nectar of the gods

Today I'm grateful for ..........

I'm not sure what I'd do without my daily dose, my morning cuppa.

COFFEE

Crem states that he is addicted to Starbuck's but I'm not brand devoted. I don't care whether I make it at home, get it in a drive through, or get a speciality something that you order in French. I GOTTA have my coffee.

I love it in the morning, either at breakfast or (as in now) with my computer, I love to go out with g-dmom and have a cuppa when the kids are in school, and it's essential that I go out every week or two with Crem and sit and have a cuppa for an hour or two while we solve the problems in each other's lives and in the world.

If it had never been invented, there would never have been coffee shops. If there had never been coffee shops I have a question? Where would J.K. Rowling have written Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone????

Coffee ----- it's what's for breakfast.

talk about the "kindness of strangers"

Both of these articles are edited (for length) but you you follow the links to the full articles (or Google -- these articles both of tons of hits on news.google.com


click here to link to the full text of the article shown below

NYC, Trump, Disney reward "Subway Superman"
Fri Jan 5, 2007 3:39 PM ET

By Mark Porter

NEW YORK (Reuters) - A New Yorker dubbed "Subway Superman" received the city's highest civic award on Thursday after pinning down a stricken stranger on subway tracks just enough to allow an oncoming train to run over the top of them.

"You see somebody in distress, you help out," Autrey told a news conference, as he was flanked by his 4- and 6-year-old daughters, who had watched their father jump onto the subway tracks. "I was just in the right place at the right time."

While Bloomberg called Autrey a "true hero" and the New York Post newspaper dubbed him the "Subway Superman," the construction worker -- who went to work as normal after the incident -- said the real heroes were U.S. troops in Iraq.

Autrey -- whose boss didn't believe his excuse for being late to work until he saw on the Internet what Autrey had done -- is also scheduled to appear on both "The Late Show With David Letterman" and "The Ellen DeGeneres Show."
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
© Reuters 2007.

He's been quoted as saying that he's not a hero, he's in the right place at the right time, you see someone in trouble you help them out ... but I have to wonder if after getting all the kudos if it would me, would it be going to my head? Would I be thinking "hey I'm ALL THAT." (I'll say it now -- I'll expect a few comments telling me that I think I'm all that already :} -- after all no matter what C from Torry Pines Reflections says it's all about ME

The part I love is his boss not believing his excuse for being late for work. I could just see if one of my employees came in

"Um sorry on the way here I jumped past a speeding train to save someones life"

Yeah, sure, right.



click here to link to the full text of the article shown below

January 5, 2007
2 More City Heroes, and One Saved Child
By JAMES BARRON and TRYMAINE LEE
The two men first saw the baby from across the Bronx street, dangling from a fire escape four stories above the sidewalk. His grip was growing weaker by the second. The two men saw only one choice: run over and try to catch him.

The two men — Julio Gonzalez, 43, a mechanic who lives in the neighborhood, and Pedro Nevarez, 40, of Corona, Queens — insisted that they had just done the obvious thing. As Mr. Nevarez, who has a 19-year-old foster son, put it: “I’m not a hero. I did what any other father would do. When you’re a father, you would do this whether it’s your child or not.”

First, the boy bounced off Mr. Nevarez. He said Timothy knocked the wind out of him, and also knocked him down.

Mr. Gonzalez then realized that it was up to him. “I just hoped and prayed that I would be able to catch him,” he said.

Michael Amon, Cara Buckley and Cassi Feldman contributed reporting.

Again, they're saying right place, right time, they just did what you do.

But in both of these cases how many *OTHER* people were standing around, pointing, and saying "somebody should do something." Fortunately, I've never been in a place where I was called into a decision like that. I wonder whether I'd be one of the few, or one of the many.

I think for now, I'll keep upper story windows closed, stand behind the yellow line, and "mind the gap" so at least I don't have to make other people make that decision if I'm in trouble.

100 days until April 16.

Four for Friday meme

Grabbed this meme from Alto2 - remember imitation is the most sincere form of flattery.

Question 1 - Investing: If you had extra money to invest in 2007, where would you put it? Real Estate, the stock market, municipal bonds, a friend's start-up, in a savings account, in a hedge fund, under your mattress, in a foreign market, in U.S. savings bonds, mutual funds, precious metals, your 401K or IRA, baseball cards, or somewhere else?

I can't recall exactly how it went but I was listening to something on the radio the other day that said typically in years that the experts say that stocks are good and gold is bad, gold ends up doing better, so I'd put some in gold -- but probably mostly to retirement. After all, I can get a loan for education but when you're tooling around at 70, you can't get a loan for retirement ;}

Question 2 - Execution: As recently as yesterday afternoon, nearly six days after it happened, U.S. President George W. Bush steadfastly denied having seen the video of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein's execution. Do you believe him?

I can't possibly imagine anyone having the stomach to watch ANYONE getting killed.

Question 3 - Gays in the Military: A recent poll from Zogby International shows that U.S. military personnel are increasingly at ease serving with openly gay colleagues. The poll reveals that 73 percent of military members are not bothered by lesbians and gays serving alongside them. Nearly one in four (23 percent) service members polled reported knowing for certain that someone in their unit is lesbian or gay, including 21 percent of those in combat units. Do you feel gay people should be allowed to serve in the U.S. military, and despite what you believe, has you opinion on this matter changed any over the last 5-10 years?

If I had people coming at me trying to blow me up, I'd want the people I was with to be intelligent, compassionate (at least toward their fellow soldiers), level headed, and a really great aim. I don't believe any of those qualities are determined by sexual orientation.

I hope like heck opinion on that is changing.

Question 4 - Movie: What was the last movie you saw, and would you recommend that I take my Mother to see it?

The last movie I saw was Happy Feet, and sure why not take mom. Take dad too while you're at it.

Strangers

Today I'm grateful for

The kindness of strangers.

As an example (and this is not the only example I can pull from -- just the most recent), last night I was leaving work late (10:30) after a long day. It was coldish (mid 40s) and raining. Dank, dark, and dreary. I hopped into minivan and turned the key ... "click." not good. Turned the key again "click" and noticed the clock was on the wrong time. I grab the cellphone to call Spouse to tell him I'll be a while as I'll hang around and wait for AAA (another thing to be thankful for) when I noticed two guys in front of the pizza shop next to my store. I'm like, hey I can sit here and wait 45 minutes for AAA so I'm not completely stuck -- BUT does anyone mind. Amazingly enough of *4* yes count them *4* cars there only one had jumper cables. (I was given a moment's hesitation when I couldn't find the cables in my car -- as I told the pizza guy "I might be getting divorced tomorrow" sometimes Spouse "helps" me by cleaning out my car and then removes all the stuff that isn't "necessary" but I did find the cables in a moment).

So, the nice young man helped me out (even got the jumper onto the positive post of my battery - really bad design on Honda's part had to put a cable on), we attached the cables, he turned on his pickup, and then I hopped into Minivan, click, brrrrrrooooom.

Taking a moment to help a stranger can really make someone's day. It's a good thing to keep in mind in our workaday rushaday world.

Bye bye Dennis

Dennis Hastert is now done with his tenure as Speaker of the House.

The other day I was watching some video on some TV show that has the funniest videos of each month -- they were doing a year end review. Anyway they showed this video of some of our Congresscritters singing the National Anthem. As Speaker, Dennis was in front of the microphone -- singing -- the WRONG WORDS!!!

I'm like -- he's been in Congress *HOW LONG* and he doesn't even know the words to the National Anthem??? Where's he from -- how stupid are the people in his state to reelect him???
(oh yeah -- that's right -- they're my neighbors)

Today -- M.B. NdotS

Today I'm grateful for mbns. I've known mb since the early 90s -- back before Al Gore even intented the Internet. It all started over a TV show that has been off the air since the week before I got married in 1993, yet somehow we still go on. The group that we were a part of has all but gone their separate ways -- every now and then there will be a message, and some holiday cards but really not much communication in the group.

And actually I don't communicate with mb all that often - but we do keep touch and I did get to see him a couple of weeks ago -- his sister lives in the metro area, so whenever he visits her at Christmas time we try to get together (it usually works to except the years he goes and stays all week in Michigan with his mom). I've been lucky to meet his family and I think they seem completely abnormal. I do believe his is one of the 5% of families in the world that is NOT dysfunctional.

In addition to being an all around nice guy (the "NdotS" is an old nickname he earned, "net.sweetie") he has some strong points, and I'll touch on a few of them.

1) His faith is deep -- he's not one of those people that "phones in" his religion a few times a year. I have a lot of respect for that.

2) He gives DARN GOOD hugs. (In thinking of some of the people I want to address in this gratitude theme -- that quality seems to be pretty high on my list :} ).

3) If stuff happens (and stuff often happens) I know that calling mb is calling in the power of prayer.

Thanks MB -- you'll always be n.s to me. (Now I have to remember to send him this link :} -- why say nice things about someone if you don't share them with the person).

I'm grateful for ...

Today, I'm grateful for

CHOCOLATE!!!

I know I said that I direct this more toward people, and I likely will but I think this fits after yesterday's 5% blog.

1) Chocolate is warmth in winter -- think about it, it's the most logical thought after kids come in from playing in the snow. And after walking fuzzy at night I sometimes enjoy a warm cup of hot chocolate, albeit with a shot of Irish cream.

2) Chocolate is celebration -- other than fasting holidays, most holidays incorporate chocolate. I mean where would Valentine's day be without the chocolate heart, and then there's Easter with the eggs, Hanukkah with the gelt, Halloween, Christmas. Chocolate is a celebration. Hmmmmm I wonder if I should start marketing chocolate groundhogs. (Okay -- the summer holidays don't have much chocolate, but let's face it -- chocolate melts.

3) Chocolate does melt -- hot fudge on top of ice cream. Chocolate syrup can find many uses - nuff said.

4) Chocolate lifts a mood -- and as Crem could tell you during tax season, chocolate is "my drug of choice."

5) Chocolate is an aphrodisaic -- now I don't think I can find a reference to chocolate as an aphrodisaic but I'll tell you one thing. If some hot guy came up to me with some really good chocolate. I'm just saying.

I'm drinking my coffee this morning with my favorite mug "Love is all I need ---- but I'll settle for chocolate. I think I'll put in some chocolate syrup today.

5%

mll heard in a sermon that only 5% of new year's resolutions are kept.

So that's like one in every 20.

Here are 20 resolutions ....

1. I resolve to lose 100 pounds.

2. I resolve to never lose my temper with my children.

3. I resolve to only use kind an gentle words.

4. I resolve to get enough sleep.

5. I resolve to spend less time surfing the Internet.

6. I resolve to improve my posture.

7. I resolve to walk my dog 4 miles every day.

8. I resolve to save money and NEVER buy designer coffee in a coffee shop

9. I resolve to eat 5 servings of fruits and veggies per day.

10. I resolve to maintain the proper posted speed limit.

11. I resolve to always treat Spouse in a respectful manner

12. I resolve to not take advantage of Crem's generous nature

13. I resolve to keep my proper medical schedule of doctors, midwife, mammos, dentist, eye doctor etc.

14. I resolve to keep the proper maintenance schedule of my car.

15. I resolve to file all paperwork promptly.

16. I resolve to mow the lawn as necessary, in a cheerful manner.

17. I resolve to weed the lawn on a regular basis, and never resort to weed killer.

18. I resolve to groom fuzzybutt 3 times a week.

19. I resolve to do the flylady thing and have a shiny sink every night.

20. I resolve to eat more chocolate.

Let's see, 1 in 20 -- WE HAVE A WINNER

Fuzzybutt

Today I'm grateful for ...

We're going with Fuzzy for today because it is the one year anniversary of him coming to our house.

I'm grateful for him for many reasons ....

1) There are countless living things in my house. In addition to Fuzzy, there are dust mites, probably a few spiders, might be a squirrel over the garage, a guinea pig, a 19 year old cat, a Princess, a Chip, and Spouse. Of all of those, the only one that I can consistently count on to actually listen to me is Fuzzy.

2) Fuzzy (any dog) is pure devotion. Let's face it, most people do not love unconditionally. Most dogs do. When I come in the house I can count on at least someone coming to greet me at the door. Cats believe that they are the center of the universe. Dogs know that their owners are the center of the universe. And, as it's all about me, I do at times appreciate my dog's point of view.

3) Fuzzy is extremely protective of his pack. You cannot hurt one of his charges when he's around. [This has been tested -- long story but if sister_R's ex ever shows his face again, I'll be glad to let Fuzzy have another go round.] If the kids get too loud with each other, he'll get between them and say "peace in my house" in a, somehow, much more effective way than I ever could. I've left my oldest home alone for short periods of time. And sometimes people give you that look when you leave your kid home alone. I'm like "nobody is gonna mess when someone is next to an 85 pound dog."

4) Let's face facts, he does look like Lassie. He's actually one point off the trademark. Sable coat: check, white collar: check, blaze down nose: check, larger than average collie: check. The only thing he's missing is being of the direct line of Pal, the first dog that played Lassie. And, when you're walking down the street and see people of a certain age they can't help but be completely charmed by the look of the penultimate dog, that would also save Timmy from the well. After all, collies are supposed to be incredibly intelligent dogs. (Fuzzy hides it well).

New feature

In an attempt to show a more positive view of life, I've decided that daily I'm going to try to comment on someone or something that I'm grateful for. And, the things in my life that I might be grateful for are important, but the people can appreciate the gratitude more, so while I might occasionally express gratitude for important things (like chocolate) I'll try to more often show appreciation for living things (like folks).

And, since it's the first day of a whole new year there's no time like the present so today I give you my first .....

I'm grateful for ..........

Now, some might thing I might start with something big and important and close to my life, like perhaps Spouse -- but his birthday is later this month so I think I'll wait on that, and I'll have a bit of a twist.

I am grateful to Mimi of The Family Blender. A few things.

1) She got me (and others on my on my moms list) started on this whole blog thing. It's a trip ...

2) If you've seen my last post she inspired me to do the pictorial music video, and also helped me figure it out.

3) She has a great philosophy of parenting. While I'm not sure I agree completely 100% of the time (though offhand I can't think of anytime I've actually disagreed with her) she always has insights. Mimi, your "blender tips" are not exclusively useful to only blended families. Most of us can use those ideas.

4) Back in October 2002, in a hotel room in Florida she made a short, yet powerful comment. I try to keep it close to my heart in appropriate situations.

5) Her "head and ass are wired together." (HEY -- her hubby said it first, I'm just quoting an old Marine). I'm going to try to make that one of my goals for 2007.

She might be a couple (or more) years younger than me. When I grow up I wanna be like her.

(And I'm not just saying that. Though if you read her blog you know that you do not want to be on her bad side.)

Let's see if this works.

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If this works -- kudos to Mimi @ The Family Blender