Family First Website

I found a website called Family First while looking for a joke. Check it out.

(This was the joke I was searching for.)
Remember, old folks are worth a fortune -- silver in their hair, gold in their teeth, stones in their kidneys, lead in their feet, and gas in their stomachs. I have become a little older since I saw you last, and a few changes have come into my life since then. Frankly, I have become quite a frivolous old gal. I am seeing five gentlemen every day.

As soon as I wake up, Will Power helps me get out of bed. Then I go to see John. Then Charlie Horse comes along, and when he is here he takes a lot of my time and attention. When he leaves Arthur Ritis shows up and stays the rest of the day. He doesn't like to stay in one place very long, so he takes me from joint to joint. After such a busy day I'm really tired and glad to go to bed with Ben Gay. What a life!

P.S.: The preacher came to call the other day. He said at my age I should be thinking about the hereafter. I told him, "Oh, I do all the time. No matter where I am -- in the parlor, upstairs, in the kitchen, or down in the basement -- I ask myself what am I here after?"

I Am Getting Old – Part Twelve

I am getting old because…Once again, this is probably not because of getting older but just something to write about. I recently bought a new computer and a printer. The gotcha is, as the salesperson kindly pointed out it was not his company but the printer manufacturer, a printer cable did not come with the printer. The cable had to be purchased separately. I should have remembered that from my IT days. Each time we bought printers, we had to by cables. You would think that since the cable is essential to operate the printer with the computer it would be included as an accessory.

At the time I bought the computer, the salesperson also told me that for the sum of $150.00 they would “setup the computer for me”. He indicated that Vista (Microsoft’s newest operating system) was hard to setup. They would “add the gadgets” to the desktop for me. Even after I told the salesperson what my job was for the past 20 years, he still said I would not be able to do the setup. I kindly told him, that I was pretty sure I could and I did. The setup process was so easy that even a person without any computer experience, could do it. The hardest part, even though there is some color-coding on the “wires”, is finding where to plug the monitor, keyboard, mouse, printer, etc., into the back of the system unit. Once that has been accomplished, WHAT DO YOU DO WITH ALL THE JUMBLE OF CORDS? I have been thinking about how to invent something to solve this problem but have not come up with a feasible solution.

My other gripe about the computer is that MS Office Suite Software no longer comes with the computer. It too has to be purchased separately. Microsoft does allow the computer manufacturer to include MS Works. After I checked the price of the MS Office Suite, I decided that for the time being MS Works would, no pun intended, work for me. The student version of MS Office is 149.00 and the professional version is 399.00. As far as I am concerned, that is highway robbery. You would think that since Bill Gates and Microsoft are worth “billions”, he/they could at least give computer users a student version of MS Office. How much money does he need?

Other than these things I have written about, I really do like my new computer. My husband knows absolutely nothing about computers and he wants me to teach him. Even though I have taught classes about computers and software, I DO NOT WANT TO TEACH HIM. I would like to stay married to him so I keep putting him off. I am not sure how much longer I can avoid it. Oh well, I may suggest that he take lessons somewhere else and see how that is accepted. Until next time, so long for now.

I Am Getting Old – Part Eleven

I am getting old because…I found some more topics yesterday and as I examine them and write, I think these too have nothing to do with aging but are things that have always bothered my and now I have the time to write about them.

First is opening a new roll of aluminum foil. It is hard enough to get the flap open without getting a paper cut, which really hurts the thicker the paper is, but try to get the end of the roll pulled up so you can tear it off as needed. It gets turned in and will not pull or it pulls and tears so you have all these little edges at the ends of the roll and have to peal them off so it stays even. Then when I put it in the drawer next to the stove, the lid will not stay down and when I open the drawer next time, it gets hung on the lid of the foil. You would think that I would move it to another place like the top shelf in the cabinet over the sink but that is not where I want it. I want it in that drawer next to the stove.

Second is my coffee pot. It takes to long to “make coffee” and really makes to much noise while it does. I get up really early and of course, there is no other noise at that time of the morning so all you can hear is the coffee pot “gurgling and sputtering”. I am always afraid it will wake my husband up but so far, he sleeps through it although I cannot understand why. The other thing about the coffee pot is trying to pour the water in using the “pot” itself. Mine did not come with one of those pitchers to use. When pouring the water in, it goes everywhere but in the “water holder” or whatever you call it. It dribbles down my arm, onto the kitchen counter, down the side of the coffee pot, under the microwave. No matter how I hold it or try to move it, the same thing happens. It is enough to make me quit drinking coffee. NOT!!! I forgot the markings on the side of the pot. Mine is a “12 cup” pot. Give me a break. The cups I have are normal size and I am lucky if I get 4 cups from the pot of coffee. They must have used cups for a miniature tea set when determining how many cups the pot holds.

Third is trying to open the plastic containers that things are packed in when you buy them. I know they are probably made they way they are to keep people from stealing small items from a store but give me a break. I have tried using a knife, scissors and any other sharp object I can find to penetrate the plastic to remove my purchase. I just bought a new computer and printer with a new printer cable (which did not come with the printer but had to be purchased separately, another topic as well as the cost of MS Office Software, which I consider highway robbery. This is the topic of Part Twelve). It took me about a half hour to get the plastic package open to get the cable out of the package. That was a record for me as I usually can get in them in about fifteen minutes.

Well that is enough for part eleven. I am going to get the last cup of coffee from my pot that spills not only the water, but also the coffee when I pour it into my cup.

I Am Getting Old – Part Ten

I am getting old because… Lucky you, I came up with a couple of more topics just as Part Nine was finished. I looked up the word expound, to be sure it was really a word and not something I dreamed up, on a Website I use and this is what I found.

Definitions of expound:
Verb: state
Verb: add details, as to an account or idea; clarify the meaning of and discourse in a learned way, usually in writing

The first definition makes sense and the second started out okay, then the last part threw me off course. Now I have to look up “discourse and a learned way” to ensure I know what they mean so I know what expound means. What I would really like to find is an online dictionary that uses plain ole words to give a definition and a few examples of how the word is used in a sentence would not be to shabby either. If you ask me, no one did, it is a vicious circle. One good thing is that I am learning many new words. I guess this proves the saying, that you are never too old to learn something new. Writing this brought to mind a teacher I once had. She told us we should pick out a new word everyday, learn and understand the definition. We should then use it 10 times that day in a sentence. Then we would own that word.

The other thing I thought of to write about is writing. When I was in school, I could hardly write one paragraph for a book report, theme paper or term paper. Now I cannot stop writing. The words come into my mind faster than my fingers can type and the result is that I leave some of them out of a sentence. That is why I have turned into a very good proofreader, I hope. When I type, I will look down at my hands and then back at the monitor. It looks like garbage because I got my fingers on the wrong keys during the glance down and back up. Then the hard part is I have try and figure out what I was trying to type. Either I have more to say now that I am getting older or it is just easier to type on a computer than to use pen and paper to write. For some reason I do not understand that makes me sad. Maybe I do understand, the hand written words have such a personal touch to them.

I now carry a notebook in my purse so when I get an idea or thought, I can make a few notes for myself because if I do not make a note, I cannot remember it by the time I get home. Not only am I getting older but also, my short-term memory sometimes takes a vacation at the most inopportune time. I know that when people see me grappling around inside my purse like a wild “person”, they must think I am strange. Remember the panic from clutter, not finding my notebook in my purse generates the same panic. I have to find that notebook before I lose the thought.

Until I find the next topic, so long for now.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO RUTH!!!!

I Am Getting Old - Part Nine

I am getting old because user ID's password/pin numbers and clutter are becoming an issue for me. One of the first rules we taught our users, was never to write your passwords down for people to see. We would find them on sticky notes attached to their monitors. Well guess what, now I am doing the same sort of thing. Only I made a list, which is conveniently, located right next to my computer. Not smart. I made a list because each website I want to dig deep into to see what it is about, requires a user ID and password. I try to use the same ID and password all the time, it is just easier that way. My preferred ID is 2feeleys (my son used that when he setup my email account).

Imagine my surprise when I get a message from a website that 2feeleys is taken. First, there are not that many people with the last name Feeley, or at least I could not find many other that my husband’s family. Second, I know I never registered there before so it cannot be me. Some sites have a feature that tells you how “strong” your selected password is. So far, the one I use is “strong” and the best part is I can remember it easily.

For email and banking, the password I use is very long and weird. (Our home network got “attacked” by “worms” and “hackers”.) I panicked and made that password weird so it would be harder to steal. Several mornings, before my first cup of coffee, I have started to login and forgot the new one. I have to wait until the coffee is done and I can get my eyes open and brain working before I can remember the password I made up. For this one, I used good sense and did not write it down. I hope “worms” and “hackers” have the same problem when they do whatever it is they do.

Pin numbers do not really give me a problem as long as I can start it with 0. I never figured out why some places that assign a pin number will not let you use 0 as the first number. Looks like a perfectly good number to me.

Clutter, now this does give me a problem. I have been this way for a long time so I do not think aging has anything to do with it. When I am writing and using the computer, I make notes on scraps of paper, sticky notes and anything else handy. I lay pencils, pens, notebooks and all sorts of things down anywhere I can reach. All of sudden I realize I cannot find anything I am looking for and then I panic. It is time to stop and get myself organized. It usually takes about 3 or 4 days to make the mess, but I am fast at getting it cleaned up and organized. I use File 13 for most of the notes, because by this time, I have forgotten why I made it in the first place. The feeling I get while sitting amidst the clutter is like, well imagine all the thoughts that you have in your mind becoming like a whirlwind, swirling round and round. Then they start to fly in all different directions and you cannot get them back together again. I had an attack yesterday, so for the time being, I am in good shape, except I just spilled “caffeine free diet Pepsi” all over my favorite writing tablet.

That about covers all I have to say on these topics, so I will start to look around for the next thing on which I want to expound. Until later, this is 2feeleys signing off.

Other Things

I thought that perhaps these photographs would give you a good laugh. I don't have any past the 53 one although nothing much has changed in the last ten years.

I Am Thankful For

I am not sure why but for some reason all the things that I am thankful for have been on my mind today. These are but a few of the things that I am thankful for.

I am thankful that God loves me.

I am thankful that God created the earth and filled it with all His creatures to share with me.

I am thankful for my life.

I am thankful for my husband, Anthony.

I am thankful when I wake up in the morning that I have been blessed with another day on God’s earth.

I am thankful that I have been blessed with food and shelter.

I am thankful for my blog friends, Rex H, Shadow, Liza, Noor Azman Othman GBE, Scout, Talj, Ruth, Gene Bach, Inmatez Wife, Ashley, Scott, Surjit, billy rob. They are each unique and different and inspire me to be the best that I can.

I am thankful for the seasons.

I am thankful for my pet cat, Morris.

I am thankful that I have my health.

The Oak Tree - My Story

Written by Sylvia

There is an old oak tree down in the pasture that stands tall and proud. That oak tree has been there for over 200 years according to the stories passed down from generation to generation. His canopy has grown to be quite wide and full of beautiful leaves each year. In the fall of the year, he bares the fruit of the tree, his acorns and then sheds his leaves. He stands there feeling so bare and naked, nothing left but his acorns. He knows they will stay with him until summer. It takes all his energy and strength to nurture them so they will grow and mature into an oak tree just like him. He waits anxiously as they grow because he knows that the chances of his acorns making it to become an oak tree just like him are very slim. He knows the squirrels will take them away to hide for food in the winter. He knows the wind will sweep some of them away to places where there is no soil to take root. He knows that only a few will survive the cruel world of nature.

That old oak tree has so many memories and stories to tell. If he would only talk to me, think of the things he would say. He has seen so many people pass through his long life, sitting under his branches covered with leaves, having picnics, just being lazy and relaxing, sharing their secrets. The people have come and gone, yet he is still standing tall and proud. The trunk of that old oak tree has more scars than you can imagine, each filled with a different memory. Memories left behind by those people who have passed his way during the years.

He remembers fondly a young couple, lovers from years ago, long since dead he thinks. He watched as they sat on a blanket under his canopy and remembers how they talked, held hands and made love under his tree. He remembers that as the lovers were leaving, they stopped for a moment and carved a great big heart into that old tree. Each time he sees that heart, he remembers how in love they seemed and how gentle they were when they carved their heart into his trunk. That old oak tree wears his scars proudly for the world to see because each one reminds him of how all those people loved his tree.

Copyright © 2007 Sylvia A. Feeley All Rights Reserved

Complaint Free World

As I was sitting at the computer and "complaining" about the weather (it's April 4th and we have SNOW today and it's 33 degrees), I remembered the Complaint Free World from Oprah's show. I looked up the website and decided to share it with everyone. I ordered my purple bracelet and will start before I receive it to stop complaining so much. The first url is an order form (the bracelets are free) and the second is for the Church that is responsible for the "Complaint Free World" if you want to order or check out the Church.

http://acomplaintfreeworld.fobby.net/Complaint_Free_Bracelet_Order_Form.php

http://ccunitykc.org/

I Am Getting Old - Part Eight

I am getting old because I seem to have more likes and dislikes than I did when I was younger. Does that really mean I am getting old or that I am willing to admit them at this time in my life?

One of my dislikes occurred this morning. I run the hot water in the sink while I was getting ready to take a shower. When I turn the water on in the shower and step in, I adjust the temperature so it will be nice and hot. Then I get the shock of my life when I pull the shower on. A blast of cold water hits me. Each time this happens, I think I am prepared but I am not. I know it is because there is cold water in the pipe and it has to come out before the hot water reaches me. It still does not make it any easier to take.

I like to get cards in the mail for whatever the occasion may be. What I do not like is if the card looks and reads like the person sending it exerted no effort to make the selection. I know all of us have received those kinds of cards. When I need to send a card, I read the verses carefully to see if it fits the person on the receiving end. Yes, it takes me some time to get the right card but I feel it is worth it.

I DO NOT LIKE automated telephone answering systems. When I call a place of business, I want to talk to a real person. In the past, you could trick them and press zero. Now the businesses have gotten smarter and now zero does not work anymore. Some of these systems give you the option to press numbers on the keypad of the telephone to navigate them. Other have gone to a system where you have to speak your responses and have some dorky voice repeats them back and says “please press 1 if that is correct, press 2 if that is incorrect.” I think I know why they use these systems. They do not have to pay a person “just to answer” the telephone. In a previous life, I was a receptionist and I can tell you it is not an easy job. There is more to the job than “just to answer” the telephone. How sad it is to think businesses are so greedy that they have lost that personal touch when it comes to their customers.

I neglected the things that I like so here are just a few of them. I like to see people smile. I like banana splits, ice cream cones, and cotton candy. I like people who say thank you, holiday seasons, and snow (as long as I do not have to be around it very long). I like the beach, the sun, and nice weather. I like people who are kind and considerate, people who say excuse me, and people who are happy. I like football games, chicken and dumplings (like my mother use to make) and peach pie. I like to take naps, to read a good mystery, and write my poetry. You see there are many things I like.

I will close this for now and see what comes to my mind to write about next. It is usually easy to come up with a topic because of things that happen around me. To answer your question, no my life is not that exciting that it is filled with the things I write about. In some cases, I just use my memories of days ago and my imagination.

Finally Back Online

To the many friends I have made through blogging, I am back online as of today. I got my new computer and internet service today. I want to thank all of you for your prayers, “hugs” and concerns. My husband had a blood clot that developed in December 2006 and went untreated until the middle of February. As with most men, they do not tend to go to the doctor when they get ailments. He was in the hospital for three days and in bed for over a month. There are still issues with swelling and the level’s of blood thinner medication that we are dealing with now and the possibility of another clot forming.

According to the doctors he is lucky to be alive. Luck had nothing to do with it, God did. God allowed him to live and to make changes in his life so that we could be reunited. He is a changed person and we are reunited and things are working out for us.