A New Year

Ah yes, other than the fact that we will be inundated with Publishing Clearing House AND weight loss commercial I will be starting the new year with some terrific new music CD's, music DVD's and some kick ass cookbooks. What more could one ask for well maybe a few lost pounds and a million $$$'s couldn't hurt.

However I can leave 2006 behind without too much trouble. It was memorable, eventful, fun and some adventure thrown in to spice up ones life.

I am looking forward to 2007 cause I seem to be the glass is half full kinda gal, new beginnings all that kinda stuff.

So with much anticipation....Welcome 2007...stay tuna'd

The kindness of people!!!

Yep I am amazed at how kind and thoughtful people are. I gives you hope in humankind.

OK this is how it went...

I ordered my niece a couple of items from Amazon for Christmas, one of which was a book. Yesterday I received an email from Amazon say that the book was out of stock and was able to be shipped not until the beginning of the year. They gave me the option of keep the item on back order or cancel the item. I went to the site, cancelled the order and replaced it with something else. That next morning I received an email from Amazon saying they cancelled my order and received the new order and in that email gave me a cancellation number as well as shipping information on the new item. Oh all of the above was being sent to my sisters address in California where Christmas will be celebrated.

Fast forward to tonite, I get a phone call from sister, "you won't believe what just happened. We get a box addressed to me (sister) and the return address is Houston TX. OK I open it and it is wrapped in the typical Amazon paper, with the envelop that contained the invoice. Also there was a note from a lady in Houston that received this book in her Amazon shipment. She writes that she tried to contact Amazon, to no avail, so she just sent it on to the rightful person".

Now about now I amazed that somone would go out of their way to number one just ignore this and keep the item, number two this women went to the trouble of boxing up the item, taking it to UPS and sending it off.

How kind and thoughtful this person is and at a time that is very much appreciated. I'm sure this person has a life and took time out of her life to do something nice.

Merry Christmas nice lady in Houston...........stay tuna'd.

Like many of you

I have great concern for the climbers on Mt Hood. I have great sympathy for their friends and families I truly have. I am so very sorry that one man was found dead. But, always that BUT, what about the families of ALL of the people that are risking their own lives by searching for these men. I know mountain rescue teams live to do this. And nothing is better than to find the people alive. I guess I just don't understand the draw of going up the side of a mountain.

Many, many years ago my husband had a friend that was what we now refer to as an old hippy. Ralph was a very cool guy in his day. He worked as an electronics engineer in the beginning of the rise of it all. Now Ralph was the first guy I ever saw go to work in sandals. Good lord that was unheard of back then you were just called weird. Well Ralph was far from weird, a tad eccentric, maybe a bit odd, but not weird. Actually he was a genius. He would go out to lunch, smoke a joint and come back and invent some of the wildest things.

We lost Ralph to a Mt Hood mountain climbing expedition. Ralph was also an EXPERT climber. He went out with only the very best equipment and with only the very skilled. Accidents happen and Ralph fell off of the mountain. His body was never recovered. It was a very sad time for a lot of his friends and of course his family.

Every time I hear of an expedition climber in trouble I think of Ralph. Been thinking a lot about him lately.

God speed to the rescue team...and may the weather be with them.

A way to give...

My sweet sister posted over on her blog an interesting way of giving.

I am going to post a link to her post http://frenchbenefits.blogspot.com/2006/12/good-or-bad-its-warm-feeling.html

I find creating a link to a worthwhile cause such as this worthy of note. It doesn't need to be her cause but just about anything. I wonder if we all did this how much would come from this.

There are many charities out there that are not deserving of a donation because of their history and track record. But in my mind the Salvation Army has always been one I donate to frequently. As a matter of fact I am involved in their Giving Tree donations this year. Going thru all the items given and making sure that they are appropriate for the child. Habitat for Humanity is another one of my all time favorite organizations to give to.
https://www.habitat.org/donation/default.aspx?ProjectID=1

Good for you seester, good for you.

I just witnessed

one of the finest upsets in college football.

The UCLA Bruins earned the tremendous win over the stunned USC.

UCLA Bruins 13.................USC 9

I am so very happy because my sweet niece and her hunky husband were there to witness this very exciting event.

lil bird said she was going on the field if the Bruins won, let's see if she did.

Congratulations to all those Bruin fans, they are over the top happy about now.

How careless must one be???

Well I'm gonna tell ya. Here I am in and out of the garage arranging some Christmas displays, trying to decide if there was anything else I needed. I'm standing at the doorway between the garage and the house with my hand in the doorway and a nice gentle breeze comes thru and
SLAMS the damned door on my hand.

Oh aren't I lucky it was my left hand, I'm right handed and the door broke the knuckle on my left index finger. I did say some choice words, many words, lotsa choice words.

I immediately flashed back to when my sister and I were on a trip and I broke a finger getting our luggage out of the truck. Stuck my hand in a cup of ice and went to the drugstore and got a finger splint. Well I did that today, but went to the ER cause it was ugly.

So here I sit with a finger splint and saying ouch and taking longer to type this than I care to mention.

But let me share my photo of the Christmas Tree Village I did. I think it needs some snow don't you? stay tuna'd.....................

Feeling the heat maybe???

what's wrong Rupert did you go to the cash register and see that the day's take wasn't quite what it should be.

The American public has power we just don't use it enough.

I think the phrase stay tuna'd is quite appropriate here.

A warm fuzzy

feeling was felt while standing in a very long line at the post office. In front of me was a lady in her mid 30's with two small children. One was a wandering toddler that was obviously not happy to be kept in line by his older 4 ish year old sister. I must admit little sister was doing a very good job of keeping the toddler from escaping out the door. The lady in front of them and I tried to distract the toddler boy from trying his mom's patience, but he would have none of that. Toddler Noah didn't want to converse with strangers, he was cranky, wanted a nap and his mom. All of this while mom was struggling with a package and a couple of large envelopes getting ready to ship off. I did notice that one envelope the mom was holding was addressed to an APO.

When mom picked up the toddler the sister was in charge of the package which was entirely too large for her to handle, so being a package handler I told her I would hold it so the sister could go retrieve toddler brothers toys that were scattered around.

About that time and elderly lady came up to the mom and said " I am next up in line so you are more than welcome to go ahead of me". The mom looked at her said "thanks" and toddled up to the counter kids in tow.

The mom had no idea why the elderly lady was in line but she did say to the counter postal worker "would you give me a book of Christmas stamps now" and she turned around and handed them to the nice elderly lady and said "with great gratitude, Merry Christmas". And with that gesture we all sighed a collective "aaaawwww", I gave the nice elderly lady a hug on her way out, and life went on.

I will remember that moment always.

That moment almost makes up for those morons seeking PS3 and Black Friday bull.

I have just...

too many things to be thankful for to even concern myself about something that this country is involved in as a day that is called Black Friday.

How or why is shopping and/or buying that important to go out on one day and put more tension in your otherwise stressful life.

Trust me I am not sheltered, I do know people that live for this shopping day. I just do not understand the concept. Just like I don't understand why people camped out all nite to buy a PlayStation 3 game.

Actually the folks that have bought into this madness, in my very humble opinion, have been sucked in by the media and the media has done a super job of marketing for all of these companies.

Oh by the way our Canadian friends don't have a black friday because they are Thankful a month or so before their USA friends

I am beginning to sound old and cranky aren't I??? stay tuna'd

.

a protest of sorts

After seeing this on the internet, newspaper, TV and radio.....I hereby boycott FOX TV, and any companies that they should own, for the rest of my life.
And I might just include the publisher of the filthy book.

How dare they ! ! !

A warning...whew!!!

So let's talk briefly about how I got out of another ticket. I know yikes!

Man I thought I was toast on this one for sure. And husband was in the passenger seat. Trust me I was more upset about that than anything. Because he just sat there in his seat chortling with that silly ass smirk on his face. Like ha ha you finally got caught and you are going to pay.

We are on our way to meet a friend for breakfast as he was leaving town. I took a street that has been newly widened and re-paved. "Oh nice" I say, as I go zipping by a cop sitting in the middle of the road with his radar pointed directly at me. It was husbands fault cause he was talking and since he doesn't talk much I decided to listen. Hence my heavy foot on the accelerator. Oh I know the cop didn't buy that one either.

There they were those blasted flashing lites. I mean when they are intended for you they are huge and the siren is LOUD. Crap! Crap! Crap! I pull over, oh and on this new road there is no where to pull over safely, so I must remember to tell the highway dept about that. Won't they be thrilled. Now I am sitting and waiting for the nice officer to approach my car, and I wait, and I wait. Husband says in a very sarcastic tone "this seems to be taking awhile longer than normal, you don't have any outstanding warrants do you"? He is laughing as I am screaming NO!!! and my window is down and at that very moment the cop walks up to the car. For a fleeting moment I am trying to remember my rights, you know the Miranda deal, you have the right to remain silent, etc. I look over and husband has gotten this stupid grin on his face. Nice officer asks for my drivers license, insurance card and registration. Well I do have my license of course, unlike another time I got stopped and I only had half of my license. Oh that's another story. He, the nice officer, says "while you are re-organizing your glove boxes looking for your paper work, I will go check out your history". Another smart A@@ Oh and he leaves me with this " I clocked you going 62 in a 35". Norm says under his breath 'over 200$$$". So I am rumaging around looking for my registration and insurance card, while the smirker offers not one ounce of help. I found them in their proper places, just under some other important stuff like coupons to Bed, Bath and Beyond. Those are valuable ya know.

So the nice officer let's me sit for what seemed an eternity cause husband was in the other seat. Nice officer comes back with paperwork, hands it back to me and say "I truly appreciate your EXCELLENT driving record". My head shot around to husband and I said "see". And the man I am married to for 36 years said to the cop, "you just haven't caught her yet". The cop was still laughing sitting in his car as I pulled away to meet our friend, who happens to be a retired cop.
So you can just imagine the beating I took during breakfast.

Veteran's Day 2006

It bothers me that there is such commercial aspect of Veteran's Day. There are sales everywhere. I have always refused and staged my own little mini protest of not buying anything on a so called Veteran's Day sale. The only thing I buy would be the essential food items.

Many of our family members were in the Armed Forces. Our Dad was in the SeaBee's which is a branch of the Navy. The SeaBee's were kinda like the construction crew for the Marine's. My brother-in-law and husband were in the Air Force during a very turbulent time in this country. Need to get those boys back to see the new Air Force Memorial in D.C.

Celebrate this Veteran's Day by thanking a soldier. And wander over to a friends blog and check out how their family recognizes Veteran's Day. http://kidsinthecastle.blogspot.com/

OK....get on with it

the election is over, the Dems are in control, no more fighting, no more bickering. Get over it and get something done. Please I beg you. Don't make fools of yourselves like people think you are going to, make us proud.

Elections come and elections go. Some make little difference in the life of our country this past election could be the one to make a difference.

Oh yes, see ya Don............stay tuna'd

fill up before

Tuesday, November 7th, because you know damn well the price of gas will go up after the election.

http://www.gasbuddy.com/gb_gastemperaturemap.aspx

Día de los Muertos

The Day of the Dead (Dia de los Muertos, Día de los Difuntos or Día de Muertos in Spanish) is an ancient Aztec celebration of the memory of deceased ancestors that is celebrated on November 1 (All Saints' Day) and November 2 (All Souls' Day).

May I refer you to a beautiful altar created by my niece

http://malteseparakeet.blogspot.com/

The holiday is especially popular in Mexico where it is a national holiday, and is celebrated in the Philippines, in Mexican-American communities in the United States, and to a lesser extent, in other Latin American countries. It is a public holiday in Brazil, where many Brazilians celebrate it by visiting cemeteries and churches, bringing flowers, lighting candles and praying.Though the subject matter may be considered morbid from the Anglo Saxon perspective, Mexicans celebrate the Day of the Dead joyfully, and though it occurs at the same time as Halloween, All Saints' Day and All Souls Day, the traditional mood is much brighter with emphasis on celebrating and honoring the lives of the deceased, and celebrating the continuation of life; the belief is not that death is the end, but rather the beginning of a new stage in life.

In homes observant families create an altar and decorate it with items that they believe are beautiful and attractive to the souls of their departed ones. Such items include offerings of flowers and food, but also things that will remind the living of the departed (such as their photographs, a diploma, or an article of clothing), and the things that the dead prized and enjoyed while they lived. This is done to entice the dead and assure that their souls actually return to take part in the remembrance. In very traditional settings, typically found only in native communities, the path from the street to the altar is actually strewn with petals to guide the returning soul to its altar and the bosom of the family.The traditional observance calls for departed children to be remembered during the first day of the festivity (the Day of the Little Angels, "Día de los Angelitos"), and for adults to be remembered on the second day. Traditionally, this is accompanied by a feast during the early morning hours of November the 2nd, the Day of the Dead proper, though modern urban Mexican families usually observe the Day of the Dead with only a special family supper featuring the bread of the dead. In southern Mexico, for example in the city of Puebla, it is good luck to be the one who bites into the plastic toy skeleton hidden by the baker in each rounded loaf. Friends and family members give one another gifts consisting of sugar skeletons or other items with a death motif, and the gift is more prized if the skull or skeleton is embossed with one's own name. Another variation found in the state of Oaxaca is for bread to be molded into the shape of a body or burial wrap, and for a face to be embedded on one end of the loaf. During the days leading up to and following the festivity, some bakeries in heavily aboriginal communities cease producing the wide range of breads that they typically sell so that they can focus on satisfying the demand for bread of the dead.

greetings...

On November 7th,

we have a chance to do something great in this country.

All across America, people are ready for change. People are looking for leaders who will stop representing Washington to their constituents, and start to represent their constituents in Washington.

Just vote OK!!! You will be doing us all a favor.

this could happen...

This is a scenario that would just move my heart around.

The only justice in this world would be for Kinky Friedman to be elected Governor of the State of Texas and then when Dubya is out of office, returns to the ranch in Crawford Governor Kinky will be there to greet him. If you know anyone that lives in Texas and is a registered voter ask them to look in to maybe voting for the "Kinkster"... stay tuna'd!!!

Send in the clowns

to Sarasota of course. Home of the world famous Ringling Museum of Art.

Chicago has it's cows, Key West has Manatees, I think Dallas has some bulls. Well Sarasota now the home of a few clowns. And what with all the upheaval of doing this project for a very worthy cause, some of those clowns should have been tarred and feathered. Get a grip folks. Get this, some people refer to it as tasteless example of art. It's art for god sakes get over it. I love them and if in fact I could or had room I would be there at the auction when they do auction them off to benefit the TideWell Hospice and Palliative Care Center. But I won't be there. So I took some pictures. I want to share with y'all, they are so cute.

How did it happen

that manicures became so popular. And why is there a nail shop or two on every block in every city. I think this is amazing that so many people are getting their nails done.

Now I understand acrylic nails, they do require maintenance. Years ago I had them and went every two weeks for my fill. But people are now going every week, some every two weeks to get a manicure. And when I say people I mean men too.

Times sure have changed when you would just carry a nail file or emery board in your purse and whip it out from time to time and file your nails. I still have a nail file that was my moms
What prompted us to think we needed to be professionaly manicured? But there is no better feeling than to have your poor little arthritec hands massaged by a professional.

Oh well maybe there is when you talk pedicures...stay tuna'd

A helpful hint

Once upon a time husband and I owned a pack and ship store. We mailed a variety of items, some of which I cannot go into. But cookies were a big mailing item. I remember our mom would always mail Valentine cookies to “little bird”. Mom would call husband to consult on packaging. So we came up with the idea that we would put an article in the paper to help people pack the holiday baking items that they may be shipping off. And praying they get their safely


Mailing Cookies
Everyone loves to receive packages in the mail, especially the edible variety.
Make sure you get cheers, not jeers, when you mail your elegant eatables.

A big NO NO! S
ome cookies tend to ship better than others do. We recommend that you do not mail cookies with custard or custard-like fillings or toppings. The custard could spoil, making a very unwelcome gift. For that matter, any cookie that requires refrigeration is not a good candidate for the shipping. Another type of cookie that doesn't hold up well for mailing is one with a delicate, cake-like texture type cookies.

Yes, yes, yes!
Cookies that have a crunchy or hard texture such as Biscotti, Mexican Wedding Cakes, Crisps, and Shortbreads make excellent choices for shipping. They tend to be fairly sturdy, so you don't have to worry too much about breakage. And since they already have a fairly dry texture, drying out isn't much of an issue.

Cookies that have a slightly chewy texture, like Chocolate Chip, Oatmeal-Raisin, Snickerdoodles, and White Chocolate Cranberry Cookies also ship well. These cookies will tend to dry out if they are in the mail for more than a week, so if their destination is a long way off, you might want to ship them by express to ensure that they arrive just as tasty as when they left.

Macaroons ship beautifully. Their chewy, moist textures only seem to improve after they've aged a few days. Who wouldn't want to receive a single, perfect chocolate-dipped coconut macaroon as a special treat?

Dense bar cookies such as Fudge Brownies, Lemon Bars, or Peanut Butter Bars are delightful to receive in the mail. Just be sure to individually wrap each one with plastic wrap to keep that moist, gooey, dense texture from drying out.

Good things come in secure packages
Once you've baked and cooled your cookies, you're ready for the next step: packing them. There are a few guidelines you should follow when it comes to preparing cookies to be mailed. Follow these and your special packages should arrive fresh, in one piece, and great tasting.

Don't pack crisp and soft cookies together. The moisture from the soft cookies will seep into the crisp cookies, making them lose their delightful crunch.

Don't overstuff your container. Your cookies may be damaged. Likewise, don't under-pack your container. The cookies should fit snugly. If you have too much space, crumple up a bit of newspaper or towels to fill the holes.
Pack cookies in a sturdy tin or airtight container. On the bottom of the container place a piece of bubble wrap, then line the container with parchment paper or cellophane, leaving enough to tuck over the top once the container is fully packed. Place one layer of cookies in the container. Cover with parchment paper. Arrange another layer of cookies, followed with more parchment paper, and continue this layering until the container is full. Tuck the cellophane or parchment paper over the top, then place another piece of bubble wrap on top, and seal your container.

You now need to pack your tin or container in a heavy-duty cardboard box that's large enough to allow a two- to three-inch cushion between the tin and the wall of the outside box. Place a layer of shipping peanuts, crumpled paper on the bottom of your shipping box. Set your cookie tin on this bottom layer. Then fill in the sides and top with more shipping materials. Seal the shipping box with two-inch-wide shipping tape. Place a mailing label on the box, and you're ready to send those treats on their way. Rest assured that you will surely be receiving a call of gratitude.

Someday I’ll tell y’all bout the Key Lime pie that we shipped.

Major October 2006 Holidays and Events

This is a public service announcement for all who just cannot keep up with these special days. We are all way too busy running here and there. I forgot to wish the elderly Happy Day on the 1st, think I'll bake a cake and take it to the Senior Center.

Sweetest Day, allows me to be sweet or eat sweets, think I'll do both. United Nations Day, oh lord what can we expect from those goons? Maybe they will just take the day off. Now Make a Difference Day, glad I have time to research that because I certainly would like to make a difference. Enjoy the remainder of the month, BUT stay tuna'd for updates.

• 1 International Day for the Elderly
  
• 2 Yom Kippur
  
• 6 Sukkot begins at sundown
  
• 9 Columbus Day observed
  
• 9Thanksgiving Day in Canada, 2nd Monday
  
• 16 Boss's Day
  
• 21 Sweetest Day 3rd Saturday
  
• 22 Last day of Ramadan
  
• 24 United Nations Day
  
• 28 Make a Difference Day 4th Saturday
  
• 29 Daylight Savings time ends gain 1 hour of sleep (last Sunday in October)
  
• 31 Halloween
  More October holidays and special days

cat house revisited

Remember my post on the "cat house", as some people have referred to it, well there is an update.

Buddy finally went in the house and posed for this snap. Actually he goes in most evenings.

Just thought y'all would want to know cause Norm was a happy person.

What is a poor cow to do ?!?!

Washington brainiacs say they may or may not have a smoking cow!!! Oh lord give me strength to keep
me from wanting to strangle these bureacratic bastards.

I saw this article on CNN so I thought it would be worthwhile to pass it on. http://www.cnn.com/2006/HEALTH/10/12/tainted.spinach.ap/

The reason I went on the internet, to look at this news piece, was that it was in our local paper but while reading it I noticed a few typos and the article seemed disjointed. Sure enough the piece on CNN was longer and no typos, shrugging ones shoulders.

As I have mentioned many times in the past...stay tuna'd,
cause I bet there will be some fallout from this as well.

This is where we should discuss community based farming!

google bought youtube

maybe this is the reason why?!?!
I doubt it, I know it's sappy but very touching and quite telling.


I want to share the following video with you:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

Video Description
Sometimes, a hug is all what we need. Free hugs is a real life controversial story of Juan Mann, A man whos sole mission was to reach out and hug a stranger to brighten up their lives. In this age of social disconnectivity and lack of human contact, the effects of the Free Hugs campaign became phenomenal.As this symbol of human hope spread accross the city, police and officials ordered the Free Hugs campaign BANNED. What we then witness is the true spirit of humanity come together in what can only be described as awe inspiring.In the Spirit of the free hugs campaign, PASS THIS TO A FRIEND and HUG A STRANGER!

Customer for life

I have posted several times regarding the good, the bad and the ugly of customer service in this country. On a whole I think it stinks. Sorry but people are rude and defensive if you should return a product or have a problem. I always thought that killing them with kindness is the best way to go. Nah not anymore. Customer service folks take on the attitude that the customer is never right and screw you.

I had an experience this past week that exceeds expert, highest quality customer service.

I pay all of my bills with online banking and have for many years. My bank of choice is Bank of America.

This past August I paid my flood insurance premium. We, here in Florida think that's a good thing to have you know just in case. OK I get a notice from the flood insurance company that my premium was due. I think I will be calling these fine folk cause we be approaching mid hurricane season. First I go online and check to make sure that said bank did what I asked them to do. And yes they had and I got confirmation number etc. OK so I call the nice folks at the insurance copamy and tell the customer service person my story. Well they are going to look into this and get back with me. A week later I get another notice that my policy will lapse on October the 8th.

Now I'm upset with these people what did you do with my money I'm thinking. So I go to my bank and ask them to FAX a copy of check front and back to the insurance company. No problem these people at the bank are as nice as can be. I call the insurance company the next day, they say" yes we got the FAX but that doesn't look like our stamp on the back". "You must pay your premium, time is running out Mrs Doodles".

Oh lord it took a lot for me not to tear into this DOPE! But what good would that have done, I'll just let the bank do it. Emailed my now best friend at B of A and she emails me back saying that they, B of A, put an URGENT on this matter and it would be handled by October 6th.

I get a call of Friday, October 6th from B of A saying that they were depositing the dollar amount of my premium into my checking account. Would I call my insurance company and pay the premium on Saturday. "Excuse me I said", you are putting the money in my account? Why?!!! "Well we know how important you insurance is in Florida or anywhere for that matter and we don't want you to be without". I said this was not your mistake, I did my job by paying, and you did your job by sending off the payment". "The insurance company dropped the ball and didn't do their job". B of A lady said "yes we know and don't expect an apology from them."
"Don't you worry we'll get our money, now they owe B of A".

Now have you ever had such great customer service? That is why I will be a B of A customer for life.

Ethics...........Morals.............

ethics  – plural noun
1.(used with a singular or plural verb) a system of moral principles: the ethics of a culture.
2.the rules of conduct recognized in respect to a particular class of human actions or a particular group, culture, etc.: medical ethics; Christian ethics.
3.moral principles, as of an individual: His ethics forbade betrayal of a confidence.
4.(usually used with a singular verb) that branch of philosophy dealing with values relating to human conduct, with respect to the rightness and wrongness of certain actions and to the goodness and badness of the motives and ends of such actions.

morals n : motivation based on ideas of right and wrong

You get the picture.............but here is a quote from a prominent high ranking senator, John McCain, republican from Arizona.

"There's a belief among my colleagues that our constituents are not concerned about corruption on Capital Hill."

In other words, lawmakers figured they could get away with talking about reform - while doing nothing.

When you go to vote this November and every election thereafter, please, do not forget.

stay tuna'd

a boy and his cat..................

So I come home the other day and husband asks me to come out to the studio/workshop to show me what he has started. Holy crap it’s a house for Buddy the cat!!!

Now I am not one to discourage my builder husband from building anything, but good god almighty a house for the cat!

I try to explain to husband that #1 the cat is claustrophobic and does not like closed in spaces. #2 Buddy never ever went into/on the bed you made him three years ago. You ended up giving it to the next door neighbor for their dog. And I tried to remind husband how sad he was that Buddy did not appreciate husband’s skills at the time. What the hell makes you think he is gonna like this house.

Stubborn male that he is and not to be deterred husband continues his project. I go for my camera.

I must explain that this cat house is a replica of the house we want to build when we sell this house and move to Arizona. Well not an exact replica but a close version. Please notice the carpet inside, maybe he would prefer tile!

In the beginning.........................

The enticement of a treat..............................










The rejection.....................










the caption should read "give it to that dog next door"!......................stay tuna'd

THINK BLUE

Thank you Greg Maddox..............and team!!!

The Dodgers are in the playoffs!!! Sorry they didn't clinch at home so that their fans could celebrate with them.

I think now the dismal 2005 season is a distant memory.

Let's just pray Nomar and Penny are OK.............................stay tuna'd

Another predator....................

The headline reads that he "quit in disgrace". I do not believe that for one minute.
He quit because he got caught. Damnit I am so pissed about this.

Get the bastard out of office NOW!!!


Congressman resigns after e-mails questioned

From wikipedia*……………blog = noun

a personal Web site that provides updated headlines and news articles of other sites that are of interest to the user, also may include journal entries, commentaries and recommendations compiled by the user.Typically updated daily, blogs often reflect the personality of the author.
an online diary; a personal chronological log of thoughts published on a Web page; also called Weblog, Web log Weblog; also called blog.

Many blog for their own personal enjoyment. Some blog for practice to improve their web development skills. Many blog to rant, it’s OK to rant, no condemnation from me here. Others use their blog as a journal or a scrapbook of sorts to keep family and friends current.

I blog because it is FUN!!! And it keeps me off the streets and outta the bars….shrugging ones shoulders.
It was because my niece “little bird” had a blog http://malteseparakeet.blogspot.com/2005/03/so-here-we-are.html
And then my sister started her blog http://frenchbenefits.blogspot.com/2005/10/streets-of-bakersfield-or-how-i-became.html
Not one to be left behind in the techno community, god forbid, I jumped on the very crowded blog bandwagon. And if you blog then you know how crowded it is in the blogsphere world.
I started my personal blog on October 2005 http://tombstonetumbleweed.blogspot.com/2005/10/in-beginning.html
And because “little bird”, sister moon and I thought the world need ANOTHER blog we started a food blog. Penut Butter Etouffee. More about that in a minute.

Now the food blogging community is worth knowing, . They range from how to make a grilled cheese sandwich to some of the finest chefs in the world. And some of the most passionate, wonderful people I have had the pleasure of meeting. Well not meeting cause we haven’t actually met, but you know what I’m saying. I bet if you googled your favorite chef he or she has a blog also known as a web site. I digress.

I have a passion for cookbooks, always have, and long before blogs were popular. I would read my favorite cookbook like most would read a novel. I know I have well over 100 cookbooks. Husband just thinks I have the booksthat are on my bookshelf. Think he forgot about all the ones I have in storage. I don’t know if there is such a group as recipes anonymous, but if there is, I should be the president or at least a card-carrying member in good standing.

Until a few months ago the hundreds of recipes were spread around my house in various forms. Like most other recipe junkies I have gone to websites, seen recipes that I liked, printed them out. Also I have saved many tear outs from magazines and stuffed them in a file box. You get the picture it was a mess. I had to clean off my hardrive just recently and discovered I had way too many recipes on there as well. One cannot have a passion for cookbooks and recipes in general and be a slob about it. So I decided to clean up my act, organize those files. I will tell y’all how to go about doing that another time. Just know that there is hope for cookbook recipe junkies.

In the coming months I am going to introduce you to a different food blogger as well as supply you with some useful information. Let me say the food blogging community is a wonderful supportive group, and they provide great inspiration, advice, ideas and motivation. This is a community growing by leaps and bounds. Also if you do visit and like the blog or the recipe or the beautiful photo that may accompany the blog, let the blogger know. They love the feedback.

Let me start off with our own food blog Peanut Butter Etouffee http://pbetouffee.blogspot.com/. Three of us contribute when we can. It is a mixture of cooking, food reviews, and other things we think are important. So check it out.

Aspiring chefs or just wannabe chefs write many of the food blogs. But this next blogger is not one of those folks at all. She is a working gal that likes to cook when she comes home.
Check out Annie’s food blog for some great tips, recipes and food for thought http://constructivesalad.blogspot.com/

Thanks for visiting and for more on the subject at hand…………………stay tuna’d!

It was the cookies..................

As mentioned in a previous post, For Sale, our Real Estate agent held
an open house on Sunday. Thanks for the feedback and good thoughts
cause it might just be working.

Four interested parties, two of the four need to sell their home,
so that would mean a contingency contract and we don't do those.
It would take our home off the market and in light of such a crummy
market for real estate right now that just is an option.
Another is just in the beginning of looking and have yet to get their
ducks in a row in terms of pre qualifying, but that should be done in
the next couple of weeks, there lies a possiblity.
The last interested party was a mom looking for her son. He is
being transferred to this area. There again she just started l
ooking so she has no idea what's available but she loved the house.

Bottom line is the agent that we have is aggressive,
thinks outside the "box", and works hard. This is the first positive
sign we have seen in this dismal market

And let me say a special thanks to Laura Rebecca for the advice
and "little bird" for the reminder. I do think it was my delicious
oatmeal cookies...................stay tuna'd!

And all along I thought I was retired

little did I know. A friend sent this in an email.....sweet.

CHILDREN ON GRANDPARENTS A teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their vacation.

One child wrote the following:

We always spend our vacation with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live here in a big, brick house, but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida and now they live in a place with a lot of other retarded people. They live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on big tricycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore. They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all right now. They play games and do exercises there, but they don't do them very well. There is a swimming pool too, but they all jump up and down in it with their hats on. I guess they don't know how to swim. At their gate there is a dollhouse with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape. Sometimes they sneak out. Then they go cruising in their golf carts. My grandma used to bake cookies and stuff, but I guess she forgot how. Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night: Early Birds. Some of the people can't get past the man in the dollhouse to go out, so the ones who get out bring food back to the wrecked center
and call it pot luck. My Grandma says Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded one day, too. When I earn my retardment I want to be the man in the dollhouse. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren. ~ author unknown

FOR SALE!!!

OK I hesitate to ask this cause I’m not sure it will work BUT!!!! here goes.

I need a favor……..could we all do a collective prayer or whatever it is that you do to attain that one thing you really, really want to happen.

Our Real Estate agent is having an open house this Sunday. As you all know our home has been on the market for a while now and you probably know that the market sucks – but you cannot say our agent is not trying.

We, the husband and I have also done all the right things, at least we think we have. We buried St Joseph in the yard, a friend sent a St Joseph medal that I am to carry in my wallet (?), I have people all over the country saying a prayer now and then.

So here’s what I’m gonna do……….I’m off to Home Depot to buy some nice fresh flowers for the front and back garden. Make it look more like fall even though the temps are still in the high 80’s and the humidity is still here. That should make a nice impression. I made a new wreath for the front door that is fallish, put on a few fall decorator items thru out the house.

But maybe the clincher will be a fresh bowl of candy corn and peanuts………….stay tuna’d

Well now this is downright annoying!!!

to say the least! What the hell! I am a tad pissed about this. And let me also say I have been for years. But - there's that but again.............what the hell am I gonna be able to do about it.

You may have heard this news already, WalMart, my least favorite company in the WHOLE WIDE WORLD is lowering their generic drug prices to $4 a bottle. OK what does that say - the bastards have been ripping y'all off for a bazillion years and why oh why have we been putting up with this BS. Because our government says we should.

You know as well as I that WalMart is making a profit on $4 a bottle - trust me they are not doing this out of the goodness of their teeny little hearts.

It is a disgrace - a slap in the face to millions of Americans WHO CANNOT AFFORD their drugs.

Why doesn't Walmart and all of the other retailers jump in and help those folks.

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14927896/

I am so very pissed about this..................stay tuna'd!

You really do learn something new everyday!!!

I did today. I called my Aunt in Indiana this a.m. cause I hadn't spoken
with her in a few days. She used to email periodically but since her husband,
my uncle, passed away last spring I don't think she much into the computer. I couldn't believe an 80 year old was emailing but she did and for that I and my sister and I'm sure her children were quite happy.

So we are on the phone this a.m. and checking to see how the
rest of the loony relatives are. We have a male cousin who we
are quite fond of as is our Aunt. Cousin was over last nite to replace
some light bulbs in a ceiling fixture.
Aunt goes on to explain it seems they burn out quite often and she
was wondering why. Cousin told her to get on the internet and find out.
She did and she found this.


Read the very last paragraph................boy who woulda thought!

I am amazed that Aunt found it #1 and #2 that proves you can google just about anything.

A phone call that solved a mystery - I think!!!

OK here is the short version of this mystery.

A couple of months ago I did some volunteer work on a Friday, lunch is usually included. And a nice lunch I might add. Lunch consisted of grilled shrimp on a bed of mixed greens, a vegetable,mini key lime cheesecake and iced tea. Someone was kind enough to bring me a plate while I was still working my shift. So I kinda ate on the fly. Food was lovely and the presentation was very pretty. Jump ahead to shift over get in the car drive home. Ate nothing more that evening other than having a glass of iced tea. Wasn't hungry and stomach felt just a bit quesy.

Now it is one a.m. and I am in the bathroom sick as a dog.I will skip the details, but this went on for three and a half hours. Husband was quite undone, needless to say. What made husband the most upset was I kept passing out. More about that later.

Now it is about four a.m. and I am totally wiped out and sleeping like a log. I know I should have gone to the emergency room right then. I didn't OK.....no scolding please cause I got enough of that from my doctor on Monday.

Now it is Sunday, I am having my usual conversation with my sister I tell her the above in detail. I think she was shocked that I didn't go to the emergency room. But I felt better. And being the "know it all" I am we came to the conclusion that it was food poisoning probably from the shrimp. Sounds logical now doesn't it.

OK monday a.m. and I think ya know maybe I should call the doctors office and see what his nurse says. All she said was "get your butt in here now"!!! Well excuse me that scared me......god maybe I am having seizures or who knows what.

Here I am a couple of hours later with my doctor absolutely furious that I had not gone to the emergency room........hey that is behind me now so let's figure out why the good doctor says. He threw my sorry butt in the hospital. This is funny, the nurse put me in a wheel chair and wheeled me over to the hospital because doctor was afraid if left up to me I woudn't go. Well now I am a tad frightened. Maybe a brain annuerism......LOL And husband has got the look on his face like "what the hell is going on?", deer in the headlights look. Bless his heart!

They check me in and proceed, in the span of 23.5 hours, to administer a whole battery of tests. Brain, heart the works.

Results came back all OK!!! This was probably just one of those horrid food poisoning things that just happened. And the fainting that occured is usually
when not enough oxygen flows through your blood and into your brain. You lose consciousness, or "pass out," for a very brief time -- just a few seconds or minutes.
Sounds scary, especially when it happens seven times in the course of a few hours.

OK let's jump ahead to last week when there was a BIG scare for bagged spinach.I get a phone call from the person that is in charge of the docents where I volunteer. She tells me that I was not the only person that got sick on that meal, two other women did as well. And here is the mystery............the shrimp was served on a bed of mixed greens and spinach.

The woman that called knew I had been sick because I had phoned her after my bout of sickness just to make her aware, she thought as did the doctors, the shrimp served may have been bad. But I must add here that the shrimp never tasted bad. You KNOW when shrimp is bad. So I was always a bit suspicious of saying the shrimp was the cause. I thought it could have been the dressing on the greens. Who knew it could have been the greens.................stay tuna'd!!!

History could repeat itself

and not always in a good way.

Senator Daryl Jones is an OK guy but he and I and his aide at the time he was Senator had a disagreement that almost came to blows. His aide was gonna punch me out big time, OUCH!!!

At the time I was the campaign manager for a county wide politician and we (the candidate) were running for our second term. This candidate was very popular with the constituents but did have a few opponents that would like to bury him. Politics is ugly no matter where you go local or national.

Senator Jones was up for re-election at the same time.All candidates running in the election would often be thrown together for debates, Q & A's, meet and greets, etc. so as to save time and $$$. During one of these Q & A's I overheard the good Senator consulting with his campaign person about an issue that was important to our (my candidates) impending race. The advice she was giving the good Senator was wrong and a damn lie. So being the good person that I am I pulled the person aside after the event was completed and let her know about it. She was about to scratch my eyes out when my candidate appeared on the scene. Let's just say my parting words were "you will never get elected in this county again, end of discussion".

And they didn't!!! She, the campaign advisor, ran for public office and lost as did the good Senator.

So let's hope that Senator Jones, who is now a running mate to the candidate running for Governor of Florida, let us just hope Mr. Jones has some better advisors. Cause personally he is a great guy!

This is definitely a...........stay tuna'd

http://www.heraldtribune.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20060915/NEWS/609150337

it's tough being

a Dodger fan living so far away from Los Angeles. Right now I am watching the Dodgers and the Cubs on WGN.
We here in Florida don't get a lot of Dodger games. But got lucky the other nite and got to watch the Dodgers pummel the Mets.

So I'm gonna go put my lucky t-shirt on..stay tuna'd

too funny.............

And they are not even Japanese……………a friend from California shared this wacky youtube site. Makes one wonder how many takes it took?

thanks beader

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pv5zWaTEVkI

Must share with y'all more stuff about my trip

cause I have more snaps to share.
So here we all are gathered together to what, EAT again!!! We meet up at niece little birds house. We being sister moon, her hunky husband and me. We had decided that we would not cook but get take-out from a joint sister has been drooling over which would be Jr’s BBQ. If Wilson Pickett ate there it is good enough for us. Located not too far from niece’s house sister ordered when little birds dear husband arrives home from his place of work. Think she ordered half a cow and a portion of a pig cause it was a huge platter when we went to pick up our order. Crikey it would have fed the customers in the restaurant, BUT being the gluttons we are we marched that pig and cow right on home.
While readying said meal little bird sat to have some quiet time from her busy day and she chose to do her needlepoint work of art she is creating of course while chatting with us all . I love this snap – it happens to be of her youngest fur ball, who happens to be as precious as he looks. I think I have posted snaps of her Max and his big brother Multy but here are a couple taken on this past trip.

little bird and Max

Multy looking too cute!!!

And not to be outdone is my very favorite dog, that would be Buddy “the dog” cousin to my Buddy “the cat”. While visiting Buddy the dog had a visit by the groomer. Well something got lost in the communication and Buddy got more of a shave than a trim. But being the handsome pup that Buddy is, he looks good in anything he wears. He is one sweet pup!
Take a look at what sister posted. http://frenchbenefits.blogspot.com/2006/09/doggie-disguise_03.html

I must also add that sister madea a rustic peach tart, YUMMMMM!!! The peaches at that time were so very flavorful that we seemed to be eating peaches at every meal. I don't know if we have snaps of that but sister moon may post the peach tart - check in over at PBE ! I told ya all we ever do is eat or plan what we are gonna eat ;-)

There will be more I'm sure so stay tuna'd..........................

whoa is me

This came in an email............from one of my Canadian friends. Go ahead you can read it it's clean.

I am posting it as a test because I am having computer conflicts...........stand back cause I may be choking someone in the near future. Better yet save up some money for my bail. stay tuna'd..........................:-)

What Do Retired People Do All Day?

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting.

Well for example, the other day Linda and I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket.

We went up to him and said, "Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?" He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him a turd. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires.

So Linda called him a sh##head. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus!! We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age.

moon I can see your dear friend "D" doing this.

Now what was I supposed to tell you about……………………

Oh yeah the Orthopedic Dr visit I had. It seems because I was not completely off my feet after my clumsy fall I still have a bit of edema (swelling) and also a bit of a blood clot. But before you go and start scolding me, it is not life threatening OK! Just rest it for a bit more and this too shall pass. It will take awhile for ALL of the swelling to go down. Probably by Christmas I should be able to wear my dancing shoes. And by the way I took husband with me so I would have a witness to what the good bone Dr said.

OK that’s outta the way and knowing there will be no residual effects is a good thing.

Now the “Mustang flashback”! Sister has this Mustang – drop dead gorgeous car huh!!! They gave it to “little bird” my niece for her birthday this year……nice parents I say. Well this jewel of a mustang had not found its way to nieces garage yet whilst I was visiting so I had the opportunity to drive this sweet thang one day. Sister was off doing her docent work and I wanted to go do a little shopping. My sweet brother-in-law told me I could drive the Mustang….whooooo haaaaw!!! I sure didn’t wanna drive the 37 Chevy Sedan or the 50 something Chevy truck. So here I am greased up to the hilt with sunscreen cause the top is down. I get in, back it out of the garage drive down their street and get the strangest feeling. Ignoring it I motor over to the local Target because I know they have L A Dodger t-shirts and I needed to get a couple. I pull in to a parking space and two guys are getting into their big ass SUV and look at that pretty red Mustang and say “would you take us to lunch in your fancy car”. Hahahahahaha I politely declined. Coming out of Target get back in the car and drive over to their new mall in town. Quite nice by the way. On the way to the mall I realized the strange feeling I was getting and why…………once upon a time I had a 67 mustang – not nearly as nice as this sweet red one but it was mine and my first very own car. Two months after I purchased that car some dumb ass hit me head on and ruined my sweet little mustang and nearly ruined me too. So getting in the red Mustang with the same steering wheel brought back strange memories. It’s funny what makes you remember things.

THERE IS NEVER ENOUGH TIME!!!

Now having said that I have just returned from my vacation with my sister……poop.

We did get to do quite a lot and some things we didn’t wanna do like toddle off to the emergency room at the Eisenhower Medical Center in Rancho Mirage which to those who do not know is in the desert near Palm Springs Ca. No we were not looking for Mel Gibson or Robin Williams, however that certainly could have been a bonus. No we were getting my knee tended to, scroll on down a bit where I wrote about my clumsy fall.
Well we got that outta the way so we could have a nice visit with Grandma Mary and little bird. And the visit was great as well as the food we got to eat. We enjoyed one place sooo much we went back for a second time. The four of us were able to squeeze in some shopping BUT the best part was we went to the spa. Four of us all set for one of those yummy massages – well being a bit tattered in the left knee I opted out of the massage (crap) but I got a nice facial. Think we went to brunch and then for a much needed nap. The four of us do that so well – my excuse is gotta get off that knee.
Drove back to L A to spend the nite and little birds and her hunky bunky cause the next a.m. we headed off to the Getty Villa. Let me say this, if you go to Los Angeles or live nearby for a day trip, get your self to the Villa. It is spectacular! I put in the link so please check it out. Oh yeah the food in their restaurant is equally spectacular! Wander over to PBE cause we did find a need to post about a delicious dessert we shared. See it’s always about food.
Sister has a terrific grill on her patio and a few nites we were able to sit out while grilling and laugh. Which we do as much as eat – we laugh a lot. Guess that is what I miss the most cause it just ain’t the same laughing on the phone. But I miss that sister, in fact I missed her the minute she pulled away from the curb after dropping me off at the airport at 5 a.m.
OK there is a lot more to share but I didn’t wanna drone on. Remind me to tell you about my trip to the orthopedic dude here in Florida, the magnificent farmers markets sister and I had the pleasure of visiting and also my “Mustang flashback”………..stay tuna’d………………………….

weather is beautiful.......wish I hadn't heard

about a hurricane marching toward the Gulf by the name of Ernesto......WTH!!!

This just cannot be because it is near the anniversary of Katrina and it wouldn't be fair to those folks. Actually it wouldn't be fair to anyone - so go the hell away we don't need you.

Oh I feel good got that outta my system whewwwww!!!

So here I am still at sister moon's and having a wonderful time. The weather has been absolutely SPECTACULAR!!! Translated that means no humidity. I think I should post some pics. I will eventually.

I think the knee is a lot better - the blackness is nearing the toe area so maybe it is making a fond farewell.

Don't have much a anything planned but you do know we will be getting it done......stay tuna'd

just a short update

this post is written by the injured doodles even though it is coming from sister moons computer. Just say that I am way too lazy to change the settings.

OK from the left knee cap down I am a ugly mess. It is blue black yellow swollen to icky size and not a damn thing I can do about it but stay off of it. NOT happening!!!

So today is a day of R & R and re-group to see if we can get some of the swelling down. Drs say the same thing "well stay off of it". For those of you that know me it ain't that easy. And by the way for the many that think there was a Corona involved I hate to disappoint you - no Coronas till after.

Time for the leg to be elevated...later - but stay tuna'd..........................

What's a trip with my sister without a minor injury

Now I know you were not expecting this but I'm a gonna give it to ya anyway.

While on the way out the door on our way to the desert.....I tripped, fell on my knees, went forward hit me little head but being that it is a hard head didn't knock me out but did give me quite a bump on the noggin. So my sweet brother-in-law went got me an ice pack from the freezer and a towel to wrap my knee. Got in the car and off to the desert we went. No bruises or broken appendages are going to stop us....think that's our family motto now that I think of it.

About half way into our trip which should be about three hours the knee began to get quite large and shiny. Hmmmmm I say this is not a good sign....seems like a trip to urgent care may be in order.

Get to Mary's house, deposit our luggage and park my butt on the couch and applied more ice in an elevated position. I was pleased to see that on my insurance card was the all popular "ask an RN. Yeah!!!! Called that and talked to the sweetest lady and she told me I was doing the all the right things, comes from experience you see, and that I could wait and go to urgent care in the a.m.

That we did we were there at eight a.m. being the first little customer patient of the day. Long story short, nothing is broken, but bruised from the knee cap down. It is not a pretty site let me tell ya.

Everyone knows how much I love my sister, but she was absolutely a terrific attendant. She went and got dinner for us, found me some ibuprofen and has driven me around since the tumble. I know I would do the same for her but let me tell ya my seester is the best.

So two more weeks of the trip, stay tuna'd................

well.....

a short but sweet visit with my dear friend Lyn in Dallas and off to LA on Wednesday early a.m.
went from a 4 Corona day in Dallas, thanks tie, to a 1 Corona day in Los Angeles.

Sister picked me up at LAX after an uneventful flite, praise the lord, we motored over to see niece at her lawyer office for a short visit prior to sister doing her stint at the Getty. If you ever get to Los Angeles the Getty Center is a must. I have spent so much time there that I could probably be a docent and run a tour. However my friends at the Ringling Museum in Sarasota would be sad since I docent there. That's what Deb does at the Getty a Docent and a damned good one I might add.

Ok here it is thursday a.m. and I am trying to fill friends in on the goings on of the two loonies. People refer to as that in an endearing way.

OK we are off to the dessert, Rancho Mirage/Palm Springs this afternoon. Now that could also be a 4 Corona Day. Spending the weekend there with Mary, sister, niece and me-self. That could be a bit of an advnture depending on which way the wind is blowing.

And ya know this group has a cooking blog and we have yet to cook a meal. Hey I'll take pics of the food we eat alomg the way.

So stay tuna'd.....................

Excuse me!!!!!

It is frickin HOT in Dallas..........holy crap!!! Landed yesterday we immediately came home to my friend Lyn's and got in the pool. 3 p.m. it was 102 degrees and this is unusual for them - but then weather seems to be unusual everywhere ;(.
We didn't do a lot cause I was a bit tired and we lounged.

Today we are going to lunch and some good quality shopping is on the list. Also doing some decorating advice for my friend because she is in the process of re-doing her kitchen. So some paint shopping will be squeezed in there sometime.
Tonite Lyn and I are toddling off to see a local triple A ball team the "Frisco Rough Riders". who are playing the Arkansas somebodies. I love Triple A ball and this should be fun.

I leave Wednesday early a.m. to fly off to LA and see me family.....hee haw!!!

So - stay tuna'd............................

making a list and checking it twice...............

no it’s not for Christmas.

This is for my long awaited trip to visit seester, brother-in-law, their “Buddy”, my niece, her hunky husband, their puppies and my dad’s wife. And then throw in asundry other folk along the way. Now seester has already made mention of things to do in her blog but my list is of hopeful to do that we may squeeze in.

I am making a list of to do’s.........................

Olvera Street for eating and photos
We shall not dine at a chain restaurant
Gene Autry Museum http://autrynationalcenter.org/index_gp.php
Surfas https://www.surfasonline.com/index.cfm and when they say this is a chef’s paradise they are not kidding
Helm’s Bakery http://www.helmsfurniture.com/
This is a place that is a very fond memory because of what it used to be……and we both love to shop!
We need to venture to Mar Vista as well as Culver City because of some memories there as well.
To the beach preferably at sunset
A day of cooking with sister moon, little bird and doodles would be wonderful.
Enjoy a taste of little birds homemade ice cream

Edited to add:

sister moon's FRIED CHICKEN

I know I will think of more so stay tuna’d…………………….

Who said Virginia is for Lovers???!!

Certainly the state mamal, aka the Manatee, of the great state of Florida would disagree.

photo courtesy of google images

Now they tell me......

Do you mean to tell me I could have been baking
cookies in Florida all this time????
Who woulda thunk???

How hot was it? Dashboard oven hot
New Hampshire woman bakes cookies on dashboard of her Toyota
The Associated Press
ET Aug 3, 2006
BEDFORD, N.H. - Blistering heat was just what Sandi Fontaine needed to bake cookies for her co-workers — on the dash of her Toyota RAV4.
With temperatures soaring Wednesday, Fontaine placed two trays of cookie dough on the dashboard, shut the doors and retreated inside to her air-conditioned office.
"My husband wanted me to run some errands this morning," said Fontaine, who works at Baldwin and Clarke Corporate Finance. "I said, 'I can't. I'm baking cookies.'"
Fontaine first tested her dashboard oven three years ago. She said anyone can do it; the only requirement is for the outside temperature to be at least 95 degrees, so it will rise to about 200 degrees in the car. Temperatures in the area reached the mid- to upper 90s on Wednesday.
"Mrs. Fields has nothing on Sandi," co-worker Brian Champigny said of the cookie company.
Though Thursday was supposed to be cooler, Fontaine said she'll still enjoy the benefits of her culinary effort.
"When you open the door to that car," she said, "it's like, oh, my God. It's a wonderful smell."
© 2006 The Associated Press. All rights reserved.

no I didn't have permission to copy and paste this article but here is there site if you wanna go and see the photo of the nice lady that did this unusual kitchen task
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/14174161/

No I'm not gonna try this but see if they come and arrest me.................stay tuna'd

aaahhhhh yes the dreaded cone of projection

we are in that dreaded cone of projection! thought maybe if I whisper, the storm Chris, that boisterous boy, he won't hear me.

for sure..........................stay tuna'd

www.nhc.noaa.gov

oh yeah and Mel Gibson says he is not a bigot........I say of course not Mel

you're a fuckin greedy racist bigot..............now go away...........please!

Tap Water Ice? is now uncool.........

That was the headline in my Sunday financial section of my local newspaper.
I gotta ask ya why for god's sake?

I know some people have tap water that may not as good as what I may have. Our water is quite good in fact. No overwhelming smell of chlorine when you turn on the tap, and when ice cubes melt there are no fuzzies or whatever in the bottom of the glass. Our water tested very well at a lab. Guess that means no gremlins or anything else. So I don't need designer ice cubes thank God!!!

But if you do check this out....................http://www.icerocks.com/

Or read the article I found online.......it originally appeared in the Wall Street Journal http://www.postgazette.com/pg/06206/708438-28.stm

Looking back I guess lemon flavored toothpaste isn't all that odd - or is it.............stay tuna'd

toothpaste review............

I like lemon I really do - but I didn't know I would like it in my toothpaste.

Whitening Expressions Lemon Ice toothpaste.

It's an ice-cold wake-up call for your mouth! not too sure about that!

It's more like lemoncello without the kick! I picked it up by accident but I just might stick with the tube...........stay tuna'd

Humor in dieting.................

God do I wish when I buy cat food someone will ask me if I have a cat...............;-)

Purina Diet
I used to have a Labrador retriever & was buying a large bag of Purina at Wal-Mart, waiting in the check-out line. A woman behind me asked if I had a dog. On impulse, I told her that no, I was starting The Purina Diet again, although I probably shouldn't because I'd ended up in the hospital last time. But, I'd lost 50 pounds before I awakened in an intensive care ward with tubes coming out of most of my orifices and IVs in both arms.I told her that it was essentially a perfect diet and that the way that it works is to load your pants pockets with Purina nuggets and simply eat one or two every time you feel hungry, as the food is nutritionally complete. So, I was going to try it again.I have to mention here that practically everyone in the line was by now enthralled with my story, especially a tall heavy man behind her. Horrified, she asked if I'd been poisoned. I told her no; I'd been sitting in the street licking my balls and a car hit me.The tall guy nearly had to stagger out of the store, oxygen-depleted from laughter. I paid for the food and left a lot of smiles behind me.

thanks kid

So how's your the weather...........???

I know it's hot everywhere. I feel for all you folks that are steaming and have nary an A/C in site. Sorry bout that. Sister moon said you could reach out and touch the air. And they said this wasn't gonna last HAHAHAHA..........

Well let me tell you I have been putting up with 92 - 94 with 101% humidity for some 20 + years. And where were y'all when we have been melting here in the good olde "blue tarp state"!!! See for us it's normal whatever normal might be.
I know we don't have to live here right?!! But since the real estate market went in the toilet there is nary a buyer to be seen. We are not the only ones hurt by this real estate market suicidal plunge, as it is sparadic acrossed the country. Why did Alan Greenspan have to retire now...........Ben Bernanke please call Mr Greenspan and ask him what to do - cause I'm not too sure about you.

I may have a plan..................stay tuna'd thermometer image from google images

Moon dust gets in your eyes.....continued

french benefits:: Moon dust gets in your eyes


DITTO!!!

But what sister Moon (lol) forgot to mention was that the moon landing soiree was hosted by our dear momma........and what a soiree it was. No more details please