Ann

HOW TO IDENTIFY WHERE A DRIVER IS FROM 1. One hand on wheel, one hand on horn: CHICAGO 2. One hand on wheel, one finger out window: NEW YORK 3. One hand on wheel, one finger out window, cutting across all lanes of traffic: NEW JERSEY 4. One hand on wheel, one hand on newspaper, foot solidly on accelerator: BOSTON 5. One hand on wheel, one hand on nonfat double decaf cappuccino, cradling cell phone, brick on accelerator, gun in lap: LOS ANGELES 6. Both hands on wheel, eyes shut, both feet on brake, quivering in terror: Ohio, but driving in CALIFORNIA 7. Both hands in air, gesturing, both feet on accelerator, head turned to talk to someone in back seat: ITALY 8. One hand on 12 oz. Double shot latte, one knee on wheel, cradling cell phone, foot on brake, mind on radio game, banging head on steering wheel while stuck in traffic: SEATTLE 9. One hand on wheel, one hand on hunting rifle, alternating between both feet being on the accelerator and both feet on brake, throwing McDonald's bag out the window: TEXAS 10. Four-wheel drive pick-up truck, shotgun mounted in rear window, beer cans on floor, squirrel tails attached to antenna: ALABAMA 11. Two hands gripping wheel, blue hair barely visible above windshield, driving 35 on the Interstate in the left lane with the left blinker on: FLORIDA

Man of the House A guy had just finished reading his book, "Man Of The House," while making his commute home from work. When he reached home, he stormed into the house and walked directly up to his wife, pointing his finger in her face, he said,"From now on I want you to know that I am the man of this house and my word is law! You are to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you're going to draw my bath so I can relax. And when I'm finished with my bath, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?" "The Funeral Director is my guess," said his wife.

I can definitely relate!!!

Linda, like others, I am also sure that your did hear those very special words. When it comes to these things, always trust your heart!

I do believe these are the most touching words I have ever read in my entire life. What a peaceful ending for such a beautiful person. There is nothing more that I can say.

Oh Maryanne....I see we have common goals! I can't wait to be a grandmother and have lots of babies to love and spoil. My goal used to be living to see my sons grown and successful. I made that so the next stop is having grandbabies!

What is the one non-monetary thing you have the highest hopes of obtaining in your lifetime?

Isn't amazing the will and determination that animals have? I think we should all learn from our four legged friends. Thanks so much for sharing this with us Maryanne. You always find the neatest things!

I think we may have to have a birthday party at the pub when these little guys hatch! Cindi...get the drinks lined up.

There are two big decisions that come to my mind. In 1983, my mom became very ill. She did a very good job of concealing the extent of her illness from her friends and family. On December 15, 1983, she became violently ill and was taken to the emergency room. After being examined, I learned the extent of her illness and learned there was nothing that could be done. I had to make the call whether to put her on any type of life support, should her heart fail. I know what her answer would have been, so I said absolutely not. Such a hard decision to make about someone you love as much as I loved my mom. Next, I had to make the decision whether to move to Florida from my beloved hills of Tennessee. Dennis had agreed to be away from his family and live in Tennessee to be near my family. Now that my mom was gone and my dad living with us, I decided to be fair and move close to his family in Florida. I was so homesick and cried every day for at least a month. Now, I consider Florida home and would have a hard time leaving here.

Shelly....I can definitely relate and sympathize. I recently twisted or turned the wrong way and seemed to have pulled a muscle in the area where my right lung is. It really hurt a lot when I would lie down at night. As soon as I felt the pain, my mind would start to wander. I would recall all of the statements my family doctor made to me about being affected by second hand smoke and how he wanted to keep an eye on me after "what happened to Dennis." I thought I probably should go to the doctor but couldn't bring myself to do so.

This is a live webcam of a nesting eagle on Hornby Island, British Columbia. At sundown, they run the tapes of the day. Keep in mind this in the Pacific time zone. The eggs should hatch by the end of this month. This webcam may take a couple of minutes to load for you. Be patient...it's well worth the wait. http://www.infotecbsi.com/wildlife/

Kasey, I am so very glad you were the very first person to read this post, as I automatically thought of you when I read it. Must have some ESP going on between us, as you read it so soon after I posted. I love all my little "angels", too.

THE 4-YEAR-OLD'S WORKDAY. BY ROSS MURRAY - - - - 8:55 a.m. Arrive at office. Hang jacket on sunshine-shaped hook with name on it. Put snack in cubbyhole. Sing "Good Morning" song with co-workers. 9:04 a.m. Forward hilarious e-mail to everyone in address book. Subject line: "Poo-poo." 9:10 a.m. Take spreadsheets out of Star Wars backpack. Stretch out on floor and begin making notations with crayon. 9:15 a.m. Drink juice box. 9:25 a.m. Spend hour lining up office supplies on desk in perfect straight line. Toy with idea of sorting them by color but get distracted by imaginary conversation between stapler and three-hole punch. Complicated scenario ensues involving a lion, a puppy, and the mommy Hi-Liter kissing the daddy Hi-Liter. 10:40 a.m. Randy from accounting drops by and "borrows" pen with the springy pink feather on top. Grab pen back. Scream in each other's faces until Randy takes a swing with copy of Needs-Assessment Analysis. Supervisor intervenes and sends Randy to the smoke room for a time-out. 11:05 a.m. Intend to begin debugging online program for cross-referencing customer demographics. Get caught up in Polly Pocket website instead. 12:00 p.m. Lunch. Trade PB&J for tuna with Jerry from human resources. Friendly banter about who could take who in a fight: the Poky Little Puppy or the Cat in the Hat. Notice Donna is wearing Finding Nemo T-shirt for fourth straight day. 1:00 p.m. Write up statistical profile of user satisfaction based on regional trends. Entitle report "I Like Flowers." 1:30 p.m. Naptime. 2:12 p.m. Staff meeting proves unproductive due to constant requests to go pee. 2:40 p.m. Telephone headquarters to discuss department budget for upcoming fiscal year. While talking, draw picture of house. Feel special pride in the way the smoke spirals out of chimney. Tape picture to wall next to trophy for company T-ball championship. 3:00 p.m. Attend mandatory Employees' Committee workshop entitled "Ear Infections Are EVERYBODY'S Business." Session comes to abrupt halt when VP of finance jams eraser up nose. 3:30 p.m. E-mail from director of marketing: "I'm not accusing anyone but my blanky was in the copy room and now it's not. I hope whoever 'accidentally' took it will please return it, no questions asked. Otherwise I'm telling." 4:05 p.m. Ask Marco in adjoining cubicle to stop making "vroom-vroom" noises when he moves the mouse. 4:45 p.m. Try to duck out early, thus avoiding mandatory singing of "Cleanup" song with co-workers. Busted by supervisor, who announces that no one is leaving until everyone is sitting quietly. 4:55 p.m. Retrieve jacket from hook. Sup

IF I DIDN'T HAVE PETS... I could walk around the yard barefoot in safety. My house could be carpeted instead of tiled and laminated. All flat surfaces, clothing, furniture, and cars would be free of hair. When the doorbell rings, it wouldn't sound like the kennels. When the doorbell rings, I could get to the door without wading through fuzzy bodies who beat me there. I could sit on the couch the way I wanted, without taking into consideration how much space several fur bodies would need to get comfortable. I would not have strange presents under my Christmas tree -- dog bones, stuffed animals, nor would I have to answer to people why I wrap them. I would not be on a first-name basis with three veterinarians. The most used words in my vocabulary would not be: out, sit, down, come, no, stay, and leave him/her/it ALONE. My house would not be cordoned off into zones with baby gates or barriers. My pockets would not contain things like poop bags, treats and an extra leash. I would no longer have to spell the words B-A-L-L-, F-R-I-S-B-E-E, or W-A-L-K. I would not have as many leaves INSIDE my house as outside. I would not look strangely at people who think having ONE dog ties them down too much. I'd look forward to spring and the melting of snow instead of dreading mud season. I would not have to answer the question:: "Why do you have so many dogs/animals?" from people who will never have the joy in their lives of knowing they are loved unconditionally by something as close to an angel as they will ever get. How empty my life would be.

A Dog's Purpose - from a 4 year old Being a veterinarian, I had been called to examine a ten-year old Irish Wolfhound named Belker. The dog's owners, Ron, his wife, Lisa, and their little boy, Shane, were all very attached to Belker and they were hoping for a miracle. I examined Belker and found he was dying of cancer. I told the family we couldn't do anything for Belker, and offered to perform the euthanasia procedure for the old dog in their home. As we made arrangements, Ron and Lisa told me they thought it would be good for the four-year-old Shane to observe the procedure. They felt as though Shane might learn something from the experience. The next day, I felt the familiar catch in my throat as Belker's family surrounded him. Shane seemed so calm, petting the old dog for the last time, that I wondered if he understood what was going on. Within a few minutes, Belker slipped peacefully away. The little boy seemed to accept Belker's transition without any difficulty or confusion. We sat together for a while after Belker's death, wondering aloud about the sad fact that animal lives are shorter than human lives. Shane, who had been listening quietly, piped up, "I know why." Startled, we all turned to him. What came out of his mouth next stunned me. I'd never heard a more comforting explanation. He said, "People are born so that they can learn how to live a good life -- like loving everybody all the time and being nice, right?" The four-year-old continued, "Well, dogs already know how to do that, so they don't have to stay as long." Live simply. Love generously. Care deeply, Speak kindly. Leave the rest to God.

How to install a wireless security system: Go to a second-hand store and buy a pair of men's used work boots, a really big pair. Put them outside your front door on top of a copy of Guns and Ammo magazine. Put a dog dish beside it, a really big dish. Leave a note on your front door that says something like "Bubba, Big Mike and I have gone to get more ammunition - back in 1/2 an hr. Don't disturb the pitbulls. They've just been wormed and they are a little edgy."

Peggy, I wish I could just take all of your pain away. Losing a spouse is so very hard. When we have a partner, we count on them for so many things and we know they are there for us to lean on. We share joy and sorrow with them. Having Don by your side for so many times was almost as if he was an "extension" of you. There is nothing to describe this deep feeling of emptiness. Honey, I will continue to say prayers for you. Your name has never left my prayer list and it will remain there.

More great news!!! YIPPEE and double YIPPEE!!! So happy for you.

YIPPEE!!!!! Wonderful news!!! I love to read this kind of news!!!

Peggy, Cindi and all... So very glad to hear that you are all safe and sound. I am so terrified of tornadoes. We have our share of problems here in Florida with hurricanes but at least we have plenty of warning that they're coming our way and we can get out of their way. Cindi, of course you had to take the pugs. Those little guys are just our four-legged children...lol! Peggy, you must have been terrified being in the crawl space for 30 minutes. That must have seemed like an eternity. Thank goodness that wonderful Don had the foresight to have a safe place prepared for you! Praying you all remain safe and sound.

Malou....As Larry the Cable Guy would say..."Gid Her Done" You'll feel much better after you get all checked out and can put all these fears behind you.

What is the toughest choice you've ever had to make?

(((((((((((((((Tina & Girls)))))))))))))))))) I am so very, very sorry to hear this news. My heart is breaking for you, knowing how this loss feels. You will remain in my thoughts and prayers.

So very sorry for your loss. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.