The Best of Both Worlds

A piece of my Heaven

I am one who has been blessed and fortunate to experience such in my life, the multitude of choices offered by living where I do, right in the middle of two worlds. I live on the outskirts of a large metropolitan area, making it easy for me to jump in the car and go to the city to do my shopping, dining, or partying, whatever the case or need may be. But when it's time to go home, I go to a quaint suburban community where my kingdom nestles in quiet and solitude.

Not only is it my kingdom, I consider it my own personal game preserve because I'm surrounded by all kinds of critters, whom I consider my buddies. Though in a suburb, I'm off the beaten path living on the ol' homestead which once upon a time was a farm. There's plenty of trees and thickets for my buddies to call their home: squirrels and rabbits; chipmunks and opossums; and a multitude of birds, including owls and a pair of peregrine falcons, majestic creatures of the air who have chosen to roost here. And I've even seen a fox or two go strolling through over the years.

One of my li'l friends

But with such a bounty of nature surrounding me, with that comes the downside: vermin and pests, such as little field mice. Oh, theyr'e cute, but they can create havoc if they get into your home, invading your cabinets and kitchen in search of food and water, leaving behind a mess. You can use traps, but that's not exactly a pretty site to deal with, and poisons are dangerous to your kids and pets. That's why I was happy to discover a new way to deal with said problem when it arises: Riddex. All you have to do is plug it into any wall socket, creating an invisible force field (WOW! Sounds like something right out of Star Trek or Star Wars) that repels pests by messing with their nervous system, a safe, yet humane, way to tell them, "See ya; bye ya! GO AWAY!"

So next time I'm paid a visit by these not-so-friendly critters of my domain, I'll know exactly what to do, and at an affordable price, as well, leaving me more moolah to go to the city with and shop and party to my heart's content.

Play Away, and All Will Be Okay

My day started okay, full of joy, happiness and excitement and that was despite the gloomy weather we had earlier. But just like any woman’s mind that easily changes, as they say, my day turned gloomy around mid-morning, after discovering something that really surprised me.

I can be fickle-minded and today’s events can attest to that fact. My whole morning was spent thinking and contemplating. It is already mid-afternoon now and after that much thinking, I realized that I simply overreacted. It did hurt me, though, because I know that it was the last thing I could have expected to happen and the last place that I wanted to find myself or my mind at. But, it’s already a thing of the past and as the famous cliché goes, what's done is done; the past is the past and it can't be changed.

So be it, then. I could have just browsed for online casino reviews and got an idea of what free online casino I could visit and enjoy myself playing rather than spending the day worrying and hurting and dwelling on things of the past that I cannot change. It's still mid afternoon, however, so I think it is not too late yet for me to look for and play casino games at the best online casino and enjoy the rest of the day. No good will come to me if I continue feeling sulky. Yes, that would really be the best idea for now.

But on second thought, I still have one thing to do before I go the gaming route, and that’s to send him an email and explain my side; in a way, I know I hurt him too. It won’t take me long, though, and then after that, it is play time for me. So, I have to go now! See yeah later, folks!

SPRING HAS SPRUNG! AND WITH THAT.......

…….comes the ritual that takes us from the cold, dark months of winter to the balmy bright days of a new season, a rite of passage known as spring cleaning. But as of yet, Ol’ Man Winter hasn’t quite left the building, so I began my ritual using the kiss rule, as in keep it simple stupid; stay inside and stay warm until the chill totally exits stage left. Therefore, the first clean-up jobs I tackled were of the inside variety, cleaning out my filing cabinet and desk drawers. And it was there, deep in the bowels of my desk, that serendipity jumped up and kicked me right between the eyes, for I discovered a buried treasure from years gone by; many years.

On seeing it, the memories of its genesis came back right away, as if a floodgate had opened. It was on an early April morn’ in 1980 that this story begins. I had just worked off the 3rd shift at the knitting mill where I was employed (do any of y’all remember polyester double knit?) and was on my drive home. The day was already warm, the air clear and the sky a crystal Carolina blue. I was in an exceptionally rare good mood after having worked 12 hours, and when I just so happened to glance out the window to my left at the ridges towering over the highway, my eyes were regaled with a sight of natural magic. The entire side of the mountain looked as if it was covered in snow. What it was, however, were Dogwoods in bloom. I pulled over to the side of the road and got out, just so I could stare at, drink in, and feel the beauty before my eyes, being swallowed up and becoming a part of what surrounded me. I was totally mesmerized, yet, not so much that my mind was unable to kick into high gear, searching for the perfect paint-brush-of-words to share the images I was seeing, and I begin composing a poem, right then and there.

Once I broke free of the enchantment, I jumped into my car and hit the road, and by the time I got home, it was a done deal; mental composition complete; and I ran into the house, grabbed pen and paper and wrote ‘er down. And that very piece of paper, ragged and worn and faded by time, was what I discovered amidst the piles of other stuff and junk in my desk drawer that have since went the way of the shredder.

And so it is, that after being buried for three decades, these words see the light of day once more. In reading them again after so long, the memories they filled me with brought back a long-lost sense of wonderment tinged with nostalgia. But even more so, it reminded me of the rebirth I myself have experienced over the past year, realizing that no matter ones’ age, hopes and dreams never die, as long as you’re willing and able to look beyond the obvious and search for the realm that lies beyond the ordinary.

But ‘nuff said; no more waxing poetic words; it’s time to share the said verses of that long-ago, young-man dreamer I was, and have most recently became reacquainted with, and in doing so, hopefully it will inspire you too, as it has me, to never give up and to go for it, no matter how improbable or impossible your visions may seem. Yes, I truly do believe, now, that hope springs eternal. So here ya go! An oldie goldie, blast from the past.

EVERSPRING
I have seen the mountains,
And heard the songs they sing.
I have seen the Dogwood's blooms,
White as snow in Springtime's green.
I've felt the eerie silence
Of the deepest forest's quiet.
I've seen the ethereal beauty
Of a starlit, ebon night.
I've seen the ghostly morning mist
Rise like a spirit from a pond.
I've seen the graceful butterfly,
Driven by the breeze’s wand.
I have seen nature's beauty
Burst forward upon God's Earth.
I have felt the stirring in my soul
As it too has rebirth.
I have seen the seasons pass as
They all play out their part.
And though it can't be Spring forever,
It's everspring within my heart.

Ol' Man Winter Has the Last Laugh

Spring is knocking on the door, just a few days away; and what a relief. This has to have been the worst, most severe, frigid and unforgiving winter that I can remember in the last 30 years; we almost broke the record for the most snowfall ever in a single season here in the mountains of Western North Carolina. But worst of all were the sub-freezing temperatures which were an almost everyday occurrence for close to two months.

But even with the end in sight, the days growing warmer and longer, Ol’ Man Winter had one more surprise up his sleeve, a hidden ace that he trumped us with as a parting gift that we didn’t discover until we made the final inspection before starting up the air conditioning unit where I work, which, obviously, we didn’t get to start up, after all.

Ruh Row, Shaggy! SURRRRRRR-PRIIIIIIISE!!!!!!

Those were the feed and return water lines for the A/C chiller unit. And no, what you see isn’t the end result of an explosion, though it does look like a war zone. This is what happens when ice freezes and expands inside pipes, even though they were completely and thoroughly insulated, showing the true power and force that Mother Nature holds over our so-called technological wizardry.

After further investigation, it was decided that the entire run (500 feet of 6” Schedule 40 PVC pipe) should be replaced. However, that’ll have to wait ‘cause the Ol’ Man is still smirking and chuckling at us under his breath. The forecast for the next few days is now calling for a possible wintery mix, rain and snow, so I’m not putting my thermal long johns up just yet!

A lot of pipe to be replaced; 500 Feet!

Looks like weekend overtime ahead.....$$$$$$$

Big Boys Have Playpens Too!

It can’t be denied that car accessories - like car grills - can really add to the beauty of one’s ride. I can still remember when dad parked his newly bought 4 x 4 pick-up truck in the driveway a few months back; it already looked great to me. I never thought it could look any better since it was already full of accessories.

But I had no idea of the number of goodies dad had indulged in, and this is what I discovered when I scoped it out the next day. It had custom wheels, custom made headlights and tail lights, grill guards, wind deflectors, and even a personalized license plate with covers. I still can’t remember everything, but I was really in awe upon seeing what I do remember. Seeing the pick-up truck all geared up and good-to-go made me realize that cars truly are big boy’s toys.

That "One more for the road..."

...may turn out to be the proverbial "one too many". And that just might lead you down a road you'd rather not journey, a dusty road full of bumps and potholes, twists and turns, taking you to an unknown destination whose terminus won't be decided by fate, luck or chance, but by a man sitting behind a bench wearing a black robe. Of what I speak is a drunken driving charge. If faced with such circumstances, you certainly don't want to travel that road alone.

While recently browsing the Net in search of new laws in my home state, I came across an interesting site for a San Diego DUI attorney. There, I learned much about what may happen in that situation: loss of driving privileges; court costs and fines; higher insurance rates; and possible jail time. But even more daunting is what faces military personnel, including loss of pay and rank, special privileges, security clearances, as well as possible court martial and dishonorable discharge, just to name a few; not the stuff of resumés yet to be written.

As a civilian citizen, you have your constitutional right to a fair trial with defense of your rights, as do those who daily defend our Constitution. So instead of rolling the dice with risk of crapping out, if I ever find myself with a legal problem, I’ll seek the help of those in the know and try to even the odds out. Sounds like a game winner to me!

Fluffy and White

These photos were taken in December of 2009 when my fiance's state experienced their first ever heavy snow of the season which caused them about three and a half days of no electricity. Never thought having heavy snow could be that bad. That was the worst they had in years. Nevertheless, seeing the surrounding all white and fluffy still amazes me even only in these pictures. And seeing them for real one day is something that I look forward to. It would be fascinating, I know.

I think they got about eight to ten inches of snow. Or maybe more!

The tree looks like a Christmas tree all covered with snow. Beautiful!

Kids Can Be Demanding! But On Demand Solves that Prob

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of Charter. All opinions are 100% mine.

Since the day our cable was reconnected, my 6-year-old son has been constantly sleeping a little later than his usual wake-up. Reason being? His favorite cartoon shows on the Cartoon Network and Nick Jr. I’ve been wanting to stop him but he is just unstoppable – he's constantly turning on the television again, over and over, after I've turned it off. I was a little upset for a while but eventually gave in to his liking, for I know he would get tired of it in time. Knowing kids as I do, because I was once one, they can be like that at times.

But how I wish there was some way he could watch his favorite cartoon shows anytime he feels like and not have to wait for its scheduled time of airing. And I have just figured it out: Charter digital on demand is the answer to my dilemma. My son would not have to wait for his favorite shows on the late night schedules, and I wouldn’t have to yak at him too for staying up so late. More so, I could watch the previous episodes of my favorite shows that I missed. And whenever I want the latest info, I can get updates and fun extras on Charter’s Facebook page, PRONTO! What could be any cooler than that?!?

Do you have the same problem as me in regard to your kids? Then I think you might consider getting Charter digital, too. Read and learn more at charter.net/ondemand, and for sure, there will be no more kids whining and moms yakking. (“,)

Dreams Do come True!!!

Today I got the word from my immigration lawyer that all I had to do was show up at their office on the morrow with the correct amount of a certified check/money order, and they would then file the papers necessary to deliver an Anghel to my doorstep. I know that sounds so callous, but that's the way it is in this hard and callous world we call home. But ya know what? I don't give a damn, for I will do whatever is necessary to make not only mine, but also her, dream come true. For life at times is just a dream, but dreams do come true, for those who can look beyond the ordinary in search of the extraordinary, and that is what me and my Anghel have so long been in search of; the extraordinary. And it is now within our reach.

So please, do say a prayer for us, and our dreams, and we will too say a prayer for you and your hopes and dreams because we all are in this life together; searching;...searching;...searching; searching for joy and solace and happiness. And with that said, I'll see y'all on the happy side of the search!!! (",)

If Ya Drive 'Em, Ya Gotta Fix 'Em!

Everyone has a dream car; their own personal, fantasy vehicle; and I do have mine and it is not just one, but two! The first one is the Honda CR-V, and the second one is the Ford Explorer. I know these two vehicles require high maintenance, but for a go-getter like me, I know they would be perfect, and the repairs they would eventually entail would be no biggy at all, for there are always companies ready to charge to the rescue whenever a car develops problems, such as Los Angeles auto repair.

But in the meantime, I know it’s too early for me to be thinking about those issues. I need my dream cars to materialize first, and I'll have to work long and hard to be able to purchase my dreams. And if the time comes that they’re both parked in the garage, then that’s the time I'll have to start worrying about and deal with issues of repair and maintenance. Just like anything else, there are always problems, and that's especially true with cars – engine trouble, such as head gasket replacement; cooling system problems; brakes; tires; just to name a few.

Oh well, I think I need to get to work so I’ll be one step closer to my dream cars. But, then again - maybe -, my fiancé could possibly make these car dreams come true, just as he already has made so many of my other dreams come to life. Here's hoping! (“,)

Chocolate Hills in Bohol

I've never been to this place yet but surprisingly, my fiance' has been there. He visited the place in September of 2008 with some good friends and enjoyed the place as tourists. That was few months before our paths met though. Had it been that we've known each other then, maybe I could have gone with him. Hee hee.

The hills are brown and look like chocolates from afar thus, they are called Chocolate Hills and they are considered to be one of the country's tourist destinations. These pictures here were courtesy of my fiance'. He was in awe of what he saw and thinks of visiting the place again someday. And that's probably with me already. What do you think, Honey?

That does look yummy to you? LOL.

They are such a beauty!

I Put the Wham-bam On That Ol' Spam!

Before Facebook became the rage there was MySpace, which was a very popular social-networking link for many individuals, and I was not an exception. But that was then – before spam overan and clogged up the site. It was very nice at the beginning, and I actually made many new friends there until the time came when I started getting requests from people whom I thought wanted to befriend me, only to eventually discover that they were only there to spam people’s profiles. From that point on, I was slammed with spam comments and emails which eventually led me to delete my profile and kiss MySpace g'bye.

I wonder what the deal is with these spammers? Can’t they think of anything else to do other than screw around with other people's property and privacy? If they are looking for fun, why don’t they just look for something else to do rather than being such a bothersome pain in the neck to other people? They could play an online casino game, or watch a basketball game or hockey game, or whatever floats their boat. There are a lot of other things you can do with your time without intruding or interfering with other people’s lives. Am I not right?

I do wonder, though, if spam on the Internet will ever cease and disappear? Most likely not, but I can hope, can't I?