--A week ago today was Hawaii's 50th anniversary of becoming a state. I can remember hearing about it when I was a kid. Let's see - we were living in southern Missouri, but if I remember right, we were in NY state at this time that year. Won't tell you how old I was, but a half a century ago is "bad" enough. I did read however that celebrations in Hawaii were going to be low key because not everyone was happy with their royalty being bumped and becoming part of the US. They certainly have a culture quite unlike the mainland states.
--The passing of a person of historical significance: Edward Kennedy. Even tho' I cannot agree with his philosophical views, ethics, and politics, I am sorry to hear of his passing. He is now in eternity and his "fate" is sealed and in God's hands. I would be amiss to at least acknowledge that he definetly had an impact on our country, maybe even moreso because he didn't serve as president. He was able to be in office much longer by being senator then being president.
--Got 10 more boxes unpacked this week!!! (Art supplies) Now I'm getting antsy to do some art work once again. But still have a few more things to do to get everything in place. I also still have other craft room boxes that need unpacking. I need to: "organize, organize, organize!"
--It was nice to get some yard work done this week, a couple of rose bushes and 2 other plants planted. Thank you DM. We have so much shade it's hard to know what you can plant and where. We really don't have a spot that gets sun all day - thus my 3 tomatoe plants are not meeting expectations! It's taking them several weeks to even grow and are just now putting on about 10 tomatoes that are the size of a golf ball and smaller. September is in one week. So my hopes of tomatoes are slim.
--I'm still waiting to hear again from my "long lost friend" CCM. She was getting ready to move. So it may be a month or two before she is back online again. I did locate her on Facebook as well as her older brother. (He hasn't responded either.)
--The place where I work has a foundation associated with it. Our mayor apparently disapproves of how they spend their money. But they don't answer to the city and I guess he's having a fit. Because the mayor is the mayor his correspondence is subject to FOIA. (Freedom of Information Act). So the newspaper is going to publish a letter he wrote the foundation. So we'll see what enfolds.
Thursday, August 27, 2009
Wednesday, August 12, 2009
Long Lost Friends
As we go through life we make a lot of friends. If we move and live in different places, we make even more friends. Unfortunately, over the years, the more we collect friends and move on, the harder it is to keep in touch or track of friends from our early years. As we get old-ER we sometimes think back and wonder what happened to some of them.
After we moved to Arkansas, I discovered sort of by accident that one gal I knew had also moved back to Arkansas - even to the same town area when she had lived before. What a surprise. Altho' we still haven't gotten together, we have been in email contact.
I have another friend I knew as a teenager. We didn't go to the same school but we did go to the same church. In our twenties we lost touch and drifted away. It was probably as much my fault as anyones. (I haven't sent Christmas cards for the last 3 years and that doesn't help.) Well for the last 15 maybe 20 years I have tried to track down this one friend. Her husband was in the military and last I knew they lived in Ore. But that yielded no results. I checked information with the phone companies, more than once. Through my genealogy research I even tried finding her, to no avail. I searched for her on the internet. No help. I contacted the college she graduated from. She had asked to have her name and address removed. Her's brother's name (my old boyfriend) was there. I had even found his phone number and address through information. So I wrote. It never got returned, but neither did he answer. No surprise there, really.
After we moved to Arkansas I started working at the local public library. Not long afer that so did a fellow who used to go to school with my friend, CC. He went to grade school, Jr high, one year of high school and even college with her. But he didn't know where she was. We talked about it last week. I came home and tried once again to find something in Oregon with no results. I have a facebook account, so I decided to see if she was on there. I didn't pull anything, but it did give me a link to Classmates.com. So I tho't I would try that.
I clicked on the link and read the info that was public. It matched! I was sure that was her. Who else would have the same maiden and married name and attend the same high school and college!!!??? So, I took a chance and left a "public note" with my email address written out with not "@" symbol.
The next morning I had off from work, as I worked into the evening. I got on the computer to check my mail, just in hopes that maybe I had a response. But, I knew that the chances were unlikely. I have a classmates account, but I "never" look at it, except once in a blue moon, if then.
I opened my account and there at the very top was a response from my posting. Yes, it WAS her!!! I could not believe it. After all these years of hunting, I finally found CC. She was surprised but happy to hear from me. It was short with promise of more to come. She is moving, so I am impatiently waiting to hear from her again, soon. I hope she is able to get to some internet connection even before she gets moved, settled and set up once again. But I look forward to hearing all about her life, her children, her siblings, and yes even the boyfriend. Weird thing of that is, I've had better "luck" knowing where he was then anyone else in the family...:-(
But that didn't do me any good, if he (or his wife) won't write me back!!! Can't blame them there, tho. But now, I'll just have to wait. Afterall what's a few more days after 15 to 20 years!!!
After we moved to Arkansas, I discovered sort of by accident that one gal I knew had also moved back to Arkansas - even to the same town area when she had lived before. What a surprise. Altho' we still haven't gotten together, we have been in email contact.
I have another friend I knew as a teenager. We didn't go to the same school but we did go to the same church. In our twenties we lost touch and drifted away. It was probably as much my fault as anyones. (I haven't sent Christmas cards for the last 3 years and that doesn't help.) Well for the last 15 maybe 20 years I have tried to track down this one friend. Her husband was in the military and last I knew they lived in Ore. But that yielded no results. I checked information with the phone companies, more than once. Through my genealogy research I even tried finding her, to no avail. I searched for her on the internet. No help. I contacted the college she graduated from. She had asked to have her name and address removed. Her's brother's name (my old boyfriend) was there. I had even found his phone number and address through information. So I wrote. It never got returned, but neither did he answer. No surprise there, really.
After we moved to Arkansas I started working at the local public library. Not long afer that so did a fellow who used to go to school with my friend, CC. He went to grade school, Jr high, one year of high school and even college with her. But he didn't know where she was. We talked about it last week. I came home and tried once again to find something in Oregon with no results. I have a facebook account, so I decided to see if she was on there. I didn't pull anything, but it did give me a link to Classmates.com. So I tho't I would try that.
I clicked on the link and read the info that was public. It matched! I was sure that was her. Who else would have the same maiden and married name and attend the same high school and college!!!??? So, I took a chance and left a "public note" with my email address written out with not "@" symbol.
The next morning I had off from work, as I worked into the evening. I got on the computer to check my mail, just in hopes that maybe I had a response. But, I knew that the chances were unlikely. I have a classmates account, but I "never" look at it, except once in a blue moon, if then.
I opened my account and there at the very top was a response from my posting. Yes, it WAS her!!! I could not believe it. After all these years of hunting, I finally found CC. She was surprised but happy to hear from me. It was short with promise of more to come. She is moving, so I am impatiently waiting to hear from her again, soon. I hope she is able to get to some internet connection even before she gets moved, settled and set up once again. But I look forward to hearing all about her life, her children, her siblings, and yes even the boyfriend. Weird thing of that is, I've had better "luck" knowing where he was then anyone else in the family...:-(
But that didn't do me any good, if he (or his wife) won't write me back!!! Can't blame them there, tho. But now, I'll just have to wait. Afterall what's a few more days after 15 to 20 years!!!
Monday, August 10, 2009
Weekend visit
"Michelle and the three J's" were down for the weekend! We had a delayed July family celebration. We all have either birthdays or anniversaries in July. So 'the kids' were able to come to Ark. We had a really nice time together. Now everyone is gone, including my husband who is gone to work. So the house is quiet except for the TV in the background, and the raindrops falling on the skylights in the ceiling. This is my "long weekend" off from work, so it has been very enjoyable and - tonight - quiet and relaxing. I've posted pictures to facebook, searched for an old friend and may have found her on Classmates.com. I left a message. I hope I hear from her. It has been over 30 years since we last were in touch.
Wednesday, July 29, 2009
Some family news flashes
Our daughter, MS, turned 33 last Sunday. Her brother surprised her and took her out for lunch. Her mom and dad sent her flowers.
The next day our oldest grandson, EPF, turned 11. (He'll be a teenager before you know it.) Happy Birthday, you two.
I've started walking again for exercise - even take the (old, half-blind) dog with me sometimes. My blood pressure has gone up (used to always be good). I've put back on the weight I lost last year. :-( And Mike thinks I should be check for sleep apnea. So I need to do something about this!
MS was here a couple of weeks ago for a 1-week visit. It was good to have her here, but I do think she was a little bored.
MG and I attended a Pastor's conference last week (evenings) in Okla. The messages were really good. (The suppers were, too.)It was tiring to work all day and travel 3 hours round trip each night but it was worth it.
I took my old, worn out, rusty bike in to be fixed. I found out it was worth something because of it's antique value!! He told me NOT to paint it. Not sure what I'm going to do.
I applied for a job in another library that was a "perfect" fit with my experience. It was based on having a degree and pays much better than I'm getting now. But I didn't get it. So I'll stay where I'm at for the time being.
I thought about posting my opinion here about the current state of affairs of our country. But I'm so disgusted with this president that I'm not even going to waste my breath doing it. I didn't think anyone could top Clinton. But he was corrupt morally. This president is corrupt, - well I was going to say mentally, but 'philosophically' is less cruel and probably more accurate. He said he'd bring change; folks said they wanted change. It proves the axium - be careful what you ask for - you might get it... We're getting change alright. Its disgusting.
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The next day our oldest grandson, EPF, turned 11. (He'll be a teenager before you know it.) Happy Birthday, you two.
I've started walking again for exercise - even take the (old, half-blind) dog with me sometimes. My blood pressure has gone up (used to always be good). I've put back on the weight I lost last year. :-( And Mike thinks I should be check for sleep apnea. So I need to do something about this!
MS was here a couple of weeks ago for a 1-week visit. It was good to have her here, but I do think she was a little bored.
MG and I attended a Pastor's conference last week (evenings) in Okla. The messages were really good. (The suppers were, too.)It was tiring to work all day and travel 3 hours round trip each night but it was worth it.
I took my old, worn out, rusty bike in to be fixed. I found out it was worth something because of it's antique value!! He told me NOT to paint it. Not sure what I'm going to do.
I applied for a job in another library that was a "perfect" fit with my experience. It was based on having a degree and pays much better than I'm getting now. But I didn't get it. So I'll stay where I'm at for the time being.
I thought about posting my opinion here about the current state of affairs of our country. But I'm so disgusted with this president that I'm not even going to waste my breath doing it. I didn't think anyone could top Clinton. But he was corrupt morally. This president is corrupt, - well I was going to say mentally, but 'philosophically' is less cruel and probably more accurate. He said he'd bring change; folks said they wanted change. It proves the axium - be careful what you ask for - you might get it... We're getting change alright. Its disgusting.
.
New Printer
Last Friday eve. I bought a new printer. YEAH! I have been without one for almost a year - since before we moved. - Long story. But I am so glad to finally have one again. It's amazing how dependent we get on something, and how hampered we are without once we've had it.
I bought an Epson Workforce 600 for about $150. (on sale). I almost bought a more expensive one because it has 5 color cartridges instead of 3. But I decided - for what I do, this will work just fine. A few days later, when I was at work (library) someone came in wanting to know how something had been rated. (don't remember now what), so, later, I looked up printers too. It stated that an Epson printer was in the top 6 best rated printers. I couldn't remember for sure which one it was I had bought. But when I got home I looked at the box - and sure enough - I had bought that Epson that was rated one of the best. PTL I made the right decision. This one was rated better than the more expensive one. So a high(er) price doesn't always mean high(er) quality.
I bought an Epson Workforce 600 for about $150. (on sale). I almost bought a more expensive one because it has 5 color cartridges instead of 3. But I decided - for what I do, this will work just fine. A few days later, when I was at work (library) someone came in wanting to know how something had been rated. (don't remember now what), so, later, I looked up printers too. It stated that an Epson printer was in the top 6 best rated printers. I couldn't remember for sure which one it was I had bought. But when I got home I looked at the box - and sure enough - I had bought that Epson that was rated one of the best. PTL I made the right decision. This one was rated better than the more expensive one. So a high(er) price doesn't always mean high(er) quality.
Friday, June 26, 2009
Death of a pop star
Our world and the media has gone mad over the death of an entertainer, who died yesterday. On CNN alone, I counted 157 videos on their website and only about 7 were not about the death, the music, the life of Michael Jackson and the reaction of people around the world.
To me this is a good example of someone who looked every where for happiness and never found it: Music, Fame, Looks, Money, Sex, Drugs. You name it. He tried it. He looked everywhere but to Jesus Christ. Someone once said we have a God shaped hole in our heart and nothing but Him will fill the hole. Anything else will leave gaps still empty.
His death also shows the shallowness of our world and our country. We have lost our moorings. Scripture talked about how Israel went whoring after idols. We are no different today then Israel was then. I am sorry that a soul has gone out into eternity without any indication of belonging to Christ. But he was certainly not my idol. Pop or otherwise.
To me this is a good example of someone who looked every where for happiness and never found it: Music, Fame, Looks, Money, Sex, Drugs. You name it. He tried it. He looked everywhere but to Jesus Christ. Someone once said we have a God shaped hole in our heart and nothing but Him will fill the hole. Anything else will leave gaps still empty.
His death also shows the shallowness of our world and our country. We have lost our moorings. Scripture talked about how Israel went whoring after idols. We are no different today then Israel was then. I am sorry that a soul has gone out into eternity without any indication of belonging to Christ. But he was certainly not my idol. Pop or otherwise.
Monday, June 15, 2009
Liberal media and censorship/Murder in Little Rock
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An American citizen-turned-muslim shot and killed an American soldier in Little Rock, Arkansas recently because we have soldiers in Iraq killing muslims over there.
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The news media however squelched the story because Obama was on his way to visit muslim countries and "we" didn't want to offend any of them.
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This is a 2-fold outrage:
1. The belief that killing one man here was going to have any effect on those over in Iraq, (just because of your beliefs.) That's not even logical thinking. That's like saying I'm going to pour water over this person here because that person over there needs a bath. Yea, lotta good that will do.
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2.The news media censoring the story because it might offend foreigners that our President was visiting.
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What about those of us who are offended over here this situation for doing that? (Also for our President bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia. I'd like to see Queen Elizabeth do that!!!)
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What about standing up for our own values and our own country?
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What about being enraged over someone committing murder? Even the recent killing of the abortion doctor in Wichita is still murder!
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This is not a muslim country! Why are we cow-towing to them?
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We are so concerned about being so politically correct that we are blinded to real values and truths, especially biblical ones. If you have read this want to know what I really think, write and ask me. (!)
.
An American citizen-turned-muslim shot and killed an American soldier in Little Rock, Arkansas recently because we have soldiers in Iraq killing muslims over there.
.
The news media however squelched the story because Obama was on his way to visit muslim countries and "we" didn't want to offend any of them.
.
This is a 2-fold outrage:
1. The belief that killing one man here was going to have any effect on those over in Iraq, (just because of your beliefs.) That's not even logical thinking. That's like saying I'm going to pour water over this person here because that person over there needs a bath. Yea, lotta good that will do.
.
2.The news media censoring the story because it might offend foreigners that our President was visiting.
.
What about those of us who are offended over here this situation for doing that? (Also for our President bowing to the King of Saudi Arabia. I'd like to see Queen Elizabeth do that!!!)
.
What about standing up for our own values and our own country?
.
What about being enraged over someone committing murder? Even the recent killing of the abortion doctor in Wichita is still murder!
.
This is not a muslim country! Why are we cow-towing to them?
.
We are so concerned about being so politically correct that we are blinded to real values and truths, especially biblical ones. If you have read this want to know what I really think, write and ask me. (!)
.
Saturday, June 13, 2009
Class was a dud
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Earlier this week the library asked me to teach a class today on MSPublisher as I was now the only there that knew how since someone else left. So I worked a half day yesterday so I could work half day today. Well, 4 people were signed up - but none of them showed up! Oh Well - maybe they will next time. It was a nice break from cataloging, to prepare for the class. How many people can be paid at work to make a garage sale flyer!
Since I worked half days (mornings) I had the rest of the days off. So that wasn't too bad really. I took naps both afternoon. Guess I'm still resting up from the conference I went to, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Earlier this week the library asked me to teach a class today on MSPublisher as I was now the only there that knew how since someone else left. So I worked a half day yesterday so I could work half day today. Well, 4 people were signed up - but none of them showed up! Oh Well - maybe they will next time. It was a nice break from cataloging, to prepare for the class. How many people can be paid at work to make a garage sale flyer!
Since I worked half days (mornings) I had the rest of the days off. So that wasn't too bad really. I took naps both afternoon. Guess I'm still resting up from the conference I went to, Tuesday and Wednesday.
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Wednesday, June 10, 2009
Celebrating a momentous birthday
Tuesday was my birthday and it was for one of those signifcant double digit changes. It has been celebrated in some unusual ways. I'm at a chrisitan librarians' conference; we went to hear Shoji Tabushi last night in Branson, MO; I've had cards and emails and good wishes on facebook from 'everywhere'; one of my kids even tried to make me feel younger by deducting 10 years off my age!!! I even got my nails done as a birthday present to me. I met a Vietnamese gal and left a christian witness. Guess it was worth the $25!!!
Saturday, June 6, 2009
Barbershop singing
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I sang in a barbershop quartet today in the middle of a parking lot!!! Well sorta! There was an International Festival in town today. One of the booths was for the Pride of the Ozarks Barbershop Quartette. (sp?) We "sang" My Wild Irish Rose. Well I hummed as much as I said the words!! The 3 men sang melody, baritone and bass and knew all the words!!! I sang tenor! Well, I tried to anyway. It was fun.
I sang in a barbershop quartet today in the middle of a parking lot!!! Well sorta! There was an International Festival in town today. One of the booths was for the Pride of the Ozarks Barbershop Quartette. (sp?) We "sang" My Wild Irish Rose. Well I hummed as much as I said the words!! The 3 men sang melody, baritone and bass and knew all the words!!! I sang tenor! Well, I tried to anyway. It was fun.
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