Friday, December 31, 2004

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

Goodbye 2004!!!
Hello 2005!!
I wish everyone a healthy 2005.
This past year was horrible healthwise for so many people (me included).
We had the worse election year, (even here in Washington, after three re counts, we FINALLY have a new Governor, and the Republicans are calling foul and want an entire re-election)! Geeze, give it up!!
Poor losers and dirty politics absolutely turn my stomach!!
The disaster of the earthquake and tsunami has horrified me. I am still numb thinking about it!
I was at work yesterday thinking "gee, I live on an Island, and one big quake and tsunami can wipe us out in seconds!...poof...house, job, life gone!"
We are so vulnerable. My heart goes out to all the victims and survivors of the tsunami!
Well it is 10:30 and I am going to bed and snore my way through the midnight hour and 2005!!
Move over kitty, here I come!!
Snore...snore...snore...snort!

A dog teaches a boy fidelity, perseverance, and to turn around three times before lying down. -Robert Benchley

P.S.
I have a pot of Black Eyed Peas with smoked Hamhocks in the slow cooker.
Come on over for a bowl for good luck in the new year!!

Tuesday, December 28, 2004

Poor kitty!

I have absolutely nothing to post. I am actually brain dead today.
I am feeling better each day, and feel like I might live after all!
This is what happens to your cat if your don't brush it every day.
They have to shave it to get all the mats off of them! HAHAHAHA
This isn't my cat, I found the picture on the web somewhere and thought it was cute!

Women and cats will do as they please,
and men and dogs should relax and get used to the idea.
-Robert A. Heinlein

Saturday, December 25, 2004

Merry Christmas!

I have got to have the best sister in the whole wide world!!
Really! We agreed to do handmade stuff for Christmas, so she made a scrapbook for me!
This scrapbook is of the family tree!! Old pictures of my ancestors, the dates, the names of them, etc.
She and dad were always the family historians, but my goodness, this is a work 0f art!
She spent most of last year gathering pictures and facts for the scrapbook!
I'll tell ya, she made me cry...then I made her cry because I cried...then everyone else cried because we cried!! And all I gave her is a wrapped up half made afghan! I tried so hard to have it done by Christmas but I just couldn't! Darnit! I'll finish it next week. My sister-in-law gave me a great thing! She works for a furniture store so she gets the fabric samples for free. She found a neat frame at a yard sale then she put the cloth inside it for me to hang on my bedroom wall. It can hold all my pins. When I get my camera fixed I will take pictures. My Neice gave me a book on the history of the Christianity Faith and Bob gave me a book on old Coots! I had my family over to my house for snacks and present exchange. They were all gone by 9:30, and I took a hot bath and was in bed by midnight!
Today I go to my sister's house for Dinner at Four.
I had a Marvelous Christmas!! Everyone is somewhat healthy and we don't fight. We didn't get a white Christmas but we are safe and warm. The wind is blowing 25 MPH and it is 45 degrees and overcast. typical Winter day in Puget Sound!
I sure hope everyone had as great a Christmas as I did!!

A three year old little boy was examining his testicles while taking bath.
"Mama," he asked, "Are these my brains?
"Mama answered, "Not yet."!!!

Tuesday, December 21, 2004

It's COLD out here! Let me in!! Please??

Winter's Solstice is here! The shortest day of the year and the first day of Winter! Brrrr!!
I had a physical yesterday and the doctor gave me the ok to keep my Commercial Drivers License for another two years! YAHOO!! It is scarey having Diabetes. We have to have a doctor's medical waiver every two years. But I can see why.
Tomorrow I finish with the Santa thing at the Senior centers. I'm taking about two hours off to do it. Then at 5pm is the last one! It is fun, but I get really tired still.
I am at a panic, because I haven't finished what I wanted to do. Oh well, I will not let it spoil my fun!
I hope everyone is enjoying this season!!
I'll write more later when I have the time.
Until then....

If your dog is fat, you aren't getting enough exercise.
-Unknown

Friday, December 17, 2004

Santa and Elves at the Senior Center

I spent a couple hours today with Santa and Elves passing out oranges and candy canes to the seniors at the Senior Center, then went to an assisted living complex, then went to the nursing home where my dear friend Hannah lives. It is alot of fun and very rewarding to put a smile on the faces of some "forgotten" folks!
I'm very fortunate to have a boss that will let me have a few hours off to go have fun.
Granted, there are some older folks here that are not forgotten, but if we touched the heart of a lonely old person, then it was why we did it!
There is way too much emphasis on Christmas. The merchants start cramming it down our throats in August and by November the panic starts to hit...then the Carols start playing and lights go up and there is Christmas everywhere! Listening to some carols will start some people to cry (I as one). Kids start making their lists of what they want mom and dad to buy them and mom and dad will take out their plastic cards and go in debt to make sure their kids get what they want. Then there are some families that will not have a Christmas because they just do not have the money to spend. They are too proud to go to welfare and the Churches, and will tell the kids that they will make it up to them later. Well those families are who the "Forgotten Children's Fund" target. It is such a thrill to watch the "Magic" of Christmas in a small childs face when she open's the door to see "Santa" there with toys for her in his sack! And Santa actually knows her name!! WHEW!! Now THAT is a rush!! But it is too bad Christmas has to put so much stress on people. I like to put the Christ back in Christmas and thank God for sending his only son here to save our souls. We choose December 25th to celebrate the birth of Christ. I am very thankful for what He sacrificed for me.
Well I must get to bed so I can get rest for tomorrow! Mary Lou and I are going Christmas Shopping!!!
Oh well, we are all American!! I plan on not using plastic, but just in case....well Dang!

If I have any beliefs about immortality, it is that certain dogs I have known will go to heaven, and very, very few persons.
-James Thurber

Thursday, December 16, 2004

Animal Rescue Site

I got an e-mail from a friend today and of course it grabbed my heart. I checked it out with the urban legends website to see if it is legitimate, and it is!
The Animal Rescue Site is having trouble getting enough people to click
on it daily to meet their quota of getting free food donated every day to abused
and neglected animals. It takes less than a minute to go to their site and click
on "feed an animal in need" for free. This doesn't cost you a thing. Their
corporate sponsors/advertisers use the number of daily visits to donate food to
abandoned/neglected animals in exchange for advertising. (Weight Watchers is one
of the sponsors!) Here's the web site! Click on this link, and when the site
opens, click on the purple box that says Feed an Animal for free. That's it!

Wow, that was easy! THANKS!!

We give dogs time we can spare,
space we can spare and love we can spare.
And in return, dogs give us their all.
It's the best deal man has ever made.
-M. Acklam

Tuesday, December 14, 2004

Aww, Ain't he cute?

Ya just wanna pick him up and snuggle with him and let him crawl around your neck and purr in your ear!
I saw this on the net somewhere and thought he was adorable!

Well I am getting back to normal now. I have put in two full days at work. My stomach is still kind of queazy but I can handle that. I obviously don't need much to eat. What really really pisses me off is for two weeks I have hardly eaten a thing and have not lost one ounce!! Not one!! I HATE this diabetes!! The insulin I inject puts weight on me even when I'm sick! It is the devil at work!!

Well I have the Senior program all arranged and ready to launch Friday! There are 9 places that we are going to visit in two days, so I needed more than one Santa and alot of elves!!

I am going to be in Oak Harbor with Santa and 3 elves delivering candy canes and oranges to The big Senior Center at lunch, then we are going over to Summerhill (an assisted living complex) where 59 Seniors live then over to Whidbey Island Manor (a nursing home) where there are 40 Seniors. That is where my friend Hannah lives and I will leave her a special sock from Santa!! This is a great way to get in the Christmas Spirit! If you have a nursing home or hospital close by take some candy canes and go visit them!

Well the cleaning lady is showing up tomorrow so I better get my house ready for her!

Wise Mama:
A three year old little boy was examining his testicles while taking bath.
"Mama," he asked, "Are these my brains?
"Mama answered, "Not yet."!!!


Sunday, December 12, 2004

My friend Roxie sent me this, and I think you'll like it!
Words to live by...
1.
Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffettable knows nothing of the Christmas spirit. In fact, if you see carrots,leave immediately. Go next door, where they're serving rum balls.

2. Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like finesingle-malt scotch, it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000 calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than you think. It's Christmas!

3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes. Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.

4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an automatic transmission.

5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?

6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's. You can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.

7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, likefrosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the center of attention They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them behind, you're never going to see them again.

8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each.Or, if you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three. When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?

9. Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with themandatory celebratory calories, but avoid it at all costs. I mean, have some standards.

10. One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave theparty or get up from the table, you haven't been paying attention. Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.

Remember this motto to live by: "Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, martini in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out, and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!" (hmmmmmmm my time must be near!)

Thursday, December 09, 2004

Hurry!! Only 16 More Days Until Christmas!!

Yikes! I can't believe I have been on vacation for 6 days, and have done only half of what I wanted to do!
And yes, I am sick again!! Dangit!! I stayed in bed all day today in total pain in all my back muscles where everything seems to settle! I'd run back to the doctor, but the gal at work that got sick the day before I did on Thanksgiving is home sick again too! This is a bad bug going around folks!
Maybe tonight I will drag out the ornaments to put on my tree! It's 3:30 and I just now ate three little satsuma oranges. I just love them! But that is all I've eaten all day. Not like me at all! I usually eat to make myself feel better!
Needless to say I am not much in the Christmas Spirit yet! I will be. I went to the movies yesterday with my sister and Bob and watched "Polar Express" . Absolutely magical! I am always a 5 year old at Christmas!
I have never doubted Santa Claus since I heard the bells on Christmas Eve Night and looked out my bedroom window and saw Santa and his sleigh and reindeer fly across the sky. To this day nobody can tell me I did not see him! I did!! With my own eyes!! We were living on Libbey Road and my brother wasn't born yet so I must've been 5 years old.
I like to spread the magical spirit of Christmas. Last year my brother dressed as Santa Claus and I as an elf and we delivered presents to needy families on Christmas morning. What a wonderful feeling to be with Santa when we knock on the door and a little 4 year old girl opens the door and cries "SANTA"!! Her eyes were opened as wide as they could get and she was crying and jumping up and down! We brought a tree in for the living room and ham dinner for the kitchen while Santa was talking with the little girl. Mom and dad were crying and of course I was bawling my eyes out and so was Santa and the other elf with us! We did this for 6 families and other Santas were doing it all over the Island here. We did this for the "Forgotten Children's Fund". We raise money throughout the year to make Christmas for families that the system has forgotten. Maybe someone lost their job a month or two ago and have no money for Christmas and are too embarrassed to ask. We find them and make sure they get a Christmas! I take Santa with me and deliver Candy Canes to Seniors at the Senior Centers and Nursing Homes too! What a rush, folks!! Go to your local Nursing home and visit a Senior! And take your dog with you!!

There is no psychiatrist in the world like a puppy licking your face.
-Ben Williams

Saturday, December 04, 2004

Nanner Nanner!

Can't you just hear that cat "chattering" at that squirrel?
What's with that? What makes a cat make that weird chattering? It is hilarious! Their upper lip quvers and they just chitter-chatter-chitter-chatter. God must've been in a joking mood when he put that in the cat's vocabulary!
Whew, I had one busy day! I woke up at nine and did chores then my sister in-law came over and asked me to go to a Christmas village on the mainland next Saturday. She called Mary Lou to ask her, leaving a message on Mary Lou's answering machine and put the phone on the table. We then started talking about computers and phones, and Sherry heard something and looked at the phone, and I said you need to push the "off" button. Well Mary Lou left a message on my machine saying she heard all that we talked about!! GULP!!!
It wasn't anything bad, but we were talking about Mary Lou. We wouldn't say anything bad because we love Mary Lou, but still it makes me feel guilty!
Anyway, I went to a Mary Kay open house for my friend's daughter until 3:00, then went to work and got on a decorated bus and we were in the Coupeville Christmas Parade! HAHAHAHAHA
Small town parades are Sooooo hokey, but I love being in them! We were dressed as elves and waving at all the shivering wet & cold people! We would stop the bus then run out in front of the bus and bow to it to kneel, and the driver would push the button to lower the bus, then we would motion our hands to "raise", and the driver would raise the bus, then we would turn to the crowd and bow and get applause, then we get back on the bus and go 1/2 block and do it all over again! Every one loved it, and I had a blast!!!
I then went to town and did some shopping, then went to Church, then went to Kmart and did some more shopping and got home at a little after nine. I was unloading the car and the phone rang, and it was Mary Lou asking me to come over and help her put up her Christmas tree. I was exhausted and out of breath and trying to get my bed made and told her I was tired, and the poor thing sounded like she was out of breath too. Then she said never mind and hung up. Now I feel guilty as heck, but I am so exhausted!

Well sh-t!! My guilt is overbearing, so I will get in my car and go help her!!
Later, folks!!

Okay, I feel better now. I just went over to Help Mary Lou put up her tree. She bought one of those horrible tree stands that have 4 screws in the top of the stand and the tree tips! I bought one and took it back and got another one that had the screws in the top and screws in the bottom that helps balance the tree. So I saw the problem and told her to find 4 big rocks or 4 bricks to put in the bottom of the stand but she didn't have anything like that so we got 4 cans of soup and put in the stand to hold the bottom of the tree and then screwed the screws to hold the tree up higher. It worked...the tree is up...the tree is also tied to the window sills to keep the cats from knocking the tree over.
I came home and got my 4 1/2 foot pre-lit tree that I bought today and put it up and plugged in...that took me 10 minutes!! Tomorrow I will hang my favorite ornaments on it.
G'nite!!


Don't accept your dog's admiration as conclusive evidence that you are wonderful.
-Ann Landers

Thursday, December 02, 2004

The last of my yellow roses this year!

I ran out in the freezing cold three nights ago and cut the last of my roses.
These are so fragrant. Luckily the rose does not bother my allergies. Flowers with alot of pollen does though. Roses and Dahlias are my favorite flowers. Dahlias have the most perfect petals, but have no scent.
I was just watching the news and they said that Saturday could bring some mixed rain and snow. WhooHoo! We have our Christmas Parade that night and I'm sure Mary Lou will be out there taking pictures of our bus as it goes by! The bad part is, if it snows and sticks it will be treacherous trying to drive down the steep hill towards the water and Front Street. That is where Mary Lou will be. (right in front of the Tavern of course). So she could take the picture as we slide on down the hill!! HAHAHAHA
Until the next time...
hmmm how did this get underlined? (shrug)

I wonder if other dogs think poodles are members of a weird religious cult.
-Rita Rudner

Giddyup kitty kitty!

I love this picture!
My brother had a big orange tomcat that would walk around the house with their parakeet on his back! It was the darndest thing to watch! I thought his was the only cat that would put up with that, but I see it wasn't! I saw this on the web somewhere.
Well I put in a full day at work yesterday YeeHaw! But there were about 4 other people calling in sick. Like my doctor said, " 'Tis the Season"! It is nice to feel human again! I wouldn't wish this on my worst enemy. (hmmmm, does anyone have a best enemy?)
I wish I knew how to change the look of my blog. Everyone is getting all festive, and I am still at this boring look. HoHum!
The other night it was getting frosty outside so I went out and picked all the buds on my yellow rose bush, and now they are opening up. They are so pretty!!
I better get ready for work. Hope everyone has a fun day. I also need to start thinking about decorating for Christmas! YIKES!!

A dog is the only thing on earth that loves you more than he loves himself.
-Josh Billings

Monday, November 29, 2004

I Want My Mommy!!

Ain't he just adorable?
Well I have been up all day and now heading for bed. I am going back to work tomorrow and really looking forward to it. Maybe then I will find something to post about. Hope everyone can avoid this bug!! Drink Echinacea tea take vitamin C & Zinc. Drink plenty of water, wash your hands ALOT!!
Until tomorrow....

If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went.
-Will Rogers

Sunday, November 28, 2004

ZZZZZZZZZzzzzzsnort

I have absolutely nothing to post.
I have been in bed more than out of bed for four days.
This being sick crap is getting old really fast!
Move over Punkin, I'm coming back to bed to nap!
ZZZZzzzzzz

The reason a dog has so many friends is that he wags his tail instead of his tongue.
-Anonymous

Friday, November 26, 2004

Yaaawwn! Oh, Hi there big boy!

Twas the day after Thanksgiving and all through the house, not a creature was stirring 'cept the mouse!
The cat has been right by my side getting upset when I stir and get out of bed.
I took Hannah to lunch today to celebrate Thanksgiving and couldn't eat. I got sick yesterday with a horrible migraine type headache and am still sick to my stomach today. Another virus going around!! DANGIT I seem to get everything that goes around. I take mega vitamins, but have zero resistance!
So, I came home and crawled into bed, now I am stirring and getting ready to take my bath and go back to bed. Just thought I'd post something to change the decor. I just love this doggie picture!!

The hardest years in life are those between ten and seventy.
-Helen Hayes (at 73)-

Wednesday, November 24, 2004

Happy Thanksgiving!!

Hope everyone has a safe trip if you're tripping, good food if you're eating,
Happy times with whoever you are with and get to sleep in and enjoy the day tomorrow!!
Take time to reflect on what you have to be thankful for, even if you think you have nothing, think of the people that have less than you.
I am thankful for the roof over my head, my friends, my family, the Country I live in, my freedom, my sobriety, my health, my job, my cat, my Faith, Bill Gates for inventing this computer way of correspondance, my Canadian buddies, Oh heck, I am one Thankful person!!
I LOVE LIFE!!!
Thanks to all of you!!
Now I need to get my thankful butt in gear and eat my thankful piece of toast and get my thankful self dressed and get my thankful body to my thankful job, and be thankful!!


Every time I close the door on reality, it comes in through the windows.-Jennifer Unlimited-


Monday, November 22, 2004

Grrrrrrrrrrrrowl!

I went to work today and got a nice surprise. I got two hours off to go babysit my three adopted Chinese nieces!! They are so adorable! We watched "Home on the Range" a Disney animated movie of cows running away to a ranch that is being auctioned off. If you get the chance to see it, DO!!
I still haven't seen "Polar Express", but plan on it this weekend.
I then went to Physical Therapy in the pool at the hospital today. It feels so good when I do it!! When the Therapy is done I will go to the pool in Oak Harbor for Aqua aerobics, and get Mary Lou to go with me!!
That should be fun.
I'm actually sitting here crying watching Oprah's "Favorite Things" on tv. Oprah is the best thing alive!! Her heart is really into people. Her audience is made up of nothing but teachers!! They are deserving of all the free things they get from her.
Well that is all I have today.

Inside every older lady is a younger lady
-- wondering what the hell happened.
-Cora Harvey Armstrong-

Sunday, November 21, 2004

Wheeeee, look, I have a floppy hat!!

Okay, okay, I'll post!
Actually I was too darned lazy to even think of posting much less finding wise words to put on paper. I was busy in between naps this weekend, and discovered the "Elf bowling" games!! (click on games, then scroll down to elf bowling, elf bowling 2, or elf bowling 3) They are a real hoot! The first one last year was Santa bowling and the elves were the bowling pins, and one obnoxious elf jumping and yelling sarcastic remarks at you! It is a challenge. This year it is an elf in a catapult bra like a sling shot and Santa pulling it trying to make the bullseyes in the snow banks. Try it, it is fun!! You need to play it a few times to figure it out, but trust me, it is actually fun!!
That's all I have tonight.
Time for bed and another week of work.

I've learned....
That it's those small daily happenings that make life so spectacular.

Friday, November 19, 2004

SnapDragon Part of Life

Thought I'd let you know that I am now in the Snapdragon part of my life
Part of me has lost its snap, and the other part is draggin!!!!!!

I've Learned:
Life is tough....
But I'm Tougher!!

Ok everyone...Kim wants everyone to pop over to her blog and say hi and where you are from.

Wednesday, November 17, 2004

TeeHeeTeeHeeTeeHeeTeeHee

Well Those who know me well, know that farts are about the funniest thing in the world to me!!
I have a fart machine taped to my door in my office for a doorbell.
People walk by there all the time and push it!
I share my office with an older guy that thinks I am the most obnoxious, disgusting boor there is, so guess what...that just encourages me all the more!! HAHAHAHAHA

I am sitting here watching the conclusion of "Category 6" the disaster movie, and listening to the wind whistle outside. It is only blowing 25 mph now but expecting high winds tonight and tomorrow. So Iwill go get ready for bed and call it a night!

Later, folks!!

I've learned....
That we should be glad God doesn't give us everything we ask for.

Monday, November 15, 2004

What're you looking at!?

I felt like this after Physical Therapy this morning!
I usually go around 4:00 after work, but they could only get me in at 8:00 this morning, so I decided I'd try it. Well I got to work and all I wanted to do was take a nap! The endorphines that worked into my body made me so relaxed I couldn't keep my eyes open. I had so much to do I didn't fall asleep, but I sure wanted to!
No more morning exercises for me!!
It was warm today almost 60 degrees!! But it will cool down again tonight they say.
I've gotten alot of emails lately talking about how dangerous it is to microwave and freeze in plastic. Suposedly it can cause cancer.

Subject: Cancer News From Johns Hopkins
No plastics in micro...No water bottles in freezer.
No plastic wrap in micro Johns Hopkins has recently sent this out in their newsletters worth noting...
This information is being circulated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.
Dioxin Carcinogens cause cancer, especially breast cancer.
Don't freeze your plastic water bottles with water as this also releases dioxins in the plastic.
Dr. Edward Fujimoto from Castle hospital was on a TV program explaining this health hazard.
(He is the manager of the Wellness Program at the hospital.) He was talking about dioxins and how bad they are for us. He said that we should not be heating our food in the microwave using plastic containers.
This applies to foods that contain fat. He said that the combination of fat, high heat and plastics releases dioxins into the food and ultimately into the cells of the body.
Dioxins are carcinogens and highly toxic to the cells of our bodies.
Instead, he recommends using glass, Corning Ware, or ceramic containers for heating food.
You get the same results, without the dioxins. So such things as TV dinners, instant ramen and soups, etc., should be removed from the container and heated in something else Paper isn't bad but you don't know what is in the paper. It's just safer to use tempered glass, Corning Ware, etc. He said we might remember when some of the fast food restaurants moved away from the foam containers to paper.
The dioxin problem is one of the reasons. To add to this, Saran wrap placed over foods as they are nuked, with the high heat actually drips poisonous toxins into the food, use paper towels.

I went to the John's Hopkins Newsletter on line and it disclaims that rumor!! Now I can put my soups back in the freezer and pull the Saran Wrap out of the trash!!!

Thought for the day:
I've learned....
That life is like a roll of toilet paper.
The closer it gets to the end, the faster it goes.

Sunday, November 14, 2004

BANANAS

I found this article interesting:
Bananas:
Containing three natural sugars -- sucrose, fructose and glucose combined with fiber, a banana gives an instant, sustained and substantial boost of energy. Research has proven that just two bananas provide enough energy for a strenuous 90-minute workout. No wonder the banana is the number one fruit with the world's leading athletes. But energy isn't the only way a banana can help us keep fit. It can also help overcome or prevent a substantial number of illnesses and conditions, making it a must to add to our daily diet.
Depression: According to a recent survey undertakenamongst people suffering from depression, many felt much better after eating a banana. This is because bananas contain tryptophan, a type of protein that the body converts into serotonin, known to make you relax, improve your mood and generally make you feel happier.
PMS: Forget the pills -- eat a banana. The vitamin B6 it contains regulates blood glucose levels, which can affect your mood. Anemia: High in iron, bananas can stimulate the production of hemoglobin in the blood and so help in cases of anemia.
Blood Pressure: This unique tropical fruit is extremely high in potassium yet low in salt, making it the perfect food to beat blood pressure. So much so, the US Food and Drug Administration has just allowed the banana industry to make official claims for the fruit's ability to reduce the risk of blood pressure and stroke.
Brain Power: 200 students at a Twickenham (Middlesex)school were helped through their exams this year by eating bananas at breakfast, break, and lunch in a bid to boost their brain power. Research has shown that thepotassium-packed fruit can assist learning by makingpupils more alert.
Constipation: High in fiber, bananas included in the diet can help restore normal bowel action, helping to overcome the problem without resorting to laxatives.
Hangovers: One of the quickest ways of curing a hangover is to make a banana milkshake, sweetened with honey. The banana calms the stomach and, with the help of the honey, builds up depleted blood sugar levels, while the milk soothes and re-hydrates your system. (wish I would've known that when I was drinking)!
Heartburn: Bananas have a natural antacid effect in the body, so if you suffer from heartburn, try eating a banana for soothing relief.
Morning Sickness: Snacking on bananas between mealshelps to keep blood sugar levels up, and avoid morning sickness.
Mosquito bites: Before reaching for the insect bite cream, try rubbing the affected area with the inside of a banana skin. Many people find it amazingly successful at reducing swelling and irritation.
Nerves: Bananas are high in B vitamins that help calm the nervous system.
Overweight and at work? Studies at the Institute ofPsychology in Austria found pressure at work leads to gorging on comfort foods like chocolate and crisps. Looking at 5,000 hospital patients, researchers found the most obese were more likely to be in high-pressure jobs. The report concluded that, to avoid panic-induced food cravings, we need to control our blood sugar levels bysnacking on high carbohydrate foods every two hours tokeep levels steady.
Ulcers: The banana is used as the dietary food againstintestinal disorders because of its soft texture and smoothness. It is the only raw fruit that can be eaten without distress in over-chronicler cases. It also neutralizes over-acidity and reduces irritation by coating the lining of the stomach.
Temperature control: Many other cultures see bananasas a "cooling" fruit that can lower both the physical and emotional temperature of expectant mothers.In Thailand, for example, pregnant women eat bananasto ensure their baby is born with a cool temperature.
Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD): Bananas can helpSAD sufferers because they contain the natural mood enhancer, tryptophan. Smoking: Bananas can also help people trying to giveup smoking. The B6 and B12 they contain, as well as the potassium and magnesium found in them, help the body recover from the effects of nicotine withdrawal.
Stress: Potassium is a vital mineral, which helps normalize the heartbeat, sends oxygen to the brain and regulates your body's water balance. When we are stressed, our metabolic rate rises, thereby reducing our potassium levels. These can be rebalanced with the help of ahigh-potassium banana snack.
Strokes: According to research in "The New EnglandJournal of Medicine,"eating bananas as part of a regular diet can cut the risk of death by strokes by as much as 40%!
Warts: Those keen on natural alternatives swear that if you want to kill off a wart, take a piece of banana skin and place it on the wart, with the yellow side out. Carefully hold the skin in place with a plaster or surgical tape!

So, a banana really is a natural remedy for many ills. When you compare it to an apple, it has four times the protein, twice the carbohydrate, three times the phosphorus, five times the vitamin A and iron, andtwice the other vitamins and minerals. It is also rich in potassium and is one of the best value foods around. So maybe it's time to change that well-known phrase so that we say,
"A banana a day keeps the doctor away!"

Saturday, November 13, 2004

sometimes I just don't know if I'm coming or going!

I guess if it's warm and wet and running down my legs, I'm going!
Oh never mind!!

Seriously, I went to the luncheon today and realized I forgot to take my insulin so I had to go home and take it, (I live 10 miles away) then it was too late to go to the movies so I finished my laundry and made my bed then was tired, so I lay down to rest my back and woke up at 8:00pm!! Well that took care of that!

Now I am rested and ready to go! It is midnight, and I started my mending, then half way through that I went to my crocheting, then went to my puzzle, then went to do my nails, then went to clean the kitchen, then went back to my mending then back to crocheting, then....WHEW! I just run circles sometimes. I guess the "professionals" call it attention deficit disorder! Well it worked great when I was a bartender because I had to be on the ball and do all sorts of things all at once. Now it is rather frustrating as I always have a million things I'm working on and forget the important things sometimes. My poor boss has been frustrated with me more than once, but has had patience and sees the person inside this forgetful whirlwind of me!
My mind just gets so overwhelmed sometimes. At least I still have a mind, huh?! SHUT UP MARY LOU!!

I think I'm just gonna leave it all and take it back up tomorrow morning! I see that bed calling me with my book!! Good night all, and Happy Sunday!!

Thought for the day:
I always know God won't give me more than I can handle but there are times I wish He didn't trust me quite so much.

Friday, November 12, 2004

HAHAHAHA Don't ya just love this?!!

I have this picture in my office. I just love it!!
How appropriate!!
I know a few couples just like this!!
Well my Friday was just great. I had a good day at work then went into Oak Harbor to run some errands for work and came home for a nap and now I am recharged for the big night out tonight.
I am taking Hannah to lunch tomorrow then maybe I'll go to the 4:00 movie to watch "Polar Express".
I like movies like that and I love Tom Hanks.
After the movie I will go to Church then shop and get home around 9:00pm.
Then I will finish the laundry and go to bed. WOO HOO!!
What an exciting life, huh? Well it is exactly the way I like it now so there!!
Y'all have a great Saturday!!

Thought for the day:
Just going to church doesn't make you a Christian any more than standing in a garage makes you a car.

Thursday, November 11, 2004

The 2003 Veterans Day National Ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery's Memorial Amphitheater


Thank You!!
Each and every one of you, Thank You!!
Thank you for my freedom!
Thank You!!
God bless you all and God bless America (And the rest of the world)
AMEN

Wednesday, November 10, 2004

Another goofy dog picture

I can't help it....I love these silly pictures!
I have a friend that has a dog that plays with as many balls that he can stuff in his mouth like this.
I didn't know there were other dogs that did that until I came across this picture on the net!
Y'all have a great Thursday! I sure will!!


Man driving down road.
Woman driving up same road.
They pass each other.
Woman yells out window, "PIG!".
Man yells out window, "BITCH!".
Man rounds next curve.
Crashes into a huge pig in middle of road.
.
.
.
.
.
.
.
Moral: If only men would listen

Thought for the day...
Everyone has a photographic memory.
Some, like me, just don't have any film.

Tuesday, November 09, 2004

Put on a smile!

Sometimes you just have to paint on your smile!
Working in customer service all my life it is important to keep a smile on your face, but sometimes it is just hard to do. I came across this picture and thought it was so cute!
I wonder what people would do if I just smacked a smile on like that? I've seen little cardboard masks that have a smile or a frown, and you can put them up in front of your face.
Well I guess I am just groping for something to blog about here.
I came home an hour early today and took a nap. I was tired so jumped at the chance to nap!
I woke up at 4:30 and now it feels like it is really late but it is only 6:00. This early darkness is weird.
Hope everyone's week is going good.
It is great to see Wanda back, and Dave too....go say hello to them!!

Sunday, November 07, 2004

Time to clean out the fridge!

Sundays are my day for "putzing". Today I have been thinking about cleaning out the fridge and throwing away whatever I am afraid to open up and look at.
I saw this picture on the web and thought it really cute. Having had a Siberian Husky once, this is not an unusual occurance. They are very mischievious and adorable at the same time. I sure miss Tlingit, but will not get another dog as they are high maintenance. A cat you can feed and leave alone for a day or two. A dog will dial 911 and let out a pitiful howl!!
My sister called me on December 24th about four years ago asking me where Tlingit was. I said he was in the backyard, why? She said she was listening to the police scanner and heard the Coupeville cop say he was en route from Prairie Center to the Dog Pound with one very friendly husky! I looked in the back yard and sure enough, there was a small hole in the fence where Tlingit chewed through and escaped!! So I got dressed and ran to the pound. There he was all excited to see me and ready to tell me all about his adventure!!
That cost me $55.00 to bail him out!!
Huskies are escape artists and love to run!! I have a small backyard so there is no place for him to run. I took him out to the Transit facility where we are fenced in all around, and let him loose to run. He ran as fast as he could to the end of the yard and dug a hole, crawled under and ran like Hell across the highway to the neighbors yard and had jumped on the cage of their prized rabbitt and let it loose and ruined the cage and tore the tarp by the time I got to him. That cost me about $50.00 also!! Then he looks at me all excited as though he is supposed to act like that!! He was so cute!! He died a few months after the Christmas Eve episode of a tumor. He was a great companion with a great personality, and taught me alot about dogs, but NOPE no more dogs for me!!

Any body have any cute mischievious pet stories?

Thought for the day:
Dogs have owners......Cats have staff!

Friday, November 05, 2004

Don't Quit!

Darn, I was hoping this would be big enough to read. Now I have to hunt it down and copy the words.

Don't Quit
When things go wrong, as they sometimes will,
When the road you're trudging seems all uphill,
When the funds are low and the debts are high,
And you want to smile, but you have to sigh,
When care is pressing you down a bit -- Rest if you must, but don't you quit!
Life is queer with its twists and turns, As everyone of us sometimes learns,
And many a person turns about When they might have won had they stuck it out,
Don't give up though the pace seems slow --
You may succeed with another blow, Often the struggler has given up,
When he might have captured the victors cup;
And he learned too late when the night came down, How close he was to the golden crown!
Success is failure turned inside out!
So stick to the fight when you are hardest hit!
It’s when things seem worst that you mustn't quit!


The reason I picked this beautiful print and poem is because so many people in blog land are going through a really rough time right now, and I feel it is appropriate.

I just read where our blogging friend Ellen has asked for prayers as she just discovered her cancer that has been in remission for three years has returned and she will be in for the fight of her life!
I pray for God to give her strength to go through the treatments and for her to keep her positive attitude!
I am praying that God will find in His will to cure her of this dreaded disease!

I am sending her one of my Guardian Angels to be by her side through all this! (I have a few that have worked overtime for me, and think they will give her some support and comfort).

I will keep her in my prayers and ask any of you to do the same. I truly believe prayers help!

God Bless you Ellen!



Wednesday, November 03, 2004

Brrrrrr...

Our first official freeze of the year is going on right now!
I was out about an hour ago looking for the Northern Lights and noticed the frost shimmering on the deck.
I purchased some rubber mats to put on the deck so I won't do my break dance on the ice this year! On the lower part of the deck I tacked a strip of my old carpet where I walk so I won't slip and fall flat on my back and get stuck on the icy deck in my flannel nightgown like I did this last Spring!!
I didn't see any Auroras tonight.

I feel like it is New Years day after a night of partying. The stress of the elections did me in.....I was totally bushed today. (Teeheeheeheehee). I commented on another's blog and realized what I said, and thought it was funny. Get it? Bush...(bushed). Oh never mind!

Today's tidbit....If it weren't for STRESS I'd have no energy at all.

Y'all have a great Thursday!!

Monday, November 01, 2004

Please, let these elections be over soon!!

I had a full day at work today after 5 days of being sick!
I am DOG TIRED!! I think I will take a long shower and get my book and go to bed around 8:00 and escape from the television and have a good nights sleep!!
I will say some deep prayers tonight asking for the elections to go by without any horrible incidents, and that whoever wins, the other will be a gracious loser.

We are having a typical November storm tonight. The wind is blowing and the rain is hitting the windows sideways. The temp is 45 and a warm front is blowing through melting the snow in the passes that we got this weekend. Now there are flood watches in some of the rivers. Tomorrow night a cold front will blow through making more snow for the mountain passes. I love it!! I also love that I can stay in my warm bed listening to the storm knowing I won't be called out in it to rescue someone!! I paid my dues for 15 years in the Fire Department, now some young whipper snapper can do it and I can listen to my scanner.
Ahhhhh, calgon take me away!!
Y'all have a safe night and don't forget to VOTE tomorrow!!

Sunday, October 31, 2004

Trick-or-Doggie Treat!!

Well it is getting darker and it is almost 4:30pm. The little gremlins will be knocking in about an hour.
I have my spooks all set up and ready to scare them!! Muahahahahaha

I actually yelled sarcasticlly at the tv today!!
I am SICK of those campaign ads and the people talking 600mph to get the stuff in the time limit!!
I mean really, do they think we can actually understand what the heck they are babbling about?
Well one pissed me off so I won't vote for them!! So there!!
Well I actually already voted but I wouldn't vote for them any way!
I think the entire world is ready for all this to be over with!!

Ah, I feel better now!! I am ready to get back to work tomorrow whether I am well or not!

THOUGHT FOR THE DAY:
You read about all these terrorists ---
most of them came here legally, but they hung around on these expired visas, some for as long as 10 -15 years.
Now, compare that to Blockbuster;
you are two days late with a video and those people are all over you.
Let's put Blockbuster in charge of immigration.

I just realized that I had a year on the Blogger october 27th! My how time flies!!
And if I had stayed married, this would have been our 30th anniversary!! (Shiver)

Saturday, October 30, 2004

Hmmmm Maybe this is why I am sick!!

Well this might be the reason I keep getting sick!!!
EEEYYYUUUU!! The Blue one is hers!!! She's using mine!!


Nuns and Dracula
Two nuns, Sister Catherine and Sister Helen, are traveling through Europe in their car.
They get to Transylvania and are stopped at a traffic light. Suddenly, out of nowhere, a tiny little Dracula jumps on the hood of the car and hisses through the windshield.
"Quick, quick!" shouts Sister Catherine. "What shall we do?"
"Turn the windshield wipers on. That will get rid of the abomination", says Sister Helen.
Sister Catherine switches them on, knocking Dracula about, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns. "What shall I do now?" she shouts.
"Switch on the windshield washer. I filled it up with Holy Water at the Vatican," says Sister Helen.
Sister Catherine turns on the windshield washer. Dracula screams as the water burns his skin, but he clings on and continues hissing at the nuns. "NOW what?" shouts Sister Catherine?
"Show him your cross," says Sister Helen, quickly.
"Now you're talking," says Sister Catherine. She opens the window and shouts,
"Get the f-ck off the car!"

Friday, October 29, 2004

I don't wanna get up!!

This is the third day I have stayed home with a horrible respiratory virus!
My throat and lungs are raw and all I want to do is sleep.
So I have a good book and I wake up and eat something (nothing ever makes me lose my appetite) , get chilled so I lay down to read, and a few hours later wake up, go eat something.... well you get my drift!
This is the third virus I've had since August! Enough is enough already!!
I'm sure glad I got the flu shot! hmpfff!
Y'all all have a great weekend!

Wednesday, October 27, 2004

Lunar Eclipse

I am sitting in my kitchen at the computer with my blinds pulled up. I have the perfect view of the lunar eclipse. It is total right now 7:33pm. It looks like the middle picture here. Kind of orange red looking.
I get all excited with happenings in the sky and earth. I am always amazed by it. Here I am watching the moon that millions of other people are watching all at the same time!! AWESOME!!

I did my duty yesterday and cast my absentee vote! I prayed when I mailed it that God chooses the best man for the job no matter who I voted for. I pray the person does a job to make us all proud. I pray that peace can come to all of us here and to quit our belly aching about who is best and who did what and who didn't do what!!

I copied this prayer from Mark Daniels blog. I sure hope he doesn't mind!!

Lord:You command us to pray for our daily bread, the things we need for daily living.
Through Jesus, You also demonstrate that You are a God of grace.
And so, as we near the end of this bruising presidential campaign, we ask that You would give our country not the President we deserve, but the one we need. And the president the world needs from America, too.
Grant that our next President, whether it's Senator Kerry or President Bush, will be an instrument in Your hands. Grant that through that President, You will help make ours "a more perfect union."
In the Name of Jesus our Savior, we pray.AMEN

Well said Mark!!

Back to the World Sweepies I mean Series! hehehehe

Tuesday, October 26, 2004

Al & Nancy's

My friends that grow the corn Mary Lou & I rave about made this yard ornament for Halloween.
He is really talented, isn't he? He said he will help us next year make a display for Island Transit!

Hope everyone's day went well. I had a really busy day at work again and am going to bed tonight around 9:00. We have the monthly potluck tomorrow at work so I am taking the leftover Tamale Pie. Shhhh, they'll never know!! I'll just put it in a smaller dish, add more cheese and heat it up!! It is better a few days later anyway!

Someone asked for the recipe so here it is:


Tamale Pie
2 cans Hormel Beef Tamales
2 cans Hormel chili without beans
1 large can cream corn
1 can small black olives (squeeze them to break them up)
4 cups grated Colby/Jack cheese (reserve 1 cup) or use cheddar…whatever you like. (or more)
¾ cup cornmeal

Cut the tamales into bite size pieces discarding the papers. Dump the sauce from the can into the bowl. Dump everything else into the bowl except the reserved cup of cheese. Pour into a big glass or stainless bowl and stir well. Top off with remaining cheese.

Bake at 350 degree oven for about an hour. Best if eaten warmed over or let stand awhile. Good for picnic, camping or potlucks. (huh, George?)

You can add whatever you like. I use diced green chili’s sometimes. I like to top it off with sour cream on my plate.

So there you have it folks!! Such a hard thing to make, huh? hehehehe

Well tomorrow is hump day already!! YAHOOO

Q: What kind of witches play croquet?
A: Wicket witches.

Monday, October 25, 2004

Thank You Bilbo, you Canadian Hunk, you!
Punkin has a Boyfriend!!

Well lookie here what came in the mail!
An admirer (Bilbo from Canada) sent Punkin a present!!
She is all agog!! She just Knew the hat she was wearing yesterday was her color!!


Sunday, October 24, 2004

Hey! What's this????
Do I hafta?
Bewitched Punkin

I couldn't help myself!
Leslie put pictures of Bilbo all dressed up so I just had to show off Punkin in her witch hat!
Doesn't she look thrilled?

I am having a rather laid back weekend.

I went to my AA meeting on Friday night and the subject was "Family and sobriety". They all shared about how they used to be drunk at all family afairs etc, and how great it is to actually drive to the city for a concert and drive back with no fear of cops! And their family enjoys them now. Well I guess I was a different drunk. My family was drunk right along with me! My husband hated it when I went on the wagon for a week or so. He said I was too boring. My mom was my best drinking buddy. I guess my sister is the only one that liked the fact that I quit drinking. Anyhoo, I do like to show people that I am still just as crazy and fun as I used to be but only I am sober now. My "drinking" buddies are still sitting in the same bars drinking the same drinks and talking the same ole boring talk, married to different people now, wasting their time and money away. Hey, there's a song out about that! "Wasted days and wasted Nights"!

I went to Church last night and we are having a potluck tonight at 5:30.
I just put the Tamale Pie in the oven so it will be hot for tonight. Mmmm, smells good!!

Well I heard the dryer stop so I need ot make my bed and finish the never ending chores!!

Hope Y'all have a grand Sunday!

I met two witches who were twins -
I just couldn't tell which witch was which!

Saturday, October 23, 2004

OOOps!

Dang!
Ever have days like this? Hope not!
I just had to share this one.
I have had a busy week and my brain isn't into great words of wisdom for my blog so I am sharing emails I recieve. I am into a great Saturday shutdown. That means NOTHING is in my mind but the moment!
Maybe I'll get dressed and head into Burlington to look for that perfect coffee maker that Leslie raves about.
I'll let you know.

Q: What witches do you find in the desert?
A: Sandwitches!

Friday, October 22, 2004

Winter is here

I recieved this in an E-mail this morning and couldn't help but share it with Y'all!
I love the message!

You know, time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
It seems just yesterday that I was a young girl, just married and embarking on my new life with my husband. And yet in a way, it seems like eons ago, and I wonder where all the years went. I know that I lived them all... And I have glimpses of how it was back then and of all my hopes and dreams...

But, here it is...the winter of my life and it catches me by surprise...How did I get here so fast? Where did the years go and where did my babies go? And where did my youth go?

I remember well...seeing older people through the years and thinking that those older people were years away from me and that winter was so far off that I could not fathom it or imagine fully what it would be like... But, here it is...husband retired yesterday and he's really getting gray...he moves slower and I see an older man now. He's in much better shape than me...but, I see the great change... Not the one I married who was dark and young and strong... but, like me, his age is beginning to show and we are now those older folks that we used to see and never thought we'd be.

Each day now, I find that just getting a shower is a real target for the day! And taking a nap is not a treat anymore...it's mandatory! Cause if I don't on my own free will...I just fall asleep where I sit! And so, now I enter into this new season of my life unprepared for all the aches and pains and the loss of strength and ability to go and do things. But, at least I know, that though the winter has come, and I'm not sure how long it will last...This I know, that when it's over...I will enjoy the Spring in the arms of my loving Father...and wait for my loved ones to come when their winter is over too...

So, if you're not in your winter yet...let me remind you, that it will be here faster than you think. So, whatever you would like to accomplish in your life please do it quickly! For remember that scripture?...our life is but a vapor, it vanished away...So, do what you can today, because you can never be sure whether this is your winter or not! You have no promise that you will see all the seasons of your life... so, live for the Lord today and say all the things that you want your loved ones to remember

Joke of the day:
Q: Did you hear about the dog trainer who joined a coven?
A: He went from wags to witches.

Enjoy your Friday!!!

Wednesday, October 20, 2004

The last of the Witches!

Here's my costume!

Florence Newton mid 17th Century. A trial most famous in Ireland was that of Florence Newton also known as "the Witch of Youghal". She was accused of bewitching people into fits and of killing them with these fits. Her trial unlike most trials involved no torture. One young lady who was bewitched by her went through fits of which many things were vomitted up by her and many different things were thrown at her. If Florence newton was left unhandcuffed the young lady would have fits and fall ill but if handcuffed would remain calm and have no fits.
Dolly Pentreath 1692-1777. Was born in Cornwall, England. Never married but had a son. She was acredited with the knowledge of astrology and possessed magical powers which people would come and use her for. She was able to use her powers for good and bad.
Elisabeth Sawyer ?-1621. Elisabeth Sawyer also Known as "Witch of Edmonton" was accused of bewitching her neighors children and cattle because they refused to buy her brooms. When she was being harrassed she finally confessed to being a witch. She was hanged for confessing to be a witch.

Toad-Witch these are self-initiated witches in English folkore who are accredited with possessing the power to overlook or cast the evil-eye over a person. They were powerful and most feared. They had powers also over horses, pigs and men. It was considered dangerous being a Toad-Witch as one was likely to go insane because of the supernatural powers possessed and usually died a violent death.
Witch of Endor was accredited with raising of the spirit of Samuel at the request of King Saul of Israel. In the bible it is said that Saul wished to find out whether he should fight the Philistine Army. Some say that the witch was a fake and that she threw her voice to sound like Samuel when in fact she lied about seeing god or angels, about incantations. Some believed that there may have been a spirit conjured but that it was more likely to have been the Devil but some believed that it was not the Devil as he would have been repelled by the word God or Jehovah and that the Devil would not have punished someone but would have encouraged them to do more evil.
Joan Wytte 1775-1813. Cornish woman also known by the name of the Fighting Fairy Woman of Bodmin. She was said to be clairvoyant and that people would seek her services as a seer, diviner and healer. She was known to visit a holy well where she tied clouties (a charm that is a strip of cloth taken from a sick person. Which would decay and was suppose to heal the person in a magical way. Still done today.) on the branches of trees.
Later on as a result of a tooth abscess she became very ill-tempered and would shout at people. She became involved in a large fight with people where she used her remarkable strength and bashed people and threw them across a room. She was arrested and sent to jail where she died as a result of the poor conditions. When she died her body was dissected and the skeleton was placed in a coffin, later on it was recovered and used as a joke in a seance which went wrong as it was alleged the lid of the coffin in which the skeletal remains was placed, flew open and started going around and assaulting the people taking part in the seance. After this the bones were to pass onto an antique dealer, and later on a founder of a Museum of Witchcraft. It was later said that while on display in the museum they started to experience poltergeist at which a witch was brought in to consult them of what to do and it was said that Wytte's spirit said that she wished to be laid in a proper burial.
The empty coffin remains on display along with a plaque accounting her story.
~~~~


I know'd it, know'd it,Indeed I know'd it brotherI know'd it
- Weeee!Dem bones gonna rise again.- Anonymous Early AMerican Ballad

Joke of the day:
An old witch thought that she would make a fortune telling fortunes, so she bought a crystal ball, but she couldn't see any future in it!

Tuesday, October 19, 2004

More Famous Witches!!

She was once pretty!

More Famous Witches. (The last bit tomorrow)!

Old Dorothy Clutterbuck 1880-1951. Clutterbuck was allegedly the high priestess of a coven of witches and was suppose to have initiated Gerald B. Gardner into witchcraft. It also said that Clutterbuck was actually not the hight priestess but a protector of the high priestess that the real high priestess was a woman by the name of Dafo. She was a woman of high respect and wealth. When she died she left a hefty amount of money more than 60,000 pounds.
Isobel Goldie ?-1662. It is said that she had wild sexual escapades with the devil who had initiated her into the art of witchcraft. She confessed this several times but many thought that it was just a story she had made up and that it was just a game that had gotten out of hand. There are no records as to what had happened to her or other people she confessed to being witches as well. In all likelihood they were all hung as her confessions were so obscene for the time.
Joan of Arc 1412-1431. She was not charged as most people have said for practising witchcraft but for being a relapsed heretic who denied the authority of the church.
Margaret Jones ?-1648. The first witch to be executed in Massachusetts Bay Colony, she was accused of being a witch after patients under her care as their physician had gotten sicker. The reason why many patients got worse was because they refused to take medicines prescribed for them.
Lady Alice Kyteler ?-1324. Lady Alice was a wealthy woman from Ireland who was accused of witchcraft as a result of the fact that her fourth husband and his family believed she had lured him into marrying her more money. These charges were dropped and later she moved to England were she lived in luxury until her death.
Marie Laveau 1794?-1881 and 1827-1897. The most renown voodoo queen in North AMerica was actually a mother and daughter. Their appeal was their magical powers, control of one's lovers and enemies, and sex. Marie I was a most powerful woman who was told all the secrets by women and was able to use these to increase her powers. Marie II was feared more and inspired subserviance.


On Hallowe'en the thing you must do
Is pretend that nothing can frighten you
An' if somethin' scares you and you want to run
Jus' let on like it's Hallowe'en fun.
- from an Early Nineteenth Century Halloween Postcard

Joke of the day:
Q: Why are Witches good at English?
A: They are brilliant at spelling.

More Halloween fun tomorrow!

Monday, October 18, 2004

And Yet More Halloween Fun!

More Witch Lore...

Caroline of Brunswick 1768-1821 she was Queen to King George IV Of England.
It is told that she felt she was constantly being neglected by her husband and she decided to make a wax effigy of him and stick pins and thorns into it and then melt in a palace fireplace.
the North Berwick Witches a group of men and women who were accused of witchcraft in Scotland in the 16th century. On minimal evidence they were condemned and tortured and burnt. They were supposed to have created a storm to drown King James 1.
Tamsin Blight 1798-1856. Famous English witch healer and a person who is able to remove curses or spells from a person. She was also said to have put spells on those who did not please her. Also known as Tammy Blee and Tamson.
Mary Butters late 18th century-early 19th century. She is known as the Carmoney Witch and narrowly escaped trial for the killing of a cow and three people. She claimed at her inquest she saw a black man who killed the three people and that she was knocked unconscious causing the ingredients to become toxic. The incident was made into a humorous ballad.

~~~~
Eye of newt, and toe of frog,
Wool of bat, and tongue of dog,
Adder's fork, and blind-worm's sting,
Lizard's leg, and howlet's wing,
For a charm of powerful trouble,
Like a hell-broth boil and bubble.- Macbeth William Shakespeare

I had to add this joke I just recieved!!
Once there was a family who was given some venison by a friend. The wife cooked up the deer steaks, and served it to the husband and children. The husband thought it would be fun to have the children guess what it was that they were eating. "Is is beef?" The daughter Katie asked. "Nope." "Is it pork?" the son Willie asked."Nope.""Heck, we don't know, Dad!" Willie exclaimed. "I'll give you a clue," the Dad said, "It's what your mom sometimes calls me.""Spit it out, Willie!" cried Katie, "We're eating Asshole!!"

Sunday, October 17, 2004

More Halloween fun:

Witches!!

Famous Legendary and Folk Witches

Joan of Navarre 1370-1437. Duchess of Brittany who was the wife of King Henry IV of England was accused of being a witch and wanting to bring down the king. Later she was pardoned and reinstated.
Mother Shipton a 15th Century Yorkshire witch. She was said to have powers of healing and spell-casting, and her prophecies about modern time such as those of airplanes and cars has come true. Also scientific inventions, new technology, wars and politics.
Anne Boleyn 1507-1536, she was the second wife of King Henry VIII of England was beheaded and her reputation was smeared due tothe fact she was unable to bear her husband a child so he claimed she was a witch. She had a sixth finger on one hand which was believed to be a sign that the young lady was a witch.

Did you know....It is very rare for a full moon to occur at the same time as Halloween. It has only occurred in - 1925, 1944, 1955, and 1974. The next time it is said to occur is 31 October, 2020.


~~~Double, double toil and trouble;
Fire burn and cauldron bubble.-
Macbeth William Shakespeare

Saturday, October 16, 2004

History and Customs of Halloween

Halloween


Halloween is celebrated annually. But just how and when did this peculiar custom originate? Is it, as some claim, a kind of demon worship? Or is it just a harmless vestige of some ancient pagan ritual?
The word itself, "Halloween," actually has its origins in the Catholic Church. It comes from a contracted corruption of All Hallows Eve. November 1, "All Hollows Day" (or "All Saints Day"), is a Catholic day of observance in honor of saints. But, in the 5th century BC, in Celtic Ireland, summer officially ended on October 31. The holiday was called Samhain (sow-en), the Celtic New year.
One story says that, on that day, the disembodied spirits of all those who had died throughout the preceding year would come back in search of living bodies to possess for the next year. It was believed to be their only hope for the afterlife, (Panati). The Celts believed all laws of space and time were suspended during this time, allowing the spirit world to intermingle with the living, (Gahagan).
Naturally, the still-living did not want to be possessed. So on the night of October 31, villagers would extinguish the fires in their homes, to make them cold and undesirable. They would then dress up in all manner of ghoulish costumes and noisily paraded around the neighborhood, being as destructive as possible in order to frighten away spirits looking for bodies to possess, (Panati).
Probably a better explanation of why the Celts extinguished their fires was not to discourage spirit possession, but so that all the Celtic tribes could relight their fires from a common source, the Druidic fire that was kept burning in the Middle of Ireland, at Usinach, (Gahagan).
Some accounts tell of how the Celts would burn someone at the stake who was thought to have already been possessed, as sort of a lesson to the spirits, (Panati). Other accounts of Celtic history debunk these stories as myth, (Gahagan).
The Romans adopted the Celtic practices as their own. But in the first century AD, they abandoned any practice of sacrificing of humans in favor of burning effigies.
The thrust of the practices also changed over time to become more ritualized. As belief in spirit possession waned, the practice of dressing up like hobgoblins, ghosts, and witches took on a more ceremonial role.
The custom of Halloween was brought to America in the 1840's by Irish immigrants fleeing their country's potato famine. At that time, the favorite pranks in New England included tipping over outhouses and unhinging fence gates, (Panati).
The custom of trick-or-treating is thought to have originated not with the Irish Celts, but with a ninth-century European custom called souling. On November 2, All Souls Day, early Christians would walk from village to village begging for "soul cakes," made out of square pieces of bread with currants. The more soul cakes the beggars would receive, the more prayers they would promise to say on behalf of the dead relatives of the donors. At the time, it was believed that the dead remained in limbo for a time after death, and that prayer, even by strangers, could expedite a soul's passage to heaven.
The Jack-o-lantern custom probably comes from Irish folklore. As the tale is told, a man named Jack, who was notorious as a drunkard and trickster, tricked Satan into climbing a tree. Jack then carved an image of a cross in the tree's trunk, trapping the devil up the tree. Jack made a deal with the devil that, if he would never tempt him again, he would promise to let him down the tree.
According to the folk tale, after Jack died, he was denied entrance to Heaven because of his evil ways, but he was also denied access to Hell because he had tricked the devil. Instead, the devil gave him a single ember to light his way through the frigid darkness. The ember was placed inside a hollowed-out turnip to keep it glowing longer.
The Irish used turnips as their "Jack's lanterns" originally. But when the immigrants came to America, they found that pumpkins were far more plentiful than turnips. So the Jack-O-Lantern in America was a hollowed-out pumpkin, lit with an ember.
So, although some cults may have adopted Halloween as their favorite "holiday," the day itself did not grow out of evil practices. It grew out of the rituals of Celts celebrating a new year, and out of Medieval prayer rituals of Europeans. And today, it is only as evil as one cares to make it.

© 1995-2002 by Jerry Wilson
References: Charles Panati, Extraordinary Origins of Everyday Things, 1987; and Dr. Joseph Gahagan, University of Wisconsin-Milwaukee, Personal letter, 1997

Halloween Fact:
Since 1995, trick or treating in the town of Sandusky, Ohio, has been against the law for anyone older then 14.


From ghoulies to ghosties and long-leggety beastiesAnd things that go bump in the night,
Good Lord, deliver us!- Anonymous

Friday, October 15, 2004

Peek-A-Boo!

Okay already!
My sister told me to update, so here is my update:
Been working hard...Been busy after work...Back hurts so I'm crabby...Trying to cope.
It's not that bad but I really have had a busy week and nothing much to say.
I get home and read other's blogs and forget about mine. I just don't have any witty things to say.
But today is FRIDAY!!!! YAHOO!!!
Gotta get to work!!
Have a marvelous day and weekend ahead of ya!!

The last of Things to do at Wal-Mart:
....Dart around the store suspiciously loudly humming the "Mission Impossible" theme.
....In the auto department, practice your "Madonna look" using different size funnels. (my favorite!! It's FUN!!)
....Hide in a clothing rack and when people browse through, say "PICK ME!"
....When an announcement comes over the loud speaker, assume the fetal position and scream "NO! NO! It's those voices again!!!!"
(And; last, but not least!)
Go into a fitting room and shut the door and wait a while; and, then, yell, very loudly, "There is no toilet paper in here!"

Tuesday, October 12, 2004

Typical Tuesday

Well I think I had each of these emotions today. Nothing serious, but a typical Tuesday.
We had a Terrorist scare in the Sunday Seattle Times Paper this week. Known people tied to terrorists were seen taking pictures of the Ferries here on the Island and at Deception Pass Bridge and at the Navy Base.
If we lose the Ferry Docks and the Bridge we are crippled. Hundreds or thousands use the ferries daily to get to work mostly at Boeing or to the Everett Naval Base. It would mean they would rely on us to get them to and from the end of the Island to passenger only barges. Well that is right up my ally! Disaster Preparedness!!
We have a plan in place in case of any disaster. I refuse to let the terrorists make me shiver in fright, but I am also realistic and know this is a bad year and need to prepare for the worst! We are prepared and hoping we never need to use the plan!
Ok, here I go again......Winter is coming and you need to keep survival gear in all your vehicles!!
Change the batteries in all your flashlights and put them back in your car. inventory your first aid kit and put it back in your car. Put a blanket in the back seat. a jug of water, some granola bars, beef jerky, jumper cables, grit (sand & salt), change of underwear and toothbrush! Poncho, and whatever else you need.
BE PREPARED!!
Love ya all!!

More Things to do at Wal-Mart
....Move a 'CAUTION - WET FLOOR' sign to a carpeted area.
....Set up a tent in the camping department and tell other shoppers you'll invite them in if they'll bring pillows from the bedding department.
....When a clerk asks if they can help you, begin to cry and ask 'Why can't you people just leave me alone?'
....Look right into the security camera; use it as a mirror, and pick your nose.
....While handling guns in the hunting department, ask the clerk if he knows where the anti- depressants are.

Monday, October 11, 2004

My office #3

Some one asked for a picture of my office.
I embarrasingly took these pictures before I left work tonight!
It is a tiny cubicle. The office is about 8x12 and is divided by a cloth partition behind my desk there.
Someone else has the other half.
I can sit in my chair and swivel to work on the computer, then roll over to the file cabinet.
It gets rather small at times so I take whatever I am working on and go to the conference room to spread out the paperwork.
We are working on a grant for a new facility which might be seen in about 3 years!!
WooHoo!!