MOTHER

1. My mother taught me TO APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished cleaning."

2. My mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that will come out of the carpet."

3. My mother taught me about TIME TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"


4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
" Because I said so, that's why."


5. My mother taught me MORE LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."


6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean underwear, in case you're in an accident."

7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you something to cry about"

8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat your supper."

9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that dirt on the back of your neck!"

10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until all that spinach is gone."

11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks as if a tornado went through it."

12. M y mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"

13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world, and I can take you out."

14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your father!"

15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you do."

16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get home."

17. My mother taught me abou t RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"

18. My mother taught me MEDICAL SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."

19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on; don't you think I know when you are cold?"

20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off your toes, don't come running to me."

21. My mother taught me HOW TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your vegetables, you'll n ever grow up."

22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your father."

23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"

24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my age, you'll understand."

25. And my favorite: My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I hope they turn out just like you"

The Carnival Of recipes Is Up

SarahK from Mountaineer musings says:

I miss Jack Bauer and Michael Vaughn and Elliott Yamin. Ok, not really that much, because I’m so happy to have my evenings back, but I need a carnival theme. Because you know I’m physically incapable of having a carnival without a theme. So it’s TV week in kitchenland, which means a bunch of recipes that I’ve loosely managed to work into TV shows… just not very well.

Sarah is very creative in the way she has put together this weeks carnival. Click this BUTTON to see what she has done.

The Carnival Of Cats Is Up

Rocket says * if you like cats, then go over to The Carnival Of Cats and take a look at all the kitties, and take special note of the picture of him sitting on a paper cutter*

THE SEED

An emperor in the Far East was growing old and knew it was time to choose his successor. Instead of choosing one of his assistants or his children, he decided to do something different. He called young people in the kingdom together one day.

He said, "It is time for me to step down and choose the next emperor. I have decided to choose one of you." *The children were shocked, but the emperor continued. "I am going to give each one of you a seed today - one very special seed. I want you to plant the seed, water it, and come back here one year from today with what you have grown from this one seed. I will then judge the plants that you bring, and the one I choose will be the next emperor."

One boy, named Ling, was there that day and he, like the others, received a seed. He went home an d excitedly, told his mother the story. She helped him get a pot and planting soil, and he planted the seed and watered it, carefully. Everyday, he would water it and watch to see if it had grown.

After about three weeks, some of the other youths began to talk about their seeds and the plants that were beginning to grow. Ling kept checking his seed, but nothing ever grew. Three weeks, four weeks, five weeks went by. Still nothing. By now, others were talking about their plants, but Ling didn't have a plant and he felt like a failure.

Six months went by--still nothing in Ling's pot. He just knew he had killed his seed. Everyone else had trees and tall plants, but he had nothing. Ling didn't say anything to his friends, however. He just kept waiting for his seed to grow.

A year finally went by and all the youths of the kingdom brought their plants to the emperor for inspection. Ling told his mother that he wasn't going to take an empty pot. But his mother asked h im to be honest about what happened.

Ling felt sick at his stomach, but he knew his mother was right. He took his empty pot to the palace. When Ling arrived, he was amazed at the variety of plants grown by the other youths. They were beautiful--in all shapes and sizes. Ling put his empty pot on the floor and many of the other children laughed at him. A few felt sorry for him and just said, "Hey, nice try."

When the emperor arrived, he surveyed the room and greeted the young people. Ling just tried to hide in the back. "My, what great plants, trees, and flowers you have grown," said the emperor. "Today one of you will be appointed the next emperor!"

All of a sudden, the emperor spotted Ling at the back of the room with his empty pot. He ordered his guards to bring him to the front. Ling was terrified. He thought, "The emperor knows I'm a failure! Maybe he will have me killed!"

When Ling got to the front, the Emperor asked his name. "My name is Ling, " he replied. All the kids were laughing and making fun of him. The emperor asked everyone to quiet down. He looked at Ling, and then announced to the crowd, "Behold your new emperor! His name is Ling!" Ling couldn't believe it. Ling couldn't even grow his seed. How could he be the new emperor?

Then the emperor said, "One year ago today, I gave everyone here a seed. I told you to take the seed, plant it, water it, and bring it back to me today. But I gave you all boiled seeds that would not grow. All of you, except Ling, have brought me trees and plants and flowers.

When you found that the seed would not grow, you substituted another seed for the one I gave you. Ling was the only one with the courage and honesty to bring me a pot with my seed in it. Therefore, he is the one who will be the new emperor!"

If you plant honesty, you will reap trust.

If you plant goodness, you will reap friends.

If you plant humility, you will reap greatness.

If you plant perseverance, you will reap victory.

If you plant consideration, you will reap harmony.

If you plant hard work, you will reap success.

If you plant forgiveness, you will reap reconciliation.

If you plant faith, you will reap miracles.

So be careful what you plant, now; it will determine what you will reap tomorrow. The seeds you now scatter will make life worse or better for you or for the ones who will come after you. Someday you will enjoy the fruits or you will pay for the choices you make.

Thanks to J

Beauty In The Rain

As I was sitting here at my PC and bemoaning the fact that it is raining and too wet to play in my garden, I noticed how lovely the Golden Rain Tree, just outside the window is looking.
I said to myself, *myself, what's a few drops of rain? go take some pictures and share them with your readers*

A few hundred drops of rain in my hair later, and here are the results of my picture taking.

The single flowers remind me of lupin flowers.

Yahoo! I can see the sun shining through the trees, I am out of here to the great outdoors.

I Gave It My Best Shot !

Bright and early this morning, Mr.C and I drove up to Coupeville for CWSA's pin top match.

The day was warm and I was excited to shoot my High Standard103 in a match after Mr.C had done some fine tuning this past week and I had put many rounds of ammo through it. We were both satisfied that the problems we had with the 103 at the last pin top match have been solved and we were confident it would serve me well.

When timing in I was having trouble seeing the *red dot* in my scope as the day was extremely bright, and I also have light sensitive eyes. I timed in down in the pack but was happy with the gun's performance and knew as long as I focused, and paid attention to what I was doing, I would not embarrass myself.

At the end of the match I was not LAST, in fact, much to my surprise I did rather well.

As Mr.C writes a summary of events a whole lot better than I do (and he remembers, and pays more attention than I do to what went on) I suggest you go to Mr Completely's post to read all about our day.

Recipe: Lamingtons

Lamington cakes are delicious 2" cubes of sponge cake with a chocolate and coconut coating. They originated around 1898 in what later became the state of Queensland Australia. They were named after Lord Lamington, a popular governor of that colony. The chocolate icing keeps the cake moist. It protects it from drying out in the hot climate. Lamingtons are the most popular fund-raising item for school groups, scouts and girl guides.

Sometimes I also use jello which is just on the verge of beginning to thicken, to coat the lamingtons. For this batch I used cherry jello, and I like to serve them with a big dollop of whipped cream.

Bake the cake 24 hours before icing it. A slightly stale cake is easier to cut and frost, and the icing moistens it up again. The coconut is available from health or Asian food stores.

I found this coconut at a local grocery store in the health food section.

1 pkg Duncan Hines butter cake mix

3 tbsp cocoa

2 cups powdered sugar, sifted

1 1/2 tbsp butter

4 tbsp boiling water

2 cups unsweetened, desiccated coconut

Day 1: Preheat oven as directed. Grease 9" x 13" pan as directed. Prepare cake mix, bake and cool as directed. Turn out on a rack, and when cold, wrap in foil and let stand in refrigerator 24 hours.

Day 2: Sift powdered sugar and cocoa into a bowl. Blend in butter and add boiling water. Mix well until smooth. Stand bowl in pan of boiling water and stir until runny. Leave bowl in hot water while dipping cake squares. Place coconut on sheet of wax paper or in large baking dish. Cut cake into 2" squares. Hold piece on fork or barbecue skewer and dip into warm icing, drain and toss in coconut to cover evenly.

Place on a wax paper covered cookie sheet to dry.

Friday Cat Blogging

Rocket has us trained to pet him everytime we see him sitting on the paper cutter. This time I was trying to take a picture of him, and after about the fourth flash I had the feeling he was getting a little irritated. He kind of has a *just one more flash and I am outa' here* expression on his face.

Welcome to the blogosphere

My friend, who was my guest blogger a few posts ago now has her own blog.
Go welcome gincoleaves to the blogosphere.

First Of The Season

The Daylily is Bright and sunny, just like the day and my temperament.

I finally have a day off. Whew! I can't tell you how good it feels to be able so sit and enjoy my first cup of coffee of the morning and contemplate what I want to do with my day.

As I was wandering around the yard, camera in hand, I noticed how much growth there has been this last week after all the rain we have had. There are blooms starting everywhere and I think in a couple more days the colors should be spectacular.

Did I tell you how much I enjoy gardening? well of course I have, you are probably tired of me saying so. Gardening is such great therapy, there is something very satisfying about planting and watching things grow, which produce beautiful blooms or vegies for dinner.

How To Speak Kiwi

Micanic: Person who fixes cars

Are you a Carrot, an Egg, or Coffee Bean?

A young woman went to her mother and told her about her life, and how things were so hard for her. She did not know how she was going to make it, and wanted to give up. She was tired of fighting and struggling. It seemed as one problem was solved a new one arose.

Her mother took her to the kitchen. She filled three pots with water. In the first pot, she placed carrots, in the second she placed eggs and in the last she placed ground coffee beans. She let them sit and boil without saying a word. In about twenty minutes she turned off the burners. She fished the carrots out and placed them in a bowl. She pulled the eggs out and placed them in a bowl. Then she ladled the coffee out and placed it in a bowl.

Turning to her daughter, she asked, "Tell me what do you see?"
"carrots, eggs, and coffee," she replied.
She brought her closer and asked her to feel the carrots.
She did and noted that they got soft. She then asked her to take
the egg and break it. After pulling off the shell, she observed the
hard-boiled egg. Finally, she asked her to smell and sip the
coffee. The daughter smiled, as she smelled and tasted it's rich
aroma. The daughter then asked, "what's the point, mother?

Her mother explained that each of these objects had faced the
same adversity-boiling water-but each reacted differently. The
carrot went in strong, hard and unrelenting. However, after
being sunjected to the boiling water, it softened and became weak. The egg has been fragile. It's thin outer shell had protected it's liquid interior. But after sitting through the boiling water, it's insides became hardened. The ground coffee beans
were unique, however. After they were in the boiling water
they had changed the water.

"Which are you?" she asked her daughter. "When trials and adversity knock on your door, how do you respond? Are you a carrot, an egg, or a coffee bean?"

Think of this: Which am I?

Am I the carrot that seems strong, but with pain and adversity, do I wilt and become soft and lose my strength?

Am I the egg that starts with a passive heart, but changes with heat? Did I have a fluid spirit, but after a death, a financial hardship or some other trial, have I become hardened and stiff? Does my shell look the same, but on the inside, am I bitter and tough with a stiff spirit and a hardened heart?

Or, am I like the coffee bean? The bean actually changes the hot water, the very circumstance that brings the pain. When the water gets hot, it releases the fragrance and flavor. If you are like the bean, when things are at their worst, you become better and change the situation around you.

When the hours are the darkest and trials are their greatest do you elevate to another level?

How do you handle adversity?

Like the CARROT, the EGG, OR the COFFEE BEAN?

After my week of *trials* I feel I am like the coffee bean.

OHHH NO!!!

I had grand ideas about having something really entertaining, or at least amusing to say today, but my brain does not seem to want to function.

This last week, I have been covering for my co- worker's vacation and just this morning I was telling my self that tomorrow, Tuesday, when M returns from vacation, will be a day to look forward to, at last I will be able to get some rest.

Forget about any rest tomorrow. M called me, this afternoon from an Airport back East, to say that their early morning flight had been cancelled due to bad weather. M called again later this afternoon to let me know they had finally managed to book seats on a flight Tuesday AM.
Groannnn!!! I will have another day, or perhaps two days work ahead of me before I get time off.

Memorial weekend was very busy at the spa. When you have a *Desk Diva * job as I do, I am responsible for not only making guest appointments, checking guests in and out, scheduling appointments, helping the therapists with some setup, keeping caught up on the laundry and many other small chores to numerous to mention,which help the whole operation run like a well oiled wheel, I also have to be cheerful, friendly and professional which can be a #*%#@* challenge when you are exhausted. You would be proud of me, I managed to get through the day without chewing anyone out. Now if only I can manage the same tomorrow, wish me well.
So off to bed I go, to try and get some sleep and be somewhat rested for my day tomorrow.

Mother of the Year Award

Thanks to Bob

The Carnival Of Recipes Is Here

The carnival of recipes is up at
One happy Dog Speaks.

If you are wondering what to serve over the Memorial day holiday, you really should go on over and check out all the wonderful recipes. I am sure you will find something wonderful to serve your family and friends.

(Logo borrowed from the host site.)

The Moral Of The Story Is

Young King Arthur was ambushed and imprisoned by the monarch of a neighboring kingdom. The monarch could have killed him but was moved by Arthur's youth and ideals. So, the monarch offered him his freedom, as long as he could answer a very difficult question. Arthur would have a year to figure out the answer and, if after a year, he still had no answer, he would be put to death.

The question?.What do women really want? Such a question would perplex even the most knowledgeable man, and to young Arthur, it seemed an impossible query. But, since it was better than death, he accepted the monarch's proposition to have an answer by year's end.

He returned to his kingdom and began to poll everyone: the princess, the priests, the wise men and even the court jester. He spoke with everyone, but no one could give him a satisfactory answer

Many people advised him to consult the old witch, for only she would have the answer.

But the price would be high; as the witch was famous throughout the kingdom for the exorbitant prices she charged.

The last day of the year arrived and Arthur had no choice but to talk to the witch She agreed to answer the question, but he would have to agree to her price first.

The old witch wanted to marry Sir Lancelot, the most noble of the Knights of the Round Table and Arthur's closest friend!

Young Arthur was horrified. She was hunchbacked and hideous, had only one tooth, smelled like sewage, made obscene noises, etc. He had never encountered such a repugnant creature in all his life.

He refused to force his friend to marry her and endure such a terrible burden; but Lancelot, learning of the proposal, spoke with Arthur.

He said nothing was too big of a sacrifice compared to Arthur's life and the preservation of the Round Table.

Hence, a wedding was proclaimed and the witch answered Arthur's question thus:

What a woman really wants, she answered....is to be in charge of her own life.

Everyone in the kingdom instantly knew that the witch had uttered a great truth and that Arthur's life would be spared.

And so it was, the neighboring monarch granted Arthur his freedom and Lancelot and the witch had a wonderful wedding.

The honeymoon hour approached and Lancelot, steeling himself for a horrific experience, entered the bedroom. But, what a sight awaited him. The most beautiful woman he had ever seen lay before him on the bed. The astounded Lancelot asked what had happened

The beauty replied that since he had been so kind to her when she appeared as a witch, she would henceforth, be her horrible deformed self only half the time and the beautiful maiden the other half.

Which would he prefer? Beautiful during the day....or night?

Lancelot pondered the predicament. During the day, a beautiful woman to show off to his friends, but at night, in the privacy of his castle, an old witch? Or, would he prefer having a hideous witch during the day, but by night, a beautiful woman for him to enjoy wondrous intimate moments?

What would YOU do?

What Lancelot chose is below. BUT....make YOUR choice before you read further. OKAY?


Noble Lancelot said that he would allow HER to make the choice herself.

Upon hearing this, she announced that she would be beautiful all the time because he had respected her enough to let her be in charge of her own life.

Now....what is the moral to this story?


The moral is.....
If you don't let a woman have her own way....
Things are going to get ugly

Thanks to Raewyn

Keep Your Paws Off My Tissue Paper

This piece of tissue paper is still in pretty good shape, considering Rocket has been pouncing on it since last Christmas.

Mandarin Orange Cake

After you have enjoyed your B-B-Q this Memorial weekend leave room for a piece of this delicious cake.

It is a moist fruity cake and very quick and easy to make.

Cake:
1 box yellow cake mix
3/4 cup oil
3 eggs
1 (11oz) can mandarin oranges
(juice and all)

Frosting:
1 (20oz.) can crushed pineapple
1 (3.4oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
1 (8oz) cool whip

Mix all ingredients for cake. Bake in 9x13 inch pan at 350F for 30-35 minutes.
Cool completely before frosting.
Mix pineapple and pudding well. Fold cool whip in.
Frost cooled cake, and refrigerate.
Serve chilled.

Natures Laundering

I woke early this morning hearing the sound of rain on the roof. As I lay there half awake and deciding whether I should look at the clock to check the time, I was lulled back into a state of deep relaxation, my eyelids getting heavy again and thoughts of another couple of hours sleep feeling soooo! appealing. Dang, that little time keeping, irritating, responsible, part of my brain kicked in and made me take a look at the clock and reminded me I had another early start today.

I dragged out from under the warm covers, talked my stiff joints into moving with a, * you can do it, come on, one foot after another* (when you grow older, sometimes your body needs a little encouragement) and wandered out to the kitchen to brew a pot of strong coffee.

After my first cup of coffee, and a check of my emails it crossed my mind *what am I going to blog about today?* sometimes you just don't have anything in mind. It occurred to me that even though is was a wet misty day, there must be something outside in the garden that was painting a corner of the yard in color.

Sure enough, the pot of Mimulus, which have self sown from last year, are starting to come into full bloom. Mimulus are also called Monkey Flower as they are supposed to resemble a grinning monkey face, can't say I can see a monkey face.

The Hostas are glistening with rain drops, the bright green of the leaves glowing in a dark corner.

We really are happy to have the rain wash some of the pollen away as it has been particularly bad this season, and everything looks so wonderully clean and bright after a good downpour.

They Could be In Your Neighborhood

I live in a semi-rural area. We recently had a new neighbor call the local township administrative office to request the removal of the Deer Crossing sign on our road.

The reason:

"Too many deer are being hit by cars out here!

I don't think this is a good place for them to be crossing anymore."

From Kingman, KS.

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My daughter went to a local Taco Bell and ordered a taco. She asked the person behind the counter for "minimal lettuce." He said he was sorry, but they only had iceberg.

He was a Chef?

Yep...From Kansas City!
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I was at the airport, checking in at the gate when an airport employee asked,

"Has anyone put anything in your baggage without your knowledge?

To which I replied, "If it was without my knowledge, how would I know?"

He smiled knowingly and nodded, "That's why we ask."

Happened in Birmingham, Ala.
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The stoplight on the corner buzzes when its safe to cross the street.

I was crossing with an intellectually challenged coworker of mine.

She asked if I knew what the buzzer was for.

I explained that it signals blind people when the light is red.

Appalled, she responded, "What on earth are blind people doing
driving?!"

She was a probation officer in Wichita, KS

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At a good-bye luncheon for an old and dear coworker.

She was leaving the company due to "downsizing."

Our manager commented cheerfully, "This is fun. We should do this more often."

Not another word was spoken.

We all just looked at each other with that deer-in-the-headlights stare.

This was a bunch at Texas Instruments.

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I work with an individual who plugged her power strip back into itself and for the sake of her own life, couldn't understand why her system would not turn on.

A deputy with the Dallas County Sheriffs office no less.

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When my husband and I arrived at an automobile dealership to pick up our car, we were told the keys had been locked in it.
We went to the service department and found a mechanic working feverishly to unlock the drivers side door.
As I watched from the passenger side, I instinctively tried the door handle and discovered that it was unlocked.

"Hey," I announced to the technician, "its open!"

His reply, "I know - I already got that side."

This was at the Ford dealership in Canton, Mississippi!

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STAY ALERT!

They walk among us ...