Professional Public Speaking

I do believe I have found my new career. I love public speaking, always have. But, I believe God has given me a voice for so many people. There have been so many life lessons I have learned. Would I change any of them? NO!!! Due, to these life lessons, I have walked a long, painful road.

I have been on the speaking circuit talking about the importance of privately banking your cord blood and why this is so important to our family. I also have been writing several other speeches to start presenting. I never thought I would want to get involved in the political arena. But, after meeting a caring politician, yes they are out there, I knew there had to be a way for me to help her out with her campaign for Congress.

My newest speech is on motivation and weight loss. For years, I was "lost" in my own body. I used eating as an emotional tool only to become severely obese in 15 years. When my health started declining and the reality was hit that either I lose the weight or I die. I chose LIFE! So far, I have gone from a size 26 to a size 12 by developing my own diet and learning what it was within myself that made me want to be an emotional eater. I have lost 95 lbs in 8 months by focusing on my inner self and learning from me.

I also wrote a speech that has taken me years to write. Another emotional journey, on the loss of a child. My oldest son died at age 13 after a long battle with a rare disorder. There have been so many losses of not only him, but other children as well who we met through this journey of life. Out of this journey, I have gained a new understanding of grief, and the road it takes you on as you travel on this lifelong windy pathway. I have done many speaking engagements for Compassionate Friends, Cord blood Banking Agency, Medical and Scientific Advisory Boards, Childbirth Education classes, churches, etc.

Please send me an email if you would like to hear further about the work I do and also would like some references. E-mail is: littlesisdarla@aol.com

We made the news

We made the news!

Go check us out at:

www.whsv.com/news/headlines/6369012.html

This is our news story about my son's upcoming cord blood transplant for his juvenile diabetes in hopes that it could possibly cure him of his Type 1 Diabetes.

Check it out!

And if you are pregnant, contact: www.viacord.com

Tell them that Darla Lindenmayer referred you. Cord blood is rich in stem cells and can save a life! i call it "life insurance".

Don't regret it, save it!!

Love to all,
Darla

Blogging can be so cool

Ok so I am a newbie on a new internet search place but wow is this fun, or is my life just this boring. Scary thought in my warped mind

But really it is interesting to find old friends and see what they are doing in their life, but then again sometimes you find out things about your own family members who have blogs that shock the crapola out of you.

Okay so parents....if you have a child and you want to know what they are up to or what they say, hey search for their name on myspace, you just might be surprised, or shocked, this AUNTIE was.

Anyway, my boss at work was teasing me when i told him about all the old friends I had found on it. I had a thought though, why am I doing this?

Am I just curious about what others are doing, or am I trying to hold on to a piece of the past.I would say its mostly the latter, as long as we can hold on to the past, it makes us feel young, and young these days i don't feel. I feel like in the last 12 yrs i have aged to just about a 50 yr old in a 33 yr old woman's body. But then again age has not done much for my body either and that sucks too.

Life takes many turns, too many fast turns, I tell youngsters to try not to grow up so fast, slow down, enjoy your youth. But the teens just roll their eyes at me and call me names behind my back.But little do they realize how life can be changed in a second, teens think they are immortal, at least most of the ones of today.

One thing I can say, is my son took each one of his days to the fullest before he died. But then again, he knew he was dying, even told his girlfriend he was dying before we officially knew how bad he was from his hospice doctor. He knew that life was short and he wanted to make an impact on everyone around him and he did.He was my hero and always will be.

So for me, hanging on to the past, helps us with the present and brings us more joy in the future.But hey thats just my two cents, what do I know, I am just an old lady, or so the teens say HAHAHA

Been awhile

Its been awhile.........Sorry to my faithful blog readers. Since I started working again, there is not much time. So now on to my blog for the day, not much to say except I today am wanting everyone else's opinion. Am I the only one finding it hard to accept that the movie industry is making a movie about 9/11. Mainly about the flight that was overtook by the passengers. Do we need to be reminded about tragedy over and over? I feel so sorry for the families who have to relive those moments again and again. Yes, ok, the movie maker is saying they will give 10% of the movie to a memorial fund. But only 10% of what the movie makes in the first weekend. Oh wow, how generous! Personally, I think you should give it all, any profit after paying your actors, production fees, etc, should go to some type of legit fund

History 101

My mother sent me this and as with all history, I did find it quite fascinating.....

Knowledge is a powerful tool, you may just get on Jeopardy one day.....

Our God is an awesome God!
*******************************************************************************


LAUS DEO
I thought that you and others may like to see this. One detail that is not mentioned, in DC, there can never be a building of greater height than the Washington Monument. With all the uproar about removing the ten commandments, etc... This is worth a moment or two of your time. I was not aware of this historical information.On the aluminum cap, atop the Washington Monument in Washington, DC, are displayed two words: Laus Deo. No one can see these words. In fact, most visitors to the monument are totally unaware they are even there and for that matter, probably couldn't care less.Once you know Laus Deo's history, you will want to share this with everyone you know. But these words have been there for many years; they are 555 feet, 5.125 inches high, perched atop the monument, facing skyward to the Father of our nation, overlooking the 69 square miles which comprise the District of Columbia, capital of the United States of America.Laus Deo! Two seemingly insignificant, unnoticed words. Out of sight and, one might think, out of mind, but very meaningfully placed at the highest point over what is the most powerful city in the most successful nation in the world.So, what do those two words, in Latin, composed of just four syllables and only seven letters, possibly mean? Very simply, they say "Praise be to God!"Though construction of this giant obelisk began in 1848, when James Polk was President of the United States, it was not until 1888 that the monument was inaugurated and opened to the public. It took twenty-five years to finally cap the memorial with a tribute to the Father of our nation, Laus Deo ........... ......"Praise be to God!"From atop this magnificent granite and marble structure, visitors may take in the beautiful panoramic view of the city with its division into four major segments. >From that vantage point, one can also easily see the original plan of the designer, Pierre Charles l'Enfant...a perfect cross imposed upon the landscape, with the White House to the North. The Jefferson Memorial is to the south, the Capitol to the east and the Lincoln Memorial to the West.A cross you ask? Why a cross? What about separation of church and state? Yes, a cross; separation of church and state was not, is not, in the Constitution. So, read on. How interesting and, no doubt, intended to carry a profound meaning for those who bother to notice.Praise be to God! Within the monument itself are 898 steps and 50 landings. As one climbs the steps and pauses at the landings the memorial stones share a message. On the 12th Landing is a prayer offered by the City of Baltimore; on the 20th is a memorial presented by some Chinese Christians; on the 24th a presentation made by Sunday School children from New York and Philadelphia quoting Proverbs 10:7, Luke 18:16 and Proverbs 22:6. Praise be to God!When the cornerstone of the Washington Monument was laid on July 4th, 1848 deposited within it were many items including the Holy Bible presented by the Bible Society. Praise be to God! Such was the discipline, the moral direction, and the spiritual mood given by the founder and first President of our unique democracy ..."One Nation, Under God."I am awed by Washington's prayer for America. Have you never read it?Well, now is your unique opportunity, so read on!"Almighty God; We make our earnest prayer that Thou wilt keep the UnitedStates in Thy holy protection; that Thou wilt incline the hearts of the citizens to cultivate a spirit of subordination and obedience to government; and entertain a brotherly affection and love for one another and for their fellow citizens of the United States at large. And finally that Thou wilt most graciously be pleased to dispose us all to do justice, to love mercy, and to demean ourselves with that charity, humility, and pacific temper of mind which were the characteristics of theDivine Author of our blessed religion, and without a humble imitation of whose example in these things we can never hope to be a happy nation. Grant our supplication, we beseech Thee, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen." Laus Deo!When one stops to observe the inscriptions found in public places all over our nation's capitol, he or she will easily find the signature of God, as it is unmistakably inscribed everywhere you look.You may forget the width and height of "Laus Deo", it's location, or the architects but no one who reads this will be able to forget it's meaning, or these words: "Unless the Lord builds the house its builders labor in vain. Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain." (Psalm 127: 1)It is hoped you will send this to every child you know; to every sister, brother, father, mother or friend. They will not find offense, because you have given them a lesson in history that they probably never learned in school. With that, be not ashamed, or afraid, but have pity on those who will never see.

Annoying Anonymous People

I get so annoyed with bloggers who for fear of their identity to be known will post a comment anonymously. For example the comment I got from my last posting and the person wrote that I should not get myself in a huff because other countries are helping us.

So, for that person, here's my comment to you. Before you go in a huff, look at the date of my previous blog. At that time, no countries had even remotely offered help.

After that time, yes, offers started coming in from England, Australia, even the surprisingly ones from Sri Lanka who recently had their own disaster and even really a shocker, Cuba and Fidel Castro who wanted to send in some of his own doctors, medical supplies etc to help us.

So, next time look at my date on when it was written. And from another dear blogger who wrote me an email today who I have to say she made all the sense in the world, and that was that she was amazed at how the American people were pulling in to offer aid and help as quickly as possible and doing a much better job than the govt.

I couldn't agree with her more.

I for one and our church are getting many things together that will be sent by a truck from one of the local retreat centers. We all need to do our part to help.

Darla

Hurricane Katrina

My prayers go out to all the families that have been affected by this devastation........

Now my other short blog to this is a point that my father-in-law brought up last night during his visit to us:

Where are the countries who we have helped before during their devastations and in time of need?? Where are they now to help us??

If you see them, let me know....................

Many lives have been lost, and many more I am sure they will find.........

Very sad, very sad indeed............

Lord, hear our prayers....................I know you will............................

History of the Middle Finger

I read this from someone who sent it to me and i found it quite fasinating actually. A little bit of history never hurt anyone and at least with this, the next time you flip someone off, you will know where it came from.


HISTORY OF THE MIDDLE FINGER Well, now......here's something I never knew before, and now that I know it, I feel compelled to send it on to my more intelligent friends in the hope that they, too, will feel edified. Isn't history more fun when you know something about it?

Before the Battle of Agincourt in 1415, the French, anticipatingvictory over the English, proposed to cut off the middle finger of all captured . Without the middle finger it would be impossible to draw the renownedEnglish longbow and therefore they would be incapable of fightingin the future. This famous weapon was made of the native EnglishYew tree, and the act of drawing the longbow was known as "plucking the yew" (or "pluck yew ) Much to the bewilderment of the French, the English won a major upset and began mocking the French by waving their middle fingers at the defeated French, saying, " See, we can still pluck yew "PLUCK. Since 'pluck yew' is rather difficult to say, the difficult consonant cluster at the beginning has gradually changed to alabiodental fricative 'F', and thus the words often used in conjunction with the one-finger-salute! It is also because of the pheasant feathers on the arrows used with the longbow that the symbolic gesture is known as "giving the bird."And yew thought yew knew everything!!



On another thought......
Tonight , I remember my beautiful son who died 16 months ago today. It seemed so natural my dear son that on this day a major break through came out about stem cell research. If only it was available 16 months ago!!!! I pray the much neded research continues so that more lives can be saved and FANCONI ANEMIA CURED! Thats what I dream to see of one day!

Love to all,
Darla

EMBARRASSING!!!!

Many of us have had embarrassing moments in our lifetime but I think I have had my share of them for sure.

As a child, I think the biggest thing you were scared of to be embarrassed of, was to drop something in front of the cute guy, bend over, and a big fart rips out of ya. Been there, done that.

And I remember the toilet paper being on the shoe, or even the dress stuck in my pantyhose and coming out of the bathroom showing my big butt to all.

Or even the one where you see an old friend and ask her when her baby is due and she informs you in a hateful voice, I am not pregnant. I have been that hateful voice! LOL!!

Last week, I was not sure whether I was more embarrassed or in shock, but I was cleaning house for a friend and her son had "a new mouse" on his computer mouse pad, or so I thought. Now this was an interesting contraption, it was even curved, and I figured it was to protect your wrist from carpal tunnel. I saw that it was not attached to any cords so I thought it was a cordless mouse.

Being the computer illiterate geek that I am, I picked it up, saw that the underneath part was hollow and my brain was screaming, "Hello, idiot, not a mouse for the computer but its a jock cup for baseball!"

I freaked, oh yes I did, EWWWWW, I handled a jock cup. Now I have had 2 boys but neither has played sports so I don't see them everyday to know what they look like. My friend laughed her hiney off.

She then made me feel better by telling me that another mom on the baseball team told her that her 5 yr old found her brother's, and asked her what it was. Not wanting to explain the reason behind the testicle protector she told her it was her brother's special cup. An hour later the mom came to the daughter's room and saw she was using "the cup" as a food dish and had her carrots and dip in it. Yep that made me feel better!!!

This morning, my next embarrassing moment was when the Schwann's man appeared at my door, and I ordered my usual popsicles and ice cream for the kiddos. He looked at me funny many times but never said a word. I kept thinking why is he staring at me. Little did I know what it was he was looking at.

Dummy me, being 32 and still have the occasional zits got sick of them and put zit white cream all over my face to kill the zittos. But I forgot!! So my Schwanns man was staring at me with this dried caked on crap on my face. I didn't know till I walked in the bathroom to brush my teeth and I was taken back. Oh NO, I forgot!! How embarrassing, oh well.

I am sure I will have many more embarrassing times!!

Love to all,
Darla

New Supreme Court Nominee and other random opinions

Okay, so normally I would not use this forum to discuss my political views or oppositions . But in my case and I may go all over with what I have to say, I feel the need to stand on my soap box and say, WHAT???!!!!

So, we have a new appointee, John Roberts. Now he must be confirmed. I have usually said that I was a republican over the years, although now I would call myself, neither republican or democrat. I would call myself a Gut Party, which means whoever in my gut I feel is right, and expresses my views then I would vote for them. Anyway.....

I know I do not know much about this guy but I have some concerns the more I learn. Number one, I can just bet that Sandra Day O'Conner would have wanted a woman to have taken her place. Why can't the supreme court justices nominate who they think would be best to replace them? I think a woman should have been appointed, my opinion.

Number two, no offense to any Catholics, but this guy is a Catholic and I do know how the church opposes stem cell research. Frankly, I think the church needs to read more and if they opposed using stem cells than they also need to oppose vaccinations because many of the vaccinations are made from fetal stem cells. Most do not know this.

Not to mention the other facts about immunizations most do not know. Taken from the govt. website
*************************************************************************************************
( The Federal government VAERS (Vaccine Adverse Events Reporting System) was established by Congress under the National Childhood Vaccine Injury Compensation Act of 1986. It receives about 11,000 reports of serious adverse reactions to vaccinations annually, which include as many as one to two hundred deaths, and several times that number of permanent disabilities.
VAERS officials report that 15% of adverse events are "serious" (emergency room trip, hospitalization, life-threatening episode, permanent disability, death). Independent analysis of VAERS reports has revealed that up to 50% of reported adverse events for the Hepatitis B vaccine are "serious." While these figures are alarming, they are only the tip of the iceberg.)************************************************************************************************

I think there are many issues that come through to the Supreme Court that I think a woman's view would help. Example, women's rights (and I am not talking about abortion cause we all know I am Pro-Life) there are many other issues besides this.

Not to mention, as my thoughts side track. Why have we never had a woman President? Frankly, I think the men are afraid of women cause they know we will end up running the country better, just my two cents on that topic.

Okay back to my random thoughts, has anybody quite wondered, why in the world are all the Supreme Court Justices so old. They were all over 65 when they became appointed except Clarence Thomas who was 54 or 56. Isn't 65 the age they should have retired.

I have to laugh when I see the media talking about how young he is to be a Supreme Court Justice. He is 50 people, he is old enough. He doesn't still drink a baabaa or suck a bottle. He does not even wear diapers, well he could if he has an incontinence problem. He is half a century, I believe that is old enough to be on the bench! He is even old enough to pop a viagra which most have to do at that age so I wish the media would just stop by making his age such a big deal. Geesh!

So these are just my wild, random, off my head thoughts about our whole political system, or whatever you may call it on what day.

Take my thoughts or leave them!

Love to all,
ME

America Needs God

So a friend sent this to me on the internet and I thought it was way too good not to blog about and repost it here:

So here it is:

So if the US government determines that it is against the law for the words "under God" to be on our money, then, so be it. And if that same government decides that the "Ten Commandments" are not to be used in or on a government installation, then, so be it.

And since they already have prohibited any prayer in the schools, on which they deem their authority, then so be it.

I say, "so be it," because I would like to be a law abiding US citizen. I say, "so be it," because I would like to think that smarter people than I are in positions to make good decisions. I would like to think that those people have the American public's best interests at heart.

BUT, YOU KNOW WHAT ELSE I'D LIKE?

Since we can't pray to God, can't trust in God and cannot post His commandments in Government buildings, I don't believe the Government and its employees should participate in the Easter and Christmas celebrations which honor the God that our government is eliminating from many facets of American life.

I'd like my mail delivered on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter. After all, it's just another day.

I'd like the US Supreme Court to be in session on Christmas, Good Friday, Thanksgiving & Easter as well as Sundays. After all, it's just another day. I'd like the Senate and the House of Representatives not to have to worry about getting home for the "Christmas Break."

After all, it's just another day. I'm thinking that a lot of my taxpayer dollars could be saved, if all Government offices & services would work on Christmas, Good Friday & Easter. It shouldn't cost any overtime since those would be just like any other day of the week to a government that is trying to be "politically correct."

In fact.... I think that our government should work on Sundays (initially set aside for worshipping God...) because, after all, our Government says that it should be just another day....What do you all think????

If this idea gets to enough people, maybe our elected officials will stop giving in to the minority opinions and begin, once again, to represent the 'majority' of ALL of the American people.

SO BE IT........... Please Dear Lord, Give us the help needed to keep you in our country!
***************************************************

I liked this alot.....very truthful indeed.

KING of POP, or KING of NOT

So the whole poll on AOL is, how many of you agree with the decision the jury made on Micheal Jackson? Its about half and half. About as close as a poll as Bush and Gore during the election.

So my dear friend Marsha says she can't wait to hear my take on this....

What is my opinion, really I don't have one.

Is he guilty, probably, or could he just be weird, we know that one to be 100% true. I really don't know.

I grew up in the Micheal Jackson era, my sister and I danced in the local 4-H talent show with our routine from his video and song, Just beat it.

I guess he beat it alright, no prison time, so Big Bubba is now disappointed that he won't get to beat it. (Okay, that was a really bad joke)
My favorite was Jay Leno who said that now Sadam Hussain wants his trial moved to CA. GO FIGURE!!!!!

But I am disappointed, here the dear Sylvia Brown, famous psychic to the stars(NOT) said on Montel, her predictions for 2005. One was Brad and Jennifer breaking up, that happened, the other one was that Micheal Jackson would go to jail, WRONG!!!!! So, don't believe psychics, if they were real psychics, they would know that they were full of bulls*it.

I was hoping for some court room drama, like Micheal moonsliding on the courtroom table, saying, Well, its a thriller, thriller night, and then singing to the jury, The Way you make me feel, you really turn me on (oh yeah the jury is all over 18, so I guess he won't sing that song)

Instead, I got to see him look somber. I think his family was shocked actually. On Court TV this morning, one of the reporters said LaToya had her mouth opened in shock as they read, Not Guilty 12 times. I guess she was hoping to get in the spotlight for once if he got in jail. Sorry, LaToya, guess you better contact PlayBoy again and do another photoshoot with your boa.

So he is free, whoopeedodahh, the big problem is what does this say to real victims of abuse?

How many children, teens, and parents seeing this case will say to hell with reporting abuse, they will just get off anyway. And the sad scenerio is that it happens. People who need to be in jail get off (MJ), and others who really didn't need to be in jail (Martha Stewart) end up going.

New Poll, who belongs in jail more, Martha, or Micheal?

So, its important to report it, the problem is our court system has the saying, Beyond a reasonable doubt, and when you see the lies that the mother has said in this case and done her whole life, I probably would have had a reasonable doubt too!

One of the jurors has said, he thinks he has molested BUT, he can't prove it with the lies the boy and mother told, so it gave him a reasonable doubt.

Well, lets see how smart M.J. is now, stay away from children, but most perpetrators can't, so we will probably see this all again, somewhere down the road.....MAYBE...WHO knows......

So to tickle your funny bone about all this, here's some jokes I found:

Q: Why does Michael like children so much?
A: He knows how they feel.

Q: Why did Michael Jackson place a phone call to Boyz-2-Men??
A: He thought it was a delivery service.

Q: What's the first problem that Michael's child will have in life?
A: Figuring out which parent is his mother.

Q: What's the difference between a plastic grocery bag and Michael Jackson?
A: Well, one's an artificial piece of trash that can harm little children,and the other is used to hold groceries.

Well, at least the comedians will still be busy! Maybe we will get lucky and not hear anything about him for awhile.

I don't think any of us can be that lucky!!

Hollywood...the land of glitz, glamour, hot bods, designer fashion, and.................IDIOTS!!!!

yes, I said it.

But I am still a star watcher, more so to have some excuse to go around calling them idiots. I say this for a reason.....

Let's take Russel Crowe for a moment:

he gets arrested for throwing a temper tanthrum in a hotel because he was pissed at a clerk and threw a phone at them. They charged him with assult. So, on his press statement, he says basically that he is at a dark place in his life right now and he hopes he can be forgiven but his life is so dark and difficult.

WHATEVER!!! Can I have your dark dreary life please, try mine idiot. If having millions of dollars is dreary, bring it on. If the paparazzi keep taking your picture, and you don't like it but yet you get even more money for your next film flick because your fans looked at the paparrazi's pictures and wanted to see your next movie thus making you get another 10 million added to the 25 million you were already getting per picture.

Can I say, WHAHHH WHAHHH WHAhhh

Hell, for $5 the papparazi can take a picture of my mooning ass, and I'll be grateful for the cash.

pardon my french there but it irritates me to the fullest, has he ever had to worry about how much his next electric bill is going to be , or can he make two meals out of one pound of ground beef until next payday.

if you are depressed, go see a shrink Russell. Live my life BUD!!!
I'll gladly trade you for yours, I bet I can spend your money well, but at least I would still live in my same house, and give your money away to charities that really need it.

With Russell's millions, we might be able to find a cure for fanconi anemia. My son might not have died if the research scientists had enough money to put toward this rare disorder.

So stuff that Russell!

On to the next celebrity, I am so so so so so so so tired of seeing and hearing about Micheal Jackson. I wish the jury will hurry up and do something so we won't have to hear your name mentioned again. At least not again till you are paroled. You know, does he have his own stock? Cause when Martha got out of jail, her stocks flew up 25% and more.

HMMMMMM, wonder what Micheal Jackson's stock is called:
JesusJuice NYSE, or could it be, PeeWee NYSE

Whatever it is, can someone please hurry up and put him in a cell with Big Butch.......

Off to bed now, CHOW!!

Life's irritations

I know its been awhile since I blogged, got burnt out on journaling. Well, not really, but time to do it, is what I do not have.

Life's irritations:

And I am grouchy today, so these will flow easily:

#1= Pop-up advertisements, and yes I have installed whatever software and i still get them, ran my counter spyware and 337 programs had attached themselves to my files. GRRRRRRR!!!!! I have spent all day messing with this stupid thing.This should be illegal

#2= Kids who on the 3rd day of vacation inform me, "Mom, we are bored."
But I fixed that, "Go clean your rooms kids."

#3= AOL, it sucks, it boots you off and I think they are the ones who are behind half the problems with the viruses attaching to my computer.

#4= AOL again, had to say it again, they suck, to bad with where i live they are the only server I can get.

#5= People who think that mothers should have no time to themselves. After cleaning and cooking, i thought I would catch a quick nap this evening, only for my husband to come wake me up and tell him to go get a Coke for him at the store.....my answer.....Is your legs broken? They will be, if you don't get out of my face.

#6= I guess i have complained enough, feel better now, needed to complain.

After all I am a woman!!!

Bye until next time......maybe then I will be in a better mood

Runaway Bride

Runaway Bride, Smart Woman or Plain Stupid?

Run Bride, RUNAnd she will run, run,run as her daddy takes the g-bird away......

No, that's not it, she'll have fun, fun, fun......Not this bride!

I have to say I feel somewhat sorry for the gal but how stupid was this girl to fake her own kidnapping. I mean come on. Is she too chicken to say to her fiancee, "Dear, I do not want to marry your ugly mug." Or, "Sweetie pie, I have decided to run away to Vegas and be a showgirl stripper." I mean come on, be brave.

I broke off 2 engagements. The first one I wrote a "Dear John" letter, actually a Dear Danny letter and sent it all the way to England. The second engagement, I just told him to go to hell and sold my engagement ring and the wedding band I had bought him.

I then took my wedding dress back seven months later, told them it did not fit me anymore, they gave me the money back surprisingly so, and I went and bought a better more expensive one for my wedding with Robert.

So, I guess I could be called the run away fiancee.There are ways to getting out of weddings. I guess she was scared. I know I had doubts with the first 2 engagements and could even invision myself divorced in a few years. But when Robert, my knight in shining armor came along, no doubts, at all.

I remember my mom telling me that I would be married to Robert forever because his parents had never divorced and had been married for many years and children who see divorce usually think that's the solution. I disagree with her statement but nonetheless, our marriage works. Almost twelve years, going strong, still as passionate as ever.....Yeah I know T.M.I (too much info).

Now my aunt upon seeing me and Robert's engagement picture, she just said that I looked like a hillbilly and Robert an axe murderer. Go figure!!

Poor bride probably wishes she would have been kidnapped, but soon she will have a new love in her life.

She will meet Big Bertha, her jail cell mate.......and there they'll be, happy soul mates.....or she'll just be Bertha's "woman". LOL!!

Oklahoma City Bombing

The pictures flashing on the television today brought so many memories to my mind. Ten years ago was a horrific bombing. The Oklahoma City Bombing.

I remember watching the news coverage and seeing the firefighters bring out the dead children that were in the daycare center. I remember watching the red headed mom (Edie was her name I think) who had to bury two of her boys.

I remember sobbing as I watched her kiss the caskets and weep for her boys. I remember feeling so hurt right along with her but I had no idea what she was going through.

At least not at the time........

I remember crying and saying to Robert, " How in the world can a parent handle losing a child?"

I was soon to find out.........

I remember seeing all the pain on the faces of the people who lost loved ones.

I didn't understand then but I understand now.......

Our other journal is at: www.caringbridge.org/in/angelbarneyboo

Really starting to hate the IRS!!

Tonight I have listened to Beethoven's 5th symphony about 20 times. I have it so memorized that I hummed it for my husband and showed him how I , as a fat chick ,can still do a pirouette. How do you say? Or why?

Allow me to tell you....

Being the good procrastinator that I am, what can I say, I work better under pressure. Anyway......
I had e-filed our taxes online last night. They were accepted today. On the e-mail it said to mail my e-file signature form to Kansas City where the e-file taxes papers were sent. On the same e-mail it said the address for the center to send it to would be on your filing instruction papers you print out.

Well, wouldn't you know it, it had an address in Andover, MA. GRRRRR

So, I called the IRS. Well of course, I knew there would be a wait especially for all the other procrastinators like myself. So I waited on the phone, and waited, and waited, and waited. You get the drift.

I thought I'd be smart to call late because surely no one would be up this late calling the IRS. WRONG!!!

After holding on for 35 minutes, and listening to their classical music over and over. My head bobbing up and down from falling asleep hearing Beethoven over and over again. An operator came on. "Hello, I am operator Id # 382374561839-482625128-38272. " Whatever, like I will remember that or have time to write it down, just give me your damn name, you know.

Anyway, I proceeded to ask her my question and go through the long drawn out situation, and she said, " So another words, the only thing you want to know in shortened terms , is where to send your Form 8453-OL."

Yeah that's it! GRRRRRR. She said, "Hold please, and I will transfer you to the right operator." And then the new wait began. Again, the same music.

During this wait, my daydreams began.... I could just imagine, the IRS workers kicked back with their feet in the air on their desks, laughing and throwing paper balls at each other, throwing money on the desks, while they take bets on which caller would lose their patience first. Laughing again and saying, how long do you think we can keep them on hold? Yep, I can picture it............

Finally, the music stops and I hear a recording after a now 20 minute wait........

"Due to the high volume of calls, please call back again at another time."

CLICK......goes the phone......

I was never so mad!!! If you can't get ahold of the IRS, and they waste your time for 55 minutes, maybe I can send them a bill for my wasted time. ......

I am so angry, who do you complain to if you have problems with the IRS, you know. Its not like you would ever want to complain, what would happen to you then. Its not like I can say, you knumskulls, you have now driven me crazy with your crappy music over and over and you wasted my time.

Do you remember those Chinese torture devices, where they would put the prisoner under a dripping water spout, that would drip on their head at the same rate till they went crazy?

I think that is what the IRS does when you are waiting on the phone, but its music instead, the same music over and over and over again!!!!!!!!!!!!

And to think, I have to get up in the morning and do it all over again. I think I will need some prayers people!!

Be happy with who you are!!

I was watching Good Morning America this morning about a story on bringing back silicone breast implants.

(WASHINGTON Apr 11, 2005 — Thirteen years after most use of silicone-gel breast implants was banned amid fears they were dangerous, the Food and Drug Administration is considering if it's time to lift the restrictions.
Still in question is how long the devices will last inside a woman's body and just what happens if they break and the silicone gel oozes into the breast or beyond.
On Monday, the FDA opens a three-day meeting with its scientific advisers to debate whether two manufacturers, Inamed and Mentor corporations, have proved that their implants are durable and safe enough to re-enter the U.S. market.
In preliminary analyses released last week, FDA scientists suggested the companies have not, saying their data is of "limited value" in settling the concerns.
It's an emotionally charged issue, as evidenced by the FDA's unusual decision to schedule at least 15 hours on Monday to hear testimony from the public. The list includes dozens of women who say their implants left crippling scars, and others who call the silicone version a more natural-looking option that consumers should be free to choose.)


Listening to the story, I wondered why so many are always trying to reach for perfection?

Are we trying to be perfect, are we wanting attention, or are we wanting to just be like everyone else?

Many look for perfection to achieve the perfect job, or the perfect mate, somehow thinking this will make a difference. In the beginning....maybe....But what about later on in the relationship?

I have to say that even though I am overweight, I am satisfied with ME. Now I do want to lose some weight, not for anybody else but for me, but that's a whole "nother story.

I look at body self images as this....if you are not satisfied with yourself, who will you be satisfied with, if you are always trying to reach for perfection. I also think if you achieve perfection and land yourself a mate and then become settled and gain a few pounds, will your mate find you any different, maybe even discusting because you have not "maintained" your unnatural beauty and have become too comfortable in your relationship.

Will this make them love you any less? If this is what people worry about while trying to lose a few pounds, and dye their hair (I am guilty of using a bottle or two, maybe more), or exercising fanatically, were they the mate you would have wanted in the first place? Is this what you would have wanted to achieve in your life, always pleasing others?

What happened to pleasing yourself and pleasing God? Are we not made in his image? I don't think God is going around getting his hair done, his nails painted, and pumping iron at the YMCA.

This doesn't mean that you should not take care of yourself, our body is a temple for God. I think what I am trying to say is to live life for you. If YOU want to walk 5 miles a day and its something you enjoy, then do it.

But is all this plastic surgery necessary? Mind you when it comes to breast implants, no I don't think I ever needed them, matter of fact, I would love to donate them to whoever wants them. Just make sure you have $40 or more on you when you need a new bra, and lots of aspirin for your aching shoulders and back.

But is it worth it, breast implants, cheek implants, butt implants? Although as President of The Flat Booty Society, I may like a butt implant.

Can't we all just be happy with who we are, and not worry about what others think?

I know I can!!!

Take these thoughts or not...........

Signing off/ Sounding off

The New Royal Family and my other random thoughts

Can I just say one thing, "Whoopie doo doo da da day." So these two former adulterers are now married. Each cheated on their spouse for years with each other and now have decided to marry.

Let's give them a hand, shall we.......Am I the only one not clapping here? Oh well, call me a poor sport.....

I may be more excited now, if this was Bill Clinton and Monica Lewinsky getting married then I would have to go buy every tabloid and laugh

And of course, I would buy that couple a perfect wedding gift, or maybe its a honeymoon gift, but they would get a fresh new box of cigars!!

I do think it to be way odd that Camilla's ex husband was one of the 30 guest to attend the wedding, whatever floats your boat, I guess. Now if he decides to join them on the honeymoon, look out National Enquirer, I am buying every issue.

So now on to another odd topic in my random thoughts,

I saw a very interesting program on Discovery Health this morning. It was about transplant recipients who seem to know info about their donors likes and dislikes and even feel a, shall we say, medium psychic connection to their donors who have passed on.

I actually found it quite interesting, only because I too see so many of my "angel" blessings from Matt since he has journeyed on to heaven.

What made me really start to think was, it took a year before we were able to know who Matt's bone marrow donor was, and after his transplant Matt's taste in food changed. He became very interested in horses and was thrilled when he was invited to Churchill Downs as their special guest for the day, getting to meet the jockeys and pet some of the Derby horses.

He would often say he wanted to become a vet. Imagine my shock, when his donor Phoebe told us that she was an equestrian veterinarian. That's a horse vet, for you who don't know.

So, I can't help but wonder if there truly is a type of connection with donors and recipients whether they be live donors or dead donors. Makes you go hmmmmmmmmmmm.

Or as the scientist said on the show, it has to be some type of cell connection that blossoms.

Take my random thoughts, or leave it............

The Pope

My own inner weird thoughts about the Pope

Am I the only one wondering just why is Pope John Paul in a pine box? Did anyone else notice that? Do they not put them in a normal casket? I think he deserved far better. Just my own wondering......

Also I have a hard time believing that the Pope would have wanted this much attention.

My other thought, When Jesus died on the cross, there wasn't this many people lined up down the streets to view him. And, I think there should have been.

I am not Catholic so I apologize if I offend anyone with my random thoughts but, I was totally taken back by listening to one of the fathers speak. He said on ABC news, "Before, I prayed for the Pope, now I can pray to him."

See this bothers me some, because the Pope is not God, you should be praying to God, not to the Pope. Now if you feel like you need to talk to the Pope, sure go ahead. I talk to my son who passed away in my head all the time.

Now, I too loved the Pope though, one thing that amazed me about this Pope is I have heard him several times mention the plan of salvation, not too many have done that.

And the Pope was one for forgiveness, even to come to the jail were his attempted assassin was. How many of us can forgive like that?

Forgiveness is hard, I know in my own life, I have yet to forgive for things done years ago. My mother always told me, you forgive but you don't forget. I believe this to be true.

I think we can all learn a lot from the Pope. I took this off of another blogger's post and it makes all the sense in the world in regards to the Pope, (Greg, I am highjacking your quotes you get again)*************************************************************************************
Micah Halpern suggests he was a visionary that we will remember for all the ages (Hat Tip PowerLine)."On most issues the Pope was a theological conservative. When it came to approaching Jewish issues, he was a theologically visionary.For the Pope, Antisemitism was wrong, plain and simple, wrong. Antisemitism symbolized the Dark Ages. Given his understanding of history and the Bible, the hatred of the Jew on the theological level was totally unjustified. Moving away from Antisemitism was moving the Church, finally, out of the Dark Ages. Theologically eliminating the hatred of the Jews was the perfect symbol of the modernization of the Church. It was a move toward modernity that neither touched nor eroded mainstream theological issues like marriage, homosexuality, and abortion, issues that might shake the foundations of Church teachings. . . .On his visit to Jerusalem's Western Wall the Pope, as tradition dictates, placed a note between the centuries old stones of the Wall. The text of the note was later made public. This is what he wrote, please note that it was addressed to "God."God of our fathers, you chose Abraham and his descendants to bring your name to the nations: We are deeply saddened by the behavior of those who in the course of history have caused these children of yours to suffer, and asking your forgiveness, we wish to commit ourselves to genuine brotherhood with the people of the Covenant.Those few words explain it all.In a few sentences the Pope transformed the Church's perspective of the Jew. Jews were moved from the world of persecution where it was accepted and even requisite to oppress them for their past and for what they had done and embraced in brotherhood. For the first time, Jews were recognized for their original contribution in setting the foundation of Christianity.How amazingly simple and correspondingly profound.The Pope was not only eliminating officially sanctioned Antisemitism because it is wrong. The Pope was bolstering, protecting and insuring the future of his Church. He was helping the Church confront future challenges.John Paul II. The Jew's Pope. Everyone's visionary. May his memory be blessed.A man whose life spanned loss of mother and brother at a young age, living in Nazi-occupied Poland and, of course, Stalin.He was a man who loved God and His people. Allpeople."
*************************************************************************************


Now if all of us can remember that we are all God's People!!!!!!!

Welcome to the new journal

Welcome all!! I decided to open yet another journal but this one is not related to my caringbridge one which is still at: www.caringbridge.org/in/angelbarneyboo
This one is for my own thoughts and feelings related to any issues whether it be political, religious, life in general, or my own thoughts. My whatever journal you can call it.

So, without further adoooooo........

I panicked when I read today that Pfizer was pulling Bextra off the market. Bextra has been a wonder drug for me when I have had pain with my multiple sclerosis. Its a non-narcotic, NSAID, drug. I have a strong sense that the next to be pulled off will be Aleve and then even Motrin and ibuprofen. Bextra's side effects that Pfizer has now published were a little shocking to me.

I believe these drug companies know from the beginning what harm some of these drugs can do. When I heard the side effect about the skin, I can't help but wonder, did this drug have anything to do with me getting skin tumors? Kinda makes you go hmmmmmmmmm........

I have always had one of those attitudes about drug companies because I believe that right now, there is probably a cure for some cancers, as well as other disorders. But do you honestly think that these companies are going to give the "cure". No way, imagine how many doctors that would be out of business, or how many drug companies who won't make their billions of dollars in revenue.

Just my opinion, take it or leave it.......

Darla

Visit our other journal at: www.caringbridge.org/in/angelbarneyboo