i regret to inform you...

To my sunday Scribblings readers....
I had such serious Regrets after posting that
stupid story about my plant for this weeks scribblings.
I just had to remove it from my blog,
sorry to have u make this trip here for nothing.
have a nice weekend.
lucy

okay, here is the stupid story after all

It's ALIVE! It's a miracle! Every-time I stand at my kitchen sink
I am astounded that this little plant which sits on my window sill, hasn't expired yet. As much as I love plants and admire them in everyone else's home, my plants never make it past their month birthday. Last May when my son escorted the kids in his class on a field trip, He brought me home a tiny impatient plant from the nursery. I thought it was so cute, because like one of the little kindergardeners he helps teach, this big man brought his mama a plant too! Despite knowing I have a tarnished thumb, I just couldn't banish this sweet gift to my flower beds. I decided to name it Tilly and leave it on my window sill, trusting I would have NO regrets from killing her, by promising myself that as soon as Tilly looked critical, I would rescue her STAT out to the front flower bed. Well here it is 8 months later.... and Tilly is still sprouting flowers for me! She is growing too big for her little pot, but I don't DARE do a transplant operation without the help of a Dr. of horticulture assisting me. My plan is to wait till spring and set her free in the garden. Although, (sigh) Inpatients are annuals, so she may flourish out there all summer but then.. alas, Tillys life will end. Terminated by my hand after all. Do u think I should chance the transplant myself? Can you believe the things I worry about?
do you see now why, I thought I should terminate this post?

True Colours Thurs.

Thanks to Miss Rosey Pinkerton
I discovered a new prompt site...
True Colours Thursday!
This weeks colour is PinK

pink reminds me of my dear old mom years ago
she was on a pretty pink kick.. kind of crazy
pink kitchen, pink bedspreads, pink drinks flow
Pink dresses pink pearls pink hat with a daisy

One day she decided to dye her brown hair red
woke up next day and decided pink was dead
Apparently Red hair with pink dresses? a mean no-no in fashion!
GREEN! Green clothes, green goes, Mama goes green with great passion

Three Word Wednesday & 55flash fiction fri.

caress
jagged
ruthless

It began with his smooth smile; my hand received his gentle caress of affection
His piercing euphoric injection ( a ruthless diversion) gave courage to my frailty
I became lost in a pleasurable escape of a vertiginous alien dimension...

A jagged decayed tooth, the taste of my blood, his obscene bill... brought me back to reality



Did i have u going there for a second?
Of course I was talking about the dentist!

This is my first time contributing to...
flash 55

three word wednesday

Can u imagine a chance to win a $100 Amazon Gift Certificate?? Here it is! visit Jacqueline at Miss Musing and leave a post telling her about your favorite book. That's it. Giveaway expires at the end of the day on Friday, 01/30.

Lulus Shrimp Scampi

Ingredients you need...

* 1 pound linguini
* 4 tablespoons butter
* 4 tablespoons extra-virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling
* 1 small onion finely diced
* 2-3 cloves garlic finely chopped
* Pinch red pepper flakes
* 1 bag of frozen shrimp
* 1/2 cup flour
* salt and ground black pepper
* 1/2 cup dry white wine
* Juice of 1 lemon
* 1/2 cup chick. broth
* 1/4 cup finely chopped parsley leaves


Need a great easy dinner for tonight?
Try my new shrimp scampi recipe!
I always keep a bag of frozen shrimp from Costco on hand in my freezer.
For nights when You don't have a clue of what to make AND u are short on time,
this recipe is a great solution!
The bag says not to quick defrost the shrimp by running them under cold water
I hope it's not for safety reasons, because (in my best Rachel ray voice)..
Hey! I used to do it all the time and I'm not about to stop now!
So while those babies are in a colander under the cold water
I put up my 8 qt. pot of water to boil for the linguini (or whatever pasta u have)

Saute one finely chopped onion and 3 cloves of garlic and red pepper flakes in
2 Tbsp. of butter and Two Tbsp. of Olive Oil on low in a large fry pan till soft
When the shrimp are thawed,(i take off the tails) then put them on a stack of paper towels
so they aren't drenched. dab them in dish of flour and put on clean plate
When onions and garlic are soft, raise temp. to med/high ADD shrimp
toss often till they are cooked (about 4 min.) (add some s&p now too) you may need
a few drops more of olive oil
remove shrimp with slotted spoon and put aside
In that same fry pan add 1/2 cup of white dry wine
One freshly squeezed lemon and approx. 1/2 cup of chicken broth.
bring to a quick boil then lower and add 2 more tbsp. butter and 2 more
tbsp. of olive oil.
Put shrimp back in and add 1/4 cup fresh chopped parsley and salt and pepper.
Throw this over your drained linguini. If you need to, add a drizzle more of
olive oil. and MMMMm It is delicious! Don't forget the grated cheese at the table!
Hope u enjoy it!

Phantoms & Shadows

Alone in my small bedroom
trying earnestly to fall asleep
Restless, I try to rock myself
even try to count fluffy sheep

The house glows darker
as each hour ticks by my door
Suddenly frightening shadows appear
that I know weren't there before

I try to shout out for help
but fear has stilled my voice
How will I survive this monster?
The light switch! it's my only choice!

Despite petrified fear of doom, I decide to initiate a plan
I shimmy quickly to the wall-switch like a Choreographed jazz dance
The room lights up, The stealth phantom shadow has suddenly disappeared!
in its place stands only my desk chair holding todays discarded pair of pants

As soon as I read Sunday Scribblings prompt, It brought back the memories of how frightened the shadows in my room made me feel, when i was small. One particular time, it really was a pair of pants that took on the look of a monster looming in the corner, the darker the night became. I can remember so vividly being frozen with fear and imagining all sorts of scary scenarios. I can also remember that sigh of relief, and amazement that I got so upset over a pair of bunched up pants. If you have small kids, trust me... get them a bedside lamp!

You like me ! You really like me!!

Humor and empathy! That's why the gal herself from One girls musings presented me with...
TA DA... The lemonade award!


Thanks so much! and thanks to Diane at forgetfulone for my triple awards! The absolute best thing about blogging is the wonderful people we meet! I am so happy to have met u!
Another wonderful blogger? SKITTLES! thanks so much for the fabulous blog award! These awards coming from such prolific bloggers are so flattering and make me feel so great!

Even though there are SO many deserving bloggers whom I would love to bestow these awards upon.. I am going to be a rebel and pass on following the rules of awarding others.
YOU KNOW WHO U ARE OUT THERE!! PASTE THESE PICS ON YOUR MANTEL!! XO

One World One Heart

I am very excited to discover and participate in an amazing blogging event!
it is called One World One Heart. It is conceived by one very creative Lisa "oceandreamer" Swifka
aka a whimsical Bohemian
This giveaway is a great way to meet many bloggers from all over the world. Click the logo above to learn more about the event and visit other bloggers participating
I've noticed many amazingly creative bloggers are giving away their incredible crafts and creations.
I am not crafty and don't knit,build,draw,sew.. etc...If I created something... trust me.. NO ONe would want it SO Here is what I've decided to give away... Isn't she sweet?
She is POLLY the little kitchen maid from the upstairs downstairs bears collection! This collection was designed by artist Carol Lawson and dept 56 giftware. I am guessing it was purchased in the mid 90's.

I remember the day i picked this up as a gift to myself to add to my bear collection. I was feeling like an exhausted little kitchen maid that day!



If u click the photo <<<>>>>




EZ rules...
* leave a comment on this post.
* everyone welcome to enter, make sure to leave an email address where I can reach you.
* On February 12th a random winner will be drawn from the comments left. (i plan on putting all the numbers of comments in a bowl and having my son draw a number) I will notify the winner and announce it on my blog.
* If you choose to follow my blog you'll be given two more entries to the draw!
*** A FUN SuRPriSE Gift for a second winner is being worked on as we speak!(NOT by UN-crafty me but by Mr. 'VERY CRAFTY' Petals himself!) If it's finished by 2/12.. After I pick the winner of Polly, I will put the numbers back in bowl and pick winner of surprise prize!)
**update**IT'S FINISHED! SEE 2ND PRIZE IN SIDEBAR & BELOW!
My husband usually paints original ideas, but he was very inspired by Natasha Wescoat and although this is not an exact copy of her work, it is similar. This is done in acrylics on a 6"x8" canvas. Hope u love it like i do!

Did u ever?

Each day do the thing you most dread first;then every other goal will be easy-brenda Novak



Recently in my near-by shopping center, a little aquarium store opened. It surprised me. I mean with all the huge pet stores on every corner... An aquarium store?? I immediately felt sorry for the owner. So far, I've seen no activity at all. During a recession?the nation at it's worst economical state? People out of work?... WHo the heck is buying Fish?? To look at! People are having a difficult enough time buying fish to FEED their starving kids.
We just drove by there again tonight on our way to the pharmacy. My husband started making jokes about the aquarium store. As bad as I've felt I couldn't help laughing too. (he can be very funny) He said let's go in there and ask "how much for 2 lbs. of filet of sole? " They will be happy to have someone walk in even if only to direct us to the seafood store.
Did u ever notice how quickly these little places pop up and then go out? It is so sad. As a former little business owner myself, I so know the pain of that. The dream, the hard work, the expense, the stress! .. and then... BAM... you just can't stay afloat.
well, at least when the aquarium closes up ( we have a bet going, I say 6 mts.) the fish may stay afloat? Or do they end up at the Seafood store on sale for .99 a lb? (always be suspicious of food that goes on sale)

Congrats President Obama!

"Rosa Parks sat so that Martin Luther King could walk. Martin Luther King walked so that Obama could run. Obama ran so that we all can fly."..... (by Jay-Z)



I saw this quote in my paper yesterday and It gave me chills.
I am so proud to live in The USA and prouder still that americans
have overcome so many years of prejudice to stand behind our New president.
Hail to our New Chief! I just have such good feelings
that he is going to go down in history, not only as the first Prez of color
but as one of our very finest.
Are u feeling as patriotic as I am today?? :)

joke of the day- $7.00 sex

A Florida couple, both well into their 80s, go to a sex therapist's office.


The doctor asks, 'What can I do for you?'

The man says, 'Will you watch us have sexual intercourse?'

The doctor raises both eyebrows, but he is so amazed that such an elderly couple is asking for sexual advice that he agrees.



When the couple finishes, the doctor says, 'There's absolutely nothing wrong with
the way you have intercourse.'


He thanks them for coming, he
wishes them good luck, he charges them $50 and he say s good bye.

The next week, the same couple returns and asks the sex therapist to watch again. The sex therapist is a bit puzzled, but agrees

This happens several weeks in a row.

The couple makes an appointment, has intercourse with no problems, pays the doctor, then leave.

Finally, after 3 months of this routine, the doctor says, 'I'm sorry, but I have to ask. Just what are you trying to find out?'

The man says, 'We're not trying to find out anything.

She's married so we can't go to
her house.

I'm married and we can't go to my house.

The Holiday Inn charges $98.

The Hilton charges $139

We do it here for $50, and
I get $43 back from Medicare.

returnitforme.com

pil·grim·age - A long journey or search, especially one of exalted purpose or moral significance.
This is the definition that I most wanted to touch on. What is your true mission? your purpose in this crazy thing called life? My significant journey of late? My higher purpose in life? Defending my consumer rights and fighting to stop being ripped off by inferior products! You may have read how I received a FREE replacement mac computer after my first fight of the new year. Well my moral pilgrimage continued as I fought the Xtremely immoral, preposterous Xbox warranty and their customer service department. What made me get involved was NOT that my son had no luck with them on the phone. What made me get involved was when my son told me that almost EVERY kid he knows that owns an Xbox has had a problem and has HAD to send it back for repair and has paid the 99.00 to do so!! As I said to my new friend "Julie' in the Xbox Customer service dept. ... WOW, this is such a great idea! Let's u and I CReate a pricey piece of desirable crap marketed towards kids. Build it to break after the one year warranty is up and really clean up by charging 100 bucks to fix 'em! Yeah! we will be ripping off kids like crazy! it will be great! it will be a gold mine! Kids are so hooked on their video games we can really charge anything! Julie was not amused and I was so infuriated that I am wanting to spread the word! How many of you have an xbox or know someone who has an Xbox that has broken? It really is obscene. Before i had heard of all the problems, I paid $350.00 for this substandard game system for Christmas 07. Christmas 08 the only gift my youngest sons wanted was One VERY expensive game for this system that they share. ONE week after Christmas the system breaks. So they got to enjoy their '08 gift for one week. We know many people who own playstations and have NeVer heard of them having a problem. Xbox on the other hand, already has well known names for their troubles... Like the red ring of death.(o0oh so scary!)
There are many sites explaining how to try to fix some problems yourself.
Wikepedia explains this AND the legal actions that many have taken. Maybe it was my threat of legal action, maybe it was because i used the 'i am Not happy' song again , who knows what persuaded them, I was able to get them to repair the system for free. I let them Know I was still not happy with the 99.00 fee being waved. I was pushing for a new system and a longer warranty since we know they're built to break. My son was real grateful that I saved him 99.00 and got him a months gold card (whatever that may be!) but I can't explain how I feel. My pilgrimage feels unfulfilled... I sense there are many more battles to face in '09. Thinking back I remember that I (yes I ) used to be a very timid returner & unassertive complainer. To truly live my life's destiny, I am considering taking on returns and battles for timid strangers everywhere. I am thinking of starting a website to do my part and help my fellow ripped off, pissed off brothers acquire truth, justice and a full refund or product replacement. I don't need buddha or yoga or mystical gurus to tell me why i've been given this precious gift of life. My mission is clear (so watch out retailers)....my pilgrimage has only just begun.
© all rights reserved
sun.scribs.

Interview me!

I really enjoyed reading the answers to the interview questions my buddy Giggles was given on her blog. Since I am in a blogging lull and since I adore giggles, I decided to play the game and asked her to "interview me". Here are the basic rules...

**Let me know if you'd like to play along and I'll send you some questions!
1. Leave a comment saying Interview me. 2.If you want to keep your email address private, email me your request to interview you (lucypetals@ymail.com) 3. I will email you 5 questions. I get to pick the questions. 4. You can answer the questions on your blog. 5. post rules on your blog with an offer to interview anyone else who emails you wanting to be interviewed. 6. Anyone wishing to be interviewed should be sent 5 questions on their blog. 7. It would be nice if the questions were individualized for each blogger.
** here are the questions giggles sent me and my answers.. (THAnKs Giggles!)

1)What was your best memory as a child and why?
Hmmm, I must admit, I had to skip this one till last and I am still having a difficult time with it. well #5's answer is definitely a best memory. i loved doing that! I guess another best memory was sleeping over my best friend Linda's house EVERY single weekend!


2)What are some of your biggest regrets in life and why?
Okay Oprah, are u trying to make me cry? My greatest regret is goofing off in high school and Not going on to college. I would get up each morning and GO to school but Not sign in to homeroom. I then hung out all day, flirting and socializing and sometimes I would show up to a class i enjoyed. But, by being declared 'absent' I never got caught and penalized, instead I penalized myself with the remorse of being so damn foolish. I really believe I could have set myself up for a much more successful life, had I taken education as seriously as I do now.

3)Other than a writer, and the profession you're in now what other career choice would you have liked to explore?
As much as it would have been a real 'stretch' and I am sure a dead end road, i often wished ( or is it, "I often regreted" which then should be put into quest. #2) I would have explored a dancing career. Being such a shrimp, it was discouraged. But look at
Kristen Chenoweth When I saw her on Broadway in Wicked and she stood only 4'11" tall , I thought.. Damn it!I am an inch taller! ( although if like her, you can sing and act too, maybe height isn't discriminated against)

4)What are your favorite chores and your least favorite and why?
because it is my favorite chore, I don't consider it a chore at all.
I love cooking great dinners for my family, maybe it's my italian heritage but to me I show my love with food! I enjoy us all sitting down together and everyone being comforted by their long time favorite meals. Least favorite chore?.. EVERYTHING else! why? because i have just become so tired and bored of housework, food shopping and errands!


5)What was your favorite thing to do as a child, include toys or events.
I guess my favorite thing to do as a child was playing out doors ALL day with all the kids on the block.
From morning till night, we ran around, pretending, playing hop scotch, biking, exploring and never wanting to go home. With all the indoor things kids today have at their disposal, I wonder if they feel like I did? The toys I did own and have vivid memories enjoying were my dawn dolls. I loved creating furniture for them and building them rooms to live in. I wish I would have saved one Dawn doll as a keepsake. Foolishly, when i felt too big for my dolls i gave them all to my cousins 4 year old daughter.


Thanks so much for asking me these poignant, thoughtful questions Sherrie.
You've driven me to mix up a nice afternoon bloody mary! haha
Hope to interview some of my faithful readers. xo

Organic Brain Syndrome

Organic, eh?
Besides not having much computer time, due to the fact that my kids are as hooked into cyber world as I have become, and as much as they say "sure Mom, you can use my computer", I can see their expression is similar to when they were young and were told, it's flu shot time.
Besides this problem, my other problem with this Sunday Scribblings prompt was... Organic??
i seriously was totally UNinspired. I tried to put down my book club book and begin searching my wintry cozy brain for SOmething, anything. I love scribblings day, i want to play too! So then, it came to me.. An unusually organicY topic.... MY BED.
Yep, I am an organic chick after all. i may not spend the extra bucks for organic carrots and organic bananas, but BOY did I pay dearly for my organic bed.
It is made from a rubber tree! NO! I fool u not! It is a very long story that my husband is not too happy about me telling, but I will give u a shortened version, of what led us to our latex mattress!

About 3 years ago we set out to buy a twin mattress for my son. The 3 targets, I mean shoppers head into sleepys. As my son and I compare and test and debate over the twin beds, my husband has been SwOOped up by the shark in the bad suit with the worse toupe. The next thing I know I look across this huge store and there he is jumping on a king sized bed with Mel Toupe egging him on and clapping no less! I immediately know I am in trouble, since Mr. petals had hinted often that he thought we should invest in a king sized bed.
I make my way over to him and before i can say 'are u crazzY'? Mel has boosted me up and I too am jumping up and down on the bed. Like a typical woman, i am a comparrison shopper. i wont' buy a salad spinner without first checking all that are available and making a smart choice.

So when my usually sane husband begins having organic brain syndrome and starts telling me that we HaVE to buy this (ridiculously expensive) temperpedic bed, I am stone faced and adamant as I say.. "We need to leave NOW, lets go have lunch, lets talk reasonably about this", AWAY from the luxuriously expensive bed and the irresistibly evil Mel.
He wouldn't budge. He then hits me below the belt with... "WHY must we shop around for EVERYTHING?" WHY can't FOR ONCE we make a decision on the spot and save me the weekends of torture in every mattress store on Long island!!" Add to this my son who is usually not a traitor, but he is saying 'yeah Mom, buy it, dad is right, come on," and he is taking sides with the mid day meal of a shark anticipating the yummy bite. Against my best judgment, against my common sense, against my entire grain... I decide to not have a war over this and We buy a bed we can't afford but of course mel has the 0 interest paper work in my face about that.

The bed is delivered the same day..... As they undo the plastic wrapper around the bed, for the first time i notice in beautiful writing all across the mattress CASHMERE cashmere Cashmere CaSHMERE. Guess who is allergic to Cashmere? Yeah, me.
Making this much too long story shorter, we return it and find out that the return policy states, you can ONLY return it and buy something of EQuAL value... NO MONEY baCK!
Guess what is as ridiculously priced as a temperpedic cashmere Freaking kING SIZED BED??
You got it, An organic latex bed. make from the rubber tree. My husband justified that it's great to have such a comfortable bed since we spend 1/3 of our lives in bed to which i quickly retorted..
Yeah, THAT is why out of all the purchase u make in life... THIS would be the one that should have had the most extensive research!
I can tell u that after 28 years of marriage this is THE only subject that is SO touchy with both of us and no matter how much time passes, it may still lead to divorce one day! ( oh the one thing I just have to add, After our latex bed arrived, it arrived with a tag that wasn't on the stores display... " DUE TO THE NATURAL LATEX PRODUCT, IT IS NORMAL FOR THIS BED TO SINK UP TO 1 1/2 INCHES." well, the deep impressions on each side where we sleep are so noticeable to the large hump in the middle which has NO deep impression. We are sleeping in a bed that looks like it is about 50 years old but won't be paid for till I am.)

Paying it forward

My husbands doctor sent him to see a specialist yesterday. (routine checkup)
Coincidentally the recommended doctor is friends and neighbors with one of my friends.
They live about 10 minutes from me in my same town, but the doctors office is about 40 minutes from us. The visit went well and we did mention to him that we have this mutual friend.
When we got back home, my husband realized he had forgotten his good reading glasses at the doctors office. I quickly called over there and even though my husband thought it was very bold of me, I asked his receptionist if she could ask the doctor to please bring the glasses home with him, and i would ask my friend, his neighbor to pick them up. She called me back and said the doctor said 'no problem". Well, about 2 hours later there was a knock on my front door. I assumed it was one of the kids friends and opened the door to find... YeS! u guessed it... The Doctor himself!
I was so shocked and we were just so grateful! My dogs ran outside and jumped all over him and he was good natured about that too! As I closed the door I just kept saying.. I can't believe he came here, It was just so unbelievably nice of him to go out of his way like this!!

I began thinking of the pay it forward theory. Have u seen this film or heard of this concept? I remembered that just a few days ago we had a real bad ice storm. My husband was at work and the weather was getting worse and worse all day. As he was finishing up with his last client, she mentioned she needed to call another cab. The bad road conditions had frightened her, so she didn't take her car. My husband nobly offered to give her a ride home. He had told me how she kept saying.. "Thank you so much for going out of your way like this!"
Don't you think there is something to this? After all , kindness is contagious! To prove it, let's all try to go out of our way for a stranger tomorrow. When they express their gratitude, Ask them to please pay it forward. let's see what comes back to all of us!
** bold print in honor of my mentor giggles!***

3 word wednesday

deception

panic

scheme

My water district claims it's won yearly best taste awards

"OH, Our water surpasses towns close by and out of reach!"

I panic that theirs is a scheme of deception lies and fraud

As I pour a tall glass with floating debris and the distinct taste of bleach

I wrote this quick poem because even though my water in NO way looks or tastes as bad as this photo depicts, I DO feel worried that the taste has changed recently and I am concerned for my families safety.  I tried changing water jugs. We are always hearing so much about the toxicity of plastics. We used to use plastic containers and now I found really perfect glass jugs that even have a cap. I love them and I swear they may have helped the problem a little, but I am still tasting the bleach. Wish I could show u a pic of my new jugs (that doesn't sound right) but my computer is still down and I wouldn't know how to upload photos on this one. 

I also plan on researching which types of filters have the best rating and having a plumber come install it. I have to get the type that goes under the sink because my kitchen faucet is the kind that pulls out of the holder as a sprayer too. If any one has a recommendation, I would love to hear about it!  

 visit writers with talent at 3 word wed.

The Mac Attack

Well, maybe my new year luck is turning around! Today I brought my crashed Mac computer to the Apple store. I guesstimated that this was the 5th visit for service since I bought it. (about four years ago.) At that time, we were persuaded to buy a mac vs. a Pc with the following sales pitch..
Apples don't get viruses, This apple will last 10 years as opposed to a 3-4 year term for a pc.
The apple was much more expensive but we decided if it lasted that much longer, it would be well worth it. Each time I brought my rotten apple in for service for one problem after another, i was met with every excuse in the book. Today... with the wise words of my savvy, spunky friend Sherrie, singing in my head... I was determined to get my point across! Sherries simple but VERY effective advice... Repeatedly state you're not happy till you are made happy!
The first sentence out of my mouth, after being asked How are you today, was ... I am NOT happy!
I then explained my dissatisfaction, To which he said.. well you've brought it in 4 times for service, but there was only something wrong that needed to be fixed one time, the other times they found nothing wrong.. To which I said 'Proves you sold me a lemon instead of an apple. If there isn't anything wrong and it isn't working correctly.. It's a lemon!' (I am very sure that my mostly quiet but very intimidating looking husband sitting next to me like my attack dog waiting to lunge was also quite a plus!) He occasionally told me to calm down! Hinting to them that there was way more fire in me than I was letting them have! As the nice genius boy tried to give me one excuse after another like the times before I just kept saying.. "I am not happy, I am not happy, I am not happy! Everyone I know with an apple is so satisfied, I AM NOT SATISFIED!!" finally he smiled and asked... What would make u happy? I said.. A New computer! He excused himself and when he came back a few minutes later... he told me.. they can't give me a new one on the spot, but they could ship one from the Manufacturer!! Giggles YOU are the real genius baby!!


As we sat waiting for the paper work to be completed I thanked him again & AGAIN, and embarrassed my attack dog when I declared loud enough for several customers and genius' to hear...

"NO ONE HAS BEEN ABLE TO SATISFY ME FOR FOUR YEARS!" It took me a second but when I saw the apple boys holding in their laughter and glanced at my attack dogs priceless expression ( thinking Lucy, think before u speak!) I quickly saved myself by grabbing my husbands face and saying .. "of course, except YOU honey!" To which there was much levity and smiles all around! Now, I can't praise and highly recommend them enough! I finally got great customer satisfaction and it is true that one bad apple doesn't spoil the whole bunch!
There is still the worry that my old computer may be fried and I've lost all my info,pictures and music, which I stupidly didn't back up! I won't know for certain for a couple of weeks. I've learned a lesson the hard way that I need an external hard drive.but I've learned an easy lesson that It's easy to state exactly what you want! And like giggles taught us this week.... It's also okay to ASK!

(I can't believe that I had to write this twice! the first one was much more to my liking but being on my sons pc, i hit a wrong button and erased half the story! two weeks is going to feel like 2 years!)

A new addition to our family

I'm so happy to share the news that my friend Jon has started a blog! I hope everyone who visits me will go over and take a look at his wonderful poetry and welcome him into our friendly family of bloggers!
I Remember how much Icraved visitors when i first began!
Thanks!!
looking out for who

For richer or poorer

To hope. To dream. To imagine.
In 2009, I had hoped to change my families futures.
I had a dream that I could make it happen.
Recently, I imaged a wonderful idea for an invention.
I shared it with a friend, who also got revved up and wanted to be
an investor.
We researched the concept and happily found out it didn't already exist.
So, I planned and I worked hard and I sought out sound advice. I kept my idea
protected like a precious newborn baby. I began to excitedly carry out my idea.
I spent many hours thinking, creating and bringing my vision to life.
Just yesterday, new years day, as I was on a passionate role, just as I could visualize
it all panning out, all the pieces falling together, my son made a devastating discovery.
My unique idea had already been put into action. Executed by another, a few
short years ago. My poor son came to me with a grief stricken expression and such a heavy heart, that I was preparing myself to hear news of someones death. His news did affect me as if someone had died. I feel i am in mourning for my hopefulness. For my imagined dream. I was never very skilled in computer research, but would have never imagined how much that shortcoming would cause such heart break. Even though ultimately my dream included riches for my family, my dream was also a desire to prove to myself that I could accomplish anything I put my mind to, a dream to make a difference in the world
Like the time it takes to heal after any type of grieving, I am so hoping in time, i can imagine and find passion for another idea that would give me that desired feeling of making a difference. I will dry my tears, put on my big girl panties and optimistically believe, I am no poorer for this crushing upset, I am in fact richer. Rich With wisdom, with growth and like a dear friend pointed out, with inner strength, that just like a good cup of tea, grows only stronger in hot water.
(my computer crashed yesterday,so i am sharing someones. If I dont reply to your comments and emails for a while, please understand)

 sun.scribbs