Ann

A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... enough money within her control to move out and rent a place of her own, even if she never wants to or needs to... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... something perfect to wear if the employer, or date of her dreams wants to see her in an hour... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .. a youth she's content to leave behind.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a past juicy enough that she's looking forward to retelling it in her old age.... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ..... a set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... one friend who always makes her laugh... and one who lets her cry... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE .... a good piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in her family.. A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... eight matching plates, wine glasses with stems, and a recipe for a meal, that will make her guests feel honored... A WOMAN SHOULD HAVE ... a feeling of control over her destiny... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to fall in love without losing herself.. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to quit a job, break up with a lover, and confront a friend without; ruining the friendship... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... when to try harder... and WHEN TO WALK AWAY... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... that she can't change the length of her calves, the width of her hips, or the nature of her parents.. EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.... that her childhood may not have been perfect...but its over... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she would and wouldn't do for love or more... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... how to live alone... even if she doesn't like it... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW.. whom she can trust, whom she can't, and why she shouldn't take it personally... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... where to go.... be it to her best friend's kitchen table... or a charming inn in the woods... when her soul needs soothing... EVERY WOMAN SHOULD KNOW... what she can and can't accomplish in a day... a month...and a year...

Just a short note to let everyone know that the new job is going well and I'm actually becoming adjusted to these 10 hour days. Yesterday, I actually worked over 11 hours. I love the job, the people I work with and I get to do a lot of dealing with the public, which I really love doing!!! Thanks again for all your thoughts and prayers during those long months while I was job hunting. I do believe that your prayers led me to the right place!!!! I love you all so very much and keep you close my heart and in my prayers.

For many years, I have been an admirer of Tim Russert. I was very sad when I learned of his sudden death and have been following the various news stories of his life and death. I was so inspired to see the huge double rainbow that was in the sky today, just as his family, friends and co-workers left the Cathedral. Really strange happening, since the final song played was SOmewhere Over The Rainbow...WOW!!! What a powerful message and a sign that all is well in the afterlife with Tim Russert!!!

What is the most "exotic" food you have ever eaten?

If you could claim one phrase or saying as your motto, what would it be???

I'm in Palm Bay, Florida. I paid $3.87 today at B.J.'s Wholesale Club. Last week I paid $4.03 a gallon. Think that dropping price is a sign of things to come.....LOL....LOL....LOL

OK....Roll Call..... Where do you live and how much are you now paying for a gollon of gas ???

Tell us about the strangest person you have ever worked with.

New job is going great. I have been working 10 hours a day and dragging home. But...all the work is better than being unemployed. Still so many people are out of work here. I miss you all like crazy!!! I should be posting regularly by Thursday.

So very, very sorry .

I start my new job on Monday!!! I am so happy and I don't think I've ever been more relieved in my entire life. I feel like such a burden has been lifted from my shoulders. I am so grateful for all of the thoughts, good wishes and prayers that you guys have been sending out for these past months!!! What great friends you all are!!! The very good news is that this job is less than 5 minutes from my house. I was so worried about the price of gas, since I have a Ford Explorer that absolutely loves gas. The hours are long 8-6 but I'll adjust. It's a data entry job and the people are really nice. The pay is decent....but just about half what I was making. So.....hopefully the old Ann is back and the blues are gone!!!

Unfortunately, this is so true. MALE VS. FEMALE AT THE ATM MACHINE A new sign in the Bank Lobby reads: 'Please note that this Bank is installing new Drive-through ATM machines enabling customers to withdraw cash without leaving their vehicles. Customers using this new facility are requested to use the procedures outlined below when accessing their accounts. After months of careful research, MALE & FEMALE Procedures have been developed. Please follow the Appropriate steps for your gender.' ******************************* MALE PROCEDURE: 1. Drive up to the cash machine. 2. Put down your car window. 3. Insert card into machine and enter PIN. 4. Enter amount of cash required and withdraw. 5. Retrieve card, cash and receipt. 6. Put window up. 7. Drive off. ******************************* FEMAL E PROCEDURE: (Unfortunately, most of this part is the Truth!!!) 1. Drive up to cash machine. 2. Reverse and back up the required amount to align car window with the machine. 3. Set parking brake, put the window down. 4. Find handbag, remove all contents on to passenger seat to locate card. 5. Tell person on cell phone you will call them back and hang up. 6. Attempt to insert card into machine. 7. Open car door to allow easier access to machine due to its excessive distance from the car. 8. Insert card. 9. Re-insert card the right way. 10. Dig through handbag to find diary with your PIN written on the inside back page. 11. Enter PIN. 12. Press cancel and re-enter correct PIN. 13. Enter amount of cash required. 14. Check makeup in rear view mirror. 15. Retrieve cash and receipt. 16. Empty handbag again to locate wallet and place cash inside. 17. Write debit amount in check register and place receipt in back of checkbook. 18. R e-check makeup. 19. Drive forward 2 feet. 20. Reverse back to cash machine. 21. Retrieve card. 22. Re-empty hand bag, locate card holder, and place card into the slot provided. 23. Give dirty look to irate male driver waiting behind you. 24. Restart stalled engine and pull off. 25. Redial person on cell phone. 26. Drive for 2 to 3 miles. 27. Release Parking Brake. SEND THIS TO A MAN WHO NEEDS A LAUGH AND TO THE LADIES YOU THINK CAN HANDLE IT!

You have to take a look at this!!! http://jfsdaily.com/?p=55

I couldn't believe Simon apologized to David Cook!!! Yes...I think he probably knew the results and wanted to smooth things over a bit. The really important thing is that DAVID COOK WON!!!! I'm so happy and just can't wait until he has a CD hit the stores so I can run out and buy it!!! And...didn't Jason look great last night???

Davis C has my vote!!! I like David A. He has a great voice but when it gets right down to it, what really stands out about him. He's a good singer but not a good entertainer. You know what I mean? He just lacks the charisma. For me, it's like he's completely programmed to go out and sing. Most of his songs are way too old...and too "gooey" (Simon) for a 17 year old kid to be singing. Sure, these young girls love him now but how many CD's will he sell to them singing that type of song? On the other hand, David Cook has charisma and audience appeal. He has shown his ability to sing many different types of songs and has done well with all of them. He's a bit older and is better able to handle the pressure of being the winner of this competition. Personally, I think the AI big-wigs think Cook is going to win and that's why the judges had all the great compliments for David A last night. This way, it will appear to be a real shocker when Cook wins!!! Regardless, I love David Cook and hope he wins tonight. I was a rock fan in my younger days but have mellowed out a lot over the years. I have to say that David C is the first rocker I've cared for in many years amd I would rush out to buy his cd!!!

So, tonight is the big night for all of the American Idol fans...me included! Sho do you think will win and why?

If you missed hearing the US Army Band and Chorus welcome Pope Benedict XVI at the White House Rose Garden ceremony on 15 April, get a load of these high school kids. One of the fathers recorded it, added some graphic enhancements to the recording, and posted it on the web. The song, of course, is the 'Battle Hymn Of The Republic.' It should send a few shivers up your spine http://www.greatdanepromilitary.com/Bat ... /index.htm

Interesting

Here in Palm Bay, we finally got about 30 drops of rain today!!! It's so dry that my grass just crunches when you walk on it. We haven't mowed the lawn in weeks, for fear that the sun will really parch the roots then. Think you gals can send some of those rain drops down our way?

The weather is so crazy all over the place right now, so I thought we could give an update of what the weather is like where you live????

There were protesters on the train platform handing out pamphlets on the evils of America . I politely declined to take one. An elderly woman was behind me getting off the escalator and a young female protester offered her a pamphlet, which she politely declined. The young protester put her hand on the old woman's shoulder as a gesture of friendship and in a very soft voice said, 'Lady, don't you care about the children of Iraq ?' The old woman looked up at her and said, 'Honey, my father died in France during World War II, I lost my husband in Korea , and a son in Vietnam . All three died so you could have the right to stand here and bad mouth our country. If you touch me again, I'll stick this umbrella up your *ss and open it.'

A young guy from Wisconsin moves to Florida and goes to a big everything-under-one-roof department store looking for a job. The Manager says, 'Do you have any sales experience?' The kid says 'Yeah. I was a salesman back in Wisconsin.' Well, the boss liked the kid and gave him the job. 'You start tomorrow. I'll come down after we close and see how you did.' His first day on the job was rough, but he got through it. After the store was locked up, the boss came down. 'How many customers bought something from you today?' The kid says, 'One.' The boss says, 'Just one? Our sales people average 20 to 30 customers a day. How much was the sale for?' The kid says, '$101,237.65.' The boss says, '$101,237.65? What the heck did you sell?' The kid says, 'First, I sold him a small fish hook. Then I sold him a medium fishhook. Then I sold him a larger fishhook. Then I sold him a new fishing rod. Then I asked him where he was going fishing, and he said down the coast, so I told him he was going to need a boat, so we went down to the boat department, and I sold him a twin engine Chris Craft. Then he said he didn't think his Honda Civic would pull it, so I took him down to the automotive department and sold him that 4x4 Expedition.' The boss said 'A guy came in here to buy a fish hook and you sold him a BOAT and a TRUCK?' The kid said 'No, the guy came in here to buy Tampons for his wife, and I said, 'Dude, your weekend's shot, you should go fishing."

No matter your political affiliation and your stance on the war itself, there should be no denying that we all need to support our troops. I hope you all receive this in the spirit in which it is intended. Have you ever seen one of our military walking past you and wanted to convey to them your thanks, but weren't sure how or it felt awkward? Recently, a gentleman from Seattle created a gesture which could be used and has started a massive movement to get the word out. Please everybody take just a moment to watch.... The Gratitude Campaign ...and then forward it to your friends! http://www.gratitudecampaign.org/shortmovie.php

Thanks for all of your positive thoughts and prayers. The fires are under control, 40% contained, and we are fine. There were more than a few scary moments but we have some really top notch firefighters here in Palm Bay and have had lots of help from other departments throughout the state. Yesterday, an arson suspect was arrested and all the stations had this mand tried and convicted but this morning, it looks as if he may have been a copycat, if even that. I believe the real arsonist, responsible for millions of dollars in damage, is still on the prowl. It is so very dry here and no rain is expected for weeks to come. The winds seem to have decreased a bit and the humidity has risen. It's still very scary, knowing that it is so dry with no rain in sight. We finally ventured out to the supermarket last night and by the time we were getting home, smoke was rolling from somewhere very near our house. Of course, I was in a complete panic until I saw my house wasn't in flames. It was a brush fire a couple of blocks away with no houses in danger, thank God. It's so nice to have power on again, althogh parts of the city are still without power. I guess this was a good chance for everyone to make sure their generators were working before hurrican season arrives in June. See...I still have a sense of humor. Honestly, when I went into the store last night, you would have thought there was a hurricane on its way. There were batteries, falshlights, candles, drinking water and coolers all stacked up in the front of the store. Thanks for all your prayers. You are such good friends with such positive prayers!!!!

Thanks so much to Randy for posting this and for everyone for your prayers. Things are a bit better today but none of the fires are contained and the winds are now picking up again. Sending you some pics taken just a few blocks from me. http://spacecoast.craigslist.org/vnn/678531212.html Keep praying for us. A neighbor just knocked at my door to tell me another fire has popped up just to the east of us, about 5 blocks over. Not good news as this fire is in the woods behind a BP station.