Hi Mike...<P>Hey, how do you put a url link in here and give it a different name - like whe you make <B>pictures</B> active? I would like to do that with a few simple snaps of my own that I've loaded but I always have to use the http:// etc address.<P>I've seen others use: <B>start here</B> and it's a hot link... I can't figure it out!? My HTML says it is off... does this have anything to do with it?!<P>Cheers!<BR>Nicole<P>ps - my 7yrold wants me to go play Pokemon Memory game so you know, I got to go!<P>------------------<BR><I>As iron sharpens iron, so does one wo/man sharpen another...</I> Prov 27:17

I learned how to do that myself, Nicole. Here's how:<P>To make - <A HREF="http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi10_tour.html" TARGET=_blank>Tour of Marriage Builders</A> you type <B>{url=http://www.marriagebuilders.com/graphic/mbi10_tour.html}Tour of Marriage Builders {/url}</B> --but substitute the {} with brackets like this []. <P>You paste and copy the links from the location bar. You don't have to type them out all the time. <P>Hope this helps.<BR><p>[This message has been edited by Nyneve (edited July 12, 2001).]

Yes, UBB Code is workable, but like I said B4...HTML is a better layout tool. I think that the want to avoid having the images in the posts...it would really grind with high resolution images in there. The medium isn't ready for it, but...I wrote Windows communications programs for a living in my other life...it can be a pain, even with just text coming over. Windows has much overhead, and hardware doesn't like not being serviced in a timely fashion. Add to that the fact that the Internet has a <B>large</B> amount of sata flying around, and that wait cursor just sits there. Its a little irritating, and IE doesn't do well at letting you know what's going on. I had to put all kinds of 'signs of life' indicators in for users. The wait cursor prevents updates to the window, however, so it can be a Catch-22. I decided not to use the wait cursor in my code, because I wanted to show the byte count. It gives you something to watch as the data <I>slowly</I> comes in. Sorry to ramble, especially techie rambling...one of the very worst kinds, I'm afraid. while I am on the soapbox...wouldn't you rather have this program return you to the page you are posting <B>to</B>, and not the first page?...Useability, people...useability! You see, that is why I don't like sending out resumes, and not even getting my foot in the door...I'm actually pretty good at programming, but the lack of degree is a big red flag...especially to HR (okay, Nicole...don't take this the wrong way) types that can't decipher the boatload of acronyms in my resume. Very frustrating...I have changed my resume <B>many, many</B> times...it has generated exactly zero interviews so far. I am a poor salesman, I think I said that before. My situation tends to emphasize the underlying cause of that...a cycle that I must break if I am to move onward and upward. -Mike

OK, so I obviously gave Nicole the wrong info then... leave it to my boredom and nosiness... had to jump on in... sorry 'bout that!<P>Jeepers, this not being able to move quickly throughout this site is really getting on my nerves. My H is working late shifts this week, and this is my place of refuge. I suppose this means I need another place of refuge (I almost typed "refuse" do you think that means anything? )... <P>I don't know, Mike, I'd think you'd be good at selling yourself. <P>Have a nice night, and again, apologies for jumping in with somewhat useless info.

NOOOOOOOO....I meant that they don't want the ACTUAL image in there...your stuff was dead on! I had wondered, in fact how you did that, so I checked out the UBB Code page. They work a lot like HTML, but the tag delimiter is [] and not <>. Sorry for the confusion, I had thought about just saying, yes Sheryl is right, Nicole, but you know me.... -Mike

Nicole,<BR> So then, I assume that you know, for example that Pikachu and Magnemite are Electric Pokemon, and that Gary is Professor Oak's grandson...and that Brock never opens his eyes, and all of that? No? Just as well, I suppose.<P>I am proud to say that I kicked Sam's little butt in Donkey Kong tonight! (I have no idea how...I'm just pushing EVERY button on the stupid controller...what ever happened to a joysick? Honestly...I thought I was landing the Space Shuttle!) AGMIT is he Texas champ in Nintedo...maybe we will meet at nationals...if I can get past sectionals and state first! <P>So, Nicole...when do you return to the Land of Lincoln? Where are you in your situation these days....I've spent so much time feeling sorry for myself that I am not up to pseed on what is going on with you...well? -Mike<p>[This message has been edited by waiting_for_her (edited July 13, 2001).]

Hi...<P>Sheryl, thank you for the information I needed and yes, Mike, you did ramble and I did scan through it! Sorry, I'm being honest here but I'm NOT a techie... though I was offered a job at IBM as a systems engineer light years ago. Who knows why?! Oh well... suffice it to say, I didn't take it to try my hand in modeling in No. California (Sacramento)! Had MUCH more fun!<P>Anyway, no, I didn't know that about the Poke' saga... thanks for enlightening me.<P>Hey do you guys have Mario Party III? We just got it and it is SOOOOOOOOOO much fun! My oldest has a coronary when I win though... He doesn't seem to mind it when Daddy wins... just when I get close?! What is it with that? Also, my 5 year old packs a sad when I beat him in a foot race?! I mean, come on!?! He goes and gets sympathy from his father, "I got beat by a girl!" So, life. Go figure... Anyway, life goes on. <P>The move... I just rented a UHaul to get our stuff from SoDak to Wheaton. My H flew out to California to organize the moving van taking our stuff from storage and his parents home tomorrow. Then he'll fly here to pick up a packed UHaul (my Dad and my job)... he takes off on Monday with our car and a trailer... then on Friday kids and I fly back to Wheaton... We close on the house the 20th at 3:30 pm! WHA HOOOOO! I need to organize a massive cleaning for that day! Too bad we're not all here in one location so I could get you all to help pitch in! Just kidding! Well, it will be fun.<P>Hey, I have an appointment with Steve in 20 minutes. I'm going to try and talk to him about "next steps" and a plan. I'll be back later to get your advice also! You both have been such a great help! Love and hugs to you!<P>Gotta run and get myself organized! Gma just drove up from her Yoga session and will be watching the bumpkins... prayers for me, clarity... if you think of it!<P>Later friends!<P>------------------<BR><I>As iron sharpens iron, so does one wo/man sharpen another...</I> Prov 27:17

Mike,<P>Hope you are doing well.<BR>Yes, my D has an interesting sense of humor. (Toasters) And she does <B> love horses. </B> We could not afford to buy her a horse that does the English Hunting and Jumping, so she has "rented" one for the last 10 years. But about 4 years ago, a woman that breeds Connamaras asked her to train a mare for her. It was very interesting because Rachel was a pretty green rider, training a green horse. The animal could not even canter. There was lots of frustration on her part and lots of tears. So many tears that if I had known, I probably would have tried to change the situation. I guess it was good I did not know, because it has created alot of character is her. And she recieved a wonderful reward for this hard work. The mare that she has been training and showing is now back at home having little babies. As a thankyou, the breeder <B> gave Rachel a horse!! </B> It is still a baby, but Wow! And this mare's granddaddy was Secretariate! It is definately a love match between Rachel and this mare.<P>I know what you mean about talking to people. My family can't understand why I even care about my marriage anymore. But it is true, that if you've been together from the age of 16, that I don't know where Allen ends and I start. So its like I am not only losing my marriage, but part of myself also. We grew up together - formed our likes and dislikes, our political beliefs, how we look at the world together. I will NEVER find someone so like me again in those respects. But I know my parents and siblings (that live fairly close) would never accept him again. Or at least not without lots of time a <B> a huge </B> change of heart and behavior. That is why I finally filed. I decided that together or not, our relationship required a new beginning.<P>You remain so committed to Teri and your marriage. I admire that. But I don't think I am strong enough to live the rest of my life alone- in the possibility that he may come back. I think that there are lots of people that are perfectly happy making their own way out there. But I LIKE being part of a couple. I LIKE hugs and kisses and romantic vacations. Sitting here now thinking of the possibility of never having that again makes me tear up.<P>Oh well, enough about me. How is it going on the job front? I wish I knew more about the Web so I could say something useful. But I am thinking about you.<P>How is it going on the house/bankruptcy front? I would not feel bad asking for government help on the house. We all pay in enough to the ##&^*% government that I would not feel guilty at all about recieving a little help back. I don't really know about the bankruptcy thing. Alot of famous people seem to go for it, and it doesn't seen to hurt them. I know a new start would be tempting to me.<P>Well, I just wanted to say howdy do. Hope you have a good day. Sending you and your kids hugs. <P>Lisa <P>

Mike,<BR>You have been quiet lately, so I just wanted to check on you. Is everything OK with you? I know between the job search and the house and financial stuff, that you have alot on your plate to take care of and deal with. <P>I just wanted you to know we miss you and send our good wishes.<P>Lisa <P>------------------<BR>Character is determined by what you do when no one is watching.

Thanks, Lisa...for the concern and support. Yes, I am quite busy with everything. I had an appointment with a lawyer about bankruptcy...only conclusion he drew is that I can't afford it! Yes, that's about what I had expected! I was depressed, but it caused an epiphany to occur while I was pouting my way back to my truck. I have been asking myself, and God, "Where is the bottom here?" The answer that I got back was, "Where do you want it?" I said..."HERE, thank you!" Then, I went to the library and used $5 of my last $20 to photocopy the forms. (Then, I went home and found them online....DOH!) That is occupying much of my time. The boys (minus Aaron, who is 'proving' <I>something</I> to me) are back here today until Friday. Tomorrow, I have the goal of getting most any job that I can. I have a deadline of 31 July. That day, I must have filed in order to keep the utilities on. There is somewhat of a race going on, but I never said 'Go' to my creditors. I just took a good lead off, and will try to literally 'steal home' next week.<P> I finished my coffee table...I will 'show' it to you later tonight, if it is not too much hassle. I am still waiting on Polaroid to send me the software and cable for my other camera...it hampers my efforts. Oh well. I am making progress in the living room...slow with no money, but things are occurring to me that are costless. I will make more progress when I move the tools out of there!<P> Anyway, I will post again later....Sam is needing some direct interaction.<BR>Take care, and God bless.<BR>-Mike<BR><p>[This message has been edited by waiting_for_her (edited July 18, 2001).]

SHERYL....OH, SHERYL?<BR> I desperately need the help of an expert, here, and your name came to mind almost immediately.....<BR> How do you 'get' 'Tiny Kong', and 'Chunky Kong'?<P>PLEASE HELP ME IN MY HOUR OF NEED!!!!!!!!<P>-Mike

Ya know, I was just about to toddle off to sleepyland, as it is waaaaaay past my beddiebye time (note the obnoxious baby talk - could ya slap me silly?)... so... excuse my ignorance when I ask...<P>'Tiny Kong', and 'Chunky Kong'??? Are they snack cakes? I'm lost, my friend... waaaaay lost... <P>

Mike?<P>The mention of snack cakes...now I'm hungry... no, that's not it... thirsty?... no, that would cause me many visits to the throne room during the night... what to do... I'm slipping... so very tired... so... tired...where are you?...

No, I am wlaking around here, looking to get my head taken off...I think I guessed wrong...Sam needs Donkey Kong 64 'cheats', and I can't remember who the DK expert is...I think it might be Michele (sballpayr)...Oh well.....BTW...maybe too many Electric Jello shooters? Hmmmmmm....Take care...LotsOf Love.....-Mike

Right, that wasn't me... but I think my son might have it... can't look right this moment of course, since he's 4000 miles away, but I'll see him next week... probably too late ...<P>You were part of the discussion about snack cakes, weren't you? Ding Dongs, King Dongs, King Dons, and all that? <P>Secretly, I think I knew you meant the video game... I'm a hip chick, totally with it... <P><as she trips getting up><P>Don't believe me... I'm a dork.<P>(((((Mike)))))<P>Take care!!

Ah, yes....but at least you are certain...aren't you?<P>But look here, a <B>true</B> idiot would be insulated by the fact that he is too ignorant to realize that he is an idiot, which makes us geniuses, or sumphin'<P>No, I wasn't part of that, but yes, I would say what's up with that? We have a Hostess store, and really...I do feel stupid buying the same thing in a different shape...<BR>'A Ding Dong by any other name'....is still a damned Ding Dong! But, Little Debbie, and Dolly Madison are just pretenders to the throne, Hostess rules the snack cake universe..just a Pepperidge Farm rule the snotty cookie roost! -Mike

Hi guys... I've been in and out lately because we're right in the middle of our move. We leave my parents tomorrow. <P>Mike, what's up with Aaron?<P>You sound very chipper considering... <P>Anyway, I know a BIT about Mario Party 3 but not DK64... I suppose one day that will come into the kids repertoire of things... Did you get things figured out?<P>Cheers!<P>------------------<BR><I>As iron sharpens iron, so does one wo/man sharpen another...</I> Prov 27:17

Yes, and there is much more to consider these days...allow me to recap...<BR> Teri told Sam that I stole OM's bike...don't I wish! (Right, and I'm going to hold my breath until she somes home, too.)<BR> My 'free consultation' with the lawyer concluded that I am $800 short of being <I>able</I> to declare bankruptcy. Wonderful. I have obtained the forms, and am working on the 'plan' and inventory.<BR> My mother has told me not to ask my grandmother for any money...in no uncertain terms, too, so I'm not going to.<BR> Teri wants her two weeks next week...great again...I am worried about her new 'family' trying to take Sam over to the 'dark side', you know the force is strong against the weak minded...then again, he is not weak minded at all...I'm not kidding. The overmedicated sister had best beware...the force is strong with my little ones! (Apparently, it skips a generation in this section of the galaxy!) Damn!<BR> My only 'problem' these days is wanting to keep the house...the lawyer is on the fence with that one...perhaps the idea is to set the hook on my wallet there, I don't know. I gave it to God...we will see what he comes up with. I got a letter the same day from my mortgage comany...they want to offer me an option of repayment of back owed money. Once I file bankruptcy, I get an automatic stay on all actions, including foreclosure/eviction. They can protest, but I have good arguments at the ready for that eventuality. This is the real fight...I'm not fighting my XW, the OM, her sisters, or any of the others...I forgive them. I am fighting my own sense of failure here....DUH. That was not as easy to figure out as it seems from this side, let me tell you!<BR> Yes, Nicole...I figured that you were very busy getting packed and all of that. I, too have been busy. My coffee table is done, and I like it. It is the best table $20 could make. Pictue to follow, but then again...you knew that! Actually, it is pretty nice, all things considered. I took its construction as a humbling experience. I subjugated myself to the task...allowed no anger about problems...there were many...its made from essentially junk wood, and my 'workshop' is a mess, etc. It turned out well and I can look at it and realize that I kept a positive attitude throughout it somewhat difficult 'birth'...a lot to put on furniture, to be sure, but you take what you can get at some point. I went over the top, and put an oil finish on it...I am certain that my homemade coasters will not be enough...it will have rings...I'm already 'cool' with that one.<BR> I noticed something with Sam yesterday...kind of another epiphany for me. I'm sure it is just me, but I want to put it 'out there' just in case. Whenever I give an instruction about something 'we' shouldn't do', he excuses behavior whether it is an admonition, or a simple instruction. This is the beginning of the defiance. I hadn't noticed it before, but he is not the only one 'guilty' of that. It had always struck me wrong in the past, I just never understood the dynamic before. Let me try to explain...<BR> My television picture 'freaks out' when you turn up the volume...this has been that way for two years! I use my stereo for the TV...works fine, lasts a long time...costs nothing. Great. This only happens 'over the air', so occasionally, I will 'find' the internal volume up, and the picture fubar. Yesterday, he was complaining about it, so I checked. Yep, the volume was up. I told him, 'Sam it does that when the volume on the TV is up, so don't turn the volume up on the TV...use the stereo instead.' I understand that it was not clear that I just wanted to inform, not criticize. That was my bad, but when I tried to tell him that, he continued to be defensive. Finally, I told him, 'Sam, I am not scolding you...I'm sure that the volume was up for a while and we did not notice it....but, please do not be contrary when I tell you these things.' He is sooooo wanting to be perfect that it pains me. That is the root of the defiance, however. It is also a factor in the not wanting to take responsibility portion of the program. I wanted to make things better, and he wanted to run from being responsible. (He wasn't responsible, but that is a poor model of dealing with authority...)<BR>...Which brings us to Aaron. He has a job, and lives in town with a friend. I have not heard a peep from him since he left. This is my time to draw the line with love. He will either come back when he is ready, or not. I have no desire to be the 'bigger person' here right now. He has to rely on what I have taught him, and do the right thing, or remain the way he is. Teri has not had contact with him, either. He is in contact with my XSIL, who reports to Teri, but not to me, which hurts...can't do much about that one, either. Like I said...I am not going to clean this one up...I'm not. The other three need, if nothing else, the example that I will not tolerate that from them. They are not showing it too much, but I don't care about that. It is an issue of authority, and Teri and Aaron have shown that they feel that I deserve none. This is my house, however, and that is immutable, the mortgage company's view notwithsatanding. I am quite accomodating; to my detriment, it appears. Otherwise, why would I have four cats, a dog, and a turtle? I know better than that. What a chore it is managing that with the otherwise too full plate!<BR> Well, that probably gives you enough to ramble back on...I've got to go 'donate' plasma....need some cash for dinner. I will be back this evening. Take care, my friends...God bless us all. -Mike<p>[This message has been edited by waiting_for_her (edited July 19, 2001).]

Hi Mike<P>Finally - I have made it to your thread. I think you wanted to talk about programming.<P>Basically I am a SQL programmer, with a bit of Visual Basic. I am full time employed but looking for another job.<P>I gather that you are not employed at the moment. What happened? Were you a programmer in your previous job? What languages did you use? Have you put your CV on the net? That is one place agencies do look for CVs of IT people and there is always a shortage of our skills. Its kinda cool. Well definately in SA there is a shortage of skills so we can generally job hop for more money. Why don't you try giving one on one PC literacy training to people for spare cash. Even if you need to travel to their homes, you can charge much less than expensive training houses. Just an idea. I don't know all your history.<P>Pantha

Thanks....and Pantha...please don't judge my post to you harshly...I care.