friend from high school that loves me no matter what! The very best kind of FRIEND. It was that conversation that started me thinking about my friends in general. I would not trade a single one and I hope over the years the list will grow, BUT if it does not, I will always have the friend I talked to yesterday ... and we both know it!

I hope your day is exactly what you hoped, and remember, "Y'all come back, ya' hear!"

Excitement over Republican Debates

If you live in the South and you are a Republican, then last night was a good one for you! The Myrtle Beach Convention Center in Myrtle Beach, SC had the honor of hosting the Republican Party Debates. Approximately 3000 people filled the Center to hear the candidates' views on foreign policy, immigration, the war in Iraq and the promise of change each would make when elected. 

Yes, you are looking at a huge sand sculpture built of the candidates' faces. It took several days to construct and will remain there as long as it is presentable. If you are in the area, do walk by it - It is quite amazing!

 

Will it be business as usual? Or will the promises be kept? Will real change take place under the next Republican Administration? I guess we will know soon enough ... I, for one, sure hope so!

Remember, "Y' all come back, ya' hear!"

PLANES ...

Well, Friday was the day we took our youngest to the airport to fly back to school in the frozen tundra, Maine. Now with the security systems in place, you can no longer watch the plane take off, which somehow makes a mom worry just a bit - I liked seeing the plane disappear safely into the clouds . It is reassuring . Now, I wait for the phone call that she is safely back in her “home-away-from-home” . The traffic was awful. Naturally we did not allow enough time for Friday afternoon traffic in a large southern city and arrived at the airport 40 minutes before take-off - not good, but it all worked out. Thank goodness! So, once again our “nest” is EMPTY. I miss the laughter immensely, but school starts again on Monday for me. I am looking forward to studying, writing, research - brain growth! It is almost morning. I must get some sleep now. Remember, “Y’all come back ya’ hear!”

Menopause, The Musical

Have you heard about "Menopause, The Musical"? ... If you have, you know it is hysterical! If you have not, you do not what you have missed! Please make it a New Year Resolution to find where it is playing and get tickets. You will be glad you did. This is the best portrayal of menopause ever done, do not miss it! They have a magazine that supports the show, the logo is shown. It, also, is not to be missed. There, my two suggestions for the new year, 2008!

HAPPY NEW YEAR!