I just finished introducing my parents to the wonders of Tivo, then I went in their kitchen and programmed the coffee maker for their early vacation departure tomorrow. I have the code to their voicemail and garage door opener and the remotes to about 57 different electronic devices.

Oh this is too funny a topic! My family finally talked my parents into getting a computer and digital camera recently.
My dad has had a computer for a few years, but he mainly uses it too play solitaire or to check email. And he had my mom so scared to death that she would "break it" that she wouldn't touch his at all.
I told her how inexpensive they were now, and how more comfortable she would be on her own machine. A few months ago, she got her first Dell. It has been interesting (to say the least) trying to teach her how to do some simple things. The language gap is very broad! LOL How do you describe the differences in browser, an OS, your Internet connection and a home page in simple terms? Dang tough, ya know?!

She got a digital camera for Xmas. My mom is famous for cutting people's heads off, or taking pictures that no one knows what it is. She has carried her camera and book around since Christmas and I think she has taken all of three pictures. With me by her side, coaching her all the way. (And this is in Full Auto!)

You don't realize how the tech language has become second nature to you until to try talking to someone else who doesn't speak that language.

I can't wait to have my own children teach me about some new fangled device in the year 2035 and have them give me that exasperated look that I sometimes get.

Love Letters

Do you have a box of old love letters stashed away somewhere?
Who are they from?
If they're not from a current significant other, why have you kept them?
Any quotes you can share?

To say that I never dated guys who would even think of writing a love letter is an understatement. So no, I don't have anything like that. However I do have a few cards dh has given to me since we have been together where he wrote a meaningful sentence or two.

But I do have love letters from my kids. In fact, here is a bit of one from my dd.

Dear Mom, Hope you class was good. I miss you a lot. Grandma was good, but your better. Robots was sily. I love your smile yor love is wot keps me alive.....

Is that not the sweetest thing???

Two Things...

Two Names You Go By:
1. Chris
2. Chrissi

Two Parts of Your Heritage:
1. Italian
2. Italian

Two Things You Are Wearing Right Now:
1. Sneakers
2. Jeans

Two Things You Would Want in a Relationship:
1. Trust
2. Peace

Two of Your Favorite Hobbies:
1. Digi-scrapping
2. Reading

Two Things You Want Really Badly At The Moment:
1. Time!!
2. Money!! (in any order!)

Two pets you had/have:
1. Harley and Ravyn (dogs)
2. Scarlett, Floyd, Merlin (Cats)

Two people you talked to today:
1. Gary
2. Myself (hey, its early!)

Two things you did last night:
1. Fold Laundry
2. Read

Two people that live in your house:
1. Scott
2. Cait

Two things you ate today:
1. Coffee
2. Coffee

Two people you miss:
1. Joselle
2. Linda

Two Things You’re doing tomorrow:
1. Food shopping
2. House work (boooo!)

Two vacations you’ve been on:
1. Disney
2. Sandals

Two Favorite Holidays:
1. Christmas
2. Halloween

Two favorite Alcoholic beverages:
1. wine
2. Beer

Two bands you have seen live:
1. Bon Jovi!!!
2. Pink Floyd

Two things you will do after you finish this survey:
1. Get the kids up
2. Brush my hair
__________________

Between the ages of 5 and 10, what was your favorite activity?

Oh so long ago! Lets see what I can remember from back then.
Freeze tag, catching fireflies, reading, swimming, barbies, cooking or pretending to cook. Crafts. Making lotions and potions.

I can't really think of one favorite activity. But I have to say that my list reflects many of the same interests that I have today as an adult. I can live without Barbies and freeze tag, but most of the other activities I still do, including "pretending to cook." Hahaha!
The fireflies- I still love to be outdoors in the summer, watching the fireflies, or the bats. And over the years of having a "bug happy" son, even worms and spiders don't bother me all that much.

Reading is a great pleasure of mine, and I could spend hours at the library or bookstore.

Swimming- I don't really swim strokes/laps at all anymore, but my kids and I practically live at our local beach in the summer. And Last season, I swam with my son all the way out to the dock, then jumped off the diving board with my DD! Yikes, am I too old for all that? Yes! I am.

I still enjoy cooking, when I have the time. But I don't enjoy the mess, nor the "but I don't like this" whine that I get from my kids. And when I was a kid, my pretending to cook was along the lines of mud pies, nowadays, my pretending to cook is dumping a box of chicken nuggets on a cookie sheet and throwing some instant mashed potatoes in the micro.

Lotions and potions- still going strong with that one in my aromatherapy business.

Some days, I must seem like a kid all over again.
(ha ha- for some strange reason-- I don't *feel* like a kid however!)

Toliet Paper?!

According to a physics professor quoted by Ann Landers, to get the toilet paper roll to turn requires a certain torque, which comes from the tension in the paper being withdrawn. The greater the distance between the plane of the paper being pulled and the axis support line, the lesser the force required and the lesser the chance of tearing the paper before you have enough.

Should the toilet paper be hung so the paper dangles over or under the roll?

There are many days that I am so glad that I am not the only one putting the tp on the roll, or that there is even any tp at all in the bathroom, that it wouldn't matter which way it goes.
However, I grew up in a house that some days it was over, some days it was under, other days it just stayed on the top of the tank. That for some strange reason, irritated me to no end.

And as far as what the physics guy says, I have to agree that there is a ring of truth to that. I find that it is easier to pull the tp from the top, so thus, it should come from over the roll.

I have also recently heard (and I don't know why I even remember this) that it the tp is to the right of the toilet, it should go on way. If it is to the left, it should goo another way. Why that would matter is beyond me.

But all of the tp talk does raise a burning question in my mind.
If in the Northern Hemisphere the tp should come off the roll over the top, should it come from under the roll in the Southern Hemisphere?

Anyone from "Down Under" want to give us a hint?
Enquiring Minds Want to Know!

One Word

One (word only)

This Moment: sleepy
Your Shoes: clogs
Craving: sleep
The State of Your Home: aaaahh!
Annoyed By: contacts
Noise In the Background: fan
Really Want To: sleep
Thinking about: day
Smelling: nothing
Favorite Product In Office Supply Aisle: funtak
Don't Ever Want To: drown
Your Eye Color: green
The Weather: freezing!
Have Never Tried: diving
Think Everyone Should Try: voting
Last Vacation Destination: PA
The Last Thing You Had to Drink: coffee
Your Bad Habit: worrying
What You're Going To Do Now: breakfast

A new holiday

Create a new holiday (e.g. Talk Like a Pirate Day). Include the origins and any special rituals of your day

Once upon a time, long long ago, people were happy and carefree. They would laugh and smile. Games would be played with other people. Conversations were about plans for the day, and how to make the day as enjoyable as can be. Little People would run about, with big grins and rosy cheeks as they chased after balls or dug in the dirt to find bugs.

Then the Dark Times came and everything became so serious. Responsibilities and "issues" kept people quiet and busy. Too busy to play. Everyone seemed to be under a cloud of gloom and worry. It was a very sad time.

Then The Faery-Fun Queen decided enough was enough. She waved her beautiful magic faery wand and sprinkled Faery-Fun Dust over the land. It was as if a kaleidoscope of good times and laughter rained down upon the Busy People. They stopped and looked at each other. Slowly, their serious faces began to smile. Laughter, a sound not herd for many years, rang out. The Little People, afraid to make a sound started to giggle, then laugh! It was a magical moment. Once again, the land was a joyful one.

In honor of the Faery-Fun Queen, every day is now declared to be a Happy One. To celebrate the day, smiles and laughter must be seen and heard. People must look forward to having time to relax and be with other happy people. Children are required to be kids. "issues" and worries must be put aside for a part of the day, so that the heart may smile as well.

Long live the Faery-Fun Queen!