Howdy!! (contacts only!)

Hi ya all... I know I haven't been around. As I've said before in several blogs... I do a lot of stuff on Facebook now.

I haven't left here... just haven't been in the mood to really blog... mainly because I'm saying all I want to on my Facebook.

So, if anyone wishes to keep up to date with me, please feel free leave a message below & then I'll send you a PM with details how to connect with me there.

I know quite a few of you are already there with me... & I truly appreciate it. However, there are several of you I miss talking with... but I don't want to push by sending you the info... unless you want it.

IF you don't wish to join me on Facebook... you can always follow me on Twitter... my handle there is: LadyHarley99 (that's linked to my Twitter page) ... If you follow me & your handle is different than what it is here please send me a PM (or reply below, if you don't mind others seeing your handle) & let me know what your name is on Twitter... That way, when I get the email notification of you following me & I go to the page, I won't block you. (Make sense?)

Thank & hope to see you either on Facebook, Twitter OR both! ;)

P.S. I will still blog here once in a while... along with still posting short stories for the UFC. (Which by the way, I will be doing one next week, because it's my challenge.) ;)

It was a very MERRY CHRISTMAS indeed!!!

Christmas has come & gone... however, the joy of it is still lingering...

Our (Hubby & I) twin nephews were baptized this morning... by their father! (Hubby's brother!) It was so wonderful to be able to be there to see it.

I say that, because, this past Thursday I was pretty bad & was not sure how I was going to make it to Christmas without possibly going to the ER to get some relief from the extreme pressure & throbbing headache I was having... so I broke down & took a Vicodin during the day, Thursday, & by bedtime, I took 4 Ibuprofen w/ the Benadryl...

I woke up feeling much better Christmas Eve day! Made it to the candlelight service... & "Christmas at the Farm" (my side of the family), that evening.

I only survived all that because I was taking 4 Ibuprofen about every 5 hours... by the time we got home that night, I was in a lot of pain... but after a night sleep, I was better again... & was able to enjoy Christmas morning with my hubby & my doggies.. then onto his mom's for Christmas with her, Hubby's brother & sister-in-law & their family. (4 kids... one is 4 year's old!) Was a blast! That little one is so funny... he definitely has his dad's (& uncle's) sense of humor!! Well, all the kids do! ;o)

However, after all the activities yesterday... I was in poor shape again last night... but had found out the twins were going to be baptized this morning... & I knew I wanted to make that.

So, I went to sleep early last night... woke up at 9:30a & made it to church. WOO HOO! Victory for me! ... no...

VICTORY for the twins! It's a tough choice to want to make a commitment like that!... yet, they have wonderful loving parents; big sister; & grandma (& of course their Aunt Lady Harley & their uncle, (my hubby)... not to mention our fabulous church family!) who will guide them in this early stages of their "new" life & their life walk with Jesus!

It was the best Christmas gift any of us in the family (& to Jesus!) could have ever received! We're all so proud of them!!!

It's been a LONG eventful... fun-filled & blessed week. Glad I was able to get through & participate!!!

OH... Another great thing... we had a WHITE Christmas too! At one point yesterday, Hubby & his brother went out to the truck to get the "big" gift for their mom... & when I was standing at the door, ready to hold it open for them (& was taking video too, LOL) I said "It's snowing!"... even though no one else really seemed to be excited or impressed... I was!! *grins*

Now, I'm ready for a few days on the couch, in front of the fire (see picture above) & watching tv!!! ;o)

Welcome to Winter

Did you get to see the once in a lifetime SPECIAL Lunar Eclipse last night? (Check out that link for a cool photo of it! ... scroll through to see some other wonderful shots, too!) Unfortunately, I did not get to see it. There was complete cloud cover here... & it was supposed to be snowing. Besides, I went to bed early... early for me... before Midnight!  (I might just be getting back into a better sleeping pattern... will see how long it lasts!)

Oh, yes, I know, lunar eclipses happen more than that... HOWEVER, last night's was so rare, last time it happened Galileo was alive. (At least that's what one of my Facebook friends said last night. LOL)

What made it so special was that it was a TOTAL eclipse & coincided with the Winter Solstice "arrival". 1638 was the last time this happened & December 21, 2094 is when it will happen again. (Here is a link to some other photos of this rarity!)

That's right, in the Northern hemisphere of Earth, WINTER HAS ARRIVED!!! WOO HOOO!!!

For my Aussie friend(s) & anyone else in the Southern half... it is Summer... so, for you... WELCOME TO SUMMER! I sure hope it's not has hot as it was last year for you!

Now onto why I really started this blog, today...

This morning I took the dogs into the groomers to get their Christmas bath. LOL... & since I was out and had not eaten yet... I decided to go ahead to the laboratory to get my blood work done for my doctor's appointment next week. (Had to be fasting!)

Well, the appointment was actually supposed to be today, but my ride (my mom) ended up having a dentist appointment... & since her dentist rearranged his schedule to fit her in... well, it took precedence. Besides, I had forgotten to the blood work last week anyway. LOL. (She (or someone) has to take me, because my family doctor is now 30+ miles away. :-/ ... & to be safe, I am still not driving that far myself. I can drive short distances & as long as I'm not doing much, (like shopping). Otherwise, I have someone else take me... or pick up stuff for me. (ie: My hubby.) ;o)

Oh, before I continue... just so no one (DAD!) worries... this was just a normal routine check up. It's just a check of my thyroid & a cholesterol levels. That's also, what the doctor's visit will be about. Along with getting established at his new office.

So, anyway, I go into this place & hand over my script for the blood work & sit down to wait to be called. A young girl (I'd say about 10 to 13 in age... maybe slightly younger?) was sitting waiting her turn. (At least I thought that's what she was waiting on... seems she actually had to wait until so much time had passed from when she had eaten last. No, I didn't ask... just what I had heard her & her mom talking about it.)

Just as I get seated, she pops up to the window & ask, "What time is it?". The nurse gives her the time & she sits back down. Her dad (I presume) who appears to try to be reading a magazine says to her, "Say 'Thank You'." The girl mumbles "Thanks"... so softly, that I bet the nurse never heard her.

Then the dad proceeded to say something to the fact that she needs to be a bit less "demanding" & how she's probably not aware of how she is coming across. She is sitting there playing her Nintendo DS (little hand held video game) & replies "Blah, blah, blah".

At which point, I decided to lay my head back against the wall (ouch, forgot my pillow, to support my neck! *sighs*) & started thinking to myself... how DISRESPECTFUL she was... Not just to her dad, but also to the nurse... AND to all of the rest of us in the waiting room, because she was playing with her game with the sound up... & I mean it wasn't soft... it was loud enough I could tell when she had "lost a life" or what have you!

Then she keeps asking her mom, "when can I go back?", in not such a nice or soft voice, mind you. The mom softly replies "They'll call you when it's time."

A couple moments later she shuts off her game in haste & then pops up to the window & asks if she could have some water. They nurse there said, it was out in the lobby. & She then verified if she was allowed to have water. It was confirmed yes... & as she's walking out, she tells her mom, "I told you so!" (very rudely... not in a fun way!)

I, jokingly, say to the mom, while she's gone: "Now they'll probably call her name." She just smiled.

The girl returns & is bouncing back & forth in her chair. Then, one of the other nurses calls back an older lady & the girl turns to her mom & exclaims: "She was here way after us!"

Calmly the mom replies, "You have to wait until so much time has passed since you ate."

She's like: "I'm so bored in this place." ... No response from the mom. A few seconds pass & she says: "I want a candy cane." ... again, no response from the mom. Good for her! ;o)

Oh, a few moments prior to this, the dad left & was sitting in the lobby... (I knew this, because I went out for a drink of water too, just after the girl came back in.) I guess he had enough of his daughter's impatience.

Thankfully it was only about a minute later, I was called back. Had the mom had not said something about her having to wait, I would have said she could have gone ahead of me... but since she did... I didn't! ;)

As I'm walking back, the girl pops back up to the window & asks the nurse, "How much long do I have to wait?" The nurse looks at the clock & sweetly replies "About 5 minutes."

After I got in my truck & started back home, I thought of how that is basically how a lot of kids are nowadays... & it's such a shame. & Thought, "Wow, had that been one of us growing up... we would have been grounded."

I was thinking of how rude it was of the girl to sit there with her game up so loud... & the mom, nor the dad said anything. I guess they figured they didn't want to create "a scene"... she's probably threw fits before when they'd ask.

Tell you what... Had it been me, I would have said turn it down or I'm taking it away... & if any flack was given, I would have ripped that game out of her hand and put it in my purse. Then said, "You'll get it back in the car, if you remain quiet until we leave... if you don't, you'll not get it back until... however long I thought at the time would make the point clear."

Yeah, probably would have been met with some major resistance & probably crying or screaming... but I would needed to have stood my ground.

Ok, ok... it's easy to say that now... & I'm sure that mom was probably tired of listening to her girl's whining & figured that was the best way to keep her quiet. What gets me is that some parents just let their kids get away with it. And then we all wonder why they are all so disrespectful.

I'd like to know where child rearing has gone so wrong that the kids will not respect their elders... or anyone else, for that fact.

Again, that's all easy for me to say from my perspective... I did not have the benefit of raising my son after his dad & I divorced. Seeing how he is now & comparing him at the age of this young girl I saw today... well, I feel for that mother.

For, I do know that there are times, even now with my son at the age of 21, that I just get tired of trying to "correct" him... that I'm like "Whatever!!!"

When did we all get so complacent about teaching our children to be respectful & courteous... & teaching them "Please & Thank you??"... YES, I am including myself in this "all".

What changed in the past 20 years to make us give up teaching values & morals to the next generation? Again, I include myself in this, mainly because I was not that much part of rearing my son.

HOWEVER, I do know that my mom (who did the better part of raising him), tried her best to instill all that... He still though can be quite rude... And I try my best, when around him, to remind him... but of course, now that he's officially an "adult"... it's harder to try to correct him.

I do have to say, my son does have his moments that makes a mom (& his grandma) proud! He will do or say something that shows us that somewhere in there he knows how to act!

Ok... for anyone who may have a child like the above mentioned girl... I feel for you, because I'm sure it's extremely hard to try to teach, when so many other parents are not & they learn from those kids that it must be ok to act like this. (Make sense?)

Anyway, I'm not saying I'm the perfect parent... nor that any other is a bad parent. I just want to know what happened to make us (as in parents or grandparents) to let our kids just walk all over anyone older than them, who may just be trying to teach them!???

Whatever happened to "Children should be seen, not heard?" ;o)

Alright, I'll step down off the soap-box now... sure hope I didn't offend anyone... if so, I'm sorry... just keep in mind this is my opinion! ;o)

I have this sneaky feeling that my phone will be ringing soon with a call from my mom... or my dad... to say that I there were times, I was like that little girl in the waiting room today. But, why is it though, I can't recall ever being like that, when I was little? Hmmmm....

In case I don't blog again before (which I might... but I won't guarantee it!)... or even if you won't be around until afterward... I sure hope you & yours, have a WONDERFUL & very MERRY CHRISTMAS!!!

Another edition of TOTs

Just going to go right into my thoughts today...

1. I've changed the background & darkened the text, so I hope it's easier to read now. ;o)

2. Yep, graphics are from my favorite place... Glitter-Graphics.com!!! :-D

3. Coleman is such a silly dog!... how silly you ask? I'll tell you... he will get up on the couch & a few minutes later he's on the floor... then few more minutes pass & he's back up on the couch again. LOL... That's what I love about him... if feeling down... he helps bring a smile to my face!!

4. So does Sunny, our other dog. She's just as goofy as Coleman. See, she likes to be under the blanket next to me when it's cold like it has been... She will stay there & even when I flip the blanket back to expose her nose a little, she will turn her nose so that she's completely buried... then scoots her back closer to my leg, as if... "I'm cold, Mom!" ~ *giggles*

5. Back to Coleman... I think his clock is off... or maybe it's just because he's getting old... Used to be Hubby could get them out in the morning & they'd both be content 'til he got back home from work. Well, not anymore... Coleman is usually barking or pacing about at least an hour before Hubby is usually due. (If not on overtime!)

6. Thankfully the days that I've had to go to the Cleveland Clinic for doctor's appointments or even when I was at my mom's recovering & no one was home... there were no "accidents". So, I'm just hoping that it's because he realizes I am home... & that I will let him out... I'm hoping it's not that he's over 10 years old now & that he might be starting to have to go more. *sighs*

7. Moving on... a couple weeks ago, a friend picked me up & took me to the stores so I could get some Christmas shopping done... Well... the presents are still sitting on the table... waiting for me to wrap them... Just haven't had the "oomph" to do it. I'll have to... only 8 days left...

8. Well actually 7... because most of these will be opened on Christmas Eve.

9. Which leads me to... Hubby & I usually spend Christmas afternoon & evening at his mom's with his brother & sister-in-law & their kids... This year... sounds like it will be at Noon on Christmas Eve... and it sounds like it's not going to get to be the nice relaxed (yet crazy fun!) time that we normally get... because there will be Christmas Eve candle light services... & then over to the farm (my family) for Christmas their. *sighs*

10. I didn't used to mind some changes... but seems, lately, everything is changing... & I'm starting to not like it when something changes... (not just referring to 8 & 9... just a lot of stuff!)

11. I must be getting old too! ;o)

12. Oh... I did get my Christmas tree up... it's simple this year... just lights that were already on it & hung a few golden icicle ornaments & 2 "Snow Buddies" ornaments (because I only have 2! *winks at family members who might be reading this!*)... & of course, an angel for the topper.

13. Don't be shocked... it's not PINK, (like the picture below)... Our tree actually has blue lights!! With the gold accents & the gold tree skirt... looks pretty. (Picture is on Facebook... I'll try to post one here shortly.) :o)

14. Why is it not PINK??? Oh, I have ornaments to do a pink colored tree... even pink lights too... it's just my mother-in-law does hers in this awesome blue & silver... & well, my hubby is not a fan of pink, either.

15. I was hoping that when we moved into this house that I could have put up both our little 4' tree for the blue & the bigger one I'd use the pink on... Well, there's just no room right now...

16. Maybe next year I'll figure something out ;) I do miss having a larger tree.

17. I'd really rather have a live one... just one year!!!

18. Ok... I'll stop now... They're just rambling thoughts now! ;o)

~*Toodles!*~

How about some TOTs

For those who've not experienced this from me before, TOTs are simply: Thoughts on Thursday! (or some will do it on Tuesday.) Usually some bloggers here on Multiply will try to limit it to 10. Me... well, there's a reason why my blog is named: "The Rambling Train"... Yep, that's right... because I'm a rambler. (Which I'm sure many of you have had the pleasure of my ramblings even on Facebook!)

TOTs are nice, because it helps break up the "monotony" of a typical blog... meaning they are just random thoughts where 1 does not necessarily have to do with another in the list. Also, they're put in to a "bullet" fashion to make it easier to read.

Now that you all know what it is (or have been reminded of them) let's get started... & once again, like the title of yesterday's blog, remember you are on "The Rambling Train" ... where she stops... no on knows! ;) Actually, in TOTs, I do try to limit it... I said... TRY ;o)

Here goes...

1. Anytime I receive a text message now, I have to giggle... because my sister-in-law sent me a "sound" for my phone... it's of a kid giggling... sooooo cute!! ;o)

2. There's a reason why I tell my hubby not to talk politics when at a family gathering (such as Thanksgiving)... & have asked him to try to change the subject when someone else does... because no matter what you say, everyone has their own opinion about it.

3. Well, I should remember that when clicking on news articles before shutting off my computer at night! Got "involved" in the comments on an article posted on Yahoo News last night... AFTER I had already posted "G'd Night" to my Facebook (FB) status. 2 hours later, I was still awake & sharing a link to the article to my FB friends & family.

4. However, I learned something from that article... well, actually, from the "research" I did to back up my 1st comment to all the others posting... So, on my 2nd comment, I, basically, provided a link to the constitution's 14th Amendment & then said... MERRY CHRISTMAS... LOL...

5. Oh, & before I read & posted "that" article link to FB... I had posted one just before it, only because of the headline: "WH (White House) warns tax defeat could trigger new recession"... & I put my thought with it as: "So when did we get out of the "old" recession???"... LOL

6. I hadn't read the article... nor do I even really read stuff like that... I just thought the headline was funny, because it seems to me we're still in a bit of a slump in this country. However, my niece replied June of 2009 was what she remembered some economists stating was the end of the recession.... Um, really? That was the time my hubby was without a job... & was for over a year!

7. Grant it, my hubby is back to work (same place laid off) & he's working a lot of ... & I mean a LOT of overtime... however, I still hear of many who are without jobs. That's why the headline struck me as odd. So, how does one tell if the country is out of a recession? (Ok, for all who follow things like this... please, don't waste your time trying to explain it to me... I really meant that as a rhetorical / "ha ha" type of question.) ;o)

8. Remember... this is just MY thoughts... not necessarily trying to open a debate with anyone about anything. Just stating what's going through my mind.

9. And since it's been SOOOO long since I've done one of these TOTs... I will for sure pass 10 of them!

10. I guess the reason I haven't written a blog like this in a while, is because FB basically was an outlet to post my thoughts as they were going through my mind at the time. However, they don't get saved after so much time. (or after so many posts.)

11. If FB puts a limit on the # of posts it will go back to when clicking "show older posts"... then stuff I type up would get lost in a short time, because I play games over there that I like to share with others who play the same game. (For example: Bejeweled Blitz, you can share coins with other players when your "daily spin" is so much.)

12. So, my Multiply friends... now you know what has kept me from here for so long... it was the games! LOL!!

13. Actually, it was that an the fact I connected with a BUNCH of others who suffer from the same "invisible" disease as I do. (Chiari Malformation (CM)).

14. Wow, took 13 thoughts before I brought up CM... & that's all I'll say about it in this blog, because that's not what I wanted this blog to be about!

15. Besides, I have a separate blog site that I use now to talk about it. Even though, I haven't posted anything to it since 10-1 (about 8 weeks post op). Mainly because I was talking about it all again on FB.

16. One more thought about that... I think I'll update that blog today... BEFORE I get on FB... a lot has happened since the last post... as in regards to my surgery & etc. (That's it, no more talk about CM in this blog... I hope!!)

17. Oh, I'm proud of myself... not only have I blogged 2 days in a row here on Multiply... but I actually started this BEFORE being sucked into the world of Facebook... with it's games & all the status updates from family & friends (church & school friends, included with some new ones... even some of you from here, on Multiply!!!)

18. Yes, I said FAMILY... I have quite a few family members that I'm connected with over there on FB... & this one, I think my dad will like... My dad's brother's son... my 1st cousin... Mark... recently joined FB... & I have connected with him. (Though we've exchanged phone #'s... I have yet to talk to him... my doing... I keep forgetting!)

19. I do want to talk to him... we haven't spoken since his father (my dad's brother) passed away... many years ago. (At least 15?) & I really want to get in touch with him AND keep in contact with him... since my dad, he & I are the only ones living from that side of the family... from our generation, that is. (Meaning not including my son, or my cousin's kids, if any.)

20. See, it's been so long, I don't know if he has any kids!!!

21. Oh, the train has been derailed... by an arrival of an expected package. (But I won't talk about it, because it refers back to thoughts 13 through 16.) ;o)

22. Thinking there was a lot more I've been wanting to share, that's been on my mind.

23. I guess I don't have to share it all in one day & one blog. LOL!

24. So, with that, I guess I'll wrap this one up... HOWEVER....

25. Since it's Christmastime... I'll end with 25... & with a picture of the wonderful, scrumptious dessert that was served to us at this year's Christmas Craft Party. (It's same thing we get every year... because the hostess knows we all love it SOOO much.)



P.S. The photo at the top is from this morning... it was such a beautiful sunshine day that just made the snow sparkle.... just the way I LOVE IT!!! :o)

~*Toodles*~

Yeah, I'm still around...

Hi ya all... How have ya been???

No, I haven't moved to the south... just a bit loopy... well, tired as more like it. It's 4:44a... I was out Christmas Shopping today & was wound up from that... then didn't take my Ambien 'til about an hour ago... Geesh, I should be asleep by now... but I'm still typing away. (Where was this LAST MONTH... ugh.. that'll make sense in a few!) ;)

Thankfully one of my best friends, Passion Wolf, did the driving. Even though I only live a couple miles from the stores where we went... I am still actually in recovery process of this little ol' brain surgery I had back in August.

Speaking of... I have not blogged about it on my other blog or here recently because I was getting tired of saying... well, I just don't know yet. & I really still don't know if it's a success.

However, I have found that if I'm active for a couple hours a day. Or even just a little bit... it helps some. But if I walk around a store too much I get the same old feelings back. So, that's why I'm glad she was driving.

I have ventured out a few times on my own... but mostly to places where I can stay in my truck & go through a drive through. Or in just for a quick pick up & back out.

Anyway... just wanted to stop by & say "Hello"! Been thinking of you all lately... miss ya... I do see some of you on Facebook... so that's helped a little... I just feel though some of you, I've left behind... ..... & after a passing of a friend from High School that I had "just missed" reconnecting with (since graduation) on Facebook... it makes me reconsider other lost friendships.

I really want to get back to blogging more often & less just "status" updates on Facebooks. (Besides, them status updates... they get buried so much by the games we all play over there.... AND they only will go back so far... unlike here... once you blogged... it's here 'til YOU remove it!) ;)

Maybe that will be my New Year... nope, I do NOT make resolutions... Never liked to! I make goals... & I can start now! ;)

Ok... one blog done... hee hee... ;)

If anyone really wants to hear more about what I've been up to... let me know... I'll be happy to write up some more blogs. Hey... it would help get me back in the swing of blogging... then maybe even the swing of doing my creative writing!!

(Yeah, I did sign up for the NaNoWriMo 50,000 word challenge again... but didn't get one word toward a novel done. IT just was not in me this year!!!)

So... let's have it... any questions??? ;)

P.S. For anyone kind of new to my blog... the blog pic is from Glitter-Graphics.com... you can click the picture & it will take you to their site.

Just what I needed

A little while ago I was sitting here shaking and upset about something. (Can't go into it.) I didn't know who I could talk to or what to even do about the situation. Mainly because it's something I don't like to talk about in the first place. (Again, not going to go into it.)

Anyway, I received an email from my very good friend, Passion Wolf. (whom I've known from my childhood days and was reconnected with her a little over a year ago).

Normally (& she knows this) when I get some type of email from anyone that contains a slide show I'll just click through it so fast because I've usually seen it before... or it's not of interest to me. Also, I usually mute the music, mainly because I skim through the slides so fast, it's not worth it.

Not this time. Today, I received a Power Point Slide show titled "The Center of the Bible." I heard about it before, but couldn't remember which verse it was. So, I clicked & opened the presentation. (btw... nice thing about FIREFOX, it scans for viruses before it opens. Though I don't trust it all the time... so, be warned... Be sure you scan everything before you open it, even if it comes from a trusted source!)

I was still prepared to click right on through to find the reminder of which verse is at the CENTER OF THE BIBLE. But then the music started & it is one of my favorite songs from Enya. Then I read each line carefully that was perfectly worded... to me, at least!

This had calmed my shaking & allowed me to take a deep breath and remember that it is God whom I should be speaking with. I need to put my problem in His hands.

As I continued through the slides... I was amazed at how wonderful the person who put it together took the time to find the most awesome photos to coincide with it all.

For those who know me... know I usually don't talk much religion (or politics). It's not that I am not a believer. For I am!!! I am a Born Again Christian! I have not been one to hide it. The reason I don't talk about it, is because I'm not that knowledgeable and I don't want to get into it with someone about something I can't represent like it should be.

HOWEVER... There comes a time when one has to put aside those fears & just jump right into the water. Well, that is what I am doing here... I am posting this presentation for you all to peruse, if you choose.

How can I not share the beauty of God's creation???

It is up to you if you want to view this or not.

I will tell you, because this was meant as an email, it says at the end to send it to 10 people... & so on... Well, if you want to share this on your blog (or via email)... Feel free to do so. You'll just need to save the attachment. OR you can link to my blog. Whichever is easiest for you!

Also, if you do not have Power Point on your computer, you will need a "viewer". You can find it at this LINK.

Ok, here goes... I've not used the "attachment" before (it's at the bottom of this blog)... I hope you'll enjoy!

Many **HUGS** to all!!!
P.S. Yes, I scanned this with AVG 8.5!!!

Attachment: CENTER_OF_THE_BIBLE.pps

Let's get this PARRRTY started...

It's a week, no a MONTH of Birthdays!!

March is a BIRTHDAY BONANZA!! Well, it seems like it to me... A lot of my friends are having birthdays this month!! (Alright, yeah, I'm a little partial since this is my birthday month too!!)

Let's start with little miss Amy!! TOMORROW is her birthday! She does not have a public blog anymore... so, I won't link her, but you can find her in my contacts. If you're a mutual friend... please go leave her a message or 2 to brighten her day. (I may have a birthday party blog up later tomorrow for her & my other friend.)

Passion Wolf is the other friend... her birthday is Saturday!! Her & I are both celebrating a big milestone this year.

Oh, I see that the Dancer (Linda) has her b-day on Friday!! With 3 friends celebrating this week... sounds like a good reason for a PARRRRTTTY!!

Sunday is Kitty Biscuits (not to be confused with KittyChile!!) day... & Denise is next Tuesday & next Thursday is Katha's!!

WOWWEE!! Lots o' BIRTHDAYS!!

Sounds like this is going to be a month long party!!

Let me see... let me go find a few things for this party...

(Feel free to post SMALL birthday graphics here. However, it will be more advantageous to go post them on the ladies guestbook's than here!)

We need a little music...

& a little bit of food.

Instead of a chocolate fountain this time... I'm bringing in a CHOCOLATE POOL!!!

ENJOY!!

That's all I'm putting out for now... Only because I know many of you will bring along your own goodies. (If you post a picture... please remember to keep it small... so as not to slow down the loading of this page.)

Rules of the party... Have fun, keep comments decent (obscene & profanity free)... & HAVE FUN!!!
(Disclaimer: Photos found in Google Images... Except the 1st one, it's from Glitter-Graphics.com)

Passion Wolf update

I mentioned in my "thoughts" yesterday that my dear friend Passion Wolf was needing prayers. (She ok'd this entry)

Well, about 12 days ago she had went to drop off some mail on her way to work... As you know our area has had quite a bit of snow lately... So, as she went back to her car, next thing she knew she was on her bottom. She fell so hard and so fast she don't remember her feet going out from under her. (I'd link to her blog for you... but it's not public.)

Not only that, but she also broke her wrist. She went to the ER & they said it was a fracture & would just need to be in a cast for about 6 weeks, but needed to follow up with a orthopedic doctor. (The ER only put her in a splint.)

Yesterday I get a call & she said the doc wants her to have surgery the next day (today)! So, I told her soon as she can, let me know the room number so I can come visit.

I went up to visit earlier & she was sitting in the chair with her arm all wrapped up. They had put a plate in her arm. And she had to spend the night so that they could give her antibiotics & help her keep her arm elevated.

Now mind you, she is a very independent gal AND this is the 1st time in her life (she's only couple weeks older than me) that she's broken a bone. And she did a whopper of a break!!

Anyway, she agreed with the doc to do the surgery because he explained (& showed on the x-rays) that she did more than fracture her wrist. She also crushed the bone a bit. Enough there were fragments. Doc said with putting in the plate her healing time would be cut down from 6 weeks in a cast to 10 days in a splint.

If she had did the cast, it could have ended up that upon removal the bone would collapse again & she'd be back to square one. Also, she may have lost range of motion. With the plate she should regain full use after 10 or so days.

So, she's off of work until Monday. She does not have insurance & she makes just slightly above minimum wage. So, please continue keep her in your prayers as she heals. Pray that all will heal properly so she can regain her independence.

On another note... we here in my area of Ohio received at least 12" of snow since yesterday. When I went out to the truck to go see Passion Wolf the snow was way above my ankles. (Don't worry... I did NOT do the driving... hubby took me. And the hospital is just down the road from our house.) AND I walked slowly to the truck, so that I wouldn't fall!

That's all we need now... I can hear it now... I would be calling Passion Wolf & saying... "Hey, I'm here at the hospital... but see if the nurse can wheel you to the ER." ... Because had I fallen... knowing my luck I would have broken something too.

Ok, we've gotten our big snow now... We don't need anymore. Yeah, I still love winter... & the snow... but this... Awww, never mind... I don't care, I still think it's beautiful. Nope, I still don't have to go out in it all the time!

Hmmm... need to ask Hubby, "Where's the snowman you said you'd build with all this snow?" (He jokingly was talking about building one the other day after he was laid off.) Better not ask... because he did shovel a nice large "pit" in the backyard for the dogs to be able to do their business.

However, them silly dogs will go to it & then decide to try to jump out of it to find another spot to piddle.

Speaking of them... When Hubby brought Coleman in last night after being out with him for over 10 minutes... as he was coming in the door, I asked: "So, is my black dog now white?" ... Sure enough, they were both covered in snow. Had I thought of it, I would have gotten a picture. Poor Coleman, we were laughing at him & he looked as if he did something wrong.

Where was Sunny? She was on their couch... she did not want to move late last night, until Hubby took his shoes off to go to bed. Then she jumped up & headed upstairs with him.

I tell you, we have a couple of spoiled silly dogs!! But we sure do love them!! I'd be lost without them!

Well, that does it for today. LOST will be on shortly & so I best wrap this up so that I'm ready when Hubby is.

They walk among us...

From an email from Passion Wolf... THANK YOU!!!

Be Careful Out There:

IDIOT SIGHTING:
We had to have the garage door repaired. The Sears repairman told us that one of our problems was that we did not have a 'large' enough motor on the opener. I thought for a minute, and said that we had the largest one Sears made at that time, a 1/2 horsepower. He shook his head and said, 'Lady, you need a 1/4 horsepower.' I responded that 1/2 was larger than 1/4. He said, 'NO, it's not.' Four is larger than two..'       

We haven't used Sears repair since.

IDIOT SIGHTING
 My daughter and I went through the McDonald's take-out window and I gave the clerk a $5 bill. Our total was $4.25, so I also handed her a quarter. She said, 'you gave me too much money.' I said, 'Yes I know, but this way you can just give me a dollar bill back.'  She sighed and went to get the manager who asked me to repeat my request. I did so, and he handed me back the quarter, and said 'We're sorry but they could not do that kind of thing.' The clerk then proceeded to give me back $1 and 75 cents in change.  
 
Do not confuse the clerks at McD's.
   
IDIOT SIGHTING :
I live in a semi rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the DEER CROSSING sign on our road. The reason: 'Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!   I don't think this is a good place for  them to be crossing anymore.'
  
IDIOT SIGHTING IN FOOD SERVICE:
My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for 'minimal lettuce.' He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg lettuce.
 
IDIOT SIGHTING:
I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked, 'Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?' To which I replied, 'If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?' He smiled knowingly and nodded,
'That's why we ask.'
   
IDIOT SIGHTING:
The stoplight on the corner buzzes when it's safe to cross the street. I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine. She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for. I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red. Appalled, she responded, 'What on earth are blind people doing driving?!'

She was a probation officer in Wichita , KS   
   
IDIOT SIGHTING :
At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker. She was leaving the company due to 'downsizing.' Our manager commented cheerfully, 'This is fun. We should do this more often.' Not another word was spoken. We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a lunch at Texas Instruments.  
     
IDIOT SIGHTING :
I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office, no less.
  
IDIOT SIGHTING :
When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it. We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door. As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked. 'Hey,' I announced to the technician, 'its open!' His reply, 'I know. I already got that side.'

STAY ALERT!

They walk among us... and the scary part is that they VOTE and they REPRODUCE!

Friend needs help (contacts only!)

I know that a lot... if not all my contacts know of Caghs... Please go to her guest book & just "love upon her"!!

She is need of many hugs & prayers right now!!

Please do not ask me what is going on... for I am not at liberty to say! Just know that she needs our love, support & most of all our PRAYERS!!

Again, this is for CONTACTS ONLY... until she authorizes me to open it to public, please don't say anything on her site... just go lift her up... PLEASE!!! Thank you! :)

P.S. I've not made it to lay down yet... I've been dealing with some things here on the computer... but I will be laying down shortly. For the few that have my number... feel free to text me. I will answer when I can.

**HUGS** to you all!

Secret Angels are needed...

(Dad, you can ignore this one.) At this moment... I know of at least 4 or 5 different friends going through different things... all are heavy issues in their own right.

I just wanted you all to know my heart breaks for all... I know that each situation is rough... & a few are intertwined... And I know it feels like you just want to give up on friendships all together. But please do not do that! We need you just as much as you need us!!

I pray & hope that no matter if you're one of these friends of mine... or if you an acquaintance of mine or just someone happen past my blog... Please know that you have friends here! Some may be really close & other may just be a part of your distant network. ... But that doesn't mean we don't care...

I have found that Multiply is a great community of friends... and when one of us is down or is not feeling well, the rest of us are there to help pull you up!

Just wanted to let some of my friends know that I may not know exactly what's going on... but I care for you all! & For those who are just glancing through this & have their own troubles... I too care for you & pray for you!

So... with ALL that said... I'm going to go open the Secret Angels group now... It's way past time for this!!... & please click that link to join... I will try to send out invites to those who were contacts on the other site.

I guess that's my queue then to stop this blog & get started on the group! ALL ARE WELCOME... (It's set at the moment for "approval verification"... don't worry, that won't take long!!) :o)

Again... HUGS!!!

Little of this & a little of that...

I swiped the below survey from my friends Amy & Maegan. I think this was a great time to do it since I've been kind of quiet lately!! :)

As for my new head shot... it's no secret that I am a "resident" of Second Life (SL). Well, that is a snapshot of my avatar.

Also, the theme that was up before my current my creation... However, I found this one & because you know how I love my pink... & it's just good theme to have this month.

One more thing before the survey... As my regular riders will know I participate in Fantasy Football. I am in 2 leagues... the 1st one I am the commish of & the other (church friends league) my hubby is the commish. In BOTH leagues last week, my match up was against my hubby. He came out to me a week ago & said "You better get our A game on." Now, I was dreading the weekend all week... However, Sunday night rolls around & I hear this coming from the computer room (my hubby talking) ... "She did what? No, she didn't?"

He gets off the phone & I asked, "Let me guess, I'm beating you?" Yep! ... The short of this long story is that I ended up winning by 21 points in the church league AND by 7 points in my league!! So, yep, I'm tickled pink!!

On with the survey...

1. What time did you get up this morning? 6:45am (had to get my son & take him to school... yeah, he hasn't been kicked out yet!!)

2. Diamonds or pearls? Diamonds

3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? The Dark Knight.

4. What is your favorite TV show(s)? NCIS; 24; NUMB3RS; The Unit; Ghost Whisper; Knight Rider; What's My Line & Wheel of Fortune.

5. What do you usually have for breakfast? Cereal

6. What is your middle name? Lady Harley does not have a middle name. (LOL)

7. What food do you dislike? LIVER! ick ick ick!!

8. What is your favorite CD at moment? Anything Wayne Watson. (I don't have his latest CD... YET!!)

9. What kind of car do you drive? Ford Explorer.
    
10. Favorite sandwich? Hamburger with A1 sauce.

11. What characteristic do you despise? (mine?) Procrastination (others?) Stereotyping.

12. Favorite item of clothing? Slippers & sweat pants.
   
13. If you could go anywhere in the world on vacation, where would you go? IRELAND!!!

14. Favorite brand of clothing? anything comfy & inexpensive!!

15. Where would you retire to? Ohio (country... as long as I have internet access!! LOL)

16. What was your most recent memorable birthday? Usually my most recent one. This last one, I was surprised on SL & that was pretty neat!
   
17. Favorite sport to watch? Football & NASCAR (& yes IT IS a sport! You try driving 180 mph for 4 hours ... & sometimes, without power steering! (That does happen!)

18. Farthermost place you are sending this? As far as the internet reaches... (yeah, I agree with this answer!)

19. Person you expect to send it back first (to swipe it)? Anyone who wants to!

20. When is your birthday? March 20th

21. Are you a morning person or a night person? Used to be a morning person... but now it's night!

22. What is your shoe size? 8 & 1/2 to 10 (depends on the shoe... I have a wide foot!)

23. Pets? 2 dogs... Coleman & Sunny (The Harley Dogs!!)

24. Any new and exciting news you'd like to share with us? Already shared! LOL! :)

25. What did you want to be when you were little? Actress

26. How are you today? Tired as usual!!

27.What is your favorite candy? Chocolate... & Jolly Rancher's Fire hard candy.

28.What is your favorite flower? Carnations

29. What is a day on the calendar you are looking forward to?  December 25th... another answer I agree with!! :)

30.  What is your full name? Lady Harley

31.What are you listening to right now? the TV... season premiere of Ghost Whisper (in commercial at the moment.)

32.What was the last thing you ate? Supper (Roast; mashed potatoes & corn.)

33.Do you wish on stars? Not since I was a kid.

34. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? (Oh... let me see.... ..... uh...... PINK!!!)

35.How is the weather right now? Night, cloudy & 52... loving it!!

36.The first person you spoke to on the phone today? My mom letting her know that Mike was going to school.
   
37. Favorite soft drink? Used to be Caffeine free Pepsi... now it's A&W Root Beer.

38. Favorite restaurant? Cheddar's.

39. Real hair color? Brown.

40. What was your favorite toy as a child? anything mechanical.

41. Summer or winter? uh... WINTER!

42. Hugs or kisses? HUGS (don't get enough!!)

43. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

44. Coffee or tea? either... DECAF, please!

45. Do you want your friends to email you back? sure!!

46. When was the last time you cried? I don't remember.

47. What is under your bed? Drawers. (It's a water bed base.)

48. What did you do last night? Played a little on SL... then, after TV... slept... had to get up early!

49. What are you afraid of? Death.

50. Salty or sweet? Depends on what I had last.

51. How many keys on your key ring? I am not getting up to look... but I think 5 or so.

52. How many years at your current job? in just a couple weeks it will be 2 years since I've been without a job.

53. Favorite day of the week? Any-day I can not have to worry about anything! LOL

54. How many towns have you lived in? Are you serious... seriously, I lost count long ago!! (We moved a lot when I was little... but then for about 15 years I lived on the farm... 'til I was 18.

55. Do you make friends easily? Sometimes.

(Deleted 56 & 57, because they were for those who did the survey via email.)
Ok... that's it... snag away, if you wish!

The train has pulled into the station now... please exit careful & enjoy your time where ever your final destination may be.

Taking a break from Ike coverage...

It was a long weekend to say the least. Today when I thought I'd get the chance to sleep with no interruption, my hubby came home in between going to different factories, he woke me to fill out some form for medical insurance. Oh well, it was 10:30a.m. anyway...

It wouldn't have been so bad had I not been up so late last night. (Don't ask! Little of this & a little of that!!) Anyway... I ended up getting a package in the mail today, that I had been waiting for a LONG time... (It was mailed on July 7th!!) ... It was from our Australian friend Caghs (aka Kitty)!! As you can see by the picture... It was of some GOODIES!!

I was hoping to post a video of my reaction just after I unwrapped the little containers of Milo (it's like Nestle's Cocoa... or Ovaltine.) & saw the Aussie flag, (Thanks again Kitty!!)... but... well... there's a little problem with the site I'm using to upload the video. If I wasn't so tired, I'd keep trying... but twice was enough for me right now.

It's too long of a video to post to YouTube or even directly here on Multiply... I'll just wait until JumpCut is working properly again.


Anyway, at least I have pictures... Better yet, I HAVE MY TIM TAMS!!!!

I'm not the least bit excited!

As for the Ike coverage... I'm not through with that either... I have several videos to share... I will post them soon as I can get them to upload. (Maybe a day or so.)

That's it for this ride. Enjoy your Monday!!

Ike is now a TS & heading right for OHIO

The coverage via TWC last night was very interesting to watch. I was glued to the TV until I zonk out. (Shortly after landfall around 3:30a.m.) Good news is Galveston is now in the clear (for the most part)... The bad news, for me... is, now a tropical storm... IKE is heading right for Ohio... It's expected to be here tomorrow at this time. We will not feel NO WHERE near as the winds in which our Texas counterparts felt over the night. Still there is the threat of tornadoes. EEKS!!

Be sure to check out my Nature Photo Album. I have all kinds of screen shots of the satellites & radars. I'll add maybe a few more later on as the storm approaches Ohio. I will also try to find some photos of the waves & etc.

I still have yet to hear from my dear dear friend Amy... I am worried... however, I'm thinking they may not have cell phone service right now. I'm sure she will call or sign on to let us know soon as she can!

Anyway, I am heading off to a "ball" on SL (Second Life)... Yeah, I am still playing on SL... I have a family now... Well, you all know them!... MamaDi, is our mom; Caghs is my sister; Katha is my aunt... & Kartor is DaddyK.

I will try to post some video of the previous Queen's Ball we went to later on... & I'll post more on it then!

*Choo Choo* (that's my wave bye bye now!)

Hurricane Ike updates

From space, Hurricane Ike is a beautiful site. (Photo from Yahoo Photos.) However, it's an ugly & deadly storm on land.

I am involved in this hurricane more than usual, because my very dear friend, Amy (aka Autumn) is right in Ike's path. Don't worry, she & her family has evacuated. She has been calling me every so often & last I talked to her (around 7:30p) they were not getting any rain yet, however, it was very windy. And they have not lost power.... YET!

My heart, thoughts & prayers are with all those that may be in harms way.

P.S. I have added even more photos to my "Nature Album".

HAPPY BIRTHDAY MAMA DI!!!!! (SURPRISE!!!)

Well Mama, did we surprise you?? Did you think we forgot or didn't know it was YOUR DAY??? NOT HARDLY!!!

I don't want to waist anytime with "rules"... I think you all know how this works!! (If not, just ask!)... Let's get this party started...

1st we need to set out the grub... & first & foremost we need them Purple Angel Smoothies for our honored guest...

& then let's get some food...

We can't forget the cake!!


Then we have a special treat flown in from Australia... (better hurry Mama... I may just snag them all for myself!!)



Ok... I think that will do it... oh...wait... we need music...


Now... let's get started... On the count of three... Everyone get ready... she's on her way here!!!

1... 2... 3....

SURPRISE!!!

SHHHH .... It's a surprise... PARTY TIME ON MONDAY...

At some point on Monday I will be posting a blog to honor our favorite Purple Angel's (Quiet Warrior / Mama Di) birthday... ... not sure just yet how we'll keep it a surprise until she arrives... I'll figure it out!

Anyway, Caghs wanted me to get the word out early... So... now, I ask you to help me... will you please pass the word along.... Let's make this a big party for her! :o)

Please do NOT .... I repeat do NOT put this in a mass message... put it in a blog (as this one is) & below your "tags" is "access"... click the circle next to "individuals" & then click whom you wish to see the blog... MAKING SURE you do NOT choose Mama Di. And make sure your blog is NOT public as to where she might see it!!!!

If you've never been to a blog party... it's a hoot! Actually it's just like a big chat session!! :o)

Also, please don't anyone tell her about this... we want it to be a SURPRISE!!! Thanks!!! :o)

Milestone Birthday today

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

Our favorite KangaMomma is having a birthday today!! She is 40 & Fabulous!! She's thinking of having a party blog on Friday... so while you're leaving her birthday wishes... let her know if you can attend her blog party! (Just click the link above.)

Outdoorsmen beware

Rating:	★★★★★
Category:	Other

My friend, Dancer, posted this... & I just can't stop laughing!!

Click her name to see what I am talking about. I linked it because she has it set up so you can click on it to zoom in & see it larger.

Heads up... there is 1 "bad" word in it... but it's SO HILARIOUS!!! (At least to me!!!) LOL!!! :)