Sunshine Blue Skies, Please Come This Way!

I’m wishing for sunshiny weather some time this century; sunshine, freedom and a little pocket change. Wishing for sunshine is not going to get me very far, but buying a pretty new outfit might just brighten my mood a bit.

Well, so much for wishing for sunshine this week, the week is over already. Still...I wish for sunshine, clarity and direction. Today I am just pleased to be able to sit down and type something, anything – without having to think about what else I should be doing.

Have a happy Friday afternoon and wonderful Friday night everyone. May your weekend be happy and sunny.

We cannot control many things, such as the weather, the stock market, and, most importantly, other people. But, wouldn’t some warm sunny weather be great? I think I’m going to go outside and dance around in it – when it comes!

Who else is ready for some warm weather?

We are all fine here, just really really busy, a little water logged and wishing for sunshine.

More Adventures of "Bit Mo' and the Man in the Moon"

A while back I told you about Mr. Papa Dellgirl and a project he contemplated finishing. Remember I explained how he verbalized his plans and how convoluted I found his process, how most of the time it seems "He don't bit-mo...know what he's doing...than a man in the moon?

Well, he started. He worked diligently two whole days, then he couldn't hold it inside any longer. I just had to go with him to "WITNESS" his handi-work in person, to see for myself how much progress he'd made. Credit-where-credit-is-due, he had done more in two days than I thought possible. Everything looked beautiful!

He lead I followed, smiling widely so he could see my reactions, as he pointed out each new thing he'd completed. I commented on how nice it all looked and made a big fuss about what a great job he'd done. His smile of contentment grew with each passing nod of approval. Finally, I noticed that old familiar swagger when he knows he's done something to please me and make me smile. He turned to leave the room, I stayed behind to peek into a couple of things he had not included on his tour.

On top of a stack of boxes, I saw the following,

As plain as the nose on your face, it says: "Deep Fryer - UP!" ((Arrow pointing UP for emphasis)).

Meaning?! This side UP!

It hit me again, "He don't bit-mo ... pay attention to stuff ... than a man in the moon!

January is...

January is the perfect time for new beginnings, it's the month to start fresh. January is also the ideal time to reflect briefly on what worked and what didn’t work over the past year. It is a good time to do a first check of how things are currently going and where you would like them to go from here.

January brings renewed optimism for change, for a better life, for a better you. And that’s a wonderful thing. It’s wonderful, because this fresh start gives us a chance to reinvent our lives and ourselves. It allows us to reinvigorate ourselves, to shed the baggage of the previous year and do something new and different.

After all the planning for Christmas and New Years it’s pretty common if, come January, you don’t know what to do with yourself. No doubt your bank account needs a break from all that Christmas spending, but that’s no reason to be bored in January.

For starters, you can watch the Bowl Games. Even if football isn't your thing, this is a great excuse for a party. Another excellent activity for January is reading. And my personal favorite is writing. Sunny January with its brisk cold days is a time when serious gardeners may begin to prepare the garden for the year ahead. The list is endless.

In conclusion, here are some interesting and informative facts about the month of January.

Did you know January is:

1. Cervical Health Awareness Month

2. Unchain a Dog Month

3. Time to plan rose planting season

4. National Blood Donor Month

5. National Hot Tea Month

6. National Eye Care Month

7. Get Organized Month

8. National Mentoring Month (NMM)

9. Raise Awareness for the Prevention of Birth Defects Month

10. National Bath Safety Month

Surprisingly, I only knew 3 of these facts. How many did you know? Please share, we’d love to hear from you.

Happy New Year

Let this coming year be better than all the others.

Vow to do some of the things you've always wanted to do but couldn't find the time.

Call up a forgotten friend.

Drop an old grudge, and replace it with some pleasant memories.

Vow not to make a promise you don't think you can keep.

Walk tall, and smile more. You'll look ten years younger.

Don't be afraid to say, 'I love you'. Say it again. They are the sweetest words in the world.

~ Ann Landers ~

I hope 2010 proves to be your best year ever!

May you enjoy friends, family, and financial blessings beyond measure.

Happy New Year!

~dellgirl~

Alpha, Bravo, Charlie

I'm on the phone, paying bills. NO! Trying ... to pay bills.

Phone conversation:

Recording: (sweetly) "Good morning. This is X-Y-Z company. What is it you would like to do today? You can say anything, like change my address or pay my bill. So. What would you like to do?

Me: "Pay my bill".

Recording: "All right, you want to pay your bill. Please say your account number."

Me: "AC one zero five five five one zero".

Recording: "All right, that was...HZ one zero nine five five one four. Is that correct?"

Me: "No".

Recording: "Okay, let's start again. Say your account number".

Me: "AC One zero five five five one zero".

Recording: "AZ One zero five five nine one zero". (He got it wrong four more times,) the fifth time . . .

Me: (Screaming at the phone ... losing all my composure. Talking loud, shouting as if to somebody three blocks away, ears burning, pulse racing, voice raising to a fever pitch) ...

"No!!! No!!! No, that's not what I said! No!! I said my number a hundred times already and... you - doggonit!!! I hate this stupid phone system!!!! This is stupid!Stupid, stupid, stupid!!! Darned x-y-z company, silly stupid automated system!!!!!"

Recording: (Calmly cooly unruffled ... sweet as you please)...

"All right, you said you want to speak to an agent. Okay, an agent will be with you shortly. Please hold for the next available agent".

Me: (Chewing paper, spitting fire, ears burning, cussing like a dirty-mouth sailor...finally breathing deeply... trying to get a grip on myself). Rating the system?! It S-U-C-K-S! Period!

That sent me in search of Police Call Letters/Police Letters Alphabet. I hope this will end some of the frustrations of being mis-understood as I read numbers and letters over the phone.

I found the following:

A=Alpha
B=Bravo
C=Charlie
D=Delta
E=Echo
F=Foxtrot
G=Golf
H=Hotel
I=India
J=Juliet
K=Kilo
L=Lima
M=Mike
N=November
O=Oscar
P=Papa
Q=Quebec
R=Romeo
S=Sierra
T=Tango
U=Uniform
V=Victor
W=Whisky
X=X-Ray
Y=Yankee
Z=Zulu

Now I can happily say, "Alpha-Charlie-one-zero-five-five-five-one-zero" and have a better chance of being understood than before.

Lawdy, lawdy, lawdy, talking about frustration!

Happy Thanksgiving

May your stuffing be tasty
May your turkey be plump,

May your potatoes and gravy
Have never a lump.

May your yams be delicious
And your pies take the prize,

And may your Thanksgiving dinner
Stay off your thighs!

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone!

---

10 Tips for Stress-Free Christmas Shopping

There are only twelve more days until December 1st and, most of our thoughts have turned to Christmas already. We have to buy presents for the children, our friends and family. Some of us might also have thoughts of the presents we will receive.

Now is the perfect time to get many things on your “to-do-list” completed. That way, you and your family can spend the last few days before Christmas enjoying family time. Now won’t that be fun!

For starters, the internet is an ideal place for gift shopping if you hate shopping in crowds. You can sit in the comfort of home and look for and find some truly unique gifts. Many have been released especially for this festive season and are reasonably priced. Some offer free shipping as an incentive to shop with them.

For those who plan to shop at brick & mortar stores, here are 10 Tips that will help make your Christmas shopping less stressful.

1. Stick to your pre-planned budget. Many of us don't want to spend too little, but at the same time, we certainly don't want to spend too much on Christmas gifts.
2. Shop during sales whenever possible, avoid huge overcrowded sales.
3. Have each member of the family buy for a different person, rather than everyone buying for everyone.
4. Do not try and make everything perfectly equal, just try to get things that are perfect for each person. One person's gift will naturally cost more than another, do not stress over this.
5. Get batteries for items that need them and save your self that Christmas day stress.
6. Wrap up some 'emergency presents' to have on hand when someone unexpectedly shows up with a gift for you. It can be as simple as a box of chocolates, personal care gift baskets, music or movie cds/dvds, etc. Attach a gift tag that reads: “To someone very special”.
7. Dollar stores and discount stores are great places to find all kinds of toys, books and clothes that won't break your budget. Kids don’t mind, they just want to open presents.
8. Wear comfortable shoes.
9. Take some time to pamper yourself. All the things that have not been finished yet or things you should be doing instead can wait.
10. Choose to be happy as you prepare and shop for this Holiday Season!

---

I hope you find something helpful here.

Happy Holidays!

Flowers for you...

Hi there, friend! It's good to see you.

How are you? What have you been doing? How's the family?

Come on in, have a seat, and make yourself comfortable.

Coffee's ready, how do you like yours?

Have a donut while you're at it, they're only fattening if you eat them alone.

Let me know what's on your mind, leave a comment. Please? You can visit this page anytime -- as many times as you want --like sometimes when I go and get myself lost and can't find my way back to blogland.

Holler at me, I'll follow your voice and find my way back where I belong.

---

How to Make a Text Box Directions

by Sojourn

at HTML Borders Backgrounds

I wanted to give you the directions for making a text box myself but, last week was another unbelievably busy week. There was a funeral on Saturday for hubby's aunt, company for the entire weekend, a Bible class project for Monday & Tuesday, Bible class today (Wednesday), and all the regular stuff I normally have to do. Wheeeew, what a week!

So, without further adieu, I'm sending you to visit the site where I found the borders. The directions are easy to understand and apply. Scroll down to Solid Borders-HTML examples, choose the one you want, then copy and paste the code into your compose new message box. Replace the words "Your Stuff Here" with whatever you want to go inside the text box.

To make your own text box go to Sojourn's HTML Borders Backgrounds.

Good luck!

How To Make a Text Box

This is a test. I'm trying to make a text box.

If this works, I will give credit where credit is due...after I figure out the dos and don'ts and all the details of how this thing comes out.


I'm headed to bed for now, will check this out in the morning, and if the box is here I'll finish up.

Negative Insecure People

Last week I ran into a friend I hadn’t seen for many years. We lost touch when we both married and moved. Excited happy and glad to have bumped into each other again, we took our re-union to the nearest restaurant to chat some more and catch up. Ten minutes into our meet-up, I realized why we hadn’t stayed in touch, why I hadn’t looked her up.

Every other sentence out of her mouth was a complaint or a negative comment. Her husband doesn’t treat her right, her kids don’t call and visit her as much as they should, her doctor doesn’t believe her when she says she’s sick, and on and on and on. Not one good thing spewed forth from her lips.

Twenty minutes later I glanced quickly at my watch, gasped for breath and, excused myself. I had to go. The whole encounter had me on the verge of a major depressive attack. It started me thinking about negative and insecure people.

I find that insecure and/or negative people are extremely needy and miserable people to be around. They are that way for a lot of reasons. Many insecure people may have been raised in a chaotic, unpredictable or volatile environment in which they were kept off balance, on guard or on edge. Some turn inward, becoming self-obsessed – “It’s all about me.” They typically have unrealistic expectations and sometimes unconsciously overcompensate for their poor self-image by thinking they're better than other people.

Negative/insecure people will often insult or bully others to make themselves feel better. They tend to be very defensive and cannot handle criticism. They usually find scapegoats for their problems, never realizing that they are causing the problems themselves. Also, they tend to point out the shortcomings of others, even if untrue, in order to cover up for their own perceived inadequacies.

In the end I concluded that “Not all insecure people are haters, but all haters are insecure people.”

What do you think happens to make them that way? Can anything be done for them? Do you know any negative or insecure people? How do you handle it/them?

---

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Bit Mo' and the Man in the Moon

There was an old saying that started with, "He don't bit-mo"...

and, it ended with, "than a man in the moon!"

The saying had words between bit-mo and the man in the moon. Sometimes a few, sometimes more. But, the meaning was unmistakable. I didn't wonder about that old saying back then, never thought much about its origin, that is...until lately.

A few months ago mister papa dellgirl began to tell me his plans for completing a project that has been in the works for a long while. I listened patiently, nodded appropriately, grunted or sighed whichever response his confused ramblings elicited from my flabbergasted brain. He had it all planned out down to the last detail, every meandering syllable. Oh, LAWDY!

When he finished, I reiterated; just to be sure he knew that I heard and understood him. He nodded in agreement as I did my reiterating. Whereby upon concluding my reiteration I asked sweetly, "What are we going to do with X if we do it that way, Honey?"

You would have thought I hit him up side the head. His impatience with my inability to see his logic beamed through loud and clear.

"Dang, dellgirl. You sure do know how to make it hard for me, you didn't listen to a word I said."

Then it dawned on me. "He don't bit-mo know what he's doing than the man in the moon!

I've revisited "Bit mo' and the man in the moon" several more times since papa's and my conversation. I find that a good many people "don't bit-mo' know what they're doing or saying than a man in the moon!"

RETURN TO TOP

© 2009 by Leona G. Shankle

Dinner and a Movie

Saturday September 19th: The shrill sound of the phone interrupts my concentration, on the adorable commercial about the talking pot-hole. Dang, I love that commercial! Baby son on the phone, I have to take this. I love hearing from that kid. He promised earlier in the week to pick me up and take me to his house.

"Hey, ma. How are you, what are you doing?"

"Hey, yourself kiddo. I'm fine, not doing a thing. Just watching this cute little commercial. What's up?"

"I'll pick up in an hour if you're ready." He said.

I smile and respond, "I'm ready, see you in an hour."

Forty-five minutes later he rings the doorbell and I grab my purse and head for the door. The short trip to his house is shorter than usual as we chat, joke,and laugh the whole way. At his house, he opens the door to let me in while he gathers his packages from the car. I busy myself by looking around while he puts away his things. We finish at the same time and settle down to visit for a bit and talk some more.

"Ma, have you ever had shrimp tacos before?" he asked, springing to his feet.

"Ummm, don't think I have, why?" I questioned.

He's halfway to the kitchen before I finish answering, I follow wondering what he's up to. He removes foods from the fridge, places it on the counter and begins to prepare our dinner. While the shrimp boils, he chops and shreds lettuce, tomatoes, and onion. We talk a mile-a-minute as he works and in no time everything is ready. We take our food to eat and watch Twilight Zone movies. Naturally, we miss most of the movie - talking.

Wow, the shrimp tacos are really delicious, very tasty! They are also rather filling, just one has me as-full-as-a-tick. Now that we're full we get quiet to watch a little of the movie. Too much stillness and quietness has us both nodding and dozing so I suggest that he can take me home whenever he's ready. That way he can get back home himself and get some much-needed rest.

What a suprisingly wonderful way to spend a Saturday afternoon - making memories. Life doesn't get much better than this.

RETURN TO TOP

An Unplanned Absence

Last week didn’t go quite the way I’d planned. It wasn’t the kick back and relax, blog hopping comment leaving week I had envisioned. It’s been a see-saw of nerve-tingling chaos and sleep provoking quiet around here. It has also been a gorgeously beautiful week; sunny, with mild temperatures mostly - - a very nice week indeed.

I’ve been on an unplanned break from blogging writing and everything else computer related. It’s good to be back but, the question is, what do I do after this unplanned absence? Update blogs and sites, visit friends’ blogs and chat with them? Write something profound? What? I have no idea.

Let’s hope I am not 50 miles behind like I was last time an unplanned break waylaid me. But then, what can I expect? Okay, I’m behind. I’ll either catch up or I won’t.

I have no desire to “THINK” right now so I might need to continue this break for several more days - - to get my mind back into it. Since I've been offline most of the week, I am starting to feel like I might never get the urge to blog again.

What a nice way to close out the week. I’m really looking forward to a more mellow and peaceful weekend ahead.

Okay, enough moaning and groaning! I have a lot of visiting and catching up to do. Keep the porch light on, I'm coming.

RETURN TO TOP

Free Money

I just redeemed Swagbucks for $5.00 cash...

just to remind you, they start you off with 3 swagbucks free for signing up.

And, I'm laughing all the way to the bank at how easy it is.

I simply search the internet at the SwagBucks.com home page. I find it easier to just go to the Swagbucks.com homepage and search from there. You also have the option to download a toolbar on your computer.

Try it, it is real; they pay you to search.

You can sign up here. Start searching and earning rewards.

Up At the Crack-of-Dawn!

That's 7:00am dellgirl-Texas time; crack-of-dawn somewhere. I grab my trusty old broom and dustpan and, get busy sweeping out trash and debris. Be sure to get behind that chair and under the desk really "good". Make the room sparkle and shine brightly for this glorious new sunshiny day.

A smooth flowing fine-point writing pen is my broom and a pretty new fabric-covered journal is my dustpan. The pen records the jumbled clutter that infests the corners of my sleep-filled mind. The journal, my dustpan, holds the brain-garbage I want to dump.

Ummmm...maybe the journal is a trash can instead of a dustpan.

Okay, okay! So, what is the purpose of these early morning journaling exercises? The purpose is to help me learn some things about myself. What exactly is it I am supposed to learn about myself by journaling at ridiculously early hours of the morning, when I could be sleeping?

Well, I will learn what I like and what I don't like.

I started this so, I will continue with it. It certainly can't hurt, except to cause me to lose some sleep. What about you, do you journal? What do you think of the concept? Does it clear your mind of clutter? Does it help uncover anything you did not know on a conscious level? Does it open you up for greater creativity?

A Book Inside - How to Write and Publish a Book: How to Get More Visitors to Your Website or Blog

I have searched long and hard for ways to get more people to visit my blog. Every little thing helps - a little. Tonight I found a very interesting blog post about getting more visitors to your blog over at "A Book Inside". Carol Denbow says: (in her own words)

"When I first began this Blog two years ago, I would get only four or five visitors per day. I was frustrated because I wanted to share book writing tips with others and I didn’t know how. I had befriended a wonderful person online who I shared my frustration with and she told me about ..."(READ the rest here)

A Book Inside - How to Write and Publish a Book: How to Get More Visitors to Your Website or Blog

Technical Difficulties

Here, look closely. This the "straw-that-broke-the-camel's-back". Look at that, what a mess!

What! A! Day! First one thing, then another. Each more frustrating than the preceeding one -- all day long.

But, little Miss Sunshine that I am, I took it in stride. Trying to stay calm and unruffled, I sorted through and finished what absolutely needed to be done. Three things! Did that.

Oh, I'd better send that fax. It is VERY important. First try. Nothing. Second try. Nothing. Check the plug, ummmm...seems okay. Check the fax machine settings. Okay. Check every danged thing I can think of, all appears normal. Still, the fax won't go through, says "no answer".

Hey, I'm just trying to send a fax here. Enough already! I'm going to bed.

So, how was your day? I hope you had a good one. Tell me about it so I can smile and laugh with you about your glorious and wonderful day as I get comfortable and visit your blogs.

Music: My Passion My Love

I woke up this morning with a tune in my head and it won’t go away. Every step I take every move I make, it’s there – skipping merrily through parks and playgrounds of my brain. Usually I can only stop the music in my head by playing the tune over and over until I’ve overdosed on it.

Have you ever had a tune stuck in your head that won’t go away? How can I explain it?

Music is my love and my life; it is the heart of my soul. It is a manifestation of where I’ve come from, of where I am at any given moment in time.

Music is what I live for, it is an experience. Music is a growth; it’s energizing, exciting, expressive and, dramatic. Good music makes my insides flutter with excitement. My head moves up down and sideways rhythmically, shoulders sway back and forth to the tune. My feet go tap, tap, tap, to the beat with a mind-of-their-own. Soon I’m up moving twirling swirling and dancing around the room like a child on Christmas morning.

Music is an expression that all can embrace, interpret, and feel. It is an expression that will never die and will constantly be created and twisted into enjoyable melodic prose.

Music is like an antidote, it helps reduce stress, it is what I can depend on when many things in life are not trustworthy.

Music is my sanity and my passion; a way to escape the physical world and express ideas and emotions. Music is a link to my dreams which helps me to relax, visualize and create.

Music is love, devotion, precise, discipline, and adoration and it brings me closer to God.

© 2009 by Leona G. Shankle

I'll Always Remember The 3rd Of September

The past week or so I've had to work really hard to overcome some sad feelings. When they first started I'd shake the feeling and move on. Yesterday it dawned on me, September 3rd is the day my daddy died so it took a while longer to get-myself-together. Today wasn't so bad as I spent time riding with Jordyn running errands. Back at home I realized what my problem was...thoughts of Daddy.

Last year I posted the following. I am re-posting it in its entirety -- just because.
____________________________________________

I'll Always Remember the 3rd Of September

"It was the third of September. That day I'll always remember, yes I will. 'Cause that was the day that my daddy died."

"That is as far as the similarities of Daddy and the lyrics of the song go. Beyond that, nothing else in the song applies. The music is - the hook.

September 3, 1988 was the day my daddy died. The phone rang about 9 p.m. and a family friend informed me that Daddy was "gone". Not understanding or not wanting to understand, I question, "Gone? Gone where?"

She answers, "Your mom asked me to call and tell you that your daddy passed away. He's gone."

Suddenly a dark cloud covers me like a blanket. I can't cry like I want to. My nine year old is right here, I have to keep it all together for him. Hubby hovers characteristically close, waiting for my reaction. He asks if I'm okay or if I want to go outside with him.

"I'm okay," I reassure him.

The older two kids are at a football game. Jordyn is a cheerleader, oldest son is on the team. I want to go home - now -but, I have to wait for the kids to get here. I excuse myself with "I need to go and pack so everything will be ready."

In the privacy of the bedroom my tears flow unchecked, but only momentarily, the baby is at the door wanting in. I quickly dry my tears shake myself together and get on with the business of packing.

With a million and one thoughts crowding my numb brain, I silently occupy my self and wait. Finally, the older kids are home, hubby has the car packed and I gather them around to tell them about Papa. They react as expected, tearfully, grief-stricken and full of questions.

Among explanations and reassurances I head them toward the car for the long painful ride home. All is quiet in the backseat after a few miles and I am thankful for the darkness that conceals the anguish that now consumes me.

The journey through the thick East Texas woods is quiet, the silence broken only occasionally by a question from hubby about how I am doing. We arrive at Mama's about 2 or 2:30 a.m. Rousing the kids from their sleep we gather our luggage and start for the front door, for the beginning of a life without Daddy. At the steps I stifle the threatening tears, catch my breath, grit my teeth and prepare to go inside.

I have no idea what lies ahead or what it is like to lose someone this close. I do know that a special light has gone out, a era has come and gone. And with it, the love of my life - my daddy.
* * * * * * * * * *

Today, September 3, 2009 I am left with Daddy's . . ."Legacy of Love".

© 2008 by Leona G. Shankle - All Rights Reserved ▪ Dell Girl Publishing