I love This Guy....

To listen closely and reply well is the highest perfection we are able to attain in the art of conversation.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

My mom sort of said it like this..Keep your EARS open, Your Mouth SHUT and Your brain in NEUTRAL.


We all have strength enough to endure the misfortunes of others.


My Friend Joe...RIP, Said..."well be glad its not YOUR dad that is dying".



We confess our little faults to persuade people that we have no large ones.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld
How perfect is that quote????




We should often be ashamed of our finest actions if the world understood our motives.

Francois de La Rochefoucauld

Hummmnnn thinking on that one.

On Being "Authentic"

"We are so accustomed to disguising ourselves to others that in the end we become disguised to ourselves."

Francois de La Rochefoucauld
French author & moralist (1613 - 1680)

Time is Rushing by..

Just a couple days ago..it seemed like I had Lots of time.

Today...worked like crazy at work, had conference with another VERY sweet lady (so much NOT like me) and loaned her tons of my parenting materials, video's etc--1, 2, 3 Magic, "Can We Talk" curriculum etc... She is teaching 4 nights 4 hours each night. She's a tough old bird though...she teaches at the Prison, to guys getting ready to come out-- I think thats pretty innovative and neat. WIsh I had thought of it.
Wacko...parenting classes are SO needed...Court orders them, but then there are not any offered. Sometimes just the Smallest hint helps immensely.

I'm working on a deal to provide an entire day of Love and Logic Sept. 30th...it should be great.

Showed the Gwinner house again today. Trying to make money for owners in all kinds of innovative ways. Things just Change when you decide to pull a house off the market, and Rent it out.

Had a GREAT dinner tonight...a Birthday party for my Friend Barb W. She was maid of honor in My wedding to Don. Hee hee..I have to specify which wedding..LOL. It was kind of tense...we served up Chef Paul Prudomme's Tomato Soup --a seasonal goldmine, and then....I called the 2 older kids back into kitchen (they were eating in LR for space)....and...I joined hands LIKE WE ALWAYS do...and prayed...OUT LOUD...with one Atheist, One Sarcasm-ist, and One- well Nothing-ist. But was able to Thank God for her friendship, and what she has meant to me and to my family.

We shot off a firework after Great dessert--Cheesecakes, and Brownies, great salad Cathy (my 'adopted' sister) made--Greens, Walnuts and Strawberries. Wow..it was refreshing, healthy and good.

Hey..have more to write..but its BLIND DATE time.....LOL....I just love that show.

Sometimes..yah just gotta pay $21.99

In our wanderings yesterday, we needed a cell phone charger for Hubs phone. Does he have a Nokia you may ask. NO. Motorola?? NO. He's got some off shoot "Sony Ericcson". wierd little Clamplike thing needed to recharge.
At the Phone store..it was outrageous...22 bucks. NO way I was going to pay that. Next stop, Family General. None.Then, Kmart, Office Depot and Radio SHack. The first 3 Didn't even have it,., Radio SHack wanted to pawn off some universal jack, which the salesman INSISTED would work, SO finally I had him open hte pack BUZZZZZZ WE DO NOT HAVE A WINNER@!!!....So...we went Back to the Telephone store, HAAPPPY to pay the 21.99.

How mch time and frustration I could have saved IF I knew that ahead of time. Isn't that how it is so Many times???? If we only KNEW now what we didn't know then.

OK, I"m going to try and go back to bed.

Painting myself into a corner..

Worked on a room today, got it finished. I dumped several partial containers of paint, stirred it like crazy and put it on. Its a Really cool hue of grey/green/blue. I also painted several door frames and doors, it REALLY "brightened" up the house. It is going to be rented out, I need to get a ceiling fan with a light on it to exchange for an antique chandelier that is currently in the house. That is NOT "renter" material. Too fragile, too low, and I think it will be cheaper and better to change it out before something happens to it.


It was hub's day off....I went into work, couldn't concentrate...came back home (thank you for being a Consultant), went to MT P to do 20 errands...5 places looking for a cell phone charger. Kids are getting Wacky about returning to School.

Ok...I'm Beat. Hope I can sleep. Having insomnia really sucks...but that's another post.

peace.

IT's GONE...ALL GONE

So Bethany township had several meetings last fall because they were GOING to, without a vote add about 120 dollars to each property owner for curbside pickup of trash.

Prior to this, we had gone about 2 years with no trash pick up.

Prior to THAT, every Saturday morning, we'd load up the truck, put all our trash, and junk, and kitty litter into the the back and go and Unload at the township hall, then usually have to make the trek into Breckinridge to wash out the back of the truck. Really it wasn't too bad, a little more effort, but a good "community" time seeing your neighbors and all that.

WEll as of Jan 1 this year I think, We have FREE curbside Pickup. We can put out TWO large items, and curbside reclycling. In our house we can't recycle because the teachers next door took our recycling bin, so THEY have two.

Well the failed garage sale, and ensuing boxes, wet books, torn up carpeting etc produced LOTS of garbage. REMEMBER: if it FITS into a BAG----its Unlimited Pick up!! So I cut the carpet, Bagged it, and the padding, and put it all in BAGS. Put the bags on the trailer,and tarp OVER the trailer to keep it all dry. THere would be nothing worse than SOGGY wet carpet...and HEAVY.

Well of course, it was pissin rain, and blowing rain...the tarp blew off, EVERY THING got soaked. SO young son and I worked on it yesterday, with him squeeking the unfairness of it all.

BUT TODAY...I just heard something..got up..and.....IT"S ALL GONE.!!! WE had over 40 bags of trash!!! Yippeee!!!! Its GONE!!!

Landlording

I continue to be amazed by people looking to rent someone else's property. It is a joke!!

One guy...who wants a VERY nice property I am managing...has NO job, his wife has NO job, no local work history, "gets State help" and somehow thinks a Taco Bell job that "he is going to start soon" is going to pay the bills. I, as a Landlord, do NOT care about his BILLS, it's only his RENT I want. However, having been in this business of landlording over 20 years, I realize you must look at the entire package.

Pets? Used to be NO way. However...I've learned that those with PETS...Stay a LOT longer. They all lie about it anyway. If they want one, they'll get one, if they have one, they'll say they don't.

Today...No big deal, people are looking for somewhere to live every day of the week, a lady calls. Wants to look at a house. I asked if she was in the area, what her situation was, etc...trying to determine over the phone if she is worth the effort. I find out she is adjunct prof at CMU which she was trying to make sound like a big deal, but As I used to teach at a Local University, I KNOW that almost ALL the prof's are going to Part time. She was Only going to "be in the area" today looking.
SO, Ok, I agree to meet her. It was 5:30. I live at 15 min away, and was in jammies. I said..Ok how about Six O'clock. (literally 1/2 an HOUR!!)...OH my Gosh...she said..couldn't you Make it ANY SOONER than That????. NO I said. I cannot.

Oh...Ok she says..well "I"m GOING TO BE HERE TOMORROW"...so she'll call me then. SHEESH.
That's Ok..everyone, and I mean EVERYONE wants to feel important, and having someone JUMP when you call tends to do that. I've also learned, --it is tricky...but having them Make an appointment, pay an application fee etc weeds out a lot of the wackos.

I walked into a House last week, and THERE..>BEEDY EYED staring up at me was a BAT. I hate bats more than Mice I think. It was Dead in the kitchen sink. AWCKKKK!! I can't believe I was able to deal with it. Nasty furry funky thing anyway.

Another Renter just moved into a different property..couldn't get the HOt Water Heater Lit. Was actually quite NICE about it...but still WANTS hot water. HELLLLLLOOOOOOOOOO....It helps if you Contact the Gas company to get the GAS TURNED ON!!!!

Garage Sale

I don't think I'll ever look at a garage sale the same way. I don't want to GO to any, and I hope I never have to have one.

RIP, Bugsy Our dog

She was a fine companion. She Died last Thursday night.

Back to the Land of the semi living

I have been SWAMPED since my last post. I knew it was going to be hectic, I just didn't realize HOW hectic. Sort of like when you are in a Car wreck, and KNOW you have to go through physical therepy for a while, you THINK you know what it's going to be like, but NO way Can you know the entire picture.

I mentioned going to Home Depot after Tubing last Thursday. What I didn't stay was that it took SO long. We ended up tying the new carpet on the roof of the van. Then Got to my house (I was SSOOOO exhausted) and still had to unload everything so his wife would see.
Then I couldn't sleep that night. His wife just WOULDN"T leave...LOL..she locked her keys out of her car, then ran up on a parking wedge, and twice Ron had to go out and get her mvoing. So FINALLY a LOT later than I wanted to get started we started. My High School Student David was great. a real work horse. Had never painted, but took instruction Very well. My word was GOLD, and that's it. One person likened me to a Lion tamer on a chair, and that is aptly what it felt like keeping eveyone motivated, fed, hydrated and happy. My buddy is a mixture of stuff, some ADD, some OCD, and a lot of passive agressiveness. I dont say that to be mean, its just like he and wiffy had gotten STUCK into a pissin contest. She because "he wouldn't do anything" and He because "If I do something she'll just bitch".
WELL, we peeled newspaper from 1911 off a window, wiped down the plaster...damn..it was almost like an inner city germany house in the war it was so sad looking. BUT I can say..it was TRANSFORMED. My goal was to have the room NOT look like any other room in the house. It worked.I was going to mix sand in with the paint on the walls to help cover the natural creeks/ cracks that plaster of that age has, but the 4 coats of paint were doing a good job and we were on a severe time crunch. It was really motiviating, because EVERY LITTLE THING WE DID made a difference. Just clearing out stuff out of the room helped. Knowing we were getting rid of the kitten pee soaked rug helped, Painting the RUSTY heater helped, and overall when the room was done, the Carpet laid (almost room to room, just had to cutt off about 3 inches), the NEW bedding put on (Burgandy swirls, gold swirls, burgandy bed skirt and matching pillow shams, AND extra Pillow shams), with the matching curtains...it was something. I REALLY wanted to put up Light and airy white sheer curtains to keep the room "lighter"...but He wanted the matching Ornate embroidered topped velvet curtains. It was "Gaudy", but stunning. The transformation was breathtaking. Literally. I can't believe that I could make THAT much happen.
THEN....While there, looking at the bathroom, sort of made me sad. The thought of them getting ready for anything in that sad sack of a room was enough to motivate me. MY daughter age 10 worked her BUTT off for hours and hours. and HOURS and HOURS. She literally kept pace with any adult there, and with the HIgh School student also.
The bathroom was a LOT more work than I thought it was going to be, we had to Scrape off wall paper, which was glued on wrong....took forever, Paint the radiator (BLACK SHINY). Ron was vehemanantly opposed to the black, but I just overrode him. I knew the look I was going for. I got "aqua" paint, and got matching geometric towels. I got a behind the tolit rack my hub put together, and He hung all new hardware correctly so it would not dislodge from the wall. Again..overall...the effect...the complete Change was unbelievable. That wasn't EASY...but it was SO worth it. I just wish it was in one of the rooms in MY house. I knew I had to have help as I just can't lift stuff like I used to. YES, Even I have my limitations.

SO after working 12 hours at the house on Friday, we still had to go to Wal Mart to get the stuff for the bathroom. IT was 10 when we got there, they close at 11, so I had to decide on Paint, towels, bars etc. I also had him get a LIGHT for over the Stove as I couldn't see a damn thing when I was cooking breakfast for everyone.

So VERY late night. I couldn't sleep. GOt to sleep at 4 am, got up and was back over there at 6:30. I REALLY wanted to just work through the night, I do my best stuff at night, I kick into gear, but Ron was O U T O F I T. Helena needed sleep too, but i figured she could sleep on his couch.

SO Saturday was LOTS more of the same. We took pictures, which I willpost when the "after " pics get here. Ron's wife was SHOCKED to say it mildly. She was kind, excited, and blown away, as I guess according to HER , Ron has "never done anything" on the house. So ..the pissin contest started right away, along with "what are y ou going to do next". LOL....anyway..maybe this is the breakthrough they need to get more done.

I pulled up ALL Carpeting in Son's room, HARDWOOD floors await getting the stapeles and so on out. Here's to healthier living, getting rid of MITES as much as we can. Carpet, stuffed animals...OUTTA here.

Garage sale stuff too. AWWCKKK

Truth is such a rare thing, it is delightful to tell it. ~Emily Dickinson

Yesterday..a fabulous Summer day. As all summer days should be. How often in life do you get to WAKE up ...just to "party"? Well, We (Will, Helena) woke up to go 'tubing' down Chippewa river.
My Skank friend called and bowed out..mostly I think she didn't wanna wake her boys up any earlier than she had to. (I say this with complete love and joviality, I just like the word SKANK). LOL
Another Joiner was late. Is always late. Is Socially Unacceptablly late. Thinks its ok to be late. Thinks because they "have always been late" that it is acceptable and they cannot, do not , and don't want to / have to change. Thinks being late is no big deal.
I despise late (rs). It throws off my entire schedule, makes me re arrange MY plans--with many other people...makes what could have been like a relaxed morning, getting supplies, ice, etc frantic in my mind.....makes other people involved think I am the incompetent, Rude, irresponsible, ill mannered lout. And selfish. Late people in my observation are generally very Selfish people. They like to think they are not..but are incredibly self centered. Do not like to be inconvienced themselves, but think nothing of holding people, meetings or services hostage to their lateness. Will "sneak" in a meeting or service disrupting the thought processes of everyone there, with out a clue it is even happening.
I'm sure there is something in my deep dark past to explain my Late feelings, but frankly I don't really care what it is. "being 10 min early is better than 2 minutes late". This was pounded into my head. It gives a person a RELAXED chance to think, change plans, make pitstops, get lost without feeling frantic. Also most State jobs its a requirement that you are there 10 min BEFORE you get paid. Sorry....its JUST the way it is.

SO..enough of a rant on being late. SO..anyway..we were Late for our Innertubing on a fine summer day.
I was driving so this was a No beer trip, plus I was really bummed my Beer drinkin GF didn't show. Weather was P E R F E C T. There was just the perfect appointed people there, we all R E L A X E D, took a 2 hour trip in 4 1/2 hours. Spent lots of time near the golf course searching for golf balls in the river. We found some really cool ones...Tiger Woods Buick classic ball, Tony the Tiger ball, purple Translucent, Snake eye, Washington Monument ball....amazing. about 100 in all. It takes a while to develop the "underwater golf ball" eye. I forgot once I was wearing CONTACT lenses..opened my eyes under water. OOPS.
Floated delightfully along. ON PURPOSE, relaxing. Choosing to carve out the summer day to enjoy it. God was there. My one GF, told me when I spoke of changing churches that she would go with me. The PROBLEM, which I never KNEW is she didn't want to go to church In Ithaca. Ithaca ites, tend to be small minded, and she..being from Great Britan..insists the only people she gets along GREAT with, are From SOMEWHERE other than here. So...Now It is cool as She may be able to go on a "church" hunt with me. Or actually, after I get established somewhere else, she will come.
My buddy Ron has been a great transitional church companion in this crappy church new pastoring experience. I am sure I would have dropped out LONG before now if it were not for him, and sort of my "accountability" factor with him. (hee hee..he's a CPA). I'm cracking myself up here.
SO we finished tubing, went to Home Depot to get stuff for above friend Ron to surprise his wife (who I don't think could be happy if she tried) with redoing a room in his house. PIcked out a great shade of Yellow, with the Ceiling Yellow SHEEN, Grey Carpet with multiple depths, getting rid of unmatched curtains to matching upholstery stuff, new Chandelier shades etc. The paint is going directly over VERY old farm house plaster..so got some Kilz..also had the Kilz tinted the same yellow, so it will help with the covering. ALl this starts TOMORROW as soon as she leaves for 2 days. "WHILE SHERYL WAS OUT" an HGTV DHK special . Should be doing pictures too, will have to try and remember camara.

This a day after I had spent the afternoon and evening with a School buddy, drinking beer on the da beach, down by da river, tho NOT in A van. I got a call as I was pulling out from my mom's house-buddy was at the park. Probably living there now.
So I brought snacks. He can't eat Nuts very easily because of his bad teeth. He smokes still, rolls his own,(tobacco not wacky weed) thinks that he has to await the "perfect" job..none of which ever seems to find him. Has a gal pal I assume that pays his cell phone bill. I think he's living in the park, he has a stash of clothes..has no car, no transportation, and I know he has a sleeping bag etc. I was somehow secretly proud of myself for not bending over backwards for him..he has BURNED me several times in the past. I don't know why I remain friends...Was staying (flopping) at the duplex a couple years ago..supposed to do work, never finished it..awwkk anyways..
Took the girls swimming in the river..I had a tank on and shorts...ended up AWWCKK removing my shorts as they were too heavy. Thank Goodness I had worn underwear that day. It sounds much more dramatic than it was. There is something about connecting with someone who has known you your ENTIRE life. WEll, Kindergarten is the beginning of life isn't it? And Connecting has NOTHING to do with swimming in my underwear.

I LOVE watching my girls play in the water. I wish their dad and I could watch them together, but he is a great employee, Never misses work, and supports us completly. A great dad, and provider.
I just wish he could swim with us more. It helps make the work better able to take.

SO...Swim while its summer. Swim in the Sun. Be on time and Bask in the company of friends..and always bring beer. What was I thinking?

Hank Hill goes Church Shopping,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtI2pa2m5cg you are going to have to click and paste, as I don't know how to make it clickable. WELL worth the effort. I don't know how old this is but it is GREAT. MEGACHURCH...lol.

Somehow, this is exactly where I am right now. I feel disheartened, tired, and just plain exhausted from Church.

Somewhere in all of this, is the thought, That God -Really wants to be loved. I don't know how.

So, My brother died today and oh yah....

So no lie. I can't, I mean I CAN'T even make this stuff up.

I had an Executive meeting today, with a house showing afterward. I run into the office to drop off about 6 bags of clothes for the free clothing give away.

Red Light Blinking on the phone. Oh what the crap..Ok I'll answer it.

A woman, in Monotone...states her name, and "please send me information on what all I have to do to be a Foster Parent."...she leaves her number, then says,,,"Oh yah, I won't be available the rest of this week, MY BROTHER DIED TODAY, and gives me an alternative number.

Really.

What could POSSIBLY be going through her mind...AWWCKK brother X died, oh Yah I gotta call on Fostering???

WACK job???

and well...I was fired from a State job

So...another winner from weekends foster parent training.
Seems SOOO excited to meet me last weekend at the Festival for my booth.
She and her mom were foster parents in florida, she is building a 3 bedroom home, shes single..it should be ready soon.
And OHH she loves kids....
but um....WEll..ONE small question she has...Seems she worked for a while at the Regional Center, (where I did Sign Language Interpreting for 9 months), and well...seems she sort of got fired from there. Yah..well it wasn't her fault...NO NO nO...seems that she was on a ONE to ONE, her client went into the bathroom...she gets Distracted....Leaves her one on one...the one on one client gets STABBED with a RAZOR...um...is this going to affect her being a foster parent??? Man oh man..what a can of worms.
Where are YOu dedicated Christian families out there? don't you SEE the starving, needy children here in America that NEED love and homes?? They Need a Family????

Christian BOOT camp??

SOOO much of this story bothers me..why first of all would a mom send a 13 (or any age kid) to a "Christian Boot camp"?..Do we want our guys to be THAT tough for Jesus?? Was she a single mom, looking for male influence??? Was it some Court ordered option? A church suggestion?...Oh oh oh. bothers me.

Aug 13, 9:54 PM EDT

Camper Who Died Refused Food, Cadets Say

By JENNIFER KAY
Associated Press Writer


AP Photo/WILFREDO LEE
U.S. Video
Advertisement


MIAMI (AP) -- A 13-year-old cadet at a private military academy who died while camping at a state park refused food throughout the excursion, the father of two fellow cadets said Sunday.

Victor Jusino of Sunrise said his sons, ages 9 and 10, told him the boy continuously threw away food after the 33 cadets arrived early Wednesday at the Back to Basics Christian Military Academy's Training and Leadership Corps campout.

"They described to me that he wasn't eating. He wasn't feeling well. His stomach was hurting him and the heat was getting to him," Jusino said.

Other cadets gave similar accounts to WFOR-TV in Miami.



"He wasn't eating any food," 12-year-old Joanna Miller said. "He would ask people if they want his food or he would just throw it on the ground. When he was supposed to drink water, he didn't want to."

The academy's principal, Lynda Browne, did not return messages left at the school Sunday. North Miami police have released few details about their investigation into the death at Oleta State Park. An autopsy is pending.

Jusino said his sons told him they were given three meals a day after starting each morning with a long hike. But the boys were dehydrated, sunburned and had insect bites when he picked them up Saturday morning, he said.

"They were very dirty, their clothing was wet. They had been sleeping in wet clothes, and their hair had been cut," Jusino said.


The cadet, whose name has not been released, got out of bed in the middle of the night to tell a drill sergeant he didn't feel well, and collapsed on the way to the bathroom, Browne told the South Florida Sun-Sentinel. She said the boy's mother told her that her son "wasn't the most physical, strong or athletic child," the paper reported.

The academy subcontracts with Fort Lauderdale-based Juvenile Military Training and Leadership Corp. The camp is run by certified National Guard drill sergeants, Browne told the paper.

In January, a 14-year-old boy died after a confrontation with guards at a Panama City boot camp for juvenile offenders operated by the Bay County Sheriff's Office. Martin Lee Anderson died one day after being roughed up by guards.

His death remains under investigation. The state's government-operated military-style boot camp system was shutdown in May.

why make friends

Brad and Lori came over for dinner last night. The adults went out last week to Miami Vice the MOVIE. Kids stayed home with a sitter.

Don made some great chicken last night with some fresh tomatos, Fresh basil/pinenut/garlic pesto (he made it) for the tomatos, and potato salad with corn on the cob. Adults ate first. Oh Yah.
Then Lori and I went out to hear a local band, while the rest watched a movie.

It was a great night.
so whats the problem? Same thing---There house is for sale, they are moving, someone looked at it yesterday, their huge house, full dry carpeted basement, Pool, New Toilet, carpet, window treatments etc..is only 109,000. BI Level Beauty. They've fixed it up SOO much.

So why make friends. The effort, emotional entanglement, investment. and then they leave. pisses me off.

Living in a trailer >...(down by the river)

So, I have Training today and last night for potential foster/adoptive parents.
I met a couple of the people last weekend when I was working the Masonic Festival.

We had a good showing of individuals. One lady, is 31 with no children. She babysits. Her husband is a long distance trucker. They can't have any kids. She pulls me aside today, and quietly explains, that well..they have a P.O. Box. Ok, I say. That's fine.
NO she says, I mean..WE have a P.O.box...um..well because we sort of live NEXT to somebody's house in a pop up trailer.
OH. I say.
"Can we still be licensed?", she wants to know? I"m thinking, "is this chick SERIOUS"--Oh yah...she's serious. Well..seems they have electricity because they have an "orange" plug that runs from the nieghbors.

oh my.
and well...I guess they DO have a door that latches (a bedroom requirement) it just so happens its ALSO the door to the outside.

One CAN make a difference..if the one is ME

Wow. So at work yesterday they were having a team building excercise for State Employees. IN the past I would always go, but lately it has been changed to STATE employees ONLY not the "contracted" workers. Screw that. Brings back WAY too many feelings of the Christmas party..I was invited, then DIS invited...they were having it at a Restruant....AWWCKK don't want to go there.

SO...5:30 am...I'm in the hall pulling up Staples. Don thinks I'm nuts, I think I'm just a little on the "manic" side. I went back to sleep for a while, got up, the babysitter -Kelly from 3 doors down, got here and I started Power washing again. I finished the upper back deck, squirted down the antique church pew, pwerwashed all hte siding, upper soffits in the back and the side of the house toward the apple Orchard.
DESTROYED THE ENEMY in the form of HUGE hornet nest that was made behind a loose corner piece, did the front walls of house, and soffitts, did the front cement porch,and the ENTIRE front "landing lane" Sidewalk. Its HUGE. IT really helped a LOT. Looks like it was just put down. THe Porch...wow..so clear. You can see actual pebbles in it.

The house just looks a lot "brighter''. WHen I was doing the siding, MUD would come flying down for quite a while depending on wher I was at. so I just kept shoving the hose in there until it ran 'clear'. Need to finish the garage doors, frames, other sides of the house. I tape the handle shut to make it a lot easier. THAT is a goodsend.

SO Today is Helena LOA's TENTH birthday. I was really out of it...so her dad picked up dogs, buns, and chips, Mr Ron picked up the cake (I have to see if I owe him for it or not...it was REALLY good) with her name on it...(couldn't find camara dammit),
Kids swam, adults swam, overall exactly what I needed. VERY laid back, relaxing etc.

Joe and Densise were there,with son Issac, She is looking rough. Joe not working, she is afraid they are going to lose the house. NOt a good thing for anyone.

I'm Landlording out the Ryerse Stead now. Getting sign out, etc. I know a nice professor from ALMA college is coming to get it.

D.

"it's the little things"

SO last night, after I sang in Church in the morning, ran all afternoon kids here, there and everywhere, short nap...I pulled up all the carpeting in the hall way snd living room
The carpet was sOOO nasty...then after the padding was up...there were notes written on the subfloor from many years ago..MY DS's 5 year old foot print--he's almost 13 now...and note----ME heart Hubby 4 ever..>SHESH..that doesn't even SOUND like me!! LOL

Then today...I worked, had a meeting about CASA---Court Appointed SPecial Advocate for Foster kids..in MANY states the ONLY person that is Steady in a kids life is the CASA indididual. The voluteers, stay with a kid wherever they go. SHow up in Court JUST FOR THEM, talk to their attorneys, etc....Well Gratiot County is working on getting CASA up and running.

I got ACCEPTED into "Gratiot Leadership". This is a big deal. Made somewhat less of a deal when the paperwork states 2004-2005, and then grant money due by Aut 2004. Yah. Thanks for updating that letter. NOT.

Ten years ago tonight..I was in the hospital, waiting to have DS. She was born "tomorrow" at 4 : 30 in the afternoon...after that nasty "plug" thing to start labor, and pitocin. Nasty stuff. Doc said, "Today is someone's birthday"...I was so out of it I didn't get it.

THEN ...borrowed a power washer...was able to get most of deck done. Was about to run out of gas, both in the Engine and myself...but its a good start. And got almost one side of the house washed. WOW..big differeence.

DS, age 10, got stung by 4 wasp like creatures tonight. Yah. NOT FUN. had her soak in tub...rubbed venom ...nasty business.

Also..other stops today-- WOrk, was supposed to have Specialist appt. for youngest DD, then got htere, office locked TIGHT...call the peditrician...OH NO...appt NEXT friday at 2.oo.

My Ankle from the 15 shots continues to heal. Truely amazing.

1/2 hour phone call from sister in Washington.

Several to Robyn, Rob, Lori. Lori is letting me have Helena's Bd party there tomorrow..Hot dogs, chips, swimming...'thats all folks".

Saw mom's newly refinished wood floors. Will tell about how she gave strangers $1000.00 up front, no receipt with out knowing their names. Oh no...she didn't get ripped off.

OK lets hope I can sleep tonight.

personalized random insult generator

http://www.hereinreality.com/funnystuff/otherstuff/insult.html

Heh heh, my girlfriend found a "euphamism" generator that sort of grossed me out...(spewing salty gravy) AWWCKKK

this one is CUSTOM insult generator..you pick various attributes of the person you want to insult, and UP they pop.

these are some I got from putting in attributes of my formentioned GF...

"you self-centered arrogant bony egotistical Tart"

"You irresponsible cerebral anorexic self-loving nag".

OOH man...these are too much...

"you self-centered arrogant bony full of yourself skank."...heh heh..I think she'd like that one.!!
..

SHOTS are US..15

I'm continuing to try and "Possess the Land" around me.

Today was pretty amazing. Robyn has been after me for Months if not years about my icky ankle sydrome. ...OH Don't worry..there are PICTURES TO SHOW soon. I"m documenting the healing process.
I went to Dr. Messenger, and told him I'd had this Crap (Excema, psorisis whatever) over 1/2 my life, tried about 30 prescription and non prescription things. Told him if Monkey piss would cure It, I'd get it. He laughed, and said Lansing Potter Park had a lot of Monkeys in their exhibit.
Anyway, my mom had gotten a relativly new treatment, Her's is Completely GONE with no scarring. Psorisis Cells reproduce at 75 times normal cells, that is where the Silvery icky flakes come from. Dr M said, mine was "nasty", and that tests have been done where you CANNOT stop from itching it. I told him that I had at times without realizing, been scraping it--on cement stairs, walls whatever, and I wasn't leaving without the "shot". Well "ONE" turned into 15. The worst one, was on the back of my ankle, like at my Achilles tendon...OWWWWWW! He said I had some really 'THICK' ones, THEN said, well let me see you in THREE weeks to see if we need to do more shots if it isn't all gone by then!! Three weeks??? WOW WOHHHHH OOOOOOO! and as much as I dont like this ..."PTL". AND he didn't charge me for an office visit, so I had an extra 10 dollars!. Dr M is the same Doc that dealt with my friend Lori's cancerous growth too. I like him a LOT.

My ankle already feels better, and does NOT itch!! wow that in itself is amazing!!


THen..went to lunch with 2 people, and one of them is from NC now, retired from Biology dept at CMU. He and a partner "flip" houses. OVer 2,000 homes in Durham where he lives go into forclosure every year. they do some there, and many in Florida. What a great lunch, Great intelllI GENT (ha) conversation ( I razzed the one guy about Rush Limbaugh and the "super highway" being built in the Country.
THEN
I was still in town, got a call to see the duplex...told them 25 more a month, got a filled out application, AND 25 dollar app fee. I think she is going to take it. Have never heard from the Attorney one, and the one from yesterday hasn't called me back either. I told them the stove is new,, and I was NOT going to provide a Fridge. I just can't handle it right now. She has a washer and dryer..but not a fridge, but still she wants it. She will be working at the tribe also..is transferring from Green Bay.
I was STILL in town, actually before I showed it, and called the furnace Guy I graduated with Dave Hovey in Rosebush. He remembered the duplex from the Prosecuting attorney that lived there with her girlfriend and TWO large hairy dogs. He told me to GET RID OF THEM, as the dogs were pissing on the condenser outside, and ruining it. I told him they were out of there--Fire Dept actuallly CITED them for all the dog crap in the basement floor. ANyway to finish the thought...furnance guy "just happened" to be in town, came over fixed the sqeeeling furnance, checked it..said no replacement yet but to plan on it 2-3 years, and I had the money to pay him.

Joy had a great day with Daddy...they went on breakfast date etc.
They bought me flowers. How sweet is that! Joy was very excited. I Rarely get anything special like that.

I miss Helena...a week away from Family for camp is really asking a lot of that family. She doesn't know about Joy's teeth etc.

Cousin Barb left this morning, we had a GREAT dinner at the "Tease" last night...but CRAPPY service. at one point I asked the waitress if she were ok..and she said, "No, I feel really really sick". Oh. My bad. Somehow having a SIck waitress serve you food..is very unapealing. Didn't stop me from Ordering their Crem' Brulee tho. yum. I was able to bring Hunky Hubby some of a Portebella Sandwich, and 1/2 my Crem Brulee. YES that is true love !!

Eighteen years ago, Don and I met, were kissing in the lake under the moonlight. He reminded me of that today. I dont THINK he's been IN a lake with me since then. Sort of like false advertising if you ask me!! LOL. He was awed by me back then. I wish he still were.

I am emotionally feeling a lot better, I 'm taking care of business, and business is falling into place. Had a "female" check up, did ankle thing today, took Joy in last week, and have appt for allergist for her on Monday, AND have appt for my other ankle with the surgeon. I have so many screws and a full length plate in my foot, and I"ve been having a LOT more pain lately. Secratary did tell me the screws can come loose (HEY I heard that LAUGHING)!!, but we'll see. I really continue to do pysical therepy at home every day, or I wouldn't be able to walk, but if there is something going on, I can't ignore it any longer.
Rob sent me an HGTV site that starts Friday for getting organized in 6 weeks. I signed up. I will do what I can, without causing a ton of stress.

No more summer program, so found the para pro from school 2 doors down will babysit for us, in our home for about 20 a day. COOL. Maybe I'll try and slide in CLeaning with her too. Wouldn't THAT be cool. I may try and hire her to help with Garage gutting. I know that will come up within the 6 week course.

Don suggested viewing movie with Miss Lori tonight ..it was cute..something like "Stuck in Paradise". 3 crooks rip off a city, then are snowed in and cant get away. Mindless fun. I feel comfortable enough there to get into her fridge. That says a lot doesn't it? They just had their 10 year anniversary. We hope to Check out MIAMI VICE this weekend. (no kids!)

Organizing my brain, checking my emotions, and trying to love abundantly. Seems as though people in my life have been Very Giving to me of late, I think That helps me not feel so completly drained. I'm getting something "back". Not stuff, just emotional support.

Look up, My child, and do not fear,
Though your path may not seem very clear.
Hold fast to My Word concerning you,
For I've not left or forsaken you.
Do not give up! No, do not despair!
Trust in My love, power, and care.
Take courage, child, and hold My hand.
In My Name, possess your land.


"For I command you today to love the LORD your God, to walk
in his ways, and to keep his commands, decrees and laws; then
you will live and increase, and the LORD your God will bless you
in the land you are entering to possess." Deuteronomy 30:16

Then Joshua said to the children of Israel: "How long will you neglect to go and possess the land which the LORD God of your fathers has given you?

For those blessed by the Lord will possess the land psm 37 Wait eagerly for the LORD, and keep to the way; God will raise you to possess the land...those at peace with God have a future