Sometime this year, we taxpayers will again receive an Economic Stimulus payment. This is a very exciting program. I'll explain it using the Q and A format: Q. What is an Economic Stimulus payment? A. It is money that the federal government will send to taxpayers. Q. Where will the government get this money? A. From taxpayers. Q. So the government is giving me back my own money? A. Only a smidgen. Q. What is the purpose of this payment? A. The plan is for you to use the money to purchase a high-definition TV set, thus stimulating the economy. Q. But isn't that stimulating the economy of China ? A. Shut up. Below is some helpful advice on how to best help the US economy by spending your stimulus check wisely: If you spend the stimulus money at Wal-Mart, the money will go to China. If you spend it on gasoline, your money will go to the Arabs. If you purchase a computer, it will go to India. If you purchase fruit and vegetables, it will go to Mexico, Honduras and Guatemala. If you buy a car, it will go to Japan or Korea. If you purchase useless stuff, it will go to Taiwan. If you pay your credit cards off, or buy stock, it will go to management bonuses and they will hide it offshore. Instead, keep the money in America by: 1 Spending it at yard sales, or 2 going to ball games, or 3 spending it on prostitutes, or 4 beer or, 5 tattoos. (These are the only American businesses still operating in the US..) Conclusion: Go to a ball game with a tattooed prostitute that you met at a yard sale and drink beer all day. Peace

Spaghetti

Spaghetti

For several years, a man was having an affair with an Italian woman.

One night, she confided in him that she was pregnant.

Not wanting to ruin his reputation or his marriage, he paid her a large
sum of money if she would go to Italy to secretly have the child.

Also if she stayed in Italy to raise the child, he would also provide
child support until the child turned 18.

She agreed, but asked how he would know when the baby was born.

To keep it discrete, he told her to simply mail him a post card, and
write 'Spaghetti' on the back.

He would then arrange for the Child Support Payments to begin.

One day, about 9 months later, he came home to his confused wife.

'Honey, 'she said, 'You received a very strange post card today.'

'Oh, just give it to me and I'll explain it later,' he said.

The wife obeyed and watched as her husband read the card, turned white, and fainted.

On the card was written:

Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti, Spaghetti.

Three with meatballs, two without...

Send extra sauce!
Peace

Happy Fall

Happy Fall to Y'all...(even though it's not officially Fall, it feels like it here)....I love this season!
I'm the happiest at this time of year (cept for my alleVrgies :-( (Oh, just for you info. I just heard on the news that it's also "Wife Appreciation Day", just saying.....).

I've been cleaning up my garden and getting ready to batten down the hatches for winter...since I planted a load of perennials this summer and want them to survive. I decided to trim my hedge that runs along one side of my house....and.................a few days later find my arms itching and welting up......POISON effing IVY!!!! I knew it was there but yet forgot it was there when I was cutting up the hedge (is that like cutting up a rug?) I was really into zip zip zipping with the hedge trimmer and completely forgot about it. Damn.....it's real ugly too and itchy as all hell. Oh well.

On a lighter note, I am making reservations to take a cruise in the Greek Islands in October!
I feel it's time to get away. Up until now, I just didn't have the travel urge. I just wanted to stay home. But with time and good friends it feels like a darkness has lifted and I'm ready to come back into the light!!! SHINE ON!

Peace

Bless Them...

God Bless Them All......We miss you....

Ain't I Cute???

This is Tank at 7 months. Snotdog (his brother) has gradually allowed him to live in our house. Let's just say Snotdog(Spud) tolerates him now. Tank is a little terror. Did the word terrier come from terror????? :-) I still love him to pieces though. He really has gotten a little better with time. Let's just hope he calms down when he goes to the vet's next week for a little surgery.....(snip, snip)....sorry lil guy.

Peace

Worth Repeating

It's all good!!!!

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.

2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.

3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.

4. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends and parents will. Stay in touch..

5.. Pay off your credit cards every month.

6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.

7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.

8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.

9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck..

10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.

11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.

12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.

13. Don't compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.

14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.

15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.

16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.

17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful or joyful.

18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.

19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood. But the second one is up to you and no one else.

20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take no for an answer.

21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.

22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.

23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.

24. The most important sex organ is the brain.


25. No one is in charge of your happiness but you.

26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words 'In five years, will this matter?'

27. Always choose life.

28. Forgive everyone everything.

29. What other people think of you is none of your business.

30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.

31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.

32. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.

33. Believe in miracles.

34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.

35. Don't audit life.. Show up and make the most of it now.

36. Growing old beats the alternative -- dying young.

37. Your children get only one childhood.

38.. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.

39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.

40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's,we'd grab ours back.

41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.

42. The best is yet to come..

43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.

44.. Yield.

45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift."

---

Monkey Monday Revisited

(Remember "Happy Monkey Mondays"???) When I was working I needed a boost to get me going on Mondays, so every Monday was Happy Monkey Day. Now that I'm retired, every day is Happy Monkey Monday! :-)

Peace

Happy Songs????????????????????????

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Ok...who voted these in as the 10 top happy songs, huh?????????
I liked one or two.....but all 10??? Come on!
Peace

HeHe Signs

Yeah yeah, I know you've all probably seen these before but I just saw them for the first time and feel like sharing them with you......:-)

Peace

Out with the Old, In with the New (Kitchen)

Here's the old kitchen



New Kitchen....which I'm am soooo happy with.......

It took a while and a little inconvenience, but it's finally finished. I'm am so enjoying it!

Peace

My Lion, Pt. 2

I bought the picture of the lion after hub died and hung it up in my living room because there was something about it that made me think of him. Not that it looks like him at all, but because it touched my heart and I felt him in that lion. The words you used in your comments from the last post, strong, wise, pensive, thoughtful, intense, determined, sad, powerful, doing what he wanted.......all of these words describe my hub. Thank you. And Lois, when you said you said you saw an angel, the hairs on my arms stood straight up and only reinforced my love of this picture. Not only is his essence in the picture, but his spirit as an angel watching over me is there now! Wow.

Peace

My Lion

Tell me what you feel when you look at this picture. (I'll tell you why in my next post).

Peace

Rain N'Shit

Rain, rain go away!

My new kitchen is complete and looks absolutely beautiful! I'm so happy with it I want to sleep in it! I made my first dinner already....hot, hot chili! Was really good! I should really post some pics and I will as soon as I take some.

The weather has been horrible. Rainy and chilly. One day of sun interspersed here and there.
I'm waiting for some days that are hot and sunny so I can start going to the beach and live the retired life as I planned.

I'm working now on my backyard patio.....then I'll have some BBQs...to which y'all are invited!

Hope you're all well and PEACE.

Whadda ya mean I'm not ready???

I took a free golf lesson. The instructor analyzed my technique and thought it best for me to start on the beginner's course!! :-)

Peace

No Cattle Prodding Allowed!!!!

I've never been poked by a cattle prod. Why, do you ask, am I telling you that? I've been threatened by my blog buddy, Buffalodick, that if I don't put up a post he's got one with my name on it!! Is this something I should report to Blogster? Am I being harassed? Just because he cooks great food and puts up pictures of it and makes everyone's mouth's water and want some....doesn't give him the right to cattle prod me! :-) So......rather than having my name branded on my ass or someplace, here's a post for y'all.

My last home project is almost done. I gutted my kitchen and the contractor is putting it in now. When that's done, I'm going to take a break and start living like I'm retired! It seems all I've done is work, work, work...but I'm doing things that I love doing, that's what makes the time fly. I don't post here because I just don't sit down anymore at my computer that much and I apologize to all my buddies out there that I've not gotten around to commenting. I do catch up a lot on my goggle reader so I've not forgotten ya! :-)

I'm still missing hub....I keep his picture in a little frame and carry it around to each room I'm in so he can see what I'm doing in the house. He and I had complete opposite tastes in decor....so i'm sure he's rolling his angel eyes at how I'm decorating and the colors I'm using to paint the house with. :-)

I finally got some flowers planted in the front of the house. I'm trying to start a perennial garden. Hub was the gardener, so I'm hoping the flowers will grow!!!


The new pup (Tank) is getting a little bigger. All he does is bother Snot dog who is getting on in years (like me) and all he wants to do is snooze the day away. But he tolerates Tank and they do look sooo cute when they're both sleeping.

So...maybe someday I'll be back here blogging daily....but not right now. I wish you all peace and love.

Peace

Hoppy Easter!!!

Hope you all have a peaceful and happy holiday!!!

Test Time!

Your Blog Should Be Purple

You're an expressive, offbeat blogger who tends to write about anything and everything. You tend to set blogging trends, and you're the most likely to write your own meme or survey. You are a bit distant though. Your blog is all about you - not what anyone else has to say.

What Color Should Your Blog or Journal Be?

Your Blogging Type is Pensive and Philosophical

You blog like no one else is reading... You tend to use your blog to explore ideas - often in long winded prose. Easy going and flexible, you tend to befriend other bloggers easily. But if they disagree with once too much, you'll pull them from your blogroll!

What's Your Blogging Personality?

The Nice Stranger

I wrote this awhile ago for Flash Fiction 55 (a story in 55 words). This one, however is not fiction.

The Nice Stranger

She sits now and smiles.
Sings too.
Doesn't know to who or why.

She even knows my name.
Asks me the same questions,
over and over again.
It's ok though. I answer,
over and over again.
She's my child now, as I was hers.

Mom has Alzheimers.


Peace

Just saying.....

:-)

Peace

Spring Has Sprung....

Happy Spring!!!

It's snowing!!!  :-(

We had one nice day here this week, almost 60 degrees, so I got the taste of spring in my soul and wanted to get out into the garden and start getting my hands dirty.  When I looked at my window this morning, I had to do a double take.....Nooooo, it just can't be snowing!!!  It is.

Oh well.

Peace

Happy St. Paddy's Day.....

A nice version of the song......Enjoy!



Peace

Meet Tank, Snot Dog's New Friend

Tank, the two pound terror, is now a member of the family. Snot is tolerating him for now. But I think one of these days, he just may kill Tank.

One of my neighbor's dog's had puppies. Tank is a male Yorkshire Terrier (terror, as the case is). I've never been a fan of this breed, however, I just couldn't resist. He's 7 weeks old now and finally sleeping throught the night.....It's just like having a new born baby for crying out loud! I think I must be crazy to take on this responsibility now, with the house stuff going on and everything else in my life, but as much as a terror he is, he's just so lovable!!!

See y'all soon!!!

Peace

Just Checking in Cause Buffalo Told Me to......

WHEN LOVE SPEAKS, THE VOICE OF GOD MAKES HEAVEN DROWSY WITH THE HARMONY.......(Shakespeare)

My blog has not been calling to me lately, therefore I haven't posted....But ....don't you worry I have been watching and reading you guys from my Google Reader so I know what's going on out there. Hehe.

It's almost a year already since I retired, and I haven't regretted that decision. It's given me my time to grieve and work through things and get started on many projects, the house being the major one. The holidays have passed and I made it through. I'm content being in the house and know that hub is smiling down (or up) at me knowing that I'm doing things that make me happy.

Valentine's Day happens to be our wedding anniversary so it'll be a sad day (maybe). I'm just glad I got to spend the time I did with him. He made me laugh and everything I do has a memory connected to it that makes me smile because of him. There's something in grief that makes one change, of course, and I'll never be my old self again. But we live and we grow through our experiences and are given choices to sit in our shit or move on. I'm moving on my path, one baby step at a time, one day at a time, and will come through the clouds of my grief to greet the rainbows that await.

Peace

Hawk Hawk

I wish I had my camera....or I wish I was there to see it from the beginning.

I opened the gate to the backyard.......to let Snotdog run in the snow.   It took my mind a minute to grasp what was happening.    A hawk type bird was de-feathering a large bird (one that he most likely killed I'm assuming)  and when I opened the gate he grabbed the carcus in his talons and flew away!!!   Was a pretty big bird too that he carted off!  I went over to the feathers to see if I could determine what type of bird he killed....I don't really know....but judging by the feathers, it was  a pretty big one....Not only did he leave the feathers, but he left the beak too!  

It's nature taking it's course.  It didn't gross me out or anything.  Kinda made me glad to see that the wild life is still around (not the people kind either). hehe.  Hub would have been delighted to see that too.   

Peace

Happy Dance Monday!

Time to start dancing again!!!


Peace

An Oldie But Goodie Fairy Tale :-)

One day, long, long ago, there lived a woman who did not whine, nag or bitch.

But it was a long time ago, and it was just that one day.  The End. 

Peace

Hi :-)

2009!!! Wow......Can you believe it? How did the future appear so quickly? Seems like only yesterday that I was reading the book 1986 and thinking...wow....or watching the movie 2001 in awe. Why is it that the older one gets, the faster time goes? It's just so unfair.

Well, I haven't posted much lately because I'm still doing "stuff" in the house. The next step is getting a new kitchen! Hey...I may as well....I can't stop now. :-).

Here's wishing you all a blessed and peaceful 2009. Don't forget to laugh and dance every now and then to keep the balance. Hope to see you soon.

(P.S. Oh, I received an award from Idaho Daily Photo! Thank you Roger...I will get around to posting it soon).

Peace

Another Year Passes

"His absence is like the sky, spread over everything". ....C.S. Lewis

New Year's Eve is hub's birthday (was?).  I don't know.  I'm feeling kinda screwed up now.  In spite of the fact that I put a good face on to the public, the holidays have me having little mini breakdowns every night.  I cry.  I miss him.  I laugh at all our good memories and know I'm not going crazy. I'm just walking down the path of mourning and grief.  One never knows when it's going to hit.  It's all ok though.  

I wish you all a good year ahead.  Keep smiling.  And know that no matter what happens in your life, you can get through it.

Peace

Have a Merry!

Weeweechu

It's a romantic full moon, when Pedro said, "Hey, mamacita, let's do Weeweechu."

Oh no, not now, let's look at the moon!" said Rosita.

Oh, c'mon baby, let's you and I do Weeweechu. I love you and it's the perfect time," Pedro begged.

"But I wanna just hold your hand and watch the moon." replied Rosita.

Please, corazoncito, just once, do Weeweechu with me."

Rosita looked at Pedro and said, "OK, one time, we'll do Weeweechu."

Pedro grabbed his guitar and they both sang.....

"Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, Weeweechu a Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year."

MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!!!

Peace

My Friends, Thank you...

In spite of the fact that I've made great stride over the past few months of getting from Point A to Point B,  it will still be sad to pass the holidays without him.  I've learned a lot about myself too...I am not a wallower....wallowers get stuck in the mud......My lil dancing feet won't allow me to stay there nor do I think hub would want me there.  So it is with his blessing and loving memories that I vow to smile from my heart and pass the holidays with loving and supportive friends who've been my rocks over the past year, including all my bloggies!  I thank them and you for that. Little do you and they know how much it meant to me.

This song is dedicated to you and them :-)

Peace

A Shortie

Thought to Ponder . . .

The storm has passed.

I've learned a little more about peace. 

It was inside all the time. 

Peace

Finally Got Cable!!!

Like Awesome, Dude......

Keyboard for Blondes

Echomouse, my bloggie friend up north a ways, had this on her site today and I just had to share this with you.......I just may get it, and I'm not blonde, but sometimes I have trouble making those lil smiley faces and stuff...... and this makes it so much easier!!! Hehe.

(Click on the pic to see the keys.)

Peace

Happy Thanksgiving!

Here's wishing y'all a Happy Turkey Day! Be well.....

NOT AGAIN!!!!

Remember I posted about my sprained ankle a few times within the last two years or so?  I fell down and went boom..bout three or four times...cause I'm such a klutz......(i don't drink, so that's not it).    Anyhoo.....last Friday the contractor finished installing a side door on my house and called me out to look at it.  I have a little side stoop with three steps going off to the right.   I stepped outside and squeezed around him to view the door and next thing I know i'm tilting over, head first down the steps!  Yeah yeah....funny huh?   (actually it was, now that I think about it).   If he just hadn't cut up the cardboard box and placed it at the bottom of the stairway, my head would have been cracked open, I'm sure of it......but the cardboard cushioned the fall and there I was, lying upside down on the steps!   I did a number on my ankle (again).....damn.....and my head hurt a lil...but it seems to be ok now....unless of course I don't know it's not ok and this all sounds like gibberish and i really think i'm typing a post....Am I? ??

Peace

Happy Monkey Monday!

Hey....Happy Monkey Monday......(I just felt like saying that, since I haven't in such a long time).

Peace

A Quickie

Snotdog and I are alive and well and have been renovating the house.It's been keeping me real busy..... but I'm taking a break from it until after the holidays. I'm happy with the way it's turning out! In the meantime.......

AMAZINGLY YET SIMPLE HOME REMEDIES

1. IF YOU'RE CHOKING ON AN ICE CUBE, SIMPLY POUR A CUP OF BOILING WATER
DOWN YOUR THROAT. PRESTO! THE BLOCKAGE WILL INSTANTLY REMOVE ITSELF.

2. AVOID CUTTING YOURSELF WHEN SLICING VEGETABLES BY GETTING SOMEONE
ELSE TO HOLD THE VEGETABLES WHILE YOU CHOP.

3. AVOID ARGUMENTS WITH THE FEMALES ABOUT LIFTING THE TOILET SEAT - USE
THE SINK.

4. FOR HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE SUFFERERS ~ SIMPLY CUT YOURSELF AND BLEED FOR
A FEW MINUTES, THUS REDUCING THE PRESSURE ON YOUR VEINS. REMEMBER TO USE
A TIMER.

5. A MOUSE TRAP PLACED ON TOP OF YOUR ALARM CLOCK WILL PREVENT YOU FROM
ROLLING OVER AND GOING BACK TO SLEEP AFTER YOU HIT THE SNOOZE BUTTON.

6. IF YOU HAVE A BAD COUGH, TAKE A LARGE DOSE OF LAXATIVES. THEN YOU'LL
BE AFRAID TO COUGH.

7. YOU ONLY NEED TWO TOOLS IN LIFE - WD-40 AND DUCT TAPE. IF IT DOESN'T
MOVE AND SHOULD, USE THE WD-40. IF IT SHOULDN'T MOVE AND DOES, USE THE
DUCT TAPE.

8. REMEMBER - EVERYONE SEEMS NORMAL UNTIL YOU GET TO KNOW THEM.

9. IF YOU CAN'T FIX IT WITH A HAMMER, YOU'VE GOT AN ELECTRICAL PROBLEM.

DAILY THOUGHT: SOME PEOPLE ARE LIKE SLINKIES - NOT REALLY GOOD FOR
ANYTHING, BUT THEY BRING A SMILE TO YOUR FACE WHEN PUSHED DOWN THE
STAIRS.

----------

Peace

Life

I thought this was great!

Written by Regina Brett of The Plain Dealer, Cleveland, OH : To celebrate growing older, she wrote the 45 lessons life taught her. It is the most-requested column she's ever written. Her odometer rolled over to 70 in August, so here goes:

1. Life isn't fair, but it's still good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. Don't take yourself so seriously. No one else does.
5. Pay off your credit cards every month.
6. You don't have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
7. Cry with someone. It's more healing than crying alone.
8. It's OK to get angry with God. He can take it.
9. Save for retirement starting with your first paycheck.
10. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
11. Make peace with your past so it won't screw up the present.
12. It's OK to let your children see you cry.
13. Don't compare your life to 'others.' You have no idea what their journey is all about.
14. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn't be in it.
15. Everything can change in the blink of an eye. But don't worry; God never blinks.
16. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
17. Get rid of anything that isn't useful, beautiful, or joyful.
18. Whatever doesn't kill you really does make you stronger.
19. It's never too late to have a happy childhood, but the second one is up to you and no one else.
20. When it comes to going after what you love in life, don't take "no" for an answer.
21. Burn the candles, use the nice sheets, wear the fancy lingerie. Don't save it for a special occasion. Today is special.
22. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
23. Be eccentric now. Don't wait for old age to wear purple.
24. The most important sex organ is the brain.
25. No one is in charge of your happiness except you.
26. Frame every so-called disaster with these words: 'In five years, will this matter?'
27. Always choose life.
28. Forgive everyone everything.
29. What other people think of you is none of your business.
30. Time heals almost everything. Give time time.
31. However good or bad a situation is, it will change.
32. Your job won't take care of you when you are sick. Your friends will. Stay in touch.
33. Believe in miracles.
34. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or didn't do.
35. Don't audit life. Show up and make the most of it now.
36. Growing old beats the alternative of dying young.
37. Your children get only one childhood. Make it memorable.
38. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
39. Get outside every day. Miracles are waiting everywhere.
40. If we all threw our problems in a pile and saw everyone else's, we'd grab ours back.
41. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
42. The best is yet to come.
43. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up, and show up.
44. Yield.
45. Life isn't tied with a bow, but it's still a gift.

Peace