Thank you all so much for your kind comments about my dealing the opportunistic MLM blogger. You know I must feel passionate about something to write more than 100 words!! Because of both my work with pediatric oncology patients and personal experience of losing a brother at 24 years old due to cancer, this whole issue really brought out my protective Mama Bear instinct. Thank you all again for the props, mucho appreciado.
I rarely get the opportunity to let folks know (politely of course!) that they are Not Making Good Choices!! Like these few examples of Dear Loser Letters-
Dear Fellow Forty-Something Baseball Team Mom,
I understand low cut jeans and hot pink thongs are the height of fashion. Please be aware of the effect of this combination when you lean or bend forward.
I have never seen my son's eyes open quite so Wide.
Signed, Not a Fan of Butt Floss
Dear Fellow Sixty-Something Baseball Team Grandpa-
We all appreciate it's 95 degrees during the game and you are trying to cope by wearing a tank top tshirt on your grandfatherly figure. Your ample mane of thick, swirly, dark body hair on your ample girth is too insulating for the sleeveless tshirt to be helpful.
It does however remind me I need to take the kids to the zoo this summer.
Signed, Not a Fan of Wife Beater Tshirts
Dear Moron Cigarette Smoker-
I understand you are an adult and you can smoke in your car while driving. Cars nowadays come equipped with an ashtray. Southern California is in a drought with tinderbox dry conditions. Please explain why you must flick your lit cigarette out the window.
Signed, Getting your License Plate Next Time
Addendum for Momma Val- (see I take requests)
Dear Mr.Clueless,
We all know how busy and important you are. This is to inform you the door the very pregnant lady was holding open wasn't intended for you, but for her toddler. Not you. Shocking I know as there really is no one else in the Universe. Now, tell me how I can contact your mother so I can slap her for Not Teaching You Any Manners!
Signed, You Should Be Ashamed
Friday, May 29, 2009
Friday Flowers at the Color Carnival
Here is my entry for this week's Color Carnival, a photo meme to celebrate Color, Glorious, Vivid Color. This is yet another picture of flowers from a neighbor's garden on my quest seeking inspiration for my own garden. I love zinnias and California is the only place where I have lived that crysanthemums grow outside.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Smackdown in Blogland
I have been blogging for over a year and started blogging so I could be an equal opportunity commenter and let other bloggers weigh in on my little slice of Paradise. I enjoy the support and camaraderie of blogging and try to be encouraging and supportive in my comments. So that's what leads me to share a little tale of blogger wierdness this week.
I follow a couple blogs that make announcements for support, celebration, giveaways, and featured bloggers. A few days ago, I saw a request for support for a family with a toddler newly diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. Given my passion and expertise in pediatric cancer, I clicked over to leave a few words of encouragement and support for the family. Okay, no big deal, Blog life as usual.
And then into my Email Inbox a cryptic message appears from a person I have never heard of in blogland. Not a follower or commenter or known blogger, nada. But it wasn't spam, there was no request for money to be sent to Nigeria or trying to sell male enhancement herbs. And I like new bloggers so I didn't automatically hit delete.
In the email, Just these few lines-
I am in Anytown, USA and I have a preschooler. I am interested in talking health with you. What would be the best way to do this? I found you in the comments of the XYZ Blog. The entry about her darling child and his current battle with his health.
Suzy Q
Anytown USA
Sal's Drycleaners
Here is my reply-
Hi, Suzy, thank you for the email. I would appreciate if you could let me know what I can help you with. Thank you so much. Martha
Suzy Q's Response-
Thank you for the reply! You work in a very interesting field. I am available to talk just about anytime. My number is on the bottom of my email.
(Really trying to figure out why the heck this person is contacting moi. Wow, News Flash, I work in an interesting field. Who knew Nursing was interesting??)
My response-
You are welcome. Nursing is a very interesting field, also very specialized and vast. Please be more specific as to the topic in which you want to discuss so I can be best prepared and respectful of our time.
(Okay, now during this initial volley of emails I get suitably intrigued about this individual and do some internet research. I find the blog to their business which has a sideline of selling Guess What?!? The New Miracle Super Duper Antioxidant that Will Cure Cancer!! The Supplement, Tango-Mean (rhymes with the real supplement name which I refuse to type.) Here is my disclaimer btw, I am a Huge Fan of complementary medicine including the use of vitamins, supplements, and herbs for myself, my family, and my patients when Clinically appropriate. So take your cup of chamomille tea and Drink It! Okay, now back to my story.)
Suzy Q-
My focus in our talks is in prevention and wellness. If you get a chance, pick up the brand new Teeny Bopper magazine. If there is a can of Tango-Mean on the back cover, you have the right magazine. I am in the wellness industry now and would like to be more effective in my approach and presentation. I guess that’s where your expertise would come in. For example, how would I tell Toddler with Cancer's mother about our prevention plan for children? I want to make a difference for people who are at their wits end and I have no idea how to approach the subject, let alone them. I don’t want to come off as an opportunist and I realize that is a real possibility.
I sincerely believe we have an answer to these problems facing our young people. I want to be able to talk to parents in a way that won't alienate them or give them reason to discount me as a “salesman” or crackpot or something. Any suggestions you could offer would be invaluable to me! Thanks again for your time and consideration.
My Simmering Response-
Hi, Suzy, I see you are involved in the Multi Level Marketing of Tango-Mean vitamin supplements. I am not used to being solicited as a marketing consultant or RN professional in response to a comment on a blog offering psychological support for a Parent's Worst nightmare.
Toddler with cancer is diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and is under the care of a pediatric oncologist. His MD should decide if Any supplements are appropriate and necessary. Typically, oncologists approach supplementation with Extreme Caution due to a number of reasons,
1.Vitamins, herbs, etc. can interact with the Chemotherapy that will save this child's life.
2. Some vitamins, herbs can actually increase tumor growth and spread of the cancer.
So, Tango-Mean is not appropriate for persons with cancer and the information below from the FAQs of the Tango-Mean website states this also.
From Tango-Mean website-
Q:Who should drink Tango Mean?
A:Anyone interested in vitality and building a strong nutritional foundation for health and overall well-being.* We do not, however, recommend Tango-Mean if you are pregnant, have a medical condition or have an allergic reaction.
Suzy, I think you are correct in identifying yourself as opportunistic in this case. I have worked with families who have a child with cancer for many years and the pyschological stress is incredible. Toddler's mom doesn't need any more information or suggestions on how to treat her son's cancer. She needs to work the specialists who are treating him for the long road ahead. Plus, like her blog post said, She has No Money for the necessities for her son, much less an untested supplement that might cause more harm than good. We just don't know Because there are No Credible Research studies to evaluate the effects of supplements in certain Chemotherapies. So, Tangomean or any other vitamin supplement would not be in this child's best clinical interest. Or any other Cancer patient Unless approved by their MD. If you wanted to perform a kindness, consider donating some to the parents to help them while they endure alongside their son while he undergoes Chemotherapy for 3 years.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for TangoMean and concern for children's health, but it is not appropriate for children dealing with life threatening or chronic diseases Without MD approval.
I have many blog friends and consider myself generous of my time and expertise as a health care professional. I was taken aback to get your email requesting my marketing and clinical expertise without a prior relationship or professional understanding. I hope you can appreciate this and consider this in the future when requesting free consultation.
A final word from Suzy Q-
I appreciate your candor. Your message is very clear and I completely understand your point of view. You see my dilemma. I have been unsuccessful in even explaining my position to you, who are not dealing with this “worst nightmare” scenario. I would not suggest anyone go against their doctors wishes regarding supplementation. I have no intention of pretending to be in a position to diagnose or prescribe anything to anyone. All I know is what I have seen and what I know from different Dr’s who do know what the effects of Tangomean and minerals have on people. I am friends with Dr.Ed who has run the Healthy Clinic for many years. He has seen first hand, the effects of mangosteen on people with all sorts of ailments including cancer. He and I have discussed supplementing during chemo and he said NO. There are times when it is advisable to help the bodies systems with the invaluable nutrition a formula like Tangomean. For example, I have a friend whose grandson, 2 yrs old, was diagnosed with early warning signs of leukemia. The child took this formula for two weeks and when the child went back to be reevaluated the signs were gone.
To be clear, I am not asking you for marketing advice, simply if there is a way I could make a difference. From your last response, I can see that there really is no good way. I have plenty of customers and members in my organization and have no real need to try to solicit these unfortunate people in their darkest hour. That is why I contacted you. To see if there is a way to, possibly, make a positive difference in their lives. I thank you for taking the time to write and I will take your advice and stop trying to help in this way.
Mission Accomplished. It strikes me as cruel to come between a patient and his providers so you can hawk your snake oil. Regardless of a person's intentions which I so highly suspect.
(I have changed the names/details to protect the innocent and the not so innocent. Plus I am too busy for any more hassles. I have edited these emails for clarity and boredom prevention. I forwarded these emails to the hosts of the blogger forums so they can be aware of this too.)
Thank you for letting me share my Smackdown in Blogland. Have you had to put anybody back into their proper place recently?
I follow a couple blogs that make announcements for support, celebration, giveaways, and featured bloggers. A few days ago, I saw a request for support for a family with a toddler newly diagnosed with Acute Leukemia. Given my passion and expertise in pediatric cancer, I clicked over to leave a few words of encouragement and support for the family. Okay, no big deal, Blog life as usual.
And then into my Email Inbox a cryptic message appears from a person I have never heard of in blogland. Not a follower or commenter or known blogger, nada. But it wasn't spam, there was no request for money to be sent to Nigeria or trying to sell male enhancement herbs. And I like new bloggers so I didn't automatically hit delete.
In the email, Just these few lines-
I am in Anytown, USA and I have a preschooler. I am interested in talking health with you. What would be the best way to do this? I found you in the comments of the XYZ Blog. The entry about her darling child and his current battle with his health.
Suzy Q
Anytown USA
Sal's Drycleaners
Here is my reply-
Hi, Suzy, thank you for the email. I would appreciate if you could let me know what I can help you with. Thank you so much. Martha
Suzy Q's Response-
Thank you for the reply! You work in a very interesting field. I am available to talk just about anytime. My number is on the bottom of my email.
(Really trying to figure out why the heck this person is contacting moi. Wow, News Flash, I work in an interesting field. Who knew Nursing was interesting??)
My response-
You are welcome. Nursing is a very interesting field, also very specialized and vast. Please be more specific as to the topic in which you want to discuss so I can be best prepared and respectful of our time.
(Okay, now during this initial volley of emails I get suitably intrigued about this individual and do some internet research. I find the blog to their business which has a sideline of selling Guess What?!? The New Miracle Super Duper Antioxidant that Will Cure Cancer!! The Supplement, Tango-Mean (rhymes with the real supplement name which I refuse to type.) Here is my disclaimer btw, I am a Huge Fan of complementary medicine including the use of vitamins, supplements, and herbs for myself, my family, and my patients when Clinically appropriate. So take your cup of chamomille tea and Drink It! Okay, now back to my story.)
Suzy Q-
My focus in our talks is in prevention and wellness. If you get a chance, pick up the brand new Teeny Bopper magazine. If there is a can of Tango-Mean on the back cover, you have the right magazine. I am in the wellness industry now and would like to be more effective in my approach and presentation. I guess that’s where your expertise would come in. For example, how would I tell Toddler with Cancer's mother about our prevention plan for children? I want to make a difference for people who are at their wits end and I have no idea how to approach the subject, let alone them. I don’t want to come off as an opportunist and I realize that is a real possibility.
I sincerely believe we have an answer to these problems facing our young people. I want to be able to talk to parents in a way that won't alienate them or give them reason to discount me as a “salesman” or crackpot or something. Any suggestions you could offer would be invaluable to me! Thanks again for your time and consideration.
My Simmering Response-
Hi, Suzy, I see you are involved in the Multi Level Marketing of Tango-Mean vitamin supplements. I am not used to being solicited as a marketing consultant or RN professional in response to a comment on a blog offering psychological support for a Parent's Worst nightmare.
Toddler with cancer is diagnosed with Acute Leukemia and is under the care of a pediatric oncologist. His MD should decide if Any supplements are appropriate and necessary. Typically, oncologists approach supplementation with Extreme Caution due to a number of reasons,
1.Vitamins, herbs, etc. can interact with the Chemotherapy that will save this child's life.
2. Some vitamins, herbs can actually increase tumor growth and spread of the cancer.
So, Tango-Mean is not appropriate for persons with cancer and the information below from the FAQs of the Tango-Mean website states this also.
From Tango-Mean website-
Q:Who should drink Tango Mean?
A:Anyone interested in vitality and building a strong nutritional foundation for health and overall well-being.* We do not, however, recommend Tango-Mean if you are pregnant, have a medical condition or have an allergic reaction.
Suzy, I think you are correct in identifying yourself as opportunistic in this case. I have worked with families who have a child with cancer for many years and the pyschological stress is incredible. Toddler's mom doesn't need any more information or suggestions on how to treat her son's cancer. She needs to work the specialists who are treating him for the long road ahead. Plus, like her blog post said, She has No Money for the necessities for her son, much less an untested supplement that might cause more harm than good. We just don't know Because there are No Credible Research studies to evaluate the effects of supplements in certain Chemotherapies. So, Tangomean or any other vitamin supplement would not be in this child's best clinical interest. Or any other Cancer patient Unless approved by their MD. If you wanted to perform a kindness, consider donating some to the parents to help them while they endure alongside their son while he undergoes Chemotherapy for 3 years.
I appreciate your enthusiasm for TangoMean and concern for children's health, but it is not appropriate for children dealing with life threatening or chronic diseases Without MD approval.
I have many blog friends and consider myself generous of my time and expertise as a health care professional. I was taken aback to get your email requesting my marketing and clinical expertise without a prior relationship or professional understanding. I hope you can appreciate this and consider this in the future when requesting free consultation.
A final word from Suzy Q-
I appreciate your candor. Your message is very clear and I completely understand your point of view. You see my dilemma. I have been unsuccessful in even explaining my position to you, who are not dealing with this “worst nightmare” scenario. I would not suggest anyone go against their doctors wishes regarding supplementation. I have no intention of pretending to be in a position to diagnose or prescribe anything to anyone. All I know is what I have seen and what I know from different Dr’s who do know what the effects of Tangomean and minerals have on people. I am friends with Dr.Ed who has run the Healthy Clinic for many years. He has seen first hand, the effects of mangosteen on people with all sorts of ailments including cancer. He and I have discussed supplementing during chemo and he said NO. There are times when it is advisable to help the bodies systems with the invaluable nutrition a formula like Tangomean. For example, I have a friend whose grandson, 2 yrs old, was diagnosed with early warning signs of leukemia. The child took this formula for two weeks and when the child went back to be reevaluated the signs were gone.
To be clear, I am not asking you for marketing advice, simply if there is a way I could make a difference. From your last response, I can see that there really is no good way. I have plenty of customers and members in my organization and have no real need to try to solicit these unfortunate people in their darkest hour. That is why I contacted you. To see if there is a way to, possibly, make a positive difference in their lives. I thank you for taking the time to write and I will take your advice and stop trying to help in this way.
Mission Accomplished. It strikes me as cruel to come between a patient and his providers so you can hawk your snake oil. Regardless of a person's intentions which I so highly suspect.
(I have changed the names/details to protect the innocent and the not so innocent. Plus I am too busy for any more hassles. I have edited these emails for clarity and boredom prevention. I forwarded these emails to the hosts of the blogger forums so they can be aware of this too.)
Thank you for letting me share my Smackdown in Blogland. Have you had to put anybody back into their proper place recently?
Tuesday, May 26, 2009
Ruby Tuesday - Cactus Blooms
I have been stalking my neighbors' gardens for inspiration for my own garden and was happy to find this cactus in full bloom. Thank you so much for sharing in Ruby Tuesday, a photo meme to celebrate the Color, Red.
Weekends are for Work
I wish I could share a vainglorious post about an exciting trip to the beach complete with ocean kayaking and sea lions, but alas this long weekend was dedicated to work. Work around the house, work/job/work, a science project for our son, the Honey Do list is pretty endless.
We have a new client at my job (Yipee, I'm thrilled, doing the happy dance!!), so I have been super busy during "ramp up" dealing with all these new patients and their myriad of diagnoses and pyschosocial issues.
I cleaned out the bathroom drawers which is right up there on the "Excitement-O-Meter" with rearranging the sock drawer or alphabetizing the spice rack. It was waaaay overdue and I encourage everyone to do it. Can I tell you that it took the better part of a day to undertake this mundane task? I got rid of medicine that had Expired in 2001. How in the world does it gets so freaking dusty in there? It really is the little things.
I also hit "pay dirt" this weekend when a neighbor ordered too much top soil and invited us to take some for our garden. I scored four wheelbarrowfulls and am excited to move forward on converting a grass strip to a rock and flower garden. I have to go pick out some boulders from our local rock store in addition to the roses, agapanthus, geraniums, and alyssum that I am planting. I love playing in the dirt and really enjoy creating art with flowers and rocks. (I will post some Before and After pictures when I am done because I love that kind of stuff.)
My darling husband has been working his tush off this weekend working around the house and running errands. But he wasn't too busy that he didn't have time to let our 14 y/o son drive in the parking lot of his office!! Nothing like beating the rush to Driver's Education Two Years Early!! And in my car!! Thanks, honey, I don't mind the driving lesson so much as next time could you please do it in your car??
My husband was also again called to duty to help our younger son with his science project due today. It is Very Unusual for the younger son to procrastinate on projects, usually he finishes things in advance, but I think both boys when it comes to school are "Put a Fork in them, They ARE Done!!" Why the teacher assigns three big projects in the last few weeks of school with all the parties and assemblies is Beyond Me. Ah, well, just a few more weeks to go and Then Freedom! Yes, not only for the boys, but also for me and my husband. We get a wonderful break from nagging and overseeing our kids in their schoolwork. It's a nice break and no, I don't panic at the thought of them home for the summer. Actually, I love having them around and they are so self reliant and relishing of their time off, it's infectious.
It wasn't all work, we did do fun stuff this weekend. Our family met up with some other neighbors at our community pool which just opened for the season. My husband made grilled sausage and pepper sausages that were delish and we chatted with our friends while the kids swam.
We also went shopping for new dishes and towels (Company's coming and the old stuff is ready for retirement). I have lost my "shopping gene"* and do not enjoy shopping anymore, but it was fun to look at dishes and towels with my husband like we were newlyweds again.
Thank you for your visit and I hope you had a great weekend. Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday.
*Disclaimer: The loss of my shopping gene does not include loss of enjoyment over nice, new things, I just don't want to be involved in the procurement process.
We have a new client at my job (Yipee, I'm thrilled, doing the happy dance!!), so I have been super busy during "ramp up" dealing with all these new patients and their myriad of diagnoses and pyschosocial issues.
I cleaned out the bathroom drawers which is right up there on the "Excitement-O-Meter" with rearranging the sock drawer or alphabetizing the spice rack. It was waaaay overdue and I encourage everyone to do it. Can I tell you that it took the better part of a day to undertake this mundane task? I got rid of medicine that had Expired in 2001. How in the world does it gets so freaking dusty in there? It really is the little things.
I also hit "pay dirt" this weekend when a neighbor ordered too much top soil and invited us to take some for our garden. I scored four wheelbarrowfulls and am excited to move forward on converting a grass strip to a rock and flower garden. I have to go pick out some boulders from our local rock store in addition to the roses, agapanthus, geraniums, and alyssum that I am planting. I love playing in the dirt and really enjoy creating art with flowers and rocks. (I will post some Before and After pictures when I am done because I love that kind of stuff.)
My darling husband has been working his tush off this weekend working around the house and running errands. But he wasn't too busy that he didn't have time to let our 14 y/o son drive in the parking lot of his office!! Nothing like beating the rush to Driver's Education Two Years Early!! And in my car!! Thanks, honey, I don't mind the driving lesson so much as next time could you please do it in your car??
My husband was also again called to duty to help our younger son with his science project due today. It is Very Unusual for the younger son to procrastinate on projects, usually he finishes things in advance, but I think both boys when it comes to school are "Put a Fork in them, They ARE Done!!" Why the teacher assigns three big projects in the last few weeks of school with all the parties and assemblies is Beyond Me. Ah, well, just a few more weeks to go and Then Freedom! Yes, not only for the boys, but also for me and my husband. We get a wonderful break from nagging and overseeing our kids in their schoolwork. It's a nice break and no, I don't panic at the thought of them home for the summer. Actually, I love having them around and they are so self reliant and relishing of their time off, it's infectious.
It wasn't all work, we did do fun stuff this weekend. Our family met up with some other neighbors at our community pool which just opened for the season. My husband made grilled sausage and pepper sausages that were delish and we chatted with our friends while the kids swam.
We also went shopping for new dishes and towels (Company's coming and the old stuff is ready for retirement). I have lost my "shopping gene"* and do not enjoy shopping anymore, but it was fun to look at dishes and towels with my husband like we were newlyweds again.
Thank you for your visit and I hope you had a great weekend. Happy Tuesday that feels like a Monday.
*Disclaimer: The loss of my shopping gene does not include loss of enjoyment over nice, new things, I just don't want to be involved in the procurement process.
Saturday, May 23, 2009
Trends White Flag
You know a hip trend is dying when a Forty-Something from the Burbs starts using it.
Fo' shizzle.
Fo' shizzle.
Friday, May 22, 2009
Friday is for Funny Signs
In lieu of a real post, please accept this reasonable facsimile of a post.
Not a THROUGH Toad?? Not Any kind of Toad in my estimation. (near Wawona in Yosemite, CA.)
This sign intrigues me. How many people do you suppose blow dry their hair in public restrooms and would be at a loss without this pictorial? Is this sign to warn us that this dryer is so powerful it will penetrate the deepest reaches of our brain? What are these linear objects in our skulls and how come I never learned about this in Anatomy class? (Los Angeles City Fire Academy, L.A., CA.)
Looking for a Few Good Mateys to Rob and Pillage?!? Pirate Staffing is available to help with all with your Staffing Needs for Devious Deeds! Parrot Not Included. (Santa Clarita, CA.)
Thank you for your indulgence in my hobby of amusing signs.
Happy Memorial Day and I salute and honor all our veterans and their families who sacrifice in service to our country.
Not a THROUGH Toad?? Not Any kind of Toad in my estimation. (near Wawona in Yosemite, CA.)
This sign intrigues me. How many people do you suppose blow dry their hair in public restrooms and would be at a loss without this pictorial? Is this sign to warn us that this dryer is so powerful it will penetrate the deepest reaches of our brain? What are these linear objects in our skulls and how come I never learned about this in Anatomy class? (Los Angeles City Fire Academy, L.A., CA.)
Looking for a Few Good Mateys to Rob and Pillage?!? Pirate Staffing is available to help with all with your Staffing Needs for Devious Deeds! Parrot Not Included. (Santa Clarita, CA.)Thank you for your indulgence in my hobby of amusing signs.
Happy Memorial Day and I salute and honor all our veterans and their families who sacrifice in service to our country.
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Another Edition of Drive By Blogging
Greetings and Welcome to another edition of Drive By Blogging brought to you by Too Much To Do and Not Enough Time.
- I call going into my son's room to clean, "Going into the Belly of The Beast". Do you have nicknames for certain parts of your house or chores?
- Sometimes when I set out to do housework, I hear the soundtrack to Mission Impossible or James Bond in my head. Not sure what this means.
- I am getting into Triage Housework Mode in anticipation of next week's visit of our Niece and her husband from New Orleans. This totally makes tidying up Worth IT!!
- Most healthcare providers grossly underestimate the therapeutic value of allowing the patient and family to vent. So, Doc, shut up and listen, and Family members, please be prepared and bring a list of your concerns. Thank you.
- Photo memes are great, it's a wonderful excuse to show off pictures and exercise my love of photography. Plus, minimal wordsmithing is required.
- Which brings me to my next bullet point, some bloggers profess a difficulty confining their posts to less than a THOUSAND WORDS!! I have trouble writing over 100 words and no, I have no interest in twitter, already overconnected with communication devices. Plus, I suffer from "Passworditis" which is the inability to create or remember anymore Passwords.
- I am on a total music nostalgia kick, enjoying the songs of Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Partridge Family. Thank you in advance for your concern and no there is no Cure for loving the "I Think I Love You Song".
- The State of California has problems galore but you can't beat the Mexican food.
- When I asked our youngest son this morning to brush his hair before he left for school, he said, "Why bother? It just gets messy again."
- I feel that way about housework and laundry, but back to it I go.
What have you been up to this fine May Day? Thank you.
- I call going into my son's room to clean, "Going into the Belly of The Beast". Do you have nicknames for certain parts of your house or chores?
- Sometimes when I set out to do housework, I hear the soundtrack to Mission Impossible or James Bond in my head. Not sure what this means.
- I am getting into Triage Housework Mode in anticipation of next week's visit of our Niece and her husband from New Orleans. This totally makes tidying up Worth IT!!
- Most healthcare providers grossly underestimate the therapeutic value of allowing the patient and family to vent. So, Doc, shut up and listen, and Family members, please be prepared and bring a list of your concerns. Thank you.
- Photo memes are great, it's a wonderful excuse to show off pictures and exercise my love of photography. Plus, minimal wordsmithing is required.
- Which brings me to my next bullet point, some bloggers profess a difficulty confining their posts to less than a THOUSAND WORDS!! I have trouble writing over 100 words and no, I have no interest in twitter, already overconnected with communication devices. Plus, I suffer from "Passworditis" which is the inability to create or remember anymore Passwords.
- I am on a total music nostalgia kick, enjoying the songs of Rocky Horror Picture Show and The Partridge Family. Thank you in advance for your concern and no there is no Cure for loving the "I Think I Love You Song".
- The State of California has problems galore but you can't beat the Mexican food.
- When I asked our youngest son this morning to brush his hair before he left for school, he said, "Why bother? It just gets messy again."
- I feel that way about housework and laundry, but back to it I go.
What have you been up to this fine May Day? Thank you.
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Ruby Tuesday
This picture is of the chorus from a play our oldest son is performing in.
(I apologize to the grammarians for ending my sentence in a proposition. Please feel free to leave me more grammatically correct options in the comments.)
Thank you to Work of the Poet for hosting Ruby Tuesday, a photo meme of the color, Red.
Bloggy Blingfest
I am thrilled and tres tardy once again in posting two awards I recently received! The first award is Ta-da-
This award is from dear JAM whose posts always bring a smile to my face and a growl to my tummy with her warmth, humor, and wonderful recipes.
In order to keep this crown, I have to list 7 Awe-Summm things about myself.
1. I actually understand and can explain health insurance policies and benefits.
2. I don't take stuff so personally anymore. I like to laugh at myself.
3. I am facile at entertaining children. I have quite the repertoire of Childrens Songs, "Do You Ears Hang Low?", "Peanut, Peanut Butter", "Up in the Air Junior Birdmen", "The Barney Song", etc. Handy at parties and checkout lines.
4. I am detail oriented without being anal retentive.
5. I can read fast and remember what I read. (Except maybe Umberto Eco, I can read about fifteen words in fifteen minutes, his work makes me crosseyed and comatose.)
6. I can get ready really quickly, hair, makeup, dressed out the door in under thirty minutes. Needless to say, I am pretty low maintenance.
7. I am good with pets and plants. If you ask me to housesit, everybody will be well cared for.
(This award should come with a warning label to let you know how difficult it is to come up with 7 awesome things about yourself.)
My next piece of bloggy bling comes compliments of the insightful and funny Modern Mom-
We got the rules right here:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and their blog link.
2) Pass the award to 10 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
This is easy, nothing to divulge!! Yippee!! I would like to pass on both awards to these new bloggy friends who are Just Loverly!
Eastside Mommy
Amortization of Goodwill
Muse Swings
Hairline Fracture
Muppet Soul
April Showers
Weebles Wobblog
Life in the Car Pool Lane
An Eagle's View
Beauty Be Good
Cookie Girl
5 Vinez Angie
Knit Purl Girl
In the Tree Top
(Oh, that's 13 Lucky bloggers, shhh, I am not so awesome at math and following rules.)
This is a Buffet Style* and No Strings Attached** Award Zone. Thank you!
(*Help yourself to any and all awards.)
(**The only rule I have is that you please bask in the glow of appreciation.)
This award is from dear JAM whose posts always bring a smile to my face and a growl to my tummy with her warmth, humor, and wonderful recipes.
In order to keep this crown, I have to list 7 Awe-Summm things about myself.
1. I actually understand and can explain health insurance policies and benefits.
2. I don't take stuff so personally anymore. I like to laugh at myself.
3. I am facile at entertaining children. I have quite the repertoire of Childrens Songs, "Do You Ears Hang Low?", "Peanut, Peanut Butter", "Up in the Air Junior Birdmen", "The Barney Song", etc. Handy at parties and checkout lines.
4. I am detail oriented without being anal retentive.
5. I can read fast and remember what I read. (Except maybe Umberto Eco, I can read about fifteen words in fifteen minutes, his work makes me crosseyed and comatose.)
6. I can get ready really quickly, hair, makeup, dressed out the door in under thirty minutes. Needless to say, I am pretty low maintenance.
7. I am good with pets and plants. If you ask me to housesit, everybody will be well cared for.
(This award should come with a warning label to let you know how difficult it is to come up with 7 awesome things about yourself.)
My next piece of bloggy bling comes compliments of the insightful and funny Modern Mom-
We got the rules right here:
1) Accept the award, post it on your blog together with the name of the person who has granted the award, and their blog link.
2) Pass the award to 10 other blogs that you’ve newly discovered. Remember to contact the bloggers to let them know they have been chosen for this award.
This is easy, nothing to divulge!! Yippee!! I would like to pass on both awards to these new bloggy friends who are Just Loverly!
Eastside Mommy
Amortization of Goodwill
Muse Swings
Hairline Fracture
Muppet Soul
April Showers
Weebles Wobblog
Life in the Car Pool Lane
An Eagle's View
Beauty Be Good
Cookie Girl
5 Vinez Angie
Knit Purl Girl
In the Tree Top
(Oh, that's 13 Lucky bloggers, shhh, I am not so awesome at math and following rules.)
This is a Buffet Style* and No Strings Attached** Award Zone. Thank you!
(*Help yourself to any and all awards.)
(**The only rule I have is that you please bask in the glow of appreciation.)
Monday, May 18, 2009
Mellow Yellow Monday Photo Meme
A new blogger friend and a fellow "Martha" and photo bug has introduced me to the World of Photo Memes- Shadow Sunday, Mellow Yellow, Cute Pets, Ruby Tuesday, Bad Hair Day, Color Carnival, the list goes on and on. Today, I am playing Mellow Yellow Monday to show off my picture of this Spring's Yellow Statice wildflowers on a hillside in Gorman, California. (This photo was taken from a car moving approximately 75 miles an hour with my Can.on Sure Shot.)
I hope you enjoy and Thank you to Mellow Yellow for hosting this lemon hued throwdown!
Perfect Moment Monday - Cleaning out my closet
My Perfect Moment Monday is courtesy of my now clean closet. I can see the floor in my closet and it makes me very happy. I got rid of two bags of clothes and found nice clothes I had forgotten I owned resulting in more happy feelings.
To see what makes other folks happy this Monday, please say hello to Lori and the Perfect Moment Minions at Weebles Wobblog. I realize how thrilling a post this is and thank you for your indulgence.
Friday, May 15, 2009
Friday Flowers at the Color Carnivale
Thank you to my new bloggy friend Martha from The Menagerie who invited me to play along with the Photo Color Carnivale. I hope you enjoy this picture of my neighbor's geraniums which have been blooming nonstop all Spring.
Thursday, May 14, 2009
Holy Crap Yet Another Reason to Compost
Here is a Traffic Alert or what is called a "SigAlert" that is in effect here in LA. Nothing too exciting or earth shaking about bad traffic in crowded Los Angeles. Until you read what is the Hazardous Material causing the freeway shutdown.
From California Highway Patrol website: Hazardous material spill closes 5 lanes
The northbound I-5 freeway at the 405 is the site of a SigAlert, after a late morning accident caused a spill that covered several lanes of traffic. Two traffic lanes and the truck lanes remain shut down, awaiting Caltrans cleanup crews. The substance, described as black and slippery, was initially thought to be tar, but was determined to be irradiated human waste. The waste is not hazardous and was on its way to be processed into fertilizer.
I am never buying fertilizer ever again.
From California Highway Patrol website: Hazardous material spill closes 5 lanes
The northbound I-5 freeway at the 405 is the site of a SigAlert, after a late morning accident caused a spill that covered several lanes of traffic. Two traffic lanes and the truck lanes remain shut down, awaiting Caltrans cleanup crews. The substance, described as black and slippery, was initially thought to be tar, but was determined to be irradiated human waste. The waste is not hazardous and was on its way to be processed into fertilizer.
I am never buying fertilizer ever again.
Wednesday, May 13, 2009
Tuesday, May 12, 2009
Crazy 8s Meme (Who comes up with this stuff?)
I was tortured, I mean tagged by Chicken Nuggets of Wisdom for the Crazy 8s Meme.
The rules are:
Link to the person who tagged you and then list of bunch of 8 fascinating facts about yourself.
Follow that up by inflicting this upon, I mean tagging 8 bloggers, and tell them you tagged them.
So much fun and I promise to be succinct and interesting as humanly and humanely possible.
8 things I'm looking forward to:
- Finishing cleaning out my closet.
- Going out to Fig Restaurant for our Anniversary dinner.
- A visit from our niece and her husband from New Orleans.
- Our family vacation in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon this summer.
- Converting a small patch of lawn into a rock and flower garden.
- Coming up with more inspiration to finish this post.
- The opening of our community swimming pool.
- Summer break for the boys. (It is really nice not to nag them about homework and school projects. It's great to let them sleep in, rot their brains with too much TV, and just laze around which is the right of every teen and preteen in the summer months.)
8 things I did yesterday:
- Went and bought rocks and slate for the garden.
- Laid out a slate path.
- Admired my work.
- Doted on my wildflower seedlings.
- Practiced with my nunchucks and hit myself numerous times with them.
- Was very relieved when my son requested to skip baseball practice.
- Encouraged to go to the Midnight Sun Festival in Yellowknife, NW Territories.
- Realized I had to go on a "blog diet". I can not follow and read any and all blogs that catch my fancy.
8 things I wish I could do:
- Finish cleaning closets, office, and garage.
- Garden today instead of work.
- Take a nap.
- Play my mindless I.touch games.
- Wiggle my nose and have a clean closet, office, and garage. Kitchen too.
- Make some ribbon belts to exercise my creativity muscle.
- Take a hike or bike ride with my hubby.
- Not be so behind on responding to memes, awards, etc.
8 shows I watch:
Project Runway
Real Housewives
Hell's Kitchen
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Jeopardy
Househunters
Ace of Cakes
8 favorite fruits:
Strawberries
Tim Gunn (props to Chicken Nuggets for this one)
Raspberries
Blood Oranges
Apples
Ollalieberries
Tomatoes
Artichokes
8 places I would like to travel (no one said I had to narrow it down or be overly specific or anything.):
Volcano Village, Big Island, Hawaii
Yosemite, California
Canada
United Kingdom including my husband's ancestral County of Cork
Portugal
Prince Edward Island
Eastern Seaboard of US to visit family/friends
Ohio for my 30th high school reunion
I am going to have to bend the rules and tag folks "Buffet Style" which means -
Please help yourself to this meme if you would like to play along! Many folks have already been tagged, so if you haven't and would like to, please consider yourself Tagged.
Eight is a revered and divine number associated with prosperity and good fortune. It is auspicious to be born on a date with the number "8" in it and good for your business to have an address or telephone number with an "8".
The rules are:
Link to the person who tagged you and then list of bunch of 8 fascinating facts about yourself.
Follow that up by inflicting this upon, I mean tagging 8 bloggers, and tell them you tagged them.
So much fun and I promise to be succinct and interesting as humanly and humanely possible.
8 things I'm looking forward to:
- Finishing cleaning out my closet.
- Going out to Fig Restaurant for our Anniversary dinner.
- A visit from our niece and her husband from New Orleans.
- Our family vacation in the Rogue River Valley of Oregon this summer.
- Converting a small patch of lawn into a rock and flower garden.
- Coming up with more inspiration to finish this post.
- The opening of our community swimming pool.
- Summer break for the boys. (It is really nice not to nag them about homework and school projects. It's great to let them sleep in, rot their brains with too much TV, and just laze around which is the right of every teen and preteen in the summer months.)
8 things I did yesterday:
- Went and bought rocks and slate for the garden.
- Laid out a slate path.
- Admired my work.
- Doted on my wildflower seedlings.
- Practiced with my nunchucks and hit myself numerous times with them.
- Was very relieved when my son requested to skip baseball practice.
- Encouraged to go to the Midnight Sun Festival in Yellowknife, NW Territories.
- Realized I had to go on a "blog diet". I can not follow and read any and all blogs that catch my fancy.
8 things I wish I could do:
- Finish cleaning closets, office, and garage.
- Garden today instead of work.
- Take a nap.
- Play my mindless I.touch games.
- Wiggle my nose and have a clean closet, office, and garage. Kitchen too.
- Make some ribbon belts to exercise my creativity muscle.
- Take a hike or bike ride with my hubby.
- Not be so behind on responding to memes, awards, etc.
8 shows I watch:
Project Runway
Real Housewives
Hell's Kitchen
Dog the Bounty Hunter
Number 1 Ladies Detective Agency
Jeopardy
Househunters
Ace of Cakes
8 favorite fruits:
Strawberries
Tim Gunn (props to Chicken Nuggets for this one)
Raspberries
Blood Oranges
Apples
Ollalieberries
Tomatoes
Artichokes
8 places I would like to travel (no one said I had to narrow it down or be overly specific or anything.):
Volcano Village, Big Island, Hawaii
Yosemite, California
Canada
United Kingdom including my husband's ancestral County of Cork
Portugal
Prince Edward Island
Eastern Seaboard of US to visit family/friends
Ohio for my 30th high school reunion
I am going to have to bend the rules and tag folks "Buffet Style" which means -
Please help yourself to this meme if you would like to play along! Many folks have already been tagged, so if you haven't and would like to, please consider yourself Tagged.
Eight is a revered and divine number associated with prosperity and good fortune. It is auspicious to be born on a date with the number "8" in it and good for your business to have an address or telephone number with an "8".
Monday, May 11, 2009
Perfect Moments Monday - Mother's Day
My Mother's Day celebration was wonderful and filled with Perfect Moments:
- Relaxing with my husband who always works so hard to please me on Mother's Day and all days.
- Enjoying a most favorite salmon dinner cooked by this hard working husband.
- Taking a leisurely bike ride with the family and enjoying all the birds and beauty of nature.
- Being the lucky recipient of some lovely cards, not One, Not Two, but Three boxes of See's Chocolates, and a Beautiful azalea plant with a braided trunk for Mother's Day!!
- Appreciating my family, my husband, our two sons.
Please visit Weebles Wobblog for more Perfect Moments and Thank you!
- Relaxing with my husband who always works so hard to please me on Mother's Day and all days.
- Enjoying a most favorite salmon dinner cooked by this hard working husband.
- Taking a leisurely bike ride with the family and enjoying all the birds and beauty of nature.
- Being the lucky recipient of some lovely cards, not One, Not Two, but Three boxes of See's Chocolates, and a Beautiful azalea plant with a braided trunk for Mother's Day!!
- Appreciating my family, my husband, our two sons.
Please visit Weebles Wobblog for more Perfect Moments and Thank you!
Saturday, May 9, 2009
Happy Nurse's Day to Me and My Colleagues
Happy Nurse's Day to me (Class of 1982!!) and all of my nursing colleagues. Nursing is a pleasure and a privilege.
What an incredible ride from my days as a student nurse with a starched white cap and glass IV bottles and syringes to working in a virtual environment caring and educating patients and families all over the U.S.
Here's to my next 27 years in the profession.
What an incredible ride from my days as a student nurse with a starched white cap and glass IV bottles and syringes to working in a virtual environment caring and educating patients and families all over the U.S.
Here's to my next 27 years in the profession.
Friday, May 8, 2009
Tribute to my Mom
I am inspired today by my bloggy friend, Lori of Weebles Wobblog to participate in a tribute to Mothers.
One of the prompts for the tribute is -
In what ways did your mom influence the woman you are today?
So here goes-
Mom taught me to appreciate the arts in all forms. That good music, books, and art are as necessary as food, water and shelter. I grew up helping my mom practice her lines for local theater productions and listening to her sing the Sinatra and Bennett Standards with my Dad's Big Band. She is never without a book in her purse and her nightstand.
She educated me and continues to do so with her expansive knowledge of art and antiques. My mom (at age almost 80 y/o) will still walk through antique shops, show me furniture or housewares, discuss the markings, talk about the provenence of the antique, and its' approximate value. Incroyable!!
She gave me her love of soil and growing things. She showed me how much fun it is to get my hands dirty. Everything from Cacti to vegetables, she's grown it and grown it well!
My mom taught me to cook and the love of good food. She used to call me everyday after school and talk me through the dinner prep step by step so she would come home to a home cooked meal! She was fearless about trying recipes, lobster crepes; chocolate mousse with ladyfingers; Chinese and Mexican food; pretty much anything.
My mom is inspiring in her quest for a good deal. She loves to prowl thrift stores and book sales for bargains. She then in turn sells them online for a tidy profit. (Not because she needs to, but because she CAN!!)
My parents have been married for almost 59 years. It's a testament in teamwork, devotion, and I don't know what else for the two of them to put up with each other, but It Works.
(I consider this a very good influence unlike the influences she exerted by having me make her an occasional vodka martini starting at age 13 y/o or flick her "bic" when she used to smoke cigarettes. Ah, the Good Old Days of the 1960s and 1970s. That stuff would probably result in a visit from Child Protective Services today. Miracle any of us baby boomers survived, Really. Now, back to the tribute...)
My mom is a Cat lover, Dog lover, animal lover, anything furry. All of her children are animal fanatics, I mean animal lovers. She can't watch nature programs where any animals get injured or die.
She taught me that we don't really "own" anything, we are just taking care of it for the next generation.
Mom gave me many gifts and I am blessed to have her in my life despite the ups and downs in our relationship. I thank her for the incredible strength that she modeled for me when caring for my dying brother over two decades ago. I hope I can give her the gift of forgiveness. I don't think she has forgiven herself.
One of the prompts for the tribute is -
In what ways did your mom influence the woman you are today?
So here goes-
Mom taught me to appreciate the arts in all forms. That good music, books, and art are as necessary as food, water and shelter. I grew up helping my mom practice her lines for local theater productions and listening to her sing the Sinatra and Bennett Standards with my Dad's Big Band. She is never without a book in her purse and her nightstand.
She educated me and continues to do so with her expansive knowledge of art and antiques. My mom (at age almost 80 y/o) will still walk through antique shops, show me furniture or housewares, discuss the markings, talk about the provenence of the antique, and its' approximate value. Incroyable!!
She gave me her love of soil and growing things. She showed me how much fun it is to get my hands dirty. Everything from Cacti to vegetables, she's grown it and grown it well!
My mom taught me to cook and the love of good food. She used to call me everyday after school and talk me through the dinner prep step by step so she would come home to a home cooked meal! She was fearless about trying recipes, lobster crepes; chocolate mousse with ladyfingers; Chinese and Mexican food; pretty much anything.
My mom is inspiring in her quest for a good deal. She loves to prowl thrift stores and book sales for bargains. She then in turn sells them online for a tidy profit. (Not because she needs to, but because she CAN!!)
My parents have been married for almost 59 years. It's a testament in teamwork, devotion, and I don't know what else for the two of them to put up with each other, but It Works.
(I consider this a very good influence unlike the influences she exerted by having me make her an occasional vodka martini starting at age 13 y/o or flick her "bic" when she used to smoke cigarettes. Ah, the Good Old Days of the 1960s and 1970s. That stuff would probably result in a visit from Child Protective Services today. Miracle any of us baby boomers survived, Really. Now, back to the tribute...)
My mom is a Cat lover, Dog lover, animal lover, anything furry. All of her children are animal fanatics, I mean animal lovers. She can't watch nature programs where any animals get injured or die.
She taught me that we don't really "own" anything, we are just taking care of it for the next generation.
Mom gave me many gifts and I am blessed to have her in my life despite the ups and downs in our relationship. I thank her for the incredible strength that she modeled for me when caring for my dying brother over two decades ago. I hope I can give her the gift of forgiveness. I don't think she has forgiven herself.
Thursday, May 7, 2009
Don't Bother Me, I'm Blogging
In this last year of blogging-
- My blog has gone from looking as Plain as a piece of notebook paper to Fremont Street in Las Vegas. (I know I'm exaggerating a little, but I overstimulate easily.)
- I've learned a whole New vocabulary and set of acronyms. (Memes, Awards, Headers, Buttons, etc.)
- With my changing eyesight, (ah, middle age!), some blogs' backgrounds make them IMPOSSIBLE to READ! Black fonts on navy backgrounds, umm, can you say Contrast makes the Blog go around??
- Memes and Awards are wonderful and a responsibilty. I feel Recipient Guilt if I don't get these posted right away. I don't want anyone I ever tag to share in this guilt. Oy Vey!
- Giveaways are Fun both as host (totally brings out my Inner Game Show Host) and winner. Gee, I've scored some serious sweet stuff in these last couple months! I can't make the claim that I never win anything anymore.
- I wonder if anything is the matter with me because I have ZERO Interest to do the hit counter/statistics thingie for my blog.
- I've learned I have a true connection and caring for my virtual friends out here in Blogland.
Any other bloggy pearls of wisdom to share? Or feel free to make fun of these. Thank you!
- My blog has gone from looking as Plain as a piece of notebook paper to Fremont Street in Las Vegas. (I know I'm exaggerating a little, but I overstimulate easily.)
- I've learned a whole New vocabulary and set of acronyms. (Memes, Awards, Headers, Buttons, etc.)
- With my changing eyesight, (ah, middle age!), some blogs' backgrounds make them IMPOSSIBLE to READ! Black fonts on navy backgrounds, umm, can you say Contrast makes the Blog go around??
- Memes and Awards are wonderful and a responsibilty. I feel Recipient Guilt if I don't get these posted right away. I don't want anyone I ever tag to share in this guilt. Oy Vey!
- Giveaways are Fun both as host (totally brings out my Inner Game Show Host) and winner. Gee, I've scored some serious sweet stuff in these last couple months! I can't make the claim that I never win anything anymore.
- I wonder if anything is the matter with me because I have ZERO Interest to do the hit counter/statistics thingie for my blog.
- I've learned I have a true connection and caring for my virtual friends out here in Blogland.
Any other bloggy pearls of wisdom to share? Or feel free to make fun of these. Thank you!
Wednesday, May 6, 2009
Dedicated to my Mom missing her son this Mother's Day
This Mother's Day, I am dedicating the song "Danny Boy" performed by Eric Clapton, to my Mom and all mothers who have lost their children.
When someone asks my Mom how many children she has, she says, "I have four children, one died."
When someone asks my Mom how many children she has, she says, "I have four children, one died."
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
One Sentence Post - 10 years younger and 10 lbs lighter
Excellent posture and a warm smile will make anyone look 10 years younger and 10 lbs lighter.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Perfect Moment Mondays - Duckling Rescue
Thank you for joining me for another Perfect Moment Monday hosted by Lori of Weebles Webblog. Perfect Moment Mondays are an opportunity to practice the Art of Appreciation which helps me keep things in perspective. (Like Not blowing my stack when my regularly quite ripe 14 y/o son doesn't bring home his dirty gym uniform for the Second Week in a Row!! I fully expect the gym shorts and tshirt to walk home and throw themselves at my feet to be washed. Sorry, I digress. See how much I need this Perfect Moment stuff to keep my balance?)
This week's Perfect Moment happened yesterday when I called my husband on his cell phone while he was out running errands. He told me he was parked right around the corner from our house and was trying to help two woman who had stopped in response to a Mother Duck distressed that two of her ducklings had fallen into the storm drain. The Mother Duck was quacking and agitated and had to be herded a half a block away with her other ducklings while my husband and another neighbor tried to rescue the ducklings. My neighbor went and got a long handled pool skimmer and both men laid down in front of the storm drain. The two ducklings were going back and forth, side to side, trying to jump from the concrete ledge inside the drain to escape with no success. My neighbor finally was able to get under each duckling with the skimmer net and bring it to the opening where my husband reached in and scooped them up with both hands. We brought the ducklings over to the mother and other ducklings where they ran to the Momma Duck who quacked and greeted her little lost ones with a joyful, "I Found YOU!!"* My husband said the ducklings were so soft and weighed as much as a cotton ball. He was beaming and it is wonderful to share and be a witness to a perfect moment for him and also for the Momma Duck.
*Guilty as Charged of the Crime of Anthropomorphism.
This week's Perfect Moment happened yesterday when I called my husband on his cell phone while he was out running errands. He told me he was parked right around the corner from our house and was trying to help two woman who had stopped in response to a Mother Duck distressed that two of her ducklings had fallen into the storm drain. The Mother Duck was quacking and agitated and had to be herded a half a block away with her other ducklings while my husband and another neighbor tried to rescue the ducklings. My neighbor went and got a long handled pool skimmer and both men laid down in front of the storm drain. The two ducklings were going back and forth, side to side, trying to jump from the concrete ledge inside the drain to escape with no success. My neighbor finally was able to get under each duckling with the skimmer net and bring it to the opening where my husband reached in and scooped them up with both hands. We brought the ducklings over to the mother and other ducklings where they ran to the Momma Duck who quacked and greeted her little lost ones with a joyful, "I Found YOU!!"* My husband said the ducklings were so soft and weighed as much as a cotton ball. He was beaming and it is wonderful to share and be a witness to a perfect moment for him and also for the Momma Duck.
*Guilty as Charged of the Crime of Anthropomorphism.
Sunday, May 3, 2009
Fabulously Frugal - 31 Days/31 Giveaways in May
There is some major swag in blogland to be had and I am so glad I found this great website that has Discounts on Fashion, Home Accessories, Food freebies, Coupon codes to major department stores and Cool, handmade boutiques among many other savings and Giveaways! The blogger in charge of this site is really up to date on her research and with Fabulous Frugal "Connections".
So, please stop by Fab Frugal to try and score some treats for yourself which so far has included a silver candle, a book, and necklace! And it's only the third day!!
(I love to share discounts w/my friends, it's genetic.)
So, please stop by Fab Frugal to try and score some treats for yourself which so far has included a silver candle, a book, and necklace! And it's only the third day!!
(I love to share discounts w/my friends, it's genetic.)
Friday, May 1, 2009
Things that make me go "Hmmm"
Someone needs to explain to me-
Why people will tolerate behavior from a dog that they would NEVER tolerate from a human being?
Why my neighbors have to warm up their new model car for 15 minutes every morning when it's SIXTY DEGREES outside?
Why doesn't the phone company just tell you that the technician will be at your house 15 minutes after the end of your 4 hour appointment window?
How my cat knows I've cleaned her litter box even though she is sound asleep and at the other end of the house?
Why my kids put the empty milk carton back in the fridge? (Anybody? Please?)
Why I don't cut myself more of a break?
Do you have any ponderings you would like to share? (Is pondering even a word?) Thank you and my best for a Conundrum Free Weekend!
Why people will tolerate behavior from a dog that they would NEVER tolerate from a human being?
Why my neighbors have to warm up their new model car for 15 minutes every morning when it's SIXTY DEGREES outside?
Why doesn't the phone company just tell you that the technician will be at your house 15 minutes after the end of your 4 hour appointment window?
How my cat knows I've cleaned her litter box even though she is sound asleep and at the other end of the house?
Why my kids put the empty milk carton back in the fridge? (Anybody? Please?)
Why I don't cut myself more of a break?
Do you have any ponderings you would like to share? (Is pondering even a word?) Thank you and my best for a Conundrum Free Weekend!
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