I Don't Hurt No Mo'

Today, I was able to ride the mower to mulch the leaves on our acreage for the first time in literally months! My neck surgery to fuse two discs together was February 4th, so, I consider this healing to be quite rapid. No more neck pain, no more numbness on the right side, no more sitting for hours in my easy chair with a heating pad trying to alleviate the ache.


However, I got this far from the house on the 4 acres that's open (the rest is all natural) ... and had to stop. I was starting to ache and I freaked. I eased the mower up towards the house and hollered, "Honey! Can you finish this please?"


Honey did. Even though he is so congested from the dust and pollen he could barely breath, poor guy. Out he bounded from the house and hopped on the zero turning radius mower. My hero. "I'll have a cold one waiting on ya when you're done, babe." And I did.


I laughingly refer to this part of the yard as The Back 40. See the cemetery way in the background? That's the Mill Creek Cemetery which is over 100 years old. I help the caretaker watch for 4 wheelers and other unauthorized trespassers.


So I walked around the yard with the camera, since my mowing enterprise was temporarily curtailed. Boy, do we need rain ... badly! However, there's a few flowers starting to bloom, mostly wild flowers. However, the Red Honeysuckle is doing pretty good in spite of the drought.


And for some weird reason, I took a photo of the front door. I carry this Red Bird Acres thing to the extreme. Ya think!? [lol]

Anyway, I was so excited, I had to let everyone know how much better I feel. I'll bet next will be *(drum roll please)* a motorcycle ride!! Wahoo! Then I can break in my new helmet.

Opps, hope that's not a poor choice of words.

Hope y'all are doin' good too and have a great evening!

♥ ∞

Leave It To Me ...

... to have something nice for 5 seconds and I have to trash it up! Y'all remember the new pearl white helmet I bought at the last International Motorcycle Show? Well ... the decals finally arrived!!

Check it out ...
The back now proudly displays "Sparky" in pink with a purple butterfly above the name.

While both sides now have purple flowers emblazed across the lid opening.

I've even got Hubby into the act! He put his National Guard Insignia on the back of his Nolan. He wants a sticker with his nickname of "Stumpshooter" now. (I've got groovy Jammie's there, don't ya think?)

We are getting so ready for our trip to the Texas Hill Country this April! Maybe Pappy could make the Blue Bonnets be in bloom for our visit? :o) Pray for rain, guys, pray for rain.


"I'm ready for my closeup now Mr. Damile."
You can see how 'helpful' the dogs all where. Lucy was tanning herself in my office and the schnauzers ...


"Is it time to eat yet."
... look like they need a Do Not Disturb sign! Lazy rascals. At least they could clean the pet hair off the sofa and pick up their toys. [lol]

♥ ∞

Wordless Wednesday (03/11)

Florida Scrub Jay

Yellow Throated Warbler

All Photos By: Kirk M. Rogers.
Scroll down to "Recent Additions".

♥ ∞

I Need A Day Of Rest

Whew, yesterday's Orient Express Bloggyland Adventure plumb wore me out! This traveling to foreign ports is for young people. I'm old, crotchity and like my easy chair.

Geez.

I'll see y'all tomorrow ... or not. [giggle]

♥ ∞

Orient Express Bloggyland Adventure

Welcome Aboard!
It’s time for the Orient Express Bloggyland Adventure hosted by Muse-Swings.
I'm all packed and ready for the transport.

I hope I brought enough clothing?

My good friend Hercule Poirot dropped by as I was packing my bags.


I asked him to travel along since I was carrying all my jewels and most particularly the ...
... Emerald Cross Pendant rumored to have been carried by St. Patrick himself when he was eradicating the snakes in my homeland of Ireland. It's a very, very precious piece of jewelry.

My travel outfit is this lovely little number by Christian Dior.
"Oh, this old thing?
Why this is what I wear to vacuum, dawlink."

And for those formal evenings aboard the train, I thought my 'Cygne Noir' (Black Swan) 1949 evening dress by Christian Dior would be just the ticket. It's made of silk satin and velvet. Oh la la. My good friend the Baroness Antoinette de Ginsbourg also has one but I specifically asked her not to wear hers this time.


So ring the bell for the Wagon Lits. We’re traveling into history. On June 5, 1883 the first 'Express d'Orient' left Paris for Vienna. Vienna remained the terminus until October 4, 1883. The train was officially renamed Orient Express in 1891. Source

Different Routes Available
So, join us in the dining room for tea and crumpets or a first class meal. The food is wonderful here. I’m there and waiting on y’all. Hope to see you there!

♥ ∞

Sparky's Celebrity Look-Alikes

As usual, Muse Swings started this. "But Mom, Li'l Cindi started it!" She issued a Double Dog Dare for all us go make our own Celebrity Look-Alike Collage.

Well, at least I don't resemble one of the Marx Brothers or Dracula. Not too bad, not too bad. I'm deeply honored that I resemble Lucille Ball! Wow, she is one of my favorite comedians. Hubby always says that I'm a big clown too.

Now go make your own. It's free at MyHeritage.Com. Click on Celebrity Collage to create your own.

... and I Triple Dog Dare ya!! :o)

Have fun y'all.

♥ ∞

Cold Comfort Farm (1995)

Another obscure, quiet movie y'all may have missed is the English film "Cold Comfort Farm" (1995, comedy).

Cold Comfort Farm by Stella Gibbons is a comic novel. It was made into a movie and released to the public in 1996.

The setting is England in the early 1930's, 20 year old Flora Poste, a recently orphaned 19-year-old socialite, moves in with her country relatives, the gloomy Starkadders of Cold Comfort Farm. Everyone on the gloomy farm is completely around the twist, but Flora tries to sort everything out. But Flora discovered a new branch of her family tree ... the one with all the nuts.

It's one comic situation after another.

If you're a big fan of English comedy, you'll probably recognize many of the cast.

Some Of The Cast:

Joanna Lumley as Mrs. Smiling (of AbFab fame)

Kate Beckinsale as the orphaned Flora Poste

Ian McKellen as the overly religious Amos Starkadder

Miriam Margolyes as the sensible housekeeper Mrs. Beetle


Part 1 of 10
Here ya go Lanny. Now you can waste another afternoon at YouTube ... tee hee

Let me know if you've seen this movie. I now have it on DVD and never tire of watching it. Enjoy!

♥ ∞

In A Vietnam Vet's Own Words

I'm Tired
by Robert A. Hall

I'll be 63 soon. Except for one semester in college when jobs were scarce, and a six-month period when I was between jobs, but job-hunting every day, I've worked, hard, since I was 18. Despite some health challenges, I still put in 50-hour weeks, and haven't called in sick in seven or eight years. I make a good salary, but I didn't inherit my job or my income, and I worked to get where I am. Given the economy, there's no retirement in sight, and I'm tired. Very tired.

I'm tired of being told that I have to spread the wealth around to people who don't have my work ethic. I'm tired of being told the government will take the money I earned, by force if necessary, and give it to people too lazy or stupid to earn it.

I'm tired of being told that I have to pay more taxes to keep people in their homes. Sure, if they lost their jobs or got sick, I'm willing to help. But if they bought McMansions at three times the price of our paid-off, $250,000 condo, on one-third of my salary, then let the leftwing Congress critters who passed Fannie and Freddie and the Community Reinvestment Act that created the basis for this crises in housing take on the financial responsibility.

I'm tired of being told how bad America is by leftwing millionaires like Michael Moore, George Soros and Hollywood entertainers who live in luxury because of the opportunities America offers. In thirty years, if they get their way, the United States will have the religious freedom and women's rights of Saudi Arabia, the economy of Zimbabwe, the freedom of the press of China, the crime and violence of Mexico, the tolerance for Gay people of Iran, and the freedom of speech of Venezuela. Won't multiculturalism be beautiful?

I'm tired of being told that Islam is a Religion of Peace, when every day I can read dozens of stories of Muslim men killing their sisters, wives and daughters for their family honor; of Muslims rioting over some slight offense; of Muslims murdering Christian and Jews because they aren't believers; of Muslims burning schools for girls; of Muslims stoning teenage rape victims to death for adultery; of Muslims mutilating the genitals of little girls; all in the name of Allah, because the Quran and Sharia law tells them to.

I believe a man should be judged by the content of his character, not by the color of his skin. I'm tired of being told that race doesn't matter in the post-racial world of President Obama, when it's all that matters is affirmative action jobs, lower college admission and graduation standards for minorities (harming them the most), government contract set-asides, tolerance for the ghetto culture of violence and fatherless children that hurts minorities more than anyone, and in the appointment of US Senators from Illinois. I think it's very cool that we have a black president and that a black child is doing her homework at the desk where Lincoln wrote the emancipation proclamation. I just wish the black president was Condi Rice, or someone who believes more in freedom and the individual and less in an all-knowing government.

I'm tired of a news media that thinks Bush's fundraising and inaugural expenses were obscene, but think Obama's, at triple the cost, were wonderful; that thinks Bush exercising daily was a waste of presidential time, but Obama exercising is a great example for the public to control weight and stress; that picked over every line of Bush's military records, but never demanded that Kerry release his; that slammed Palin with two years as governor for being too inexperienced for VP, but touted Obama with three years as an absent senator as potentially the best president ever.

Wonder why people are dropping their subscriptions or switching to Fox News? Get a clue. I didn't vote for Bush in 2000, but the media and Kerry drove me to his camp in 2004.

I'm tired of being told that, out of tolerance for other cultures, we must let Saudi Arabia use our oil money to fund mosques and madrassa Islamic schools to preach hate in America, while no American group is allowed to fund a church, synagogue or religious school in Saudi Arabia to teach love and tolerance.

I'm tired of being told I must lower my living standard to fight global warming, which no one is allowed to debate. My wife and I live in a two-bedroom apartment and carpool together five miles to our jobs. We also own a three-bedroom condo where our daughter and granddaughter live. Our carbon footprint is about 5% of Al Gore's and, if you're greener than Gore, you're green enough.

I'm tired of being told that drug addicts have a disease and I must help support and treat them and pay for the damage they do. Did a giant germ rush out of a dark alley, grab them and stuff white powder up their noses while they tried to fight it off? I don't think Gay people choose to be Gay, but I damn sure think druggies chose to take drugs. And I'm tired of harassment from cool people treating me like a freak when I tell them I never tried marijuana.

I'm tired of illegal aliens being called undocumented workers, especially the ones who aren't working, but are living on welfare or crime. What's next? Calling drug dealers, Undocumented Pharmacists? And, no, I'm not against Hispanics. Most of them are Catholic and it's been a few hundred years since Catholics wanted to kill me for my religion. I'm willing to fast track for citizenship any Hispanic person who can speak English, doesn't have a criminal record and who is self-supporting without family on welfare or who serves honorably for three years in our military. Those are the citizens we need.

I'm tired of latte liberals and journalists, who would never wear the uniform of the Republic themselves or let their entitlement-handicapped kids near a recruiting station, trashing our military. They and their kids can sit at home, never having to make split-second decisions under life and death circumstances, and bad mouth better people than themselves. Do bad things happen in war? You bet. Do our troops sometimes misbehave? Sure. Does this compare with the atrocities that were the policy of our enemies for the last fifty years and still are? Not even close. So here's the deal. I'll let myself be subjected to all the humiliation and abuse that was heaped on terrorists at Abu Ghraib or Gitmo and the critics can let themselves be subject to captivity by the Muslims who tortured and beheaded Daniel Pearl in Pakistan or the Muslims who tortured and murdered Marine Lt. Col. William Higgins in Lebanon or the Muslims who ran the blood-spattered Al Qaeda torture rooms our troops found in Iraq or the Muslims who cut off the heads of schoolgirls in Indonesia because the girls were Christian. Then we'll compare notes. British and American soldiers are the only troops in history that civilians came to for help and handouts, instead of hiding from in fear.

I'm tired of people telling me that their party has a corner on virtue and the other party has a corner on corruption. I'm tired of people telling me we need bi-partisanship. I live in Illinois where the Illinois Democrats and Republicans have worked together harmoniously to loot the public for years. And I notice that the tax cheats in Obama's cabinet are bi-partisan as well.

I'm tired of hearing wealthy athletes, entertainers and politicians of both parties talking about innocent mistakes, stupid mistakes or youthful mistakes, when we all know they think their only mistake was getting caught. I'm tired of people with a sense of entitlement, rich or poor.

Speaking of poor, I'm tired of hearing people with air-conditioned homes, color TVs and two cars called poor. The majority of Americans didn't have that in 1970, but we didn't know we were poor. The poverty pimps have to keep changing the definition of poor to keep the dollars flowing.

I'm real tired of people who don't take responsibility for their lives and actions. I'm tired of hearing them blame the government or discrimination or big-whatever for their problems.

Yes, I'm damn tired. But I'm also glad to be 63. Because, mostly, I'm not going to get to see the world these people are making. I'm just sorry for my granddaughter.

Robert A. Hall is a Marine Vietnam veteran who served five terms in the Massachusetts state senate. He blogs at www.tartanmarine.blogspot.com.

---

And a profound short paragraph ....

"You cannot legislate the poor into freedom by legislating the wealthy out of freedom.

What one person receives without working for, another person must work for without receiving. The government cannot give to anybody anything that the government does not first take from somebody else. When half of the people get the idea that they do not have to work because the other half is going to take care of them, and when the other half gets the idea that it does no good to work because somebody else is going to get what they work for, that my dear friend, is about the end of any nation. You cannot multiply wealth by dividing it."

~~ Dr. Adrian Rogers, 1931 - 2005 ~~

♥ ∞

No Applause, Just Throw Money

Well, well, well. Imagine my surprise when Jennifer at We're In Good Shape gave my humble little blog an award.

ME! Mwa! Oh, thank you! Air kissy kissy! Thank you! I would like to thank the little people who made all this possible ... Oh, they love me so! [giggle] Nah, I really am touched ... and humbled ... and all that good stuff.

"This award acknowledges the values that every Blogger displays in their effort to transmit cultural, ethical, literary, and personal values with each message they write. Awards like this have been created with the intention of promoting community among Bloggers. It’s a way to show appreciation and gratitude for work that adds value to the Web.”

Well, I don't know that I do all that but I am opinionated.

So, I am suppose to pass this little jewel on. Can you feel the tension in the air? Stop yawning out there!

I want to give it to all my blog buddies but I think I'm only suppose to choose about three. So, these are my choices:

1. Pappy's Balderdash by Dennis ~ I finally found someone as opinionated as me but he's better at articulating thoughts. I tend to get distracted when writing ... oh, look, a bunny ... what was I saying? Oh, and he and wife enjoy motorcycles too. It doesn't get any better than that. Careful there, he's a retired cop. Now keep your hands where I can see 'em mister ... !

2. Nanny Goats In Panties by Margaret ~ Yeah, you heard me right. They wear panties, wanna fight about it? [lol] Nah, she's not confrontational but from her hilarious take on Rosy Palms (ya gotta read it) to how it sucks to be in Hawaii when it's freezing cold back home, she's really, really, really funny. Really.

3. It's The Dirt by Lanny ~ No, no, it doesn't have X rated posts. Not that kind of dirt! Really people, get your minds outta the gutter. It's because you read Rosy Palms above isn't it? [sigh] Anyway, Dirt is her husband's nickname. They farm. Have livestock. Farm some more. Share recipes. Her blog is so entertaining that even her comments are worth having at your blog. Make friends with her and see for yourself.

So enjoy. Now don't bother me anymore. I'm feigning Writer's Block and enjoying the brief hiatus.

ROFLOL!! And truly, many thanks again.

♥ ∞

Postard Friendship Friday (03/06)

Dog and Boy on Indian Motorcycle

I found this nifty little number on the 'net at Apex Postcards. Apex states the postcard is "Velox Stampbox, c. 1900-1910". So, I guess the postcard is about 100 years old. Wow.

The boy doesn't look very happy, does he? Maybe he wants to ride and not sit around waiting for a picture to develop. Let's let the boy go now ...

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by my friend Marie at Voila! Vintage Postcards. Pay her lovely blog a visit if y'all have time.

♥ ∞

Writer's Block And A Joke Or Two

I have a serious case of Writer's Block this week. I can't get interested in anything at the moment.

Could be the weather ... (Baby, it's cold outside)

Could be the recovery time from my neck surgery is taking so *&#$^% long and I haven't been able to ride ... [whimper]

Could be the tanking ecomony ... (What was your first clue?!)

Could be my 'stars' are not aligned right in the heavens ...

Could be ... ah, heck who knows?? Any excuse would fit.

I .. am .. not .. a .. ray .. of .. sunshine .. today ..

Sooooo ...

How about a little humor to brighten the day and pass the time?

++ A Joke For The Gentlemen ++
How To Understand Estrogenese

FINE
This is the word women use to end an argument when they feel they are right and you need to shut up. Never use "fine" to describe how a woman looks - this will cause you to have one of those arguments.

FIVE MINUTES
This is half an hour. It is equivalent to the five minutes that your football game is going to last before you take out the trash, so it's an even trade.

NOTHING
This means "something," and you should be on your toes. "Nothing" is usually used to describe the feeling a woman has of wanting to turn you inside out, upside down, and backwards. "Nothing" usually signifies an argument that will last "Five Minutes" and end with "Fine".

GO AHEAD (With Raised Eyebrows)
This is a dare. One that will result in a woman getting upset over "Nothing" and will end with the word "Fine".

GO AHEAD (Normal Eyebrows)
This means "I give up" or "do what you want because I don't care" You will get a "Raised Eyebrow Go Ahead" in just a few minutes, followed by "Nothing" and "Fine" and she will talk to you in about "Five Minutes" when she cools off.

LOUD SIGH
This is not actually a word, but is a non-verbal statement often misunderstood by men. A "Loud Sigh" means she thinks you are an idiot at that moment, and wonders why she is wasting her time standing here and arguing with you over "Nothing".

SOFT SIGH
Again, not a word, but a non-verbal statement. "Soft Sighs" mean that she is content. Your best bet is to not move or breathe, and she will stay content.

THAT'S OKAY
This is one of the most dangerous statements that a woman can make to a man. "That's Okay" means that she wants to think long and hard before paying you back for whatever it is that you have done. "That's Okay" is often used with the word "Fine" and in conjunction with a "Raised Eyebrow."

GO AHEAD!
At some point in the near future, you are going to be in some mighty big trouble.

PLEASE DO
This is not a statement, it is an offer. A woman is giving you the chance to come up with whatever excuse or reason you have for doing whatever it is that you have done. You have a fair chance with the truth, so be careful and you shouldn't get a "That's Okay".

THANKS
A woman is thanking you. Do not faint. Just say you're welcome.

THANKS A LOT
This is much different from "Thanks." A woman will say, "Thanks A Lot" when she is really ticked off at you. It signifies that you have offended her in some callous way, and will be followed by the "Loud Sigh." Be careful not to ask what is wrong after the "Loud Sigh," as she will only tell you "Nothing".

++ A Joke For The Ladies ++
A mild-mannered man was tired of being bossed around by his wife so he went to a psychiatrist.

The psychiatrist said he needed to build his self-esteem, and so gave him a book on assertiveness, which he read on the way home.

He had finished the book by the time he reached his house.

The man stormed into the house and walked up to his wife.

Pointing a finger in her face, he said, "From now on, I want you to know that I am the man of this house, and my word is law! I want you to prepare me a gourmet meal tonight, and when I'm finished eating my meal, I expect a sumptuous dessert afterward. Then, after dinner, you're going to draw me my bath so I can relax. And when I'm finished with my bath, guess who's going to dress me and comb my hair?"

"The funeral director," said his wife.

+++
Hope I at least made ya smile!

And maybe this uncharacteristic sour mood and lack of ideas will pass in a day or two. [sigh]

♥ ∞

Wordless Wednesday (03/04)

♥ ∞

Orient Express Blog Day Adventure

All Aboard!
The Orient Express is boarding in Paris on Monday, March 9th, and you are invited!

My blog buddy Muse Swings is hosting the event. Simply pop over to her blog and leave a message at the link above. That way we can all visit one another that day.

So pack your bags and join us for the fun! Everyone is invited.

Hope to see you there ...

♥ ∞

Avanti! (1972)

Avanti!

Another one of my favorite movies, that I never tire of watching is "Avanti!". This movie was released to theatres in 1972.

In a nutshell, the story is a successful businessman (Jack Lemmon) who goes to Italy to arrange for the return of his tycoon-father's body only to discover dad died with his mistress of long standing.

Plot Summary: Baltimore industrialist Wendell Armbruster (Jack Lemmon) crosses paths with London shop girl Pamela Piggott (Juliet Mills) when they come to Ischia to pick up the bodies of her mother and his father, who have been killed in an automobile accident after a ten-year summertime affair. Straitlaced Wendell tries to avoid a scandal while free-spirited Pamela is impressed by the romantic setting. After some confusion with the bodies and a blackmail attempt by unscrupulous locals, Wendell and Pamela extend their parent's affair into the next generation.
Source



You'll remember the English actress Juliet Mills from the short run TV show "Nanny and the Professor" (1970-1971). She exudes an adorable personality and makes the story so much fun.

The Director was Billy Wilder. I thought he did a superb job in the timing of the jokes.

And for anyone who understands the laid back way of how the Italian's 'work' and think, it's an absolute laugh riot from beginning to end.

Caution: Being a 'foreign' film it does have some brief nudity but it is all very tastefully done and does fit into the story.

---

PS: Off subject but the first race of the season for World SuperBike starts today at 4:00 PM EST on Speed channel. It should be really exciting as the new rider for Yamaha, Ben Spies (pronounced SPEEZE), has the pole position today. He's American and we're pulling for him.

I'm gonna have my 'secretary' (i.e. answer machine) hold all my calls this afternoon ... [lol]

♥ ∞

The Stimulus Package In My Husband's Words

Hubby with his father
after boot camp in the Army National Reserves
Signal School, Fort Gordon, Georgia
August 1966
My darling husband wrote something the other day at one of the on-line motorcycle forums we belong to (MyGreatRides.Com). The subject of the phony stimulus package came up in one of their General Posts. I wanted to share this with y'all today:

---

If you closely examine where most of this 'stimulus' money is going, that by the way we are borrowing from foreign countries, it's easy to see that it's mostly payoff money for the votes that were delivered by Democrat special interest groups. Both main political parties have become so corrupt in their quest for power that they trample on the Constitution as if it were a doormat.

The 10th amendment disallows most federal law that has been passed over the last 50 years. The 10th amendment states; "The powers not delegated to the United States by the Constitution, nor prohibited by it to the States, are reserved to the States respectively, or to the people."

This is a simple statement to understand. Only the powers specifically stated in the Constitution are given to the federal government and all other powers are reserved for the individual states and the people. The federal government has become an overbearing monster that swallows up our personal treasure, involves us in illegal conflicts and erodes away our personal God- given liberties in the name of fairness. We the people have allowed this to happen because of our indifference to the rule of law and our sudden embracing of democracy, also known as mob rule. We are a republic, where all are supposed to be treated equally under the law, regardless of our social status. We are now becoming a democracy where the rule of the majority can quickly strip us of our fortunes, our rights and our dignity.

This is why we now vote Libertarian.

---

... and you probably thought I only married Hubby because of the uniform ... HA!! :o)

---

For The Funny Bone:

Japanese banks have been hit almost as hard as American banks:
The Origami Bank has folded, and we hear the Sumo Bank has gone belly-up too. Bonsai Bank plans to cut some of its branches. Karoke Bank is for sale and is going for a song. Meanwhile, staff at Karate Bank got the chop, and analysts report there is something fishy going on at Sushi Bank, where workers fear they may get a raw deal.
Readers Digest (March 2009, page 80), Submitted by Barbara Padwell

♥ ∞

Postcard Friendship Friday (02/27)

Georgia is our absolute, hands down, favorite State. We love living here.

But our second favorite State is Texas. Texas folks are some of the best in the world and there are so many fun things to do there! We try to visit every year. So, we've been planning our Texas Hill Country trip for this Spring and I thought this would be a nice card to post today. Just once I would like to see the Blue Bonnets in full bloom. [sigh]

Postcard Friendship Friday is hosted by my friend Marie at Voila! Vintage Postcards. Pay her lovely blog a visit if y'all have time.

Have a happy day!

♥ ∞

Me First!

Valerie said I could totally steal this idea from her at her blog It's A Wonderful Life. So, I did!

Below are a list of My Firsts.


MY FIRSTS

1. Who was your FIRST prom date?
May 1973 with my first serious "go steady" boyfriend, Bill Anderson. We were both Junior's and he took me to the Junior-Senior Prom. It was the first time I got to stay out all night without having to strain for an excuse. [lol] I think Dad was hoping I'd run away so he wouldn't have to deal with me anymore. Didn't work. I returned like a Homing Pigeon to finish my Senior year.

2. Do you still talk to your FIRST love?
No, I used to but we kinda lost touch a couple of years ago. He still lives in central Florida and is a millionaire. I'm so happy for him! He's a really nice, decent fellow.

3. What was your FIRST alcoholic drink?
Beer and whiskey. Dad gave it to me for a toothache. I was under 10 years old because Mom was still alive.

4. What was your FIRST job?
When 15, I had a summer job with a kennel in Mims, just south of Titusville. It was hard work but it was fun. I love dogs and this was a pleasure for me.

5. What was your FIRST car?
A red 1968 Renault. After it spent nearly every day after my purchase in the garage being repaired, I traded it for a 1966 Volkswagon 'bug'. It was actually a Trade Up for me. It was really easy to work on.

6. Who was the FIRST person to text you today?
I don't text.

7. Who is the FIRST person you thought of this morning?
My sister-in-law, Cindy. We've got something cooking up in the financial department and I'm gonna help her with it. It's my forte'.

8. Who was your FIRST grade teacher?
I have no clue. I don't even remember first grade!!

9. Where did you go on your FIRST ride on an airplane?
I was 12 years old, my mother was dead, and my father put me alone on a flight from central Florida to western Pennsylvania. Would any of you parents out there do that? I didn't think so. I had to fly back alone too. He dumped me on a plane so he could marry his third wife. A woman he only knew for a couple of months.

10. Who was your FIRST best friend and are you still friends with them?
Karen Williams, she married a Mr. Towe and had a bunch of kids. We lost touch with each other years ago. I hope she's well and happy where ever she is. Karen was a nice girl.

11. What was your FIRST sport played?
Primitive Archery. I still enjoy it. Now that I've had neck surgery I hope to start it back up again.

12. Where was your FIRST sleep over?
I might never have been to one. I don't remember. My group wasn't much into that. We mostly played in the woods and rode our bicycles all day. I tried to never have friends over.

13. Who was the FIRST person you talked to today?
My hubby.

14. Whose wedding were you in the FIRST time?
My first marriage in August of 1974.

15. What was the FIRST thing you did this morning?
Kick two dogs outta the bed so I can make a bee-line to the ... well, you know. :o)

16. What was the FIRST concert you ever went to?
Never been to a concert, if they mean like a Rock concert or something like that. I've been in a High School concert. I sing Second Alto. Oh, wait, I've been to a performance by the Jacksonville Symphony Orchestra (classical music) during the 1979 season. It was spectacular! Does that count?

17. FIRST tattoo or piercing?
My ears were pierced when I was 16. Absolutely, positively NO tattoos.

18. FIRST foreign country you went to?
Niagara Falls, Canada. Let's see, I was very young (pre-1966) because I remember my mother being there. If it was just Dad, he probably would have left me there.

19. What was your FIRST run in with the law?
When I was 18. Before 1st husband and I married, we played a joke on a friend by 'rolling' his house with toilet paper on Hallowe'en. And I got caught ... by the Sheriff, no less!! Dang, I was embarrassed. Gosh, I hope Pappy doesn't see this. I'm such a hardened criminal. [lol]

20. When was your FIRST detention?
I've never had detention. I was good in school. I turned bad after graduation. [smile] I only sassed a teacher once and got a whoopin' for it. I never did that again.

21. What was the FIRST state you lived in?
Florida.

22. Who was the FIRST person to break your heart?
My father when he tore up his parent card in August of 1966.

23. Who was your FIRST roommate?
Never had a roommate. I can't stand to be around most people 24/7 except for my husband.

24. Where did you go on your FIRST limo ride?
Are you kidding, I've never been in a limo.

25. Where did you go on your FIRST date with your husband?
March 17th, 1979 at Shrimpy's in Jacksonville, Florida. Yeah, it was St. Patrick's Day. We still celebrate that day every year in memory of our first date. I was getting a divorce from my first husband and Steve asked me out to supper and a movie. We've been together ever since.


So there you have 25 of my FIRSTS.

And you're still talking to me! Eh, I don't care what they say, you're good people.

So, feel free to grab the Questions. I would like to know all of your FIRSTS too. If you want to join in, leave a comment here and I'll pop over to your place and Read All About It. Have fun!

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So THAT Is What Those Business Acronyms Really Mean!?

My husband found what is below at one of the MyGreatRides posts. I thought y'all would enjoy the humor this morning:


CEO -- Chief Embezzlement Officer.

CFO -- Corporate Fraud Officer.

BULL MARKET -- A random market movement causing an investor to mistake himself for a financial genius.

VALUE INVESTING -- The art of buying low and selling lower.

P/E RATIO -- The percentage of investors wetting their pants as the market keeps crashing.

BROKER -- What my broker has made me.

STANDARD & POOR -- Your life in a nutshell.

STOCK ANALYST -- Idiot who just downgraded your stock.

STOCK SPLIT -- When your ex-wife and her lawyer split your assets equally between themselves.

FINANCIAL PLANNER -- A guy whose phone has been disconnected.

MARKET CORRECTION -- The day after you buy stocks.

CASH FLOW -- The movement your money makes as it disappears down the toilet.

YAHOO -- What you yell after selling it to some poor sucker for $240 per share.

WINDOWS -- What you jump out of when you're the sucker who bought Yahoo at $240 per share.

INSTITUTIONAL INVESTOR -- Past year investor who's now locked up in a nuthouse.

PROFIT -- An archaic word no longer in use.


We should have known this all along ...

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