5 on Friday

1. What is the biggest purchase you've ever made? I suppose that would be my home.
2. Would you describe yourself as a spender or a saver? Heck, I'd like to have enough money to have a choice.
3. Do you consider yourself someone who makes environmentally-conscious decisions? Well, to an extent. I mean, I make a point of not throwing trash out the car window (unless it's biodegradable), but I don't choose what I purchase based on the environmental practices of the company who produces whatever it is I'm buying.
4. What do you envy?  Financial comfort.
5. Kermit: Just Another Frog or Greatest Thing Ever? Somewhere in between.

Out my back door

It's fall ya'll!

Things I have learned.

1. It is more embarrassing to fall up the stairs than to fall down the stairs.
2. There’s something exhilarating finding a treasure among a pile of junk.
3. There’s no better feeling than the feeling of being loved!
4. When I sneeze once, normally it means that I’m going to sneeze two more times.
5. Time may fly by when you’re having fun but it drags when all hell breaks loose.
6. Why oh why are Christmas lights and decorations up already?
7. I'm so thankful for the fall...the leaves in all of their colorful glory and the biggest reason...caramel apples!
8. Every now and then, I have an extreme urge to either rob a bank or to do a money dance. (You know the kind where for no explained reason, it begins to rain money?)
9. Day old coffee tastes like the inside of a tanker truck.
10. A smile can change a whole lot of things!

Mess

All of our life we learn things. From the moment we are born we begin learning what it takes to survive and maybe even get our own way. We learn there are decent people in the world and people who are exceptionally cruel. We learn who to avoid, what to avoid, and where not to go. At the same time we learn who is nice, what is nice, and where is nice.
Part of my problem is my sensitivity. Things that other people let slide away like water from a duck's back just crush the heck out of me. It's like we all have this invisible umbrella, and for other people it sheds the water, because they're holding it properly. Somehow, I hold mine upside down, so instead of channeling all of these negative feelings away, I collect them - right on top of myself.  I'm not very smart.
Sometimes I am a mess.

mem'ries

This is my life now.  Good thing I have a sense of humor.

Fat????

I just read an article about designer Ralph Lauren hiring  his first  plus size model.  She wears a size 12. First of all that made me mad. 12 is NOT plus size!  NOW THAT is what really ticks me off. Read about it here.  So I guess I am plus size too.  Yep I am fat, heavy, plump, curvy, fluffy, what ever you want to call me. This really upsets me. Women have enough issues with body image with out this. Am I just to sensitive?  I think Ralph Lauren can kiss my arse. 

                                          Robyn Lawley

Bunny Rabbit

This cute little guy or girl is living under my car.  I have seen him or her around for a couple weeks now.  At first I thought he or she was a cat.  I guess he or she was either dumped here or  escaped from their pen.  I have a lady coming tomorrow to try to catch it and give him or her a good home.  I live way to close to the highway for him to stay here.   I have named it Lucky.

5 on Friday

1. What sport do you most enjoy watching on television (or tolerate most)?
Pro: American football. College: Basketball. Nascar

2. If you could be really, really good at one sport (we're talking world elite here), what would it be?
Hmm. I think I'll have to say "baseball," since of the  sports I played as a kid (see below), baseball had the best mix of "interesting sport" and "low frequency of serious injury." Yay me and low pain tolerance. ;-)

3. Have you ever been active in some form of sports?
When I was a kid, I played basketball, baseball and flag football.
 
4. Would you rather be a computer geek or a sports geek?
A computer geek. As for the other part, it depends on how you define "sports geek." If you mean someone who enjoys sports analysis, thinks of sports from a tactical as well as an athletic perspective, knows enough about people's statistics to be dangerous, etc., then guess what? Not interested. If you mean someone who's good at sports, well, I can't claim that, but I know lots of people who can, so I disagree with the "either-or" nature of this question.

5. What teams do you cheer for?
Football: Colts, Bills, Redskins, whoever's playing the Cowboys
Baseball: The Cubbies (Yeah, baseball season's kinda depressing for me...)
Basketball (College): IU
Nascar:  Mark Martin, Tony Stewart, and even Jeff Gordon.

Fill in the blank

 Here are mine:

1.) You have the chance__________________________.
to start over every single day.
2.) ________________________ right now!
  I am  baking a rum cake
3.) There is a _______________________.
great many things I want to do. 
 4.) __________and pay later.
 Buy now
5.) It's time to ____________________________________________!
get back to ebaying I have taken much to long of a break and I am missing the extra income!
6.) ____________________________ then just be happy.
If you want to be happy
7.) And as for the weekend, I am looking forward to_______________________ 

having something fun scheduled.

Big Brother

I am a super fan of this reality show. It is a game of strategy and manipulation  they are not there to make friends.  We are now down to the final 3 and tonight is the finale.

First is Danielle,  I don’t think she deserves to win because she was so easily manipulated by Dan.  She did things that were not in her best interest in the game.  Last week she had all the power and was headed into the final 3 with Shane and Dan who would both take her to the final 2. Dan talked her into giving him the power to evict and Shane was out in a  big move. He was Blindsided. Why did she do this? Because she did not want the blood of Ian’s eviction on her or Shane's hands.  She has played this game as a victim, she was an innocent bystander when her other final  2 partners were sent out the door.  She also threw the Pt 1 HOH to Dan..  so the only way she will get there now is if Dan keeps his word to her.. not likely.

Then there is Ian.  Our young player with ADHD.  Ian has played a very good game so far. I would say he is very likeable or even adorkable.  He is loyal and very nice.  He also thinks he created the Quack pack.  He has played a good game but has not masterminded any big moves.  He threw the Pt 1 HOH to Dan.  He thinks he has a final 2 deal with Dan.  He will face Dan in Pt 2 of the HOH tonight.  Frank and Mike Boogie felt that they were superior to Ian and he has out played and out lasted them both.  I think he deserves to be in the Final 2 but I have my doubt that he will make it there. 

And then there is Dan .. yep the best player ever  IMHO.  I think he deserves to win this hands down. He made the biggest move in BB history with Dan’s funeral. After he ended up in solitary confinement he spent his 24 hours trying to figure a way out of his soon to be eviction.  This is where I think Dan wins hands down, he totally changed his game from team player to assassin.  How many people can totally change the way they are playing the game mid stream?  Not many!  Dan held his own funeral, spilled all the Quack Pack information to Frank, made a final two deal with him and Britney went to the jury in Dan's place.  From that moment on Dan played with a take no prisoners attitude.  He made alliances everywhere (which is something the other QP members had already done) and he manipulated people to keep him off the block or remove him should he get there.  Even in the final competition Dan managed to get both people playing the 1st part HOH to throw it to him.  He also got them to fake fight with each other so that they would never compare notes.  Dan went from week one the person everyone wanted out to the one guy who is for sure going to the final two.  Dan had long talks with people and they would always spill their guts to him.  If he wanted someone put up he would ask the other person who they wanted up, run through every scenario, but the one he wanted, debate their merits and then almost as an after thought bring up the one scenario he wanted to make happen.  Without fail the house guests fell for this "misting" and did what Dan wanted done.  Dan should win Big Brother 14 not just because he was the best manipulator, but because he adjusted his game over and over in order to survive each week.  He never stopped playing the game and he loved every second of it.  Dan's moves were calculated and he never took it to a personal level.  Everything was strictly about winning the game one way or another.

Again this is not a game about making friends it is a game of strategy and manipulation.

Dan wins hands down…

Dear Blog,

 
I want to apologize for being so reticent as of late, and so remiss in coming to you. But, don't you see, Blog? It's times like these that I need you most! I know, I know, if I look at the internet history tracks in the sand, I will most likely see that this is the time that you carried me. But it doesn't always feel like that. No siree. And perhaps I don't deserve it. I've been a Blog sinner. I have coveted thy neighbors Blog. I have taken the Blog's name in vain. I have also killed, but that is a different story altogether--a story for the Blog, don't you see? So, Blog, here I am apologizing to you. Asking you to keep me in your good graces. Have faith in me, Blog, and I won't let you down.
Remember, Blog is love.
Yours,
Ms Nk Rey
P.S. My new computer would not connect to the internet Tuesday morning causing all sorts of problems.

Hello How are You?

Hi!  How are you?
Good, you?
Good.
This exchange is probably the most frequent dialog spoken in the world.  Everyone knows it is polite even though no one really cares, or has time to care how you really are.  Maybe you would care if you had time to sit down and catch up with this acquaintance, but you don't.  You both go your own ways.
With friends I like to switch it up sometimes and answer "$hitty, you?"  That usually causes them to hesitate for a second because it was unexpected - although you may know that I am $hitty, you don't actually expect me to say it in such a casual exchange.

I used to answer "Wonderful!" every time.  I thought it was funny.  At first.  I usually got a "Wow" as an answer.  Occasionally the person was compelled enough to stop and ask why I was so wonderful.  This was the hard part.  I had three options:  I had to think of something good that had happened recently, make up something good, or confess my deception - which was embarrassing at best.
I was working at the time, so I had many many opportunities to use my patent reply.  I think sometimes it was nice.  It was like some sort of mantra, making myself believe that I was, indeed, wonderful.
Until one day.
It was a bad day/week/month and things were on the continual down slide.  I was not, by any stretch of the imagination, wonderful.  I was sick of putting up a front.  I was done pretending I was happy.  I couldn't freakin do it any more.  I stopped saying I was wonderful.  I went back to more socially acceptable responses such as 'good' 'fine' 'okay'.
I think I learned a lot from my little experiment.  I learned about social norms and how others react when faced with the abnormal.  I learned about myself.  I learned it was so much easier to just say 'good.'

5 on Friday

1. Describe a recurring dream you have and what you think it means.
I have several, but I can't remember any. Is that weird? I know when I'm dreaming that I've had the dream before, or I'm continuing a previous dream, and when I wake up I remember it, but trying to think of one now... Coming up blank.
 
2. What do you like to daydream about?
I don't daydream as much as I used to. Nothing special anymore, either. At the moment I daydream about enjoying life and appreciating what I have.

3. What's your scariest dream you can remember?
I don't remember. That sucks as an answer, but it's true. I do remember waking up once after hearing someone yell something really close to my ear. There was no one there & the bedroom door was closed but I swear someone or something did shout at me to wake me up.


4. What would be a "dream come true" for you?
A lottery win. Wouldn't have to be loads (although that would be nice) but enough to be comfortable.

5. Best dream you've ever had:
Another question where nothing springs to mind. I've not been very interesting today. I should write down all my dreams, but trying to think of an answer without consulting a dream journal... Well I just can't think of anything.  All my answers this week are very lame.

My new Computer and a Memory Test.

My new computer arrived this afternoon and I am loving Win7.  This thing practically sets itself up.

MEMORY TEST!
(Have a paper and pencil handy to record your answers.. Your mind isn't
as sharp as it once was!)

This is NOT a pushover test. It's a Baby Boomer era test!  Select the correct answer under each statement.

There are 20 questions. Average score is 12 ...
This one will be difficult for the younger set. (DUDE!)

Have fun, but no peeking!

Good luck, youngsters.

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The Buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil


2. Before he was Muhammed Ali, he was...
A. Sugar Ray Robinson.
B. Roy Orbison..
C. Gene Autry.
D. Rudolph Valentino.
E. Fabian.
F. Mickey Mantle.
G. Cassius Clay.


3. Pogo, the comic strip character said, 'We have met the enemy and....
A. It's you.
B. He is us.
C. It's the Grinch.
D. He wasn't home.
E. He's really me and you.
F. We quit.
G. He surrendered.


4. Good night, David.
A.. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well.
C. Good night, Irene.
D.. Good night, Gracie.
E. See you later, alligator.
F. Until tomorrow.
G. Good night, Steve....


5. You'll wonder where the yellow went...
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons.
C. When you clean your tub.
D. If you paint the room blue.
E. If you buy a soft water tank.
F. When you use Lady Clairol.
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent.


6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's
friend....
A. Stuart Whitman.
B Randolph Scott.
C. Steve Reeves..
D. Maynard G. Krebs.
E. Corky B. Dork.
F. Dave the Whale.
G. Zippy Zoo.


7. Liar, liar...
A. You're a liar.
B. Your nose is growing.
C. Pants on fire.
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher.
F. On the wire.
G. I'm telling Mom.


8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle
for truth, justice and.....
A. Wheaties.
B. Lois Lane .
C. TV ratings.
D. World peace.
E. Red tights.
F. The American way.
G. News headlines.


9. Hey kids! What time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear.
B It's time to do your homework.
C. It's Howdy Doody Time..
D. It's time for Romper Room.
E. It's bedtime.
F... The Mighty Mouse Hour..
G. Scoopy Doo Time..


10.... Lions and tigers and bears..! .....
A. Yikes.
B. Oh, no..
C. Gee whiz.
D. I'm scared...
E. Oh my.
F.. Help! Help!
G. Let's run.


11.... Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone....
A. Over 40.
B. Wearing a uniform.
C.. Carrying a briefcase.
D. Over 30.
E. You don't know.
F. Who says, 'Trust me'..
G. Who eats tofu.


12.... NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's
stockings...
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Staubach
E. Joe Montana
F.. Steve Young
G. John Elway


13.... Brylcream...
A. Smear it on.
B. You'll smell great.
C. Tame that cowlick.
D. Grease ball heaven.
E. It's a dream.
F. We're your team.
G. A little dab'll do ya.


14.... I found my thrill...
A. In Blueberry muffins.
B. With my man, Bill.
C. Down at the mill.
D. Over the windowsill.
E. With thyme and dill..
F. Too late to enjoy.
G. On Blueberry Hill.


15..... Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by...
A. Clark Gable.
B. Mary Martin.
C. Doris Day.
D. Errol Flynn.
E. Sally Fields.
F. Jim Carrey.
G. Jay Leno.


16.... Name the Beatles...
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo


17.... I wonder, wonder, who.
A. Who ate the leftovers?
B. Who did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Who wrote the book of love?
E. Who I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?


18.... I'm strong to the finish...
A. Cause I eats my broccoli.
B. Cause I eats me spinach.
C. Cause I lift weights.
D. Cause I'm the hero.
E. And don't you for get it.
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me.
G.. To outlast Bruto.


19.... When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today.
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera.
B. Smile, you're on Star Search.
C. Smile, you won the lottery.
D. Smile, we're watching you.
E. Smile, the world sees you.
F. Smile, you're a hit.
G. Smile, you're on TV.


20.... What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy.!
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket.
C. Make you fat.
D.. Melt your heart.
E... Make you popular..
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand.
G. Come in colors.




Below are the right answers:

1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebs
7. C - Pants on fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh my
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20.. F - Melt in your mouth not in your hand

Computer Issues

Well my good and faithful Dell had developed some issues, which may or may not be fatal. 
A new Dell is on order and will be here soon. I may or may not be back in a few days, depending on 
how hard it is for this old lady to learn a new operating system. Win7 shouldn't be that hard.. fingers crossed.  See you soon.

Never Ever Forget

forgiveness

 

1. for-give
   /fərˈgɪv/ verb
   –verb (used with object) to grant pardon for or remission of (an offense, debt, etc.); absolve.
   to give up all claim on account of; remit (a debt, obligation, etc.).
   to grant pardon to (a person).
   to cease to feel resentment against: to forgive one's enemies.
   to cancel an indebtedness or liability of: to forgive the interest owed on a loan.
   verb (used without object) to pardon an offense or an offender.
   

I don’t think I understand how forgiveness works. I mean, I get how you can agree to let something go. But, that doesn’t mean that whatever occurred was OK. It just means you will try to get by it, right? But, does it also mean that when you think back on whatever occurred that it shouldn’t still burn your butt? Because if it didn’t burn your butt, that sort of implies that it (whatever action) was somehow OK or justified. Which it probably wasn’t. Which is why it upset you in the first place. But if it does still burn your butt, then you haven’t REALLY let it go, have you?
OR
Not feeling resentment or upset about something that hurt you would imply a certain neutrality to the situation, an ability to disconnect from the events. Which if you were truly disconnected, likely would not have resulted in your state of offense. So, you wise folk of the blogosphere, what’s the deal? How does forgiveness work? I can't seem to nail it down here.

5 on Friday

1. If there was one thing about your body you could change, what would it be?
I'd add wings. ;) No, seriously, tho...I'd probably change my HAIR; I have the worst hair in the entire Western Universe. I'd make it  uber low-maintenance. 

2. Would you rather lose 10lbs or 10 points off your IQ?
Pardon the expression, but this one's a complete no-brainer. ;)
I'd rather lose the 10 pounds; ain't NOBODY making me dumber! 

3. When you look in the mirror, are you happy with what you see?
Ehhh...partially, I suppose. The answer isn't "no," but it's not really "yes," either. 

4. Have you ever dyed your hair?
 yes. 

5. How often do you weigh yourself?
Given that I don't even OWN a scale...not particularly often.

Heart failure

Ugh I really hate even talking about this. It seems to be a side effect of my COPD.
It means your heart has more trouble pumping enough blood to your body, you may get short of breath when you walk or do other activities. You also may feel very tired.
Your heart will try to make up for heart failure by pumping faster and by pumping more blood with each beat. But over time, these efforts can make your heart weaker and can make symptoms worse.
It is affecting my life in many ways.  My feet and legs swell and are so very painful. It is now affecting my sleeping. I have heart failure induced insomnia.
This weather is also affecting me in a negative way.  I actually started this blog to talk about my COPD and rarely do.. and now I have.  I am done whining. I try to be positive I really do.

Outside my door this morning

2 little words

I was thinking today about those particular words...thanks or thank you. When I was little, one of the first thing my parents instilled in me was to be say thank you. If it was for a stick of gum, a compliment or a good meal, I was taught to say, "thank you".

As unbelievable as it sounds, I try so very hard to make my "thank you's" count. I want people to know that I appreciate them. If I need to change lanes and someone allows me the spot in front of them, I wave my hand and say, "thank you". If I sneeze and someone says, "Bless you", I say, "thank you". When I'm handed my receipt at the store, I say, "thank you". Not only do I say it but I mean it.

But, saying thank you for trials and tribulations, I have yet to master. How can I have a thankful heart when it seems like life has been turned upside down? Yet, I know that I should be  thankful.
 
I'm thankful that I've got family near and far and friends who care  about what goes on in my life...that includes you all as well because you're not JUST Facebook pals, but you're my friends.

So today and every day, my heart says, "thank you".

What are you thankful for?

Happy Rainy Labor Day