I’ve Decided To Move

29-Space Lab, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Having come from a family which moved from state to state and house to apartment to townhouse and back, I thought it was a normal process. Clearly I have been made to see how the other half lives. We have been living in our present home for eighteen years. I have been trying to move for at least ten.

We decided we were not to leave the Washington, DC metropolitan area while our parents were still alive. Well they have gone to a better place and left us here. Amid torrential rains, flooding, close-call lightening strikes, nearby earthquakes, tornado’s, tropical storms and hurricanes. I have drawn the conclusion that it is time to find a better geographical spot.

The recent cyclones, volcano eruptions, earthquakes, pollution, damaged crop yields, loss of bees and tainted water (560 billion tons of raw sewage into our estuaries) has convinced me we had better find our new fortress quickly.

While uploading photographs today, I came across an interesting piece of real estate. I am certain that some of my family’s tax dollars went toward the construction and upkeep of this beauty.

It is with great excitement that I announce our impending move to this space lab. Once we are settled in, we will not have any weather to speak of and since we have solar panels there won’t be any electric bills. As you can see, there is plenty of room for storage and I suppose a party would be fun. We can offer our guests a breathtaking view.

It appears quite safe to me and I am glad I can relax now that I have made my choice. When Joe gets back from across the big pond, won’t he be surprised that I figured out where our new home will be.

What Gives Them The Right!

As child and growing up in our great nation, I learned about the world through my teachers, history books and by viewing the globe, which depicted the terrain of our earth in all her glory and mystery. I was always fascinated by the perfection and beauty of it all. I learned by the example of The Golden Rule. Love Thy Neighbor. Peace was the word of the day.

One of the subjects that kept coming up throughout my formative years was of men fighting, battles and wars. The subject seemed far away and in the past. We would watch movies about WWI and WWII, ancient battles of the Romans, The Wild Wild West, The Korean War. I was told that they were battles fought and won, which made my American life freer and better … to make me safe. Civilized. Barbarians were a thing of the past. One of the finest things to do was travel around to the different cities and continents. The world was rich, mysterious and everything was bountiful and plentiful.

Wrong! Hate, Greed and Jealousy is the name of the game.

Today a rude awakening of the atrocities, brutality, greed, hate and power over less fortunate peoples is a daily notice in the Newspapers, TV News, The Internet and through Web Log Writers. Yes. Bloggers who feel the time has come to join together to speak in loud voices.

Evil doers need to be eliminated. Once and for all. What gives them the right to intimidate, starve, hit, beat, torture, detain, in-prison, maim or kill another? These bullies need to be removed from their self-imposed power and put down, like the curs they are. I never have compassion for those who take it upon themselves to do these dastardly deeds. I believe in justice and freedom for all innocent people.

Human rights are for every man, woman and child. Karma is a given and in cases such as these, what goes around … comes around seems apropos. But in the meantime we can give by the use of the penned word, our time to those less fortunate, our money for charity, our prayers for their plight.

But imagine for a moment, these terrible things happening to someone you care deeply for. Realize that in some small part, it is already happening to we, the free ones. It is unpleasant to dwell on this for even a few moments. But I hope you will do something to help. Stop being self-centered and do something to insure the Human Rights of us all. Time to put a stop to all the bad before it really infringes upon we the people.

Finding Purpose

Iceberg: Isle of the Dead, originally uploaded by Greenpeace Esperanza.

As a child in grade school, I recall seeing pictures that our teacher would share. We children were always thrilled by the shapes on our spheric globes. By the whiteness of the coldest continent Antarctica, and the floating ice caps of our North Pole.

Why did the top of the earth, as I would think of the North Pole, not be deemed a continent? It would be years later before I would understand the difference. But I do recall musing about those cold places and wondering what the fuss was about the icebergs. Why was is so cold at the top and the bottom of our planet? What was the point? I would ask myself countless questions like these.

Of course years later, I see the devastating changes in our planet and the impending threat to the wildlife. The ice caps are melting and our stores of fresh water are quickly disappearing. Our rain forests are dwindling and the lush continent of Africa is fast becoming a wasteland, a place of sorrow, whereas she used to be a dark, mysterious place full of romance, beauty, robust peoples and boasted a huge population of wildlife. A short time ago, these things were true.

Today while I was traveling through many photographs on Flickr, I input the word oceans in the search bar. I felt like a breath of fresh air. I found incredible photography from people who snapped their cameras, all over our blue planet. So many of the photos were breathtaking and astounding. Some, like this photo are profound.

So, I wonder, what are we going to do? Can we all put on the breaks, be humane, stop the fighting and the cruelty? Allow the domination to be dispelled? Please ask yourself what you can do to be a kind, helpful, responsible citizen of the world. What can you do to stop abusing our planet, wildlife and domestic pets, put an end to slaughterhouse terrors and end all war? Look favorably upon the person next to you? What can you do to make a difference?

Let’s take our world back. Let’s leave something for the younger generation. I remember our parents making this a better place for we children, but what about our children? Take a look at all of the photos of our planet. She is so beautiful. Don’t let her die.

Life Through Rose Tinted Glass

Mini French Pastries, originally uploaded by Theresa111.

Today I went to see my doctor and while I was waiting for my name to be called, I sat in the waiting room and where the television usually offered light entertainment, it was spewing a horrid story of the demise of a very young girl. I quickly realized that my position, right in front of the television, was the wrong place to sit.

Immediately, I removed to another part of the large room. Now, I was out of earshot. No longer had I to endure their message of despair. What I did do was let the receptionist know where I would be and intimated I was doing so because of the television’s subject matter. She made no move to improve the sitting room experience.

Why? Why did no one change the channel? For the rest of the people waiting their turn, no one seemed inclined to move nor complain about the crime story being projected into their minds. I can barely watch the news anymore and think that many movie directors have almost desensitized us until we either endure or ignore.

What happened to responsible broadcasting and good stories? Does it matter that we are constantly being bombarded with so many negatives? I certainly believe it does.

In fact, I must insist that my husband watch the bad news and major channels, out of my hearing. He claims he needs to know what is going on in the world. But I find I need to shut it out because for as long as I am to remain here on my beloved planet Earth, I want it to be as beautiful, peaceful and kind as possible.

For kindred spirits out there, I suggest you turn off the bad news and turn on positive thinking and kind leadership. It will put your day into perspective and allow you to create something beautiful. I have a feeling that were we all busy creating beautiful things to share that our world would be very rosy indeed.

Lord Likely Anniversary

Lord Likely is celebrating his first year anniversary in the blogisphere and I for one applaud him on his creative productions of his imagination. Now I must insist that anyone choosing to view his site will know in advance that whilst I and many others find him to be amusing and very cutting-edge, his site is rated “R” or sometimes “X” and it would be against my better judgment to send anyone there, who may not appreciate some of the raunchy things he writes about. His sense of humor is totally grown-up and not for any eyes that will shrink away in horror at some of the subjects he might introduce.

For my part, I enjoy the personality of his 1850’s character and how well written his stories are. There are times, I must confess, where I skim over some of the more descriptive parts because I have grown so fond of the author and his major abilities to pen the continuing story.   He entertains a large audience which fuels a part of his playful imagination. Andy Fanton is perhaps a writer that will become famous whilst being a bit infamous.

Toodle Pip Lord Likely!  You have become a character which is very real in the blogger world. Your author is one of my favorite people and I am certain that we will share many years of friendship.To view his site one may click on the side bar “The Astonishing Adventures of Lord Likely.”

Change … Nobody Likes To Admit They Need It

A year and a half ago I discovered that I had developed high blood pressure. I began taking the very lowest dosage of medication 12.5 ml, once a day. I was working long, hard hours at a major hotel in Washington, DC, in their Pastry Kitchen. My Mother was in a nursing home, one hour drive both ways … I hate going on the Capitol Beltway … it’s like Russian Roulette on the roadways. To top it off I was eating too many goodies. I was packing on the pounds, totally overworked, exhausted, sleep-deprived and worried.

Last February, I decided to leave that labor of love, intensive position to re-group, to rest, to mourn the passing of my Mother and best friend. I decided to slow down because my body was sending me frightening signals. It literally took me six weeks to rejoin the world and thankfully, I found writing a web log the very thing to help me do just that. Relaxing, reflective and a nice way to meet new friends and see new talents.

After working a whirlwind job, running to-and-fro, very heavy lifting and poor eating habits, I was so glad to sit and type away. I would spend hours on the computer, sitting in the same position for hours and absorbing the cyber world and lots of her inhabitants. So in July, when I went to see my doctor to renew my medications, I was asked to get on the scale, an object I vehemently dislike. When I saw the results I told the woman there was something wrong with her machine. I stepped off. She stepped on and she told me it was working properly. She wrote down 4.7 lbs less than what I weighed in at. Crestfallen, I had to admit that in four and one-half months, I had gained a whopping 25 lbs! How? I mean, I noticed that I had moved into wearing Joe’s sweat pants and XL large T-Shirts. What was I going to do? I panicked … isn’t that what most beautiful people do?

I did try starving myself during the daytime, but when Joe was ready to come home from work, I would get him to stop at Burger King, McDonald’s, Outback (they have curb-side service) or we would order in Chinese, to be delivered. Sometimes we would be eating dinner as late as 11:00 PM! What was I thinking! Even my husband, who is 6′3″ gained weight. So I decided in October to return to products that I had used to lose weight, twenty years ago. I phoned my friend and she got me to look at her sites to see all of the new products, and together we went over what I wanted to order. Because I knew they were guaranteed to work, I signed up to get the products wholesale.

When my products arrived two days later, I began right away. It’s as easy as 1-2-3 and since October 18th, I have dropped the extra weight I gained, without exercise. I chose to stick to the program and I can eat anything I want for my main meal. I make it colorful and I simply eat a little less than before. I am not hungry and my energy level is great. I feel so much better and I am sleeping through the night.

The nutrition I am receiving is the finest. Joe wasn’t even trying and he has lost most of his love handles. When we hug, we both notice a big change. I went down 3 sizes so far and I am over one third of my way to my targeted weight goal. I anticipate before and after photos in the spring, for as excited as I am about this, it is not an easy subject … writing about my weight and how it has made me quite unhealthy and miserable. I am baring myself to my readers because I am certain I will reach my final goal and be happy to share the end results.

The most fun in all of this is that even though it is the Holiday season, I am losing inches and weight, not hungry, getting healthier everyday and want to help others do the same. Feel better, have better nutrition and more energy. Please feel free to check out my web-sites for yourself. Should you wish to give it a go, I will work with you to help be a support, just as my friend has done for me. You can do it too!

Happy Holidays!

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Hello World!

Daybreak wasn’t enough to make me crawl out of bed this morning. I actually awakened because of the impossible position I was lying in. Turning over, I freed my numb right leg, and wiggled my toes to get the circulation of free-flowing blood moving again. After a few moments, I decided to rouse myself to attend to the morning cleaning and relieving rituals. Upon returning to the bed, I straightened the clean sheets and covers, placing my blond teddy bear high on the top of my three pillows.

I called to Bobby to follow me downstairs and together, we stumbled into the kitchen to make coffee. Grinding fresh coffee beans and turning on the pot, the morning brew began it’s gurgling sounds. Pleased with my limited abilities to make coffee with one eye open, I turned toward the French doors, which lead into the studio. I was going to check FexEx tracking to find the whereabouts of my new iMac computer.

My original 1999 Raspberry iMac died at the beginning of September, and although I mourned her, I was without communication abilities for a whole week. A 2000 Blueberry iMac was given to us, to tide me through the waiting period, until I could order my new one. I certainly bless the computer for affording me the pleasure of surfing the Internet and posting a few stories and articles, but I was forced to slap it on its left side, many times, to restore the flickering screen. Thankfully, I do not have to do that anymore.

I had ordered my computer this past Saturday and told the customer service representative that I would phone back on Tuesday with the data to run the sale. I chose to have it FedEx’d ‘Overnight Priority’, to the steep delivery fee of $125.00. I wanted it so badly that I didn’t care about this extravagance. I figured it was worth it. I needed to give my creative juices the first opportunity to flow.

Yesterday morning, I could barely wait for the 7 AM alarm to go off. I got up, showered, and was dressed by 7:20 AM. For someone who has a hard time getting up, I was displaying a remarkable energy. I was going to get my computer today, I thought happily. I spotted the FedEx truck as it was coming down the court and flashing its left turn signal. I went outside and stood on my porch, pretending to fiddle with my roses. The driver was driving slowly and had, in his right hand, a map or manifest. I held my breath but he never stopped. He drove down my street and up around the bend. He’ll be back soon enough, I thought. It was only 9:45 AM and I had paid for guaranteed delivery by 10:30 AM. Not to worry.

I called the CDW representative to get the tracking numbers and the nice man said he would look it up for me. Well, I didn’t have long to wait before he told me the package was in transit, but was due to be delivered by 10:30 AM on Friday. Oh no. Friday?

Last night, just before midnight, I looked again and found that at 11:51 PM my packages were in Indiana. It looked to be Friday before I would receive my precious iMac. So you must consider my chagrin as I drifted off to sleep last night. My only consolation was the partial refund of the shipping fees. At least that was something.

When I entered the studio, what to my surprise did I see? My new Apple iMac 10.4.10 (YES!) already set up, in place of the Blueberry. I did notice the little guy sitting on the chaise lounge section, of my red microfiber sofa. Truth be told, the little old computer looked relieved. Thank you Blueberry and thank you Raspberry. They afforded me so many years, and hours of good service. They just couldn’t keep up with the new technology of 2007. My husband was delighted to have surprised me. Thanks Joe!

Bobby likes it too and we feel like kids at Christmas time. My sleek, thin, aluminum 20″ screen and fabulous keyboard is a dream. I will not need another computer for years and I am once again able to communicate with the world. What a smile I am wearing.

Change Your Thinking

Bloggers Unite

When God gave us dominion over the animals, I don’t think He meant that we were to mistreat them, in any way. I certainly think He was telling us to respect them, share our homes and lives with them, provide for them and be in accord with them.

Cloning animals wasn’t in The Book, neither was slaughtering them inhumanely, either. Dominion isn’t being a tyrant or overseer. It means we have a personal responsibility to treat them as we would want to be treated, and for God’s sake, the animals which will nourish the world, they should be treated with a great respect. They are giving their lives, so we who are not vegans, can be fed and live abundantly.

I never could understand why people chain up their dogs, leave them out in the heat and cold, throw them a bone now and then, or beat them. To subject your animal to this is something the owner should have done to them. See if they like it.

Also, humiliating animals, belittling them or jeering them is cruel and so wrong. Perhaps these people were treated this way growing up and use this example of keeping their animals “In Line.” Why do some people feel the need to over-power their animals? What is wrong with their make-up, their character? Does it make them feel powerful, lording it over their subjects? Is this the only control they can garner … from making an animal fear them? What’s wrong with you!

So, for all of the immoral slaughterer’s of animals, for all of the people who mistreat their animals, for all of those who beat, or starve or not provide fresh water for their animals, I hope that God will repay you in kind. Vengeance is His … after all. I can only pray that He will reward you the same way you reward those under your domain.

I beg that you change your ways and Stop The Abuse of Animals. “No More Abuse!”

Dear Mrs. Hall:

Thank you for contacting me about the Dog Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (S. 1880). It’s good to hear from you.

I am appalled by dog-fighting and any person who actively supports it. Dogs are loving and loyal companions who deserve nothing less than our care. It is cruel and inexcusable to pit dogs against one another for the sake of sport.

That is why I have always supported legislation to protect not just dogs, but all animals. For example, earlier this year I cosponsored the Animal Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (P.L. 110-22), which imposes fines and possible imprisonment for knowingly supporting animal fighting. This legislation became law on May 3, 2007.

As you know, the Dog Fighting Prohibition Enforcement Act (S. 1880) would make it a crime to knowingly sponsor dog-fighting or sell dogs for the purpose of dog-fighting. This bill is currently pending in the Senate Committee on Agriculture. I will certainly keep your views in mind if this legislation comes before the full Senate for consideration.

Thanks again for contacting me. I appreciate hearing of your views on this important matter. Please do not hesitate to contact me again if I can be of any assistance.

Sincerely,
Barbara A. Mikulski
United States Senator

P.S. If I can be of further assistance in the future,
please visit my website at http://mikulski.senate.gov
or call my Washington D.C. office at 202-224-4654