nbc.com

Thank goodness you are ok!
I missed you terribly.
I love you and I am so proud of you!!!

{{{{{COLONY}}}}}

Aha! See i called that one. "G" has Ant under his hypnotic spell. I warned you ANT. There is no cure for puppy addiction. Welcome to the club. You look good and Happy! Nice to see. ♥

{{{{{{{{{{{{{{DEE}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

ANT!
.
You're looking good. You just light up when Mr. G shows up.
.
Love, love, love Mr. G. Those ears! I can smell his puppy breath from here. So cute.
.
♥

.
Take it from Dee (5 pups) and from me (4 pups as of today)...we know of what we speak. I warn people all the time...don't look into their eyes or you will be under their spell. :)
.
Something about that unconditional love.
.
♥ K9s

{{{{{Ami}}}}}

Welcome back Ant !
.
As Ami says, you're looking good, and those puppy ears, sooooo cute

{{{{{Vancouvergirl}}}}}

{{{{{Vancouvergirl}}}}}

oooo I had twins! LOL

Yippeeeeeeeeee
ya got your computer back
and your phone
just have to work on the blackberry now LOL LOA LOA LOA LOA
and a new page and video, that means...
{{{HUGS}}}all around

Group Hug
.
(((((steph, Dee, van, Nancy, ANT, G))))))

owwwww a double hug from Steph. I feel honoured LOL Thanx {{Steph}}

....Diving into the middle of the group hug... Yeehaw!

HELLO EVERYONE ♥
.
ALI-KAT- SPECIAL HUG AND LOVE TO YOU. ♥ ♥

and DWTS tonight
Monday Monday so good to me

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5U2WRncJRpo

Nancy, I see Ali hasnt placed her drink order so me being such a good friend will try to order for her. Im thinking a shot of tequila straight up. What think Dawn? okay i just got the look. make that green tea for Ali please.

Ali-Kat, My Ali-Oop, my Ali-Baba - Sending so much love your way.

Dawn - Love you lady!

Ami - so good to see you!!
Steph - I suck at writing but not a day goes by i dont think of my favorite red head. ♥

Teri, Nebs, Beans - ♥

DEE
I think of you and those darn cows daily when I drive past a farm on my way to work. The thought of you "having it out" with the cows makes me laugh out loud.

(((ANT))) (((G))) so glad you are back in the world of technology! At the very end of the video Mr. G's ears are so, so cute!! Reminded me of Gizmo from Gremlins :)

I had to come to the colony to see some love and kindness! Pheww! It is not good to get in arguments with strangers online that you disagree with. Waste of time, but I can be so stubborn if I think I am right. (translation....I know I'm right, lol!) Breathing slowly in and out... Love you guys!

{{{{{Erin}}}}}

OH my! Mrs Bean, if you can put up with my rants, i cant imagine anyone being able to fire you up. I like fiery Beans.

Steph - I filmed a 5 minute convo i had with the bull on our land. but its footage even i was bored with. I gotta get a life. :)

(((Steph))) Thank you for the hug! Has the school year been going good for you? I was thinking of you today as it was 90 here and so hot for Fall, but we are supposed to be high of 55 on Wednesday. Wondering if your classroom has cooled down?

DEE--Oh please consider sharing that conversation with us! We can call you the Bull Whisperer ;o) My old neighbor was a horse whisperer....that is magic to watch!! I am like that with babies, but with animals they usually look at me like, "who are you kidding?" :) Fiery beans, lol! I was defending my lovely Swiss nation and their decision to detain Polanski! Can't argue with men who don't think raping 13 year olds is a crime in the first place!

I reaaaaaaaaaaallllllllllyyyy needed to see this guy before I went to bed tonight. Nice to see you too ANT. :o) I love G. I love how he bites your nose!
I am off to bed with my 2 and Blake.
Glad I stopped by the net tonight.
Beautiful to see your joy ANT!

Howdy all. Glad to see you up and about ANT.

colleen from area 51, I just left Maine and you are right about that. It is beautiful right now.

Emjay, if Heady were sending you prayers right now their would be some reference to checking and loving your guts.

Amiiiiiiiiii!

Nancy let's bust out some trivia one of these days girl.

ERIN
The school year is off to a great start. It is hard to imagine we have been in school a month already...where does the time go? My class is great. I have 28 chatty fifth graders but they are very funny and easy going. The weather has cooled off here so that has been nice. I don't get too excited though because we could get warm weather again...I love fall and the cool crisp days. I can't wait for full time "sweater weather"!

I love you guys and I am so happy that we have a new page to chat on, ANT is back, and all seems well in the colony. Sorry for being MIA but the start of the school year is always busy with long hours. Hope to be back more as the year goes on. Please know that I am sending you all love, hugs, and prayers. I wish I could name you all....HEIDI, DEE, COLONY KAT, ERIN, DAWN, TERI, COLEEN, JOJO, KHAY, KANDYED, CHRIS, KENNY, CRAIG, HEADY, LOIS, STEEL MAGNOLIA, JODI, LYDIA, EMJAY, SCRAPPYSMOM, TUTU, JAX, MOWEENIE, JANIE, QUEEN JANINE, JANINE IN CALI, NICOLE IN GA, DR DONNA, NANCY, AMI, VANCOUVERGIRL, JAZZY, PAMELA, GINGER, observANTs.

ANT you take your time going through corrispondance (check my email first) We have all missed you and know that you'll need time to catch up (no seriously, read mine first) tee hee hee hee. I am dying to know if it is still happening.

Who taught me how to spell? OMG corrispondance??? YIKES!

Special prayers out to:
SHANNON, HEADY, AND EMJAY!!!

Kandyed I would be happy to do another trivia if we can decide on a mutual day
and time

ANT! G! You both look great! Thanks for checking in when you could. Hugs to you both. ODAT

Steph – rock on sister!

Dee – you crack me up, seriously, thank you for that

Ami ANT – I thought I was the only one who could smell Gs puppy breath

Van, Nancy, Dawn, Ali Kat, Teri, Mrs Beans, Chris, Craig, Bedbug, TLJ, Neblina, Emjay, EF, Kristen, Pam, Heidi, Kandyed, Jax, Lois, Shannon, Dr D, Malea, Khay, Ginger, Beck, Jazzy, and observANTs

Hugs all around

Ant I am sorry I haven't been doing a good job of catching up on what I missed while in the hospital. It was just too much for me to consume, so I read the latest entries and tried to figure out what was going on. I am so glad that you are doing so much better and that Little G was in your life. Your face lights up the screen when he kisses you. It does my heart good.
.
Guys, I put up the second part of Chapter 30. Unfortunately I had been relying on remembering who wasn't on the list story list. If you did get it thru an e-mail and you didn't get it, please send me an e-mail to DancerUnderAMoon@Aol.com. If you never got it this way, let me know and in the future the story will come straight to you. For the rest, it is on My Space. Love Jean.

DEE- You make me laugh that I gave you a look about the tequila! Do I have that kind of reputation? Yikes! I think ALI-KAT would love green tea NANCY. Good idea DEE!
.
GOODNIGHT EVERYONE.
.
ERIN- I'm right there with you along about Roman Polanski! They should do the same to Woody Allen too. I refuse to watch any of his movies EVER!!!!!
.
EMJAY- You will be fine tomorrow. I worked Gyne my whole life so I know exactly what they will do. It won't be tomorrow so relax. Hugs.
.
Going to Neurologist tomorrow to get letter to get out of jury duty!!! I'd be yelling GUILTY anyway with criminal trial and all these plea deals everyone does. Forget that!!!

CRAIG- Have a great day off tomorrow. Just have a day of fun if you can or sleep!!! Ha!
.
ALI-KAT- Love to you always. ♥ ♥ ♥
.
TERI- You are getting far with Dexter! LOL!!! I wish I could get that channel!

((A N T))
Wonderful to see you!
Welcome back!
I'm glad you got your computer back!!

((MrG))

((DAWN))

((DEE))

((Neblina))

((Chris))

((Emjay))

((DRDonna))

((TenderLovingJean))


((Colony))

Yayyyyyyyyyyyyy! It’s ANT & family!

I like this line: “…Saturday’s in retrograde or Mercury’s up my ass…” :-p I’m willing to bet it’s the Saturday situation and not the planetary displacement.

Busy drive-by for me today… ♥

“keep your eyes on the road and your hands up on the wheel!”

Um wait. Isn't today Tuesday? Have I gone back to the future? I expect Christopher Lloyd to walk out soon if that's true. (what?)

Who said Saturday?

I thought today was Monday in my world? It is Chris, don't worry. It is MONDAY in your world.

Wait,why did the perspective change like that?

Why do you ask dumb questions?

I don't know, sorry. :-p

Happy Tuesday (or whatever day humans call it)

who else ate a dozen donuts this weekend like me? lol (stop laughing, bitches)

I need some social lubrication. Good morning Dee ♥

:-p

Congratulations on day 49 ANT!

Wait. 49 days? It's been this long already? Holy shiznit!

(((((COLONY)))))

♥

I love that Chris just called us all bitches...:)

For those who are confused: Alcohol=social lubricant. Meh.

Holy cow, I am sooooo whiny right now...What. Is. Wrong. With. Me?! Omig---I'm horrible to be around. :(

EF you are not horrible to be around. Chris, I loved that quote too. Only ANT can pull off a quote that contains Mercury up my ass, as a means of having technical difficulties.

GOOD MORNING FELLOW COLONIST AND MR. ANT GOOD TO SEE YOU AND YOUR BABY, you guys are all the best so glad to be part of this place i send warm wishes and may all your prayers be answered, have a great fall day

Nancy would do live trivia......who's in?

coleen where abouts in Maine are you? I was at Sebago Lake.

Drive-by post

I have a couple of projects to do around the house/yard but wanted to stop by quickly to say HI and hope everyone has a great day!

I just found out that what Corey was the happiest about my recovering was he could understand me. Jonathon echo'd that saying it sounded like I was a speaking a foreign lang most of the time and thus hard to help me get what I wanted. Corey didn't bring it up while I was ill, he brought it up last night. I hope to never go thru that night mare again.
.
Please let me know you status on how you receive my story so I can make sure you have it in the future. Thanks, Love Jean
.
Off to work on chapter 31

MACCHIATTO'S
ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- double Captain and Diet Pepsi with a lemon
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-iced tea with lots of lemon
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-1/2 glass sweetened tea & 1/2 glass of milk warmed until hot like coffee
Van-grande mocka

for Richard

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=RPS

Well Alrighty then. going to be one of these kind of days. ANT! I love your Mercury comment. Im with you. Typekey just turned french on me. wth?

E.F - shhh. dont tell Chris. I like being his social lubricant. sounds so naughty.. and yet so right...

Its 10am. not even legal for me to be up yet. darn it was a rough night.

E.F - You are the furthest from whiny i know. Have you been eating your snap, crackle, meh cereal again?

Ali-Kat - Thinking of you my dear GG! {{{{{{{Hugs}}}}}}}}}}}}}}

DAWN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

THANK YOU!

I am soon off to the appt and really appreciate the incouragement. I am LOAing a Fab doctor with some good news for me. I just need to be calm and know that I can handle it, whatever it is. Easy for me to say, still working on letting my emotions believe it.

This is a test.

Oh my gosh I can't believe it finally let me back in!!!!!
Hello, family.
I've missed you all so much!
Typekey finally let me log back in on my work computer. Sadly, I have a LOT of work to do today, so I can't spend much time. But maybe I can get caught up and come back.
Oh, hurrah, I'm in!

Kandyed i live in south paris maine about 45 miles from portland maine sebago lake my parents used to go there alot thanks for asking

ANT: If you want help with that Blackberry, don't forget my Caitybug (formerly Bridezilla) is the manager of a cell phone store ... I'm pretty sure we can fix you up.

hooray!
Bedbug is back!
welcome back

Hi, Nancy, how are you and the hubby doing?

OK. im seriously frustrated. I need to say this. I LOVE our Canadian Healthcare system!! I resent people criticizing it that dont have it. and making up lies to further their own cause.

I am Canadian and I love my healthcare!

well Bedbug, since you asked, he feels like crap today the diarrhea monster has a hold of him
but I feel super good
now...how are you doing?

Cool Coleen....Maine is just beautiful.

Dee, sweet Dee. I am back for a day and we are going to go straight to healthcare. I am sorry that you are feeling attacked about healthcare. It is never good to feel like you are being attacked for something you support and you feel that people don't have all of the information. It must be exactly how I felt at the last election.

LOL Dee you know I love you and my belief is, no topic off limits if discussed with respect. With that said, it is my belief that there should be closer examination of insurance regulation and mal practice insurance. These seem to be driving the costs of care through the roof. Something must change but I do not want the government being involved any more than it is, in my life. Several Canadians that I know feel the same way you do. Wouldn't it be interesting to see what would happen if each state ran like their own country? The issues would become hyperfocused. States like Florida, where so many elderly reside would have to come up with some outstanding taxes or pay incredible premiums. Then there is NH, where the motto is live free or die....and you would because we are not paying for it, period. What would Texas and other border states do about illegal immigrants? Until our practices both in life and in politics reflects "just doing the right thing" we are not going to have any luck. People attack capitolism, and we all want to make more money. Everyone has personal power to "do the right thing" and we need to say "that is wrong" more often. Stealing from families via strategic marketing or through misinformed votes cast, make us all lose in the end. One of the most horrible things I see all the time is people justifying their bad behavior under the "self soothing" excuse. It is bad behavior to "imply" that healthcare in Canada doesn't work. I think you should feel offended Dee. If Canadians are happy and not dying by the bucketload, then that is great. It is bad behavior to "imply" and leave out facts when having any discussion, it just makes people feel manipulated. Keep it to the facts and do the right thing..................did you miss me?

OH Kandyed girl! I have missed you!!

Thanks to you, Ali and Erin, i understand more of the concerns of the right wing than i used to. So i dont want to criticize whatever the US chooses to do. I mean if the people dont want healthcare then its up to them. I see sick people with no medical coverage not wanting it. so who am i to say different.

I just dont want misinformation regarding our medical system to further anyones cause. left or right. Im not pro govt. I prefer to live off the grid as much as possible and rely on the govt for little, but its nice to know healthcare is there for others.

I must disagree that we all want to make more money. I dont. My happiness and sanity is worth way more. I worked for the mayor of Calgary. When i challenged a unscrupulous contract i was suddenly offered new position with almost double income. just ignore contract. I wouldnt sign off on contract and i quit. Integrity is worth so much more. I would gladly give more of my money to others that dont have. To help with their healthcare. I dont want expensive shoes or a fancy house.

Picture this analogy. You live in community with 10 people. You are rich. they are all poor. but you all want medical, garbage pickup, mail. This is where character comes out. Do you say I can hire a guy to do all that for me. Forget the rest of them. let them find their way. or... Do you say lets all pitch in together. and i have more so i will give a little more. There is no politics involved in that scenario. Only human spirit.

Like any idea it is only the spirit and intent of the people behind it that make it work or not.

I guess this isn't the greatest time to pop in..My timing sucks.
.
Welcome back ANT and congrats on day 50. ♥

Happy Tuesday!!

So cool to see so many posting....yay!

I was reading this over lunch, I loved that DEE included me in the same sentence as right wing! LOL!! In my neck of the woods I only go as far as L in their alphabet, so that was just really awesome to me! :) Love you DEE!

KANDYED-- My bro in law and family live on Sebago Lake. It is beautiful!

Love to see polite and respectful discussion of difficult topics...you guys are awesome!

DAWN--Your post about Polanski cracked me up....you sound like a scary juror, lol! It's funny what things set us off. I could have cared less about Polanski as a filmmaker and never gave him much thought until I saw all the people defending him. It is like you think that there are certain truths in the world and get complacent in thinking that most people are like you on the really important things and then wham! the world reminds you that your moral reality is so far from some people's. Really really hate those reminders, but they keep you on your toes! (by the way not talking about morals in the religious or traditional sense, just the civilized society sense of right and wrong)

Hope your day went well for you!

((((COLONY))))

I couldn't agree with you more on your scenario Dee. Those who have more do give so much more. The statistics being thrown around are suspect too Dee. Healthcare being available is not the question. Affordable healthcare is a component. When they report the statistic of people who don't have healthcare, often it is people who opt to take the cash and roll the dice. Some are trading it for more pay. They may need that pay for feeding their families. That isn't broken out in the statistic. The other group in that statistic are illegal immigrants. To me, illegal says it all.......go through the process or pay cash. That system is broken too. I am not heartless, I would share the wealth if I thought it would help. When I see people who decline healthcare to save up for another tattoo, and I have, then sympathy is gone. This is not the case with a lot of people and my heart breaks for them, but here in America you have the right to be an idiot. You have freedom to make even the stupidest of choices. People who work hard, and do the right thing should be able to make it all work and that is what is broken. When I say that we need to do the right thing, live within your means, provide for your family, save for a rainy day, have some fun, be responsible and at the end of the day that should work. If it doesn't something is really wrong, and it is. I just don't like the thought of one person making up the difference because that never works. Everyone needs to contribute to make a success. The colony is a perfect example of that. We all contribute, different amounts but it isn't fun if one carries the load for all, all the time. We are on the same side on this one for the most part. A victory for bipartisan accomplishment. I missed you and all of the chat.

Heidi, don't be scared. We are all good. There is nothing we can't do if we do it with respect.

Mrs. Bean you rock girl!

It sounds like Nancy's husband might have Mercury up his ass too...........LOL

Well, well, well....

The Gay Games 2014 are coming to Cleveland, Ohio.

NOW maybe ANT will make an appear-ants here LOL!

And thanks for the cocoa Nancy. I needed it. Cold and rainy all day today....

OMG as I live and breath. This is like old home day. Jazzy how are you?

Ohhhh nooooooooo he's back LOL my day just changed.... :) welcome back ...

Self absorbed me update:

The surgeon could not find anything to perform surgery on.
:o)

He was FANTASTIC! A Godsend truly.
He did not feel anything like a fistula that my second doc felt.
He thinks the remaining lump is scar tissue from the initial infection that he thinks was female stuff not rectal at all.
(GREAT NEWS)
Here is the wild thing.
Had my gyno not felt what she thought was a rectal fistula, she was ready to perform an elogated epesiotomy herself. Thank God she thought she felt something else or I would be recovering from surgery my surgeon said I didn't need.
So.
He said, if it gets bad again, I need to have an ultrasound to see what's up. If it does and I do, I will do it under HIS clinic and go to him with the results.
I feel like I have been surrounded by angels.
My Colony friends.
Interesting "circumstances".
My new fave doc on the planet who had warm hands and a beautiful soul the made the entire room light up when he entered.
Here's to a big ass exhale from me tonight.

Congrats to you Emjay! What great news.

Van! This is awesome, so where is Ginger and Pammie. We just need a few more and we are whole.

EMJAY- Great news! Now you can breath and enjoy the evening!
.
ERIN- LOL! ♥ ♥ about Polanski!!!
.
DEE- There is someone who needs health care extremely important, but can't because of US health care. It's very upsetting to me. Frustrating to say the least!

Pammie is without internet at the present, she has switched services and they said they would be out on such and such day......but weren't then when she calls they tell her they told her they couldn't (the liars)that day, so she is still waiting for them (AT&T) to set her up meanwhile the previous service already disconnected her
so she will be back when they connect her up hopefully not long

Sorry for that someone DAWN. I hope they get what they need.

So who wants to party tonight? The gang is all here.............so?

Ginger is on Grandma duty since Julie is remodeling her house and trying to get it done by Oct 1, so we have to wait for our Gingerlicious too

**runs to get the party stuff and good china back out....

Vancouver girl you got the good china!! @@ wow. =)

This party could really use a good DJ.......hmmm

Nancy let's have a role call.......

Hey Everyone! I know its been a LONG time since I have posted. I am going to make a point to post more often! So there is a party? WOO HOO!

Woo Hoo count me in

hale hale the gangs all here !!.... runs to get more china out...

OMG Darrell too

WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOO

VAN*NANCY*JAZZY*DARRELL*

geesshhh do I have to keep running for more China ! arrggg

I will start setting the table....ok how many are here?

Joining THE PARTY TRAIN
.
VAN*NANCY*JAZZY*DARRELL*KANDYED*AMI
.
WOOOOOOOOOO HOOOOOOOOOOOO!

but where did out DJ get to???

Can I get a what what!!! AMI is in the house.........

ok is it wrong to have a snack while watching the biggest loser?

Kandyed! So good to have you back. I sure did miss you. I love the points you made and cant really disagree. We should be able to save and pay our own but really i dont know anyone of lower income who could afford to add the insurance payments to their monthly bills. If they did they would try to buy a car to get around. When we are young we think we are unbreakable.

Thank you for your thoughts. I love talking to my Kandy Kane.

LOL - snacking watching biggest loser....

My friends, my Corey had a heart attack this evening. Please pray for him. I don't have more infor right now. I have to get our things gathered because I will be staying a few days at the Un of WI Hospital, our hospital couldn't handle his heart.
Love Jean

JEAN! My thoughts and prayers are with you and your Corey! Praying hard, Sweet One!!!!!

{{TLJ)) - Jean, prayers and loving thoughts for you and Corey. You're both in my prayers.

TLJ- HUGS TO YOU.
.
SO MANY PEOPLE SICK IT'S NOT FUNNY ANYMORE!!!

Stress is a terrible thing
wishing all the best for Corey that this is a mild one with no lasting damage
{{{TLJ}}}

Healing Angels to Corey! God bless him and you Jean!!!!!!!!!! And I mean it. (in my most authoratative voice, demanding it and it will be done.)

Jean! Corey! Im praying to the universe to take good care of you both! Like Emjay, in my most authoritative voice, demanding it to be done.

I know Corey is an angel but he is needed here. Love you Jean!!!!

Maybe this quote will help some..

"I am responsible. Although I may not be able to prevent the worst from happening, I am responsible for my attitude toward the inevitable misfortunes that darken life. Bad things do happen; how I respond to them defines my character and the quality of my life. I can choose to sit in perpetual sadness, immobilized by the gravity of my loss, or I can choose to rise from the pain and treasure the most precious gift I have - life itself."

Walter Anderson

DEE- That's a GREAT quote! Thanks.
♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Dawn - so glad you liked the quote. im trying to live that right now. with so much going on.

Then i come to the blog and see Kandyed, Heidi and Ami and Jazzy, Vangirl and Jean here again and the day feels so much brighter. now a little more Ali-Kat, Dr Donna, Nebby and of course a good dose of Ginger, a splash of Kristen and Beck and the day is complete.

Heidi - Kandyed is a friend and we have good discussions. no fear. if i get out of hand, Kandyed will give me the kick in the pants i deserve. and im good with that. in fact she knows i kinda like it. ;)

oh and to clarify. im not saying Kandyed, Ali or Erin are right wing. just that they have helped me not so be so close minded when listening to reps ideas. Thanks Ladies.

ALI-KAT- ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥ &heartss; ♥

GOODMORNING EVERYONE. It's hump day already! Gee, the week seems to be going fast or not enough time in the day?

I read this recently and hear the word differently now ♥…

Responsibility = response ability

Give it to your hump day!

Were sick people ever funny????

Dee you are wicked cute. I like to think I am a social liberal and a fiscal conservative. Beyond that, I register independant.

Love all of the quotes.....Dee and Chris

Jean and Corey hang in there.......

(Chris)

jean my prayers are with corey hope we gets better fast hang in there jean, love coleen

((((JEAN)))) thinking of you and Corey. You are both in my prayers.

Hope EVERYONE has a fantastic Wednesday. We went from high 80's yesterday to a high of 50 today. Thunder, hail, rain all night long....high winds, it was awesome to watch and hear.

Oh wonderful HUMP DAY
GOOD MORNING COLONY

AMI and has inspired me today, I walked 4 miles already, came back to a phone message, my help is needed in taking care of my Uncle for a couple days so I will be gone the weekend til Monday evening I think, you all will do fine without me though

ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- double Captain and Diet Pepsi with a lemon
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-1/2 glass sweetened tea & 1/2 glass of milk warmed until hot like coffee
Van-grande mocha

JEAN...You and Corey are in my thoughts and prayers &hearts&hearts

DAWN...This week on SYTYCD Canada I really liked Kim and Everett and TJ and Emanuel. I think Cody and Amy may be leaving??? On DWTS I really enjoyed Aaron/Karina and Mya/Dmitry. I think Kathy or Tom are leaving??? Who were your favs?

Stopping in to send continuing support to Corey and Jean and to see if there was an update.

NANCY...I'm loving my daily hot chocolate! You're the best! I hope all is well with your Uncle.

DEE...I think that although our health care could use a bit of tweaking it's basically great!

STEPH...I'm glad that the school year is going so well for you.

EMJAY...Great news that your doctors appointment went well. Yay!

SHANNON...Thinking of you &hearts

BEDBUG...Great to see you here. Don't take too long coming back!

KANDYED...wonderful to see you back! I enjoy reading the conversation between you and DEE.

ERIN...Supernatural tonight!!!!

ALI...Thinking of you, my friend. &hearts&hearts&hearts

PAM...I hope your internet gets hooked up quickly! I miss your posts on myspace.

HI VANCOUVERGIRL, HEIDI, LOIS, HEADY, COLONYKAT, CRAIG, EF (never whiny), COLEEN, JAZZY, CHRIS, NEBBY, NANA, MALEA, DR. DONNA, AMI, and ALL ANTS......

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE.

DEE: Thank you for the quote. It was exactly what I needed today.

Bedbug - Im so glad it helped. I just read it to my son and he liked it too.

Chris - Response ability = responsibility BRILLIANT!

DWTS - Wow Kathy Ireland beat out by Tom Delay. Mya is sooo good. I find myself judging dimitri forgetting she is not the pro.

Did anyone else enjoy Aarons Muppet song? Man i miss the muppets. I was so excited to see Animal! Love him. I miss Beaker.

TERI- SYTYCD CANADA- I too like Everett and Emanuel. Emanuel's solo was so GREAT!!! The girl I really like though is Jamie Rae with her hip hop last night with Austin. Austin wasn't getting it, but she sure did! I think Amy & Cody to go home???
.
DWTS- I voted for Aaron, Maya, Donny. Soon I will have to choose one and just give all my votes to that one couple. LOL! I know Dimitry is just too cute isn't he! Yummy!!!

DEE- I love the muppets too. Too cute!
.
I'm glad your son liked your quote too. Is he feeling better? How is your mouth?
.
ALI-KAT- ♥ ♥ ♥

Can I change my drink please? That was for late night parties and now that it is an a.m. drink, I seem like a raging alcoholic. I would like a Diet Pepsi Lime. Thanks Nancy.

(((TLJ&COREY)))

Dawn - darn mouth is not better. thought it was but flared bad today. Im irritated as im sure its not dry socket. others who had it seem in serious pain. im not. but feel like sliver in my gums. i think its contributing to sore neck and headaches. who knows...
I dont know how you manage with those headaches. just a few days and im ready to snap.

Trev is doing better now. i feel very hopeful. but realistic.

Anyone watch Joy Behar's new show last night? I really enjoyed it.

Kandyed when you are here it always feels like a party just kidding I will change your order
anybody else who wants a change or be added on just let me know

Wow! Dr OZ rocks! he is bang on in his teachings. Today he spoke of Ashwaganda and Rhodiola. He was using them for libido but they are wonderful tonics. 2 of the very best. Ashwaganda is a staple in Ayurvedic medicine. Love what he is teaching!

Jean! Corey! Thinking of you. ♥♥♥♥

Ali! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

Hello ANT and Mr.G! WELCOME HOME!
(I know he's named after me!)
.
Hello ANTlings!
.
First off- trying to get caught up on the posts and BANG...there's this from
.
EMJAY!...
.
( Here's to a big ass exhale from me tonight.)
.
OMG! I almost pee'd my pants!
Emjay, (05:06 PM)
.
Here is windy Oklahoma we call that a fart! LOL

DEE--What is Ayurvedic medicine? Intrigued....

TERI--I have to wait until Thursday for Supernatural. :( crazy!! Lucky!!

Did anyone else see the article that came out about which countries have the best lovers? All I am going to say is step it up American men, step it up. You have been called out, lol!

TLJean, I'm so sorry to hear of Corey's heart attack. It must seem like a cruel joke to you both. But thank GOD that you are now better and can help nurse him through.
.
THE POWER OF LOVE RIGHT HERE FOLKS!
.
I'm praying for you both ♥

On the news tonight they announced that the murderer of little 9yr.old Jessica Lunsford, John Couey died today.
.
Sometimes the Universe resets itself.

ANT ...
.
we want to see your pictures from GREECE!

DEE- I liked Joy Behar's show last night, but tonight I'm not too sure. I won't be wasting my time listening to Ann Coulter!!! I'll tape it and zing through it. I don't care what she has to say about anything!!!
.
Yes, I saw a bit about Dr. Oz and garlic etc, but I was busy watching Greys Anatomy and House from last week. I'm so far behind in my shows.

ERin - Ayurveda means science of life. It is a medicine system from India. It fits nicely with Chinese Medicine and Herbology. Based on healing the overall body.

Dawn - Im going to watch for sure. Joy has a great way of dealing with Ann Coulter. and im a sucker for punishment. ;)

Jacks son just brought me corn chowder and tulips to be planted. How sweet eh? its a good day...

POP!
hi-dee-hoodles, Mr. ANT.
:OD
Ohmygosh! A little puppy!!
hi-dee-hoodles, G
(ohsocute)!
:OD

welp,
POOF!

Today was hell. I will write about it tomorrow. Just to let you know I left the motel at 2:30 to come home because I couldn't take the toll on my body to sit in hard chairs all day. I got home at 8:45. Yes that is right. I stayed lost that long. Anyway, Corey had a major heart attack and is now resting ok. The bottom half of his heart wasn't getting oxygen (sp). I will go into detail tomorrow about everything including my car accident.
Love Jean

ERIN...I checked out Supernatural tonight but it was a repeat of last week. Looks like I'll be watching it Thursdays with you. No spoiler alerts!! LOL

Good Night Everyone.

thank goodness September is coming to an end
October can only get better

so
Mr. G has a buddy
that sings
WTG

DEE- I did watch Joy Behar tonight, but zinged through Ann coulter. Too much for me after a few minutes. I did like the interview with Victoria Gotti though. I would like to get that book at the library, but it's not on order yet.

ALI-KAT- ♥ ♥ &hearts
♥ ♥ THINKING OF YOU TOMORROW!!!!

GOODMORNING OR GOODNIGHT whatever the time of day for you.
.
CHRIS- Special hugs to you today. ♥
ERIN- ♥ ♥
TERI- ♥ ♥ Dexter? Where are you at? Erin where are you at? Ginger - Where are you at??
.
Another show that is just great is DAMAGES with Glenn Close- I'm sure you people in US can watch it for free. That's another one you need to start out Season 1 show 1. It's so good too.

OK, I'll quite talking to myself now. I'll try for some sleep.
.
ELLIOT'S FRIEND- Where are you tonight? LOL!
.
STEPH- I'm going to be getting some medium TILLAMOOK CHEESE on Oct 7th. My brother is in California heading up through Oregon. They do get me the big 5 lb brick too. Yummy. I can't wait. I hope your cold or allergies are better.

CRAIG- I got my Michael Jackson tickets too for Nov 1st Sunday. I hope it's good.

DR DONNA- I found the spice cake and pumpkin. I don't mix the cake like it says on the box right. Just can of pumpking and spice cake mix on a cookie sheet??? I did buy light cream cheese too.

Hello ANT friends and other furry people!

Today marks the day of... Thursday. That's it. :-p

The day that Friday makes fun of and points her single finger to the sky. Poor Thursday, it really doesn't get a fair chance. Wednesday leftovers... "the sloppy seconds of hump day."

It's sandwiched between two important days. Essentially it's the roast beef to my work week, little Thursday. When someone asks "Where's the Beef?" I have a solid suggestion.

-sigh-

Someone parked the crazy train outside my house, I swear. ♥

This will likey be the strangest sentence I speak today:

Good morning singing hand puppet!

xoxox

I might think of another equally (*censored* up) idea by mid-morning. Anything's possible.

The blessing of being a lunatic = you never know what frame of mind you'll be in! yayyy for me!

God bless you all at the same time. :)

Like a crap shoot, all bets are tossed in the air and randomly shoo-Be-doo'ed.

You see what I'm sayin'? :D

"Whatever blows your skirt up. You too ladies."

♥

With the idea of ladies and their skirts being blown upward, Good morning Heidi - I got your email!

lol

lol

don't spank me

On second thought, you know the rountine. I eagerly await the spankin' hand of CGH... :D

And Nebby

and Craig... and all those crazy Canadians he has on-hand up there in his "spare room"...

♥

DAWN...I just finished watching episode 10, Season 2 of Dexter. I can't believe I was worried they'd find him out! LOL

I'm meeting my sister for lunch today and then we have to attend our first annual meeting about Mom at the Personal Care Home. Hope she's been a good girl! LOL

Have a great day everyone.

A day in hell.
Yesterday I tried to leave Madison at around 2:30 and go home. I finally found the exit I wanted after travelling up and down University (I think that is the name of that long road that runs near the university hospital. I tried to be the good woman in Coreys life and do a vigil in a hard chair next to him in Card ICU... I couldn't do it. My body just couldn't handle it. Corey told me to get a hotel room, rest until I could travel and go home and not come back. Even sick with a massive heart attack I was in his concern. So I stayed at the Motel 6 and then left at around 2:30. I travelled the road several time burning up gas. ::sigh:: Finally I figured that there simply was no exit by the name I had and headed towards Chicago. I was in the wrong lane and I tried to scoot over to the right one and didn't see this white car in my rear view mirror and I hit the car. We scraped the sides of our cars. We were all right. The Police came and did their report and I got a ticket for illegal lane changes. I took full responsibity for the accident. I gave the guy our insurance card so he could get his car repaired. I was very polite and helpful and I think everyone concerned, especially the Police were more relaxed because I was calm. The officer told me to get off at the next exit and find my way to the interstate from there. Thus began my hours long journey thru WI back country. Every place I stopped to get help at was different. It got dark and I was tired and frustrated. I called David to let him know I was still lost. Finally I couldn't take anymore and pulled over and cried. I called Pastor and he tried to calm me and succeeded and told me to dial 911 and ask to be located on their GPS. The signs around me had all been taped up with orange tape and I couldn't tell where I was and it was pitch black on that country road. I called 911 and they did locate me and helped me get on the right road to get to home. Soon I saw a sign for Beloit and I rejoiced. I called David and told him I was on my home and I should make it. I hated that excursion so much that thru the tears I asked Pastor to get Corey when it was time to come home. He aggreed. The stone on my heart was lifted and I realized all this had been Gods work to get me to let go of Corey and let Pastor go and get him. Corey needs to speak to someone privately about his distance from God right now. I can't get him to talk to me. God handled it. At 8:45 I got home. I travelled the back roads never making a turn that didn't lead me towards home. God guided me thru it all. When I got home Mom and David sat and listened to me and Mom said she knew that I was in Gods hands. My poor legs and feet were sore and I had cramps in my right foot a couple of times last night when I went to bed. It could have been worse, but the thing that I remember most is how nice everyone was to me.
.
I arrived in Madison the night of Corey's heart attack. The map the hospital gave me a map to help me in Madison. It was in Spanish. So I tried to find it on my own. I could seem to get away from the Capital Building, so I called the number on the paper if you needed help. I got the Uni.Hospital secruity dept and they lead me to the hospital by talking me thru it. They never let me go until I got to the parking lot. They then had a chair waiting for me and rolled me up to Card. ICU. I intend to write the head of the dept to tell them of what he did for me. Even the next day I wasn't let down. The poor toll booth worker tried so hard to straighten my pass out, but I needed one more piece of information, but I was too tired to go back and get it. She tried to get her supervisor to wave the fee, but she wouldn't, so the toll lady kept apologizing. I told her it was ok. She was only doing her job. I didn't think about what I'd said until she looked at me and said she wished more people were like me, understanding. I couldn't see the point in getting upset, so I didn't. Even on the busy streets of downtown people on bikes would stop and offer help. The city is full of nice people.
.
Well I am tired, and going to go lay down.
Love Jean

GOOD OCTOBER FIRST MORNING COLONY

Macchiato's
ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- Diet Pepsi Lime
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-1/2 glass sweetened tea & 1/2 glass of milk warmed until hot like coffee
Van-grande mocha

Oh my gosh Jean and Corey. I just don't know what more could go wrong. I am praying for you both. Jean, you HAVE to remember to take care of yourself first in order to be able to be there for Corey. Don't overdo your limits.

First off, Jean. Wow. Sorry you got so lost. With what you were dealing with that was just "pile on". I hope Corey is improving!

Ginger!
Big ass exhale!??! HILARIOUS! I didn't think of it that way but now I do! HA!HA!

Chris. I love that you are a lunatic. LOVE IT! I often feel like one and some days I actually embrace it AND spank it!

Dee.
You are groovy and I wanted to tell you that today.

EVERYONE!!!! I have to admit, I don't really like calling out just a few people here. I don't ever want it to seem exclusive or that those not "talked to" are not FABULOUS! So I always hesitate. I know ANT often says that too when he names just a few people on his blog. That has to be difficult.

Oh, and I didn't comment on the vid here. I THINK that is the doggie Cathy gave ANT in NC that was doing some funny stuff to Jason's face??? :o)

ANYWAY!

I have pear butter simmering in the crock pot. I cut up and cooked 2 huge pots of pears from my yard and made sauce. Most all recipes say to peel them but I didn't. Lots of nutrients in the skin. I pureed the cooked pears in the food processor after pouring off a quart of FAB juice!
Right now it is really great "sauce" but I am on my way to making "butter". Not sure what I am going to add to it but I am not adding sugar. Maybe some cinnamon and a touch of nutmeg and lemon juice. Not sure really.
I love playing in the kitchen... other than the clean up that is.

EMJAY- Your pears sound wonderful. Pear butter- yummy!! You are such a Suzy Homemaker it's wonderful!

Thank you Nancy for sobering me up on the list. LOL.

Jean and Corey.......hope it is all uphill from here.

Jean - You are amazing. Response ability. Well done. Staying calm at the hardest times. and all the while being grateful for the ones who try to help you. You and Corey are both incredible people. Like Bedbug said Jean , please take care of yourself.

Emjay - I enjoy you soooo much. I agree it is hard to name names because dont ever want anyone to feel excluded or that there is exclusive crowd. i love all the Colony...

but my Ali-Kat is way special.. LOL.. Hey gotta be honest. She is my GG, My bff, my homegirl, my little buttercup. and she probably wants to smack me right now. ;)

Ali - I just want you to know im thinking of you.. ♥

Have a great Day Colony!

DEE- I so agree with you about ALI-KAT. Special person that's for sure. ♥ ♥ ♥

(((Jean))) I am so sorry you had to endure all of that!! Your attitude is amazing and you and Corey are an inspiring couple. I am with everyone else in saying that I hope it is all good things for you all now.

PEAR BUTTER??? YUM!!!!! This is one of the many reasons I love Fall so much. Corn chowder... anyone else eating great food? I am making butternut squash soup today and bread, been watching the Elizabeth Smart testimony today. She is amazing, so strong and lovely, after all she has been through. Very inspiring to watch.

Hope you all are having a beautiful day!!

CHRIS--"The blessing of being a lunatic = you never know what frame of mind you'll be in! yayyy for me!" This should not have made me laugh as much as it did!! :)

TERI--Darn! I was hoping for some spoilers :)

DAWN--did you make the cookies? :)

NANCY--Thanks for the cocoa! It was 33 when I woke up this morning, so that is the perfect drink today!

Big hellos to ALL!!

ERIN- No I haven't made the cookies yet. I just took out an apple pie that was frozen in my freezer. Too lazy I guess! LOL! Your bread sounds wonderful!! Hot with butter!!!

Dawn - Love you!

okay i dont know what is happening to me. im sharing recipes and now im sewing a button on for Jack. Not exactly the usual for a hedonist bohemian chick. If i start wearing an apron, send help..

oh pear butter sounds good. Love that you arent using sugar Emjay. Have you ever tried Stevia. it is natural sweetener that is good for you. Does anyone have any experience baking with Stevia?

ugh all this food talk.. gotta go..

(((TLJ))) ♥ ♥ (((COREY)))

Dawn: Yes, you combine just the mix itself straight from the box, and the can of pumpkin. And, I buy the cream cheese frosting in the cake aisle - rather than using straight cream cheese. But, they are so tasty! With or without the frosting. Can't wait to hear if you like them...

Hey ((ANT))) and (((COLONY)))
.
I have been thinking about you guys. Glad ANT to see you doing so well and that you got your computer problems cleared up.
.
DAWN..DEE..You guys crack me up.. Thanks for your words...I think you are pretty special too!! LOL!!! ♥ ♥ ♥
.
There is so much to catch up on here..Not sure I can. Think I just better leave HUGS for all!!
.
Do not want to miss though sending good thoughts and wishes for strength and healing to TLJ and COREY. Sometimes it can seem like too much. I can not believe you are out driving by yourself with all you have just been through...you are very remarkable person. Take care of yourself and hope today is better day for you and for Corey.

EMJAY I so know what you mean about worrying about missing people when we post. I think we've all had that concern from time to time. Hopefully everyone here knows that we would never knowingly or intentionally exclude anyone. It's better to come and post a few times about specific things than it would be to skip posting altogether for fear of leaving someone out unintentionally. Right? (I hope so, anyway.)

I like to see shout outs, I think it brings lots of others out to shout.

If you are an observANT, then your shouts are few, if you are overlooked, then speak up, we all love to talk to you.

I just talked with Corey's nurse and he said that they will probably move Corey tonight or tomorrow morning to a room. Then keep him maybe three more days. Our Pastor is going to go get him and bring him home when he is released. We have a wonderful Pastor who I am close to. He is such fun but my source for counciling too. He's been there when I needed him. Anyway Corey was asleep so I didn't speak with him, but I will call back later this evening and try to talk to him. I am glad that even though it was a massive heart attack, he is recovering fine. The nurse told me not to deny Corey all his treats, she suggested that I put some M & Ms in small baggies that he can have one bag of a day instead of fist fulls. I am going to care for him so much I think he'll want to pull what little hair he has left out.
.
I am going to wash his sheets tonight and get our rooms ready for his return.
.
Love to all of you and I thank you dearly for all your prayers and good wishes, Love Jean

Kandyed, I also like the shout outs. I would hate it if anyone thought they were being ignored. I so often answer peoples posts in my head as I am reading and then forget what I wanted to say when commenting. I guess I am just saying that if you don't always get a response it doesn't mean your post did not make someone smile, laugh or send up a prayer on your behalf. For me, the more posts the merrier!!

JEAN--Wow, that is such great advice about not keeping all of Corey's treats from him. My dad did not have a heart attack but he was close to having one. He ended up having heart surgery and it is really hard on people after they have heart problems. They can experience some depression and be afraid to eat for fear of causing more heart problems. He is lucky to have you there to look out for him!! Thanks for keeping us posted.

SHOUT OUT to Erin and Kandyed!!! :o)

TLJean - There will be no better medicine for Corey than for him to come home to your loving arms! It sounds like you're getting things so nice and comfy for him, he will love that. Tell your Pastor we all say THANK YOU for helping out our dear friends when they needed him most. ♥

TERI- NO spoilers for ERIN on Dexter! LOL!!! Erin- poor you as you have to wait until everyone is in bed to watch it. OMG!!
.
Olympics- They had on TV today here in Vancouver the Olympic outfits. It's getting closer so a little more excited about it all.

Shout out to the Doctor!
Shout out to Mrs. Bean
Shout out to Dee
Shout out to Nancy
Shout out to Pammie
Shout out to Ginger
Shout out to Jazzy
Shout out to Darrell
Shout out to Dawn
Shout out to TLJ & Corey
Shout out to Chris
Shout out to Craig
Shout out to Lemon Deb
Shout out to Emjay
Shout out to Ali-Kat
Shout out to colony Kat
Shout out to Colleen
Shout out to Jazzy
Shout out to Kristen
Shout out to Janie
Shout out to Ami
Shout out to Vancouvergirl
Shout out to Elyzabeth Mitchell
Shout out to Corey & TLJ again
Shout out to Teri
Shout out to Malea
Shout out to Nebby
Shout out to Heidi
Shout out to Beck
Shout out to Heady
Shout out to Bedbug
Shout out to Queen Janine
Shout out to Lydia
Shout out to Phil
Shout out to great Scott
Shout out to Elliot's Friend
Shout out to Scrappy's mom
Shout out to Teri again
Shout out to jazzy again
Shout out to ANT
Shout out to Mr. Girl
Shout out to the puppy puppet
Shout out to the observANTS
I am sure I missed someone, but that means you have been served.......so please shout I so that I may improve my shouts
LOL

Shout out to Stephanie
I missed you but thought I already had you......=)

((ANT)) Cute little song. I kept waiting hear "Laaaaa lalala Close to you". The lala part. Does that make sense? lol


((Tender Loving Jean)) You survived your adventure. Corey survived his heart attack. I'm so glad you weren't afraid to reach out and phone people when you were lost. I'm so glad the hospital staff were so wonderful. Thank goodness you made it home okay. ((hUg)) to you!!


((Dee))

((DAWN))
((Kandyed))


((Chris))

((DRDonna)) How is the walking coming along?

((Kristen))

((Beck))

((Nancy/SoCal))


((Teri))

((Ali-Kat))

((Ali-Kat's Purse))

((MrsBean))

((Emjay))


Happy Thursday!

I was on my way home from work trying to think of something to leave on my sister's voicemail. The standard 'leave a message' always makes me think I should leave a 'message'.

Today I thought about Itsy Bitsy. What if that spider wasn't telling the truth?

We all know it is told that Itsy was climbing a water spout when all of a sudden she is washed away by a rainstorm. Then we are lead to believe that the sun dries up all the rain and she is able to climb the spout again.

I believe there was no rain. I believe that Itsy was climbing this spout and lost her footing. She tumbles to the bottom of the spout no worse for wear, but her pride is a little hurt.

I'm sure she thought: "What will the other spiders think when they hear about this? How embarassing to trip when you have eight legs!"


Thus came the story of the rain washing her down the spout.


Why couldn't have Itsy have told the truth?


Everyone stumbles every now and then.


Funny to let pride get in the way when the real story is just as good.


So that's the message my sister received on her voicemail today.


:-)

I wish I was your sister Craig. That would have been an awesome message.....

a big 1st year birthay to Ginger's Grandaughter Ella Jane

ANT: You are, at the very least, deserving of the next line of the song for sure! "On the day that you were born the angels got together and decided to create a dream come true!"

I am awaiting some test results and could use all the positive thoughts anyone can spare between now and probably Monday or Tuesday. Thanks so much. Love to all.

BEDBUG I LOVE YOU!!!

SENDING YOU ALL LOVE, HUGS, AND PRAYERS!!! Miss you terribly but I hope to have some time this weekend to catch up.

BEDBUG- Big hugs to you. This waiting for test results is so tough. Try to watch some Zone out TV or Zone out book. Thinking of you. ♥

CRAIG- Is that a cryptic message? Or is it about the spider? You have my attention!!! I sure don't like spiders very much!!!

TGIF! What is everyone up to for the weekend? I hope to catch up on some of my shows. I'd do a big batch of cooking if I could, but no room in my freezer for anything else!!!

Bedbug - Sending tons of positive energy to you. and to you Dawn, Ali, Jean and Corey.

Craig - I love who you are! Look out. Once day im so coming into the city to see you. I may try to go in Saturday if i feel okay. It Jacks son-in-laws bday party. so im going to try. I havent been to calgary in a few years. so its unlikely but possible.

I dont know what is up with me lately. ive been feeling more social. was actually thinking of having a small halloween party. although just dressing up the dogs and having our own little party sound more fun. baby steps i guess.

Craig - what is Argus doing for halloween?

Dawn - good tv lately is cutting into me getting much done lately. but so does sleeping 16 hrs a day. im trying to catch up too.

(((TLJ))) Your strength is awesome. I hope things keep looking up.

Things are always looking up, but it's our perspective that changes a bit.

I wish everyone could have a piece of Jean. (hold the jokes) You know, the part that remains calm in the face of danger... the part that keeps loving.

♥ (((Corey)))

Thanks to NBC and this little Colony home... we get a piece of her.

(thankfully the page finally loaded in again - what the?)

DEE- I hear you about sleeping so much. I do the same and then don't have time for anything other than make dinner, shower and change and maybe a phone call and one TV show!!!! It's always at weird times though. When hubby is home the weekend he's always up at 5-6am and does laundry and puts it outside on the umbrella line etc even though we have a dryer!!! I keep my ear plugs in and ignore him so I can sleep! LOL!

Dee & Dawn forgive me if this sounds insensative, but I am a little jealous to hear you sleep 16 hours. I am exhausted. How can we both get more of what we need?

♥ TGIF ♥

KANDYED- We are both ill so I'm sure you don't wish that on yourself. Sleeping is because we don't feel well half the time or more than half the time. Both of us stay up way into the night and sleep fitfully with pain.

BEDBUG...It is so hard to wait for test results. Sending you hugs and positive thoughts!!!

DAWN, DEE, ALI, TLJ, COREY, KANDYED, HEIDI, COLONYKAT, SHANNON, GINGER, and everyone who has to deal with illness ...&hearts&hearts&hearts and hugs

MRS. BEAN...Did you watch Supernatural? Let me know what you think. I won't say anything until I know you've seen it already (no spoilers!) LOL

Have a great day everyone.

Dawn you are right. I am not ill, just exhausted. I have a two year old son who will be three soon and is soooo busy. I do not have anything medically wrong so I am grateful. I hope you and Dee both can better because being sick stinks. I will take tired over sick anyday.

Dawn I would not want to be sick, you are right. I have a two year old son and I am just tired. I hope you and Dee both feel better and can recover.....until then, at least we are all in it together.

Sorry for the double post, I didn't see it and then it appeared. I forgot what I had typed the first time so they are somewhat similar. LOL silly typekey.

I'm with Ami, TGIF...Friday, YAY!!!!!

Speaking of sleep, I cannot wait until tonight because I am already planning sleeping in tomorrow (we'll see!) (Does anyone else fall asleep in the middle of the day no matter what you are doing?) I have this time of the day where I get so sleepy.(((KANDYED))) being a mom is exhausting! They get nap time, we don't, lol! I have trouble sleeping and so I am my own worst enemy.

Sending sleep to everyone who needs it ♥♥♥♥

CRAIG-- My oldest used to ask questions like that when I read him stories....drove me crazy, lol! I can remember asking him once, why so suspicious? And he said, have you ever really read little red riding hood, mom? I said, um to you several times. He said, I mean really READ it? Challenging my comprehension skills at the age of 5. :) So I am going to ask you today, why so suspicious of the spider? ;o) You know I'm joking!!! ♥

TERI--I watched Bones and then switched to The Office. Haven't seen Supernatural yet...but I don't mind spoilers, lol!

(((BEDBUG))) I hope you get the results you need. Will be thinking of you ♥♥♥♥

DEE--Pictures of your doggie halloween party please!! So fun! I am so allergic to dogs, but I was at a friends house yesterday and she has the cutest little dog and it climbed up on the couch and put its head in my lap and just looked at me like, why won't you hug me? It totally got me, I was like okay I will pet you and sneeze at the same time....such power these furry creatures have! :)

DAWN--I am even getting less sleep with trying to watch Dexter. :)

HOPE EVERYONE HAS A GREAT FRIDAY!!!!

~~♥♥~~SHOUT OUT TO DR DONNA~~♥♥~~ :o) Hope you are having a great day!

Oct 2 2009

Macchiato's
ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- Diet Pepsi Lime
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-1/2 glass sweetened tea & 1/2 glass of milk warmed until hot like coffee
Van-grande mocha

this is it until Tuesday as I will be out of town taking care of my uncle...so sip your drinks LOL

TRIVIA TONIGHT 6 PM pacific time in blankslate chatroom

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=RPS
for Richard

Chris, I am humbled by your statment. All I am doing is just being me.
.
Corey gets to come home this weekend, or so he believes. I won't know until after 6 PM.
.
I love all you guys, Jean

OH Kandyed! I will send you some of my energy as it turns out i dont need much energy to sit around planning doggie parties. Now a 2 yr old. im exhausted thinking of energy it requires. my dogs are happy if i play hide and seek once a day. They are so easy to mess with. but i guess 2 yr olds dont like it when you hide on them.. How is little man? what a cute age.

Jean - in case you didnt know. one of the best things you can do for liver impairment is to try to let yourself wake up naturally. not set alarm. If i am woken i am sick all day, but if up on my own, much better. Thinking of you and Corey today.

Im getting Nebby withdrawals! i feel the shakes setting in. she is probably off somewhere with her NOG.. hmph..

.
DEE, thank you for making me laugh AT LEAST once a day!
.
"...but i guess 2 yr olds don't like it when you hide on them. "
.
PRICELESS
.

WWAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHH!!!!!
.

That pretty much sums up the chats I've had today. Jeez, people, settle down!!! I try so hard to have a positive attitude, but sometimes people are just relentless. One hour until the WEEKEND!! YAY!!!!! :o)

I read this phrase today and like it enough to share

blessed are those who can give without remembering
and take without forgetting

and where is Lemon Deb she usually checks in sooner than this
been too long
Deeeeeeeeeeeb!!

***************************************
TRIVIA NOW
**********************************

Kandyed was the winner of tonights trivia game woot woot

Love and Money… for which it seems entire lives are built upon. There’s a continuous battle. Which is more important? Which is the one that ignites real passion?

God help us all.

My time is split between the two with a daytime job that pays the bills and the projects I love to create. I play the daytime role without passion. I need money and yet I hate it everyday. [therein lies the problem] I come home to find projects that await my real passion’s desire… and the LOVE that ensues is immeasurable.

They each have their own places. Somehow they don’t connect but it might be because I hate money and love people. As long as I hate money, I will never have it aplenty, as I do friends.

I invest more time making money than spending time with people. Now I live for money… because I have to. Everyday… make a dollar! Dollars dollars dollars! Everywhere! MONEY! More money! Rate increases and fees and extra “use” charges on utilities - yayyyyy - MORE MONEY MUST BE MADE!

-My head drops, saddened by the world around-

So the game must be played. That means I need to get ready for “work.” There’s a part of me that remains the 7 year old on the playground at recess, believing that all is wholesome in the world.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pUMAwIm9TSY

The 34 year old in me is still trying to believe. :-p ♥

Chris, I found that the more money i made the more i spent on silly things. i made more but didnt have more.

My theory is to do what you love and live very simple. i know we are taught to work our day job and pursue our dream job after hrs. and slowly build it till its viable.

but my theory especially for artists, and creative people is to do it full time. no matter what. live as cheap as possible but immerse yourself in your art. and you will be a walking advertisement for your business as it will be all you know and think of. I think there is also a level of desperation that really pushes one to succeed and push to market yourself.

i believe a key component most artists have issues with is marketing. They need someone to sell them. I think artist often dont recognize their own talent or understand marketing. that is where it is great to get help.

I think you are awesome Chris. I believe in you..

Nancy - You Rock Sister! Thank you for doing Trivia. Sorry i had to bale. because Kandyed you know i woulda won. ;)

Ami - and that is why i dont babysit...

(((Dee))) You're so right about me being awesome! Thank you! lol

:-p

I'm in 100% agreement about the rest too!

“Necessity is the mother of all invention,” right?

Dee you make perfect sense on all levels. The artsy me wants to create a carefree world where we dance and the “living in the U.S. today” me needs cash to keeps things moving. The idea of getting paid doing the work I love is fairly simple… just blend the two worlds.

Create something passionate that speaks to people. Here’s the catch: how do you do that? I think it’s a personal journey where people take different paths. Some never reach the goal and others reach without trying, it seems. Some are lawyers, some actors… some businessmen. It’s really about your own passion. What do YOU want for YOU… and then small steps to make it happen.

In my book, a checking account is not representative of a person’s worth. My family is split between wealthy and not-so. The characters involved are opposites too. It’s all relative, so to speak.

-stop-

Thank god he’s done for now!

Yes I know, thank God herself.

Xoxo me

Why do I have a craving for M&M's?

I thought you said he was done?

I did. I thought he was.

Okay. Thank you.

You’re welcome.

“Conversations with myself”

Well, it’s better than some other things I do to myself, Good Evening!

Corey is home!!!

YAY JEAN!!!!

(((COLONY)))

Oh Dee, so you think you would have beaten me huh? That sounds like a rematch.

-waves-

... slides a box of 2 dozen assorted doughnuts onto the Colony table...

and waves back at Cher~

Happy Sunday! ♥

There's a Dunkin Donuts 5 miles from here now.

Damn them for building it so conveniently close!

(((TLJ & Corey)))

I simply love you people. :o)

♥

ditto @ the 3:21 MJ

( \/ )
.---. \ / .-"-.
/ 6_6 \/ / 4 4 \
\_ (__\ \_ v _/
// \\ // \\
(( )) (( ))
=======""===""========""===""=======
||| |||
| |

~~~~♥♥♥♥(((COLONY)))♥♥♥♥~~~~

Hope you all have a beautiful week!!

(I did not make the birds, only saw it somewhere and copy/pasted, but I love the symbolism of birds and flight and singing and..... :o) )

It did not copy paste right, LoL! Oh well, that is how my weekend has been going, so just know that they were supposed to be lovebirds. Argh, I hope in the end that it really is the thought that counts, because my execution is all messed up!

WOW! Cherbear was here! Cherbear was here! Whoopy! I've missed you!
.
*runs full force for The Hug Tackle!*

Guys, I did place this in My Space, couldn't find a place to post it on Face Book as well as I sent it out to my regulars, but my regulars list is so screwed up that I finally decided to just share with every one.
.
I was inspired by a beautiful English Bulldog and a lovely Boxer I saw at the local dog show. So this is my story.
.
.
Our beloved babies
by Jean Koebernick
.
I don't know which is more interesting, the beautiful massive well trained English bull dog or her owner, a red headed lass with sparkling green eyes. This was our village's 3rd annual Dog Fest. I was showing my sleek well marked boxer I called Sine. Sine was my pride and joy. I remember getting her as a pup from a breeder down in England. She cost me a small fortune, but was well worth it for the ribbons and money she won in the rings. Sine was a lively girl. She lived up to her breeds name, boxer. When I got home she would greet me and in the fashion of boxers, she would box with me.
.
Now back to the English bull dog. I walked over to the young woman and introduced myself. "Hello, beautiful dog you have. My name is Kenzie McCloud and this is my baby, Sine. What's you're baby's name?"
.
I call all dogs babies. Some people call their dogs kids or any other variety of pet affection names like lambs or sweethearts. The list could go on forever.
.
She answered me. "My child is named Victoria." She knelt down and stroked Victoria in a most gentle fashion. Victoria responded by wagging her tight little butt so hard and fast it scooted her sideways at least two inches. Then she stood and extended her hand. "I am Samantha Conrad."
.
"I've never seen you around the village before. Are you here for this weekends Dog Fest?" I asked as I knelt down and stroked Victoria across the shoulders a bit. Victoria responded by trying to wag that little stub of a tail, but succeeded only in scooting sideways a bit. It was obvious that Victoria was a well loved baby.
.
Samantha knelt down and tried to pat Sine, but Sine wanted to box with her. She stood up a bit on her hind legs and paddled the air as Samantha endeavored to touch her. She laughed saying my boxer was certainly true to her breed.
.
We felt a comradeship. Sitting down on a couple of the chairs provided we talked for a good 30 minutes about our dogs. We laughed quite a bit and spent the rest of the day together. I encouraged Victoria in the ring and Samantha did the same for Sine. It was turning into a splendid day.
.
Samantha told me she just moved here two weeks ago into a small cottage she bought at the end of Dreary Lane. She was a professional children's photographer. She had the main room in her cottage set up as a work shop where she took the pictures. I told her that was an exciting thing to do unless the children were misbehaving.
.
Samantha said she had a knack with the wee ones and always got good shots of laughing bairns.
.
I asked her if she took photo's of her baby? She said her private quarters up stairs was lined with pictures of Victoria. I asked her if she could perhaps take some photo's of Sine, to which she agreed to do next week. All I had to do was show up and they would go out to the garden and take as many as they could with the remaining sun light
Wednesday came and it was a perfect day to go visit Samantha and Victoria. Sine and Victoria greeted each other happily sniffing one another's rear end and then grabbing a chew rope and playing tug of war. As the dogs played happily Samantha snapped tons of photo's. She even stopped the play so she could pose my baby Sine for private pictures.
.
It didn't take long for Samantha and I to become best friends. We would often laugh and say we will be together as little old ladies on a front porch surrounded by dogs, dogs that belonged to us.
.
Thru the years we went thru each others weddings, then divorces and finally at the age of 50 we bought a larger cottage and moved in together. Our beloved Sine and Victoria had long been gone, but we had their great grand children playing happily at our feet. We would breed them, always allowing the stud's owner first pick of the litter, but other than that we never parted with the grand babies. We were a neighborhood attraction and wee ones would come and play in our yard with our babies when we were out on the porch. Along with thirteen dogs we owned, a fat white cat had moved in and adopted us. She had a pension for jumping in the nursing box to help care for the newborn pups, cleaning and fussing over them. None of dogs minded and as far as they seemed the cat we called Snow Flake was just another dog, albeit a strange looking dog.
.
Time went by and we seldom breed our babies now. We were too old to keep up with them. Snow Flake had been gone for many years when Samantha took ill one winter. She lived long enough to make sure her Bulldogs found good homes. That spring I felt the chill of winter still lingering and knew my time was close, so I too, found loving, caring homes for my babies. It wasn't long after placing my last baby into the loving arms of teenage brothers that I too passed away.
.
When I arrived at Heaven I was greeted by Samantha, Victoria and Sine. The good Lord had given us a front porch to call our own and a lovely garden for all our babies who were no longer earth bound to play in. Samantha and I had found Heaven to be a wonderful place full of love and never again would we be lonely.
.

HAPPY MONDAY EVERYONE
.
ALI-KAT- Special thoughts to do today. ♥ ♥
.
DEE- What are you up to in the snow? I can't believe it already. Yikes!
.
TERI- Waiting for your schedule
.
CRAIG- Three more days until your Friday! How did you like AR tonight?
.
CHRIS- You've got mail!
.
ERIN- Did you get anymore Dexter watched? I sort of got to watch 3/4 of the first show Season 4 on the computer, but tough for the both of us to watch it. Now Teri tells me there maybe a problem with the site we watch it at. I know Ali watches it at Amazon.com for free, but we can't because we are in Canada!
.
HEIDI, Neblina- What is everyone doing for Canadian Thanksgiving this coming weekend. My girlfriends having us for Turkey and stuffing.

mmm doughnuts

hugtackles all around :)

**peeks in, spots Cher with a donut in her hand... well well well
.
waves to Cher :) 'bout time

CHRIS...I spent a lot of years in jobs that I hated. I always told myself that it was for a bigger reason. I had made goals for myself as far as the house, retirement, etc and the only way to achieve any of my goals was to make money. I didn't make much so it took me a long time to get even close. By the time I did 'life' happened and all my goals changed. That made me realize that as long as I have a roof over my head, clothes on my back and food on my table I don't need to make a lot of money. It's much more important that I enjoy what I'm doing in life and that I have a strong base of friends around me.

DAWN...I may have found another site for Dexter. I'll let you know once I check it out better.

ALI...thinking of you today. &hearts

JEAN...thanks for sharing the story. It was beautiful. Great news that Corey is home. How are you both doing?

DEE...you have snow already???? Yuck! It's way too soon. LOL

HAVE A GREAT DAY EVERYONE.

Happy Monday Colony!

HELLO COLONY!!! I LOVE YOU AND HOPE YOU ARE ALL DOING WELL ON THIS MONDAY!!!!

Teri, I can totally relate! If I had great wealth I would be dangerous unto myself. It’s just the way it is. Financial strains keep me in check… it helps to moderate my behavior.

If I had tons of cash to spend on anything I wanted, I fear my choices would not be practical or healthy.

“A fool and his money are soon parted.” Less is more. :-P

Happy Monday, Lovers!

Happy Monday Colony!! Fly by post, hope everyone is having a great start to their week!

I would like to offer a bounty on Mr. Murphy...he seems to be stalking me, but I am ready to kick his bum! :)

P.S. Bring on the money Universe!! I totally am okay with it, really, honest!! I swear I am old enough to avoid buying solid gold toilets or any other such monstrosity. ;o)

LOL Beans! You are too funny.

Well ive been trying to post but its hard. ive had the most traumatizing few days. there is light again, but i dont know if these wounds can be healed. For me speaking of these events is only solidifying then in my mind. keeping the negative alive. this is my way of trying to communicate as i feel good when i come here.

I love the colony. It is my happy place. where all is beautiful when the rest of life is tense. Through rough times i can hear my Ali-Kat, saying im here for you. I understand. I can feel Dawn and Teri holding my hand. Beans helping me make sense of the noise, Chris and Craig ready to catch me if i fall. Donna and Steph giving me cheerful advice, Nancy and Kristin showing me strenght, and Nicole in Ca saying stay in the light.

Im going to post this now before i change my mind and delete again. Just want to say Thank you Colony for making me feel like i have a safety net under me again. the one i lost when my Mom passed.

Thank you Colony! ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥

(((DEEEEEE)))

I thought an extra 'power' hug was needed. :-)

-sigh-


It is vEry wrOng of me to want a Dodge Calibur just because it reminds me of Seattle.

I know it's wrong.

I accept that it's wrong.

I simply have to let this feeling pass and I will be fIne. I have to stop looking at it online.



It was probably the strangest vehicle I have ever driven.

I'm sure that won't be Chrysler's new slogan for it.

"The strangest vehicle you will ever drive."

:-P

No offense to the Chrysler corporation.

**hands Craig a Dodge Calibur tonka toy :)

CRAIG- Am I wrong with my memory that you hated that car? LOL!
.
OPRAH- Did anyone see it on Monday with the guy from the Phillapines singing with Journey? WOW! He sounds just like Steve Perry. They have a DVD out with a live concert in Manila which I would love to see.

DWTS- I voted for Maya & Dmitry, Natalie and Alex tonight. Just great for me!!!
.
HEIDI- Tomorrow (Tues) Nico from SYTYCD-Canada is choregraping a dance. It's a 2 hour show tomorrow with top 8 and I'm not sure if Nico is dancing too???? Anyone know?

CHRIS- If you have your health you are wealthy! My Mom used to tell me that when I was young. I'd get so annoyed at her, but she sure was right on that one. ♥ ♥

DEE- I hope you can pull out of your Funk soon. It's an on going battle isn't it? We are here for you. ♥ ♥ Here is my hand to you. Hugs!

ERIN- I wish I could send you the money train. It would be nice just to be comfortable wouldn't it?? Hugs to you. I told my sister in law about your son saying your have laser eyes. LOL! She was telling me about her grandson. LOL! Things kids say!

ALI-KAT ♥ ♥ ♥

Dawn - Im de-funked now. I dont like the Funk. I did some music therapy tonight. Woohoo! I think i have my little latin shake down. omg. finally! Then again could be my imagination because i thought my lyrical was pretty good too, but the dogs looked nervous. Nothing like music to make all right in the world.

One cant stay upset singing in the mirror, imitating Eminem and Marilyn Manson.

I’m with ya Dee!

Craig is insanely normal in his obsessive compulsive tendencies to hang onto the past in a self-destructive manner. That’s perfectly normal.

Lol @ Tonka truck

(((Dawn))) hug!

-hollering… “ANT! Are you in bed or do you have your hand up a puppet's ass this morning… or what’s going on in here?” -I leave him with a coffee and close his bedroom door, grinning-

Happy Tuesday lovelies!

I can’t believe I just called Craig insanely normal. I can believe the other parts though.

♥

((Vancouvergirl)) Excellent idea on the Dodge Calibur tonka toy!! :-)

Then I would be able to re-enact getting lost in Seattle. Passing the Mercer Slough. Passing the Mercer Slough. Passing the Mercer Slough. Passing...

:-P

Is an apology in order for the puppet part? Given life‘s recent doses of stuff in general, ANT’s hand can go wherever he chooses!

Hehh

Within reason. xoxox

Good Morning COLONY!
.
Passing out hugs and a shoulder to all that need them.
.
Dee - Music & Dog Therapy - BRILLIANT! I love it. Don't you love having those wonderful animals near you to dole out unconditional love? Did they start howling..um..singing along with you? Mine usually try to dance with me...they jump up and want me to grab their paws so they can dance with me. There's really very few things in the world that feel better than that!
.
SPIT OUT MY COFFEE - MOMENT OF THE DAY:
.
Reading Chris' 4:10am post:
.
hollering… “ANT! Are you in bed or do you have your hand up a puppet's ass this morning… or what’s going on in here?” -I leave him with a coffee and close his bedroom door, grinning-
.
Speaking of coffee - it's time for our Barista Secretary ANT, Nancy, to return! You were missed.
.

I thhink my legs are getting stronger from running up and down stairs waiting on Corey and I don't mind a bit. Corey is doing well.
.
Dee I am taking your into my arms placing your head on my soft shoulder and cooing softly to you. I even share my percious (sp) Teddy Bear that gives me and now you, wonderful comments about feeling better. Then I brush your hair which to me always feels good, I hope you enjoy it too. I love you.
.
I love everyone else too. Ami please make my drink a small diet coke, no ice please. Thank you.
.
Sweet hugs for all, love Jean

DEE...there's really nothing better than music and dogs when you feel overwhelmed by life. For me that's the best medicine ever! Just as an added bit of therapy I'm holding out my hands so just grab on. Love you!

TLJ...sending healing light to you and Corey.

MRS. BEAN...I'll try to get in touch in the next day or two. Did you get your laundry and dishes done?? LOL

DAWN...My 3 favs on DWTS were Mya, Louie and Natalie. I'm thinking that Michael will probably be sent home. I do have to give kudos to Tom for dancing with stress fractures on both feet.

ALI...thinking of you today &hearts&hearts

HI CHRIS, NEBBY, BEDBUG, DR.DONNA, SCRAPPYSMOM, CRAIG, PAM, COLEEN, KANDYED, HEIDI, COLONYKAT, KRISTEN, SHANNON, JANINE2, LOIS, ANT, BECK, MALEA, HELGA, GINGER, VANCOUVERGIRL, STEPH, NANASU, EMJAY, HEADY, JAX (how did the move go), DONNA, JAZZY, SVJ, RENEE EVE AND THE ENTIRE COLONY....

Have a great day everyone.

MACHIATTO'S

ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- Diet Pepsi Lime
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-small diet coke no ice
Van-grande mocha

did ya miss me?

MACCIATO'S

see I've been away too long

today 10/6/09 I am running off with the red hat ladies again
this time to go to Oak Glen and the apple orchards, we get a hay ride, tour of the cider pressing, fresh pie ala mode and a bag of apples to take home a nice small adventure

NANCY- Sounds like a fun day. Have a great time.
.
Back to bed for me.

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=RPS

for Richard

Jean! That was the most beautiful words i think ive ever heard. I felt every moment of that. Thank YOU! You never cease to amaze me. Even with all you are going thru you take the time to care for another. Love you Jean! I hope you and Corey are doing well.

Ami Ant - I so want to dance with your puppies. Whenever i start dancing my dogs start fighting. doesnt say alot for my dancing.

Chris - What Ami said. LOL

Love you Colony!
Happy Tuesday!

(((((COLONY))))) (((((ANT)))))

ANT- Could we get a new page please? ♥

Dawn, you are too sweet!! Thanks for the money train wishes :) It would be nice ♥

(((DEE))) I hope you are having a better day and week! ♥

TERI- I am getting caught up...I am now on Season 2 of Dexter!

I am having brain freeze, but I think someone asked about where to watch Dexter? If not, ignore the next few sentences :) I am watching it through Comcast cable's On Demand. They have all the seasons on there for free right now if you have Showtime. I don't know about other cable companies, but would imagine they have something similar.

(((JEAN))) I am so glad that Corey is home with you! Your doggie story was a lot of fun to read, thank you for sharing it!! ♥

(((COLONY))) Hope you are all in full recognition of how awesome you are!!

(((ANT))) What day is it now?

Was watching this with my youngest....love this song and message ♥

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DBZ2mV1GwuQ

(((ALI)))♥♥♥♥ Thinking of you!

Help! My cooking friends!

I bought a turkey today. will cook it on saturday. should i freeze it now and unthaw on friday. or just keep it in the fridge till Saturday. Thoughts anyone???

DEE- I think I would just leave it in the fridge now. I'm not Suzy Homemaker though! LOL!
.
DEE- Did you watch SYTYCD- Canada? It was great tonight. I just love Jamie Rae!!!

ERIN- I'm so impressed you are on to Season 2 already with your limited time you have to watch it. LOL!

Thanks Dawn, I think that is the way to go too.

Im not watching sytycd -Canada. I already have too many shows i watch. I hope you are able to get some rest tonight. Im going to try.

Thanks for the song Erin, I enjoyed that.

Ali-Kat!!!

Dee let it thaw in the fridge. That is the correct way to thaw a turkey.
Love Jean

((ANT)) ((MrG))



Happy Wednesday!



((Dee)) I think Tender Loving Jean's suggestion is much better than what I thought...


the turkey should go in the microwave.

Everything goes in the microwave....right?

I'm sensing 'No'. :-P

GOOD MORNING (AND HUMPDAY) COLONY

MACCHIATO'S

ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- Diet Pepsi Lime
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-small diet coke no ice
Van-grande mocha

Oh I wish I could have share the fresh apple pie ala mode I had yesterday with Y'All, it was soooooooooooooooooooooooooo good and soooooooooooooooooooooooooo big, I shouldn't have eaten it all, but I did :^)

Queen ANT you have almost reached your 2 month anniversary woot woot!!

love your input Craig, I have never cooked a turkey so you wouldn't want my suggestions on this subject

hey guys i wish all my canadian friends a happy thanksgiving i am going to be with my dad up in woodstock n.b on that day have a good one

MORNING ALL.

DEE...I agree that leaving the turkey in the fridge is the way to go.

COLEEN...thanks for the thanksgiving wishes. Enjoy your thanksgiving with your Dad.

ALI....&hearts&hearts&hearts

NANCY...Thanks so much for my daily hot chocolate. Yummmmmmmmy!

Today I'm just puttering around the house and then tomorrow I'm going to get 5 gallons of paint. I'm determined to finish painting inside this winter! LOL

Have a great day everyone.

Amy can I have a cream puff too to go with my diet coke? mmmmm! I know it's not on my diet, but.....
Love Jean

TERI- What color of paint are you getting? Are you painting every room? I thought you painted your computer room already? My mind is going too. I'm glad you are feeling better after DEE'S concoction? (sp?)
.
NANCY- Thanks for the Ice Cold POG! Now, I do love apple pie, but I'm going to the grocery store tonight and it's Thanksgiving here this weekend and my girlfriend who is cooking just wants me to bring a fruit plate. Diet and all that. SOOOOOO I'm buying myself a pumpkin pie!!!!
.
STEPH- Today is the day I'm suppose to get my TILLAMOOK CHEESE!!! I wonder if my brother will phone or he'll hang it on my front door knob??? OK, I won't even go there! Grrrr!!
.
COLEEN- Thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes. Enjoy your time with your Dad in Canada!! You are such a good daughter.
.
CRAIG- I'm glad you enjoyed SYTYCD Canada and had a good laugh at Everett this morning. It really was great that dance. Jamie Rae played the bad girl so good and he the geek! LOL!
.
ALI-KAT- Hugs to you today my dear lady!!!!
.
ERIN- Are you busy watching Dexter? I'm wanting to watch Season 4 now! LOL!

DAWN...i'm painting all the baseboards and window frames in the house. I also have the spare room upstairs to do. I'm getting 2 or 3 cans of beige, 1 can of orange and I'm not sure about the last one yet. I'll decide tonight LOL

Did that link I sent you for Dexter work?

TERI- Shaf has been too tired to try so we are going to try this weekend. We have to do grocery shopping tonight etc. He's having a tough week at work. I will let you know. Wow, big painting project for you! LOL!

Dawn @1:19am...I don't really have any Thanksgiving dinner plans...It will be me and my Healthy Choice Roasted Turkey Breast with gravy and vegetables, I might add some stove top stuffing/low sodium... and lucky me it has a desert ..Apple Crisp..Oh BOY! ;) ..I know you will enjoy your dinner..Have a great one with your friends.
.
JEAN..It's great to hear you are back home and feeling better and your Cory as well.
.
Ami..So nice to see you back here :)
.
Nancy.thank u for the drinks.
.
I apologize for my absence lately..I have been a crappy colony member and have not been following the creed and letting my inner emotions take over..This is a special place to come to. ♥
.
My prayers and good thoughts to all who need.
.
♥ANT..Missing you.

I wish I had it in me to shout out to each and everyone here but I'll just say (((((COLONY))))) and (((((ANT)))))

Do the best you can with what you have to work with knowing that some days that will look better than others.

Hugs all around.

I'm headed to the CK Couch. Anyone that would like to join me is welcome - just remember that I might fall asleep on your shoulder and start snoring. I make no promises either way.

((((HEIDI)))) I'm sorry you have been having such a hard time, but really thankful you were able to post today. I think it feels like everyone is kind of hiding and working through things. Maybe some huge shift in perception is coming. I know I have just been wanting to live inside my head for awhile now.

DEE-glad you liked the video. Helen Reddy is a childhood favorite of mine. Did you get a big turkey?

DAWN--I can get about two Dexter episodes in while I am cleaning in the morning. I have no idea what is going on in the world since all my news time has gone to watching that show. SO if anything major happens in the world, let me know, okay? ;o) Enjoy your cheese!! :)

Thanks for the Hot Chocolate Nancy! ♥

Hope EVERYONE is having a great week!

ERIN- My brother just called me to say he is home and as you know he lives right across the street and he never said anything to me about my Tillamook cheese!!!! Ahhhh!! They mentioned it in an email that they sent from California, but he's not like me and keeps promises. So I guess I'm out of luck!!!

DAWN--Hopefully he just forgot to mention it and you will get a nice surprise tomorrow? I'm sorry, I know how much you look forward to it. I now think of you every time I buy some at the store. I wonder if you could ask your local store if they would carry it? I have done that before when I have moved and they did not carry the same items as where I was before. Sometimes they would have it available to order, but just did not realize anyone actually wanted it. Hope you're having a good night! ♥

Dee buddy......be real careful with poultry. If your turkey is frozen, defrost in the fridge. Poultry is a real bugger to work with since it turns really fast. You will be fine.

ERIN- Tillamook cheese is only sold in the western states. I've toured the factory twice. I can get it in Hawaii!!!! I guess they don't send it to Canada! It's not so much the cheese, but the brother issue you know!!! Thanks.

My heart is broken for all involved in a local tragedy. It has been a really hard week and I have been so lucky, so often that I save up my "asks" for when they really count. Please think healing thoughts for NH.

((DAWN)) Sorry your brother is a toad!!

(((KANDYED))) If you are referring to the horrible incident that happened in Mont Vernon, all I can say is that it has had me really upset too. I lived in a small town in NH (not as small as there) but I had just been telling my boys about how this time of year was magical there. The color of the trees, the pumpkins and apples on every porch. The nip in the air. Leaves dancing....I just loved it in the Fall....I am so sorry you and your state had to have such a horrible thing happen. Such sadness. Healing thoughts and hugs being sent to all of you ♥

Kandyed - Thank you for thinking of me. The turkey was fresh not frozen, packaged on tuesday, so i am keeping it in the fridge till Saturday. Hope that is okay. It has never been frozen.

Yuck. i dont even like talking of that stuff. There will be 8 dogs and 10 people here on thanksgiving. woohoo. should be an adventure.

Im finally excited about having company. i feel like im coming back to life again. willing to visit with people and not just their dogs. theres a baby coming too! agh. that makes me nervous. not exactly childproof house. Well crud now im not so excited. Kids are cool but babies freak me out.

Kandyed. im sorry to hear of local tragedy.

((DAWN)) Sorry that Shaf is having a tough time at work. Work is not so much fun in general.
I did get a huge kick out of Everett. He surprised me.


((Dee)) Welcome back to life! :-)

CRAIG, TERI, HEIDI AND whoever is watching SYTYCD Canada. I think that smooth waltz did Kim and Cody in for the count!!! MIA sure loved the 4 girls. The best EVER in all of SYTYCD history even combined with US one. WOW, for her to say that was great!!!
.
CRAIG- Shaf is off all next week so hopefully he'll get a bit of a vacation. I thought of it too late and put our names in at the library for a book, but I doubt we will get it in time. I got a Patricia Cornwell book so that will keep me good. Now, I just have to find something for him to do rather than work around the house!! LOL!

HAPPY THURSDAY MORNING EVERYONE.

DAWN...I agree with you about Kim and Cody. It's too bad because I really like Kim. Based on this week my two favs are Jayme Rae and Vincent but that could change next week! LOL

I'm off to get some paint and then home. Have a great day everyone.

ERIN...Supernatural tonight! Yay!!!

DEE AND ALI....thinking of you both today &hearts&hearts&hearts

DAWN...you know what I think of your brother!!!!!!!!!

KANDYED...sending healing thoughts for the local tragedy &hearts

Hey Peeps! Good Morning!!

Okay today my thought of the day is bullies. I believe we have to teach more in schools about bullying. People have to realize the seriousness of fighting. That one hit could kill another or seriously injure them. When people are backed into a corner and have to protect themselves, they usually dont know their own strength and will use anything to defend themselves.

Who are these fools that stand there and videotape and egg on these fights? they are just as bad. Every single fight i have ever seen i tried to break up. not encourage.

My question is What can we do to help this situation? Beck? STeph? maybe you have some suggestions? Do you see alot of teaching about bullies in school? Enough to help kids realize they could kill someone. and they would have to live with it?

Any thoughts on this colony? Suggestions of even a small thing one could do to help this?

((DAWN)) The ladies had it with their routine!
The results show opening number was dull in comparison to others they have had.
I hope you can find lots for Shaf to do...or many books for him to fall into. :-)

((Dee)) I don't have any suggestions about bullies...sorry...but it did make me think of something I was listening to on the radio. They were saying that in some U.S schools Hugging is not permitted. At all. That includes student to student hugging. I thought that was a bit sad. But I guess their thought is that hugging could be misinterpreted or used as a form of bullying.


Have a thoroughly thriving Thursday!

ANT- New page please???? People are NOT posting because of the long download.

Thursday night, woot!! One more day to the weekend. Hope everyone is having a great day!

Hey Mrs. Bean that is exactly the event I speak of. Not good.

Dee I hope that your child is not being bullied.

Bullies are dealt with so differently today that I don't know if what I say will help or hurt. The old school way of dealing with a bully was to call them out, today that could end up with serious circumstances. If I were a teen today and was bullied, I would end up shot or something. As a teen I was very different and people felt the desire to comment about me all the time. I brought this on myself by the way, I dressed in a manner that was very "different" from the other kids. Perhaps because I could control it, the long term effect was nothing damaging. I also have a very direct personality so when someone would comment on how I looked, they got a retort. That type of "stand your ground" attitude is not in the schools. We all have to tattle for everyone's safety. My husband teaches and the school district has a "no tolerance" policy for bullying. So everyone has to tattle now, which just leads to cyber bullying. I still think if you can stand your ground bullies get disinterested quickly because they are insecure to the core and to not want the attention on them. I think kids need to learn to work things out as long as they are safe. After what has happened in our town lately, who knows what is safe. Sorry Dee, I got nothing. Maybe I can ask the husband for a tip.

Most schools have a no tolerance policy toward bullying after the Columbine shootings Dee. Maybe Beck or Steph have different input since they are in different parts of the country than we are.

Sorry I am rambling now, but the killing and beating in Mount Vernon was done by four teens. I can speak to the backround of two of these boys from a personal experience. My heart is broken for the mother who was killed, the child who was so brutally injured, the father, who was away and will never forgive himself, for the mothers and fathers of the teens for their pain for their role in creating these people and their loss as well and for the boys who did this killing because they have no idea what they have done to this family and community and themselves. These were not kids in gangs, or homeless children, these were not unloved children. Something went really wrong and now it can never be undone.

Thanks for letting me get this out it has been really haunting for a few days now.

....and I hope Corey is doing better Jean....

I miss you all so much.

((Kandyed)) Thank-you for letting us in by getting it out. What a terrible thing to happen.

Thanks Craig. It is not my nature.

((Bedbug)) You are well loved.

Bedbug we miss you too =)

I thought Susan Boyle did a lovely version of "Cry Me a River".

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Jjjv_ZzGII

nice one Craig......I like it.

off to bed....

Thanks for being here tonight.

Thank you Craig! Susan was great!

Kandyed - you know after i read that NH story, i guess bullies are the least of our worries, when there are full fledged psychopaths around. Teaching kids that another could be killed doesnt seem to phase them. and even intrigues some.

So how can we still continue to say the constant violent images being fed to people doesnt affect them. Come out of a racing moving and everyone speeds off. Come out of a fight movie and you will see fights. The violent and graphic video games are ridiculous. This is one time i am for some censorship. It is shocking to an adult yet old hat to kids.

Funny but i have yet to meet a criminal who didnt play video games and sad to say ive know more than a few. coincidence? I think not.

We are so desensitized. remember when you couldnt watch csi with both eyes open?

Dee I think many of the video games have gone too far. I think TV shows have gone way too far. Through censorship we learn nothing but what we are told and that to me is even scarier. Through political correctness, we dilute society of all cultural differences as to not offend anyone but we have lost a sense of community and self. I still can't watch CSI with both eyes open.

I am going to give you a pass on the videogame concept, because usually that makes me irrate. Whenever I hear that statement, I think, then all of these women watching soap operas are going to have affairs. I think I know you too well Dee to think that you are saying this from the heart, so I will spare you my normal reaction to that statement.

hey guys a quick turkey story for all my canadian friends my first turkey i was stuffing it and felt what i thought was corn thinking it was corn the turkey ate i pulled them all out later to find they were butter pellets put in there so duh why would i think the turkey had a stomach still that was thirty years and many turkeys later so again happy thanksgiving to all my northern friends and family watch out dad here i come

COLEEN- Thanks for the Thanksgiving Wishes for us Canadians. It's great also for the long weekend too. Enjoy your visit with your Dad. My girlfriend is doing the cooking and she makes great stuffing. She is German and I think it's a German recipe with bacon and mushrooms etc. Yummy. I'm bringing a fruit plate for dessert at her request. I'm going to try DR DONNA'S cookies today and if they turn out I'll bring some of those too. I just ordered the fruit plate at the store so I don't have to get anxious about it all. LOL!
.
TILLAMOOK CHEESE saga- This morning as my husband is going to work at 7:45am he comes back and brings me a bag with the 2 lb cheese in in as my FREAKING BROTHER brought it late at night and hung it on the door outside!!! I was up until 3am and he couldn't ring the bell??? BROTHERS!!!!! ahhhhh! He usually brings me 5 lbs. I'm not complaining about the 2 lbs, but I just would like to figure out his head. He's been gone 1 month and I've looked after his place. Grrrr!! In Jan when he goes to Hawaii I'll be doing the same, but no cheese then from Hawaii!! LOL! I know I sound ungrateful, but he really is a ding a ling!

TGIF!!!!!!

DAWN...I'm glad that your brother brought the cheese but he's still an a**hole!!!!! LOL

COLEEN...thanks for the Thanksgiving wishes for us.

Today I'm getting some rooms ready for painting and will go see Mom. Have a great day everyone.

ANT COLONY COFFEE SHOP

morning orders are ready

Queen ANT-large cap nonfat
Ali-Kat-green tea
AMI ant-hot cocoa
Bedbug-carribean daze garnished with a cherry and sliced pineapple
Chris-black coffee
colleen-coffee with equal
ColonyKat-White mocha, hot chocolate made with skim milk
Craig-Earl Grey tea with milk
Darrell_MI-Sobe Vitamin Water-Fuji apple pear
Dawn-icy cold Pog and some Tillamook cheese
Dee-green tea
DR Donna-vanilla latte
Elliot's Friend-Chinese tea
Gingerlicious-hot coffee with milk
Heady-caramel macchiato thickened with more caramel
Heidi-caramel with extra caramel
Jazzy-hot cocoa in Ohio Buckeye's mug
Kandyed- Diet Pepsi Lime
Kristen-mocha frappuccino with whip
Mrs Bean-hot chocolate with whipped cream and marshmallows
Nancy(me)-hot bengal spice tea
Neblina-organic spearmint tea
Pammie-hot cocoa
QueenJanine-tall double non-fat latte
ScrappysMom-ice coffee
Steph in Oregon-large mint mocha
Teri-hot cocoa with marshmallow
TLJ-small diet coke no ice and a hug for Corey
Van-grande mocha

Im irritated waiting for page to load but I just have to respond to Kandyed. I LOVE how you challenge my ideas and thoughts! I think adults are different than young minds that are still forming. Like an adult will want to speed off after watching racing film but then think, I dont want a ticket or someone to get hurt. A young mind doesnt think consequences.

Like the little boy who thinks a wresting move on his sister is harmless and seriously hurts her. believe me if i had an anvil i woulda dropped it on my brother. I would have got the whole ACME kit. That darn roadrunner corrupted me.

now what was my point again? You have me at a disadvantage my worthy opponent. i need coffee! :)

Oh Dee, I am not an opponent. An opponent is what you have in a tennis match. I am a kindred spirit of wanting a better mankind. We simply are both coming to the same show but live in different towns.

I have other theories about some of this stuff but people don't like to talk.

People don't like confrontation or conflict. To me you can have a conflict, it is a part of life and conflict resolution can be the outcome. People can disagree and have a reasonable, respectful discussion and a positive outcome. Isn't that what makes President Obama so popular? He actually talks about conflict resolution. Conflict isn't a dirty word, and Dee I am not saying that to you, I am saying that to anyone who is uncomfortable thinking that you and I are having an arguement. You and I have a completely respectful, open understanding of each other and enjoy engaging each other through discussion. I just hope others don't feel uncomfortable thinking that this is a fight.

(those of you in the fetal position can come out now)

We love all and if you don't like this kind of talk, then participate and we all might learn from you too. I am willing to put myself out there and be out there. I do this because it enriches my life to have you in it. To exchange feelings and ideas and grow. Life is not a dress rehersal, it is the show, don't miss it!

LOL Kandyed. So you no like my worthy opponent comment? darn i thought it was cute. ;) I mean worthy opponenet in battle of wits and debate. (and trivia). One day i shall conquer..

I so agree Kandyed. Discussion is great. I have learned so many lessons with these open discussions. Discussion is not to convince others you are right but to learn from each other.

I am constantly evolving online, learning to communicate better thanks to candid discussions. sometimes its easy to only our own point of view. I love it when i am able to see a whole new view.

You are a kindred spirit and a friend for sure Kandyed. I love friends who challenge me and speak their minds. I dont understand why people are afraid to speak up. Taught that it is polite to not share opinion? afraid another will disagree?

oh and Look at you Kandyed. quoting Obama.. I think a tear just slid down my cheek. Such a proud moment :D

TGIF Colony!!

I had my parent meeting about my sons so far unidentifiable issue this morning at the school and I only cried a little at the end so I am considering it a success. I also was able to talk to the principal about the school not noticing my son was missing and I think he really understood where I was coming from. I am glad I was able to do it when I had time to think about it and be calm and rational. So hopefully positive things will come from it.

I have to say that the whole bully thing is to me multi layered. I was never bullied really and believe me I could have been. I don't really know why I wasn't. I came from a big family though and I think that gave me an advantage. You learn how to give back anything thrown at you and so maybe you aren't an obvious target. My oldest was an only child until he was 8 so he has always been alone at school. He was being picked on by an older boy when he was in second grade. I went to the principal about it and talked to the playground attendants. They talked to the boy and the boy still continued to bully my son. I found that teaching my son how to not give a reaction worked the best and my talking to the boy. And here is where I may not be popular with other parents, but I have always made sure other kids know that I have my kids backs. I don't care how old you are if you mess with my kids you will be talked to by me. I will go to your parents, I will go to the school. You won't get to bother my kids and scurry off home with no consequences. I do think that bullies try to pick kids that they think they can bother and get away with it. I also don't think bullies are necessarily "bad" kids. I think that a lot of times it is a result of complicated things and that may be why it is so hard to fix. School is a very stressful environment for all kinds of reasons. There are so many rules and expectations. Then there is all the unwritten rules about who you talk to, what kind of pencils you use, what kind of backpack, lunchbox, jeans, shoes, hairstyles....Many times teachers are overburdened with large class sizes and not enough funding to do things the way they would like to and to really be able to observe what they need to. We have the zero tolerance policy also, but it really varies from school to school how that is interpreted and implemented. I know that at one school if there were any reported incidence of bullying the bully and his parents had to go to the childs house they were bullying and apologize. It would seem to me that bullies would just get smarter about where they bully and when because you need to address why the bullying?

I don't really blame video games, tv or anything like that. Bullies have been around before tv existed. I think it is a lack of motivation and a lack of belief in ones self. I have to go pick up my son, but I will just say that I think the violence of bullying has gotten more extreme and that I do think that this can come down to kids being exposed to more out of context violence and not having parents available to talk to about it. I let my boys play video games and watch tv, but I am always here to make sure that it is age appropriate, but I don't censor too much really because I find that a lot of things are opportunities for conversation and a way to teach about things that would never come up otherwise. I am rambling, but I hope that made some kind of sense.

I love your discussions Kandyed and Dee. I always learn something from both of you!

IMHO - if all children watched (and didn't participate physically)in one hour of "video gaming" per day - the way people watch their favorite soap opera - then maybe there wouldn't be a correlation between the two. But the fact is, there are kids (and especially the "hard core" gamers) who plug themselves in to these violent shoot and kill video games for hours on end, day after day, week after week, month after month, year after year... I can't see any similarity between that and watching a soap opera..?

ERIN- You are such a wise MOTHER!!! Hugs.

Dee you were cute, I just didn't want people who don't know us to think we were fighting.

Because I love Dee very much!

I think you rock Mrs. Bean. Many would be proud to have you as a mom.

Mrs. Bean you must have posted something I missed.......they didn't notice your son was missing????????

Dr Donna you make have made a huge break through for me in this. The fact that kids are not just watching but physically participating. Hmmmmmmm.

Because if were just watching, now the ending to Clockwork Orange doesn't make any sense.

I think games are far too violent for sure. The enhancement of graphics have certainly made that far too easy. Obviously I am a gamer....but there is a huge difference between adults and children. I think Donna might make a huge point here.

(Although after some daytime TV, I am thinking of flirting with the pool boy later) LOL

ANT LOVING YOU!!!! I am so proud of you and send you lots of love.

Warning: school saga repost :)

KANDYED--Long story!! :) The short version is that my 6 year old left school with another student after last recess and went to this boys house who lived across the street. ( I do not know the boys family ) He was gone for an hour and a half and his teacher thought he was with another teacher who is working with him one on one, but he never goes to her in the afternoon. The other boys mom did not call the school and tell them that her son had come home with another student and just let them play. I came to pick up my son and he never came out, I went in and that is when it was all discovered. I was freaking out, but after some time I understood the mistake and how it happened and don't think it will again, but I was concerned that the teacher did not seem to think it was a big deal and so I finally was able to talk to the principal and point out why I was upset, but also what I thought they needed to do about it. I was able to talk to him without the anger and with the clear intent that I wanted something implemented that would make it so it never happened again to any child. I was able to do it in a way that did not condemn his teacher either so I hope she won't hold it against my son that I talked to the principal. If I had talked to him right after it happened it would have been a completely different conversation and I don't think I would have been heard because I was so angry.

I like the Clockwork Orange comparison. (That movie so freaked me out the first time I saw it) I have a hard time with the line on video games and where to draw it. It is like that quote about pornography that says something like I can't give you a definition, but I know it when I see it. I just know it when I see it if a video game is entertainment violence or the kind that leaves you feeling sick to your stomach. But that is my own line....not necessarily yours. On one side I think that video games are a good way to get out aggression that we all feel. They also can be a good social experience. But what DONNA was talking about with the hard core gamers makes a lot of sense to me, but I wonder what is the answer to that? We don't live in a society that outlaws much of anything. Even with ratings on the games, most kids who wanted these games would find a way to play them and adults would be able to already. I'm just asking because I really have no idea and wonder if anyone does?

DEE--LOL at a tear over Kandyed's Obama quote. :)

DAWN--I'm so glad you got your cheese. Maybe your brother is afraid of you? ;o) At least he didn't ring the doorbell and run away. I don't think I could live across the street from any of my siblings. It just seems like it would be really hard.

(((ALI))) Hope you are doing okay!! ♥

((((COLONY))))

Mrs. Bean you are a classy chick!

for Richard

http://www.gratefulness.org/candles/candles.cfm?l=eng&gi=RPS

only a few more hours and Queen ANT will have made it 2 months Yippeeeeee

and a new video too hooray!!

tomorrow I am going to see some people I haven't seen in a very long time...my high school peers...it's a reunion we are doing a potluck and BBQ at the city park by the lake
I made pasta salad as my contribution to the potluck

and in the morning is a fundraiser breakfast being put on by the Fire Dept.

so no drinks tomorrow, I will be busy
BSA

(((A N T)))


hAppY

sAtUrdAy!!!!


I know we need a new page, but I thought the goal was 1000 comments. :-P

Here is a link to some amazing stop motion animation.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=asBTY34YMp4

GOOD MORNING!!
I love you and hope you are all well. Sorry for being MIA....busy busy busy school year thus far.

And I quote, "Keep your dogs in the fight." Please Ant, no reference like that about dogs. Dogs are meant to be loved and taught to do things to keep them busy or give them a job. Not to fight. I couldn't believe I heard you say that.
.
CHAPTER 31 IS UP. I am still having trouble with my mailing list and if you were suppose to get a copy thru the e-mail, please let me know.
.
Love Jean
.
Oh Corey is doing fine and planning on trying to work tomorrow.

CRAIG- Thanks for the animation. That was cute!!!
.
HAPPY SATURDAY EVERYONE.
.
Soon heading out for turkey and stuffing. Gorgious sunny day here.

ALI-KAT- HUGS TO YOU. ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

Happy Saturday!!

(((CRAIG))) Loved the video ( I am a huge Mr.Bean fan ) wish he would have won :)

Hope EVERYONE is having a great weekend!!

JEAN--I am going to read your chapter tonight...can't wait! :)

HI (((ANT))) and (((COLONY)))
.
I have been going through some things and been too out of it ..tired etc..to post but always thinking about all you guys!!
DAWN♥ ..DEE♥....HEIDI♥....TERI♥.. ERIN♥........
CRAIG& hearts; Thank you for thinking of me. My purse thanks you too CRAIG!! LOL!! Sorry for the slim pickings there these days! :) Cute video..So much talent out there...
.
I wanted to get on here to be sure to wish a HAPPY THANKSGIVING to all my wild and wonderful Canadian friends!! I know it is Monday..but guess a lot celebrate over this weekend... Hope you all have a day full of good food and good company and good memories! xoxo
.
CONGRATULATIONS ANT!!! TWO MONTHS! Hooray!
.
(((TLJ)))..So glad Corey is home..I know you two will take good care of each other! Hope you are both doing okay.

Sorry..CRAIG.. I messed up your heart!! :(
Please forgive me.... I will try again...CRAIG ♥ You ought to be able to proof your post or something on here! LOL

DAWN.. I am just catching up and see your post about JOURNEY singer....I will have to look the group up and listen..I can't believe anyone sounds just like Steve Perry! He has such a wonderful and distinctive voice... Amazing they could find someone to sound just like him.
I hope you are doing okay and that you had an enjoyable day today! Thinking of you! ♥ ♥ ♥ ♥

ERIN....♥ You know that I truly understand how hard those conferences are... I am glad it is done...I hope you got some answers. You are a wonderful Mom and I know you will do the best thing for your son. He is lucky to have you in his corner for sure. I know how hard it can be to stay positive and strong..but you can do it! HUGS TO YOU!
.

TERI ♥ ... Good luck with the painting!! Don't get fumed out! LOL Will you see Mom for the Holiday? Thinking of you!
.
DEE ♥ Thinking of you and your company....hope all is going okay!!! No little innocent adorable sweet cuddly babies to scare you I hope.... LOL!!

Anyone watching the ABC show..FLASH FORWARD? I think it is pretty good..I catch it on HULU ...interesting premise.... the whole world blacks out for 137 seconds of time and they all get a glimpse of their futures six months down the road.... It is pretty good so far.

I was going to write about the video games etc..But maybe later.....I wore myself out talking to myself here.. I already need a rest! LOL!! Well...I did my share at least to get to 1000!! Though ..really...then I think the page might NEVER load!
.
Have a great night everyone and HAPPY THANKSGIVING CANADIAN COLONY!!! XOXO

Hello ANT and Colony!
~
I am now on Dexter season 3 episode 1! When my daughter gets home later maybe we will watch some more.
~
Julie and Brent are having their bathroom (one and only) gutted and remodeled. It has gone over budget and over-time. As of yesterday no toilet and today no water! I've been keeping the kids almost everyday for over a week.
~
Gingerlicious is TIRED! I think I might be off tomorrow? Janine (my grand daughter) doesn't have school next w-t-f and Julie doesn't think the plumbing will be done by then either so I may have the grandgirls all next week too!
~
Jean- I'm so glad you and Corey are getting back to being healthy! I was so worried for you both!
~
This swine flu is scary! I'm unsure if I should advocate the shots to Julie for the girls. It is so confusing...
I do want all the biggin's to get theirs though! They are being big babies! I can't take the shot as it is cultivated inside of raw eggs and I am allergic to raw eggs.
I hope the U.S. doesn't come close to the death toll they have anticipated!
.
President Barack Obama is HUMBLED and I couldn't be PROUDER!
That's all I got for now.
(that's still pretty good though)