The First Thing We do, Let's Kill All The Lawyers

Shakespeare wrote that in "Henry VI" actually as a tribute to lawyers. Huh? Me, I just want to kill one of those debt collection lawyers.I had been collecting child support from my first ex-husband via a Texas collector. Well, as my luck runs, he stopped paying in March. About the same time I get a notice from this agency that they will no longer handle my case because of financial problems. They referred all cases to a debt collector lawyer group in New Hampshire. Oh, joy. No, make that, Shit! Somebody else I have to fight with. Grrr.

As soon as I learn who now has control of this I sent them an e-mail and asking the usual questions. They promptly responded with the usual and thanked me for my information (including my new address). I nearly choked at their letterhead, part of which read "your satisfaction is our priority". In their correspondence they told me I would be receiving a packet in 7-10 days. I should read the information, sign and return some papers. My thoughts are that I don't really want to sign a contract with them. I'd rather have the Texas AG office handle it. So then I have to contact them. The AG child support office says we need your 8 digit case number and the 10 digit customer number. Steam starts to blow from my ears. That stuff is in the bottom of a tightly packed box in the garage. I didn't think I'd need it. So either I dig through boxes or maybe the AG's office can find my case by my social security number. I have not heard back from them yet. They won't given information verbally. They have to send it through the mail. Steam.

So imagine my surprise this afternoon when I get an IM from my current almost ex-husband telling me there is a Fed Ex envelope for me at the old address. What? Uh...So I give him the address here. He says he'll send it on. Oh, joy. So then he said that would be something for me to write about on my blog. Yeah, buddy, here it is. Of course I had to tweet my irritation, too. Put something in print in black and white and these idiots still can't get it right! Now you know why I said..."kill all the lawyers"... I communicate to them, what part did they not understand? Jeez!

And then this afternoon, Traci discovers the AC is not cooling. Oh, joy. Someone should be out here in a couple of hours... heard that one before, too.

The only saving grace will be if the Astros beat the Pirates. The way they have been playing, that will be a big if. Come on guys, give me something to smile about today!

The Class of 2021

Today was Aryn's kindergarten graduation. Traci, Cheyanne and I went to watch the program. The high school gym was the place. I watched as the stands filled with siblings, parents, grandparents and other family members gathered to see all these little ones prepare to graduate. Who knew that 6 year old kids could be that clean and neat. The girls all wore pretty dresses and had nicely done hair, some with bows, others with ponytails. I wondered how long it took for the mothers to do that. It seemed like all the girls had learned the "Miss America" wave. The boys were all scrubbed up. I even saw a couple dressed in little suits and dress shoes. They were the ones who occasionaly slipped down on the gym floor. Almost all the boys seemed to have their hands in their pockets as they walked. Of course then the teachers would have to remind them to take their hands out of their pockets.

As "Pomp and Circumstance" played over and over and other, the little ones marched with their classes to their seats on the gym floor. Leading the way for the new graduates were really big kids dressed in graduation robes. At first I thought these kids are way too old. Then I realized they were some of the kids who are in a mentor group which pairs kids from kindergarten to 5th grade with a high school student. They are "pals". I think that is a nice idea. Tonight there were 12 of these students helping with the ceremony. From what I understand a lot of the high school kids do this, even some of the football players. The high school kids mentor and become buddies through out the school year with the little kids. I think that should be something more schools should do.

Of course we waited and waited for Aryn's class. As she walked in she looked around and around for us. As she got to her seat she discovered where we were and waved and waved. Every time we saw her she was looking around for us. Then I guess she was no different than any of the other kids. One thing I was not to sure about was why these little squirming kids had to sing nine songs. How do you keep those kids still? I was a little disappointed because I could not really hear what they were trying to sing. Let's face it. High school gyms are not known for their good acoustics. But when all the people were asked to join in to sing the China Spring alma mater, that was a bit louder, followed by what I guess was the fight song. I guess this because the audience and the Big high school pals were doing the Cougar gestures. At least, I think that is what they were doing.

Then we had to wade through the crowds to go get our newest graduate and head home. One sobering thought I had during this presentation. This will be the Class of 2021. Hope I'll still be around.

Was That a Firefly?

Bobby and I were sitting on the back porch last night talking about life. As I looked out toward the back of the yard I could see little flashes of light. They seemed to be everywhere. I can't remember when I last saw fireflies. I found myself drawn to their winged ballet.At times it seemed that they lit up the whole yard. It was a clear night and they seemed to be everywhere. I remember chasing them when I was a kid. I even managed to capture a few in a jar once. I could not take my eyes off them as the signaled to each other.

In Houston it is hard to find any fireflies. I guess that is one reason I enjoyed watching them last night. I don't really know why people in Houston don't see them anymore. Maybe it is because of all the lights around the city. Maybe when they have to spray for mosquitoes in the summer it kills fireflies. I don't know. Spraying doesn't seem to cut down on the mosquito population very well. Maybe harms the fireflies? Or maybe the fireants destroy the fireflies before the hatch out of their grub state?

I'm just going to have to sit outside more often so I can watch those guys. The male firefly is the one who has the "fire" so he can signal females. That is some pickup line. "hey baby, what's your sign?" Flash, flash... What can we learn from a firefly? Maybe, just enjoy them? Maybe something else? I guess it is all in your point of view. I enjoyed my "point of view" from the porch last night.

Hello Miss Diva, Remember Me?

There are sometimes when I wonder, "why do I do this?" Living with a diva is rough. Some days I think I live with two divas. It just depends on their mood, I guess. Although Lady rarely cares one way or the other about what happens, she must voice her opinion to the annoyance of everyone else. When the kids come home from school there are frequent knocks on the door. Usually it is one or more of the little kids wanting to play. Sometimes someone will want Cheyanne for something. Sometimes it is a little like Grand Central Station with people going in or out. Lately the Grand Dame, Lady has taken up residence on the couch under or on whatever blanket is available.So, while she is on her "throne" she makes sure to notify all, that with every knock at the door, she is annoyed. She sits there barking one single bark at a time until someone (that would be me) has to come speak directly to her to tell her to stop. Only then will she stop her opinionated barks which apparently are because her peace has been breached. Shush, dog! Yes you are a dog!

And of course we must not forget the Big Dog of Divas. Daisy. For a short little dog, she really assumes that she is in charge of all she surveys. Eveyone from kids to adults who happen to venture outside while Daisy is outside must immediately come thither and bow to her. Yes, kids are easy to order around. Adults, not so much. And yet she persists. Now that a house it being built directly across the street, it is very hard to get her to concentrait on the mundane things in life like doing her business. After all, everyone should notice her as she wags her tail in that come hither way. She simply can not understand why those guys don't notice her. Even walking down the street has it's hazzards. The sounds of some other "dog" (she is a Diva remember) barking from a back yard is cause for her to be alert. I, her obediant servant must make sure that her duties get done so that she is relieved of such mundane tasks. And don't even ask her to do anything in grass that might be just a little high or wet! With the recent rain, the back yard is no longer to her liking especially in the morning. After all grass must not touch the belly of the Diva nor should she have wet feet! She is not amused, so she seems to say.

Sometimes it is just not that easy with a dogs for pets. And to think they are supposed to be good for your heart and blood pressure. Uhuh, sure. Well I guess it is better than being a "yes,dear" to a man. Or is it?

The Trouble with Tribbles

Last night I decided to watch some old tv. So since I loved the original "Star Trek" tv show I decided to see if I could find the episode which has always been one of my favorites - The Trouble with Tribbles. So grandson,
Brad and I sat down to watch how the little furry creatures ran amok in the story. Brad was not really familiar with the original show that ran from 1966 - 1969. So I had a bit of explaining to do abuot who was who and what they were doing. He was wowed by how the Enterprise could just zip through space as it did ala old tv. Then I explained about the Klingons and how we had to be careful with them cause the were often the "bad guys". Brad was also interested in Mr. Spock's ears. He thought they were weird. So we had a little talk about Spock's heritage and how he works with Capt. Kirk. Then he saw the first tribble.

He asked my all about tribbles and where they came from, why are there so many, and why you can't tell which end is which. As the scenes changes and more and more tribbles showed up Brad laughed and giggled more and more. He thought it was funny when Capt. Kirk sat on one. Brad really liked the scene where Kirk ends up chest deep in tribbles and says "Somebody close that door". Then I told Brad to watch what happens later when the tribbles disappeared. Afterall Scotty did send them to the Klingons where they'll be "no tribble at all".

Brad wanted to watch another episode but, school tomorrow, his mother told him. Maybe we have a future Trekkie?

Free to Good Home

The ad reads:

Free to good home. One used wife.High mileage but still runs well. Cooks well, cleans frequently. Leaves no dishes in the sink. Good personality, doesn't argue much. Knows how to find bargains when shopping. Good with children and nosy neighbors. Loves to watch Houston Astros baseball and Houston Texans football. Also like college football, especially Texas and Alabama. Not a gossip, but knows how to keep a secret. Behaves well at a movie theater, doesn't throw popcorn.

Needs love, TLC and a little inspiration. Occasional flowers would be nice,too. Will make wonderful companion for the right man. E-Mail for more information. Serious inquiries only.

Right Now Quiet

It has been years since I have been in a new residential subdivision. This area has been developing for a couple of years now. It has a nice country feel to it, nice and quiet. Traci and Bobby like it, except when the construction is right on top of them. Then it gets to be chaos. Traci told me about the times the school bus could not get down the street because of all the construction trucks blocking the street and driveways. Since I've been here the last couple of months have been quiet. I could here the houses going up on a couple of other streets. But the nail gun noise was just far enough away not to be too bothersome.

Well, all our quiet is now changing again. There soon will be two houses built. One is going in near the end of the street. Right now that house is just about done with the basics. I saw a concrete truck go there this morning so I guess it won't be long before the framing starts. Then the other day the dump trucks dropped off five loads of dirt in the newly started house form directly across the street. I hope that house will be a two story cause the form seems very small. But what do I know. Then bright and early this morning the fun continued with more dirt and more noise.

Right now, it is again quiet. I can only assume that in a little while there will be more trucks disturbing the peace here. Daisy has already decided to try to tell them they are disturbing her peace by barking out the window at them. Somehow I don't think they even notice. For now, I'll just enjoy that quiet...

DVD? Take Your Pick...

It has occurred to me recently that I have been severely deprived. Yes, poor me. Traci and Bobby often ask if I have seen this movie or that movie. The answer is always "no". It would seem that I have missed quite a few movies. I remember seeing ads for different movies on tv. Some looked good, some not so much. Some I actually thought it would be nice to see in a theater. But since it was nearly impossible to pry Jimmy away from his poker games, we never went to a real movie. Oh sure we'd see movies on tv. Take a note, Ted, it may be time to get some new "classic" movies. I really think I have seem almost all of yours. But going to a real movie theater? Until Traci, Annie and I went to see Dwayne Johnson in the "Witch Mountain" movie, I had not been to a theater in years. As a matter of fact, the last movie I saw in a real theater was Bram Stoker's "Dracula". How long ago was that?

So I have some catching up to do. Luckily Traci has quite a collection of recent movies on DVD. Recently I saw "Transformers", one of Brad's favorites. He and Traci had to update me on what they were. They both are waiting for the new one to come out. Last night we watched "Ironman". I thought it was an interesting movie. Then we watched my hero, Harrison Ford's latest Indiana Jones movie. Ah yes, a fine man Mr. Ford is...

Now I am starting to think I need to do some real catch up work on movies. But at least there are a lot of good movies here on DVD. Ah, so many movies, so little time. Maybe I should make note of them and add them to my "bucket list"?

Identifying a Flower by IM

This morning my daughter, Annie, IMed me with a message that she was furious at her younger son, Michael. It seems that while she was out of the room, he decided to pull the flowers off a little gift plant that her older son, Skylar, had brought home from school. This was a Mother's Day present so you can imagine how mad she was.

So when she messaged me she asked what to do. Would that kill the plant? Would it still grow without the flowers? Of course I had to ask what kind of plant it was. Well, she didn't know, but she had seen some at the WalMart garden center. Ok, so that was a start.

I haven't been to a WalMart in about 2 months. It's been even longer since I have been in the garden center there. So since Annie was worried about the flower, I had to do some detective work.Remember, this was all by IM. I asked what color were the flowers - pink. Ok. Then I asked about the leaves. Were they long and slender? No, more rounded. Were they thick? No. How many petals did the flower have? She said it had four. I could not remember any flowers that had four petals. I tried to envision what WalMart would have as flowers. Pansy, begonia? Neither

She even showed me a web-cam of the plant, sans the flower. It did not register with my mind. And I love plants. I kept drawing a blank. I looked a pictures of likely flowers. Nothing. Of course Annie was still worried because she did want to try to keep it. She admits that she has little luck growing plants.

So we kept IMing back and forth. I suggested that she ask the teacher this afternoon when she went to pick up Skylar from school. From what I could see of the picture, I told her that I thought the plant itself would grow ok. But the fact that I could not think of what plant it could be continued to bug me. I searched through pictures of spring flowers over and over. Then it hit me! Impatiens! "That's it", she said with a big WOOT!

Whew! Well, now that I figured out what it was, no problem. So I gave her some suggestions on how to keep it growing. As far as Michael - well I guess he is in the dog house now.

Never thought I would see the day that I would be identifying a plant by IM. Will wonders never cease. Maybe I should try CSI. Yeah, right.

Oops,Proofread the Typing

Sometimes Jay Leno has a segment where he shows spelling or print errors in ads. How often do we see them in the church bulletin? Apparently more often than we think. For example:

- The Scouts are saving aluminum cans, bottles and other items to be recycled. Proceeds will be used to cripple children.

- Low Self Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 PM. Please use the back door.

- The eighth-graders will be presenting Shakespeare's Hamlet in the Church basement Friday at 7 PM. The Congregation is invited to attend this tragedy.

- Thursday night Potluck Supper. Prayer and medication to follow.

- A bean supper will be held on Tuesday evening in the church hall. Music will follow.

- At the evening service tonight, the sermon topic will be "What Is Hell?" Come early and listen to our choir practice.

Think about this the next time you read your church bulletin.

When All Else Fails, Go to the Zoo

Yesterday one of Bobby's old friends came into town for a visit. He brought along his two young daughters. While visiting he decided ,let's all go. I was eager for the diversion. So were Brad and Aryn. So Bobby and I got in his car and led the way while Pat (not my son Pat) piled the kids all in his car and off we went.

I have to say that I was impressed with the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco. It is not the biggest I have seen but it is very nice. We got there just as it opened so there were not that many people to that point in time.It was pretty quiet and the weather was cool which made the walk around pleasant.The zoo has a good assortment of the usual animals, lions, tigers, bears, rhinos, elephants, and bird, We found it funny that some birds were captive while we could look up and see others of the same type outside the net. Wonder what those birds thought? Of course the colorful jungle birds were pretty, but so were the two bald eagles.

Aryn really liked the giraffes but was disappointed that we did not see any zebras. The black bears were hiding apparently too as were the playful otters. I thought the meerkats were cute. The male lion was taking his usual nap. Then the kids found the button. The zoo "lion's roar" sound effect that kids just love.

A lot of the exhibits featured Texas and local area wildlife. A lot of fish and snakes were part of this. I don't even remember how many different rattlesnakes we saw. Not my favorites, wonder why?

I was intrigued at how well the zoo was incorporated into the natural flora and fauna of the Waco area. The kids raced all over the place. Me, I found the walk around the grounds actually very peaceful. The grounds were well kept and filled with local wild flowers and plants. Several spots along the walk around the zoo had waterfalls. I'm a sucker for the sounds of waterfalls. Everything just seemed to be so natural there.

I have to say that I think Waco's zoo is a very nice place to visit.Now if we could just get the bears and otters to co-operate... I don't know about Aryn though, she still wants to see the zebras. Well at least she wasn't followed around by a turkey like I was. Honest buddy, I really don't need you to follow me from one end of your enclosure to the other. Really.

The Contest

One day a group of Darwinian scientists got together and decided that man had come a long way and no longer needed God. So they picked one Darwinian to go and tell Him that they were done with Him.

The Darwinian walked up to God and said, "God, we've decided that we no longer need you. We're to the point that we can clone people and do many miraculous things, so why don't you just go on and get lost."

God listened very patiently and kindly to the man. After the Darwinian was done talking, God said, "Very well, how about this? Let's say we have a man-making contest." To which the Darwinian happily agreed.

God added, "Now, we're going to do this just like I did back in the old days with Adam."

The Darwinian said, "Sure, no problem," and bent down and grabbed himself a handful of dirt.

God looked at him and said, "No, no, no. You go get your own dirt!"

Ode to Moggie

Moggie, I hardly knew you.
You were always around and played with all the kids.
Other pets came and went but you were always there.
You were Traci's pet, you just allowed the rest of us near.
When I moved here I saw how wasted you were. I knew.
Your time was near. You spent a lot of time hiding.
You seemed to stare at your food.
One time I found you in the bathtub.
Several times you slept under my bed. The dogs knew.
You liked to walk out to the garden and sit at it's edge.
You went out yesterday and didn't come back.
It rained most of the day, we found you later in your spot.
Now you have found peace. Bye Moggie.

Two Unhappy Dogs.

I guess the garden will be happy. Bobby had said the other day he was hoping it would rain before he had to water. He got his wish. Two days now it has been raining. I wonder if there are any more rattlesnakes hiding out in the yard. Hopefully they have moved on.

Lady and Daisy are not happy with wet feet. I took them out this morning and you would have thought I was about to torture them. Daisy did hers right away and ran back to the porch. Lady , on the other hand, just stood there. "I have no intention of doing anything now, woman" she seemed to say. I pushed her out into the area that was newly mowed thinking she would do better there. Nope. We ended up in a staring contest as she looked up at me without moving. Where is Dana Carvey when you need him? "Not gonna do it". So I picked Lady up and inside we went. She then hid in her chair. Not so fast Lady. I let her think about it for a while. Another hour or so and she will have to give in. Yeah, I had to put the leash on her and take her out front to do anything. She was not the least bit happy with me. It's tough to be dissed by a dog.

Peaceful

I sit here listening to Norah Jones and relaxing in the quiet of her songs. It dawned on me that I have been listening to music most of the day. Of course I had to stop to catch the Astros as they beat the Brewers in a squeaker 3-2. And supper was good. Bobby made home made Chinese style food. Fried rice, beef strips onion and broccoli stir-fried and a garden salad. Other than the rice and beef most of the meal came from the garden.

I just sat down to look at all the music I played today. I have listened to a range of music from Pete Fountain's Dixieland to Bernie Williams, Big Bad Voodoo Daddy, Bette Midler and Russell Watson. And of course now Norah Jones. Haven't decided what will be next. A little wine and a little music...what can I say about that. It does seem to help take away some of the pain.

TIME OUT-- rattlesnake on patio!!!

Yes I said rattlesnake. A small rattlesnake found it's way to the patio and was curled up as the cat was investigating. Aryn came running into my room in terror telling me about it. We watched and listened to it rattle. Bobby was finally able to kill it and Traci put it into the trash can since the trashman comes tomorrow. That ought to be a surprise. Now we have to wonder are there more out there?

Did I say peace? So much for that little bit of quiet. Just try keeping dogs and kids inside while the snake is dispatched. Ok so now I have had my peace and now I am trying to relax again. I don't think I will be walking into the back yard for a while. Ok problem solved. Now what did I do with my wine?

Dog Days, Why Me?

Did you ever have one of those days when everything irritates you? Do you know who or what irritated you? Today was my day. First, I think maybe I missed my calling (who called?) as a dog psychiatrist? Sammie, the lab mix seems to think that she is a lap dog who wants to tell me all of her problems. I sat down on the couch and here she came, up into my lap. Since when does a lab mix get the idea of being a lap dog? Anytime they want I guess. So, here she is. Big black head and soulful brown eyes looking intently at me. Uh, Sammie, you need to lay on the couch if you want to see your psychiatrist. So that is what she did. Head in my lap, she proceeded to give me the painful details (sort of) regarding the mess her life is now that two interlopers have invaded her territory. She needed a belly rub and a few words. Yes she actually looked at me with some intent while I spoke. What the intent was I don't know. Probably some spiteful thoughts about Lady and Daisy. After a few minutes she decided the session was over. Probably because the little ones came home from school.

Oh, but Sammie was not the only problem child of the day. Oh no. Both Lady and Daisy got on my nerves. Lady refused to eat her food, instead opting for the chance meeting with food dropped from the table by said children.Or she decided that she wanted to sit at Sammie's food bowl and stare at me as if to tell me she wanted something. This, even though she had already been fed. Ever been stared at by a little dog?

Then the brat of the day honor went to Daisy. First I had to make my bed three times before I finally gave up. Each time after I had it made, Daisy would get on and unmake the bed to her satisfaction. I finally gave up. Then she kept pestering me to go outside for a purpose I have yet to figure out. Maybe to annoy me. All day long she either followed me around or prowled around looking to see what she could get into for some kind of kick. She has been stealing the kids underwear from the floor or the bathroom. Well, she thinks it is fair. They left them where she could get them, right? Then when I thought she would finally be still on the blanket after supper, she would have none of that. She watched the cat and Sammie as they snatched food left on plates from supper.It was as if she was getting pointers on how to do this. Sit down and be quiet! Ha. One dog who does not want to be still and behave is enough to really, I mean really, irritate me. It was like I had two nerves left(imagine that after the last 6 weeks) and she was standing on one of them. Finally after the game was half over and Lady had decided to eat the cat food, I had enough! Both of you, to bed! Finally quiet! Alas my bed is yet again unmade by Daisy and Lady is in her chair snoring. Maybe I should just go to bed myself. That is if Daisy will let me in.

So It isn't "High Noon"

That sneezing cat is now on my list! Beware of women with an attitude! Look, you sneezing cat, I've ignored you sitting behind me and playing with my hair. I've even forgiven you for sneezing all over me multiple times. I understand that Brad forgets to feed you. I hear your plaintive cries as you plead with me to get you some food. But I draw the line with you using my dog's bed as your litter box.

You may have to search for your litter box. Sometimes Traci puts it outside. Sometimes it is in her bedroom. Most of the time it is in the corner of the kitchen. Yes, I know that Cheyanne sometimes neglects to clean it fast enough to suit you. But the next time you come into my domain, also known as my bedroom, and attempt to take a dump in the dog bed we will go to war. How does a blue, yellow and green blanket look like cat litter? You are lucky that you could not dig into it. You are unlucky because you pooped in the corner of the room, right behind the door. I saw you! I know what you did and I am the one who had to clean it up! Beware cat, you may have nine lives, but one might get a little shorter if you do that again.

Consider this the first salvo of the war. As long as you respect my boundaries and I stay out of yours, we will be ok. Try to poop in the dog bed again and the truce will be broken.Are you listening to me Sneezy? Probably not. I know how you cats are. You are so much more civilized than us humans, or so you think. We are to be tolerated unless you want something from us. Remember that when Brad ignores you pleas and I get you your food and water...

The Farmer in the Dell?

The recent hail and wind did some damage to the backyard garden. But not as much as I had expected. Bobby lost a few little tree seedlings and some of the leaves of the veggies had holes in them. But all in all things did ok.

Yesterday we pulled some turnips. I cleaned them up and ate a couple of the turnips. Not bad. Then Aryn helped me clean the leaves and get them ready to cook. Bobby had never had pot liquor (the juice from cooking). I remember hearing about people drinking a little glass of that while eating some cornbread from when I was a kid. Good ole Southern tradition...

We looked around the garden and discovered tiny little brussel sprouts hidden around the base of the plants. Very exciting. Well maybe not to everyone, but since I have never grown them I was fascinated to see them. I love to eat them but rarely bought them because my kids sneered at the idea of eating them. But what do they know? Bobby and I were happy to see them. Now we will know where to look as they grow.

Two of the broccoli plants had big green heads at the top of the plant. The stalk was thick and the florets were lush and green. I was so tempted to run inside, cut the stem off and and indulge myself in a little broccoli and Ranch dressing. After we had cut off the tops of those two, we discovered tiny little ones around the branches which were just starting. I always wondered how they grow.

Then later in the afternoon, the euphoria of the day was slightly marred by the fact that Brad and Aryn had decided to play in the mud at the back of the garden where the fence is. Think Tom Sawyer. They decided it would be fun to grab handfuls of mud and throw them at the wooden fence. So now there are big globs of mud smeared on the fence. Let's just say that "farmer Bob" was not happy. All I could think of was now who was going to wash the fence? Such is the life of the "gentleman farmer".

Hail, Hail, and more Hail

Hail everywhere. It pounded down for several minutes early this evening leaving the yard looking almost white. The kids really thought it was funny and tried to jump in the pile of it. Traci was not happy with it falling on the car. At one point while I stood on the back porch it almost looked like a "whiteout", the hail was so heavy. Apparently no real damage though we have not checked out how the garden did. It got hit pretty hard.

Almost There

For those who have not finished your taxes --hurry up. For me, my taxes were done and paid before I had to leave. Maybe getting married on April 15th was a bad omen.

It has been a quiet, melancholy but reflective day. I remembered that the minister who married us got lost coming to our house. Maybe another omen? I remembered Jimmy's parents sitting on the hearth as we took our vows. Then I realized that 21 years had gone by. Where did the time go? There were good times and bad times, but we were secure in the knowledge that we had each other. I even remembered when he had to have emergency eye surgery because he was working around the house and tried to nail something and hit the nail wrong causing it to fly into his eye. That ripped a hole in his eye and we had to rush him to a specialist for the surgery. I also remembered when he broke his wrist. Just try to take a shower with a cast on your arm!

Then I remembered when he told me I needed to leave. I never saw that fastball. I've never gotten an answer to my questions. So I remain hurt, confused and angry. But his decision just seems to go along with how people view the world today. We live in a disposable society. Get bored with your car, trade it in on a new on. Tv breaks, don't try to fix it, buy a new one. The computer seems outdated, buy a new one. Need to fix a faucet that only needs a washer? Don't go to the storage shed to get the washer, buy a whole new faucet, cause it would take too much time to hunt for the washer in the shed.

It used to be that married people worked out their problems. Now it is much easier to just get rid of a partner. Throw them away just like that empty soda bottle. Don't tell them about feelings, or issues. That might take time. That would also mean confronting your inner fears or feelings. Those little things you don't want anyone to know. So it has been 20+ years. Start fresh, train a new one.People fall in and out of love all the time, often with the same person. Getting married is the easy part. Living in the marriage is the hard part. We all discover that our spouse has annoying habits after we get married. Most of us learn to live with them.

So as my wedding anniversary day nears it's end with less than an hour to go, I am left to remember what was and what could have been. We could have had it all. But somewhere the lines of communication broke and I don't know how to fix them. I just know that until he decides what he wants, I will remain neither here nor there. My life has been suspended and I am unable to move.

What Do I Look Like, the Pied Piper?

Since I joined Twitter I have been finding various things to follow from Annie, Traci, and Bobby to Houston news, GMA, and the Astros and Texans teams. It is kind of fun to get little notes about what is going on. However the Astros have not had much luck so they aren't saying much. But the whole Twitter thing is interesting. I've got "people" following me who I have no clue who they are. That's a "huh" moment.

Traci and Annie twittered about "Friday Night Lights" season finale. I can keep up with bits and peices of the national news. When I found that the Houston Texans football team was on Twitter, I thought "cool". After all it won't be too long till the new season schedule will be anounced. They will twitter me when they do. After all I follow them and they "follow" me. Though I doubt a person actually looks at what I say on twitter. But I did get a funny notice yesterday which made me laugh. "The Texans Cheerleaders are now following you..." Yeah, standard reply when you start following something. Some how that struck me funny. Ok, so all these guys are following me on Twitter. So just where are we going? Are they lost?

The other day I found another person "following" me but not on Twitter. I'm being followed on my Yahoo messenger. That is a little strange. Every afternoon this person logs in to Yahoo messenger with an "available" status and a status note. I noticed that a couple of these status notes, which are not chats, were directed at me. Strange I thought, especially since they are from my husband! The other day I had "bored" on my status. I had already read a couple of chapters of a book, watched two tv shows, listened to the radio, and a cd. What else could I do I thought. Next thing I see is a note next to his avatar - read a book. Excuse me, who asked you for a comment? So apparently even though we are not currently speaking, he is following me on line. Why?

So with all these people "following" me I am beginning to feel like they must think I know where I am going. I don't. Maybe I should just go in circles. So attention all followers: If you are going to follow me, bring a map. It's going to be a long trip.

Seen the Easter Bunny Lately?

Once upon a time there was a man who was peacefully driving down a windy road. Suddenly, a bunny skipped across the road and the man couldn't stop. He hit the bunny head on. The man quickly jumped out of his car to check the scene. There, lying lifeless in the middle of the road, was the Easter Bunny.

The man cried out, "Oh no! I have committed a terrible crime! I have run over the Easter Bunny!"

The man started sobbing quite hard and then he heard another car approaching. It was a woman in a red convertible. The woman stopped and asked what the problem was.The man explained, "I have done something horribly sad. I have run over the Easter Bunny. Now there will be no one to deliver eggs on Easter, and it's all my fault."

The woman ran back to her car. A moment later, she came back carrying a spray bottle. She ran over to the motionless bunny and sprayed it. The bunny immediately sprang up, ran into the woods, stopped, and waved back at the man and woman. Then it ran another 10 feet, stopped, and waved. It then ran another 10 feet, stopped, and waved again. It did this over and over and over again until the man and the woman could no longer see the bunny.

Once out of sight, the man exclaimed, "What is that stuff in that bottle?"

The woman replied, "It's harespray. It revitalizes hare and adds permanent wave."

A Dog, A Real Dog?

Annie and the boys finally got their wish - a dog. It is a 4 week old lab/retriever mix. It apparently looks a lot like Sammy. I understand that Jason was not especially thrilled at the idea. "we travel a lot" apparently was an excuse not to get a dog. Plus he did not like the idea of dogs in the house. That was one of the reasons I didn't move in with them. My little dogs would freak out if they had to stay outside all the time.

And just who is going to get the chore of housebreaking (assuming the dog will be allowed inside). After all it's still a puppy. I would guess that the boys are happy. Yeah, should the puppy stay inside, how long will that last as she cries at night...

Hang in there Annie. Remember the puppy will be a lot like another kid. You will have to be her mother. She's little now, just wait till she gets bigger. And you remember what happened when Lady and Windows collided. right? Your cat may not take kindly to the puppy. Just remember you can travel with a dog if you know what you are doing, Jason.

Tv Series, Cliff hanger or Mars??

I have been catching up with some of my tv shows as much as possible. I have missed some episodes cause Traci and Bobby watch different shows here. That's ok, thanks to the internet. I'v managed to catch up with most.

We all like the series "Friday Night Lights" which is about a Texas high school football team and all the people around them, for those who have not seen it. Vintage Texas high school football. Trust me this is the way it is in Texas. So the show ended tonight with a wedding and the head football coach being offered the head coach position at the new school while his wife is the principal at the old school. Hum... The district is going to divide the school into two. I smelled a cliff hanger... Yes there will be a new rivalry next year...want to bet?

But one of my other favorite shows apparently has been cancelled. "Life on Mars" was, to me, a drama with some quirks, to say the least. What else would you say about a police detective in 2008 who has an accident and wakes up in 1973. I liked the show because it showed the difference in police policies, then and now. It also featured music and set decor very much like 1973. Even the clothes were right. But I guess either the producers and writers had the end planned all along or if they new it was going to be cancelled, they took their anger out on the viewers. I figured that eventually the detective would have to go back to the current time somehow, but this was nuts. I sat watching on my computer as the show ended with the detective and the other cops wake up (as astronauts) as they landed on Mars! What the Hell were the writers thinking! I guess the joke was on us! Jeez... I'm going to bed now.

The Sounds of Music

We went to see Cheyanne's band concert last night. Cheyanne plays the french horn in the 7th grand band. We think they did quite well. The 8th grand band also played. I have always wondered why, in a school band concert, do they always seem to play the music of some obscure composer. One the other hand I'm not up to date on some of the classical composers. Oh well. The 7th and 8th grade choirs each sang beautifly. No guys in the choirs though.

We also saw some very good art work by various students some of whom received medals. I found the subject choices and the detail of these to be very good. It was a little hard to believe how young these artists are.

The evening's "hosts" were two high school students. The girl wore a hot pink cocktail dress and silver stiletto heels. Traci wondered how much money her parents spent on the outfit. It was a little hard for the hosts to move things along because the choirs had to come from different areas. A sort of cute thing was when these two hosts presented medals to the young artists. Why did no one tell these kids to sit together instead of being all over the place? That caused a good bit of time lag and unlike presenters on tv the hosts did not know how to fill time.

Did I say the bands sounded wonderful? Last on the program was the hight school drill team, the "electric blue". Columbia blue is the school team color. At first I felt a little embarrassed for the girls. The curtains opened as the girls stood in a straight line across the stage. They stood there for what seemed to be an eternity. Apparently someone did not know how to work the tape player. Yikes. Mercifully some one thought to close the curtain while the "technical" bugs with the music were worked out. Finally the drill team did their thing. Somehow how I will never hear the theme music to "Knight Rider" the same way again. There were a couple of other "music" pieces that I did not recognize but I guess the kids did. As far as the drill team... well let's just say they were not exactly light on their feet. Traci had warned me "they suck". Yeah, right, I thought, they can't be that bad. Oh yes they can...

Did I tell you how much we enjoyed the band and we are so proud of Cheyanne? I hope she will continue to enjoy being in the band. Keep up the good work Cheyanne!

Patterns of Life

I'm beginning to see the patterns of life around here. The family pets have theirs. They are adjusting, sort of, to my dogs. Sammy the lab mix has decided that I should be her friend. Then she tries to pick a fight with Daisy. "I was here first" type of mentality I guess. Then Sammy looks at me with those big brown eyes, pleading for attention. So this morning as I am sitting on the couch drinking my coffee both Sammy and the sneezing cat decide that I am fair game. First the cat decides to get down off the back of the couch and into my lap.All well and good until said cat decides to stretch out the front feet and stick claws into my shirt. Daisy is on my left side with her head in my lap and is only tolerating the interloper taking up space on me. Sammy is on the other side wanting attention. Then I get stuck in the middle when the cat decides that Sammy is too close. Ok, guys do I look like the United Nations of animals?

Then I am stilling learning to cope with neighbors who just pop over at will. There is a little girl who likes to play with Aryn. Almost every afternoon she knocks on the door multiple times to ask Aryn to play outside. So Aryn goes in and out. Sometimes the "playtime" is short and "Sara" goes home only to return a little while later, over and over.

But the most interesting of the neighbor families is the one next door. The father is in the Army, currently in Iraq. The wife works during the day. they have three teenagers. Dad was home for a while when I first got here. It seems that he and the rest of the family like to pop in just about any old time. knock on the door and walk in...hum. Cheyanne is 13 and is buddies with their 17 year old girl. Ok, though it is a little odd that the 17 year old is such good friend with a 13 year old. But they are both smart and make great grades in school.

But yesterday morning one of the younger teens knocked on the door (at least he didn't come in) at 7:30 am. Bobby was not at all happy. He basically told the kid to go home.Yikes! Who goes next door at that hour of the morning on a Sunday? Later that day, boy teen pops in saying his Mom wanted to know if Traci had any toilet paper. Yes, I said toilet paper! This is the same mom who went to town the day before and popped over asking if Traci needed anything. Go figure. I still have no idea why she needed toilet paper.

Yes, the patterns of life are a bit different here. I guess I will eventually get used to the free wheeling comings and goings of the neighbors. Oh and I met the "creepy guy" from across the street yesterday too. I see why they call him creepy...

Feline Heaven

The sneezing cat loves me. When I sit down on the couch he has to climb up and sit right behind me. Sometimes he lays down on a blanket next to me, but most of the time he is behind me. Maybe he will change my hairstyle since he likes to occasionally play with it.

So in honor of the sneezing cat and the old cat who hides all the time:

A cat dies and goes to Heaven.

God meets him at the gate and says, "You have been a good cat all of these years. Anything you desire is yours, all you have to do is ask."

The cats says, "Well, I lived all my life with a poor family on a farm and had to sleep on hardwood floors."

God says, "Say no more." And instantly, a fluffy pillow appears.

A few days later, 6 mice are killed in a tragic accident and they go to Heaven. God meets them at the gate with the same offer that He made the cat.

The mice said, "All our lives we've had to run. Cats, dogs and even women with brooms have chased us. If we could only have a pair of roller skates, we wouldn't have to run anymore."

God says, "Say no more." And instantly, each mouse is fitted with a beautiful pair of tiny roller skates.

About a week later, God decides to check and see how the cat is doing. The cat is sound asleep on his new pillow. God gently wakes him and asks, "How are you doing? Are you happy here?"

The cat yawns and stretches and says, "Oh, I've never been happier in my life. And those Meals on Wheels you've been sending over are the best!"

April is the Cruelest Month

A lot of people like to play April fool jokes today. I did as a kid. Then I grew up. My mother died of cancer 4o years ago today. She was 49. Income tax day is looming. I've already sent them their due. My wedding anniversary is also on April 15, 21 years.

It is the poet T.S. Elliot who first said April is the cruelest month...from The Waste Land written in 1922. Here is part of it:

APRIL is the cruellest month, breeding
Lilacs out of the dead land, mixing
Memory and desire, stirring
Dull roots with spring rain.
Winter kept us warm, covering
Earth in forgetful snow, feeding
A little life with dried tubers.
Summer surprised us, coming over the Starnbergersee
With a shower of rain; we stopped in the colonnade,
And went on in sunlight, into the Hofgarten,
And drank coffee, and talked for an hour.
Bin gar keine Russin, stamm' aus Litauen, echt deutsch.
And when we were children, staying at the archduke's,
My cousin's, he took me out on a sled,
And I was frightened. He said, Marie,
Marie, hold on tight. And down we went.
In the mountains, there you feel free.
I read, much of the night, and go south in the winter.

Hopefully April will go a little easier on us this year. Flowers begin to bloom, birds sing, leaves of grass turn green. Trees blossom and provide shade for all creatures. After all it is the season of renewal, right?

Do You Feel aTwitter?

It seems that everyone, even me, is twittering. Do you? I began to notice this a few weeks ago when I was watching CNN one afternoon. Rick Sanchez was the news man and he kept telling people to respond to the stories by twittering him. Now it seems that I see it every where. Traci, Annie and Bobby all twitter. You can follow any number of things on these mini blogs. I've seen Good Morning America, E online, The Texans foot ball, and so on. I've even seen a cartoon about twittering.

I guess that twittering is the blog version of texting. Only a few words so it is short but to the point. Is this going to replace IM? I have heard it said that people who twitter don't really have much to say about their life but they feel the need to tell every one about every little thing. Annie and Traci twitter about the tv show "Friday Night Lights" while it is on.

I have posted a few twitter notes but have not really gotten into the whole thing yet. It is a way of getting short bits of info quickly I guess. It is amazing the shear numbers of people in news,sports, and other things are linked on twitter. I can keep up with the Houston weather by twittering one of the local tv weathermen. I even have Dr Drew on my twitter list. I can't say what I will learn from him though.

So, now I guess I will have to go back into the living room and see who else is going to butcher a song on American Idol. I never really thought I would ever watch this show... One just never knows. Maybe I'll twitter about it, or not.

The Freedom Tower???

Remember after 9/11 everyone wanted to rebuild the twin towers bigger and better? Did you ever wonder why nothing has happened? The new World Trade Center has dropped the Freedom Tower name. It will be referred to by its address, One World Trade Center. There have been many delays and trouble attracting tenants. Even the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey which is building the 1776 foot tall skyscraper says their own workers don't want to work where nearly 3000 people were killed.

Apparently the local tabloids have not been kind to the project. As a result it has become less of an "in your face, we will rebuild it" building to something no-one wants to occupy. Some say it is because they are afraid of another attack. George Pataki who was Governor of New York when the building was attacked told the New York Daily News that the Freedom Tower was "symbolic of our commitment to rise above the attacks of September 11". He also said that the addresses 1 and 2 World Trade Center should never be used again since that is what the twin towers were called. So what happened to this symbol?

They do apparently have one tenant who has (or will) rent several floors. But there is not much interest in the new building by many others. Too many arguments about height and design have slowed the building of the this tall landmark. People are wary or maybe they no longer care.After all, it has been nearly 8 years. When George Bush spoke after the attacks he told us to go about our normal daily lives. Go shopping is one thing he said. But what about rebuilding? Our resolve to show the world what America is has faded away to bickering and indecision which have resulted in no Freedom Tower. I guess New York has moved on, after all there are a lot of new buildings to sell and times are tough now. I just thought that this one might have been special.

Sounds of China Spring

China Spring is a few minutes outside of Waco and worlds apart from Houston. Traci and Bobby's house is in a newer subdivision which is still building. For the most part it is quiet.

I can usually tell what time it is in the morning by the sounds. First I hear the neighbor's car as they leave for work. Then I hear my grand children getting ready for school as they shut their bed room doors (slam sometimes) and go out the front door. Then I hear the school bus as it stops to pick them up.

Then there are the sounds of the birds as they begin to chirp a greeting to the day and each other. Sometimes I can hear the dogs next door arguing or playing. Then since there are several houses being built here I can hear the noise of the nail guns and hammers as the put together houses. Several times a day small planes fly around the airport. Three times a day there is a commuter plane from American Airlines that drops in too.

But the most interesting sound I have heard so far is at night. The nights are usually quiet until the coyotes decide to start talking or singing. I have seen on tv stories about these animals and listened as some photographer goes out at night to film them. I never really thought about it until I was outside in the dark and heard them. The barking and yowling is a bit unnerving when you are not used to it. After all, sirens I know. Coyotes not so much. Their conversations can be a little creepy. They like to gather in the pasture behind the houses and do what ever it is they do... I don't think they have gone under any of the fences into the yards but the thought has occured to me. What would I do if one did? But as long as they stay where they are, I guess I will get used to the symphony of coyotes. It is more interesting than the loud car radios that rattle the windows in Houston.

Ah Chooo

Have you ever thought that sneezing could be an art form? Traci and Bobby have a pretty gray and white cat who does just that. Not only does he do the usual cat things like walk across counters or sit in potted plants, he also sneezes a lot.

So maybe this is not so funny, at least to the cat, but he really sneezes a lot. I watched him sit on a chair and sneeze and sneeze and sneeze. He he looked around like he was thinking, "So what are you looking at?" I have not been close enough to get showered, but I feel for him. My daughter Annie used to sneeze at lot. We used to all say, "stop it!" to her. Of course she would then say, "I can't help it!" I wonder if that is how the cat feels.

So what does go through the mind of a sneezing cat? Does want to look for a tissue. Or would he claw it to shreds? How about a little allergy medicine? And just why does he sneeze so much anyway? He always seems to look around like he thinks everyone does it. Of course I am waiting to see him perched delicately somewhere and then fall off in mid sneeze...

One Week Down

Well, I've been here a week now. I'm still getting used to things here. When you have been used to a certain routine for years, I guess it is normal to have to adjust to a different style. I have not even tried to figure out how to use all the remotes connected to the satellite tv. And I am still getting used to the fact that Traci and Bobby stay up later than I do. When Annie and Jason were here Traci and Annie were up really late doing what ever it is they do online, chatting, I guess, with their friends. Sitting next to each other on the couch chatting. Hum...

There was a bit of humor this weekend, at least for me. Before we went out to the movie Traci got her mail and found notes from the school telling her about how Brad and Aryn were fighting on the school bus. They were not fighting with each other but some other kid. Traci was not happy, to say the least.
So later she called them into the living room to discuss their misbehavior. Then as punishment they had to hug each other. Oh that was funny. Just try to keep a straight face watching that! I looked at it as a full circle cause I used that punishment when Traci, Annie and Pat were kids. They hated it! Nothing has changed! Brad and Aryn don't like it either.

So much for the first week.

Just Us Girls

Jason and I went to WalMart this morning to get a wireless adapter so I could get my pc working. When we came back Traci, Annie and I went on a "girls day out". We had lunch at the local Cracker Barrel. I had always wanted to go there but never got the chance to go in Houston. I thought the food was good and I enjoyed looking at all the stuff in the gift shop.

Then we went to the mall. My Bath and Body Works supply was low so they took me there and Annie bought me some new stuff. After we wandered for a while we went to see the "Race to Witch Mountain" with Dwayne Johnson. I enjoyed it and Traci and Annie were let's say much enamoured of the "Rock". And yes, I admit I enjoy him too.

Later Traci decided to scare the shit out of me by driving down (really down) on of the local streets. If it were to snow that hill would be a great ski slope! I threatened to crawl into the trunk. I have not problem with heights in a plane, but not in a car going down a very big hill very fast. Yikes.

While we were gone Jason watched the kids and got my computer up. Traci even found my old Craig Biggio wall paper to put back on it. Cool.

It was kind of fun to just go silly and listen to those two and their music. How old are they again. They were singing to all the songs on the ipod. I had no clue what or who the singers were. I guess everybody needs a day to just escape and not have a care. Maybe I should break loose more often?

Have Wine Box Will Travel

Well Sunday was the big day. Amanda rented a truck to move my stuff. Traci and Bobby and Jason loaded up the truck. That truck was a huge thing. I could have moved the White House in that! Annie stayed with all the kids in Waco. Jason drove the truck while Bobby and I drove in his car. The last couple of days we have worked on changing the rooms around. So my bed, dresser and desk are now in Aryn's room. A lot of room trading here. There are still some boxes in the garage that I have to look through. Traci and Annie got a kick out of looking at the pictures of my parents. They actually said they were "hot". That made me smile.

I like the house which Traci and Bobby recently bought. It is very nice. It's in a brand new subdivision. The area is still growing and is about 15 minutes from Waco, Texas which is a nice small city. The subdivision backs up to a pasture and there is a large tree behind the wood fence. There is also a small air strip in the back behind the pasture which when former President George Bush used frequently on his trips to his ranch in Crawford which is about 20 miles away.

I still don't know what to think cause the day I left Jimmy was still giving me mixed signals. Oh well. The ball is in his court. Pat called me to tell me that Amanda read her daddy the riot act because she did not think it was fair to "send mixed signals". That must have been an interesting discussion. Would have been nice to be a fly on the wall.

It's pretty quiet here. Not like around Houston where you had a lot of traffic noise to listen to on any given day. The other night I was standing in the back yard and looked at the stars which are so much brighter here.

Bobby's garden is doing well and he is excited about the growing crop of vegetables. He will be planting more veggies too and he also has a flower garden in the corner near the house.

I also have met the next door neighbor Christopher who fixed my cedar chest which had legs that were about to fall off. He had to add some wood to secure the legs and even matched the old paint. I'm very happy with the work he did on it. Christopher will be leaving soon to go back to Iraq.

I guess you could say I am beginning to settle in. Lady and Daisy are a little confused but they are getting along with their dog who is a lot bigger. I thought there might be a problem but apparently she is a little more worried about my two little dachshunds . Daisy has put her in her place a couple of times so far. I did discover a cat under my bed last night. Crap! two dogs on the bed, one cat hiding under the bed. No problem....

And so the stomach turns. A new chapter begins. Time for a glass of wine.

I Feel Like I'm Nowhere

So I was in the middle of printing up a list of the bills and how and when to pay them. Since it was raining yesterday, Jimmy couldn't do all the work he needed to do. That left him with time to pick up his truck from the shop, to the tune of $523. At least we have known our mechanic so long he told Jimmy to pay him when ever he could.

As I printed up the bill list, Jimmy asked why I was being so nice to him. Well, he has been nice to me, why not? He bought me a surge protector for my computer. It seems that even though he wants me to leave our life is almost normal at times. Yesterday we were talking about all the stuff I've packed and what was in the storage building. Then in the middle of this conversation I had to do a "Huh?" when he asked what would I do in 6 months or a year if he called me to come back. Say what?!

Come on dude, quit sending me mixed signals. I can't take this! I have this strange feeling that after I've been gone a while he might discover that he really didn't want this. I know he has issues of some kind that he needs to solve. I shouldn't read anything into this, but one can hope. Sometimes I just don't know what to think. I feel like I have been through Hell during this. I wish I knew what to think...

A Marriage Made in Heaven

This little story made me laugh.

A young couple were driving down the road one day, happily, deliriously in love and due to be married the next day. Suddenly, a large truck swerved from the oncoming lanes into their car! BOOM! And they both died.

At the Pearly Gates, the young couple confronted St. Peter. "Sir, you have to help us! We were to be married tomorrow. Is there any way we can be married in Heaven?"

"Hmmm," replied St. Peter, "I don't recall there ever being a marriage in Heaven. Well, let's take it up with God and see what he says."

So they approached God with their plea. God sat for a moment, pondering the request. Then he looked down and said, "Come back in five years and ask me again."

Five years later, the couple approached God again, even more in love than ever and pleading that he allow their marriage. God paused for quite a while, musing over their request. Then he spoke, "Come back in five years and ask me again."

And once again, five years later, the couple was again in the presence of God, more in love than ever and begging God's permission for the third time to marry. This time God smiled broadly and thundered, "Yes my children, you may marry!"

Well, the wedding went off beautifully, the reception was huge, everyone thought the bride was simply breathtaking and the groom was soooo handsome, and everyone was happy! Until...

Two years later, the couple was back before God, and things were not looking so good. The couple had come to the realization almost immediately that although marriages were made in heaven, they didn't last very long there! And, in spite of their struggles to come to terms with the situation, they had decided there simply was no alternative but to get a divorce.

Black clouds fractured by lightening rolled across the sky, and the ground shook with explosive thunder. God glared down at the tiny couple before him, his face becoming dark and angry, and he roared, "Divorce?! Impossible!!! It took us TEN years just to find a priest in Heaven! Do you have any idea how long it will take to find a LAWYER?!!"

Moving Right Along Here, What Next?

For some reason I keep having the lyrics of "My Way" by Frank Sinatra running through my head. Maybe I will use this as my new mantra. I just changed the he to she...

And now, the end is near;
And so I face the final curtain.
My friend, Ill say it clear,
I'll state my case, of which I'm certain.

Ive lived a life that's full.
I've traveled each and every highway;
And more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Regrets, I've had a few;
But then again, too few to mention.
I did what I had to do
And saw it through without exemption.

I planned each charted course;
Each careful step along the byway,
But more, much more than this,
I did it my way.

Yes, there were times, I'm sure you knew
When I bit off more than I could chew.
But through it all, when there was doubt,
I ate it up and spit it out.
I faced it all and I stood tall;
And did it my way.

I've loved, I've laughed and cried.
I've had my fill; my share of losing.
And now, as tears subside,
I find it all so amusing.

To think I did all that;
And may I say - not in a shy way,
No, oh no not me,
I did it my way.

For what is a woman, what has she got?
If not herself, then she has naught.
To say the things she truly feels;
And not the words of one who kneels.
The record shows I took the blows -
And did it my way!

So here I sit among the boxes and trying to think of what is in the storage building that I will have to move. Traci made an interesting comment about the Dickens Village. Maybe they might have room to put up some of it? Year round? Interesting.

I colored my hair. Of course it came out too dark. Never fails. Oh well. It will lighten in time.

Of course it has not rained significantly here in months. We are under a burn ban and are in a drought condition. So since we will be moving stuff Saturday, guess what will happen! Rain! A cold front is coming through bringing needed rain. But I don't need it while I am moving furniture and boxes. Nuts. I just heard the weatherman say that Friday will be a possible record for the lowest high temperature for a March 13th. It make not make it to the 50's. Wonderful.

Well, at least Traci and Bobby have a garden. He is anxious to get some help and rain. It seems that Traci doesn't have a green thumb. But she does have pink hair. Don't even ask because I don't have a clue.

Oh joy, the kids across the way are crying. Lady is waiting patiently to go outside now. Someone is playing thumping music which I can hear from where I sit. And so it goes...

So Much to Do

Well, I've been busy going through things and packing. I have a feeling there is a library somewhere near Waco that will be getting some books. I'm getting tired of moving them around. I've actually managed to clean out the closets. I have boxed up other books and cd's and a few dvds. I can't believe that I have over 150 record albums. What is funny is that the price is still on some of them. How does $2.98 sound? I'm also working on packing two sets of china. I will have to re-pack some of my breakables including the china cause the boxes are just too heavy.

Jimmy and I may go over to our storage building this week-end to check on some stuff. We may have to do a switch with one of our bed/dresser sets. He wants the one that was his which was stained a darker color than the other. So we will probably have to take one out of storage and put it in the second bedroom while the other one goes with me.

Right now my back hurts and my emotions are still racing from one extreme to the other. I seem to wake up every morning feeling the "how could you do this to me" emotion. Sometimes I have to fight really hard to keep from crying. Some days I suceed, other days I don't. Why do we have to do this is always on my mind. Then there are other days when I want to get on with it and try to start over. There must be a reason that I have been put in this position. As bad as I feel I have to remind myself not to think like a victim. Maybe this was "in the stars" all along. Maybe I will find a better life. After all God has the plan, right?

Now the question is to color or not to color? I haven't colored my hair in a while so the gray is coming out more. Seems I have something in common with President Obama. We both are showing more gray. Can't be because of stress, right? Hum.

Well, now I have to go stare at the tax forms.... Yes, Uncle Sam, I hear you calling.

Can't a Girl Poop in Peace?

I have come to one conclusion. I will not miss Lucy! Lucy is the wild child dog who belongs to the lady who keeps all those kids.While I love dogs, I do believe that it is not right to let them outside in this area without supervision. To many things can happen, none of them good.

We have sort of an agreement in our building between Kayla, the pitbull, and Lady and Daisy. We try to not be outside at the same time or at least go in separate ways to do the business. But Lucy is another story. She is so wild and hyperactive that she nearly runs over Lady and Daisy. She really wants to play but she is much too rough and runs around and even over them.

Lucy used to be let out the door early in the morning and later in the evening to do her business. I managed to avoid her by taking Lady and Daisy out at a different time. But lately Lucy seems to be running wild around the buildings every time I try to take my dogs outside. I have nearly tripped a couple of times as Lady or Daisy tries to do what they need to do. She's bigger than them and I'm a little afraid they could accidentally get hurt. So just call me annoyed. How is a girl supposed to poop in peace around here?

Too much stuff

I've been going through things that I have amassed over the years, or should I saw what I have here cause a lot of my stuff is still in storage. I feel discouraged because there seems to be so much, even though I have gotten rid of a lot of stuff. Then I open another door and find more stuff.

Maybe I can get Traci to help me sell some of this stuff on eBay. I have been moving a lot of stuff around for too many years. I was going to give it to an eBay store near by but they moved way on the other side of town and I am not in the mood to drive all that far. Oh wait, I can't do that even since Jimmy's truck is in the shop, he is using the Trans Am.

My back hurts and the dogs keep looking at me like I am nuts. Maybe I am.Last night we talked about what to do about the Dickens Village stuff. "Do you want it?" he said. "Yeah but where would I put it?Again since I don't think I will ever have the room for it again, maybe I should sell it? Of course that would require that we get all of it out of storage and I just don't think there will be enough time or a place to put it when I move.

There sure is a lot to think about.I still have to do the taxes next week so that we can get that check to Uncle Sam. Then I have to print up a schedule and how to pay the bills since Jimmy has never done that.Talk about a rude awakening! So much to do...so little time. Oh well, I have a strange yen for a beer. I'm tired, think I go sit down a while and as Scarlett O'Hara said "I'll think about that tomorrow..."

Another Chapter

I got a nice surprise the other day. My daughter, Traci, called me. We don't get many chances to talk. Anyone with three kids knows how that is. We caught up on a lot of things and we also talked about the unraveling of my marriage. Before I realized it we had talked for nearly two hours.

In the ongoing soap opera of our family a new story line is emerging. I've been weighing my options. Do I try to go it alone and try to get my own place here in Houston? I have looked at the details of what I would need to get into an apartment. Not exactly cheap, for sure. Deposits and other things would mean a struggle. I kept thinking of different things that I would have to buy. That is if I was able to get a job.No easy task there.

I had already talked with Annie about what I should do. She helped me get some new ideas. Then when I talked to Traci I got even more ideas. They both made me feel so much better. Now I am to the point of looking at what I can take and how much I will need to discard and what to pack. I have a few boxes here left from when we moved in. Now it occurs to me I don't have any old newspapers to wrap stuff. Aw, nuts.

I still can't get a straight answers out of Jimmy. The only real response I get is when I ask if he really plans to go through with this and he says yes. As to why he made this decision, I still get the run around. Funny how some people will hold onto clothes they can no longer wear, but not the spouse. Oh well.

At least I have wonderful children whom I greatly appreciate and see their value. Since I'm getting older by the minute, seeing is beliving. Then I saw this:
God, grant me the senility to forget the people I never liked anyway, the good fortune to run into the ones that I do like, and the eyesight to tell the difference.

Another Ain't Life Grand Day

Jimmy's truck is broken again (maybe it's bad karma?). So yesterday he had to take the Trans Am to work. Of course it was good to put it on the highway occasionally. But that meant that I had to wait to run to WalMart until he got home after 4 pm. So as soon as he came in I ran (or drove) to WalMart to get a money order for a bill and hit the ATM. So I pull into the parking lot and see a shopping cart smack in the middle of the parking isle. I have to drive around it to get to a parking spot. And sitting in a parking slot facing this wayward cart is the little security car with the "security guard" inside. I guess he figured it was not his job to move that cart. After all they have a cart crew to take care of that, right.

So I go in to the ATM. Crap, it's not working, so now I have to use the other one at the bank. That would cost me more. Nuts. Oh well. Then I get in line at the customer service area to pay for the money order. As usual, eight people in line and one clerk. Great. But I did get a big laugh out of the lady behind the man behind me. She was on her phone talking to someone. I hate it when I can hear someone talking on the phone. I always feel I'm intruding, but when a person talks in public, oh well. In the middle of her conversation she says to the person on the other end, "Step away from the computer!" The guy behind me and I looked at each other and started to laugh. I remember seeing car alarms at a car show that said "Step away from the vehicle" if you got too close. I could not help but think of that.

Finally done with my business, I leave the store. Out to the parking lot I go. As I drive down the isle a guy nearly backed out of his spot into me. I'm proud to say that not a single expletive left my mouth. I did manage "Dude!". Luckily I avoided him and moved on down the isle to again negotiate that stupid shopping cart! Hey, where are those guys in the bright orange t-shirts! Come get this cart!

After that the drive home was easy. It is the parking lots of the world that cause all the problems. On the other hand I have seen some highways that look like parking lots. Ain't life grand!

A Reading Marathon

There is something a bit unusual going on starting at 9:00 today and lasting all week-end. A group of volunteers will be reading the Bible out loud all weekend. It will be streamed live on one of our tv station's website, abc13.com. Reading aloud, I think can help some people get a real feel for a story. I know that , for example, Shakespeare seems to come alive more when we hear the words rather than try to read it. Maybe the same will be said for people who read the Bible. Personally, I think even non-readers would find interesting.

The University of St. Thomas will host, "Word of God: The Bible Unites," an ecumenical event where people of all faiths will continuously read the Bible aloud from Genesis to Revelation around the clock for the duration of the three-day event.

WHO: Various Catholic and non-Catholic religious leaders, civil leaders, Catholic high school and grade school principals, UST faculty, staff, students, alumni and friends will read the Bible aloud for 15-minute intervals

WHEN: This three day event begins 9am on Friday, Feb. 20, 2009 and ends at approximately 9:30am on Sunday, Feb. 22 at the Chapel of St. Basil on the University of St. Thomas campus.

The Opening Ceremony will begin with Bishop Rizzotto, Pastor Lawson, and Rabbi Weiss speaking briefly about the Word of God and then following the reading of the Bible will begin in this following order:

Order of readers of Bible for opening ceremony (also listed in front of name is the chapter from Genesis they will be reading):

1. Rabbi Kenneth Weiss, Executive Director of Houston Hillel
2. Most Reverend Vincent Rizzotto, Auxiliary Bishop Emeritus, Archdiocese of Galveston-Houston
3. Rev. Dr. William A. Lawson, Senior Pastor, Wheeler Avenue Baptist Church
4. Bishop Janice Riggle Huie, Bishop of the Texas Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church
5. Adrian Garcia, Harris County Sheriff
6. The Right Rev. C. Andrew Doyle, Bishop Adjutor of Texas, Episcopal Diocese of Texas
7. Todd Smith, UST Director of Athletics
8. Gwen James, Coordinator of UST Student Affairs
9. Deacon Joe Rubio, Vice President of Community Relations and Development for Catholic Charities
10. Sister Mary Roberta Connors, FSE, Franciscan Sister of the Eucharist
11. Thomas Mendez, UST Senior
12. George Strake, President and CEO of Strake Energy Inc.
13. Dr. Robert Ivany, President, University of St. Thomas
14. Father Patrick Braden, CSB, President Emeritus of the University of St. Thomas
15. Bernard Hebinck, UST Alumnus
16. Tom Horan, UST Alumnus
17. Larry Payne, UST Alumnus
18. David Wood, Director, Office of Worship, Archdiocese of Galveston Houston

I have never seen this happen in a large city like Houston. Maybe it has been done in some churches but to have so many people of different faiths do this in public is inspiring.

Which Way Did He Go?

Houston we have a problem. Yesterday I had the tv on our local ABC channel as they broke in with the news that Federal Marshalls had raided offices of yet another investment cheat. R. Allen Stanford was no where to be found. He had apparently bilked possibly 50,000 investors of $8 billion. Oops! Inquiring minds want to know.

U.S. Marshals seized control of the offices yesterday, and SEC investigators are claiming Stanford and his close associates defrauded tens of thousands of investors out of billions of dollars, persuading them to invest in seemingly safe CDs -- certificates of deposits -- but faking double-digit returns.

In December, two former employees of the Houston-based firm left Stanford and filed a lawsuit, saying they were forced to resign once they discovered the financial impropriety.

The civil lawsuit, filed by former employees D. Mark Tidwell and Charles Rawl, alleges, "Rawl and Tidwell repeatedly asked Stanford management to change Stanford's business practices. Stanford refused to cease its illegal activity." The two left the financial firm.

Stanford also operates out of the Caribbean island of Antigua. No doubt authorities are also searching for him there.

The Houston offices remain closed today. The SEC plans on an update in the next 24 hours as to the operations there.

The Prime Minister of Antigua has said the Stanford situation could be "catastrophic" for his nation.

Of course now he has disappeared. Come out, come out where ever you are... Of course this brings up questions about why people would invest with him. One man invested $10 million. One woman invested half her inheritance there. Now the SEC and the FBI are looking for him. I thought the SEC was supposed to watch out for stuff like this?

Of course these days it should remind us all that we need to check and double check our plans for investments. It could all be gone in a flash.

Just One Day

How many times have we heard someone say they don't have enough time for themselves? We are all stressed out because of the way we live our lives. We work long hours, sometimes at jobs we don't like. Of course that job pays the bills. Family obligations keep us moving too. We schedule our lives and those of our kids so we and they will be "well rounded". Each day we drive for hours either to and from work or doing other things. We are constantly on the phone talking or texting or on the computer doing things. If we are not doing that we have earphones plugged into our ears to "relax" with music. We sit in front of the tv for hours escaping into various programs.

What if, for one day, there was nothing. No tv programs to watch, no music to hear. What would happen if we could not text, e-mail or call anyone? What if for that one day, there was literally nothing to do? What if for just one day you were totally alone with your thoughts? Nothing else available. Nothing to do. Nothing to read, nothing to eat or cook, nothing important that had to be done and no way to do it.

Just imagine that one day without everything "routine" in daily life. No sounds to interrupt thoughts. No-one to talk to. No place to go. What would you do with all this time? Would you be frustrated because you have no contact with the outside world? Would you miss your gadgets? Would you be bored? Would you re-discover you? You, alone with your thoughts and nothing else. For just one day, alone, what would happen?

What Was That?

People around Texas are wondering what was falling from the sky. Nobody seems to have an answer. Police around Austin got 911 calls about something that looked like it was on fire as it streaked through the sky. Williamson County even had a helicopter try to find evidence. So far there are still more questions than answers. Video of this is all over the news and the net.

The event occurred in skies north of Austin about 11 a.m., according to e-mails from citizens to the Austin American-Statesman.

The Associated Press reported late Sunday afternoon that the Federal Aviation Administration had received numerous reports of falling debris across Texas, which could be related to a recent satellite collision. FAA spokesman Roland Herwig said officials suspect the debris could be related to the collision, but he said that had not been confirmed.

AP reported that the FAA notified pilots on Saturday to be aware of possible debris after the collision Tuesday between the U.S. and Russian communications satellites.

Foster said officials at the Austin-Bergstrom International Airport told them they were unaware of any aircraft in the portion of the sky where the burning debris was spotted.

Foster said a helicopter flew over northern Williamson County Sunday morning to survey the area at the request of law officers but pilots saw nothing unusual.

“We are pretty sure it was not an airplane, which was our first concern,” Foster said. He said Federal Aviation Administration officials conjectured that people may have seen debris from satellites.

The Waco Tribune-Herald newspaper reported on its web site Sunday afternoon that Randy Plemons, chief deputy with the McLennan County Sheriff’s Department said a sheriff’s office pilot flew the county’s helicopter searching for debris about 100 miles north of Austin but found nothing, despite reports from Waco residents who saw the fireball and heard explosions.

The chief deputy said citizens who find what they believe might be satellite remains should not touch it and should contact the sheriff’s office.

There does not seem to be any real information from any government agency. Either nobody knows what it is or they do know and are not talking. Citizens, don't touch it if you find it. Ok, afterall, we might accidently open the door of it and little green men may come out and say "Take me to your leader." Then again there is a new movie with "the Rock" in it and he's worried about aliens. Interesting timing.Hum...

Let's Hear It for Us (elderly people)

I don't often think about age, well actually I do, sort of. When I think of my parents and uncles and aunts, I often think they died too young, or they lived a long life. Sometimes I think about my genes. Will I get the long life gene or not, or do I want it? The women on my mother's side all died of ovarian cancer. My father died three days short of his 73rd birthday. His father died a lot younger than that. It seems that almost all my other relatives lived into their 80's. Do I really want to do that?

Like I said, my age is not something I dwell on a lot. Unless I think about how much time I may have left or when I hear of people being called old or elderly. Recently I saw a news report about a women who was the victim of a home invasion. She fought them off but did suffer some minor injuries. What surprised me was the reporter's description of her as "an elderly woman." She's my age! I could soon qualify for early retirement, but I don't think of myself as "elderly." Then last night I was watching the new "Survivor" show. One of the team's members is a bus driver who refers to herself as "old" and her teammates also call her an "old lady" who probably would not be an asset to the tribe. She is only 53, younger than I am! Jeez...Maybe youth really is wasted on the young.

Then I found this little story:
An elderly woman had just returned to her home from an evening of church services when she was startled by an intruder. She caught the man in the act of robbing her home of its valuables and yelled, "Stop! Acts 2:38!" (Repent and be baptized, in the name of Jesus Christ so that your sins may be forgiven.)

The burglar stopped in his tracks. The woman calmly called the police and explained what she had done.

As the officer cuffed the man to take him in, he asked the burglar, "Why did you just stand there? All the old lady did was yell a scripture to you."

"Scripture?" replied the burglar. "She said she had an ax and two 38's!"

Score one for the old folks!

Space, The Final Frontier or Garbage Dump

Well, I haven't found much to laugh at lately but for some reason the news that a Russian and an American satellite collided caught my attention. The US commercial communications satellite, Iridium, collided with a defunct Russian satellite. Nasa sources said they knew this would probably happen at some point. Since the Russians launched Sputnik in 1957 some 6000 satellites have been put into orbit. Getting a little crowded up there, right?

Apparently they collided over Siberia and the Americans are now following the debris path to see if the ISS or the shuttle launch could be in the path. An orbital debris expert at the Johnson Space Center in Houston ( there's a job for you) said that the Hubble Space Telescope and other earth observing satellites at hight altitudes could be at higher risk.

Really inspires confidence doesn't it. Let's see we have space junk, dead satellites, a lost tool bag from the shuttle and a lot of other stuff floating around up there. So what do we need first, a traffic cop or a garbage collector? Some of the traffic cops I have seen are intertaining in their quest to move traffic smoothly. But with all that stuff up there, maybe some garbage company would like an out of this world contract. Of course the way my garbage collectors are, I would love to kick them into outer space.

I guess, in time, we will all see what shakes out and falls to earth. Remember Area 51? 6000 satellites and counting. What would Captain Kirk say? Spock would probably look for a logical solution and Scotty would probably say bag all that debris and send it to the Klingons where, like the tribbles, it will be no tribble at all.

Didn't See That one Coming, Did She?

Have you ever seen those movies or tv shows where a husband and wife have been married a long time and then the husband starts to have a mid-life crisis? Maybe he buys a sports car to make him feel younger. Maybe he thinks life has past him by. He can't explain his feelings, but something is not going the way he'd hoped.The wife sees that something is different but he refuses to talk about it. After all he is depressed, who wants to discuss that. I remember watching the "The Starter Wife" with Debra Messing.It's plot was along the same lines. Husband works hard, has nice wife who helped and supported him, say for 20 years. Then "poof!" He decides he no longer wants his wife. He dumps her. "It's not you, it's me" he tells her. The "Starter Wife" is stunned, dumbfounded. She wonders what she did wrong. "Nothing", he says. Still, she feels blind-sided, hurt and angry.

So what is next in this show? Of course in tv soaps, the heroine always rises to the occasion. In real life, there are many questions and no clear answers. Most of the time the soon to be ex wife finds that there are a lot of roadblocks to her trip toward life alone. Her needs are many, her options are few. Better check with the writers...

The Art of Vetting and Paying Taxes

Oops, and another one bites the dust. So now Tom Daschle has had to withdraw from his nomination to the Health and Human Services head position. He is the third nominee who has erred on his income taxes. To me, this brings up two questions about people who work in the Washington arena. Is the vetting process poorly designed? Why are so many of these people having trouble with income taxes?

Most of us have been "vetted" when we apply for jobs. Some of us have been quizzed and investigated extensively in order to get some jobs. When I went to work years ago at NHIC (Texas Medicaid), I was interviewed by several different people and had references checked. Later I worked at an independent medical lab. Again I was screened. When my ex-husband and I were married, he had to go through an extensive background and job check. To this day, I don't know how the screening board found out some of their information. What is wrong with the vetting process for top government posts. I know they have to answer a long list of questions regarding background, finances and information on their spouses and family do. To accept an offer from the President of the United States and not know things like tax issues, to me, just nuts. Anyone who fills out tax forms knows how hard it is. Many of these people make a lot of money, but "forget" to report things.With the amount of money they make, do they not have access to accountants or CPAs? This is not just a Democratic or Republican issue, it is an embarrassment to the Office of the President of the United States. It could be said, President Obama made bad choices. To his credit, he said "I screwed up". To me, maybe someone should take a hard look at the vetting process. Maybe it needs to be changed.

Tim Geithner, Obama's choice to head the Treasury Department brings the tax issue to the front. He didn't pay his taxes right but has since corrected that. Most of the powers of Washington are willing to forgive and forget. According to them he is smart and well qualified for the job of Secretary of the Treasury. If he can make mistakes on his taxes who are we to think ours are right? Maybe we should all write Mr.Geithner and suggest that, once again, we think the tax system stinks and needs to be changed.

It does seem a little funny that the guy in charge of the Treasury did not pay his taxes right. Now I don't feel so bad when I complain about paying mine. Then again, I'm not in Washington.

The Irony of It

Two men are waiting at the gates of heaven and strike up a conversation.

"How'd you die?" the first man asks the second.

"I froze to death," says the second.

"That's awful," says the first man. "How does it feel to freeze to death?"

"It's very uncomfortable at first," says the second man. "You get the shakes, and you get pains in all your fingers and toes. But eventually, it's a very calm way to go. You get numb and you kind of drift off, as if you're sleeping. How about you, how did you die?"

"I had a heart attack," says the first man. "You see, I knew my wife was cheating on me, so one day I showed up at home unexpectedly but found her alone watching television. I ran around the house looking for her lover but could find no one. As I ran up the stairs to the attic, I had a massive heart attack and died."

The second man shakes his head. "That's so ironic," he says.

"What do you mean?" asks the first man.

"If you had only stopped to look in the freezer, we'd both still be alive."

6 + 8 = 14

Giving birth to octuplets is rare. 10 years ago a Houston couple had 8 babies. One died shortly after birth. This family had one older child. Now we hear of a young woman in California who has given birth to octuplets after having fertility treatment. She already had six children ages 7,6,5,3 and 2 year old twins. This does not sound like an infertility problem to me.

I had to take Clomid years ago. It took me a long time to have my first child and to help with my second pregnancy I chose Clomid which is a mild fertility drug which rarely results in more than two babies at once. Lucky me, I got the two. At that time the choices for help were Clomid, ovarian resection or trreatment which was only available at major medical centers. I chose the easiest, safest way first which worked for me, so I was lucky.

The young woman from California apparently chose the fertility treatments which are used more these days and are very expensive. Embryos were implanted hoping that a couple of them would survive. But why did she need fertility treatment in the first place? She obviously had no trouble getting pregnant the first 5 times. Add to this the fact that she is a young, single woman who lives with her parents and her six children. Six kids are expensive but fourteen kids could cost a couple of million dollars . Add to this the fact that no-one knows yet how the octuplets will fare. It is not uncommon for premature babies like these to have life long problems. I don't even want to think about the hospital bill or the doctor bills. And that is just while they are still in the hospital. The cost will go on for a long time. There have already been people donating to help defray the costs.

To me there are a lot of questions about all of this. Many medical ethicists are struggling with the decison made by this young woman and her doctors. Most fertility specialists say they would not implant any more than two to four embryos at any one time.When a woman has a multiple pregnancy it is both difficult for the mother and the growing babies. Should the doctors have implanted that many embryos? Will she be able to provide for all her children without help from others? Will the state end up paying for their care? Will she get a cable channel show about them? That would probably help. I understand her father is planning to go back to Iraq to do contract work to help with expenses.He also told the media that they have a really large house which, according to him, the media will never find.

There are a lot of couples who are desperate to have children, even one. They spend thousands of dollars on the chance of have a child. Some succeed but others don't. I have a great deal of empathy for these people. At first I was astounded that this woman was able to deliver so many babies. It is a marvel that they are all apparently healthy. But, now I have to wonder if this woman really needed fertility treaments. So many questions, so few answers.

What Do You Mean You Don't Have Time?

Busy? No time? Yeah right...get off the poker table! I don't really know what this says about the situation, but it seems funny to me. Jimmy spends almost all his non-working time playing poker on line with his friends. They chat, tell jokes and talk about all sorts of things while they play.Is he addicted to this? Maybe. Maybe it is a stress relief. Then again...?

One of the guys that Jimmy works with has been getting movies on his computer. Last week he streamed one over to Jimmy's laptop. It took forever. As far as I am concerned, not my problem. Jimmy was a little astonished that it took so many hours. Yeah, and how long does he play poker each day? Talk about a long time. He comes home from work, grabs his laptop and starts playing poker. He stops just long enough to eat when I tell him that supper is ready. Then back to the game he goes. He continues to play after I go to bed. Sometimes on the week-ends he plays way into the early morning. Then he sleeps longer. Hum...When he gets up, back to the poker table. We lead such and exciting life...

I nearly fell over the other day when his friend asked him if he had watched the movie yet. "I've got some more..." Jimmy actually said "When do I have time?" What? I thought to myself he could just not play poker for a couple of hours, right? What do you mean, you don't have time? Jeez! Pry your fingers off the game and push play on the movie!

Personally I don't know how anyone can sit in a chair (recliner no less) with a laptop sitting on a tray table playing poker, or any game, for hours on end. If I tried that, something would hurt after a while. Either my eyes would start to swim, my shoulders, neck, elbows, or hand would soon be screaming objections. Just how does he do it? Beats me. But he says he hasn't had time to watch a movie, yeah right. Humph.