I Jones

Okay….so I’m 70 pounds overweight. That’s why I started this plan. It’s not healthy for me, no matter how active I am. And before I begin, let me tell you that I have had a Shaklee cocoa shake almost every single day for the last 4.8 years. I've kept off the weight I lost. Most of the time, I frickin’ forget to eat lunch. One o’clock comes along and I then notice some hunger pains. I’ll grab a bitesize Dove candy and go back to work. I drink water all the time. Once in a while I have leftovers for lunch or I go grab something with a coworker....(Red, Hot & Blue!!)

So why is it today….since I ‘started’ on the plan….that by 10 am I was already hungry and thinking about food? Why now, at just a bit after noon I am jonesing a large bowl of butter pecan ice cream with extra pecans and drizzled with chocolate syrup? Why?

*sob*

Because…because I “can’t”, that’s why. As soon as you put that thought in my head or rather I put that thought in my head, I start jonesing for everything I “can’t” have.

JMJ!

Okay, I’m drinking my water, my shake and eating my fruit and getting back to work. Arrrgghhhh!

I RAVE

about Shaklee. I've done the research, I've put in the hours...I would put my professional and personal reputation on the line and back this company 100% and then some.

I just got my new weight loss/management kit today and have played with the software that came with it and I will start tomorrow am. I have already previewed (read- ate every free sample) the products in my convention kit that Patty brought back for me last week. Pretty damn good and I am one picky chick. [As a matter of fact, Patty said of the new 'Cinch' shake, "it tastes great" and I flat out told her I didn't trust her one iota, considering the first time I tried a 'shake' from Shaklee. I tell ya, I will never let her live that down!! Eventually, it grew on me and I'm a daily user of the shakes and happy to be so, but man o man, that first drink was unlike anything I was prepared for. She laughed but was still shocked that I would say that. We giggled some more about my dry heaves and my initial expectations. (I thought it would be like a Sonic shake-dumb butt) I did try the new Cinch shake and it is pretty good! Believe it or not...still not a Sonic shake, but then again...I don't want a Sonic shake anymore.]
Now, I am waiting for Shaklee's newest revamping to be shipped. I was just about to order some household cleaners when Patty called me from convention and told me about the kits. So, it should ship on or about 15 September. I should just be starting to run out of stuff by then. Let me show what I like about these products.

Can you make out the 'difference' you can have by switching your household cleaners? I think the flutterby is pretty.

Now this is the part that really makes my eyes light up. One starter kit from Shaklee can save you upwards of 3 grand! Ask anyone who ever used Shaklee's products. They work, they do what they say they will do.
Lastly, besides the cute little organizer in the pic above, you get these products in your kit.

Okay, so, I am coming out of my 'closet'. I love Shaklee. I love everything about Shaklee. I think everyone ought to love Shaklee and buy it. Not just because I love it. Because it's the right thing to do for our bodies-our health but for our planet as well.

Yes, I'm a tree hugger....a Birkenstock wearing, earthy-crunchy type. I'm proud of it. I care about nature and the impact we are having on it which in turn, impacts us. I've said it before and I'm sure I'll say it again...Nature will take care of herself. She will repair whatever damage we do to her. The only ones that will suffer will be us. Humans.

You can buy similar products at your local 'alternative' as well as some mainstream grocery stores. Instead, you go over to my website and order what you need and it will be shipped to your door. Go ahead, I'll wait. Come back after you get your stuff and tell me what you think. I really wanna know. Oh yeah, I forgot to tell ya...if you don't like your purchases...for whatever reason, Shaklee will gladly refund you your money. How about that?

So join me and get started caring for your family and your planet.

♥Pam

I Doodle

for WFMW. I know a lot of folks scrapbook and they do fancy add ons and stuff. But I like making my own borders sometimes. Okay in reality, I learned to calligraphy so I wouldn't have to buy diecut letters. I hated spending the money. The gal who taught us also shared some tips and she shared vine making. So today's WFMW is doodling a vine which you can use as a border. Wanna know how easy it is? First, here's a picture.

It's definitely not my best but the idea is there.

You start with a six.

You extend a tail and then make a backwards six. Then a forwards six, followed by a backwards six...etc. And you keep going. You don't have to keep them in a straight line. Add some interest with dots in a tricot pattern, leaves, flowers etc. Have fun. Just doodle!

Want to play WFMW? Go check out Shannon's site and sign up or just see who else played.
(pssst, anyone notice I found a sharpie to match my blog color?? I am such a nerd!!)
♥Pam

I Spy SNOW!!

Here it is. Taken Saturday evening. That would be August the 26th.

Yup, the first snow on the Peak, that's Pikes Peak.

Elevation 14,110 ft.


My friend Robyn wants to climb to the top for a charity event at the end of September. Here's a video and some pics, of our second ascent. We made it to the top of the Incline via Barr Trail.

First view of Pikes Peak from Barr Trail. See it sticking up just over the ridge?

Here's Hank, Head of Ranch Security, checking out the view. Okay, he's really just checking out the two Border Collies just beyond the trees. See his big ole spot? He's the best hiking partner I've ever had. He truly was a trooper.

Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video SharingWe have started back from the top of the Incline and it was such an incredibly beautiful day. Cool breeze, warm but definitely not hot. Absofrickinlutely stunning.

That's Sachett Mountain at the end of the ridge. The Cog Railway is the tan gash almost horizontal just below Sachett and to the right. Where the Cog crosses over the side of Sachett is called Windy Point.

Is this guy cute or what???

Here's Robyn hiking on the trail thru the rock. She has her two poles with her. Alot of folks hike with them now and considering her core strength is poor, this helps her keep her balance.

So here's a quick shot from probably the best lookout at the top of the switchbacks. Directly at the bottom is Ruxton Ave and the Cog Station. Just above that is Manitou Springs and above that is northern Colorado Springs. I'm not sure why the yellow/orange streaking. And the first groan you here... is poor Robyn sitting down. ;0]


Photo Sharing - Upload Video - Video Sharing

Next time we go to Barr Camp and we will take the Cog down. Our goal is to get her to the top. We'll worry about completing the trip some other year!!

Hope you enjoyed it as much as we did. Although my calves are still not talking to me today...2 days later.

♥Pam

I Tangle

The thread. The elusive thread of thought, that is just in the peripheral vision of my mind. That thread that tickles my creativity of words and thoughts. But when I reach for it, it vanishes. And I'm left there with my minds-arm, stretched out, searching for the thought.

I seem to suffer that a lot lately.

And my threads are all tangled together. I pull on one and before I know it, I have managed to pull other threads. It's how my mind works. This I know for sure.
It all starts here. With this.
I was watching Survivorman last night. I was arranging my negatives in folders by year, titling them and I didn't want to watch a movie. I couldn't find Dirty Jobs :0/ on any channel so I settled for Survivorman. I like to pick up some survival hints but otherwise, I don't care for the 'added' drama that comes across as artificial to me. But enough of that.
I thought while watching this episode of "Surviving Urban Disasters" just how far removed we have become from being able to take care of ourselves. The episode before that he was in Canyonlands and killed a ground squirrel and ate it. He apologized that this was gruesome but you have to do what you have to do. I'm thinking to myself, if you need an apology you shouldn't be watching this show. Go get your eyebrows tweezed or your back waxed or some shit.
Back to "Surviving Urban Disasters". Holy Mother of God people. When did we get so immune from the world that only bad things happen 'other places' and not to 'me'????
I'm generally an optimist. I generally think all things work out for the best. For me they do. I might have a rough go of things for a bit. But that doesn't mean I don't plan and prepare. Did I think the whole infrastructure of modern civilization was going to come crashing down on January 1st, 2000 at 12:00:1? Hell no. Doesn't mean I wasn't prepared though.
When I went hiking yesterday, on the busiest trail in the region, a veritable human highway, did I prepare for being lost, stranded, hurt? Yes. I did. I have an emergency pack that I put on my fanny pack belt. It has a space blanket, a multipurpose knife, lanyard-25ft, matches in waterproof container, food, mirror for signaling and other assorted self rescue/emergency items. Anyway, it may be overkill for the Barr Trail...but you never know.
A very nice runner on the trail said something to the effect that we were doing well. Trail etiquette and just plain ole being nice has you saying 'howdy' or 'hi' or 'good morning' to those who pass you from behind or coming down hill. Sometimes you shoot the shit or ask how far to the next trail and such. So this one svelte, youthful woman of ? age told us older, overweight women that we should be very proud of ourselves for having come this far. (We were past the place we stopped at here, but not to the top of the Incline.) She then went on to say she took some twentysomething gals and they didn't make it 1.5 miles up the Barr Trail. She was giving us kudos, I was happy to accept. But it started me thinking. That's not that unusual for some folks to totally not get into hiking and stuff. I went to high school with about 99 other women who felt the same way as those twentysomethings. Doesn't make them bad people. Doesn't make them lazy or anything else. Makes them not into hiking's all. But before I could stop the judgmental idiot of my persona, I said to myself, "see, what would these women do if they actually had to fend for themselves in a 'situation'. How I got from one thought to the other....I will never know. But in general, I thought how removed we are from caring for ourselves without modern conveniences. What makes someone a survivor and someone not? In the 1997 movie, The Edge, Anthony Hopkins says most people lost in the wilds, die of shame. I think they die of lost hope. They give up, sit down and die. They give in. Oh, granted there are extenuating circumstances in any given situation.
But I've scared myself half to death before. When I was about 18, I went hiking by myself. Again, a highly trafficked trail, my parents dropped me off at the trail head on their way somewhere and were picking me up on their way back. I did this trail a bunch of times. My parents knew exactly the trail I was on. Knew I would not deviate from it. It's the Seven Sisters just south of Amherst MA. I finished, sat at the trailhead. Waiting. I ran out of water. Decided I would walk down the little store and get something to drink. I left my parents a note at the trailhead and I walked over 2 miles, but it was closed. Sunday in MA you know! I passed dozens of homes. But I was too shy to go up and ask for water!! So I walked back. I had no watch. But it felt like forever. What if my parents didn't come back? What if they got in an accident. What if .....
I scared the shit out of myself and felt the power of fear.
I eventually drank water that I filtered from a swampy area a bit south of the trailhead. I knew how to filter it...because I had read this book.

My point is...I scared myself but I rescued myself. I was my own worst enemy and my own best friend.

So, could folks caught in an urban disaster save themselves? Why yes and lot's have. But lot's have not. Why? On the evolutionary ladder, were they less adaptable and then subject to elimination? Meaning, they got too complacent and didn't prepare well or meaning they scared themselves to death? Why don't all people learn, either from their parents or on their own, how to prepare and handle emergencies. Why wouldn't you want to know how to do that? Why wouldn't you, the first time out on your own, figure out how to do simple things. Of course, I am only asking rhetorically. I had a mid twenties neighbor who the whole time her husband was in Korea with the Army, had to have someone come mow her lawn and shovel the driveway. WTF? I mean, she was healthy, could stand to loose some weight and here is her perfect opportunity to become independent and she never left the house. *shakes head in bewilderment*

So, I don't expect or even see people becoming Dan'l Boone or Jeremiah Johnson. I don't expect people to embrace the survivalist mentality (and not the wacko's up in the boondocks either). But just some common sense preparation. In 1997, we had a blizzard here in Colorado and had approximately 7 deaths in El Paso County. Most were asphyxiated by carbon monoxide fumes because they ran their car engines to keep warm, but never cleared the tailpipe or cracked a window.

That thread led me to think about how dependent we are on modern conveniences. I hear people or read people who comment on what they would do if they were without power. Gosh folks, you could clean, organize, play a game, go for a walk if the weather was good. Catch up on chores. Visit with your neighbors. Help someone in more need than yourself. Read a book!! Organize the kids in the neighborhood and do something creative or fun.

Don't get me wrong now, I love my internet as much as the next person. I love being able to have information at my fingertips. I don't know what I would do without IMDB...heheheeee. But, life goes on, power or not.

If you live in a flood plain, prepare for it. If you live in tornado alley, prepare for it. If you live in Earthquake USA, get it together. Imagine if Alaska had a blizzard and began begging the lower 48 for help? Hello? We would be saying to ourselves...WTF? You live in Alaska, what did you expect to happen when November rolled in? That's not to say that I don't think we shouldn't help out our neighbors and that bizarre things don't happen (tsunami in south pacific) but to not be mindful of where you are and what is going on around you invites disaster. So it's mental preparation as well as physical. Don't want to actually 'know' what to do in a disaster. Fine. But have the resources on hand. I have several 'how to' books. Just in case.

You should practice fire drills in your home. You should make sure you know your emergency plan for your workplace.

There's nothing I hate worse than not knowing what to do in an emergency. I know that's my bag. I like to read books and see movies about disasters. I think it started with the Swiss Family Robinson. I loved The Stand by SK. I read it 3 times. I liked The Day After Tomorrow. I liked Deep Impact. I liked the documentary about the Yellowstone supervolcano. I want to say, right now, for the record..I am NOT an 'end times' person. The only thing that would end is, life as we know it....or should I say society as we know it. Life will go one. Nature will persevere.

I don't have all the answers. I know I could survive just about anything. It's 90% mental and 10% physical. But it wouldn't surprise me to do something stupid and blow myself up either. Life is so complicated, you can't know everything. But you sure can prepare. And have contingency plans. If you know me well, you know I have at least one if not two, backup plans. For anything. A family gathering, a trip, a night out, grocery shopping...everything.

Right now, I have an emergency kit in my car, a snow-ice scraper, blanket, water and a cold weather kit (candles, non perishable food etc). In my garage,I don't have a lot of food that doesn't require refrigeration/freezing. Every now and then I use up my nonperishables and then restock.

If I were wealthy, I would have a 'Blast From The Past' fallout shelter on my property. To be accessed by a secret entrance. Of course, my property would be on an isolated ranch somewhere in the mountains. If I were wealthy.

So my thread went from enjoying the rougher side of life with a Sunday hike to surviving a major society-altering disaster. I pondered why people would ignore the obvious, and then sit in bewilderment when the worst struck. I discussed the mentality of survival. I wondered why someone would be stymied on what to do if the power went out. We've only had electricity for what, 100 years or so. I'm thinking, living without it should be almost instinctual.

On the other hand...the in's and out's of survival in corporate America seem to evade me all together. So, I guess it all evens out. If the world hurriedly goes to hell in a handbasket...call me. And I'll let someone else maneuver & conquer the corporate jungle.

♥Pam

I Confess

I know...three back to back meme's. I SUCK People. I know it. But, I've been busy. I know that's no excuse either. I have ....awwww skip it. If I get fewer bugs for my memes from 'Frog My Blog' ..... so be it. I like playing.
We've just come out of a long drought so my garden has been seriously wanting these last few years. I had to resort to ....wild plants.



These are wild asters. I didn't grow these and I can't remember if that is one of the rules of GTS. These grow wild here in Colorado and probably elsewhere in the world. They are just pretty and I enjoy them. So forgive me if I didn't follow the rules this week. Check out my sidebar for who's played and join us.

And in other news....I will post tomorrow and hopefully be able to remember some of the marvelous, insightful and entertaining tidbits that keep teasing my brain before darting off into the recess of my grey matter.
♥Pam

I Hunt Blue

My husband Bill, shaves his head every year for Children's Cancer Research, which is hosted by the St. Baldricks Foundation. And a week before hand he dyes it some bizarre color. Gives him a reason to talk to strangers to drum up donations. This past St. Baldricks he dyed it Smurf blue. I actually posted a picture of him wet for my very first PSH theme...'wet'.
Visit my sidebar and click on the blogroll to see who else played and to sign up on TNChick's site so you can join us too. Happy Saturday PSH'ers.

I Speak

...Some Interesting/Useful Phrases Every Day.

A list for

1. "Not so much...". I know it's overused and I don't give a fig!! So pbblllttt.
2. "Bite me". I only say this to people I know well, and who know me well. And there aren't many of those I see and/or talk to on a daily basis. I think Bill gets the brunt of these.
3. "Hmmmmm....Good Luck with that!" Must be said with a dry, sarcastic tone of voice and sardonic grin.
4. "Who are we talking about?" The key to using this phrase most powerfully, is not to have a 'deer in the headlights look'...but more of a blank, vacuous look and said while an argument feels like it might be brewing. Continue to stare at the other person and insert just a touch of a question into your look. Works ever time. For a graphic demonstration..rent Chicken Little.
5. "God Bless America." Here, the first word is drawn out somewhat, with the expectation that a curse word is soon to follow. At the last second you invoke a blessing on this wonderful country of ours. HR is happy you didn't cuss along with little Miss Priss and Mr. Holy Roller is glad you didn't take the Lord's name in vain. But you can't just substitute the words. You have to train your brain and then your mouth to truly invoke the blessing. Works for me.
6. My all time favorite...written it's "JMJ" or "Jaysus, Mahry and Joosuph." That's more phonetically spelled so you get the real flavor. If I have an audience of any size, I say it with a brogue.
7. "Okay Campers, lets open our clue bags..." Obviously dripping with sarcasm. Most of the time I say this in my head and I am fervently working to remove it from there as well. Although, this next one is very similar and I still say it outloud, much too often.
8. Using my best Forrest voice, "Stoopid is as stoopid does."
9. "That would be correct." I have no explanation for this. Instead of saying, "you're right" I say that. I dunno.
10. And occasionally I say, "Roger that". Hey, whaddya want? I spent 12 years in the military. The crap rubs off after awhile. And yessss, I can still say the phonetic alphabet. It just rolls of my tongue.
11. "Oh by all means, the pleasure is mine!" GET YOUR MINDS outthegutter...dorks. I usually say that when someone thanks me for helping them. So I end up saying it almost every day. And...the pleasure is always mine or I wouldn't be doing whatever it is they asked me to do. I would find a way to get out of it, that's for sure.
12. "I'm sorry." See the trick with this phrase is you should follow it with whatever the other person has a problem with. You're sorry their feelings are hurt. You're sorry they were inconvenienced, you're sorry they don't understand. Get it? I haven't apologized for anything I've done. But I'm saying I'm sorry so that they will feel better. Now, if I am in the wrong about something then "I'm the first one to fall on my sword." But I get much better results when I apologize that way, then if I try to make them take the blame. 'Cause they never will anyway. Repair the damage and save your face at the same time. And if I've truly done something wrong inadvertently, I apologize until they let me off the hook somehow. That means sometimes I end up groveling. I have no problems with that if I've truly messed up. I'm not perfect. And if you are important enough to me, I will grovel.
13. Last but not least, "Doll" or "Dolly". If I like you, I call you that. If I can't remember your name its, "whatsherface" or "whatshisface" and sometimes, "snicklefritz"

Bonus Thursday. One more, Just for You!! If I don't know the name of something I call it a

"whooodgie".

I dunno, I'm just talented I guess. ;0]

I ♥LOVE♥ IT♥

I didn't go to Shaklee's 50th Anniversary Celebration last week in San Francisco. I paid my registration fee. But didn't go. It's a long, long, sad and very stupid story. And I'm so not in the mood to go there right now.

But my girlfriend Patty went! And she just sent me an email that I. have. just. got. to. share.

"At the EXPO center, they had a display showing something VERY INTERESTING! For those of us who use Anti-Oxidant Creams, we do it to prevent oxidation of the skin (which leads to accelerated aging, etc.). Well, Shaklee did a wonderful experiment. They cut some apples and applied about 7 different brands of anti-oxidant creams to halves of apples and let them sit for the 3-4 days of the convention. As we all know apples turn brown quickly due to "oxidation". Well, I took three photos showing the results of about 3 other brands, besides Shaklee's. Shaklee's apple was definitely the best looking apple after 3 days, but what's so amazing is just how BAD some of the other brands rated! A few of them, the UNTREATED half of their apple looked way better than the side they treated with their product! (That's scary!) I took the photos close enough and at the right angle, that you should be able to read the names of each one. Remember the apples on the top shelf were the TREATED side, and the ones below were the untreated halves.
Enough said....you've got to see it for yourself"

Okay, so here's the pics she sent. The first one has Shaklee's Enfuselle on the left.

This one on the right is something called Cellex-C which I have found on a lot of Plastic surgeon's websites. I have no idea the cost and was not successful finding one either. So that usually means it's way expensive.


I just can't tell you how tickled I am at how bad the Arbonne product did. There's this therapist at work, who is not a very nice person....kinda sharky. She sells Arbonne. I so wish I could run right up to her and wave this pic in her face. I know that makes me just as nasty a person as she presents herself but....I still would love to do it. So I have to just be glad their product sucks.


I can't quite make out the product on the right. But I think it's Zia's Ultimate 'C' Serum. And the one on the left...holy sh*t! If I had bought that product I'd marching my hiney back into Dillards and demanding my money back.

Well, I just gotta say...I frickin' LOVE Shaklee man. I mean, they have the science, which warms the cockles of my geeky heart. They care about the environment and seek balance in all aspects. Which also sends the temp up on those cute little cockles of mine. Not to mention that I am a significantly healtheir person than I was 4 years ago. What's not to love?
They unveiled a revamped homecare product line with a few new products and tweaked older products...don't worry, Basic H and Basic L are there...just renamed a bit. They also unveiled a new weight loss system and I already bought one. Patty called me from the convention and gave me the 411 and I said..."hook me up sistah"!

Okay, now I wish I had gone. But I don't regret not going. I just wasn't meant to go I guess. I'll have to tell ya that story sometime. I actually have it half written but it doesn't feel right to flesh it out more at the present.

So, who wants some of Shaklee's anti-aging products?? You know you want some.....you can order right from my Shaklee website at:
www.shaklee.net/pam_baker

On the homefront...I REALLY don't want to go back to work. I've been off since the 12th. I feel almost normal. Eating dinners with me boyo. Getting things done....oh well, it's off to the salt mines.
Slainté,
♥Pam

I Ramble in

a somewhat orderly fashion. Or I will try to anyway.

Got a few topics rolling around in my head. I want to tell you my take on religion, spirituality and quantum mechanics. I want to tell you what I think about the current international situation. I want to tell you what I think about our nation, our people and the human race as a whole.

But I have a few things to learn first. See, this is what I figured out this week. When I have an opinion and I share it with someone in person, I get instant feedback. Raised eyebrows, furrowed eyebrows. Smiles, laughs. Defensive posturing, outrage (rarely), interest, confusion, disinterest, distraction, dissent. I get the 70% or more of communication that is non verbal-immediately, which allows me to edit myself, immediately. I rely on that feedback a great deal to guide my conversation. Interject more detail here......move on to something else...support comment here...you get it, right? Well, in the written medium I have chosen, blogging, there is feedback but not in an immediate sense where I can edit my words based on their reception. I may take something for granted that others haven't experienced yet. That can alter how they perceive my words. How they respond to me.

I'm not so good at writing. I used to think I was. I have some skill but not enough to get my point across without stumbling and dropping a crucial point or two. That is not a good thing. So I've been practicing. I have chosen a few blogs to be a dissenter on. I have tried to comment thoughtfully, intelligently and gracefully. So, I'm 2 for 3. (I hope I got that right, I have done this 3 times and was 'successful' 2 times, and of course, failed 1 time. Is that how you say that?) I want to be honest but cautious about those topics. Basically, because I don't know my target audiences opinions on the topics...well, except for one or two that is. And because I don't want to present myself as intolerant, stoopid or careless.

I found that if I feel the need to type apologies for my words or to acknowledge they may be getting a bit harsh or nasty...I need to go back and fix them. I need to listen to myself. I don't want it to be a rant. Although I loved to listen to Dennis Miller go off on a rant periodically, I found that ranting can only be tolerated for so long before it gets old and pointless.

So, as I approach different topics in my mind...I will put them to paper/screen for later publication. Then I will let them marinate a bit. Then I will re-edit them and hopefully post them.

Then once I have those topics out of the way, I want to dig a little deeper into my family. The things that make them tic. Or is that tick? Heeehheeee. I want to shed some light on some things about myself that I don't even know about yet. I want to feel the power of self examination and exploration. I want to know more about me. Who am I now? How do I feel about some of the choices/decisions I made in my early days and how they are affecting me now. Just what am I gonna do with the rest of my days?

Hope that wasn't too weighty for a Monday, and if it was...WAKE UP and get crackin ya goober...sheesh.

I Answer

...some questions...I'm pooped and don't feel like messing about with photos this am for GTS. Need to do some straightening in me office. Since we cleaned the basement some of it has migrated upstairs and it's starting to look crappy. So, if you answer these questions....be sure to let me know so I can come read. :0]

1. My roommate and I once: Participated in a Dance Marathon for MD. She won the grand prize which was a car..a 1972 Matador (this was 1980). I then purchased that car and a month or so later, moved out. Actually, I went back home and then joined the Army 3 months later.
2. Never in my life have I: been so smart...as I am right now. And the beauty is...in another week, month, or year..I'll be smarter still. Learning is a lifelong experience.
3. The one person who can drive me nuts, but then can always manage to make me smile is: the boy I'm married to! And he can do it in less than 3 seconds, the turd.
4. High school was: a relief from the harrassement of junior high school. (See recent TT post) And a great education.
5. When I’m nervous: I get an upset stomach, bite my nails and fidget. Usually followed by overeating.
6. The last time I cried was: My last day at work before my vacation...ah Friday the 11th. Think I needed some time off?
7. If I were to get married right now, my bridesmaids/groomsmen would be: Non existent. Didn't have any to be begin with, don't see the need for them if I got married again.
8. Would you rather run naked through a crowded place or have someone e-mail your deepest secret to all your friends? Neither but if I HAVE to choose...email my deepest secret. Don't you know I have trouble keeping my secrets??
9. My hair: Is making me nuts. I don't know what I want to do with it. Grow it out, keep it short. I have to have it professionally colored every 4 weeks as my roots are white/grey and exceptionally noticeable. My hair grows almost an inch a month so...And I love being a redhead...it's the color I should have been my whole life.
10. When I was 5: I did 'police call' around our house. Yup, my dad was military and I had to go around picking up trash and ciggy butts from our lawn. Hey, at 5 you are pretty close to the ground.
11. Last Christmas: we didn't decorate, send out cards or anything. We gave each other some presents but that was all. Didn't feel like it. Not sure if we will 'do' Christmas this year either.
12. When I turn my head left: I see a bunch of stuff I need to file, sort, trash and put away.
13. I should be: showered, dressed and fed instead of blogging.
14. When I look down I see: My chest of course...d'uh.
15. The craziest recent event was: I don't have 'crazy recent events'. Well, not funny crazy anyway.
16. If I were a character on "Friends" I’d be: A cross between Monica and Phoebe. Yup, I'm just that scary!!
17. By this time next year: I plan to be happier, leaner, fit and funnier.
18. My favourite aunt is: Ohhhh...can't answer that one. Have lots of aunts and they all are special people.
19. I have a hard time understanding: People who don't recycle, people who smoke, people who make hate their hobby or job, people who don't love animals and people who don't like chocolate.... ;0]
20. One time at a family gathering: I was thrown in the pool...clothes and all.
21. You know I like you if: I compliment you all the time. I call you and want to do things with you. I send you stuff. I answer the phone.
22. If I won an award, the first person I’d thank: Me mum of course...who else? Okay, maybe me husband too.
23. Take my advice: take care of yourself so that someone else doesn't have to when you get older and you can do the things you really WANT to do.
24. My ideal breakfast is: prepared by someone else who loves me. Oh, you mean food ;0] Well, Old Heidelberg's blueberry strudel, or french toast or Cracker Barr*l's pancakes, scrapple, fresh squeezed grapefruit juice, fresh fruit and Earl Grey Tea or hot cocoa.
25. If you visit my home town: Be sure to stop by the convent on Enfield St. for some Babka bread. And Rinaldi's for a meatball grinder. Oh, and Friendly's for a grilled cheese. Yeah..I'm all about the food, baby.
26. Sometime soon I plan to visit: Belize with my boy and sit on the beach and drink ritas.
27. If you spend the night at my house: You will have your bed turned down, homemade cookies on your pillow, a carafe of water on your nightstand and you'd better like dogs and cats.... :0]
28. I’d stop my wedding if: I loved Wenchy's answer, who I borrowed this meme from...
"The groom died. A dead groom is just not sexy." That is a fab answer...still makes me laugh.
29. The world could do without: HATE, POLLUTION & GREED.
30. I’d rather lick the belly of a cockroach than: can't answer that...because I could never do it. If you know me at all, you know how I feel about bugs...that's why I live in Colorado. 31. The most recent thing I’ve bought myself is: Archival safe holders for my photo CD's and for my negatives.
32. The most recent thing someone else bought for me is: A Pentax K1000..read about it here.
33. My favourite blonde is: Is Matthew McConaughy considered a blonde?
34. My favourite brunette is: Mike Rowe... sigh...oh! Uh...I mean Bill of course. ;0]
35. My car must have a sign on it that reads: UCONN Alumni
36. The last time I was drunk: Was a few years ago. I rarely have more than two drinks. But I pulled out the stops with some Cap'n Morgan and coke and after 5 or 6, promptly fell asleep in the middle of playing Cranium. Yeah, I don't hold my liquor very well.
37. The animals I would like to see flying besides birds: No answer for this.??
38. I shouldn’t have been: So hard on myself. Everyone else is quite good at it.
39. I should have: Insisted a.lot.more. vehemently. on having children.
40. Last night I: finished putting my photo CD's and the index print/proof sheet in the protectors and ordered the binders for them.
41. There’s this girl I know who: is a genuinely sweet, nice and thoughtful person and it ain't me. I only aspire to her level. Love ya Patty B. ♥
42: I don’t know: a lot of things, and I would rather people didn't know that about me.
43. A better name for me would be: Trouble?
44. If I ever go back to school I’ll: get my masters in nursing education. I'd love to be a geologist though.
45. How many days until my birthday?: I dunno...bunches. You want me to do math...do you pay any attention to my blog???
46. One dead celebrity I wish I’d met is: Kate Hepburn, hands down, bar none.
47. I’ve lived at my current address since: March of 1995
48. I’ve been told I look like: Fergie...pre weight watchers unfortunately...
49. If I could have any car, it would be: A Prius.
50. If I got a new cat tomorrow, I would name it: Depends on the kitty. We try to see the animal's personality and name them appropriately. Although, our Hank is much more like Drover, bless his heart, than Hank....(got to have read the books to get that).

So go play....you know you want to!!

Abiento,
Pam

I Hunt Youth!

I could NOT just post one picture. Sorry TNC!! ;0]


Here I am at 13 months old in a park in Maine. July '63



At 20 months, I'm sitting on my Grammie's sofa. Feb '64


My 7th birthday. I got a purple Schwinn bicycle. Aren't those clothes just a hoot?!! June '69


My First Communion at age 8. August '70


On the beach at Cumberland State Park in Plattsburgh NY, age 10-12?

Want to see who else has played? Click on the blogroll below the button on my sidebar.

Want to play for yourself? Click on the button.

I Heal...slowly

It's been a very long 17 months. I started my current job in March 05. I started blogging in November 05.
I've had a tremendous period of struggle and strife.

I left a job I was very good at. I'm not blowing sunshine up your butt. I was. Very good. It wasn't a struggle to go to work, to be at work. I loved what I did. For those of you that can't remember..I was a home health nurse. The old fashioned name is visiting nurse. I went from house to house, checking on people, instructing them on their disease process and more importantly, managing those disease processes. That included diet, meds, exercise, lifestyle changes etc.. I managed complicated wound care. I administered IV medications. I managed epidural pain treatments. I managed their recovery process. I tried hard to make them not only a part of their recovery but to take responsibility for their health. I find so often that chronically ill people have accepted 'the sick role' and have become quite passive.
But that's another post entirely.
In many ways, it felt as if I were self employed. I only went to the office once a week. And sometimes it would be after hours. And of course, I would only be in the office for an hour or so. The rest of the time, I worked out of my home office, or I was in my car, tooling around town, deciding my schedule, caring for my patients, having lunch with a friend...etc.

About 3 or so years ago, I had gotten to the point where I was getting just a smidgen bored with my job. So I began researching and studying different aspects of what I was teaching my patients to make it more valuable. At the same time, I was developing my Shaklee business. It went hand in hand although I never spoke to my patients about Shaklee for that would have been illegal (Stark Law). Much to my chagrin ;0]

All in all, I was frickin' happy. Truly, content, satisfied, efficacious, and peaceful. However, I saw a need. I wanted to further my preceptor role in the company I was working for. I wanted to flesh out a real Staff Development role. Education is important and as matter of fact, is one of the definitions of a health care professional. "A lifelong commitment to learning." And since patient education is easily 3/4 or more of the job, I felt that needed fleshing out as well. Literally, the company I used to work for had NO patient teaching guides to hand out and we wer mandated not to use internet items. Nada. WTF???

I took my ideas and I approached my boss. My bosses boss and then their boss. I got the ole carrot on a stick. So.... no harm, no foul. I pressed on with my learning and my Shaklee business. I saw my patients, not as just a job, but almost as a mission. How could I make good health not only an achievable goal but a desirable goal as well. So I wasn't just going in to their homes and acting all expert like. I was making relationships and finding the thing that would help the patient and/or the caregiver find meaning in what they were doing.

Truly, happy. Content, satisfied, efficacious, and peaceful. Ahh, the good ole days. No, really. I knew how happy I was. Almost daily I counted my blessings. Reveled in my happiness. Heck, I rolled around in it like a dog on a dead animal or pile of pooh.

Then, the offer of a lifetime came my way. WOW. I am soooo lucky. I can take what I know and what I want to do and apply it to make a great Staff Development role. Be the support for the staff. I was in heaven.... Cloud Nine. I embraced my new job and new company as if I was waiting all my life for them. I did what I had done with my romantic relationships all my life.

Whaaat? Whoa. What?

Yup. Before Bill, I gave my heart and soul to every man I dated. I tried to make a 'life' with every one. And was so heartbroken when they didn't want me or what I had to offer. I lost myself in the relationship. I finally figured out, that was self defeating. I took a few years to get my romantic act together and then, I felt good. I was learning to be happy and enjoy my singleness. Then came Bill.

Same thing happened with my new job. I lost myself. I gave away my self efficacy. I embraced the new company as if they were the be-all and end-all. Over the last 17 months I found myself, vulnerable, depressed, shattered, alone, betrayed....and suffering from all the lovely things people can do to others. Why did I do that to myself? Why did I let that happen? I'm relatively smart, but I made major and stooopid mistakes. I didn't really know how to be a Staff Development Coordinator. I had never done the job before. I didn't have an advanced degree in it. I shared those things with the management team...much to my disappointment. I didn't guard my feelings. I didn't safeguard my reputation. I gave it all away. Well, almost all.

So I find myself in a position that no savy career person would ever find themselves. Fighting for my reputation. Fighting for respect. Fighting my own self in way. These managers don't give a fig about me. Or what I feel. Or what I have done and have been doing. If it doesn't benefit them...i.e. take 'work' off their desk...it has little value to them.

Okay. So I'm on vacation. Getting back some of 'me'. I can be more objective about the situation. I use to run when confronted with what would appear to be a no-win situation. In the last 5-7 years, I dig my heels in now and say, "You'll have to fire me" I know....I truly know I have value. What I do has value. What I offer has value. But because I am not organized. Because I am rebuilding my shattered person...I am still vulnerable. And I don't really know how to 'recover' from this. The only advice I have for myself is...."walk the walk".

So, blogging has had it's challenges as well. I did some of the same behaviors with blogging.
And, I think that the resultant resorting to back to back meme's is directly related to this. I'm trying to open myself again. But forearmed or forewarned...I will be.

It's my decision to be happy. I am working at getting back to that place. I am deciding to be happy. If I fake it long enough it will come to fruition.

So...that's about all the soul baring I can handle this am.

Pam

I Reminisce

Memories of High School

I went to a Catholic, preparatory, girls high school. Why? Because I was harassed so badly in junior high that the thought of attending another 4 years with those f*ckwits made me a nervous wreck. I had horrible nightmares, broke out in bizarre rashes, and a host of other things with which I will not bore you. So my mom, bless her endlessly, went on a mission to find me an alternative to the public school. Let's not forget this was the 70's. The logistical and financial choices were Our Lady of the Angels Academy or Suffield Academy. I am eternally grateful that OLA was less expensive. I'm sure I wouldn't have fit in at Suffield Academy. It was all my parents could afford, to send me to OLA and I surely wouldn't have been able to "keep up with the Joneses" at the other place. Here's my list of 13 things I remember about high school.

1. Babka bread. Yes, that is correct. The first thing I remember about high school is food. The convent next door to the school made this bread every morning.

(my school was on the other side of the last building in this picture. What you are looking at is the convent and chapel.)

I cannot describe to you how delightful hot, fresh babka tastes. We used to pool our money (Lisa and I) and share the loaf. $1.50 for the small one. Literally, that is all I ate for lunch for almost 3 years.
2. Stealing apples and being chased by nuns. Poor Sister Joan of Arc. Our bus would drop us off at the parking lot on one end of the property. In the above photo that would be all the way to the left of the photo. And we walked along the private one lane road, behind the convent and chapel to our school, which was actually part of the old Thompson Mansion. The Felician Sisters had planted apple trees along that road. So, when they were ripening, we would snitch them. And Sister Joan of Arc would watch for us to snitch them and then run out of the convent, habit flying, waving a large broom in the air, yelling at us horrible, horrible girls. Poor woman. ;0]
3. Sneaking out to get Burger K*ng and eating it in the photo lab. By Junior Year, we had our driver's licenses and spending money and no set classes to go to. It was a progressive curriculum. (Probably why I hate being tied down to schedules and stuff now) So, we would take turns and run over to BK, because Diane worked there after school and got us a discount, and get lunch. Well, you can't plop down in the lunch room with BK and not expect the nuns to go bat shit and put you on detention. So, we would be 'working' on a project in the darkroom/photolab. It occurs to me now, that we put our trash in the trash can and if you think nuns would pay for officecleaning services, you are sorrily mistaken. So that means they knew. Huh.
4. Thinking Mr. Smith was really different but not having a clue what gay was. Even in the 1970's the population of women devoted to service was declining significantly enough, that the school had to hire lay teachers. Mr Smith was one of those lay teachers and taught art. I can see him plain as day in my minds eye. Yup, if he wasn't gay he was probably the very first metrosexual. But the point is...I was innocent of the variances of sexuality. Not to say I wasn't a sexual being in high school. (Sorry mom) Just had no clue. And that's another story.
5. Sitting all day on the steps on registration day because I was too shy to ask for help. Okay, so I've already said I was harassed by older kids in junior high school. I was also extremely shy. When people I didn't know would come to the door of our home, I would run into my bedroom and shut the door until they left. That didn't change until I was around 17. But when I started at OLA, I was 13 and so very, very shy. My mom or dad (don't remember who) dropped me off and went to do errands, so I could register for classes and pick out my uniforms and stuff. I have no idea how long I sat there. More than 3 hours. Might've been the whole day. I don't really remember how I managed to get registered. I don't recall if some nun or parent finally asked why that skinny kid was sitting on the stairs all day and helped me or if my mother or father came back and did it for me. I really don't remember and mum isn't home at the moment to help me figure it out.
6. Trying to sneak in to the Thompson Mansion and getting caught by Sister Dulcine. Our school was attached to the mansion by two hallway like connectors, one on the first floor and one on the second floor. The second floor was where all the administration offices were located. The first floor hallway/connector was securely locked, but the second floor was not. Because the Sisters used the rooms in this connector for admin stuff. So, after unsuccessfully trying to gain access to the mansion by all means we had to resort to ground zero and yup, Sister Dulcine, the principal, caught us. We of course told her we were playing hide and seek...yeah, she believed us I'm sure. I got 3 demerits for that. Never saw the inside of that home.
7. Hearing about birth control by someone...not a nun, at a special class at the library on campus. Let me tell you, that was an eye opener. And as I think about it, very progressive for those nuns. Unless of course, it was mandated by the state. I dunno. I learned about STD's, pregnancy and assorted methods of birth control. Of course, that didn't stop 3 girls in my class of 25!! from getting pregnant before graduation! Billy Joel was singing about us and we took up the challenge by golly.
8. Helping Mary Ellen learn positive and negative integers. Considering that I had to do remedial math in 7th grade and all but flunked algebra in 8th grade and had to take a basic math course when I started at OLA which was 9th grade, I was pretty proud that by my senior year I was able to help someone 'get' math. Mary Ellen was in my year, but put off her math until the last year because it was so hard. I took tutoring because I didn't care about any advanced math classes. So algebra II and geometry was as far as I got. So, I think that was a pivotal moment for me. Helping someone understand something that made them crazy. 9. Bus trip to DC. I went to D.C. because I wanted to travel. Not because I had a clue what we were marching about. Well, I had a clue but only from a teens perspective. We marched on D.C. to protest abortion. Yup, I was a pro-lifer. I educated myself after being drug around to a bunch of senator's offices and talking with their aides. But when reality hit not 3 years later...I had an abortion. Really, I have never regretted it, despite not having any children. Someday maybe I'll tell you that story and what my rationale was for making all the decisions associated with that deal.
10. Dissecting frogs. I can still smell the formaldehyde. I can still see them laid out on that baking pan filled with the black waxy substance. It is just as vivid as the day I did it.
11. Watching "The Trouble with Angels" and wanting to be just like them. Funny, but we tried and failed miserably but drove the sisters crazy with the attempts. I bet they regretted letting us watch that movie!!
12. Lori's MG. Lori Lee. That was her first and last name. But some how it became her whole name. Her parents spoiled her rotten but she wasn't rotten. She lived over 20 miles away and her parents bought her a car so that they wouldn't have to bring her back and forth to school. They bought her an MG Midget. Mustard Yellow. She loved that thing. We envied her for having her 'own' set of wheels. The MG was fun but was always in the shop. I tried to keep in touch with her but she never responded to my letters. I still miss her friendship.
13. Diane's Rivera. I would have to say that Diane was the first girl I ever had a crush on. I wanted her to be MY friend but she was one of those gals that everyone loved and wanted to hang out with. But she and I did share a penchant for drinking and uh...wild times. Her parents also gave her an old Buick Riv and we LOVED that thing. It finally threw a rod on one of our escapades, causing us to be expelled from school. Until our parents made a visit to the principal with us and promised we would BEHAVE (insert Mike Myers..Austin Powers voice). That Riv had white interior, bucket seats up front and electric doors and windows and seats. Something UNHEARD of in my world in 1977. And had some balls under the hood too. Yeah, sexy stuff for 16 year olds. You have no idea the wild things that went on in that car. Thank heavens we remained safe...on so many levels... Drinking, driving and sex. All heady and dangerous things.

(And just for the record...nooooo, we were not into each other...dorks. Although you wouldn't believe me from this pic. Diane's on the left, and I'm the one looking perverted.)

See, it's what girls do when they get really goofy. Take half nekkid pics of themselves. That's me on the right. I just had my butt exposed oh well...

Okay, that's my Thursday Thirteen. I hope my mom isn't lying on the floor in utter shock and/or disappointment. Teeheehee. Or you all for that matter. Didn't know I wasn't always Serious Sally, huh!

Toodles,

♥Pam

I Mull

things over a lot. I can't tell you how many times I have written a great post in my head but never put it to paper or screen, if you will. I saw somewhere, I'm at a loss as to where, that someone had their blog reviewed by this place.

I read her reviews and her criteria. As one of my blog friends pointed out, what qualifies her? We do actually. But what it boils down to is- it's her opinion. So I asked for a review with the full knowledge that I will be getting her opinion. Which led me to a whole thread of thoughts. But before I go there...let me start here.

Opinions. If you have a pulse, you have an opinion. Opinions are:
"An opinion is a person's ideas and thoughts towards something. It is an assessment, judgment or evaluation of something. An opinion is not a fact, because opinions are either not falsifiable, or the opinion has not been proven or verified." According to Wikipedia. Also it is NON-OBJECTIVE.
We all have opinions. I have been told and will readily agree, that I am somewhat opinionated. Which has a whole nother take on the word. As a matter of fact, stubborn, unreasonable and obstinate are the dictionary definitions. In my defense, if you present an equally strong argument to the case, I will and usually do, listen carefully, mull it over from all angles and put aside my opinion, if appropriate. I am fallible. Frequently. And not afraid to admit it. But, if I stick to my guns for too long, I loose the argument. I may have won the battle but not the argument. So sometimes I 'cave' or just let it go.
I digress just a bit so let me get back on track.
I don't have a problem asking for someone's opinion. So, whatever Frog my Blog has to say about my blog will be duly noted, mulled over and may or may not be acted on. Now, because I am just that anal, I reviewed it from her perspective. My guess is she is going to say, not a lot of substance, too many memes. I know this because I went thru all, I do mean all, of my archives with her criteria in mind. First rapidly and then carefully. I shared more about who and what I was in the beginning. But lately, it's just one meme after another. Not that I mind or what have you. But what makes a blog memorable? What makes people come back and be a regular reader. I think it's not so much what you post as what you say on others blogs that gets people to want to read you daily. I am afraid now, to post too many opinions. Afraid to offend. Afraid to lose the few readers I have. Afraid I won't attract new readers. That's only part of it. What I would post about are things I really can't blog about. Work. Family. Opinions on religion, politics, society.

I don't mind sharing with people and so there are quite a few people from work that know about my blog. Not that anyone probably reads it, mind you. So, I can't moan and groan about work. Since I am considered 'corporate' I have to be mindful of the image and words I project. Pooh.

I can't moan and groan about family because they may or may not read this. I don't know if anyone noticed but I took the 'and Bill' off my login/avatar thing. He just isn't interested in participating in the way I do. Which is fine with me. So, I changed it. Did ya notice? Yeah, I didn't think so. ;0]

So, that leaves the other realms that I mentioned. Well, one other, which is my passion-Shaklee. I am afraid to post about Shaklee too. Despite how wonderful the company is, how many awards they have won, what a phenomenal 50 year track record they have, because it's a multi-level marketing or Network marketing or Direct Sales business (choose whichever you're comfortable with) I am afraid people will scoff. Some actually have and... some have tried the products and continue to use them. Still makes me worried though.

So back to the 'other' topics I have an opinion about. Religion, politics and society. They have lots of subtopics but generally anything I have an opinion on, will fall into the above three categories.

You remember the old saying, 'Three things you should never talk about are religion, politics and sex.'? Wow. Where does that leave you?

My life, which is just not that interesting. Yeah, I could give you a minute by minute play-by on my day. You'd be asleep in seconds. I could share with you my angst over my 'issues'. I, for one, get tired of hearing about it though. I could teach you things I know, because I love to share info, but I'm thinking that's not why you come back. I could be wrong. I have reminisced some and that seemed to be fun. But like listening to old war stories over and over, sometimes that gets old too.

All this doesn't mean I don't have lots to write about. Just feel constrained. Because, if I tell it like it is....
INVARIABLY....I piss off someone. Heaven forbide I do that. I don't have lots of friends I can toss away like that. On the other hand...if they are truly friends, they will tell me they have a problem with something I said and we will work it out. Usually it's because I haven't been clear on a point or two. Sometimes it's because we just have fundamentally opposing viewpoints.

You know, I titled this 'I Mull' but maybe I should have included 'Ramble'. See all the above thinking took me to the thread that we have all come to, on occasion. Why do I blog then, if I have nothing or can say nothing? Good dang question.
(BTW, while I am writing this...a neighbor's dog has been yapping non-frickin'-stop...arrgghh, which is making it hard to concentrate.)

I blog...because..I'm frickin' addicted I guess. I like seeing things I created or found, up on the screen. I like having people come and see what I have created or found. I like visiting and reading other people's blogs. I like the friendships I have developed and continue to develop. I like seeing how other people think and feel. So...do I show those things on my blog? Do I show you how I think and feel?

I guess, in a way, I'll find out when I get 'Frogged'. BTW...yes, this post is an effort to get me from posting non-stop memes. I think the challenge I face, is stating my opinions in such a way as to not overly offend anyone. But it is also good to go back and review my stuff periodically. Good for planning, good for memory, good in general.

Well, nuff said.

I did find this blog on the suggestion of my friend Claire, and it is hysterical. You HAVE to check out her audio clips on her side bar. But just scroll thru her blog too. She's a HOOT.

Slainté,
Pam

I Struggled

....quite a bit for a WFMW topic today. I can't seem to coalesce any thoughts enough to make a post. I did think of something last week. I distinctly remember saying..."That's a simple but great idea for WFMW". Do ya think I could remember it now? Noooooo. Do ya think I was smart enough to go write it down somewhere? Nooooo.

So I've had this tip in the wings waiting, just in case.

This is a great idea if you are
a. trying to save money
b. worried about harsh or toxic chemicals in your home.

Make Your own Wipes…

for cleaning household surfaces or, better yet, washing/wiping messy hands and faces and of course bottoms.

I borrowed this pic from an organization site on line. Because my pics didn’t look anywhere near as good. But my idea actually came from the group of people I work with in Shaklee. And I use Shaklee products, which not only makes it safe and environmentally sound but is soooo inexpensive.

So here’s what you need:

cylindrical plastic food storage container, 10-cup capacity-I used a rubb*rmaid container size 3

extra-large roll of paper towels, heavy duty kind

Shaklee’s Basic H (all purpose cleaner), Basic G (germicidal), or Shaklee’s Enfuselle Moisturizing Shower Gel

electric drill with 1/2-inch drill bit

electric knife

liquid measuring cups

I use Seventh Gener*tion paper towels but I gotta tell you, cheap paper towels will not hold up to being pulled thru the container or to scrubbing, for that matter. Even at $1.39 per roll, cost for homemade wipes will be less than 5 cents, not including the storage container, if you use Shaklee products. Other cleaning products are much more expensive. Just, as a for instance, 1 32oz bottle of Basic H will make 188 32oz bottles of Fant*stick.

So here’s what you do:

In the garage or workshop area, place a small block of wood beneath the plastic food storage container lid. Use electric drill to drill a 1/2-inch diameter hole in the center of the container lid.
Without removing the paper towel wrapper, use the electric knife to cut the paper towel roll into two shorter rolls. Save the second roll for a refill later. Be patient! It may take awhile to cut through the towel roll and cardboard tube inside.
Remove the wrapper, and place one of the halves of paper towel rolls inside the storage container. Using a liquid measuring cup, gently pour your cleaning solution recipes over the top of the paper towel roll.
You will need between 2 and 4 cups of cleaning solution, depending on the size and absorbency of the paper towel product selected. These recipes make about three cups of solution; increase or decrease amounts if needed.

General Cleaning:
2 ½-3 cups water and ½ teaspoon of Basic H
Disinfectant Cleaning:
2 ½-3 cups water and ¼ teaspoon of Basic G
Face/hands/bottom cleaning:
2 ½-3 cups water and ¼ cup of Enfuselle Moisturizing Shower Gel

Place the lid on the plastic food storage container, and allow paper towels to absorb cleaning solution for 4 hours to overnight.
Open the food storage container. Gently pull the wet cardboard tube from the center of the paper towel roll and discard. Carefully pull the end of the paper towels from the inside, where the cardboard roll had been. Thread the end of the towels through the hole in the lid, and replace the lid.
Pull gently on the exposed end to separate the cleaning wipe.
tips:
Here in Colorado these dry out quickly, so I add a piece of masking-type tape over the hole and wipe between uses. But even as you use them, they will begin to dry out. So add more water and/or cleaning solution as necessary. Allow wipes to stand overnight before continuing to use them after adding more solution. Another tip-you may think it will be easier to not drill a hole in the lid and just use an exacto type knife or scissors. The drill makes a fairly smooth hole which is essential if you want to keep your paper towel intact. If you don't have access to a drill or just prefer not to use one, buy the rectangular or square shaped plastic containers and cut the paper towel again in half...lengthwise.

For traveling, just pull some out and put in a zipper type bag.

You can purchase Shaklee products thru a distributor and it doesn't obligate you to a thing. Click on my sidebar Shaklee button to go to my website or contact your friends or family that sells Shaklee.

Let me know how it turns out for you!! And if you want more cool ideas...check out the blog roll here at Shannon's place.

Pheeewww. Now what am I gonna do for next week???? ;0]

Pam

I Like to Swim...

You Are a Mermaid

You are a total daydreamer, and people tend to think you're flakier than you actually are. While your head is often in the clouds, you'll always come back to earth to help someone in need. Beyond being a caring person, you are also very intelligent and rational. You understand the connections of the universe better than almost anyone else.

What Mythological Creature Are You?

I Remember

the victims of the terrorist attacks on September 11th. There have been other victims of terrorists in our recent history. This project is not about diminishing their loss or pain. This project helps us to remember the people who perished from this earth on September 11th. Time has a way of taking away the victim and inserting the culprit and that's all we remember. So go check out this project, sign up to remember someone who died that fateful day. He's a pretty honest and straightforward guy. I think if you take a moment and read his words you'll see that this is a good project.
It reminds me of the POW bracelets in the 1970's. My mom wore hers until he came home. On this September 11th, I will post a picture and whatever information I can find out about Nolbert Salomon so that you can help me remember him.
♥Pam

I Present Hank, The Cow Dog

and invite you to Welcome him to my blog.

He has been officially named and welcomed to our family. He is Hank Baker, Cow Dog, Head of Ranch Security, here at the Kicking Rocks Ranch. See, here's his tags to prove it.

Oh, you aren't familiar with Hank the Cow Dog? Well, you can go to his site here and check him out. I highly recommend it if you have kids, especially boys.

The books are meant for children/preteens but we think they are a hoot. We've read quite a few of them.

He has settled in quite nicely. Gretta likes to nip at him if he gets too close but....he's learned to stay clear of her mouth/teeth. He really wants to play but she is jealous and spent the first evening on top of me. She usually never tolerates that for longer than a few minutes. Sazi and he play Mexican Standoff. It's very funny and I hope to catch it on video so I can post it. Abby...well, she's an old gal and wants nothing to do with this here whippersnapper. He has some basic skills. "Sit", "no", and "come". He loves to run in the back yard. He desperately wants to play with Gretta. Bill put his red bandana on him so he would be official. He's very curious. And so loving. He already knows how to give 'hugs'. That's something we taught Gretta, but he did it from the first hour we had him.

His story, from what I can gather, is that the police were called in to rescue him because some children were hitting him with sticks. I don't think he suffered any permanent bodily damage and appears to have no tenderness anywhere. We were told to keep him away from children under 8, but our neighbors kids....Bill's midget harem, have had no problems with him. He wiggles like crazy whenever they come around. So, I think we lucked out. He's a Queensland Heeler or Red Heeler mix. Another name for his breed is Australian Cattle Dog. That's where Bill got the idea to name him Hank...Cow dog....cattle dog.

Anyway.

See ya 'round.

Pam

I Celebrate

With my handsome Husband, Bill....

Twelve Years of Marriage!!

August 13th, 1994

Yes, we married on the 13th and every so often our anniversary will fall on a Friday.

We don't suffer from Triskaidekaphobia!!

This is us just after we got engaged. We were at the AFA housing, (where we ended up getting married because of rain), visiting Bill's cousin's who were, obviously, stationed there.

Here's a shot of us on our Wedding Day.

(had to resort to Image Shack, click to enlarge)

He's getting his favorite leather scented candles to burn. He likes to burn candles while he's on the computer. In the winter it helps warm up the basement.

Here is a pic of his computer area.

I bought him the desk for either a birthday or anniversary a few years ago.

He got me a Pentax K1000. Yes, it is old and heavy. It was my first 'real' camera that I got in high school. I accidently left it on the Martha's Vineyard ferry one summer. I'd had it for about 18 years or so at that point. I love the light meter inside the view finder. I love that I can see what changing the fstop will do to my pic. I can't wait to shoot some film with it.

My favorite photo of myself on my wedding day. Me being goofy with the gal who set us up on our blind date, Terri H.

And lastly, the first pic he gave me of himself so I could take it with me when I was doing traveling nursing.

He is my love, my sweetheart, my friend, my confidant and so many other things. We are celebrating tonight by going out to dinner at our favorite restaurant. The Craftwood Inn.

(We can only afford to go there once a year. So we save it for our anniversary)

Have a wonderful Sunday all,

Pam

I Cultivate

Join

I love geraniums. the front of our house faces south-southeast. Our planter boxes have a water holding capacity but they still have to be filled several times a week. So, I have to put heat loving plants in these boxes. After 12 years of living here, I have found the geraniums do the best. My mom takes her geraniums out of the ground before they are completely dead-stems are still green and may or may not have foliage-and hangs them upside down in a cool, but not cold, basement for the winter. In May, she replants them and they do well. I will be trying this trick this year, since I purchased some great geraniums. Above is my fav. I will let you know next May, how this experiment turned out.


Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As
the Garden Grows for more information.

I Hunt the Humorous

Not the bone you silly! It's Saturday so it's....

Meet Sgt. Pepper. He's laughing at one of my jokes because he wants to fit in here at the Baker Zoo. He's an Australian Cattle dog mix or so we're told. His coloring is Red Tick. We got him from the Humane Society. The police removed him from his home for a situation of which, I will not horrify you with the details. He's pretty high energy but very lovey dovey too. I am definitely putting up some homemade agility stuff because he is FAST! And wants to play.

Bill got to name him and he's not a 100% sure on Sgt. Pepper. He also likes the name Jack Dempsy. This little fella is getting fixed this week. So is Gretta. I decided there are just too many precious pups out there that need homes. I don't need to do this. Not really.

Check my sidebar for the button to see who's played. Happy Saturday everyone.

♥Pam

I Feast...occasionally

I don't play this very often. But then, I play a fair amount of meme's so...

Feast One Hundred & Six
Appetizer: Tell about a toy you remember from your childhood.

Besides my Big Wheel? I had these red and gold flecked plastic high heel shoes. I loved them. It was a cross between 'Dorothy' and just pretending to be grown up.

Soup: If you could make one thing in the world absolutely free for everyone, what would it be?Daily Massages

Salad: Approximately how many times per day do you think about your significant other? Good heavens, all the time. We talk or IM several times a day, especially when he's working.

Main Course: What is something you believe in 100%? Just one thing? Dang... I believe that a majority of Americans are malnourished. Based on their comments and my assessment, I can attribute a lot of 'problems' they are having, to poor nutrition. And...they may even 'eat right'. Also a lack of exercise/productivity.

Dessert: Name one thing you have done this week that you would consider a "good deed." Well, ...I don't share those things. I just believe that you don't talk about the 'good things' you do. Just how I feel about me. I don't have any heartburn if others talk about what they do...I just don't. See...I am odd ain't I?

So, don't ya love the picture. I want to be where the water looks like that. *big exaggerated sigh*

Not much else to put to paper. What are your weekend plans? Staying home..(who can afford to drive at $3/gallon?) Heading out on vacay? Working on chores? Friends/family visiting? What's up people?

Ciaó

♥Pam

I Am Good

Things I am good at...

in no particular order

1. picking up patterns in chaos
2. voice recognition-famous people, do you know who's doing Lex*s commercials now...I do! *wink*
3. editing other peoples creativity, that is- regular people, not bonafide artists
4. offering comfort and solace, usually although I kinda sucked at it recently with Chris aka Wenchy the other day. I told her-ala Cher in Moonstruck- to 'Snapouttofit'
5. making the hard seem easy. Once I 'get' something I can explain it to anyone...as long as they sit still long enough to hear me. ;0]
6. making a mess, just ask Bill
7. organizing the mess, just ask Bill
8. Irish accent, perfected last June
9. seeing all sides of a controversy. Sometimes this is good, mostly, it makes things harder for me.
10. spit more than 17 feet, thank you Uncle Sam. Hey, you go thru a 'gas chamber' and see how you do without a tissue or hanky.
11. back up a 2.5 ton truck with trailer. Yup, that's me..and I still can't find the daggum pics.
12. navigation, especially dead reckoning. Hey I enjoy reading maps. Just the other day I drew out the US on the butcher paper they put on the tables at M*caroni Grill and did a bang up job with the states...well except for the upper midwest ones. teeehee
13. learning and then applying life lessons, well I try anyway. I know I drive my mom nuts with the soul searching and self analysis. Poor woman.

I Am Here

Yesterday was weird. I felt, still feel, sorta traumatized. I knew that caring for Legs would be a challenge, different from anything I had ever done. And hoped I wouldn't get too attached. I thought I had accomplished that. I still think I did. I think what hurts so, is the mental picture of all those babies, facing a bear with no parent to guide them and most importantly no place to run, which is their only protection.
I tried several different things to 'right myself'. I won't go into them, it's not important. But while out doing errands, we stopped at our Humane Society. We don't want to 'replace' Max so we didn't even think about going or looking for another animal since he died in February. And still don't. But yesterday I really needed to go. So many beautiful animals. Instead of breaking my heart, I came out with hope. We are looking at 4 dogs. Not that we are going to take all four...although that wouldn't bother me...Bill would have a conniption. We had already decided if I didn't get that job, that we would get another dog. Maybe one to breed with Gretta. I know there are some of you that read that have been or are involved with abandoned animals. I know there is no way to breed another Gretta. I truly know that. I just want the experience. Just once, however limited it may be, of birth. I will always have animals, especially dogs in my life. I have about 40 or 50 more years of life...that's a lot of strays to care for, so I am thinking one litter....just one. Is all I am asking for. And I am 'okay' with that.

I have to go to work. I would go up to Florissant today otherwise. Today I could handle it. We are planning to go this Saturday. That's the soonest I can get there with Bill. He needs to go to. I just hope they don't release them yet. They are so young still. But the bear knows there are babies for the taking. *sigh* The rehabber mentioned release yesterday, so I will be calling her today, to see what the scoop is.

Pam

I Am Speechless

I called the rehabber to find out how much milk she'll need and to make sure it was okay to come up to visit. Last night they had a bear open the stall door and 3 of the fawns are dead and 2 are missing. Another one was missing but came back a bit ago. She says that Legs is okay but I don't know whether to believe her or not. I have so many, many emotions flooding me and I am fighting hard to control them. So hard.
My first thought was a vivid scene of the terror the fawns must have faced and no where to run. No where. Trapped. I'm amazed that some made it over the fence. I am angry that they didn't take better precautions against bears. Or wolves for christsake or coyotes. I am angry that bears will be bears as much as I love them too, they are doing what comes natural. Well, maybe natural is not a word that fits well in this scenario.
I am worried that Legs is missing or dead. How does she know which is which? How does she know my Legs? I didn't ask. I thought it best not to be too nosey. I don't know what to do with all this....this feeling. Crying only helps for a second. I want to go see but she refused and said it would be best to wait until the weekend.
I just am so upset. And fighting hard to keep it under control.
My poor baby. My Legs. Oh dear god this is awful.

I Ambled

up Barr Trail yesterday with a Friend. Her name is Robyn and she's....fiftysomething and this was her first hike...EVER. I'm so very proud of her.

She says she had a good time. I called her last evening and she said she wasn't that sore or tired. Her goal is to climb Pikes Peak by the end of September. Rather ambitious but certainly doable. It will take an extraordinary amount of determination.
This map is read from the left. It's actually for the Pikes Peak Race. It's almost impossible to find a USGS or topo map of the trail. The ones I have don't actually have the lower part of Barr Trail. So, looking at the red line starting from the left....you'll notice it runs along the road then makes a hairpin turn then makes a loop turn. That loop turn is actually the beginning of Barr Trail. This section and the very last section of Barr Trail are the most brutal. Lots of elevation gain. See the straight line that says Incline? It's the one with the letter 'D' on it. When the red line comes closest to the Incline is where we stopped. Approximately 1.5 miles. The picture above is the spot we stopped at.

Another representation of the Barr Trail. The town at the bottom right hand of the pic is Manitou Springs. The straight line on the right side of the bottome of the red section is the Incline of course.

Speaking of the Incline...they've taken out the rails and put in steps. I would have to say this is crazy. Here is some folks climbing the stairs.

The rain is hard on the rail bed and so lots of effort has been made to stabilize it, hence the black plastic drainage tube and boards to reinforce the sides of the steps. I've learned not to say 'never' but JMJ....I've got a long way to go before I can attempt that and live to tell about it.

Speaking of long way....Robyn was a trooper. In my years of hiking out here I've noticed that folks have a hard time at first, on the loose gravel. This gravel is actually decomposing Pikes Peak Granite. People strike too much on their heel or too much on their toes and inevitably slip, slide and/or fall on their tuckas. Robyn managed to stay upright. She actually had no near misses either. Mastering breathing however, was a challenge. As I was thinking about how much I thought she could handle based on listening to her breathing, her comments and her face I began to think about my years of hiking.

I started when I was 13. I still have my original hiking boots and when I carry a pack, I use the boots. ( Otherwise, I wear a sturdy pair of sneaks.) That was 31 years ago. I never wear the boots except on a trail. The Vibram® sole is in great shape. I remember being coached on how to breathe, how to conserve energy using walking/step techniques. I learned back country safety. Preparedness. As a matter of fact. Even though the Barr Trail was a frickin' human highway yesterday morning, I packed my waist pack as if we might never see a soul. Emergency flare, food, matches, flashlight, nylon twine, knife etc. to name a few items. Just something I learned to do. If I'd never been on the trail, I would have included my lensetic compass and a topo map.

But I also learned how to tread lightly, leave no trace. I hiked extensively in New England and upstate New York with the AYH and the AMC (American Youth Hostels and Appalachian Mountain Club) as a teen. One of the earliest 'soundbites' I remember is...'If you pack it in, you pack it out'.

Robyn's sense of smell is not very good. I know a lot of people who don't smell very well. What a strange concept except...it's hard for me sometimes, because of allergies, but yesterday morning, I could smell the dirt. Smell the pines. Infused my consciousness. Soothed my very Being. When people would go by, which was almost every 3-5 mins, their scent would assault me. Suntan lotion, bug spray,deodorant, sweat mixed with pungent food that probably was oozing from their pores. Too many people to see any wildlife, but I wasn't really there for me. I was there to be a friend, a mentor or a guide for Robyn. I was delighted to do that. I can't imagine my life without hiking. Not that I do a lot of it now but still. Again, I am very proud of her and I will keep you posted on her progress and her event scheduled for the end of September.

Today we drive east to get goat's milk and then west to go see Legs. I am alternately terribly excited and filled with trepidation. We miss him very much. We are such saps!!
Errands to run and chores to do.

I miss my mom. I wish I could go home for a bit. She's too busy though and has too many projects to be able to take some time off. (yeah, I know she's frickin' retired!!) I will have to wait until October when she is coming to perform in Vegas with her chorus at International Competition and will spend about a week and a half with us.

What did you do this weekend?

Abiento,

Pam

I Mutter

1. Affair :: to Remember, wasn't that the best movie...*sigh*
   
2. Package :: heafty male genitalia, hey...I'm only sayin'
   
3. Warner :: bra's, yeah, most people are gonna say Bros. but hey... *shrugs*
   
4. Drop :: kick
   
5. Balance :: New, as in sneaks
   
6. Shore :: Dinah, Pauly and Sea
   
7. Confirmation :: Name...mine was Brenda, after Saint Brenda of course
   
8. Nose :: Sheeps, I just talked about it a few posts ago
   
9. Talking :: Heads...nana na nah, nana na nah, you make ask yourself...
   
10. Bend :: Big as in the National Park in South Central Texas.

Want to play or check the blogroll? Go here!

I Say...

Mo sheacht mbeannacht ort!

to

Ellen

on this glorious day of the celebration of her birth!

(It's Irish Gaelic for 'My Seven Blessings on You' and

pronounced 'muh haext baenuhxt ort')

Wishing You Much Happiness and Gaity

in your home, on this day

and

Go maire tú!

Go... give her Your wishes here.

Have a wonderful Birthday Redhead Editor!

Love, Pam

I Try to Grow

I like to garden so I wanted to share this with you.

Join, you know you want to!

This is one of the Purple Coneflowers I transplanted to my side garden this spring. I have a TON of them in my front garden. The blooms last a very long time. They are pretty hardy. So hardy in fact, that you REALLY need to dead head these bad boys unless you don't mind them self-sowing and taking over the entire garden. They make a very nice tea. as their Latin name is echinacea purpura. You cut the flower heads off, dry and crush loosely.

CAUTION: Actually it is not really a caution so much as a point of import. Clinically, echinacea's benefits become ineffective after about seven days of use. The best way to use this medicinally is to drink the tea at the first onset of either profound exposure to cold/flu for seven days or at the first sign of symptoms for seven days. After that it has no benefits. Won't hurt you, but won't help you either, to take it every day, preventively.



Gardeners, Plant and Nature lovers can join in every Sunday, visit As the Garden Grows for more information.

I Am Worth...

My blog is worth $54,760.38.
How much is your blog worth?

I Hunt Money...who doesn't?

Believe it or not...the American Numismatic Association's HQ is here in the Springs. And I've never been. It's right on the edge of the CC campus too. Beautiful area of the Springs if you have ever been here or are planning to come.

Anyway, here are my selections for today:

This first is an accordian file and you may be wondering what in the world this has to do with money. Bill flew all over the world for years with the Air Force on 141's. He's been to EVERY continent including Antartica. Well, he's a packrat too so he had all this coinage and folding money so I put it here and organized so that we could find it. We turned in a lot of it in our early days because it was actually a good sum of money. We kept a representation of each that we turned in. Kinda glad we did because now the German Mark is no more and a bunch of other European money was phased out and now, of course, the Euro is the currency for most of Europe. Anyway, on to some of the photos.

Bill flew 130's with the Reserves when we met and was involved in the Airlift of Bosnia. Here is some of that currency. Colorful.

The bill I am holding up is from Northern Ireland or the UK. I know it's hard to make out. It's 5 Pound Sterling and we didn't exchange it because it was so intriguing. It feels like plastic and it has see thru sections, which of course is why I held it up to the light for you.

(I guess three photos is my limit this am for blogger...switching to Image Shack.)

This is coinage from Northern Ireland

For some reason I cannot locate my Republic of Ireland money. I must have tucked it someplace for safekeeping and it is SAFE! I did find some coins. On the reverse side they have harps.

These bills are from Paraguay. Very antique in appearance..especially when compared to the Sterling pound note.

Some of our more interesting money has been scrapbooked by Bill. He has a triangular shaped coin from the Cook Islands.

I was also going to post some pictures of 'money' or what passes for money in OUR house. Dove Chocolate® squares and massages.

Our blog roll is over 100 so instead of powering thru everyone's blogs as I have been doing on Sat am's, I will peruse them over the weekend.
Have a great day and we'll see you around.
Pam

I Climb

Photo courtesy of coloradosprings.com

Good AM all. Not much to say today.
No job. Good interview but a 'more qualified candidate' was chosen. I feel neither happy nor sad. I wasn't looking for a new job but when opportunity knocks, you open the door. It was a good experience and that is always a plus.

Planning to hike lower Barr Trail on Sunday am...early....very early, to beat the heat. A coworker, new to the area, has taken up the challenge her daughter set down for her and so we are starting on a program to get her up to the top of Pikes Peak at the end of September.

I am reminded of the Hayman Fire this summer. Four years ago was one of the hottest, driest summers in over a decade or more and we had a major fire threaten Colorado Springs. I talked about it in my most recent voice post. This is a stock photo from the Gazette from this week. I guess other people are remembering the fire as well.

This is Sheep's Nose up near Turkey Rocks. I used to climb there all the time..back in the day. ;0]

This photo above was taken from my back yard that summer. What follows is an illustration from the Gazette on how the area is and will be recovering.

Lastly, is a map and I don't know if you can make out the inset in this map, but you can see just how close the fire came to within Colorado Springs as opposed to how close it came to Denver.

Well, that's about all I got for today. We have been enjoying cool temps and evening rain the last four days. I am exceedingly grateful and send my condolences to those of you suffering unbearably in the heat. Just remember, drink lots of water, punctuate your outside activities with lots of rest and I'm thinking of you.

Pam

I Play

Places I’d like to visit and why

In No Particular Order

1. New Zealand-sea and mountains side by side. Highly unpopulated places. Pristine wildernesses
2. Australia-the people, the odd animals and environment.
3. China-I find I don't understand the asian mind very well, I'd like to correct that
4. India-The religion and the people interest me. I'd love to see the Taj Mahal.
5. Alaska-Wildlife, mountains, snow, what's not to love about Alaska?
6. South Pole-Because it is so very interesting and harsh.
7. London-History and people. I want to know where so much of our culture started.
8. Scotland-Rugged, hard working people, castles, mountains....you could probably keep the food, ;0]
9. Finland-I would love to visit because I had an exchange student from Finland and became very interested in their culture and country.
10. Greece-History, food, people and the ocean. That water entrances me.
11. Egypt-the pyramids of course. The Nile. The history and people.
12. Patagonia-Rugged landscape. Sparsely populated
13. Nirobi-or in the general area of the major park in Africa so I could do a photo safari. The first movie I ever remember was....Born Free.

Okay folks, gotta scoot. Have a great Thursday.

Pam

I Sing

Happy Birthday to

LEESA!!!

Happy Birthday to you, (chachacha)

Happy Birthday day to you, (chachachaaa)

Happy Birthday Sweet Leesaaaaaaaaa, (chachachah!)

Haaaapy Biiirrrthday toooowwoowww YOuuuuuu. *dogs howling*

CHA CHA CHAAAA

Here's wishing you a happy day, no matter WHAT!! Eat lots of cake and ice cream and then you can chase Trout around the house, and probably win the Kitty 500!!! Wooohoooo!

Visit Leesa at her place and leave lot's of birthday greetings!

I Am Playing It Safe!

GREAT Home Safety Tip:
I actually got this in an email and I bet, so did alot of you, but here it is anyway.
Pam

Here's a good tip that I got from a neighborhood watch coordinator.
"When someone is trying to get into your house, or if you hear a noise outside your house, keep your car keys next to your bed on the night stand and just press the panic alarm on your car. It will go off from most everywhere inside your house and keep honking until your battery runs down or until you reset it with the button on the key chain."
A lot of burglars will cut your telephone line before breaking in so this is a real good idea. Could save your life.

I actually don't have one of these. I have a much older model vehicle. However, I found lots of places on-line to get a personal, wireless panic button. Don't know the particulars, but I'm sure you could find one in a good price range that would do the same thing as a car alarm.

Want to see all the other fabulous ideas on WFMW? Go here.

Have a stupendous Wednesday All.

Pam

I Discover Truth

Before I get started on what I wanted to post about...I just had to tell you that my husband just bought his first Bi*ncle. Yes, my 43 year old husband was walking thru W*lmart yesterday and stopped dead in his tracks. Awestruck and enthralled. *big sigh*

Okay... now on to important things..teeeheheee.

Do you remember the commercial, back in the 70’s, which had pictures of water and air pollution and littering? They showed an American Indian with a tear on his cheek. (You can see it here.)

That image made an impression and I’ve always associated the American Indian with nature and balance and harmony. When Leesa started doing her Medicine Cards on Monday’s, I started researching them.
I was intrigued.
It led me to some really interesting web pages , called Peaceful Rivers which of course, led to more.

I was reminded of a bumper sticker I had on my first 4-Runner. “The Earth does not belong to Man, Man belongs to the Earth” and it was credited to Chief Seattle. I loved that bumper sticker and tried to get it off when I traded in Old Blue. Alas, this was before the days of ‘UnDo’. So, it went with Old Blue. I searched and searched for this bumper sticker so that I could replace it. That was before the days of the internet. Yes, my current 4-Runner is 11 years old.
So, I went hunting today and found several sources, some of whom reference each other, concerning the accuracy of Chief Seattle and his famous speeches.

I was sad to read that it was highly unlikely that the things we attribute to the Chief were not his, but fabrications to support the ecology movement in the ‘70’s. Why was I sad? Did, not knowing the author of that quote make it any less powerful?

Perhaps.

But I had romanticized the Chief. Along with hundreds of thousands of other Americans, I’m sure. I would have called you a liar or at the very least, full of crap had you told me this yesterday...that I have romanticized the American Indian. Yet I am faced with the facts and my feelings and must reconcile the two.

Regardless of the authorship, this quote really sums up my beliefs on conservation, ecology, pollution, recycling, waste, resources etc.

This we know: All things are connected
like the blood that unites us.
We did not weave the web of life,
We are merely a strand in it.
Whatever we do to the web, we do to ourselves.
-Chief Seattle

Another great orator/writer did pen these words and I also believe it to be a powerful statement.

Man emulates earth
Earth emulates heaven
Heaven emulates the Way
The way emulates nature.
-Henry David Thoreau

So I leave you with those thoughts today.
Pam