Boo!

When did Halloween sneak up on me? It seems like October just started.

I'm sounding like my grandmother now. That's not a bad thing.

Do you remember your Halloween costumes? I had some beautifully handmade ones - tiger, devil, princess, ballerina, and a cat. And then there were the store-bought costumes. I remember being Caspar the Ghost. That mask got SO hot! I don't guess those are legal to sell anymore, are they? I was also a witch and Wonder Woman with those masks. I can still smell that plastic right up next to my face and how it felt trying to breathe out of that little mouth hole.

Then, we got older...and we're hippies, hobos, and kooky things like One-A-Day Vitamins.

I'm kind of glad that now I just get to pass the candy out to all the cute little ones. The teens? Sure seems like older and older kids are trick-or-treating. Ugh.

It's A Busy Day

It's going to be a busy day in the office today - just listen:

The water people are bringing a cooler and spring water (woohooo!).

The phone people are coming to install our new phone system. The old one could almost be the one your grandma had on a "telephone table" in the hall. Seriously, we're paying for caller ID, but our phones don't have it. They will after 11:00am today. Amen!

My new coworker, Wendy, will be coming by to see the space. She's bringing her little grandson - he's about 2 and doll.

Plus, I have to DO WORK. Sheesh! Wonder why the end of the month is always so frenetic?

And now, for your viewing pleasure, I did something really, really wrong. I scanned a photo off someone's desk........ guess who?

Enjoying the Peace and Waiting for Material

Happy Wednesday, Friends!

It's so peaceful in my office. The Colonel is at a conference. Sounds boring, doesn't it? But, wait...it's in Palm Springs, California. So tell me...why in the world are they sending the world's worst salesman to PALM SPRINGS? Go figure. (for some reason, Palm Springs always reminds me of I Love Lucy...yes, I know there was an episode or two there, but should it always be the first thing I think of when I hear of the place??)

As I've explained before, these conferences afford him the opportunity to gather a nice stack of business cards. It's these business cards he'll use to make his "little package" phone calls from when he gets back until another conference is convened.

There is no way I can express my gratitude in getting a new coworker starting Monday. Finally, another woman to talk to and it's someone I already know and respect.

Really, this is all good. The Colonel will come back with more fodder for my blog and I'll have another twisted perspective to share as my new coworker is an old coworker and I know that she will find him as amusing as I do. Since she'll be sitting closer to him, I might get even more goods to communicate to you.

I am trying to find a way to get a photo of him to show you. It will all become more clear once you see him. I will, of course, draw a black line over his eyes. That's a sure-fire way to remain anonymous.

More as it develops!

Hey, Baby, I'm Your Telephone Man

I went to my apartment on a Monday at one
A-singin' do lolly, lolly shicky bum, shicky bum
Started movin' in it on a Tuesday at two
A-singin' do lolly, lolly shicky do, shicky do
Wednesday at three I called the phone company, singin':
"Hey baby, put a phone in for me"
Thursday at four he came a-knockin' at my door, singin':

"Hey, baby, I'm your telephone man
You just show me where you want it and I'll put it where I can
I can put it in the bedroom, I can put it in the hall
I can put it in the bathroom, I can hang it on the wall
You can have it with a buzz, you can have it with a ring
And if you really want it you can have a ding-a-ling
Because-a hey baby, I'm your telephone man"

Can you believe that? And then he says:

"Now when other fellas call ya tell 'em how it all began"

Well...can you imagine?

My heart began a-thumpin' and my mind began to fly
And I knew I wasn't dealin' with no ordinary guy
So while he was a-talking I was thinkin' up my plan
Then my fingers did the walkin' on the telephone man

Singin' hey lolly, lolly
Hey lolly, lolly
Hey lolly, lolly
Get it any way you can
Right? Ha ha ha, so...

I got it in the bedroom, and I got it in the hall
And I got it in the bathroom, and he hung it on the wall
I got it with a buzz, and I got it with a ring
And when he told me what my number was I got a ding-a-ling

A-singin' hey lolly, lolly
Hey lolly, lolly
Hey lolly, lolly
Just-a doin' my thing

Ha, ha...I've never done anything like this before!

Now, Lynda, why did you post this? The telephone man is in my office - DUH! And, this was a "hit" my senior year of high school. We were a bit twisted back in 1977 - enjoy!

Rearranged, Old Friends, and Dog Parks

I rearranged my office. Oh, I already told you guys that, didn't I? Sheesh. Well, I am back to work (which is when I have time to post - lol) and the Colonel hasn't arrived yet.

Good news! I am going to have another coworker and she starts on Monday, November 3rd. This is SO good because it will let there be another personality other than mine and the Colonel's in here. Plus, we worked together in the past. For about 10 years or more.

This will interesting, though. She was always my boss. Now I am hers. It's not too freaky, though, because we always just worked as a team, but when push came to shove, I deferred to her "rank." I guess it's my turn now.

Jerry and I took our dogs to the dog park yesterday and they had big, big fun! It was rather warm, but they loved it. Georgi took off swimming in the pond. Gordy just drank out of it. There were lots of people there and even more dogs of every sort. It's a very nice park - about 900+ acres and divided into a section for large dogs and small dogs. Each has a pond and agility equipment. Our little Georgi loves agility and is amazingly good at it.

Oh, oh, the Colonel just arrived - he overslept. Crazy, huh? Not.

Guess I better actually DO something.

Happy and Kreativ

Well, well...thanks to my friends Kerrie and Wep, I have received this award twice! I am just awful about paying these forward, so please forgive me for being slow.

Kerrie would like to know a few things that make me happy, so here are a few:

Hearing a lawn being mowed early, early on a Saturday morning.
The smell of newly mown grass.
Laughing until you hurt.
When the weather is cool enough for a sweatshirt, but warm enough for shorts.
When the last decoration is on the Christmas tree and you step back and it's just perfect.
My grandma's house.
Puppies, puppies, and more puppies.
Little puppy bites.
The way a baby feels in your arms and smells.
Catching a glimpse of my daughter and finding her to be the prettiest girl on earth.
My husband's laugh.
The beach.
The sound of the surf when you're drifting off to sleep and waking in the morning.
Finding beautiful seashells.
And the telling and retelling of family stories.

These things make me happy. And if you want to share what makes you happy, too, then feel free to take this award and share your list!

Thanks, Peace, and Clean Water

You know, I never intended my blog to be more than a place for me to record my days and thought, etc... but, as I am sure happened to you, too, it changed.

Oh, I still do that. Post what I am thinking about, what's going on in my life and the such, but now I feel like I have so many connections to people that truly matter to me. Even though we haven't met formally, I value the opinions of you. You know who you are.**

And to new people who happen by... I've met most of you this way - by following a link on someone else's blog or you following one to mine.

What I am getting to is... Thank You! Your opinions, suggestions, and comments help change my perspective, let me look at my own situation through a different filter, and I can't tell you how helpful it really is.

Sometimes, you're just plain hilarious. Hilarious works really well for me, too.

For now, there is peace in our house and Jerry & I have begun a plan for our family and Nicole. We think it has a good chance of working and I'll tell you more about that later. For today, she's being an angel and we're enjoying life.

Okay. I have a change of subject midstream. I know that is a big shock to you! I talked to the VP of my company Friday and asked if we could get a small microwave for our office. He said we could AND to order a water service. Do you realize the ramifications of this??? This means no more bathroom water coffee!

I can't tell you how much I love knowing I won't have to buy coffee every morning and that we will be drinking clean spring water coffee?? Life is good.

So, Jerry and I went and bought a microwave today and took it to my office. We then took a gazillion motivational framed posters OFF the walls and left one tastefully framed photo of the city of Houston over the main reception area and one (only ONE) motivational print hanging in the main area.

There are no motivational posters in my office, but the Colonel?? Oh the Colonel has about eight, plus two ship paintings. Don't get me wrong, I love, love, love nautical things. Really, I do. But these painting...well, they leave much to be desired.

I am wondering if the Colonel is going to freak out Monday? I'll let you know then.

**just in case you don't know who you are, let me share some names: gary, kris, melissa, wep, katie, kerrie, and so many more (sorry, I got tired of linking).

Nothing. Just Nothing.

I've got nothing.

I feel sleepy, but here I am at work. Miss Priss is playing sick again and I have to call the school.

This is getting out of hand and I have to surrender. Something, clearly, is (has) changed my kid. I think it's time to call in the "village."

Updates later if something new pops up.

There are days when I wish nothing would pop. Up or down.

Cosmic Truckin' Child Of The Universe

It's been a while since we had a Colonel update. It's only 8:30am while I am typing this and he's been here a grand total of 12 minutes, but it's begun.

What?? Well, he has turned on his computer and radio. Whined about how it rained last night. And crept down the hall to get some bathroom water for coffee.

Today is another sales on-the-phone conference with his trainer and fellow students. As I mentioned before, he was a week to 2 weeks behind everyone. Yesterday he said he had caught up in the materials (reading, writing, etc...) but that he was just SO FAR behind everyone else. Two weeks??

This is all rehash. Sorry. I still just can't believe he has this job and has had it for so long.

Then, I feel bad for posting all this here. After all, he's ...

"...a child of the universe

no less than the trees and the stars;

you have a right to be here.

And whether or not it is clear to you,

no doubt the universe is unfolding as it should."

Wow! Now, if you're in my age range, does that quote ring a bell?? I remember when Desiderata by Max Ehrman was on a poster in every bedroom. And they were sooooooooooooo cool, groovy, hipster, and far out.

And, this little gem was frequently seen:

This Peter Max was on my notebook...

Holy cow, the Colonel has sent me into the nether regions of memory. For the love of Pete! Or maybe that's the love of Peter Max. He's still cool in my book.

And here we come full circle...back to our Kentucky Colonel (bestowed honorarily) who is about to begin another seminar. I'll do some eavesdropping and see what kind of excuse-making ensues today.

Keep on truckin' people!

Who Will It Be?

As you may have noticed, I don't "go there" when it comes to politics. In fact, I don't think I'm even going to go there now. Why bring it up? Beats me.

I know that some of you are very passionate about your choices and I love that! I am, too, however, I'm not telling. No, I am not ashamed or afraid...I'm just not telling.

Here we go with a Seinfeld post again, but it is what it is. I am not even sure I was "raised this way" or not, but I have a strong belief that my vote is extremely private. Just as I believe my salary is my business - not my family's or my child's business. To me, this is a decision I am making from my research, my perspectives, what matters to me for our country and my family, and all other aspects that are important to me as a person and an American.

What I can't quite "get" is how others believe you can coax someone to your "side" by confrontation, intimidation, or even signage. From what I've seen, it just encourages disengagement.

As a proud American, I relish the privilege of voting and believe this right is sacred.

Well, I didn't think I'd do it, but I went there without giving it up.

So tell me...is it important to you that others know your election choices? And why?

Oh, and if (now this is out of left field and just for fun) these were the choices, which would you choose?

The Drama Queen Lives In My House

Here it is Tuesday morning and it seems like it was Saturday just yesterday. Beats me how it all flies so quickly.

My child is in big, fat trouble right now. I won't go into details, because I promised her I wouldn't "tell her business" - of course, she doesn't even know about this blog, but you never know. Suffice it to say, she confessed to doing something she shouldn't and knew would get her in that big, fat trouble, so I have to give SOME credit for coming clean.

We're discovering that she has to have a HUGE circle of drama around her at all times, and quite frankly, we're not sure how to handle this. In fact, we're wondering if what she confessed to doing might just be a story to create drama with us and her friends - especially the friends.

Maybe we could invest in a quality lie detector.

Superior Scribbler, Who, Me??

Awww shucks! I was one of the first recipients of the award posted above. A "Superior Scribbler" for me?? A great big THANK YOU to The Scholastic Scribe.

Of course, as with every Bloggy Award, there are A Few Rules. They are, forthwith:

Each Superior Scribbler must in turn pass The Award on to 5 most-deserving Bloggy Friends.

Each Superior Scribbler must link to the author & the name of the blog from whom he/she has received The Award. (Since I received one of the first ones, my grantor is the originator - woohoo!)

Each Superior Scribbler must display The Award on his/her blog, and link to This Post, which explains The Award.

Each Blogger who wins The Superior Scribbler Award must visit this post and add his/her name to the Mr. Linky List. That way, we'll be able to keep up-to-date on everyone who receives This Prestigious Honor!

Each Superior Scribbler must post these rules on his/her blog.

So, without further ado, I hereby bestow the Superior Scribbler award to the following:

1. Stretch Marks - One of the blogs I must read daily, hence, the writing brings me back - I've cried and laughed reading the same post - so well-deserved!

2. Minnesota Matron - Speak of writing! I am entrenched in the Matron's family, work, and writing. She has me thinking one day, laughing out loud another, and then wondering what it would be like to be the mother of her amazing kids.

3. WepRuminations - Oh yes, Wep has a style that is easy to read and engaging with a great sense of humor - a fine recipient!

4. A Shelter From The Storm - She just lays it out there. Challenges and triumphs are documented and I want to follow along.

5. Ritch In Love - As I have mentioned before, this blog is, well, sweet. I like the writing very much and find myself wanting the very best for her!


Congrats, all! And the best part is...scribbling means we don't have to stay in the lines. Isn't that great??

Happy Day, Peeps!

Bowling Like Golf

I went bowling yesterday with three of my best friends from high school. High school, people, high school!

We graduated in 1977, so they are probably my oldest pals. We've decided to get together every other month or so and stay connected. So, what does that have to do with golf?

Well, we all bowled like we were trying to obtain a great golf score. I won the first game with 109 points. I completely lost the second one with a score of 65. 109 was the high score of the day.

Afterwards, we went for lunch and adult beverages.

I'll tell you about my friends later - for now, I am off and running!

We're going to the theatre in December. No scoring involved.

I'm It!

Well, what do you know? Wep tagged me! Seven random or weird facts about me (yikes!). I will probably go with random - you can decide if they're weird or not:

1. I lived with an Amish family for 2 weeks.

2. I worked in a haunted house as a witch.

3. My friends and I had a private meeting with Dr. Phil.

4. I like tacky retro-kitsch - things like dashboard hula dancers.

5. I worked (and got paid) to be a chatroom moderator (The Reflecting Pool, spirituality room) on TalkCity "back in the day."

6. I'm going bowling with my best friends from high school tomorrow (we graduated in 1977).

7. I got married on Grand Cayman Island in a church my great-great-grandfather founded.

You read the rules above...I am required by law and all that is holy in the land of blogs to tag seven others. Yes, that's right, it must be done. So it is written, so it shall be done:

Gary Rith Pottery Blog

Eat Your Veggies!

The Scholastic Scribe

A Shelter From The Storm

Life At Number 14

Decisionally Challenged

Ritch In Love

Now, if you don't choose to do this, I fully understand... or if I didn't list you and you WANT to get after it, feel free!

I may post again later. The colonel just arrived and there's always good material there.

Happy, happy Friday!

Jerry, George, Elaine, or Kramer?

So, I figured if I just started typing something would come to me.

I'm discovering I might just be a "Seinfeld Blogger," if you know what I mean - a blog about nothing. In fact, I have no doubt I could go on and on without having said one substantial thing. Never, ever did I have a problem meeting the word requirements on any writing assignment.

Oh! Guess what I just remembered? We might hire a part-time worker in my office. Do you have any idea what the ramifications of that might be??? I would NOT be alone with the colonel all day. I would have someone else who could commiserate with me and, (I know the next part of this sentence is really mean) could make fun of him with me. Behind his back, of course.

Here's the best part, though....this potential employee is an old supervisor of mine and I love her! She might be one of the most knowledgeable people (in this field) I have ever met. She retired from our former company and I have missed her so much! I can't tell you how I hope this deal goes through.

We need new phones in this office. I think the ones we have now were manufactured sometime in the late 70s or early 80s. No caller ID. If you dial too fast, the number doesn't "catch" and you have to do it all over again. Quite frankly, I can't believe I can dial that fast. It makes me feel like a teenager. I can't, however, text 3 paragraphs using only my thumbs in 20 seconds or less like my child can.

So, my goal today is verify the new phone order is processed.

I think the colonel is geared up to give us lots of humor before the day is out - all of which I will share with you. He went to a sales seminar/training class about a month ago and it has required homework. He has materials to read and things to practice. On Thursdays, there is a two hour conference call with his instructor and the other students. As he was a week behind everyone else, this continues to be his refrain, "I just haven't caught up with the rest of you yet," and "I am still in the 'recognition phase' of the process."

Dude, you can't sell. Quit making excuses and play the game with your classmates and teacher.

See? Seinfeld.

Even When She's Driving Me Crazy

I still love my teenager. Oh, and God knows that's hard to say some days.

So, after a day filled with bloggy love courtesy of the SITS gals, I thought I'd share some momma love. As you may know, Jerry and I adopted Nicole on her 14th birthday. She was in foster care for about 7 years. Her life has been a hard one and she's endured things some of us can't even imagine.


Adjustment has gone very well for our girl. Don't get me wrong. There are still issues. Lots of issues, but because the transition has gone so wonderfully, we find ourselves forgetting to remember her background and filtering her responses to things through that light. We eventually lose amnesia.


So, indulge me as I share some photos of my kiddo:

Friday night football in Texas...a tradition embraced by our girl and a friend

Nicole loves her friends - they are like air and water to her - I love how much she values them
(l-r: Sam, Courtney, Nicole)

There is this "face" that Nicole wants to make in every photo...it's hard to get one where she isn't doing this. Oh, and she'd probably kill me if she knew I was posting her photo in her glasses - I think they're cute.

Oops! It's me trying to make that face, but I don't quite have it down.

Saucy SITS Blogathon!

Happy SITS Blogathon Day, everyone!

Is this fun or what? Today, one of my favorite sites, The Secret Is In The Sauce (SITS - see the cute button to the right!) is holding a blogathon for its myriad of members.

Part of today's task is to share with five sites I have found through SITS and have come to love.
Here you go!

1. The Scholastic Scribe - what an interesting site by a journalism teacher - so you know the writing is good!

2. I Know Where You Can Find It - Mrs. Who has the most amazing finds - check her out!

3. Eat Your Veggies - our amazing Pop'rs queen! No one ever had a better salesperson :-)

4. WepRuminations - I love Wep - her outlook and sense of humor are intelligent and witty!

5. Ritch In Love - what a lovely spirit and couple - Katie's posts are always so heartfelt and "real."

So, visit SITS and take a moment to discover my SITSa's! Oh, and how has SITS enhanced my blogging....sit down, and grab a cup of coffe - we gotta' talk.... seriously, it has directed me to new and wonderful blogs I wouldn't have found just "surfing" online. Check out the five I listed - each unique and interesting. And that's just scratching the surface of hundreds and hundreds of people linked to this fabulous site. Kevin Bacon has nothing on SITS... except maybe six degrees of separation, but I bet someone closer than that to him is linked to SITS somewhere along the way **wink wink**.

Gifts and Bonus Gifts

Although my flash was too bright and I had no zooming options using my daughter's little camera, I think you can see how great my little sugar bowls from Gary are.

Now, the longhorn sugar bowl has been packed up as it will be a gift, but I couldn't resist putting them together for the shot. And, the little yellow vase in front was a bonus gift!

We do bonus gifts in our family. We decided it was fun to get a gift at Christmas or your birthday, but it was even more fun getting two (or more). So, we give each other gifts, and bonus gifts. Bonus gifts are not expensive, but thoughtful or fun little items - a desk calendar, a key chain, a CD, a handmade item, etc...

Our favorite potter, Gary, has this idea down, don't you think?

Now, to veer off-track, the colonel (we all know and love him) is already bugging me and we haven't even spoken more than two sentences to each other this morning. I'll keep you posted if any weirdness happens today.

Happy Monday!

The Meme Of Last Resort

As you know, yesterday I was blank and was thinking about doing a meme found from one of you, but, quite frankly, I didn't feel like linking. That's so bad.

Instead, we created our own and here it is. Feel free to use it. No linking required. And feel free to leave your answers without doing this meme at your site, too. Who knows? Someone might be so curious about someone who answers the way you did, they'll just HAVE to come visit you.

I do, however, recommend all my bloggy pals to visit each other - you all have your own special coolness :-)

Here we go:

1. What word do you wish would disappear forever?

2. If you could be king or queen of a European country, which one and why?

3. Would you rather be deaf or blind?

4. What's something you collect?

5. What is your favorite TV show or movie you would never admit to anyone?

6. What is your favourite comfort food?

My Answers:

1. Frickin' (freakin', friggin').... okay, we know what you're meaning...choose again.

2. I would like to be Queen of Denmark. Anywhere that has a little mermaid for a symbol is okay by me.

3. Deaf. God forbid either, but I would much rather be able to still drive and read (and draw).

4. I collect copies of A Christmas Carol by Charles Dickens - only unusual, older printings, etc... I just know that one day I will come across a first edition.

5. I have to go down the same path as Gary on this one - I love Leave It To Beaver reruns (along with The Brady Bunch, The Dick Van Dyke Show, and more)

6. My favorite comfort food would be my grandmother's chicken and noodles...grandma is gone now, but my mom has taken over making them and they are still fabulous.

Thanks for helping me out y'all...I look forward to reading your answers!

The Last Resort

Today, I am rearranging my office to become a bit better organized.

The colonel called in sick. Can you imagine? On a Friday of all things. I am truly shocked.

Do you ever have one of those days when you want to post something brilliant or funny or insightful and all you can think of is maybe someone has some new meme you can try? That's me today.

Hey! There's an idea... let's create a new meme together. I will give you one question, leave a comment with your answer and a question you would like to see on a meme, and at the end of the day, I will post them all as one meme. If you want, come back and get it and use it for that day when you can't think of a darn thing either. No linking required. It's too much effort (can you tell I am being lazy?).

The Last Resort Meme

1. What word do you wish would disappear forever?

(my answer to THAT question is "frickin")

Okay... off to actually do some work.

Colonel and The Flute

FYI, I am hearing, "I'd Rather Be A Hammer Than A Nail" wafting from the colonel's office...

it sounds like it's being played by a Native American flutist.

He cranked it up. I think he wants me to know how cool he is.

The Colonel Sells

I know I shouldn't post so much about my kookie coworker, the "colonel," but he gives me so much material, I can't help myself.

Now, the colonel is our sales supervisor. He is basically our only sales person, designated to drum up business. Other personnel in corporate are also sales-driven, but have various other duties while the colonel's only job is sales. So, you get the picture.

You're probably thinking, given his position, he should be very apt in the sales arena. Oh, my friends, let me assure you that cannot possibly be more false. Here is his sales plan:

1. Go to conferences and conventions of potential (and existing) customers.
2. Gather business cards and email addresses at venues listed above.
3. Spend the next 3 months (or so) before the next venue calling all the people listed on the business cards collected.
4. Using this spiel: "John Doe, this is the Colonel, with ABC123, I had the great pleasure of meeting you at the YouNameIt conference in September. How are you? blah blah blah I was calling you regarding our __________ service. Oh, you do? Are you happy with the service you are receiving? I see. I was wondering if you received the little package I sent you regarding our services? May I send you another? Sir/Ma'am, would you mind if I made a follow-up call to you in about a month? Most assuredly. Thank you.

Now, I am not a sales person, but I do know this....If I was THE sales person, I would be getting out of my chair and hitting the streets to make personal contacts with some of these people.

Once a potential customer told me they were satisfied with someone else's work, I would use that opportunity to jump in and ask to compare rates, quality, service, etc.... I would offer one free time, etc... something to open that door and get my foot in it.

And lastly, if I were "the" salesman, I would never, ever call my package little.

Normal Again

My kiddo is back to school (and this is when the angels REALLY sing - hear 'em?).

God bless antibiotics.

Okay, and for other things...check out this longhorn sugar bowl that is soon to be mine. Well, mine to give as a gift, but I am hoping to order up another one for myself. I think am becoming a sugar bowl addict.

This post looks destined to be a hodge-podge of stuff, but what the heck?

The "colonel" just called in...he overslept (big surprise), but since he has a dentist appointment at 9am, he'll just come in after that (angels singing again).

Tonight is College Night. Speaking of which, will you check out the stadium and arena for our school district?? It's better than the stadium we had at the University of Houston back in my day. That's where College Night is being held tonight. I think we're going. Of course, if Nicole doesn't make up all the work she missed being sick, we might be revisiting 11th grade again.

Well, I am at working, listening to Pandora Radio's Quick Mix... currently playing James Taylor;s Country Road.

Kid in school, colonel not expected for hours, and a fabulous longhorn sugar bowl making it's way to Texas....life is good, angels sing, and peace reigns for a while.

Amen.

"Strange Women Lying In Ponds Distributing Swords Is No Basis For A System Of Government"

ARTHUR: Please! Please, good people. I am in haste. Who lives in that castle?

WOMAN: No one lives there.

ARTHUR: Then who is your lord?

WOMAN: We don't have a lord.

ARTHUR: What?

DENNIS: I told you. We're an anarcho-syndicalist commune. We take it in turns to act as a sort of executive officer for the week...

ARTHUR: Yes.

DENNIS: ...but all the decisions of that officer have to be ratified at a special bi-weekly meeting...

ARTHUR: Yes, I see.

DENNIS: ...by a simple majority in the case of purely internal affairs,...

ARTHUR: Be quiet!

DENNIS: ...but by a two-thirds majority in the case of more major--

ARTHUR: Be quiet! I order you to be quiet!

WOMAN: Order, eh? Who does he think he is? Heh.

ARTHUR: I am your king!

WOMAN: Well, I didn't vote for you.

ARTHUR: You don't vote for kings.

WOMAN: Well, how did you become King, then?

ARTHUR: The Lady of the Lake,... [angels sing] ...her arm clad in the purest shimmering samite, held aloft Excalibur from the bosom of the water signifying by Divine Providence that I, Arthur, was to carry Excalibur.
[singing stops]
That is why I am your king!

DENNIS: Listen. Strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government. Supreme executive power derives from a mandate from the masses, not from some farcical aquatic ceremony.

ARTHUR: Be quiet!

DENNIS: Well, but you can't expect to wield supreme executive power just 'cause some watery tart threw a sword at you!

ARTHUR: Shut up!

DENNIS: I mean, if I went 'round saying I was an emperor just because some moistened bint had lobbed a scimitar at me, they'd put me away!

ARTHUR: Shut up, will you? Shut up!

So, you either love it or hate it. I, for one, still lose it when I watch Monty Python and The Holy Grail. And, like other lovers of this movie, once you start me on lines, I can't quit. The portion of the scene above is hilarious to me.

Yes, I think it's the funniest movie ever. How about you? What movie do find funny every time you watch it? Have a favorite line? Please share!

One Sick Girl

The HALTER pumpkin patch

Nicole is sick again. She is missing so much school that I don't know how we're going to get her back on track. Plus, she faked that one day of sickness, so, of course, we keep thinking she's crying wolf.

This morning, her back hurt (where her lungs are), the right side of her throat hurts so much she can't swallow, she has a headache, and 100 degree fever. I know she's really ill.

It's back to the doctor at 11am.

Now, if you didn't read the comments regarding her charity work at HALTER, she did go. She was appointed the official face painter and sticker tattoo artist. The day flew quickly. As the facility is open to the general public in October as a fund raiser, there were not as many special needs children, but still a significant number.

We were really proud of her doing this alone - not bringing a friend to feel "safe," but jumping right in and being a trooper.

Nicole and two of the ponies

Now, we need our girl to get well.

Two young cowboys at HALTER

Georgi and the Puffin Mug

'Nuff said....

Will She Go?

Our daughter, Nicole, needs some volunteer hours to get a letterman's jacket for school and some service hours to get the opportunity to take some fun trips with her church group.

Soooooooooooo.....she found a charity near our house called H.A.L.T.E.R. It's an amazing place with tiny, miniature horses, ponies, and full-sized horses. HALTER stands for Horses Assisting Learning, Therapy, Eyesight, Rehabilitation, Inc.

From what we understand, they bring in handicapped and blind kids and let them ride the horses. It is supposedly very therapeutic. Halter happens to need volunteers this month because they are having a Pumpkin Patch.

Today's hours are from 8am - 2pm. I went to wake her up at 7:30am. She wanted to know why she couldn't go at 9am. We compromised at 8:30am.

Last night was the homecoming game. It went into double overtime, so Miss Priss didn't go to sleep until 1:30am (neither did her mother).

I'll let you know if she goes or not. I am on the fence right now.

The power of a letter jacket is very powerful.

So is the power of teenage laziness.

Cool Hipster Dude

Do you remember my coffee-making coworker, the "colonel?"

I thought I would give you some scoop and a bit of a visual. He's not in yet. He's late every single day. Every day. Here's the good part, though: he won't leave before me. Ever. But, I know his m.o.

He thinks if he leaves after me, I can't possibly know when he leaves, so being late doesn't matter - he's made up his time in the evening. Yeah, right. There are so many times I have turned around because I forgot something, etc... I mean, I haven't been gone 10 minutes, and when I get back, guess who has locked up and left? Yep, the colonel.

So, I mess with him. I'll stay REAL late...just to see what he'll do. He never leaves. And, trust me on this one...he really doesn't even DO anything, so it has to kill him to hang around.

Okay, back to the visual...

The colonel is about 54, but looks at least 70. No lie. Tall, kind of thin with a bit of a stomach, with a gray goatee and thinning gray hair. Now, he was a teenager in the early 70's, so he tries to identify himself as a cool, hipster dude who grooves on Hendrix or the Stones or any other rock reference you can think of, but....

Another big BUT here...he sits in his office listening to the complete works of Lawrence Welk and other of that genre.

His wife is 10 years older.

From what he's said, they "hit the hay" around 9pm.

Cool.
Hipster.

Puffin Cups

Oh yes, that's right, Gary, from The New And Improved Potter's Blog, now known as Gary Rith Pottery Blog, but once called "The Potter's Blog" sent me a BONUS gift - not one, but TWO puffin mugs!

Gary, if you're reading this, don't worry - the check is in the mail. (Can you hear that raspy laugh of that cartoon dog about now?) Seriously, it's there. In a blue postal box right across the street at an official post office.

I think I have a longhorn sugarbowl in the works, too.

Life is good!

Mystery Illness Solved

It was testosterone. As suspected.

Later in the afternoon, my darling daughter called to tell me the boy she likes was telling "everybody" that he only liked her as a friend and didn't like like her. Then she started crying.

I asked her if that is why didn't want to go to school and she said it was. What hurt was she had been flirting and telling people she liked him, etc... and he was saying the opposite to everyone BUT her.

So, she was humiliated.

God, I remember that time of life. Not necessarily the same set of problems, but the thought of being ridiculed and talked about was tragic. Enough to make you "sick."

So, after a nice, long "come to Jesus" meeting, it is well understood that skipping school or avoiding life isn't acceptable.

Tomorrow starts a new chapter.

Need Experienced Mom Help

My kid is playing sick again. I just don't know what to do.

She's 16. She refuses to go to the doctor or school today. I know she is clearly NOT sick. We went to an Ear, Nose, and Throat doctor yesterday to check on her tonsils. They're HUGE, but fine.

She really was sick last week, but this is just plain laziness, avoidance, something...I am stuck.

All I have is if she's sick, she's not hanging out with friends or driving or having any kind of teenage life. She'll go for that on the day she plays sick, but, I told her she clearly isn't getting better and I have decided this weekend (homecoming weekend) is going to have to be one of rest and relaxation to "get well." It's obvious that she can make it to school, but after hanging out with her friends after school, she relapses and is too ill to get up and go to school, sooooooooo.....

we have to reverse things. She'll just have to go to school, come home and stay put so she can have enough energy to go to school again.

Anyway, we can't MAKE her get up, go, or anything...she's so stubborn, and it's more than I know how to clearly handle.

I plan on calling her counselor or prinicipal...maybe get a conference. We're just stumped.

Help! What would you do?