More flora and fauna from Arka-dilly!

A bandit in the bird feeder!

Begging for Trouble....

I hate typos.
I hate mispronunciations.
I hate poor punctuation.
I hate bad grammar.

And... I'm the worst offender of them all!

Ah, well... I'm happy regardlessly! I talk, write and speak with a hick voice, dialect and intellect. That's not to be confused with Southern or red-necked. I am those, too- thus explaining the influences and the intermingling of vernaculars.

Nor am I a hypocrite! I speak hastily and regularly pound out mistakes on the keyboard and gaily sail along in my daily life. Cést la vie! If you find 'em (the mistakes) please overlook. And, when I do call attention to other's mistakes... it is only because my brain kicked into gear, recognized it and my mouth voiced it before I thought "keep it to yourself!". Really and truly... does it matter if everything is correct? Exceptions being résumes?

But this guy is looking for trouble!

Jeff Deck is on a mission and he carries a punctuation repair kit.

His most recent conquest? OREGON! Now, I've got good friend out there who is a whiz-bang at English... I can't believe that he found any in her neighborhood!

Check it out.

an dunt grad e me bye mah arrows.

P.S. I have another good friend who used to be a whiz-bang at chemistry and she correctly identified caffeine in an earlier post this week! Good going, Kat! I'll send you some! I just this morning spotted that comment!!

One for Jess...

Ahhh..... bliss.
Some folks never outgrow their toys or childhood dreams.

Kid has been all excited as there is to be some big zombie campaign over on campus this week- real.... well... as real as mortals can play zombies, anyway. With Nerf guns.

He and the Chadster had to come dig through the attic room and find the vintage weapons.


Oddly enough... I found this news article about this other college kid in Michigan building his own Panzer Tank. Don't you just know his folks are proud of him??

Yes, Jess... I'm sure your Dad will help you build this as a History assignment...and Barry.... and Newton, etc!!

Basic... just basic.

a prize to the first correct guess!

The view from N 15th

These iris were planted by a former (very dear) neighbor, Miz Pat!


She won't recognize the gate-fence though!














The pink dogwood planted in honor of the birth of a beloved son!
It's 21 years old! And, that's our house far off in the distance!







Red honeysuckle on a white azalea that has not yet bloomed out.










New plants in the salt pot- water lettuce... and a little lady-bug!

The Wisteria Drive in SWArk

Today, my MIL and I took a drive up the road.
Spring has arrived and the wisteria and iris are radiant in their purple splendor.

Humor me...

I particularly love this actor... that he's afraid of plants (especially ferns) is even more hilarious!

thanks to Nancy for the heads up.... love the morning breakfast & coffee.

Aawwwww... rats! This video is no longer available! You shoulda watched SNL the other night!! Me, too! Oh, well! Find something else to chuckle over coffee with a beloved sister!

"Bob" the snapping turtle back with Fort Worth museum

Lost and Found?

Bob is Back.

Employees at the Fort Worth Museum of Science and History say a 2-foot-long snapping turtle called Bob was located Wednesday in a construction area.

A worker noticed the dirt-caked turtle moseying along.

Assistant curator Leishawn Spotted Bear says Bob apparently had been with a group of turtles to be moved last September as the staff vacated the museum building.

But she believes the 15-pound turtle went underground, at least for awhile, when his fellow reptiles were relocated to another part of the museum complex.

The museum building was demolished and construction crews have been working on a new facility.

Spotted Bear thinks recent heavy rain loosened the dirt where Bob had been.

She says Bob appears a little thin, but is doing well and will get some treats, like minnows, to "fatten him up a little bit."

04/03/2008 • Associated Press



Visit the museum online!

We just love a happy ending! and turtle stories!

Godspeed on your Journey

May God bless each of you and protect you.

May HIS divine plan be furthered because of your willingness to serve Him.


















Godspeed, Jocelyn & Jessica.

Soooo cute!

B & I think this is the cutest lil' girl!

Her perspective of Star Wars is very perceptive, too.

Enjoy!

The art of V.L. Cox

Our friend, Lynnette, is such an inspiration!

So much fun!

And, so incredibly talented!!

Her site bears witness of that.

Earlier this month, B and I journeyed to LR to the M2 Gallery for her most recent show. We got there a little early and just enjoyed soaking up all the art privately before the expected crowd.

When Lyn and Sherrie got there, we had a walloping good time and lots of laffs! Sherrie even snuck away for a little while and introduced us to a great market nearby!

Other artists we enjoyed: (check out here) Ron Mynatt, Jason Gammel, Johnny Taylor and Ann Laser's art, too!

This month- L'nette's a feature article in "At Home Arkansas" and I know that her grandma, Louise, is just bursting buttons at how accomplished her granddaughter has become.

I know that she is a rising star in the art world.. and deserves it every bit! I'm just glad that I can say I knew her way back when!

These are a couple of other pieces that I'm fascinated with... yes, Msell- I see the orange trend growing!

Too many irons in the fire....

Houston! We have a problem!

I tried to upload this picture earlier this month and was having problems... so here goes again.
The problem.....
we need another computer! haha!

I never expected B's willingness to point 'n click as much as he does!! And, thank goodness for software that corrects the spelling for you!!

PROS: He can search all by himself.
CONS: I have to view everything he finds!

I must say though- that some of the stuff is very entertaining!



and....



And, his ALL-time favorite cat-video!


But... all this video viewing is wreaking havoc on our lack of bandwidth and even though I just added lots more RAM- I'm having to clean out the cache and am experiencing browser shutdowns like crazy! Thus the cause for all kinds of gnashing of teeth. I'll have started multiple letters and loose them or will have several tabs open with information that I've yet to follow up and it's all lost! ARGH!!!

Somebody SAVE ME!!!

Okay. Go enjoy the videos... compliments of B!

An Ode to My Peeps

at the end of the day....

after all the Easter baskets have been filled

and emptied....

there's not much to say.

Just another victim.

Only an outline left as proof positive that he really was there.

Mr Peep- he and many other of his large family of Peeps tragically ended the festive day when they lost the right ear first, the left ear second, the bunny-tail and finally their heads.

All gone.

Without even one peep.

May they Rest.... in Peeps.

He is risen!

Hoping you and yours a Happy Easter!

New study-- ARTifacts!

One of the big goals for the past few years is to document some of our family and childhood artifacts. Some of these are well known to all my siblings and still reside in highly prominent positions scattered around ours and our parent's homes.

A photo essay is slowly coming together and if I can ever get them all printed it will make a nice book of memories for the family.


Doll eraser.

If memory serves correctly-- this was just a clever little figure that we often used in our doll playing.

I don't recall any particular role this figure played other than just filling out the audience.
But, it was certainly worth a google and naturally-

I found all kinds of them on ebay! KOKESHI doll eraser.



Little green horse!
This currently resides with a dear sister in Abilene!
Neigh Neigh!

Used in equestrian events and may have played in Josie's Round-up Ranch once upon a time.







Frog Prince-

a gift to Mae from another sister that will remain nameless- but, her name rhymes with bobbin!
They just wanted a picture "just because"! So... here he is! In all his glory.

This isn't necessarily ancient.... we certainly do play with it though!

Sadly... he came to a dreadful demise in the last thunderstorm and lost his head when he attempted a Humpty Dumpty pose and fell off the wall.

Will notify if Dad's glue surgery is successful- haha!

Happy St Pat's Day!

The real truth to the "luck o' the Irish"!



If this doesn't load from my site... please go here! It may be that all the shamrock lovers are putting a strain on U-tube.

March is National DVT Awareness Month

Did you know?

• 2 million Americans are affected annually by Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT).

• More people die in the U.S. from Pulmonary Embolism (PE) than breast cancer and AIDS combined!

• 60% of all DVT/PE occur in the setting of hospitalization or surgery.

• Pulmonary embolism (PE) is the most common preventable cause of hospital-related death.

Remembering David Bloom

David Bloom and his famous "Bloom-mobile" went to work following the invasion of Iraq in 2003. A blood clot in his leg travelled to his lungs and ended his journalism journey and life.


The U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division placed the book "My Utmost for His Highest" at the memorial service. Written by Oswald Chambers, he shares how we need to be as broken bread and poured-out wine to please God. We are to be "separated to the gospel" which means being able to hear the call of God for our lives. Our lives are to be used to preach the Good News to those around us, just like Paul in Romans 1:1.

David's widow, Melanie, is using her life to continue raising their children in a Godly way and to help bring DVT and FVL to a higher awareness.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
PSA compliments of multiple DVT survivor.
It happens to everyday people in their everyday lives as well.

My, oh, my, oh, Mona.

Me oh, my oh!
Mona, Mona me!
Mona, Mona & Samson!

That mysterious smile on both their faces! and Sam's very bare belly!



To-do list:
• Find something GREEN for tomorrow!

• Happy St. Patricks Day by the way!

• Remember to finish filling out my "Brackets". Go Razorbacks!

Crazy people and what their cats allow them to do!

Uh.... no. I'm not BORED!
But, someone thought that I just needed to fill up my time with frippery and nonsense. So... they sent me to this site to waste a few precious moments. Please note... I am NOT responsible for that picture or any on that site... but, they do look like something I'd do, *snicker*!


see more crazy cat pics

I love this picture because it's so similar to one that friend, Mshell, took of me the other week!



Don't cha think this picture describes my outlook on life?
#1 • Go through life with your eyes closed shut. Blink as often as possible!

#2 • A girl can never have (or wear) enough scarves. Plaid compliments all styles- regardless of the occasion.

#3 • When out with a bunch of scrapping girls- assume that one (or all) will have a camera when you do something silly.

Enjoy the silly cats from the link above... and enjoy SPRING! I'm out to snap some pics when the light is right!

Having to learn to share.....

Who knew that at age 45 I'd have to learn to SHARE!!

It's not that I'm selfish!!

But.... having to share my computer is getting to be a PAIN!

This is what I used to see.....


and this is what I see on a regular basis...

Husband... honing his computer skills.
He can successfully check the AR Jobsite and race downtown to the ESD to apply within minutes of the posting!! If the recruiters would only be as impressed with his speed in persistence in checking the computer so frequently!


I used to pray that he got a day-time job... now, I just pray that he get ANY kind of job! His computer skills are improving, but- he's gonna HAVE to learn how to email, LOL!!


Oh... and what does he do when there's no "action" on that site? U-tube of course!!

Somebody..... please put a fishing pole in B's hands and let me exercise some mindless surfing on my computer, PULEEZE!!! haha!!

WANTED! Winter vacation....

It's March.

Finally.

You would think that being in the South we'd be preparing for moonlight and magnolias. NOT.

Oh, no.... it's a winter storm warning alert and cold, freezing rain.

YUCK.

Do you have any idea what this will do to the daffodils, tulips and azaleas?? Not to even mention my poor old Japanese tulip tree that is always a little tardy in blooming?

Such a bummer.

I really need a winter-break. Some place warm and sunny and as few stresses as possible. Maybe I should apply for a few jobs for Byron based on my requirements for environment rather than his criteria of sawmill? Hmm..... sand. mountains. water. avg. temp = 77.

So.. I plugged in those search words and do you know where I should live???

Turkmenistan

I don't think so!

I'd miss my signature flowers!!


Oh. Well. Guess I'd better go make sure old mother Hubbard's cupboards are not so bare. And, hope we've got enough firewood to keep me 'n Samson cozy! And, movies. I think I'll watch nothing but summer flicks!

Stay warm.

Red Velvet Lust!

I think... I'm in love!

How better to meld two favorite passions... paisley and chocolate!

YUMMMM.

But... there's more...






Think that looks good?

Take a look at this one!








and this one.....









And, just to prove that I'm not being prejudiced...






here's some cheesecake!

Have a loverly day and Enjoy!

Anniversary Specials!

Confession.

I am TERRIBLE at remembering dates.

Absolutely horrible.

I have to count on my knuckles in order to remember the date of my own anniversary. I know it's the last day of July. But, which is the last day? The 30th or the 31st? or recite the ditty:

30 days hath September,
April, June and November,
All the rest have 31,
Excepting February alone
(And that has 28 days clear,
With 29 in each leap year).

So... I celebrate birthdays and anniversaries when I remember them. Or not. I just hope that those folks celebrating remind me when there's one that should be noted.

The one I missed this week (the 8th)- was my sister's. Anniversary.

Happy Anniversary N & D! I heard you went to Florida? She forgot to tell me that they had plans! Not surprisingly... she doesn't always remember these things either. Amazing that any of us K's ever get any event celebrated properly.

Regardless..... there is a big... I mean BIG... I mean REALLY REALLY REALLY BIG Anniversary I'm not supposed to forget this year. Heck! If my siblings and I can ever stop long enough to communicate- we might even plan a party for it! But.. in the meantime- I created a countdown WIDGET (see it over in the next column?) to reinforce it to me everytime I log on.

Here's to hoping that I remember my Mom & Dad's 50th Anniversary! It's on Christmas, by the way!

I just wish that the geniuses at Apple would figure out a way for me to import dates from emails into my calendar program and could set up reminders that way. Of course.. I'd have to check my email for those reminders. But- HEY! It MIGHT actually help!

And, to all those celebrating anniversaries or birthdays, or special events.... make sure and send me sign as large as a a so as I won't forget!

My Gramma Rode a Harley.... find missing pictures

This is not a made-up story.

Yes. My grandmother, Mae, really did ride a Harley.
Once.
Maybe twice.
But, on the back.
Not actually steering.
That is she perched on the rear.
Her roommate on the front.

I have always loved this photograph- since my early years, I wanted to be like her. I guess I took it a step further, though, cuz I really did drive a motorcycle back in the day. Sadly- the pictures are gone.

Which got me to thinking.

Where do lost cameras and photographs go?

I mean... not the truly lost as in a land-fill lost. But, the sort that just got misplaced and someone not related to the event came along behind, picked up and didn't know what to do with? Have you ever found a camera left sitting on a bench at the amusement park and there was not a soul around to claim it?

Well. after reading this I got to contemplating this and discovered that there are several online sites to search for those gone-but-not-forgotten boxes of photos, and apparently the newest trend in cyber-culture... the orphaned memory card or stick.

Wow! There are even lost and found Family Bibles that are hoped to be reunited with some caring loved ones.

For a really large list of photo-databases and links, click here.

But for the original source- try Dead Fred's.

I'm sure that there are many other sources to look through... email them to me at arky artist at yahoo dot com.

Winter/Spring~Destruction/Beauty

Yes. The storms were devastating yesterday.

Yes. Transitioning between the seasons is a wild ride for those of us living in tornado alley.

Yes. It was 76 degrees at lunch yesterday and today it's in the 40's.

And, yet- here's the first promise of Spring.

Yes, the humble daffodil sprung up next to Byron's blacksmith shop and he was so proud.

Many thoughts and prayers for the families that lost loved ones, their homes and jobs. It's been almost eleven years since our towns' world was turned completely upside down. It's not something any one will ever forget and witnessing the forces that weather can impose even on the most well prepared still leaves an empty hollow feeling in the gut when it happens to yet another community.

The hope is to look for the small blessings even amongst the fallen limbs and debris.

Total chaos or merely grave entropy?

What in the world is entropy and just what does it have to do with art?

en·tro·py (ĕn'trə-pē) n., pl. -pies.
• (Symbol S) For a closed thermodynamic system, a quantitative measure of the amount of thermal energy not available to do work.
• A measure of the disorder or randomness in a closed system.
• A measure of the loss of information in a transmitted message.
• The tendency for all matter and energy in the universe to evolve toward a state of inert uniformity.
• Inevitable and steady deterioration of a system or society.

I found this word today in one of my many e-newsletters. It was actually in reference to a statement by an earth-artist.

Which led to further inquiry. What in the sam-hill* is Earth Art? and aren't we all Earth artists? Well. No. Not exactly.

Oh. Okay. I knew about the spiral jetty- but, had never thought to consider who the artist behind it was.

Robert Smithson is the man behind this and it was an interview with Alison Sky that he made reference to the term entropy. As it turns out- time, erosion and pedestrians have taken it's toll on the spiral and now there are plans to drill nearby which would cause it to further disintegrate. Apparently, before his death, Mr Smithson had already anticipated the demise of the creation and wasn't all that concerned with the inevitable.

Oh. Okay. Intriguing. But, now I need more Earth Art!

WOW! I never thought of it before.. but a child on the beach building a sand-castle is a Land (Earth) Artist!
I really was intrigued with this sand art!
It looks like a quilt pattern- imagine if someone were to see it from an airplane. They might suspect that it was outer-space Grannies that were attempting to cover the land-masses and protect the beaches from predators!



And consider this stone river in CA.

Maybe the builders of China's Great Wall were more interested in aesthetics than actually keeping out Genghis Khan, Marco Polo and the rest of the worldly infidels? What if we interpreted in wrongly all these years, ha!

* Another word of trivia I had to google. Sam Hill (euphemism) - Sam Hill is an American English slang phrase.

Vote for Mike... or Tim.

Or could they be one and the same?

Is it just me???

or does Mike Huckabee sound like and resemble this guy??

Tim Conway

Okay-- I just couldn't seem to quit youtubing (is that a legit activity? LOL?) Carol Burnett skits. Found this one of Tim Conway and it soooo reminds me of Mike!

At least he can spell-- sometimes! Unlike that other political icon, Dan Quail*. ;-P Big cheezy grin!

BTW... I like Mike! Mike used to be my neighbor way long ago when we lived in Hope.

His sister, Patty, was my babysitter. I loved Patty. We had good times singing in the front porch swings and twirling. She was and is a really wonderful person.

While I'm really not all that entrenched in politics this year- I will click here to go to Mike's site. You can, too!

Tomorrow is Super Tuesday- speak up! Exercise your right to vote, there have been a lot of men and women give their lives so that we can enjoy that particular freedom.

* Disclaimer: Pun intended for esoteric value and does not in any way necessitate the need for additional grammar scrutiny nor does it imply that politicians can not spell. Strict enforcement of grammar and spellcheck is not warranted at this time. Use of this site may imply certain risk to vernacular and hypothetical dialects. Certain adjustments of intake may require monitoring. Reader assumes all risk of personal injury and is liable for any injury claims made by use of this site and/or any other blogs to learn how to read and write. Laughter is often times the best medicine- dosages may vary. Please seek attention upon actual physical contact with the floor. Do not remove under penalty of law. Certain sisters deserve disclaimers. Love ya, sis! LOL.

I'm so glad we've had this time together...

Thus begins the lyrics to a very famous theme song for the Carol Burnett Show.

Not only is it familiar and comforting- it's so full of truth.

Carol's Theme

I'm so glad we had this time together,
Just to have a laugh, or sing a song.
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, 'So long.'

There's a time you put aside for dreamin',
And a time for things you have to do.
The time I love the best is in the evening -
I can spend a moment here with you.

When the time comes that I'm feelin lonely,
And I'm feelin' ohooooo - so blue,
I just sit back and think of you, only,
And the Happiness still comes through.

That's why I'm glad we had this time together,
'Cause it makes me feel like I belong.
Seems we just got started and before you know it
Comes the time we have to say, 'So long.'



My very dear MIL sent me the link to this after our family gathered one last time before niece, Jocelyn's, flight. She leaves for training in VA and then onto Russia. We ask special prayers for her (and room-mate, Jessica's) safe travels and their security while serving Him in a foreign land.

If I could rewrite those lyrics- I think I would include a verse about reuniting and the joy of looking forward to that event.

Godspeed, girls. Many blessings.

Went with the Wind...

While linking to Carol's Farewell song, I ran across some of my most favorite skits from that show.

This first video includes the interview of Tim, Carol & Harvey reminiscing about the show and the first portion of the skit. The second is the finale.

I still slap my knees and hoot out loud when I see these clips!

Enjoy!

Sweet treats & sweet tooths!

Let's face it. I had my wisdom teeth pulled out years ago- and should have kept them and asked them to remove my sweet tooth instead.

I figure the reason I keep bingeing during the winter and Christmas seasons is partly the hibernation gene kicking in and mostly because I can not control my sweet tooth.

I love (yes, I know I use that phrase alot!- but, it's true!) sweets.

I was reading an article on curbing those insatiable cravings and part of the article included a quiz.

"Do you crave: sweet, salty, sour, crunchy or chewy?"

Well. For me- that would be all the above so long as it's covered in chocolate. I did take to heart the behavior modification techniques that were suggested to curb those cravings and I found one that I'm going to concentrate on.

The answer: Substitution.

Uh-- no. I don't mean to say that I'll go for sugar-free chocolate flavored crap either. YUCK.

What I have devised is virtually indulging (maybe that should read e-dulging?) my bad habit! I'm going to just find pictures of my craving and journal about it. Crossing my fingers it doesn't backfire on me!!

Anyway.... as an experiment in that vice, may I present one of my favorites?


The chocolate orange. And, not just any chocolate orange!

Whack and unwrap! It's a Terry's Chocolate Orange treat made by Kraft.

And, yes- there is a differrence!! I discovered some "other" brand this past December and they are not the same!

While I was searching for a virtual image- I discovered this site! YUMMMMM!

So... let's indulge! There's no calories for looking! Doesn't cost anything either! And, yes- I know that tooths is a plural word in the title that doesn't exist!! But... if you are referring to multiple people that have individual sweet tooths and they only have one per person- then wouldn't that read as tooths rather than teeth? Guess that's a question for the grammar police.

I'm off to virtually treat myself with sugary satisfaction. Oh... and then hop over for a taste of reality at the Hungry Girl site.

It's Groundhog Day!!

I love this day!

I'm not really sure why.... except that it's a nonsense holiday celebrating nothing more than a myth and a large rat! Oh, and the weather misforecast of Bill Murray!

Anyway... watch this over and over! Or you can come over and watch the whole video with me all day!



According to the National Climate Data Center website Groundhog Day has its origins in an ancient celebration of a point mid-way between the Winter Solstice and the Spring Equinox. Superstition has it that fair weather was seen as forbearance of a stormy and cold second half to winter. The early Christians in Europe established the custom of Candlemas Day, when the clergy would bless candles and people would light them in each window of their homes to ward off the darkness of mid-winter.

But the legend of the February 2nd forecast also persisted, as captured in this old English saying:

If Candlemas be fair and bright,
Winter has another flight.
If Candlemas brings clouds and rain,
Winter will not come again.

The trail of groundhog history actually leads back to Clymer H. Freas, city editor of the Punxsutawney Spirit newspaper. In 1887, he was inspired by a group of local hunters and gourmets who held a groundhog hunt followed by a picnic barbecue of, well, you know. Anyway, Freas thought it so much fun that he wrote up the group as the Punxsutawney Groundhog Club and went on to promote the Punxsutawney Groundhog as the official weather forecaster. As he embellished the story year after year, other newspapers picked it up and soon everyone looked to Punxsutawney Phil for the critical prediction of when spring would return to the nation.

BTW... the groundhog would have most definitely seen his shadow here today. Six more weeks. Ugh. Spring can't get here soon enough!

Friends.....

Dear friends!

Warm fuzzies.

Purr.

Thanks for the reminder Tammy!

Purple Weather Alert!

Need a good reason to stay home cuddled up next to the fire today?

Here it is...



forecast for today- purple weather.

And, nope! My fingers aren't frozen (or inked, for that matter-smarty pants!) purple. That's a whole lotta ice out there.

Thankfully- B's boat plant shut down and sent them all home... across those really treacherous bridges. The state highway department is warning that the worst is between Arkadelphia & Malvern... oh, GREAT! That's right where he's gonna have to drive through-- naturally.

The cats just don't seem to understand. They want to go out... but, two steps out the door, they are ready to change their minds. Katrina was determined... and slid down the steps, took refuge under the nearby wheel-barrow, sat a few moments and decided staying inside wasn't so bad after all! Uhh.... watch out, little girl! She SLID up those steps!! She's sitting here in the window now peering out trying to figure out what it is that is so wrong out there today!! The birds are in abundance at the feeders- wish I could take a photo as there are more than six pairs of cardinals, dozens of purple & gold finch, and chickadees and the usual titmice. But, I'm not braving those steps to get a snapshot!

So... you'll have to settle for this.
Proof that I don't have ink on my fingers, LOL! Just mittens!
But, I will say- it's c-o-l-d back here in the studio, so... I'm going to the living room and pile up with Samson in front of the fire!!

Shout outs to Sarah & Jeff... hope you guys get over the ickies.

Oh..... and B's HOME! Yippee!! All safe & sound. Said that there was a really bad accident at Friendship with a woodchip truck (rumors of a fatality) and that both lanes of traffic in the east-bound lanes was backed up past Caddo Valley. UGH. Stay home. stay warm.

Chasing Rabbits.... virtually anyway.

My mind wanders--

a lot sometimes!
Bet yours does, too? Especially when you're on the internet?

This morning when I checked the email, it was all the mundane stuff.
***Spam, spam, spam- delete, delete, delete.

***Three big sales notifications- delete, flag in case I want to peruse later today, delete.

*Personal reminder- I send those to myself to make sure I don't forget to check the calendar and then it (the reminder) gets buried in the inbox and I forget anyway. Pathetic- but, I'll flag it just in case I happen to remember to back and look for the flags.

*Oh, and eBay sent me a request that since I'd bought these items in the past year, hadn't I ought to buy some more? Uh- no? These items were some stamps and they pretty much last forever and don't have to be replaced.

But- wait a minute!! There are some others that they included that are new to the market and wouldn't I be interested???

Oh, MAN!! They got me!

ZAP! I'm there. I'm hooked. Surfing lovely new art-images.

Bummer. I'm really not interested in getting into any auctions right now, cause that means I'd be watching the derned internet all day waiting to see if someone outbids me. Besides! I'm not spending any money- I'm being really frugal... I don't need any stamps! But, wait! Those are really cute stamps.....


Oh, SHOOT!! This is just where eBay wants me! They just KNEWWWWWWW I'd fall for it!

Okay. Quick. Get away. Is this what it's like flirting with the fox?

Close windows.

Back to business. Email. Ugh. Sigh. Delete, delete, delete. So much fallderall. No real mail. No juicy family news.

Oh- waaaaaiiiiiiit a minute!! Our sorta-niece is expecting a baby!!
WOOHOOO!!!! Congrats to the newly expectant parents, Rachael & KJ, and g-parents, Jeanette & Barry!

Oh! Wait! Back up! I saw the cutest little natal stamps!! That would be so precious on a little box for J-nette! It was on the next to last page I had up on eBay. I'll just take a peek. It might stimulate some ideas! No. I'm not going to buy it!! Duh.... you thought I was going to BREAK? Nah.... I'm just looking! I spent all my mad-money with Mshell yesterday!

Darn. Can't find it! Oh... it was on one of those scrolly things. Oh, there it is... no, no that's not it. Wait- here slide some more. What? What is THAT? Ohmigosh! That's BEAUTIFUL!!
That's like... "Click"!
Ahhhh-- now THAT is gorgeous! No, it's not baby-fied in any way shape or form. It's Victorian and it's beautiful! Is that a new company? a new artist? Where has that been all my life?

Follow the link. It is a new artist. WOW! They've got a whole big website, message board, the works! Okay.. I'll join just so I can get their coupon!! Just in case I happen to see their products anytime soon. What? You can see other members' projects using this item? Oh, cool!! That's cool! It's not natal, it's not even Victorian... it's... I don't know what it is? It's not the item I was looking at! But, it doesn't matter it's beautiful! How did she DO that?

Of course.. now I have to go and google "magic box". I need that pattern! Of course... that search was not appropriate. Add template. Add stamp. Add crafter.

What? A link here is intriguing!

But, it mentions Robert Rauschenberg- a Port Arthur artist, that I've been meaning and meaning to research (and just keep forgetting and forgetting). Probably cause I chase so many other rabbits.

Okay... off to study a great artist. I'll have to write a whole paper about him!

So many rabbits.... so little time.

Scary!

No. I didn't take this picture. Nor did mine burn this badly.

BUT- I did have a shocking experience the other night with the microwave.

I placed my popcorn bag inside and began to check my email when I heard screech-screech-crackle and no pops! I thought it had shorted out and was going to burn this old house down! I panicked and pulled the plug as soon as the fireworks began exploding inside the oven.

I mentioned it to my Dad who suggested that some m/w popcorn bags were being infused with aluminum to aid in getting all those kernels to pop (which brings up a whole 'nother scary topic). While I couldn't find that particular article on the NY Times, I did find another very interesting site (link above) and article. And, even more scary- an article on "popcorn lung".

Should have KNOWN that it's the manufacturer and model, GE! I have never been able to get certain food items to cook properly in this microwave. I'll be putting a new microwave on the top of my wish list now! Bummer. I thought it needed to be replaced on the fact alone that the turntable had broken after the 2nd month and we were just being inconvenienced.

While I'm at it though... I intend to surf the consumer affairs site and get the low down on several of my appliances (mostly that new vacuum I purchased!) that is nothing more than a lovely red monstrosity that Wrigley thinks he adores! Yes... my dog loves the vacuum! The minute I drag it out and plug it in- he sidles up to it hoping to be stroked with the wand attachment! And, yes- the wand attachment sucks; the floor brushes leave much to be desired considering how much pet hair I have to combat.

Go enlighten yourself on all the disappointing items that are being foisted on us through the guise of lower prices. Read that- as Wal-Mart. Where all our money goes. UGH. It's hard to be a savvy consumer when there aren't any other choices but those items that were bought from the lowest-bidder. Reminds me of what the astronauts tell one another "remembering, we're sitting atop a rocket built by the lowest-bidder". Comforting? NOT.