Sunday, November 8, 2009

Virtual worlds....oh heavens....

I have become a fan of Facebook. It is a great sight, you can find long lost friends, or family you don't often keep up with. Not that you don't love them, but you just are not in touch with them as much.
It is fun to read about what people are up to, see some photos of what is happening in their lives and share bits about yourself.

I happened to notice the name of a person that commented on one of my friends entries. It was a friend of mine that I had lost touch with when she went off to college. I hate to admit it but I had not seen or talked to her in over 20 years. We are both now living in opposite ends of the country, she is in the Seatle area, and I am in Florida.

Not everyone can see your Facebook page, they have to request you to be a friend and if you accept them then...you are well...I guess you are "Facebook Friends". I have to confess that I do not pay the closest attention to all the "requests" some are to join this or that, or give this virtual gift or accept that virtual gift.
One day there was a friend request from a name from...wwwwaaaayyyy back in my past. It was a girl I went to junior high school with, yeah back when it was called "junior high school" and not "middle school". We went to different high schools, we were not close friends but we were in band together and we both played the flute. When I worked for a bank as a teller I would see her mom now and then and ask how she was doing, but even that was...well...my 21 year old neice was just a baby then so....it had been a long time. She is now happily married and living near Grand Rapids and has 2 children.

I have one friend, Mindy, who said when she started in Facebook that she joined because so many were pushing her too. Now Mindy is playing all sorts of the little virtual games they have on Facebook (way too many to name). I told her she has truly become one of "them" now....

I got sucked into one of the "farm" worlds and was chatting with my friend Mindy on line through Facebook and asked her "how do I get out of this" and she said just click "go home" and....there was no "go home"...it turned out I was in a different "farm world" than she was. Who would have thought there would be so many "farm worlds". I confess that I do go back into it from time to time, I guess I feel the need to plow under all my dead crops.



Now....oh, no....I let myself adopt a virtual dog...he is a Jack Russell, I love them. I named him Lester, after my nieces dog. How did I let myself get sucked in....now I will have to keep it alive....he is named after a dog that I love....I can't just plow him under like the dead crops on my farm....oh that reminds me I better go plow them on my other farm too...but anyway....oh....the virtual worlds....they just may prove to much for me....hopefully I can keep Lester virtually alive longer than my crops...

Saturday, October 24, 2009

Something sure smells fishy....


Okay, I will confess that I have not read a great deal on the whole situation with the Raiders and their coaches that don't seem to get along. My husband is an avid reader of sports, and well, he is my Cliff Notes. But, you don't really even need a Cliff Notes version of the situation, just do a search on, Google, Yahoo, MSN, Bing...any search engine and read the first line of every entry and you and pretty much see that everyone things something just does not add up.

I work in a felony probation office and I see people coming in for much less so to me...it appears that Tom Cable got off the hook. Makes you wonder, does he have naked pictures of someone? Or, is it the owner of the Raiders that pulled some strings...oh...maybe the naked pictures are of the owner. Anyway you look at it....they found a way for 2+2 to equal 7.
Proudly I can say that I am not a Raiders fan, I am left wondering why anyone would be.
Does the Raiders organization have a side business selling seafood? Something sure smells fishy...


Thursday, October 22, 2009

New admiration for ducks....

I am currently in a job that, well I hate. But in this economy a job- is a job. It does not help matters that I am not an educated person. Yep, I am one of those low life Americans who never pursued a college education. Though I need to make that plunge soon, I know it will make my husband more proud of me, as well as hopefully open more doors for me employment wise.

At work, oh who am I kidding at home, in life generally I let little things get to me too much. I guess, if I am to be honest I have done that my whole life. Sarcasm, though I use it myself quite often can cut me to the core. Yes, in my heart know the person serving it up did not mean to say anything in a hurtful manner. I don’t mean it when I serve up sarcasm.

Life can be a challenge, here I am 46 years old trying to change my soft shell. Doesn’t help that my Thyroid is out of whack, and it sure does not help that, did I mention my age…the big M word is likely coming on as well.
My new plan of attack at work is to be a duck, and my office is the water that is just going to roll off my back. I even stumbled upon a dog toy at our grocery store, it is a Mallard duck, I have named him Mel. If nothing else he has brought some laughter into the office.
And…okay, so I am going to apply this plan of attack to life in general.
I have always loved ducks, but, now I have a new admiration from them….

Saturday, October 17, 2009

I have been neglectful...


I have been quite neglectful with updating my blog, I have not even been changing my "name of the week". When my husband mentioned this name I really thought he was messing with me, but, there it was on Wikipedia, he is a living breathing former race car driver....the one and only....


DICK TRICKLE

This one is "Name of the year" worthy...don't ya think.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

A lesson on the art of forgiving...

Below is an article from my local paper, and these parents are just amazing to me. The act of forgiving someone for something is a tough thing. We all can take a lesson from these parents. I am not sure I could forgive the shooter or the Marine Corps.

Both of my best friends sons were Marines, as well as one of my cousin's sons. My father was in the Navy, I have always had a great deal of respect for the military. I remember when I was fresh out of high school, my father had filled out a card from a magazine with my name, you know, the ones that express your interest in joining the Navy. It was quite a surprise when a recruiter called me.…

Looking back, I kind of wish I'd had it in me to do so. I know my father would have been proud. He never had a son, and at one point in my childhood I guess I could have been considered a little bit of a tomboy. I enjoyed doing things with my dad. He would mow the lawn at the old school house we owned, and going with him sure is one of my fondest memories.

This article caused me to lose a lot of respect for the military. Yes, the man is being punished, and has to live the rest of his life with the consequences of his actions. But…why….why…did it happen in the first place? There are so many better ways to "build trust and promote teamwork". It kind of scares me to think that the military protecting our country uses this type of thing to supposedly build trust. Well….I am one person who has lost some trust in the military by having read this.

Bless that family for their loss, and especially for their ability to forgive….


By Tom McNiffManaging EditorPublished: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:19 p.m.Last Modified: Friday, September 18, 2009 at 2:34 p.m.

The parents of a U.S. Marine who was shot and killed by a superior during a game of "Trust" say they've forgiven the shooter, who was sentenced to eight years in the Marine Corps brig recently.

Damian and Lucy Malone said Cpl. Mathew Nelson, 25, who admitted to shooting Lance Cpl. Patrick Malone earlier this year in Iraq, turned to them during his sentencing hearing Sept. 10 with tears in his eyes.

"He turned around and he was crying, and he apologized," Lucy Malone said. "He said he loved Patrick and if he could trade places with him he would."

The Malones, along with their surviving children and extended family, had an opportunity to testify at Nelson's sentencing in North Carolina. They described it as a celebration of Patrick's life, as the prosecutor flashed photos of the young man dancing and laughing, and family members took turns recalling the young man's passion for life and for the military.

"I forgive him," Lucy Malone said of Nelson. "I forgave him a long time ago. If I don't forgive him, I won't go to Heaven and I won't see my son.

"He (Nelson) is the one suffering now. My son's in Heaven," she said. According to military investigators, Patrick Malone was lying in his bunk one evening after getting off duty. He was either watching a video or listening to music on an iPod, his parents said.

Nelson, who commanded the second section of Malone's platoon, entered the the wooden hooch the Marines called home, walked over to Malone, pointed a 9mm pistol at him and asked "Do you trust me?" or words to that effect.

Militarytimes.com, an independent military news Website, said Malone smiled at Nelson. Moments later, the gun fired and Malone was struck in the forehead.

Fellow Marines were unable to revive Malone. "Trust," according to Militarytimes, is a game that is played in various forms by soldiers. In some cases, a ranking officer will partially slide a magazine into a pistol, pretend to pull the slide back to load a bullet, point the weapon at a subordinate and ask if the solider trusts him. After the solider answers, the officer either pulls the trigger of the empty gun or lowers the weapon and clears it.

Ironically, what has been described by some Marines as a way to build trust and promote teamwork is a violation of the military's most fundamental weapons safety rules.

"I learned in Boy Scouts, you don't point a weapon at anyone, loaded or unloaded," Damian Malone said, "The Marines say they'll reinforce that now. I thought that was obvious. You would think the Marines, above all, would know that."

Wednesday, May 13, 2009

I've said it before...



And I will say it again...you sure can stumble upon the funniest things on the internet.

My husband is a huge baseball fan. I have often heard him mention the hazing that rookie players often experience. In looking for a baseball card for my "name of the week" I stumbled upon these photos of rookie Dodgers.





Both certainly good for a chuckle or two....

Sunday, May 10, 2009

Happy Mothers Day!


Happy Mothers Day, mom, I love you and miss you so much!
I was so lucky to have you as my mother, you were the best mother anyone could ask for.
You took good care of us, and still are, I will never stop missing you.

Saturday, May 9, 2009

Vitamins are good for you....




For Young Men and Women...


For Men...



For Women...




For Everyone else....



Sunday, April 26, 2009

somethings got to change....

It does make you think…

These are trying times for our economy.

Many say it will get worse before it gets better.

We are in the process of doing some small home improvement projects. I called Lowes yesterday to see if their carpet installation special was still going on, and asked more detail. The special is still on however, once you get more detail…it really isn't that special. You know the typical game of this much more for that, and this much more for this. Making what you think is a great deal on carpet…not such a great deal.


The other night my husband made a very good point.

Budget cuts are looming in every direction....but you sure do not see them in th area of home improvement.

I work in a probation office…hm….business for us seems to go up in a bad economy…yet…we haven't had a raise in a couple of years and they are cutting positions of probation officers increasing the work load in a very stressful industry.

My husband is a teacher, a stressful occupation with not near enough thanks for what they do.
Education and Criminal Justice…these are two areas where you hate to see the cuts. Business
does not go down for them.

I really feel that corporations, government needs to sit down and listen to suggestions from "John Q. Public" we may not have Ivy League educations but we are the ones working in the trenches where you are cutting the jobs and making pay cuts.

Working for the State of Florida there are certain job positions that their health insurance is paid by the state. Hm…there is one sure way you could save some money.

The State sure could save money by not throwing money away in leasing office space. For the amount they have paid in leasing the building I work in they could have owned the building and built some equity.

Wouldn't it benefit the state to have some equity in buildings? Hm…equity for "John Q. Public" is a good thing. Hm…equity isn't that an asset? Sure would be a shame for the state to have an asset when they are facing shortfalls in budgets.

Budget = cuts to the ones that make less money. Sadly the ones that decide to make these cuts are making the wages of say, maybe three of these people total.

Boy, I sure hope our economy turns around soon.....

Monday, April 13, 2009

I just wonder about people...

I basically work as a receptionist, people sign in, I let their officer know they are there.

Okay, I work in a probation office and am not dealing with elite members of society.

We had a clock on the wall in the lobby so they could write in the time they signed in. Often people never even noticed the clock, they would just ask what time it was.

Well, when the time changed....the clock fell off the wall and is now history.

I realize now how many people actually looked at it....more than I thought.

We now have a small travel clock, I have a blue piece of paper taped to the window. "CLOCK" with an arrow pointing down to the small clock.

Yet people still do not see it.

I have even drawn an arrow on a piece of paper and taped it to my ruler so I can point to the clock.

Again, I am not encountering the most intelligent people...but for the love of Peter, Paul and Mary...if you have a watch on...why are you looking all around the lobby, and on all the walls behind the receptionist window for a clock? JUST LOOK AT YOUR WATCH!

Okay, I feel better...thank you to all of you in Blogdon letting me vent.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Too few drivers pay attention....

Sometimes I just wonder what people are thinking.


It actually scares me at times.


This afternoon at lunch I was going to go get gas, and run to JC Penney's and pick up the shoes I ordered.


Well, I did not make it even to the gas station. I did not know the gas was that low and ran out at at the corner. About a mile from work, and from the gas station.


There was a slight incline at the corner so I managed to get further back from the corner. I called AAA and then the wait began.


While I was on the phone with AAA I was amazed at how man people still pulled up behind me.


A car sitting dead still at a green light with flashers on. My first thought would be to move to the other lane to go around it. Oh no, that was not the case of the many who pulled up behind me and sat…until…duh…they realized that the light was green and I was not moving…oh…duh…she has her flashers on.

Once I was off the phone with AAA I got out and put my hood up, and opened my tailgate thinking this would help people to realize that my car would not be moving.

Well, one would have thought it would have helped…but oh no people still pulled up behind me until they got the clue.

So, it was my lunch hour and I just grabbed my lunch and sat in the open back end of my car and had a picnic.


Surprise surprise…people still pulled up behind me thinking the car would be moving. Um…a fat lady sitting in the open back end of an SUV with the flashers on, the hood up, eating her lunch.


Now tell me….wouldn't you have moved to the other lane?

I wish I had counted how many cars had just pulled up behind me, it really struck me sad as that proves how little people pay attention.

Kind of scary too when you think about it.

Sunday, March 22, 2009

Things happen for a reason...


I am a firm believer that things happen for a reason. This weekend sure pointed that out to me several times.


In searching for things regarding "microwave etiquette" I stumbled upon the "Shelfari" widget on someones blog.


Boy, is that right up my husbands alley. It is pretty cool, I put it on my blog too! If you are a reader I recommend you check it out. You may very well find many more books you would love to read.


Also, my husband is in search of a new watch. We went to Sam's Club, but struck out. Yet, found something there that we both really want for the yard which...it is a raised bed for gardening...me I think it will work great for herbs, or tomatoes.


Since we struck out in the search for watches we went to the mall. Now our mall here in Ocala is really not the biggest mall, and we had no luck with the watch hunt but stumbled upon something that worked quite well in the bedroom.


A new bedside lamp for my nightstand. I had ordered one from JC Penneys but was quite disappointed when it came as it was much smaller than it appeared online. So, that went back. This one was quite a deal and...the colors just work so great with the colors on our wall and in our bedroom.


Yep, things happen for a reason...from microwave mishaps...to watches needing to be replaced.


I sure wish my husbands watch did not need replacing as he really liked it though....but it got us too the mall....sorry babe about your watch....

My husband....is he lucky...or am I?


Oh, my poor husband. It’s Sunday morning…only two days of the week you get to sleep in.

I of course and up early…well…early as in around 9am. I of course…let the cat in, the cat who just seems to like to misbehave. Claw at the furniture, meow at the bedroom door behind which you are trying to sleep.

Your wife starts a project with pictures for a collage frame that you bought…oh…what 2 ½ years ago. Then…you get sucked in…the minute you come out of the bedroom…before the sleep has left your eyes and before you know it…a couple of hours have passed.

But…at least the three collage frames that have been sitting empty are now filled with smiling faces and memories.

The wall in the bedroom no longer looks like it is a display from Target!

Thank you my wonderful husband for your love, time and patience….

You truly are the best….

Saturday, March 21, 2009

a wish for teenagers...

You know, I have one wish for teenagers....


I wish you could see, and truly appreciate what your parents do for you.


Some have parents that make them do their share around the house, you know, certain chores assigned to them. Or help make dinner, or set the table, or clean up after dinner.


Yeah, I know you really wish you did not have to do these things, no, they are not fun...but...it is a part of life, a part of being a member of the family. They are all things that you will have to do when you are out on your own...hey...better to learn it now then when you have your own place and before you know it your new pad is looking like a toxic waste dump site.


Believe me you will see that your parents really did you a favor.


Some have parents that don't want you to have to worry about lifting a finger, want you to be pampered and sheltered. Your dinner is served to you, all you have to do is sit down at the dinner table and wait for the meal to arrive and then get up and leave the table when you are done, you don't even have to help take things to the kitchen after dinner, not even your own plate.


Worst thing is...you often take this type of parent for granted...rarely offer up a thank you for serving you...your often quicker to thank a waitress at a restaurant than you are your parent.

Meaning you treat the wait staff better than you do your own parents.


Yeah, sure this sounds great...but in the long run...what do you learn from this? Not a whole lot...and when you are out on your own...who is going to do that for you. You won't really even know how to wash dishes.


I know full well I was a spoiled child, there is no way I will deny that. I may have made my mom wait on me from time to time. I think I am a mixture of the two types teenagers I have mentioned....I think my parents were a mixture of the parents.


Who is to say which is the better way? I am not saying one is better than the other, well, in away I am because yeah teenagers do need to learn book smarts from school and focus on that...but they also need to learn to manage life, take care of themselves....some of them are going to go off to college and be in for a very rude awakening...I feel sad for them.

There were a lot of times I wish I had been more responsible around the house, and...yeah...I sure wish I had been more responsible in school too...we live and learn.


I just hope that they don't realize too late how much they have to thank their parents for. I know I did not thank my parents enough for all they did for me and I regret that. For me it is too late.

I sure hope that others learn to be thankful for their parents.....before it is too late for them.

Okay, so I guess I have more than one wish for teenagers...


Sure it is great to be waited on, pampered...but...remember to be thankful for it...a little "thanks dad/mom!" sure would be great...your home is not a restaurant....your parent is not a waiter/waitress.

Microwave Etiquette 101

So, you work in an office environment that has a small kitchen area with two microwaves. You put your food in to warm it up, for say, two minutes and run to the restroom. You get back and someone has taken your food out of the microwave set it on top and put in theirs.

Me, well I personally find this a little rude.



Some people agree with me that it was a rude thing to do, but some say if it was done and just sitting in the microwave unattended than they had the right to take mine out.


Me…I would have waited until the person came back and then taken my turn.

There must be some type of microwave etiquette. I was a little surprised to find several things pop up when I did a search for microwave etiquette, some rather funny experiences people have had. I am sure that those involved might not have found it as funny as those just reading about it.
I have gathered from some that I have read that I think most will find that I am wrong, that since I left it unattened the microwave was fair game.
Me...well....maybe it is more "who" took it out, yet...me...I still would have waited for the person...I just think it is a little rude to handle someone elses food.
What do you think?

Monday, March 2, 2009

When does the knife blade loose its edge?

We are approaching the five-month mark since my mother passed away. It literally was like my worst nightmare come true.

My father passed away thirteen years ago, and that was like a sucker punch to the heart. But mom was there, and even with as much as it hurt her to lose dad we has a parent to turn to for that parental support that you just always know is there.

For years I told my mom that she could never die! I know, as if she had control over that. But, I just knew that it would hurt so, so, much to lose her.

Last summer I flew up for a long weekend when my mother was going to have a procedure done, which ended up being postponed until the next week so, I missed being up there for it. She came through that with flying colors- little did we know that there was something else hiding in her brain just waiting to take her from us. I look back at when she took me to the airport. I checked in early then went and had breakfast, and still got back to the airport early. Rather than make her hang out at the airport I sent her on her way. I remember looking back at her as she got in her van thinking that this could be the last time I see her…and…it kind of was. It was because the next time I saw her she was in a hospital bed in a coma.

When it did happen, and suddenly, I never got say good-bye to her. It was fairly sudden with my father too, but he had been ill and in our hearts we knew it was a matter of time. Now that I think about it you would have thought that would have taught me the lesson to say the things you don't say. You know, like, thank you for all the support you give me, for the unconditional love, for forgiving me for hurting you when I never meant to. So many words that just get left unsaid, and then- it is too late.

I was very blessed with wonderful parents. Yes, I will be the first one to admit that they spoiled me. I did not want for anything.

They are even taking care of me now. I just wish it was in person rather than in spirit. I wish they could see how happy I finally am with a wonderful husband, who I must say spoils me more than they did. Mom did get to meet Sam. I wish they had been able to get to know each other more closely though. It was hard for her to have to learn to share me, and to have to split time between two families. Something I never managed to do, with out hurting her. I just hope she knows I never meant to hurt her. I think she knew that she could rest assured that Sam will always take good care of me.

The knife cut from losing mom is still so fresh, I just wonder how long till the blade of the knife begins to dull….

Wednesday, February 25, 2009

Part of the scenery....



Have you ever felt like you are just part of the scenery?




Me, I feel that way quite often. It has happened all my life, it is not like it is something that has just started to occur.




Now that I think about it, maybe that is why I often interrupt people. Which, is one of the things I need to work on. I wonder if I started doing that so I would not just be part of scenery.


Often I will start to say something, or will be saying something and it was like I never said anything. And again, as I said it has happened all my life.


Do you know me? I am that person you know who blends into the woodwork...becomes part of the scenery...I guess there are worse things though...

Thursday, February 5, 2009

the funniest things are out there....


You sure can stumble upon the funniest things when you are looking for photos on the internet....


Monday, February 2, 2009

The best...



Sou Chef-- that is my husband.


Emeril, my sou chef is better than your sou chefs!



And mine loves me!





I picked out recipe from a cookbook we bought, "50 great curries of India". On a Saturday night, when we have certain British comedy's that we watch, me, I picked out one that looked complicated for my cooking skills.




Did I mention it was 5:30 our shows start at 8:00 and we would still need to run to the grocery store for a few things....?




Well, we did the dash to the store, got back, and Sam got everything prepped for me. He is the best.




The timing turned out pretty good, and my Sou Chef even served us...which...well....okay, I confess he pretty much serves us everynight...boy...are we spoiled or what....?






Thursday, January 1, 2009

Worth a look....

This is a movie Sam got for Christmas, it is one of his favorites, "Crossing Delancey". We watched it tonight and I can see why it is one of his favorites. If you get the chance to watch it. I very much recommend it!




Those who touch our lives...



Another thing that we think back on at New Year's is those people who have touched our lives but have passed on.

Many touch our lives in small ways. Through our televisions, on the movie screens, on our stereos. Some were our teachers, or our friends, or family.

It is amazing how people can touch your life. You don't even have to meet them in person, or even know them and yet they have touched your life. Yes, sometimes not for the better, but for some reason they have touched your life.

I grew up watching television and there were a few that touched my life through television that we have lost: Suzanne Pleshette, Tom Posten, Harvey Korman-- the Carol Burnett show was always a favorite-- and Paul Newman. I can remember my mom taking me to the movie theater to see "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid". Some of them had led long lives, like Eartha Kitt (81), and some died young. Heath Ledger was only 28.

You also think about those who passed away in years passed. You never stop missing them and they are still very much a part of you, part of who you are. My father, my sister, my in-laws whom I never got the chance to meet. Even they are a part of me because they raised the man that I now share my life with.

This year I lost my mom. Day by day it is an adjustment, losing someone from your life. I still miss calling her on my break at work.

Thank you to all that touch our lives. You are forever in our hearts.

On Star....things that make you go hhhmmm...







An amazing technology that can do diagnostics on your car, right down to the tire pressure, make hands-free calls for you while you are driving, or tell if you have been in a wreck and get assistance for you. It can find a wife that has been out shopping longer than the husband had thought she would be.

I remember hearing that my Uncle Richard used it to find out where my Aunt Coralie was…Boy, she was not too happy. Sam has told me how someone in the sports world had the car locked with his wife inside it if I remember correctly…. another unhappy wife, I bet.

I just bought a new Saturn Vue. She has been dubbed "Vanna Vue". Yes, I am one of those people who name their cars. First, okay, the first was not my car, it was my parents Delta 88 who I named Robert. Then, they bought Joey for me to make payments on…well…I did not get to pick out Joey, so I did not really keep him long, but he was a great little Chevette. He was traded in for Mickey, who then was traded in for the only car that did not get named, who was then traded in for Shelby, who was then traded in for Nellie. I left Nellie at the Saturn dealer in Gainesville and left with Vanna Vue.

Boy, I guess I have had my share of cars.

But, I have strayed from what I had started to write about. This is my first car with On Star. My mother had it on her van and it came in pretty handy for her one time, she had to take it to the dealer and they told her it would be cheaper/easier for her to just back out, call On Star, and have them tell her what was wrong.

So far I have only used the phone feature last week in Michigan. The roads were not so good and it was a new car to me, so I opted not to use the cell phone and keep both hands on the wheel.

I was amazed when I just checked my email. They will send you diagnostics checks on your vehicle.

Vehicle Maintenance

Remaining Oil Life: 78%
Mileage: 3,119

Tire Pressure Monitoring:Normal
Recommended tire pressure - Front: 30 psi, Rear: 30 psi
No issues found.

Left Front:31 psi
Right Front:31 psi

Left Rear:31 psi
Right Rear:31 psi



This is an amazing technology to me, and yet, it kind of makes me think of a sci-fi movie where the powers that be can track people….what do you think?

It bears repeating...I am a Lucky...







Lucky woman!

I know I have mentioned how lucky I am to have Sam as my husband, I could not ask for a better person to share life with.

He truly does take wonderful care of me. While we were in Michigan for the holidays, my terrible knees were bothering me. I guess they have gotten used to warmer weather. There were times when it was difficult to put my socks and shoes on and he would do that for me.

He is amazing. This was our third New Year's Eve together, and each day I realize more and more how lucky I am.

I had thought about getting a room at a bed & breakfast for the night, but after having been away from home it was not as appealing as it could have been.

Sam shopped for food for last night and today, and he created a delicious dinner for us. We had Strip Steaks with Gorgonzola Sauce, Roasted Garlic Mashed Potatoes with Roasted Green Beans with Shallots and Hazelnuts.

It sure was a delight to my taste buds! How lucky am I to have Sam for my husband?

Resolve = Solution to Happiness…

That time of year again…Resolution time!

Resolution…Brett Favre…Retire, maybe for real, this year!

Auto industry resolution…All the big wigs in the corporate automotive world...sell your corporate jets. That would bail out your industry and you won't have to hit up the public that has tried to help you by buying your cars. Please resolve to make the change that needs to be done to make your industry move forward!

America's resolution…Wow, our first African-America president!.. Plus a president that actually sounds like he wants to help our country, rather than dig the hole deeper. It is time for America to crawl out from under a bush!

Resolution…Television networks...Resolve not to show the same commercial 3 minutes apart….

Resolution...Detroit…Get some pride!…Resolve to impeach William Ford Clay and resuscitate the Lions! (I guess you could put the Tigers in the same intensive care ward as the Lions.) Although…you will get the first pick in the drafts…again!

Resolution…People, please!…Do not have a baby just for the sake of having babies, or for the sake of getting more welfare, or for the sake of keeping someone in a relationship. That baby is a precious gift from God that you are taking for granted by having it for the wrong reason. Show some more respect to the meaning of life!

Resolution...I...Resolve to be, as stated previously, a better wife but I also resolve to be:

  • more organized
  • a better housekeeper
  • a better cook
  • thinner ;o)
  • more positive
  • more aware of the world
  • more knowledgeable
  • more patient

Whew….Thankfully I have Sam to help me with my resolutions. ;o) He is my solution to happiness!

May you all find your own solutions to happiness in 2009!