and so it is NOT James Blunt

i thought it was.

but you may...

I Listen - G Clair

I recently bought a new car ( my first ever), and will be sure get that oil changed every 3000 miles, probably not at JL. Which reminds me...

Once owned a Ford Taurus though often it's said
a Ford on the roadside is probably dead
I never let stuff like that go to my head
I know how it is to be down.
Ran my hand over the gun metal gray
if it was a horse we'd have galloped away
but the oil was blackened and so that fine day
I decided to take it to town.

My husband was known for mechanical skill
took pride in his work, though I battled his will
I knew he was right about everything, still
I wanted to have my own way.
It was his contention that I was a pain
he often made comments that seemed so inane
resenting him then, though I'm less of a brain
at the technical end of the day.

He said he would change it the next Saturday
but I thought to myself there's a much better way
at Jiffy Lube, service is good and I say
that it takes them no more than ten minutes.
Five minutes to get there and five minutes in
they offered to clean up my dirty engine
I gladly accepted, and paid for the gin
or whatever that mixture had in it.

Back at the house feeling quite satisfied
a little bit nervous on account of his pride
but the Taurus can't wait, 'cause what if it died
and think of the money we saved.
Well he wasn't at home, so then I could relax
Got dressed for work while rehearsing the facts
I drove up the parkway and in one hour max
the Taurus it bucked, and then caved.

Squeaked into the place where my money was earned
I called him and naturally he was concerned
we had it towed out, I felt angry and burned
now I needed a brand new transmission.
I try not to dwell on the past or roadkill
we all have our issues, they bother me still
I'm often quite stubborn, and always a pill
but once in a while now, I listen.

never let go

zzzzzzzzzzzzz

Some people would think his voice sounds strange. I don't know why. I love that deep rich sound which could easily put a person to sleep. I listened to Roy Orbison but didn't have that same effect. Maybe it was the video which I found somewhat cheesy.I don't care for those roses with the sparkle effects and half naked women sprawled on bedsheets. Some blown out middle aged women whose husband is is out at a bar with his friends, a dead deer in the back of his pick-up prolly put that one together. Wishful thinkin? Not my bag, lady. Gimmee an old movie clip.

adjusting to change

dating myself

i love this song

this is how it feels...

hmm....

Esphesians 5:2- And walk in love, as Christ also has loved us and given Himself for us, an offering and a sacrifice to God for a sweet smelling aroma...

there is a way

Defeating the Totalitarian Lie

The Undeniable Truths of Rush Limbaugh

1. The greatest threat to humanity lies in the nuclear arsenal of the USSR. 2. The greatest threat to humanity lies in the USSR. 3. Peace does not mean the elimination of nuclear weapons. 4. Peace does not mean the absence of war. 5. War is not obsolete. 6. Ours is a world governed by the aggressive use of force. 7. There is only one way to get rid of nuclear weapons - use them. 8. Peace cannot be achieved by developing a "understanding" with the Russian People. 9. When Americans oppose America, it is not always courageous and sacred; it is sometimes dangerous. 10. Communism Kills. 11. Neither the US, nor anyone else, imposes freedom on the peoples of other nations. 12. Freedom is God given. 13. In the USSR, peace means the absence of opposition. 14. To free peoples, peace means the absence of threats and the presence of justice. 15. The Peace Movement in the US, whether by accident or design, is pro-Communist. 16. The collective knowledge and wisdom of seasoned citizens is the most valuable, yet untapped, resource our young-people have. 17. The greatest football team in the history of civilization is the Pittsburgh Steelers of 1975-1980. 18. There is no such thing as war atrocities. 19. War itself is an atrocity. 20. There is a God. 21. Abortion is wrong. 22. Morality is not defined and cannot be defined by individual choice. 23. Evolution cannot explain Creation. 24. Feminism was established so as to allow unattractive women access to the mainstream of society. 25. Love is the only human emotion that cannot be controlled. 26. The only difference between Mikhail Gorbachev and previous Soviet leaders, is that Gorbachev is alive. 27. Soviet Leaders are just left-wing dictators. 28. Abe Lincoln saved this nation. 29. The L.A. Raiders will never be the team that they were when they called Oakland their home. 30. The US will again go to war. 31. To more and more people, a victorious US is a sinful US. 32. This is frightening and ominous. 33. There will always be poor people. 34. This is not the fault of the rich. 35. You should thank God for making you an American; and instead of feeling guilty about it, help spread our ideas worldwide.


Rush has updated this list, many of the "old" UTOL having become somewhat dated (but no less true for being in the past tense!) As read by Rush Limbaugh on his radio show, Friday, February 18, 1994: (All equally truthful: number 1 is not more or less important than 35.) 1. There is a distinct singular American culture - rugged individualism and self-reliance - which made America great. 2. The vast majority of the rich in this country did not inherit their wealth; they earned it. They are the country's achievers, producers, and job creators. 3. No nation has ever taxed itself into prosperity. 4. Evidence refutes liberalism. 5. There is no such thing as a New Democrat. 6. The Earth's eco-system is not fragile. 7. Character matters; leadership decends from character. 8. The most beautiful thing about a tree is what you do with it after you cut it down. 9. Ronald Reagan was the greatest president of the twentieth century. 10. The 1980s was not a decade of greed but a decade of prosperity; it was the longest period of peacetime growth in American history. 11. Abstinence prevents sexually transmitted disease and pregnancy -every time it's tried. 12. Condoms only work during the school year. 13. Poverty is not the root ("rut") cause of crime. 14. There's a simple way to solve the crime problem: obey the law; punish those who do not. 15. If you commit a crime, you are guilty. 16. Women should not be allowed on juries where the accused is a stud. 17. The way to improve our schools is not more money, but the reintroduction of moral and spiritual values, as well as the four "R's": reading, 'riting, 'rithmatic, and Rush. 18. I am not arrogant. 19. My first 35 Undeniable Truths are still undeniably true. 20. There is a God. 21. There is something wrong when critics say the problem with America is too much religion. 22. Morality is not defined by individual choice. 23. The only way liberals win national elections is by pretending they're not liberals. 24. Feminism was established as to allow unattractive women easier access to the mainstream of society. 25. Follow the money. When somebody says, "It's not the money," it's always the money. 26. Liberals attempt through judicial activism what they cannot win at the ballot box. 27. Using federal dollars as a measure, our cities have not been neglected, but poisoned with welfare dependency funds. 28. Progress is not striving for economic justice or fairness, but economic growth. 29. Liberals measure compassion by how many people are given welfare. Conservatives measure compassion by how many people no longer need it. 30. Compassion is no substitute for justice. 31. The culture war is between the winners and those who think they're losers who want to become winners. The losers think the only way they can become winners is by banding together all the losers and then empowering a leader of the losers to make things right for them. 32. The Los Angeles riots were not caused by the Rodney King verdict. The Los Angeles riots were caused by rioters. 33. You could afford your house without your government - if it weren't for your government. 34. Words mean things. 35. Too many Americans can't laugh at themselves anymore. ----- Brought to you by - The 'Lectric Law Library The Net's Finest Legal Resource For Legal Pros & Laypeople Alike. http://www.lectlaw.com

8 Reasons to Enjoy Your Single Status (For Now) - by Erin Meanley

For some people, being single can make them uncomfortable. Here are eight reasons to enjoy or even revel in the fact that you aren't paired up right now.

Being single means doing many things on your own and having more alone time. Some people are less comfortable than others when it comes to being single or having alone time. They see it as a punishment. I don't. As a half-introvert who spent much of her teens writing poetry and daydreaming, I will attempt to make the solitude thing palatable for the singletons who don't care to look inward/play solitaire/shop alone. Here's what's awesome about stagging it through life:

1. Your diet is your diet. You can eat what you want and chow down precisely when you feel hungry. You do not have to wait for your man to come home from work. You can also watch the movies you want. This is a real plus for me. I watch lame Rom-Coms over and over.

2. You can do errands without the dead weight. I once had a roommate complain that she just wanted someone with whom to run errands on the weekends. I also had a boyfriend who begged me to stick around and watch while he cleaned his closet. Personally, I get antsy when I think I'm boring someone else. Also, I shop, run errands, and do chores much faster without a second voice chiming in.

3. You will really get to know yourself. Okay. What does this mean, getting to know one's self? I'm going to take a stab at this. If you're someone who writes in a journal, you probably write down a lot of plot (e.g. "He called while I was in the shower"). But every once in a while, you'll add a little commentary (e.g. "Why do I shower so much?" or "I wish I hadn't overreacted. My bad."). Maybe you'll read old entries and discover a pattern in your behavior. Now, some people, when they are upset or stressed, will go mop the floor and re-varnish the table and won't be able to recognize stress if it bites them in the face.

I, on the other hand, let the floor get dirty while I reflect — Erin, why are you feeling this way? Some might say that's more productive than mopping. Self-reflection makes you aware of how you think, move, react, and how it affects others. If you know yourself, you'll probably be less crazy when you have a boyfriend and argue with him — you'll understand your feelings and hopefully articulate yourself like a master journaler. This will make you a better partner.

4. You can be a good aunt. Since my friends have become new moms, I've been able to spend time with their babies. Hopefully the next generation will appreciate how cool/crazy Auntie E is.

5. You can develop talents and take up hobbies. I have had the time to learn Italian, take surfing lessons, run a half-marathon, and go to ballet class. I'd also like to take up sewing and cooking (for real — cooking. I'm considering it).

6. You actually get out of the house. It's hard to motivate for a party when you're sitting on the couch in your sweats, cuddling with your BF. It might also be hard to get him to care about your friends. Or vice versa. But being single makes your social life less complicated in a way. You're more open-minded about going out.

7. You can travel. Now's the time to explore. You may not have the freedom later. Call up a friend and start packing!

8. Loneliness hurts less. Feeling lonely when you're in a relationship is much worse than feeling lonely when you're single. And yes, married people do feel lonely at times (e.g. when he's taking you for granted or going into his man cave).

Blossom- G Clair

Your life is beautiful
your life is holy
Your life means everything
everything to me~

You were created
in secret places
and only God knew
the best was yet to be

and when I found out
I was quite nervous
but when I heard your
sweet heartbeat, I smiled

cause I was made for
this very purpose
to be your mom, little one
and you're my child

I'll always love you
you'll know you're wanted
and in our family you'll know
you belong

I'll help you grow up
and teach you everything
and baby, someday, you'll write
your own song!

National Puppy Day. This is Teddy.

Teddy is not my dog, but he WAS my dog at one time. I gave him to Al when we parted since I felt he would get better attention and treatment in a safer environment. The two of them are very happy together, and Teddy is way better off than he would have been had I taken him with me. That's how I sleep at night.

Maybe someday when I get out of my folks house I will be able to get another dog. Then I will have "something to show for all of my hard work"! Ha!

EVERY TIME

nowheresville

pixie sings

time out

http://www.snickers.com/default.htm

something old, something new

I wound up in Red Bank yesterday and decided to go into Jack's Music or Monmouth music to try out a few guitars. I've been wandering into music stores for years now, always sampling the acoustic electric guitars in a back room, plugging them into amps, dreaming of being able to walk out with one without having to go into debt over it. Dream on. Every time I find something which makes my heart sing, I check the tag. $1300. $1500. $1700. $2000. As Raymond Barone puts it "Not today". I already own a Charvel Acoustic Electric which I had picked up in Toms River back in the 90s. I paid around 550 for it with the case. The pick-up on it had broken a couple years back and I had given the little amp to my nephew. I was ready to pass my current guitar on to my other nephew Charlie (I've got a lot nephews and neices to pass things on to). Of course every guitar I really like always costs more than I want or can afford to spend and I don't want to go into debt over it. So yesterday I found this Washburn in the back of Jack's Music. Used but like brand spankin' new! $250 Electric-Acoustic, which sounded as deep and beautiful and clear as any Taylor or almost as any Takamine I have ever played. It was shocking. $250? Really? Obviously I am no connoisseur, but you know how you KNOW what you like? You just KNOW it when you see and it try it out? I liked it. The color, the finish, the detail, the size and fit and length of the neck. The cut away look I like. The sound, oh the sound, and the price. I LOVE a good deal! After I got home, I priced them online and sure enough these things are made in China. Oh those poor people working so hard for pittance. I wonder if that's the case here, and by the way it also came with a hard case. All at this affordable price. It's just crazy. Wow. It was like that song about the violin which was going at an auction and no one wanted to pay much for it until it fell into the hands of the master...Not that I am by any means a master. Good Lord, no. But I was just so surprised that this was the ONLY used acoustic-electric and it was so pretty and sounded so GOOD. I know the difference.

Gee, I have not felt that happy over 'a thing' for a long long time.Things don't do that for me. In fact I have little qualms about giving things away. Less is more I say. But this guitar is a gift. Yes, from God. As if my steps were directed right into the way back of Jack's Music to find it. I know it would not have lasted. And It's not so much the thingyness of it, but the calm I feel when playing it. Reminds me of my first Yamaha way back in the 70s. Makes me smile. :) Well the days getting away. I have to get outside and get on my bike, laundry, find something green to wear for tomorrow. etc. etc. Off today. Work for the rest of the week and all next week. :)

Concerning the Morning - G Clair

Concerning the morning, I'd sleep right on through
and not ever see it or drink in the dew
but for some awesome reason I cannot explain
my eyes fluttered open without any strain
and in the position I happened to lie
I could look up and take in clearest blue sky
the window was open, the sweet smell of spring
floats on the breeze while the birds sweetly sing
I could easily remain here and let myself drift
but something inside calls for more of this gift
I pull myself out of that place of soft warming
and sit on the edge of clear consciousness forming
Still in my flannels I pull on a sweater
slip into my clogs and now feeling much better
slide open the door and slip out to the deck
these six-packs need planting, I say, what the heck
dig into cool dirt, without much of a care
and plant my petunias in the flower box there
I let my mind rest as I breathe in fresh air
the rising sun filters through forests back there
I remember the 'red sky at dawn' weather warning
and ponder the beauty concerning the morning.

do you have to?

my first born nephew, Ant, all growed up with his friend Packie

Never ever leaves the house without telling his grandma he loves her. Just bought himself some bagpipes. Right in tune with my tinnitus.

at 17

One of the saddest and beautiful songs EVER.

"AT SEVENTEEN"
By Janis Ian

I learned the truth at seventeen
That love was meant for beauty queens
And high school girls with clear skinned smiles
Who married young and then retired
The valentines I never knew
The Friday night charades of youth
Were spent on one more beautiful
At seventeen I learned the truth...

And those of us with ravaged faces
Lacking in the social graces
Desperately remained at home
Inventing lovers on the phone
Who called to say "come dance with me"
And murmured vague obscenities
It isn't all it seems at seventeen...

A brown eyed girl in hand me downs
Whose name I never could pronounce
Said: "Pity please the ones who serve
They only get what they deserve"
The rich relationed hometown queen
Marries into what she needs
With a guarantee of company
And haven for the elderly...

So remember those who win the game
Lose the love they sought to gain
In debitures of quality and dubious integrity
Their small-town eyes will gape at you
In dull surprise when payment due
Exceeds accounts received at seventeen...

To those of us who knew the pain
Of valentines that never came
And those whose names were never called
When choosing sides for basketball
It was long ago and far away
the world was younger than today
when dreams were all they gave for free
to ugly duckling girls like me...

We all play the game, and when we dare
We cheat ourselves at solitaire
Inventing lovers on the phone
Repenting other lives unknown
That call and say: "Come on, dance with me"
And murmur vague obscenities
At ugly girls like me, at seventeen...

You Are Love- G Clair

You are here in the light
in the darkest of the night
and you surround me
You surround me
I was lost, but was found
wandered off again
but You came out and found me
You surround me

speak softly
tell me not to be afraid or to consider
any other way, that which is bitter
keep me from religious law and letter
in You things work together for the better
for You are Love, simply Love

not alone, never was
but I struggle to be what they have expected
and rejected~
once again, not enough
while these words come off the cuff
there's something waiting
but hesitating

speak softly
tell me not to be afraid or to consider
any other way, that which is bitter
keep me from religious law and letter
in You things work together for the better
for You are Love, simply Love

came away from that place
filled with pride I needed grace
and how I shivered
yet you delivered
took these rags, then this cart
wrapped your arms around my heart
and in your clothing
no more self-loathing

speak softly
tell me not to be afraid or to consider
any other way, that which is bitter
keep me from religious law and letter
in You things work together for the better
for You are Love, simply Love.

When You're Sick, A Lymr-'ick' - G Clair

If you're coughing up some mucous and it's green
to be sure, I say, your doctor should be seen
do not delay if it is grey, or other colors of the day
because these bugs are nasty, worse than mean!

Cozy up with Vicks rubbed on your chest,
it seems to open up the passage best
a little dab will also do, beneath the nares it is true
helps you breath more easily when you rest.

Humidify the air beside the bed
take good care to clean the thing, it's said
keep a box of Kleenex near, the softest kind will feel most dear
and place your favorite pillow 'neath your head.

It's good to keep some chicken soup on hand
it's value has been known throughout the land
keep the heat on, be a wench and and crack the window just a pinch
and try to sleep as much as you can stand.

In time you will recover from this hell
your symptoms will subside and you can tell
but be sure to keep your guard up with the crowds and don't be hard up
just insist they keep their distance- and stay well!

© 2010 Gina Morrone

Fall Of The Republic

slip-covers for ladies who still wear slips

We have Wii for our members at the day care. I have never actually seen them play. Unlike the real pins and rubber bowling ball which cause quite a ruckus, the sound of the Wii bowling does not generate enough noise to warrant investigation. I bought the game for my dad and he has not used it yet. I almost gave it to my younger nephews who are into it, but Dad indicated that he had not yet tried it out. One day I will have to get my parents set up for a game.

never a dry eye

Good grief. After suffering for a week or two, I was diagnosed with 'dry eye', a fitting name for the most uncomfortable condition I've had to deal with since entering those miserable peri-menopausal years. Here I was thrilled to be free from the PMS only to be hurled into...well, maybe it's NOT related to the hormones. Dry eye. It just sounds so lame. Rather unattractive. Dry--Eye. No matter now you say it, still feels pre-dead to me. If you've ever put a blow dryer to your face, turned it on and looked at the inner workings as the heat blows directly onto your cornea, you'll understand. It's like you find yourself squinting, and blinking and then, suddenly PARCHED. It's really awful. You know, sometimes, in the middle of the night, perhaps in the deepest REM stage of your dream, just when the eyeballs begin to roll around, there is this pain which jerks you back to wakefulness and then you try to open your eyes and it's like there are weights on your eyelids. Seriously. As if they've been sewn shut. You think you're going to panic and you can't help but reach up and yank them apart. I mean, It's not like they are crusty, like the crusty crab or anything but it's just so...unsettling, this 'dry eye' phenomena. What the heck...Is this like...the beginning of the end? Or just a change in the weather? Could it be that I sat in the sauna too long? Did I aim the blow dryer too close to my eyeballs? Was I sitting in the direct path of my car heater. Is it going to go away? The ophthalmologist could offer no reason for the dryness which makes it difficult to open my eyes in the middle of the night, and causes my eyes to feel as if my eyelids are lined with sandpaper. "Difficult to treat" were the words which stick in my head. Whether or not it will be a temporary thing, I pray often, try to relax and keep a tight hold on my eye drops, which bring great delight on contact. Actually, the anticipation of contact is almost as good as the splash down. It's getting to where I look forward to spilling the stuff into my eyes every few hours. Honest. I hate giving them to others, but for me, It's like going for a cool swim on a hot day. Like that Oasis in the desert and I very much look forward to them. For some wonderful reason, yesterday morning my eyes were dripping with tears. I was in heaven. Must have gone a little heavy on the drops. In any case, it's going to be alright. I can still muster up a good laugh-cry if I feel moved. Thank God. Thank you God.

just nothing

brownie points

Lead Me To The Cross

Ruin Me- J Johnson

take you back