what is happening?

Strange stuff going on here.  I left then came back to find hardly anything here.  My last entry was here, just the subject line of the one entry before that one, and no other entries showing on the page.  What is happening?  I still can't get into my beta version of this journal.  I can get into everything else if it is beta or not.  And why is this page not showing all the entries it should be showing?  If you are reading this and have any idea as to what is going on please e mail me!

 

Found the answer to my problem on the beta message boards!  Should have gone there first. Well, duh!  Well, I keep trying to add that one entry and it keeps messes everything up.  What could I be doing wrong?  I am cut/pasting the entry from word.  I am using a font that I just bought could that be the problem?

stupid beta journal testing

I wrote the entry below in my beta version of this journal.  I wanted to go back in and change something.  I WON'T let me back in!!!! 

For those of you reading the entry below and it sort of leaves you hanging, well you need to click here to go the beta side so you can read the entire entry.

And since I can't seem to add the link right now, I will give it to you here.  I think you will like this.  Have fun:

answers to your questions?

I have had several people ask about beta testing and about how to use graphics (can use just plain old photos also).  So this is my effort to answer those questions.

Beta test?  It is just where AOL has you trying out new stuff before they roll it out to everyone.  They want to find all the bugs and this is their way of doing it.  To find out even more go here:   AOL Beta Central  

As for the pictures, to get them without the "view larger" you have to use something other than "you have pictures".  I believe the only real way is to use your FTP space.  You can get there by going to keyword: FTP space.  How to learn to use it?  Try going here:   how do i upload images to my ftp space so i can use them in my journal?   You can find more questions about FTP space and where to look for answers here: where to find help 

  Hope this helps.

 

   as for todays : 

snow

It is snowing! Depending on who you listen to we are going to get somewhere between 4 and 8 inches of snow by tomorrow. That is a lot of us. I am looking forward to it. Mainly because I don't have to be anywhere.

Read in the latest issue of the Readers Digest things we can do to help our troops.  have to worry about driving in the white stuff.Go to my test beta journal to read more about it.  Just click here.

 

got this in an e-mail today

Subject: When I was a child
Times were hard back when I was a child, and the area where I lived was economically depressed. I knew that the neighbors were having a hard time making ends meet. One day, I heard a knock at the door, and when I went to answer, this is the sad sight that I saw.

It just broke my heart (see below).

 

 

 

 

 

Just random thoughts.

Ok today I am just going to ramble. Here is a picture of Odie he is the dog in the Garfield comic. This so much reminds me of Sadie. No, not in the looks. But in the bouncing off the walls.  Kittens have tons, and tons of engery.  The only way to get them to slow down is to play with them really hard for awhile to get some of that engery out.

I am still working on another web page that I hope to roll out fairly soon.  The last one was, as you know, a list of places to go for help with your AOL journaling.  This next page is for fun (at least what I find fun) and free stuff to to do on the web.  Does anyone need a page like that?  I do.  Sometimes I am bored and want something to do, but I don't really want to spend time surfing around to find something to do.  I like having as many options at my fingertips as possible.  So if anyone out there knows of a game, any type of fun site, or whatever that I can enclude let me know.  The only restrictions is that it is free and that it is family friendly.  It can be where to get graphic, funny pictures, recipe sites, crafts, whatever.

Oh, the last time I looked my "where to find help" page was up to 793 visits!  Whoo-Hoo!  I am hoping that people are finding the help they need.  If you think I need to add anything to that page let me know.  I would love to see it grow and grow.

 

oops forgot to put this here earlier:

Please people.....

I swore this was one of those things to keep my mouth shut about.  But as you can see keeping my mouth shut is hard for me at times.

I am sorry if I offend anyone.  I surely do not mean to.

I have been thinking about the "cliqic" (i can't even spell it) thing that others are writing about.  And yes, I have been thinking about some comments that I have left at those journals. 

And the more I think, the more I think.....

Here is what I think--for me, I am just talking for me.  I believe that people in real life travel in different circle of friends.  And I believe this is true in almost all areas of our life, work, home, church, school.... Even though we sometimes travel in different groups they are not all clicks (there I can spell that).

Clicks here in journal land.  At first I was going, yeah we got those.  But now I am wondering if it is my own paranoia.  Some journals I just don't feel comfortable at.  Has that person done anything to offend me?  No, maybe it is because for some strange reason I feel left out? Maybe, and I know THAT MAKES NO SENCE!  But of course the way we feel from time to time doesn't have to be rational does it? 

No one has ever said anything to make me feel unwelcome anywhere. (Though at times I felt unwelcome, why? heck I don't know, maybe that paranioa thing kicking in from time to time.)  Actually I have had people offer to help me with problems that I have never been to their journal before (didn't know it was out there).  So I can't complain about that.  Maybe it is not feeling unwelcome, but more of a "what the heck am I doing here" they seem so much smarter than me, they write better than I can ever hope to, etc.....

So, the more I think, and the more I think....maybe it has to do with some journals being more "popular".  Didn't the popular kids at school just make ya ill?  Maybe that is it.  Maybe not.

I don't know if I have explained myself very well.  I hope that I did enough for you to sorta understand what I am trying to say.

beta testing here, beta testing there.......

I really don't have much of anything to say here today.  I am doing the "beta" thing and trying to read other journals on the subject.  And like it is when your having fun time so gets away from you.  I would like for you to visit my "beta testing" place and give me some feed back on the entry I put there today.  Just go here:

http://beta.journals.aol.com/onestrangecat/Theotherstrangeplace/entries/45

And for those of you that asked for it:

 

Whoa!

I live in within the city limits so there just some things you don't see that maybe you would else where. And what is that?  So glad you asked.

  I turned down the street my parents live on and when I looked up the street I saw 2 horses coming down the street.  They appeared to be pulling somthing.  When it got closer I could see they were pulling some guy on a homemade buggy!  It was really a shock to see such in town, but it was great too.  I loved it.  I don't know where he came from or where he was going, I don't know if what he was doing is legal, but I do know what is illegal.  Right in front of Dave's house one of the horses left, hmm, shall we say a "little present" behind?  I am pretty sure that the horses should have been wearing a "bag" or whatever.  They always do duing parades and I am sure it would apply here also.

 

My mirror site?

Ok folks I don't understand this so don't ask for explainations.  Now that I am on board with this "beta"stuff my journals now have 2 different addresses.  Looks like the same thing, what I write here goes there, comments left here show up there.

BUT if you would like to be able to leave longer comments, play around and see if the "alerts" will work for you, then go here:
http://beta.journals.aol.com/onestrangecat/OneSummersDay/  to go there.  You can do the same thing with my other journal, go here:
http://beta.journals.aol.com/onestrangecat/somethingtosmileabout.

If you aren't  a "beta" but the alerts work for you let me know.

For any "betas" reading this:  I am trying to get my alert to work for when people leave a comment.  Someone left a comment here on the "non-beta" journal and I didn't get an alert.  So, even though the 2 journals look the same, they aren't right?  So the alert will work only if the comment is left on the "beta" side?

 

Buddy Lists

I heard about this new FREE service you can get to help you manage your buddy lists.  I don't totally "get it" I guess because I don't instant message much.  But if you do this is from the site:

BuddyGopher hangs out on your AIM Buddy List. He checks the away messages of your favorite buddies and automagically puts them into one screen. Your BuddyGopher cannot talk- you'll have to view his profile to see your collection of away messages.

This was created by some guys at Wake Forest Univerity who had nothing better to do with their time! hee hee  The service they offer is free -- at least for now, and from what I understand it is only for AOL users.

So, if you have a huge buddy list you may want to check this out. Just click on anything in the orange above and it will take you there.

Beta anyone?

The new beta testing started yesterday, and alot of people are up and running, and running... I however am not.  I got tons of people trying to help me (bless you guys!).  Then I got an e-mail from the "wise one" Mr Gregg.  He thinks it make take a little while for my name to get into the beta system since I signed up for it kinda late in the game.  I am hoping that is what the problem is.  I don't really need a priviate journal (but I would love to play around with it), and I want to play around with all that beta has to offer. 

Why have I decided to tell everyone my beta problems?  Well I thought maybe there were others out there just like me that haven't been able to "jump aboard the beta train" and were wondering "what the heck".  Gregg's reasoning sounds good so I will wait a few days to see what happens.

Thanks again to all that offered help you guys are so special!

Mr Deputy Sheriff would you put your clothes on!

Back when I lived in an apartment there was always something going on in the complex.  Or at least it seemed that way to me.

The complex would give rent discounts to any member of law enforcement that could bring their "cop" car home.  I guess the reasoning is that with a police car there people would think twice before breaking in, and maybe the residents would behave themselves.  Guess the landlady didn't dream that the officer could be a problem!  So she let a deputy sheriff move in.

We had a pool that was open during daylight hours and maybe just a tad ofter dark.  Then the gates were locked.  No one should be in the pool when the gates were locked.  No matter how hot.

Guess Mr Deputy Sheriff thought he was the exception to the rule.  Not only did he and his girlfriend jump over the fence (or whatever they did to get in), but since it was late at night and no one would see......off came the clothes.

Now, do you really think that at a swimming pool in the middle of the complex (3 buildings all face the pool) that no one would see 2 naked people out there? Really?

Mr Deputy Sheriff got evicted (well, maybe she just told him to leave, didn't want one of his work buddies to come serve his eviction notice!).  Maybe he would have got a warning for being in the pool after hours.  But since he and his girl felt a need to be naked.......

baby blues

 I know I have probably mentioned my oldest niece M before.  She lives in another town and I don't hear from her too often.  She usually calls her Grandma when she needs something.  M is 20 yrs old (just this month), she had been living with some guy that is 9 years older than she, and they had a baby together.  Little Jr. is 18 months old. 

Mom was worried because she hadn't heard from M in a couple of months.  M had called and wanted Grandma and Grandpa to co-sign so she and boyfriend could get a cell phone.  The answer was NO, and she didn't call back.  Dad called M's dad yesterday and found out that M had had her baby taken away from her by social services (or whoever does that) and M was living with some other guy now.

I never thought M was a great mom, but I didn't know for sure, and now I guess the "powers that be" think so also.   And I am just guessing that either Jr's dad isn't the best or that he didn't want to take the kid.  I don't know.

I guess M was too embarrest to call and say that she had lost her son.  I don't know how to get in touch with her right now so I don't know.

Should someone in the family try to get Jr.  I don't know.  M's life had always had drama in it, but then I think her parents had some to do with that.  I honestly believe that M's parents should not try to raise Jr.  As far as me or Grandma or Grandpa?  I just don't know.  I hate to think that he will be in foster homes for who knows how long.  Maybe whatever was going on M can fix it and get him back.  If she wants him.

Hey, it's president's day!

We did get most of the weather they were calling for.  I am stuck inside, well, I am too old to go out and play in the stuff, and the car ain't going nowhere.  But it is BEAUTIFUL out there!

I managed to live through another Valentine's Day without someone in my life.  Even when I DID have someone in my life it was never around Valentine's Day.  I HATE Valentine's Day.

Sadie and Dallas are getting along some better.  Dallas actually let Sadie slap at her tail for ahwile.  When Sadie decided to bite it is when Dallas got mad.  And ya know I don't blame her.

I had read a comment in someone's journal that someone wouldn't take the meds for her bi-polar because it would cause weight gain.  My weight gain came because of  the pills, but it is a trade off.  No, I do not like my weight and am always complaining that I need to lose and get bummed out about it.  But the saddness over weight is NOTHING compared to the depression and mood swings WITHOUT the pills.  I think I wouldn't mind my weight so much if I could figure out what clothes to wear that would "minimaze" the look.  I live in jeans and t-shirts, but when I have to wear other stuff (church for example) I feel totally FAT and depressed.  It is hard to find clothes that make you feel good about yourself.  Or it is that way for me.

Gotta run and find that "surprise" link for today.  I had forgot to do it before now......

winter weather

 This past Wednesday the weather guys called for us to get anywhere from 4 to 6 inches of snow.  We got rain the next day.  I didn't actually see the following although I wish I had.  The weather man showed up on the 10pm news with a brown paper bag on his head!  So funny. 

Yesterday "they" said we would get some bad weather today. This time they seem to have gotten it right.  A little rain turned into sleet and now it's sleet and snow.  If all goes as "planned" we should end up with most of the snow fall that was called for this past week! hee hee

bits and pieces

I remember when I was little going to Vacation Bible School at the church up the street from where I lived.  One night they had some policemen there to talk to us.  One asked for a volunteer to put handcuffs on.  I raised my hand and he said "we don't usually put handcuff on women" and then he picked out a boy to use.  I really didn't understand at the time.  I just wanted to see what it was like.  But I couldn't.  Because I was a girl.  That really po'd me then.  And looking back it still bugs me.

Took Sadie to see Dr B on friday.  It was time for her to get some sort of booster shot.  She is still gaining weight.  Now Dr B says she may be older than they first thought.  So instead of her being about 3 months or so, now he says she is probably 5 months or so.  Next month, if she puts on about another pound, I will have to go ahead and get her spade.  I am also thinking about having one of those "chip" things put in her.  I can't remember the name of the thing, but you know they can scan the animal and it will tell them who she belongs to.  It costs about $25 extra but I think it could be worth it.  I don't plan on her going outside, but she had tried to run out the front door several times already.

Made a few cat toys today.  Cheap!  I love cheap.  I read about it in a book and thought I would try.  Simple, and the cats seem to like them.

Technical question: I get e-mails from people that have clip art or animation in the body of the e-mail.  When I forward the e-mails the pictures never send, all they get is the boxes with those little red x's.  What could be causing that?  This is really starting to bug me.  I can't tell with AOL if it is going to do this until after the mail has been forwarded.  But with my yahoo mail I can actually SEE the mail I am forwarding and the pictures disappear before I even get the e-mail forwarded.  I mean the pictures are there in my in box, but not on the forwarding screen.  Strange.

register and vote

 The next thing I want to talk about is voting.  Are you registered to vote in your area?  Have you moved since the last time you voted? Maybe you need to check to see if you will be voting at a different place this year. I am NOT telling you WHO or WHAT  to vote for.  I AM telling you to get out there and VOTE!!!!  I know that with the last presidental election being so close that everyone is telling you that is proof that every vote counts. I still don't know that I believe that is the case with the presidental election (it isn't won by popular vote you know), but I do believe that you CAN MAKE A DIFFERENCE in your local races.  And as we all know you have to start making a difference somewhere, and doing it in a small local way is better than just sitting back and complaining about how things are.  My feelings are this.  If you DON'T vote, you have no right to complain.  if you DO vote, then you can complain.  Complain that it would be different if your guy won, if he did win and you aren't happy, then complain that you put the wrong person in. 

 

REGISTER  &  VOTE

Too old to learn?

I don't believe I will ever get a really good grip on all things computer.  But I am willing to make an effort.  I found a computer book in the free corner at a used bookstore. It is called "<creative html design> a hands-on html 4.0 web  design tutorial" by Lynda & William Weinman.  It even has a free cd in the back.  The book looks like it has never been read, and the cd has never been opened.  Maybe whoever had it first read a few pages and then gave up.  I am going to try NOT to do that.  Can't wait to see what I have gotten myself into.

Happy Valentines Day a day early

Click on the picture for your Valentine Days card everyone.

Standing in line

I went out to grab some breakfast this morning and was about the 4th person in line.  The  second person in line was having a fit.  Seems the person in front of her was placing several orders and paying for each separately.  This really bugged #2.  See, she had to hurry to get to work and thought person #1 was breaking the law or something by placing so many orders.  I wanted to say to person #2:

Get over it.  If you were in a hurry you either should not have stopped or you should have gone thru the drive thru.  So she was placing several orders.  If she had came in with all her friends you would STILL be standing here and complaining about getting to work on time!

Yeah, I get fed up being in lines sometimes, but I would NEVER be so vocal about it.  I find this to be very rude.

How do you answer the question

I live my life day after day.

I learn new things.

So what?*

 

 

*this is a retake on what my pastor asked us last night.  We go to church, read our Bible, but so what? Does it make us want to change anything in our lives? Do we listen and learn then go and do?  I don't think this has to be a religious question.  You go about your life, do you learn anything? Does it make you want to change anything about yourself? Do you change anything? What is the point if it doesn't have you changing anything about yourself?

face lift

I am giving my "help" page a face lift.  Please give me your honest opinion on how it looks and what I can do to improve the look or the content.  Thanks. Here's the link again:

 

To the doctor

  I took mom to the doctor today.  She doesn't have a regular doctor so we went to one of those wait your turn places.  They are ok, but I like having my own doctor.  Anyways, there was this guy there just snoring away.  It was so funny.  Everyone in the waiting room was snickering.  Guess he was having to wait a long time!

Sadie....She can get into the most stuff.  I opened the fridge last night and left the door open for a second, and before I could do anything she jumped in!  She didn't come up to it and sniff or anything.  Just walked into the kitchen and made a bee-line straight for the fridge.  Now she is in a stage where she wants to sit between me and the computer monitor.  My keyboard is on one of those shelf things that slide in under the desk top, she will stand on the hard drive and try to reach my hands when I am typing.  And yes, she is still stalking poor Dallas. 

 

 

The hamster on this entry isn't really here for a reason.  I saw him, liked him, and well, here he is.  I am going to use the little guy for a link though.  So listen up people.  I have decided to add a "surprise link" to my entries.  What's the surprise?  Well it wouldn't be a surprise then would it?  I  could be sending you to another journal, a game, or well who knows where.  So, go ahead.  Click on Mr. Hamster.

  

Counter? I don't need no stinking counter!

I decided to take the counters down off both my journals.  (They weren't right any way they had gone haywire and had started over again.)  I have been thinking about this for a little while.  I go visit other journals and look at their "head count" and think, oh man, I will NEVER be THAT popular.  They get more comments on one entry than I get in visits in a WEEK.  Then I start to think, So What?  What is the big freaking deal?  Do I write for others? Not really.  I mean I do try to put my thoughts together in a more readable way than I used to.  But that's really about it. 

I am NOT a writer, and don't plan on becoming one -- hey, you guys that what to write, you NEED people like me to READ what you write. (I know that I personally helped Mr Stephen King amass the millions of dollars he has. Just to name one author that I help support!)

So, counters be gone!  I don't need you (the counters, not you may dear friends), and I don't need 25 comments to every entry I write (or to even just 1 entry in my entire journal! *hee hee*).  No, all I need is a place to put down what is going on in my little corner of the world, and if I can make a few e-friends in the process that's ok.  If my other journal can get people to stop and think at least once that is good also.

Ok, so I did leave the counter on my web site on where to go for journal help.  I did like to feel that IT IS being USED to help others.  And if it isn't, oh well, I use it myself from time to time.

 

cats, love 'em, hate 'em

Now that Sadie is free to roam the house she just wants to be where I am.  Or where Dallas is.  Being where Dallas is good---for Sadie, not Dallas.

Sadie has taken to stalking Dallas.  At first Dallas would run and hide.  Now she stands her ground, but growls, hisses, and has raised her paw a few times.  Does any of this faze little Miss Sadie? Heck no.  She just keeps on going, just like the bunny in those battery commericals.

Being a kitten Sadie has engery to spare.  I put her in the bedroom when I am not here and at night.  I also have to put her in there at other times just to give me and poor Dallas a break.  I keep hearing things crash, bump,  and rattle.  I had totally forgotten how much a kitten can get into.

I tried to take a nap on the couch today.  Dallas crawled in by my head and between me and the back of the couch.  Sadie started out towards my feet.  Then she is at my shoulder.  I hear Dallas growling.  My face is right in the middle of what could be a battle field.  Sadie is sent to the bedroom.  Dallas and I have a nice quite nap.

politics?

When John over at By the Way asks journalers to write about the current race for the President I got to thinking about what I could right about.  I don't know how I feel about ANY of the men running.  I have NO idea who I will be voting for yet.  But I do so LOVE yanking my dads chain about it.  It makes him sooo mad. hee hee

Sen John Edwards may have been born in SC, but he is just a good old boy from NC as far as we are concerned.  That is the reason I am writing about him.  Is he the man for the job?  Will I be voting for him?  Well....wouldn't you like to know?  I'm not saying.  You won't know who I vote for folks. Sorry.

My dad though is very outspoken on who he wants for president, and who he doesn't.  He wants Bush for 4 more years.  He HATES John Edwards.  I LOVE the fact that he hates Edwards.  When I can rub it in that Edwards COULD be president, he gets so upset. If he had to choose between Edwards or Kerry it would be Kerry.  But then I tell him, sorry, he will never make it.  I read something ages ago that the better looking man is the one that wins the election.  So, that lets Kerry out.  "Oh, but you don't vote for a man on his looks." "I didn't say I voted that way, it's just what I read."  "Hey, that means John Edwards will beat Bush hands down. Right?" "Edwards will NEVER be president."  "We will be in big trouble if he wins." I could go on for hours bugging dad about this.

I do find part of the reason people don't seem to like Edwards funny.  When he was running for Senate everyone was saying how terrific he was.  He's a lawyer that took on the big insurance companies and won tons of money for the little guy.  NOW that he is running for president, this is a BAD thing.  See, he took the big insurance companies to court and won tons of money, which means HE is the reason your insurance rates keep going up.  Is he the good guy because he got money for the little guy, or the bad guy because getting money for the little guy raises our insurance rates?  What got him elected once, is bad for him this time.  I find this funny.  Either it's good or it's bad.  You can't be on both sides of the fence.

a journaler quitting?

I will be the first to admit that I don't leave comments at other journal the way I should.  And for that I am sorry.  Especially if that is what is helping others to keep writting.

I just visited a journal (that I had been to several times) and read in her Feb 2nd entry that she was quitting the journal.  I hope that anyone who is reading this will rush over and give her a word of encouragment.  Maybe she will be back to see what we have written.

Madness and Euphoria

ps...past the word....

 

Home Work

Everyone wants to fix up their house at some time or another.  I have to do it in small doses for several reasons, money, and getting someone to help me.

Years ago, my dad put tile down in my bathroom.  The peal and stick kind.  I decided I didn't like it, and it was coming up so I decided to replace it.  I found some tile that I liked better and asked dad if he would help me to get the old tile up.  He gets it started and decides to take up the linoleum (spelling ?) that was underneath it.  Then he says that there is another layer of linoleum below that one.  Dad goes "why would anyone put more on top of the old?" So I am thinking "you put tile on top of the old?" Now, he says to do it right all of it needs to come up, all the way to the wood floor.  WHY DIDN'T HE DO THIS THE FIRST TIME?  No wonder the tile was coming up and doing all kinds of funky stuff.

Have you ever tried to get up old tile? Old linoleum? Talk about fun!!! Took forever!  And we still have to sand and whatever before I can put the new tile down.  This is one thing I hate about doing work on the house.  Something sounds easy, then you find out.....The house was built in 1950 I think, and whoever has owned it thru the years just patched stuff, or added layer after layer of things.  I took the wallpaper down in my bathroom a while back.  The HORROR!  There was 3 (count 'em one, two, three) layers of the stuff!  When I painted the kitchen I couldn't face taking the wallpaper down, so I primed and painted over it.  Who knows how may layers of paper is there.  I know some day it has to come down.....Looking forward to that day......

Snowmen relaxing

This picture was in the paper last week.  I though it was too cute not to share.

Remembering.....

Do you remember your first "real" kiss?  Not the "I kissed a kid in the First grade" thing.  I remember mine.  I was 15 years old (I know, a late bloomer) and so was he.  His name was B and he was so cute, skinny, tall, brown hair and brown eyes.  B lived next door to me and we went to the same school.  He took me to my first school dance. (well, his mom drove, we were only 15).

Back to the kiss.  We had gone for a walk in the neighborhood and about a block from my house we were standing under a neighbor's tree (front yard) and B planted one on me!  I could have died.  It wasn't his first kiss (at least I didn't think it was), but it was mine and it was heavenly.  And in case you are wondering -- no tongues (we grew up a little slower in those days).

technical question or HELP!

I have been roaming around the web and have found some clip art that I like.  So naturally I save it, run my virus thingy on the folder, then open it.  This is where my problem is.  I get the message "no preview available", so I think I'll just print it to see what it is, it doesn't want to print either.  I did a cut/paste on one piece of clip art from the site to my e-mail, then saved it.  It worked great that way.  But I don't think I should do it that way (couldn't I pick up a virus that way?).  Can anyone tell me why this is happening?  I have gotten animated gifs from the same site with no problem.  (Actually it seems that this happens no matter where I get clip art.)