PAJAMA PARTY POLISH

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Welcome to PAJAMA PARTY DAY!

I wish I could say "Woo Hoo!" and dance about - but the fact of it is, Mrs Miles is sick. I am in the throes of a nasty cold and this morning I could barely croak out a good-bye to Miles as he left for work. Good thing this is not an audio blog or you would be sorely out of luck!

Thanks to ALL OF YOU who took to the time to send in your pictures - I've had a lot of fun preparing them, the slideshow and creating a special something for you, the kit you will see after this paragraph! Now - don't you wish, if you are a reader who has not done so already... that you had taken that moment? Well, you still could... I will send a link to this kit to anyone who sends me a picture of you and your jammies, or your jammies posing all by themselves... I will post the pictures on my blog as I recieve them. Lets see what funny creative ways you have to show off your Jammies ladies!

For those of you who did take part - I know its a pain, but can you please email me ( lalalime@hotmail.com ) and I will return your email with the link to the full kit. Now - I DO know who was on the slideshow, so you have to have taken part in the original slideshow to get this kit without having sent in a photo. So lets get 'snapping' or sending me your emails!

PAJAMA PARTY KIT

I threw in an extra finger - I thought it might be fun to use as an anchor in some layouts, or for dialing a phone, etc... I must give credit where credit is due - Gina gave me the idea to do the sparkly polish on the nails... my Gina is just full of the best ideas. Soons you ask her she comes up with all sorts neat things I would not have thought of. She rescues my bacon quite often, actually.

Welcome to the JAMMIES HALL OF FAME... Don't you just love the delightful way my sister in law Judy captured her family's pj's? Bet the smelled ever so nice after she brought them in again. You can view the entire slideshow (Click on the Picture) here:

Mrs Miles JAMMIE DAY Slideshow

So, because I am truly feeling sick right now ( I made a horrible mistake last night by taking a cold medication and a neo citran at the same time before bed last night which resulted in me pacing for 2 hours in the middle of the night, with the 'twitiches') I am going to make this entry brief. I hope you all have a wonderful day in your jammies - even if it were not the challenge day I would have to stay in mine...

I have a terrific apple strudel recipe to share with you tomorrow.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #190

Vista Ready?

CNET provided this link which has a way you can test your computer to determine if it is ready

to take Vista. You do have to register and accept an active X, but if

you are willing to do this you can check!

VISTA READYNESS

ROSE DOODLE SET & TEMPLATE

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I hope you enjoy today's download. I created it in a few different ways so that you can use it how you wish. You can use the created red or pink paper roses or you can cut your own roses out of paper and lay them behind the outline.

Today's funny alpaca pictures are provided by our friends Roger and Marie Richardson - thanks for bringing us a smile today (I needed one)

GENESIS 1:21

So God created the great creatures of the sea

and every living and moving thing with which the water teems,

according to their kinds,

and every winged bird according to its kind.

And God saw that it was good.

Today's entry is brief because of two reasons 1. I am sick with a miserable cold and 2. I am preparing for Jammies day – Wednesday. Thanks for all who sent pictures! If you did not send one yet – you better get busy as there is a special something for anyone who sends one! You don't have to be in the jammies – you can pose them any way you want – all by themselves even. Use your imagination and don't be shy! Send them to me at lalalime@hotmail.com

I will be back on Wednesday with the Jammie's day slideshow etc – in the meantime bear with me while I try to get myself well. Thanks so much.

ACTUAL WANT ADS part 2

Stock up and save. Limit One.
Man, honest. Will take anything.
Man wanted to work in dynamite factory. Must be willing to travel.
Used cars: Why go elsewhere to be cheated? Come here first!
Christmas Tag Sale. Handmade gifts for the hard-to-find person.
Wanted: Hair Cutter. Excellent growth potential.
3 year old teacher needed for pre-school. Experience preffered.
Our experienced Mom will take care of your child. Fenced yard, meals and smacks included.
Auto repair service. Free pickup and delivery. Try us once. You'll never go anywhere again.
Illiterate? Write today for free help.
We will oil your sewing machine and adjust tension in your home for $1.00

BARB'S HANDY TIP # 189

Robotic Parking?

Coming to an area near you... if you live in a LARGE urban center. Check out the following video:

ROBOTIC PARKING

WIRE FLOWER ELEMENTS

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Today's element looks great when you apply a drop shadow, bevel and even contours to it!

First off – a HUGE apology for the misloaded file yesterday... I thought I did so well, was so organized... it was not until we came home that I discovered that I had uploaded the jpg file for the download. Please forgive me... it's corrected now. Today's element was created by Miles – he came to the rescue when we got home. He felt better – his cold clearing and now I have contracted it... I feel miserable! I knew by noon to take some medication to see me through our afternoon and evening.

Thank you to Judy, Samantha, Melissa, Betty Jo (SO CUTE!) and Kat for your jammies pics! Kat, I hope your cold is getting better too, girl!

HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR (& guests)

So, our date. Miles and I attended a concert in Omak, Washington. We enjoyed an evening of entertainment with the HARLEM GOSPEL CHOIR ( you will notice their pictures throughout todays entry!) It was a lively show, hardly a person was sitting through a good portion of the show. Of especial note was a drummer, a young lady, who Mile said, he could have listened to all day! We got to meet these wonderful performers after the show – well worth seeing. Be sure to check the bookings on their website as they will be coming to Canada soon! You can visit their website and see their dynamic video demo by clicking HERE

Of course, no trip to Omak would be complete without a meal at Rancho Chico's. The diet was thrown out the window for today – Miles has to have a tamale (yes, Gina, he's drooling for yours!) while I tried something new – Chicken Enmole – chicken breast served with a peanut butter and chocolate sauce. Mmmmm.

SINGING AN UPLIFING SONG

INVITATION TO LOVE

Come when the nights are bright with stars
Or when the moon is mellow;
Come when the sun his golden bars
Drops on the hay-field yellow.
Come in the twilight soft and gray,
Come in the night or come in the day,
Come, O Love, whene'er you may,
And you are welcome, welcome.
You are so sweet, O Love, dear Love,
You are as soft as the nesting dove.
Come to my heart and bring it rest
As the bird flies home to its welcome nest.
Come when my heart is full of grief
Or when my heart is merry;
Come with the falling of the leaf
Or with the redd'ning cherry,
Come when the year's first blossom blows,
Come when the summer gleams and glows,
Come with the winter's drifting snows,
And you are welcome, welcome.

Paul Laurence Dunbar

Here's an insightful excerpt from the book LIES AT THE ALTER by Dr. Robin L. Smith:

“How To Ask For What You Need"

We like to think that our most intimate partner – the one who knows us best – can read our mind. How many times do we say, “If you really knew me, you'd know what I want”? But none of us are mind readers, no matter how great our love. We need to ask. Its so simple yet so difficult.

I encourage couples to learn to ask for what they need, using three guidelines that help assure a satisfying response:

1. Think small. A little bit at a time. Something concrete and doable.

2. Think specific. Ask for exactly what you need.

3. Think positive. Don't threaten or accuse. Make having your needs met beneficial for both of you.

KIND WORDS CAN BE SHORT AND EASY TO SPEAK
BUT THEIR ECHOS ARE TRULY ENDLESS

Proverbs 31:26 AMP

She opens her mouth with skillful and Godly wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]

MEETING A MEMBER OF THE CHOIR

I heard this on NPR radio yesterday - you might want to check it out!

A trio of musicians from North Carolina are reclaiming the string band music traditons of the Black Piedmont. The Carolina Chocolate Drops are the hottest thing to hit the old time music community in decades.

You can here the entire audio article by clicking HERE

MARSHETTE AND HER COLORFUL JEWELLERY

ACTUAL WANT ADS (part 1)

2 female Boston Terrier puppies, 7 wks old, Perfect markings, 555-1234. Leave mess

A superb and inexpensive restaurant. Fine food expertly served by waitresses in appetizing forms.

For sale: an antique desk suitable for lady with thick legs and large drawers.

Now is your chance to have your ears pierced and get an extra pair to take home, too.

We do not tear your clothing with machinery. We do it carefully by hand.

Great Dames for sale.

Tired of cleaning yourself? Let me do it.

Dog for sale: eats anything and is fond of children.

Vacation Special: have your home exterminated.

Mt. Kilimanjaro, the breathtaking backdrop for the Serena Lodge. Swim in the lovely pool while you drink it all in.

The hotel has bowling alleys, tennis courts, comfortable beds, and other athletic facilities.

Get rid of aunts: Zap does the job in 24 hours.

Toaster: A gift that every member of the family appreciates. Automatically burns toast.

Sheer stockings. Designed for fancy dress, but so serviceable that lots of women wear nothing else.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #188

Learn New Card Tricks

The #1 site for card tricks on the internet

CARD TRICK CENTRAL

ROMANCE AVENUE DELUXE DOODLES

FIXED download

(PLEASE FORGIVE ME!)

Yes... Valentines is just around the corner – isn't it? Love is in the air and all that. Ding, ding – its clicking in for me. Actually it's Valentines Day every day in our household so the formal date the rest of the world celebrates is merely a formality here. Seriously, my heart still skips a beat when I glimpse my fairest. I could not imagine trying to fit all the things we do for each other into just one day. To me, Valentines is a continual frame of mind. I'm going to ramp up the love theme on my blog between now and the official day, for you. I will try to provide some poetry and some good ideas to help you spoil your 'Someone Special' Trust me, the specialler you make them feel, the specialler they will make you feel back.

THE PRESENCE OF LOVE

And in life's noisiest hour,
There whispers still the ceaseless Love of Thee,
The heart's Self-solace and soliloquy.
You mould my Hopes, you fashion me from within;
And to the leading Love-throb in the Heart
Thro' all my Being, thro' all my pulses beat;
You lie in all my many Thoughts, like Light,
Like the fair light of Dawn, or summer Eve
On rippling Stream, or cloud-reflecting Lake.
And looking to the Heaven, that bends above you,
How oft! I bless the Lot, that made me love you.

- Samuel Taylor Coleridge

5 BASIC RULES FOR COMMUNICATION

for Husbands and Wives

1. Never repeat to anyone else the things your husband or wife shares with you privately.

2. Give your husband or wife your total enthusiastic attention and listen with interest while he/she becomes more comfortable expressing him/herself. Remember, this may not be easy for your spouse.

3. Do not interrupt your spouse or jump to conclusions about what he/she is saying.

4. Acknowledge that you understand - even if you disagree, and repeat his/her thoughts back so that he/she is sure you understand. Do not let your disagreement sound like disapproval.

5. When you are sharing your thoughts, be careful not to sound as if you are heaping blame on him/her. When either of you goes on the defensive, your communication goes too, and rapport must be reestablished.

1 CORINTHIANS 13:4 -7

Love is patient, love is kind.

It does not envy, it does not boast,

it is not proud.

It is not rude, it is not self-seeking,

it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs.

Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth.

It always protects,

always trusts,

always hopes,

always perseveres.

I would like to thank for both Orrinda and Joy for informing me that the beautiful candle holder I purchased is known as a hurricane lamp. I did not know this. I can see how it would be used to shield the delicate flame from the wind, but on the other hand I don't think I would dare walk about with something this glass and fragile in a hurricane...

I'm still hoping for more pajama's pictures... DON'T make me go to the thrift store and snap pics there... no, no, no! So far I have pics from Me, Nina, Paula, Becky, Lucy and a reader from Southern Ontario? (Name please?) - so – Judy, Kristin, Sonya, Gina etc... we wanna see your Jammas, Ladies!


My sweet husband is suffering from a wicked bad cold. He barely made it through the day yesterday – and though he will plays piano at church today he will be unable to sing – ahhh, and how I love to hear him sing! One day I am hoping he will transfer the song he sang at our wedding, oh so long ago now, into a digital format so I might share it with you. I seem to have 'scratchy' eyes and throat so we will see if I wind up with it too, or improve as the day goes along. I hope I do improve as we have a date this afternoon!

ROSE'S ROSE PAINTING!

The only foray I made out during the day yesterday was to drop in on the art show at our local gallery. The current show is called the “People's Choice” and it features all sorts of local talent – a good deal of it for the first time for the artists! My dear friend Rose, and Theresa, who I painted with a short while ago, had paintings entered. I don't know if they placed in the prizes, or not. It was a pleasure to see them, at any rate. I found Rose hanging out at the Library, killing some time before the opening, and I presented her with the sweater we bought for her. You know, it fit her to a “T” and it was completely timely too. Her husband, Ken, had whisked her away for a romantic getaway the previous day, arriving back right when I found her at the library. She was wearing a bulky non-descript sweater and upon receiving her new one she fluttered off to the washroom, like a tiny quail, to don it. It looked lovely – perfect for her appearance at the gallery!

THERESA'S TAKE ON A FAMOUS PAINTING

I want to mention a movie we watched on Friday night – have you all seen the “Lady in the Water”? It was very good – made you use your imagination and kept you on your toes the entire time.

Technology Terms for Country Folk – part 2

13. CHIP: Munchies fer the TV.
14. MICRO CHIP: Whut’s in the bottom of the munchie bag.
15. MODEM: Whut cha did to the hay fields.
16. DOT MATRIX: Old Dan Matrix’s wife.
17. LAP TOP: Whar the kitty sleeps.
18. KEYBOARD: Whar ya hang the dang keys.
19. SOFTWARE: Them dang plastic forks and knifes.
20. MOUSE: Whut eats the grain in the barn.
21. MAINFRAME: Holds up the barn roof.
22. PORT: Fancy Flatlander wine
23. ENTER: Northerner talk fer “C’mon in y’all”
24. RANDOM ACCESS MEMORY: Wen ya cain’t ‘member whut ya paid fer the rifle when yore wife asks.
25. MOUSE PAD: That hippie talk fer the rat hole.

COOL TAKE ON OSOYOOS LAKE

BARB'S HANDY TIP # 187
some REAL tips! Ha, Ha!

I've been gleaning tips out of cooking books so I will throw them together for you. These tips are coming from the book “The New Food Lover's Tip-Tionary” by Sharon Tyler Herbst ( I would highly recommend buying this book)

To give stuffed peppers added support during baking, cut them crosswise (rather than lengthwise), stuff them, then place them in lightly greased muffin tins and bake as usual.

For supercrispy fried chicken, use half flour and half cornstarch instead of flour only. Add ½ teaspoon baking powder to flour/cornstarch mixture and season as desired.

A touch of unsweetened cocoa powder or instant-coffee powder gives chili a rich, husky flavor.

To melt chocolate for decorating: Put finely chopped chocolate or chocolate chips in a small, heavy-duty plastic bag (a lighter-weight bag could melt) Set the unsealed bag upright in a small bowl and microwave at medium (50 percent) until almost melted; let stand for 5 minutes until completely melted. Another method is to seal the bag and set it in a bowl of very hot water until chocolate melted (make sure no water gets into the bag, or the chocolate could stiffen). Thoroughly dry the bag with a paper towel before snipping a tiny hole in a corner of the bag. Pipe a decorative design directly onto the dessert, or onto a sheet of waxed paper for later transfer.

IN THE GARDEN DOODLES SET

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I hope you enjoy these doodles – these first ones are dedicated to Amy W. who made the first request on my 'doodler' talents. Amy W. who works tirelessly every day to assemble a whole raft of freebies on her blog so we have one-stop-shopping at her place. I will do Easter Eggs yet – only a tad closer to mid-spring, ok?

My friend Melanie joined me to pass the day while my dearest was off at a business meeting. Melanie watched and learned while I created your doodles. We took some time out to visit the Dollar store for two items I have been hankering for, for a while now – tarragon and dill. When you're watching your waistline spices can help jazz up some otherwise paltry and sparse meals. I love tarragon with chicken, fish and for my own version of non-garlic toast. You simply butter (or spray with Olive Oil or no-fat spray), both sides, sliced bread and pop it under the broiler like you would regular garlic toast. It has a wonderful taste with none of the garlic breath to go with it.

Yes, Mel took me to the thrift store AGAIN... like she had to drag me, hey? I had to rob my piggy bank severely along the way! I didn't think there could be anything new out yet – but I was wrong! I wound up buying this beautiful tall candle holder (the red tall thing - is there a name for that, like a storm candle or something?) for $1.50 (I saw them in our local home hardware store at Christmas for over $30) and a luxurious coverlet edged by eyelet lace. Mel and I got excited discussing the ways I will dress it up – adding buttons, beads and lace flowers to it and it will grace the bed in the guest room of our new home. Melanie also bought Miles and I a tallll terrarium to house an exotic plant which has outgrown its crystal confines.

Yes, Mel took me to the thrift store AGAIN... like she had to drag me, hey? I had to rob my piggy bank severely along the way! I didn't think there could be anything new out yet – but I was wrong! I wound up buying this beautiful tall candle holder (the red tall thing - is there a name for that, like a storm candle or something?) for $1.50 (I saw them in our local home hardware store at Christmas for over $30) and a luxurious coverlet edged by eyelet lace. Mel and I got excited discussing the ways I will dress it up – adding buttons, beads and lace flowers to it and it will grace the bed in the guest room of our new home. Melanie also bought Miles and I a tallll terrarium to house an exotic plant which has outgrown its crystal confines.

I mixed up a batch of basil crepe mix during our visit, which later translated into green noodles for dinner (sliced into thin strips) I tossed these with crushed olives and a nice ripe avacado and served it with some steamed turbot fillets. Dessert was pumpkin cake (½ serving) cool whip lite, frozen fruit and a teeenssy eeensy drizzle of chocolate sauce. Some harsh diet, right?

Miles came home from his meeting as week as a lamb, under the influence of a brutal cold. I warmed some barley filled bags in the microwave and tucked them by his feet in bed and snugged the sheets up to his chin while he rested... poor fella. We just spent the evening watching a movie together.

I've found yet another flower poem which too, is stirring and gives a glimpse of what we can anticipate not too far in the future...

Beside my cottage door it grows,

The loveliest, daintiest flower that blows,

A sweetbriar rose.

At dewy morn or twilight's close,

The rarest perfume from it flows,

This strange wild rose.

But when the rain-drops on it beat,

Ah, then its odors grow more sweet,

About my feet.

Ofttimes with loving tenderness,

Its soft green leaves I gently press,

In sweet caress.

A still more wondrous fragrance flows

The more my fingers close

And crush the rose.

Dear Lord, oh, let my life be so

Its perfume when tempests blow,

The sweeter flow.

And should it be Thy blessed will,

With crushing grief my soul to fill,

Press harder still.

And while its dying fragrance flows

I'll whisper low, 'He loves and knows

His crushed briar rose.

ACTS 14:22

“Through many tribulations we must enter the kingdom of God”

Technology Terms for Country Folk – part 1

1. LOG ON: Makin a wood stove hotter.

2. LOG OFF: Don't add no more wood.

3. MONITOR: Keepin an eye on the wood stove.

4. DOWNLOAD: Gettin the farwood off the truk.

5. MEGA HERTZ: When yer not kerful gettin the farwood.

6. FLOPPY DISC: Whatcha git from tryin to carry too much farwood.

7. RAM: That thar thing whut splits the farwood.

8. HARD DRIVE: Gettin home in the winter time.

9. PROMPT: Whut the mail ain't in the winter time.

10. WINDOWS: Whut to shut wen it's cold outside.

11.SCREEN: Whut to shut wen it's blak fly season.

12.BYTE: Whut them dang flys do.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #186

Understanding a Healthy Lifesytle

I found this site while doing some research on the 'good' and 'bad' fats in foods. I found a terrific section under the nutrition tab – but the rest of the site is very informative and helpful also. I hope its of value to you too!

Welcome to Helpguide!

Our mission is to:

• Empower you to make educated health and lifestyle choices for yourself and your family.

• Offer you accurate, easily accessible non-commercial articles and references on mental health, lifestyle, and aging issues.

• Prepare you for informed discussions with your health professionals so you can share in the decision making.

HELPGUIDE

PLAID BUTTONS SET TWO
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Na Na! Only me and my sister and another reader are getting prizes on Jammies day – because the rest of you lazy bums (that's Miles term for me when I'm having a relaxing day) have not sent me pictures yet. Sure Becky, you SAY yours is onna way (ooooh, I HOPE your sweet kitten gets in on the shot) but I will believe it when I see it, girlie. Put your money where your lens is – tee hee!

So, WOW – what a response to the doodling – you little doodlers. Hey, I can DO THIS! Yes, I can do dinos, hearts, flowers – so get ready for my blog to be Doodle Download Central for a while! You wanted – you will get! So, this last set of buttons has cleaned out my button jar for a bit and I will get to doodling ... and you guys made terrific suggestions and keep them coming. See, I think the thing is.... I get so busy MAKING things, I am honestly not aware of whats out there... so I am counting on you to keep me informed. And thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your comments and encouragement! You make my day.

So, yesterday was the pot luck for the school and I did my turkey, as usual. Now, you all know that I'm on a diet. Let me tell you that I was QUIVERING while carving it!! LOL – I was weak at the knees looking at all that sumptuous white meat and golden, crackly, crispy, mouth watering skin. I did have breakfast an hour before, but my stomach chose to ignore that fact and I'm sure was speed digesting it's mini-wheats while I was working the turkey carcass. The ordeal made me carve that bird in record-breaking time. I'm sure it was plated in 10 minutes flat.

The pot luck was a big success. I could kiss our Principal, Bev, for bringing a huge assortment of fresh cut fruits – exotics like a large papaya, and bananas, strawberries (sweet ones in winter, no less!) flavorsome little purple grapes, delightfully yummy honeydew melons and oranges too. I made sure I visited her platter first, then rounded out my plate with the other luscious offerings. Used to be the other way around. But it's paying off! Miles and I worked out at the gym after school and were pleased to find that I've lost 12 lb, he's lost 7-8! The SparkPeople website makes it fun and easy to keep track.

This Guest came all the way from Sydney, Australia for our Pot Luck!
(It was so nice to meet you!)

My dear friend Alison happened to call just before I was heading off with the turkey platter and a pumpkin pie in hand (goodness knows what I would have done had I met a big dog on the way) Alison actually graduated at our school so she knows many people there – so I invited her to come along with me. She took me up on the offer and enjoyed herself. We did the thrift store and had a big pot of nice spicy chai tea for a good afternoon visit. Thanks Ali, for blessing my day.

Ah, yes... the thrift store and you are all dying to know what I purchased. Well, I won't keep you in suspense! I bought an attractive turquois sweater for my friend Rose (I'm safe she hardly never gets to read my blog as she works two jobs) a new can opener (my old one does not work properly and I was in danger of slicing a finger off at times – then how could I blog to you?) and an egg separator (I just read in a cooking tips book that its more sanitary than doing the eggshell to eggshell traditional separation due to the fact you can't know for sure the shell is germ free on the outside?) and a Kanga pack by North Face, in immaculate condtion. I paid a mere $4 for mine - check out HERE how much it would have cost if I had bought it new! I'm suspecting this might wind up being my camera bag...

My Thrift Store Goodies

I had comments on the flowers poem I printed yesterday so I will share another with you today. This one causes us to be thankful of the rain, which produces the flowers – the rain being our afflictions in life which produce their own fruit within our souls:

It isn't raining rain for me, it's raining daffodils;

In every dimpling drop I see wild flowers upon the hills,

A cloud of gray engulfs the day, and overwhelms the town;

It is'nt raining rain for me: it's raining roses down.

Gen. 41:52

For God hath made me fruitful in the land of my affliction

Things You Would Never Know Without The Movies Part 2

Interbreeding is genetically possible with any creature from elsewhere in the universe.

Kitchens don't have light switches. When entering a kitchen at night, you should open the fridge door and use that light instead.

If staying in a haunted house, women should investigate any strange noises in their most revealing underwear.

Word processors never display a cursor on screen but will always say: Enter Password Now.

Mothers routinely cook eggs, bacon and waffles for their family every morning even though their husband and children never have time to eat it.

Cars that crash will almost always burst into flames.

The Chief of Police will always suspend his star detective - or give him 48 hours to finish the job.

A single match will be sufficient to light up a room the size of RFK Stadium.

Medieval peasants had perfect teeth.

It is not necessary to say hello or goodbye when beginning or ending phone conversations.

All bombs are fitted with electronic timing devices with large red readouts so you know exactly when they're going to go off.

It is always possible to park directly outside the building you are visiting.

A detective can only solve a case once he has been suspended from duty.

Most laptop computers are powerful enough to override the communication systems of any invading alien civilization.

It does not matter if you are heavily outnumbered in a fight involving martial arts - your enemies will wait patiently to attack you one by one by dancing around in a threatening manner until you have knocked out their predecessors.

When a person is knocked unconscious by a blow to the head, they will never suffer a concussion or brain damage.

No-one involved in a car chase, hijacking, explosion, volcanic eruption or alien invasion will ever go into shock.

When they are alone, all foreigners prefer to speak English to each other.

Any lock can be picked by a credit card or a paper clip in seconds - unless it's the door to a burning building with a child trapped inside.

An electric fence, powerful enough to kill a dinosaur will cause no lasting damage to an eight year old child.

BARB'S HANDY TIP # 185

The Why Files

I love this site – I've been visiting for years and I can't think why I didn't think to share it before. Its interesting and informative and thought provoking.

The mission of The Why Files is to explore the science, math and technology behind the news of the day, and to present those topics in a clear, accessible and accurate manner. We are based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison, but The Why Files covers science at all institutions that engage in scientific exploration and discovery. We hope this information will help explain the relationship between science and daily life.

THE WHY FILES

TEA FOR TWO DOODLES
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My friend Gina tells me that doodles are all the rage. We went back and forth on this one - me telling her "but these are doodles... I do these when I'm yakking on the phone, for Heaven's sake! Surely no one wants my doodles?" She assures me that you may... So - are you fans of doodling? So, since Gina is a tea person - these first ones are dedicated to her. Should I be making more of these things? What theme would you like? You can just call me Barbara Jean the doodling machine!

My friend Mavis sent me this picture yesterday, of a brave little winter pansy in her garden. She also sent one of some snowdrop out too - but blogger ate that one and I dare'nt re-upload that one. I've found if you mess with Blogger, Blogger generally wins. So... Does this mean spring is on it's way? Oh, how I long for it. I get SAD in the winter and Miles in past winters would send me off to the tanning bed to give me a kick-start in the emotional department (in other words, I would nearly take his head off in crankiness, and since I wasn't tired, hungry or cold he would try this...) But this winter I decided to give my skin a break from the tanning. I feel like a lump of white pastry dough - and a few days have been hard enough for me to consider making an appointment. But perhaps our long, long winter is over. Thanks Mavis, for sharing a hopeful moment of spring with us.

THY HIDDEN ONES

Thick green leaves from the soft brown earth,
Happy springtime hath called them forth;
First faint promise of summer bloom
Breathes from the fragrent, sweet perfume,
Under the leaves.

Lift them! What marvelous beauty lies
Hidden beneath from thoughless eyes!
Mayflowers, rosy or purest white,
Lift their cups to the sudden light,
Under the leaves.

Are there no lives whose holy deeds-
Seen by no eye save His who reads
Motive and action - in silence grow
Into rare beauty, and bud and blow
Under the leaves?

Fair white flowers of faith and trust,
Springing from spirits bruised and crushed;
Blossoms of love, rose-tinted and bright,
Touched and painted with Heaven's own light
Under the leaves.

Full fresh clusters of duty borne,
Fairest of all in that shadow grown;
Wondrous the fragrance that sweet and rare
Comes from the flower-cups hidden there
Under the leaves.

Though unseen by our vision dim,
Bud and blossom are known to Him;
Wait we content for His heavenly ray -
Wait till our Master Himself one day
Lifteth the leaves.

Well - lookie here - here's the snowdrop picture skinched in where I could not see it. Ha! Blogger's messing with my mind!

See what my friend Rose is torturing me with in the meantime? While painting at her house the other day, she offered these to me not once, not twice but three times. How cruel. What strength I have. ha ha!

Just a short entry today as I have to carve a turkey bird for our Pot Luck at the Learning Center. You all have a good day.

Things You Would Never Know Without The Movies - part 1

All telephone numbers in America begin with the digits 555.

Most dogs are immortal.

If being chased through town, you can usually take cover in a passing St. Patrick's Day parade - at any time of the year.

All beds have special L-shaped cover sheets which reach up to the armpit level on a woman but only to waist level on the man lying beside her.

All grocery shopping bags contain at least one stick of French Bread.

It's easy for anyone to land a plane providing there is someone in the control tower to talk you down.

Once applied, lipstick will never rub off - even while scuba diving.

The ventilation system of any building is the perfect hiding place. No-one will ever think of looking for you in there and you can travel to any other part of the building you want without difficulty.

If you need to reload your gun, you will always have more ammunition - even if you haven't been carrying any before now.

You're very likely to survive any battle in any war unless you make the mistake of showing someone a picture of your sweetheart back home.

Should you wish to pass yourself off as a German officer, it will not be necessary to speak the language. A German accent will do.

If your town is threatened by an imminent natural disaster or killer beast, the mayor's first concern will be the tourist trade or his forthcoming art exhibition.

The Eiffel Tower can be seen from any window in Paris.

A man will show no pain while taking the most ferocious beating but will wince when a woman tries to clean his wounds.

If a large pane of glass is visible, someone will be thrown through it before long.

The Chief of Police is always black.

When paying for a taxi, don't look at your wallet as you take out a bill - just grab one at random and hand it over. It will always be the exact fare.

BARB'S HANDY TIP #184
Get Human Help

If you are like me, you've had enough of automated responses when you phone companies, right? Well, now here's a website which provides you with the numbers to get HUMAN help from major companies! (sorry, U.S.A. only)

GET HUMAN

PLAID BUTTONS SET #1
download

Oh Dear! I just can't stop making these buttons. And as for a consistent title for them, well I have great intentions... See, I started these off with a plaid theme in mind, but when something interesting catches my eye along the way I can't help but include it with the other 'stuff'. I hope you don't mind.

My friend Mavis collected me yesterday for a visit and a walk. She lives on a beautiful acreage just out of town (it will be on the way to my NEW home, thats handy, right Mavis?) The lighthouse was designed and built (along with a hired contractor) as a replacement for a pump house which had fallen into disrepair over the years. According to Mavis, she was imagining a 'fun' building like a lighthouse to replace it... and her husband jumped on the idea. (Now THATS speaking someone's love language – making their dreams into realities) I can't describe all of the construction – and it does sound like it had its challenges – but eventually it was completed and now graces the shore of our lake.

Theres a working light in the top and three stories of rooms inside which has housed many children and visitors over the years. I think that would be the most romantic place to spend a night!

I must share a funny story that Mavis told me. We have an over abundance of geese live on our lake. Wonderful creatures that they are, their population often swells to large amounts, and well, they create havoc with messing on the shores and in the orchards. So, Mavis built “Ellie May” - her own version of a scarecrow. The way I heard it told, is Ellie had braids etc – as if she had come off the Beverley Hillbillies. The geese were scared of her!

Ellie would 'sit' on a chair in front of the lighthouse in the summer. Folks, naturally curious about an actual lighthouse, cruise by in their powerboats. Mavis says that Ellie got waved to almost all the time – people thinking she was a real person. What do you folks think – my vote is Mavis builds a new Ellie (the old one succumbed to the elements) and to put a webcam inside the new Ellie's head and then she could stream live footage of these people waving at the dummy :)

Mavis and I walked down along the shore and took pictures of the pretty icicles along the trees on the shore. Thanks so much for the wonderful visit, Mavis – I could go on and on, about your wonderful card creations, greenhouse, sweet kitties and.....

Friendship is God's special way of loving us through someone else.

Proverbs 17:17

“A friend loves at all times.”

LAYOUT BY SUE FROM CEDUNA

"This is my mum and dad on their engagement day, Sept 1951"

Thanks to the following designers -

Hearts Barb Derksen,

charm ribbon Barb Derksen,

AKK, SWhetsel,

wording, D Ridge,

background Susan Long.

Sue, you live in a truly beautiful place! Wowza! You folks simply have to check this place out at the website Sue helped build about her gorgeous piece of our Earth! www.cedunatourism.com.au We checked you out on Google Earth, Sue! I think we pinpointed right about you would be! The white sandy beaches look amazing in your pictures. Can you send some sunshine our way, we've not had any for a while lately.

McMartian, you asked yesterday if I eat the wraps hot or cold – I eat 'em both ways, though I personally prefer them hot. I do freeze them, even though they contain tomatoes and cucumbers – but I'm a strange cookie!

I have my first JAMMIES pic now – my sister sent a perfectly nice photo of her jammies for the sideshow. Thanks, Beans! She keeps hers tucked underneath her pillow, like our Mommy taught us when we were younger. Did you do this too? When I was camping this past summer, I found it was a good idea to tuck my jammies right inside my pillow case, this way I never had to hunt around for them when we put our tent up! I need you to start sending your jammies pics – please? Remember, you don't have to be in them!

Top Ten Signs that you are "Webbed Out"

10. Your opening line is, "So what's your home page address?"

9. Your best friend is someone you've never met.

8. You see a beautiful sunset, and you half expect to see "Enhanced for Netscape 1.1" on one of the clouds.

7. You are overcome with disbelief, anger and finally depressed when you encounter a Web page with no links.

6. You feel driven to consult the "Cool Page of the Day" on your wedding day.

5. You are diving on a dark and rainy night when you hydroplane on puddle, sending your car careening toward the flimsy guard rail that separates you from the precipice of a rocky cliff and certain death. You look for the "Back" button.

4. You visit "The Really Big Button that Doesn't Do Anything" again and again and again.

3. Your dog has his own Web page

2. So does your hamster.

.... And the No. 1 sign that you have overdosed on the WWW:

When you read a magazine, you have an irresistible urge to click on the underlined passages

BARB'S HANDY TIP #183

Mindless Eating

Why we eat more than we think!

MINDLESS EATING