Tuesday

Morning All. Off again for another busy day.

Success! I finally got a couple of really troublesome videos up on YouTube for the office today. Yippee!!

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Everybody comes from the same source. If you hate another human being, you're hating part of yourself. - Elvis Presley

Get a Perfect Smile in Minutes!

If you are like millions of women (or men I guess) who are self conscious about your smile, now you can have a perfect smile in only minutes, with the Beauty Smile Trainer. Just place the rubber trainer in your mouth for an instant forced smile.

I’m not sure if you need to keep it in place to maintain the smile or if the smile “sticks” after enough training. Ah, Japanese innovation at work.

Monday

The week is off to a very busy start. Loads to go over and through from meetings last week.

Walter came down for dinner this evening. Nothing special just one of those skillet dinner things. I played with some book cover designs for my unbound books - I'll probably get at least one copy printed and bound for myself before the end of the year.

Sunday

Off to church this morning, and of course choir practice this evening. Nothing extra special planned for the day.

I found out this afternoon after church that the cable was out at the apartment - I don't know how long. It could have been since Friday and I wouldn't have known it.

Sean gave me a call this afternoon. They had been out to visit a new church and they had a great visit. I'm glad that they are getting out and finding some place to go.

This afternoon after church I found out that I have no cable. So I'm in for DVD viewing for a while. They are going to work out a Saturday morning repair visit so I won't need to work around my work schedule.

I took a number of pictures of the moon last night and I sort of cheated here - I took the best image of the moon itself and put it over the best one of the clouds.

I ended up laying down on the couch this afternoon to watch DVD and ended up going to sleep. I didn't wake up until after 5 p.m., and I was headed off to choir practice this evening too!

Walter & I went out to Olive Garden for soup and salad for dinner this evening. The soup this evening was particularly good. One of the best batches that they've had in quite a while. While we were at dinner it began raining.

Just like the rest of the weekend. I've decided that between the water rides at Bush Gardens and actual rain there hasn't been one weekend all summer in which I haven't gotten wet. Well there are only five more Saturday's of summer - I don't have that many more.

Saturday

It has been a busy morning. I'll update everything later after I get back from Bush Gardens with Walter - we're seeing a concert this evening! The Oak Ridge Boys.

Now for the day's update.

I left to go into work this morning at 9:15 a.m. A surprise phone call at 9 got me moving in that direction. We had a planning meeting until 1:00 p.m. Lots more to do.

After I got home, Walter came on down and we gathered ourselves together and headed out for some lunch and on to Bush Gardens for the evening. We made it in to Bush Gardens around 4 p.m. So we were able to try out a new ride, the Cork Screw in plenty of time before the concert. I got some photos of the eagles and one of the wolves; and we were on the way to the aviary for more photos of the lorikeets when the weather turned ugly. A big thunderstorm swooped in and hit about 5:30 - 5:45, there for a while I thought that the concert was going to be cancelled, but blue skies prevailed.

Walter and I got into the concert venue about 45 minutes ahead of show time. We were able to get really good seats on the grass. One nice couple gave us a plastic trash bag to sit on. Next trip I'll take my neat sheet and be prepared.

The concert kicked off right at 7:00 p.m. - Great Show! I was able to get some descent photos.

We were going to leave and head for home after the 7 p.m. show until we found out that the 9 p.m. show would be completely different from the one we were at. A real experience to go to two completely different concerts in a three hour period.

The first concert was fantastic! Loads of old favorites and several new songs. Great showmanship.

The intermission between the two shows was about 45 minutes.

We had time to grab a drink and snack before they came back on stage for the second show.

I wasn't sure that the second show could be as terrific as the first but it surely was. FUN, FUN, FUN!

I got to thinking - this was the first concert that I've attended since Alabama came to Richmond in the 80's.

Friday

It has been a speedy week, once it actually got started.

Fun plans for this evening, I'm heading out with Roz & Heather for a while this evening. I anticipate it being great fun.

We were busy as March hares this morning at work. Heather gave me a new project to work on. I needed to design a cover with the title "The Da Vinci Group". I started work on it and then found out about an hour into it that it was due at noon! I'm glad I started on it when I did. I've put a thumbnail of the cover here to share. I am really tickled about how well it turned out. And to think that I started with a blank screen.

I have been sort of working on another piece for someone at work and this evening I finally finished it up. I put together this Key Largo composite photo this evening. It was a really 'bland' skyline, now it pops. Pictures like these are really giving me some practice at doing a variety of techniques.

I'm just about ready to head out for the evening. Out for fun with the girls. Night all.

We had a great time out. We had Mexican for a late dinner followed by a few games of pool. I got to meet some of Roz's family and volleyball team mates. They are almost if not as over the top as she is. It surely made for an interesting evening.

This is Roz with her team mate, Brian. There was another couple as well, who had left just before we took this picture.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day:

I received this link from Christie - great Video! It is really worth the time to watch.

Thursday

The boss got back in from Italy early this morning and was at work at the usual time. It was a productive day.

I headed out for lunch and came home to let Carla out. I've had her shut up in the bedroom for the past couple of days - waiting on maintenance to change the air filter in the air conditioning unit. The filter is still hanging around, so she'll end up in there again today for a while.

While I was out at lunch our computer guy, came by to see me. But since I wasn't in he left a little surprise on my personal computer. A brand new file folder full of pictures of sunsets in the Florida Keys. It was a really nice surprise. I can see possible paintings.

I took a couple of the pictures and transformed them. My before images:


And the completed composite image, unless I find something in it that still needs to be 'tweaked':

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Opportunity may knock once, but temptation bangs on your front door forever.

Wednesday

Howdy, All! I feel so much better today, even though the day has started off rainy.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Don't let your worries get the best of you; remember, Moses started out as a basket case.

Lovers of the English language might enjoy this!

How do non-natives ever learn all the nuances of English???

No one said English was easy.

There is a two-letter word that perhaps has more meanings than any other two-letter word, and that word is "UP."

It's easy to understand UP, meaning toward the sky or at the top of the list, but when we awaken in the morning, why do we wake UP?

At a meeting, why does a topic come UP? Why do we speak UP and why are the officers UP for election and why is it UP to the secretary to write UP a report?

We call UP our friends and we use it to brighten UP a room, polish UP the silver, we warm UP the leftovers and clean UP the kitchen. We lock UP the house and some guys fix UP the old car.

At other times the little word has real special meaning. People stir UP trouble, line UP for tickets, work UP an appetite, and think UP excuses.

To be dressed is one thing but to be dressed UP is special.

And this UP is confusing:

A drain must be opened UP because it is stopped UP.

We open UP a store in the morning but we close it UP at night. We seem to be pretty mixed UP about UP !

To be knowledgeable about the proper uses of UP, look the word UP in the dictionary. In a desk-sized dictionary, it takes UP almost 1/4 of the page and can add UP to about thirty definitions

If you are UP to it, you might try building UP a list of the many ways UP is used. It will take UP a lot of your time, but if you don't give UP, you may wind UP with a hundred or more.

When it threatens to rain, we say it is clouding UP. When the sun comes out we say it is clearing UP. When it rains, it wets UP the earth.

When it doesn't! rain for awhile, things dry UP.

One could go on & on, but I'll wrap it UP, for now my time is UP, so

Time to shut UP.....!

Oh...one more thing:

What is the first thing you do in the morning & the last thing you do at night?

U P

Tuesday

I woke up this morning with a splitting headache! I've been parked on the sofa with the Rosemary aromatherapy jar open. It has been a great help along with the Advil.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Some people are kind, polite, and sweet-spirited until you try to sit in their pews.

How to weigh yourself
I can't believe I was doing it wrong all these years.

We must get the word out.

Happy Second Anniversary

Monday

Off for another work week. The weather is lovely to begin this new week out.

I've been busy doing downloads almost all day. Fun, fun - waiting on things to download.

I've had a good evening. I got my laundry completed and began working on my Italian lessons online through Rosetta Stone. It is pretty neat that I can do them online. So far so good the only part in lesson one that I haven't completed yet is the speech portion (I need to hook up a mic to the laptop before I can do it.)

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: If you don't know how to do something, you don't know how to do it with a computer.

Lost Phone

My girlfriend called me as she was driving to an appointment. She arrived, and I could tell from her voice that she was getting frustrated. Finally she said, "I know I had my cell phone with me. And now I can't find it!"

I replied, "Aren't you talking on it!?"

There was a solid period of stunned silence as the reality of the situation sank in - followed by, "You are NOT going to tell anybody about this!"

Sunday

Finished Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows early this morning. J.K. Rowlings did it again, another spectacular book. I enjoyed all the way to the end of the Epilogue. I'll keep the plot a secret until everyone here has had opportunity to read it, but needless to say there are enough twists and turns to befuddle a room full of people.

Walter got the book this afternoon and this evening just after 11 p.m. he brought it back to me. We had a lovely discussion about the ending chapters and all the information in the Epilogue. What a great way to end the series! There are a number of other "side books" that can be written about various characters, other than Harry. It will be interesting to watch how theses last several books are translated into movie form.

We both said that we will need to read it again to pick up what we may have missed on the first race through. But even if neither ever picked it up again it was a very good read!

Saturday Excursion

Last night the power was on when I got in from work. I tried to get Sean to go ahead and come on over since there wasn't an issue with the power, but he choose to stay at home. In fact, we're picking him up this morning for out trip and returning him home afterwards. Such is life.

I'm looking forward to a pleasant day. It is only about 70-degrees out right now and feels wonderful, and checking the forecast it appears that the high is going to be somewhere around 85. Not a bad day at all.

Our plan is to be out at Bush Gardens when they open and spend a good portion of the day there, but not stay until closing. That will make the drive home much more pleasant.

Our trip started out wonderfully, with a quick stop at WalMart for some sandals and sunglasses.
We sprung for some preferred parking, but it really made the walk into the park quick. No lines, or trams.

We rode the Escape from Pompeii and Walter ended totally soaked. While I managed to make it out with just a sprinkling. We rode the Big Bad Wolf, followed by the Dark Castle and then were heading over to Ireland. The Dark Castle, a 4-D ride, was very interesting a roller coaster with a 3-D movie. Pretty neat.

As we were heading over to Ireland to eat and see a show, we walked through the Jack Hanna's Wild Reserve, which had some interesting occupants. We spotted an iguana and an American alligator, which Sean petted. Then there was an aviary of Lories and Lorikeets.

This was really interesting experience. We purchased some nectar and once inside the Lories and Lorikeets were upon us. As you can see, Sean had several friends all at once. While I was trying to take pictures of him I had one on my shoulder attempting to take my earring out and then climbing down to investigate the "shiny" phone.



These fellows were really busy chasing down nectar and shiny objects. We made the break after one attempted to eat Sean's ear, it nipped him and brought a small amount of blood - which stopped quite quickly. No permanent damage thankfully.







Easing past the Lories and Lorikeets we came across the wolves, nothing super special here (seen one, petted one). But what was next was...Bald Eagles. They were spectacular!

I know mom would have gone crazy with the camera. I tried getting some shots with the cell phone, but they aren't wonderful, but at least you can sort of "see" them. This one actually turned out looking like a painting. Next trip the camera goes with me.

We left the park after seeing the eagles and headed home. Stopping at McDonald's for some food for master Sean. We got in a little after 4:30 p.m. and dropped Sean off at their house. Afterwards, Walter and I had dinner at MiHicenda before heading back to the apartments.

I received a pleasant surprise when I arrived home - the book, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows had been delivered by UPS. Needless to say that I'm going to spend the evening reading.

Friday

I got off this morning to a late start. No power and I mis-set my alarm. I wasn't but a few minutes later than normal getting to work, but....

I checked in with Dominion Power this morning and they are telling me that the power will be off at the house until 11:45 tonight! I guess I should have expected it with the high tension line down right there at the apartments. But it is really strange with the power being restored at most of the buildings around the complex. Timmons even had power this morning and they are only a 1/2 mile away (as the crow flies).

Sean was coming to spend the night with me this evening, but since there is no power, I'm going to pick him up on the way to Bush Gardens in the morning. He'll sleep much better with air conditioning and lights available.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “In selecting men for office, let principle be your guide. Regard not the particular sect or denomination of the candidate - look to his character.” — Noah Webster

Thursday

Alice and I had a great time at dinner last night. We headed off to Olive Garden right after work and had the opportunity to sit around and talk for about two hours. Great time.

I got back in and just basically goofed off for the rest of the evening. I didn't even turn the computer on last night at all. I did get to talk with Danielle though. She says everyone is doing fine. Faith was asleep, which is absolutely great for them that they have her going down at such a great hour. Ben is apparently also doing great with his summer job. I'm really happy for them. Glad that things are working out so well. They've even got their 2nd anniversary coming up next week.

This evening is going to be dedicated to doing laundry, oh so fun. But since I'm heading out this weekend with the boys to Bush Gardens I've got to do it tonight or it won't get done. Then I would really be in trouble.

We lost power here and at home at 3:30 p.m. Oops! I was in the middle of downloading a program for the office, doing some online work and pop, there went the power. After getting the server turned off and phones transfered to the night service. The power came back on at 4:45 p.m. I did manage to get off to Panera's to send a couple of emails that needed to go out before the end of day.

Walter and I cooked out on his gas cooking eye in his apartment for dinner. The rest of the evening was spent, well pretty much doing nothing much. I even went to bed early.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: BUG, n:br An aspect of a computer program which exists because the programmer was thinking about Jumbo Jacks or stock options when s/he wrote the program. - Not Your Average Dictionary

Wednesday

Midweek once again. I've been checking in on Mom who is doing well, but tired and hurting. That's to be expected with the surgery, therapy and healing.

This evening after work Alice and I are going to go out for dinner together. A girls night for should I say girls early evening. I think that we are heading over to Olive Garden.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Only two things are infinite, the universe and human stupidity, and I'm not sure about the former. - Albert Einstein

Debt

The phone rang. It was a salesman from a mortgage refinance company. "Do you have a second mortgage on your home?"

"No," I replied.

"Would you like to consolidate all your debts?"

"I really don't have any," I said.

"How about freeing up cash for home improvements?" he tried.

"I don't need any. I just recently had some done and paid cash," I parried.

There was a brief silence, and then he asked, "Are you looking for a husband?"

Tuesday

Sorry I did post anything yesterday. Life was busy and by the time I got home last night I was ready for some R&R.

A good majority of the day yesterday was spent dealing with computers, backing up files, restoring files, and generally just waiting on computers to do what they do. I did manage to get some audio work done that I've been trying to do. Great to work on while waiting on other computers to do their thing.

Walt came down after dinner and we ran out to the Ukrops to pick up cookie dough, of all things. He was in need of a cookie fix. In fact, he told me to tell Connie at work that he needed cookies. Silly thing.

But I did get this great sunset from the Ukrop's parking lot. It was just so red-orange, I couldn't resist. Of course, Walter thinks I'm a nut when it comes to taking some photos. Oh well. I was having fun.

Today was another busy one. Getting everything accomplished has been a real workout.

I had a surprise in my mailbox this evening, a brochure from Perillo Tours for their tours of Italy. They had tour dates available for September of 2008 and I jumped at the chance to go ahead and book my tour for September 10, 2008.

So I am now committed for my trip next year. I will be in Italy for my birthday. I did get trip cancellation insurance, just in case something drastic happens between now and then. But that is not the intention at all. The next step is to get my passport - I've already got the application filled out. The only thing left to do with it is have my picture taken and turn the application in.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: “The Bible is the best of all books, for it is the word of God and teaches us the way to be happy in this world and in the next. Continue therefore to read it and to regulate your life by its precepts.” — John Jay

Sunday

We had a bit of bad news after we got home last night...It seems that while we were at Bush Gardens Walter's boys decided to escape from their cage and go wild. He had them out on the deck to enjoy the fresh air while we were gone, but they somehow managed to get out. They've not shown back up at their cage yet, and may not return, but we've got Tweat hanging out on the patio in her cage as bait to lure them back home. Meanwhile, Walter is going to be leaving the cage out with the top off, loaded with food and water in hopes that they will get hungry and return to what they know. Here's hoping that Butch and Sundance get back home safely.

Carla was having a small fit this morning. When I let her off the patio, this is what she had found. A small box turtle about the size of a half dollar. She really did throw a fit about trying to sniff of it.

Saturday

Omelets for breakfast courtesy of Chef Walter.

Well we had a late start, but Walter, Sean & I all headed off to Bush Gardens this afternoon. The traffic was atrocious but we finally made it around 3:30-4:00.

After parking in 'Bavaria' the furthest parking lot from the park. It is actually beyond the brewery, but the tram runs so it really doesn't make much difference. We had this picture taken as we arrived. The girl taking photos was having a terrible time getting Walter to smile. In retrospect - they it could have been better later in the day after riding a couple of coasters. He was more relaxed then.

Once inside we headed over to Italy where it was Walt's turn to play the, "I haven't ridden a roller coaster in years" game. We started out with Apollos' Chariot - which was fine. On to the Roman Rapids to be totally drenched.

To dry off from the mini drowning we rode the Big Bad Wolf followed by the Gryffon and he had a great time. By the time we were ready to leave at 10 p.m. Walter was riding the rides with out a lick of trouble. The look of fear had disappeared and turned to fun!!

We were lucky to have been parked in the Bavaria parking lot. It made exiting the park so much easier - no long lines to get out.

We got in about 12:30 a.m. and Sean had a bit of a problem and Dean came and picked him up. I'm sorry that he left early. I hope that he is feeling better this morning.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: American is a very difficult language mixed with English.

Friday

What a day!

BUSY! Figuring out the final items needed for book publishing, beyond the take it to the binders and have them bind the stuff together.

I received a surprise phone message this evening, Sean decided to come over and visit for the weekend at 5:15 this evening.

While Dean was in transit to bring Sean over, Walter & I prepared dinner. Grilled corn, peppers, onions and new potatoes. We gave the boys a call to get them to drop by Food Lion to bring us some Italian sausage to go with our veggies.

Dean dropped him off this evening around 7 p.m. and Sean joined in the grilling fun. He and Walter and he played pyro with the grill. They did a great job of cooking together. Everything turned out great! Yum. Delicious fresh veggies.

Thanks Dad - you can really grow some great corn.

We decided during dinner that we all were going to head out to see Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. We ordered tickets for the 10 p.m. show and sat back until it's time to go. But....we ended up having a great comedy show from Sean. He was doing this thing where he whining and saying

Dahdday...Walter did (whatever); then would pretend he was Walter getting his assignment paper to write, "I must touch Sean."; then give it back to Dad. Once the punishment cycle was complete he started hollering Daddy all over again.

It was a absolute hoot which went on for over 45 minutes - with each punishment escalating in absurdity with the minuteness of the alleged infraction.

We hit the theater and had to wait in a huge line. The real surprise here was that they came down the line telling us that we needed to have id out... Now Harry Potter isn't an R rated movies so this didn't make much sense to me. Turns out that there was a curfew change as of July 1 which makes it illegal for minor 15 and under to be out without a parent or guardian after 10 p.m. Good movie. It wasn't as nearly as dark as the others, but really played well.

We dropped by the WalMart at 12:30 a.m. on the way in and there was strangeness afoot there. There is some weird stuff that goes on there early in the morning. Strange people in the parking lot.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: When angry, count ten before you speak; if very angry, one hundred. -
Thomas Jefferson

Thursday

I got by to visit Mom at the hospital last night. I totally misunderstood brother's statements about Mom being too tired. I was giving her time to be ready for company and boy, was that at boo-boo! Dad called looking for me. Always follow the gut instinct and things will go just fine.

I worked until 6:15 last night, which in turn put me into the house later than normal. I didn't even plug up my computer until this morning. Not much to cover, except that thing have been busy in preparation for getting the boss out for his vacation with as many loose ends tied up as possible before he leaves.

I've got a two page list that I'll be working on over the next two weeks. Lots of training material and audio/video practicing. It will help having the time to "practice" without the finished product running up against a deadline. But before I can do any of the audio/video work I have to catch up with a couple of other people to get the computer up to snuff.

Well the list of stuff grew dramatically this morning as we reviewed all that needed to be done over the next couple of weeks. Heather & I'll will be hopping.

This evening I popped out and visited with Mom & Dad for a short while. Mom was up and about for a little while. She even had a brief visit from Nancy.

Walter didn't take Alice's kids out this evening to work out - he's been too bushed from traveling to Albemarle County early in the morning and working late. He is in need of his sleep. 4:00 a.m. comes along early.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: People who soar are those who refuse to sit back and wish things would change. - Charles R. Swindoll, Author and Pastor

Wednesday

Big stuff going on today - computer back ups; and preparations for the next couple of weeks.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: I never put off till tomorrow what I can do the day after. - Oscar Wilde

Crucial

Because of recent abductions in daylight hours, refresh yourself of these things to do in an emergency situation...This is for you, and for you to share with your wife, your children, everyone you know. After reading these 9 crucial tips, forward them to someone you care about. It never hurts to be careful in this crazy world we live in.

1.Tip from Tae Kwon Do :

The elbow is the strongest point on your body. If you are close enough to use it, do!

2. Learned this from a tourist guide in New Orleans. If a robber asks for your wallet and/or purse, DO NOT HAND IT TO HIM.
Toss it away from you....chances are that he is more interested in your wallet and/or purse than you, and he will go for the wallet/purse.

RUN LIKE MAD IN THE OTHER DIRECTION!

3. If you are ever thrown into the trunk of a car, kick out the back tail lights and stick your arm out the hole and start waving like crazy. The driver
won't see you, but everybody else will. This has saved lives.

4. Women have a tendency to get into their cars after shopping, eating, working, etc., and just sit (doing their checkbook, or making a list, etc.)

DON'T DO THIS!

The predator will be watching you, and this is the perfect opportunity for him to get in on the passenger side, put a gun to your head, and tell you where to go.

AS SOON AS YOU GET INTO Y OUR CAR , LOCK THE DOORS AND LEAVE.

a. If someone is in the car with a gun to your head

DO NOT DRIVE OFF, repeat:

DO NOT DRIVE OFF!

Instead gun the engine and speed into anything, wrecking the car. Your Air Bag will save you. If the person is in the back seat they will get the worst of it
As soon as the car crashes bail out and run. It is better than having them find your body in a remote location.

5. A few notes about getting into your car in a parking lot, or parking garage:

A.) Be aware: look around you, look into your car, at the passenger side floor, and in the back seat

B..) If you are parked next to! a big van, enter your car from the passenger door. Most serial killers attack their victims by pulling them into their vans
while the women are attempting to get into their cars.

C..) Look at the car parked on the driver's side of your vehicle, and the passenger side. If a male is sitting alone in the seat nearest your car, you may want to walk back into the mall, or work, and get a guard/policeman to walk you back out.

IT IS ALWAYS BETTER TO BE SAFE THAN SORRY. (And better paranoid than dead.)

6. ALWAYS take the elevator instead of the stairs. (Stairwells are horrible places to be alone and the perfect crime spot. This is especially true at
NIGHT!)

7. If the predator has a gun and you are not under his control, ALWAYS RUN! The predator will only hit you (a running target) 4 in 100 times; And
even then, it most likely WILL NOT be a vital organ. RUN, Preferably in a zig -zag pattern!

8. As women, we are always trying to be sympathetic: STOP ! It may get you raped, or killed.

Ted Bundy, the serial killer, was a good-looking, well educated man, who ALWAYS played on the sympathies of unsuspecting women. He walked with a
cane, or a limp, and often asked "for help" into his vehicle or with his vehicle, which is when he abducted his next victim.

9. Another Safety Point:

Someone just told me that her friend heard crying baby on her porch the night before last, and she called the police because it was late and she thought it was
weird. The police told her "Whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." The lady then said that it sounded like the baby had crawled near a
window, and she was worried that it would crawl to the street and get run over. The policeman said,

"We already have a unit on the way, whatever you do, DO NOT open the door." He told her that they think a serial killer had a baby's cry recorded and uses it to coax women out of their homes thinking that someone dropped off a baby. He said they have not verified it, but have had several calls by women saying that they hear baby's cries outside their doors when they're home alone at night. Please pass this on and DO NOT open the door for a crying baby ----

This e-mail should probably be taken seriously because the Crying Baby theory was mentioned on America 's Most Wanted this past Saturday when they
profiled the serial killer in Louisiana I'd like you to forward this to all the women you know. It may save a life.

Tuesday

Another hot one today. A great day to stay in the air conditioning, pool, or in the ocean.

Last night after work I did a lap around the city trying to get some photos of Richmond stuff. It was a race against the light that I did have and the fact that all the monuments on Monument Avenue don't photograph in the late afternoon was a real bummer. I hope that I at least got a few good ones of the Capital.

I made another lap around town this afternoon. I managed to get a few more images. I feel better about them anyway. You would think that you could find pictures of Richmond, Virginia on line somewhere, but nothing that I was looking for. I have a few other things that I need to get, but I'll the boss to finish those.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: BUG, n:br An aspect of a computer program which exists because the programmer was thinking about Jumbo Jacks or stock options when s/he wrote the program. - Not Your Average Dictionary

Debt

The phone rang. It was a salesman from a mortgage refinance company. "Do you have a second mortgage on your home?"

"No," I replied.

"Would you like to consolidate all your debts?"

"I really don't have any," I said.

"How about freeing up cash for home improvements?" he tried.

"I don't need any. I just recently had some done and paid cash," I parried.

There was a brief silence, and then he asked, "Are you looking for a husband?"

Hot Stuff

Here it is Monday again. The temperature is on the rise. Shooting for a high of 99-degrees, with a heat index somewhere in the neighborhood of 103-degrees.

I've reminded Walter this morning to make sure that they put enough water on the truck he's riding in today. No dehydration needed today.

Mom is heading off for her knee surgery this morning. I hopefully will hear the outcome of that before this afternoon. Our youth pastor, Paul, is also having surgery today. He broke his arm so badly in Mexico that they may have to give him a titanium replacement for the bone.

Mom's surgery was delayed this morning. It seems that the part for her knee had to be brought in from Washington, DC so they had to put off the surgery until this afternoon. The whole concept of needing to wait on parts caused all of us kids to immediately envision the Napa truck rolling up to the hospital and bringing in the parts to the operating room.

Enough of that, Mom did well. All they had to replace was the broken cushion and her knee cap. She'll be spending the next couple of days in the hospital. But everything appears to be going just fine and dandy.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Love is a perky elf dancing a merry jig, and then suddenly he turns on you with a miniature machine gun. - Matt Groening

Tea

George loved tea. He'd always come over for several cups. He had an insatiable thirst. He became such a nuisance that we decided to fix him.

To cure him of all desire for tea, we decided to drown him with the stuff. One day we forced him to drink ten pots of tea.

As he staggered off, we laughed at how clever we had been in putting ten pots in a tea pest.

Sunday Afternoon

It has been a lovely afternoon.

I've just been hanging out relaxing. After church I ran by and pick up groceries - fun, fun.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day:

Dance like nobody's watching;
Love like you've never been hurt.
Sing like nobody's listening
Live like it's heaven on earth.
~Mark Twain~

Happy Birthday Walter

Happy 20th Birthday!

Saturday

Well, the morning has definitely been on the upswing. My painting muse has rejoined me and I've been laboring away this morning on a sunrise over the Atlantic. Hmmm.

Inspiration is a great thing. I've been missing my painting and I'm glad to be back at it. It is liberating. It does get me focused.

Sean isn't joining me for the weekend. I'm not sure what's up with him, but no worries. I'm sure he'll visit another weekend when he's not involved with a computer game. Speaking of visiting - I'm still attempting to make contact with the daughter, but it isn't going very well. I think I have her voicemail message memorized by now. Oh well, some day she'll want to talk and visit.

Meanwhile, painting is great!

TA DA! The newest painting - see I can paint, its just been a long time.

We had a bit of a scare around here this evening. As I walked out of the apartment and started up the stairs there was a strong smell of gas (propane). I thought there was a gas leak in the building. The maintenance people checked it out and they claim it was someone grilling out with charcoal that caused that smell, but come on, charcoal just doesn't smell like propane at all.

I took Walter out this evening for his Birthday Dinner, since he's going out with friends tomorrow to celebrate a string of birthdays. It seems that he is the first of four birthdays that fall each day beginning on Sunday thru Wednesday. Since they all work they'll be doing the celebrating on Sunday evening together. We hit the Olive Garden for dinner, and he even had some birthday cake.

There is still a linger smell of gas, since we've gotten back from dinner. Propane falls so the hallway outside the door has that obnoxious odor. I'm debating on whether to call the fire department or not. I wouldn't even be contemplating it if the smell had been gone when we got back, but....

We had a impromptu birthday party here this evening. Mom & Dad dropped by for a visit and to drop off a gift for Walter. Meanwhile, Dean & Sean dropped by as well. So the tradition of stretching his birthday over several days continues.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Create your own stage. The audience is waiting.

Bunyan Fall

My son, Bunyan, is a construction foreman. One day he tumbled from a scaffold, managing to break his fall by grabbing on to parts of the scaffold on the way down. He received only minor scratches.

Embarrassed by the fall, he climbed back up to continue working. The he noticed his co-workers holding up hastily made signs reading 9.6, 9.8 and 9.4.

City Fisherman

A fisherman from the city was out fishing on a lake in a small boat. He noticed another man in a small boat open his tackle box and take out a mirror. Being curious the man rowed over and asked, "What is the mirror for?"

"That's my secret way to catch fish," said the other man. "Shine the mirror on the top of the water. The fish notice the spot of sun on the water above and they swim to the surface. Then I just reach down and net them and pull them into the boat."

"Wow! Does that really work?"

"You bet it does."

"Would you be interested in selling that mirror? I'll give you $30 for it."

"Well, okay."

After the money was transferred, the city fisherman asked, "By the way, how many fish have you caught this week?"

"You're the sixth," he said.

Friday

The plan for the day is to have Sean come over for the weeked after Dean comes home. He'll be dropped off this evening, unless something gums up the works.

Well, no Sean this evening so alternative plans have been made. I'm heading out with this evening with a group from work.

We had a great evening getting to know each other. There's just not enough free time at work to truly talk. Nice to visit with someone else once in a while. I hope we have opportunity to get together again. It was fun.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: A word to the wise ain't necessary - it's the stupid ones that need the advice. - Bill Cosby

Solving Problems

Everyone concentrates on the problems we're having in this country lately; illegal immigration, hurricane recovery, alligators attacking people in Florida .

Not me . I concentrate on solutions for the problems. It's a win-win situation.

+ Dig a moat the length of the Mexican border.
+ Send the dirt to New Orleans to raise the level of the levies.
+ Put the Florida alligators in the moat along the Mexican border.

Any other problems you would like for me to solve today?

Thursday

It looks like rain this morning. Perhaps we'll get a few drops before the end of the day.

Well, here it is mid-day and not a drop.

I checked in on Sean this morning and he has put off camp till the end of the summer. Hopefully he'll be ready in August.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Positive anything is better than negative nothing. - Elbert Hubbard

Updated Timesheet Codes

MEMO FROM ACCOUNTING DEPARTMENT

It has come to our attention recently that many of you have been turning in timesheets that specify large amounts of "Miscellaneous Unproductive Time" (Code 5309). However, we need to know exactly what you are doing during your unproductive time.

Attached below is a sheet specifying a tentative extended job code list based on our observations of employee activities. The list will allow you to specify with a fair amount of precision what you are doing during your unproductive time. Please begin using this job-code list immediately and let us know about any difficulties you encounter.

Thank you,
Accounting

Attached: Extended Job-Code List

Code & Description
5316 Useless Meeting
5317 Obstructing Communications at Meeting
5318 Trying to Sound Knowledgeable While in Meeting
5319 Waiting for Break
5320 Waiting for Lunch
5321 Waiting for End of Day
5322 Vicious Verbal Attacks Directed at Coworker
5323 Vicious Verbal Attacks Directed at Coworker While Coworker is Not Present
5393 Covering for Incompetence of Coworker Friend
5400 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who is Not Interested in Learning
5401 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who is Stupid
5402 Trying to Explain Concept to Coworker Who Hates You
5481 Buying Snack
5482 Eating Snack
5500 Filling Out Timesheet
5501 Inventing Timesheet Entries
5502 Waiting for Something to Happen
5503 Wishing Something Would Happen
5504 Sleeping
5510 Feeling Bored
5511 Feeling Sleepy
5600 Complaining About Lousy Job
5601 Complaining About Low Pay
5602 Complaining About Long Hours
5603 Complaining About Coworker (See Codes #5322 & #5323)
5604 Complaining About Boss
5605 Complaining About Personal Problems
5640 Miscellaneous Unproductive Complaining
5701 Not Actually Present At Job
5702 Suffering from Eight-Hour Flu
6102 Ordering Out
6103 Waiting for Food Delivery to Arrive
6104 Taking It Easy While Digesting Food
6200 Using Company Resources for Personal Profit
6201 Stealing Company Goods
6202 Making Excuses After Accidentally Destroying Company Goods
6203 Using Company Phone to Make Long-Distance Personal Calls
6204 Using Company Phone to Make Long-Distance Personal Calls to Sell Stolen Company Goods
6205 Hiding from Boss
6206 Gossip
6207 Planning a Social Event (e.g. vacation, wedding, etc.)
6210 Feeling Sorry For Yourself
6211 Updating Resume
6212 Faxing Resume to Another Employer/Headhunter
6213 Out of Office on Interview
6221 Pretending to Work While Boss Is Watching
6222 Pretending to Enjoy Your Job
6223 Pretending You Like Coworker
6224 Pretending You Like Important People When in Reality They are Jerks
6238 Miscellaneous Unproductive Pretending
6350 Playing Pranks on the New Guy/Girl
6601 Running your own Business on Company Time (See Code #6603)
6602 Complaining
6603 Writing a Book on Company Time
6611 Staring Into Space
6612 Staring At Computer Screen
7281 Extended Visit to the Bathroom (at least 10 minutes)
7400 Talking With Divorce Lawyer on Phone
7401 Talking With Plumber on Phone
7402 Talking With Dentist on Phone
7403 Talking With Doctor on Phone
7404 Talking With Masseuse on Phone
7405 Talking With House Painter on Phone
7406 Talking With Personal Therapist on Phone
7419 Talking With Miscellaneous Paid Professional on Phone
7425 Talking With Boy/Girl friend on Phone
8100 Reading e-mail
8102 Laughing while reading e-mail

Happy 10th Anniversary

Tim & Elda,

Wow! Has it been a whole ten years already? I guess with the two of ya'll time really does fly. Have a spectacular anniversary celebration and here is to another terrific ten years!

Congratulations!

Independence Day

Happy July 4th!!

The day has started off just fine and dandy. I've got the window & door open. The temperature is nice - not too much either way. I did meet one of my new neighbors from the next building, third floor. Amanda, I believe she said. She's just moved in and of course, Carla had to introduce herself. They got along fine.

Sean didn't come over last night, so I doubt that he'll be around for the day. So in lieu of doing stuff with him, I'm going to take care of a few things around the apartment, such as laundry and a small bit of cleaning. If I am exuberant about it, I can get the cleaning done while the clothes are in the wash cycle.

I was going to spend a majority of the day working on genealogy, however, I finished that up last night and sent it off to be looked over by the newest contributor to the genealogy information, Rita Davis.

It's been a pretty slow day. I did get the apartment cleaned up and the laundry done. The two items that were high on my agenda for the day.

Walter drove me out to Mom & Dad's this evening for dinner. It wasn't a big get together, just the family. Tim & Elda were, of course, not there as they had gone off for their annual anniversary trip. Alice & her kids came, Troy stayed home (as usual).

We had hamburgers & hot dogs. Mom is down in her knee, but with surgery coming up next week she'll be good as new before too long.

I received a call from Sean late this evening. He said that they were able to see the fireworks at Brandermill from their balcony. Nice way to see the fireworks without having to leave the house. I'm glad that they had that ability.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Quotes For the Day:

“Our cause is noble; it is the cause of mankind!” — George Washington

"Let the American youth never forget, that they possess a noble inheritance, bought by the toils, and sufferings, and blood of their ancestors; and capacity, if wisely improved, and faithfully guarded, of transmitting to their latest posterity all the substantial blessings of life, the peaceful enjoyment of liberty, property, religion, and independence." — Justice Joseph Story

Mail Worker

A goober got a part time job at the Post Office. The first assignment his supervisor gave him was the job of sorting the mail. Goober separated the letters so fast that his motions were literally a blur. Extremely pleased by this, the supervisor approached Goober at the end of his first day.

"I just want you to know," the supervisor said, "that I'm very pleased with the job you did today. You're one of the fastest workers we've ever had."

"Thank you, sir" said Goober, beaming, "and tomorrow I'll try to do even a better Job."

"Better?" the supervisor asked with astonishment. "How can you possibly do any better than you did today?"

Goober replied, "Tomorrow I'm going to read the addresses."

Tuesday

This evening Sean and I are heading off to Bush Gardens to see the fireworks display, if he has made it off to camp today. I'll hear later on this morning. I hope.

Well, Master Sean isn't coming over tonight. His choice. It just saved me a trip to Williamsburg, although I was sort of looking forward to going. I could go by myself, but then where's the fun in that.

I've really enjoyed getting out of the office this evening, the weather is so pleasant.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: One only needs two tools in life: WD-40 to make things go, and duct tape to make them stop." - G. Weilacher

Maybe this is the way to teach the 10 Commandments today! Maybe then people would "get it" and it wouldn't be construed as 'religious ed'.

Kentucky Ten Commandments

Some people in Kentucky have trouble with all those "shalls" and "shall nots" in the Ten Commandments. Folks just aren't used to talking in those terms. So, some folks in Southeastern Kentucky got together and translated the "King James" into "Harlan County" language.... no joke, read on...

The Hillbilly's Ten Commandments

(posted on the wall at Cross Trails Church in Harlan, Ky.)

(1) Just one God
(2) Honor yer Ma & Pa
(3) No tellin' tales or gossipin'
(4) Git yourself to Sunday meetin'
(5) Put nothin' before God
(6) No foolin' around with another fellow's gal
(7) No killin'
(8) Watch yer mouth
(9) Don't take what ain't yers
(10) Don't be hankerin' for yer buddy's stuff

Now that's kinda plain an' simple, don't ya think? Y'all have a nice day.

What would you have picked???

A contestant on "Who Wants to be a Millionaire" had reached the final plateau. If she answered the next question correctly, she would win $1,000,000. If she answered incorrectly, she would pocket only the $32,000 milestone money. As she suspected it would be, the million-dollar question was no pushover.

It was: Which of the following species of birds does not build its own nest, but instead lays its eggs in the nests of other birds? Is it:

A) the condor;
B) the buzzard;
C) the cuckoo; or
D) the vulture?

The woman was on the spot. She did not know the answer. And, she was doubly on the spot because she had used up her 50/50 Lifeline and her Audience Poll Lifeline. All that remained was her Phone-a-Friend Lifeline, and the woman had hoped against hope that she would not have to use it because the only friend that she knew would be home happened to be a blond.

But the contestant had no alternative. She called her friend and gave her the question and the four choices. The blond responded unhesitatingly: "That's easy. The answer is C: The cuckoo."

The contestant had to make a decision and make it fast.

She considered employing a reverse strategy, giving Regis any answer except the one that her friend had given her. And considering that her friend was a blond, it would seem to be the logical thing to do.

On the other hand --the blond had responded with such confidence, such certitude, that the contestant could not help but be persuaded.

"I need an answer," said Regis.

Crossing her fingers, the contestant said, "C: The cuckoo."

"Is that your final answer?" asked Regis.

"Yes, that is my final answer."

Two seconds later, Regis said, "I regret to inform you that the answer is......absolutely correct. You are now a millionaire!"

A few days later, the contestant hosted a party for her family and friends including the blond who had helped her win the million dollars. "Jenny, I just do not know how to thank you," said the contestant. "Because of your knowing the answer to that final question, I am now a millionaire. And do you want to know something? It was the assuredness with which you answered the question that convinced me to go with your choice. By the way......how did you happen to know the right answer?"

"Oh, come on!" said the blond. "Everybody knows that cuckoos don't build nests. They live in clocks."

There were NO COMMENTS..........

Monday

I snapped this shot of the full moon a little after midnight - Carla had to go out. I tweaked it a bit in PhotoShop so it has a bit of a different look, but the only thing that I changed was to remove some noise.

Back to the regular routine, almost - Independence Day is Wednesday and I have the day off.

Sean starts day camp this morning at Camp Red Feather. I do hope that he has a terrific time.

I spoke to Sean on my way into work this morning and he had a migraine. Poor thing couldn't go to his first day of camp. I do hope that he will be up and better in the morning.

Alice tells me that Terry started his first day of his summer school enrichment program. He was off to the bus before 8 this morning. He's already home by now, but I haven't heard how his day went.

I slipped out of work at lunch time today and the weather is FANTASTIC! It would be great if the inside was as nice as the outside. It make you think that it is spring all over again. It's enough to lift your spirits.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Our lives are forever changed by those that we come in contact with, may you make all the lives you change better for the experience. - js

Writers

Bob Hope once received an award and graciously gave full credit to his four writers for making it possible.

The next to receive the award was Bishop Fulton J. Sheen. He stepped to the mike and with a grin, he announced, "I also want to thank my four writers - Mathew, Mark, Luke and John."

Rest Stop

I was flying from San Francisco to Los Angeles. By the time we took off, there had been a 45-minute delay and everybody on board was ticked.

Unexpectedly, we stopped in Sacramento on the way. The flight attendant explained that there would be another 45-minute delay, and if we wanted to get off the aircraft, we would reboard in 30 minutes.

Everybody got off the plane except one gentleman who was blind. I noticed him as I walked by and could tell he had flown before because his Seeing Eye dog lay quietly underneath the seats in front of him throughout the entire flight. I could also tell he had flown this very flight before because the pilot approached him and, calling him by name, said, "Keith, we're in Sacramento for almost an hour. Would you like to get off and stretch your legs?" Keith replied, "No thanks, but maybe my dog would like to stretch his legs."

Picture this ... all the people in the gate area came to a completely quiet standstill when they looked up and saw the pilot walk off the plane with the Seeing Eye dog! The pilot was even wearing sunglasses. People scattered. They not only tried to change planes, they also were trying to change airlines!

Family Reunion

We attended the Baker, Rogers, Stapleton Reunion in Jonesville this afternoon. There was a nice crowd, but not as many as normal. The get together went well. Mom had put together a DVD of old family reunion photos that she had playing on a television that she brought up from Mamaw Stapleton's house. The DVD was very popular.

I did some catching up with Jack Rogers on the family genealogy. He's gotten some 'new' old photos that I'll be looking forward to seeing in the mail or in the email in the coming weeks.

I didn't do any photographing while I was there, but I did snag this picture of Walter, Mom & I from Debbie (we were posing for Aunt Mossie).

While we were at the reunion, Miss Carla stayed at Mamaw Stapleton's house on the deck. Once we back on the road, we received a call checking in with us from Mom. It seems that Sandi had been keeping an eye on Carla and was alarmed when she went missing. We had picked her up without knowing that they were watching out for her, so she and her family had been out looking for Carla and fretting over her 'getting away'. I appreciate so much the concern, and would have called if I had thought that they were watching out so well for her. Thanks Sandi, Leon, and kids - we appreciate all your efforts. BIG HUG!

On the way home, we called up Danielle to see about dropping by to visit on our way passed Lynchburg, but they weren't home. They were in Chester. Walter tried to get them to come out for dinner when we got in but they declined. Maybe another time.

This was the view in our rear view mirror as we were on the final leg of our journey home. This was taken on Hull Street Road, just west of Woodlake. Walter and I got back home right at 9 p.m. Plenty of time to get in and settled back in before starting the week off again in the morning.

Email & Newsletter Gleanings:

Thought For the Day: Spend some happy moments this weekend pickin' ticks off the ones you love.

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER

by Erma Bombeck

(written after she found out she was dying from cancer)

I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner."
There would have been more "I love you's" More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!

Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what . Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.