Biggest Events Of 2009

January - Ice Storm

February - Ocotomom

March - "Twilight"

April - Recession

May - Rachel Alexandra winning the Kentucky Oaks

June - Michael Jackson's death

July - Steve McNair murder/suicide

August - Louisville flood

September - H1N1 flu

October - Balloon boy hoax

November - DC Party Crashers

December - Tiger Woods

Farewell, 2009

It just seems like yesterday TWIT was wishing farewell to 2008. You were kind of rough on us, 2009, and I'm not ashamed to say I'm glad to see you go. But while you were here, you showed us some valuable things.

In January (and on my birthday, no less) you showed us that Mother Nature can still pack a wallop by giving us the worst ice storm in the history of the state of Kentucky. Till the day I die I will never forget how on the morning of my birthday I was standing out at the end of my driveway by the road waiting for JW to pick me up for work, holding an umbrella that was frozen by the ice pouring down like rain.

Just a few days later after we all had thawed and dug out, you also showed me that no matter how careful you are, accidents will happen as my beloved Blazer was hit head on by a woman who wasn't paying attention. Thank goodness luck, fate, and the Good Lord were on my side and my Blazer was fixed as good as new.

Throughout the year, you showed us that we were still in a deep recession. At work we witnessed this first hand as our company's sales plummeted and over forty coworkers in the factory were laid off. But through this recession you taught us to spend less and save. And we're the better for it.

At the end of the summer, you showed us that Mother Nature still wasn't through with us yet, and in one morning in late August we experienced flooding in Louisville like my generation had never experienced. But once again, you taught us through this - those that were flooded out and had no electricity for weeks learned to be resourceful, and the city also came together to help those flooded out.

Personally, you taught me some things this year. You taught me that I need to follow my heart and you gave me the opportunity to make a life-changing decision by going back to school for a second Master's in Security Management -- a field that I have grown to love in just the few classes that I've taken so far. I've always loved school, but never in a million years thought taking classes would make me actually happy! You showed me that it's always good to have a backup plan just in case, and you gave me the tools and chance to put that plan in action, and I thank you very much for it. I hope that your friend 2010 will help me keep up my enthusiasm.

Toward the end of this year, you gave something back in my life that I thought I'd lost forever, in the form of a very dear friend. Whether it was fate or karma, I don't know; but I do know it's made me happier and it was truly one of the highlights of your twelve month visit with us.

All year long you still showed me the awesome power of unconditional love from my parents and my best friend. You also gave me the chance to give them unconditional love.

I wish you the best, 2009, and once again thank you for everything you taught us. We all are anxious to see what 2010 will bring us.

Can You Hear Me Now

After a long and frustrating night of downloading, installing, uninstalling and rebooting, I went to bed last night fit to be tied. I was able to finally get sound when I played a DVD on the desktop computer, but it sounded like the Chimpmunks.

I thought about this problem all day long, and vowed that it would not get the best of me. I was determined to figure it out by myself, without any help from the computer shop or anyone else. And I did. I simply uninstalled everything I installed last night, did a system restore and started over. I downloaded an updated version of Windows Media Player, and then downloaded DivX and put in my "Madea Goes To Jail" DVD and much to my surprise, I had sound, and the sounds were Tyler Perry's actual voice, not his voice on fast forward. I'm very proud of myself for fixing this. And now I'm going to reward myself by putting on my headphones and watching Madea while I ride the recumbent bike. Go, me.

Could You Please Turn It Up?

This weekend, I got something cool for my computer and my recumbent bike - I got a long cord that turns my normal computer earphones into an extremely long set of earphones, so I can ride the recumbent bike and use the earphones to watch a DVD or TV show episodes online on my computer 8 feet away. As soon as I got home today, I changed clothes and went to the back bedroom to watch "Madea Goes To Jail" while I did my ride. Well, watching is all I could do because there was no sound. I thought it might be the DVD, so I put in another DVD and still no sound. Yet I can play CDs. WTF?

I called our family friend and resident computer guru, Bos, and after 20 minutes of head scratching and trying various things, he let out a hearty laugh and told me that I was the first person to present him with a computer problem that he couldn't solve. Wow - what an honor.
But I digress. He told me to call our local computer shop and talk to the owner, and said that the guy would probably know exactly what I should do and that it was probably something simple like a setting. So I'm calling the shop as soon as they open at 9:00 tomorrow morning and hopefully they'll be able to tell me what to do instead of me having to unplug everything and lug the computer to the shop. Cross your fingers for me, and I'll keep you posted.

Link Of The Week

You might not know but I was a huge fan of the show "Will and Grace", mainly because of Grace's friend Karen Walker, played by Megan Mullally. She was my favorite character on the show and was truly the main reason I watched it. From other posts, you should know by now that I also love disco music. I found a site today that combines the two (Megan Mullally and disco music). If you've watched any TV lately, chances are you've seen Megan's new commercial for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. She sings and dances to "Turn The Tub Around" (sung to the tune of my all time favorite disco song, "Turn The Beat Around." If you haven't see it, here's a link to the extended version of the commercial and song. And when you're finished watching the video, you can even get a $1 coupon for I Can't Believe It's Not Butter. Just visit http://www.icantbelieveitsnotbutter.com/turnthetubaround/#/videos/fullvideo/ and turn the tub around.

Happy Boxing Day

We just started a new tradition here at The Compound -- we celebrated Boxing Day. In case you don't know, Boxing Day is the big holiday for our friends up north in Canada, and it's celebrated the day after Christmas. We did our part here at The Compound - we had wine and an awesome Italian dinner, all in honor of Boxing Day. I apologize but I did not do any research so I have no clue about the history of Boxing Day; I only know that we celebrated it here at The Compound. So to all of my faithful readers in Canada, Happy Boxing Day!!

New Product Review

As you well know, I love my gadgets, and I love a good bargain. Yesterday, on Christmas Day, I found them both. You might not have known this, but it's a family tradition that I make a trip to Walgreens on Christmas Day to buy something - even if it's a pack of 50% off wire ornamanet hangers. Well, yesterday I hit the mother lode. I found not only a bargain, but a cool as-seen-on-TV gadget that I've been wanting. I found the cool Wonder Hangers. They were on sale at half off for $9.99. Each pack comes with eight of the hanger things, meaning you can hand up a total of 40 things. How cool is that? All for about ten bucks?

I had to buy each of us a box, and as soon as I got home, Dad popped in the C-shaped hangers for us (note: they're very hard to pop in, so you'll need a very strong person to handle that part for you) and then each of us were in our respective closets hanging up shirts. I was skeptical at first but after hanging up just one set of 5 t-shirts, I was sold. I decided I'd even run out later today to get a few more.

The Wonder Hangers are awesome and they work as well as the infomercials claim. Like I said, I can't wait to get back to our local drugstore this evening to buy a few more sets. The Wonder Hanger definitely receives the TWIT Seal Of Approval.

Merry Christmas

TWIT and I would like to wish a very Merry Christmas to all of you, my faithful readers. May your day be filled with love and laughter with your family and friends. And may you also not feel guilty today about eating lots and lots of good foods; we can always pedal, walk, run and exercise tomorrow. But for today, let's all enjoy Christmas and our families and not worry about anything else.

My Practical Christmas Wish List

1. The mysterious new leak on the BMW will stop

2. Snow on Christmas

3. If no snow on Christmas, then no heavy rain

4. Dad's Christmas cake will stay fresh

5. The spiral-cut ham will slice nicely

6. No dramatic phone calls from out-of-state relatives on Christmas Eve or Day

7. Getting to sleep till 10:00 on Christmas morning

8. Getting to stay in my comfy flannel pajamas all Christmas day

9. An ample supply of Tostito Scoops

10. No sinus or arthritic issues for me, Bud or Minnie on Christmas Day

Christmas Flashback

While Dad and I were shopping on Saturday, we discussed another Christmas thing of the past: boxes. Not just any boxes, but mainly boxes for shirts or other clothing. Whenever I would go shopping for Mom or Grandma, they would always give the strict instruction to "ask for a box." The stores would give them to you for free, but you had to ask for them.

Now, I have a pretty good memory; too good, sometimes, but I digress. But there were quite a few times I would forget to ask for a box when the clerk was checking me out, only to get to the car and remember that I forgot to ask for a box, and have to bring my item and the receipt back to the store and show them to the clerk and ask for a box, hoping that they wouldn't think I was double-dipping them by wanting extra boxes. And heaven forbid I forgot to ask for a box and got home and had to face Mom and Grandma. And when you opened the presents, Mom and Grandma would remind us all to "save the box" so they could use them next year when I would forget to get a box at the store.

"Ask for a box" will be forever embedded in my brain. To this day when I go shopping, I have the urge to ask for a box, but unfortunately today they don't give them out. Today, when you receive a gift of clothing, it usually comes in a handy reusable gift bag. So at least you have a bag that you can reuse next year. But "Ask for a bag" just doesn't have the same ring to it.

Christmas Flashback

I spent Saturday afternoon out shopping with Dad. We had an awesome time, and I cherished every moment we spent together - from standing in the long ass line at Burlington Coat Factory to eating chili dogs at Dairy Queen. But I digress. During our afternoon of shopping, Dad mentioned a bigtime flashback tht I was aware of, yet it didn't really stand out to me -- using cash when you pay for something.

Yep, he's on to a big flashback here. Nowadays, people use their debit cards or their credit cards - the majority don't use cash like they used to. While we were in the lonnng line at Burlington, he spoke up and asked "How come they don't have a 'cash only' line here?" Good question, Dad. Good question.

I don't believe I ever went shopping with my 'Rents or Grandparents when they didn't pay cash for their items -- be it big ticket Christmas things or just everyday things. The only charge account they used was an account at the local Ottos Pharmacy, where Grandma and Grandpa got their prescriptions. But that was it.

Granted, they didn't have debit cards back in the day, but they're just more convenient and safe now than going to the bank or credit union and drawing out a bunch of cash to carry around with you.

But my Dad was right. Hardly nobody uses cash anymore. I guess it is a thing of the past.

Christmas Flashback

I've got lots of Christmas memories this year, and unfortunately we only have four Flashback Friday opportunities before Christmas so I've decided to make this week an entire Christmas Flashback Week, just because I can.

Today's flashback involves something that I want. When I was little, some neighbors across the street had the cool plastic Christmas decorations - Santa, a few reindeer and a couple of carolers. I think they also had a couple of the big plastic candles. But the carolers were my favorite. They had Santa and the reindeer up on their roof and the carolers and candles in the front yard.

I always wanted one of the carolers to put on our front porch, but the 'Rents would never buy one. Grandma and Grandpa wouldn't peel for one, either. They never gave a reason why they wouldn't buy one - they would just say "When you're older you can buy one yourself if you still want one." Well, now that I'm big enough I can buy my own. But the only problem is they are nowhere to be found. I've checked Craigslist and Ebay, and but they are bit pricey. I'm sorry but no matter how much I want a caroler, I can't justify paying $300 for one. If any of you, faithful readers, know where I can get one of these for under $300, please let me know. I still want one.

Link Of The Week

Christmas is just a few days away, and I hope that my faithful readers have done all of their shopping and won't have to brave the crowds and visit any stores this week. And we all know that the day after Christmas will be another major shopping day like Black Thursday. Now, I love a bargain like anyone else - in some ways, even more - and I love to get a good deal. I also love visiting new stores in the area. This week I found a website that combines both. It's called Store Catch. You just enter your zip code and you can find stores in the area with big sales going on. You can even set it up to email you. Visit http://www.storecatch.com and see if there's any good sales in your area. Don't forget - your faithful blogger's birthday is just a little over a month away *wink wink*.

You Can Win Me

As promised, here's a picture of the Plymouth Horizon that is being raffled off at the bar and grill next door to work. As of this afternoon, I'm proud to say that my friend J Dub and I have a total of 8 tickets for this fine automobile. The drawing will be on December 30. You can bet he and I will be there.

Flashback Friday

When I was little, Mom went to ceramic class. I went with her, too. One of the most awesome things she made at ceramics as this extremely cool Christmas tree. Actually, we made two of them - she made this green tree, and I made a very cool white tree with glitter snow.

I loved this tree. During my childhood and early teenage years, we would have the green tree setting on a table in front of the big living room window for all to see. When Grandma went to the nursing home in 1990, we took the green ceramic tree over for her to have in her room. The tree was lit up every year she was in the nursing home. I loved seeing the tree. When she died, we brought the tree and her other things home, and the year after, we gave the tree to Goodwill. Somehow, it just didn't seem right to have it lit up at home.

I still think of the tree, and all of the awesome memories I have surrounding it. And I can't help but wonder if people still go to ceramic classes today and make these cool trees.

Why Didn't I Think Of That

Every other Thursday, some coworkers and I walk to the neighborhood tavern next door for homemade lasagna. We look forward to this, and if they're not busy the 'Rents will even come and join us there for lunch. Yes, it's that good. And it is truly homemade - not the Stouffer's frozen variety. But I digress.

As my coworker J Dub and I were there today getting our lasagna, we noticed an interesting sign taped to their bulletin board. It was a picture of an old Plymouth Horizon and written above the picture was "Win me - $5 for two raffle tickets." Needless to say, we were very intrigued. On our way back to work, we walked by the car and checked it out. There was no rust, and it had all of its windows, and the ulpholstery was in good shape, too. Whether or not it actually runs remains to be seen. But like I said, we were intrigued, and after work today we plan on stopping by to buy some tickets. We hope one of us wins.

All Is Calm,All Is Bright

For the first time in nine weeks, there was no reading and no homework to do tonight. Why, if I hadn't made the monthly trip to the nursing home tonight, I might have been down right bored. Yeah, like that would have happened. It felt great to visit with the residents at the nursing home and not have school work lurking in the back of my mind or worrying about reading 60 pages when I got home.

It's hard to believe that the third class in the security management Master's program is over. That means I'm one-third of the way through. Yet it seems like I just started last week. This class has gone by fast, but it was probably the most work-filled class I've had in this Master's program and when I was getting my MBA. But it has been my favorite class so far, and I really liked it and am having a blast learning on how to keep companies, organizations and people safe. The deeper I get into these classes, the more I'm starting to think that this might be a career that I would like to explore.

In addition to learning from the textbook and the classwork, I'm also learning a lot from my classmates. Sixteen of us started on this journey together, and we'll be together until we finish. I'm starting to get to know my classmates, even if we communicate by emails and class discussions. Out of the sixteen of us in this program, another woman and I are the only two with no military experience - everyone else is currently active duty military. But I'm hanging in there, and I feel like I'm really learning a lot.

I have two weeks off before the next class begins, and after just finishing my finals last night, I'm anxious to see the syllabus for the next class and see what's in store. I just hope and pray that I will keep up this momentum and enthusiasm. I'll keep you posted.

Part Two, Complete

After last night's marathon first half of my finals, I decided to just stick with it and as soon as supper was over I started on Part Two. It was about twenty minutes shy of last night's marathon writing and typing, and once again I'm whooped. This one was only four big, comprehensive essay questions, but just like with Part One, I feel pretty good about Part Two.

Last night's test wore me out, and I slept like a baby, but it also gave me a headache - one that I kept most of the day and most of tonight. But my school work is done for class number three, so now I can just sit back and wait for my grade and be able to enjoy a couple of weeks without any reading or homework. I feel just like I did when I was in elementary school on the Friday before Christmas break.

Part One, Complete

It's been a rough evening, faithful readers. Actually, it was a rough day. Early this morning, I developed some "gastro-intestinal issues" at work. I managed to stay, but it was touch and go for a bit. When I got home tonight, I decided to be brave and attempt the first part of my final exam for my security management class. I started at 6:00 and finished about two minutes ago. Yep, four hours worth of 15 essay questions. Needless to say I'm whooped. I feel pretty good about this part of the test, though. I was thorough and wrote/typed as much as I could. I'll keep you posted on my grade. And please say a prayer for me as I attempt Part Two of the final tomorrow evening.

Link Of The Week

The tree is decorated, the lights are up, and we're ready for Christmas at The Compound. The 'Rents are planning their Christmas baking schedule for the coming week, and most of our shopping is done. But it wouldn't be Christmas without one more thing: elf bowling. Yep, elf bowling. I remember when my friend Suzie Q Woo sent me a link to elf bowling probably ten years ago. I thought it was the most amazing thing I'd ever seen. Keep in mind I'd only had my computer for probably a week or two. But I digress. Visit http://www.nstorm.com/index.php?option=com_ragames&PAGE=Search&search=elf+bowling and download it so you can enjoy a few games of elf bowling.

A Good Time Was Had By All

I just got home from my company Christmas party, and I have to say that in my twenty years of employment there, this was the funnest Christmas party that I've attended. Sure I know that's not correct grammar, but deal with it. It was just for the adults - no kids or grandkids - and for once we were able to actually visit with our coworkers after the meal. A band played, and there was a big dance floor if you wanted to get jiggy with it. But the majority of the people were content to sit or mingle and just visit. We had a ball just visiting and watching people get up and dance.

Another highlight of the evening was the service awards. I waved to the crowd as they called my name to come up to the podium and accept my twenty year pin and certificate. I even turned and waved to the crowed, just as if I were accepting a Grammy award.

Like I said, this was without a doubt the most fun Christmas party that I've attended in my twenty years at the company. I have nothing against the parties when the employees' kids or grandkids are invited, but we work hard day in and day out, and to me, just us adults deserve some fun and recognition at the end of the year.

I was sorry my dear friend and long distance coworker Big Mama couldn't attend tonight, but we had enough fun for her.

Flashback Friday

In keeping with our holiday themed Flashback Friday, this week I'd like to introduce you to the Christmas Chipmunk. He's been here at The Compound for almost 50 years, and without a doubt, he is my favorite Christmas decoration.

Holy Cow

Divine bovine has cross on his head
Dubbed ‘Moses’ by neighborhood kids, young calf inspires hope, headlines

The month: December.

The place: A humble farm.

The setting: Just perfect for an auspicious event.

On a cold, dark night in the wee hours of the morning, a baby calf was born. His nurturing mother, Fuzzy, welcomed him into the world by licking and licking his head — an act that obscured a special detail about the little guy that would soon generate headlines all over the planet.

“When we first saw the calf ... the mother had licked the hair and it was all sideways and we thought it was a regular calf,” recalled Connecticut dairy farmer Brad Davis. “Then a little later on in the morning we went in and there it was, standing right out. It was really quite a sight.”
“It” was none other than the distinctive markings of a white cross on the newborn calf’s forehead. The image had quite an effect on Davis, Davis’ relatives and friends and families all around the dairy farm.

“The first night that he was here, when we shut the lights out that night late at night, the only thing you could see in here was that cross showing in the dark,” Davis told the local Norwich Bulletin newspaper. “It was really quite a feeling. It made the hair stand up on the back of my neck, actually.”

Davis’ 70-year-old father, Andrew Gallup Davis, told the Bulletin that he’s never seen a pattern like this on any of the thousands of calves he’s encountered in his lifetime.

“It’s not one you look at and you try to make something out of it,” he said. “It’s pronounced.”

Davis, the dairy farmer, told WFSB-TV he thinks the special marking on the baby calf may be a message from on high, although he’s still trying to figure out what that message might be.
He told the Bulletin that he hopes the image might mean milk prices will go up and the dairy industry will improve.

“The last couple of years have been the toughest probably ever,” Davis said.

‘Not totally surprising’Neighborhood children have become enamored with the little calf with the special marking on his forehead. They decided to bestow upon him a biblical — albeit Old Testament — name: Moses.

The calf is living in Sterling, a small Connecticut town on the Rhode Island border, on Buttercup Farm, a dairy operation Davis co-owns with Megan Johnson.

Johnson said Fuzzy, Moses’ mother, is a red-and-white Holstein cow, and Ferdinand, his father, is a Jersey. Both Fuzzy and Ferdinand have the reputation of being exceptionally friendly animals. Davis thinks the pair produced an exceptional calf.

“He’s got a different disposition from other calves. You can see it in his eyes,” Davis said. “He has a very kind look in his eyes. Like he has something he wants to say to you.”

Ric Grummer, chairman of the department of dairy science at the University of Wisconsin in Madison, told the Bulletin that it’s common for Holsteins to have white markings on their heads.
“I think what this is really ending up being is a coincidence,” Grummer said. “Sometimes that marking is in the shape of a triangle. Sometimes that marking may be very irregularly shaped. ... Clearly, if you get a nice unique cross, it’s unique, but it’s not totally surprising that something like this would happen.”

Saved by the cross?Johnson said she and Davis will see to it that Moses the calf lives a long, happy life.

“We’re going to make sure he gets a good life and doesn’t get eaten,” Johnson told the Bulletin.“We’d like to find him a good home where he can live out the rest of his life on pastures, you know, with somebody who cares for him.”

Davis quickly chimed in. “We may get attached to him in the meantime, like we have with other animals here,” he said. “And he may stay here.”

All I can say is holy cow.

Farm Living Is Not The Life For Me

I read an interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal about how young families and single people are just up and leaving their homes and jobes and moving to farms. The article said that with the recession there has been a trend of young people wanting to get out of the rat race and adopt a more self-reliant lifetyle. The article went on to say that while urban and suburban real estate is still not selling well, the rural market has been booming. So the younger folks are leaving the cities and heading out to the farms. I've tried the farming thing, and believe me when I tell you it was far from the peaceful lifestyle that the people in the article are wanting.

My history of farming only came in two-week stints, once a year, but it was enough for me to know I was not cut out for farming. In case you don't remember, whenever the 'Rents would go on their annual trip to Canada, I would be left in charge of the donkeys and the garden while they were gone. Trust me - the donkeys fared much better than the garden did. I didn't mind picking the vegetables, but the watering was a different story. I hated having to wade out in the mud to move the sprinkler. Hated it. And in addition to leaving footprints in the mud where I tortted through the garden, I would usually end up trampling at leaast one plant.

The 'Rents haven't gone to Canada for the past two years. I'm sure that's just concidental.

Rainy Days And Tuesdays . . .

Of course I realize unless you're in my generation and realize I was quasi-quoting a line from a song by the Carpenters, you won't get the irony. But I digress.

I just got back from an impromptu trip to Wal-Mart, aka my favorite 'hood store, to get a tube of glitter paint to add to some awesome Christmas decorations in our cubicle at work. Needless to say it was pouring, and as I was walking out of the store carrying my tiny bag holding one small tube of glitter glue, a woman in front of me pushing a cart full of baskets stopped just OUTSIDE of the door, in the full pouring rain, and hand to heaven, she looked up, as if to question, "Is it really raining?" I stood there for a second, shook my head in disbelief, and then trotted as fast as I could out to the Blazer in the pouring rain. I apologize if you don't get the irony that I got tonight. It was just bizarre.

**Cough, Cough**

I had dinner with an old friend tonight. It was awesome to see him again, and we've already made plans for our next evening out. But you can best believe I will not be dining, drinking, or socializing in any public establishment in Bullitt County ever again. For you see, Bullitt County does not have a smoking ban like we do here in the 'Ville.

I met my friend at a restaurant in Bullitt County because it is about the mid-point between our homes. For the faithful readers who don't live in the Louisville area, Bullitt County is jus tto ou south. But tonight it seemed like it was a few states away. For a few brief moments I was in my fantasy land and thought that you could go to any restaurant around here and not have to breathe cigarette smoke while you ate. Little did I know that when I got home tonight I would have to leave my coat on the back porch to air out because it wreaked after just being in the restaurant for an hour and a half. I took a long shower and scrubbed my hair and I still think I smell like smoke.

Our next date will be well within the Jefferson County limits, where I can breathe quasi-fresh air while I eat my dinner. And for the record, I would like to publicly thank the Louisville Metro Council for passing the no-smoking ordinance.

Link Of The Week

The holidays are here, and if you're like us at The Compound, we used to rack our brains trying to figure out what to buy for relatives and friends who still wanted to exchange gifts. Not meaning to sound like Scrooge, but fortunately for most parties involved, relative gift exchanges have ended. A few still insist on exchanging, though. For the past few years, we've given a donation to one of our favorite charitable organizations, the American Diabetes Association, in the person's name. They're happy that we thought enough of them to donate money to a very worthy organization, and the ADA is happy because they're getting a donation. And we're happy because they're all happy.

If you'd like to donate to a charitable organization in honor or in memory of someone this holiday season, I've found the perfect site for you. It's called Charity Choice. You make your donation online, and the person you're donating on behalf of gets to pick out what charity your donation goes to. All of the over 100 charities listed are legit, and it's safe to use. Visit at http://www.charitychoice.com and donate in someone's honor or memory today.

Flashback Friday A Day Late

For me, it's not Christmas until Mom gets out the little Christmas elf. I think I would be fine without a tree or any other decorations, as long as we have our little Christmas elf.

This little guy is almost 50 years old. He came to our family attached to a box of Whitman's chocolates. Apparently back in the day, Whitman's and Russel Stover's would put little elves or other Christmas characters on their boxes of candy.

I wish he were bigger but he's still cute and still one of my favorite Christmas decorations.

Christmas In Full Bloom, Continued

We interrupt Flashback Friday for more photographic proof of Christmas in full bloom at The Compound. Here in living color are some of Mother's roses in full bloom. And in the background you can see our street lamp decorated with a red bow and greenery, to prove that the photo was taken during Christmastime and not in the spring or fall.

We're bummed that the roses and other flowers were most likely killed last night when it got down in the upper 20's, but never fear; they'll be back in a few months. And in the meanwhile, we can still brag and say we had roses during Christmas.

Christmas In Full Bloom

To prove that I am not exaggerating, here is photographic proof that in December, just three weeks away from Christmas Eve, we have flowers in full bloom at The Compound.

On both ends of the porch you can see Mom's prized geraniums in full bloom. In front of the porch, you can clearly see marigolds and astors, both in full bloom.

It's supposed to get down in the 20's tonight, so we're pretty sure this will be the end of the flowers until spring but I think this is nothing short of a Christmas miracle.

Wednesday Funnies

A prostitute went to the doctor because she was feeling tired. After examining her, the doctor told "I'm afraid you're pregnant. Do you know who the father is?"

The prostitute said "If you ate a can of beans, would you know which one caused you to fart?"

One Day A Year

Many people didn't know that today was World AIDS Day. It's not as well known or publicized as other awareness days or months. A lot of people wouldn't even know that December 1 was World AIDS Day if it weren't for a few celebrities talking about it. But I think about it every December 1. Actually I think about AIDS awareness on a lot more days than just on the first of December. I think of it because a dear friend had AIDS when he died almost twenty years ago.

My friend TH was just 28 years old when he found out he had AIDS. I had known him for about 7 years, and at the time he died, he was one of my best friends. I met him at my first real job, and we became fast friends. He was the first gay person that I'd met, and it didn't bother me; I loved him unconditionally. We both shared our love of Donna Summer, Knots Landing, and designer labels. In fact, he was the first person to give me a bottle of Calvin Klein's Obsession perfume. We went to concerts together, hung out and were great friends. He confided in me and told me things that he couldn't tell his family. But there was one thing he couldn't bear to tell me - the fact that he had just discovered he had AIDS.

Just a few days after TH found out he had AIDS, his little Ford Escort was found abandoned on the Second Street bridge, and passersby said they saw him jump off the bridge. It was wintertime, and unfortunately for his family and friends, they went months without knowing for sure what had happened. We all pretty much knew, though. A couple of months later as spring was nearing, they found his body in the Ohio River. The autopsy showed that he had AIDS - something none of us knew.

At the funeral home, I'll never ever forget something his mother told me. She said "He really loved you because you always loved him unconditionally."

As I said, it's been almost twenty years since TH died, but whenever I hear talk of AIDS awareness on the news or hear about some famous person that just found out they were HIV positive, I can't help but think of my friend TH. I think of him a lot of other times too, not just one day a year.

Paranormal Activity At The Compound

We had a very bizarre incident last night at The Compound. I had just come home from the afternoon out, and was walking through the hallway back to my bedroom when I noticed how unusually cold that part of the house was. Oh hell, I muttered out loud; I thought for sure the furnace had gone out. I went on to my bedroom and changed into some sweat pants and a t-shirt and while I was changing I could hear the furnace. I walked over and put my hand down by the register and felt warm air coming out, so I knew the furnace was working just fine. I started back down the hallway and noticed again how cold it felt. That little voice told me to go into the bathroom. Imagine my surprise when I saw the double-paned window down. I know I'm going to describe this accurately but suffice to say the window had to have been opened from the inside, not the outside. I said something to the 'Rents about it, and Mom came in to put the window back up because I had no clue how it worked. I guess if I'd been there by myself I would have taped plastic up over the window until Mom got back home to put it up. Anyhoo, for a minute or two, she and I stared at the open window, trying to figure out how it came open. The windows are only a few years old, and that window is almost never opened - not even in the early summer before we flip the switch on the a/c, so it couldn't have been worn out. And we hadn't had a big wind storm or anything that would have somehow blown it open. We just couldn't figure this one out. So I just chalked it up to paranormal activity at The Compound. Stay tuned - I'll keep you posted of anymore paranormal events.

Link Of The Week

A faithful reader sent me a link yesterday and it was so cool I have to share it with you. The faithful reader had to pick up a friend from the airport yesterday afternoon, and had a lot of errands and things to do, and not meaning to sound like he didn't care, he just didn't want to waste any of his valuable time waiting at the airport if his friend's flight was delayed. He found a website that tracks flights and he was able to sign up for email and text message alerts about the flight - when it was on the runway, when it actually was in the air, what the expected arrival time was and when the plane was actually on the ground. He said it saved him about a half an hour and he was able to get all of his errands and work done and picked up his friend without them having to wait out by the curb. Visit http://www.flightstats.com and check it out. I can't wait to pick up someone at the airport so I can use it.

It's Beginning To Look A Lot Like Christmas?

I heard my first Christmas song of the season on the radio today while I was out running errands. A lot of people were taking advantage of the nice weather today and were outside putting up their decorations. The 'Rents even started on their "Light Up The Compound" decorating project. It's starting to look like Christmas but it's hard to get into the spirit of it when I had the a/c on in the Blazer today. The temp was in the mid 60's, but the sun was hitting me through the driver's side window and I was burning up so I took off my coat and even turned on the a/c just as I heard Jessica Simpson and Nick Lachey sing "Baby It's Cold Outside."

Flashback Friday

When I was little, the day after Thanksgiving was almost as special as Thanksgiving Day in terms of meals. For supper on what is now Black Friday, we would have turkey sandwiches on toasted bread with Fritos and French onion dip. To most people that's nothing but back in the day, having Fritos at a meal was special. And to have dip to accompany said Fritos was out of this world.

I don't want it to sound like we were poor and deprived and never had Fritos, but back in the day they were special to us and were a treat - unlike today when people usually have one or two bags in their pantry at all times. Like I said it's not like we were poor, but Fritos were special. They were Grandma's favorite snack and treat, and up to the day she died, I would bring her a bag every week when we visited her in the nursing home.

When I was a kid on the Friday after Thanksgiving, there was no such thing as Black Friday. There were no special get-up-at-3:00-a.m.-shopping-trips. It was a day off from school for me and a day off from work for Mom and Dad so we all just enjoyed sleeping in a bit and being at home together, looking forward to our favorite after-Thanksgiving supper of turkey sandwiches and Fritos.

In keeping with this family tradition, we had turkey sandwiches on toast tonight with Fritos and French onion dip. And I have to say it was awesome.

Happy Thanksgiving

TWIT and I would like to wish my faithful readers a very happy Thanksgiving. I challenge you to do something today and this holiday weekend that I'm trying to do. Take a quick moment when you talk to a friend, family member, or coworker and tell them just one reason why you are thankful for them. I'll start it off by saying I am thankful for all of my faithful readers taking time out of their busy days to keep on reading TWIT.

Happy Thanksgiving!

Flashback Friday Two Days Early

A friend and I were discussing one our favorite childhood memories today, and it involved a fish restaurant. We chatted for a few minutes and had some laughs over Eddie's Seafood House and I just knew I had to Flashback about it a couple of days early.

When I was little, on Thanksgiving Eve, Mom and Dad would always stop at the infamous Eddie's Seafood House for fish on their way home from work. Back in the day, getting carry-out was a pretty special thing, unlike today when a lot of people have it 2 or 3 times a week. But I digress. They would always bring home supper on Thanksgiving Eve so Grandma and Mom wouldn't have to cook supper since they'd be cooking most of the next day. But like I said, it was a big deal.

Eddie's would put their fish and fries in a white cardboard box, similar to a cake box. The fish was awesome and never smelled fishy, and the fries were out of this world. They had the small krinkle cut fries and they were always fried just right. To this day I've never had fish or fries that taste quite like Eddie's did.

When my friend and I were talking about Eddie's today, we both agreed that back in the day we thought it was a pretty fancy place. Neither one of us remembered eating there - we just remembered our families getting carry-out but we both thought the place looked pretty fancy. Eddie's Seafood House is long gone now, and a convenient store sits in its place. But we'll always remember the awesome fish and fries that we got there.

Chloe, You Made Me Proud

Little Girl Stands Up to Stranger with Meat Cleaver

For 5-year-old Chloe Edwards, a strung-out stranger with a meat cleaver just wasn't that scary.
Alerted by noises at 2AM, the little British girl walked into her kitchen, where she found 18-year-old Dean Affleck attempting a burglary.

"Put my daddy's keys down!" Chloe yelled, unfazed by the sight of a stranger in the middle of the night. The startled intruder pointed a meat cleaver at the girl and told her to go back to bed. At the same time, the trespassing teen accidentally smashed a glass, alerting Chloe's parents. Mark Edwards, Chloe's father, eventually punched Affleck to the ground, and police were called.

Affleck was later given a 3 1/2-year sentence for the August crime.

Chloe's mother, Rachel, who was scheduled to start chemotherapy the day of the crime, said, "It was an awful experience. As soon as I saw he had a knife, I was terrified."

Yet, Rachel, now in remission for breast cancer, said she was proud of her brave daughter.
"She kept saying afterwards, 'I told him, Daddy, I told him to put your keys down, didn't I?'"

What an awesome, brave little girl. I think even the biggest, bravest men that I know would have cried like a little baby if they saw an intruder in their house in the middle of the night pointing a meat cleaver at them. Chloe is going to grow up to be one hell of a woman. I can't imagine how proud her parents are of her.

Bumper Sticker Of The Month

When I was coming home tonight, I was behind another interesting vehicle. Hmmm. . . . this seems to be a pattern here lately. Anyhoo, it was a newer model mini-van, and the bumper sticker was priceless. It was an ad for another service I wish I'd thought of -- DNA Paternity tests. The bumper sticker said "Affordable Payments and Quick Turnaround." There's not much else I can say about that except once again, I missed out on a great money making opportunity because I didn't think fast enough.

Link Of The Week

In a time where me and so many others are still trying to eat healthier, it almost seems sacriligious to list this Link of the Week, but it was fascinating to me so I had to include it. That having been said, let's get on with the Link of the Week.

When I was 10, we made our first trip cross country to California on a long summer vacation. During the miles across Texas and Oklahoma, I rememeber seeing billboards for restaurants advertising "Texas sized steaks". Some signs even said "If you can eat it, it's free." Needless to say I was fascinated, because I wanted to witness someone eating a Texas sized steak. Dad would never stop so I could watch but I was still fascinated.

I came across a site recently that let me re-live those memories of the Texas sized steak that was free if you could eat it all. It's aptly called "I Bet You Won't." It breaks down restaurants by state that have some gigantic type of food that is free if you can eat it all. Imagine my surprise when I found a restaurant here in the 'Ville - it's called Chubby Ray's and if you can eat a 5 pound hamburger you don't have to pay for it. Check it and lots of other "eat it all and it's free" places at http://www.Ibetyouwont.com.

Popcorn Worth Travelling For

I'm not ashamed to admit that I made a trip to Target earlier this afternoon just to buy popcorn. The 'Rents and I believe that Target has the best popcorn in the world. Yes, I said in the world. And I'm not alone in this. Some friends stopped by The Compound shortly after I got home with our popcorn and seeing it on the counter they both commented on how they think Target has the best popcorn in the world, too.

We're not sure what makes it so good - it's always fresh, and given the fact that Target is about 5 minutes from The Compound, it's usually still fairly warm when I get home with it. It's not too salty, and is never greasy - it's just right. In fact, it's darned near perfect.

Today, they had a sale - a medium bag of popcorn and a medium soft drink for only a buck. Now I ask you - where can you get a bargain like that? It sure isn't at the movie theaters or concert halls.

Flashback Friday

Twas The Week Before Thanksgiving . . .

This time next Thursday, the big turkey dinners will be just a memory for all of us. But I have to say that tonight at supper, we had a pre-Thanksgiving meal. Let me just say for the record, we all three agreed that we would have been just as happy eating this meal next Thursday. Mom fixed a chicken in the awesome George Foreman rotisserie, and it was the juiciest chicken we've ever had. To accompany the old bird, we had my favorite collard greens and our family favorie instant mashed potatoes. We each three had normal helpings, but we could have easily had seconds, it was so good. We still can't get over how juicy and tender meat is when you cook it in the rotisserie.

This is going to sound dark and probably offensive so some, but we're truthfully not all that excited about next Thursday - to us, it's just another day in the week. And yes, I am speaking for the three of us - not just for me. It's just going to be another Thursday meal to the three of us here at The Compound; there's nothing really special about the day, especially when it seems that the only emphasis on Thanksgiving Day is the Black Friday sales on the day after. Before you go any further, I can honestly say that the three of us try to celebrate Thanksgiving every day of the week - not just on one particular Thursday in November. I'm bearing my soul here on TWIT and will say that I've had some personal issues with Thanksgiving this year, but I've worked through them and have moved on. We've planned a simple dinner here at The Compound with the three of us, and we're going to be happy and content and thanful.

Another "Why Didn't I Think Of That"? Idea

I was on my home this evening from an appointment downtown, and was very intrigued by a delivery truck that was in front of me for a few miles. It was a pretty good sized panel truck, and on the back it said "Store To Door Delivery" and had a phone number and website on the truck. As I said, I was intrigued (read: nosey) and as soon as I got home I did a quick Google search and found out the truck was simply what the name said -- store to door delivery of any product from any store. You call this company, pay them, and they will pick up your item from the store and yes, you guessed it, deliver it to your door. No product is too big or too small, the sign on the delivery truck said. I immediately thought "Why didn't I think of that?" They've been in business for ten years, are bonded and insured, and will even set up the product for an additional nominal fee. We sure could have used them last fall when we got the hi-def TV last fall, but I digress. Their delivery fees seem pretty fair to me - $29.99 and up for small items and $49.99 and up for large or multiple items. I'm sure stores might get some kind of kick-back from this, if they can work out a deal and refer this company for their deliveries. But this is an excellent idea, and the young man that started the company gets a big thumb's up from TWIT for coming up with this idea. I just wish I'd thought of it. Not that I would be the one making the deliveries, but I've always wanted to boss people around.

A Lesson Learned

Today, I reviewed a lesson that I learned years ago: my parents are two of the smartest, wisest people that I know.

I apologize for not being able to go into much detail tonight, but just suffice today that Bud and Minnie are two of the smartest, wisest people that I know. We've been discussing an issue for a few weeks now, and during supper tonight Bud and Minnie spewed forth wisdom like I've never seen before. I was truly in awe, and then I was in thanks that I have them as my wise counsel. For the past few days, I've wanted to just go off half-cocked, but thanks to them, they reigned me in and kept me from saying or doing something I would regret.

When you're my age (or maybe younger or even older) some people think that your parents are still just old people that don't know anything about what's going on. I will say that has never been the case with me. My parents have always known what was going on - even when I was too stupid to realize it.

Not a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord that I still have Bud and Minnie in my life. Through their living example they've taught me more than they will ever know.

Where Were These Kids 15 Years Ago?

I read an interesting article in today's Wall Street Journal. Before I go any farther, let me say that I received my first issue of the WSJ this morning. I subscribed to it and 8 other magazines a couple of weeks ago using frequent flyer points that were about to expire. I'll read anything that's free. So imagine my surprise this morning when I got up and saw the WSJ laying on the table along side our Curious Journal newspaper! I had no idea I would start getting the magazines this soon. But I digress. The article was about a trend among twenty-somethings who are so smart that they're able to reprogram and add applications to their graphing calculators. These seemingly harmless hacks have gotten some of them in big trouble from the legal department at Texas Instruments. TI has sent out cease and desist letters to these kids, telling them to basically use their graphing caculators for what they were intended for. All I ask is where were these kids when I needed them? I got my first graphing calculator about 15 years ago when I started going back to finish my Bachelor's Degree. Believe me when I tell you that the instruction manual for the calculator was bigger than the textbook for the math class.

I'll never have to worry about getting a letter from TI's lawyers. So far, the only thing I can do on my graphing calculator other than graphing is spell "BOOBIES". I don't think they're going to take me to court over that.

Link Of The Week

If you know anything about me at all, you know I love my classic country music. But at the same time I love classric rock and roll. From previous posts, you all should know that I am one of the world's biggest Heart fans. Thank goodness one of my favorite radio channels here in the 'Ville hasn't changed their format from when they strted back in the 1980 - it's good old WQMF radio, plaing "kickass rock and roll." Their format hasn't changed, but their website has. Visit http://www.wqmf.com/ and check it out - you can watch old school live video footage of Heart and other classic rock and roll bands. You can also find links to the "Bob and Tom Show" that is broadcast every weekday morning on WQMF.

Happy November 14

It may seem bizarre but I'd like to wish all of my faithful readers a very happy November 14. As far as I know, there is no national or state holiday today - I simply wanted to wish everyone a good day. And it is a good day. It's been a crazy week for some friends and I know that they're glad it's over.

One friend had a wreck last week and totalled her SUV. She was worried and stressing over all of the mess, but yesterday it all finally worked out when she found out she is going to be able to get her beloved SUV fixed. Another friend is having some major drama with the university that he attends, but lo and behold, on Friday he got it all worked out. Yet another friend has been going through hell the past few days trying to deal with a debit card being stolen. She got it quasi-straightend out yesterday and was assurered that she would not be liable for any of the $$$ items that have been charged to it. As for us here at The Compound, it's been a fairly peaceful week, and we're very glad that things are working our for our friends. All I can say is let's hope for a peaceful and drama-free week ahead. And Happy November 14.

Flashback Friday

I remember back in the day staying up late on Friday nights and watching "Second City TV". It was the Canadian version of "Saturday Night Live." My favorite character on Second City was Ed Grimely, played by Martin Short. Friday after Friday I would watch Second City in hopes of getting to see Ed Grimely talk about how much he loved Wheel of Fortune, or how he played the triangle. Just today at work, a coworker and I were reminscing about Ed Grimely, "I must say." Now, there's no real reason to stay up on a Friday night. Like I said last week, we're all too tired from the tumultuous work week and a lot of us go to bed early on Friday nights because we're worn out.

Thursday Funnies

A newlywed couple moves into their new house. One day the husband comes home from work and his wife says, "Honey, you know, in the upstairs bathroom one of the pipes is leaking, could you fix it?" The husband says, "What do I look like, Mr. Plumber?" A few days go by, and he comes home from work and his wife says, "Honey, the car won't start. I think it needs a new battery. Could you change it for me?" He says: "What do I look like, Mr. Goodwrench?" Another few days go by, and it's raining pretty hard. The wife finds a leak in the roof. She says, "Honey, there's a leak on the roof! Can you please fix it?" He says, "What do I look like, Bob Vila?"

The next day the husband comes home, and the roof is fixed. So is the plumbing. So is the car. He asks his wife what happened. "Oh, I had a handyman come in and fix them," she says. "Great! How much is that going to cost me?" he snarls. Wife says: "Nothing. He said he'd do it for free if I either baked him a cake or slept with him." "Uh, well, what kind of cake did you make?" asks the husband. "What do I look like," she says, "Betty Crocker?"

Happy Veterans Day

TWIT would like to wish a very happy Veterans Day to all of the millions of men and women who have served and who are still serving in the military. Political beliefs or whether your right or left wing don't mean squat today - today is all about remembering and thanking those that have prouldy served our country. If you haven't already done so, please take a few minutes tonight to make a call or visit someone that is a veteran and thank them for their service. It's the least we can do.

Mullet Watch

Faithful readers, today we have another first. A friend talked to me today and reported a reverse mullet sighting this morning at the gym. He said it was a fem-mullet, but it was in reverse -- short in the back and long in the front. I'm not really sure how to properly categorize this one, but I'm going to make an executive decision and count it as a mullet nonetheless, even if it was in reverse.

Mullet count: 21

Overheard At Work

An excerpt from a conversation overheard at work today:

"We're gonna go shoot guns."

Now I ask - what in the hell can you shoot besides a gun?

Link Of The Week

As you know from previous posts, I do my fair share of shopping online. Other than one bad experience with a first-time seller on eBay a few years ago, thank goodness I've never gotten screwed. But I digress. I buy most of my electronic gadgets online and, was thrilled when a co-worker turned me on to a cool site called Woot.com. It's a little different from your usual online store - they sell one item every day, but for that day only. A new product is released every morning at midnight central time, seven days a week. Please check them out at http://www.woot.com. Happy shopping.

That's Impressive

I am very happy to report tonight that it is November 7, and we are still having fresh, ripe, homegrown tomatoes from the garden at The Compound.

It's bittersweet - we had a fresh tomato in Mom's homemade vegetable soup tonight, but when these are ripened and eaten, that's all folks until next summer. But I will say I am very impressed that we're into the first week of November and are still enjoying home grown tomatoes. My hat is tipped to Mom and Dad who grew them. You rock.

Flashback Friday

I remember when I was a kid, I couldn't wait for Friday night. Sure it meant that the weekend was here and I didn't have to go to school for two days. But it meant more -- it meant that I could stay up late. I could even stay up after Mom and Dad and Grandma and Grandpa went to bed as long as I was fairly quiet. I would watch TV on the little black and white set in my room, or read, but I got to stay up late. Now on Friday nights, I can't wait to go to bed. In fact, I usually end up napping while watching TV. But you know? I'm as happy getting to go to bed early on a Friday night as I was when got to stay up late. Who knew?

Mixed Up Thursday

I believe I set a new record after work today when I went on my bike ride. I broke my previous personal best for the 7 mile loop. It was not because it was cold or getting dark; it was simply because I had a lot on my mind and was pedaling away some frustrations and angst.

I received some very disturbing news from a dear friend, J, about her family-owned business last night, and it was all that I thought about today. I don't mean to sound cold-hearted and uncaring, but until today people affected by the recession were just nameless, faceless people. Sure, the times have been hard for the past year, but all of my friends still had jobs and were doing ok. Like I said - this is going to come across as me being a bitch, but even the people at work that were laid off didn't really bother me as much as hearing about J's family business. I didn't know any of the 40 people at work that got laid off. I was sorry for them, and prayed that they found work but it wasn't personal like the news I got from my friend J last night. She and her parents are devastated and don't know if they'll be able to bounce back.

I didn't have very many words of wisdom for J last night, and I don't really think she expected me to give her any; she merely wanted to let me know what was going on and get my support. I'm half sick over thinking about it all and am hoping and praying for the best for J, her family, and the people that work for them.

If Only It Were True

I just wish this email I received today were true. If it were, I'd be blogging from my private island off of Greece. This is probably one of the best Nigerian scam emails I've received. I've never received one from an actual vice-president of a country before. If only it were true. . . .

ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT DEPARTMENT,
UNITED NATIONS ASSISTED PROGRAM(UN),
INCONJUNCTON WITH THE UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT.
DEBT RECONCILIATION DEPARTMENT.
GENEVA-SWITZERLAND.

GOOD DAY FRIEND,

THE U.S.A GOVERNMENT, INTERNATIONAL MONETARY FUNDS, WORLD BANK ANDUNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION OFFICIAL RESOLVED THE RELEASE OF YOURPAYMENT FUND ($4.5 MILLION USD) FEW DAYS AGO IN GENEVA-SWITZERLAND. WEHAVE FINALIZED THE RELEASE OF YOUR ATM VISA CARD PAYMENT. SINCE THEBRITISH GOVERNMENT IN CONJUNCTION WITH UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT, WORLDBANK AND UNITED NATIONS ORGANIZATION HAS GIVEN AN IRREVOCABLE APPROVALORDER TO THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA WITH THIS RELEASE CODE:GNC/3480/05/09 IN YOUR FAVOR FOR THE IMMEDIATE RELEASE OF YOURENTITLEMENT FUNDS TO YOU WITH IMMEDIATE EFFECT.

BELOW ARE WHERE THE APPROVED NUMBERS;
1. UNITED NATIONS APPROVAL NO; UN5685P,
2. WHITE HOUSE APPROVED NO: WH44CV,
3. REFERENCE NO.-35460021,
4. ALLOCATION NO: 674632
5. PASSWORD NO: 339331,
6. PIN CODE NO: 55674
7. CERTIFICATE OF MERIT PAYMENT NO: 401,
8. RELEASED CODE NO: 0763;

IT IS WITH GLADNESS, I WRITE YOU THIS MESSAGE, TO CONGRATULATE YOU ONTHE SUCCESSFUL RELEASE OF THE SUM OF $4.5 MILLION USD TO YOU, CREDITEDTO ONLINE BANK ATM VISA CARD ACCOUNT THAT WAS SET UP FOR YOU IN OURBANK, THE CENTRAL BANK OF NIGERIA. THE $4.5 MILLION USD IS IN AN ATMVISA CARD. IT IS DULY INTER SWITCHED AND YOU CAN MAKE WITH DRAWAL INANY LOCATION WORLDWIDE AT ANY ATM MACHINE CENTER IN YOUR COUNTRY.

BELOW IS YOUR LOGIN DETAIL;
USER ID: 773634528
PASSWORD: 3WE63SD47

THE COURIER COMPANY IS UNABLE TO COMPLETE THE DELIVERY OF YOUR ATMVISA CARD WITH THE DETAILS WE RECEIVED FROM IMF, SO WE REQUIRE SOMEMORE INFORMATION IN ORDER TO COMPLETE YOUR ATM VISA CARD PACKAGEDELIVERY/SHIPPING;
ADDRESS:___________________
COUNTRY:___________________________
PHONE:________________________
FAX:_______________________________
OCCUPATION:________________________AGE:_______________________________MARITAL STATUS:____________________

IN ORDER TO RESOLVE THIS PROBLEM, PLEASE EMAIL US IMMEDIATELY. AS SOON AS THIS INFORMATION IS RECEIVED.

THANK YOU AS WE ANTICIPATE YOUR PROMPT RESPONSE. AWAIT YOUR QUICK REPLY.

YOURS SINCERELY,
DR. GOODLUCK JONATHAN
(VICE PRESIDENT OF NIGERIA).

What's This World Coming To?

I'm just not sure where to start this post. All I can say is what is this world coming to? Let me remind you and preface by saying I live in what is commonly referred to as the South End of the city - a part of Louisville that most people think of as rednecks, hillbillies, and assorted others. That having been said, it's just bizarre to me that our local Wal-Mart grocery store has a sushi section and our awesome local Aldi's grocery store sells cannoli. Wal-Mart and Aldi's of all people. Who knew? There's just not much I can say about this other than way to go on spreading ethnic diversity.

So THAT'S What It Was

Remember the balloon that was chased across Colorado? The one they thought had a kid inside? We all know now there was no kid, but just released photos show what WAS inside.

Link Of The Week

If you know anything at all about me, the you know I love music. You know I sing, play the guitar, yada yada yada. But I digress. I love music and I love musicians, especially song writers. This week I found an awesome search engine that will search through over 50 sites for information on an artist. It's called Music Web Navigator. Just visit http://www.musicwn.com and check it out.

Happy Halloween!!

TWIT would like to wish everyone a happy Halloween today. And in case you've ever wondered, here is a bit of info on the history of trick-or-treating.

Some historians describe a tradition called "mumming" where people dressed up in costumes and went door to door for treats and performed simple plays in exchange for the food and drinks they received. Somehow I can't imagine trick-or-treaters today performing a scene from Shakespeare's "A Midsummer's Night Dream." But I digress. The tricking element began in Ireland, on what became known as "mischief night." People wandered through towns dressed in costumes, tipping over outhouses, unhinging fence gates and engaging in other pranks. This tradition migrated to the U.S.

The tradition of carved pumpkins also has European roots. The first lanterns were made from vegetables such as hollowed-out turnips. Some historical evidence poitns to poor early Europeans, probably beginning in Ireland, who carved out turnips and placed candles or embers in them to use as lanterns.

So whatever way you choose to celebrate Halloween tonight, please be safe, be considerate of others, and have a great time.

Flashback Friday

Since this was the last work day before Halloween, it was the day when coworkers had their kids and grandkids come in and trick-or-treat from office to office. As we saw the kids come through, I glanced in their overflowing bags and noticed that I didn't the first wax lips or whistle. How very sad that today's kids don't know the joy of the slightly sweet flavored wax items.

Attempted Home Invasion At The Compound

Yes, faithful readers, you read that right. Tonight, just hours ago, there was an attempted home invasion at The Compound. Mom was coming back from her evening walk and noticed what appeared to be two tiny handprints on the storm door going to the screened-in backporch. After careful observation, we decided they were racoon paw prints. To the best of our investigative ability, we talked through a recreation of the attempted home invasion, and deducted that the racoon was standing on its hind legs with its front paws on the glass on the storm door, looking in to the back porch. Maybe he was attracted to Mom's Micky Mouse pumpkin that was lit up. Who knows. All I know is I'd better not find those damned little paw prints all over the BMW that was just washed and waxed. And in case you're wondering, The Compound has been on lockdown for about an hour now.

A Letter To Medicare

Dear Medicare:

I'd like to ask if there was any way in hell that you all could have made the entire Medicare approved prescription plans any harder to figure out then they already are? In case you care, I spent an hour tonight either on the phone or online trying to figure out what my mother's co-payment was so I could write the amount on her a form so could order a new prescription medication. Add to my frustration the fact that I even had to enlist the aid of two friends, who spent about a half hour on their computers trying to help me find the answer. Believe me, Medicare - if my mother received any narcotics and/or sedatives in her Medicare approved prescription plan I would have been tempted to steal a couple tonight after that ordeal.

You and all of the prescription plan companies should be ashamed for the way you've made the whole process so freakin' difficult. I'm just very thankful that my parents have me to help them try to figure it all out; it almost brings me to tears to think of the millions of elderly people in our country that have noone to help them sort through all of the mess and find the answers to their questions. I see now why some of the elderly don't even get their medication; it's too damned hard.

In closing, I wish no ill toward you, Medicare, nor your prescription plan counterparts. I only wish that just once you will know our pain and have to go through the same frustrations as my parents and I have in trying to figure it all out. Maybe then you'll make some changes and make the whole plan and process easier.

Yours truly,
Puddin

THAT'S Unconditional Love

The 'Rents got an awesome new king-sized bed today. Actually they've had the frame and all; today they just got a new mattress and box springs delivered and set up. As soon as I walked in the door from work, Dad told me to go back and try it out and see how I liked it, given the fact that I, too, am in the market for a new matress and box springs. Mom kept saying "It's beautiful" and I had to think for a minute "Now, she already had the bed frame - she's just getting a new box springs and mattress, so what is there to be 'beautiful'?" So like I said, as soon as I got home from work, I went back to their bedroom, where Mom pulled up the sheet and duvet to show me her beautiful mattress set. I will have to admit -it was in deed beautiful. It even had the pattern of the sign of the 'Ville, the Fleur de lis, on it. I hopped up on the bed, because it was quite a bit taller then their last bedroom set an laid flat out on it. Believe me when I tell you I could have just rolled over on my right side and went to sleep for the night. Yes, it was that comfortable. And you can bet that I, too, will soon be buying an identical new matress and box springs for my bed soon.

I got back up from the bed and we ate our supper, and as soon as Dad finished, he went outside to the garage and started on a project. He started building a little platform/stool for Mom to use to get up on the bed, since it's a tad bit too tall for her to navigate. Now, if that isn't unconditional love, I don't know what is. And he's still out there now putting the finishing touches on her little platform. If I know anything at all about my carpenter father, he's out there now sanding and smoothing it all down, making sure it's just right for Mom to use tonight.

Charity Walk Observations

Mom and I noticed a rather disturbing trend yesterday during the breast cancer walk. We noticed that there were quite a few women wearing leather snow boots. You know the kind I'm talking about. Some were actual Ugg brands, others were similar but still leather snow boots. Some even had the the long tassles and had sheepskin. This was disturbing to use for a number of reasons. One, it was a three and a half mile walk, and people normally don't wear leather snow boots to walk three and half miles, especially when where is no snow on the ground. Second, it was 65 degrees yesterday and no snow in the forecast. Third, it just looked plain silly. And fourth, we could not imagine the smell after the women had tromped over three miles in the boots and their feet and legs sweated. Ewww.

Link Of The Week

This afternoon, Mom and I joined about 20,000 of our closest friends from the Ville in this year's Making Strides Against Breast Cancer walk. It was an awesome afternoon. The weather was perfect, we had a great time, and helped raise money to fight breast cancer. By now you should know that October is breast cancer awareness month. Please take a moment to visit the American Cancer Society's website at http://www.cancer.org to learn more about the fight against breast cancer, colon cancer, ovarian cancer, and other types of cancer.

Saturday Observations

I ran up to our local Staples big box store this afternoon to pick up a few things I needed, and while I was at the shopping center, I walked over to the "Everything's A Deal" store, just to see if they had any bargains that I couldn't pass by. Of course I walked out of there, having peeled over twenty bucks, but I digress. While I was in line at the Deals store, my attention was on the girl that was in front of me. She appeared to be in her early 20's. She only had two items when she checked out --- a home pregnancy test and a pack of chewing gum.

For the few minutes I was standing in line I couldn't help but think about what that girl must have been thinking. Like I said, she appeared to be in her early 20's, and I was assuming that the pregnancy test was for her. I'm 46 and cannot begin to imagine what that young girl must have been thinking if the test was in deed for her. If it was for her, when she got home and peed on that stick, in the span of just a minute or two her life would totally be changing. Either she would be relieved or would be burdened with the fact that she was going to have a baby.

Flashback Friday

It's hard to believe that it's been ten years ago today that my Grandma died. Not a day goes by that I don't think of her. And it has nothing to do with the fact that I have a 10 x 18 photo of this picture hanging on my bedroom wall. It has all to do with the fact that we all lived together and that she raised me while my parents worked during the day, and that she was the first person to show me what unconditional love was all about.

She was in the nursing home for almost ten years before she died. And I'm not ashamed to admit that it took me about a year to come to grips and deal with the fact that she wasn't at home with us like she had been all of my life. To this day, I can't listen to the Vince Gill song "When I Call Your Name" because it reminds me of that period. But I eventually was able to deal with it and accept it, and enjoyed all of the awesome memories I had of Grandma.

She was truly one of the most awesome people that I think ever existed. She loved to crochet, loved listening to Englebert Humperdink and Conway Twitty records, loved drinking orange soda, and hated mushrooms on pizza. She had a keen sense of intuition, and could size up a person after only being with them for a few minutes; and she was rarely ever wrong on this.

One of the most awesome and profound things she said during the last few years of her life will stick with me forever. She was talking to a friend of mine and said "Old time friends - they're the best." I couldn't agree with you more, Gram.

Drama Thursday

Some might think this is lame to write about yet again, but unfortunately this week's dramas have continued and spilled over into Thursday.

The most frustrating drama lasted throughout the day - the continuing saga of Mom's prescription issues. While they were out this a.m. she received yet another phone message saying that the prescription had been denied. Well, this time, I will take the blame for the confusion. It seems I didn't listen to her fully when she was trying to explain it all to me. I printed out a new prescription form from the company's website, filled it out for her and we mailed it out tonight along with the actual prescription from her doctor. And it only took us two days to get it all straightened out.

In keeping with our drama theme, there was one new drama at work today. When I arrived this a.m. I heard raised voices and saw people pretty fired up. It seems we had an issue with some defective oil that we'd received, and there were rumors that we were going to have to shut down most of the assembly lines. But that issue was resolved, thank goodness, and production went on as normal.

We did get some good news today amid the drama We found out that my cousin was discharged from the hospital this morning, and he has an appointment to see the cardiologist on the November 19. We think that in itself is a good sign - if he was really bad off, we're thinking he would be seeing the heart specialist long before then. Dad just called him, and he's in pretty good spirits.

I'm hoping and praying for a drama-free Friday. I'll keep you posted.