Random Musings of a Curious Mind

The Great Outdoors

Mark and I just celebrated our 7th Anniversary, which means he has been trying to get me out camping for 6 years, 11 months, and 3 weeks. (I got a 'buy week' my first week here. ;-) )

It's not that I don't like being outdoors. Really. I go outside quite often - to the store, to the pool, to the mailbox. It's just . . . you know . . . bugs - and cold and cooking over a campfire and - bugs. (Well, it does bear repeating.)

I think that I may have to revisit my aversion to camping, though. After perusing all of the goodies at Sierra Adventure Gear, I think I could get into the Great Outdoors - on a regular basis. Seriously!

Just look at this stove! You have to understand, in our first apartment we cooked on a two burner hotplate - for almost 2 years - that was not nearly as nice as this camping stove. This thing is fantastic! If it came with an oven, I'd throw out my current stove!

We've got a tent, by the way. Mark bought it a few years ago and, according to Frankie (the only person who's ever used it), it is a great tent. It has three sections - a main 'room' with two sleeping areas that attach on the sides. But, even in Arizona, it gets cold out there at night!

Not a problem, apparently. There are sleeping bags, like this one, that have zippers all the way around - so you can zip two together - and are actually rated by temperature. (I've really got to get educated, it seems.) We can even get pads to put down under the sleeping bags. How cool is that?

It appears that I will be spending time in the Great Outdoors pretty soon. Just as soon as I find the bug spray!


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God Bless!

Jules

We're (Sorta) Baaaack!

True to their word, our wireless provider got my phone back up within 24 hours. I was pleasantly surprised - for about 20 minutes. Then, I got angry.

For years, we have had unlimited access (through what they call T-Zones) to online information. If our phones could support the set-up, we could get to it. Once I cancelled and reinstated my phone, we could no longer get thtis access.

Don't believe the T-Mobile commercials! Ever since Deutsche Telecom came in - value went out the window.


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

Could I Have This Dance?

For those of you who don't know the song from my Anniversary post, here are the lyrics:

I'll always remember the song they were playin',
The first time we danced and I knew,
As we swayed to the music and held to each other,
I fell in love with you.

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner every night?
When we're together, it feels so right.
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

I'll always remember that magic moment,
When I held you close to me.
'Cause we moved together, I knew forever,
You're all I'll ever need

Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?
Would you be my partner every night?
When we're together, it feels so right.
Could I have this dance for the rest of my life?

Or, listen to the original - by Anne Murray from "Urban Cowboy":



Now, I have to go blow my nose and dry my eyes.


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

Jules

Happy Anniversary!

Seven years ago I quit my job, sold my car, and moved to Arizona.

For those of you who didn't know - Mark and I met on UPOC in June of 2001. Over time, we fell in love and decided that we wanted to be together. But a lot of things happened before we managed to do more than just talk on the phone.

Mark's daughter got married in September 2001 - at the same time as the funeral for his oldest sister. I remember asking him to have a dance, with a tall blonde woman, and pretend it was with me. There was a country song, "Could I Have This Dance?", that made me cry each time I heard it, because I wanted to be the one dancing with the man I loved.

It wasn't too many days, or so it seemed, and we woke up to the Twin Towers being attacked and falling down.

Our relationship started in a flurry of emotions.

We're still emotional, today.



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

Woo-hoo! Health!

It's worth repeating! Woo-hoo!

I woke up today and felt better. That's actually an understatement, because I felt better several days ago; as in not drowning in phlegm and mucus, occasionally able to breathe. No, this is different!

It took me a while to realize that my lungs weren't full of fluid and my head wasn't overinflated - I've felt so bad for so long it had become normal. But today I'm clear-headed - I can actually function. And I haven't coughed up a lung all morning.

Still don't know what I had, or where I got it. Doesn't matter now - IT'S GONE! Hip, hip, Hooray!



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

So Sick of Being Sick!

Okay, it has been eleven days since I started sniffling and snuffling. You'd think, even for me, that would be the standard allergy run. But . . . nooooo!

First, I had the sneezes. Not really out of the ordinary, cuz I sneeze at least every day - once, twice or twenty times; just depends on what's blooming. This sneezing, however, was only the beginning - followed shortly by sinus inflammation and (you'll pardon the details) the development of a mucus factory in my poor aching head.

It didn't take long for the crud to migrate to my lungs - complete with a fever of 102+! At this point, after a week of gurgling and rattling, I am beginning to think that I'll never breathe normally again.

And don't EVEN ask about the headaches! Or the virtual deafness - even blowing my nose 500 times a day will not open up my ears!



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

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
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

The Hunt for Lighting

For those of you who have been following my lighting battle - all I can say is . . . I'm still looking.

You would think that I could find something I like, given all of the online stores. But there are so many things to take into consideration.

The torchieres have to be sturdy - as well as attractive - because Paka-the-speed-demon loves to do laps through the living room. Even though he's feline, he's not all that graceful and has been known to run into / bounce off of the furniture. (Heck, he's even fallen off the shelf in front of the window. But that's a whole 'nother post.)

Oddly enough, it's not the living room lamps that are giving me the most trouble. That distinction goes to the bathroom fixture, over the sink. Either I am incredibly picky or my taste is so horribly outdated that there hasn't been anything I'd like on the market in 25 years.

Either way . . . I'm still looking.



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

Open Letter to my Friends

I recently sent pictures from my daughter's wedding to my aunt. Almost as an afterthought, I threw in a fairly current picture of me. It surprised me to hear that she felt I had changed so much she wouldn't have recognized me on the street.

Looking in the mirror everyday, we don't realize how much we change. Over the years, I've lost my yearbooks and personal pictures, so I don't really know if or how much I might have changed. (Other than wrinkles and cellulite.)

To anyone who knew me back when, if you have any pictures from the old days - please forward them. As long as they aren't from 7th grade.



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

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.
You can cast your Vote For JMark Afghans, etc.
at Independent Designers
We look forward to seeing you online.
God Bless!

Jules

Home Again!

Well, despite the buslines' best intentions, I made it home again! My 18-hour trip actually took over 24, with a lovely 5 hour layover in Albuquerque. My feet and legs were so swollen, I wasn't sure I'd ever bend my toes or see my shins again.

I did get 2 seats to myself, once I finally got on a west-bound coach, for the long trip from Albuquerque. As we started getting close to Phoenix (about 50 miles out), there was an accident (or something) along a 2-lane section of south-bound I-17 which - literally - brought traffic to a stop.

Oddly, I also lost my cell service at the same time. So, I couldn't message or call home to tell Mark what was going on. Then, as quickly as everything stopped, traffic suddenly cleared and we were on our way.

It's always nice to get home - sometimes it's just a lot more than nice!


Anyway . . . The wedding was so beautiful. Not as beautiful as the bride, of course. My two daughters have phenomenal taste and each picked a gown that suited her perfectly.

And the venue . . . !

Room after room of beautiful Victorian architecture and furnishings - The Tapestry House is just incredible.



With the little lights in the trees and stylish gardens, the view is perfect from every direction. And the house! Oh, my stars!


It took me about 30 seconds to decide that I had found exactly where I want to retire. Just beyond description!

And the claw-foot tub, sitting in a bay alcove off the bridal suite just cries for a good book and a lazy afternoon.

Then, there was the food! The crepes alone were worth several hundred words of praise! Not to mention, homemade drop biscuits, smoked salmon, scrambled eggs and ham, turkey and cranberries, breads, cheese, fresh fruit, . . . Yum, yum, yum!

It was wonderful to see my kids again. Every time I go back, it reminds me how much I love Colorado.


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

Artificial Nails

For those of you - like me - who do your own nails, I have a great product for you!

Kiss Natural Curves are absolutely amazing nails. They are more substantial than all of the other nails that you can get at the corner drugstore. And they come in terrific styles.

I just did my nails tonight - and for add-some-glue-and-stick-'em-on-your-nails I don't think you can buy better at this price. They aren't oddly shaped or ridiculously thin. When I put them on, I know that they're gonna stay.

I'd offer a picture of my nails with my favorite style - but none of our cameras capture the nails without making me appear to have old-lady-hands.



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

Great New Business Idea

Over the last few months, we've been doing our smoking in the bathroom. Keeps it out of the rest of the apartment and keeps it from bothering our soon-to-be daughter-in-law. Kinda reminds me of the bathrooms in high school - which led me to a great idea for a business.

Everyone's heard of the Fluff and Fold concept. Right? Well, I have a similar concept in mind. It involves multiple functions, just not laundry - which we all hate.

Since smoking is not acceptable these days - in keeping with the high school bathroom concept - I propose . . . are you ready? Have you thought of it already?



PUFF AND PEE

Toidies where you can light up. Looks and smells just like your old high school bathroom!

Come on - you know you love it!



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

Balance Transfer Credit Card

Financially, things are tough all over. And they have been for a while - unless you really are a Rockefeller. We have watched the price of everything go up - everything we used to be able to afford. It's not just frustrating; it's frightening.

If we had credit card debt to deal with, on top of soaring fuel and food prices, we would be in serious trouble. Luckily, we don't use or own credit cards. But there is an option, for those who do have such issues in their financial lives. A balance transfer credit card may be just what they need.

Moving credit card balances from high interest cards to low interest (or even no interest for an introductory period) can give borrowers a chance to stop a downward spiral. There are a number of balance transfer card programs out there. Some offer 0% APR on transferred balances, for a specific time frame Others offer no-fee balance transfers or a fixed-rate APR on transfers.

The perfect choice depends on the amount being transferred and the time it will (realistically) take to pay it off. For example: if you owe $3,600.00 and can pay $300.00 per month, then a 0% APR for 12 months is perfect.

Before things get worse, investigate some of the options available to you. Nothing feels quite as good as paying off a debt.



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

Blogging Nightmare

I have been battling with Blogger and Thingamablog for almost 4 months now. It is absolutely driving me crazy! If - and this is a big one - I can get something to post on one, I can't get it to update on the other.

So, I am doing another test: to make sure that I can post on blogger AND that I can update Thingamablog. I'm still not certain exactly which format I prefer. The individual post format on Blogger is much nicer; I have much more control. But I have to admit, I really like the overall format that I have set up on Thingamablog.

Sadly, in the midst of all these trials (and tribulations) I've misplaced an archive file (or 3) with many of the posts that I made in May and June. Needless to say, I am seriously not happy.

We'll see how this latest test goes, and then maybe I can get everything in one place -- at least going forward. Wish me luck!



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

Zootoo: Social Networking with Fur and Scales

I am a huge fan of social networking, with pages all over the Internet. Thanks to these sites, I've managed to reconnect with friends from grade school, junior high and high school. Some of those relationships go back over 40 years.

Today I found a site for Paka and me to join - pets are welcome at Zootoo.com. Unlike some sites, it was really easy to build a profile and add pictures of Paka. I think I even found one of his 'relatives' - amazing similarities.

Meeting people and exploring profiles is fun, but Zootoo.com is much more than just socializing.

All actions on Zootoo.com - adding photos, journaling, reviewing, asking and answering questions - earn points. Those points can be used to support the shelter and/or rescue group of your choice. In my case, I've chosen to help the Arizona Humane Society and Arizona Rescue Center.

I don't know about the Humane Society office in your area, but out here we're in trouble. There are so many abandoned cats, for example, that any new drop-offs are virtually guaranteed to be euthanized. Through my activities, which are interesting and a lot of fun, I can make a difference.

Please consider joining. Where else can you meet fellow pet lovers, get and give help with pet-parenting problems, and give to the organizations that need your help?



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

Eclipse II - The Sequel

Just the other day, we lost cable and Internet service. Coincidentally, at the same time as the eclipse. It wasn't out for that long, but it did show me just how dependent we are on our electronic services.

Talk about withdrawal! I thought I was going to go nuts. No TV I can (sorta) live with, but don't take my TV and my Internet! I get itchy and twitchy if I can't surf.

Well, that outage was - seriously - nothing! Last night, 30 minutes before the end of the Doctor Who Season 4 finale, everything went down again!

Do you remember a howling scream about 9:30pm GMT -7:00 last night? The sound of a wounded animal, crying out in agony? That was me!

At first I was calm. "Just a fluke. It'll be back shortly." I strolled into the other room to have a cigarette, not worried. It was no biggie - certainly we wouldn't lose the cable for the entire remainder of the show. Just couldn't happen.

After 30 minutes of downtime - panic set in! My heart started racing; my hands started to shake! "OMG, OMG, OMG! What do I do?! What do I do?! What do I do?!" Normally, I would edit or blog - but I was cut off from the rest of the world!

And, just to make matters worse - it was still out when I got up today!



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

Well, Don't I Feel Stupid!?!

Several months ago, my blog stopped posting properly on Blogger, so I went on a hunt for software that I could download. I found Thingamablog.

Since then, I have been trying to update my original posts, while creating new ones. Thingamablog works great; very user-friendly. But, the one thing it didn't do (or so I thought) was allow me to make the post title a link to the source of the information. I dug through the help files faithfully and couldn't find the answer. Frustrating, to say the least.

Clowning around today, I decided to code the title of a post, just for grins.

Well, don't I feel stupid!?! It works just fine! (Wonder how long it would take to go back and redo all of the posts that don't have a link in the title?)



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