Blog challenge 11/13...

From Lisa: Since Thanksgiving is approaching rather quickly, this week's challenge is to blog about your favorite Thanksgiving tradition. Do you do something unusual that's become a tradition? A food you ALWAYS have to have? Share your favorite Thanksgiving memories with us....

Well, this is kind of strange as we are having Thanksgiving at our house for the first time. We have always gone to St. Joe in the past to my in-laws. Now we are beginning new traditions in our family as the in-laws are looking at downsizing their home and turning over some of the responsibilities of tradition to the kids. It is a tough transition. It means facing that day when they (my parents and his) are no longer with us and we are the OLD generation, the next in line. Maybe I will blog about how it goes afterwards, but it certainly won't be the same, as we already know not all the family can even come which will be weird in itself.

Blog challenge 11/07.....thankful

Shawn asked us to blog 10 things we are thankful for.....

1. Having the necessities that allow survival.
2. A free trip around the sun.
3. A happy family that likes to play Scrabble and Monopoly!
4. Freedom of religion.
5. Ability to have a say in my destiny (i.e. voting, basic human rights, etc..)
6. Scientists and priests who can converse with each other.
7. Music
8. Theater arts
9. Adventure opportunities
10. Bookshops

Highlights and The Technology Age.

Friday night Jordan and I went to see the high school performance of Brigadoon. Wow! It was great! They have some great singing and dancing talent at that school. Jordan didn't have a tournament this weekend so it was a bit more relaxing. It was nice to see Steve a bit more, since the junior high musical is over. Whew. That was a long haul.

Technology - Steve's social studies teacher did an online MP3 study guide for his next test. You can download the MP3 to your device, or just listen at your computer. Is that cool or what?

Weekend update.....

Friday 11/10

John and were BOTH off on Friday for the federal holiday. That was nice. After the kids went to school we went up to our favorite coffee bar (Buy the Book). I had hot chocolate, bagel and cream cheese. He had his usual breve and a cinnamon roll. Ahhh. Then we headed up to St. Joe to visit the in-laws. That was a nice visit. Got a lot of pictures from mom. They are trying to slowly get rid of extras that they don’t want to take with them when they move in a couple of years. In the afternoon I worked on a couple of design team projects for TPP. I was not very pleased with the 12x12 layout, but I LOVE the Christmas card I made with Bohemia product. Steve's school musical was this weekend. We got in free Friday night by selling tickets, so we had to be there at 6. It was pretty cute. Then we dropped off Steve and went to some friends and played this new game "Dirty Minds". The clues are "off color" but the word you are guessing is clean. So, of course you can't figure it out because you are laughing too hard about the crazy clue! Jordan got home from debate tourney at midnight. She had to wake up at 4:45 am today, poor kid.

Sat 11/11

Not much going on today, just mopping the kitchen floor. John thinks one of the priests is coming for dinner, but forgot if that was a "for sure" thing. So, I guess we might have to cook some dinner! Steve's out raking leaves. John headed off to church meeting. The afternoon was quiet with both the kids gone. John and I went out to Longhorn for dinner. Got a call from Jordan to come pick her up at 7 so I drove out to Grandview HS. Quite the adventure.

Sun 11/12

Felt so rested today. I have been suffering lack of sleep for about 3 weeks now and finally feel all caught up.

We went to early mass. Jordan got coerced into cooking some biscuits and she made a new recipe with pecans, rolled up into little spiral log thingies. They were totally AWESOME. Steve made some bacon. I typed for the hospital for a couple of hours. Also managed to get the laundry completely done by 9pm. MIRACLE! Steve’s last day as stage manager for the musical at his school – Bugsy Malone. I think we are glad that is over. It’ll be nice to see him after school today for the first time in a couple of weeks!

The good old days.....(some really old pictures)

This picture is me and Bea in our bedroom in the trailer in Topeka (see post from a few days ago. See that kids roll top desk? I FINALLY convinced my dad to give it up. Steve and Jordan were almost to big for it by the time I got it. But Steve will be getting it for his kids when they arrive. It now has lots of new decor on it, some from me, some from Bea and some from my kids too! Oh, those telephones on the desk were the coolest Christmas present ever!!!!



This picture is from Christmas, either 1965 or 1966. Me in the foreground, Bea in the next. I can't remember where this was, or who the other kids are. I am the youngest cousin on both sides, so I can't figure out who the baby is.

This is ME! My baby picture. I was about 1 year old here.

This one is up on the farm in North Dakota. That is my mom. Probably about 1970 or so. We had so much fun that trip. The tie die is FRESH. Everybody was tie dying at the farm and mom let us too! There were about a dozen buckets out in the yard and all the aunts uncles and cousins were tie dyeing. What a blast! I still remember many happy times at that place.

Somebody came home.......

FRIDAY - John came home today for the weekend! Hooray!

SATURDAY - The weather is gorgeous!

Well, here is my recap... First woke up at 4:45 to get Jordan up for her debate tourney. Typed 1-1/2 hours for the hospital. Showered.

Picked up Joann and headed over to Corner Cafe, met Kathy there. We had breakfast. They were quite busy and the service wasn't the best, but she tried anyway. I ordered grits. Well, just a warning to you who like grits. They put some kind of chicken stuff in them. They are NASTY. I just like mine plain thank you (with butter and sugar of course).

Then we headed over to the Paperie Place garage sale. They also had the Hallmark Artists sale there. There was a lot of neat stuff. I did pick up a new 6x6 album for $5 (K&Co). I picked out PP for DD's homecoming dance pictures. Very pretty stuff.

Said goodbye to Kathy, took Joann home and went home and took a much needed NAP.

Watched some Star Trek, What not to Wear and occasionally clicked to the Mizzou game to see how bad it was getting!

John and I went up to the square and walked around. He got a breve and we each got a book at Buy The Book (our local european bookstore). I got a Bird Field Guide. We window shopped a bit. Went into the Coming Home Store for the wine tasting, and I bought two new bottles of wine after trying them out. Came back home and now we are just hanging around. Jordan will need picked up eventually, but we have no idea what time. It's crazy like that on debate weekends.

Busy days.....

What a day! Nonstop doesn't even begin to describe it. I think I did okay though. Of course every time I turned on the radio in the car there was something about John Kerry's dumbass remark. What a dork.

Anyway, back to my non-stop day today. Keep in mind, this is FAR from a typical day. So that's why I am moaning about it.

5am - alarm / shower

5:25 - woke up Steve for shower

5:30 - woke up Jordan

continued with hair drying (fun with my new hair dryer!)

6am - kissed the kids, and out the door

6:32 - timed in (usual day at work, started working on upgrading an existing spreadsheet to add more functionality - after 2-1/2 weeks I already have an Excel rep)

3:02 - timed out

3:25 - arrived at St. James for Girl scout meeting, bought all the girls a soda (pat, pat)

5:00 - drove through Wendys for dinner

5:15 - stopped at bank for haircut money

5:30 - haircuts, me first, then Jordan. While Jordan was in the chair, ran home and picked up Steve, took him back to his haircut.

6:50 pm - raced back home, Jordan grabbed clothes for Sun-Do

7:00 pm - got Jordan to Sun-Do

7:10 pm - stopped back by Sandra's to get my coat which I left there (what a ditz)

7:20 pm - home. Filled up the bathtub halfway with hot water.

7:30 pm - internet time for a couple of minutes

7:50 pm - picked up Jordan

8:00 pm - finished filling the tub and took a nice WHIRLPOOL bath. Ahhhhhhh.

8:54 pm - thinking about heading off to bed.

So, that's about it folks.

Happy Halloween! Hair dryer story included.

Well it's been a fun day, if you call working all day fun. I guess it was kinda fun.

After doing the timekeeping I worked on these things called SSI cards. They are undeliverables that are coming back. I pick a state, sort them out, then look up to see which referral code they get for a district office, write it on, and ship it out. Sounds fun doesn't it!?

After coming home from SSA, Jordy and I traveled to TarJay boutique in search of hair dryers. We found very nice ones. Hers has a super diffuser and is chrome. Mine is "special amethyst" and it's soooo pretty. Ahhhhh. (you will understand my enthisiasm when I share the story below. We got our trick or treat candy also. I think it's already half gone at 6:15pm.

I logged on to type some for the hospital. 4:18 to 6:06pm. Typed over 600 lines in that time. Very awesome *kaching*.

HAIR DRYER STORY

Last Wednesday my hair dryer, while being used, suddenly started emitting sparks and a smell like burning electrical wire. After calming down from my freak out episode, I unplugged it and threw it in the trash. I borrowed Jordan's hair dryer from that day forward although she did tell me that the low setting didn't work and the high setting was like the low setting. No biggie, as I figured I would get a new one over the weekend. That never happened, just too busy with everything else. Last night before bed, Jordan explained that her dryer was no longer working either! She saw a blue sparking light inside and it then wouldn't work anymore. Now, why she waited until 9:30 to tell me? Oh well. So, this morning was an adventure. We put the space heater up on the counter in our respective bathrooms to dry our hair today. I had a TOTALLY bad hair day. Yuck. It just looks stupid. It doesn't help that I need a hair cut either (already scheduled for tomorrow night).

Introducing:

Jordan's new hair dryer



Annette's new hair dryer



The End

A Story from the Topeka years (age 2-4)

We lived in a trailer just north of the Forbes Field Air Force Base. It was just a little two bedroom trailer. Bea and I had bunk beds in a tiny bedroom. I was sleeping on the top bunk which had a rail. Sometime in the night I slipped through the rail but my head got stuck. So, my body was dangling but my head was stuck! I was screaming bloody murder for what seemed like forever. I wanted a rescue. Finally I must have turned my head a bit and slipped through. I landed smack on the floor, right on my back. As soon as I hit the floor, my mom came through the door. I think I was mad at her for not getting there sooner.

just an update from the past few days

I am going to post some things that have been happening in reverse order.

Today Oct 30th..... Got a call from the V.A. wanting to interview me for a secretary job. Same grade as the SSA job, not as many flexible hour options, and not sure if they would adjust my pay up or not. I think I will just stick with SSA. Will know more tomorrow though. Jordan had piano practice after school. Steve had musical practice until 6:30 (he is on the stage crew), and I had a meeting tonight for design team Paperie Place. Turned in my board book project. Our next project is due the 10th of November. We are to make a 12x12 layout, one card and one ornament. Should be fun. Today at work was Payroll closeout. That was a new experience. But it wasn't as hard as I imagined.! Oh, I finally picked up all the drycleaning tonight.

Sunday Oct 29th.... Church at 7:30, and 5th sunday breakfast afterwards. It was nice to relax and talk to everybody. Sometimes John wants to leave sooner that I do, and I feel rushed. I need my SOCIAL time! hehe. I had to cook my Bill's Dip and head to the forum baby shower at TPP at 11. Kerry was there early and helped me with tables and chairs. Dana arrived and made things pretty. Funny - we got a call from Kristin. She was in a parking lot just 5 blocks away, lost, and panicked as people were flipping her off and such! (as she tried to find the store!). Poor thing. It was a good time. My mom and dad came over from Topeka and brought Missy with them. They took Jordan to her piano recital at 2pm where she played Send in the Clowns. I left the crop at 4pm and headed home to find them on their 2nd game of Scrabble. Mom and dad finished off the Bill's dip. We watched Coming to America. That is a funny movie. Went to bed early, all of us, at 8:30.

Saturday Oct 28th. Jordan was at her debate tourney (Oak Park HS). I typed 3 hours in the morning on Op reports for LH. Steve had set building day at his school. I just hung out, went to the store, watch Star Trek, and took a nap. Sara and I went out to the Blue Springs scrapbook store, forgot the name already. Oh well. Jordan got a ride home from Jarrett Muck. He has a car and a license, and i have known him since he was in Kindergarten. Wild. Took Jordan to Kari's party at 7 and Steve and I just hung out. Picked Jordan up at 11pm. I hear Corey was at the party too, so I'm sure that has something to do with why Jordan had a good time. :-)

Friday Oct 27th. End of my first two weeks at the SSA. I think it's going to work out fine. Had to stay up late to pick up Jordan at 11pm. John went to see Flags of our Fathers tonight in Austin TX. I will be glad when next friday rolls around and he is home for the weekend.

Thursday Oct 26th. Joann and I were supposed to have a SD class. Since they closed down we took our calendars up to TPP and I signed up for a couple of crops. Then we met Jean at The Dish and had the house special for Thursday - Margaritas - top shelf! Ohhhh. They were good. I had to order some nachos though so I could drive.

Wednesday Oct 25th. I didn't win the contest. Oh well. Kids had TKD tonight and Jordan had sundo afterwards. The co-workers in Mod 19 really liked that I brought some to share with everybody.

Tue Oct 24th. AFter work Jordan and I did some cooking. I was making coconut chews for the CFC cookie contest. There was a huge spill. My batter went all over the place on the island. I just kept dropping things. It was crazy. I think I had too much caffeine or something. But, alls well that ends well I guess. Jordan got her homecoming pictures back today. They are gorgeous.

Monday Oct 23rd. Craziness in the house. John leaving for Austin. Much sadness and frantic scurrying. Boring evening without him. I was on the computer all day about the scrapbook events described below.

Saturday Oct 21st. The day I found out Scrapbookers Dream was closing the ISD and NSD locations. I was in total disbelief for an entire day. As it sunk in I panicked. Luckily all my forum friends were able to reconnect via a new forum. But it was quite a shocker. Called TPP and they agreed to let us have our baby shower crop there on the 29th. Very nice of them to do so.

Saturdays are supposed to be fun!

Saturday dawned bright and early at 5am. Okay, the sun wasn't really up at all, but three of us were. Jordan was off to her first debate and forensic tourney of the year yesterday. She broke to semi-finals for storytelling and still has some rounds of debate to go. She had to be loading on the bus at 6am, after not getting back until 11pm. We've learned that is just part and parcel to the whole NFL (National Forensic League) participation. She really seems to love it though and we are really proud of all she has accomplished.

I am typing this weekend. Since I was up at 5am anyway I started typing, so will get off work at 1:30, still some time in the day to have a little fun.

John has headed off to his Just Faith group. When he returns, he and Steve are off to watch Cody K test for his black belt out in Blue Springs (that is where Jordy is today too!).

I hope that I can make it to the store this afternoon. I did good making a lunch a few days last week, but forgot Friday. The food at the cafeteria in the Federal bldg is very pricey. Not any price breaks. I want to cook up a bunch of chicken breast and rice for freezing that I can pull out quickly for lunches. I might try some of those little tuna packs with crackers that don't need to be refrigerated too. I could keep a couple of those at work in case I forget to bring something. Breakfast is a problem. I have just been getting up at my regular time of 5:20 and trying to get out of the door at 6am. I only worked out twice last week though, so I am considering either working later or getting up early to work out and eat breakfast.

I am listening to my favorite movie songs right now. I absolutely love the Forest Gump theme.

Updates

It's been a long couple of weeks. I made a tough decision to take a full time job with the government. I started my new job on Monday the 16th and so far feel right at home. There are many things that prompted this decision.

• Wrist problems. This is probably the number one reason. My right wrist has been giving me trouble. I had worked a LOT of overtime typing before vacation in July and it really brought out the problem. My choice was either to slow way, way down on the typing, or suffer pain and eventual need for surgery or therapy. While I really like typing, I want to stay as healthy as possible.
• Pressured atmosphere. When overtime is available every single day, it really puts the pressure on. I don’t think that as an employee working from home I felt the pressure too much. When visiting the hospital for administrative issues though, you could feel the tension, pressure. Most people handle it well and were very considerate, patient and friendly, but how much fun is it to work in that kind of environment all the time? I want to feel like I make a contribution to something.
• Vacation. After getting what I consider to be flack for daring to take 2 weeks off in July, (“no one else took two weeks off” – which is not true, as two other typists did), I decided I would have to find a different job within the hospital, or if that failed, try to get back into government service so I would have some benefit status already. At my age and time in life, I really want as many vacation days as possible. I plan to continue to take a two week vacation every year, in addition to other miscellaneous days off during the year.
• Disenchantment. I am an idea person. I know that not every idea I think of can, or should be implemented. It would be nice to know though that suggestions were appreciated and truly considered.
• Cabin Fever. After working from home for so many years, and being more of a people person, I was ready to get back into the world.

I am still working for the hospital on a PRN basis. I actually typed an hour Monday night and a couple of hours last night. I can sure type FAST when it is only for one hour or so! That is kind of fun. Used to be I had to pace myself, but now I can just go full steam ahead!

In other news………

Jordan will head off to a debate tourney this weekend, her first of the season. I have to work for the hospital this weekend, as I am fulfilling my every six weekend commitment until they hire my replacement. John will be heading to Austin for some training, so that will be a bummer. Steve has a new girlfriend. Oct 20th is the 17th anniversary of my 1st date with John. I am having a turkey sandwich and an apple for my lunch. AND a can of REAL Mountain Dew. Exciting stuff, I know.

Weekend Update with pictures

September 30th was a bit stressful. I had a meeting with my boss at the hospital and told her I was accepting a job at the SSA downtown. I had been turned down for 2 jobs at the hospital already and thought it was probably time to look elsewhere. I will continue on an "as needed" basis for the hospital and this will hopefully give my wrist the rest it needs. Steven had 3 friends over including Matt who moved to Arkansas last year. They had a great time.



This day was our Dinner for 8 gathering. Very enjoyable. We met two of the other four couples (we have 10) who will be in our group. Now comes the daunting task of finding days that work for 10 different people. That is always a challenge. When Fr. J. said the prayer he prayed for those who didn't have enough to eat tonight. I was pretty appalled when one woman kind of scoffed out loud (yes, while he was praying). But who knows what might have struck her as funny. Maybe she wasn't even listening to him, maybe she was thinking of something else. I have been known to laugh at the wrong moment myself.... Oct 3rd we had a girl scout meeting after school. That was pretty fun. We talked about some money earning ideas and such, a little about New York and also decided on what projects to start working on. Three of the girls are going to begin working on their gold award this year. Oct 6th I took the day off. Went to the Shatto Dairy Farm with some gals and kids. Milked a cow, had a fun relaxing day.




Oct 7th was BUSY BUSY BUSY. Steve, Jordan and I went to Rebuilding Liberty. Jordan went to a house with the Sertoma group and they were nice enough to give her a ride home. Steve and I went to a trailer home to work with a group from church. John had to divide his time between the KOC tootsie roll drive and his Just Faith group. At our house we got a lot done. I stayed until about 3 and did things like pulling skirting off the trailer to be replaced, put up mini-blinds, painted. We really accomplished a lot. I know the men were doing a lot harder work as they worked on plumbing, and deck building. But the inside was a lot nicer with the paint. I just felt bad for the guys who lived there. It's hard to ask for help but they did need help.







When we got back I had to go out and get a navy blazer for Steve, and called Claire's boutique for some white gloves for Jordan (for Jr. Cotillion). Then spent about 1-1/2 hours doing Jordan's hair and makeup for the homecoming dance. She wanted curly and that is what she got! She looked like a totally different person from the morning. When John went up to church for tootsie rolls after 5pm mass Steven headed off to the barn dance. He met a girl he liked named Sam on his mission trip this summer and she was there, so he got her e-mail. Everyone had a good time and their respective dances.



Oct. 8th was youth band 6pm mass, so we slept late. Ahhhhhh. In the afternoon the kids got all dressed up for their Cotillion class. They learned about getting refreshments, escorting, foxtrot and more. Seems like they enjoyed it, even though Steven protested a bit. Youth band mass was great!

Blog Challenge....First time I saw your face....

From Maricar: Remember the first time you saw him? The first time he talked to you? When you knew it was more than friendship? When you told him you loved him for the first time? Now, tell US about it.

October 1st 1989

Dear Diary. Tonight was the first night of Tax Examiner training. My teaching partner Lynn and I were pretty excited about this class. We had a group of about 25 new tax examiners coming to our three week class. As we prepped for class, we were making name tags for the students. As we made the name tags we started guessing just based on the names what the gentlemen might look like. We decided two names in particular were going to be handsome men. Well, as the class started arriving, turns out we were right on. One of those in particular caught my eye.

October 19th 1989

Dear Diary. Tonight was the last night of class. I have really enjoyed getting to talk to JT during this three weeks. He ACTUALLY READS BOOKS! Plus he's really cute, especially in jeans. I think I am going to call him and ask him out now that class is over. Don't want to let this chance pass by. I have tickets for tomorrow night's concert.

Oct 20th 1989

Dear Diary. I have a date tonight! We are going to see the Canadian Brass at the RLDS auditorium.

Oct 27th 1989

Dear Diary. Sorry I have neglected you, but I have been kind of busy. JT and I seem to talk on the phone a lot and hang out a lot. Gosh, I just don't want him out of my sight really. I know it's only been a week, but I really like him. He found out my favorite book is Count of Monte Cristo and hasn't read it yet, so he is reading my copy.

Nov 15th 1989

Dear Diary. I think I'm in love.

May 4th 1990

Dear Diary. Tonight I'm getting married! We are just going to tell our families afterwards. We are old enough to know what we want and really don't want to make a big production out of this or anything. We are meeting some friends afterwards at Amigos.

Blog Challenge - regrets......

From Sara: "Tell me about your biggest regret in life - what's the one thing you always wanted to do, but somehow you managed to miss the boat?"

You don't get to your 40s without some regrets, but lets talk biggest. There is one thing that would have changed my whole life around, and although I regret, I am not sorry about the way things turned out after all.

That regret is not going to college right out of high school. I was clueless about how to make this happen for myself, and too lazy to figure it out. I didn't have guidance in the practical matters of how to make it happen. The sad part is I was in a gifted class in high school (the first one that existed at my high school) and I was a Kansas State Scholar based on test scores that would have paid quite a bit towards school. Should I throw blame around? Should I keep harping about it? Sometimes I do both, throw blame and rehash. Then I think, good grief, it was flippin' 20+ years back, get OVER it already. Things are pretty darn good right now, and if I was some architect or robotics engineer, I would be a different person today. Probably an old lonely lady living with 14 cats.....and a fish.

Trapped........

On my way to take the kids to their evening martial arts class, the stupid garage door would not open. It looked like it was trying to pull itself apart. I immediately tried to pull the release and open it manually, but no go. The cable on one side is just hanging, and on the other side there is a bracket with two bolts just missing. I was able to arrange a ride for the kids and called the repair company for a morning appointment. So much for my plans to shop after I dropped off the kids. So, I am home, just playing "The Sims" and making my little Sims' lives miserable too.

Blog Challenge....Where will I go?

From Lisa......If you could just pick up and travel anywhere--ANYWHERE--in the world, where would it be? Where have you always wanted to go but haven't been able to? Tell us all about it........

I want to go on an archaeological tour of prehistoric people. Those archaeology shows on TV get me sucked in every single time. I love seeing things from the ancient past get dug up for us to see and study today and learn how people changed. Some sites I would like to visit include France and the Middle East. I have loved this topic almost all my life. In fact, as a youngster that was one of my many career aspirations. When I was a teen I read Clan of the Cave Bear. The author really did a lot of research in just the places I wanted to go and created such a neat story to go along with all her quasi-history. I love to read that series of books and just imagine what it would be like to actually live it.

Weekend Update....

The highlights of my week:

• Stress due to interview on Thursday. No phone call as of Friday 5:00 pm, so I really doubt it is me they are interested in. I thought I did well the first half of the interview, but by the time I left, I think I just made myself look like a big slobbery goober of a gal. But, I guess, I was myself. And, if "myself" is not what will fit into that particular office, then it is probably for the best.
• Bunko at my house on Thursday night! Now that was a welcome relief after my being weirded out from the interview process. I actually made my first GOOD batch of spanish rice. I am getting better at paying attention when John gives the cooking lesson. The rice turned out awesome. I served up some burritos that my dad had brought over some time ago from Topeka. They rocked! I didn't win any money last night, but that's okay. I did have fun.
• The family is at a board-breaking class tonight. They are getting geared up for the tournament on the 23rd. That should be fun! I am really looking forward to it, since I have had to work the last two years on that weekend. Not this year!
• Had school board meeting Monday night. I feel so weird about being the president and all. Really out of my league. I only ran for the board three years ago because they were having trouble getting people. Especially since my kids are in public school now. But, this is my last year and I will just do the best I can, be myself. That is all I can do. Weird, goofball, or not, just get it done "make it work".
• Speaking of Project Runway......Kayne had to go Wednesday night. That was so sad. He was sweet. But, truly he was really the only one they could send home of the final five. Now it is down to four. Laura, Jeffrey, Uli, and Michael. They are all great, but I think overall it will be either Laura or Michael to win the big money. Laura is so classy, and she has the skills to put the S*** together. Michael has fresh looks and is also great in the construction phase. Uli and Jeffrey need to branch out a bit to win I think. Can't wait for next week!

Blog Challenge - GUILTY!!!!!

From Kelly - The challenge: Write about your guilty pleasures. The stuff you indulge yourself with - whether it be crappy tv, crappy food, or too many shoes. Don't hold back, give us your dirty little secrets!

I have plenty of secrets, but for public viewing one in particular comes to mind. That is my fascination, love affair with the local casino. Now mind you, I am no crazed dice roller. I just go once or twice a year with my $40 donation to the casino corporation.

But I love being inside a casino. I feel so rich. I walk through the entrance and immediately put on my pretend rich persona. I imagine everyone looking as I walk by, daring themselves to ask for my autograph. I pretend that I really am a high roller. Sometimes I even put $5 of my $40 into a $5 slot. I am scientific about my casino experience. I always tell myself that if I increase my "holdings" (like $40 is a holding - haha) by 50% that I will immediately stop and switch to the penny slots for the rest of my alloted fun time. What a joke. Actually one time this happened and I did manage to walk out the door with my "profit".

Well, I would say it is harmless fun, but no, it really isn't harmless at all. About as harmless as booze and cigarettes. I can control my visits and limit them to once maybe twice a year, but who is to say who I influence, and what effect that influence could have in the future?

Blog Challenge - What song?

From Micki

Everyone has said it at one time or another in one way or another. Elmo said it best, "All You Need Is A Song". What song is it that just makes your day, makes your toes tap no matter what, puts a smile on your face or simply transports you back in time, and why?

I really do take stock in that whole "soundtrack of your life" philosphophy. So many times a song can say what your can't quite put a finger on, but you know is in your heart. The Turtles song "Happy Together" has been a part of my life's soundtrack since I was a preteen. I have always loved the upbeat rhythm, the sweeping chorus, and the simple but profound lyrics.

Imagine me and you, I do

I think about you day and night, it's only right

To think about the girl you love and hold her tight

So happy together

If I should call you up, invest a dime

And you say you belong to me and ease my mind

Imagine how the world could be, so very fine

So happy together

I can see me lovin' nobody but you

For all my life

When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue

For all my life

Me and you and you and me

No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be

The only one for me is you, and you for me

So happy together

I can see me lovin' nobody but you

For all my life

When you're with me, baby the skies'll be blue

For all my life

Me and you and you and me
No matter how they toss the dice, it had to be
The only one for me is you, and you for me
So happy together