Give me a V
Sorry - I've been neglecting you! It's been about a week since I've written. I am visiting Virginia this week and last week was filled with getting ready for my trip. (and I wasn't really in the mood for blogging).
Anyway....
Sam and I left for the 12 hour drive on Thursday evening, we stopped for the night in Frackville PA, where I religiously stop to spend the night. Frackville is exactly 1/2 way, to the mile, and home to my favorite little motel Granny's. The rooms are decorated as if your at visiting Granny's.

The food is down home cooking and to die for! We had one little travel snag. My alternator died but fate was with us, it could have been much worse. My battery light had flashed on at about midnight the previous night about 40 miles from the motel. When we went to begin part 2 of the drive it actually died as I was filling the tank and thank heavens before we got back on the highway! The gas attendant was able to point me to a little shop that was 1/4 mile from where we were... more fate in the works.... it actually was an alternator specialty shop!
Part 2 of our trip was uneventful. Because we got such a late start (thanks to the alternator) we didn't arrive in Virginia until about 10 pm.
We are staying with my best friend Becky. Becky has three kids, great friends of Samantha's. Sam, needless to say, is on top of the world right now. She is back in the country, being in the middle of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Floyd. And... to make matters even more impressive to her she is getting to see her father, which happens only once in a blue moon.
Yesterday (Saturday) Becky and I did some Easter shopping and then took the kids swimming at Thunderstruck - a swimming hole on the Little River.

Everyone had a blast. We called Kevin to meet us there and he brought his parents and niece and nephew - so it was a big ole get together. After dark we headed out - Becky back to her house with her kids and our puppy and Sam and I headed to Kevin's parents to spend the night so we would be here for Easter Sunday dinner. Sam has since been picked up by her father and I am looking forward to some yummy food!!!!
More later.... and With Love!!!!

68 Questions
1. What time did you get up this morning?
Work days - 8 or so (I'm not terrific about waking up)
Weekends - 10

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema?
The Lion, The Witch & The Wardrobe

4. What is your favorite TV show? Any Reality Show - right now The Apprentice & Survivor

5. What did you have for breakfast? I don't eat breakfast

6. What is your middle name? Marie

7. What is your favorite cuisine? I Love all food, but my most favorite is anything seafood.

8. What food do you dislike? Lima beans


9. Favorite chips? I'm not a big chip eater unless there is sour cream and onion dip with it and if so then it would regular flavored chips.

8. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Billy Joel's greatest hits - still

11. What kind of car do you drive? Accura Legend

12. What characteristics do you despise? Hypocrasy

13. Favorite item of clothing? If I'm home I like comfy sweatpant types and if I'm going out jeans and a dress shirt.

14.If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? Ireland

15. What color is your bathroom? Green and Whilte

16. Favorite brand of clothing? I'm not really into "brands" - anything that fits and looks good is fine with me.

17. Where would you retire? Traveling in one of those big Winnebago's holding up all the traffic behind me.

18. Favorite time of day? Afternoon

19. Where were you born? Beaufort SC

20. Favorite sport to watch? Football

22. Person you expect to send this back first? Becky

23. What laundry detergent do you use? Usually mid grade type detergent - Gain and such - if I can find Tide on sale I always buy it - I don't use the real cheap stuff anymore but I have in the past.

24. Coke or Pepsi? Pepsi

25. Are you a morning person or night owl? Night Owl

26. What size shoe do you wear? 5 1/2

27. Do you have pets? Yes - My Puppy Rubie & Cat Moody

28. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with your friends? I'm going to VA next week

29. What (who) did you want to be when you were little? An oceanographer

30. Favorite Candy Bar? Snickers

31. What is your favorite childhood memory? Wow - How do you pinpoint that one? I have so many. Going on weekends with my Dad was a biggy.

32. What are the different jobs you have had in your life? Hostess, Dishwasher, Waitress, Cert. Nurses Aid, Medical Claims Processor, Legal Secretary, Project Management, Admin Asst

33. What color underwear are you wearing? Black

34. Nicknames? Chris or Chrissie

35. Piercing? just my ears

37. Ever been to Africa? No

38. Ever been toilet papering? no

39. Love someone so much it made you cry? YES!!!

40. Been in a car accident? yes

41. Croutons or bacon bits? croutons

42. Favorite day of the week? Saturday / Sunday

41. Favorite restaurant? The Venetian - used to be The Olde Mille Grille

44. Favorite flower? Tulips

45. Favorite ice cream? Chocolate Chip

46. Disney or Warner Brothers? Disney

47. Favorite fast food restaurant?

48. What color is your bedroom carpet? Beige

49. How many times did you fail your driver's test? never

50. Before this one, from whom did you get your last e-mail? My bank

Where are questions 51 & 52???

53. Bedtime? around midnight

54.Who are you most curious about their responses to this questionnaire? not really curious about anyone in particular but I do love reading peoples answers to these

55. Last person you went to dinner with? Samantha

56. Ford or Chevy? Ford

57. What are you listening to right now?-- The rain and keyboard clicks

58. What is your favorite color? Red & purple

59. Lake, Ocean, River? River and Ocean!!

60. How many tattoos do you have? one - a small J on my for Jimmy McCoole one of my loves as a teen.

61. Which came first, the chicken or the egg? The dinosaur egg

63. Favorite Cocktail? Gin & Tonic

64. Where would you go for a girl's weekend get-a-way? Skiing would be fun

65. What would you do if you had to select another career? Another career? I'm still waiting for a career to develop - Lawyer

66. Republican or Democrat? Democrat

67. Favorite Family Vacation? Disney World

68. All Time Favorite Concert? Ozzy Osbourne - I bought obstructed view tickets for cheap and it turned out to be 3rd row - it was only obstructed because it was right in front of the speakers but I could have touched the guitar player.

My Vanity Plate
My best friend Becky had her Vanity Plate on her Blog on Friday - here is mine:

chrissie's vanity plate:

RU CN NE1

'What will your vanity plate say?' at QuizGalaxy.com

Teasers Answers
Melli Got Six corrent - She is the winner!
Check out her Blog

How quickly can you find out what is unusual about this paragraph? It looks so ordinary that you would think that nothing was wrong with it at all, and in fact, nothing is. But it is unusual. Why? If you study it and think about it you may find out, but I am not going to assist you in any way. You must do it without coaching. No doubt if you work at it for long, it will dawn on you. I don't know. Now, go to work and try your luck.

In the whole paragraph there is no E used – this is called a lithogram

Do you say "Loo-iss-vill" is the capital of Kentucky, or do you say "Loo-ee-vill" is the capital of Kentuckyn

Frankfort is the capital of Kentucky

Before the days of motor cars, a man rode into town on his horse. He arrived on Friday, spent three days in town and left on Friday. How is that possible?

The horses name is Friday

A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the same year. But they were not twins. How could this be so?

There are more than TWO babies. If three, they would triplets and if four they would be quadruplets. So, the rest were daughters.

How many animals of each sex did Moses take on the ark?

Moses didn't have an ark, Noah did!

Is there a Fourth of July in England?

Yes, it comes after the third of July!

A man dressed all in black is walking down a country lane. Suddenly a large black car without any lights on comes round the corner and screeches to a halt. How did the driver know there was a man in the road?

It was daylight

What happened in 1961 and will not happen again until 6009?

The year reads the same upside down

How could all of your cousins have an aunt who is not your aunt?

Your Mom is their Aunt

You are driving a bus. Four people get on, three people get off, then eight people get on and ten people get off, then 6 people get on and 2 more people get off. What color were the bus driver's eyes?

Whatever color your eyes are – you’re the driver remember?

What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Dinosaurs laid eggs long before chickens

If a daddy bull weighs 1,200 pounds and eats twelve bales of hay each day, and a baby bull, who weighs 300 pounds eats three bales of hay each day, how much hay then should a mommy bull eat if she weighs 800 pounds?

No such thing as mommy bull

Why are 1968 pennies worth more than 1967 pennies?

Because 1,968 is one penny more than 1,967

Thursday (& Friday) Thirteen
Topic: 13 Thursday

Thirteen Thursday Teasers

 

I've got Thirteen Teasers for you today!

Do you see a face or a word?




One: How quickly can you find out what is unusual about this paragraph? It looks so ordinary that you would think that nothing was wrong with it at all, and in fact, nothing is. But it is unusual. Why? If you study it and think about it you may find out, but I am not going to assist you in any way. You must do it without coaching. No doubt if you work at it for long, it will dawn on you. I don't know. Now, go to work and try your luck.

Two: Do you say "Loo-iss-vill" is the capital of Kentucky, or do you say "Loo-ee-vill" is the capital of Kentucky?

Three: Before the days of motor cars, a man rode into town on his horse. He arrived on Friday, spent three days in town and left on Friday. How is that possible?

Four: A woman had two sons who were born on the same hour of the same day of the same year. But they were not twins. How could this be so?

Five: How many animals of each sex did Moses take on the ark?

Six: Is there a Fourth of July in England?

Seven: A man dressed all in black is walking down a country lane. Suddenly a large black car without any lights on comes round the corner and screeches to a halt. How did the driver know there was a man in the road?

Eight: What happened in 1961 and will not happen again until 6009?

Nine: How could all of your cousins have an aunt who is not your aunt?

Ten: What came first, the chicken or the egg?

Eleven: You are driving a bus. Four people get on, three people get off, then eight people get on and ten people get off, then 6 people get on and 2 more people get off. What color were the bus driver's eyes?

Twelve: If a daddy bull weighs 1,200 pounds and eats twelve bales of hay each day, and a baby bull, who weighs 300 pounds eats three bales of hay each day, how much hay then should a mommy bull eat if she weighs 800 pounds?

Thirteen: Why are 1968 pennies worth more than 1967 pennies?


Other TTers doing Thirteen Thursday

Thirteen Things a Little Bird Told Me

Thirteen Things About my Childhood

Thirteen Things About Me

Thirteen Things You Might Not Know About a Librarian

13 Authors Melli Likes To Read and at least one book that might be favorite...

Thirteen things that really bother Dariana


Also - I do my TT's a little different - I link the sites I visit and also link the people that commented on my TT from the previous week.

Tuesday is..... Self Potrait Day
Hi! This is my first Self Potrait Tuesday.
The theme for this month is "April Fools" photo's.

Did you ever hear of this April Fools joke?
It was 1962, Sweden. There was only one tv channel and it broadcast in black and white. Technical expert, Kjell Stensson, appeared on the news to announce that all viewers could now quickly and easily convert their existing sets to display color. To make this happen they only had to pull a nylon stocking over their tv screen - at which point they would be able to see their TV in color. He then demonstrated the process.

I rushed out and bought some nylons. Amazingly enough......

Apparently hundreds of thousands of people were taken in.

(Actual color tv transmission began in Sweden on April 1, 1970).

Want to Participate?

Samantha Says....

My Mom asked my daughter, Samantha

the ending of a bunch of popular phrases.

Her Hilarious answers are lited below and should bring a nice Monday smile to your face. She got a few right and the rest are priceless! They actually brought quite a bit of Laughing out loud on my end.


1. Don't change horses.....hooves

2. Strike while the.......flag is still up

3. It's always darkest before.....it's light

4. Never underestimate the power of.....positive thinking

5. You can lead a horse to water but ....you can't make him swim

6. Don't bite the hand that ....has already been bitten

7. No news is......the news

8. A miss is as good as a ....tomboy

9. You can't teach an old dog new ....tricks

10. If you lie down with dogs, you'll ....smell

11. Love all, trust ...in kind

12. The pen is mightier than the ...pencil

13. An idle mind is......a bored mind

14. Where there's smoke there's ....cigarettes

15. Happy the bride who....got married

16. A penny saved is .....good luck

17. Two's company, three's ...company

18. Don't put off till tomorrow what ......you know you have to do

19. Laugh and the whole world laughs with you, cry and .....tears come out

20. There are none so blind as ......people

21. Children should be seen and not .......heard

22. If at first you don't succeed ....you try again

23. You get out of something only what you .....work for

24. When the blind lead the blind ....SEEers lead the SEEers

25. Better late than .....ever


Mom posted these back in January on her blog. I thought they deserved to be re-posted!

Happy Monday to all!

-

Give it a try

I stole this from my friend Brico Trout

What do you think of that?

Another Vacation?
Take this little quiz and see which European City fits your personality!
Leave the results in comments for me.

You Belong in Dublin

Friendly and down to earth, you want to enjoy Europe without snobbery or pretensions. You're the perfect person to go wild on a pub crawl... or enjoy a quiet bike ride through the old part of town.

Goodbye Puppy
I hate to do it, but I'm getting rid of the puppy! If you want to see a pic of the pup scroll down.













APRIL FOOLS

Rubie is going to be ok! Samantha and I took her the vet yesterday for her first visit. Her whole problem has been worms. The vets assistant said she had never seen so many worm eggs in one small sample and that she is totally infested. Ruby is on an antibiotic (in case she has an infection from them), for a week has to have a "prescription" food (which she surprising likes) and was dewormed. They also gave me the deworming medicine to give her every week for a month.



I see the difference in her already. She is much more active. Her poops are getting better too - disregarding the worms that are coming out....
So - she is back on track and I'm so happy!

Thanks for all the advice from everyone - it is much appreciated. Lisa who is not a doctor and doesn't play one on TV, diagnosed Rubie's problem perfectly!

Puppy Problems
This is will be the 4th time trying to post this - 3 times last night and now 1 time today. Tripod seems to be having problems. I also posted a comment at my Mothers blog A Particularly Persistent Point of View and it didn’t post either. So – I’m typing this on Word and will post when the cost is clear – that way I won’t lose it again. It was very frustrating typing it out twice and losing it - the third times a charm they say, but not last night it wasn't.

Anyway.... on to the Puppy Problems.
Do they make such a thing as Doggy Diapers? Because if so, Rubie needs them! My new German Shepherd puppy, we just brought home last week, has had the runs since she came home. I did manage to move her vet appointment up to today at 3 p.m., which is better than next Wednesday.
This whole issue creates a dilemma:
If this dog is truly sick, what do I do? We’ve already bonded with Rubie and she to us. Yet… on the other hand, I was unsure about even getting a puppy – let alone a sick one.
I talked to the breeder. He told me if she is sick to bring her back and pick out another! I don’t know if I could even trade her in at this point and if I could, I know darn well the twelve year old won’t be able to. Of course all will hinge on tomorrows appointment and I know I should just wait and see but……
What would you do? I need some advice.

13 Dolls by Samantha
Topic: 13 Thursday

 

13 Dolls by Samantha

 

My Thirteen this week are dolls that my daughter created with her marvelous fashion sense!
Comment and let us know which you like best!

1. SALLY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2. MILEY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

3. MARLA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4. LILY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5. LACY

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

6. KILIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

7. KATRINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

8. JENA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

9. JACKIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

10. GINA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

11. ERICA

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

12. CIRIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

13. CASSIE

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Don't forget to vote for your favorite!

After you vote - go create your own dolls:
click DOLL MAKER

13 13ER'S
Thirteen Favorite Rock Bands

Thirteen Things I Love About my Son, Jacob

Thirteen Things I use in my Beauty Regimen

13 Games Melli Likes To Play With Her Kids (or anyone else who wants to play)

Thirteen Movies I'll Watch Over and Over

Thirteen Things Feedscott does not Like

Thirteen Things that Annoy Carmen

13 Countries I have Enjoyed Visiting

Thirteen Things about AMY THE BLACK

Thirteen Things I'm Not Writing about Today

Thirteen Things about Me

Thirteen Things about Nicole

Thirteen Things About Ocean

(in case you haven't noticed I do things a little backwards... I link the 13 I visited today. If you leave a comment I will go to you first next week)

Until then...... Sending Love you way!

Hodge Podge
What to write about?
Today I'm at a loss so I will just ramble-on for awhile. Hence - Hodge Podge!

Boy is it excellent out today! Today is the first day that I totally feel like Spring is really here. Spring and Fall are my favorite seasons because they signify change, from one extreme to the next, both having a special feeling that is indescribable. They have their own smells, which trigger memories that I can't quite put my finger on, but I know they are there and how they feel.
What is your favorite season and why?

BINGO. I recently, on a whim and out of the blue, decided to go to a Bingo game. I played alot when I lived in Virginia. I totally love it - it's an adrenaline rush and gambling runs in our family, big time. Friday night I went and I waited for "O63" for about 10 minutes. I would have won 500.00! Instead, about 12 numbers later, someone else won. Good for that person - but I wished it had been me. I did win 75.00 that night so I guess I can't expect to win them all. I won two games. One for 50.00 and another I split 50.00 with another winner. BINGO.

My daughter is twelve and she is about to drive me up the wall... Teen attitude.... hmmm. Are all Twelve year olds all that and a bag of chips? Mothering a teen is harder than even raising this puppy!

Puppy update:
Pooping problems.... Puppy has the runs. Not only is it making a terrific mess in my house but it is a sign of a sick puppy. I called the vet and they said I could try human medicine, like Imodium AD, which I did - which didn't change a thing. I originally had an appointment for her first set of shots next Wednesday, but I'm afraid I will have to move that date up because the pooping issue doesn't seem to be getting any better.
How happy am I that I bought that Carpet Cleaner? "It" cleans up quite well.

Tarot Link?
A few people have asked for the link to the Tarot reading. I'd rather send the link through the actual tarot site to your email address because I get credit for it (Karma Coins - which equal cash for readings) if you go to the site.
If you want the link - Comment with your email address or email me: Chrissiemarie@adelphia.net with your email address and I'll send it to you.

Taking Care of Business
My birthday came and went without incident. I got home from work and decided I wanted to go out - so I treated myself to a birthday dinner for Samantha and I. We went to the 99 Restaurant. I had my all time favorite, French Onion Soup, for my appetizer and then for dinner I had a seafood medley which was yummy. Shrimp, Scallops and Schrod with a newburg sauce and crumb topping. Sam had a steak burger which was so big it could have fed both of us. She brought 1/2 of it home. After dinner we drove next door and took Friendly's Sundays (with extra hot fudge) home for desert. We enjoyed. Samantha wanted to go to a restaurant that wasn't in Marshfield - so as not to be seen going out with her mother! I got a kick out of that... remembering when... she got the old "too bad" response to that one.
I woke up this morning and do not feel any older. I'm wondering when I'm supposed to feel like an adult. General consensus is that you actually never feel different mentally. When I was young I remember looking up to adults and wondering what I was going to be like, not knowing that I'd be the same exact person. It's kind of strange when you think about it.

Today is my niece's birthday - Isabel. I find it very hard to believe that she is already seven.
She was born a day after my birthday and I can already tell how much of an Aries she is...
Here are a few pictures.
Samantha is on the left and Isabel is on the right. This was taken by my sister during one of Samantha's visits to Mass. when we still lived in Virginia. I'm not sure of the date but I think it was probably at least five years ago. Samantha looks to be about Isabels age now. Looks to me like they didn't want to go to bed... or do you think they were up to something?

Isabel 2001:

Birthday Girl, five years later, today, 2006:

HAPPY 7TH BIRTHDAY TO ISABEL

Ok and now for a Puppy update:
I couldn't leave the puppy in the kitchen this morning - she whimpered and whined so much about being locked in. She made her first little barks, too. I couldn't leave with her making all that racket, being in an apartment, so I gave in and let her out. This was an error in judgement but what could I do? Now she will know she can whine and get her way and she will probably make a mess on my carpet too. But... what was I going to do, I ask again? I had to get to work and I couldn't leave her barking. Yesterday she did ok. Today I guess she realized what was going on. I put her in the kitchen last night for sleeping and she managed to knock the gate down in the middle of the night. I found her curled up next to Samantha at about 3 a.m. She is just so dang cute! I don't know how she got up on Sam's bed. Sam said she didn't lift her and she hasn't yet been able to climb or jump up on the furniture... well... I guess maybe she can now.
Yesterday I bought a handheld carpet cleaner. It was only like 40.00 and it works great! I cleaned up a few of her little spots and there is no smell and no stain! I'm thrilled with this little machine! Couldn't go without it.

My Birthday Tarot Reading

Today I am 38.
This is my 27th post on the 27th of March.

Today I did a Birthday Tarot Reading.
Results below - read for yourself how it came out....

Card 1 - SELF
The card in the Self position reveals aspects of how you perceive yourself right now.

The Two of Wands in this position indicates a need to stop and get your bearings. Your path has seemed erratic and unclear, necessitating new choices every few steps. Make no moves that will produce permanent consequences until you have worked your way through this period of confusion, insecurity and lack of clarity.
Uncertainty will pass and you will see the bigger picture again. If you are patient and sincere, the right path will be revealed to you.


Card 2 - SITUATION
The card that lands in the Situation position refers to social or circumstantial factors which could be affecting your life at this time.

A charismatic individual in the environment may be attracting people like bees to a flower. This kind of person helps us realize the importance of being inspired and having high ideals.
This is a valuable person to have around as he or she radiates boundless love for everyone to be nurtured by. Seek to emulate the beautiful gifts of this individual and create harmony in your environment by gracefully accepting all that you bring into your life.


Card 3 - CHALLENGES / OPPORTUNITIES
The card that lands in the Challenges/Opportunities position refers to ways that you can turn obstacles into stepping stones.

The Magus in this position tells you to keep your mind open to divine inspiration. Focus your attention on the hidden piece, the unspoken question, the unchallenged assumption.
Look for a larger pattern. Relax and keep your mind free from trivia, so you can shift your outlook to a new and higher vantage point. Your challenge is to leave old habits of thinking behind.


Card 4 - FOUNDATION
The card in the Foundation position points to influences from your personal history, your roots and background.

The King of Coins in this position suggests that you have already learned the right way to administer your personal domain, perhaps through a role model who was around in earlier times.
There was at least one person in your life who had achieved certain levels of success. As a result, you saw that it was possible, not just a fantasy, and that enterprise and commitment can add up to sovereignty and security. Seeing this has empowered you. Your current situation is recalling that image. You can again benefit from that knowledge in order to grow and prosper.


Card 5 - RECENT PAST
The card in the Recent Past position refers to events that are just departing, recently influential but now diminishing in power.

The King of Swords in this position indicates a fair-minded soul who sorts through things very carefully until he discovers the original facts. His conclusion has taken everything into account. It is a powerful example to witness someone make sense of things from an unbiased and unattached point of view.
It's even more powerful to realize that you are, or are becoming, such a person. Traditionally, the King of Swords is a judge or a lawyer, and his word becomes law. This king's integrity and powers of perception are unparalleled, and his or her influence leaves a mind-expanding legacy. You have received an example of an authoritative and trustworthy person's style of thinking, communicating, and doing business. Increasingly, you are able to translate such examples into your own life here and now.


Card 6 - HIGHER POWER
The card in the Higher Power position reflects the broader perspective and influence of your conscience, Guardian Angel, inner wisdom.

When the Queen of Swords comes up in this position, your inner grandmother is taking her throne. Male or female, we all have living within us a wise crone or powerful Queen of Heaven figure, a mature mother archetype. She is stepping forward now in your own psyche. Her higher reasoning is flowing into your consciousness, helping you see things in a broader way.
This involves a peeling away of appearances to yield a clearer disclosure of core issues. She is trying to remind you about what is true, what works and what you can do to positively affect your situation. Don't resist her; accept her influence.


Card 7 - NEAR FUTURE
The card in the Near Future position indicates which way the wind is blowing with regard to your situation. If you follow the Advice card, however, you can improve on or neutralize tendencies.

When the Two of Coins is in this position, it appears as if you are waiting out a roll of the dice. You can't hurry it up, you can't control circumstances and you are unable to gain an advantage through any known means to effect the outcome.
An immature person often behaves badly in a situation like this. A mature person, on the other hand, will make intelligent guesses and adapt to probabilities while being prepared to accept whatever happens. What are your hunches telling you?


Card 8 - BLOCKS & INHIBITIONS
The card in the Blocks position points to self-undermining tendencies, areas where you could be in denial, where you could get stuck -- unless you examine yourself and make some corrections.

When the Six of Swords falls in this position, you may be rigidly insisting that the world be logical, predictable and controllable. Although all of Nature is governed by laws that conform to guiding principles, random chaotic events can still catch you by surprise. In that context, you are unable to foresee the full consequences of the choices you make-- no one can!
The best any of us can do is control known variables and try to hedge our bets against the unknown. With that in mind, you must not condemn yourself for what you could not have seen coming. Separate your standards of perfection from what your current best effort has actually accomplished. You have done the best you could. Now you must release yourself from guilt and shame about aspects that were not perfect.


Card 9 - ALLIES
The card in the Allies position points to people who can be supportive or helpful to you at this time.

The Three of Cups in this position suggests that you have exceptionally good friends who are always there for you, ready and willing to be at your side like family. The presence of these wonderful people empowers you to take risks, experiment and be more creative with your life.
This source of security and serenity makes you rich in comparison with many, many others. Fully appreciate your emotional safety net -- you've earned it, you deserve it, you yourself wove it, and it's there for you whenever you need it. Your own loving intentions are coming back to you.


Card 10 - ADVICE
The card in the Advice position suggests a course of action which will harmonize what you want with what is currently possible.

The Ten of Wands in this position advises you to remember the true, simple heart of your youth and all the idealism it held. Now may be the time to reach deep into yourself and identify your purest, most wholesome impulses. As you do this, allow your optimistic and honorable side to see what's good about the world.
Look beyond the challenges, setbacks, disappointments and frustrations you tend to see so easily. As you reawaken your high minded inner child, you will refresh your daily life with a joyful purpose.


Card 11 - FINAL OUTCOME / LONGTERM POTENTIAL
The card in the Long-term Potential position points to unknowns still taking shape. It is the "wild card" yet to be played.

With the World in this position, there is long term potential that your present actions will start a chain of consequences that will turn out to be wonderfully beneficial to humanity.
This lifetime may not be long enough to show you how many generations you will influence. But if you understand that your choices matter, that your actions make a difference, and that your example will influence others, you will fulfill this prophecy.

Rubie
Samantha got a German Shepherd puppy Saturday. She is 7 weeks old and pure-bred. She really is a dream dog.... so very awesome. German Shepherds are so smart and I can already tell she is going to be brilliant and our best friend! We've started training her and even though I've read on-line that 7 weeks is too young to expect her to be trained, she really is picking right up on it. We take her out every few hours and she goes to the bathroom right away. The few times that she tried to go inside, we caught her before she got finished and were able to run her outside where she could finish her duties. I bought her a gate and dog bed this afternoon. She will be alone from 9am - 2pm everyday and she will be staying in our little kitchen area during these hours. In essence this will work just like crate training because my kitchen is rather small.
She is so very much like a real baby. She whimpers and whines, doesn't bark yet and is still unstable on her feet. She doesn't like to leave our sides. She'll come over and curl up at at our feet (if standing) or curl up tight next to us (if sitting). So far her main activity has been sleeping, with a few little bouts of energy every hour or so.
She is just so very precious... I wish you all were here to meet her! Everyone we've come across with her has just adored and praised how pretty she is. Samantha is so very proud to have such a great little puppy! Her name is fitting, Rubie, for she is truly a precious little jewel!

Are you a good Wife, Girlfriend, Significant other?

I work at a retirement community of sorts and I recently have been having some terrific conversations with people from the retirement age. I'm learning quickly that the wise old ways of the world then were very different from today. One of my recent conversations prompted a little old lady bringing me an article from Housekeeping Monthly, dated 1955 and I just had to share it with you!

After reading this article (below) leave me a comment answering my question posed in my title above.

The Good Wife's Guide, Housekeeping Monthly, 13 May 1955

Have dinner ready. Plan ahead, even the night before, to have a delicious meal ready, on-time for his return. This is a way of letting him know you have been thinking about him and are concerned about his needs. Most men are hungry when they come home and the prospect of a good meal (especially his favorite dish) is part of the warm welcome needed.

Prepare yourself. Take 15 minutes to rest so you will be refreshed when he arrives. Touch up your make-up, put a ribbon in your hair and be fresh-looking. He has just been with a lot of work weary people.

Be a little gay and a little more interesting for him. His boring day may need a lift and one of your duties is to provide it.

Clear away the clutter. Make one last trip through the main part of the house just before your husband arrives.

Gather up schoolbooks, toys, paper etc and then run a dust cloth over the tables.

Over the cooler months of the year you should prepare and light a fire for him to unwind by. Your husband will feel he has reached a haven of rest and order, and it will give you a lift too. After all, catering for his comfort will provide you with immense personal satisfaction.

Prepare the children. Take a few minutes to wash the childrens hands and faces, comb their hair and if necessary, change their clothes. They are little treasures and he would like to see them playing the part. Minimize all noise. At the time of his arrival, eliminate all noise of the washer, dryer or vacuum. Try to encourage the children to be quite.

Be happy to see him.

Greet him with a warm smile and show sincerity in your desire to please him.

Listen to him. You may have a dozen important things to tell him, but the moment of his arrival is not the time. Let him talk first, remember, his topics of conversation are more important than yours.

Make the evening his. Never complain if he comes home late or goes out to dinner or other places of entertainment without you. Instead, try to understand his world of strain and pressure and his very real need to be at home and relax.

Your goal: Try to make sure your home is a place of peace, order and tranquility where your husband can renew himself in body and spirit.

Dont greet him with complaints and problems.

Make him comfortable. Have him lean back in a comfortable chair or have him lie down in the bedroom. Have a cool or warm drink ready for him.

Arrange his pillow and offer to take off his shoes. Speak in a low, soothing and pleasant voice.

Dont ask him questions about his actions or question his judgment or integrity. Remember, he is the master of the house and as such will always exercise his will with fairness and truthfulness. You have no right to question him.

A good wife always knows her place.

ps
Note on the picture above:
I was looking for a picture to post with this entry so was checking out Google Images - because the picture with the article is barely legible. I found the Original Picture from this article!
I couldn't believe it! How funny is that!

pps I have two brand new front teeth now. Everything went well and they look terrific!

ppps Days 5 & 6 of the vacation were simply spent hanging around the hotel room. I was actually quite hurt from the fall during the seizure (hence the new front teeth) and needed rest. Samantha was afraid to go do anything else. I tried to get her to go to Animal Kingdom on our last day, but she would not hear of it.
Disney gave me back the day that I actually fell and we still had tickets from days 5 & 6. I paid 50.00 to make the tickets "never expire" so someday we will go again and finish our trip!

Thirteen Times I've been Afraid
Topic: 13 Thursday

Thirteen Times I've been Afraid

 

1   Visits to the Dentist (which I am doing today and tomorrow to get my tooth fixed from the seizure fall.

2   As a little girl I saw what I thought to be the Virgin Mary (it could have been an angel or an alien) glowing in the corner of my room. I closed my eyes and when I looked back she was gone. But... she had moved to the bottom bunk of my beds. I could see the glowing jutting out below me.

3   I was very sick in 1996. A team of Doctors came into my room to tell me they were going to let "machines" do my breathing for me for awhile because my body was just too tired to do the work. I remember screaming No and I just knew that I would never wake up.

4   Any time I have had to go up in front of a Judge.

5   Every time I fly in an Airplane.

6   I was flying home to attend my Grandmothers (Dad's side) funeral. We had to change planes once. About 10 minutes before landing in PA airport the cabin filled up with thick black smoke. We had to land and make an emergency exit, luckily we were close to the airport. It turned out to be the AC unit in the cabin... BUT I had to get back on another plane, which wasn't very fun!

7   When the labor pains during childbirth got Real Bad!

8   As a child I was sleeping on my top bunk and laying on my side next to the wall. A green hand reached up from the crack between the wall and the bed, again from the bottom bunk, and grabbed my ear.

9   Saturday when I had the seizure while on vacation.

10   911.

11   Getting pulled over by the police.

12   Having the police driving directly behind me.

13   As a child I had two recurring dreams on a regular basis. The first: I was still only crawling at this point, I crawled over to pick up a fluffy white feather and it turned into a big black hairy spider and started scurrying toward me. The second: There was a devil that lived in the crawl space basement we had and he would come up the drain when I was having a bath. I was very young for this one too.

13 others doing 13 Thursday

The Thirteen Thursday Thaw

Thirteen Creams / Lotions I Use

Thirteen things Dariana did this week.

Thirteen Excuses My Children Give Me For Not Doing Their Chores And My Responses

Thirteen Things I love about the beach

Thirteen Things about Wystful 1

Thirteen of CARMEN's Favorite Travel Spots

Things I miss, or not, while living in San Diego

Melli's 13 Favorite Nail Colors

13 reasons I love my new house

Thirteen Things That Made Me Cry

Thirteen Things About Bug

Thirteen Things I Would Rather Do Than Go to the Dentist Today

There's my 13 for this week.
Leave me a comment and I'll visit your's next week too!

Disney Day Four

Day 4 began slightly different than the first three days. Samantha had met a friend the previous evening at the pool and she wanted to spend the morning at the resort swimming and playing with her. I said that would be fine and I relaxed in my motel, working on my cross-stitch & having some time alone, which was nice after three fun filled to the brim days. At around 2:00pm we decided we would spend the rest of the afternoon at Disney and then have dinner and see the Laser Light show at Epcot that night. We had two days planned for hopping around to all the different parks anyway, so this worked out. We planned a full day at Animal Kingdom for Sunday - which was originally planned for Saturday.

We got to Disney around 3. It was very very busy – the busiest day yet – and quite warm. Sam wanted to do all of the “big” rides again.

Thunder Mountain

Splash Mountain

and Space Mountain

Yep... this was a perfect idea – it would take about three hours to get through all three rides and would put us at the exact right time to head to Epcot for Dinner in Germany! So this is what we did.
We headed out of Disney to get on the Monorail to go over to Epcot.

Unbeknownst to me I had a seizure coming out of Disney’s turnstiles. I don’t remember a thing about it, but I was told that my daughter started screaming VERY loud, which got the attention of the staff and an ambulance. I woke up in the ambulance, totally oblivious to what had just happened. I was in a dream state – it is totally indescribable and I wish it weren’t. I actually think I had a dream while having the seizure because I remember seeing tents (as in tents at a fair) and thinking that I was in one of those medical tents when all along I was actually in the ambulance (Where was I - a past life perhaps?) The EMT was telling me I had had a fall and I didn’t believe him. (They didn’t call it a seizure until after Samantha described what happened). It felt EXACTALLY the same as when I was in the coma in 1996 (another story, different day) which leads me to believe that unconsciousness is totally nothing of the sort. It feels like your dreaming.

I was taken to the hospital and spent the rest of the night being examined. Disney sent a young lady to watch over me and Samantha throughout. Her name was Maggie and she was a young (20’s) black French girl who was attending the Disney University. She sat by my bedside the whole time. She was very sweet and made the visit to the hospital much easier on Samantha.

The Doctor’s could find nothing wrong or any reason for the seizure… so it’s one of those unexplained things… which has recently occurred quite often in my family (another one of those stories for a different day).

And... to make a long story even longer....
This text, taken from PediatricNeurology.Com
(which I am having Samantha read – explains what might have happened in pretty easy terms)

A typical brain has about 10 billion (10,000,000,000) cells called “neurons.” These neurons are all bunched up side-by-side, and communicate with each other with electrical charges. Certain chemicals in your brain help put brakes on all of this electrical activity.
In a seizure, a “short circuit” occurs, during which the neurons keep firing. Since the neurons control your muscles, then the muscles keep firing. This stiffening or jerking of your muscles is what everyone sees and calls a seizure. Sometimes, your body might just go into a staring spell, but it’s due to the same kind of short circuit.
There are different types of seizures. Some people have a warning before the seizure starts. That’s called an “aura.” The aura can be a twitching movement of one part of your body, a funny feeling in your stomach, a tingling feeling, funny vision or speech, or just about anything your brain is capable of doing. It’s basically the actual beginning of a seizure. During an aura, the part of your brain that is not having the seizure is watching the part of your brain that is having it. These are called “partial seizures,” meaning that they start in only part of the brain. Sometimes the seizure stays in only one part of the brain; and other times, the seizure may spread to other parts.
Some people have no warning before the seizure. Perhaps the aura was so brief that it couldn’t be noticed. Or, perhaps, the seizure is the type that begins by immediately involving the whole brain. If the whole brain is having a short circuit, then there isn’t any part of the brain awake enough to keep you properly awake. These are called “generalized” seizures, since they have generalized to the whole brain. During the generalized part of a seizure, we are not aware of what is happening to us. People around us may say that we were staring off into space like some zombie, or they may say that we fell to the ground and were totally “out of it” and shaking.
Sometimes, the seizure is just a quick jerk of our arms, and that’s it. This type of seizure often happens in the morning. If you have this type of “myoclonic” seizure, tell your doctor.
Do you want to see your parents get frustrated? Watch them when the doctor tells them that they usually can’t find the cause of your seizures. Usually, seizures are just due to the chemicals in your brain having electrical short circuits. Sometimes it runs in families, but usually not.

Stay tuned for Days five and six…..