Proofreading is a dying art

Received in my email:

Proofreading is a dying art, wouldn't you say?

Man Kills Self Before Shooting Wife and Daughter
This one I caught in the SGV Tribune the other day and called the Editorial Room and asked who wrote this. It took two or three readings before the editor realized that what he was reading was impossible!!! They put in a correction the next day..

Something Went Wrong in Jet Crash, Expert Says
No kidding, really? Ya think?

Police Begin Campaign to Run Down Jaywalkers
Now that's taking things a bit far!

Panda Mating Fails; Veterinarian Takes Over
What a guy!

Miners Refuse to Work after Death
No-good-for-nothing' lazy so-and-so's!

Juvenile Court to Try Shooting Defendant
See if that works any better than a fair trial!

War Dims Hope for Peace
I can see where it might have that effect!

If Strike Isn't Settled Quickly, It May Last Awhile
Ya think?!

Cold Wave Linked to Temperatures
Who would have thought!

Enfield ( London ) Couple Slain; Police Suspect Homicide
They may be on to something!

Red Tape Holds Up New Bridges
You mean there's something stronger than duct tape?

Man Struck By Lightning: Faces Battery Charge
He probably IS the battery charge!

New Study of Obesity Looks for Larger Test Group
Weren't they fat enough?!

Astronaut Takes Blame for Gas in Spacecraft
That's what he gets for eating those beans!

Kids Make Nutritious Snacks
Do they taste like chicken?

Local High School Dropouts Cut in Half
Chainsaw Massacre all over again!

Hospitals are Sued by 7 Foot Doctors
Boy, are they tall!

And the winner is....
Typhoon Rips Through Cemetery; Hundreds Dead
Did I read that right?

David's final match at the ITA tournament. He took GOLD

David is on the left. Note: At colored belt level physical contact does not need to be made to get a point. You just have to get close.

Bryar arrives

Bryar Mckinley Ashby arrived in the world on October 17, 2009 at 7:47 am. She weighed 8 lbs 3 oz and was 20.5 inches long. Big sister Hayden is very happy.

It's a kid explosion

It felt like our home exploded in children last night. Here is how it went:
2 kids at home
1 kid returned home
1 kid came back from college to visit
1 grandchild visiting
1 foster child
3 additional foster children.
-------
9 kids. Wow

Wonder why I am tired today.

UPDATE
- 1 went back to college
- 1 grandchild went home
-/+ 1 other fc came and went (24 hour respite)
---------------------
Down to 7 kids at home (and Friday morning there were 3). Getting everyone ready for school should be a riot!!!

Mid life?

Does starting TaeKwonDo at the age of 45 constitute a mid life crises. I don't think so. I is a lot of fun, great exercise and I get to do it with two of my kids.

Blue or Red

BRIGHAM YOUNG UNIVERSITY COUGARS (BLUE)
I graduated from BYU = 1 point
Kurt BA and MA from BYU = 2 points
Mom homecoming queen at BYU = 1 point
Wally played football and graduated from BYU = 2 points
BYU fans fanatical rating = 9 points
Mascot coolness = 8 points
Team color = 10 points
TOTAL POINTS FOR BYU = 33

UNIVERSITY OF NEBRASKA LINCOLN CORNHUSKERS (RED)
Kurt JD From UNL = 1 point
Heather graduated from UNL = 1 point
Husker fans fanatical rating = 10 points
Mascot coolness = 1 point
Team color = 3 points
TOTAL POINTS FOR UNL = 16

BYU BLUE ALL THE WAY!!!!!

Coming back - I think

I have been away from this blog for more than a year but I am going to try and come back. Since playing catch-up is nearly impossible I will just update the recent news.

Hayden turned one on August 14th. She is so adorable. Baby sister Hadley is due to arrive on this earth on October 20th. Heather is hoping she comes early even if it is a scheduled C-section.

David, Jasmine and I are learning TaeKwonDo. Kurt and Kurt II are already black belts so we have a lot of work to do to catch up. Brittany will also be starting soon. In August we all earned our yellow belts. I figure if I stick with it and test regularly I will get my black belt the week before I turn 47.

David and I are trying home school this year. He practically begged us so we are going to do it a year at time. So far it is going well.

Kurt was called as the Young Men's president last Sunday. I am excited for him and think he will really love it.

I am still in Cub Scouts and have made it known I never want to be released. Of course I will be someday but I can always try.

Cornell has started his first year at University of Nebraska at Kearney.

Which Disney Princess

You Are Pocahantas!

Free-spirited and wise. You have a strong passionate spirit that touches and changes all who know you. The wisdom and common sense that you have is really what guides you through life. Even so, you also have a very playful side that loves adventure and excitement.

Which Disney Princess Are You?

I HAVE RETIRED

After 20 years of doing foster care I have retired. Our last foster child returned home on May 30th and our license lapsed that day.

Three days before our retirement we received a phone call at 10:45pm and were asked if we could take two small children that were being pulled from their home by the Sheriff's department. I felft guilty at the time having to say no, but right now it feels good to be free of that pressure.

DH thinks I will last about three years before wanting to start again. I don't think so as I still have our two adopted daughter to raise who have serious mental health issues and will be a challenge. Plus our 8 year old gifted child (with all the challenges that comes with that)and our 17 year old soon to be senior. In August I will be a grandma and will probably be watching my granddaughter in her early years while my daughter and her husband finish school. So life will not be dull. We have agreed to do respite once in a while for other foster parents but that will only be for a few days here and there and will have to work around our schedules.

Blogthing - Music

What Your Taste in Music Says About You

Your musical tastes are upbeat and conventional. You are an easy going, optimistic person. Family and friends are very important to you. You enjoy caring for and helping other people. You thrive in a tranquil environment, and you do your best to keep things peaceful. You enjoy your life. You have your priorities straight.

What Does Your Taste in Music Say About You?

Math

Absolutely amazing!

Beauty of Math!

1 x 8 + 1 = 9
12 x 8 + 2 = 98
123 x 8 + 3 = 987
1234 x 8 + 4 = 9876
12345 x 8 + 5 = 98765
123456 x 8 + 6 = 987654
1234567 x 8 + 7 = 9876543
12345678 x 8 + 8 = 98765432
123456789 x 8 + 9 = 987654321

1 x 9 + 2 = 11
12 x 9 + 3 = 111
123 x 9 + 4 = 1111
1234 x 9 + 5 = 11111
12345 x 9 + 6 = 111111
123456 x 9 + 7 = 1111111
1234567 x 9 + 8 = 11111111
12345678 x 9 + 9 = 111111111
123456789 x 9 +10= 1111111111

9 x 9 + 7 = 88
98 x 9 + 6 = 888
987 x 9 + 5 = 8888
9876 x 9 + 4 = 88888
98765 x 9 + 3 = 888888
987654 x 9 + 2 = 8888888
9876543 x 9 + 1 = 88888888
98765432 x 9 + 0 = 888888888

Brilliant, isn't it?

And look at this symmetry:

1 x 1 = 1
11 x 11 = 121
111 x 111 = 1232
11111 x 1111 = 123432
111111 x 11111 = 12345432
1111111 x 111111 = 1234565432
11111111 x 1111111 = 123456765432
111111111 x 11111111 = 12345678765432
1111111111 x 111111111 = 12345678987654321

Now, take a look at this...101%

From a strictly mathematical viewpoint:

What Equals 100%?

What does it mean to give MORE than 100%?

Ever wonder about those people who say they are giving more than 100%?

We have all been in situations where someone wants you to

GIVE OVER 100%.

How about ACHIEVING 101%?

What equals 100% in life?

Here's a little mathematical formula that might helpanswer these questions:

If:
A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Is represented as:
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26.

If:
H-A-R-D-W-O-R- K
8+1+18+4+23+15+18+11 = 98%

And:

K-N-O-W-L-E-D-G-E
11+14+15+23+12+5+4+7+5 = 96%

But:
A-T-T-I-T-U-D-E1+20+20+9+20+21+4+5 = 100%

THEN, look how far the love of God will take you:
L-O-V-E-O-F-G-O-D
12+15+22+5+15+6+7+15+4 = 101%

Therefore, one can conclude with mathematical certainty that:

While Hard Work and Knowledge will get you close, and Attitude will
get you there, It's the Love of God that will put you over the top!

The Retiree

It has been a long time since I posted here. For reasons beyond my control I am changing the focus of my blog. I will now have sayings, stories and funnies to keep people entertained and uplifted. So for my first funny here is the Retiree (military people will really appreciate this one):
-------------------------------------
A new retiree greeter at Wal-Mart just couldn't seem to get to work on time. Every day 5, 10, 15 minutes late. But he was a good worker, real sharp, so the Boss was in a quandary about how to deal with it.

Finally, one day he called him into the office for a talk."Charley, I have to tell you, I like your work ethic, you do a bang up job, but your being late so often is quite bothersome."

"Yes, I know Boss, and I am working on it."

"Well good, you are a team player. That's what I like to hear. It's odd though,
your coming in late. I know you're retired from the Air Force. What did they
say if you came in late there?"

"They said, "Good morning, General."

Who's on first by Abbott and Costello

Abbott: Well Costello, I'm going to New York with you. You know Bucky Harris, the Yankee's manager, gave me a job as coach for as long as you're on the team.
Costello: Look Abbott, if you're the coach, you must know all the players.
Abbott: I certainly do.
Costello: Well you know I've never met the guys. So you'll have to tell me their names, and then I'll know who's playing on the team.
Abbott: Oh, I'll tell you their names, but you know it seems to me they give these ball players now-a-days very peculiar names.
Costello: You mean funny names?
Abbott: Strange names, pet names...like Dizzy Dean...
Costello: His brother Daffy.
Abbott: Daffy Dean...
Costello: And their French cousin.
Abbott: French?
Costello: Goofè.
Abbott: Goofè Dean. Well, let's see, we have on the bags, Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know is on third...
Costello: That's what I want to find out.
Abbott: I say Who's on first, What's on second, I Don't Know's on third.
Costello: Are you the manager?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: You gonna be the coach too?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: And you don't know the fellows' names?
Abbott: Well I should.
Costello: Well then who's on first?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: I mean the fellow's name.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy on first.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The first baseman.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy playing...
Abbott: Who is on first!
Costello: I'm asking YOU who's on first.
Abbott: That's the man's name.
Costello: That's who's name?
Abbott: Yes.
Costello: Well go ahead and tell me.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: That's who?
Abbott: Yes.
PAUSE
Costello: Look, you gotta first baseman?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: Who's playing first?
Abbott: That's right.
Costello: When you pay off the first baseman every month, who gets the money?
Abbott: Every dollar of it.
Costello: All I'm trying to find out is the fellow's name on first base.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy that gets...
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: Who gets the money...
Abbott: He does, every dollar. Sometimes his wife comes down and collects it.
Costello: Whose wife?
Abbott: Yes.
PAUSE
Abbott: What's wrong with that?
Costello: Look, all I wanna know is when you sign up the first baseman, how does he sign his name?
Abbott: Who.
Costello: The guy.
Abbott: Who.
Costello: How does he sign...
Abbott: That's how he signs it.
Costello: Who?
Abbott: Yes.
PAUSE
Costello: All I'm trying to find out is what's the guy's name on first base.
Abbott: No. What is on second base.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first.
Costello: One base at a time!
Abbott: Well, don't change the players around.
Costello: I'm not changing nobody!
Abbott: Take it easy, buddy.
Costello: I'm only asking you, who's the guy on first base?
Abbott: That's right.
Costello: Ok.
Abbott: All right.
PAUSE
Costello: What's the guy's name on first base?
Abbott: No. What is on second.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott: He's on third, we're not talking about him.
Costello: Now how did I get on third base?
Abbott: Why you mentioned his name.
Costello: If I mentioned the third baseman's name, who did I say is playing third?
Abbott: No. Who's playing first.
Costello: What's on first?
Abbott: What's on second.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott: He's on third.
Costello: There I go, back on third again!
PAUSE
Costello: Would you just stay on third base and don't go off it.
Abbott: All right, what do you want to know?
Costello: Now who's playing third base?
Abbott: Why do you insist on putting Who on third base?
Costello: What am I putting on third.
Abbott: No. What is on second.
Costello: You don't want who on second?
Abbott: Who is on first.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott & Costello Together:Third base!
PAUSE
Costello: Look, you gotta outfield?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.
Costello: I just thought I'd ask you.
Abbott: Well, I just thought I'd tell ya.
Costello: Then tell me who's playing left field.
Abbott: Who's playing first.
Costello: I'm not... stay out of the infield! I want to know what's the guy's name in left field?
Abbott: No, What is on second.
Costello: I'm not asking you who's on second.
Abbott: Who's on first!
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott & Costello Together: Third base!
PAUSE
Costello: The left fielder's name?
Abbott: Why.
Costello: Because!
Abbott: Oh, he's centerfield.
PAUSE
Costello: Look, You gotta pitcher on this team?
Abbott: Sure.
Costello: The pitcher's name?
Abbott: Tomorrow.
Costello: You don't want to tell me today?
Abbott: I'm telling you now.
Costello: Then go ahead.
Abbott: Tomorrow!
Costello: What time?
Abbott: What time what?
Costello: What time tomorrow are you gonna tell me who's pitching?
Abbott: Now listen. Who is not pitching.
Costello: I'll break your arm, you say who's on first! I want to know what's the pitcher's name?
Abbott: What's on second.
Costello: I don't know.
Abbott & Costello Together: Third base!
PAUSE
Costello: Gotta a catcher?
Abbott: Certainly.
Costello: The catcher's name?
Abbott: Today.
Costello: Today, and tomorrow's pitching.
Abbott: Now you've got it.
Costello: All we got is a couple of days on the team.
PAUSE
Costello: You know I'm a catcher too.
Abbott: So they tell me.
Costello: I get behind the plate to do some fancy catching, Tomorrow's pitching on my team and a heavy hitter gets up. Now the heavy hitter bunts the ball. When he bunts the ball, me, being a good catcher, I'm gonna throw the guy out at first base. So I pick up the ball and throw it to who?
Abbott: Now that's the first thing you've said right.
Costello: I don't even know what I'm talking about!
PAUSE
Abbott: That's all you have to do.
Costello: Is to throw the ball to first base.
Abbott: Yes!
Costello: Now who's got it?
Abbott: Naturally.
PAUSE
Costello: Look, if I throw the ball to first base, somebody's gotta get it. Now who has it?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Who?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Naturally?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: So I pick up the ball and I throw it to Naturally.
Abbott: No you don't, you throw the ball to Who.
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's different.
Costello: That's what I said.
Abbott: You're not saying it...
Costello: I throw the ball to Naturally.
Abbott: You throw it to Who.
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: That's what I said!
Abbott: You ask me.
Costello: I throw the ball to who?
Abbott: Naturally.
Costello: Now you ask me.
Abbott: You throw the ball to Who?
Costello: Naturally.
Abbott: That's it.
Costello: Same as you! Same as YOU! I throw the ball to who. Whoever it is drops the ball and the guy runs to second. Who picks up the ball and throws it to What. What throws it to I Don't Know. I Don't Know throws it back to Tomorrow, Triple play. Another guy gets up and hits a long fly ball to Because. Why? I don't know! He's on third and I don't give a darn!
Abbott: What?
Costello: I said I don't give a darn!
Abbott: Oh, that's our shortstop.

A One in a Million Shot

A SMILE FROM GOD

This picture came through my e-mail and I wanted to pass it on. I did not take it and would love to know who did. I bet when they looked at it they were suprised at what they captured.

Donny Osmond

I missed the Osmonds on the Oprah show but found this on YouTube. This is no longer available on YouTube, sorry

Ethics and Morals

This quote came from Dr. Donald "Ducky" Mallard (played by David McCullum) on the show NCIS. I thought it was quite thought provoking:

Ducky was asked the question what is the difference between ethics and morals. His answer:

"The ethical man knows he shouldn't cheat on his wife

wheras the moral man actually wouldn't"

Now, this is the Living Bible

His name is Bill. He has wild hair, wears a T-shirt with holes in it, jeans, and no shoes. This was literally his wardrobe for his entire four years of college. He is brilliant Kind of profound and very, very bright. He became a Christian while attending college.

Across the street from the campus is a well-dressed, very conservative church. They want to develop a ministry to the students but are not sure how to go about it.

One day Bill decides to go there. He walks in with no shoes, jeans, his T-shirt, and wild hair. The service has already started and so Bill starts down the aisle looking for a seat. The church is completely packed and he can't find a seat. By now, people are really looking a bit uncomfortable, but no one says anything.

Bill gets closer and closer and closer to the pulpit, and when he realizes there are no seats, he just squats down right on the carpet. By now the people are really uptight, and the tensionin the air is thick.

About this time, the minister realizes that from way at the back of the church, a deacon is slowly making his way toward Bill.

Now the deacon is in his eighties, has silver-gray hair, and a three-piece suit. A godly man, very elegant, very dignified, very courtly. He walks with a cane and, as he starts walking toward this boy, everyone is saying to themselves that you can't blame him for what he's going to do.

How can you expect a man of his age and of his background to understand some college kid on the floor?

It takes a long time for the man to reach the boy.

The church is utterly silent except for the clicking of the man's cane. All eyes are focused on him. You can't even hear anyone breathing. The minister can't even preach the sermon until the deacon does what he has to do.

And now they see this elderly man drop his cane on the floor. With great difficulty, he lowers himself and sits down next to Bill and worships with him so he won't be alone.

Everyone chokes up with emotion.

When the minister gains control, he says , "What I'm about to preach, you will never remember. What you have just seen, you will never forget."

They are married

After traveling 1800 miles in 70 hours Heather and Ben are married. Now we just have to get ready for the reception on Saturday.

The blogthing fun

Not a Jealous Bone in Your Body

You're secure, trusting, and giving with friends and lovers And while you may have been hurt before, you've bounced back You're generally happy with your life - and no one's grass is greener than yours One word of caution: some may see your lack of jealousy as indifference!

Are You A Jealous Woman?

I'm a fall

You Belong in Fall

Intelligent, introspective, and quite expressive at times... You appreciate the changes in color, climate, and mood that fall brings Whether you're carving wacky pumpkins or taking long drives, autumn is a favorite time of year for you

What Season Are You?

Here they are

More sickness

Kurt and Cornell also have bronchitis. We should havw figured we would all get it as when David first got sick we were all in a car with hom for about 15 hours. David's lungs sounded good when he went to the doctor and the rest of us are now on antibiotics. I am feeling a bit better today but still not well enough to do much. By tomorrow I should be a whole lot better. Kurt and Cornell started antibiotics today so they should be feeling better by Saturday. Poor David is feeling good now but with everyone else feeling bad he is just lazing around also. Jasmine and Brittany will not be coming tovisit this weekend so we have rescheduled for next weekend.

Bronchitis

I have caught what David had only mine has not turned into pneumonia. I went to the doctor and in two minutes he told me I have bronchitis (cost $80) then went to Walmart to get the antibiotics and more Mucinex (cost $98). Boy did that hurt the pocketbook. Not to mention I HATE Mucinex. It has to be the most disgusting medicine there is. Oh well hopefully in 24-48 hours I will feel better because Friday I am supposed to go to Omaha and bring Jasmine and Brittany back for an overnight visit.

Bizarre Driving Laws

From the Nebraska DMV website:
The Greek sage Aristotle once penned, "Even when the laws have been written down, they ought not always remain unchanged." Not only is this wise advice, but also prophetic. Especially when you focus on some of the driving laws that loiter on the pages of state statutes.

Tennessee, for example, has a law that bans shooting game, other than whales, from moving vehicles. Apparently, this law was authored during an unusually high tide or after too many dizzying spins on a Tilt-a-Whirl at Dollyworld. Chances of any whale finding its way into Tennessee via the Cumberland River are about as likely as Tony Danza winning a lifetime achievement award at the Cannes Film Festival. Yet, it exists.

So as to assure that your next cross-country vacation does not get pricked by the thorns of legality, we at DMV.ORG have organized a list of arcane state laws that you should be aware of. For nothing can be more embarrassing than having to phone your attorney from Kentucky for help in escaping a fine for trying to transport an ice cream cone in your back pocket.

Alabama
· It is illegal for a driver to be blindfolded while operating a vehicle.
· It is legal to drive the wrong way down a one-way street as long as a lantern is attached to the front of your car.
· Driving barefoot is illegal.

Alaska
· It is illegal to tie a dog to the roof of your car.

Arkansas
· It is illegal for a person to blare the horn on a vehicle at any place where cold drinks or sandwiches are served after 9 p.m.

California
· Any woman dressed in a housecoat is prohibited from driving a car.
· It is illegal in San Francisco to buff or dry your car with used underwear.
· No unoccupied vehicle may exceed 60 miles per hour.

Florida
· If an elephant is tied to a parking meter, the owner or attendant must deposit money in the meter.

Georgia
· State Assembly members are immune from being ticketed for speeding while the State Assembly is in session.
· In Marietta, Georgia it is illegal to spit from a moving car or bus, but is okay from a moving truck.

Illinois
· In Evanston, Illinois it is unlawful to change clothes while inside a car with the curtains drawn, except during a fire.

Kansas
· In Derby, Kansas, it is considered a misdemeanor to screech your tires while driving.

Kentucky
· If you stop for ice cream while driving, be aware that it is considered unlawful to transport an ice cream cone in your back pocket.

Massachusetts
· You will be ticketed if you drive with a gorilla in the backseat of your car.

Michigan
· If you car breaks down in Detroit and you are waiting for assistance, be aware that sitting in the middle of the street to read a newspaper is illegal.

Minnesota
· It is illegal to cross state lines, regardless if you are walking or driving, with a duck on your head. And, if you're crossing into Wisconsin, the law also applies to chickens.
· In Minnetonka, Minnesota, if you drive a truck that leaves mud, dirt or sticky substances on any road, you will be considered a public nuisance who is harming the peace, safety, and general welfare of the town.
· You cannot ride a motorcycle without a shirt.

Montana
· In Whitehall, Montana, vehicles are prohibited from driving with ice picks attached to the wheels.

Nevada
· It is illegal to drive a camel on the highway.

New Jersey
· Drivers are required to beep their car horns before passing another vehicle.
· If convicted of driving while intoxicated, you permanently lose the option of registering for a vanity license plate.

North Carolina
· In Dunn, North Carolina, it is illegal to drive on a sidewalk.

Ohio
· In Oxford, Ohio, authorities will ticket you if you consecutively drive around the town square more than 100 times.
· Keep in mind that if your car breaks down and you phone for a cab, you will be ticketed if you opt to ride on the cab's roof.

Oklahoma
· It is considered illegal to read a comic book while driving.

Oregon
· You will be ticketed if you leave your car door open longer than is deemed necessary.
· You will be slapped with a Class A traffic violation if you use your car on an Oregon highway to prove your physical endurance.
· It is illegal to pump your own gas.

Pennsylvania
· If you spy a team of approaching horses, you are required by law to pull to the side of the road and cover your car with a blanket or dust cover that has been painted or sewn to blend into the scenery. But, if the horses react skittish to your efforts, you are then required to disassemble your car and hide the parts in the nearby underbrush.

South Carolina
· In Hilton Head, South Carolina, you cannot leave trash in your vehicle out of fear of attracting rats.

Tennessee
· It is illegal to fire a gun at any wild game other than whales from a moving car.

West Virginia
· It is perfectly legal, for road maintenance purposes, to scavenge road kill.

Love this poem

The Touch of the Master's Hand

'Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
Thought it scarcely worth his while
To waste much time on the old violin,
But held it up with a smile:
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then, "Two!" "Only two?
Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;
Going for three----" But no,
From the room, far back, a gray-haired man
Came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
And tightening the loose strings,
He played a melody pure and sweet
As a caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
With a voice that was quiet and low,
Said: "What am I bid for the old violin?
"And he held it up with the bow.
"A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
And going, and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
What changed its worth." Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
And battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
Much like the old violin.
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine;
A game--and he travels on.
He is "going" once, and "going" twice,
He's "going" and almost "gone.
"But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
Never can quite understand
The worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
By the touch of the Master's hand.
--Myra Brooks Welch

Baseball fever

On Monday night we were able to attend a Salt Dogs game. This was Kurt's father's day gift. David was doing well enough that he was able to go. It was Mexican night and I think they fed him a Mexican jumping bean as we entered the stadium, he didn't sit for more than 5 minutes the entire time. We had seats in the first row behind the 1st base line dugout and at the end of the 8th inning a player from the visiting team rolled David a gameball across the top of the dugout. That same player went on to hit a game winning homerun in the top of the ninth. Heather joined us for the last 1/2 of the game and even though she doesn't like baseball she said she had a good time. I know Kurt, David and I had a good time.

Icky Sicky who doesn't act sick

David has pneumonia but you would never know it until you heard him cough. He is as perky as ever and driving me crazy. It is very difficult to take care of a sick kid but try keeping a sick kid quiet who doesn't feel sick is impossible. It is also hard to know if he is getting well . He started coughing last Sunday and it got progressively worse while we were in Texas. On Saturday Kurt took him to the doctor and got the diagnosis but at no time did David act sick just the nasty cough and slight fever.

Our Texas Trip

Heading home

We are heading home from Texas. It has rained every day we have been here.

On Independence Day we got a bit of rain while waiting for the fireworks at Ft. Hood but we didn't get to wet. Heading home the real downpour started and we were glad the post moved up the start time for the fireworks. We would have been drenched otherwise.

David liked seeing all the tanks and armored personal carriers while we were here. When I return I will post some pictures we took.

It was good to visit with Kurt and Adrienne and we will see them again in September for Heather's wedding.

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

HAPPY INDEPENDENCE DAY

Jack In The Box

I love Jack in the Box tacos. They cost $0.99 for two so they are a great buy also. The problem is the is no Jack in the Box in Nebraska, or any of the surrounding states. But for this week I am in Texas and there are 560 franchises here. Yum, yum, yum all the tacos I can eat.

From citation to jail - what was this guy thinking?

Man Gets 10 Years in License Shooting
From Associated Press
June 27, 2007 10:20 PM EDT

REDDING, Calif. - A 49-year-old truck driver has been sentenced to 10 years in prison for shooting his wife after she failed to renew his driver's license.

Gary Alan Hemsted pleaded no contest earlier this month to attempted voluntary manslaughter, using a firearm and causing great bodily injury in the wounding of his wife, Lisa, 42, in 2005.
Shasta County sheriff's deputies said Hemsted became angry after he was cited for driving with an expired license and blamed his wife for failing to renew it.

Detective Steve Grashoff testified that Hemsted threatened to shoot his wife's horse and fired a round from a .22-caliber rifle that narrowly missed his wife and hit the family's barn.

Lisa Hemsted ran down the driveway of the couple's home while her husband gave chase in his pickup truck. As Lisa Hemsted climbed over a fence to try to get away, Gary Hemsted aimed his rifle at her, told her "you're dead" and fired a shot that hit her in the right thigh, Grashoff said.
A sheriff's patrol car was pulling up as the shooting took place.

Hemsted's attorney, Richard Maxion, said his client could end up serving a little more than six years in prison after the 796 days he has spent in jail and any credits he earns for good behavior are deducted from the sentence.

This is so cute

I received this link from Marsha and had to post it here:

http://www.frontiernet.net/~jimdandy/specials/friend/friend.html

for those of who are like me and this tune sounds familiar but you can't place the words here they are:

Title: Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da
Artist: The Beatles
Album: The Beatles 1967-1970

Desmond has a barrow in the market place
Molly is the singer in a band
Desmond says to Molly-girl I like your face
And Molly says this as she takes him by the hand.

CHORUS
Obladi oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on
Obladi Oblada life goes on bra
Lala how the life goes on.

Desmond takes a trolly to the jewellers store
Buys a twenty carat golden ring
Takes it back to Molly waiting at the door
And as he gives it to her she begins to sing.

CHORUS

In a couple of years they have built
A home sweet home
With a couple of kids running in the yard
Of Desmond and Molly Jones.

CHORUS

Happy ever after in the market place
Molly lets the children lend a hand
Desmond stays at home and does his pretty face
And in the evening she's a singer with the band.

And if you want some fun-take Obladi Oblada.

"The First Time's Always The Worst"

I can't remember where I got this (probably e-mail), but it is so funny.

by: LeighAnne Jasheway of Eugene, Oregon (1st place winner in the Humor category in the Erma Bombeck Writing Contest )

The first mammogram is the worst. Especially when the machine catches on fire. That's what happened to me. The technician, Gail, positioned me exactly as she wanted me (think a really complicated game of Twister - right hand on the blue, left shoulder on the yellow, right breast as far away as humanly possible from the rest of your body). Then she clamped the machine down so tight, I think my breast actually turned inside out. I'm pretty sure Victoria's Secret doesn't have a bra for that

Suddenly, there was a loud popping noise. I looked down at my right breast to make sure it hadn't exploded. Nope, it was still flat as a pancake and still attached to my body

"Oh no!" Gail said loudly. These are perhaps, the words you least want to hear from any health professional. Suddenly, she came flying past me, her lab coat whipping behind her, on her way out the door. She yelled over her shoulder, "The machine's on fire, I'm going to get help!"

OK, I was wrong, 'The machine's on fire,' are the worst words you can hear from a health professional. Especially if you're all alone and semi permanently attached to A MACHINE and don't know if it's THE MACHINE in question. I struggled for a few seconds trying to get free, but even Houdini couldn't have escaped.

I decided to go to plan B: yelling at the top of my lung (the one that was still working). I hadn't seen anything on fire, so my panic hadn't quite reached epic proportions. Then I started to smell smoke coming from behind the partition. "This is ridiculous," I thought. I can't die like this. What would they put in my obituary? Cause of death: breast entrapment?

I may have inhaled some fumes because I started to hallucinate. An imaginary fireman rushed in with a fire hose and a hatchet. "Howdy, ma'am," he said. "What's happened here?" he asked, averting his eyes. "My breasts were too hot for the machine," I quipped, as my imaginary fireman ran out of the room again. "This is gonna take the Jaws of Life!"

In reality, Gail returned with a fire extinguisher and put out the fire.

She gave me a big smile and released me from the machine. "Sorry! That's the first time that's ever happened. Why don't you take a few minutes to relax before we finish up?"

I think that's what she said. I was running across the parking lot in my backless paper gown at the time. After I'd relaxed for a few years, I figured I might go back. But I was bringing my own fire extinguisher.

Catch up

It is time to catch up on my blogging:

I have been back from Girls Camp for more than a week. It was great. I think I had one of the easier jobs there so I was able to relax from my normal craziness at home.

Last week for Bear Scouts I took the boys on a bike hike. Oh my, way different muscles are used riding a bike than walking. We biked 1.25 miles from the church to Tierra park. It was on a trail and just little hills but I was so tired when we returned. But more than that my tail end hurt for several days after.

I tried a Cheesecake Factory Cheesecake for the first time last week and went back a few days later for another. I had the Key Lime flavor and oh it was good. Of course the price will prevent me from eating to much which is a good thing or my stop the bulge program would go down the drain.

The RADishes have been on two home visits now and neither one went well. They can't get along with each other and Brittany's need to control causes huge problems. I am not sure what is going to happen in the long run. The therapist is in agreement that they are not even close to being able to come home. We will still have to do home visits but the next one isn't until July 21st.

My daughter is Engaged. She is marrying "the boy next door/high school sweetheart". They are getting married in the Mount Timpanogos Utah Temple on September 1st. He is a really nice guy and they make a very cute couple.

Gone Camping

I am heading off to Young Women's camp for 5 days. YEAH!!! See ya when I return.

Labrynthitis

Yesterday I had an attack of Labyrinthitis. I hate it when that happens, it comes on suddenly and there is nothing I can do about it. I get really dizzy/spinning and nauseous and the only cure is to go back to bed. Because of it I missed church and someone had to teach my primary class at the last minute. I stayed in bed most of the day and by evening I was feeling better but had to be careful about moving my head suddenly less the spinning return. I am grateful that I only get this a few times a year and it only lasts a day or so. I have heard of people having this for weeks, months or even years. I know that I become non-functional when it happens and I can't imagine what it would be like for more than a day.

Stuck at 48th and "O"

My van decided to die at the intersection of 48th and "O" heading south. I was the third of forth car back in the inside lane when the van just died and I started smelling gas. I sat there for a few minutes with no offers of help trying to reach Kurt, who was in court. Finally I realized I might be able to coast backward and turn into the super saver exit if I could get up enough speed. Thank goodness they put in that new light because it gave me time to coast across three lanes and into the exit. Then some nice people helped push the car into a parking space. Kurt got out of court and came and then my mother-in-law picked me up. The problem: There was no clamp on the fuel line. I have been driving that car for about two months, all over Lincoln and to and from Omaha. I guess I can be thankful it died where it did and not on I-80.

The Book Swiper

Last week I ordered this book, Fablehaven after reading about it on the Six LDS Writers and a Frog website (you will neet to scroll down to May 15th). When the book arrived David asked what it was and I told him it was a youth novel I planned to read and that he and I could read together. He took it and was looking at it when I suggested he read the back. He did so without a problem. I then asked him if he wanted to try and read it by himself letting him know that most 7 year olds would not be able to read it. He took the book and is now on chapter five and seems to be really enjoying it. I get to read a few pages now and then when he sets it down or forgets to take it to school.

Tonight I have a meeting at David's school to find out how he did on some testing they gave him this year. It was a pilot program at two schools to try and identify bright kids earlier. Those kids tested were referred by their teachers. It is nice to have a kid being tested being bright since I have so many that have IEP's.

Here is a description of the book: For centuries, mystical creatures of all description were gathered to a hidden refuge called Fablehaven to prevent their extinction. The sanctuary survives today as one of the last strongholds of true magic in a cynical world. Enchanting? Absolutely. Exciting? You bet. Safe? Well, actually, quite the opposite...

Kendra and her brother Seth have no idea their grandfather is the current caretaker of Fablehaven. Inside the gated woods, ancient laws give relative order among greedy trolls, mischievous satyrs, plotting witches, spiteful imps, and jealous fairies. However, when the rules get broken, an arcane evil is unleashed, forcing Kendra and Seth to face the greatest challenge of their lives. To save her family, Fablehaven, and perhaps the world, Kendra must find the courage to do what she fears most.

Lipstick on the mirrors

According to a news report, Golden Grove Jr. High School was recently faced with a unique problem. A number of 12-year-old girls werebeginning to use lipstick and would put it on in the bathroom. That wasfine, but after they put on their lipstick they would press their lipsto the mirror leaving dozens of little lip prints. Every night the maintenance man would remove them and the next day the girls would put them back. Finally the principal decided that something had to be done.

She called all the girls to the bathroom and met them there with the maintenance man. She explained that all these lip prints were causing a major problem for the custodian who had to clean the mirrors every night. To demonstrate how difficult it had been to clean the mirrors, she asked the maintenance man to show the girls how much effort was required. He took out a long-handled squeegee, dipped it in the toilet, and cleaned the mirror with it.

Priceless!

Since then, there have been no lip prints on the mirror. There are teachers.... and then there are educators!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Urban Legend or True? Who knows, but it is hilarious.

Bigger than life

Near the southwest corner of 48th and Normal there is this electronic billboard that has my kids on it. The picture is almost four years old but you can still tell who they are. Heather thinks it is cool, Kurt II isn't hear to respond, Cornell appears ambivilant and David doesn't like it. I do like the below picture better. Of course none of the kids in the picture are in crisis, but they can't use real kids in crisis.

Lincoln Zoo

I went to the Lincoln Zoo with David's 1st grade class and four hours is to long at that zoo. David had a good time and got to hold this giant beetle. Yuck!!!

Cornell going to state

Cornell is going to run in the state track meet in the 4 x 400 (also called the 1600 relay). Yesterday at Districts his team placed 2nd. YEAH!!!

Ducks and Turkeys

This morning when I took the boys to school there was a mother duck and her ducklings on the grass at Southeast HS. They were so cute. It reminded me of this book "Make Way for the Ducklings". While I was watching them the mother duck was leading the ducklings to cross Van Dorn when a couple of teenage girls gently blocked the way so they would not go out in to the street.

A few weeks ago I saw a Turkey in my front yard. It went around my house down the stairs and into the neighbors back yard.

Kurt completes the marathon

My dear hubby completed a lifetime goal by completing the Lincoln Marathon. He finished with an official time of 6:00:02. The clock shows 6:07:35 because that is the gun time. The official time doesn't start until the runner passes the start line. There were so many runners that it too 7 minutes 33 seconds for Kurt to even get to the start of the race after the gun was fired. Check out Kurt's blog for more information.

Heather, Cornell, David and I had a good time circumventing the race route in order to cheer Kurt on about every three miles. We even dried off for a portion of the time. Of course right at the end it poured and we were drenched.

Wear Red on Friday

Last week I received an e-mail about wearing red on Friday's to show support for U.S. troops overseas. As I frequently do I went to Snopes.com to check the validity of this e-mail. Here is what they said about it. Take note of the mention of the Nebraska Cornhuskers about halfway down the origins part. Go HUSKERS!!!

Oh so true

"God does notice us, & he watches over us. But it is usually through another person that he meets our needs" President Spencer W. Kimball

It pays to have friends in the right place

Last night Kurt, I and our friends got to see Aida at the Lied Center on complementary tickets. We were in the 7th row center, fantastic seats. The tickets were comped to us by my sister's nephew and niece, T.J. Young and his sister Anya Sulomoni Young. It was a good night to go as Anya played Nehebka, not her normal role but one she did a great job in. T.J. is the associate director/staging. The pop/musical was fantastic and it was great to just have a fun night out.

Novartis Run

I walked (jogged a little) in Novartis 2 mile fun run/walk yesterday. I got a time of 28:36 which was better than I had hoped to get. Also, no 10K runner came in in front of me (they started 3 minutes before the 2 milers). David also ran the 2 miles and his time was 20:58, what a little speed demon. Kurt ran the 10K with a time of 1:08:42. Heather and Ben Ashby came to cheer us on, meet David at the finish and take pictures.

Thoughts

From the book "The Garrity Test" by Brenton Yorganson

How can we, so weak so frail

Shoulder the burdens or hope to prevail?

The master has taught us "line upon line"

Said it was done one step at a time.

and

If ever there's a time of need,

With back against the wall..

Just lift your eyes and ask for help

From Him who gives to all.

Funnies

These are some of my favorites from Reader's Digest:

Every so often I'd challenge a father visiting his newborn in the nursery, where I was a nurse, to guess his baby's weight. Few even came close, but one dad picked up his son, hefted him in his hands, and gave me the precise weight, right down to the ounces. "That was amazing," I told him. "Not really," he replied. "I do this all the time. I'm a butcher." -- "All In a Day's Work" by Nola Faria

A DISTRAUGHT PATIENT phoned her doctor's office. Was it true, the woman wanted to know, that the medication the doctor had prescribed was for the rest of her life? She was told that it was. There was a moment of silence before the woman continued, "I'm wondering, then, just how serious my condition is. This prescription is marked 'no refills'."

A VICIOUS BITE from one of his prize-winning show rabbits sent my 15-year-old son to the emergency room. The doctor and attendants who cleaned the wound and bandaged his hand were clearly amused about how he got the injury. As we were leaving the ER, they handed us a sheaf of papers that included a prescription for antibiotics, a wound-care information sheet and a recipe for rabbit stew. --"Life In These United States" by Jim Lord

MY DINNER PARTY was headed for disaster. One man, an insurance salesman, was monopolizing the conversation with a lengthy account of recent litigation involving himself. Since two other guests were lawyers, I was becoming increasingly uneasy. "In the end," the salesman concluded, "you know who got all the money." I cringed. "The lawyers!" he shouted. There was embarrassed silence at the table. My heart was pounding until the wife of one lawyers said, "Oh, I love a story with a happy ending." --"Life In These United States" by Jane Ghegan.

It had been a nerve-racking experience for my attorney husband. He was working with the FBI on a federal sting operation. Worried for his safety, they put him under protective surveillance. Finally the FBI told him they had rounded up all the criminals and were lifting the surveillance. A few days later my relieved spouse was on the phone, telling his brother about the whole adventure. "Did you happen to mention to the FBI that you have an identical twin?" his horrified brother interrupted. "Who lives next door?" --Contributed to "Life in These United States" by J. D.

Trivia - John Williams

John Williams is a fantastic composer. He wrote the score for all the Star Wars movies, the Indiana Jones Trilogy, ET and Jaws. Did you know he also wrote the score the the John Wayne coming of age movie "The Cowboys", did the adaptation of the score for Johnny Whitaker's "Tom Sawyer" and wrote the score for a "Gidget" movie. Here is a list of the scores that John Williams has written in alphabetical order:
1941 (December 14, 1979)
The Accidental Tourist (December 23, 1988)
A.I. (June 29, 2001)
Always (December 22, 1989)
Amistad (December 10, 1997)
Angela's Ashes (December 25, 1999)
Attack of the Clones (May 16, 2002)
Bachelor Flat (January 12, 1962)
Because They're Young (April 1, 1960)
Black Sunday (April 1, 1977)
Born on the Fourth of July (December 20, 1989)
Catch Me If You Can (December 25, 2002)
Cinderella Liberty (December 18, 1973)
Close Encounters of the Third Kind (November 16, 1977)
Conrack (March 27, 1974)
The Cowboys (January 13, 1972)
Daddy-O (December 18, 1958)
Daddy's Gone A-Hunting (July 16, 1969)
Diamond Head (February 20, 1963)
Dracula (1979)
Earthquake (November 17, 1974)
The Eiger Sanction (May 21, 1975)
Empire of the Sun (December 9, 1987)
The Empire Strikes Back (May 21, 1980)
E.T.: The Extra-Terrestrial (June 11, 1982)
Family Plot (April 9, 1976)
Far and Away (May 22, 1992)
Fitzwilly (December 20, 1967)
The Fury (March 15, 1978)
Gidget Goes to Rome (September 11, 1963)
A Guide for the Married Man (May 26, 1967)
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (November 15, 2002)
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (June 4, 2004)
Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone (November 16, 2001)
Heartbeeps (December 18, 1981)
Home Alone (November 16, 1990)
Home Alone 2: Lost in New York (November 20, 1992)
Hook (December 11, 1991)
How to Steal a Million (July 14, 1966)
I Passed for White (August 17, 1960)
Images (December 1972)
Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade (May 24, 1989)
Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom (May 23, 1984)
Jaws (June 20, 1975)
Jaws 2 (June 16, 1978)
JFK (December 20, 1991)
John Goldfarb, Please Come Home! (March 24, 1965)
Jurassic Park (June 11, 1993)
The Killers (July 17, 1964)
The Long Goodbye (October 28, 1973)
The Lost World (May 23, 1997)
The Man Who Loved Cat Dancing (June 27, 1973)
Memoirs of a Geisha (December 9, 2005)
Midway (June 18, 1976)
Minority Report (June 21, 2002)
The Missouri Breaks (May 19, 1976)
Monsignor (October 1982)
Munich (December 23, 2005)
Nixon (December 20, 1995)
None But the Brave (February 24, 1965)
Not With My Wife, You Don't (November 2, 1966)
The Paper Chase (October 16, 1973)
The Patriot (June 28, 2000)
Penelope (November 10, 1966)
Pete 'n' Tillie (December 17, 1972)
The Phantom Menace (May 19, 1999)
The Plainsman (November 18, 1966)
Presumed Innocent (July 27, 1990)
The Poseidon Adventure (December 12, 1972)
Raiders of the Lost Ark (June 12, 1981)
The Rare Breed (April 13, 1966)
The Reivers (December 25, 1969)
Return of the Jedi (May 25, 1983)
Revenge of the Sith (May 19, 2005)
The River (December 19, 1984)
Rosewood (February 19, 1997)
Sabrina (December 15, 1995)
Saving Private Ryan (July 24, 1998)
Schindler's List (December 15, 1993)
The Secret Ways (May 24, 1961)
Seven Years in Tibet (October 8, 1997)
Sleepers (October 18, 1996)
SpaceCamp (June 6, 1986)
Stanley & Iris (February 9, 1990)
Star Wars (May 25, 1977)
Stepmom (December 25, 1998)
Story of a Woman (1969)
The Sugarland Express (March 31, 1974)
Superman (December 15, 1978)
The Terminal (June 18, 2004)
The Towering Inferno (December 17, 1974)
The Unfinished Journey (December 31, 1999)
War of the Worlds (June 29, 2005)
The Witches of Eastwick (June 12, 1987)

Easter

HAPPY EASTER

Candle on the Water

I'll be your candle on the water
My love for you will always burn
I know you're lost and drifting
But the clouds are lifting
Don't give up you'll have somewhere to turn

I'll be your candle on the water
'Till ev'ry wave is warm and bright
My soul is there beside you
Let this candle guide you
Soon you'll see a golden stream of light

A cold and friendless tide has found you
Don't let the stormy darkness pull you down
I'll paint a ray of hope around you
Circling in the airLighted by a prayer

I'll be your candle on the water
This flame inside of me will grow
Keep holding on you'll make it
Here's my hand so take it
Look for me reaching out to show
As sure as rivers flow
I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go
I'll never let you go...

Written by Anneliese Van Der Pol
Sung by Helen Reddy in Disney's "Pete's Dragon"

Bowling cost $$$$$

I took the kids bowling yesterday when I went to visit Jasmine and Brittany. Now I remember why I gave up bowling - it is VERY expensive. For the four of us to bowl one game it cost $27.00. That is crazy.

Mopac trail

Kurt, David and I went for a walk on the Mopac trail. We started at the east end near Wabash and hiked in about 1 1/2 miles. It was an enjoyable and very pretty hike. I can imagine in another month or two it will be fantastic. The stop sign picturne is to help us remember what street to take to get to the trail head as every time we go out there we forget and spend 20 extra minutes searching.