HELP! I'm a tag victim!

Please note the rules.

Rules of this tag
1. Name the person who tagged you
2. 8 things about you
3. Tag 6 people

Gincoleaves tagged me. Gee thanks (groan!)

1. I am an Aquarian ~The Water Carrier
January 21 to February 19

Traditional Traits

Friendly and humanitarian ~ I am
Honest and loyal ~ that’s me
Original and inventive ~ me also
Independent and intellectual ~ yup!

On the dark side....

Intractable and contrary ~ occasionally
Perverse and unpredictable ~ sometimes
Unemotional and detached ~ I can be

2. I am an orderly person, heaven help me please. Mr. C is not orderly. ( he just came into the room and read this over my shoulder, and says, “ I am orderly, just not the same orderly as you, I can finds things just as easily as you can” Geez! That’s true, much to my amazement, he can find things in his work space, which I keep out of.)
I guess I get to learn more about patience , which I thought I had plenty of already.

3. My hobbies include pistol shooting matches, getting my hands in the dirt and creating a beautiful garden, and during the winter months I love to sit in a comfy chair by the open fire and read a book. Oh yeah! I love to get away with my honey in our little RV on camping trips during the summer.

4. I love to bake desserts, which you have probably gathered from all the recipes I have posted on my blog.

5. Most times I dress in comfortable clothes, jeans and tee shirt or a nice sweater on the colder days, but I do love to dress up in my finest if we go somewhere special.

6. I do not make close friends easily. I am not the kind of person who has to be constantly going somewhere or be on the phone with a friend. Once I have had my say, that is pretty much the end of it, I guess I am not one for idle chatter.
If you are one of my close friends, then you are one of my best friends forever.

7. I am very easy going, and will put up with a lot of crap from folks, up to a point, but if you step on my toes once too often, well, you had better be prepared, my temper will come out in full force.


8. I do not tolerate, rudeness, liars, or kiss up people, these are the kind of folks I avoid.

There, that’s done. Whewww!

I am not going to tag anyone, but if you want, please jump on board.

It is a fun way to find out a little more about the personality of our blogger friends.

Carnival of the Recipes # 115

Are you looking for something special to whip up for your Halloween party? go on over to visit Christine at Morning coffee & Afternoon Tea,
Christine is hosting The Halloween Edition of the Carnival of the Recipes this week and you are sure to find something scrummy! (scrumptious/yummy)

Halloween Party

Saturday evening, the ladies of the spa where I work, all gathered at Dana's home for our end of year party. Being as halloween is almost here we all dressed in costume.
We all enjoyed good food, good wine, there was much laughter as there always is whenever we are all gathered in one place.
Thank you Dana for hosting a wonderful evening.

Which Witch is Which?

Witches, Judy & Marilyn

Oh La La!! Christa

Marilyn accompanies Papillion in a song

Dana our Fairy Godmother

Goth Keewee cops an attitude

No party is complete without Maxine, AKA Joyce

Janet our Medieval maiden

Tiger Karen Grrrrrrr

Not her again with that attitude

I warned you!!

This is what happens to your camera strap if you get too near Rocket while trying to take his picture.

Witch's Weakness

This weeks theme for the carnival of Recipes is Halloween.

What witch or mortal, could resist this very rich, gooey delight?




1 Pkg. Chocolate Cake Mix.
1 can Eagle Brand Sweetened Condensed milk.
1 Jar Caramel Topping
1 Ctn. Cool Whip, or Freshly Whipped Cream



Bake the cake according to the directions; cook in a 13x9-inch pan.

Immediately after baking, make holes in cake, with wooden spoon.

Then while still warm pour over the condensed milk and caramel.
Let cool and spread with cool whip or whipped cream.


I lighten the recipe by using egg whites instead of whole eggs, and 1/2 cup applesauce instead of oil in the cake. And no fat condensed milk for the topping.

Party, Party Party !!!

Saturday evening the owner of the Spa where I work, is throwing our end of year party.

As it is almost Halloween we will follow the theme and dress accordingly. I am really not one for 'playing dress up' but this year I am feeling somewhat different.

Yesterday, I went across 'the pond' ( ride on ferry and up the freeway a few miles) to get a few things from Costco, and on the way back, detoured to a huge craft/costume supply store. Wow! is the one word to describe this place, there is so much to choose from, and judging by the number of customers in the store, I am not the only one finding, this the place to shop for Halloween.

I did have a theme in mind for the party, not the usual witch, pumpkin, job related, or TV themed costume. I am going to the bash wearing GOTH garb, jewelry and makeup.

As I pushed through the door of the costume store, I saw a young man who had the hairstyle, tattoos etc. of someone who looked as though he would be able to help me in my search. Sure enough, the young man showed me much Goth related items, now to choose.

I arrived home with a bag of goodies, including black lipstick and nail polish, some funky jewelry, and most fun of all some temporary stick on tattoos. I did try on a few wigs of various styles and colors, but when I looked in the mirror, and said YIKES!!! to my self, I left them in the store. I want to look kinda on the sophisticated side of Goth, not the ridiculous.

I plan on taking my camera along to the party so I can show you some pictures later on this week.

A friendly reminder.

HERE

LOL

Pavement Art By Ulla Taylor

Artist Statement: I often work as a street pavement artist, or "Screever". With pastels and kneepads in tow, I create original street murals at festivals and special events.

Dolphin, Shellfish, Coral, Gurnard, L&P bottle

Drawn November 2005 Tauranga New Zealand

Morning Palette

This morning, the sun highlighted the vibrant red, yellow and orange colors of the fall leaves making them appear brighter than usual. I never get tired of this view from our front deck, as it is an endless canvas of changing scenes, hour by hour, day by day and throughout the seasons.

Sometimes the fog lightly drifts in over the marsh, swirls away then drifts in again, and finally is burnt off by the sun, or sometimes it lays over the land like a heavy rain dampened, grey wool blanket.

On stormy days the waters of Useless Bay are whipped into a fury by the wind, driftwood and other treasures are piled on the beach for eager beach walkers to find after the storm abates.

This never ending beauty is a beautiful start or finish to my day.

A wonderful Message by George Carlin:

Isn't it amazing that George Carlin - gross and mouthy comedian of the 70's and 80's - could write something so very eloquent...and so very appropriate.

The paradox of our time in history is that we have taller buildings but shorter tempers, wider Freeways , but narrower viewpoints. We spend more, but have less, we buy more, but enjoy less.
We have bigger houses and smaller families, more conveniences, but less time.
We have more degrees but less sense, more knowledge, but less judgment, more experts,
yet more problems, more medicine, but less wellness.


We drink too much, smoke too much, spend too recklessly, laugh too little, drive too fast, get too angry, stay up too late, get up too tired, read too little, watch TV too much, and pray too seldom.

We have multiplied our possessions, but reduced our values. We talk too much, love too seldom, and hate too often.


We've learned how to make a living, but not a life. We've added years to life not life to years.
We've been all the way to the moon and back, but have trouble crossing the street to meet a new neighbor.
We conquered outer space but not inner space. We've done larger things, but not better things.


We've cleaned up the air, but polluted the soul. We've conquered the atom, but not our prejudice. We write more, but learn less. We plan more, but accomplish less. We've learned to rush, but not to wait. We build more computers to hold more information, to produce more copies than ever, but we communicate less and less.

These are the times of fast foods and slow digestion, big men and small character, steep profits and shallow relationships. These are the days of two incomes but more divorce, fancier houses, but broken homes. These are days of quick trips, disposable diapers, throwaway morality, one night stands, overweight bodies, and pills that do everything from cheer, to quiet, to kill. It is a time when there is much in the showroom window and nothing in the stockroom. A time when technology can bring this letter to you, and a time when you can choose either to share this insight, or to just hit delete...

Remember; spend some time with your loved ones, because they are not going to be around forever.

Remember, say a kind word to someone who looks up to you in awe, because that little person soon will grow up and leave your side.

Remember, to give a warm hug to the one next to you, because that is the only! treasure you can give with your heart and it doesn't cost a cent.

Remember, to say, "I love you" to your partner and your loved ones, but most of all mean it. A kiss and an embrace will mend hurt when it comes from deep inside of you.

Remember to hold hands and cherish the moment for someday that person will not be there again.

Give time to love, give time to speak! And give time to share the precious thoughts in your mind.

AND ALWAYS REMEMBER:

Life is not measured by the number of breaths we take, but by the moments that take our breath away.

George Carlin

The Carnival Of Recipes Is Up

The NERD FAMILY is hosting this weeks Carnival Of Recipes.

Make sure you drop by and check out all the delicious dishes.

I'm begging

" OK , so I'm up on your desk, but there are birds out there at the feeder and you know how much I like to watch the birds."

"Pleeeese let me stay here, I promise I won't knock anything over"

What a day and evening, Yawwwwn!

I know you all want to know how my day went yesterday, Well some of you may.
My facial was the ultimate luxury. The spa is adding an European facial to the menu of services we provide, so B who is our trained aesthetition, wanted both us Desk Divas to come in for our free facial so we will be able to sell the treatment to the public. Oh! Boy! will I ever be able to sell this one, it was absolutely fabulous.

After the facial was completed I had to drive a very short distance away and weigh in at Weight Watchers, I lost 1.6lbs this last week just 3lbs from my goal weight YAHOO!! Then I drove back to the spa, stopping by my friend's place to give her a ride back to the spa. My friend also happens to be a massage therapist and gave me my free 90minute massage. Both us desk divas are given a free massage every month, how cool is that?

My 90 minute massage extended way past two hours as I have a shoulder which is giving me problems and J worked some extra time on it.

After we had finished at the spa J and I went out and grabbed a bite to eat before heading home. I felt like a *wet noodle* when I arrived home so did nothing more than sit around and relax for the rest of the afternoon.

After all the relaxing I did earlier in the day you would think I should have slept like a baby, I thought I would too.

I snuggled into bed, pulled the covers up around my neck, wiggled into a comfy postion, closed my eyes, and started to listen to the Art Bell show. Usually I never hear the end of the program as I fall asleep before it ends. I did my usual thing of starting to doze off, then dang! I came back into full consciousness.

Mr. C has hurt his shoulder so he was having trouble getting comfortable too. He finally dropped off into dreamland and I lay there awake. Now I was too hot, throw the covers off, now I am too cold, pull the covers back over, doing so quietly and gently so as to not wake my honey. This went on for a while and my sense of humor had long since flown, getting out of bed and watching TV until I grew sleepy would have been a good idea, but I did not want to get out of my nice warm cocoon.

It is 2am I lay there trying to quiet my mind and mercy of mercies, I hear RAIN on the roof, my very favorite noise at night. ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

I guess five hours sleep is better than none at all. My internal timeclock wakes me at around the same time every morning regardless of the time I go to sleep.

It's my day and no one is going to stop me!

It's a cold, rainy, dreary day, and the first of four days off work for me. So what am I going to do? I am going back to my work place.

I can hear you are asking if I am Nuts, No I am not nuts, as I am very fortunate to work at a Spa, and today I am returning to be on the other side of my Diva Desk as a pampered client.

I am going to treated to a facial followed by a 90 minute massage. This treatment is waaaay overdue, as it seems every time I was ready to go to the spa for some pampering something came up and I could not get there. Come *hell or high water* I am going to be there today.

Well, *Eat your hearts out* I am off to make ready for a day of luxury.

Thank You Fans!

Just within the last hour I have reached my 25,000 visitor mark.

Thank you to all my readers for this wonderful ride.

The 25,000 reader is from..... Harrisburg, Pennsylvania

Fire ! Fire ! Fire !

Last night I took many pictures of this event but my small camera did not do the job I wanted so I am sending you to MrC's site to see more.


A couple of nights a year I let the local volunteer fire department set up some propane tanks on the far end of my pasture for night time propane fire training. They hook up a propane line from a tank ................
Push this BUTTON to read more

I wonder why!

This morning I was at my computer, I thought, early enough to get my post done before I left for work. Funny how some plans are just not meant to be. Blogger seemed to be slower than usual, and that is prettty slow in the mornings. The picture of the Hibiscus would not load so I finally gave up and went out to get our breakfast.

I had almost eaten all my oatmeal when I glanced at my watch and it showed 7:45am. I knew it had to be much later than that and asked Mr. C what time he had, he said 9:15 am. 9:15 I all but yelled, S**T I have to be at work by 9:30. A quick hug and kiss for my honey and I was out the door.

I made it to the spa on time and did not break any sound barriers getting there.

Now it is Monday evening almost all the creative ideas I had for my AM post have faded as has the daylight.

I do remember I was going to show you this picture of our Hibiscus plant, which I moved indoors a few days ago before a frost could damage it. Since moving it inside, it seems to be blooming more than ever and the blooms appear to be a more intense shade of red.

Do any of you make observations like I do? You notice something but it does not fully register at the time, until the same thing happens again, then you say to yourself ( well I do) gee! how about that, I have seen/heard that before.

It rained quite heavily yesterday and everthing was still very damp this morning.
As I arrived at work and stepped out of my car I was instantly aware of the sounds of many, many different bird songs. It sounded like every single bird in Langley was singing at the same time.
I now remember hearing the same chorus a couple of times before, after it had rained, and it makes me wonder if the birds were singing because they enjoy having their world washed clean by the rain, or is there another reason why they sing after a rain shower.

I'm Staying Indoors Today

Mr. C has gone up to the range for a bowling pin match. I was feeling rather tired this morning and opted to stay at home and get some rest.
I sure am glad to be indoors, nice and warm and dry. It is blowing quite hard and raining. The rain is almost coming down sideways in the wind gusts.
I am going to finish this post before the power goes off, which can happen during these wind storms, and go make a pot of coffee and put it into a thermos.
You all have a wonderful day.

Goody, Playmates.......Not !!

Before we left on our visit to Reno I placed a bird feeder on the glass door leading to the deck. I was thinking Rocket may enjoy a little kitty entertainment while we were gone.

Rocket spends quite a lot of time being entertained.

This morning I glanced up to see 'the three rabbit buddies' up on the deck. It appears they have discovered the feeder and the spilled seed. I knew this could be a photo opportunity as Rocket saw the rabbits about the same time I did.

Black Bunny and Blonde Bunny were the first to nibble on the fallen seed (yes we have names for our semi-wild bunnies, don't you name your wild critters?)
Pictures are white because we are looking through a sun shade

I thought we were going to have to apply kitty CPR to Rocket. He was up on his hind legs dancing around, pawing at the glass, whiskers quivering, tail twitching and all but turning inside out trying to get at the rabbits. It was hilarious to watch. This was Keewee entertainment.
Then Brown Bunny finally noticed the crazy cat on the other side of the glass. Eyes wide in fright, he darted off startling his buddies into joining his flight from the deck.

Poor Rocket, he stayed by the glass door for about an hour, hoping for more entertainment.

Rendezvous Saturday evening dinner

Rivrdog and Dan

I was honored to meet Dan McKown, guest and speaker at the dinner Saturday, who has a sense of humor which never quits, even in a situation that would make most people think of anything but humor.

Jill, wife of Kris (not pictured) SWWBO & husband John of Argghhh!

Rivrdog and his wife Blanche

Fodder from Ride Fast & Shoot Straight and his wife the Commandress,
Kevin from The Smallest Minority

US Citizen from Traction Control
Dave Duringer of the new World Examiner blog
Cam Edwards of NRAnews

Joe Huffman (left) from The View from North Central Idaho, and Boomershoot.

SayUncle on the right.

Conservative UAW Guy and wife Terri

Chris Byrne( in rear) Anarchangel, his wife Melody, and their friend John

Blanche, Mr. Completely, Dan McKown, Rivrdog

Mr. Completely, and his better half Keewee
Dan McKown

The dinner on Saturday evening was a great success. We had door prizes, and everyone went home with something. There were three major prizes. Third prize of a $50 gift certificate from Natchez Shooters Supplies, won by og of Neanderpundit, Second prize of a very nice leather range bag from Brownells, won by SayUncle, good thing he kept the bag close as I would have snitched it from him, and the First prize of a High Point pistol from Highpoint, won by Rivrdog, who graciously gave it to Dan McKown. Dan's gun was still being held by the police until the investigation was complete.

Dan told us the story about the shooting in the Tacoma mall which happened just about a year ago. He related how he was shot and all events surrounding the whole episode. What really impressed me was his ability to use humor in the telling of the story, and apparently when he was very seriously wounded he still managed to find some humor in the situation.

Now that I have met Dan in person I am definitely a huge fan, he has so many wonderful qualities, one of which is his love of children. At breakfast at the Victorian buffet on Sunday morning, Dan would talk to any child who walked past him, he would get smiles and giggles from all the kids.

Saturday evening, the dinner was consumed, stories were exchanged, there was much laughter and of course plenty of BS going on, but most special of all was the making of new friendships. Folks, we only knew as a Blog name, are now real to us.

I am looking forward to making more new friends next year.

See you all at the next Gun Blogger Rendezvous in 2007

Mr.Completely's last Rendezvous post Here

Saturday in Reno ..... Part one

Saturday morning the guys and a couple of the gals went out to the range to make noise. I had just about run out of steam at this point and decided to take my time getting my day started.
I wanted to have a light breakfast and wander around for a while checking out the sights I had not seen yet.

After breakfast I went to take a look at the El Dorado and throw a few more dollars in the slots just in case it happened to be my lucky day, it wasn't.
I had spent quite some time looking around and decided I would go back to my room and perhaps take a short nap. On the way back to Circus Circus I met up with Blanche and Terri who were both hungry and looking for somewhere to eat. I took them to the food court at The Silver Legacy where I had enjoyed my breakfast. After they had eaten we hit the casinos some more.

Terri and Blanche

We ended up back at The El Dorado. That is quite some fountain they have.

yours truly

Outside the hotel an Italian street fair was being held. It seemed all we could see were food stalls and many stalls selling jewelry. The aroma of garlic was in the air, folks were wandering around eating spaghetti, garlic bread, some kind of yummy looking ravioli, and washing it down with wine.

There was music coming from up the street and as we walked closer I could hear a song which is sung by Andrea Bocelli, one of my favorite singers. I stood and listened to the rest of the song, then we moved on back inside the hotel, fed a couple more slot machines before returning to our rooms to get ready for the Rendezvous dinner. So much for my quiet day and the nap I was going to take.
I will have pictures from the dinner tomorrow.

For Mr. Completely's latest report click HERE

Thursday & Friday at the Rendezvous

Thursday afternoon we arrived at Circus Circus for our first annual Gun Blogger rendezvous.

After getting settled in our room and taking care of some rendezvous arrangements we *duded* up and went on over to The Eldorado Hotel and Casino to attend a fundraiser for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
We dined on culinary delights, such as crabcakes with mango sauce, scallops, beef, pork, sushi, porcinni ravioli, and a dessert table to kill for. All this was washed down with world class wines.

Friday morning was clear and sunny, though not all that warm first thing in the early hours.

The dome can be seen from quite a distance away, and is part of the Silver Legacy complex.

This huge structure, called The Mining Machine, is located under the dome.

Left, front to back, Mr.C, Mr & Mrs Rivrdog
right, front to back, Mr & Mrs Conservative UAW Guy, Smallest Minority

And right across from the Mining Machine is the Victorian Buffet. If you went away from this buffet hungry, it was your own fault, and if you could not find something to suit your tastes then you are waaaaay too fussy. There were so many different choices and lots of each, I had a feeling there were some belts loosened after breakfast.

Just to prove, I did manage to win something the first day, but it went back into a slot machine later that day.

Come back tomorrow for more on our exciting time in Reno

Mr. Completely has his first post up on the Rendezvous HERE