T&L DD said not to worry about your foot ... she'll do it for free and just keep trying until she gets it right <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> and you have a spare on the other leg <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" />

I suppose the only risk with leaving Mr C with AJ is that there is a very slight chance he may learn a few new words <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/crazy.gif" alt="" /> or two <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> if AJ has had to wait for ages for something that wasn't supposed to break down get fixed.

neak have a few mummy naps in the afternoon ... my mother recommends them, however every time she woke up we still hadn't run away <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> she still complains about that these days <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/rolleyes.gif" alt="" />

myself, I am off to bed at long last ... I was going to move Mikey out of my bed back to his own but OMG he weighs a ton!! he feels heavier at 2 am I'm sure of it <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/tongue.gif" alt="" /> just move over little man mum is getting in
<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

g'night.....heading to bed.

Been gone, barely home, out the door again. The Adventure continues, but we got the truck fixed, finally, I think.

I'll be back tomorrow. Remind me to tell you about the Dervish and Judgment Day.

Neak, don't forget to tell us about the Dervish and Judgment Day. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/pfft.gif" alt="" />

Oh - you're right - I did forget already, but today is Surgery Day too, so I have to take the kids to school for Neaksis (the designated driver) in a few minutes. Judgment Day...Judgment Day....Judgment Day.....trying to remember this time.

So, who is having surgery now? Hope all the Neaks are soon healthy.

We are still waiting to hear about Judgment Day.

My personal good news healthwise is that my mammogram was ok. No change in the nodule we know is there.

Mom had her foot operated on. I see she was up in the middle of the night, poor Mom.

Judgment Day

I forget how the subject even came up, but the Dervish wanted to know about Judgment Day.

I explained it all as simply as I could, how Jesus saves us by His death, and with His power we become new creatures, but that He also says we are judged by our works - what we do and say - did we actually let Him make us into new people the way He wanted?

I explained that we are given our lifetime to make things right, and we have a choice to either make our bad things right here, or to someday face them in judgment. That God wanted us to search our hearts, and tell Him we were sorry for what we had done wrong, and ask His help not to do it any more.

With maybe a half-second pause, the Dervish replied, "I have been peeing in the backyard still. And I stole some candy. And cookies. And I drank the soda. And... and.... and...."

That's ok. If I were a Dervish, I would be intimidated by thoughts of a judgment, too, especially if I were peeing in the backyard like my Mommy told me not to. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

OK, the local he used to make the pain "relief" last longer has worn off with a vengeance. I'm supposed to be able to take 2 Percocet every 3 hrs. The dose lasts about 1 hr. and 15 minutes, and then not enough to let me sleep but enough to let me stop thrashing and moaning. And I'm not that good on crutches, either! 1/2 of 1 day down. 41 to go. <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

Peeing in the backyard.......

Oh Man, I still have tears in my eyes from laughing so hard.<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />
I think my mom told us not to also.... but we never could figure out why. It takes valueable seconds to actually go in the house...... seconds that could be spent playing. I should probably stop here, before I get myself in any deeper.
Of course, there are secret places where one can go to experiment .... I think you (Neak) have read the McManus version of that. Maybe I could talk to the Dervish about that........ would you pass along my phone number, and have him call me?

T&L, I have been thinking about your situation. I am so sorry you have to go through the pain.

What do you plan to accomplish in the 41 days you have left?
I can think of some humorous comments that could be made, but I am serious, and really want to know.

It's 25 years this last Oct since I broke my ankle, and had the 8 pins put in. For me it was 9 months before I could go back to work.
I read 100 books on the History of the United States. Were I doing it now, I think I could come up with a better project, but that kept me busy, and kept me from driving my W totally crazy. (She is only half crazy.)
I don't mean to say you ought to do something like that, but I wondered if you had something in mind, and if so, what it was.

Cinderella - great photo. He looks good in red, and you look fine too.
Thanks for the report on the diplomat. I was wondering. Are you ready for Christmas? I am mostly ready. Except for my W. Probably I should do her first, but she rarely makes suggestions, and I am not so good at mind reading as some people are.

Hi CC !!
My twins wanted to ask you how it feels having Christmas when it's warm. They have been raised in a culture where they hear songs with words like "Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow." and "White Christmas." I tried to explain that it's a culture thing that is not universal, but they wondered what you would say....... so I am asking. Of course, I want to know about everything else too, so you may as well report.

Neaksis -
I often wonder if you are shy, or just really busy. Of course, there are other considerations too. Some people don't like to type, and that is only one. Just wanted you to know we think about you, and pray for you right along with everyone else. I am still curious about your Television appearance, and would be interested in knowing more about it. I suppose curiosity is one of my trade marks - I have never grown out of wondering about things. I hope God is helping you daily, and that you have mostly happy days.

AW, it sounds like you won't be bored any time soon. What with the construction projects, and the kids, and writing to Aussie......... and everything.

We have not heard from your mum in a while, we hope she is doing well.

With all the Lindt, how do you keep from gaining weight? I have struggled with that, but am on my way back down. I still eat Lindt chocolate, but I am more careful about how much I eat.

These last few weeks have rough for me. Maybe I'll write about it.

Oh, and we cut Christmas trees too, maybe I can post a few photos.

We'll pray for you T&L. And I should make it very clear....... I didn't start my project until some time had gone by, and I was mostly pain free. I can't imagine concentrating during that first little while when you can barely manage do do anything that takes concentration.

Merry Christmas to Everyone !!

SS

Peeing in the backyard...

I'll have you all know that I may have saved the lives of several kitties by peeing in the backyard where the coyotes have been sleeping.

That was about a month ago!

But there's only been one "parted out" kitty in our backyard since then. I may need 2 do it again soon.

Don't inform the local authorities, please...

-ol' 2long

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" 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alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img 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alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /><img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" /> <img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/shocked.gif" alt="" />

<img src="/ubbt/images/graemlins/eek.gif" alt="" />

The man has a way with words !

I think Neak wins for the most expression though.

SS

I don't think I ac2ally used "words" that night, though.


Hi SS!

How ya doin?

-ol' 2long

I am in recovery. Almost back to where I can sleep normally at night.

Maybe I'll just write the whole thing out - it may help reduce the stress.

The last three weeks have been kind of a blur. In more normal days, I spend my lunch hour on MB, and / or writing email to friends.
It started the week before Thanksgiving with the mail order computer going down. Our new United Parcel Service (UPS) rep came in and wanted to install an "upgrade" to UPS world ship. That's the program we use to print labels, and ship out packages. After we installed the upgrade, it ran slow. Well, not just slow, but ........ well, before, when we clicked "print" to print a label, it printed in less than 5 seconds. After the "upgrade," it would take over 4 minutes to print a label, and other operations were even slower than that. So, I reasoned the cheapest thing to try was more memory so as to speed up the computer it was running on. This was a Windows XP computer with only 512 meg of ram, so I upgraded 1.5 GB. After I installed the new memory, and turned it on, I could smell smoke, and then the screen went blank. Something in the mother board went south, and that was the end of it.

Purchased another computer, loaded everything on it, and got mail order up and running late that same day. Glad it went so well. Often it does not. Now it runs faster, but not as fast as before the "upgrade." Sometimes I wish programmers had to use their creations themselves.

The week after Thanksgiving, I was doing security upgrades on the accounting computer. Standard "Windows Update", nothing special. some of the security upgrades to Microsoft "Net" wouldn't install, and some of the knowledge base articles suggested running the "Windows installer cleanup utility." So, I ran it as instructed, then re-booted.
After the re-boot, it couldn't seem to find the operating system. I put in the Win XP CD to do a repair install, and it couldn't find anything to repair. Said the hard disk needed to be formatted, and did I want to do it now?
I did not - not if I ever wanted to recover anything from that hard drive..........
Thus began the recovery effort.
Used the recovery console to run various utilities, but nothing worked. CHKDSK ran to 50% and then said there were non recoverable errors on the disk and it quit.

Right along in here sometime (during the week or so it took me to get this all cleaned up) Bo (the store manager) called me at home early one morning, to tell me that the server that runs the Point of Sale (POS) system was down, and "could I come look at it? "

I'm not sure how close I came to a heart attack that morning. I don't think I want to know.
Came into work, and tried to start it up, but it was dead. Thought for a few minutes, and tried a different power supply.
BINGO !!
Glad that one was easy. What a blessing to have an easy one. Glad we keep a spare power supply on hand.

Continued working on the accounting computer.

Windows wouldn't install on a new hard drive. Tried over and over, but it crashed. Spend nearly two days on it. Thought it was a software detection problem during install.
Thought about it.
Tried different hard drive.
New drive cables.
Changed out the memory - and that was the problem.

Got windows installed. Get the backup, and begin restore of accounting files.
Main database file won't restore. Says "file is corrupted, cannot copy."
Go to another backup day, get same message.
Another - same message.
Think about it for a while.

Call local hard drive recovery company - get quote. Listen to "we don't promise we can recover anything, it just depends........."

Find utility on web, claims it can recover lost files on damaged disks. Free trial, so download it.
Non destructive find routine.......... good comments posted about it from other sources.
Run the recovery program, takes more than an hour to scan the disk.
Some of the accounting data files seem to be there. Copy them to the new hard drive.
Install Peachtree Accounting, replace the company data directory, and start up Peachtree.
Says the data files are not a recognized company.

Think some more. Pray some more.

Recover some of the files from the backup hard drive that are not corrupted, and add to the files recovered from damaged hard disk.
Pray some more (not kidding either)
Run accounting program, and it works, current to the day it crashed, with no loss of data. A few configuration problems, a few lost report formats, but no data lost.
Pray again, this time in gratitude.

Relax for the first time in days.

FYI, I had purchased spare hard drives ( a few months ago) for every major computer in the store with the intent of mirroring the drive, so as to have a immediate backup drive to restore data files to if I had a crash. Of course, I had not gotten to it yet, was planning it for after Christmas when it's slower.

I have no idea why the backup files were corrupt. I am using a external HD for that backup, and I think I will replace it with a different solution. I did a test backup and restore from it early on, and it worked just fine, but I have no confidence in it now.

Many vendors send "Close out" lists this time of year.
Things that are on sale because they didn't sell as many of them as they planned to, and they need to get rid of them before the spring stuff starts coming in to their warehouses. Spring stuff can come as early as late Dec.

Usually we only have a few days to look them over and purchase what we want before all the best of the list is gone. I have gotten 5 such lists in the last two weeks, and spent nearly all my time (after the computers were going again) pouring over past sales history trying to figure out what will sell, and what will not. Have made purchases totaling tens of thousands of dollars - finished writing the last one this morning.

I have also been building a fairly fast computer to give to the store manager for his Christmas bonus. He has been compiling photos for a book on hikes in Southern Utah, and he is on a really old and slow computer.
I put it all together last week but the motherboard was Dead On Arrival so I have returned it and am waiting for the replacement.

Weekends are usually busier than work this time of year, with less spare time on Sunday then any other day of my week. I think it is good for me to help others, so I keep trying. I decided that I would write you today after finishing the closeout order for Sierra Designs. I just finished it, so here I am. Saying I am busy feels like such a poor excuse for not writing. (to me at least.)

I suppose I should look at the bright side. I have not been bored this month - not even once.

It's hard to believe we are two weeks from Christmas. W and I try to purchase things early, but we never get all of it. There is still much to do.
We usually bake bread and give to our neighbors - since everyone usually gets lots of candy and those types of things.
I think we will be doing the bread next Monday evening.

Monday night we went to oldest son's house for Mexican food night. Most of the married kids with grandkids were there. We try to all get together at least one Monday a month. It rotates from house to house. My parents were there also, and got to see all the kids in one place.

Last Friday my dad called and wanted me to go to a lecture with him at lunch time. I went - and we went out to lunch after it. The lecture was about local boys who were called up to WWII . (Friday was the anniversary of the events of Pearl Harbor, and the entry of the US into the war.)
I enjoyed it despite being under the gun at work. It would not be wise to turn down an offer from Dad, not wise at all. I am thankful for all the time I get to spend with him.

We went out on Saturday and got a Christmas tree. Went nearly to Wolf Hole on the Arizona strip, and found a nice shaped one for both our daughters family and for us. I felt better after being out, I should probably go more often. (The strip is about 8 million acres of land cut off from the rest of Arizona by the Grand Canyon. It is easy for us to access, and hardly no one goes there.) It was cold, and there was snow on the ground, and in the air, but we had a great time. It is at a higher altitude than we are, so it is much colder, even though it is only about 40 miles away.

Most everyone here has been sick the last few weeks with some kind of bad cold. I have been lucky and avoided the worst of it. I noticed my head was a little stuffy, but I avoided the sore throat, and further complications.


We took some photos of our daughter and the new baby, but I forgot to bring them in so I could send a few along. The new baby was born Monday, Dec 3rd at about 7:00 am. 7lbs 14 oz, and 19 inches long. Both mother and baby are doing well.

When I was in first grade, it seemed like the time between Dec first, and Christmas day was about 7 1/2 years. Now it seems like about that many minutes.
One always hopes things will slow down a little bit. Who knows, maybe it will work this year. It would be helpful if it slowed down quite a bit, but I would settle for just a little bit.

Sorry for all the technical details. I notice it's easier to write about something that has consumed me for the last three weeks, so I did. I doubt if it's the best reading, so maybe I can repent and do better next time.

I think that sums it up -

How are you 2long?

SS

Whew!

SS, I thought it was going 2 be something BAD!

Well, having computers behave like that is bad enough, I suppose.

I know the part of Arid Zone you're referring 2. Pretty country. Makes me wish I wasn't cooped up in the city right now.

I'm doing okay. Realizing things I need 2 do 2 get some real intimacy back in2 our marriage. Ac2ally looking forward 2 some "experimenting" in that area - and I don't mean physical intimacy at all. That's next. We've still got goofy walls 2 dismantle after all this time.

There's been a lot of negativity of late on MB. I hope we can get past and above that. If you've missed it, count your blessings.

-ol' 2long

I guess I have missed most of the negative stuff. I don't feel bad about it.

It is interesting to work on our marriage, and see the results. I suppose when you look it in a detached sort of way (which is difficult when you also live in it, and have feelings invested) it is like any other experiment. You try things, and you see what the results are. Of course, you also go to work, and you eat, and sleep, and do your household chores, and so on, and so on. I think one of the things Harley is trying to say with his materials, is that we need to put our marriage higher on our list, and think about it more, and work on it more often.

It has gotten to be more fun for me, and there is more success, and more closeness. I am happy I found this place. Of course, I have met such nice people too, and that is a real plus.

SS

Son got our tree up from the basement, standing, and almost lighted Sunday. It's still standing there - leaning slightly. And most of the lights have quit working. It's a prelit tree. I am GROSSLY unhappy. Fortunately, it's not decorated.

I figured out the light problem but I have bigger news!!!!


[color:"blue"]I read, on another thread, that Aussie is headed home. [/color]

Anyhoo, hi 2long and SS, even if I need to wash my eyes out now. SS, you know very well I remember that McManus passage. It brings back bad memories for me too - I feel Mr. Sweeney's pain. And how glad I am you got your computer problems straightened out, eventually.

Rella, what is your news? Besides the lights?

I have a new Dervishism. Told Mom if she didn't post it, I would.

He ended up at Mom's for a visit today, which is a story in and of itself. It was either that, or take him into an office building, in near-freezing weather, wearing a Tshirt, thin pajama shorts, little scrawny bare legs, and black cowboy boots.

To save me the public humiliation, Mom took him for me. Shortly into the visit, Mom warned him that he was supposed to be good. "I know," he chirped, "Auntie tole me if I was not good you would hit me with your crotches."

"Crutches," Mom replied tersely, "Crutches!"

Hey, Neak, have your chickadees read any of the Junie B Jones books?