Rosestar's Register

Pregnancy while deployed is a problem for the military

2009-12-25T16:53:00Z

You've heard about that female solders who get pregnant while deployed (and the men who got them pregnant) are getting letters of reprimand put into their files. They don't want to lose troops from the middle east during war time due to that type of medical disability.

It seems to me that by allowing gays & lesbians serve openly they wouldn't have to worry quite so much about pregnancy. Don't you think???

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays to everyone.

2009-12-25T16:27:11Z

For the first time since 1926, Dallas is waking up to a white Christmas! We went to sleep when it was snowing, so we weren't surprised. It will probably be gone by tonight. Wednesday it was 74 degrees (23 degrees C). There is no accounting for Dallas weather.

We were supposed to get out of work at 3pm yesterday, but due to the weather, they let us go at 1:30. I know that some of you are saying "what? It wasn't even sticking yet." I've driven in snow with chains on my tires. People here wait until the last minute to ~~slam~~ hit their brakes. And they believe that they can still drive safely over the speed limit. That's why I was nervous about driving home yesterday. Not because of the snow - because of the ~~idiots~~ Texas drivers.

We're home safe, sound and warm. Turkey's in the oven, sweet potatoes are waiting to be candied. Dressing is ready to go into the oven. White potatoes are ready to boil. We didn't celebrate Thanksgiving because of our recent losses. But decided we could do Christmas dinner and lots of other baking.

Yesterday I had homemade Pastalaya. It's Jumbalaya with pasta instead of rice. It wasn't like I always thought it would be. There were no tomatoes and it wasn't soupy. But it was awesomely delicious. The person who made it was born and raised in Southern LA, so I'm certain this was the real deal...it even had special sausage in it from LA.

Wishing all of you a SAFE and HAPPY holiday - what ever you celebrate.

People never cease to amaze me...

2009-12-12T11:03:04Z

If you are sleeping with a married man (i.e. Tiger Woods) why are you hurt and surprised that he was cheating on you with other women????

My ex's mistress said almost the exact same thing. She was shocked and angry to find out that my ex was cheating on us.

I swear she said that - and nope , I'm not explaining how I know. Just suffice it to say I've learned my lesson...and Vic has to pay the price. LOL Actually, Vic has taught me that people really can commit to just one person.

What is this brown mess???

2009-12-12T10:54:59Z

Look before you sit -

Yesterday we had our department luncheon. I rode with some co-workers and sat in the back seat. When I got back, I sat at my computer for a few minutes while still wearing my coat. I removed my coat and hung it up, sitting back down.

The next time I got up I looked at my chair and saw a lump of smeared brown stuff. *what the heck is that???*

I sniffed, but couldn't smell anything. I tried to clean it up, but it was quite difficult to remove. I finally got most of it, but it left an unsightly stain on my chair. Note - by this time I had determined that it was chocolate. Or at least I was still hoping it was chocolate.

I explained this to a trusted co-worker and asked her to see if I had any on my slacks. (And of course this would be the day I wear cream colored slacks) Yes, I did - and it was not in a very good place. Fortunately my tunic covered my hips.

By this time I was pretty sure it was chocolate. And there was no indication that I had had any kind of accident. (Surely I would have felt something.) But for my peace of mind, I went to the restroom just to make sure. Nope - definitely an external only problem. (Whew! I've heard that when you get old, certain bodily functions don't exactly work the same any more. LOL)

Fortunately I have a bottle of carpet cleaner at work. (Somehow a large spill of soda appeared on the floor under my chair and housekeeping only vacuumed. That's why I bought the carpet cleaner.) I sprayed my chair with that yesterday and again today. It looks like I've managed to remove all of the stain.

Most of the chocolate, I later learned, was on my coat. The driver of the car remembered that she'd been giving Reese's Peanut-butter cups to her granddaughter in the back seat. There were still a couple left there.

That's almost as bad as explaining why you have banana stains on your sheets during your first week of Military Basic Training. (I swear there is a very innocent explanation!)

Nano 2009 - finished!

2009-11-30T00:25:28Z

I did it!! And even finished the story too. I think this one, with a lot of re-editing just might become suitable for submission. It's standard romance

Sorry - not around much

2009-11-29T16:02:30Z

Sorry I haven't been around much. It's been one sucky year. What with MaryLou dying on September 10th, Vic's dad died about three weeks ago. (We've been expecting it since March, but still)

We're forgoing the usual holiday festivities this year. Made tacos instead and went to play Bingo Thanksgiving night.

I have been working hard at NaNo and need only about 6,500 more words.

I haven't done the updating to writing4fun recently either. I think only piroshki uses it. Although I've had a few hints that the people on facebook are looking at it.

Well, I'm about off to finish up my 6,500 words.

Hope you all (my US friends) had a great Thanksgiving Day with lots of great left overs. (Turkey & dressing happen to be among my all time favorite foods.)

Call me crazy

2009-10-31T11:39:35Z

I have no story. I have no plot. I have still not completed last year's NaNo. Well, technically I did because I had over 50,000 words. I added another 10,000 or so and still need about another 20,000 to finish the first rough draft.

But I'm going to attempt NaNo once again..It's just so easy to get swept up by everyone's enthusiasm. And I do get my IV on Monday, so I should be energized.

If you were a NaNo buddy in prior years, I de-buddied you. It's not personal, I deleted ALL prior years buddies. That way I won't have a lot of buddies that are not doing it this year. If you are participating this year and were buddied to me in the past, send me an email (or comment here) and I'll add you back.

Death, dying and saying goodbye

2009-10-04T16:05:19Z

Some of you know that my birthday this year was the worst one ever. Vicki's sister MaryLou (ML) has lived with us for two years. August 13th was her birthday, and she was fine - as far as we knew.

About a week later she found a lump on her neck. After visiting five doctors in a week's time, on September 2nd she was told she had cancer and only a few weeks to live. On my birthday, the next day, we had hospice people visiting. All of us, including ML, sat around the dining room table and discussed what was going to happen and how we were all going to get through it.

I have to say the hospice people were absolutely amazing. There aren't enough good words to say about them for their support both in medical needs and in preparing us -- all of us. By that afternoon we had a hospital bed set up in the living room. Yes, I know the living room is a strange place to put a dying person, and if it were me I'd prefer to be in the back bedroom where no one could see me. But this was all about ML. She loved being the center of everything. You couldn't come in the door or go to the kitchen without seeing her. They also provide an oxygen machine, wheelchair, meds really anything we needed or might need.

One of ML's closest friends is Ann - who's a retired nurse. She stayed with us throughout the whole time and was a great support system for all of us. One of us stayed with ML 24/7. We talked, laughed and teased with ML. And we spent our time saying goodbye. The whole week was really and truly all about MaryLou. One week to the day of hospice arriving, she died peacefully. (September 10th)

It's been a very strange and sad month. We miss ML and will always miss her. Yet, it was easy - at the end - to let go. It's given me a lot to think about - death, dying and saying goodbye.

It's never easy to say goodbye to someone you love. On the other hand, having experienced my mother dying and not being able to really say goodbye...the chance to say goodbye, difficult in its own way, but yet better. My mother was in the hospital for three weeks before she died, and we were making plans for her to come home. Or at least that is what I believed. Every night I would drive from my school thirty miles to visit her in the hospital. I would stay with her until visiting hours were over (9pm) then drive about fifty miles to my aunt's house. I did this every day for three weeks.

October 4th 1971, I had to leave the hospital early. I had a big test to study for the next day. It took me three tries to leave the room. I kept stepping back in to say goodbye and that I was sorry I had to leave early. The third time she laughed, told me to get out of there, it was really okay to leave early. I never did take that blasted test. My aunt met me at school after first period to take me home...my mother died overnight.

I've also spent a lot of time thinking about "the other side." What really is over there? What's it really like? Will I be ready? (Please don't reply with any religious responses) I think of all the people I know who are "over there." They already know, and sometimes I'm just a bit envious - cause I like to know things. And I think of ML. Before she knew she was dying, she panicked thinking she might die. Yet, when death came for her, she was ready. She had accepted it.

It's taken me a month to be able to write/post about it. Since that time, there have also been fun times...Dallas' Pride Parade, a trip to Cleveland Armory's Black Beauty Ranch and even the roadtrip up to Missouri to have a service over her ashes. But how could I write about the good times when I hadn't written about the bad yet?

I plan to still write about those things - or at least some of them. But I had to post this first. And to those of you who've noticed that it looks like I've signed into Facebook and LJ - well, let's just see it wasn't me, it was an impostor...as some of you already know.

computer problems

2009-08-29T14:01:54Z

Dang LJ is giving me problems today. Not letting me read past the first page of entries and not letting me comment.

I at least wanted to give a happy shout-out to angharad_gov and aries_lamb for their good news. With so many things going wrong for people I know and care about, it's nice to hear good news.

And I have to say that these two people very much deserve good things to happen to them! I'd say with the few years these two have earned good karma.

Why I took an almost thirty year leave of absence from writing

2009-08-15T20:22:49Z

Many of you know that I took a huge leave of absence from writing. A friend recently made a post that sounded a bit like I felt back then, so I'm going to post part of my reply here. I think it's time I made peace with that girl I was back then.

I lost twenty-four years of writing because of one person's thoughtless remarks. That's twenty-four years I'll never get back - and twenty-four years of experience I could have used. I'm just glad I finally woke up. I woke up in 1991 and tried again, but people important to me didn't appreciate that it took time away from them. So I gave up again. That is until 2003 when Vic was in my life, and encouraged me.

I realize there are those of you who will say "You write for yourself, not for anyone else." And I agree with that. But writing is also something that takes time out of your life and requires either a notebook pad or a computer. I could only keep following the stories in my head. Thank goodness for Vic - and for all of you who have treated me as a peer and shown me that it's not only okay to write - but good to write.

Here is a portion of my response to my friend:

I made that mistake when I was 13 years old. I had written and was going to submit to a contest. But I couldn't find it. I searched and searched and finally asked the people who lived in the house if they had found it.

My aunt said: "Oh. I found it on the counter and thought it was garbage so I threw it out." (Yes, I still remember her words.)

I ran to the kitchen and dug in the trash can. There it was, covered by other trash and food scraps. I thought about re-writing it, but then let my aunt's words get to me. "thought it was garbage so I threw it out."

I swore that day I would NEVER write another word of fiction. And I didn't. I refused to let myself. I kept that vow until 1991. Then I started again, only to shove it away as being wasted time. It wasn't until 2003 that I started again and this time found support.

I hurt for all the time I missed doing what I love doing. All because of one woman's spiteful words, and one stubborn girl.

Look at what you do with your heart. If you get enjoyment out of it, then don't worry about what people say. Granted - accept critiquing and criticism when appropriate...but even then, look at what's said and decide for yourself if it is appropriate to accept or not.

climbing the hill

2009-08-09T21:54:42Z

kiwi_grrl wrote a very interesting post. http://kiwi-grrl.livejournal.com/119480.html

She states: "The same for the high focus on competitiveness, where one needs to the best in everything, or one is nothing. Where everything (and I do mean everything) is hierarchically organised and ranked ..."

And it made me wonder. I'm not sure how much NZ culture is like Great Britain's.

Ze has talked a bit about the hierarchy in England. If you aren't born to a certain social class (i.e. the wealthy) then you can never aspire to be part of that class. In the US, it is important to us to aspire to be on top of the heap.

Could it be our ability to aspire to anything - even to become President - be what is behind our overwhelming need to be the best?

For most of us, from childhood, we have a built-in goal to achieve. We must achieve a better style of living than our parents. As she said, our self-worth has a lot to do with what we can afford, and how we live.

I think people may be much happier when they can just be who they are and enjoy life. I suppose it's partially due to my age and, barring a sudden windfall of money, I will never be more than I am. I have found that refreshing.

On my good days, I find myself relieved that I have achieved so much more than my parents. On my bad days. I find myself resentful of others who's career starting point is pretty much where my ending point is.

The lesbian fiction world

2009-08-07T23:18:57Z

About two years ago I pretty much went into seclusion due to several different things that happened with-in the lesbian fiction writing world.

It started with me doing my strong cheerleading for GCLS. Yes, back in the day, I B.E.L.I.E.V.E.D in GCLS, and thought it was good for everybody. After all, it was all about promoting lesbian fiction, and helping out writers.

But some people decided to blast me for it. Not just in lists, but there were several l.e.n.g.t.h.y emails that went back and forth between me and some of them.

Then there came the Reader's Choice Yahoo awards. But, being the apparent troublemaker that I am, I found myself banned from there. Banned! Me?? I don't think I've ever been banned from anywhere before. No...I am not going to blame the company I keep (you know who you are LOL) for getting me banned. I was banned for my own questions. My own attempts at trying to get TPTB to understand what was being said outside their group.

At the 2nd GCLS Conference, I was burned by TPTB at GCLS. And by the time of the 3rd Conference (which is when the above happened) I was still a GCLS supporter. But other things happened about the same time and I now maintain my membership just because someone needs to see what is going on there. Sadly many of the people who strongly supported GCLS in the beginning have now let their memberships lapse.

Now, as every year after the annual conference, there are the usual complaints, protests, and - God forbid - questions. What I have found most interesting these last few weeks is that the very same people who blasted me in that other Yahoo group...and the people who banned me, are now involved with GCLS. Some attended the conference. Others have spoken up and defended GCLS.

Moral of the story is - now those who blasted me for cheering on GCLS are now with GCLS.

ETA-Jeez, you'd think someone would have told me I spelled believed wrong.

lounging

2009-08-02T22:57:31Z

Just spent the weekend lounging around. I got my Remicaide fix last Tuesday so by midweek I should be up and bouncing around.

I finished the rewrites of "Blood of Belan" and started on fresh material. Only 1,567 words and I'm going to have to rewrite the last part of that. My couple went from almost nothing to start a heavy makeout session way too fast. Kiah should be feeling regret or guilt over moving on so quickly after Nessie's death. Sanari should be questioning Kiah's actions since her "one true love" recently died.

On a side note - do you know how difficult it is to write an entire manuscript without using "okay?" The word is so much a part of our daily vocabulary that it's hard to remember that it didn't exist even a few decades ago.

the writing life and stuff

2009-07-26T09:36:08Z

I just finished re-writing the first 97 pages of "The Blood of Belan." Deleted a couple of thousand words - and added a couple of scenes. Still at just over 54,000 words - and I don't think I'm half way through.

I got a laugh reading: She replaced the baby's bottom with a new cloth.
Quickly fixed that!

On the bright side, I get to write all new stuff for it now. On the dark side that means massacring ten innocent men just to kill the eleventh one that must die. And they still aren't at the fleeing part. But my two main characters are starting to realize they are in love. That seems late in the book - but how can your main character fall in love right away when the "love of her life" dies on the first page? Not to mention that the woman she is falling for believes she wants her dead.

Well, I came in and did the writing4fun prompt and now it's back to bed.

I've changed this back to open

2009-07-11T01:27:10Z

And did away with the automatic Friends Lock filter. There will probably still be some friends locked posts, but most will be open.

Stolen from stacia_seaman

37 Things - Another one of these "get to know you" memes.

1. Do you like Blue Cheese dressing? Love it

2. Have you ever smoked cigarettes? yes

3. Do you own a gun? "we" do. I've never personally owned one, but I would.

4. What flavor of Kool-Aid was your favorite? I don't like Kool-Aid. When I was a child if we were bad we drank Kool-Aid or water with our meals, if we were good then it was milk or soda. Kool-Aid is punishment.

5. Do you get nervous before doctor appointments? Not any more. Going to the hairstylist makes me nervous. And I need tranquilizers to go to the dentist. (seriously)

6. What do you think of hot dogs? I like them.

7. Favorite Christmas movies? I'm not really a fan of Christmas

8 What do you prefer to drink in the morning? COFFEE! (with sugar & liquid coffeemate)

9. Can you do push ups? The oldfashioned 'girl' style - I can do a couple. ('girl' style...knees remain on the floor)

10. What's your favorite piece of jewelry? The gold wedding band ring I stole from Vic.

11. Favorite hobby? Don't really do any now. I used to do charcoal drawings, create and hook latched yarn rugs and some ceramics.

12. Do you have A.D.D.? I don't think so, but I am easily distracted by bright shiny things.

13. Do you wear glasses/contacts? Only for the last few years

14. Middle name? Jean. (yes - that is my middle name)

15. Name 3 thoughts at this exact moment. Coffee is almost ready. I'm supposed to be changing my facebook icon. It's great to be home.

16. Name 2 or 3 drinks you regularly drink? Coffee, pepsi, tea (If you're British, don't read this next part - iced, with lots of sugar)

17. Current worry? No worries until Monday morning.

18. Current hate right now? dial-up LOL

19. Favorite place to be? with my sweetie! (I'll just leave Stacia's answer...except of course I mean my sweetie, not hers.)

20. How did you bring in the New Year? That was months ago. I don't remember/

21. Where would you like to go? England, Ireland and Hawaii

22. Name three people who will complete this. Probably no one.

23. Do you own slippers? Yes

24. What color shirt are you wearing? Pink tie-dye

25. Do you like sleeping on satin sheets? I don't think I have, but it sounds nice.

26. Can you whistle? Yes

27. Where are you now? in the dining room at home.

28. Would you be a pirate? Ooh-that's a tough one.

29. What songs do you sing in the shower? I don't sing out loud - ever!

30. Favorite Girl's Name? Jessie

31. Favorite boy's name? Jude

32. What's in your pocket right now? No pockets.

33. Last thing that made you laugh? Vicki

34. What vehicle do you drive? a Hyundai Accent or a Yellow Dodge Ram

35. Worst injury you've ever had? Had my front tooth knocked out and it went through my lower lip.

36. Do you love where you live? YES!

37. How many TVs do you have in your house? 4

I'm back....sort of

2009-07-09T23:17:49Z

Sometimes I live in my own little world, but that's okay because everyone knows my name there - and my name is Mary Sue.

Now, back to ~~writing~~ editing. I am quite appreciative of what I've learned from Stacia, Reese and Evecho. Although most of what I have learned seems to be how to eliminate words. LOL

BTW - stacia_seaman I get it now. That's what I thought you meant. Regarding how detailed to make the process of things like making coffee. The part about including it for when the character needs distraction makes sense too. Thank you so much!

zero2aries did you get my email and are trying to find a nice way to say no? It's okay to just say no. I am just wondering if I sent it to the right email. Even after cleaning up my address book, I find I still have three addresses for you.

don't say you weren't warned -

2009-04-01T18:46:13Z

3minutes and 46 seconds I'll never get back.

Yes...I wasted part of my one hour of 'freetime' watching this thing.

More on the Celaeno Series

2009-03-30T21:36:20Z

Been re-reading The Celaeno series. I hadn't realized before how well they all fit together. I just finished "Rangers at Roadsend" and started "Shadow of the Knife" again. Five of the players in the 12th squadron and the murder investigation were all friends in "Shadow of the Knife," which takes place about fourteen years prior to "Rangers at Roadsend" and in the same locale.

Without giving any spoilers away, I know a major event at the end of "Shadow of the Knife" led to the revised relationships between these five when "Rangers at Roadsend" takes place. So I am going to be very interested in seeing what happens again. The first time I read it, it had been so long since I had read "Rangers at Roadsend" that I didn't recognize the names.

At the end of "The Temple at Landfall" and "Rangers at Roadsend" there are notes or events that explain more of the true origins of Celaeno and the origins of Imprinters, Sisters, Rangers and Guards. Even an interesting explanation of how the Sisters ended up in their white robes and white masks.

Re-reading "Dynasty of Rogues" is interesting as it gives a lot more insight into Chip Copelli's childhood. (Chip is the MC of "Rangers at Roadsend") It's also an interesting look at the similar difficult start of one of the MCs of "Dynasty of Rogues" and Chip's wife. Quite a parallel.

It's also an interesting concept how something so basic and real can evolve through the centuries into a complex religion, rules, politics and laws.

Jane must have an awesome "enclyclopedia of Celaeno." It would have to be almost set up like Wikipedia.

Happy Birthday

2009-03-30T13:53:27Z

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

TO

zero2aries AND aries_lamb

The state of lesbian fiction

2009-03-24T17:15:37Z

It's getting harder and harder to buy books. Everything is so much the same! This goes back to a post I made two years ago. (Has it really been that long?)

How to write a lesbian romance novel

But now there are a few additions. Of course, I love...LOVE "Branded Ann." And it was the FIRST pirate book. But all of a sudden, there seems to be a glut of pirate books out there. I can't bring myself to read any of the others. Of course, it's possible that "Branded Ann" ruined them for me LOL. I don't know if it was just a matter of great minds thinking alike or people saw that "Branded Ann" was a hit and decided to write their own story.

Where are the sci-fi stories? Of course I love Jane Fletcher's Celaeno series, Jean Stewart's Isis series and Gun Brooke's Supreme Constellation series. Of course I think one of the reasons I like all three of those so much is that, while they are sequels, each book focuses on a different couple. Yes, the original couple is still there and together - but we get to enjoy following a new couple get together.

The last time I "talked" with Jacqui Singleton, she had another publisher looking at her manuscripts for the Mauldar series - but it looks like that may have fallen through. I suppose I should ask her. She wrote two, and has the draft for the third. They are quite good. She combines a bit amazonian with a touch of supernatural and it takes place on another planet. And let's not forget a main character who sometimes wears a short, belted toga with over the knee boots. :D

Vicki and I have quite a large collection of books - I think it was somewhere near the 400 mark. I have not read them all, but it's so hard to find a good one any more. I know, I've spent much time standing in front of the bookshelves pulling out books and reading the back.

It's difficult to choose. And I can't necessarily depend on my favorite authors because they will sometimes go off track too. There have been several who wrote very entertaining stories, then whipped off some really lame ones. (note - I'm not talking about anyone on my flist. So far you haven't disappointed me)

Right now I'm on a sci-fi kick...but soon I'll want some everyday reading again. Perhaps I'll just start reading some of the stories we have on the computer. At least if I don't care for one, I can move to the next. And I don't have a synopsis to read...I just take Vic's word for it. She marks the ones she really likes and she knows what I like enough to tell me that a certain book isn't for me and I'll listen.

And I like dark stories. Twisted stories. It's really difficult to find those. Sort of along the lines of S Anne Gardners' story about - Charlie I think was the woman's name. Every once in a while a good twisted story is just the thing.

Also, stories about people doing things that not everyone can do. Something like an Iditarod book that should coming out soon. Where you get to go on the adventure of a lifetime and maybe find love along the way. Something like I wanted to do - and failed miserably at - in "The Great PowderPuff Derby."

But those stories are rare. So often everyting just fits the mold of How to write a romance novel.

I couldn't resist.

2009-03-18T18:07:50Z

stolen from stacia_seaman

What Greek Goddess are you?

You are Athena!
Born from the head of Zeus himself, this goddess is the most respected and capable of all the goddesses. Like this goddess of defensive warfare, crafts and wisdom, you are courageous as a warrior, cunning as a fox, and wise beyond your years. You do not try to be a leader, but you are one merely because you have the raw material that renders admiration and followers. Though you may not know it...you have the world at your feet. But since you are wise, you will not allow this newfound knowledge to go to your head.

How do you compare?
Take this test! | Tests from Testriffic</font>

*shakes head and rolls eyes*
I wish...

Friday Funny

2009-03-13T13:39:27Z

Actually sent to me by an agent:

After twenty years of marriage, a couple was lying in bed one evening when the wife felt her husband begin to fondle her in ways he hadn't in quite some time.

It almost tickled as his fingers touched her neck then moved down past the small of her back. He reached over and gently caressed her shoulders and neck. Slowly he worked his hand down over her breasts, stopping just above her stomach.

Then he placed his hand on her inner left arm, caressed the side of her breast again. He continued down her side and gently over her the rise of her butt and moved down her leg to her ankle. He repeated the action on her right side.

Suddenly he stopped, rolled over and started watching TV.

She had become very aroused by his caresses and asked in a loving voice, "That was wonderful. Why did you stop?"

He replied, "I found the remote."

I'm back to needing some Friday Funnies

2009-03-06T19:06:46Z

I'm not going to guarantee these are true - and I certainly not going to guarantee that they are new...but they are still funny.

On the Church bulletin board:.

-- This afternoon there will be a meeting in the South and North ends of the church. Children will be baptised at both ends.

-- Tuesday at 4PM, there will be an ice cream social. All ladies giving milk, please come early.

-- Wednesday, the Relief Society will meet. Sister Johnson will sing, "Put Me In My Little Bed", accompanied by the bishop.

-- Thursday at 5PM there will be a meeting of the Little Mother's Club. All those wishing to become little mothers please meet the bishop in his office.

-- This being Easter Sunday, we will ask Sister Johnson to come forward and lay an egg on the podium.

-- On Sunday, a special collection will be taken to defray the expense of the new carpet. All those wishing to do something on the new carpet, come forward and get a piece of paper.

-- The ladies of the church have cast off clothing of every kind and they may be seen in the church basement on Friday afternoon.

-- A bean supper will be held Saturday evening in the church basement. Music will follow.

-- Sign outside a church: "Sermon for Sunday: What is Hell like?"
Just below was the message: "Come in and hear our choir sing."

-- Remember in prayer the many who are sick of our church and community.

-- Don't let worry kill you - let the church help.

-- Thursday night - Potluck supper. Prayer and medication to follow

-- For those of you who have children and don't know it, we have a nursery downstairs.

-- Bishop Adams spoke briefly, much to the delight of his audience.

-- The outreach committee has enlisted 25 visitors to make calls on people who are not afflicted with any church.

-- Low Self-Esteem Support Group will meet Thursday at 7 to 8:30 pm. Please use the back door.

-- Weight Watchers will meet at 7 p.m. Please use large double door at the side entrance.

-- 8 new choir robes are currently needed, due to the addition of several new members and to the deterioration of some older ones.

-- A large billboard on the road in NY State: "When you can't sleep, don't count sheep, talk to the shepherd."

**********

This is reported to be a true story:

A little boy came home from Primary one day. His mother asked him what he learned. He replied, "My teacher told me that I used to be dust and I would be dust again. Is that true, Mommy?" "Yes," the mother replied. "A scripture tells us so: 'For dust thou are, and unto dust shalt thou return.'"

This little boy was wide-eyed and amazed. The next morning, he was scurrying around getting ready for school, looking for his shoes. As he crawled under the bed, lo and behold, there he saw balls of dust. He ran to his mother in wonder, saying, "Oh, Mommy, somebody's under my bed, and they're either coming or going."

**********

This guy dies and meets St. Peter at the pearly gates. Peter gets out his book on this guy's life and says, "You know, you've lived a pretty average life, You haven't done anything so bad that I would feel really right about sending you down below, but you haven't really done anything that good either. I'll tell you what--if you can tell me just one thing you did during your life that was really good, I'll let you in."

The guy says, "okay, well I was driving down the highway when I saw this gang of bikers assaulting this girl. So I slammed on my brakes, grabbed my tire iron, jumped out of my car and ran straight at the leader of the pack. He was huge, with a mohawk haircut, hairy all over, and he had a huge link chain running from his nose to his ear. So I grabbed his chain, pulled as hard as I could, and whapped him on the head. Then I turned to his gang and screamed, 'who wants some of this!! Who wants some pain!!!'"

St. Peter is extremely impressed, and says, "wow, I had no idea. That is really something. When did this happen?"

And the guy says, "oh, about 2 minutes ago."

**********

Now ya'll have a great weekend.

Cuteness

2009-03-05T22:20:14Z

I was just looking at the most emailed Yahoo pix and found these adorable little critters.

And I had to post the four pix of Pemba just incase Mei-Mei, Mei-Ling, Malaika & Naïma hadn't seen them,

	baby meerkats
	tree kangaroo
	Pemba 4 month old Red Panda
	More Pemba
	Pemba 3
	Pemba

Something to think about & a Friday Funny

2009-02-27T14:52:39Z

I came across this statement yesterday. It was in the NaNo Sci-fi section. I don't recall who said it, but I found it quite thought provoking. (In that way that makes the brain wrinkle)

The biggest issue that 99% of writers don't realise with time Travel is that it's existence by nature destroys all sense of free will.

And finally - today we have a Friday Funny - stolen from sirenslair

A DEA agent, together with an ATF and and FBI agent as part of a task force shows up at a ranch in western Kansas. The agents tell the rancher, "We need to inspect your ranch for illegal grown drugs."

The old rancher says, "Okay, but don't go in that field over there."

The DEA agent verbally explodes saying, "Mister, we have the authority of the Federal Government with us." Reaching into his rear pant pocket and removing his badge, the agent proudly displays it to the farmer. "See this badge? This badge means we are allowed to go wherever we wish..on any land. No questions asked or answers given. Have I made myself clear? Do you understand?"

The old rancher nods politely and goes about his chores.

Later, the old rancher hears loud screams and spies the three agents running for their lives and close behind is the rancher's bull. With every step the bull is gaining ground on the agents. They are clearly terrified.

The old rancher immediately throws down his tools, runs to the fence and yells at the top of his lungs....."Your badges! Show him your badges!'"