Tuesday, September 26, 2006

Rummy


Fwd: Rummy
Originally uploaded by LadyGunn.
Here's Rumsfeld & me on the way from Pratt to Wichita, where we got his tags & met Lyn from Bloggin' Outloud for coffee. Kat & Ramone went along for the ride.

Rummy was brought in to the shelter as a stray & they guess he's about 2 or 3 years old.

Musical Meme

I'm stealing this from caltechgirl.

List seven songs you are into right now. No matter what the genre, whether they have words, or even if they’re not any good, but they must be songs you’re really enjoying now. Post these instructions in your blog along with your seven songs. Then tag seven other people to see what they’re listening to.

1. No More No Less ~ MercyMe

I hope you stare just long enough to see
The heart that's beating here inside of me
Beyond all the things you may think you know
I'm just a kid trying to make it home, that's it
No more, no less
Lord, I want to go home
Nothing more, nothing less

I love this song, partially because toward the end where they sing the last 2 lines posted here, it sounds like an old fashioned barber shop quartet in the background. I'm a big fan of baritones...

2. She Will Be Loved ~ Maroon 5

It's not always rainbows and butterflies
It's compromise that moves us along
My heart is full and my door's always open
You can come anytime you want

I don't mind spending everyday
Out on your corner in the pouring rain
Look for the girl with the broken smile
Ask her if she wants to stay awhile
And she will be loved
She will be loved

3. The Point of No Return ~ The Phantom of the Opera

Past the point of no return -
no backward glances:
our games of make believe
are at an end . . .

Past all thought of "if" or "when" -
no use resisting:
abandon thought,
and let the dream descend . . .

I used to listen to this all the time in the car, but there is now a scratch right smack dab in the middle of this song & it annoys me to no end...

4. A Foggy Day ~ Ella Fitzgerald & Louis Armstrong

A foggy day in London town,
had me low and had me down
I viewed the morning with alarm,
The British museum
Had lost it's charm
How long, how long I wondered,
Could this thing last,
But the age of miracles hadn't past
And suddenly I saw you there
And in foggy London town,
The sun was shining everywhere

5. I Won't Dance ~ Jane Monheit & Michael Buble

I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance, don't ask me
I won't dance monseiur with you
My heart won't let my feet do things that they should do

You know what, you're lovely, you know what, so lovely
And you oh what you do to me
I'm like an ocean wave that's bumped on the shore
I feel so absolutely stumped on the floor

6. Kokomo ~ Beach Boys

Everybody knows a little place like Kokomo
Now if you wanna go to get away from it all
Go down to Kokomo
Aruba, Jamaica, ooh I wanna take you to

Bermuda, Bahama, come on pretty mama
Key Largo Montego, baby why don't we go
Ooh I wanna take you down to Kokomo,
we'll get there fast and then we'll take it slow
That's where we wanna go, way down in Kokomo.

7. 455 Rocket ~ Kathy Mattea

Mr. Smith had an oldsmobile
Baby blue with them wire wheels
I took her home the day that she was advertised
He said she leaked when, it would rain
And sounded like an aeroplane
But I knew she was a jewel in disguise

She had a 455 Rocket
The biggest block alive
I couldn't hardly wait just to take my turn
She was made for the straight aways
She grew up hating Chevrolets
She's a Rocket, she was made to burn

Whose junkpile piece of Chevelle is this?
You boys come here to race or just kiss?
Don't you wanna know what I got underneath my hood?
I know she might sound like she's missing
But buddy, she could teach you a lesson
In just a quarter mile, and I'll smoke you good

In my 455 Rocket
The kind the police drive
I couldn't hardly wait just to take my turn
She was made for the straight aways
She grew up hating Chevrolets
She's a Rocket, she was made to burn

I'm telling you and I ain't ashamed
I cried when that wrecker came
As we skid I thought I heard the angels sing (sounded like the Beach Boys)
We hit the curve and began to sail
Took out most of the safety rail
Even the cop asked me
"Man, what'd you have in that thing?"

I had a 455 Rocket
The very kind you drive
You oughta watch yourself when you take that turn
'Cause she was made for the straight aways
She grew up hating Chevrolets
She's a Rocket, she was made to burn
Lord, she's a Rocket she was made to burn

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
I'm not tagging anyone, but feel free to steal it if you like...

Update on the Furries

Well, Rumsfeld is home. He's big, but not quite as big as I expected him to be. That's kinda okay though. He's about the same height as a Lab, it's just the forward end & that head that are so huge.

He & Sydney are, umm... working out their differences. Sorta. She's staying up in the closet shelves & he's wondering why she doesn't come play with him. He chased her once the first day - I guess somebody made a sudden move & it was on.

He is about the calmest, sweetest dog I've seen in a long while. He played with Ramone & Kat's Beagle Riley & their neighbor's Lab Festus (love that name) & later with my friend & neighbor C's therapy Lab Teddy. Rummy was so good, he listened to me anytime I talked to him. We went for a several mile walk today & worked on not crowding me or pulling & he improved quite a bit. I can let him loose in the yard while I'm hanging up laundry & he comes right back when I call. By the way, Newton has a strict leash law - $100 fine if he's off the leash at all. No playing fetch in the park, nothin'.

My folks are worried that he'll bite somebody's kids, what with the Rottie in him. But he's a lot less aggressive than 90% of all the dogs I've met, so it's all good.

Whoo-Hoo!

It worked! My new template is in place. Now to get some free image editing software & figure out how to make a purty little header...

Wednesday, September 20, 2006

It's A Boy!

Everyone, I'd like you to meet Bud. He's a half Rottweiler, half Mastiff boy that will be coming home with me on Saturday from the Pratt Humane Society.
What a good boy!
By the way, his name will be changed to Rumsfeld, Rummy for short.
*Insert diabolical laugh here*

The Three Forms of Chocolate

Sunday at lunch we got into a discussion about the different forms of chocolate - solid, liquid and gas. Now, we've never seen gaseous chocolate, so Nic & H came up with the truly brilliant plan to use chemistry students at the schools they work in to figure out how to make it happen. They could market it as a nasal spray, in aerosol cans or in candy bars that would release like the Hall's cough drops. (A fella in the group who just happens to be an engineer started having the vapors over vaporizing chocolate. Hee hee)

Anyway, as we were leaving, several friends said they would much rather have a serious discussion than a completely illogical one like the chocolate one. They didn't seem too put out while all the laughing was going on, in fact as I recall they were laughing too.

Life can't always be deep theological or doctrinal lectures. Even God, especially God, has a sense of humor. You think he doesn't - go take a look in the mirror. Now that right there is some funny stuff. The platypus - one darn goofy-lookin' animal. The things kids say & do - downright hilarious. As Ken Davis puts it, God doesn't look down and say "Look - my people are having fun. NO!" and stomp us into oblivion. He's probably going "Hey angels - come look at what this guy did!" and laughs.

Well, those are my two cents. Hope you have a funny, side-splitting day.

Arrgghh Mateys!

I needs be walkin' the plank. This wench neglected to run up the Jolly Roger yestermorn. Aye, a scallywag I be! Throw me in the brig for fergettin' 'twas National Talk Like A Pirate Day, laddies. Just leave me flintlock an' cutlass be or I'll be leading a mutiny again' ye!

(I think I need a little practice with this whole piratey thing. I did remember yesterday at work, so the girls got a good dose & I ended up with a sore throat from all the "Arrr"s.)

And from the Veggified landlubbers:
The Pirates Who Don't Do Anything

Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt, Larry:
We are the pirates who don't do anything
We just stay at home and lie around
And if you ask us to do anything
We'll just tell you
We don't do anything

Pa Grape:
Well I've never been to Greenland
And I've never been to Denver
And I've never buried treasure in St. Louis or St. Paul
And I've never been Moscow
And I've never been to Tampa
And I've never been Boston in the fall

Chorus w/ Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt, and Larry

Mr. Lunt:
And I've never hoist the mainstay
And I've never swabbed the poopdeck
And I've never veer to starboard 'cause I never sail at all
And I've never walked the gangplank
And I've never owned a parrot
And I've never been to Boston in the fall

Chorus

Larry:
Well I've never plucked a rooster
And I'm not too good at ping pong
And I've never thrown my mashed potatoes up against the wall
And I've never kissed a chipmunk
And I've never gotten head lice
And I've never been to Boston in the fall

Pa Grape: Huh? What are you talkin' about? What's a rooster and mashed potatoes have to do with being a pirate?
Mr. Lunt: Hey, that's right. We're supposed to sing about pirate-y things.
Larry: Oh!
Pa Grape: And who's ever kissed a chipmunk? That's just nonsense! Why even bring it up? Am I right? What do you think?
Mr. Lunt: I think you look like Cap'n Crunch.
Pa Grape: Huh? No, I don't.
Mr. Lunt: Do too.
Pa Grape: Do not.
Mr. Lunt: You're making me hungry.
Pa Grape: That's it. You're walking the plank.
Mr. Lunt: Says who?
Pa Grape: Says the Cap'n, that's who.
Mr. Lunt: Oh yeah? Aye aye, Cap'n Crunch! hehehehe
Pa Grape: Argh!
Mr. Lunt: Yipes!

Larry: And I've never licked a spark plug
And I've never sniffed a stink bug
And I've never painted daisies on a big red rubber ball
And I've never bathed in yogurt
And I don't look good in leggings

Pa Grape: You just don't get it.

Pa Grape, Mr. Lunt, and Larry:
And we've never been to Boston in the fall.

Pa Grape: Pass the chips! Who's got the remote control?
Larry: Here it is!
Mr. Lunt: Time for Geraldo!
Pa Grape: It's definitely time for Dragnet.
Mr. Lunt: Oh, I don't like this show.
Larry: Hey, look! I found a quarter!

Sweetness

I was flipping channels last night & stumbled across Standoff. They were going in to take down some evildoers & the good guys had CornerShots. Man, those things are flippin' sweet! Dad & I ran across a show on cable while we were on vacation that demonstrated what these babies can do. We were both practically drooling.

The CornerShot 40 grenade launcher is especially amazing. I would love to play with one 'a them. Mmm.. things that go boom...

By the way, did I ever mention that Ramone, at age 12 or so, named his kittens Arnold Schwartzenegger (later discovered to be a momma cat), Grenade Launcher, Missile Launcher and I think there was one other similarly named....

Update: I remember now! The last one was Rocket Launcher!

;)

Woof! *wink*

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

One Tough Mama

Did I mention that the week before Punkin was born, Belle mowed the lawn and the Sunday before she was induced, she drove the new 4-wheeler over to Grandma's house to surprise the cousins?

Nine months pregnant and driving a 4-wheeler... I love my family.

Dancing Self Defense

I had the hobbits yesterday & when Jay came to pick them up, he told Lil'Un to show me what she's been learning in her martial arts class.

She started twirling around with a kick or a punch here and there. She looked like a little ballerina, with the exception of the kicks and the "Hiyaah!"s. Ah, martial ballet...

Meet Sugar Plum

I've been planning on doing a post with pictures but since Blogger isn't cooperating, I'll go ahead and make the announcement.

My new little niece, Sugar Plum, was born on Wednesday, September 6th. Eight pounds, three ounces.

Bobo originally said that she's going to be the first of ten sisters, but now he's changed his tune. He wants another brother instead.

Monday, September 18, 2006

Fluffiness

Since Blogger is apparently going to be difficult again & refuse to load my pictures, I'll share some more useless fluff. Prepared to be amazed or, uhh... something...


You Are Bert

Extremely serious and a little eccentric, people find you loveable - even if you don't love them!

You are usually feeling: Logical - you rarely let your emotions rule you

You are famous for: Being smart, a total neat freak, and maybe just a little evil

How you live your life: With passion, even if your odd passions (like bottle caps and pigeons) are baffling to others

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

You Are Incredibly Logical

Move over Spock - you're the new master of logic
You think rationally, clearly, and quickly.
A seasoned problem solver, your mind is like a computer!

(I think my mind is missing it's hard drive.)
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
You Are a Centaur

In general, you are a very cautious and reserved person.
However, you are also warm hearted, and you enjoy helping others in practical ways.
You are a great teacher, and you are really good at helping people get their lives in order.
You are very intuitive, and you go with your gut. You make good decisions easily.

Woo-hoo! Ponies! Well, part pony, but still...

Wednesday, September 13, 2006

Chillens *sigh*

Amazing how one kid can come into a placement & throw everything completely out of whack.

The girl who ran & was raped several weeks ago has turned this cottage upside down & the other girls are helping her out. Apparently being beaten & raped didn't have that much of an impact on her. She's still taking off whenever she gets a chance. Of the twelve girls we have, eight are on restriction (a consequence for poor behaviours) and another is in the area's mental hospital. Half of them are scratching on themselves and running. (The epileptic runaway on the news was from the other girls' cottage on campus.)

Before the new girl came in, another was scheduled to be discharged to her family the following Friday. She let herself be talked into running with the others, so now she's here for a while longer. Several of them were doing so well but now they've backslid.

Sometimes it just makes me wonder what the heck I'm doing here....

Update: I just read that a kid threw a dead bug at a staff - the horrors we go through as staff. *snort* :D I guess we do get a few laughs here & there...

Tuesday, September 12, 2006

Colorado - Part 1

So, the parental units & I went on a vacation to Colorado. We stopped at Dodge City on the way out there to wander around Boot Hill for a while. We didn't get many pictures & all of the graves (as far as they know, anyway) were moved to the regular cemetary way back when, so they had a few markers & several pair of concrete boots pointing out of the ground, toes up, on the hill. We went through all the buildings, but the favourite part for Mom & me was the room with Victorian clothes. We both fell in love with this purple, lace-trimmed gown below. I think I've found the inspiration for my wedding gown...

We stayed in a little cabin in Manitou Springs the first three nights. (Tweren't too clean, but it was cheap.) Did a lot of sight-seeing, including touring
Miramont Castle. We ended up talking to this fella named Virgil, who was dressed as a sheriff & was carrying a purty little revolver. He had some good stories about ghosts & changes that had been made to the castle over the years. Mom & I had tea in the tea room while Dad hung out with the model trains. The scones - wow. Best ones I've ever had. Our tea sandwiches are pictured below. Yum yum...

We drove down to Cripple Creek & Victor one day & toured a mine (
the Mollie Kathleen) that went down 1,000 feet. That was very cool. The lives those men lived & the work they did (and still do) was amazing & so very dangerous. We each got a little piece of gold ore to take home. You can see the gold sparkle in it. Unfortunately, we forgot the camera up top with Mom, so no pictures.

After the mine tour, we went on a ride in an
old narrow gauge train that wound through some absolutely gorgeous country & showcased some historic mining sites. There were lots of old buildings like the pictured below. It would've been so fun to go explore through some of those.
This big pile of discarded ore holding up the train tracks replaced an old wooden trestle bridge. They figure there's over a million in gold in them thar rocks, but it wouldn't be worth the labor to pull it out.
We stopped at an old ghost town that was burned to the ground long ago, with the exception of a very few buildings, one of which is pictured above. After telling us a bit more of the history of the area, the engineer let off the steam that had been building up. Mom managed to get a shot of it.

Monday, September 11, 2006

Remembering

I'll never forget where I was on September 11, 2001.

I was working on putting together the nose of a Cessna Citation Excel jet, standing on the south side of the jig when I heard over my headphones that a plane had hit the World Trade Center. I'm ashamed to say that my first thought was "great, another Cessna hits a building & we're gonna get blamed for it." (There had been several stories in the news in the preceding months about Cessnas crashing & I assumed that this was another little turbo-prop.) When I heard there was another crash and they said the planes were Boeings, I was floored. I listened to the news all day until I was numb from the shock and horror. When I got home and finally saw the pictures of the devastation... there are no words to describe how I felt. Even now, my chest is tightening up and the only prayer that I can compose is "Oh, God..."

I didn't lose anyone I knew in the terror attacks that day, but it has still had an impact on my life. I pay more attention to what is going on outside of my own little world. I am more aware of our brave military men & women. I tried to join the military so I could go kick some terrorist butt, but they wouldn't let me in.

And now after that Perspectives class last spring, I have a different, uh... perspective. There is more of an urgency to my spiritual life especially as I feel called to go and do something. We need Biblically-grounded missionaries over in the Middle-East who stand firm on both grace and truth to reach those radical Muslims. The love, grace and truth of Christ is the only thing that could cause such a radical shift in their worldview that the terrorism would stop. Unfortunately, with the end times coming closer, that is very, very unlikely to happen. Still, with every one that is reached, shown the Truth... that is one less terrorist who is killing innocents and, ultimately, more glory to God.

I know some people are going to say that I'm crazy, a nutcase. I've never claimed to be otherwise. ;D Yes, there is a lot of danger and risk involved. But "Whoever tries to keep his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life will preserve it." Luke 17:33.

Anyway, I didn't mean for this evolve into what it did, but that's what came out so, yeah...

Barbara P. Walsh

This is in remembrance of Barbara P. Walsh from Staten Island, New York.


Barbara.jpg



Barbara worked as an adminstrative assistant for Marsh & McLennan on the 96th floor of Tower 1. More than that, she was a gracious lady who opened her heart and home to friends and family. A grandmother who loved to cook and garden and a niece who took time for her aunt.

I sincerely wish I knew more about her, that I had known her myself, but I don't. So I'll let her family and friends tell you who Barbara was.

~~~~~~~

The glue that held the family together ~ from Portraits

~~~~~~~
From Legacy.com:

Thank you for letting me into you life. You treated me like you own child. I will never forget that. You have done great things for me and helped us out so much.
We miss you very much but will never forget you.
You have a grand-daughter on the way. Her name will be Brook Ashley. Allison and I decided that the baby's name had to start with a "B" in your honor. ~ Frank, son-in-law

You were a good friend to me on the ferry every morning at 7:40am and I will miss you. ~ Cheryl

Barbara was the sister I never had-- I adolized her as a child. She made me a part of her family and we had wonderful vacations with our children as they were growing up. I have wonderful memories of our years together. I knew on that day 9/11 that you might be in trouble--but thought you would miraculously escape. I miss you terribly, our weekly chats and still think of you all the time. You will be in my heart forever. ~ Rita, cousin

I miss you very much,miss the many laughs we shared over little things,you are in my prayers every day. ~ Maureen, sister

It seems like yesterday that you left us. Not a day goes by when everyone doesnt think of you. ...You will always be in our hearts and prayers. ~ Patrick, nephew

~~~~~~~
From The Staten Island Advance:

She was always very helpful and caring, ...She'd do anything for anybody. ~ Jennifer, daughter

~~~~~~~

To any family or friends of Barbara's who should happen upon this page, you have my sympathy and my prayers. You were so very blessed to have her in your lives and a part of her will carry on in your hearts.

"The Lord bless you and keep you; the Lord make His face shine upon you and be gracious to you; the Lord turn His face toward you and give you peace." Numbers 6:24-26

The rest of the 2,996 tributes can be found at Mad Momma Jen since the origianl site is down.
That 1 Guy at Drunken Wisdom also has the list up. If you are looking for someone in particular, typing CTRL + F will allow you to search for their name.

Sunday, September 03, 2006

Just Stoppin' In

Getting a quick 'net fix during a break at the reunion. Will have pictures sometime when we get back.

One more thing - Peanut called Friday to report that Sydney is crazy. (Not exactly a news flash) She went to check on the kitty, who meowed very loudly & followed her everywhere, but stayed 2 or 3 feet away all the time. She eventually allowed Peanut to pet her a bit. Guess I should go home & give her someone to fuss at more often.

See y'all later.