Random Musings of a Curious Mind

Trick or Treat!

Well, for another year - we had zero goblins grace our door. In fact, over the 7 years that we have lived here, we only had any Halloween visitors one year - and that was management's kids.

There are quite a few youngsters - judging by the noise level out my front window - living here right now. So I was surprised to hear no knocks last night. Of course, the fact that we are now gated and it would take Houdini to get in here after hours might have a little something to do with it!

Guess I'll just have to share the candy with . . . ME! Yum, yum, yum!



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Jules

Sore Feet!

Messaged the Chef this morning. The job is good, but his feet are really sore! I can remember those days.

I thought I'd died and gone to heaven when I got my first office job. Wouldn't be spending 8+ hours on my feet anymore. It was just wonderful!

The worst (on my feet) job I had in my youth was at the cheese shop at the local mall. Vanity had me in heels; but the shop had a cement floor behind the counter, for health reasons. I don't think my feet ever hurt as badly as they did after all day standing on that floor. The steakhouse had a concrete floor, too. But I wore more sensible shoes in those days.

So, I'm sure that he's spending his entire shift on the same type of floor. If nothing else, I know what to get him for Christmas . . .

Air pillow insoles and a foot massager!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
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God Bless!

Jules

WooHoo! We Have a Chef in the Family!

We got the good news a couple of days ago. Our oldest is officially a prep cook for one of the local casinos. In fact, his first day was yesterday.

I haven't had a chance to talk to him, yet. And I know he'll probably be working all weekend, so it'll be a while until I can get all the details. I really hope he loves it!

Kinda takes me back to my first job - bussing tables at a local cafeteria in the (very) small town I grew up in. Definitely not as much fun as working in the kitchen, but much better than washing dishes.

Oh to be young again!



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God Bless!

Jules

Health Concerns

Apparently, I'm on a health kick. Everything that comes to mind or that pops up in the news - grabbing my attention - seems to be health-related. But this one has me more than a bit wound up!

Reading about: Cold Meds for Kids Back in the Spotlight ticked me off.

Yes, there are far too many young children in emergency rooms due to incorrect doses of OTC cold medications. But don't we have enough legislation in our lives? Since do we legislate against ignorance? Especially when most of the legislature is what's ignorant!

Personal opinion - most children 2 and under don't need OTC meds. A cold will work itself out, as it were, in a matter of days and young children rarely have the extreme symptoms that older kids and adults experience.

What about reading and following the directions on the bottle? When did that become unusual? I guess about the time that irons started sporting - "Do not iron clothes while wearing" - alerts.

Ask yourself this question - do you really want the government that brought you the Iraq War, the Wall Street bailout, and Dick Cheney to tell you what you can and can't give to your sick child?



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God Bless!

Jules

Our Son - The Chef

We've had some great news from our oldest, which is nice since he's had a lot of bad news lately. After studying culinary arts in high school down here, there weren't any programs during his final year up north. So, I wasn't too sure what would happen to his career plans.

This week we found out that he's in the process of going to work for one of the casinos in his area - as a prep cook! There's still paperwork to complete, but it sounds like a solid job offer.

Not only that, but he'll have benefits in 6 months (very important for a young man with a bad leg) and - if he's interested - can move up to line cook in just 9 months. Pretty Great!!

Cross your fingers for him - that nothing goes wrong between now and his first day? Thanks!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Parenting 101 - the Palin Way

I read Op/Ed articles quite a bit. With the exception of one slightly cuckoo columnist, I find that even when I disagree with the writer, I still enjoy their perspective. One of my favorite reads is Ted Rall's column. He pulls no punches.

This latest column, exploring the Palin Parenting Program, is spot-on.

Not only is it highly improbable that Bristol and her boyfriend made the choice to marry and raise the baby, it's highly probable that 'Mom' brooks no disagreement once she's determined a course of action. An unusual segment of the teen population notwithstanding, getting pregnant at 17 and without benefit of marriage is not a teen's personal choice - whether male or female. It's an accident, rarely remedied by interfering overbearing parents. The whole situation is just going to destroy those three young lives.

There is absolutely no benefit in compounding one mistake with another and another.



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God Bless!

Jules

Unique Baby Gifts

I am always looking for special products to complement our one-of-a-kind designs. Cuddle up under a Cozy Afghan, with a tasty tub of popcorn - or a yummy basket of goodies. What about a personalized gift for your graduate, paired with a Twin-size Afghan in his/her new school colors?

We've got great gift ideas for Mom and Dad, Grandpa and Grandma, your favorite Aunt and Uncle, Godparents, Brother or Sister - everyone in the family. Even Fido and Fluffy! But, I'm still on the prowl for truly unique baby gifts.

Just imagine - a complete layette set, in your favorite colors, with a matching future-heirloom crib afghan. It just doesn't get any better than that!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Hello From Fort Collins

As the title says - I'm in Fort Collins, Colorado. Given the stories I heard from fellow travellers, I guess I was very lucky to have made it. Although, there were some, shall we say, interesting moments.

To get from Phoenix to Fort Collins requires 2 changes and 3 different buslines. Phoenix to Albuquerque is Greyhound - and seriously crowded. An agent in Albuquerque told me that the East-West routes are always packed. She wasn't kidding.

That leg of the trip was cozy, to say the least. I told my seat-mate "It's hard to be strangers in these seats." Very nice - quiet - lady, by the way. But being that cramped was hard on my bad knee - just no way to stretch and get the pressure off the joint.

That was a rather scary leg - we were nearly run off the road by a crazy truck driver and got caught in a rainstorm. Now, the rain wouldn't have been that detrimental - if the driver's wipers had worked and if the emergency hatch in the roof had had a good seal. The rain started and I could have sworn I felt drops on my arm! Thought I was nuts until another passenger asked me if I was getting wet. Leave it to me to pick a seat that 'leaks' - you know?!

In Albuquerque, I changed to the Americanos busline for the overnight trip to Denver. (Bus was an hour late, which surprised me.) Very nice buses - curtains and comfy seats. But I nearly froze to death. The air conditioning runs down the windows, onto the seats; so you're either comfortable and frost-bitten, resting your back against the window, or you have an armrest in your back and only semi-freeze. I brought my newest afghan creation with me. Unfortunately, it's just a smidge larger than a lapghan - so, either my shoulders were warmed or my legs. Not both.

When we got to Denver, over an hour late, there was a fence blocking access from the entrances to the rest of the bus station and a really long line of people along the fence. Apparently, although I thought the convention was over, Obama was in Denver and they were checking everyone who came into the city. Not a quick check, either. Every bag was opened and searched. Then, every passenger was scanned. I was extremely glad that I had a 3-hour layover.

Just when I got to within 6 or 7 people of being searched, 45 minutes later, the head of security waved me, the woman in front of me, and about half of the people behind me through, with a "You're good. Go catch your bus." Within 15 minutes, they had removed the fence, tables, and all evidence of a security set-up. What a pain!

With all of that, I still managed to get in to Fort Collins within 15 minutes of our expected arrival time. Although I missed the rehearsal, I did manage to make the rehearsal luncheon - some of the best Italian food I've had in many years!\

And one of the most kick-a** margaritas I've ever had.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Another Wedding in the Family

My daughter has been married less than 3 months and now her brother is walking down the aisle himself. Okay, actually his fiancée will walk down the aisle, he'll wait for her at the altar.

I didn't think that I would be able to make it, but found out today that I should be able to go. Needless to say, I am excited and frantic!

What do I wear? do I have anything to wear? If you'll recall, I went through the same agony right before my daughter's wedding - and that worked out okay. So, hopefully, this one will, too.

The one thing I am absolutely sure of? I am taking extra batteries for the camera and I am saving pictures to disc the second I get home. No more missed opportunities and lost pictures for me.

No sir!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Surgical Treatment for Lazy Eye

This is an amazing breakthrough for kids: Lens Implant Offers Chance At Beating Lazy Eye

If you're not familiar with lazy eye, also called amblyopia, it's a condition where one eye is so much weaker than the other that the brain learns to ignore that eye. Occurring at a young age, amblyopia causes the neural connections to not form and makes the weaker eye useless, unless treated early.

We have a son with this condition which, until I read this article, I didn't realize was a serious problem. Oddly enough, the last time he was here he mentioned the vision difference between his eyes. While not as severe as the little girl in the above story, his left eye has 20/60 vision. Very impaired.

Several years ago, we tried glasses on him. He stopped wearing them, because the right lens altered the vision in that eye and made it more difficult for him to see. I don't know if that meant the glasses were having a positive affect on the left eye, blurring his overall vision, or not, since he mentioned it for the first time last month.

Unfortunately, I don't think that he has any type of vision benefits, now that he's 19 and out of school.

This just shows how critical eye exams are - from a very early age.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
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God Bless!

Jules

Just Can't Win!

It's amazing - or depressing - however you want to look at it.

Mark and I spent four years trying to undo the damage from the lifetime that his youngest boys spent with their mother. They each had overt and hidden problems from the abuse and neglect in their past. I think we helped Frankie; Michael - who knows.

But, since Michael left, at the end of May, I have to say that my health and my attitude have improved 1000%. I laugh more; cry less. Each day is a blessing, instead of a curse.

I don't know if that makes me a bad person or if it means that the situation was so toxic for me that I had to get out to save my life and my sanity. I know that I would have ever 'let' him leave, without finishing school and developing some skills to see him through his adult life.

In all honesty, I do miss him and worry desperately about him living with his mother. If I dwell on, what I believe to be, his prospects for the future - I become terrified for him. (When asked what he wanted to do with his life, his answers were always beyond the realm of possibility - basketball star, race car driver.)

So, even though we don't have in-your-face-every-day stress anymore, we have the upset of not knowing how he's doing or what abuse he might be suffering.

Just can't win!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Greater Good Network

I have a great interest in protecting the environment, helping animals, and just trying to do the right thing. Sadly, I don't have a bank account that allows me to financially support all of the causes in which I believe.

Thanks to the Greater Good Network, and their sponsors, I don't have to be the Sultan of Brunei in order to help.

One of the easiest ways to help is by resetting the home page on your browser. Simply pick one of the websites in the network - I chose The Animal Rescue Site - and every time you visit the Internet, simply click on the "Click Here to Give" button on the main page. It doesn't cost you a dime, but the sponsors will take that 'click' and donate to the cause that you've chosen.

Every time I visit my homepage, I give .6 bowls of food to rescued animals. And I am not alone! Yesterday, July 10, 2008, 303,764 clicks contributed 182,258 bowls of food; in 2007, actions at The Animal Rescue Site funded the value of 42,724,313 bowls of food for animals in need.

I know that I couldn't, personally, contribute enough to make a drop in the bucket. But, working with The Greater Good Network, I - and you - can do wonders.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Bad News / Good News

When I crashed the laptop, I managed to lose all of the pictures I'd taken at my daughter's wedding. Luckily, I'd sent my aunt a few pictures, so I was able to recover those photos.

      

      

Unfortunately, you can't tell from these pictures just how breath-taking the location was. Up in the foothills, at a country club with amazing views, it was just incredible.

Just as soon as I do some work with the pictures from my cellphone, I'll happily post more.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Goin' to a Wedding!

My dress and shoes have arrived! And - joy of joys - my dress fits!

It's difficult to determine what size is right, when ordering online. Given the fact that I've put on weight and not gotten in shape, I was terrified to open that box! As a hedge, I ordered a 'slimmer' when I ordered the dress. I haven't tried them on together, yet.

Second joy of joys? The dress is actually long enough that I can wear the heels I ordered. (At almost 6 feet tall, most of it legs, I have a devil of a time finding something that covers my ankles!) Not to mention, the area above my waist is much smaller than the area below my waist. Can you say pear?

Keep an eye out - I'll be letting you know if the look actually worked.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Pet Sitter

I'm in the process of getting ready for my daughter's wedding at the end of the month.

The dress and shoes are ordered. Hopefully, the sizes listed on the website are accurate. Now - what do I do with Paka?

He and Mark don't exactly get along - but they don't always fight. Isn't that helpful?! NOT!

Under the circumstances, I have to trust that they won't kill each other.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

GonnaBe

There are talent agencies all over the country - good and bad. Some help their clients; some bleed their clients. I, personally, have always wanted an acting career. Could have had one - if I'd been able to act, sing, dance, or any of the above.

Years ago I had a good friend whose children were involved in modeling; she was a working actress. I can still remember the work that went into getting the kids seen and signed by agencies in our state. Mom was amazingly knowledgeable and energetic about getting things done.

Today, I ran across a site that takes a lot of that work out of it. GonnaBe is designed to provide young artists with resources, services, experience and exposure in order to succeed in the entertainment industry.

GonnaBe offers actors, musicians, dancers, and models more than opportunities to expand their knowledge and talent, it encourages them to reach for the stars in every aspect of their lives.

If your child is interested in an entertainment career, take a look at this site. It's a great place to start.



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Third Paternity Test?

I read this story earlier and was absolutely floored. Obviously, men who father children out of wedlock, as we used to say, need to step up and take responsibility. When DNA testing proves fatherhood, that's really all the impetus necessary to document a legal obligation.

However, when not one, but two DNA tests confirm that someone did not father a child, that should also be sufficient documentation. Not for this woman!

The first DNA test in 2005 was negative. With the legal agreement that this [crazy?] woman would leave him alone, Michael Jordan submitted to another test that same year. It was also negative. Enough proof, right? Oh, no!

Now, three years later, Ms. Miceli is asking for a third paternity test. And that's not all! You're gonna love this -- she is also requesting that the judge lift a temporary restraining order, issued after Mr. Jordan filed a harassment suit against her.

It may be time for Ms. Miceli to take a test - to determine whether or not she's actually sane!



Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

International Children's Book Day

This is one that I've never heard of, but I just love the idea.

The goal, since 1967, has been to bring books and children together. Each year, on the anniversary of Hans Christian Andersen's birthday - April 2nd - the International Board on Books for Young People (IBBY) chooses one of its National Sections to host the celebration. IBBY's Board decides on a theme for the year, and invites a prominent author (from the host country) to write a message to the children of the world and a well-known illustrator to design a poster.

For 2008, Thailand has been chosen to host Children's Book Day, write the message, and design the poster. Rest assured, there are events planned in many countries and communities around the world, designed to encourage the love of books in children.

Don't wait for a special day - buy your kid(s) a book and read to them, as often as you can.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Family Lawsuit Against MySpace.com

I don't recall an original story about this lawsuit, but this 'new round' definitely grabbed my attention. After some serious thought, I had to side with the courts. This is, in my opinion, an attempt by parents, who were unaware of / not monitoring their child's behavior, to blame MySpace for what happened to their daughter.

MySpace has guidelines and does monitor, to the best of its ability, the users who have pages. I know, personally, that many IDs and pages have been removed for violating policies. But this little girl, also violated MySpace policies by lying about her age in order to acquire a login and create the page.

At that young age, in a place as potentially dangerous as a social networking site, parents need to closely monitor what their child is doing on the computer. They need to - repeatedly - talk to their children about how to safely use the Internet. Many experts recommend keeping computers out of kids' bedrooms, so that it's easier to keep an eye on surfing habits.

Links to information for kids and parents about Internet Safety (alphabetically):

Parental Guides and Information for Kids on BOTW.org

Internet Safety for Kids and Teens on DMOZ.org

World-Wide-Web Safety on Yahoo!Kids' Directory

Yahoo!Safely Internet Guide

The rules for virtually all interactive websites are the same - no one under 13, don't give out personal information, and don't physically meet someone you only know online. Even sites designed for kids, and there are some great ones out there, require parental approval before kids under 14 can create accounts/logins. But no site account set-up includes a lie detector.

If kids don't tell the truth, the website certainly can't be held responsible. And, personally, I'm getting a bit weary of people making everyone, but themselves, responsible for the misbehavior / behavior of their children.






Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle

We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.

Be sure to Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers

We look forward to seeing you online.

God Bless!

Jules

Don't forget to visit JMark Afghans and My Gallery at Zazzle
We also have a page on Squidoo that supports the Genocide Intervention Network.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules