September 19, 2009

It's Talk Like A Pirate Day!!!!

Check out the official "Talk Like A Pirate: web site: http://www.talklikeapirate.com/

International Talk Like a Pirate Day (ITLAPD) is a parodic holiday invented in 1995 by John Baur (Ol' Chumbucket) and Mark Summers (Cap'n Slappy), of Corvallis, Oregon, who proclaimed September 19 each year as the day when everyone in the world should talk like a pirate.[1] For example, an observer of this holiday would greet friends not with "Hello," but with "Ahoy, me hearty!" The holiday, and its observance, springs from a romanticized view of the Golden Age of Piracy.


http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/International_Talk_Like_a_Pirate_Day

September 18, 2009

Who Loves You - Award: Are YOU listed?

Thank you RoseAnn for giving me this cool award!!!


This award is designed with one purpose in mind.
Pass this on to other bloggers who have awarded you in the past.
So I am passing this to the following:


RoseAnn - The Social Frog
Mimi - Mimi Writes
Tamy - 3 Sides of Crazy
Barb - Skittles Place
Lani - Off The Top Of My Head
Mercedes! - miss her blog posts!


September 14, 2009

Rest In Peace - Patrick Swayze

Patrick Swayze has died. This really saddens me. May he rest in peace.

WA Today
Wikipedia


Patrick Wayne Swayze (pronounced /ˈsweɪziː/; August 18, 1952 – September 14, 2009) was an American actor, dancer and singer-songwriter. He was best-known for his roles as romantic leading men in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost and as Orry Main in the North and South television miniseries. He was listed by People magazine as its "Sexiest Man Alive" in 1991.

Diagnosed with Stage IV pancreatic cancer in January 2008, Swayze told Barbara Walters a year later that he was "kicking it". However, he died from the disease on September 14, 2009. His last role was the lead in an A&E TV series, The Beast, which premiered on January 15, 2009. However, due to a prolonged decline in health, Swayze was unable to promote the series, and on June 15, 2009, Entertainment Tonight reported that the show had been canceled.

September 11, 2009

Remembering Today: September 11, 2001

I still remember that morning
Like it was just yesterday
Someone tried to come in
And take our freedom away

So many lives were lost
Others were never found
When two of our beautiful giants
Came crashing to the ground

I held my children close
As I watched the news that came
Our World as we knew it
Would never be the same

Families were torn apart
As a Nation pulled together
Embedded in our memories
We will remember that day forever

In memory of all of the heroes,
The victims and their families
Those here and those we lost
September 11, 2001

Copyright Jeri Anderson - September 11, 2008


September 8, 2009

The Who, What, When, Where, Why Would You Meme

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Who ....
is easy to love? My children
do you just wanna smack? An ex-co-worker
do you trust? My brother
do you talk to when you're alone?
My mother (I know she is deceased but I think she hears me)

What....
dangerous things do you do while driving? Talk on the phone
are you allergic to? Stupidity
is Satan's last name? He does not have one, no need for it.
is the last thing that moved you? The Uhaul truck
is the freakiest thing in your house? Me

When.....
is it time to turn over a new leaf? When you have talked until you are blue in the gave
will you be all that you can be? Never
is enough enough? Sometimes
do you go to the dark side? Often...sometimes daily

Where....
are your pants? in my bedroom
is your last will and testament? not written yet
is your junk food stash? right beside me
is Carmen Sandiego? in a book

Why.....
was the Lone Ranger alone? he smelled funny
was The Scarlet Letter scarlet? it was covered in blood
are musicians sexy and plumbers not? plumbers have a huge crack
are there no seat belts on school buses? a law has not been passed to change the rules

Would you....
swim the English Channel for a doughnut and coffee? If not that, what? Chocolate
forgive someone who deliberately hurt you? depends on who it is...I have done it a few times and they lived to tell about it.
rather believe a lie if it hurt you less than the truth? No, I want to hear the truth.
you still be alive if you were sucked out of an airplane window? Would you just float around in space for while? I would float for a minute or two then plunge to my death.

September 7, 2009

Half Full - Half Empty


You See the Glass as Half Full



No matter what's going on in your life, you can always find something to be thankful for.

You try to remain positive and focus on the good. It's not as easy as it seems, but it's always rewarding.



Your optimism and joy inspire the people around you. You make the world a happier place.

By seeing the glass as half full, you're sure to have more peace and contentment in your life. You might life longer too!


Happy Labor Day

Labor Day MySpace Comments and Graphics
Labor Day is a United States federal holiday observed on the first Monday in September (September 7 in 2009).

The holiday originated in Canada out of labor disputes ("Nine-Hour Movement") first in Hamilton, then in Toronto, Canada in the 1870s, which resulted in a Trade Union Act which legalized and protected union activity in 1872 in Canada. The parades held in support of the Nine-Hour Movement and the printers' strike led to an annual celebration in Canada. In 1882, American labor leader Peter J. McGuire witnessed one of these labor festivals in Toronto. Inspired from Canadian events in Toronto, he returned to New York and organized the first American "labor day" on September 5 of the same year.[citation needed]

The first Labor Day in the United States was celebrated on September 5, 1882 in New York City.[1] In the aftermath of the deaths of a number of workers at the hands of the US military and US Marshals during the 1894 Pullman Strike, President Grover Cleveland put reconciliation with Labor as a top political priority. Fearing further conflict, legislation making Labor Day a national holiday was rushed through Congress unanimously and signed into law a mere six days after the end of the strike.[2] Cleveland was also concerned that aligning a US labor holiday with existing international May Day celebrations would stir up negative emotions linked to the Haymarket Affair.[3] All 50 U.S. states have made Labor Day a state holiday.
1882

The form for the celebration of Labor Day was outlined in the first proposal of the holiday: A street parade to exhibit to the public "the strength and esprit de corps of the trade and labor organizations," followed by a festival for the workers and their families. This became the pattern for Labor Day celebrations. Speeches by prominent men and women were introduced later, as more emphasis was placed upon the economic and civil significance of the holiday. Still later, by a resolution of the American Federation of Labor convention of 1909, the Sunday preceding Labor Day was adopted as Labor Sunday and dedicated to the spiritual and educational aspects of the labor movement.

Traditionally, Labor Day is celebrated by most Americans as the symbolic end of the summer. The holiday is often regarded as a day of rest and parades. Speeches or political demonstrations are more low-key than May 1 Labour Day celebrations in most countries, although events held by labor organizations often feature political themes and appearances by candidates for office, especially in election years. Forms of celebration include picnics, barbecues, fireworks displays, water sports, and public art events. Families with school-age children take it as the last chance to travel before the end of summer recess. Similarly, some teenagers and young adults view it as the last weekend for parties before returning to school. However, start dates for schools vary widely, beginning as early as July 24 in urban districts such as Atlanta, Miami, and Los Angeles. In addition, Labor Day marks the beginning of the NFL and college football seasons. The NCAA usually plays their first games the week before Labor Day, with the NFL traditionally playing their first game the Thursday following Labor Day.

September 6, 2009

A Dog Named Tank (Sad - Grab A Tissue)

***This was shared with me via email. Yes, it made me cry!***
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They told me the big black Lab's name was Reggie as I looked at him lying in his pen. The shelter was clean, no-kill, and the people really friendly.


I'd only been in the area for six months, but everywhere I went in the small college town, people were welcoming and open. Everyone waves when you pass them on the street.

But something was still missing as I attempted to settle in to my new life here, and I thought a dog couldn't hurt. Give me someone to talk to.

And I had just seen Reggie's advertisement on the local news. The shelter said they had received numerous calls right after, but they said the people who had come down to see him just didn't look like "Lab people," whatever that meant. They must've thought I did.

But at first, I thought the shelter had misjudged me in giving me Reggie and his things, which consisted of a dog pad, bag of toys almost all of which were brand new tennis balls, his dishes, and a sealed letter from his previous owner. See, Reggie and I didn't really hit it off when we got home. We struggled for two weeks (which is how long the shelter told me to give him to adjust to his new home). Maybe it was the fact that I was trying to adjust, too. Maybe we were too much alike.

For some reason, his stuff (except for the tennis balls - he wouldn't go anywhere without two stuffed in his mouth) got tossed in with all of my other unpacked boxes. I guess I didn't really think he'd need all his old stuff, that I'd get him new things once he settled in. But it became pretty clear pretty soon that he wasn't going to.

I tried the normal commands the shelter told me he knew, ones like "sit" and "stay" and "come" and "heel," and he'd follow them - when he felt like it. He never really seemed to listen when I called his name - sure, he'd look in my direction after the fourth of fifth time I said it, but then he'd just go back to doing whatever. When I'd ask again, you could almost see him sigh and then grudgingly obey.

This just wasn't going to work. He chewed a couple shoes and some unpacked boxes. I was a little too stern with him and he resented it, I could tell.

The friction got so bad that I couldn't wait for the two weeks to be up, and when it was, I was in full-on search mode for my cell phone amid all of my unpacked stuff. I remembered leaving it on the stack of boxes for the guest room, but I also mumbled, rather cynically, that the "damn dog probably hid it on me."

Finally I found it, but before I could punch up the shelter's number, I also found his pad and other toys from the shelter... I tossed the pad in Reggie's direction and he snuffed it and wagged, some of the most enthusiasm I'd seen since bringing him home. But then I called, "Hey, Reggie, you like that? Come here and I'll give you a treat." Instead, he sort of glanced in my direction - maybe "glared" is more accurate - and then gave a discontented sigh and flopped down. With his back to me.

Well, that's not going to do it either, I thought.. And I punched the shelter phone number.


But I hung up when I saw the sealed envelope. I had completely forgotten about that, too. "Okay, Reggie," I said out loud, "let's see if your previous owner has any advice.".... .....
____________ _________ _________ _________

To Whoever Gets My Dog:

Well, I can't say that I'm happy you're reading this, a letter I told the shelter could only be opened by Reggie's new owner. I'm not even happy writing it. If you're reading this, it means I just got back from my last car ride with my Lab after dropping him off at the shelter.. He knew something was different. I have packed up his pad and toys before and set them by the back door before a trip, but this time... it's like he knew something was wrong. And something is wrong... Which is why I have to go to try to make it right.

So let me tell you about my Lab in the hopes that it will help you bond with him and he with you.

First, he loves tennis balls. The more the merrier. Sometimes I think he's part squirrel, the way he hordes them. He usually always has two in his mouth, and he tries to get a third in there. Hasn't done it yet. Doesn't matter where you throw them, he'll bound after it, so be careful - really don't do it by any roads. I made that mistake once, and it almost cost him dearly.

Next, commands. Maybe the shelter staff already told you, but I'll go over them again: Reggie knows the obvious ones - "sit," "stay," "come," "heel." He knows hand signals: "back" to turn around and go back when you put your hand straight up; and "over" if you put your hand out right or left. "Shake" for shaking water off, and "paw" for a high-five. He does "down" when he feels like lying down - I bet you could work on that with him some more. He knows "ball" and "food" and "bone" and "treat" like nobody's business.

I trained Reggie with small food treats. Nothing opens his ears like little pieces of hot dog.

Feeding schedule: twice a day, once about seven in the morning, and again at six in the evening. Regular store-bought stuff; the shelter has the brand.

He's up on his shots. Call the clinic on 9th Street and update his info with yours; they'll make sure to send you reminders for when he's due. Be forewarned: Reggie hates the vet. Good luck getting him in the car - I don't know how he knows when it's time to go to the vet, but he knows.

Finally, give him some time. I've never been married, so it's only been Reggie and me for his whole life. He's gone everywhere with me, so please include him on your daily car rides if you can. He sits well in the backseat, and he doesn't bark or complain. He just loves to be around people, and me most especially. Which means that this transition is going to be hard, with him going to live with someone new.

And that's why I need to share one more bit of info with you....

His name's not Reggie.

I don't know what made me do it, but when I dropped him off at the shelter, I told them his name was Reggie. He's a smart dog, he'll get used to it and will respond to it, of that I have no doubt. but I just couldn't bear to give them his real name. For me to do that, it seemed so final, that handing him over to the shelter was as good as me admitting that I'd never see him again. And if I end up coming back, getting him, and tearing up this letter, it means everything's fine. But if someone else is reading it, well... well it means that his new owner should know his real name. It'll help you bond with him. Who knows, maybe you'll even notice a change in his demeanor if he's been giving you problems.

His real name is Tank.

Because that is what I drive.

Again, if you're reading this and you're from the area, maybe my name has been on the news. I told the shelter that they couldn't make "Reggie" available for adoption until they received word from my company commander. See, my parents are gone, I have no siblings, no one I could've left Tank with... and it was my only real request of the Army upon my deployment to Iraq , that they make one phone call the shelter... in the "event"... to tell them that Tank could be put up for adoption. Luckily, my colonel is a dog guy, too, and he knew where my platoon was headed. He said he'd do it personally. And if you're reading this, then he made good on his word.


Well, this letter is getting to downright depressing, even though, frankly, I'm just writing it for my dog. I couldn't imagine if I was writing it for a wife and kids and family. But still, Tank has been my family for the last six years, almost as long as the Army has been my family.


And now I hope and pray that you make him part of your family and that he will adjust and come to love you the same way he loved me.

That unconditional love from a dog is what I took with me to Iraq as an inspiration to do something selfless, to protect innocent people from those who would do terrible things... and to keep those terrible people from coming over here. If I had to give up Tank in order to do it, I am glad to have done so. He was my example of service and of love. I hope I honored him by my service to my country and comrades.

All right, that's enough. I deploy this evening and have to drop this letter off at the shelter. I don't think I'll say another good-bye to Tank, though. I cried too much the first time. Maybe I'll peek in on him and see if he finally got that third tennis ball in his mouth.


Good luck with Tank. Give him a good home, and give him an extra kiss goodnight - every night - from me.

Thank you, Paul Mallory
------------ --------- --------- --------- --
I folded the letter and slipped it back in the envelope. Sure I had heard of Paul Mallory, everyone in town knew him, even new people like me. Local kid, killed in Iraq a few months ago and posthumously earning the Silver Star when he gave his life to save three buddies. Flags had been at half-mast all summer.

I leaned forward in my chair and rested my elbows on my knees, staring at the dog.

"Hey, Tank," I said quietly.



The dog's head whipped up, his ears cocked and his eyes bright..

"C'mere boy."

He was instantly on his feet, his nails clicking on the hardwood floor. He sat in front of me, his head tilted, searching for the name he hadn't heard in months.

"Tank," I whispered.

His tail swished.

I kept whispering his name, over and over, and each time, his ears lowered, his eyes softened, and his posture relaxed as a wave of contentment just seemed to flood him. I stroked his ears, rubbed his shoulders, buried my face into his scruff and hugged him..

"It's me now, Tank, just you and me. Your old pal gave you to me." Tank reached up and licked my cheek. "So whatdaya say we play some ball? His ears perked again. "Yeah? Ball? You like that? Ball?" Tank tore from my hands and disappeared in the next room.


And when he came back, he had three tennis balls in his mouth.

Sunday Stealing: The Random Dozen Meme

Hosted by Judd Corizan
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1. When you go to Wowmart, what one thing do you get every single time, besides a funky-wheeled squeaking cart full of frustration? Diet Pepsi

2. What is something that people are currently “into” that you just don’t get or appreciate? Texting while driving

3. What is something that really hoists your sail that other people might feel “ho-hum” about? Leveling my character in the World of Warcraft

4. Favorite song to sing in the shower or car? Anytime of the year...Christmas songs

5. A really great salad must have this ingredient: Cranberries

6. What advice in a nutshell would you give to new bloggers? Don't get upset if you don't get a lot of comments.

7. What was the alternate name that your parents almost named you? Do you wish they had chosen it instead of the one they gave you? Jennifer and no, I like the name I have.

8. What in your life are you waiting for? Total and complete happiness.

9. You get a package in the mail. What is it, and who is it from? Home made candy from my sister-in-law (hint hint)

10. Today–what song represents you? "Take This Job And Shove It"

11. What is one thing that blogging has taught you about yourself? I can make friends easier than I thought.

12. How are you going to (or how did you) choose the clothes you’re wearing today? What do they say about you in general or specifically how you’re feeling today? I put on comfortable clothing to lounge around the house in. They say I am being lazy and I love it!

Unconscious Mutterings: September 6, 2009


Hosted by Luna Nina
http://subliminal.lunanina.com/
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Luna Nina says ... and I think ... ?

1. Abusive :: Ex-husband
2. Psychotic :: Insane
3. Parents :: Deceased
4. Yell :: Scream
5. Amulet :: Necklace
6. Sandstorm :: Dust bowl
7. Amusement :: Fun and Games
8. Imitation :: Big Bully
9. Baby :: Jeremiah
10. Rainbows :: Puppies and sunshine

September 5, 2009

Camera Critters: My Doggies

Camera Critters
http://camera-critters.blogspot.com/
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Annabelle (black lab) and Shelby (boxer).
Watching the train coming down the railroad tracks in front of our house.

Bella and Shelby - What was that?

September 1, 2009

The Romance Meme (Love Shack?)!

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1. What is the craziest thing you've ever done in the name of love? I married the idiot! But we divorced in 2000 and I met an awesome man in 2001. We have been together for 8 years...through the good and bad!

2. How much mystery should there be in a relationship? Is it a good thing or not?
I think there should be at first but as the relationship progresses the mystery should be less and less.

3. Is there someone in the blogosphere you'd like to get to know more intimately? Have you been too shy to ask? No one for me in the blogosphere...the one I want is sitting next to me.

4. Describe a "perfect evening" with the one you love. Watching movies, eating a lot of junk food then "play time"

5. If you are in a relationship, describe the one thing that makes it work well for you. If you are not in a relationship, do you want to be? If so, what type of romance are you looking for? What would it look like in your life? Communication is one thing that works well in a relationship...any relationship!

6. If you had to choose between having good sex OR intelligent conversation on a regular basis, which would you choose and why? Why can't I have an intelligent conversation while having sex?

7. I've got the Bloggingham Blues. What type of man is right for Queen Mimi Pencil Skirt? Do any of you see love in her foreseeable future? What do you suggest I do to spice up my love life? What am I doing wrong????! Dont look to hard for love. Let it find you Mimi! It is out there somewhere but if you look too hard you might miss it,