woo hoo ... the smile grows by the second

THIS is what I look like when I have the next 6 days off. I will look even happier as I get further into it! I enjoy my job the majority of the time .... but I love my home life even more. Between the company I keep & my craft room..... my life it totally groovey!!

where do YOU think best ?

in other words ..... where or how do you problem solve? where do you do you best thinking? The Captain & I have discussed this more than once because when there is something he just can't work out .... I remind him to just let it rest or set it aside, because that night, he will wake up at some point with another approach (or the entire solution). That is when his "ah-ha" moments come to him. For my friend (xo) Jules ... it is when she is making the bed or showering. For me .... showering GIVES ME a whole new set of problems to solve!! I resolve when I am least resolvant ... that is, when I give myself the space not to make any decisions. Pressure me to decide and I will do one of two things give YOU the answer you don't want to hear, or shut down completely. Of course there are a lot less of those kind of decisions these days. I no longer sweat the small stuff and most of my "stuff" is small (on purpose). So if I should say "I don't care", it's NOT because the decision isn't important enough for my input .... it's because I trust your judgement on something that isn't gonna make or break my day anyway. That's my story & I'm sticking to it!

sometimes, I DON'T KNOW what I'm doing .... but

but, but, but ..... THAT'S OK TOO!!!

this subject comes up now & again because I am doing something that makes little or no sense- & not only do I NOT know what I am doing .... but I do NOT know why either. (?) I choose to believe that it is my creative mind at work (or rest). Once again this morning I heard the Captain chuckle & laugh as he asked .... "princess, what are you doing?" And when I answered that I didn't know, he just laughed again. (and please note that I started out by taking pickles of myself upside down .... but gravity is VERY cruel and by the time I got a shot without cutting off something, I was also red in the face so I nixed that idea)

bird frenzy weather watch!

the birds were out at our feeders in full force today. Probably because there was fresh feed put out late yesterday & the "chirp" was spread. Or maybe because some storms are planned for Tues & Weds & they wanted to get their fill!

whatever the reason, it was good to see & hear them all day long. I hung some chimes out in their feeding grounds yesterday & was concerned they might be bothered- but not a problem. The seed sock here is actually suctioned to the window. It took 4-5 days for them to start using it routinely (cuz the cats sit at the window & I am passing back & forth while scrappin), but this bright yellow finch says it's good fixins! The purple finch & house finch was also enjoying the feast. The 3 of them hung on the sack for quite a while together. They seemed to eat so much, I'm surprised they could fly afterward!!

everything you ever wanted in print & a bag of chips!

I ordered my 2009 blog "book". Not cheap, not without challenges- but because, even I think I had a few interesting things to "ponder" about over the year! I am hoping to look down from above many years from now (MANY & more importantly from above), and see my sons or grandchildren finding it amongst my things and, reading along, thinking I was sorta interesting (or funny, or profound, or ..... well something). The catch to the order is that the first 20 pages is a reasonable cost- but then WHY would a person have a blog if on 365 days they only had 20 things to say???? Be that as it may, I had 293 posts that I whittled down to about 270 or so ... taking out some short ones that were just blah-blah this, or yatta-yatta that. AND SINCE I am already well over 200 posts for 2010, I am thinking more about how I enclose pictures & such so that once I see the 2009 book, I can see what I would have done different. Should be interesting!!

not for the timid ... "our" LIZZY

THISSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSSS is Lizzy. (an alligator lizard) We found him/her in our garden shed about 9 mos ago & early on- we left the doors open when the Captain would be doing yard work .... but the critter seemed to prefer to stay IN THE shed. A couple weeks later, we noticed Lizzy had shed a full skin & we sorta figured he/she had filled up on bugs or? At the time, we thought Lizzy was probably able to get out between the doors if he wanted- but as time went on, & he was growing larger, we had our doubts. It wasn't long before the Captain bought him a few crickets. Next thing I know there is also a water dish and by fall .... there was a warming rock and with each week's supply of crickets, Lizzy was growing (and another shedding took place too)

well even though we have since left the doors open a couple of times .... it appears Lizzy is waaaay too comfortable where he is, and now we're concerned that he just wouldn't know what to do with himself if we let him loose anyway. It's a little bit of a guess, but I would estimate that he is practically twice the size of when we first discovered him. He's roughly 14" or so. He seems to know when it is cricket time, as he lets Ken get close without hissing as he used to, as he holds the dish the entire time Lizzy is feeding (these crickets were about an inch long) .... and today, Ken even grabbed his tail to balance him as he was moving the food dish.hmmmm, what happens when we go on vacation???

on a much less threatening note ..... our apple crop is awesome .... although we neglected to thin out the clusters, so we aren't sure how big they'll get (or if the squirrels will get to them before they are ripe for picking!!)

a beautiful day in the neighborhood (! !)

Upper 70's and light breezes. It is incredibly clear & beautiful today!! SOMEHOW- these things reminded me that I have a box full of outdoor windchimes that need some exercise, so I am on my way to get the hardware to "fix 'em up" :o)

This is the kind of day that should bring a smile to anyone's face. Get out & enjoy some of it. It will give you a new lease on life (easpecially if you live around me)

........ and I have to post this picture of my kitty kats .... last night they were scrappin' with me (?) and got so exhausted that when I was done & called to them that it was time to go to bed (in my room) ..... neither of them even wiggled an ear. They are so angelic looking when they are a sleep. (and so well behaved too)

I am not an idiot

I am not stupid, so don't tell me I can't possibly understand.
I am not ugly, so don't tell me that I can't look pretty.
I am not unworthy, so don't tell my that I am not deserving.
I am not useless, so don't tell me I should have gotten more done.
I am not selfish, so don't tell me it's not my turn.
I am not lazy, so don't tell me I could do it if I tried.
I am not gullible, so don't lie to me & think I don't know.
I am not shallow, so don't tell me I can't empathize.
I am not dishonest, so don't ask me something you don't want to know.
I am not unkind, so do not expect me to agree with you when you are being so.
I am not disloyal, so do not ask me for information that doesn't concern you.
I am not invisable, so do not dismiss my presence.
I am not you, so do not think you are looking in a mirror.

I AM ........ me

my list seems to be on "auto-add"

I keep having list left at the end of my day .... what's up with that?!! I feel like I got next to nothing done and yet I was busy all day. I find this very confusing!! It's like there is things being added automatically. OH, ha-ha ...... it's being done by me! I gotta admit, the first day back home after travelling is ALWAYS like this .... a lot done but not a lot accomplished. I've got doubts that I will be painting tomorrow as I originally planned. Seems the laundry in the basket has been procreating & the vacuum must have been sitting around watching TV the entire time we were gone (?) I will have to make good use of my time tomorrow, since I got some serious scrappin' to do as well (and my mind is already in create-mode). So right after I run around the block a few times (to work off the rocky road cake I was hog-tied & force fed this evening) I am hitting the hay to read a bit before snoozing ..... my current selection is "Guilty as Sin".

hey pa .... do you realize how often we think of you?

MY OH MY Pa .... your ears must burn when we are away on a trip. You come up often in conversation as we wonder about how you might like to see what we're looking at or if you might laugh at what we are talking about.

I wanted to get this posted tonight even though I haven't even cropped or enhanced nuttin ... cuz we are REALLY glad to be home & with a latte in my hand made from my very own machine & my kitty kat on my lap and my own bed beconing to me ..... I am in paradise. ( cuz) I AM HOME ! Happy, Happy, Joy, Joy Stay tuned for (a whole lot) more tomorrow.

sand between my toes (the ahhhh affect)

so .... not wanting to waste an opportunity to walk right down the street to the ocean. I set out as soon as the chill of the morning was chased away by some filtered sunshine. And what a treat.

I walked to the pier via the walking path & returned over an hour later by way of the sand, picking up a few pretty stones along the way-

In my opinion, THIS is the way to take a long walk without realizing it!!

I met a few others that were out taking a walk too.

and the treat for being so patient .....

Well the Captain was a good boy & even worked during a lunch meeting, as well as coming back to the hotel & gathering a rew more thoughts on his computer before really ending his work day. AND for that .... (and because I was such a patient wife to wait for him) we treated ourselves to a bodacious meal at Joe's Crab Shack. How fun. Now when the commercial comes on TV & we are wondering where the heck that place is ..... we will know :o)

and because every new experience should involve trying something new ..... I had my very first "shark bite". (yum)

rum, blue curacao, sweet & sour & for the bite ..... grenadine. (and you get to keep the shark)
so then, you gotta prepare for the main event. messy as it is, it's fun to throw the shells, etc into the big bucket in the middle of the table & use your hands like a caveman!!

and as if all of this wasn't grand enough ..... we saw the beginnings of a wonderful sunset from our table, then walked a bit to finish it off.

Doesn't get much better does it?

as for me ....

okay, so it ain't an ocean view but ...... during the night I can hear the flow & trickles of water cuz it's a stone's throw from the window so it's not chopped liver!!

our beginnings (today)

Like a good boy .... the Captain prepared for his meeting ahead of time!

Then he headed off with a smile on his face to go & do what it was that paid for us to be here :o) He had to drive a whole 3-4 miles but he was good natured about the "commute" ahead.

and even though he could probably get there with his eyes closed, the Captain programed his GPS to get him to the right place (maybe he was having a senior moment) Coincidentally- we parked last night when we arrived, checked in, wandered around to find the stairway, only to find that we were parked directly under our room!!!

my campsite is organized now

not everybody would readily know this .... but anyone who has "roomed" with me before may recognize what I describe here without having realized it before. I "settle in" to where ever I am staying while away from home ... beit for 2 days or 2 weeks ..... and I do it within hours of arrival. unpack, hang, sort. before a meal or sightseeing or anything. It also includes adding pillows to the bed, moving furniture a bit so it's more functional, etc. SO, I sit here- relaxed & comfortable with my chair pulled toward the end table & facing the TV (dont' know what's on .... doesn't matter, since I am using it only for noise), with a pillow on the coffee table to rest my legs & feet upon. They are covered with a blanket, because I have the door to the balcony open to hear the water fountain in the courtyard below (and it's only 54 degrees outside) ..... and I am .... "perfectly content" at this moment. I often am. And I know how lucky I am to feel that way at all, much less, often!! Yes, even without my kitty kats, espresso machine & scrapbook toys- I am content.
The Captain is off to his first set of meetings & when the sun finally peeks out of the clouds, I will be off to my own meeting- between the sidewalk & the soles of my shoes!

A bit of a work day, then off with the Captain

ACTUALLY, I am working almost a full day today .... which is out of the ordinary since I started my "dream hours" a few months ago ..... but well worth it, cuz at the end of it- the Captain & I are leaving for San Clemente for a couple of days.
GIVEN THE CHOICE .... I am sure the Captain would love it if the storm hung around & looked like this tonight!! (so would I)

HOWEVER - that is not likely to be the case. While he is in meetings tomorrow ... I will decide how to spend my time, based on what mother nature brings to the table. With luck, there will be a walk toward the beach. (with my trusy camera in hand of course)

and if walking is not in the cards at least for part of the day I have a few things up my sleeve to kee me busy. For one thing, a stack of magazines in my craft room that are going with me. And the laptop is always a time guzzler as well. I am hoping to get "my own" version of the pier. AND, I am pretty sure our fav restaurant will get a visit (or two) tah-tah for now sports fans!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY GIDGET!!

oh happy day (I bet) ..... cuz WEDNESDAY is the Gidge's Bday and knowing my sissy .... she will be treatin' her mighty fine!! Have a GREAT day!!

couldn't decide which wordle I liked the best so you got them both!!!!!!!!!! XOXOXOXOXO XOXOXOXXOXOXOXO XOOXO XO XOXOX O XX OXO XOOX OXOXOXOXO XOX XOXOXO XOXO XO XOXOXOXO !! and did I mention I love you?!! XOXO XOXO

the Princess' desk essentials

I doooo believe in "atmosphere" for pretty much everything I do and CERTAINLY - it is involved with anything I truly enjoy. It makes EVERYTHING I spend time on that much more fun & relaxing. (trust me)

so .........
I have taken a picture of the most important things ..... flowers, water, jelly bellys & something to put a scented candle in or on. what are YOUR essentials?

repeatable quotes (I mean it)

there WILL BE at least one of these you will want to repeat to someone (my guess .... more than one)

The safest way to double your money
is to fold it over once & put it in your
pocket (Kin Hubbard)

People say that money is not the key
to happiness, but I always figured if
you have enough money, you can
have a key made (Joan Rivers)

Money frees you from doing the
things you dislike. Since I dislike
doing nearly everything, money
is handy (Groucho Marx)

Money isn't everything, but it sure
keeps you in touch with your
children (J.P. Getty)

and the Captain's fav;
A man is a success if he gets up
in the morning & goes to bed at
night & in between does what
he wants to do (Bob Dylan)
I think that means that ALL of us are successful at one time or another!!

buttons & brads

OH MY GOODNESS GRACIOUS ..... I had such fun playing with all my fru-fru embelishments this past couple of days. I had a stack of digital pages that I started playing with & I seemed to use a lot of buttons, brads, & glitter glue. It gave me a chance to unload my DVR as well, since I listen more so than "watch" TV most of the time. While I glammed up my pages ... I also watched EVERY episode of Glee that I had missed. Yes ..... that means I am a GLEEK just like my sister!!
LouLou & I SKYPED a half dozen times this weekend as well. That is totally cool & I can't wait til Foo gets on board as well. It allows me to see my parents too .... how cool is that?!! I dusted my piano off today. BOY does that make me feel guilty. The poor thing must be awfully lonely!! I guess that music that left my heart also vacated the tips of my fingers. Maybe I can do something about that.

that was yesterday- this is today (BUT UNPICTED)

how does this work? mentally up one day, sliding the next. feeling pretty. feeling pretty "fluffy". KNOWING (in my head) what it takes to be healthier & certainly wanting to live this life as long as possible!! Will power .... is there a reason it sounds like a man's name?? can I get it in a pill (if so, most of the world would be unfluffy I guess) Glad I have a husband that loves me "just the way I am" and hoping he isn't just one of those strange guys that is attracted to larger women. Feeling like I look okay, but rarely feeling like I look really good. Mostly not obsessing about it, but probably making decisions at times because of it. Wishing, wishing. Knowing. wanting. and at this very moment being so thankful that I am loved. life (and sometimes weight) can be a lot like the weather in Hawaii .... wait a few minutes and it can already be different!

had a HUGE night's sleep because .......

YESTERDAY started off with a wonderful walk/hike over Oso Flaco Lake and onto the beach!! The weather was perf & we saw all sorts of things. Best of all, the Captain learned some new "stuff" & I had the company of a very (VERY) funny pal. Time flew by & by the time we realized we were exhausted, 3 hours had passed!!

this is PART of the section that spans the lake.

a duck family. squeak, squeak

the colors were out in full force and the ocean was active & blue. A little breezy, to keep us from over heating from all the walking!

got my 2am buzz again!

alrighty then ... this 2am waking up for more than just a bathroom visit is not fun! Luckily it's only happened twice when I had to work the next day (and not 2 days in a row) but really .... it's not a "habit" I choose to adopt. The 30-45 minutes that I lose of sleep now seems to cost me over an hour in the morning. And when it happens on work days, I sleep thru half the family movie the following night. BUT ANYWAY- it just ocurred to me that it's a good thing that normally I would have been at work yesterday because being home got me nowhere! I mean .... I sure didn't seem to get anything done. On Wednesday I fooled around almost all day- and didn't even feel "unproductive" about it - since I knew I had an extra day home this week (and I did get a 3+ hour visit with a friend over donuts & coffee!!). I guess the whole idea of day off is appropriate sometimes!! WELLLLLL - I do hope that this little O'dark hundred interlude on the computer doesn't cost me energy that I will need for the walk planned with the Captain tomorrow (Oso Flaco). He met a botanist on his hike yesterday that invited him to come along to further educate him on the plant life there that is totally different than what he sees on his lighthouse trail. YOU KNOW the Captain .... soak up some new info!! So he is going with a pencil & paper, & I am going with a camera lens (& a buddy) nite-nite for now!!

today ... I feel pretty

It's nice that SOMETIMES I do feel pretty. For some reason, this afternoon I caught my reflection & liked what I saw. Better document it ... that's all I gotta say!

my mom is Kathryn Hepburn (take a look)

I LOVE this picture of my mom. (yes, that's me with her .... & probably the ONLY time I was ever fussy)

I love it so much that it inspired me to put in on the cover of the Shutterfly book that a coupon came for the same day as I found the picture! I made a "mom" book for ..... MYSELF. It arrived today and I love it :o)

Mom looks like K Hepburn about the time of the African Queen movie. Gee mom .... you're a babe!!

now that my apple tree is watered, I need sunshine!

I had a groovey play day in my craft room today. This room is in the front of the house so it's usually just called "the front room". My sister calls her scrap room her "happy place". I would like to call my room a studio but I'm pretty sure it has to be at least 300 square feet to qualify for that (ha-ha). I suppose that could happen someday but surely there are other things here that need updating. (I will REALLY feel that when the O'Briens finish their kitchen remodel. I am already starting to salivate just listening to their plans). VERY COOL ideas guys!!
Today's rain gave me an excuse to hang in the front room all day ... although I did cover a couple of loads of laundry at the same time. The Captain was working at his computer so Poki slept in his bed nearby, & Monkey stayed with me most of the day. Even now, as I sit in my recliner with my feet up- she lays across my legs with my laptop pressed up against the side of her. AND FOR TOMORROW ... wll I'm hoping for sunshine on my apple tree, receipt of my tabletop chandelier lamp, & finding my workspace in order- since a stranger to the Cambria routine was there today!! Let the games begin (after an 7 hour nap that is)

this was a REALLY good day ....

I LOVE flowers so how could I not be in heaven this day? Surrounded by lush fields, in the company of my Captain. priceless

the thoughts are stronger than fatigue at the moment

I have a wee bit of insomnia at the moment .... thinking about someone else who could be awake at this hour as well, and knowing how she feels. Of course knowing how she feels isn't enough to console her. It can bring the right words, but it can't quell the fear she may be feeling. It might calm the emotions temporarily, but she's proably still got a few to work thru before resolve sets in. I was in her shoes once and add to it a child still at home and a huge mortgage. I worried, & cried, & felt the panic that comes .... but then the common sense finally arrived on the scene and took over for awhile. The fact was .... I was going thru something that I could not change, & therefore had no control over. There did come a time when a calmness finally came because I felt I was doing the best I could at the moment, and that needed to just be enough. so while I understand she might not be there yet, I want her to know that I am thinking about her and hope that she can take comfort in those words soooo many people are bound to say. "sometimes things happen for a really good reason"

and you know what- they usually do!!

it's a blustery day in the neighborhood

and I love it this way. The only weather pattern I enjoy more is when we have solid showers for a few hours at a time (and a bolt of lightening is pretty cool too) The wind has blown away the low clouds and churned up the ocean surface to make it angry & wild looking. Again, I like it this way. Don't get me wrong, I'm not about to move to an area that has this year round ... I just love the change up now & again to force us indoors :o) Even the kitty kats wanna curl up in my room. Look at how "sweet" Poki looks in his bed!!

I have my Pandora Radio going and some incense burning and with the swishing sounds of my cala lily bushes outside my window ... I have the kind of atmosphere that sparks some crafting. And did I mention that the Captain outdid himself this morning with my "mood for fruit" breakfast? OK, so he's not exactly a chef- but he sure gives it the college try !! What a sweetie he is.

The Captain is shopping for a new printer at the moment. His has been giving him some problems and the fax machine incorporated into it- that has been needed more often lately- has always been a problem. I replaced mine a few weeks ago and I was soooo amazed how much brighter the colors were and EVEN BETTER ... how fast it is. YAY!!

didn't want it til I was told I couldn't have it

HA-HA
has that happened to you? you never do something in particular, until someone mentions that you probably couldn't do it. then you are on a psychological mission to do it. (gee, I wish that worked with dieting!!) Never go shopping on Wednesdays maybe, until you have no car- then suddenly, for the first time in your life you want to go somewhere on Wednesday!! I can easily go a few days without posting on the blog .... til of course I am trying to put it off on purpose- then suddenly I have a million things to say!!?! WELL- since my build up to post #500 is now history as of late last night (even tho I should have waited til at least Monday) .... now I have the opportunity, but OF COURSE all those things I wanted to say are floating out in space somewhere (certainly not in my head now). NOT THAT anyone is concerned about it ... but rest assured my silence won't last long. But then, if you are reading this .... you weren't avoiding me anyway!

presenting ...the "TERRY-an-appolis" 500th post

I could write an entire book about this son of mine .... but for now .... let just CELEBRATE his upcoming birthday. I made him the subject of my 500th post. I felt it should be something special- and HE IS!!!!!!!!!(click on the picture portion if you want to enlarge & read it easier)

grab a cocktail, a coke or a cup of coffee ....

THIS is going to be a lengthy post (probably) .... because I have a LOT to say (duh) and, more importantly, because it is post #499 and I want to save the next one for something special I have been working on. yeah, yeah, yeah ... I could have planned things out better - but that would have required "thinking" and I try to avoid any of that outside of my job!! WHICH .... now that I mention it, could use some talking about. If you haven't read previous posts that might explain some of my comments today- then just deal with it. I will be spending enough time on this post already without added detailing! We are losing another 1.25 chick from the nest. I put it as a fraction because even though 2 people are leaving, I only saw one of them a fraction of the time. The other I am far more familiar with and she probably could be considered the 1.25 & more on her own. I am sure she often gave thought & planning to her job outside of paid hours! This is a big loss on top of another that was suffered just a few weeks ago. Thank you ever-so much Mr President .... the loss of medicare revenue, increased problems with the economy, etc has made it tough for medically oriented businesses to pay competant employees what they deserve and even worse ... when someone leaves- it's management's opportunity to have one less person to pay, while leaving more to do for those already overworked! I might also point out at this moment (this bears repeating) if everyone employed would work equally hard, it wouldn't solve all the problems at my job, but it surely would help. And by this let me clarify, that even if someone is not equally qualified or skilled- they can still work as hard! Those of us (and I toot my own horn here) who dig deeper to pull more of the load, end up being expected to do just that because it is in our nature. Like I said "expected" but not necessarily appreciated. In response, I have cut my days of work so that I can still enjoy what I do with minimal stress. I am not happy about how that affects my fellow workers, but I am responsible for me so my choices have to reflect that. UPON hearing of her 2 wk notice, I was already missing the calming affect she has on an environment. My mind was wandering to a place (?) that was trying to figure out how she, as a massage healer, & my bud Spikey who is an esthetician & myself could work together in serenity. One who makes you feel better, one who makes you look better and .... a princess. perhaps I could work on the mental issues. I would be the objective listener. well, ok ... it all sounds good anyway. MAYBE I will let that idea go for now. BTW .... does anyone know if there is such thing as carpul ear? I know that sounds silly but my stiff wrist, worked it's way up my arm, to my shoulder then into my neck (or I slept wrong on it a few days ago) and it even bothers my ear. bummer. I am thinking I pinched something. With the help of motrin it's getting better but ..... (of course it could just be that I am getting old, but I shudder at the thought). As I sit here (with my 2nd cup of java), the kitty cats are snoozing away atop the entertainment center-turned scrap cabinet. This is not unusual for Monkey- but lately Popoki has begun doing it as well. The first few times, he jumped up and gave Monkey his "evil eye" vibe as if he wanted the bed she was in. But the past couple of days, he just goes to which ever one is unoccupied. At a glance you might think he would better fit in the purple one but he isn't one to care about what hangs over or out (sorta like the males that have dunlaps, but still think they are an 8 if ya know what I mean) Poki thinks he is lean & mean even though he is the biggest scardy cat I have ever had! And up til last night, Monkey was the only one stealing my new craft chair but as you can see .... another critter is taking his turn. Ken claims it means I have to get another chair. I claim it means their napping might get interupted.

Speaking of interuptions ... I would like to point out that our back yard reconstruction is still ..... unconstructed, and it has to do with the Captain. There is something going on with him. The past few days he has been acting a little different. He was gone a couple of days .... pretending like it was a big inconvenience of his daily routine and all. He's been up a little earlier these past couple of days and this morning ... I think he was talking in code. There was something about someone named Azimuth and then he mentioned Snoopy (not sure if it was an adjective or the dog?) the size of this, the scale of that, AOA & UAV and I'm thinking maybe it's some sort of surprise for me. like a party. maybe Azimuth is an event planner & he was trying to keep things mum because sometimes I figure things out without even realizing (ie "snoopy") ... maybe he's concerned about the size of the cake, but knowing I am trying to cut back a little so the scale is a weekly concern for me. and the initials are acronyms ...... like maybe Another Opal Accessory & the Ultimate Accessorized Vehicle. He seems (and sounds) different than he's been in the past year or so. The funny thing is .... there are no special events or dates on the calendar for me. Not my birthday or anniversary, or retirement. WELL REALLY the funny thing is he has been doing some contract for for his old job!! And it's funny because as much as he has avoided getting tied up with them asking for his help over the past 16 months since he retired- he is actually enjoying the interaction. There is excitement in his voice and a sparkle in his eyes. He is also very pleased that the answers come right back to him as if he retired last week. That 'ole dog doesn't need to learn any new tricks, he's got plenty right up both sleeves!!! Way to go my engineer scientist!! Well folks, you might be glad to hear that I am closing this post now. I may be "editing" it later to add to it .... but you are off the reading hook for now :o) have a GREAT weekend.