Memo to the Family Cat and Dog

(note: I know you all have seen this. I just really get a big kick out of it. I guess cause it's so true. I added a few of my own 'truths'. Enjoy, Pam)
1. When I say move, it means go someplace else. It does not mean switch positions with each other so there are still two of you in the way.
2. The dishes on the floor are yours and contain your food. All other dishes are mine and contain my food. Please note: placing a paw print in the middle of my dinner does not stake your claim on it, nor do I find it aesthetically pleasing in any way.
3. The stairway was not designed by NASCAR and is not a racetrack. Beating me to the bottom is not the object. Tripping me doesn't help because I fall faster than you can run.
4. I cannot buy anything bigger than a king size bed. Locate your innerbeast and remember that sleeping animals can actually curl up in a ball, so it is not necessary to sleep perpendicular to each other, stretched out to the fullest extent possible.
5. My CDs are not miniature Frisbees.
6. For the last time, humans like to use the bathroom alone. If by some miracle I beat you there and manage to get the door shut, it won't help to claw, whine, meow, bite the knob, or get your paw under the edge and try to pull the door open. Trust me, I have been using the bathroom for years; canine or feline attendance is not mandatory.
7. When you see me asleep on the couch, it is not funny to make a sudden leap onto my stomach and drop a chew toy, bone or jingle ball on my crotch, no matter how much that makes other family members laugh.
8. Dog: Don't think for a minute that making a sad face and whimpering pathetically will get you out of trouble when I find a puddle of pee on the carpet. The face and the whimpering only validate that you knew it was wrong when you did it.
9. Cat: My sitting down to bite into a juicy sandwich is not a signal for you to begin gagging loudly and then choke up the most disgusting hairball in history.
10. Dog and Cat: the proper order is kiss me, then go lick yourself. I CANNOT STRESS THIS ENOUGH.
I'd like to add a few of my own:
11. My underwear is not a chew toy.
12. Sticking your nose in my crotch or anyone else's crotch will not win you any friends.
13. It is not necessary to stick your butt in my face while I sleep.
14. I don't come up to you and burp in your face, I would appreciate if you would reciprocate.
15. No matter how much I love you...my leg is not a sex toy.
and finally,
16. Thank you for putting up with me on my very worst days and loving me anyways.

To pacify you, I have posted the following message on our front door:

MEMO TO NON-PET OWNING GUESTS
1. They live here; you don't.
2. If you don't want their hair on your clothes, stay off the furniture.
3. I like them better than I like most people.
4. To you, it's an animal. To me, it's an adopted child who is short, hairy, walks on all fours and is speech-challenged.
5. Dogs and cats are better than kids: they eat less, are easier to train, usually come when called, don't ask for money, never drive your car, don't hang out with losers, don't drink or smoke, don't worry about the latest fashions, don't wear your clothes, don't need a gazillion dollars for college, and if they get pregnant you can sell the children. And, when I want to go out in the evening, I don't need a babysitter, I put you in your bed (crate). (last one is mine too)

Hope you enjoyed...Pam

Tell Me

This is an email I got from my sister-in-law Janet, some many weeks ago. Tell me-which one of these struck you as special today and why? And which one of these don't you particulary agree with or even down right disagree with?

INSTRUCTIONS FOR A WONDERFUL, FULFILLING LIFE

from
http://www.AsAManThinketh.net

1 Give people more than they expect and do it cheerfully.

2 Memorize your favorite poem.

3 Don't believe all you hear, spend all you have, or sleep all you want.

4 When you say, "I love you", mean it.

5 When you say, "I'm sorry", look the person in the eye.

6 Be engaged at least six months before you get married.

7 Believe in love at first sight.

8 Never laugh at anyone's dreams.

9 Love deeply and passionately. You might get hurt but it's the only way to live life completely.

10 In disagreements, fight fairly. No name-calling.

11 Don't judge people by their relatives.

12 Talk slowly but think quickly.

13 When someone asks you a question you don't want to answer, smile and ask, "Why do you want to know?"

14 Remember that great love and great achievements involve great risk.

15 Call your mom.

16 Say "bless you" when you hear someone sneeze.

17 When you lose, don't lose the lesson.

18 Remember the three R's: Respect for self; Respect for others; Responsibility for all your actions.

19 Don't let a little dispute injure a great friendship.

20 When you realize you've made a mistake, take immediate steps to correct it.

21 Smile when picking up the phone. The caller will hear it in your voice.

22 Marry a man/woman you love to talk to. As you get older, conversational skills will be as important as any other.

23 Spend some time alone.

24 Open your arms to change, but don't let go of your values.

25 Remember that silence is sometimes the best answer.

26 Read more books and watch less TV.

27 Live a good, honorable life. Then when you get older and think back, you'll get to enjoy it a second time.

28 Trust in God but lock your car.

29 A loving atmosphere in your home is so important. Do all you can to create a tranquil harmonious home.

30 In disagreements with loved ones, deal with the current situation. Don't bring up the past.

31 Read between the lines.

32 Share your knowledge. It's a way to achieve immortality.

33 Be gentle with the earth.

34 Pray. There's immeasurable power in it.

35 Never interrupt when you are being flattered.

36 Mind your own business.

37 Don't trust a man/woman who doesn't close his/her eyes when you kiss.

38 Once a year, go someplace you've never been before.

39 If you make a lot of money, put it to use helping others while you are living. That is wealth's greatest satisfaction.

40 Remember that not getting what you want is sometimes a stroke of luck.

41 Learn the rules then break some.

42 Remember that the best relationship is one where your love for each other is greater than your need for each other.

43 Judge your success by what you had to give up in order to get it.

44 Remember that your character is your destiny.

45 Approach love and cooking with reckless abandon.

Monday MeMe

Just a quick note to let you know Monique is trying to raise money for Children's Hospital in Boston. I know how generous you all are and I wanted to get the word out. So click here.

We are supposed to pick something from our list of 100 Things About Me list and elaborate.

#82. I wish I could live on a 2,000 or more acre ranch in the mountains.
It's been a dream of mine for about 14 years. I picture...

a rustic, but large ranch house with outlying houses such as a bunkhouse, barn and guest house nestled in a valley with a vigorous stream running thru it and large trees dotted along the stream. The drive from the main road to the main house would be long enough that it would discourage lookeyloo's but not so far that it couldn't easily be walked. Plenty of sun would shine in the valley so it won't be a narrow one. Along the rustic lines, the entrance would be understated.
The ranch and its outfielders would be 100% off the grid. There would be a root cellar. A large garden shed with an attached greenhouse. The bunk house would have bunk beds of course, but not in a row like a military barracks. It would be open though. It would also have a large gathering room. Large enough to be separated into small areas for every day use or opened up for a dance if you wanted. Fireplaces of course. Mostly for ambiance and occasional roasting.
The main house would have a large kitchen with align pantry and eating area. Large enough for 3 people to work comfortably. Seating enough for 12-16 people. One of the few luxuries would be a theater with stadium seating. 3 or 4 bedrooms as well as an office and family room and master suite. No formal living or dining room. A library/conservatory would be nice though. Along the back will be a large porch. Partially screened in. Perfect for sitting outside on hot nights or with a fire in the fireplace on cool nights.
The barn would be partly insulated and heated for caring for animals-grooming, nurturing sick animals and newborns.
I would like to have a pool. I saw one in BHG about 2 years ago and have kept a color copy. It walked out so that children (big ones too) and animals could wade but look like it was always there and part of the landscape for years. Like a local watering hole with a waterfall.
The guest house would have more bedrooms and a small kitchen.
With 2,000 acres I would love to have close family/friends live sustainably on the ranch.
I would like to have a herd of wild mustangs, some milk cows, some cattle, some alpacas for shearing. Also chickens and pigs. Of course there would be riding and working horses as well and let's not forget about cats and dogs. Lots of them.
A vegetable garden bordering on the size of a truck garden and a cutting flower garden along with scattered decorative but natural looking flower beds. Definitely a large old tree with a tire swing and a tree house. A hammock is an absolute must.

Why do I want a bunk house? Because I would have inner city youths (pronounced yuts...hehe) come up in the summer for 4 weeks to work with the mustangs and other ranch chores. It would be a combo summer camp and working ranch experience. In the winter they could come up with their family if they wanted, for a very old fashioned (think 'White Christmas') celebration.

That's it. My dream. May come to be a reality. I have it as one of my V2R statements.
Ciao, Pam

One More

Stacy, the Peanut Queen, emailed me and wanted to play this meme. So here are your answers, PQ:

1. Stacy, I love how you flirt but remain loyal and true to your man. I think you are quite humerous and flirtatious without being pornish like so many blogs I see. I definitely admire that about you and I wish I possesed that quality.

2. 'Smart Woman in a Real Short Skirt' by Jimmy Buffett

3. I thought this was appropriate on so many levels: All our dreams can come true, if we have the courage to pursue them." Walt Disney

4. If you could choose again, would you still marry the PK?

Sunday Stuff

unconscious Mutterings Week 173
I say ... and you think ... ?

1. Bounce :: Roll
   
2. Wasting time :: Squander
   
3. Utility :: Vehicle
   
4. London :: Warsaw and New York
   
5. Pregnant :: Cow
   
6. Cranberry :: Cookie
   
7. International :: Coffee, or House of Pancakes
   
8. Disappointment :: Forgive
   
9. Sponsor :: Shaklee
   
10. Second :: Floor, Lingerie
    

Yeah, today I have NO problems loading pictures in blogger. Yesterday was an exercise in frustration. I have started a wordpress site but haven't worked at all with it. I may consider changing. Those that have been on blogger and wordpress...what do you think?

GREAT SUMMER READ:

There are some books that help you in life. Certainly I know a fair number of folks that say the Bible defines, shapes, structures and guides their lives. I know the works of Richard Bach, Dr. Kenneth Ring and some others have shown me some fundamental truths. But works of fiction? Help you in life? Not usually. Usually, they are brain candy. Or for me, brain vacation. Totally immersed in the story. So focused, I might not know you were standing next to me talking, much less in the house!!

I am not going to reveal any spoilers for you but this book fanned the spark that had flickered intermittently since I was a teen. I love this book. One of the few works of fiction that I have read repeatedly. Let me ask you this first.

Did you or do you have an opinion about the reintroduction of wolves to Yellowstone? Do you feel the government should allow out of season hunting on predators if they threaten livestock?

Whatever your answer, this book shows you a different perspective then either one exploited by the media. It helped me to structure some research which then allowed me to be able to speak with education, as well as emotion, on many subjects that I am passionate about. Many years ago, 11 to be exact, a neighbor gave me a nickname and I have used it ever since. Some of you already know it. Motherearth. I am the weird woman on my block that organic gardens, recycles, has a water barrel for watering flowers etc. I was never offended by the nickname. In time I embraced the title in order to help others know that the concepts of caring for our earth are important to me.

Am I a conservationist, a radical environmentalist? No, I actually follow the middle of the road mostly. Like so many Americans, I have some liberal leanings and some conservative leanings. But in the end, I would have to say I am a conservationist. Here is one of wikipedia's definitions of a conservationist as it applies to me:

The consumer conservation ethic is sometimes expressed by the four R's: " Reduce, Recycle, Reuse, Rethink" This social ethic primarily relates to local purchasing, moral purchasing, the sustained and efficient use of renewable resources, the moderation of destructive use of finite resources, and the prevention of harm to common resources such as air and water quality, the natural functions of a living earth, and cultural values in a built environment.The principal value underlying most expressions of the conservation ethic is that the natural world has intrinsic and intangible worth along with utilitarian value — a view carried forward by the scientific ecology movement and some of the older Romantic schools of conservation.

See, I know, without a fraction of a doubt, that the earth...nature, will recover from whatever atrocity we throw at it. It has already proven that fact, that premise, repeatedly.

Here is the kicker....here is the thing I am most passionate about and what I want everyone to know. Nature, the earth, will recover. It just won't be the earth that we know. It won't be the environment we know. But whatever we do...has consequences and those consequences will affect our posterity. You know, those short people that hang around your house and then grow up and have other short people.

I may be accused of pontificating. So be it. I don't do this for myself so much as I do it for nature. So, if my lecturing annoys you, well, the back arrow is right up above. No harm, no foul.

My toe is right on target. The constant ThRoBbInG has subsided. I was even able to put on a sandal...*sheepish grin* a Birkenstock. I still have to alter my gait to avoid pressure on the toe. Some terribly sad news....I am afraid I have to tell my mother that her wedding present, that our family used and then I used for many years, finally died yesterday. It was a sad, sad day.

The heat element went. I suppose we could find someone to fix it. Probably for the same amount it would cost to buy a new one. Considering how I feel about reusing and not adding to the waste stream, I will probably try to find someone who would be able to fix it. I'm also just waiting for the blender to go.
Another kitchen appliance I inherited from my parent's divorce. I use this thing every day for my Shaklee shakes.

Hmm, what other interesting tidbits can I share with you?
Did I ever tell you about the time....

I enlisted in the Army back in 1980 and I wanted to be a counter intelligence agent. School was an 18 month wait. So I got talked into being a Combat Medic. Which no longer exists in the Army anymore. Now they are Healthcare Specialists. On a side note-I laughed at all my schoolmates who went to nursing school right out of high school. Only one ended up being a nurse besides me. Don't say never.
While stationed in Georgia at the lovely 'resort' of Ft. Stewart GA, I had many opportunities to grow. I drove a Deuce and a half or a 2 1/2 ton truck;
(stock photo)
I ran the Troop Medical Clinic's Treatment room; I was the Wardmaster for the Surgical Ward; I ordered all the supplies and drugs for our unit...24th Medical Battalion Company B all at the same time. In twenty months we went to the field twenty-two times.
I learned so many things. How to shine leather, how to paint rocks...ah, just kidding. I mean I did learn those things. I also learned out to suture wounds; put up a GP Medium tent with one other person;

how to stay awake and alert for 36 hours; disassemble and assemble an M16A1 semi automatic rifle in 2 mins blindfolded; pack a 14 inch deep hip wound without gagging; put in a foley catheter; give shots; start an IV etc. I earned an EFMB which is the Expert Field Medical Badge.

One training exercise we went on was more important than any other. It was our ARTEP or Army Readiness and Training Evaluation Program. We had to do it-our mission-live and be tested on our ability. It included things like amount of time to be operational, which is from arrival at site, to ability to take patients, light and noise discipline, jump (move half your equipment and personnel to new site and be operational in 2 hours and then bring the remaining half to new site so that you are maintain operational status at all times.), feed the troops and patients, and numerous other tasks. At the time I was just a PFC or Private First Class. But being a woman, I had my own pup tent. Men usually get 1/2 a tent and must share with another male.
It was April in Georgia. Already in the 80's and humid. We go 'down range' and set up are hospital or clearing station. It started raining, a light but steady rain about 3 hours after we arrived. Thank goodness I had found a spot and set up my pup tent before then. I knew I might only have an hour or so to sleep when the time came so I laid everything out so I could just lay down on my sleeping bag. Snapped it up tight and went on with my duty. About 21 hours later, we were given 2 hours to sleep. Everything was damp, including myself. My tent was dry and I was looking forward to just stretching out for a bit. It was dark. Most of the Company had settled in. The 10K generator was only about 75 ft from my tent but who cares. I was whipped. Even though we have to have a generator going to provide care for patients, we still have to follow noise and light discipline. So, I unsnap my tent, crawl in, snap it up tight and then I sit there for a moment, in the dark, trying to decide whether or not I should risk turning on my red lens flashlight, but I don't have the lens. I gave it to another medic so he could set up his tent so all I have is my white lens. Ah, well, I really don't need to. My sleeping bag is all set up, I can just lay back and relax. But...I can't. I am absolutely compelled to turn on my flashlight.
I believe this is when the term...'all hell broke loose' came into fashion. Bet you didn't know that huh?
Remember that scene from Indiana Jones, Temple of Doom, where they have to go thru that tunnel with all the bugs? That's what the inside of my tent looked like. Beetles, June bugs, moths, mosquitos, spiders, millipedes and a number of other assorted creepy crawly things had set up their own camp inside my tent. Hanging from the crest of the tent, bunched up in groups on my sleeping bag. Draped over my personal belongings... I promptly began screaming, as any red blooded American woman would...kicked open the tent, spilling white light in a 10 foot arc for every Evaluator to see, and jumped out. I stood there screaming for what seemed like an eternity but was probably only mere seconds as my platoon sergeant came rushing over to investigate the sudden light and noise violation. I don't recall much after that. I just remember them sitting me down in the OR, on a cot. Later, I had KP duty and I 'm not sure now, if that was because I fell apart or because it was my turn. I guess I'll never know.
So much for the tough girl image huh! ;0]
Toodles, Pam

Tired of being tired

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt picture below. (Updated at 12:10 pm MST, finally with TNChick's help and suggestion, was able to load photos. No end of perturbance here!!)

I must confess to posting this on a Saturday because I know I will have lots of visitors. It's important enough that I am gonna take a chance that you may read this, instead of skipping on down to the PSH.
I have noticed a general underlying theme amongst many bloggers, especially the women. They comment with some regularity that they are tired. Well, I'd like to share something with you. A while back, I posted about my story which I encourage you to read here. As a matter of fact, go ahead, I'll wait.

So, if you read the comments you may have seen that Leesa was interested. She started on the Shaklee vitamins and shake later that month. She has graciously given me permission to post her name and if you want to know any specifics, she can answer them for you, but she is a consistent user and has told me she does feel better.
But she's not the only one. The Artful Laura's sister, Jen jumped in and bought some vitamins too. This is what she wanted me to tell you:
"I really do feel much better; I have lots of energy and actually I've lost 27 (a good thing) pounds since I started taking them. In addition, I haven't needed the handfuls of antiacids I was taking for my stomach problems. I think for me it's been the combination Shaklee has come up with (in the vitamins) that's worked-I've taken vitamins in the past and not had much success but this stuff seems to be working quite well."
And there are more from the blog world but not enough time has elapsed for (me or) them to feel that they are really making a difference. I also have many friends and family who have experienced the Shaklee Difference.

But I just want to jump up and down and grab everyone I know and say "see...see what a difference good nutrition can make?!!"

A fellow blogger wrote this in his blog...."It’s the dichotomy of nurse on one hand, and Jewish mother on the other. It’s the overwhelming urge to reach out and correct and fix and inform, to be savior and rescuer and to indispensably needed and involved." He is ,spot on, as Kate would say. I try very hard not to rescue and fix. I believe everyone has to come to their own truth in their own time. I will talk about this more later in this post.

Let me tell you that "It's not a cure all". Some people who are fanatical about eating properly, may not notice a difference. My cousin is one of those people. She exercises a lot and tries to eat healthy and I would guess is successful at that about 50-60% of the time, but she doesn't see anything wrong with not being able to stay awake and alert past 8:30 pm. She absolutely refuses to consider trying them and trust me, I have tried. She would be someone I would expect brutal honesty from and I yearn for her to try the vitamins and the shake. I always worry it's the 'placebo effect'. Which, in and of itself is no bad thing. In fact, if that's what it takes to feel better....then WTH.

But I am living proof that you can be fat and malnourished. Yes. I don't eat correctly. I suck at following my own advice but I work at it every day. But I was still malnourished. And when you feel TIRED and RUNDOWN, when you can't THINK straight, when you get so IRRITATED with people you want scream, you are most likely malnourished.

No matter how hard you try to pull yourself up by the bootstraps...you can't, because your body doesn't have the fuel and nutrients it needs. You may have other health problems but you need to rule out malnutrition and dehydration first.

Let me ask you a question. Read the following list of symptoms.
abdominal discomfort
loss of appetite
anxiety
backache
confusion
irritability
muscle pain
muscle weakness
digestive upsets
fatigue
headache
insomnia
palpitation
tingling or numbness it in the arms or legs
poor concentration

Do you routinely (3 or more times per week) complain of any of these symptoms?
Believe it or not, this is "the first evidence of malnutrition", which is a "conglomerate of non-specific complaints". This was the conclusion of a study done in 1980 by the Ford Foundation and Dr. Samuel Dreizen, Professor of Pathology at the University of Texas. He also found that more than 90% of Americans were malnourished.

Do you think we have gotten worse or better since 1980?

I wanted to share this with you because as I visit blogs and read about your daily lives I hear your struggle and I want to tell you what I know.

But I was more concerned about being perceived as pushy, than about getting you the info that you may need. When I discovered that about myself...it bothered me. What kind of passion do I have, if it's so easily put aside because of what I am worried you may think of me?
So, I have started to share more and I have to say that bloggers are some very kind people. I know most of you probably are only being nice and I do appreciate that. It is important not to machine gun me right out of the gate (nothing like mixed metaphors) But I want you to know this:

You can't know if it will make a difference unless you try it out.

The nice thing about that is if it doesn't make you feel better, then you can give Shaklee a buzz and you will get your money refunded, empty bottle and no interrogation. Simple as that. (I want to brag a bit here and tell you that Shaklee's returns amount to less than 0.01% per year!)
I mean I literally could go on and on about what a fabulous company Shaklee is. You can visit my website here: http://www.shaklee.net/pam_baker

Why should you use Shaklee and not the grocery store brand? Well, that is acutally a great question. When I went to nursing school back in the early 80's, we were told that vitamins only gave you expensive urine. So, that's what I took as 'gospel'. When I couldn't argue with how I felt after 'my story', I did the research.

Lots-o-research.

18 months of research.

In a nut shell: it's integrity and quality. It's a company based on helping people, not selling. Helping the environment. (Shaklee was the first one to make a biodegradeable cleaner, it's the official Earth Day Cleaner and the corporate office in Pleasanton CA was the first business in the world to be designated Climate Neutral) We have a strong 50 year legacy of excellent products, a sound reputation and strong customer relationships.
I am not one to go gaga about something...as a matter of fact, I am a skeptic and a realist. An optimistic realist but a realist none the less. I have been gaga over Shaklee for 4 years and have not looked back ever. I have helped people feel better. Lead healthier lives. More than I ever have done as a nurse.
I invite you to ask any questions, visit my website. Search for yourself and then give it a try. You've got nothing to lose and lots to gain. Thanks for reading if you did. You're the best!

Now, here is this weeks PSH:
This week's theme is Red White and Blue in honor of Memorial Day.

These are from my favorite basket company: Can you guess which company it is?

(click on photo to view larger)

Our basement is decorated in denim and red with a western theme. I made the curtains. Broke many needles because it also has a liner.

I painted the sign. Quite easy. The wood is really old barn wood from a ranch east of Colorado Springs. Actually it's from the Geick Ranch.

For all you PSH'ers, I will be posting more photos of the basement and all our treasures, later this week. So, bookmark or blogroll me if you want to see more!!
Have a stupendous Memorial Day Weekend and don't forget to remember our Soldiers.
Pam

Dirty Post

Did that get your attention? Okay. I normally don't post about the activities of my day. They aren't that interesting. I wasn't planning on doing that today but I've changed my mind and you will find out soon enough.

I was planning on leaving for Denver this morning around...0645. Plenty of time to get to the office, load up the Jeep (the company Cherokee) and drive to the Denver office with a large margin for the unexpected. Except, that I woke up at...0640. I actually woke up earlier, 0500 and was contemplating my day and ended up falling back asleep. Lovely. So, mad rush to the office with a lick and a promise for hygiene. My boss is already at the office...unusual. I rush in, grab the mail and other crap that has to go and I hear my boss say something about leaving me a message. I say, rather brusquely over my shoulder as I head down the elevator, "I'm late I haven't listened yet." And off I go. I will still be able to make the meeting...I'm doing my monthly Staff Development presentation to the clinical staff and I've been late the last two times. So...no more being late for this little chickie. As I head to the hwy, I listen to my voicemail. It's a message from my boss saying she and I can hook up at the office and ride together. D'oh. I didn't know she was going. Ended up working out just fine. She was cool with it and understood. At least she said she did!
Then...zipping along doing great until I get to the Happy Canyon exit. Now we are doing 20 frickin' miles an hour and I'm about 12 miles away with 20 mins. Gonna be tight. Know why we were going so slow. RUBBERNECKERS. I removed the expletive in the middle. Everyone had to eyeball the 5 dune buggy's on trialers parked in the breakdown lane. Oooohhhh that makes me so torqued. I made it with a few to spare. Just a little low level flying. ;0]
Rest of my time in Denver was uneventful. Kinda nice. Got to go with a PT or physical therapist on some of her visits and was impressed. She's new and she'll be excellent. Thought real hard about detoring on the way home by going the back way thru Larkspur to Monument Lake. I love that area and would move there in a flash if water weren't such an issue in Douglas County.
Back to the office to do the remote vital sign monitoring program and crap...you know I forgot to take my meds this am and now my head is starting to throb which means my pressure is on the rise. Crap. Well, I plan to just do the program and head home. Just a bit early for the day. But one of the patients didn't transmit and didn't answer the phone and her emergency contact didn't answer the phone and...the primary nurse is...not being very cooperative. I tell the Branch Mgr and say I will swing by on my way home. I say this as my head is pulsing. I hope like heck she isn't on the floor or worse...she doesn't answer. But this too turns out well. Noone bothered to give me the corrected phone number for the patient. So I made a visit for no reason. She was home but busy when the machine went off. Dang.
Bill made supper. Baja Blackened Salmon and some bean side dish. One of the meals from Supper Solutions. I rarely get to eat dinner with him when he's working because he leaves at 1730 or 5:30 pm for work and I don't get off work until an hour later. So that was nice, since I hadn't seen him that morning.
I relax and IM, watch a movie, chat on the phone and read email all at the same time. Then, I decide to get busy because.....we had WORMs in the mail today!!!

Wahoo. I vermicomposte and my worms were kinda getting scarce. So I ordered some Sunday eve and tadaaa. Here they are. Believe it or not, the place I ordered from is located in the town I grew up in. Weird huh? Here are some photos for your entertainment.

This is their temporary home where they can recoup after their travels. Their final home will be here. I am draining worm tea or what will be tea. This is pretty concentrated. What you are looking at is the base. The trays are off to the side. This is some fantastic garden fertilizer.

See, I told you it would be dirty. ;0]

But that's not all. This also came in the mail today too (scroll down to the end of the post)!! What a banner day in the Baker household.
So after putting the worms to bed and doing some outside chores, I decide since it's getting to be dusk, I will go in and remove my old printer and set up the new one all by meself!! So here I go toting this big box up the stairs and this is where it gets really dirty. Cause I can't contain myself any longer....are you prepared?


Son of a fucking bitch. Motherfucker. FUCK FUCK FUCK FUCK.
I broke my little toe....again. For the seventh fucking time. Son of a bitch. I broke the cardinal rule of the house. I was barefoot. Fuck. Tried to separate the pinky toe from my foot. Damn. You'd think after doing this six times I would fucking learn. You would think. Any reasonalbe fucking person would never do this again. I have been typing earnestly for the last what 3o mins or so waiting for the damn ice and ibuprofen to take over. It's just now beginning to ease up a bit. You have no idea how pissed I am. I am pissed because I am in pain. I am pissed because I am so fucking stupid. I am pissed because now I have to limp for a few days. And it's a holiday fucking weekend.
Bet you didn't know I had so many....cuss words in me did you. Shit. I don't swear as a habit. It was a hard habit to break after getting out of the military. Damn this thing is throbbing. So now the head isn't throbbing but if it was I don't think I would have noticed.
Now I am mostly pissed with myself.
Anyway. Sleeping tonight is going to be a joy. Don't know how I'm gonna see patients. Previously, since I have so much fucking experience...I take the next day off and by the 3rd day I can tolerate putting a shoe on.
Okay. No more swearing. You can uncover your ears...or your eyes.

Just call me Grace. That's what my family will be calling me for the next week or so. Darn.

I'm sitting here watching M*A*S*H waiting for the pain to subside and Yum Yum gives me comfort. Sweet boy.

G'Night.

The Answers

As promised...I am reposting the four questions followed by my responses for those that wanted to play and for those that weren't sure.

1. I'll comment back with something random thing I like about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll leave you a quote that is somehow appropriate to you.
4. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.


P3
1. I totally love how you are funny and caring all at the same time. You can always be counted on to have a fab quip. I just want to put you in my pocket and take you everywhere.

2. Running on Empty by Jackson Browne

3. "The dream was always running ahead of me. To catch up, to live for a moment in unison with it, that was the miracle." Anais Nin

4. Why do you run?

Claire
1. You were the first person, younger than myself, that I admired, for the right reasons. You are beautiful, smart, well, beyond smart really, loving and patient.

2. "Old Fashioned Girl" by Joni Harms

3. "When motherhood becomes the fruit of a deep yearning, not the result of ignorance or accident, its children will become the foundation of a new race." Margaret Sanger

4. Does the fact that I don’t share your religious/spiritual beliefs impair our friendship in any way?

Pilot Mom aka AC
1. Your devotion, love and pride in your son is a joyful thing for me to experience. Your devotion, love and care for your Mom is an amazing thing to behold.

2. "Amazing Grace" by John Newton

3. "To me faith means not worrying." John Dewey

4. Why did you settle in Salt Lake City?

Michael (ABAHB)
1. The quirky humor and shy guy combined with the talented actor/writer and daring rider all serve to intrigue the mind…who is Michael really? Why, he is the quintessential Renaissance man.

2. I’m a fool to find the song that best fits you knowing your vast knowledge and love of music but here goes: "Pacific 202" by 808 State

3. "There is nothing on this earth more to be prized than true friendship." Saint Thomas Aquinas

4. What scares you? What really... deep down... rocks the core of your being... scares you?

Michael (RMT)
1. Your words take me places. Sometimes I get lost. Mostly… I wonder in open brained amazement at what an interesting, no, fascinating person you are and does anyone in your everyday life know this?

2. "Sweet Lullaby" by Deep Forest

3. "Think left and think right and think low and think high. Oh, the thinks you can think up if only you try!" Theodor Geisel

4. If you could change one thing in your life, what would it be?

Kate
1. Well, I spent some time reading and perusing your blog. I know some things about you. Some of the horrific things you went thru with your family. It occurs to me that it’s the tidbits of info you glean over a period of time reading comments and responses that help us define each other. I think you are searching and I like searchers. Finding the best in yourself and taking charge. That’s what I got out of my stumbling around in your blog. ;0]

2. "Channel Z" by The B-52's

3. "Learn how to be happy with what you have while you pursue all that you want." ~Jim Rohn~
4. How do you really feel about your father?

Interesting Meme-UPDATED BELOW

If you comment to this post:
1. I'll comment back with something random thing I like about you.
2. I'll tell you what song/movie reminds me of you.
3. I'll leave you a quote that is somehow appropriate to you.
4. I'll ask you something that I've always wondered about you.
5. If I do this for you, you must (please) post this on your journal so you can do the same for other people.

I played over at P3's site and this is what he said...

Pam of Pam & Bill:
1. I admire that you are very true to yourself and have a good command of how to be sensitive to others especially when they disagree with you.
2. "Rocky Mountain High" John Denver (It's the Colorado thing...)
3. "In politics if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman." - Margaret Thatcher
4. How does Bill feel about all of your blogging... and the people that you come into contact with over the internet?

I am very flattered and impressed with your comments. John Denver was the second concert I went to at the tender age of 14. That truly is a great quote. Good ole Maggie.
Hmm. Let's see. Without asking him I would have to guess that except for hogging the computer, he doesn't much mind. He gets protective when my feelings are hurt so I am cautious about sharing some of the more precarious times. I talk about you all to him. Show him your sites and things you do and say. He knows you all. Greekchickie, The Artful Laura, Montana Leesa, Stacy the PQ, Stacie the Pilot, P3 the funny man, Mike and his bike (forgive the nickname Michael) He's even IM'd with Michael. He's read Colin's posts and really enjoys his sense of humor. And the rest of you all. Other than worrying I will get my itty bitty fewings huwt....I don't think he much minds. Now, hold on a sec and I'll go ask him.

He was sitting on his tailgate, cleaning his golf clubs and every single neighborhood girl was trying to help him! (figures) When asked he said....'To quote a line from the movie 'Big'..."I don't get it". I asked, do you mind me blogging? He responded with...'nope'.
So, there you have it.
Now that he has his computer in the basement....he is less grumpy. I will take pics and post them soon. He is very proud of his new toy and how he has set up his work area.

So...that leaves the rest of you. Anyone want to play? Leave a comment and include the phrase..."I want to play". I will post my answers on Thursday.

We went, on Sunday, to a neighbor's birthday party at Skate City. Yes, she is one of the neighbor girls who like to hang out with 'Mr. Bill'. I haven't been on skates in more than 20 years. HOLY CANNOLI. Talk about core strength shot to hell! And my shins...yowza. I was thinking of getting some roller blades, which I did try right before I met Bill, but old fashioned 4 wheels per foot was a strange sensation. The birthday girls dad skated with her and he's pretty good. Bill and I were the only adults to get out there. Everyone else was an old poop. And I'm pretty sure we were the oldest. But you know, we are just big kids. We like to have partys and wear costumes, go to the Ren Fest in costume. Fly kites. Hopefully we will be going rafting the week after next. I am planning on camping this summer and will invite the kids to come with me if their parents will allow. Heck, their parents can come too. One of my fav places to go is called Spruce Grove. You can tube on the creek there as well as camp. Lovely spot.
I am going to be getting some PVC and make some agility obstacles for Gretta. She needs some stimulation and exercise and I need to get out of the house and do something more than garden. Our trees are finally giving us some shade in the back. We are getting a chaise so that I can sit back there comfortably and read. I'd get a hammock but...
When it is really hot out, we put a blanket down outside at night and watch for the space station and satelites. Look for bats and fireflies. Snuggle with the dogs. We have a great view of about 6 places in town that send up fireworks on the 4th of July. Broadmoor, Manitou, Memorial Park, AFA, and other places we aren't sure where or who is sending them up.
We signed up for Netflicks because Bill is tired of looking at the guide and finding...'nothing on'. I put in my two cents worth. He decided, to keep us from renting something we own, to catalog our DVD's. I think he said we have over 200. Maybe. I can't recall of the top of my head.
I found a bird's with a nesting parent in the back yard elm and when I get to work, I'll post it. (Having problems with my computer) I believe it's a Mourning Dove.Actually it's a maple not an elm. Sorry. And here's photos from my scrapbook on my trip to Powell. This was my first day at the lake and there were people much closer. Sorry for the quality of the photo, I had to take a photo because my scanner is being pissy.
Well, that's it. Have a great day.
Pam

Monday MeMe

I haven't done this in a while. You are supposed to take something from your list of 100 Things About You and elaborate on it.

So, how about...this combo of questions...'cause they are all related:

30. When I was 11, my mom said something to me that also defines me.
31. Although not trying to be mean...she said, "What? Do I have to hold your hand for the rest of your life?" [Being very tired and exasperated with me because I was afraid to go into the optometrists and pick up my glasses while she waited in the car.]
32. I decided at that juncture of my life, that I could do anything by myself.

I was inspired to explore this because of Marianna's post about seeing a movie alone recently. It is a hard thing to do. Engage in a social activity alone. I may blithely share all the things I have done alone, but it does come with a cost. I was willing to pay it and am still willing.
So, number 31 explains number 30. My mom doesn't have any recollection of this experience. Which is okay. Like me, she can only remember a handful of times she intended to be hurtful to people, but knows she was hurtful a bunch more. I know I had my panties in a wad over this at the time but it so instrumental in helping to forge my independence that the outcome far, far outweighs the momentary pissiness. Which brings me to number 32. I can do anything by myself. At least I like to think so. I can buy a house, which I did. I can vacation alone, which I have done numerous times.

I know not to hike alone. That was ingrained in me from the earliest of my hiking/backpacking days. I didn't learn about not swimming alone until Lake Powell. I digress.

When your friends all work opposite shifts and weekends, are you gonna sit at home wishing you could do something or go and do it? For me, I go and do it. It never occured to me that this might not be safe for someone to do alone.

So, I packed up the 4-Runner with a canoe and a mountain bike, camping equipment and my 2 dogs. Off we went. I love adventure and travel. I got plenty of both on this trip. I went the back way from Colorado Springs and decided to take a shortcut over a pass accessed by a dirt road. [This is in May of 1993. Five months before meeting Bill.] If you are looking on a map, I went from Hwy 69 to Redwing and I believe I took CR 573.
Well, at the top of the pass there was ice under the mud. I came perilously close to sliding off the side of road, down an embankment. It did save me over an hour's driving time! I was nervous but not unnusually so. Thinking about how far down the pass I would have to walk to get help should the unthinkable happen.

A short drive later brings me to Great Sand Dunes National Monument. (Now it's a National Park). Before I got there I stopped to let Lady and Abby out to piddle. They must've caught some deer scent because they hauled ass! I lost sight of them within a few feet, as the cedars are dense just off the road. I called, yelled, cajoled, pleaded, screamed at them to come back.

Nothing.

45 mins later I decide to head up the road to the visitor center hoping they headed there. Nope. I drove down the road, calling their names. Nothing. Another 45 mins. go by and I decide the best thing to do is go back to where I let them out and wait. I sat there for about....15 mins, calling them. Then I hear the faintest of jingles. Someone's dog tags. I call and call and about 10 mins later, at least that is what it felt like...10 mins., here come Lady and Abby. Limping. Moving very carefully. They had stepped in some cactus and their paws were porcupined. So, Mamma put them up on the tailgate and dug out some tweezers...hey I'm a nurse! Moments later we were back on the road on our way to Lake Powell.

Truly some stunning scenery. I stayed the night in Durango and in the morning headed out taking back roads. I stopped at the famous four corners...yes, the Four Corners. The outbreak of the Hanta Virus happened 4 days later in that locale. Little did I know...

I spent 4 uneventful days just north of Page AZ on the north side of Lake Powell. Reading, canoeing, swimming and biking. I puttered around and thoroughly enjoyed myself until....
the last day.

I was parked on the huge sandy beach. No one around for at least a half a mile or more. Just me and the dogs. So quiet and peaceful. I could make out some vehicles just north and south of me on the sand and people moving around and boats in the water. Too far away to consider going over to visit. I was sitting under a tarp, reading, when I noticed the wind had picked up. As I looked out to the lake, I spotted my brand new raft being blown out to the middle of Lake Powell. So, I jumped up and ran to the water, grabbed a paddle and jumped in the canoe. I headed straight for the raft. Wind was pretty strong. As hard as I paddled straight for the raft, the wind pushed me slightly to the right of the raft. When I was about 15 or 20 feet from the raft, I steered the canoe more to the right and started to back paddle up to the raft. I was thinking I would get less push from the wind if I backed into the wind rather than trying to cut across the wind. Before I got very far, I found myself about 10 feet underwater holding the paddle. Literally one second I was paddling and the next I was looking up at the canoe. Ah, no, I didn't have a life vest on. I am a good swimmer.
So, up I come, next to the canoe. I tread water and try to flip the canoe. Do you know what happens when you swamp a canoe? Yeah. That's right. Not able to lift it high enough to clear the water so it just fills totally up with the lake. Luckily, my raft has now been blown over to me. I climbed up on the raft and let some air out so I can straddle it. I look up the lake. The folks can't see me and aren't paying any attention to me. I look down the lake. Same scenario. I have to get this rental canoe to shore. I can't afford to pay for a canoe. I rented it from MWR on Ft. Carson where I was stationed at the time. Crap. How am I going to get the dang thing to shore if it fills with water? So I tried to flip it from my vantage point on the raft....without success. I don't have any idea how long I sat out there trying to solve the problem before I decide to hook my foot under the deck. (DECKS: These are the triangular pieces of wood that hold the inwales together at either end of the canoe) I began to paddle backwards to shore towing the canoe with my foot. I also don't have a good idea of how long this process took me. Maybe 10 mins to shore? Finally pull up to shore and drag the canoe up on the beach and take the raft up to my truck. The dogs have been safely secured under the tarp and attentively watching me this whole time. I stow the raft in the truck and plop down in my seat. Whew. That was close.
Then it dawns on me. Slowly. Almost imperceptably, I began to shake. From the stress and anxiety I tell myself. But I had realized that had the canoe hit me in the head on my way down, and knocked me unconcious, I would've drowned. No one would have noticed me. No one did notice me. Without a life vest on, I would be fish food.
That is when I realized...it's not smart to swim alone. Or boat alone either. I thanked whomever was looking out for me and I patted myself on the back for getting out of that 'fine mess'.

I hated coming to the realization that I couldn't do everything by myself. At least not safely. I was proud that I had forged ahead with my vacation plans despite the lack of companionship. I was happy to be alone in my own company. I had decided some months before that vacation that I had missed the 'first round draft picks' for husbands and would have to wait a while until the second round came up. Which may take some time. But I was content and even happy in my own company. I chose to be happy and content. The alternative was not acceptable.

I look back now and I don't criticize myself for that life lesson. That would be silly. I didn't do something I knew to be foolhardy. It literally never occured to me that it might not be safe to do this alone. I've come to realize...Nothing is safe. Even if there were people with me, it wouldn't have prevented me from almost sliding off the road, losing the dogs, flipping the canoe. It just would've meant someone would have been there to get help or be the help should I need it. Means that now I just plan a bit better. Thinking of the potential hazards but still being independent.

Sunday's Unconcious Mutterings

1. Yours :: Mine and Ours. I LOVED the original with Lucille Ball and Henry Fonda
2. Charcoal :: fire, but I prefer gas
3. Platitude :: Gratitude
4. Graduation :: Ceremony
5. Hungry :: Farmer…used to be a nice restaurant here in the Springs
6. Somewhere :: Over the Rainbow, way up high.
7. Nurse :: ME
8. Freak :: The Mighty
9. Unbelievable :: You burden me with your questions
You'd have me tell no lies
You're always asking what it's all about
Now listen to my replies
10. Walk :: on water

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt-'Flowers'

Coming right up!

Feast Ninety-Four


Appetizer

What is the last thing you had to have repaired?
Well, we just got back from picking up my 4-Runner. I went to see a patient and when I got back in the car, it wouldn’t start or rather, the key wouldn’t turn. So I got my spare key, still no turn. Steering wheel wouldn’t budge either. Hrmpf! Dealer says need locksmith. Locksmith says no can come till Monday. Wonderful. Catch a ride back to my house, get Bill’s truck since he’s sleeping and go see my other patient. The stop at work to check the remote vital sign monitoring program and pick up my laptop. Then pick up Bill because he wants to see for himself. Nope, won’t turn. So he tries his keys and holy frickin’ crap. It turns right over. Nice. So it’s new keys for me. Thank goodness it wasn’t necessary for a new ignition. I also just had a new windshield put in.

Soup

If someone gave you $2,000 with the stipulation that you had to spend half of it on yourself and give the rest to charity, where would you spend the $1,000 and which charity would receive your remaining $1,000?
Easy, I would spend my half on me at a fab spa for however long it lasted. My favorite place is Ten Thousand Waves in Santa Fe. The other would go to the Association for Retarded Citizens who have helped my sister out tremendously.

Salad

What is one of your favorite songs from the 1980s?

Funny you should ask. We just did a CD exchange of 1980’s songs. This is really tough. I like the goofy ‘Tainted Love’ by Soft Cell.
Main Course

You enter a pet store. Which section do you go to first?

Assuming they don’t have animals, which ours doesn’t, then I would go to dog toys.
Dessert

On a scale of 1 to 10 with 10 being highest, how athletic are you?
Hmmm. I like to say I am a fit fat person. But with my asthma, my short burst activities are pretty limited. I am stronger than most women I know. I mow the lawn. Haul rocks, dirt, timber. Chop wood. Move large boxes fairly easily. I have relatively good endurance. I’d say a 4-5. This was hard to assess. Wonder if there is a test.

The Lady is a ....Turd?

Gretta is our baby and as such, she has a bunch of nicknames. 'Turd' is our most oft use alias. Poor thing! ;0]
Her full name is Gretta Garbo. But she is 'Baby Girl', 'Hazelnut', 'Gretta Garbonzo Bean', and 'Stinker' which is her second most common alias.

DOIN' THE HAPPY CHOLESTEROL DANCE!!!!!!!

I saw my doc 2 weeks ago and he wanted to retest my total chol and considering how bad it was 2 years ago, I was a bit reluctant. As hard as I try to eat properly, smartly and healthily
(?word?) I fail as often as I succeed. So, two years ago my total cholesterol was 259. Yeah, don't say it, I know. I KNOW! Stand in line, I been beatin' myself up about it for 2 years now! Sheesh.
But I am sooooo exxxxcitteeeeed. My total chol. was down to 231...a drop of 28 points!!

(Doin' the mixer arms, bopping in my chair.)

So, now I am doing the scientific trial. Yeah, scienti...well, okay, I'm just going to get my cholesterol checked again in 3 months and the only thing I will change in this three months is that I 've started to take Shaklee's Cholesterol Regulation Complex (as of today actually). Then in August, I will get tested again and in addition to the Cholesterol Regulation Complex, I will adhere to a strict dietary regimen until November when I will again have my blood work done. I am always interested in the 'proof' and although I know this is not truly scientific and I am only one test subject...I still want to do this. Ah, yup, I am a card carrying Nurse Geek
extraordinaire. ;0]

What's in a name?

UPDATED: Photos below

Hat Tip to AC (Aunt Claire) or Pilot Mom.

P	Philosophical
A	Arty
M	Mesmerizing

Name / Username:

Name Acronym Generator
From Go-Quiz.com

This is the folks I went to the conference with. From left to right, Ben, Sonya, Mike, Brenda, me, Susan, Linda and Sheri. We are relaxing at Bubba Gumps.

This is in 'South Park' on Route 9 just north of Hartzel. I had the buffalo framed nicely but since I was standing on top of my 4Runner (to photograph above the fence) I was a bit shakey. The next photo is the long shot and you can see why I zoomed in.
We played catch yesterday outside because it was a stunning day. Abby sits in the sun, watching the activity in her superbly sanguine way.

May 15th Thought for the Day

"If we had no winter, the spring would not be so pleasant; if we did not sometimes taste of adversity, prosperity would not be so welcome."
~Anne Bradstreet~

The Letter "G"

Leesa was tagged and did a meme that looked like fun, since I love words. Here's how it works.

Comment on this entry and I will give you a letter. Write ten words beginning with that letter in your journal, including an explanation of what the word means to you and why, and then pass out letters to those who want to play along.

G:

'Garrulous'

1. talking too much: excessively or pointlessly talkative
2. wordy: using many or too many words
Sometimes I am garrulous. I can gush (another great 'G' word). This makes everyone uncomfortable, including myself.

'Gastrocnemius'

muscle in lower leg: the largest muscle in the calf of the leg, extending from the thigh bone to the Achilles tendon. When it contracts, it causes the foot to point downward.
Since I learned it in A & P, I have always liked this word. I like knowing what the muscle is, but more importantly, I like the way it rolls of my tongue.

Leesa couldn't have known this but...

Names for girls that begin with 'G'.

Gwendolyn, Guinevere, Genevieve, Gertrude, Gretchen, Greta, Gabriella or Gabrielle, Grace, Ginny, Galina, Gloria, Galatea, Gayle, Glenna, Glenda, Gina, Gwen or Gwyn and Ginger. Those are my favorite. Again, I like the way they roll off my tongue. They way the resonate. I. don't. know. why.

'Gratitude'

thanks: a feeling of being thankful to somebody for doing something
We need more gratitude in our lives.

'Gorp'

snack food: a snack mixture used especially by hikers and campers, often made of nuts, seeds, dried fruits, and chocolate chips
I always heard it explained as ... good old raisins and peanuts. I have as a snack around the house although it usually doesn't last long. I added 'cheerios' a while back to get some cholesterol fighting grain in there.

'Gourmand'

food lover: a lover of food who often eats excessively or greedily
This would be me after a stressful day or at certains times of the month with chocolate foods. I think it has also taken on a subtle meaning of someone who is an expert in food as well.

'Gew Gaw'

a showy trifle : bauble, trinket
I have always heard it pronounced 'gee gaw', so I had a great deal of fun looking up the definition because I wasn't spelling it correctly. I just like the word. Must have something to do with why I like girls names that begin with 'G'.

'Gypsy'

somebody with nomadic lifestyle: somebody who has a nomadic or unconventional lifestyle ( informal ) I like being a gypsy and I like travel but I also like to come home. Maybe some of my Irish ancestors were Travellers or Pavee's.

'Ganache'

chocolate filling or frosting: a sweet creamy chocolate filling or frosting for cakes and pastries, made from cream and melted chocolate. I made some and blogged about it here.

'Gymkhana'

1. sporting contest: a sporting event or contest
2. sports venue: a place where a gymkhana or similar sporting event is held ( dated )

My parents used to belong to SCCA (Sports Car Club of America) and they owned several sports cars as I was growing up. When I came back from the Army the first time, at the age of 22, I raced for awhile and the races were called gymkhana's. Parking lot, pylons, one car, timer and nervous driver. On the fourth race, I beat my father and retired.

That's ten. If you would like a letter, leave me a comment but...I am tagging, my Mom, the Artful Laura, Michael-A Boy and His Bike, Michael-Ripple Me This, Intergalactic Planet3rry, Claire and AC or Pilot Mom.

Because my mother loves a challenge...'Q'

Laura-because I think Laura needs a funky letter...'U'

Michael (ABAHB)... 'K' why, because I can

Michael (RMT)... 'L'

P3- the letter that begins your favorite sport...'R'

Claire...I was going to challenge you with 'X' but figured, it's Mother's Day and you are the mother to five so I should ease up. ;0] How about.....'C'

Pilot Mom-why don't you take....'F'

A Tribute

My mom is my best friend. My mom is my conscious, my heart and my soul. She is a part of me like no one else can ever be. My mom is funny, loving, smart, forgetful, clever, generous of nature and.... she's my mom. I love her with every fiber of my being. I idolize her, I know her faults. I miss her.

I miss getting the opportunity to show her what she taught me, what she means to me, by becoming a mom. For that I am damn-near, devastatingly sorry.



I am a bit raw from these last few days and I cannot read some of your posts about being a mother. My friend Claire's almost did me in. When I started to read Loni's, I shut the door. Can't do it. Too close to home. Maybe later Loni.

My beloved husband, who I haven't seen in several days, greeted me as he was climbing into bed this morning and I was climbing out of sleep. He said, "Happy Mother's Day sweetie". I will always love him for those bittersweet words.

To my Favorite Mom in the World. I love you like no other.


To my Second Favorite Mom in the World. You are my hero.

Saturday Photo Scavenger Hunt

This is Bill and I celebrating our good fortune! We won tickets to see ZZ Top at the State Fair 2 summers ago.

Disingenuous

Definition:

1. withholding information: withholding or not taking account of known information
2. not genuinely sincere: giving a false impression of sincerity or simplicity

I am finding it so hard to be around people all day long. I need my time to download, process, examine, veg. It's wearing me down.

I was supposed to present along with my boss at the conference. I didn't. I got lots of emotions about it. Some anger, some hurt. Wrote a 'blog' on a piece of paper because I didn't find out about not being a part (when I have prepared the presentation and worked on it for several weeks) until moments before it began. It was hard to keep a professional exterior. I felt I had to write it down so I could continue and not let it stew. I think it worked but I did catch my boss eyeballing me out of the corner of her eye to check on me. I asked her at dinner if she thought I was upset. She said she knew that I was because she was too but that I hid it very well. It's been an emotional day. Up, down, interpersonal dynamics, miscommunication. I have really tried to remain engaged but quiet. I can't not contribute to the conversations or they start wondering but whenever I talk I feel as though I should have kept quiet.

Went to Bubba Gump's. Was good. We walked back from dinner. Was only a 10-15 min walk at most but I walked quickly to distance myself from the rest. I needed time to regroup because I know my boss wants us all to continue 'bonding'. At this point I am pretty fatigued from trying to say and do the right thing. Or not say or do the wrong thing. I would rather be relaxing at home with the dogs. Or reading or watching a movie or blogging.

One and a half more days of this. OMG. I was fairly stressed, I am thinking, because normally, about an hour and a half after taking my B complex, my urine is bright yellow. Today, it never turned bright yellow. I am thinking I was burning up the B's something fierce.

But on my walk I got to smell the pines. Wood fires. Feel the air tighten my chest. Did I mention I am at 10,000 or so feet? Feel the muscle burn as I walk up the hill. Takes my mind off my troubles.

So, I have always avoided diary's although I found the idea romantic. The actuality was a different story. In some ways I feel like my blog is becoming my diary. Subtle change. I really needed to write down what I was feeling this morning so that I could let go and maintain control.

I try to compliment people when I feel it, and share positive things as soon as it happens. I think this throws people off. I think, that they think, that I am disingenuous. I think this last year I lost a lot of my self efficacy and consequently my self confidence because of my change in jobs. I think I am reclaiming and relearning them both as time goes on. Bill told me to just let them come to me. Be comfortable in my own skin and be friendly, but not friends. It's a way to protect yourself. But is it authentic? Is it the best I can be? I never thought of myself as a loner but I just might be. Or is it running? Hiding and self preservation? Good questions which may be one of the theme's in my life.

I have a post I want to share about some of my blogging friends. I will put it out tomorrow as it is late and I need to stretch out and read before bed.

Thinking and sending healing and nuturing thoughts to Michael, A Boy and His Bike as well as his son Matt . I am with you Michael. You are in my thoughts and prayers. What ever I can do to help. Another fellow blogger and friend, AC or Pilot Mom's, mom, Nana, is recovering from an unknown illness but is not the same as before and AC is struggling with this decline in her overall condition and status, so I am also sending the best energy, love and prayers her way.

Wishing Laura the best on her interview. Hoping Stacie doesn't drown in the tub!!

Good night all, Pam

Blissful

I awoke to the smell of pine trees.

It was a long day yesterday. Up at 440 am and to bed after 1130 pm. My eyes are fairly bloodshot and my hands and feet are swollen and I am THIRSTY.

The ride up here last pm was just what my soul needed. I had to jam on the brakes in Lake George as 7 young mule deer bounded across the road in front of me. They are just adorable. You know, it never fails. If I have a guest with me and I'm driving this road, the wildlife/ranch animals are never where you need 'em!! I had bison standing right next to the fence on the side of the road in South Park. A lone pronghorn which is odd in itself. And lots of horses, mules, cattle. Beautiful crisp skies with that deep blue that Colorado is noted for. ( I know MT is Big Sky country but we are related...we are both Rocky Mtn states... ;0]

I can't help it. This is a very strange 'resort'. I have never had good experiences with Breckenridge the ski area/resort. I LOVE the town of Breckenridge. So quaint and fun and interesting. I missed the ice carving this year!

My thoughts are with Michael, A Boy and His Bike, this am. This was the first time I had to check blogs and I found out his son is not healthy and spent the night in the ICU. Please go say Hi if you haven't already and wish him and his son well. Thank you!

I wish I could have had a car full of family and friends with me on my ride. For real this time. I can't do any sort of justice to the feeling I have as I drive thru the mountain passes, South Park and those tiny towns west of Colorado Springs. The vistas, the smells, the way it makes me feel. I inevitably think of pioneers whenever I drive west of the Springs. What that must have been like a hundred or so years ago.

These are some books that speak to me.





I did have real company on the ride up. Most of the way, I was on the phone with my cuz Keith. In some ways we are kindred souls. I am most blessed to have such great family.

It is delightfully cool here this am. Slept in flannels and socks. Going to get away at some point today to breathe in the mountain.

Toodles, Pam

Toodles, Pam

YOU ARE NOT GONNA BELIEVE THIS,

IT'S SNOWING

Questions...

Why? Why do you do this to me? Why don't you just say it and be done with it? Are you afraid? Do you not care like you once did? How can I fix it if you won't tell me what I've done.

Why? Why do I care that you are acting this way? Why do I spend any time, energy and emotion wondering and worrying "why"? Why are you exempt from the 'rules' you apply to me?

PPPfffttt.

Ramblings

I only have a short time to get this posted. I'm giving myself 30 mins to write it before we get some dinner and then I have a presentation to write. Our state Home Care Association is having their annual conference in Breckenridge on Thurs and Fri. I have to present a 10 min spiel on our Cardiac program and remote vital sign monitoring. I have notes and outlines written but nothing firmed up and I can't do it tomorrow because I have another day of orientation to present.

It's funny, the gal who first introduced me to homecare back in '93 is in this orientation. She has been doing homecare since around '91 or '92. We are soooo much alike, fiery, rebellious redheads. It's so good to see her again. About 3 or 4 months ago I was thinking about her and wondering what she was up to. The last I saw her was '96.

I've been seeing patients here in the Springs for the last few weeks because they are so short staffed. (This new group of orientees will take the pressure off the staff, so I'll probably have to give up my patient load) I have thoroughly enjoyed being back in the field. It still has some drawbacks but they are grossly outweighed by the benefits. But since I've been driving around town more I wanted to share some of the things that have been flittering through my mind.

Colorado Springs is changing. As it is want to do at this time of year. As you are driving around town, you get vantage points and see the whole of the city laid out for you. Almost overnight it goes from brown and dark green (think evergreen trees) to this bright green fuzz that almost looks like some fungus. It's fun to look at the different trees while running hither and yon. Some are all leafed out and some, like our black walnut, have these tiny buds with barely any signs of life. Our black walnut is always the last to leaf out and the first to turn yellow and drop it's leaves come fall. But there are other colors as well. There are these stunning flowering trees all around town. I don't know what they are but some are white, some are pale pink and some are a deep pink bordering on purple. Not to mention the Forsythia, the snowball bushes and of course, my fav the Lilac. There is this one and I don't know what it is...Weigela maybe. The branches drape gracefully to the ground with these lovely white blossoms all along the branch. Looks like water falling. One of my neighbors has a Wysteria, but the leaves are never open when it blossoms. It looks funny with the pretty purple blossoms and no leaves.

Did you know some of you ride along with me? When I'm doing this driving along I will spot a house with either interesting architecture or interesting landscape and Shephard's with me. I think, "I bet he would like the decorative touches on this house". Or maybe, "I can imagine what Shephard would do with this one." Other times it's Michael, A Boy and His Bike, who is in the passenger seat. When I spot a fast scooter or hear a fast scooter I think of Michael. It's the sight or the sound of emergency vehicles that brings Laura, The Artful Blogger to mind. Whenever a military transport takes off from Pete Field or is doing flyby's, I feel Aunt Claire or Pilot Mom is close by. Small groupings of flowers has Leesa, Peace of My Mind, riding shotgun. I think, "Ohh, I bet she would make some fantastic photos of this one". Anytime I think of Italy, Greece or Iraq or anything to do with pollution and the environment, Marianna, Greek Chickie, is in my minds eye. And honestly, almost everytime I go into Walmart now too! ;0] I should spend some time writing all this down and do a more involved post. You all are with me thru the day. Like my husband and my mum. You make a difference in my life.

I am going to do this meme. I can't remember on whose blog I saw it first. Actually the first time I wrote this out 2 days ago was quite early in the morning and while I am not a grumpy person normally, I was not having a good day and my answers were abominable. So, I am trying this again.

I AM: an interesting paradox
I WANT: for very little material items but so much emotional
I WISH: people would be more forgiving and compassionate
I HATE: when I can't seem to get out of my own way
I MISS: my Mom, myself/my life from 2 years ago
I FEAR: lots of things that I would never tell anyone
I HEAR: the sounds of my neighborhood and wishing I was hearing the sound of wind in the trees and water babbling in a stream and my family enjoying themselves.
I WONDER: what I am doing and why- at least once a day
I REGRET: letting Kevin disappear
I AM NOT: my khaki's
I DANCE: not often enough
I SING: when I am happy
I CRY: too often and never in public
I AM NOT ALWAYS: on top of things
I MAKE WITH MY HANDS: piles of stuff that needs to be attended to
I WRITE: about myself, my life, my interests
I CONFUSE: friends with acquaintances
I NEED: nothing I don't already have
I SHOULD: get cracking on my presentation
I START: lot's of things but never finish
I FINISH: very little from my perspective, but am always rec'ing compliments or comments on how much I do.
I TAG: My mum

Toodles, Pam

Hat Tip to Leesa

Your Inner Child Is Surprised

You see many things through the eyes of a child. Meaning, you're rarely cynical or jaded. You cherish all of the details in life. You Are a Prophet Soul You are a gentle soul, with good intentions toward everyone. Selfless and kind, you have great faith in people. Sometimes this faith can lead to disappoinment in the long run. No matter what, you deal with everything in a calm and balanced way. You are a good interpreter, very sensitive, intuitive, caring, and gentle. Concerned about the world, you are good at predicting people's feelings. A seeker of wisdom, you are a life long learner looking for purpose and meaning. You are a great thinker and communicator, but not necessarily a doer. Souls you are most compatible with: Bright Star Soul and Dreaming Soul What Kind of Soul Are You? Easily fascinated, you enjoy experiencing new things.

How Is Your Inner Child?

Part Deux..Rest of the Story.

Michael from Ripple Me This asked me these questions.
What color are your eyes? Have you ever met anyone famous?

Well, I say green. Some say hazel. What do you say?

I have met...Whoopi Goldberg. We had lunch at her restaurant in Gloucester MA. At least that was what the locals told us. That she owned the restaurant. Dean Stockwell, while checking in to a Motel 8 in Santa Fe around 1995 or 1996. Then while visiting MGM studios in FL in 1995, we met Jaleel White aka Steve Urkel and I actually bumped Kellie Shanygne Williams aka Laura Winslow in the chest with my elbow. That was a moment I won't forget. I was actually complaining while looking at those photos they take of you on the big rides, that one car looked empty except for a few people. Well, of course, it was them in the mostly empty car and they were standing behind us looking at the photos so they heard everything I said. D'oh. And to insult I had to add injury when I turned around and my elbow caught Kellie in the chest....you know, dead center Martha. I also met the Pope of the Orthodox Russian Church. Actually he was my patient for several weeks.

I know a few local celeb's. Famous business owners, judges, interior designers, TV personalities, astronauts, etc. Nobody you'd know. And it would not be polite to drop their names anyway because I met them in my role as a nurse.

What is Bill doing today? Well, he is tired of my hogging (blogging) the computer so he is building his own.

The good news is I get to get a new processor and printer. Well, we will share the printer. We are going to get this.

And a web cam, and...a docking station and ...whatever else I can think of. ;0]

Saturday's Photo Scavenger Hunt

Today's assignment is: OPEN

This is what has to be done if your coronary arteries are CLOSED and need to be OPEN.

And the rest.....of the story,

Before I get started...

Butterfinger

They call you sticky fingers for a reason!

What Kind of Candy Are You? (thanks Pilot Mom)

Shephard asked: I'd love it if you shared any simple easy recipes (non beef/pork.. or w/turkey or chicken substitutes). :)
Hmmmmmm, simple easy chicken or turkey recipes. I have just the thing. It’s my all time fav and not only is it quick, easy it is actually low fat, very savory and delicioussssss.
Golden Chicken and Autumn Vegetables
4 chicken breasts, bone in, skinless
2 large sweet potatoes, peeled and cut into large chunks
2 cups fresh or frozen cut green beans
1 cup chicken broth
1 tbl minced fresh parsley
½ tsp garlic powder
½ tsp rosemary, crushed
¼ tsp thyme

In a nonstick skillet over medium-high heat, cook chicken until browned on both sides. Add sweet potatoes and beans. Combine the remaining ingredients; pour over chicken and vegetables. Bring to a boil. Reduce heat; cover and cook over low for 20 minutes or until chicken juices run clear. Y 4
Prep time 10 min, Cook time 20 min.

I use more of the herbs than the recipe calls for because we like it flavorful. I couldn’t find any nutritional data on the recipe but I got it here.

Michael asked: Where'd Bill take you on that first blind date?
Well, we were set up by a mutual friend, Teri Hamm. She invited me to come out to Frankies Bar and Grill with a bunch of folks. It turned out it was her, her boyfriend and Bill. He made me a rose from the bar napkin…what can I say? I’m easy! Our actual first date, the next night, was to a place called Jose Muldoons, downtown Colorado Springs. If you click on this and scroll down a bit, the table and chairs in the forefront is the actual spot where we sat in Frankies! That memorable date was October 16th, 1993.

Stacy asked: 1. When you were little, what did you want to be when you grew up? And did that career choice change as you grew up?
You know, I don’t ever remember wanting to ‘be’ anything until I had to start thinking about it in high school. But I had to call Mom to be sure. I wrote a ‘book’ in the third grade and sent it in for publication to a publishing house. But Mom and I don’t recall me saying that I wanted to be an author when I grew up. In high school, I wanted to be a professional photographer and then I wanted to go to the Katherine Gibbs School in Boston to be an Executive Assistant. It’s funny, the class of ’80 had about 25 girls and of the 6 that I sorta hung around with, 4 went to college to be nurses. Only one graduated as a nurse. I remember thinking that was a terrible career choice and said I didn’t want to wipe butt’s for a living. Yeah…don’t say it. Just one of the ‘firsts’ of the long list of ‘nevers’ I ended up doing.
2. What (or who) are your guilty pleasures? ;)
Chocolate foods. Oreos, Johnny Carino’s chocolate cake, chocolate chip cookie dough, chocolate pudding. And, I don’t share very well either.
3. What was THE most embarrassing thing to ever happen to you?
Ha, I have a sh*tload of embarrassing things. It’s hard to narrow it down! But since you hail from Florida, I will tell you this story. When I was 18, and three months out of high school, I followed my summer boyfriend to Tampa where he was a junior at UT. I shared a trailer with another college girl and got a minimum wage job at the 301 Truckstop in Tampa. I worked the Fuel Desk and I worked all 3 shifts, every week. One evening, the fuel jockey came in to have me announce to this humongeous truck stop (15 showers, huge restaurant, mechanic shop, big store and umpteen dozen overnight parking ‘stalls’ for truckers), to have “the ‘bed-bug hauler’ move his truck”. (They leave ‘em sit at the pump ‘cause it takes a long time to fill their tanks). So, in my effort to be sophisticated and cool, I keyed the mike and in my smoothest, silkiest voice, I said, “Would the driver of United Air Lines please move your truck?”
Well, all the clanging and tinkling and voice chatter coming from the restaurant stopped…and a hushed pause lasted for about 10 seconds, then some big ole southern trucker hollers out, “I don’t see no 747 parked out there little lady!” Followed by the most racous laughter, hoots and hollers you have ever heard. I ‘heard’ about that incident every day in one way or another until the day I quit.

Michael wasn’t satisfied with asking one so he also asked this:
You've been granted the ability to do anything you want for 24 hours with no consequences. After 24 hours your life rewinds and continues where you left off. What do you do?
That’s a tough one…I’m torn between dragging several rugged, sexy men I know and having my way with them while eating chocolate or bitch-slapping a couple of people I know who soooo desperately need it. Gonna have to think on that one… ;0]
Holy cow, you've just hit the jackpot! Here's a million dollars in cash but there's a catch, you have to spend it all within one week! Tell us what you do with it!
And this is a problem? Just a mil. A measly mil? I’d probably go thru that in 2 or 3 days tops. Wasn’t there a movie….Brewster’s Millions, with Richard Pryor.
I would buy ‘huge tracts of land’ and put up a big ole ranch house, a huge bunk house and some small cottages on it. I’d move my mom and my sister (with an entourage of the best and most caring healthcare providers for my sister) onto the ranch. I’d buy a vacation for a month to the Mexican Carib with my boy. Sun, sand and surf…and ‘Rita’s too of course. I’d set up an animal rescue shelter and set up a program for ‘at risk’ youth to help train and care for the animals on the ranch. I’d get my teeth fixed and buy land in Colorado Springs to be made into parks. I would help all my relatives and my husband’s relatives with whatever was left over after all that, until it was gone.

Stacie (Pilot Stacie) asked: Where are all the places you've been stationed? Which did you like the best, and why?
I was born in a military hospital…Plattsburgh AFB. And we moved to an AFB in Albany Georgia when I was four. I don’t guess that counts as places I’ve been stationed huh?
1. Ft Jackson, SC for basic training.
2. Ft. Sam Houston, TX for AIT or Medic school
3. Tripler Army Medical Center, Honolulu HA
4. Ft. Stewart, GA
5. Ft. Irwin, CA
6. Ft. Drum, NY
7. Ft. Knox, KY
8. Ft. Bragg, NC
9. Walter Reed Army Medical Center, Wash D.C.
10. Ft. Sam Houston TX for Officer Basic
11. Ft. Carson, CO
12. Ft. Bragg, NC during the first Gulf War
13. Ft. Sam Houston, TX for Combat Casualty Care Course
14. Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, CO for the Critical Care Course

I am quite hard pressed to choose a ‘best’. Maybe if I said- if I had to go back to one of these places…which would I choose. For location: Walter Reed. For duty assignment: Fitzsimmons. For the best experience: Tripler. I am quite comfortable with Ft. Sam because I’ve been there three times but the summer heat would kill me. I’m totally not interested in going back to Ft. Stewart. BUGS…hate ‘em. And not only does Ft. Stewart have an abundance of them…they also have gators in the post parks. YIKES.

Wenchy asked: What has been the happiest day of your life and what has been the worst?
The happiest day was when Bill and I moved in to our house and we felt like we had made it. We were a family, with all the trimmings. I think we literally glowed for days. And speaking of glowing, the second best day was when I found out I was pregnant.
The worst day, was the day I miscarried. I’m still dealing with that. The second worst day of my life, and I can still feel the pain in my chest, is when I said goodbye to my friend Kevin after Officer Basic. I thought I would never see him again. I had never felt that way before and not since. I hope I never feel that way again. The third worst day was the first performance evaluation an old boss gave me. I have never been kicked so hard and so long and gone so low. He kicked me so hard, figuratively speaking of course, that I had no other place to go but up. When I think of that day or reread that eval, I go numb. No one will ever have that power over me again, in that manner. I won’t give it to them.

Well, I am just that boring aren’t I?

Wow 98

This is the list of the 100 highest grossing movies. Not sure if the list is accurate. How many have you seen?
1. Titanic (1997) - $600,779,824
2. Star Wars (1977) - $460,935,665
3. E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982) - $434,949,459
4. Star Wars: Episode I - The Phantom Menace (1999) - $431,065,444
5. Spider-Man (2002) - $403,706,375
6. Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, The (2003) - $377,019,252
7. Passion of the Christ, The (2004) - $370,025,697
8. Jurassic Park (1993) - $356,784,000
9. Shrek 2 (2004) - $356,211,000
10. Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The (2002) - $340,478,898
11. Finding Nemo (2003) - $339,714,367
12. Forrest Gump (1994) - $329,691,196
13. Lion King, The (1994) - $328,423,001
14. Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (2001) - $317,557,891
15. Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, The (2001) - $313,837,577
16. Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002) - $310,675,583
17. Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983) - $309,125,409
18. Independence Day (1996) - $306,124,059
19. Pirates of the Caribbean (2003) - $305,411,224
20. Sixth Sense, The (1999) - $293,501,675
21. Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980) - $290,158,751
22. Home Alone (1990) - $285,761,243
23. Matrix Reloaded, The (2003) - $281,492,479
24. Shrek (2001) - $267,652,016
25. Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) - $261,970,615
26. How the Grinch Stole Christmas (2000) - $260,031,035
27. Jaws (1975) - $260,000,000
28. Monsters, Inc. (2001) - $255,870,172
29. Batman (1989) - $251,188,924
30. Men in Black (1997) - $250,147,615
31. Toy Story 2 (1999) - $245,823,397
32. Bruce Almighty (2003) - $242,589,580
33. Raiders of the Lost Ark (1981) - $242,374,454
34. Twister (1996) - $241,700,000
35. My Big Fat Greek Wedding (2002) - $241,437,427
36. Ghost Busters (1984) - $238,600,000
37. Beverly Hills Cop (1984) - $234,760,500
38. Cast Away (2000) - $233,630,478
39. Lost World: Jurassic Park, The (1997) - $229,074,524
40. Signs (2002) - $227,965,690
41. Rush Hour 2 (2001) - $226,138,454
42. Mrs. Doubtfire (1993) - $219,200,000
43. Ghost (1990) - $217,631,306
44. Aladdin (1992) - $217,350,219
45. Saving Private Ryan (1998) - $216,119,491
46. Mission: Impossible II (2000) - $215,397,30
47. X2 (2003) - $214,948,780
48. Austin Powers in Goldmember (2002) - $213,079,163
49. Back to the Future (1985) - $210,609,762
50. Austin Powers: The Spy Who Shagged Me (1999) - $205,399,422
51. Terminator 2: Judgment Day (1991) - $204,843,350
52. Exorcist, The (1973) - $204,565,000
53. Mummy Returns, The (2001) - $202,007,640
54. Armageddon (1998) - $201,573,391
55. Gone with the Wind (1939) - $198,655,278
56. Pearl Harbor (2001) - $198,539,855
57. Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (1989) - $197,171,806
58. Toy Story (1995) - $191,800,000
59. Men in Black II (2002) - $190,418,803
60. Gladiator (2000) - $187,670,866
61. Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs (1937) - $184,925,485
62. Dances with Wolves (1990) - $184,208,848
63. Batman Forever (1995) - $184,031,112
64. Fugitive, The (1993) - $183,875,760
65. Ocean's Eleven (2001) - $183,405,771
66. What Women Want (2000) - $182,805,123
67. Perfect Storm, The (2000) - $182,618,434
68. Liar Liar (1997) - $181,395,380
69. Grease (1978) - $181,360,000
70. Jurassic Park III (2001) - $181,166,115
71. Mission: Impossible (1996) - $180,965,237
72. Planet of the Apes (2001) - $180,011,740
73. Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (1984) - $179,870,271
74. Pretty Woman (1990) - $178,406,268
75. Tootsie (1982) - $177,200,000
76. Top Gun (1986) - $176,781,728
77. There's Something About Mary (1998) - $176,483,808
78. Ice Age (2002) - $176,387,405
79. Crocodile Dundee (1986) - $174,635,000
80. Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (1992) - $173,585,516
81. Elf (2003) - $173,381,405
82. Air Force One (1997) - $172,888,056
83. Rain Man (1988) - $172,825,435
84. Apollo 13 (1995) - $172,071,312
85. Matrix, The (1999) - $171,383,253
86. Beauty and the Beast (1991) - $171,301,428
87. Tarzan (1999) - $171,085,177
88. Beautiful Mind, A (2001) - $170,708,996
89. Chicago (2002) - $170,684,505
90. Three Men and a Baby (1987) - $167,780,960
91. Meet the Parents (2000) - $166,225,040
92. Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves (1991) - $165,500,000
93. Hannibal (2001) - $165,091,464
94. Catch Me If You Can (2002) - $164,435,221
95. Big Daddy (1999) - $163,479,795
96. Sound of Music, The (1965) - $163,214,286
97. Batman Returns (1992) - $162,831,698
98. Bug's Life, A (1998) - $162,792,677
99. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004) - $161,963,000
100. Waterboy, The (1998) - $161,487,252

Stolen from Stacy the PQ

I loved that Stacy would do this and still make it fun and entertaining. She's my hero!

Okay all you Blogging Friends. This is what Stacy posted the other day and you can just apply it to me. I'm thinking there aren't going to be any questions from you all, but this sounded like fun so here ya go.
"So, in lieu of making you read something completely pointless, I'll let you, my most favorite Peanuttians (insert Blogging Friends here), decide what you want to talk about. Have any questions for me? Don't be shy....believe me, if I find the questions too personal, I'll just make something up. Or maybe my Peanuttians (ditto) may have questions for one another? Go ahead...ask away. I'm not sure what kind of answers you may get but they're bound to be more entertaining than anything I can come up with this morning. Believe me...;)" posted by Stacy the Peanut Queen on May 2nd.

Ciao! Pam

Eytyxismena Genethlia Marianna!

These 'Flag Flowers' or purple Iris' are just for you Marianna. Wishing you a wonderful birthday.

(I've been trying to load this all day M., sorry it took so long!) :0/

If you haven't already done it, go wish her a Happy Birthday or Eytyxismena Genethlia here.