green sour cream

Just when you think your kids are all grown up, you come home to blue milk, pink mayonnaise, green sour cream, really blue blue cheesed dressing and pink hash browns!

Army Strong!

Matthew is doing really well. Not only did he graduate but he was one of only two people who promoted. His First Sgt. had his Dad pin his rank on him. A very proud moment for everyone. He has also been given a Battalion Commanders coin. It's literally a coin that the B.C. gives when he sees a soldier who is excelling and exhibiting leadership skills. It is highly respected and very few soldiers ever get one. He was the only one in his entire company. He is now at Fort Sam Houston, Texas and awaiting a tonsillectomy. Ugh!

Here it is......

Here it is.............
Matt news:
Matt is going to graduate on the 13th of this month. I guess they are really winding things down. We don't know how he'll get to the next stage of training but I'm sure we'll find out soon. Dani and Ed are flying out to Mo. the weekend before and they'll have a little time to cruise down from St. Louis. Katie and I are going on Tuesday the 11th and we'll all come home on Saturday. We are all staying at the same hotel so I'm expecting to just hang out a lot. The hotel has an indoor pool! Matt surprised me when he casually mentioned how cold it was (actually he said he was freezing his ass off). Just because It's warm here I expect it to be warm everywhere. So, three new turtle necks, two new sweaters and a few pairs of warm socks later, I'm ready and VERY excited to go. I can't imagine how he has changed but I know he has. He tells me he is the same old Matt and I'm sure in many ways he is and always will be but I know "Mom" will notice a difference.
Work news:
I 'm not sure who knows but I have a new job! I wasn't looking and the job fell into my lap and happens to be perfect for me so I took it as a sign (creepy!) and accepted. I'm supervising the staff in a habilitative home for six severely handicapped young adults. They are really great and I have worked with them before (the clients, that is) when I worked at the high school. We provide all their daily care and programing ( not brainwashing). They have many goals like taking their own dish to the sink or wearing eye glasses for a period of twenty minutes with out throwing them on the floor. Things like that. The amount of goals is overwhelming but we manage to get them all done. The job not only suits my personality but also my school schedule. I have very flexible hours and (here's the best part) they provide full benefits. I feel really lucky and am thinking about buying a mobile home here in Carpinteria. It will feel nice to be settled for awhile. Mobile home living is maybe not the optimum situation but I can find more reasons to do it than not to so, what the hell.
School news:
School is going well. I think I have a tentative education goal but you know how things change. I have been studying Global Studies and really love it. I've always wanted to work internationally in developing countries and thought the only way was to be a nurse. I soooo don't want to be a nurse, but I do want to provide care for the needy. Global studies would allow me to work in any area, really. Environmental, Humanitarian, Communications, PolySci (yea, right!), Civil Rights. I have a couple transfer options but will probably stay at CC for as long as I can for monetary reasons. Who knows what the future holds, so for now, that's what I'm doing.
Girly news:
The girls are doing really good. Katie is really busy with work and school. She is living here quarter time. That means she still has all her stuff here and shows up every once in awhile to take a shower, eat and do laundry then she stays somewhere else at night. She doesn't say and I don't ask. We talk almost everyday so I still feel very connected. She has also taken up boxing! Everyone who knows Kate will not be surprised at this new venture. She hangs out in a boxing studio called Primo. It just kills me (in a good way). I'm really proud of how she lives life her own way. Tattoos and all (don't tell her that cause she will probably go out and get another one). Dani is still on track to graduate in January. She will still walk with her classmates in June. She just had her senior pictures taken and, of course, they came out beautiful. She has grown into such a neat young women. She is madly in love with Emmy and the two of them only seem to grow closer. They have turned me on to the T.V. show, Heros. So far we have rented seasons one and two and I'm am so hooked. Hum, I wonder what my power would be if I had one......maybe I could blink and speed up my universe so I could clean my house in a second...like Samantha on Bewitched. Dream on.
Other news:
I'm back to running, slow jog, actually. Three miles on most days. It's so easy to lose the stamina and so hard to get it back, but thanks to my Boot Camp class, I keep it going. Still fishing. Almost every week. Went on a overnight charter and came home with bags on great rock fish. Next charter is in December which will be our christmas party charter. There will be lots on food, wine, and laughter, and hopefully great fish!

I'm getting kind of done with this blog so I hope all is well with all my loved ones. I think of you everyday. I can't wait for thanksgiving so I can give you all big hugs. You have my very fond affection, Gita

I finally made the paper!

http://www.venturacountystar.com/news/2008/oct/11/gone-fishing/

The twelth amendment....

But no person constitutionally ineligible to the office of President of the United States shall be eligible to that of Vice-President of the United States!

Birthday wishes!

Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday to you
Happy Birthday dear LACEY!!!!!
Happy Birthday to you!

Love ya! Hope you have a really great day!

New Address

I have a new e-mail address. Please send me a note so I can capture your address! Gitablackburn@gmail.com

Address change

I have had to change Matt's address twice since the first posting. If anyone is going to send him a letter, double check the address. Also put a 3 on the back flap. It indicates the platoon number. Thanks for supporting Matt!

Matt's address, at last!

Pvt Mendoza, Matt
B Co. 787th Mp Bn, 3rd PLT
2230 Iowa Ave. Blg 937
Ft Leonardwood, Mo 65473

Life, Loss and the pursuit of.........

Jennifer's latest blog entry is compelling me to write. I feel the sadness in her words. I don't think I have ever felt sadness in her words before. It breaks my heart to think of how much loss Jennifer has had in the past few years and is still (apparently) driving her way. Even still, she tries to find optimism. But this blog is not about Jennifer specifically. Although I know I could stop now and let it be dedicated to her sorrows. But I won't. I am pondering the age old question of what in the world are we supposed to do in this life. You ask ten people and you will get ten different answers. Life seems to be this competition between the glorious and the horrific. One day you are surrounded by your family, gloriously celebrating your birth and the next day you are suppressed by the demons of the horrific. What are we to do then? Focus on one over the other? Try as we might, focus on one over the other? Here in lies the conflict within. The outward uncontrollable actions vs. the inward controllable reactions. Somewhere along the way we are taught to do the right thing. And this is my answer to that age old question. Do the right thing. I don't believe this to be obvious at all. In fact many times I believe that right thing to do is uniquely cloaked to look like the wrong thing to do. Example: Do nothing. Does everyone know how hard it is to do nothing? It is a deceiving phrase to imply that nothing is been done. However the very act of not doing anything can required the greatest strength. It is sometimes the right thing to do. And patience. Patience is another great deception. The term gives visions of quietly idling away time as something is passively allowed to run it's course. On the contrary! Personally I have learned that patience is something that I would equate to running a marathon. Being patient while your child is falling headfirst into a very tough and long life lesson requires the strength that would be needed to stop the running of the bulls in Spain. But sometimes it is the right thing to do. Life. Apparently before we were ever born we entered into this marriage contract with life and we, as talking breathing humans, had nothing to say about it. For better or worse. In sickness and in health. For richer or poorer. And then we are born. So now, all this pontification has me exhausted and all I want to do is have a glass of wine and watch Reba on T.V. Maybe it's the right thing to do! All my love to you Jennifer.

Hoorah!

So....We will have a Bon Voyage dinner for Matt at Muna's on Sunday (since Monday is a holiday). Say, around 5:00. If you want to come, call Muna and let her know ASAP. Pass the word to those who won't read this blog. Love and miss everyone!

Hoorah!

Wanna be

Somebody please tell me how to add what blogs I read to my main page so I can be cool like EVERYONE else!

God really does answer prayers!

Hello friends and family! Our big news is that Matt is joining the army. He leaves in the morning to L.A. for his physical and swearing in. Then he is off to basic training in Missouri for nine weeks. After that, he starts his training for his job which is health care technician. Basically he'll be an EMT and will have his basic certification when he gets out. He also has a $15,000.00 signing bonus, payable in two installments and $37,000.00 for college after his service of two years and 32 weeks. I am really proud of him. He's been very focused and has worked really hard changing habits and lifestyles to achieve this (he passed his drug test!). At the same time it will be hard to see him go. We've had an amazing opportunity to do a lot of nothing these past few weeks and have spent many hours watching movies, going to get something to eat and...well...thats about all. I'll treasure the boredom forever! We were also lucky enough to take a little vacation. We stayed at a horse ranch just north of Santa Barbara for three fun filled days. Dani brought Emmy (the love of her life) and Katie brought her BFF Raffa. Everyone got along so well and we just had so much fun. We hiked and went horseback riding (twice), went to a live dinner theater, swam, jacuzzied (?) and played a lot of ping pong and pool. Now it's time to get serious about school. Dani has a tough schedule because she is graduating early and I've gone back to SBCC. Kate is working at SB Bank and trust during the day and then off to SB business school at night. She is working to be a physical fitness trainer. It is sort of like a dorm house with books strewn about, girls running around in their undies to find a tank top in someone else's room (or loft as it may be) and lots of left over take out food cartons. Other than making a bowl of cereal, there is not a lot of domestics activities going on. Gee it's great to be twenty at forty seven...............(she muttered through clenched teeth).

Yippity Skippity

Ok, so here it is. It's really big news! You might need to sit down. Something we've all been waiting for! You're not going to believe it.................I quit my JOB!!!!

Yes siree!
No more Dupee!

Oh, and then the next day (today) Mrs. Dupee fired Gloria, a ten year Dupee Veteran. With no apologies, or severence, or thanks for ten years of devoted loyalty. Nothing. Poor Gloria.

Whew.

Dear Jennifer,

To answer my Sis....I am fine. I have this unproductive need to tell everyone that I am fine and indeed, I am. When I look at the large (very large, gianormous in fact) picture I can honestly say that I am fine. I am blessed with health and the health of the kids, money, freedom etc.. I am also blessed with learning lessons that I've not had the opportunity to learn (not exactly true. I have had many opportunities but was never forced to learn them as these past two years have done). I have a very simple life right now. I work, come home, walk to the store for dinner, eat a little something, listen to music, read, hang with Katie and Dani (when they're home), lay poolside, walk to the farmers market, and walk to church. That's about it. I believe this next year will be about me learning who Birgita is. Was always one half of a.....well.....something. Truth be told, this is hard. Really hard. Sometimes I can't see beyond the day I'm in. I get really anxious and overwhelmed and feel that I simply can't do it. Then I remember what Sis told me so long ago. "Birgita, just focus on what you need at the moment". " Do you have a roof over your head? Are you healthy? Do you have enough food to feed your family today?" That's when you are truly living moment to moment. I think everyday I am better than the day before but not as alright as I'll be the next day. So I can look forward to each new day. That's it. Enough about me. Next blog will be about something really cool! All my love to everyone who will read this silly blog......

Must watch!!!!!!!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adYbFQFXG0U

Pandora

Just wanted to share. Does anyone know about Pandora radio. It's from the Genome Music Project. I listen everyday and heres why:

1. You can pick any genre!

2. You can pick any song and the site will load songs that are alike in style etc.

3. You can skip a song if you don't like it.

4. You can replay a song if you really like it.

5. You can see what cd a particular song is from.

6. Etc, etc, etc,

Probably there are many multiple sites that are similar. I usually am a day late and a dollar short when it comes to online stuff, but if you don't know about it....check it out!

Here's a picture. People like Pictures

Misc.

Here are some sweet pics.

Cash

Cash is a perfect little baby. Never cries. 10 fingers.10 toes. Casey is so calm with him. She took him to a pool so the girls could go swimming on day two of his little life. Then we took the girls to wallmart...I mean....Megamart, on day three of his little life. He eats well and Casey is doing good with breastfeeding. Everything is as it should be. Gordon is a VERY attentive father. The kids think he's great. Even China ( the Shitzu) thinks he's pretty cool.

Boo Hoo...

Here is the saddest news ever.

I called Ren to see if I needed to get Dizzy on Monday and he told me that he took her to a doggy shelter in Ventura.

She's Gone.

It's not all Ren's fault as I was ready to do the same but it still feels really yucky.

Please pray that a super cool family with a big back yard, two cats to terrorize, occasional visiting wee lads so she can box at them, a tight rope walking squirrel who will antagonize her, and a big plush down bed to sleep on, adopts her.

Thanks.

Gita

Yea Baby!!!!!

Aaaarrrrrrrrrrrggggggggggggg! AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHH! YEAAAAAAA BABBBBBBBBBBBBBYYYYYYYYYYYY. WWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHOOOOOOOOOO.


I'm online!
Don't know how.
Don't care!
Feels like I've been gone on a subterranean sabbatical.
Life is good.
This is the year for healing and, well, gosh, don't feel broken right now.
Dizzy is sleeping on her bed next to me.
Am listening to Pink Floyd's Money.
Baby I got money.
About to eat homemade fettuccine.

WWWWWWWWWWWWWOOOOOOOOOOOHHHHHHHHHHOOOOOOOOOOO!

><))))')>

So, I bought James Frey's "Bright Shiny Morning". Personally I didn't care that he lied (or embellished) his last book...um...something...tiny pieces, because I liked reading it. Isn't that supposed to be what book writing is all about??? This book is about life in Los Angeles. He chronicles various "lost souls". I like the rhythm of his writing so I am assuming I'll enjoy this too!

I also bought a NIV Archaeological study bible. Do you have one Scott? If so, I may call you now and again. Resident theologian that you are.

Jennifer, I am so very thankful that your husband has some sense. Donkey's are very messy.

Mom, If you don't blog something interesting, soon, you'll have to forfeit your site. It's against blogger rules to deny the universe for more than two weeks.

Susannah, your hair is cute short. I love your picture on your blog.

Rachel, You are personally responsible for me laughing at least once per day. Your kid stories need to be put in a book. I really mean it. You can do it!

Lacey, Lacey, Lacey, you have got to share your secret of how you manage to live life in such a big way! From the ups to the downs, you really do it up! Love the jelly fish picture. Where did you take it???

Ian, you have no idea how fun it was to hook three sheep in a row. Especially since I was the only one to get any. Everyone else just got crappy rock fish, one or two ling cod and some snapper. They even wrote about me on an industry website called Get Bent. I'm kinda like Dory in Nemo....Just keep fishing, just keep fishing just keep fishing, fishing, fishing....

And to everyone else, I miss you. Our house closes escrow on June 10 and the girls and I have a condo that we are moving into next Friday. Small but nice.

We are happy....are you???

Groove

Check out http://goldcoastladyanglers.blogspot.com/ to see my latest catch!

Gita's gonna get her groove going!

More

We had such a great weekend. Beginning with Anaya's graduation from preschool and ending with Casey's baby shower. We meet everyone and all were....well... friendly at best! Casey is doing very well and Gordon is taking such good care of both her and Oliver. The puppy is Casey's 6 week old shitzu. No name yet. Maybe Tequilla! We laughed the whole weekend and made many new inside jokes that we would love to share with all. The only bummer was that Jennifer was not with us. Others too, but mainly Jennifer. I've got one thing to say....show me what you've got!

Anaya's "gradulaton"

Mish Mash

So, the really hilarious thing about my last blog is that I accidentally published it on the Gold Coast Lady Anglers blog instead of my own. I laughed so hard I almost wee wee'd my pants! What a dork.

Jennifer, We are having Aiden story withdrawals AND we want to see pictures of the kitchen.

Matt got home today from camping on Santa Cruz island. That's what he wanted to do for his birthday, since he's starting at Nordtroms tomorrow. He couldn't get anybody to go with him so he went by himself. He left Saturday morning and got back home this morning. He reported all the envious details. Packing 1 mile up a Eucalyptus grove to the camp site. He hiked to the other side of the island, scouting where he wanted to snorkle etc. Unfortunately he broke his sling on his pole spear so no fish for him. He did have great snorkling, though. The only food he brought with him was a loaf of bread and some PB&J. Works! He said his favorite place on the island is the campsite, laying under the stars with the aroma from eucalypus trees, with out a care in the world. Sounds like a great Birthday. I am so happy that he "gets" what the finer things in life are.

Furcal

Just kidding. I still love the L.A. Dodgers! Go Furcal!

Go Dodgers!

Dani and I went to the Dodger game today. I'd like to say we had a great time. I suppose if you ignore the fact that it was 210 degrees and being in the stadium was like being in a cauldron, or the family directly behind us (and I mean directly: stadium seating tends to make neighbors, close relatives by the end of the game) who had vocal cords that would put Pavarotti to shame, or perhaps the very large, Prada sunglass, pig fingered (as Dani pointed out), hat wearing women in between us and the home plate. If we could ignore all that, we certainly couldn't ignore the entire beer that "Pavarotti family" dumped on Dani. But if we could, it would have been a great time. Lets get real. The dodger dogs ($5.75) are still sitting in my stomach. The Parmasean/bleu fries were pretty good but definitely not in 210 degree weather. Really, the best parts of the day was when Dani (drenched in beer) said lets go, and the water ( $5.25). So When I say "Go Dodgers". I really mean it . Go (back to Brooklyn) Dodgers!

Happy Thursday

I, also, have a life! Here are some recent pictures from it. Dani's team is 3 and 2 and she made a grand slam to win the game today. We ate Alaskan king crab to celebrate. It was the hit that mercied the other team. Oh, Baby!!!! Also, I've included pics of dizzy on a recent hike and the one on the sofa was NOT set up with props. She is so cute.

The other big thing in my life is that we are in escrow. I have my eye on a mobile home here in Carp. It has a great location, otherwise I wouldn't consider a "doublewide". It backs up to the Carpinteria cemetery (I love cemeteries. Kinda weird, I know.) on two sides and has an ocean/island peek from the front room. I could pay cash for it and have very low living expenses. Sometimes you have to go backwards to go forwards!

I am taking Matt on a fishing trip in May on my favorite vessel. I have learned that some "boats" are actually "vessels". And then, of course, there are ships! You can offend just about every boat owner by calling their boat by the wrong name. You can also look very ignorant to the people who relate to life on the briny sea. I'm learning.

We have had some Birthdays! Katie on the 18th, me on the 19th and Matt on the 29th.

Oh, and Jennifer, just to let you know, you have always been the standard that I strive to reach to be a good person. Just to let you know.

Happy Thursday!

Full price offer

What do ya know! The first people to see our house made a full price offer. It's contingent on them selling their house, though. Who knows, maybe it will work out! Then what........!

:( :( :( :(

http://www.realtor.com/search/searchresults.aspx?ctid=43908&mnp=40&mxp=39&typ=7

Go here to see the house on MLS.

First day on the market and we have already shown the house to an antsy potential buyer :(

Hello!

Hi world! It's me, Gita. Hope ya'll had a great easter. I drove to my niece and nephews newly purchased house in Tehachapi. Such a great house. I drive hours to go camping in what looks like my nephews back yard. We all have specific terraine that we identify with, whether it's pine tree forests or concrete jungles. I love oak trees and granite boulders. I guess from my early days in Thousand oaks. When it really was...a thousand oaks. My neighbor, Robin Rosendahl had a horse named Bonnie and my sister had a horse named Chico who shared a fence between their corrals. We would outfit our horses with bareback pads and hackamore bridles and take off to Hauser Circle field. This was in the days of the old T.V. show, Alias Smith and Jones. We thought "Alias"was a person, so one of us was Smith and the other Jones and we always had a "pretend" person named "Alias". We would set up jumps and chase barrels. Unfortunately, either Bonnie or Chico would run away while we were riding them. Bonnie was no threat but Chico was an 18 hand high albino gelding with a vengeance. Our neighbor Linda Hansen (much older than us), taught me that horses can feel your energy and all you have to do is stand strong and they will be passive with you. It's really true. We used to have this song that went like this: Bonnie and Chico were sittin' in a chopper,
Bonnie let a whopper,
Chico couldn't stop her,
and that's how
Bonnie and
Chiiiiiiicccccccooooo,
Died!

GCLA

Gold Coast Lady Anglers! March meeting. Great food. Awesome dessert. Eight bottles of fish friendly wine.

Bad day

Sad, Sad news. Our house is officially on the market. I hate it.

Mom's a genius!

Mom's a genius! I have been crazy with disconnectitis for two days! That's the sometimes fatal disease that attacks your computer for no reason, and prevents you from being able to....gulp... go online. I was sure I had caught the disease and was even feeling somewhat suicidal when Mom told me to unplug and plug back again, my modem. Surely I'm not the only one who didn't know of this cure!

Mole

So, I'm driving home down our street and I see this brown fuzzy thing jiggling it's way across the road. I thought is was a kid prank (you know, those little furry non-pet type things on a string, and as soon as you bend down to get a closer look, some fat freckle-faced kid yanks the string) but then I saw it was a mole. There are really cute, you know. So I pick it up and go to my neighbor whom I have never met, and who is working in his garage, for help. Then the mole bites me. Then I drop it on it's very cute little head. Then it's flopping around like it has a broken back. Then I start crying saying, " I killed it" "I broke it's back". My neighbor is saying "Oh I think he's ok". Ya, right! So he says "lets give him a little help", and digs a little hole. Is he really helping him or just burying him so I don't know it's dead. He puts a bucket over the mole in the divot/grave and I decided to pull myself together and introduce myself. His name is Clay and he's really quite cute too! And, he has a beautiful dog named Clement. And I'm definitely NOT dating. Not for another eleven months, at least. I went back over to check on the mole and thought I should probably take him to my backyard since most people enjoy killing moles as opposed to putting them in their garden. Then on the way home, I'm thinking that Dizzy is sure to find it so maybe Lester next door ( you know the hippy santa clause) wouldn't mind taking on the project. Problem came when Lester wasn't home, but I left the mole in his front yard anyway on a pile of fresh dirt with a bucket over it. I hope there's a hole in the bucket, dear Lizza, dear Lizza..........

Ernest don't do Oprah!

So......OK, I didn't actually log on for the big Oprah event. It was at 9:00p.m.! She obviously doesn't know that I go to bed at that time. Besides, I read the book and it was just a two worm rating out of five. He's kinda la la, if you know what I mean. For the most part his big awareness is just that. Awareness. He talks a lot about the ego and the different forms the ego takes on and how to separate your true self from the ego. I could be wrong but I'm pretty sure that's already been covered by others. Mainly Jesus. He gets, I guess, sort of existential about it or maybe Hindu. At any rate, for me, I found myself saying WHA??? a lot. You know me, one taco short of a combo plate.

A New Earth

You're not going to believe it! I'm participating in Oprah's webinar! I bought the book A New Earth by Eckhardt Tolle. This first event is on Monday. Apparently there are hundreds of thousands who have reserved a FREE web seat. That makes me a part of something really big! It feels a wee bit silly to be doing this but then I started reading the book. The first chapter or so is, well, pretty "new agey" but very soon after that he (Tolle) starts to make some very good points. His writing is dry, very dry, but thats because he is brilliant, I guess. I'm sure some of my "Reality" friends would object at his book but.......whatever. So far, I have seen that what he teaches is actually in sync with what Jesus taught, he just puts different names on things. At any rate I recommend the book very highly. It would also be so very fun if someone else I know would do this with me! I'm just saying! What else do ya'll have to do? Love ya.....

Graffiti

I was just going over some old photos in my computer and found these. They are pictures that Matt took in Nicaragua. Of course it is graffiti. I wish I knew more about this culture. Matt is really a great graffiti artist. I've seen his work on paper (and perhaps in town but didn't know it was his). There is so much more than simply defacing public property, to this form of expression. Is it wrong because it is on public property? If so, what about that poster artist guy who went around gluing his political protest posters all over town. He was sort of a hero. People were willing to get arrested to glue up his prints. I can't remember, exactly, what his issue was. I'm sure it was a political figure, but not a president. Maybe a mayor??? I'm thinking that he targeted more than one person and or issue. I'm sure Scott, Jennifer and Mon know just who it is that I'm speaking of. They are soooo smart, those guys! Anyway, I personally think that graffiti is kinda cool. Matt once shared with me that everyone has there own style and name, like a nick name. He said that what he saw in Nicaragua was different from anything he's ever seen. To the ordinary person it looks all the same so what I want to know is, what are the differences. What makes one better than the other. What constitutes a great work. I love this swirly one. The movement and color use is brilliant, I think. And then there is the restaurant in SB, on Milpas, that has a huge brick wall that seems to attract graffiti like lead to a magnet. The owner of the restaurant was tired of painting over the graffiti so he hired someone to paint a beautiful mural that depicted alot of what SB is about. It was graffitiesque. So of course, the cops (dirty rotten coppers) made him paint over it. What???? This world. Honestly.

TGIF

Hello world! Its me! Gita. Feeling great. It's Friday night and I'm alone and lovin' it. Really! I never thought I would enjoy myself so much. I find myself talking to....well....me, alot. They say ("they" being the expert people who know everything about everything, like, how hard big people will fall, and, you don't need to buy milk when you can get free cows, and just exactly how sharp the sharpest tool in shed is) , that talking to yourself is only bad when you answer yourself. That's dumb. What use is there in talking to someone (even if it is me) if they don't answer you back.

I am reading "Eat Pray Love" by Elizabeth Gilbert. This book became so trendy to read that I almost boycotted it. Silly thinking, I know, but I simply don't trend bend (unless it suits me to do so). Oprah has so much power that any book she endorses automatically becomes a NYTBS even if it's not a good book. Don't get me wrong, I like Oprah but it just feels wrong to buy things just because she says so. So, I wasn't going to buy "Eat Pray Love". But I did. And I love it. So you should buy it too. There is a part in the book when she (Elizabeth or "Liss" as Mr. Medicine man says) is in Bali and her Balinese guru teaches her how to meditate the Indonesian way. He says to sit and smile. He says to even smile in her liver. Sounds very philosophical indeed but, really. In her Liver? I took the challenge. I was at Mrs. Dupees and decided to smile for an hour. Trouble came when anyone came around. I quickly dropped the smile as it became sort of like putting on a face for a politician that you really hate hate but must remain politically correct so you smile. Kinda like that. After the person who came around would leave, I would smile again. Like the creepy politician just walked in the room again. Mr. Medicine man from Bali said that if you did this you would statically collect "happy energy" from the universe and we all know, I need happy energy. Maybe it worked because I'm here on a friday evening, alone, and I am happy. Really!

Pee

New post. All is good. Mrs. Dupee had a little stroke on Monday which sent her to the hospital in an ambulance. She never likes that. She was talking garbly gook. It was kinda cute. She would try to say something which would come out this way..."gundy per codter"...which actually meant..."try calling the doctor"...but then she was able to say " isn't that ridicules". The E.R. Neurologist said she had a stroke but nothing showed up on her MRI. It didn't really seem to phase her as she spent all day today (literally) complaining about whatever she could drum up to complain about. Actually that's a good sign. She is back to normal.

Fishing is only two weeks away from the new season. I'm going on a charter the beginning of March. I want to take Matt and Rachael but with the season just starting and I would've had to get a bigger jump on the payment for the reservations. Soon, Matt and Rachael (sorry Ian, Rachael's gotta have a little girl time, ya know). Good news is that my club put together a fundraiser cookbook with some really great recipes. Many recipes that cook whole fish. Not deep fried, but layer on a bed of bay leaves ,that is layered on rock salt, then drenched with seasoned olive oil and butter, for example. Another one calls for little slits in the side of the fish that you fill with slices of ginger. Yum! Great for rockfish, snapper, whitefish, chucklehead etc.

Tomorrow Jennifer, Mom and I are house hunting. Knucklehead ( I shouldn't say that. I don't really mean it. He's a good person. I'm not bitter. I really love this learning phase of my life. Wouldn't trade it for a loaf of bread. ) is putting the pressure on to sell the house. I guess if I can put my share of the equity right back into the real estate market then it's "half a dozen of the other".

Some great things are:
I like being my own self. Go figure. I'm kinda fun all by myself. Well, with Dizzy.
I have a blog.
Of course there is the fact that my kids are healthy, fun and happy.
It has been sunny the last few days, and warm!
I got my own car insurance. All by myself. Actually it is no big deal but I might as well list it with all the other great stuff.
Oh, the best news, Betsy's one month old baby goats that were stolen, were found "randomly" "wandering" some trail on San Marcos Pass.....by a goat rancher! Uh huh! At least they are back with Mama.
Actually there are too many good things to list as I really have to pee, so, ciao!

Upper north fork river rafting 2006

Just learning how to add a pic

Vomit

What to say......humph......well, I guess I can say whatever I want because this is my blog and thats the purpose of having a blog. As a matter of fact, I'll just bet blog stands for "blubbering long orations from Gita" or " because life overwhelms Gita". It's not like I have to have any kind of critical writers format. A beginning, a middle, an end. No morals here. Just vomit. Verbal vomit. Like the stuff that's always going on inside my head, even though I have become pro at keeping it in my head or else I would be walking around with verbal vomit swirling around my body, like the dust around that Charlie Brown guy. However, I do have something to say to the universe, as a matter of fact! I AM NOT CRAZY! My shrink told me so. So there. I am also not abusive. I am, however, sweet, genuine, caring, compassionate, fun, smart, funny, talented, and probably more but for the fact that I am also humble, I'll stop there. Notice that crazy is not in the list of what I am. Although I don't feel it right now I know this to be true; I am also strong and I am going to be ok. I have a great family. I love my sister and my mom and I know they believe in me. My kids are GREAT and they believe in me too. There will be life after you know who! For shits sake!

Mom, Your comment was so good. I guess thats my Kriptonite also because I REALLY hate those little people too. I suppose we can have more than one Kriptonite. You know what else I really hate? People who barely know you but send you political forwarded emails. Like the woman from my fishing group who sent me a anti mexican immigration punch, complete with a defamatory picture of four fat mexican men with no shirts on. I really hated that.

Superman

Question of the day; Whats your kriptonite? One night, sitting around doing nothing, the kids started talking about irritants, like Katie and her aversion to food touching each other etc, and Otis said something about something being his kriptonite. That such a perfect words for irritants. Mine is cotton in the mouth. Or napkins. Napkins are the worst. When you bite them they kind of squeak and it makes my skin crawl. I literally can't tolerate it. Makes it very hard to sit still in the dentists office. Augh! So, whats your kriptonite?????

For scott

Thank you Scott. OK, my knowledge is extremely......uh....non existent, but follow me. There is clearly a difference between the sons of God and the daughters of men, Gen 6:2. Then it is also clear that the nephilim were around after the great flood Gen 6:4. However in the account of who Noah took with him in the ark, it says he is to take his sons, his sons wives, and his wife Gen 6:19. That would tell me that the only way for nephilim to be around after the flood is that they were in the genes of Noah's sons wives. That is if nephilim are human. If they are not human, they must be fallen angels (due to the fact that they were on the earth and not in heaven). But, if angels do not procreate (which I agree), then what? So the only feasible answer is that they were in the genes of Noah's sons wives (one or more). Now, in Gen 6:12, God says that ALL the people on earth had corrupted their ways, which is why he is going to destroy them. Except Noah Gen 6:9. I expect this is the first written account of God's grace because he grants Noah to keep his wife, son's and their wives, knowing that they are wicked too. Therefore substantiating the descendants of Seth theory, through which grace would flow. And, how is it that he walked with god? Is it the same way that that Enoch had walked with God Gen 5:22. In the account of Adam to Noah, only Enoch walked with God, Why?

Dumbest comment/worst typos

I left the worlds dumbest comment to momsnobest. Of course you and Jennifer have the creative writing gene. Its been evident forever. I really just wanted to compliment you on your blog about dad but it came out all wrong. What a goof! Also, please forgive typos. I will try to do butter from now on! Tee Hee

I'm back!

I know I've been busy and haven't written in awhile. I've closed a very important chapter in my life and I'm ready for the next. Bring it on! However.......I was just thinking that I've always known that a yankee dime is a kiss but I've never known why. If anyone out there reads my blog, and knows why a yankee dime is a yankee dime, please let me know. I'm curious. Now, lets see, what's up for today. Well, I have read the book of genesis many times but last night I (again) read genisis. How is it that I've read that book so many times and just seem to gloss over the Nephilim. Apparently the Nephilim were beings that were on the earth before and after the great flood of Noah. It is speculated that they were fallen angels who procreated with the sons of man. The bible says that they are the sons of (little "g") god who lay with the daughters of Eve. Could there have been and possibly still be fallen angels tha have the capability to procreate wtih humans? The son's of god can also be translated as the sons of power. I have this weird new fascination with the bible and the origin and translations and language of it. Today I've discovered that the bible never mentions the creatures of the ocean when God tells Noah to gather the creatures that "roam" the earth. He says that He destroyed all the creatures that were "on" earth and flew above earth. Also, He commands Noah to gather "seven" of the each kind of bird but only two of everything else. I find this fascinating but don't put too much weight in it because I know that I know that I know, if it important, God (big "G") would make it implicitly clear. I love God.

W.W.P.D.

Well, here I sit with yet another migraine. Thank God for Imitrex and excedrin. I really should have known since I purposefully waited for today to clean the house, hoping it would still be clean on Thursday. What the heck, Jennifer says I have the cleanest house in.....was the world, Jen? At any rate, what do I care if the bathroom sink has toothpaste and spit in it when family comes. Or even of the John has gross (dare I say) yellow puddles (yes,I dare) on the back rim of the seat. What would Papa say. Not that I would ever compare Dad with Jesus but I think if I had a little rubber bracelet that said W.W. P.D., I might be more inclined to see true importance more clearly. What would Papa do if, say, an angry truck driver cut him off on the freeway? Or, if, a homeless man came up to him reeking of urine and booze asking for spare change for a hamburger? To the first, he would say "aw stick it yer ear!" and to the second he would gladly give him a buck and say "have a beer instead". You go Papa!

Kite Runner

What a great movie! Follows the story line of the book very well. This movie/book makes you want to do two things: First is to always do the honorable thing. And second: Be very thankful that we are American. Americans have gotten so much flack these past years since the war began. Why do Europeans, for example, think that the people of this country have anything to do with the war? Why do other countries look down at American travelers (a gross generalization,I know)? It makes us feel embarrassed to be American. At least I have! We need to get checked every once in awhile and remember how lucky we are. Maybe some of us truly are not "proud" to be American. Perhaps we should start a campaign to change the song to "Lucky to be American". Read or go see the movie; Kite Runner.

Moms do know best!

Tee Hee.....Mom, you are so funny! Just yesterday I called mom to boast of my new blogdom, she said she would never have one and today...Pow....she does! You are so cool mom.

I am so very proud of myself today. I have only the linen closet left to clean out. Other than that, all my spring cleaning is done. Just in time to go back to work. Definitely not looking forward to going back to work. I have to remind myself that things can change very quickly and I'm probably not looking at working in Dupeeland forever. Especially with her up and coming age of 102. (no that's not her tempurature).

Two scriptures that I am meditating on today:
Weeping may remain for a night
But rejoicing comes in the morning

and:

I am still confident of this
I will see the goodness of the Lord
in the land of the living.
Wait for the Lord
be strong and take heart
and wait for the Lord.

Im a blogger!

The first of many! Not sure of what to write about. This definitely is a time of transition for me. As 2007 ends (a year of completion) and 2008 begins (a year of restoration and rest) I'm excited to see whats around the corner. This last year my Father died and my Husband left. Unexpectedly, I am encouraged and empowered. I hope to find my voice and courage to speak truth boldly. Until next time.....