I don't know about you folks, but I've been doing the old two steps forward...three back...goin' nowhere - fast

I can't get my picture on here. How did you all do it?

Happy Birthday, grammy!!! Hope you're able to get someone else to do the cooking! Have a wonderful year...

in

pressure

his

father's

dreading

That's what I meant about learning to see ourselves as a part of a community. Learning to help and ask for help. I don't think anyone but the really big guys will get through this alone. Friends of mine have been struggling with the devastating illness of the father of the family...fighting to live with a cancerous brain tumor for 4+ years. It has taken the concerted effort of a small group of their friends/family to keep them afloat financially over this time...taking turns buying groceries, paying a bill, putting gas in their car, etc. I'm hoping we'll see more of that...people coming together in small ways to help one another. My mother said that is the only way the people of her small country town survived the Depression...little people helping each other.

Out...

When I'm in a loving relationship, a new 'entity' develops. No longer just a 'You' and 'Me'...there is an 'Us'. When love is gone, there is a 'death' of sorts. Nothing more life-changing than death in my book

Not really, but do ya think that wiry little barkin' mutt has anything to do with the delay?
(I'm thinking I may not see that bunny till later at dinner at my friend's house...lol!)

You're right, Kat...wisdom. We'll get through. Hping you are hangin' in there o.k.

Not yet, but is that the little devil hoppin' around the corner now?

Yum....CHOCOLATE!!!

I can paint the kitchen red .

My home seems more whimsical...definitely a space that is 'me'.

Much less laundry, cooking, cleaning and shopping.

I can have ice cream for dinner.

My insomnia disturbs no one but me.

Everything is always where I left it.


BUT...

There is no one to tell me 'good night' and vice versa.

No one notices if I'm late getting home from work...wonder how long it would be before my friends and remaining family would begin to look for me if something dreadful happened.

I miss daily human contact and conversation with someone who feels like family. So grateful for co-workers who are also friends. I get a hug each morning upon arriving at work .

The little stuff adds up and gets to me now and then...shoveling snow, mowing grass, hauling the trashcan to the street, cleaning up the dead bird carcass outside of the sliding glass door (BEFORE the dog gets it!), remembering and tending to the car maintenance...

No one to rush home and share 'good news' with.

Making major financial decisions on my own.

Heck, yeah!!! Doesn't everyone like to laugh...(((Ed)))?

Did you have a visit from the Easter bunny?

It is becoming more and more grim here. We definitely haven't turned a corner, yet...the corner isn't even in sight. Even in health care...an 'industry' that always seemed somhow insolated from economic problems. There will always be a need for the services and seemed a secure job. The lay-offs from the hospital where I work are frightening. Also, 2 of my friends, both hard-working folks with decent paying jobs, are/have filed for bankruptcy. One has lost his house. They both now face rebuilding their lives. Thank goodness both are still working. Frightening times.

I added the nothing, but it didn't turn out quite right. Is there something missing from the directions? Hmmmm...should I have stirred it a bit?

Please, don't [edit] misunderstand my post. I value, encourage and honor each person's right to express his/her opinion, concerns and disagreement regarding the path our leaders are choose for us. Our country was created out of protest and dissent. We 'stand on the shoulders of giants' - those who demanded the right to be represented and heard. In fact, I think it is every American citzen's obligation to voice heartfelt, thoughtful, honest dissention. To sit back and not speak out when we feel something is wrong is un-American in my opinion.

And, yes. I, too, believe this will get worse before it gets better. But I believe we will get through it together...in spite of and with our disagreeements. I'm hoping one of the blessings that will come from these troubled times will be a return of the sense of real community which many of us have lost. and that most of us will again live in a community in which we know, count on and care for our neighbors on a very concrete, real level. We may very well be called on to help each other in ways we have nearly forgotten. We may also find ourselves learning to ask for help that we couldn't imagine needing or accepting in the past. If we come through this frightening time as a country of people who understand our 'interconnectedness' ( I think I made that word up...) with our families, friends, neighbors, fellow citizens and the rest of the world, this could end up being an even greater community/ society/country, a healthier life and a better world for all of us.

And to you and all! Happy Easter...Happy Spring...

The mindset of wanting to see the President fail is troubling and confusing. To disagree with a President's actions, policies or programs is one thing...but to actually anticipate with relish being able to witness the damage one believes a President will eventually cause? Is being able to potentially say, "I told you so" worth it?

I'm sticking with the 'ya can't stop a speeding train on a dime' school of thought. Much of what is occurring now, I believe, began long before Obama was elected...ummmm, can you say 'deregulation'. The Wall Street debacle and the crimes of the banking institutions of this country have deep roots...been growing for awhile. We're now reaping what was sown by giving them more rein.

I'm willing to hold judgement until there has been time to stop the train. And call it lunacy or naivete, but I'm hoping he is right. I'm hoping with all my heart that our new president is doing what is best...can any of us really afford to hope otherwise?