Shall We Play A Game?

Stop and think about your answers before you scroll down.

1.  How do you put a giraffe into a refrigerator?

The correct answer is: 

Open the refrigerator, put in the giraffe, and

close the door. 

This question tests whether you tend to do simple things

in an overly complicated way.

2.   How do you put an elephant into a refrigerator?

Did you say, Open the refrigerator, put in the elephant, and close the

refrigerator?

Wrong Answer.

Correct Answer: Open the refrigerator, take out the giraffe, 

put in the elephant and close the door. 

This tests your ability to think through

the repercussions of your previous actions.

3.  The Lion King is hosting an animal conference. 

All the animals attend

.... Except one. 

Which animal does not attend?

Correct Answer : The Elephant. 

The elephant is in the refrigerator. 

You just put him in there. 

This tests your memory. 

Okay, even if you did not answer the first three questions correctly, 

you still have one more chance to show your true abilities.

4.  There is a river you must cross but it is used by crocodiles, 

and you do not have a boat. 

How do you manage it?

Correct Answer:? You jump into the river and swim across. 

Have you not been listening? 

All the crocodiles are attending the Animal Meeting.

This tests whether you learn quickly from your mistakes.

According to Anderson Consulting Worldwide, around 90% of the

Professionals they tested got all questions wrong, but many preschoolers

got several correct answers. 

Anderson Consulting says this conclusively

disproves the theory that most professionals do not have the brains of a

four-year-old.

How did you do?  

Leave me a comment and let me know!

I failed miserably!

Update...

Thank you for all your comments on my computer problems. 

I did make a phone call to "Computer Patrol" and they will be here 

Monday morning.  

Hopefully they'll be able to get my beautiful new 

MAC computer to fall in love with my work programs.  

To make matters worse...

Internet connections between the good 

old U.S.A. and Afghanistan are not working either!

It's been a few days since the Colonel and I have been able to communicate. 

Oh we keep trying. 

But chatting with him is like talking with someone on a cell phone...

And that person is driving through a tunnel...

And you hear about every fifth word.

No problem, right? 

So we try using the Instant Message and type back and forth. 

Works perfect, right?

WRONG.

When we start "typing" to each other, the connection drops.  

Let's hope things start getting better over here or I will have to rename my blog to...

"Walking on Sunshine With a Huge Cloud Over My Head."

Just kidding! 

Things Just Aren't Going My Way

I had all the best intentions Monday morning.  

Really I did. 

Everything even started out pretty good.  

BUT I never did get around to mopping my floors. 

Which was something I really wanted to do.  

Here's a little secret...

DON'T TELL ANYONE.

I haven't mopped them since Christmas Eve!

But my  real problem is work and my computer. 

I work from home as a transcriptionist.  

A great job. 

I love it. 

A week before the Colonel left for Afghanistan we began having problems with the main computer that I work from.  

He was worried that something would happen to it while he was gone, so, he went out and purchased a new MAC computer for us. 

WONDERFUL.

But I've hardly worked in a month. 

All because the MAC doesn't like my work programs. 

I've had someone from church over a few times to help me and it'll work fine for a day or so and then just stop wanting to work properly.  

The latest problem is when I plug my headphones in,

 the foot pedal stops working.

  

Oh and the audio program that I use becomes all fuzzy and makes it 

difficult to hear what I'm trying to transcribe.  

Not a good thing when I need to be as accurate as possible.

I really want to start working again.

Really.

Who knew a computer could be so prejudice regarding a few programs?

I'm at a loss of what to do.  

If only the Colonel was here.

He's very good at solving my problems.  

Hollywood Came Calling

Olivia and Michael went to a birthday party last Saturday.

A "Hollywood Premiere" themed party.

They were pretty excited.  

Can you figure out who they went as? 

Olivia and her friend went as "Jon and Kate MINUS 8."

Michael went as "Michael Jackson"

Complete with dance moves, I might add.  

Here he is holding his "Oscar" for "Best Look Alike."

Olivia also won as "Best Look Alike."

What a fun party idea. 

Enjoy your Tuesday!

The Flu...

Yes, it seems the flu paid a visit to our household last week. 

 I was the only one "he" decided to take a liking to. 

Thankfully.

Started last Tuesday and lasted through Saturday.  

I went to the doctor on Wednesday and he said I had a sinus infection.

And trust me, he was right.  

I can now breathe again normally.  

I said, "But Doctor, my body hurts so bad."  

He said, "It's just your fever."

Well by Wednesday I knew this was more than a sinus infection.  

The fever, the aches, oh the body aches!

They were so bad.  

At times I could barely stand up straight. 

But thankfully, all is well.

And more importantly neither child has come down with it.  

I'm going to try and get on a schedule this week.

Something I've been trying to do since the new year.  

I need to start planning better meals and 

getting this house cleaned on a regular basis.

Not that you would think my house is dirty!  

NEVER.

That's not dust you see under the chair by the fireplace!

It's just your imagination.  

I have some cute pictures to show you of a party 

Olivia and Michael went to over the weekend.  

Really cute. 

I'll post them tomorrow.

Yes, I'll be back tomorrow.  

Okay, I'm going to grab that steam mop of mine 

and tackle my hardwood floors. 

Enjoy your day!

Three in a Row!

Three posts in a row. 

Wow, maybe I'm feeling like my old self again!

Thank you so much for all your comments on yesterday's post. 

I just wanted to make sure you all understood that the picture

 I posted yesterday 

WAS NOT where the Colonel is actually sleeping. 

That was just a picture I found on line.

I actually did some research on the "shipping containers" being used for housing.  

And apparently there are quite a few laying around that countries are using them for housing.  

They're stacking them on top of each other connecting them with hallways and stairwells and voila...an apartment house!  

They are dry walled inside and there is even a window.  

Unfortunately, the Colonel doesn't sleep on that side of the container.  

There are two bunk beds in each container.  

I was wondering about that...

does the Army actually plan on putting four people in one container?  

That would really be uncomfortable.  

Right now he is sharing his container with another officer.  

The Colonel read my post yesterday and promised to take some pictures.  

Also, Olde Dame Penniwig commented on the fact that we are paying for the Internet service in his quarters and how she felt the service should be free.  

I have to agree with her.  

When The Colonel was in Iraq, we opted not to pay the extra price and he would go to the communication room for us to chat.  But this time, we decided to pay for the service.  

And let me tell you, it's been wonderful to have this luxury.  

Before he was able to get the service in his room, he was using the communication room.  

And one time when he "called" me, the guy in the next booth was having a heated argument with his girlfriend.  

I was actually able to hear it!  

Phil and I both had a good laugh over our eavesdropping.  

But my heart went out to the soldier.  

I am grateful that the military has "communication rooms" set up for all military personnel.   And, of course, using these computers is free.  

Times sure have changed.  

Just a few years ago we weren't able to communicate so wonderfully. 

Becky over at Holiday in the Sun mentioned that when her husband served in Desert Storm, they could only write letters.  

I have a dear old family friend whose husband served in World War II.

She said they could only write letters and that most of his letters would come censored.  

And the letters weren't that frequent.  

AND...

He was gone for 3 years before he came home. 

That's hardship.

The Colonel being gone a year is hard.

But I get to talk with him and sometimes even see him.

Feeling very thankful today for technology.

AND...

The support of all my wonderful blogging friends!

So What's Been Going On?

I've been having such a hard time coming here and writing!

Adjusting to life without The Colonel is hard.  

Didn't realize just how much I would miss him. 

He's doing okay in Afghanistan.  

The "job" that he originally was sent to do did not happen.  

He's now on staff with the General in charge of Camp Eggers.  

He has explained to me a couple of times exactly what he is doing, 

but I still can't understand it all.  

As with any military position there are a lot of acronyms!

His sleeping arrangements are quite interesting.

He's sleeping in a refurbished shipping container.  

Now, just close your eyes and picture one of them.

Or better yet, here's a picture.

He said he can stretch his arms and almost touch the sides. 

Oh and he has a roommate.  

Talk about tight quarters!

He said the shipping containers are stack two high with hallways.  

I'm waiting for actual pictures.  

He was able to sign up for Internet access, which is about $100 a month. 

 Worth every penny.  

Now he doesn't have to try and get to the communication room to get on line to chat with us.  

He's working about 14 hours a day.  

We usually get to "chat" about 5 times a week.  

I know that seems like a lot.  

But most of the time it's at the end of his long day, close to midnight his time 

and his day begins around 6:00.  

We usually get to talk for about 10 minutes or so before he starts to fade. 

I am truly amazed at the technology that really allows us to talk to each other.  

When he was in Iraq 3 years ago, we could only "chat" on line through 

Yahoo Instant Messenger, which really was just typing to each other live.  

Now we're using Skype and Yahoo at times.  

They both offer the ability to "talk" through the computer as if you're on a phone.

AMAZING!

  

We haven't been able to use the cameras too often. 

The bandwidth for the Internet is not that great.

So his camera usually freezes.    

Well that's about it for today.  

I hope you all are enjoying a great week!

Does Your Campground Have a BC?

Something VERY funny.  

The story is told of a lady who was rather old-fashioned, 

always quite delicate and elegant,

 especially in her language. 

She and her husband were planning a week's vacation in Florida, 

so she wrote to a particular campground asking for a reservation.

She wanted to make sure the campground was fully equipped, but didn't quite know how to ask about the toilet facilities. 

She just couldn't bring herself to write the word "toilet" in her letter. 

After much deliberation, she finally came up with the 

old-fashioned term BATHROOM COMMODE. 

But when she wrote that down, she still thought she 

was being too forward. 

So she started all over again and rewrote the entire letter 

referring to the bathroom commode merely as the BC. 

"Does the campground have it's own BC?" 

is what she actually wrote.

Well, the campground owner wasn't old-fashioned at all, and when he got the letter, he just couldn't figure out what the woman was talking about. 

That BC business really stumped him.

After worrying about it for awhile, he showed the letter to several campers, but they couldn't imagine what the lady meant either. 

So the campground owner, finally coming to the conclusion that the lady must be asking about the local Baptist Church, sat down and wrote the following reply:

Dear Madam:

 

I regret very much the delay in answering your letter, but I now take pleasure in informing you that a BC is located nine miles north of the campground and is capable of seating 250 people at one time. 

I admit it is quite a distance away, if you are in the habit of going regularly, 

but no doubt you will be pleased to know that a great number of people take their lunches along and make a day of it. 

They usually arrive early and stay late. 

It is such a beautiful facility and the acoustics are marvelous. 

Even the normal delivery sounds can be heard.

The last time my wife and I went was six years ago, 

and it was so crowded we had to stand up the whole time we were there. 

It may interest you to know that right now a supper is 

planned to raise money to buy more seats. 

I would like to say it pains me very much not to be able to go more regularly, 

but it surely is no lack of desire on my part. 

As we grow old, it seems to be more of an effort, 

particularly in cold weather.

If you do decide to come down to our campground, 

perhaps I could go with you the first time you go, 

sit with you, 

and introduce you to all the other folks.

Remember, this is a friendly community.

Sincerely,

Campground Owner

Happy Birthday...

OLIVIA!

Yes, my sweet daughter turned 17 on Friday.  

Here's something fun that I did on Facebook last year.  

1. WAS YOUR FIRST PREGNANCY PLANNED? 

Yes 

2. WERE YOU MARRIED AT THE TIME? 

Yes 

3. WHAT WERE YOUR REACTIONS? 

Excited, scared, thrilled, you name the emotion, I had it! 

4. WAS ABORTION AN OPTION FOR YOU? 

Never. I don't even like this question. 

5. HOW OLD WERE YOU? 

Don't feel like telling! 

6. HOW DID YOU FIND OUT YOU WERE PREGNANT? 

Pregnancy Test. 

7. WHO DID YOU TELL FIRST? 

My hubby, of course! 

8. DID YOU WANT TO FIND OUT THE SEX? 

No, we wanted to be surprised and we were so thrilled with the end result! 

9. DUE DATE? 

February 17, 1993 

10. DID YOU HAVE MORNING SICKNESS? 

Not so much in the morning, more towards late afternoon, and just really tired. 

11. WHAT DID YOU CRAVE? 

Mashed potatoes and gravy. 

12. WHO/WHAT IRRITATED YOU THE MOST? 

Could not stand to touch raw meat or to smell it. Made cooking very difficult. 

13. WHAT WAS YOUR FIRST CHILD'S SEX? 

GIRL!!!! 

14. DID YOU WISH YOU HAD THE OPPOSITE SEX OF WHAT YOU WERE GETTING? 

No, was thrilled with my sweet pea. 

15. HOW MANY POUNDS DID YOU GAIN THROUGHOUT THE PREGNANCY? 

Can't really remember. I do know that the last week, I retained tons of water...maybe 30 pounds total. 

16. DID YOU HAVE A BABY SHOWER? 

YES! My sister and mother planned one for me, BUT it had to be rescheduled because 

I gave birth on the day of the shower and was in the hospital. 

But it turned out wonderful because Olivia was able to be at the rescheduled shower

 and I received so many wonderful PINK clothes!!! 

17. WAS IT A SURPRISE OR DID YOU KNOW? 

I knew. 

They tried to surprise me with my bridal shower, so I guess they decided to just tell me this time. 

So glad they did!!! 

18. DID YOU HAVE ANY COMPLICATIONS DURING YOUR PREGNANCY? 

Well, other than the fact that I went into labor six weeks early, none! 

19. WHERE DID YOU GIVE BIRTH? 

Morristown Hospital, Morristown, NJ 

20. HOW MANY HOURS WERE YOU IN LABOR? 

I woke up Wednesday morning and my water had broken, ONLY I didn't know, it was such a slight trickle. 

So I went about my day wondering what was wrong, having a few contractions, 

but not thinking anything of them either, I was pretty clueless, huh? 

Finally at our birthing class that night the instructor said your water doesn't always "gush" it could "trickle" 

and I knew something was wrong, but decided to call the doctor in the morning (DUH!). 

And they didn't think anything was wrong either, because they gave me a 2:00 appointment. 

By the time I got to them, I was already 2 Cm! 

She arrived the following day, Friday afternoon, so 3 days total in labor. OUCH! 

21. WHO DROVE YOU TO THE HOSPITAL? 

Hubby of course! 

Oh, and then the ambulance when the first hospital realized they couldn't handle a premie! 

Phil followed behind the ambulance because we had no clue WHERE the hospital was or how to get there. 

I kept telling the driver to slow down and not to lose my hubby!!! 

I'm surprised no one pulled Phil over, he was going so fast to keep up with us. 

22. WHO WATCHED YOU GIVE BIRTH? 

Just my hubby...and a roomful of doctors, nurses...

all ready to whisk Olivia away, which they did. 

I didn't see her till maybe an hour or 2 later. 

23. WAS IT NATURAL OR C-SECTION? 

Natural! 

24. DID YOU TAKE MEDICINE TO EASE THE PAIN? 

Epidural, I'm not that clueless. 

27. HOW MUCH DID YOUR CHILD WEIGH? 

6 pounds...6 weeks early! We grow them big here...Michael was 10 1/2 pounds. 

28. WHEN WAS YOUR CHILD ACTUALLY BORN ? 

January 8, 1993 

30. WHAT DID YOU NAME HIM/HER? 

Olivia Marie 

31. HOW OLD IS YOUR FIRST BORN TODAY? 

17!  Well, on Friday.  

Did You Miss Me?

I know I sure missed you!

Life has been interesting these past 2 weeks.

Christmas was wonderful.

BUSY,

but wonderful.

And of course the Colonel left the day after Christmas.

Here's a picture of him at the airport after 

I dropped him off at 5:00 in the morning!

I  needed a little break after saying good bye.

I know you all understand.

He arrived in Afghanistan last weekend 

and we've been able to connect on the computer a few times. 

He's adjusting to his surroundings.

We're adjusting to living without him.

It's going to be a LONG year. 

Enjoy your weekend!