Well, it was just the library card, but still...
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FIVE!
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Colin has taken to writing chapter books these days. I found this one today: "People Write in Different Ways, by Colin." Following is the first page:













I suppose it really comes down to what one considers "regulr riting."

BOO!
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I wrote a really long post today. It was clever. The cat stepped on my keyboard and turned the whole thing off. Why why why why do they have to put a power button on the keyboard?

Anyway, I'm too busy to re-write it.

This is it for today. Have a nice evening.

WARNING... Credit Card Scam (from an email I got this morning)

The scam works like this: Person calling says, "This is (name), and I'm calling from the Security and Fraud Department at VISA. My Badge number is 12460 Your card has been flagged for an unusual purchase pattern, and I'm calling to verify. This would be on your VISA card which was issued by (name of bank). Did you purchase an Anti-Telemarketing Device for $497.99 from a Marketing company based in Arizona?" When you say "No", the caller continues with, "Then we will be issuing a credit to your account. This is a company we have been watching and the charges range from $297 to $497, just under the $500 purchase pattern that flags most cards. Before your next statement, the credit will be sent to (gives you your address), is that correct?"

You say "yes". The caller continues - "I will be starting a Fraud investigation. If you have any questions, you should call the 1- 800 number listed on the back of your card (1-800-VISA) and ask for Security. You will need to refer to this Control Number. The caller then gives you a 6 digit number "Do you need me to read it again?"

Here's the IMPORTANT part on how the scam works. The caller then says, "I need to verify you are in possession of your card". He'll ask you to "turn your card over and look for some numbers". There are 7 numbers; the first 4 are part of your card number, the next 3 are the security numbers' that verify you are the possessor of the card. These are the numbers you sometimes use to make Internet purchases to prove you have the card. The caller will ask you to read the 3 numbers to him. After you tell the caller the 3 numbers, he'll say, "That is correct, I just needed to verify that the card has not been lost or stolen, and that you still have your card. Do you have any other questions?" After you say No, the caller then thanks you and states, "Don't hesitate to call back if you do", and hangs up.

You actually say very little, and they never ask for or tell you the card number. But after we were called on Wednesday, we called back within 20 minutes to ask a question. Are we glad we did! The REAL VISA Security Department told us it was a scam and in the last 15 minutes a new purchase of $497.99 was charged to our card.

Long story made short - we made a real fraud report and closed the VISA account. VISA is reissuing us a new number. What the scammers want is the 3-digit PIN number on the back of the card. Don't give it to them. Instead, tell them you'll call VISA or Master card directly for verification of their conversation. The real VISA told us that they will never ask for anything on the card as they already know the information
since they issued the card! If you give the scammers your 3 Digit PIN Number, you think you're receiving a credit. However, by the time you get your statement you'll see charges for purchases you didn't make, and by then it's almost too late and/or more difficult to actually file a fraud report.

What makes this more remarkable is that on Thursday, I got a call from a "Jason Richardson of MasterCard" with a word-for-word repeat of the VISA scam. This time I didn't let him finish. I hung up! We filed a police report, as instructed by VISA. The police said they are taking several of these reports daily!

Today marks the one-year anniversary of my father's death.

I Was a Teenage Rebel
I'd like to take the time once again to direct your attention to the most excellent blog Rebelution. The blog is aimed toward younger persons, but provides an incredible amount of wisdom for all ages. I am particularly impressed with the series A New Attitude Towards Happiness. If you haven't read the blog before, start here, where the writers explain: "The Rebelution represents a radical overthrow of basically every assumption our pop culture has about teenagers."

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Sunny Signs

Some people believe your personality is determined by the time of year when you were born. The following are personality traits organized by month of the year. Find your month and see if it fits.

1. Thinks far with vision. Easily influenced by kindness. Polite. Has lots of ideas. Sensitive. Active mind. Hesitates, tends to put things off. Choosy and always wants the best. Temperamental. Funny and humorous. Loves to joke. Good debating skills. Talkative. Daydreamer. Friendly. Makes friends easily. Shows character. Easily hurt. Prone to getting colds. Easily bored. Fussy and stubborn. Seldom shows emotions. Takes time to recover when hurt. Brand conscious.

2. Fun to be with. Secretive. Sometimes, difficult to understand. Quiet unless excited or tense. Takes pride in oneself. Has reputation for hard work. Honest. Concerned about people's feelings. Tactful. Friendly, but not always approachable. Emotionally temperamental. Moody and easily hurt. Witty. Not mean or revengeful. Forgiving but never forgets. Dislikes nonsensical and illogical things. Sensitive and forms friendships carefully. Caring and loving. Treats others equally. Strong sense of sympathy. Wary and sharp. Judges people through observations. No difficulties in studying. Loves to be alone. Broods about the past and misses old friends. Quiet, homey person. Has difficulty making new friends. Prone to having dieting problems. Loves to be loved. Easily hurt but takes long to recover.

3. Loves to joke. Attractive. Suave and caring. Brave and fearless. Firm and has leadership qualities. Knows how to console others. Too generous and egoistic. Takes high pride of oneself. Thirsty for praises.
Extraordinary spirit. Easily angered. Angry when provoked. Easily jealous. Observant. Careful and cautious. Thinks quickly. Independent thoughts. Loves to lead and to be led. Loves to dream. Talented in the arts, music and defense. Sensitive but not petty. Poor resistance against illnesses. Learns to r elax. Hasty and trusty. Romantic. Loving and caring. Loves to make friends.

4. Loves attention. Careful, cautious and organized. Stubborn. Quiet. Uncomfortable if have to talk to a group. Calm. Sympathetic. Concerned and detailed. Loyal. Does work well. Very confident. Sensitive. Generous. Good memory. Clever and knowledgeable. Loves to look for information. Must control oneself when criticizing. Able to motivate oneself. Understanding. Secretive. Loves sports and leisure. Hardly shows emotions. Tends to bottle up feelings. Very choosy, especially in relationships.

5. Loves to chat. Loves those who loves them. Loves to takes things at the center. Inner and physical beauty. Sexy. Gets angry often. Treats friends importantly. Always making new friends. Easily hurt but recovers easily. Day dreamer. Loyal. Opinionated. Does not care what others think. Emotional. Decisive. Strong clairvoyance. Loves to travel, the arts and literature. Touchy and easily jealous. Honest, does not pretend. Concerned. Loves outdoors. Just and fair. Spendthrift. Easily influenced. Easily loses confidence. Loves children.

6. Has a lot of ideas. Thinks forward. Unique and brilliant. Extraordinary ideas. Sharp thinking. Fine and strong clairvoyance. Can become good doctors. Dynamic in personality. Secretive. Inquisitive. Knows how to dig secrets. Always thinking. Less talkative but amiable. Brave and generous. Patient. Stubborn and hard-hearted. If there is a will, there is a way. Determined. Never give up. Hardly becomes angry unless provoked. Loves to be alone. Thinks differently from others. Sharp-minded. Motivates oneself. Does not appreciate praises. High-spirited. Well-built and tough. Deep love and emotions. Romantic. Uncertain in relationships. Homely. Hardworking. High abilities. Trustworthy. Honest and keeps secrets. Not able to control emotions.

7. Loyal and generous. Sexy. Patriotic. Active in games and interactions. Impatient and hasty. Ambitious. Influential in organizations. Fun to be with. Loves to socialize. Loves praises. Loves attention. Loves to be loved. Honest and trustworthy. Not pretending. Short-tempered. Changing personality. Not egotistic. Take high pride in oneself. Hates restrictions. Loves to joke. Good sense of humor. Logical.

8. Stubborn. Ambitious and serious. Loves to teach and be taught. Never looks at people's flaws or weaknesses. Hardworking and productive. Smart, neat and organized. Sensitive and has deep thoughts. Knows how to make others happy. Quiet unless excited or tense. Rather reserved. Highly attentive. Resistant to illnesses but prone to colds. Loving and loyal. Loves children. Has great social abilities. Money cautious, can budget successfully.

9. Abstract thoughts. Loves reality and abstract. Intelligent and clever. Changing personality. Attractive. Sexy. Temperamental. Quiet, shy and humble. Honest and loyal. Determined to reach goals. Loves freedom. Rebellious when restricted. Loves aggressiveness. Too sensitive and easily hurt. Gets angry really easily but does not show it. Dislikes unnecessary things. Loves making friends but rarely shows it. Daring and stubborn. Ambitious. Realizing dreams and hopes. Sharp. Loves entertainment and leisure. Romantic on the inside not outside. Superstitious and ludicrous. Spendthrift. Tries to learn to show emotions.
10. Attractive personality. Sexy. Affectionate. Shy and reserved. Secretive. Naturally honest, generous and sympathetic. Loves peace and serenity. Sensitive to others. Loves to serve others. Easily angered. Trustworthy. Appreciative and returns kindness. Observant and assesses others. Revengeful. Loves to dream and fantasize. Loves traveling. Loves attention. Hasty decisions in choosing partners. Loves home decor. Musically talented. Loves special things. Moody.

11. Active and dynamic. Decisive and haste but tends to regret. Attractive and affectionate to oneself. Strong mentality. Loves attention. Diplomatic. Consoling, friendly and solves people's problems. Brave and fearless. Adventurous. Loving and caring. Suave and generous. Emotional. Aggressive. Hasty. Good memory. Moving. Motivates oneself and others. Sickness usually of the head and chest. Sexy in a way that only their lover can see.

12. Stubborn and hard-hearted. Strong-willed and highly motivated. Sharp thoughts. Easily angered. Attracts others and loves attention. Deep feelings. Beautiful physically and mentally. Firm Standpoint. Needs no motivation. Easily consoled. Systematic (left brain). Loves to dream. Strong clairvoyance. Understanding. Sickness usually in the ear and neck. Good imagination. Good physical. Weak breathing. Loves literature and the arts. Loves traveling. Dislike being at home. Restless. Not having many children. Hardworking. High spirited. Spendthrift.

Did it seem right?

I received this in an email today and then I changed the dates. For instance, I was born in the eleventh month, but number 6 is what was listed for November. (Take your month and go back 5 months). I wanted to make a point. Everyone one of these lists is at least 50% accurate for most anybody, and we like these little things, so we tend to make at least 25% of the list fit us. Then we think it is 75% accurate, which is pretty good, so we become believers! (Most people don't read the other 11 months). It is a mind game, and once you know the tricks, it is much easier to see.

Here's a Little Something Interesting for Lost Fans:

From: jack.shephard@stmartinshosp.org

To: happyhomemakerblog@yahoo.com

Sent: Wednesday, October 19, 2005 10:44 PM

Subject: Out of office

Hi,

I am currently on holiday in Sydney.
I expect to be back on duty on Monday, August 15.

In my absence, please contact Dr Ruddin or Dr Melfort on extension -3298 and -0815 respectively.

Regards

Jack Shephard

These are the seven models Colin most desires for his birthday. They include bacteriophage, dna and some bad, bad germs. Any idea where to get this sort of thing?
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Greetings From Rwanda
Dave and Jana have posted their four-month update!

Sarcophagus with Mummy by Colin
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Escutheon Treasures
My plumber (who is still here, by the way), has just placed the escutheon on the bathtub faucet, which got me to thinking: when he gets finished with our plumbing, I'll bet he can afford to purchase all the Estruscan Treasures he wants. (Okay, okay. He didn't get it either). (Charles? Dan? Anybody?)

By the way, he really has been a great plumber and gentleman. I'm happy to give him a plug.



Ha Ha!!! Get it?

Colin's "hieroglympics."
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I found this on the kitchen floor today. The Tiger Cub badge is about the size of a quarter.
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CSI OKC
Stupid Criminal Edition
I live on a block where the neighbors all know and enjoy each other. We get together for dinners, weddings, graduations, Christmas and things in between. We are unusually close.

In other words, don't mess with us.

Five teenagers thought today around 5:00 might be a good time to rob a home in our neighborhood. This particular neighbor is new to the 'hood and has two teenaged daughters. They are gone this weekend. We suspect the robbers knew they would be gone. They didn't do their homework, though.

We had a neighborhood dinner tonight at. . . 5:00. At 5:00 we all emerged from our homes just in time to see two of the criminals leaving the home and three of the criminals parked at the end of the street. Unfortunately, I missed the scene by a few minutes, but I would have loved to see the look on their faces when they emerged and saw the sidewalks full of interested onlookers! The police were summoned immediately and the helicopters arrived first. As we all stood there in the street, the patrol cars arrived and got the best descriptions ever given. Those guys were toast.

As we ate dinner, the police rounded up all five suspects (and the stolen goods) and called some of us away from the dinner table to identify them. It was glorious.

And dinner was good, too.

What a Girl Wants
As a follow up to the Google "needs" expirement, I thought I would do a Google "wants" experiment. Here are the results (I know it is way too long, but I just couldn't stop myself!):

Jan wants CRN to have his Christmas gift!
Jan wants to humiliate Greg further
Jan wants to invite a clown to the wedding.
Jan wants to earn your confidence and trust.
Jan's wants to offer Friday and Saturday night live music in Jackson Square.
Jan wants a comfortable yet stylish room.
Jan wants to be retired!
Jan wants a new hat with feathers and silk.
Jan wants Skeeter to marry her so that she can get her Father Stanley's money.
Jan wants to minimise the use of her car.
Jan wants it to be an acronym.
Jan wants to set herself apart from her sisters so she buys a wig to wear at a party.
Jan wants to make sure we don’t lose federal funding.
Jan wants to be a business man.
Jan wants to talk.
Jan wants to gag.
"Jan wants me fired," Tiffany said glancing towards Clark.
Jan wants Bess to have something which the patriarchal and misogynist community to which she belongs will steadfastly deny her.
Jan wants everyone to know that we need to always respect the blind person's wishes
Jan wants revenge, and she tells Mimi she has the perfect plan
Jan wants to know why the American Embassy is guarded like a federal prison.
Jan wants to strike while the "grape name is HOT."
Jan wants to go back to the party, but we'd rather stay outside.
Jan wants to give a special shout out to Phrequincy.
Jan wants nothing to do with it.
Jan wants us to know how normal Nathan was.
Jan wants to establish a process for estimating print runs.
Jan wants to spread the music from one of the world´s most famous orchestra leaders, arrangers and trombonists to the coming generations.
Jan wants to wait for CEN red cover on Vital for nomenclature.
Jan wants to be on your TV!
Jan wants to paint the door (very) red.
Jan wants the candy but does not want to play the touching game.
Jan wants to pick up some more clothes and get her hair wiggled.
Jan wants to be sure the City of Oakland has the fair on its calendar.
Jan wants a puppy so badly that she would do just about anything to get one.
Jan wants Takeshi to free the head archaeologist from the military prison.
‘Jan wants to seem happy.’
Jan wants to know if you have all fingers and eyeballs intact.
Jan wants to emphasize that this is NOT a creamy salad.
Jan wants more than $100000000. So, the case goes to court.
Jan wants to warn all of you to look at your fall schedule.
Jan wants some order.
Jan wants to write about what you most need to know.
Jan wants a nice pretty report with a title and everything.
Jan wants us to blog for her coz she is a lazy poo and wont blog herself!
Jan wants her to see Gustavus so she can be familiar with the place where her yet unborn children will go to college.
Jan wants Peter and Bobby to have read-only access to her calendar.
Jan wants him WAAAAAYYY east!
Jan wants a very special one, and Tiki longs to help - but she is up against the dark power of the Fairy Queen.
Jan wants to keep his story all about Jan.
Jan wants all to be thinking of the theme of the quilt fair.
Jan wants to raise the question of whether we are becomming too facinated with the technology.
Jan wants to earn $225 to buy a cassette player.
Jan wants to try the hallucinogen LSD because she is curious about the drug.
Jan wants to use the pretty-printing script for emails.
Jan wants to be a star.
jan wants to hear chillywillys ideas.
Jan" wants to have a "yak-chip throwing contest.
Jan wants to point. out that voting is very important.
Jan wants to go with his best friends who are all going to Otago Boys’ High School.
Jan wants you to looking exquisite, so I think a suit would be appropriate.
Jan wants to be the best chef in the universe, and he also happens to be the meanest person in the universe.
Jan wants to hear from you right away!!
Jan wants to start fights everywhere.

Google makes me Giggle.

Witch Is It?

DogsCatsKidsLife has responded to my Halloween post with a post of her own, which you can find here. The following are excerpts from the ExWitch link:

"As far as Satanists are concerned Halloween is not their most high of unholy days it was and will remain their birthday. The only Satanists you will find celebrating on October 31st are those who were born on that day. [19] Some satanic lodges do use both Walpurgis Nacht (30th April) and the 31st October to hold initiations for their new ‘recruits’ but this has an awful lot more to do with the new recruits wanting a ‘special’ night in their own eyes a for their initiation to take place. Its part of the sardonic humour you will find shared by the more serious students of the occult. . .

“They (the church) are afraid because wolves have come to fleece the flock repeatedly with their fictional stories of sadistic rituals and evil madness. They are afraid because they ignorant of the truths that come to bear upon this whole matter. Even IF every urban myth was true. Even IF every witch was out to get you
My God is still on the throne....!!! If only my brothers and sisters in Christ would study God’s word rather than Rebecca’s or Bill’s then would I no longer fear this season of the year? Let every Christian know that these myths are just not so. Hide away if you feel you must but while you do that pray for the rest of us who feel this season tug at our souls. God made this day too. He is the King of Kings. . .

"Please be aware that how you act and react at this time of year can produce or destroy opportunities to building a bridge to share the gospel of Christ with others. Pray that God guides you to act responsibly compassionately and with care for others as Christ Himself had."

I Am Tiger, Hear Me Roar
I few short months ago I told Colin it was time to sign up for Boy Scouts (Tiger Cubs) and he announced, "I am NOT doing Boy Scouts. I am NOT." James said he didn't have to. I said he did.

The time I made the boys see Thomas the Tank Engine in person - I mean " in engine" - I was wrong. wrong wrong wrong. This time I was right.

Yesterday was Colin's second "real" den meeting and he had earned three beads. He got one for starting a family scrapbook, one for learning the pledges and doing them properly, and one for making a food pyramid poster. He was SO proud. All evening long he said, "Mommy. Can you believe I got THREE beads??!?" He didn't take his uniform off until beadtime and he just kept looking at his beads. He even completed a fourth project (map of our neighborhood) so he would get another bead at the next meeting. At bed time he hung his uniform carefully in the closet (let me tell you, that is a first).

At breakfast this morning Colin said, "I bet you and mommy are so glad you didn't have a little girl because then mommy would have to go to Girl Scouts while I'm in Boy Scouts and she wouldn't get to see me earn my beads."

Aaagghhhhh. The power of beads.

Which one would you choose for the school composite?
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Hurley's boss.
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Locke with his boss.
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side by side (Thanks to www.lost-media.com).
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Playing With Fire
JERUSALEM (Reuters) - Word that Madonna's upcoming album includes a paean to a 16th-century Jewish mystic has prompted the rabbis who guard his legacy to accuse the pop idol of sacrilege and hint at divine punishment.

The "Confessions on a Dance Floor" collection includes a song titled "Isaac" -- in reference, entertainment media say, to Rabbi Isaac Luria, founder of the Kabbalah school of mysticism which counts Madonna, 47, as one of its devotees.

The custodians of Luria's tomb and seminary in the northern Israeli town of Safed accused her of breaking a taboo.

"There is a prohibition in Jewish law against using the holy name of our master, the Sage Isaac, for profit," the seminary's director, Rabbi Rafael Cohen, told the Israeli newspaper Maariv Sunday.

"This is an inappropriate act, and one can feel only pity at the punishment that she (Madonna) will receive from Heaven. The Sage Isaac is holy and pure, and immodest people cannot sing about him," he said.

Catholic-born Madonna, famed for her racy lyrics and on-stage antics, has drawn frequent censure from ultra-Orthodox Jews who say her embrace of Kabbalah debases their religion.

Deemed especially provocative was Madonna's music video for "Die Another Day," in which she wove phylacteries around her arm, a custom usually reserved for Jewish men, before escaping from an electric chair on which Hebrew letters spelling out one of the 72 names of God appeared.

"This kind of woman wreaks an enormous sin upon the Kabbalah," said Rabbi Yisrael Deri, caretaker of Luria's tomb.

No Cedar Makes Your Life Easier
We have 5 large (LARGE) cedar trees in our back yard. Five. Four of them line our drive and the other is a few feet from our house, over the patio and sidewalk.

Have you ever had a cedar? Cedars have beautiful trunks and provide a fair amount of shade. They smell wonderful. The trouble is, they shed.

Not seasonally. . . DAILY.

Weary of the work, I haven't swept the cedar shavings in a month. This morning, the shed pile was about an inch deep all over. Can you imagine? It is so tiresome, I tell you.

We also have a large pecan tree that branches over the drive. It has been dropping pecans and we have been driving over them. The entire driveway is like one large mincemeat pie. The birds love it. Me? Not so much.

I finally got to work today and filled up an entire trashcan with cedar and pecan debris!! I raked and I swept and then I hosed it down. Despite the fact that the drive is stained with pecan oil, it looked beautiful. Breathing a sigh of relief, I went inside and cooked dinner.

After dinner, I went out to enjoy my newly cleaned back yard. The little blue cedar berries were dropping down on the sidewalk and the pecans were bouncing down the drive. Aaaghh, the promise of another day of work.

gggggrrrrrrr.

"Notepads with Violets"
That is the search somebody Googled today and ended up here. I don't think s/he found what she needed with that search, but s/he can find some right here.

I also think "Violet Notepad" could be a good name for a blog.

Hollow? Hallowed? Or Just Plain Evil?
Please take a moment to read this essay about Christians and Halloween. I've got a little too much to do tonight to check her facts, but I find it interesting. I've been questioning the celebration of Halloween for years and have grown increasingly uncomfortable with it. This essay is an interesting slant. What do you think?

The Boys Are Back in Town
My family returned to me today. Colin said he didn't have much fun because they didn't get to stay long enough. Apparently, he found lots of fun things to do on the ranch. He came home with at least 6 bags of stuff he found, including the skeleton of a cow. Yes, I believe he may have the entire skeleton. We also have a bag of "seaweed" from the pond and a fairly large turtle shell. They caught some fish. Colin said, "Yeah, I wanted to eat 'em, but they threw them back." Sentimental fool.

After a big bowl of spaghetti, each boy curled up next to me and promptly fell to sleep. That is the sign of a good weekend if I ever saw one.

My weekend was productive, even though I only accomplished a third of what I hoped to do. I finally finished last year's school scrapbook on Friday night and then settled in for my own personal retreat to plan the retreat I'm heading up this January. I spent most of the day by the shores of Lake Hefner near a bunch of tall yellow flowers that attracted Monarch butterflies all day long. The retreat is about God's creativity, so it was the perfect setting for study. I spent more than an hour eating at an outdoor Mexican restaurant while I studied. That atmosphere wasn't quite as perfect, but I enjoyed myself and got a lot done there, too.

This morning I held babies in the nursery and got to feed one little boy. It was so precious. Sometimes on my nursery days I grumble a bit because I don't want to miss the worship, but I usually walk away blessed by those babies. Today was doubly good because I got to "work" with my friend SS - a true gem of a friend.

I've been spending a lot of time in Genesis 1-2 lately because of my Bible study and my preparation for the retreat. The story is so familiar, it is easy to skim through it and not pay attention. If you'll take time to read it very closely, you will uncover some incredible things you never knew you never knew. For example, take Gen. 1:2. The Spirit hovered over the waters before God began His creation. Then we learn all throughout the New Testament about the Holy Spirit preparing our hearts to hear God's Word. The Spirit has ALWAYS prepared the way, even before time. Isn't that incredible? I challenge you to read those first two chapters carefully and see what new truths you can find.

What a Girl Needs
Found this fun little meme: Google your name like this: "Name needs". Don't forget the quotes. Here's what Jan needs according to Google:

Jan needs a Man
Jan needs to go far away from Shawn and Belle!
Jan Needs to do your Reading
Jan. needs to be looked into
Jan needs help
Jan needs someone to get him into gear (so to speak)
Jan needs to talk to Lance & see if he can give him a few hints
Jan needs to get at leats one promotion before her maternity leave
Jan needs to learn to speak her truth
Jan needs to be seen today
Jan needs your help
Jan needs to build to Level 4 expertise in BC Series 300 products
Jan needs help
Jan needs articles for the Handbook as soon as possible
Jan needs to be arrested
Jan needs to start contributing
Jan needs your support to convince City Council
Jan needs a reminder of (one of) Merckx quotes "There is no law that governs the will..."
Jan needs a rest
Jan needs to prepare a list of all the video we have available
Jan needs your approval on every one of his posts
Jan needs info on Stern and Stern
Jan needs her parents right now and can't live at their house for much longer
Jan needs to modify all the target headers
Jan needs many things besides those already discussed
Jan needs frequent support
Jan needs many volunteers for Competition
Jan needs to finish compiling his list of past speakers
Jan needs to brush his memory about some basics of web serving
Jan needs to email me and CC Debs and James
Jan needs to kill that guy!
Jan needs to be replaced very quickly.
Jan needs a VBC rep
Jan needs glasses, and is reluctant to admit it until she crashes her bike into a few important things
Jan Needs to be debated in context of Exit Treatment of NBP trades
Jan needs a breather.
Jan needs to learn how to shoot
Jan needs the names of your All-Star nominees
Jan needs a U8 goal for the pictures
Jan needs info on Harbor Ridge Marriott.
Jan needs to escape the world
jan needs to leave shawn alone and get out of salem
jan needs beltran back
Jan needs dates
Jan needs a new desktop computer. $800 should cover the cost
Jan needs to go next
Jan needs modifications/send Liberia
Jan needs all these adaptations and so forth, and that costs money
Jan needs to take 1.4 seconds a kilometer - a very tall order
Jan needs to stay in the hospital for two nights
Jan - Needs to lose 60 pounds
Jan needs to locate the translation for Yoshino Shizuka
"Jan needs this" today. (No, Jan, I won't tell you - you'll find out when I get back
Jan needs a color photograph of your award winning Championship Cat

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made; your works are wonderful, I know that full well. Psalm 139:13-15

In my research for our ladies retreat, I have found some astoundingly beautiful images. Here are just a few I found this morning on the Florida State University molecular biology page:








Progesterone










Testosterone

The Front
We trudged to the grocery store today in 87 degree muggy weather. When we left for home, it was arout 67. Now it is in the 50s. Fabulous. My grumpiness, which has been growing for days, lifted with the heat and I am in now in full swing happy me mode. Yay. For those of you who have put up with me these past few days, I apologize.

The plumbing fantasy is becoming more and more dreary. For one thing, the plumber, who first came to visit last Thursday, is still here. Oh yes, he goes home to his wife in the evenings, but he's mine in the daytime. He spent a good amount of time today trying to tear through tile and then wet plaster which was reinforced with steel mesh. Another good chunk was spent trying to find parts, which have become scarce in the wake of Katrina. Apparently 3 inch pipe is now like gold. After hours and hours of shopping, I finally found faucets and handles for the bath. I need wall mounted, three knob kits, which are difficult to find, but, I got one and I liked it and the plumber said no. AAAAAaaaaaaagggghhhhhhh.

I think I'll be spending most of my weekend in seclusion preparing for the ladies retreat. I'm even thinking about fasting for one day - or at least until I'm finished with the plan. To that end, I'm trying to clean up the house BEFORE the fam leaves so I won't be distracted by clutter calling out to me. I don't think I'll be luxuriating in the bath (see paragraph above).

I've ordered costumes for the boys even though I'm less and less inclined to participate in Halloween festivities. They'll enjoy the costumes for months, though. Spencer got a Thunderbirds flight suit and Colin got a lab coat with his name on it. They are both thrilled.

Lost was really good tonight. We got more information than ever before, but we still don't know what is going on. Desmond finally broke away from his job, Ana Lucia doesn't believe the guys were on the plane, Locke questions faith, Hurley is freaked out, and Jin speaks English. I can't get enough of that show.

Home Alone
I'm about to have 48 hours home alone and my head is spinning. There are so many choices and the opportunity is so rare. What shall I do? Here are some things I've considered.

1. Super clean the house
2. Fill up my social calendar
3. Remain alone the entire time
4. Have a mini-retreat to plan the Ladies Retreat
5. Shop
6. Crop
7. Try to do it all
8. Choose one thing
9. _____________

Please advise.

38 things

1. What is your full name now? Jan The Happy Homemaker to you.

2. What color trousers are you wearing? Trousers? Heh. I'm a true pajama blogger and mine are pink with white, pink and fuschia flowers.

3. What are you listening to right now? The ceiling fan.

4. What was the last thing you ate? Cinnamon heart crackers with cream cheese and Tomato & Red Pepper chutney (last night).

5. Do you wish on stars? Nope.

6. If you were a crayon, what color would you be? Deep red or periwinkle

7. How is the weather right now? Humid. Oh, so humid.

8. Last person you spoke to on the phone? Wow. I don't remember that last time I spoke on the phone. I don't much like the phone...but, oh yes, Colin called me on my cell phone yesterday to ask me to come home and transcribe his new CD.

9. Do you like the person who sent this to you? I saw this on a blog I had never read before. I liked the blog, but I couldn't link to it because of inappropriate language that would hurt my readers' eyes.

10. How old are you today? XLII (or is it XCII? I never can get that straight).

11. Favorite soft drink? Coca-Cola with tons and tons of ice.

12. Favorite sport? Estate sales.

13. Hair color? Yes, please.

14. Siblings? One little brother.

15. Favorite food? Mashed potatoes.

16. What was the last movie you saw? Too Beautiful For You (I don't recommend it).

17. Favorite yearly event? Visiting the pumpkin patch.

18. What was your favorite toy as a child? Rocks

19. Summer or winter? Summer. This would be my first year to choose that response.

20. Hugs or kisses? Hugs

21. Chocolate,vanilla or strawberry? Strawberry

22. How's your mood today? Melancholy.

23. Practical shoes or fashion shoes? Both

24. Favorite magazines: Midwest Living, Family Fun, Simple Scrapbooks

25. Do you have a will? Yes!

26. When was the last time you cried? Yesterday

27. What is under your bed? Some giant dustbunnies, some toy parts and most likely a sock and/or shoe.

28. Who is the friend you have had the longest? Meg

29. What did you do last night? Bible study at my house re. spiritual warfare, then some dishwashing and case reading.

30. Favorite TV shows? This Old House, Extreme Makeover: Home Edition, Lost, Fire Me, Please.

31. What are you afraid of? crickets, roaches, nursing homes, misplaced modifiers and dangling prepositions.

32. Plain, buttered or salted popcorn? Sounds great.

33. Favorite cat? Maine Coon

34. Favorite Flower? Lilac

35. Number of keys on your key ring? 4

36. Favorite vacations? Beach, baby.

37. Three Bloggers who don't blog enough. Angi, Kyndal, Carol Ann

38. Six friends who you are tagging: Hey, if I can share, you can share.

The Manolo was asked recently to recommend the lower heeled shoes for the woman of a certain age who also wishes to look powerful in the workplace. I took issue with his choices and was duly flogged by The Manolo's loyal fans (of which I am one). On further reflection, I am in agreement with him on his first two choices. I'm still not crazy about the kitten heel pump though.

A firm believer that one should never criticize without offering a solution, I have found some shoes that I find more in line with the look of the office. In doing this, I am opening myself up for criticism, but I feel it my duty to follow through. The Manolo is the true fashion guru and I am but an old-fashioned shoe lover, but here are my selections nonetheless. (The first is from Van Eli and the others are from Talbots).

This Is What They Want Your Girls To Wear!!!
Beware the evil marketing lords of fashion; they will take your precious daughters and brainwash them into wanting to look like street-wise, beer-slinging wenches. Hey, and if you would like to see more menswear fashions that could be worn by girls, go here. (Doesn't the phrase "Menswear pants & camis kinda make you giggle?)

Porcelain Dreams

I was gone all day today going to birthday parties and shopping for plumbing stuff. I finally bought a sink. I really wanted a different one, but I just couldn't stomach the cost. The one I got was $120 less and still pretty good. Unfortunately, plumbing is one of those things I notice and enjoy, so it was difficult for me to make a decision. I imagine regular people just walk in and say, "I need a white one, 20 inches will do." For me, it is a matter of reviewing the appearance of the sink from every angle. What would it look like from the tub? From the toilet? What about when you walk in the room? How does it fill when you draw your fingers around the edge?

As if.

So, I got the sink and the faucet and now I have to get the tub faucets to match (because I didn't know that when I bought the sink faucet and the store I went to today didn't have the matching faucet). I decided on white supply lines instead of chrome. They'll be under the cabinet where lots of people will inspect and say, "Good choice, I would have gone with the white here, too."

I also purchased a new light fixture for the downstairs bathroom. Currently we have the crazy 70s globe lights backed by chrome that light up the neighborhood and look cheap, cheap, cheap. The new fixture is more Pottery Barn style and, I think, better suited to the age of our house (80 and counting).

Cravings
Dave uses Timothy's experiences with food and Rwanda to teach us a little something about ourselves. Go read it and be sure to leave the Jenkins a comment of encouragement.