Friday, January 15, 2010

Happy Birthday Emma!


January 15, 2010

This is just here to warm a spot until Gramma gets your pictures up.

We are so proud our little Swamp turtle's turning one today. We hope your first birthday is filled with wonderful surprises and lots of love.

You are already blessed with having the best Gramma ever. There is not much more you can ask for.

181 comments:

Carol said...

Solar said...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY EMMA.!!

Hugs, and kisses. U R a beauty, just like your gammy Chlo.!!

January 14, 2010 9:17:00 PM PST

thornwil said...
EMMA,
HAPPY BIRTHDDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU, HAPPY BIRTDAY DEAR EMMA--HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU.
Tell Grammy to take lots of pictures of you. Have a GRRREAAAAT 1st birthday!! Love Nanny Mary.

January 15, 2010 3:05:00 AM PST

thornwil said...

Emma,
Here's your birthday song:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gUO4FzYLXOo

January 15, 2010 3:22:00 AM PST

Carol said...

We are looking forward with anticipation to our little Emma's first party pictures.

Hip, hip hooray,
it's finally our first birthday.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Thank you so much for that ever so sweet post. I love the picture, and I know the little swamp turtle is going to love it too (once she wakes up - she's a good sleeper). We won't be celebrating with her party until tomorrow, when her mother and her friends are off work.

Of course, it will be a sort of 'party day' for Emma and me today though, and I'm going to start her off this morning looking at that adorable birthday video Nanny Mary left for her. I'll also tell her what a nice message Uncle Solar left for her too. I feel so blessed to have all you wonderful people as friends.

Oh, and Carol, I'm going to print a copy of today's birthday post, to add to her birthday memory book. I'll tell her she was 'already famous' by the time her first birthday came around. Thanks.

Anonymous said...

Hey Carol, It's going to b e coldish tomorrow, then warming up steadily, all the way up to 72 by next Tuesday (with a low of 61). Can't wait! It feel like the good old days.

It's so cool that we have almost identical weather, even though we live in different states.

Ivy Green said...

Old Auntie Ivy-Ann joins the "Happy Birthday to Emma" chorus!

I hope the little Swamp Turtle will enjoy this little video. Turtles are not always the shy creatures they are made out to be.

Cat and Turtle

Solar said...

I jumped the gun on Emma's B. D. last night: After going to bed, I started thinking that maybe I could not get on line today, and I would miss the opportunity to do it....afterward I slept like toddler...so I can say it again in Spanglish.....


Emma. Feliz Cuemple Anos....

Anonymous said...

Thanks Solar, I saw that on the last thread first thing this morning, and I really did appreciate it. You have got to be one of the kindest people I've ever met (and I am so glad that you slept like a toddler).

Anonymous said...

Auntie Ivy-Ann (what a beautiful name!),
How did you ever find that video! Emma loved it, and needless to say I did too! You know I love cats, but I don't know if you knew I love turtles too. I used to have a small gold one hanging around my neck for years. I've also been known to step on my breaks and stop traffic on the fast moving road close to where we live, in order to rescue one, and give it a lift the rest of the way across the road (several times -ha!). It's surprising how patient people are, when they see it's a turtle.

Emma loved it, and needless to say, so did her gammy. The birthday girl says thanks, and so do I.

Anonymous said...

... btw, most of her sounds are just various syllables, but she has said gammy, gampa, there and look - as well as bird. Those are the ones I'm sure of so far.

Anonymous said...

... ooooh, I forgot 'hi' and 'by', but she recognizes a lot more words than she can say (normal for her age).

Anonymous said...

(not as many words as that dog in that video last week new though)

don1one said...

doğum günün kutlu olsun Emma since we're going around the world.

Our swamp turtles relax on the logs enjoying the warm sun with a little smile on their faces. I'm sure it's there. I bet Emma is a lot like that.

Anonymous said...

Don, I had to translate that, not even knowing it was Turkish(thank the heavens for Google translator). And thank 'you' so much from us both. That is so cool.

Do you speak the language? I remember you saying you lived there for a while, but for some reason, it never occurred to me that you knew their language. Now I'm curious.

Solar said...

Don,

I knew that was Turkish, b/c you have talked about living there, 2 yrs? like Chloe, I would like to hear more about the times and people that you lived with,,,and other parts of the world that U traveled and lived...I enjoyed it very much when Ivy took us on her vacation to Scotland ....Jan also must tell us more about Argentina....later- going to see if i can get some exercise in...starting to get like Carol, and procrastinating......and putting it of too

Anonymous said...

Yes Don, We'd love it if you would share more about your travels and the things you have experienced (that many of us haven't). Also, hope you keep us informed on how your Florida trip goes next week. Hope you enjoy the visit with your friends there, as well as find the job of your dreams.

don1one said...

I spent two years and learned almost fluent Turkish. Dreamed,spoke, and thought in Turkish before I left. I don't use it too often any more, very few Turks where I've lived. I mostly cut and paste now because of the special character. I have a few twitter friends I practice with though.

Being the bridge between Asia and Europe, it's a fascinating place. It's largely muslim but there's complete freedom to worship as you like. The government was completely secular, and the military made sure it stayed that way.

It's been a large part of history from Alexander the Great, to the Romans, to Christians, (it's where the apostle Paul was born and started the first non-jewish churches), to the Ottoman Empire to Attaturk. A completely benevolent dictator.

It's the reason the Soviets moved missiles into Cuba and was a huge help to us in monitoring the Soviets during the cold war. Gary Powers U2 launched out of the base I was at and there were listening posts and radar sites all over the place.

When I would get together and sing songs with Turks, they would tease me about a song being relatively new. Only 700 years old. The people are friendly, wonderfully open, and the women are beautiful.

I spent a lot of the year on the Mediterranean beach near a castle a general of Alexander the Great built and learned to sail and scuba dive.

All in all, I had a great time. I was one of only a handful of Americans that learned the language. I traveled a lot, and the Turks loved meeting an American they could speak with.

The other nice part was we were at the end of the military hops, so I got to visit Greece, Spain, the UK and Germany while I was there. $15 one way to go anywhere.

Anonymous said...

You sure do learn fast Don, to speak a language fluently within a couple of years. The Turks sound like great people -- what an opportunity to get to live among them, as well as travel to neighboring countries. And impressive that you took the time to get to know the people so well.

That 700 year old song that was considered new by the Turks, emphasizes once again what an incredibly new country we are. It's almost hard to comprehend.

I bet you wouldn't mind being back on that Mediterranean beach about now. :)
... bet that beach sounds good to Carol too, with the sailing and scuba diving close at hand.

Anonymous said...

"Thousands view solar eclipse in Africa and Asia Thousands of people in Africa and Asia viewed an eclipse Friday as the moon crossed the sun's path blocking everything but a narrow, blazing rim of light.

The path of the eclipse began in Africa — passing through Chad, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Uganda, Kenya and Somalia before crossing the Indian Ocean, where it reached its peak, according to the National Aeronautics and Space Administration Web site.

The path then continued into Asia where the eclipse could be seen in Maldives, southern India, parts of Sri Lanka, Myanmar and China." Thousands view solar eclipse in Africa and Asia

Scientists warned Haiti officials of quake in '08

don1one said...

I had a mnemonic memory, then I discovered beer. I've been working on Mandarin for months now and I'm not getting very far. It's a lot different when you're in immersed in the language though.

I figure Spanish, Turkish, and Chinese gives me a lot of options for retirement.

I'll never forget getting off a red-eye into Madrid and having the cook say "Buenoth diath thenor, como ethta uthted?

The med is swimmable without a wet suit about 10 months out of the year. Very nice.

I haven't been to South America, I'd love to go. There, New Zealand, and South Africa. But I want to go by boat to the last two. More comfortable than a plane and more time to get used to the time change.

Solar said...

Chloe,

Thanks for those articles ...Yes the scientist have warned Haiti about the Earth quakes, and a lot more places in Asia, amongst others....but no where to go..and with th em living in places that are near volcanoes...they are in danger there also...just by living there, they can precipitate the natural eruptions...

I said it before, about the people in ancient Rome, the city of Pompeii they were in a similar place...

Have U been spoiling M, if not..go head and start....

Solar said...

Don,

I have said it before....I don't envy too much...but I did not get the chance to travel like you did...dange.!!

don1one said...

The people of Haiti, like New Orleans, don't have a lot of options and don't believe it's really going to happen to them. Like the people that build in the Mississippi River basin, on the sand cliffs of Pacific Palisades, or on the canyon caused by the Hayward fault.

It's been a lot of fun and very interesting Solar, but as with everything, there's a price. You have to give up one thing to get another.

Coreen said...

Chloe,

A day full of birthday wishes for Emma, seems like just a moment ago you were telling everyone of her birth...

Add my Happy First Birthday to Emma and to you as well...your joy with Emma is unmistakable.

Anonymous said...

" as with everything, there's a price. You have to give up one thing to get another."

... ain't that the truth Don.
I don't think it's a good idea to second think the choices we've made that got us where we are. Besides, it's never too late to change course, if that's what someone wants.

Solar, Not to worry: I treat Emma like everyday was her birthday. Tomorrow's going to be the busy day though. We'll be doing her little party early, so she'll get her nap afterward (heaven help us if she needs a nap, and doesn't get one!)

Thanks for the birthday wishes Coreen!

don1one said...

Solar,
Very interesting article. I wonder what happens to the gravity when we cross the lens of the galaxy in 2012? Hmmmmm

Solar said...

Thanks Don,

In the next month we should know more about it, and some other information, that some satellite ventures are on now, and due to report....Solar particles and magnetic fields....lots , and lots of strings.....

don1one said...

I don't think I've ever seen a 4.0 earthquake in Oklahoma before. Map

jan said...

Dear Emma, Happy Happy 1st birthday to a beautiful little girl. I look forward to seeing some pictures of you. I hope your grandmother Chloe shares some pictures of you with your cake and opening some presents.

jan said...

Don, fascinating information about Turkey. You are certainly multi-talented. I would think you have many options both pre and post retirement since you speak several languages.

jan said...

Ivy, that is a fascinating video of the cat and the turtle. I have not seen anything like that before.

jan said...

Chloe, since Mary found that adorable birthday video and Ivy found the cat and the turtle, I went on you tube to find something for Emma. This is what I found. You just have to click, copy and paste onto your google thing. I think its cute. Hope Emma likes it.
Happy Birthday to You! Monkey version

Carol said...

Love the monkey Jan but then I ran into:


Kitty singing Happy Birthday

Carol said...

If Emma sees this kitty singing, she's gonna think her kitties have been holding out on her.

jan said...

Carol, there are some very funny videos for happy birthday - but not appropriate for Emma. If you find the one of the penguins - its hilarious.

jan said...

Carol, so cute.

Chloe, save us some cake. I love birthday cake and ice cream.

Ivy Green said...

We have been chuckling about the cat-turtle video all day. Miss College and I were just on the phone together laughing about it. I am tempted to try it with Miss College's Cat and my turtle Bubba. On second thought, scratch that idea...Bubba would make a break for it and get lost under some furniture.

Carol said...

I loved the turtle/cat video Ivy. I wonder if that turtle was imprinted by that cat. But then turtles don't really have close relationships with their mom, do they? I think they are on their own as soon as their hatched.

Carol said...

I don't think I would try that Ivy. Cat may get a taste for some turtle soup.

Carol said...

Solar, second day in a row that I did my exercising. V8 for breakfast, salad for supper, and not so good for lunch.

Of course, I rewarded myself both evenings with some chocolate truffles, green olives, potato chips, and God only remembers what else, after all those healthy activities. Hey it's a start.

Ivy Green said...

You are right about that, Carol. It would turn into Turtle-on-the-Half-Shell. Turtles are such amazing creatures, however. The more I learn about them, the more fascinated I become.

Carol said...

Yesterday I was talking to my mental health director at work about what we were recently discussing about the antidepressants. She told me her brother went thru a down period and was prescribed Lexapro, one of the SSRIs. After a week on the med, he told her that he felt better but thought he was a little too sedated.

When he went to refill his prescription the next month, he found out he hadn't even been taking Lexapro at all. His pharmacy made a mistake and gave him Lipitor, a cholesterol lowering medication. Now what's that about that placebo effect? Maybe he was feeling better because he didn't have so much plaque built up in his arteries.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Thank you and everyone else for the best birthday thread ever. This is one thread I'm going to make a copy of and make sure she remembers it.

Jan, That monkey singing happy birthday is so cute - as well as the kitty you linked Carol. She's in bed already, but why she's sitting here eating her breakfast in the morning, we'll be playing them for her.
Tomorrow's when we'll be doing most of the celebrating anyway. And she's at an age now, that she can really appreciate those videos. I could see that when I played the other videos for her this morning. Thanks everybody!

I'll definitely be saving you all a piece of cake, and some slightly melted ice cream. So save some room when you eat your lunch tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Can cholesterol medicine sedate you?

Anonymous said...

You know, I hear what you're saying about the placebo effect, but I also know what a tremendous variation there is in the way medications affect people. I mean, the do know on those SSRI's that they're making more serotonin available to you, don't they?

I also realize that serotonin may not be what everyone needs, and have heard of some people trying 5 or 6 different types of pills, before finding one that helps.

It's the same way with blood pressure meds. Some work for some people, and others for other people.

There are so many medicines I have looked up on line, that say they don't know exactly why they work. There are so many variations on how these things affect people, but thinking that the effect is only in there mind - well if that became widely believed, I don't think it would be a good thing.

Unknown said...

Happy Birthday EMMA!
Hi Chloe,tell Emma,please....

Anonymous said...

Thank YOU Tony! I'll tell her - and I'll let you know when I post her BD pics. It's so great of you to come over here to tell me that. Thanks again!

(I'll tell her Uncle Tony said Happy Birthday :)

Carol said...

And Don, it is interesting to hear your stories about your time in Turkey. What was your job while you were there in the service, if it wasn't a secret mission?

And yes life seems to be going after some things and having to give up others. Why can't we all have it all...but I guess getting half is better than having nothing.

I would love to travel and see the world one day. Hopefully I can survive my job, save up enough money, retire and go on some of those Elderhostel tours. They have tours going just about anywhere you want to go and do anything you still aren't too old to do.

Elderhostel

Carol said...

What did ya'll do today Chloe? Any pics yet? I'm waiting.

don1one said...

Are you making a big cake for her Chloe? Lots of cream frosting tasty things? We always have birthday pie in my family. My brother likes apple, I like cherry. Hot, with lots of melting ice cream.

I bet that cat knows if she tries anything she'll get nipped. I have a friend with birds, and when he got a new cat he let the bird out. The bird bit the cat's nose and the cat never went after it again.

Carol, I tried Cymbalta a while and had side effects I really didn't expect. I lost almost 15 lbs and didn't drink alcohol the entire time. After about 4 months the effects went away and I didn't notice any withdrawal when I stopped taking them. I've found that since I've been getting a good night's sleep I really haven't had any more trouble.

So I think they do something, I'm just not sure what.

don1one said...

Tony, Florida! I'll be there all week interviewing. Coffee?

Carol said...

No Chloe, the statin drugs should not cause sedation. I've heard some people say that Lexapro made them a little sedated. And yes, so many meds do state that the mechanism of action is unknown.

Some drugs were developed for one thing and later used for something entirely different. Rogaine, minoxidil, started as a blood pressure medication and somehow they it wasn't that great for blood pressure and had a little side effect of growing hair. Now it's used to grow hair.

One of the first diabetes pills was developed as an antibiotic, sulfa type, and it kept dropping people's blood sugar. It became the first of the oral hypoglycemic agents, diabetes pills.

Anonymous said...

I didn't take pics today Carol. There wasn't much going on. We did have a little tiny birthday cake tonight, and she loved it. Really shoveled it in - it was all over her. But we were tired, and I didn't take pic. I'll get those tomorrow.

We did give her a big bouquet of balloon's today. She loves balloons, goes nuts over them. Other than that she only likes things she can chew on or make lots of noise on.

Anonymous said...

Birthday Pie - what a great idea Don.

Actually, since there will be little kids there tomorrow, we're going to do cupcakes. It'll be easier for them to handle, and easier for us to serve.

Don, I'm going to email Tony and tell him about the message you left for him. I think he's back at TM already.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I'm still trying to digest all that stuff you said.

I've heard of the drugs that were originally for one thing, then ended up being used for another. There's an antidepressant that they use for now as a pill to prevent certain types of flu. Could it be amantadine? I'm not sure though.

Anonymous said...

... and from what I understand, some of them weren't necessarily changed, but are known to work for other things, and are used 'off label'.

Carol said...

Amantadine, was/is antiparkinson's drug.

Anonymous said...

Carol, What Don said about Cymbalta, makes it sound like it would be a good diet drug. 15 pds. is a lot of weight to lose Don.

Carol said...

The ones I mentioned had their indications changed. Some drugs have more than one area for indication and some are used off label for other things, usually due to a side effect that is desirable.

Anonymous said...

Carol, I didn't know that. I just looked it up and here's the thing about the flu:

"AmantadineAmantadine is often prescribed to help people who have the flu, Parkinson's disease, or certain side effects caused by other medications." http://parkinsons-disease.emedtv.com/amantadine/amantadine.html

Carol said...

8% of those taking Cymbalta list anorexia as a side effect. Anorexia is loss of appetite. So it would be a good diet pill in 8%.

Also listed is decreased libido, diarrhea, dizziness, abnormal orgasm......

Anonymous said...

Aha, I just looked up Cymbalta, and it does serotonin and epinephrine. Epinephrine would get me way to wired and nervous.

Were you wired while taking them Don.

Anonymous said...

8%.. LOL Carol. Knowing with my luck, I'd 'gain' weight taking them.

Carol said...

Yes, Amantadine was one of the first drugs that I remember using to decrease the severity of the flu. It worked pretty well. The parkinson's use came later, discovered by accident.

I wonder what our Swamp mud would do?? Anyone want to try it? Might grow an extra extremity. Who couldn't use an extra extremity every now and then?

Carol said...

Well Chloe, if the anorexia didn't do the trick, the diarrhea might.

Anonymous said...

Unfortunately, nothing makes me anorexic.
I saw that you were exercising and eating light. That's what I need to do, those holidays are murder on the bod. I haven't exercised in two years, unless you count chasing Emma around as exercise.

Carol said...

I'm quite sure that chasing a little one is a pretty good exercise program. Just keep remembering that when you are chasing her.

Anonymous said...

How could I forget?
I definitely have to get back to the healthy food though. Actually have been (more or less) for the last few days. If I make sure that I'm eating enough foods with plenty of nutrients, I'll do ok. If I eat a lot of junk food, then I'm a mess... and I do love junk food.

Anonymous said...

I'm tired, and have to make sure I have everything done for in the morning. I'm going to be running as it is.

Don, I'm going to give you Tony's email tomorrow. He said he thinks he's about 3 hours from where you are going to be, but you guys can figure that out later.

nite

Carol said...

Haven't given up my junk food yet but substituting the V8 juice for my usual bacon and country fried potatoes has to be doing a little good.

Anonymous said...

Carol, If I mail you Tony's email address, can you send it to Don.

Or maybe Tony won't mind if I put it here on the site for Don. I'll ask him tomorrow.

Carol said...

Sure Chloe.

Anonymous said...

I bought a 6 pack of V8 the other day too. I'd forgotten how tasty it is. What I need to do is cut out most of the junk food, and lighten up on the eating at night. It is soooo much easier in the spring and summer.

Carol said...

Tony's in New Smyrna Beach, on Florida east coast. I think.

Carol said...

Would need a long coffee break.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
Carol said...

The cold weather makes me hungry and less interested in activity. When I'm outside a lot, I don't eat as much.

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I just talked to Tony by email. He said he thinks 3 hours, but they can talk and figure it out.

night again, and thanks for the BD post again too.

Anonymous said...

"The cold weather makes me hungry and less interested in activity"

... same here. A deadly combination. More food and less activity.

Anonymous said...

..sure is hard for me to leave here sometimes.

Solar said...

Chloe,

Just getting back, if I don't get on line tomorrow, give M a big hug for me, and a Solar kiss....it goes like this....first you start with the little cheek...a little peck, and then a big pssssssssss (blow on the cheek) never fails, the little ones laugh all the time...sometimes even big babies......

Carol, Im going back to catch up, but I did see that you did your exersice two day's in a row....28 more in a row, and it will be a habit...but knock off the treats....haven't earned them yet...little by little tho, don't push it....oh and maybe you can get that lawyer gal to do hers also...she said that she was a slacker sometimes.....

don1one said...

Thanks Chloe. I'll be traveling down to Florida tomorrow, the rest of the way Sunday.

Interesting stuff about the off label effects.

Cymbalta made me and someone else I know that tried if extremely nauseous the first couple of days. I've probably thrown up fewer than 10 times in my life, and I came really close then.

I think I'm a little ADD, so what would make most people wired would relax me. The couple of times I tried meth centuries ago I just fell asleep. On cymbalta I just lost my appetite and was actually a bit calmer, I wasn't any more active than usual.

I haven't tried any other anti-depressants, so I couldn't compare.

I've found Hummus is a great way to lose weight. The chickpeas are full of protein, so I feel full quickly without a lot of calories. And at $.80 a can you can make hummus really cheaply. Chickpears, fava beans, and Indian drumsticks (a plant) are all great sources of plant protein.

Carol, when you get your box hooked up you can watch the new Swamp Loggers show.

Carol said...

You guys were discussing Harold Ford last night and from what I have seen of him on TV, I was always impressed. After what Coreen mentioned about his connection with Wallstreet I went to Wiki to look him up.

Wiki states: " Ford has joined the financial services firm Bank of America Merrill Lynch as a vice chairman and senior policy advisor."

Doesn't it bother you guys that our politicians go from the government to big business/banks/Wallstreet then back to the government? How can we expect these men/women to represent us, the little people, when they have so many connection to those who are screwing us?

Anonymous said...

One last thing Carol,
You should use the promise of those cruises you want to go on as an incentive to do the things you have to do to simplify your life.

If that means selling your other house, and possibly getting a condo (or not), whatever works for you and gives you the cash flow you'll need, then you'll be more apt to follow through, if you can see the reward at the end.

Baby steps. If you decide to sell, then call three realtors to give you a market analysis, then pick the one you like best. (they'll leave a package with you).

don1one said...

Got tony's email address, thanks. Can you or Carol delete the comment so the email scrapers can't see it?

It'll be fun to meet a tmixer or CT'er or whuddever we are.

Anonymous said...

"How can we expect these men/women to represent us, the little people, when they have so many connection to those who are screwing us?"

That's the problem with the way these politicians get their financing. The honest guys can't compete with the the one that have connections to big money.

Carol said...

Why can't we take our government back by making some new rules. Stop the conflict of interests. One thing I did like about McCain is that he did mention some of these problems in his campaign. Like having people with these banking connections on the finance committee.

Anonymous said...

Ok, I deleted it Don. Good idea.

Carol said...

Well we need to fix this before we can ever expect a fair playing field. It has gotten so out of control these days. Need campaign finance reform. Stop electing people with all these connections. They are only going to protect those who butter their bread.

Anonymous said...

"Why can't we take our government back by making some new rules. Stop the conflict of interests."

That's it right there. But the one's that make the decisions about the rules are the same one's that have their hands in everyone's pocket.

Around and around we go....

Anonymous said...

"campaign finance reform."

That's the only thing that's going to work Carol.

Anonymous said...

As Solar would say, they owe too many people, by the time they get elected.

It was 'so' obvious that Obama had sold his soul during that election. There's no way a guy could have moved up the ranks so quickly, with that happening.

Carol said...

Ya know blogs have done one great thing besides having a great place to find neat people who share the same interests. It is a place for the little people to have a say, like on TM. We now have a forum to talk to the world, not just scream at the TV. It has given us some power we didn't have before.

Anonymous said...

with=without

Anonymous said...

Before I found TM I used to scream at the TV all the time. It was the worst feeling, seeing all the injustice on those so called news programs, watching the misogyny and having very few ways to vent.

Being here, we can complain, and someone actually listens.

Carol said...

Someone needs to organize the people across the blogosphere. The people are the power. People need to unite to change the rules. Find a way to get our elected officials to really represent the people. Instead of the people using the Internet to improve our government, the politicians have just used it to their benefit.

Anonymous said...

"Someone needs to organize the people across the blogosphere."

That's exactly what Obama's team did during the election. But you're right, we need a grass roots type of organization. That's the only way to build an agreeable coalition. But that takes leadership to get ti started.

Anonymous said...

Carol, How about you or someone here write a post on that idea tomorrow. Voters Unite type of thing.

Solar said...

just had two comments eaten...testing

Chloe,

Just getting back, if I don't get on line tomorrow, give M a big hug for me, and a Solar kiss....it goes like this....first you start with the little cheek...a little peck, and then a big pssssssssss (blow on the cheek) never fails, the little ones laugh all the time...sometimes even big babies......

Carol, Im going back to catch up, but I did see that you did your exersice two day's in a row....28 more in a row, and it will be a habit...but knock off the treats....haven't earned them yet...little by little tho, don't push it....oh and maybe you can get that lawyer gal to do hers also...she said that she was a slacker sometimes...

Anonymous said...

There's a guy on face book that's doing something like that, but I don't know how successful he's been. He's a relative of Alicia, I think.

I'll look him up tomorrow. He's on my friends list. He's trying to get people to question and to unite.

Solar said...

What U need are people to stop playing the game, of my side, over your side, or the game of the lesser of two evils....we need to elect from any source that is good for the public...

Anonymous said...

Carol, Your trainer is finally kicking in and getting down to business. It's about time he started adding a little exercise support for you.

Love that kiss idea Solar. I'll do it.

jan said...

Don, have a good trip. Will you be checking in here while you are in Florida?

don1one said...

I think it's too late for this country. We're going the way of the Romans and Brits. Now you know why I'm getting ready to retire to another country. We've become soft and don't have that hunger any more.

I think the key to real activism would be to get the right and left to quit bickering and work together. It's no coincidence that we've become so partisan, we have half the power we would have otherwise.

Anonymous said...

Right Solar. We need individual, independent thinkers, and stop the your team, my team mentality.

Carol said...

And whether you are a Repub, Dem or Indy, you are getting screwed. I think the Parties keep us all fighting so we don't realize that they are all crooks. We are each so busy pointing the finger at the other guy that we don't recognize that our guys is a bad guy also.

Not many of them give a damn about any of us. It's all a big game and we are the pawns. We are the SIMS people and they are pulling our strings. And the media is involved in this game. When do we figure out how to cut the strings?

I even think that some of these social issue difference in the parties are used as red herrings. Like abortion. We will fight about these things while the bad guys are slipping our money out of our pockets and padding theirs.

Anonymous said...

"We've become soft and don't have that hunger any more."

That's because we've had BAD leadership and are all disillusioned. Americans would all come together and do what's right, even make sacrifices, if they were led by someone that could explain to them what they have to gain by doing so. That's the same type of thing Bill Clinton says. He said something like: you have to put the corn where the hogs are, when tell them to explain things to us.

Solar said...

It doesnt matter where U go, or live. There will be about 25-30 banks that will rule the world...that is what is happening now, imo.....

Solar said...

Thats what I believe that the Bushes, the Rumsfelds, the Cheney's are all about...I don't think for a minute that all this wasn't planned...way too much $ being lost, one way or the other...and I do think that religion has a lot to do with it...

Carol said...

One important thing is to stop electing people to office with all these connections to Big Business.

Anonymous said...

"the bad guys are slipping our money out of our pockets and padding theirs."

Everyone has been so busy pushing their agenda, that the balance is gone. The government not only allows the problem, they are part of it.

... over and out
(I'll catch up tomorrow)

Solar said...

Don,

Good luck, be safe.!

jan said...

Went out to eat tonight at our favorite New Mexican restaurant - called Padillas - just a mile from home. I ordered chilis rellenos and thought I ordered with green chili sauce - well they came with red chili sauce. I said, "I ordered green chili sauce" the waitress said "no, you ordered red." John piped up "you ordered RED" I was not too happy - but ate some of it and left the rest - I don't like red chili sauce. I was unhappy with John b/c I felt like he should have kept quiet and at least told only me "you ordered red" So I came home and decided to go to the grocery and just browse - that gets me out of a bad mood. I bought some choc covered mints and a magazine and rented a movie. I do feel better.

See you all tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

"Thats what I believe that the Bushes, the Rumsfelds, the Cheney's are all about...I don't think for a minute that all this wasn't planned"

They probably get into government for that very reason.... as a means to an end.

don1one said...

We think too much alike Solar.

It's a working vacation jan. I can stay as long as I'm working and can afford to pay for it. :^)

Carol said...

Did you kick John under the table Jan?

jan said...

The above seems pretty petty now that I read it, but needed to get off my chest.

Chloe, I will be thinking of little Emma and you tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

Jan, I never accept an order that's not what I wanted. You should have stood your ground.

Anonymous said...

Thanks Jan.
I'm serious about that order thing, and I don't think it's petty. It represents something bigger. Once you retire, then you'll have more time to take control of the little things.

jan said...

Carol, No - I was just disappointed - I have been thinking about those rellenos with green chilis all day.

Good for you for eating healthy. You inspire me. Maybe I will buy some V8 tomorrow.

Anonymous said...

... we'll have a round of V8's

jan said...

Chloe, thanks so much to you and Carol for your encouraging words. All that makes me feel better. Its great to girl friends and guy friends too (solar and don).

Gonna go watch the movie and eat those choc mints - tomorrow V8.

Carol said...

Jan, this is the place to get something off your chest when you need to even if it is just your bra.

What I was whinning about is something that was bothering me today. And just about every day since the election. I think it really came home to roost when the Dems took over the government and I finally realized they aren't any different. I was in denial before.

Solar said...

go away.!

don1one said...

Low sodium V8, the potassium is great for sodium heavy diets. :^)

Some blueberries on the side, a package of almonds, a package of broccoli slaw, and some sardines or wild salmon. A little hummus and flatbread. Yum, yum.

It wouldn't have hurt the server to scrape off the red and add some green anyway. What's a little sauce?

Solar said...

No, wait come back.!

Carol said...

Maybe we ought to put up Craig Crawford for President. He's about the only one I trust anymore. He's got a pretty good knowledge of politics. Has he ever worked for a bank? Wallsteet?

Carol said...

Don, lets not push this healthy stuff too hard. We do have to have something to live for.

Carol said...

Don't like hummas Don. Looks like someone already ate it once.

don1one said...

That's pretty much my normal diet these days Carol. Unless someone else picks up something different.

don1one said...

I add in a little South African peri-peri sauce to the hummus for extra kick and flavor.

Carol said...

Don, I think those choices are more on the eat to live diet and less on the live to eat diet.

Anonymous said...

Healthy stuff is really good stuff Carol. Those things Don mentioned really make you 'feel' good. I have lots of blue berries every day in my shake. When I start on the junk food (which I love) I start feeling terrible (not to mention guilty.

"No, wait come back.!"

Go away, come back? You're schizophrenic Solar. :)

don1one said...

Depends on what you do with them Carol. Blueberries,a little powdered sugar, and heavy cream. Fresh cows milk when I can get it.

But I was brought up to like lots of fruits and vegetables, so that really is delicious to me. I have a horrible time with all of the deep fried food of the south.

That's it Chloe. When you associate the flavor with feeling good, it just becomes natural.

Solar said...

I knew that u would come back...u can't help it...one more chance to raz me...I left a message over at tm for you to...and when you get back here, there will be another one...

Carol said...

I rarely ever eat fried foods Don.

don1one said...

Alton Brown over on the Food Network lost a bunch of weight and followed a similar diet. He's cooking the healthy stuff in all sorts of good ways.

Are you harassing Max again Solar?

Solar said...

Carol,

With you re V-8, try this...a blueberry bale, toasted, spread a big spoon of crunchy peanut butter on it, and a little blueberry preserve, or what ever you like..organic, ...or with a cup of hobo....very good...

Anonymous said...

"I was brought up to like lots of fruits and vegetables'

Good for your mother Don. She raised you on the right foods.

I think you're right, it's about association. Carol, in order for a diet to last, you have to have a lot of free foods you can eat as much of as you want. For me that's fruits. For most, its probably vegetables. But once I get on it, fruits (banana, grapes, apples, oranges) start tasting gourmet. I still live to eat, I just change the things that provide me with that pleasure.

You've inspired me too, Carol. Like Solar says, anything we do for 30 days becomes a habit.

Solar, cat got your tongue?

Anonymous said...

... I live to raz you.

And this sure sounds like a threat: ".I left a message over at tm for you to...and when you get back here, there will be another one"

... I'll look.

Solar said...

I was earlier Don, but getting tired of it.....going to go on a long lurking spell i think pretty soon...I left a message for Chloe,she harasses me all over the net...I don't know what I did...Im innocent over here.!

Solar said...

I hope that U do meet up with Tony. He is a good guy.!!

Solar said...

Carol, sorry bale=bagel.

Anonymous said...

'I' harass you? Even XRep noticed you were mean to me today.

If you go on a lurking binge, then I will too.

don1one said...

well, lots to do tomorrow. Nite all.

Anonymous said...

.. me too.

Solar said...

XR, just wanted to talk a little, and used that for an excuse. I was talking over at tm..won't even be noticed...

Carol said...

Don't ya'll forget to keep a good thought for my Saints tomorrow. They play tomorrow afternoon at about 3:30 my time.

jan said...

Carol, I will be rootin for your Saints tomorrow.

I just got through watching Bill Moyers - he had Greg Mortensen on who wrote the book "Three Cuts of Tea" I am almost finished with the book and am so impressed with Greg M. He is building schools in Pakistan and Afghanistan. He is a nurse (not mentioned on the show). He started out trying to climb K2 - the 2nd highest mountain in the world - when he failed and was in bad shape the village at the base of the mountain took care of him and he found out they didn't have a school to educate their children and so few people in these 2 countries are literate - so his dream became the building of a school for this village. He was able to build it for $12,000. and has now build many schools there. He is such an humble man and cares for these people. If you are looking for something good to read, this is a wonderful book - although not necessarily a fun book.

jan said...

Ok I really mean it this time - good night.

Anonymous said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Mary said...

EMMA,
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOU again today. Hope you have a wonderful party and tell Grams she needs to take bunches of pictures today. Love Nanny Mary.

Carol said...

I was so excited for a moment when I saw a foreign post. I thought some of our lurkers had decided to drop in or someone from Don's past came over to drop him a line.

I got to use the Google tranlate, what my teacher Chloe taught me. It worked and low and behold, it was porn.

Ya know porn, in another language, doesn't look half a bad.

Carol said...

Happy Party Day. Don't eat too many of those cupcakes Chloe. You can have one for each kid you're gonna have to chase today. I think that will even it out.

Carol said...

Jan, when I was a kid, I wanted to be a missionary. It was mainly because of Ms. Julia Paxton. Do you remember her? She went to our church. She lead the junior church. She spent her young years as a missionary and she was the most wonderful woman I had ever met. Never heard of cross word out of her. She lived up into, I think, her 90s.

Didn't quite make it, except that I do think of my corrections work as well paid missionary work and I do make a few sacrifices for this work.

Carol said...

My plumber was suppose to come over to my house today and check out my leak problem. Well, it's pouring right now. I guess I will have to postpone that.

He's a young guy, raising three little stair step kids. They are the cutest little kids. I don't think he even has any family support system like a mom or dad of his own. At the time he had even lost his home to the hurricane and I think he was living in some place someone lent him.

He came out to the camp once to fix a pipe problem and brought his three darling little ones. While he worked, I watched the kids. They each ran in a different direction, up and down the stairs and by the river. I was a total wreck when he got through. They only broke one thing though, not counting my nerves. I gave him double what he asked for.

Anonymous said...

Carol, Good luck to you and your saints today!
Why don't you honor them by doing a lead post before the game.

I'll be around this afternoon, but it's going to be a busy day and I probably won't get those pictures off my camera until tomorrow or Monday.

Anonymous said...

Oh Carol, I hope that butt post I did wasn't what encourage that off color commenter.

Anonymous said...

"You can have one for each kid you're gonna have to chase today"

Ha Carol! The only kid I'll be chasing today is Emma, and Amy will be there to help with that. I'll probably be more of a chaperon. She said the parents will be there with their kids too. It's really a beautiful, secure mall, but still, you can't take your eyes off them for one second when you're in crowded places like that.

Anonymous said...

"Didn't quite make it, except that I do think of my corrections work as well paid missionary work and I do make a few sacrifices"

Between that, and all those years of teaching, you've served the world well Carol. If we had all accomplished as much as you have, the world would be a better place.

Anonymous said...

"I gave him double what he asked for."

... see what I mean!
You babysat for free, then paid him double! 'You' are the Saint.

Carol said...

I don't think it was your butt post Chloe but it does seem like our little map filled up after that one. I guess there are a lot of us who consider ourselves butt watchers. That's half of the fun of watching football.

Coreen, you never said what some of the sports peeps said about the game today. Was it because you didn't want to scare me?? I wonder which Saints team will show up today? I hope it is the team that played in those first 13 games.

Anonymous said...

"He started out trying to climb K2 - the 2nd highest mountain in the world - when he failed and was in bad shape the village at the base of the mountain took care of him and he found out they didn't have a school to educate their children and so few people in these 2 countries are literate - so his dream became the building of a school for this village."

Jan, I just love that story that you told us about Greg Mortensen. Thanks so much for taking the time to share it with us. Very uplifting.

Anonymous said...

"I don't think it was your butt post Chloe but it does seem like our little map filled up after that one."

LOL!!

Anonymous said...

NFL Playoffs Capsules: Rested Saints expect to keep pace with Arizona
"Sean Payton was the toast of New Orleans even before the Saints’ storybook run to the NFC championship game in his first season as a head coach." http://www.brownsvilleherald.com/sports/saints-107494-nfl-arizona.html

Anonymous said...

oops, here's the right link

Carol said...

Jan, I think that guy, Mortensen, was called for the purpose of doing what he ended up doing. My work in corrections was a calling.

I had left my previous job in corrections, where I was really abused with lots of travel, not enough hours to make it worth it, and being screwed, not literally, by the Doc I worked for. I was very nervous being without a job. Since there are not an abundance of NP jobs, I almost ended up taking something where I would have been totally miserable.

Just as I was going to compromise, I fell down two little carpeted stairs. I had my old dog, Beau, who was deaf and blind. He would stand by these little stairs leading down into my bedroom at the house. He would stand there, at the edge of the stairs and cry until I would go pat him on the butt to go down the stairs. I had just found little Maggie.

Well he was standing there crying so I got up off the couch to go pat him on the butt and something pushed me down those stairs. I think I did a couple of flips, slammed against the wall across from the stairs, went up in the air about 4 feet and came down on one hip. Pain screamed thru my pelvis. I knew something was broken. I could barely crawl to the phone.

I had 4 pelvic fractures. Couldn't take that job and just as I was able to walk again, the hospital called and offered me this new position they had created. The job had my name written all over it. Something in the Universe was in charge of that but whoever it was didn't have to be so rough about it.

don1one said...

I had a political blog post that went to several thousand views a day after I posted some b**bs not bombs images.

I can't believe you didn't the rest of us see first though Carol. :)

I think you do plenty every time you answer the phone after hours Carol. We each contribute in our way. With a few notable exceptions.

Have a great time today Chloe. Hope you all have lots of fun and there are no problems worse than a few bruised bottoms. Weebles wobble and they do fall down.

Off to packing. Go Saints!

Ivy Green said...

Carol,
Thanks for cleaning up Dodge City.

Ivy Green said...

"My work in corrections was a calling."

Carol,
That is such an affirming statement. Miss College is mid-way through an internship that has her working in a program to provide offenders with treatment alternatives to jail. I was a little concerned about her getting into that, but she is so excited about the work. Yet to be seen if it will be her calling.

Carol said...

Ms College could never find any more interesting work and needed work.
Frustrating but interesting.

I have only one mental health professional at the jail. Only one. She is a one woman department. We have a Shrink who comes twice a month. The Chaplains office takes up a little slack. I do as much as I can. Yesterday, I was doing more mental health counseling than medical work.

Anonymous said...

Don,
Say good bye to us before you leave, and check in when you get there PLEASE. Hope to hear some more about Florida while you're there. (and maybe some pics?)

You have fun too!

Carol said...

Don, I hope you have a successful and fun trip. You are taking your computer with you?

Carol said...

Don, I still have that comment on the Google Translate if you are interested. I could copy and email it to you.

Carol said...

No, maybe not since it would look like I was peddling that stuff. It was an ad for sex toys and videos. Written in Chinese with a few English words thrown in.

Ivy Green said...

Don,
Hope you take your camera too. Especially if you meet up with Tony! lol Good luck.

Carol said...

The Deuce is back.

"In the search for the first Super Bowl title in franchise history, the Saints and head coach Sean Payton are leaving no motivational stone unturned.

Case in point: the Saints announced Friday that the re-signing of running back Deuce McAllister, a longtime Saints fan favorite who was released by New Orleans in a salary-cap move last February, to be an honorary captain on Saturday against Arizona. Defensive tackle Rodney Leisle was placed on injured reserve to make room for McAllister, who will be inactive for the Saints' divisional round game.

"Deuce is a huge part of the history of our club and of what has gotten this team to where we are today and we absolutely wanted him with us as we head into the playoffs," Loomis said.

McAllister is the Saints' all-time leading rusher with 6,096 yards, but he struggled mightily to stay healthy in his final few years with New Orleans -- he missed 11 games in 2005 with a torn right ACL, 13 games in 2007 with a torn left ACL and played at less than 100 percent last season.

McAllister didn't find an NFL home this season and has not played since Week 17 of last year, leaving open the door for a return to New Orleans."

http://nfl.fanhouse.com/2010/01/15/saints-re-sign-deuce-mcallister/

don1one said...

I was teasing Carol. :)

It's fun to translate those spam emails now though. Most have turned out to be email programs and buildings for rent in russian.

I always have my camera, I just haven't had a chance to get out much. This trip will be different, my hours will be a lot more flexible.

I'm not quite sure where I'll be though. I have interviews in Tampa and Atlanta, but things could happen in the middle.

Thanks for the well wishes. God watches over me, I'm always safe. I do have some rather interesting things happen in my life, but they always turn out to the good. God calls me to where he needs me.

Ivy Green said...

Wonderful outlook, Don. Things will be okay...NO MATTER WHAT HAPPENS. I need to write that down.

Coreen said...

It's game day at the Dome & now there is a
new Post up....

jan said...

Don, Vaya Con Dios. When I was growing up, that was one of my favorite songs. Didn't know what the words meant until I was older.

Carol, You are truly a missionary in your work.

Although Greg Mortensen was raised in Africa and his parents were Christian Missionaries, he does not use the Christian religion in his work. He actually talks about reading the Koran and while in Pakistan he prays 5 times a day with the Pakistanis. They have developed a curriculum in the schools he builds and it does not include religion.

jan said...

"I think that guy, Mortensen, was called for the purpose of doing what he ended up doing. My work in corrections was a calling."

Carol, I too think your work was a calling. Your fall resulting in your not being able to take that other job and then this one coming up later - means you were meant to have this job. I think that is the way our lives work when we are paying attention to the signs.