FaceBook

I am not the most computer literate person, admittedly. And I always brushed aside things like Facebook and MySpace.

I ended up on Facebook a few weeks ago in a very roundabout way, but I have to say I am happy I am there now.

I talk to my kids so much more than before. My friends that are in far flung locations keep me updated on their adventures and share their friends [bonus] and I have found so many of my high school and college classmates - it is amazing!

Plus there is this lil' game on there called Bejeweled [thanks a lot Linda!] that helps me while away a few minutes of my day. And ignore my laundry [thanks Linda :)!]

All in all I have to say it is a pretty neat place to be.

Does England Have Swimming Pools?

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Because I am moving. Family in tow.

I understand England has more stringent gun laws than the "Happy to have an AK-47" US of A.

Fort Hood yesterday and now an Orlando, FL office building today?

My country is out of control and I seriously am considering becoming an ex-pat.

I live in VA - home to part of the DC sniper's rampage [I remember trying to tell a kindergartener that there would be no recess that day and he replied "Because they haven't caught the bad man with the gun, right Mrs. G?" I wanted to weep.] and then the VA Tech massacre.

Ask me how many people we knew and how scared we were.

I need to understand this.

Don't ever think it won't happen to you - because it seems it is happening to everyone.

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PS - YES I know Ms. Palin is holding a shot gun and not an AK-47. I just wanted a real picture of her and not a photoshopped one where they placed her with an automatic weapon. Found it.

Preview to a Review

Isn't the teapot cute! It is part of collection offered at CSN in their Rachel Ray Cookware line.

This week I was contacted by a nice gentleman from the company offering me the opportunity to review one of Ms. Ray's cookware products. Before agreeing I perused their site and was amazed by the style, colors [orange saute' pans? who knew?] and unique craftsmanship of some of the pieces. A good example is the teapot pictured above.

I don't know what I will be reviewing but I am anxious to try whatever is sent my way. Give the store a check out and I will be back with the review as soon as I am done using it in the "Skippy Test Kitchen".

Oh Happy Day!

It seems the US is one year away from getting approval for a new drug for Lupus called Benlysta. [If you like you can read about it here.]

They have been in clinical trials for a few years [hey! no one told me] and if approved [please] it will be the first drug approved for the treatment of Lupus in over 50 years.

Oh Happy Day! The company is putting in for approval now but it will be the end of next year before they know if they have received it.

It would be really nice to know there is finally a choice that doesn't have the side effects of the steroids, other drugs or the ineffectiveness of OTC painkillers.

All my Lupus pals hang in there! It seems they may have a major breakthrough for the pain and the flares.

I feel better already! :)

Have A Few Minutes?

The most inspiring blog I read is Eva's at 65 Red Roses. She has Cystic Fibrosis and although she received a lung transplant last year her body is now rejecting her new lungs.
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She is an incredibly lovely young lady who keeps her spirits up everyday knowing that without a new transplant she may not live much longer. Her lung capacity is now below 16%. She is on oxygen full time but still manages to live her life, enjoy her family and friends and encourage everyone around her.
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Since she is basically home all the time she loves to receive mail. I am hoping that one or two of you would be kind enough to drop her a note or a postcard to lift her spirits. I don't think she will mind me posting her address [as it is on her blog] and hopefully she will receive a bit more mail from tadpoles.
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What do you say gang? Can you spare a few minutes and a stamp to drop her a line?
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Her address is:
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Eva Markvoort
217 Third Avenue
New Wesminster [it is written this way on her blog - but I don't know if it is "Westminster"
British Columbia
Canada
V3L 1L9
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I would really appreciate any happiness you can send her way. Thanks tadpoles.

PS - From the US it is .98 cents for a letter or postcard - although I know I have a few Canadian readers - I don't know what the postage is from your province.

Over the Top

I woke up this morning with my eyes almost swollen shut. The last time this happened it was because I had an allergic reaction to chocolate - I was 12 years old - and it is the reason I am not a big fan of chocolate and didn't eat it for years. I only had one piece of chocolate this weekend - a small kitkat bar - so I have no idea why I can barely see to type this.

But I soldier on! heehee - it doesn't hurt it is just annoying. Pooldad said "Maybe you got something in your eye?" And I zinged back "Sure! At the SAME time, in EACH eye?" C'mon.

Anyhooodle, Gizmo was kind enough to pass this along to me and it looked like fun:

1. Where is your cell phone? I don't own one [gasp! I know]
2. Your hair? I just cut it all off last week - it is short, spiky and going gray
3. Your mother? Terminally ill
4. Your father? Deceased
5. Your favorite food? Thanksgiving dinner
6. Your dream last night? Something involving super glue
7. Your favorite drink? Green bottled cokes
8. Your goal? To survive my illness
9. What room are you in? Family Room
10. Your hobby? Swapping on swap-bot.com
11. Your fear? Exposed heights
12. Where do you want to be in 6 years? In an RV heading to warm weather
13. Where were you last night? Right here
14. Something you aren't? A liar
15. Muffins? Carrot Nut from Mimi's
16. Wish list item? Braces for Wallene for free
17. Where did you grow up? VA
18. Last thing you did? Used my inhaler because I had an asthma attack this morning
19. What are you wearing? Sweat pants and a sweatshirt
20. Your TV? On/GMA
21. Your pets? The best ever
22. Your friends? Special
23. Your life? Lonely, but fulfilling
24. Your mood? Chilly [I am cold tadpoles]
25. Missing someone? Very much
26. Vehicle? One
27. Something you're not wearing? Perfume
28. Your favorite store? Michaels
29. Your favorite color? Yellow
30. When was the last time you laughed? This morning
31. Last time you cried? Last night
32. Your best friend? Pooldad
33. One place that I go over and over? The Bathroom [Hey, it has it's own heater]
34. One person who emails me regularly?My daughters' schools
35. Favorite place to eat? Glory Days or Macaroni Grill

I'd like to pass this along to:


Marni at It's a Pug's Life
Waiter at Waiterextraordinaire
Linda at RVVagabonds
Rudee at Knitting Nurse
Kathy at kathy's kampground kapers
Gail over At the Farm

Halloween Pictures

Relaxing before the Halloween Parade. Like the "lapdog"?
Wallene hit it big - she counted 179 pieces!

Our pretty devil

Our pumpkins are carved.

[True fact - the pajama pants Wallene is wearing have been in our family for 10 years. Now they fit like capri pajama bottoms :) ]

Hope everyone had a wonderful Halloween.