memories in bits and pieces

Okay, sometimes I like to TRY to fit in! And I have so taken time to catch up with my friends on the net this week. Dial up makes commenting strange, still, here.

So my very long time reader and friend, Anvil Cloud posted a meme with an open invite.

Per Anvil: The rules: go to your photo folder, target the sixth folder and then the sixth photo in the folder. Describe and discuss. Any takers?

It happens that this is my sis in FL and her husband. I believe it was one of their engagement photos. They don't just have good looks, they have a Harley to ride, too.

Details: http://anvilcloud.blogspot.com/2009/01/on-day-much-like-today.html

workin man blues

There isn't anyone I know that is working that can have the "workin man blues" for long in this state. If you have a job you treasure it.

I went to an information session yesterday through our Michigan Works program. The number of forms and releases with the same info to be filled in annoyed me.

I also discovered I have a poor attitude about a woman my age finding work in this area. I didn't know I was so negative about it until I was actually trying for this training.

It's not that I don't want to work but that I seem to want meaningful work. I thought about teaching. I saw on the news last night that they want to retire thousands of teachers to bring in "new" teachers at lower rates of pay as a budget measure. Now why would anyone want a job they know won't pay the bills?

Maybe I'll take up tutoring....

There are many things I can do. I just don't really feel like doing anything right now. The weather is still awfully cold here. I think I'm in some kind of "hibernation" mode.

Maybe I'll snap out of it come spring. But the unemployment runs out in four weeks unless I get an extension of benefits. It's a little scary.

I, unlike many I know, have options. I will also almost invariably find work. I always have. It's just a matter of choosing a direction.

But the good news is Easy got hired today! He goes for testing and orientation on Monday, starts Tuesday. It's a good job with decent wages and insurance.

So one of us is gonna be working, anyway. and in our area it's a miracle that anyone finds work. I'm thankful and he is thrilled.

The fundamental things apply

as time goes by......

Three years and I'm still here. Easy is keeping me company but things have not clicked right between us. We get each other by for now as roomies. It's okay, no harm, no foul, just no click.

And each person I love has helped me learn to walk as myself again. But I miss the mate today.

There's a gathering of our friends tonight. I don't know if I can stay if I go. I don't know if I can go. I want to try. I miss them. But it's not an easy day for me. Might not make it.

The computer is almost ready for the big tear down. I am looking into putting XP on it. Need to find the drivers for this machine first. That's this weekend's project. It's good to be busy.

The Mom's bday is Tuesday. I have a small gift for her. Sis is bringing dinner again. I have invited the kids out for cake and ice cream. She's gonna be 72. We gotta party while we can!!

And tomorrow is another day I will be glad to greet. I will keep on loving and caring and looking for a partner I can keep and enjoy. That's life. I'm living it.

Have been working on some music with a man from the next town over. May get something going, but I don't think so. We have different styles. It's been fun to jam.

So I'm a little blue today, but I'm not destroyed like I was. This, too, will pass. I didn't believe it but I'm seeing it happen. I can't forget the mate. I do miss him and our life. But I can smile that I have had love in my life and keep looking for it again. I know it's real and it can happen. The changes keep coming and I keep managing to get through them. I'm okay.

Thank you all that care and have helped me get so far again.

and Melt your cold, cold heart

I was looking for jobs on Craigslist.com today when I opened the "wanted" ads to see if I could sell someone something to raise a little cash. I'm ok, but more is better and, after bills, there isn't any extra right now.

I found a posting that lifted my heart. A man named Marv Foster wants to help those in need, so he is renting a building to open for the overflow from the "regular" shelters.

I checked it out and it was legitimate. It's nice to see someone trying to make it a little easier for others. All I can do for them is pass it on.

If you are in the Central Michigan area please consider passing this around to your friends. I did.

****
Man Opens Homeless Shelter
http://www.wxmi.com/pages/news_landing_page/?Man-Opens-Homeless-Shelter=1&blockID=187022&feedID=296

Its located at 1136 Plainfield, just south of Lenord street, in Grand Rapids.

If you can, please drop off donations directly.

This is their list:
blankets
pillows and pillow cases
food/snacks
games/cards
cleaning items
hygiene items and anything else that might be used.

This is my list:
prayers for needs to be filled
bus tokens
back packs
folding tables and chairs
folding cots or beds
local newspaper subscriptions
phone cards
notebooks, pens, pencils
paperback books
working used computers

Thanks and God Bless

*****

It's bitterly cold right now in our area and going to be that way for a little longer before it "warms" up, like over freezing. I have been homeless. I remember how hard it can be to live like that. I was lucky. I found work and friends got me by until I was on my feet. There are few jobs in Michigan right now. A lot of people have been put on the streets by factory closings and relocations. If you can help, please do.

You say it's your birthday!

And it is. So I'm home quietly enjoying the day.

The mom stopped by and dropped off a card. We had coffee and visited. It was good.

Now I'm trying to get the stupid Vista browser to let me view my webpages with all the information in them and no idiot warning bars... I HATE Vista.

But at least the 32 bit runs most of my software. And the challenge of getting it to run the way I want it to is keeping me busy.

Not bored!

Later all.

Spread your tiny wings and fly away....

Snowbirds. Yesterday the hawk sat right on top of my feeder. There were several smaller birds hiding low in the lilacs but it didn't seem interested in them. It just sat there and looked around. It was fun to watch. I have had several hawks over the years that "hunt over bait" but I can't grudge them their survival.

Today the bird hordes are back and eating all the seed they can before the snow hits. I have a fair variety of birds and enjoy all of them.

I have had a lot of time to sit and watch them while the files are found, restored, moved to the portable drive and then to the new hard drive...computer rebuilds, ICK!

I had to take back my first machine because Vista 64 bit won't run any of the software I have. I downgraded to a 3 gb machine with Vista 32 bit and still haven't managed to get it to recognize my printer/scanner/copier.....says it's too old. I'm cranky about it and going to try again. There has to be away to make it work. I just have to find it.

So the new machine is almost up. I have to go back to the old machine. Import all my old email into outlook express, export my old email from outlook express and all my settings, then put the files on the port drive and import them into the crappy new mail program that comes with Vista.

I'm thinking I might try to install OE 6 on the Vista machine just for fun and see if it will run....

I have a party to go to today for a retiring uncle....That should be fun if we can get there in the snow. I was thinking of cancelling but hate to. I don't get to see the family often enough.

But just to say hello to all of you and I'm glad you're still hangin' in there with me I got the machine online and working again.

Back soon!