Over the River and Through the Woods...

I am off to Balmorhea in the morning. Then to Grandmother' house. I will have a lot of catching up when I get back. I did not have time to make the rounds today! You will hear all about the trip so be prepared!
Bye Y'all............( I NEVER have said y'all before)

Busy, Busy

I have many chores to to before Balmorhea so I may not post until later. Back later!

For The Foodies

"When a dinner had been prepared by a chef who prides himself on being a decorative artist, the guest of honor and whoever else may be the first to be served have quite a problem to know which part of an intricate structure is to be eaten, and which part is scenic effect!
The main portion is generally clear enough; the uncertainty is in whether the flowers are eatable vegetables and whether the things that look like ducks are potatoes, or trimming. If there are six or more, the chances are they are edible, and that one or two of a kind are embellishments only. Rings around food are nearly always to be eaten; platforms under food seldom, if ever, are. Anything that looks like a pastry is to be eaten; and anything divided into separate units should be taken on your plate complete. You should not try to cut a section from anything that has already been divided into portions in the kitchen. Aspics and desserts are, it must be said, occasionally Chinese puzzles, but if you do help yourself to part of the decoration, no great harm is done.
Dishes are never passed from hand to hand at a dinner, not even at the smallest and most informal one."
------Etiquette by Emily Post, 1922©

I did not know what an aspic was so here is the definition:
aspic |ˈaspik| noun a savory jelly, often made with meat stock, used as a garnish, or to contain pieces of food such as meat, seafood, or eggs, set in a mold.
ORIGIN late 18th cent.: from French, literally ‘asp,’ from the colors of the jelly as compared with those of the snake.

I thought this was pretty interesting. I personally feel that anything on a plate, not matter how decorative, should be edible. You are eating a meal not just looking at it. I like decorative dishes but the decorative part should be edible or it does not belong on the plate. Just my thoughts.

There are two extremes that etiquette can be taken to. The total lack of it, that was discussed in the last etiquette post, and the obsession with it. Every one should display decorum, tact and proper etiquette. But those can be taken to extremes. Being snobbish is one extreme. Every one has the ability to learn proper etiquette. No one should be looked down upon because they do not know which out of four forks should be used first. Not being properly educated on the matter of etiquette nothing to look down upon them for. They should be properly educated so that next time the can use their education. Refusing to learn proper etiquette is another matter. If said slob wants to live and act like a cave man or woman let them. Just don't eat out with them. ;) You might me taken for a cave man or woman as well. ;)

I hope you liked you daily dose of Emily Post. (hey that rhymes)

Happy Birthday Buck!

Happy Birthday Buck!
Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you...........
I discovered your birth date from reading your past posts.
Here is some cake for you. I don't think there are enough candles on the cake though. (should we count the sprinkles?) ;)

Have a great birthday! And are blessed with many more.

Stop by Buck's Place and wish him Happy Birthday.

Etiquette

"Lack of consideration of those who in any capacity serve you, is always an evidence of ill-breeding, as well as of inexcusable selfishness. Occasionally a so-called "lady" who has nothing whatever to do but drive uptown or downtown in her comfortable limousine, vents her irritability upon a sales woman at a crowded counter in a store, because she does not leave other customers and wait immediately upon her. Then, perhaps, when the article she asked for is not to be had, she complains to the floor-walker about the saleswoman's stupidity! Or having nothing that she can think of to occupy an empty hour on her hands, she demands that every sort of material be dragged down from the shelves until, discovering that it is at last time for her appointment, she yawns and leaves.

Of course, on the other hand, there is the genuinely lethargic saleswoman whose mind doesn't seem to register a single syllable that you have said to her; who, with complete indifference to you and your preferences, insists on showing what you distinctly say you do not want, and who caps the climax by drawling "They" are wearing it this season! Does that sort of saleswoman ever succeed in selling anything? Does anyone living buy anything because someone, who knows nothing, tells another who is often an expert, what an indiscriminating "They" may be doing? That kind of a saleswoman would try to tell Kreisler that "They" are not using violins this season!

There are always two sides to the case, of course, and it is a credit to the good manners that there is scarcely ever any friction in stores and shops of the first class. Salesmen and women are usually persons who are both patient and polite, and their customers are most often ladies in fact as well as "by courtesy." Between those before and those behind the counters, there has sprung up in many instances a relationship of mutual goodwill and friendliness. It is, in fact, only the woman who is afraid that someone may encroach upon her exceedingly insecure dignity, who shows neither courtesy nor consideration to any except those whom she considers it to her advantage to please. " ----Etiquette by Emily Post, 1922©

I love the way that Emily Post writes. She is smart and witty. I like her writing style as well.
I like the aspects of etiquette. The formality that is not longer shown today. The courtesy of helping someone, by opening the door, carrying their bag, in some cases just kind words. Blatant rudeness is more prevalent than ever. Etiquette has, for the most part, been tossed aside.
You will be hearing from Emily Post again. I hope you enjoy it as much as I do.

You Like?

What do you think of the new look? I am still tweaking it some. The original template had the post, header and side bar transparent. It was cool if there were no pictures posted on the blog. The pictures looked rather odd with Monet showing through. HTML is a wonderful thing. I was proud of myself that I figured out how to increase the opacity. It took me awhile but I think I figured it out. I also took off the "click here and view thousands of free templates. It was orange and it clashed.....Well it did. ;) HTML is fun!

DOWN!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is really just a test to see if the screen shot thing works. But the Netflix website really is down! AHHH! I don't know how I will live!!!! ;) Just teasing. They should still be able to ship the movies out right?! ;)

Catfish and Turtles and Snakes! Oh My!

Friday afternoon I am leaving for Balmorhea Texas to go SCUBA diving. Balmorhea is a "lake" fed by a spring that pumps 22 to 28 million gallons of water a day! It is as clear as the ocean from what I have been told. The water stays 75ºF year round. The only draw back (at least it is for me) it that there are HUGE catfish and HUGE snapping turtles. Oh Joy! I don't do lake creatures. Odd yes since the state I live in is land locked and the only available places to SCUBA dive are lakes. Oh well, I will just have to get over it. Water is water. The trip to Balmorhea is my check out dive. That means that I am fully certified after satisfactorily completing the dives. Whoo Hoo! Another thing I am dreading about the dive in Balmorhea is the lack of competent dive partners. There are several that I am hoping that I am not paired up with. I will just have to make the most of it I guess. I will be gone until Wednesday. After the dives (which end Sunday) I will be heading to my grandmothers house to visit her for a few days.
There will be many pictures from my trip so be ready. There may even be a few underwater pictures. You can see the gigantic catfish and turtles too! If I see any. You might be thinking she does not do lake creatures, how is she going to handle ocean creatures? Well Gentle Reader, I guess we will find out! I am somewhat sure, I will be fine with it. Hehe! I am not the panicky type.

I recently purchased a underwater housing for my camera. So you will see many underwater pictures from Balmorhea and Hawaii.

Nada

Purty huh?

What American accent do you have? Your Result: The Midland "You have a Midland accent" is just another way of saying "you don't have an accent." You probably are from the Midland (Pennsylvania, southern Ohio, southern Indiana, southern Illinois, and Missouri) but then for all we know you could be from Florida or Charleston or one of those big southern cities like Atlanta or Dallas. You have a good voice for TV and radio.
The West
North Central
The South
The Inland North
Boston
Philadelphia
The Northeast
What American accent do you have? Quiz Created on GoToQuiz

I thought this was interesting. I stole found this in one of Buck's past posts.

You're The Army Now, You've Gotta Get Up..............

Cute huh?
Sydney is not longer my puppy. She is in the Army. She will never be a fat dog. She is now someone's running mate. Poor girl! ;) She is the new member of a family of four. She will have two children to nibble on a four year old and a six year old. She is in for activity. I will miss her. But I know she will be loved. I am a little jealous of her. She is moving to Hawaii! Aloha Sydney!

Fun and Stupid Quizes II

Your Dream Engagement Ring Has a Pear Diamond!

You're personal style is a mix of classic and contemporary, reserved and outgoing. A pear diamond matches your charming personality - and is perfect to show off. You've also got an elegant side, which is complemented a tear dropped shaped pear. It's the perfect mix of Liz Taylor and Jessica Simpson - both wearers of this ring!

What's Your Dream Engagement Ring?

You Are a Brownie

Decadent and intense, you aren't for the weak hearted. Those who can deal with your strong flavor find out how sweet you really are.

What Dessert Are You Most Like?

Your Hidden Talent

You have the power to persuade and influence others. You're the type of person who can turn a whole room around. The potential for great leadership is there, as long as you don't abuse it. Always remember, you have a lot more power over people than you might think!

What's Your Hidden Talent?

Your Political Profile:

Overall: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal Social Issues: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Personal Responsibility: 75% Conservative, 25% Liberal Fiscal Issues: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal Ethics: 50% Conservative, 50% Liberal Defense and Crime: 100% Conservative, 0% Liberal

How Liberal Or Conservative Are You?

You Are a Semi-Colon

You are elegant, understated, and subtle in your communication. You're very smart (and you know it), but you don't often showcase your brilliance. Instead, you carefully construct your arguments, ideas, and theories – until they are bulletproof. You see your words as an expression of yourself, and you are careful not to waste them. You friends see you as enlightened, logical, and shrewd. (But what you're saying often goes right over their heads.) You excel in: The Arts You get along best with: The Colon

What Punctuation Mark Are You?

You Should Drive a Ford Shelby Mustang Cobra

You have an extreme need for speed, even when you're not in a hurry. And while your flying by, you don't want to look like every other car on the road!

What 2007 Car Should You Drive?

I don't thank very many of these are accurate.

Well That Was Odd!

Today after Art at Lou's I stopped at the post office. This is the conversation that followed:

Guy: Hello.
Me: Hello.
Guy: Can I bum a smoke?
Me: What?
Guy: Can I bum a smoke?
Me: A smoke? (I am very confused at this point. This guys does not look like the kind of guy that bums cigarettes off of people and I do not have any cigarettes.)
Guy: Yes, a cigarette.
Me: I don't have any cigarettes. I don't smoke.
Guy: Yes you do. They are in your back pocket.
Me: No, I don't! I do not smoke.
Guy: Yes you do. You have a package of cigarettes in your back pocket.
Me: No I don't. That is my phone. ( I pull it out and show it to him)

My phone is a red RAZOR. It in no way resembles a package of cigarettes. It is too thin.
That has be one of the weirdest conversations I have ever had. I do not smoke. Never have and never will. I do not look like a smoker but I guess they come in all shapes and forms.
But it made me think that my back pocket is not the best place for my phone. Would it look less like a package of ciggies in my front pocket. ;)

All Air

I use the title in reference to my head this morning. I have nothing to say and even less to write about. Some would say the is a chronic condition. I do not have the bubble head disease that affects so many of my age group. Thank goodness! I do not say like and oh my god after every other word. I do not text and flip my hair. Does that mean there is something wrong with me or them? Or neither? The level of immaturity that most kids my age have astounds me. I feel very old when I am subject to their hot air and lip gloss. I rarely am subjected to that kind of torture but occasionally it happens. Not of my making I assure you. I have never really been subjected to peer pressure that many of my age group are. They all want to be "cool" and popular. To be accepted. Everyone wants to be accepted. One of the reasons I have never been subjected to that kind of peer pressure is because I do not want to be accepted by the bubble heads. I am not a snob about it but I have little to nothing in common with that group of people. Does that make me a snob? I am never rude to them. I always try to be polite. I do not look down my nose at them. Or any group of people for that matter. But I do not want to be part of that. I have friends that are not bubble heads. The bubble head disease affects any age group. Not just the younger people. I have seen bubble headed adults. Many people discredit me and my thoughts and opinions because of my age. Why? Because I am young and have yet to experience life? I know I am young and have many things to learn in every aspect of my life. But being young does not always make you stupid. In some cases yes it does. I have heard many people say that when they were my age that they thought they knew everything. They parents ad every one in authority were stupid. I do not feel that way. I KNOW I do not know every thing. I also know that my parents and those in authority know much more. I have much to learn and experience. I credit my parents and the way they have choses to raise me for that. Respect for authority. Respect in general. I can not change the world. I will just be thankful for how my parents have raised me and thankful for the good friends I have. I guess I did have something to write about.

Math! Give Me A Break!

What is your Perfect Major? (PLEASE RATE ME!!<3) created with QuizFarm.com

You scored as Linguistics You should be a Linguistics major! Mathematics 75% Art 75% Engineering 75% Sociology 75% Linguistics 75% Journalism 75% Psychology 75% English 67% Theater 67% Anthropology 58% Dance 58% Philosophy 58% Chemistry 33% Biology 33%

I am TERRIBLE at math. I guess when you get down to it I am not that bad at it but I have not really applied myself towards it like I should. Languages not so much. I like learning languages. So far I have Spanish and French under my belt. Neither I can speak fluently. Spanish comes easier than French. Maybe it is all that Mexican food I eat. ;) I am just a nerd. Oh well somebody has to be.

A New Pool!

See my new pool! I wonder how many laps it will take to swim a mile? ;) As you can tell it has been raining here. The fire danger has been really high. We needed the rain. The fire danger is always very high this time of year. Two years ago our house almost burnt down. The fire burnt to the foundation is some spots. Pretty scary. I should post pictures if the crispy yard.


** Update here are the pictures of the crispy yard.**

They're Going To What?

"May 15 is the scheduled sink date of a retired U.S. Air Force missile tracking ship, which will be transformed into an artificial reef off Key West, Florida, organizers say. 'This is a major event for us , a great opportunity for health of the reef as well as a economic shot in the arm for the Keys.' said Chris Norwood, president of the Artificial Reefs of the Keys. 'Tens of thousands of people have been waiting to hear this date.' The General Hoyt S. Vandenberg has been docked in Norfolk, Virginia, shipyard where workers are removing environmental hazards, prior to it's scuttling in the FloridaKeys National Marine Sanctuary. Officials with Reefmakers, the project's facilitator, are planning to coordinate towing of the 522-foot-long (158-m) vessel th the Key West sometime in March for the final preparations. The Vandenberg project should provides additional marine habitat and provide a new attraction for the recreational divers, to relieve pressure on the natural coral reefs. 'Not only do artificial reefs divert divert recreational user pressure from the natural reefs, they also create a valuable habitat and new breeding grounds for the marine environment.' said Joe Wetherby of Reefmakers. ' The Vandenberg will provide tools and resources to create sustained education, social revenues for the community.' Before it was decommissioned in the 1983, the Vandenberg also tracked manned U.S. space missions, beginning with Mercury blastoffs in the early 1960s The ship 'played' a role as a Russian science ship in 'Virus' a 1999 motion picture starring Jamie Lee Curtis. Funding for the project is coming from several local government and private-sector resources including the City of Key West and the Monroe County Tourist Development Council. For more information, visit www.bigshipwrecks.com/ ." Article written by Gene Gentrup for 'Dive Training' magazine

Am I the only person that thinks this is stupid. If you were in the exact spot where they are going to sink this ship and you dropped a coke can hugely fined. But they are going to sink a ship on purpose and see it as good for the environment. I am by no means an environmentalists. But I find what they are doing hypocritical. I don't know if the government donated the ship or if the organizers bought it. If the government donated it I will rant again. But don't get me started on that.
Saturday I took my dive test and the instructor said that the government is trying to ban diving off the Keys and the coast of Florida. Do you want to know why? Because the divers are urinating in the water and hurting the sea life. Do you know how many swimmers and snorkelers there are off the coast each year? I don't know but I know the number is higher than the numbers of divers. Plus NO one wants to urinate in their wet suit you have to wash it out. YUCK.

Behind ? Eyes

My eyes are Blue no Green no. Well what color are they? This is a topic of discussion in my family. When I went to get my drivers license I wrote on the form that my eyes are blue-green. The instructor said, your eyes are not blue-green, and you can not put that on the form. I said but they are blue-green. He said come here. He looked at them and said, (He knew he was wrong) they are hazel. My eyes are not hazel there is no brown in them. But my drivers license still says hazel. On Becky's blog she posted a contest about eyes. Check it out it is HARD! I got the got the idea to post this inquiry from Becky's post. Tell me what color are my eyes? I sure don't know.

Overachiever

I am an overachiever. Today I took my written SCUBA dive test. I missed two questions! One of them I skipped (not on purpose) and the other I lost my place and answered the above question twice. I hate the test where you fill in the little bubbles on another piece of paper. It is hard to keep your place. I would have made a 100 if I had not made stupid mistakes. It made me mad. Oh well I passed. I also tried on wet suits. Last time I tried on one to rent. I got stuck in it! LOL. Some wet suit zip in the fount. They are hard to get off! Once it reaches your shoulders, your arms are stuck and you can not put it back on or take it off. I had to kneel down and use the door knob to get it off . It was funny unless it were you in the suit. The wet suit I bought zips in the back. No more door knobs!

What Is This Button For?

My grandmother makes me laugh. She is the most technology illiterate person I have ever met. It is not because she can not learn. It is because she refuses to learn. She gets flustered by it. It has taken me a year to teach her how to use the Dish remote. When Dish Man installed their unit he did not do it properly. He also scared my grandmother and grandfather out of even touching the remote. They are still scared of it. I spent at least four to five hours, at least, on the phone with Dish Network to to resolve the issues. Not consecutively it was spaced out over, probably, twenty phone calls. Surprisingly I was not crazy by the end of it. The problem was resolved. If you need any help hooking up your Dish or with any error messages call me! I went through everything! About three to four times a month I get a phone call for my grandparents asking me to fix the Dish. (They often press a button and not know what to do to correct it. Even though I have told them MANY times and every written out instructions MANY times. If something goes wrong with anything technological they call me. I am the repair person. It makes me laugh. My grandmother bought a digital camera a year and a half ago. She has taken three pictures with it. I have been borrowing it until I bought my own. Today I returned it to her. I showed her the basic functions of it and told her to take three pictures every day. I also told I would call her every day to make sure she has taken the three required pictures. :) I am going to teach her how to use the camera. Last week she said that she wanted to buy a computer! Oh! NO! No! NO! Oh! Gosh no! I asked her why she wanted a computer. She said she might like one. I suggested that she master the Dish and the camera first. (for long time she thought her satellite tv was the internet) I want her to be comfortable with using the remote and the camera. My grandparents also bought a DVD player. They have only use it when I am there. They like movies but are afraid of the DVD player. It is easier to use than the Dish or the camera! But she is still scared of it. I am working on it. It takes time.

Dorthy We're Not In Kansas Anymore!

Sydney is moving to Kansas. I am a little sad but I know her new owners will spoil her like I have.
Before I sell any of my puppies I ask the potential owners questions about the home they will provide for the puppy. For example do they have a yard, ect. Sydney's new owners answered all my questions satisfactorily. He is in Iraq right now. I was very impressed when he called me. They will make great owners for her. She will be moving to Kansas next Saturday.

Why Are You Here, Again?

I have been contemplating why anyone reads my blog. It is not particularly witty or for that matter interesting. But yet I still have readers and more readers than when I started blogging. That brought the question why do I read the blogs I read? Well, because I am genuinely interested in the writer. Interested in what the writer has to say and their opinions. I also like hearing about their life. These thoughts brought on more questions about blogging. Do people read my blog because I read theirs? Do they comment on mine because I comment on theirs? I read and comment on other blogs because I am interested in what they have say and in them in general. I guess that means if I read your blog I like you. I want to thank all my readers for reading and commenting.

And She Cried.....

As I have told you in the "Selling My Baby" post someone inquired about buying Sydney. I have not heard from them and I assumed that they were not going to follow through and buy her. I was very shocked when I received an email saying that he had sent the deposit Western Union! And yes I did cry a little. Part of me knows that I should sell her but the other parts really want to keep her. I am stuck! I don't want to sell her. I am to attached. It is my own fault. I know what I should do but is it not what I want to do.

New Camera

I got a new camera. I have always loved photography. I also like to have a camera that can fit in my purse. To capture paint worthy moments. It is a Canon SD800.
The camera has a color accent feature. You can choose a color to be displayed and the rest is black and white. It also has a color swap feature. Any color can be swapped for another color
There is not much to talk pictures of in Oklahoma in the winter. Every thing is dead!
This is another color accent picture. It picked up on the red of the trampoline and Chandler.

I am still learning so the pictures are not great. Hopefully it will improve with time.

Selling My Baby!?

Well, I am between a rock and a hard place. Two weeks ago a man emailed me about buying Sydney. This morning his wife called me for some more information. He also emailed me again today. They are interested in buying her. I breed Bull Terriers to sell but Syd is four months old. I have cared for her before she breathed her first breath. I helped bring her into the world. I stayed up all night to help her mother birth her. Got up every two hours to feed her until she was two weeks old. Every four to six hours after that until she was old enough to go all night. I house broke her and and trained her. Raising puppies is not as easy as many think. If you have several hours I will tell you all about it. But I love dogs and puppies. I would keep every puppy I have cared for if I could. But I breed to sell not to keep. I guess if you get down to it I would not mind selling Syd if she went to a good home. But I also would not mind keeping her. :) If the buyers follow through selling her will be a good thing. But if they don't then I get to keep my Syd! I guess I will just take what comes. I have a feeling that they will not follow through. *crossing my fingers*

Sore Losers

This is quite interesting to say the least. I find it VERY amusing.

The Illinois senator used his first public appearance of the week to knock down the notion that he might accept the party's vice presidential nomination. He noted that he has won more states, votes and delegates than Clinton so far.

"I don't know how somebody who is in second place is offering the vice presidency to the person who is first place," Obama said, drawing cheers and a long standing ovation from about 1,700 people in Columbus, Miss.

Saying he wanted to be "absolutely clear," he added: "I don't want anybody here thinking that somehow, 'Well, you know, maybe I can get both.' Don't think that way. You have to make a choice in this election."

"I am not running for vice president," Obama said. "I am running for president of the United States of America."

Obama aides said Clinton's recent hints that she might welcome him as her vice presidential candidate appeared meant to diminish him and to attract undecided voters in the remaining primary states by suggesting they can have a "dream ticket."

Obama had never suggested he might accept a second spot on the ticket. But until Monday he had not ridiculed the notion so directly, even if he did completely rule it out in Shermanesque terms.

He told the audience that it made no sense for Clinton to suggest he is not ready to be president and then hint that she might hand him the job that could make him president at a moment's notice.

"If I'm not ready, how is it that you think I should be such a great vice president?" he said, as the crowd laughed and cheered loudly.

Mississippi holds it primary Tuesday, the last contest before the Pennsylvania primary six weeks from now.Clinton and her husband, the former president, had suggested recently that a Clinton-Obama ticket would be popular and formidable against Republican Sen. John McCain in November.

Many political activists discounted the notion all along. They noted that the two senators lack a warm relationship and, more important, that Obama would be ill-served by hinting he might accept the vice presidential slot when he holds the lead in delegates and hopes to win the presidential nomination.

In the latest Associated Press count, Obama leads Clinton, 1,578-1,472. He has won 28 contests to her 17.

Moreover, many insiders feel the ambitious and fast-rising Obama would chafe in the vice president's job, especially in a White House where Bill Clinton would almost surely play a huge advisory role.

Still, the notion of a Clinton-Obama ticket has received ample discussion in recent days on cable TV news shows and newspapers such as New York City's tabloids.

In an interview Friday in Wyoming with KTVQ-TV, a CBS affiliate based in Billings, Mont., Obama's comments were somewhat mixed.

"Well, you know, I think it's premature," he said of accepting the second spot on the ticket. "You won't see me as a vice presidential candidate."

His Monday remarks were more detailed, pointed and humorous.

Of course, they will not completely end the speculation. Presidential candidates routinely disavow any interest in the vice presidential spot. But some, including John Edwards and Al Gore, change their minds when they fall short of their top goal. By CHARLES BABINGTON, Associated Press Writer

Good grief Obama and Gore. YIKES! Both Obama and Clinton are sore losers. I do truly hope that Obama loses but if he does not than I hope he pick a running mate that most people dislike. Hehehe. I do not like Obama. I do not know him as a person but he political views are ridicules. I want to say to every one who supports him: For christ's sake he is not Martin Luther King jr.! Look past the phony exterior and see him for what he is! The thought of him as President not only scares me but really concerns me. He will not better our country. Clinton won't either for that matter. But who will? I don't know.

Update: 4:26 pm This website made laugh. Check it out. Divided is an understatement!

Happy Birthday Lou!

Happy Birthday Lou!
I want to thank you for all that you have put forth toward my life. You have inspired me to be a better artist and person. You have laid down you life for me. Shared you talent for art and young people. You have taught me to paint what I see. You have made me achieve what I did not think was possible. You have inspired me in every aspect of my life. I value you so much. You are a wonderful teacher, wife, mother grandmother, and friend. I love spending time with you. We have laughed together many times. Cried together too. You have put up with my whining. (even though you hit me once ;) You are one of the people that set me toward the "high-way" and kept me on it. I don't think you realize how much you have influenced my life. You inspired me to paint and found my style of painting. I am trying to put into words how you have influenced my life and how much I love you. I can't because it is beyond words. I just want to tell you thank you and that I love you. I am thankful for you, Lou.


P.S. Thank you Jesse for the pictures!

P.S.S I did not even make any 50 jokes! Aren't you proud of me.

All Dressed Up and No Where To Go

Well Gentle Reader. I have strep throat. Yuck. Posting will be light until I am restored to my normal self. I hate going to the doctor. HATE IT.
I am going to tell on myself. When I was around five. I got strep throat. The doctor wanted to do a swab test on the back of my throat to test for strep. The doctor attempted to stick the nasty stick down my throat and I gaged. He still insisted that the test be done. (I have never really been a big person but I am a heck of a lot stronger than I look.) It took my mother, two nurses and the doctor to hold me down to stick that swab down my throat. After that day the doctor never tried again. It makes me laugh to think about it. Today I thought the doctor was going to stick that nasty swab down my throat. But luckily he did not. He knew it was strep without the test. I kept saying to myself. You are too old to be held down to do a strep test. Just let him do it and get it over with. You are a big girl now. I refrained from doing a victory dance when he said no test was required. I have to take antibiotics for ten days. I was also prescribed Tylenol with codeine. Why TC you may ask. Well, I can barely swallow. The lymph nodes are so swollen that swallowing is very painful and difficult. Hopefully I will be better within a week and you can put up with some mediocre posts.

D.C. Part VI

The Final segment of the D.C. series. Enjoy!
This is a church I saw on the way to Ford's Theater. There was a big truck parked if front of it so i could not get a picture of the whole thing
Fount of Mt. Vernon. walking through the gates

The front door of Mt. Vernon
The barn at Mt.Vernon
The Back of Mt. Vernon

This is the final segment of the D.C. pictures. My post maybe light the next few days. I have not been feeling well.

D.C. Part V

Washington D.C. Part V.
Enjoy!

Ford's Theater. (the picture quality is poor sorry)

Goofing off
Emeralds..........
Saphires...........
Opals............
And diamonds are a girls best friend. (needless to say I was drooling through this whole exhibit.
Planes in the Air and Space Museum
Cute little red plane
Abraham Lincoln

Abe and I
Looking out over the reflecting pool from Lincoln's memorial
Looking at Jefferson's memorial through the cherry trees
Korean War Memorial

I don't know what this building is but I liked it Jefferson Memorial

Statue of Mr. Tomas Jefferson

There are a few more parts to this series. If enough is enough just say so.