Investment Tips For 2008

Okay, my daughter sent me this and I got a good laugh so enjoy......

With all the turmoil in the market today and the collapse of Lehman Bros and Acquisition of Merrill Lynch by Bank of America this might be some good advice. For all of you with any money left, be aware of the next expected mergers so that you can get in on the ground floor and make some BIG bucks. Watch for these consolidations in later this year:

1.) Hale Business Systems, Mary Kay Cosmetics, Fuller Brush, and W R. Grace Co. will merge and become:
Hale, Mary, Fuller, Grace.

2.) Polygram Records, Warner Bros., and Zesta Crackers join forces and become:
Poly, Warner Cracker.

3.) 3M will merge with Goodyear and become:
MMMGood.

4.) Zippo Manufacturing, Audi Motors, Dofasco, and Dakota Mining will merge and become:
ZipAudiDoDa .

5.) FedEx is expected to join its competitor, UPS, and become:
FedUP.

6.) Fairchild Electronic s and Honeywell Computers will become:
Fairwell Honeychild.

7.) Grey Poupon and Docker Pants are expected to become:
PouponPants.

8.) Knotts Berry Farm and the National Organization of Women will become:
Knott NOW!

And finally...

9 Victoria 's Secret and Smith & Wesson will merge under the new name:
TittyTittyBangBang

7 Reasons Not To Mess With Children

I am sure some of you have read these before but I thought it was time for some humor......

A little girl was talking to her teacher about whales. The teacher said it was physically impossible for a whale to swallow a human because even though it was a very large mammal its throat was very small. The little girl stated that Jonah was swallowed by a whale. Irritated, the teacher reiterated that a whale could not swallow a human; it was physically impossible. The little girl said, 'When I get to heaven I will ask Jonah'. The teacher asked, 'What if Jonah went to hell?' The little girl replied, 'Then you ask him'.

A Kindergarten teacher was observing her classroom of children while they were drawing. She would occasionally walk around to see each child's work. As she got to one little girl who was working diligently, she asked what the drawing was. The girl replied, 'I'm drawing God.' The teacher paused and said, 'But no one knows what God looks like.' Without missing a beat, or looking up from her drawing, the girl replied, 'They will in a minute..'

A Sunday school teacher was discussing the Ten Commandments with her five and six year olds. After explaining the commandment to 'honor' thy Father and thy Mother, she asked, 'Is there a commandment that teaches us how to treat our brothers and sisters?' Without missing a beat one little boy (the oldest of a family) answered, 'Thou shall not kill.'

One day a little girl was sitting and watching her mother do the dishes at the kitchen sink. She suddenly noticed that her mother had several strands of white hair sticking out in contrast on her brunette head. She looked at her mother and inquisitively asked, 'Why are some of your hairs white, Mom?' Her mother replied, 'Well, every time that you do something wrong and make me cry or unhappy, one of my hairs turns white.' The little girl thought about this revelation for a while and then said, 'Momma, how come ALL of grandma's hairs are white?'

The children had all been photographed, and the teacher was trying to persuade them each to buy a copy of the group picture. 'Just think how nice it will be to look at it when you are all grown up and say, 'There's Jennifer, she's a lawyer,' or 'That's Michael, He's a doctor.' A small voice at the back of the room rang out, 'And there's the teacher, she's dead.'

A teacher was giving a lesson on the circulation of the blood. Trying to make the matter clearer, she said, 'Now, class, if I stood on my head, the blood, as you know, would run into it, and I would turn red in the face.' 'Yes,' the class said. 'Then why is it that while I am standing upright in the ordinary position the blood doesn't run into my feet?' A little fellow shouted, 'Cause your feet ain't empty.'

The children were lined up in the cafeteria of an elementary school for lunch. At the head of the table was a large pile of apples. The teacher made a note, and posted on the apple tray: 'Take only ONE . God is watching.' Moving further along the lunch line, at the other end of the table was a large pile of chocolate chip cookies. A child had written a note, 'Take all you want. God is watching the apples.'

Blessings

Yesterday, I was blog hopping, stopping by and visiting new friends when I happened upon a blog post where a friend of a friend who was only 30, a junior pastors wife if I read correctly and had two children and was 35 weeks along with her third child, was diagnosed with stage 4 cancer. It happend upon her in about two months time and is so agressive the prognosis is bad. Her baby was delivered by C-section. I was just devistated, my question, why do bad things happen to good people, mostly Godly people. One of my questions to God when I meet him. I prayed for this young lady immedately on the spot. To be so young and not see your babies grow up is just unimaginable. I must go back and read the book, "When God Doesn't Make Sense."

From that blog I went to another who was offering a "Blessings" book as a prize. THAT blog got me thinking about all my blessings. I must say I have had heartache but I been blessed beyond means too. Sometimes I complain about stuff that doesn't even matter in the big picture and then I go, "Why me, me. me, me." THEN I read a blog like above and it slaps me in the face of reality. There are people far worse off then myself. I have my home, job, fantastic husband and children, food on my table, the good health of my family, WHY then do I complain? I have no good answer

My sis gave me the idea to make a prayer book a while back. She makes these fantastic journals from just a composition book and so I decided to make one with my scrapbooking stuff. I have begun to write down my prayers and when they are answered I write it down also so I can see what is happening in my life.

Today is Sunday, let's pray and count our blessings and for those less fortunate.

Blog Of The Day Award!

Oh My Gosh! I received a Blog of the Day Award, how exciting. Kindred spirit Laura, nonimated me. This like an Oscar so I have written a short "story" speech:

I was stealing glances at my blog Tuesday afternoon, as I sit right next to the CEO (retired 2 star Navy Admiral), separated only by a thin wall. Looking over my shoulder, listening for the slightest sound that he is moving about, cause I must be working at all times!! I new my daughter was tracking the comments because she really, really, wants that Champagne dress and I know she is just sitting there at her work going, "YES! I knew there were people on my side". Not that I am not just so you know....Anyway, all of the sudden my feedjit live numbers started shooting through the roof, people from all over the country, I am like, "What the heck?" Stealing a closer look, I notice that people were viewing my blog via blogofthedayawards.com. I thought, hummm wonder what that is. I had to wait patiently for the right moment.

Then when the CEO stepped away, WAY WAY away, I punched it up again and checked that I had lots of comments so I opened it quickly and saw that one comment stated I had received a Blog of the Day Award. I was so excited I called my sister Janeen on my cell phone and said, "Janeen, I just got a Blog of the Day Award, this is so exciting,....... what is it?" Being a new blogger of just short of two weeks I am not up on all the blogger lingo. She was all excited and started explaining but all of the sudden the call gets all choppy and I hear about every 4th word. Sooooo frustrating. I had to wait painstakingly until 7pm to call her and have her walk me through it. What are sisters for huh? That being done and the award proudly displayed on my blog page, I'd like to end with a huge thank you to all of you that stop and visit. Whether you just read or leave a comment, it is appreciated. Don't by shy, leave a comment and I will happily visit you too.

Thank you, Thank you, Thank you.

Wedding Dress Shopping

My daughter Jackie is going to be married next October, 09. During her last year of college we did all the planning etc. This past weekend we went shopping for bridesmaids dress and a re-visit for wedding dresses. We actually bought the one you see below for a steal of a deal earlier this year with a promise of leaving the door open if another "affordable" one caught her eye. Here is just a sample of what we liked:

This is the one we actually bought previously, above and below:

This Champagne dress is her favorite and it is great with her red hair and skin color. We are praying the price goes lower then the $1,000.00 now $800.00 so pray with us the more people who pray the lower the price will go.......right? Doesn't she just look absolutely beautiful? My little girl is all grown up.

I do think her father is going to have a hard time giving his little girl away.

This is the last one she tried on that was in the running.

This is the front view of the Arden Hills Country Club where she will be married. It is a beautiful and very affordable place believe it or not.



This is the villa on the property were they will spend their wedding night

Stay tuned for wedding dress/wedding updates!! This is such an exciting time for us.

An Evening Dinner Tea

I have been wanting to do an evening dinner tea for a couple of years now but never carved out an evening from my busy schedule. The day time High Teas I give are always so much fun that I thought, hey why not do one by candle light. . My sis and her amazing photography skills took these photos of my dinner tea so take a scroll and enjoy.

This is actually a card my sister Janeen gave me. We have a tradition of getting the hostest of any tea party a tea gift of some sort and over the years I have received some beautiful items but this card is just so darn cute.

Those are frozen raspberries dropped into champagne fluets and topped off with Sparkling Apple Cider. Great taste!

My wonderful mother Darlin (yes that's her name) and sister Janeen

My good friend of 20 years, Jenifer, and Janeen,

Can't see it too good but this was my menu I created. So proud of myself I am.

Leafy greens with cranberries, walnuts and a raspberry vinaigrette

Cottage Pie and cornbread,

Friends and myself enjoying our ladies time,

My dessert didn't hit the plate like it should but this is a Lemon and Raspberry layered pie. Served partly frozen.

I must have been talking, they look so thrilled don't they? lol

I don't know what the heck was so funny. Below, time for Tea Gifts!!!!!!

Lovely autoum candle set from my mother,

Some Cranberry Green Tea and lovely tea post-its from Jenifer,

Wonderful, designer tooth pics like you saw earlier with the fruit in the bowl from my sis Janeen

Well the evening was a smashing success and I just might do it again! Hope you all enjoyed. :)

I've been tagged by the Dutchess! I had to pick the sixth picture file and then the sixth picture. Well, since I have only one picture file on my new computer this my sixth picture. This picture is of myself and Janice. Janice is my daughter Jackie's, future Mother-in-law. She is a wonderful person. My daughter is truly lucky to be marrying into this family. She and I get along famously. Here we are toasting Jackie's graduation from University of California, Davis this past June.

Janice and her husband are high school sweethearts and have been married for 30 years. They have four boys and Brian their eldest is Jackie's fiance. Jackie told me one day that Janice and I had alot in common. Some of the commonalities if that is even a word are: we decorate our Christmas trees the exact same way, we even semi dress the same way, we each have the same family room layout with the same basic furniture and layout. That I couldn't believe until I saw it. Sure enough she was right! Last, we both wear the same type glasses. I am ecstatic that she and my daughter get along wonderfully because you always hear the horror stories and no one wants that for their daughter. We are very blessed.

My Long Hair No More

I have had long hair FOREVER! Twice. The first time I cut it was when I was mesmorized by Princess Diana's doo and just had to have it. Now, we all know that men like long hair and my husband is no exception that is why the first time I had to do it in secret. You know, wake up with long hair and meet your husband at the door after his long hard day at work with WALA new short doo. He was definately NOT smiling. It took me only four years to go from Princess Di short to current long. I have sported this long hair for about 12 years or more now. It is thick, straight and holds no curl. I wore it straight or up in a french twist that I put up wet at 4:30am only to have it still wet at 10pm truely. I am 45 years old, yes, I thought it was time for a change. It was hard though because everywhere I went I had people commenting on my hair. Mid-life crisis probably happening here.So....THIS time I decided to work up to it. I told him I wanted to cut it. All of the sudden he was on the internet picking out pictures of hairstyles. He fancied the new Katie Holmes look but I was not too sure about that. I kinda was leaning towards a few Sandra Bullock pics. He printed out pics for days and days. It was funny. Of course when I went and actually got it cut, I arrived early and looked at some of their picture books and found something totally different. In the end, I absolutely loved it and he hated it. Oh well, I said, get used to it. lol

Here are the most recent before: My husband Gerry, our daughter Jacqueline(graduating from University of California, Davis) and me. Jacqueline has long red hair too.

This is the back view, because it is so thick, it took minimum of 30minutes to blow dry. No air dry for me I'd look like a frizz ball.

WALA here is the new me! And the funny thing is this is all just blow dry and I have NOT been able to duplicate it since. Isn't that how it always works, go figure.... I have done all sorts of other styles but not this one. It was supposed to be easy. Another funny thing was that some natural curl cropped in there. But all in all, I love it and I can let the wind take it every which way and all I have to do is run a brush through it and I am done. I feel so liberated really. I feel more my age too. AND THE BEST PART........ONE OF MY SONS COWORKERS ASKED IF I WAS HIS OLDER SISTER OR MOTHER!!!!! HA. FAMOUS!

ALSO, I DONATED MY HAIR TO LOCKS OF LOVE. APPARENTLY LITTLE GIRLS WANT LONG HAIR AND LOVE THE LONG HAIR WIGS. GLAD I COULD HELP. :)

Sick Day Traveling

Ok, so I have this nasty cold and nothing good is on TV so I decided to surf the internet for places I'd like to go. Since I don't have a passport and therefore can't travel abroad as of yet, I decided to do some -window shop traveling- so to speak. England is my first stop, I typed in Hyde Park and what pops up? This absolutely gorgeous 5 star hotel. The Mandarin Oriental. I am afraid to check out the cost so I will just pretend that it is within my peanut shell budget and that I arrive in a Bentley, (rented but no one need know). I won't be able to afford breakfast at this hotel so I have prepared and brought Pop-Tarts from America.


After breakfast, I hired a carriage for a ride in Hyde Park and stopped to see the Albert Memorial. Fabulous structure.



Because I was always fascinated with Princess Diana, I just had to stop by Kensington Palace. Look, the gates were open, they must have anticipated my arrival, how kind.... although that is not the receiption I received when I strolled through the gates like I lived there.

Then off to St. Pauls Cathedral..

By this time I was pretty much famished as I had to walk everywhere. The American dollar is tanked right now so it doesn't get me much abroad. Now it was time to find a nice place for High Tea English style. Before I left, I searched through my book "The Great T ea Rooms of Britian" and I had chose The Waldorf Palm Court. Had to hitch a ride.

OK, the food was famous, I decided to stay and have tea until they kicked me out. Which I think was pretty much after the fifth pot of tea. I guess they didn't like my English accent. Can I help it if I kept slipping in there the famous "flat" American tone? I mean really. I was just trying to savor the moment, make a memory you know? I wonder how many times they say, "those damn Americans" haha


Well Big Ben said it was time to go home.
I wish I could have visited longer, maybe on my next visit, ya, when the american dollar gets me dollar for dollar or double or triple my value, right. hahahahaha. THANK GOD for the internet, as window shop traveling is free! Hope you enjoyed my travels. :)

English Heritage

My mother mentioned to me years ago that her two great aunts were from England. Needless to say I was thrilled with this tidbit of information, I just knew I had some English blood running through my veins, but then she went on to say that they grew up in an orphanage, very sad. When the oldest aunt turned of age she was essentially kicked out of the orphanage so she got a job and waited for her younger sister to turn of age. Then they took off on a grand adventure to America to start anew! Well upon hearing that part I was a little peaved because I have always loved England and I figured they should have stayed there, found the filthy rich Duke that should have taken them in and raised them (I am making this up) and then somewhere down the line I would have been born to a life of privelage. Instead I am American Middle Class, I was so robbed. So, I decided to rewrite history as it should have been for me, born to English Nobility:

This is the home I was born to:

Here I am Lady Melody enjoying dress up and having a tea party with my sister Lady Janeen, she's the blonde I am the brunette:

This is just one of the fabulous parties given by my father the Duke of Something. I so enjoy playing the pianoforte. We all enjoyed keeping with the victorian style dress of bygone days.

Here I am looking out upon the gardens, probably reflecting why I am "on the shelf". Surley my luck would change....

These are just a few of my closest friends, we called ourselves the "gossip circle". Again, it was more fun to dress in the big hoop dresses and do our hair up all vintage.

This is one of the elegant balls I attended as a wallflower. Oh but wait, there I am in the lower left corner in the blue dress. It looks like maybe my own Duke has arrived! Wait, it looks like he has gray hair. I might have to keep looking....

I found him! My betrothed and I.

I searched and searched to find the right wedding photo since I always bucked tradition, I let my hair down and bared my shoulders.

My young daughter, Lady Jacqueline and I.

Well, there you have it a glimpse in to my world as it could have been, sigh.......The jewels, riding in Hyde Park, the jewels, SHOPPING, the jewels and more shopping! These are the images I must keep tucked away in my thoughts of "what could have been". Someday, I will get to England and look up their linage with a fine tooth comb and hopefully trace it back to some Grand Duke and Duchess! But, in all likely hood my aunts were probably the decedents of an upstairs maid and a Valet......Maybe I should leave well enough alone. lol