who looks bad?

After Sunday school this morning I talked to K about tonight's youth's Christmas program.  K is worried that the kids (teenagers) won't be at 100%.  I told her not to worry.  They will be fine.  But she is worried.  According to K, if the kids don't do well it will look bad on her.  And that will look bad on her husband S (S is the youth director).  I told her that just wasn't true.  How could you hold them responsible for teenagers messing up a program? (That would be like telling a parent that they are horrible parents because their kid goes out and robs a place.)  I think K  appreciated me for saying that but I  don't think I convinced her. 

I know you are probably thinking it is still a tad early for the Christmas program, but the month of December is taken up with the little kids program, the adult choir thing, and with Pastor G and his wife renewing their vows next Sunday.   Christmas is so close!

 

when will I die

A few entries ago I wrote about some on-line tests you can take -- for fun I went to Sparks and took the "death test". This is what I was told I could expect:

  

October 23, 2032 at the age of 72 years old.
On that date you will most likely die from: 

Heart Attack (25%) , Cancer (20%),   Suicide 11%),  Homicide (11%),  Horrible Accident (8%),  Alien Abduction (5%)

I have been trying to add animated graphics to my journal, and they keep disappearing!  Why, oh why?  I am going to put some in this entry just to see if they stay. 

 

update:  now why did they disappear and tweety  down below didn't?

 Today I went to the flea market.  I haven't been in ages and had forgot what a headache the parking can be.  The mall has NOTHING on flea markets!  If you can't find it at the flea market chances are you don't need it.

What I did find there was these beautiful siamese kittens!  They were so adoreable. ( I LOVE siamese cats!  They are so talkitive.)  They were only $50 which is cheap for this kind of cat, but I don't have $50 to spend on a cat right now.  I also worry about how Dallas would take to me bringing in a kitten.  I would like a dog also, but I am almost sure Dallas would freak out at that.  If she were younger maybe.

Thanksgiving with the family

Today went along pretty quite and somewhat uneventful.  I went to my parents house to help mom cook.  we fixed several plates and loaded up on quite a few extra goodies to send over to Aunt E's.  Then we sent to work on lunch for us and for my brother and his family.  Yeah, the "dreaded" sister-in-law came, but that is good. (P wouldn't speak to us for years)  It went ok, P complained about her oldest daughter's boyfriend, and the man her middle daughter is married to.  I do agree with her on those points.  But I had to bite my tonge when she started taking about N's husband. 

 See, my brother and his wife signed for N to get married a week after she turned 16 years old.  What they were thinking is beyond me (and no, N wasn't pregant.)  So why complain about "bad son-in-law" when he wouldn't be around if they hadn't signed for them to get married?

But I kept my mouth shut and the visit went pretty well.  Hard to believe it, but it was a nice visit.  We even got through a game of cards before I left.  Hey, I was tired, all that cooking!  My poor dad had to do all the clean-up.  But that is only fair right?  Mom and I cooked, so he should do the dishes right?

 

 

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!!!

I hope everyone has a great day!!  If you are going to be alone today please keep busy, get out if you can, if you can't here are some places to visit:  starting with aol journals:

gone crazy be back soon /my unvarnished truth/ cynicism as an art form/unhinged/absinthemnded logic/illusionsofgrandeur/amused/Nwanyioma's journal/two scoops of crazy/journal enquirer

part 2 of things to do

funny things to see

singing horses/lap dance/groovin granny  

visit if your bored:

funLOL.com /send this now .com /just say wow.com/bored. com

 

I have so much to be thankful for. This is just a short list.

 

My family  -- and yes, even the dreaded sister-in-law

My church  --  met some really great people there

Tides  --  the support group I go to for people with mood disorders

My health  --  even with depression I am still so very lucky to have physical   health

My cat Dallas  --  she loves me when I am the most unlovable

Fellow AOL Journalers  --  special thanks for Kay, Andrea, and Swifty

My neighbors  --  no loud parties, no cops out to fix problems, and the ones with 5 dogs keep them quite!!!!

 

 

                           

 

 

the dreaded sister-in-law

My brother, his wife, and youngest daughter are supposed to show up at my parents house tomorrow.  I doubt if his wife, P, will show.  For whatever reason she just hates my mom and isn't shy about trying to keep my brother and the girls from the family.  We can go years without seeing them.  I have no idea what the woman's problem is, but I think my brother is not much of a man (he's my brother I can say that) for not putting his foot down years ago and keeping in better touch with the family.  P didn't even go to her own mother's funeral, this is the type of person we are dealing with here.  When her mom was dying she wouldn't go visit because she would have to clean her mom's house.  The girl is crazy I tell you!!!  I hope that my brother and niece show up and not P.  I know that is mean, but we walk on egg shells around her.  Do you have anyone in your family like that?  I try very hard NOT to hate her.  I dislike her, but I try not to hate.

Thanksgiving stuff.

To see the cutest Thanksgiving picture you will ever see go here.

And the Thanksgiving Poem is at "something to smile about" also.

Movies

With Christmas around the corner I start looking for Christmas shows and movies.  There are a few movies I have to see each year.  Some favorites are: 

Christmas in Connetcut (the orginial in black & white)  --  I'll be home for Christmas (with Jonathon Taylor Thomas) --  The Santa Clause (with Tim Allen) --  Scrooge (with Patrick Stewart)

What are some of your favorites?  Oh, and I have to see A Charlie Brown Christmas and How the Grinch Stole Christmas (the cartoon NOT the movie.)

 

What happened when? How old were you? What does you personality test show? Are you a superhero?

Try the age gauge to see how you stack up with history.  This is a pretty cool thing.  It tells you how much older/younger you are than certain famous people, and how old you were when events happened.

To find out what happened on any day in history check out this site.

To find out if your man is a "real man" have him take the real man test.

To take personality test, love test, ect... try out this site.

And if that wasn't enough fun for ya, go here to find your useless superhero name. (Oh, I am Sarge Jet and my power is Enhanced Common Scense!)

 

 

Dallas

Here's the picture of Dallas that I tried to post the other day.  Isn't she cute in her Garfield bed?  She always has a sad or mean look about her.  But she is neither.

I am sitting here listening to the radio trying to figure out the answer to the "game" over at Swifty's True Journal.  The "music" on the radio can hardly be called music in my opinon.  The radio station I listen to (which I love the morning show guys) gave away a house today.  You read right, a HOUSE!  Brand new, never been lived in.  Can you believe it?  (oh, Britney is now singing about how "outrageous" her sex drive is)

Back to Swifty's journal.  He has given clues to find his new journal.  It is supposed to be really simple.  Right in front of your face simple.  Well either it is NOT that simple, or I am trying to make it hard.  I have two (count 'em one, two) Associate Degrees and I am feeling pretty dumb right now. (of course I have been out of school for quite a while now)  Has anyone out there been trying to "solve" the game? 

 

Pink has a new song out.  I just heard it about 5 minutes ago.  Here are the lines that caught my attention:

     God is a DJ  -- Life is a dance floor --  Love is the rhythm  --  You are the music

Do you think God knows he is Pink's DJ?   Ok, I guess it's ok, I just never thought of Him like that.  But if  "all the world is a stage and we are merely player,"  then why not?

I have known for ages that NC has some towns with strange names and I found a site that lists them.  Some of the "strange but true" names are:

Bat Cave,  Big Lick,  Bunlevel,  Frog Pond,   Horneytown,  Kill Devil Hill,  Tick Bite, Whynot, Lizard Lick, Meat Camp

If you "google" some of these town names you will find tons of porn sites.  I guess that shouldn't surprize anyone.  If you want to find a list of strange town names in your state check out this site.

 

    

Strange But True

Pink has a new song out.  I just heard it about 5 minutes ago.  Here are the lines that caught my attention:     God is a DJ  -- Life is a dance floor --  Love is the rhythm  --  You are the music    Do you think God knows he is Pink's DJ?   Ok, I guess it's ok, I just never thought of Him like that.  But if  "all the world is a stage and we are merely player,"  then why not?

 

I have known for ages that NC has some towns with strange names and I found a site that lists them.  Some of the "strange but true" names are:

Bat Cave,  Big Lick,  Bunlevel,  Frog Pond,   Horneytown,  Kill Devil Hill,  Tick Bite, Whynot, Lizard Lick, Meat Camp

If you "google" some of these town names you will find tons of porn sites.  I guess that shouldn't surprize anyone.  If you want to find a list of strange town names in your state check out this site.  You really should check out the town names in Kentucky!

 

check out this journal>>>

 

    

I went to Wal-Mart with my dad today.  I knew I should have never let him drive.  He is a crazy person behind the wheel of a car!!  We had all afternoon, but he drives like he HAS to be somewhere 5 minutes ago.  It drives me crazy.  I am sitting there praying the whole time to get there in one piece.

I talked to L this morning (she is the Pastor's wife).  I think she may be losing it.  They are planning to renew their vows in a couple of weeks -- their 25th anniversary-- and she is going crazy.  In fact she has told her daughters they will not be getting married anytime soon, if they do she won't help with the plans!!  I wonder if she was this crazy when she and G got married 25 years ago.  I personally can't wait for the event.  I have never been to a renewing of vows and it all sounds so romantic.

Aunt M called.  She said I could have the bearskin rug I have been bugging her for.  I just have to find a way to get it.  She lives about a 5 hour drive from me.  My mom asked me what I would do with it.  I am like "duh" put in on the floor.  I think it will look cool on my hardwood floors.  ( I do have to finish putting a finish the floor.  I have taken up the carpet, sanded, but still haven't gotten the stain and poly on it.)

What happened to my picture of Dallas I put here a few entries ago?  It was such a cute picture of her in her Garfield bed.  Guess I'll post it again later on.

try this journal>>>>

American Idol runner up Clay Aiken is from the state in which I live.  You would think the local dj's would hail him as a hero of sorts.  You know, hometown boy makes it big.  We LOVE our James Taylor, so why not Clay?  I haven't figured it out yet.  The dj's are forever making fun of him.  Maybe they are jealous.  I personally like Mr. Aiken.  I am listening to his CD right now. 

I love to read and I have decided to give poetry another shot.  I found a book of poetry by Rod Mckuen.  It is all very pretty, but I wonder if I "get" what he is saying in some of his work.  I have found some great work in a book entitled "One Thousand Beautiful Things"   There are poems all over the web, but I like reading them from actual books. (I do have a thing for books ya know)  Anyone out there know of any poetry books or poets I should check out?

I have been thinking of getting a dog someday.  I don't think Dallas (my cat) would like me to bring in a puppy right now, so I will probably wait.  I watch Animal Planet and think of all the different breeds.  I know you have to know more about a dog than the breed, but I do like the look of several breeds.  I think the Boxer is such a handsome dog.  I would also love a BIG dog such as a Great Dane.  Realistically I will probably get a dog from the animal shelter (maybe I could go to a breed rescue group.) 

 

 

Dallas

 

I love my cat Dallas.  But she is such a pig!  She wants her food and mine too.  When Ashley was alive Dallas would nudge Ashley away from food.  Never mind that she had plenty of her own.  Now, I give Dallas a little extra can food when I am eating to keep her away from MY food.  Doesn't work.  She walks away from it and tries to get into mine.  

She also makes the most noise you ever heard when drinking water!  You would think she was a cow or something.  Most cats I never hear drinking water.  But not my Dallas.  She is cute though.  When she walks away from the water dish she always has a drop of water on her chin.

I know it is not Christmas!  But I am sitting here listening to Christmas music (Harry Connick, Jr) trying to get in the Christmas mood.  I am going out Christmas shopping today.I HATE going the day after Thanksgiving, and the closer it gets to Christmas I start freaking out.

I was in Target the other day and found this really cute little stuffed animal.  It is a cow.  And it moo's "'Tis the season."  It is sooo funny.

you'll find your laugh for today with groovin' granny

I thought I had figured out how to put a picture here without using  the "you've got pictures" way.  It looked fine.  But when I came back a little while later the picture was gone.  What happened?  I don't have a clue.  Oh, well...  and I can't get my cool font back!!

try this journal

 

Sad news.  My cousin's son tried to kill her.  I know it is hard to believe, and believe me when I first heard it I didn't believe it either.  M is 16 and he took a shot at his mom S.  Luckily she got out of the way but the whole thing is unreal.  M is jail now under $500,000 bond.  S hadn't realized it had hit the news in the town where she lives until she was in a store and people where pointing at her and saying things like "what did she do to make her son want to shoot her?"  She got into her truck and drove about 4 hours to Aunt B's.  It is a shame that she and her husband are having to go through all this (and there is more but I won't talk about here yet) and you have people already trying to judge and point fingers at.  M has had problems most of his life and this --while totally unexpected -- has nothing to do with S or her husband.  I drove down to Aunt B's to see S.  She is still in shock.  Which is understandable.   I am still in shock.  I know that everyone probably has someone in their families that has broken the law or a little unstable, but when it hits your family.....it always happens to other people, ya know?

Swifty Good

How many of you have read SwiftysTrueJournal?  Swifty is challenging us to find another of his journals.  To me his clues are hard.  But maybe you can help find it.  Let me know if you find the new journal!

 

Michael Jackson?  What could I possibly say?

While web surfing I found sites for the most popular baby names listed state by state.  Girl names here  and Boy names here  I couldn't believe how popular the name Madison is for girls.

Mary over at Wacky World of Mary has started Thanksgiving fun with "Things You Can Only Say During Thanksgiving"

another journal to try

and one more

pick a side

Today's debate question:

Who would win in a fight:  Captain Crunch or the Lucky Charms Leprechaun?

>>>here's a journal to try>>>

gay marriage?

I have sat here trying to think of what to write.  I even had a few paragraphs down and erased them.  I am going to start over with the first thing I was going to write about.  PLEASE do not send me any hate mail ok?  I am not here to judge anyone.  I am confused about some things and have decided to go ahead and write about at least one of them.

The courts in Massachusetts have decided that a ban on gay marriage is unconstitutional.  I am a Christian and I know that I am supposed think homosexuality is wrong. **Please don't write telling me my faith is wrong**  But I struggle with this.  I believe that you are born homosexual and that is what I think gives my problems with it being wrong.  If you are born that way then it is not a choice.  So how can you fix that?  I don't know that you can.

PLEASE believe me when I say I am NOT judging anyone.  And I am not writing this to get into a debate about religion.  I am just saying that this is one of those "hot" issuses that I struggle with.  I am just being honest.

here's another journal for you to try>>>>

 

I can't write.

It is amazing how many people have problems at this time of year.  I have problems with depression all year round, but it is worse in the winter months.  I have my light that I am supposed to sit under everyday.  Last year I had no problem doing that, but for some reason I just can't make myself to do it this "season."  I don't know why. 

Why do I write about depression, it is so, well, depressing.  I do feel that I am sort of drawn to people that have the same type problems as I do.  Am I weird?  I guess maybe it is because that there is an understanding there that you don't have with people that have depression or simular type problems.

I read other journals and they seem to write so eloquently, me, I fall all over words.  Why do I bother with a journal?  I don't think I can get myself across as well as others do.  Take Kay over at Karmic Laughter.  She writes in such a way that you are there, you can feel exactly what she is saying.  There are others too, so I don't want to slight anyone.  I just am using her as an example.

I will never be a writer.  But that's ok.  Someone has to read all the journals and books that are out in the world.  Where would writers be without readers?

rainy day blues

It wasn't supposed to rain today.  But it has.  Off and on all day long.  Generally I like rain.  I love the way it sounds, and the way it feels (in the summertime), but today was one of those dreary grey skies day.  I got out of the house -- thought that would cheer me up.  I didn't realize that one of the universities here was having a football game.  Traffic!! 

It got me to thinking about the schools here in town.  we have 4 big universities here in town, and then there is the local community college, a Bible school (several of those).  I had never really thought of it before.  When you read about or see "college towns" on the screen they all seem so small and quaint.  My city is not like that.  Maybe it depends on how close you are to the campus'. 

You could study here anything from acting, singing, dancing, teaching, to getting your MBA, and you can study law, and even become a doctor.  Wow!  Maybe I need to go back to school. 

Thanks to Aunt Nubs Empty Head I found one of those 6 degress of Kevin Bacon games.  I adore Kevin Bacon and this is a fun game.  You just type in a famous name and the computer tells you how close that person is to Kevin.  Aunt Nub found you could link Kevin to Lassie in just 3 moves!  Now if you are thinking that we have way to much time on our hands, think about this.  The site (game) is at the University of Virginia Computer Science.  Too much time on who's hands?  Oh, if you are a baseball nut they have a game for you too!  Oracle of Baseball Check out games for Gov. Arnie, and Elvis also!  Woo Hoo!  And tell Aunt Nub Thanks for the links to the games!

>>>check out this journal>>>

We have been had!

I have been crusing around the journals this morning and thought I would check out dazeychic (ShelliP) and raven's.  I can see that tons of people had come to the same opinon as dazeychic and myself.  I also noticed that at raven's journal "leslie" is not trying to defend herself.  In fact the comments left that told about raven being a model have disappeared!  I must agree then with diannevan's comment that we were supposed to find out about this little nugget of truth.

update:  I was NOT going to write anymore about this, but I do have one last comment.  If people want to make up what is in their journals that is ok, but then to kill yourself off -- that is where I draw the line.  I am sorry, making up a life for your journal--well, I guess that  is creative writing--but to do this, well.....it is just wrong.

It seem like dazeychic feels the way I do about Raven.  I too looked for car accidents in Colorado and found nothing like was described in Raven's journal.  And the more I think about it, would her friend Leslie know the past words to get into Raven's journal. 

I hope we are wrong.  But I feel like someone has been playing a really sick joke on us.  If Raven is Angelie should could have gone on with her journal and no one would have cared.  But to kill someone off.........

Confused

I like several people are confused.  I was sad to hear of Raven's untimely death. I just read a comment left by cutnpastepost saying that Raven has a strange resemblance to a model at http://modelshomepage.com/angelie.html and that even some of the photos are the same.  Well, cutnpastepost is right.  Some of the pictures used of Raven are the same as on the model page.   This is somewhat strange.  Is Raven and Angelie the same person? 

update....

***I knew that the name cutnpastepost sounded weird. Her comment is no longer in Raven's journal.  Last night I could pull up a profile page (though it told me nothing) on her, today I can't.

books

I went to borders today.  I love books and I love that store.  Anyway, I bought a few books, get home, check my e-mail.  And guess what!  A e-mail from borders! with a 10% off coupon!  I always seem to be "a day late and a dollar short."  The coupon is only good from the 14 to the 20th.  So, now what?  Spend more money so I can use the thing?  I can always use a good book, but I wasn't planning on going there again within the week.

I really do love to read, and I have quite a few books around the house.  I have found people on the internet that have hundreds of books.  I doubt that I have HUNDREDS, but I do have quite a few.  I keep the books I like and trade or sell the ones I don't.  I have books that I haven't gotten around to reading yet because I buy so many books.  It is a real weakness of mine.  Go extra cash?  You will find me at the local used paperback store, or crusing goodwill or the salvation army stores for books.

I love home improvement shows like Trading Spaces, While You Were Out and such.  There is a new show called "Clean Sweep" where they try to get you to clean out your clutter.  Most of what they say really is good advice, but not when it comes to books.  Every time I see the show they are telling the family to get rid of 50% of their books!   I want to cry!  Get rid of books?  They are completely crazy!

I have been having problems with my computer and I finally decided what the heck, and reinstalled my windows.  I got a message that I had "recovered from a serious" failure. Ohhh.........knew there was a problem somewhere.  Now I have a new "problem."  Ok, it's not really a problem it's just well.........Now everything on my internet screens are larger.  This is good for my eyes I guess, but what happened?  One screen can't hold as much as it used to.  Guess I still have some figuring out to do. 

journal searching

I set out today to find more journals to read.  This is a slow process.  At least for me it is.  There are some really cool journals out there.  And there are a few strange ones, but hey, it's a big old AOL journal world out there.

While I did not take the time (yet) to read entire journals, I have found some that I will revisit.  And those I will pass along to you:

Growing Spirit

Tales from the House of Mirth

Ghost Writerz Writings

Longing

Ayn's MPD World

My Thoughts

the eye?

Someone sent me and e-mail with the picture above, and they were calling it the eye of God. ( To see a better picture of it go here > The Eye of God. )  It was pretty freaky.  There are alot of really pretty (and sometimes freaky) things in our heavens.  We all know that this IS NOT the eye of God.  But what if it was........

here's a journal for you to check out >>>

try this one for fun>>>>

traffic

The President was in town this past week. OK, he was here for something like 4 hours, but that was long enough to mess with traffic, and what was on the TV.   I had to go through town so I left early.   My though was that if I got through town BEFORE his plane even landed I would have no problems.   I was wrong.   First, before I even get into downtown I get behind some tourist buses.   They stop to unload for one of our historic touristy places.   One bus stops in the middle of the street.   In the middle.   You can't pass him on either side.   I put the car in reverse, back up make a turn in the middle of the road and go up a side street.   When I get into town I feel good.   One Lane is blocked for Bush, but that's OK.   Then I get within about 2 blocks of where his $2000 a plate lunch is going to be.   Traffic is slow almost not moving at all.   So me in my wisdom *cough* turn right.  I think I can just go a block or two over easy.   WRONG.   I go one block and the road turns into a one-way, going the other way.   I can't turn left so I go right.   Then it's a couple blocks before I can go left again.   Now I'm in parts of downtown I really don't know.   I wait until I can turn left again.   Where am I?   I just keep driving, and lucky me! I finally end up about 2 blocks past where the president will be!!  I made it!! 

 Now I have some time to kill before my appointment.  I go in Goodwill to look at books.   Love books.   Love cheap books.   I walk past a rack of clothes and see this really cool (hideous) shirt.   It is real shiny.   Something from the 70s?  Upon a closer look at this cool (hideous) shirt I can make out skulls, crosses and the words "Hot Tuna."   Was Hot Tuna a band at sometime?   Should I have snapped up this unbelievably cool (really, really hideous) shirt?   Sell it on e-bay?  Maybe someone with more fashion sense *rolling my eyes here* than I has already snapped the think up.   But it was cool (hideous, I am saying hideous!!!!!) shirt.

 

Magic

This is a picture of a poster I have.  I bought it when I was in my late teens or early twenties.  I have moved something like 6 times and the poster managed to make it through it all ok.  I finally got a frame for it a few years ago. 

My mom has always thought it was just a really weird poster and shouldn't have spent so much on it (I think it was something like $16).  But I love it.  It is magical.  Even the "old" me loves it still.

how's life without.....

It is totally weird without my babies.  I know you will think I lost my mind, but I would have sworn I saw Ashley out of the corner of my eye and heard her meow the other night.

Dallas?  If she misses Ashley you wouldn't know it.  And that bothers me.  She should be looking for her or something.  I mean, they were together all of Ashley's life!  When mom's cat Misty died the other cat Patches looked for her and just seemed lost for awhile.  But Dallas?  Maybe she knew Ashley was sick.  I just don't know.

People ask me if I am going to get more animals soon.  I don't think so.  I doubt I will get another rabbit.  I loved Lucky, but she was alot of work.  To keep her the way I wanted to that is.  I couldn't leave her in her cage all the time, it just didn't seem fair.  And I gave her fresh veggies at different times during the day --who wants to just eat pellets all the time?

Should I bring in a kitten with Dallas at her age?  Would she accept it?  What would I do if she didn't?

There are just too many questions right now.

Dallas

This is my Dallas.  She was a rescue so I am not sure how old she is, but we are guessing between 17 and 18 years old.  She does appear to be siamese, but I don't think she is 100%. 

I heard once that when picking a pet you should pick one that has a smile on its face.  I thought that odd at the time.  But as you can tell Dallas is one of "those" animals that seem to be frowning all the time.  If you don't want to see frowns everyday, then you should pick your pets carefully!

Frown or no, I wouldn't trade Dallas for anything.  She is a sweet loving cat.

It is Summertime!!

It is November, but you would never know it by the weather we are having!!  It got to almost 80 degrees yesterday, and should be the same almost all week!!!!  What happened to fall?  Did we have one?  I really don't think so.  Can't wait for winter!!  Maybe that is when fall will finally arrive.

Acutally I am not looking forward to winter this year.  This year has been the wettest here since 1901.  Does that mean that come Jan and Feb we will get tons and tons of snow? Ice?  My hometown here seems to get mostly ice.  We are usually on the edge of a good snowfall though.  Last year I was without power for almost a week because of that lovely looking frozen water.