Big Top by Rob Harrell for May 25, 2009

TABBYLYNN: I’d be honored to be a ‘mom’ to you.

Good morning all! Hope you all have a great day today.

:-D

Make a great day, all! I’m headed to dreamland.

Dreamweaver Morning has Broken Crystal Lullaby

Good night, Gracie!

Just trying to catch up after a week away. Good to be (almost) back, but I do need a wee bit of sleep tonight. Rise bright and early before 4:00 a.m. anyone?

BMONK: Glad to have you back!

May 20 strip (Dusty “acquiring” Hilton towels, robe, and other items, err, found on the street): At the motel my sister manages, the policy, clearly stated, is that items found missing from the room are considered purchased, and will be charged post-checkout to the bill when it is submitted to the credit card company. Similarly, evidence that a pet or smoked tobacco was in the room will add a $200-500 cleaning charge. (It was formerly a damages charge, but some of the credit companies said that would have to be taken to small claims court. They do accept special cleaning charges though). One patron that left had taken every item from the room that was not nailed down except the mattresses and large furniture: Shower curtain, towels, pillows, blankets, etc. Their bill got quite big.

Another light-fingered patron was a local resident; the management complained to local law enforcement, and as a result the motel got its property back, and the patron got to enjoy some free time sitting in the sheriff’s motel. (The one with bars on the window and doors.)

As for the 7.9 Richter earthquake (has that estimate ever been revised or confirmed?) and its fallout here at the site, this spiritual adviser has nothing to add since coming out of deep meditation in the mountains of Arizona. I think you should stay calm, breathe deeply, and think happy thoughts. And enjoy the food.

I’ll even supply a big pan of scrambled eggs with Gouda cheese, onions, red and green peppers. Mushrooms and ham bits both optional.

Good morning!! DrT you are up early today.

Hope everyone has a good day today!

My mistake, DrT you’re up really late :-)

Good Morning and Happy Memorial Day to everyone. We’re getting the unofficial start of summer off here in Clayton County, GA: A damp gray day. Forecast calls for rain just about every day. Of course, mostly in the afternoons. But I’m not complaining. I rather have this than to have three years of a drought.

Or really early, depends. Hi, all. This is my first foray into the action, after weeks of zooming past in my hectic day. Let me start you off with a Royal Cafe mushroom, avocado, bacon, and jack cheese omelete, with plenty of hash browns to go with it. And really good coffee, of course. Up this early, you’d better have some good coffee - and I do.

Good Morning Tribe:

RRAmom- How do you make chicken fried steak? I’ve always wondered. It sounds good.

Marg: My sister’s birthday was May 22. I forgot to mention that she’s an emerald lady too.

doctortoon: I remember long weekends in retail. They are only SEEM long!

Welcome, farren - hope you have fun here.

shika, I’ve never made chicken fried steak (it’s best if I don’t try and cook), but from what I’ve seen, you bread some steak and throw it in oil (like friend chicken but with a different kind of meat).

Akenta: That’s what I thought. Good Morning!

*farren: I welcomed you too, but my post didn’t work. It will probably print several times later! Your omelette sounds good too; I’d love to try some with a cup of black coffee.

If you’ve been cruising here, you’ll know by now the rules: play nice, no politics or religion- and “look before you post!”

Am I forgiven yet? I feel orphaned here, except for Akenta!

HAPPY MEMORIAL DAY SOUTH OF THE BORDER!

Josh1360: It’s 14oC and sunny here. I think that’s cool enough for doc.

Welcome back BMONK: I’m not sure if we’ve met, but hope you had a good visit to Arizona.

doctortoon: At least you have a union. We didn’t even start time and a half here until a couple of years ago. I also ran a department or two on 30 hours. Not fun. But like you, I always like aspects of retail (like tlaking to clients) that made it worthwhile most of the time.

Good morning tribe!

farren - welcome!

Who was calling the 900 #- Wink?

Morning RRAmom: How’s the weather this holiday morning your way?

dcguys: Monday, Monday Monday Morning (Up With the Sun)

BBL. Making the rounds.

900 calls? That doesn’t sound good. Better put a blocker on that. Good Morning Friends! Hope everyone is having a nice holiday. Shika, I use cubed steak when I make chicken fried steak. bmonk, welcome back. Ugh, I had to get up really early today. Daughter #3 went on a field trip with her safety patrol group.

Shikamoo - I make chicken fried steak a little different from anyone else. This was the way my mom taught me, and we like it, so haven’t worked to find a better receipe.

Thaw (if needed) round steak - cut out the fatty parts. Use a meat tenderizer hammer (has a bunch of points sticking out of its surface) to thoroughly pound the heck out of it. You can buy round steak pre-tenderized, but it is still too tough in my opinion if I don’t use the hammer on it. Take at least 1 egg (depends on how big of a batch you’re making) a little milk, salt & pepper, stir together. Dip round steak in egg mixture. Crush saltine crackers, and coat both sides with crackers. Place in skillet with 1/4 to 1/2 inch of hot oil (we use canola) and fry. Flip when breading is brown, and fry the other side. Serve with gravy. Some people prefer brown gravy, others cream gravy, my oldest just uses extra salt, but he’s quite unusual. Potatoes are usually served on the side - most commonly mashed, but sometimes fried.

bmonk - going back to the motel comment. My rule of thumb for taking stuff from a motel is if it can be consumed by one guest. Shampoo, soap, note pad. We don’t take everything that’s consumable, but just what we have use for. Never had anything added to our bill, so guess we’re okay. I know that it is very difficult to get a motel room without a credit card nowadays - I guess I can see why, since you explained what they do to people who take the towels, etc. We always use a credit card to pay for our motel rooms, but I’ve made the arrangements for our team to stay, and found out that if a family doesn’t have a credit card, they have to put down a $200 cash deposit at the beginning of their stay. Since I’ve warned my sons about getting in debt, they are reluctant to get a credit card. But I’ve told them that in today’s world, it is almost a necessity for motels, rental cars & plane tickets. I’ve noticed the last trip my hubby & I were on, they checked our photo ID to make sure it matched the name on the credit card. It must be tough to be in business when so many people don’t respect other’s property.

doc - I remember working retail in my younger years. The work itself wasn’t so bad, it was the hours! The hours in retail was the main reason I ended up in accounting. Accounting jobs are usually M-F, daytime, holidays off, paid vacation & health insurance at the bare minimum. Of course, during tax season or other busy times, overtime is normal, but on the whole, I liked the schedule. Just didn’t like the boring routine, since I’m a creative type. I’ve never done the type of job you do, but I think it would be better than dealing with problem customers.

RRAmom: That looks like a good recipe. Thanks everyone who answered. I’ll have to try RRamom’s recipe and tell you how it goes.

Doc: I think that by the end of my *27* years, I would have rather stayed in the stock room myself. Retail in the last several years were NOT fun! I”m glad I left. But it’s the friendly and sometime crazy clients I remember the most. and some of the staff weren’t bad. ;)

Do you guys get a strip called “Retail” down there? It’s about a year old and it’s on www. comickingdom.com About a store called Grumbel’s I love it!

shikamoo - The weather here is currently sunny, low of 62F, 77F expected for the high. (I’ll have to dig out my conversion formula to convert for Celsius, I never memorized it.) 50% chance of scattered thunderstorms today. Wind almost calm at 9 mph. I just checked the hourly forecast, and there’s a chance of some level of rain rest of the day. The radar has just a little rain in KS - looks like it is coming in from MO, which is odd, because our storms usually come from the west. The meterologists say that the chance of severe storms is very light, so probably just rain & lightning. Not great for all the campers at the lakes, but better than hail & tornadoes! I hope the rain holds off or misses us, because my hubby is planning on doing some outside work around here today.

Welcome back bmonk and hello farren. Another gorgeous day in paradise. Mmm, I love chicken fried steak, but I am serving fruit and that is what I will stick to. Trying to eat healthy these days.

OH MY GAWD!!!!!! LOL!! I once got a phone bill about 2 years ago for over $600!! No 900 numbers but a bunch of text messages and over going the free minutes. Needless, to say, there was a very unhappy teenage in our house for a while!

farren welcome. I’ve seen you round & about but never here!

BY THE WAY, I AM FAVORITING THIS STRIP TODAY!

RRAmom: That’s okay. I remember faenhieght from my youth, ut I can’t convert Celsius. I think the rule was roughly Co X 2 + 32. so 14oC is about 50oF, although I was just out with short sleeves and sandals. Of course, anything over freezing feel like summer here. It’s up to 16oC.

Morning cleo. Fruit sounds good. Healthy and tasty. this morning (after eggs) I had oatmeal and plain yogourt with fresh apple sauce- no sugar. I find it tides me over until lunch. Of course, the eggs were virtual- no calories there I hope!

Hi carmy!

Doc - I read Retail at this website: http://www.seattlepi.com/fun/retail.asp I had enough retail experience to see the humor in it, myself. I can see why you would enjoy it, too.

Shikamoo - My husband & I have a reputation for being good cooks. I think finicky people make better cooks, because we notice the little details that make the difference in whether it tastes great or just okay. I’m biased, of course! :) My MIL is always amazed when they come to visit, watching him cook. Because she wouldn’t let him cook, unless he cleaned up his mess, so he didn’t. I taught him enough of what he needed to know to cook, and he does a pretty good job. I get tired of cooking, so it is nice to have some help. And with some meals, like chicken fried steak, we divide the duties, so it is all done at the same time. He takes the stove & oven tasks - making gravies, frying the steak, watching the potatoes while they boil, and frying potatoes if he wants some. I prepare the steak for frying, and make the mashed potatoes. (Yep - REAL mashed potatoes!) All of us enjoy the results of my baking, so I bake occasionally, too. I made homemade dinner rolls earlier in the week, and froze what we didn’t eat immediately. Popped a few of those in the oven while everything else was cooking, and had those as well.

If I ever mention something you want the recipe for, just ask. I don’t try to keep my recipes secret. Although, I’ve noticed some people will claim theirs don’t turn out as good as mine, but without watching them, I’m not always sure what they do different. I usually use beef grown in our area, because we buy 1/2 at one time. When we’ve been out of it, I’ve bought round steak at the store, and the chicken fried steak wasn’t quite as good that time in my opinion. Recipes are only part of the equation, the quality of the ingredients make a big difference, too. Time to make my rounds, BBL

Good morning DRY! Wow what a shock about the phone bill that must have been.

RRAmom: Thanks for the offer of recipes. On my current budget, the only way I can buy steak is on sale. It’s always Ontario beef, so I can’t tell you if it’s good or bad- tastes good to me. On of the most tender steaks I had was a porterhouse that had be well-aged in the store- 50% off. I rinsed it well and seasoned it and slow cooked it in the oven (I bake my meat sometimes. )You could cut it with a knife and the taste was fabulous. I wouldn’t take too many chances though!

I worked retail for a long time. It began when I was a senior in high school and my parents moved from ND to WA. We bought a country grocery store. I worked in that store until my dad sold it. I then went on to work in a state liquor store and worked my way up to Manager. I hated every year of it and ended up with back problems from working in the liquor store where we had to order and store our Chistmas supply beginning in August (small warehouse space and huge stock supply). I was thrilled when I quit and began my career in photography.

doc, left you a message at OB!

doc and Dry:I bundled my phone with highspeed up here. I don’t use a cell anymore. I have unlimited FREE long-distance in Canada and the States. It is cheaper than when my phone and dialup computer combined.

cloe, where you a state civil service employee at the LS. If so, the benefits should have been pretty good.

cleo: Good for you. I’m sure photography is a lot more fullfilling for you. I likely would have stayed in retail though if the economy hadn’t changed. I left before everything tanked, thank goodness, but it still wasn’t great. Hopefully, when I finish what I’m doing in three years, I’ll be doing something I love to do.

RRAmom, do you make your mashed potatoes with sour cream, cream cheese, butter and milk? I do and they trun out nice & creamy!

Shika, yea, that phone bill was like the strip Zits a few years back. Jeremy & Hector are walking home from school and they get to Jeremy’s just as the roof of the house blows off! Jeremy says to Hector, ” they must have gotten my cell phone bill!”

Morning Dry: I see that was Carmy’s phone bill that was a shock. AAADD. How’s your morning in PA?

Dry: I remember that one! Hiliarious.

Marker 55

Morning Rad: Haven’t seen you much. How’s the weather in Texas?

I see Glenn McCoys strip today was based on “certain” tribe members, whose name I won’t mention, doc!

I see Glenn McCoys strip today was based on a certain tribe member, whose name I won’t mention doc

Mornin’ all! Mostly sunny in the 70s in the capital beltway with possible showers later. Thanks for all the recipe/cooking hints. I never know what I’ll learn when I stop in. Off to make my rounds.

Bohemian Rhapsody - Queen (Don’t Fear) The Reaper - Blue Oyster Cult You Ain’t Seen Nothin’ Yet - Bachman-Turner Overdrive Smoke on the Water - Deep Purple

Marker 60: Got to go for a while. Appointments and errands to do.

Dry the benefits were good, I got to the point thought that I knew the job backwards and forwards. It was boring.

dcguys - I forgot to think you for yesterday’s compliment. Thanks for not disregarding me. Of course, I meant to say to disregard my advice, if it didn’t work. But I do appreciate the compliment!

Dry - I usually only use whole milk, butter & salt. Experimented with adding pepper, garlic or cheddar cheese, but haven’t tried what you’ve mentioned. If I wasn’t using whole milk, it would probably need something like cream cheese or sour cream. I always have milk on hand, because our two teenaged sons drink it a lot. Sour cream I keep in the freezer until I need it, so I’d have to zap it first. I might have to try those variations sometime.

Do you guys ever take leftover mashed potatoes and make them into little cakes and fry them until golden on both sides…delish…

“8 Miles High” by the Byrds “96 Tears” by ? and the Mysterians

Boy a person gets carried away ONCE, when they have a horn in their hand, and SOME PEOPLE never let you forget it!!! LOL

Cloe, oh yes. Potato cakes! Taste great with ketchup!

Brick House - Commodores

Fortunate Son - Bob Seger

Good morning all, and Happy Memorial Day to our US Tribe members. . Doc did you see this toon from yesterday? I saw it and though of you and your mini-tribe: http://comics.com/get_fuzzy/2009-05-24/ . RMom - I have a suggestion for your sons - Many banks and travel agencies (up here it’s the AMA, the Alberta local version of the AAA/CAA) offer a disposable VISA credit card for travellers. You just deposit money on to it, and use it like a regular credit card. It’s great for travelling since if you lose it or have it stolen, they don’t have access to your full credit, and it’s also great for buying things online since there’s no personal info attached to it either. . “The Boys in the Bright White Sportscar” - Trooper “Breakfast in America” - Supertramp

We also add sour cream to our mashed potatoes, and sometimes a bit of chopped dill weed. If you want really creamy mashed potatoes, try using half&half or cereal cream. We’ve also tried cream cheese or a nice sharp cheddar, I prefer the cheddar.

Cleo - I’ve heard of potato cakes, never tried to make them. I have to watch how much fried food I eat, because it doesn’t sit well with my digestive tract. I love fried food, but can’t eat much at one time, without suffering from it. I try to eat small, simple meals most of the time, and about once a week have a more fattening meal. I like taking photos, but not enough to do the work to get paid for it. I am thankful for my digital camera, since I’m a cheapskate, I hated paying for film & developing. I have some great sunsets I’ve taken from our property, guess I’ll have to use some for my avatar once in a while.

pookid - thanks for the heads up. I will have to deliver my present in person. I’ll just arrive in the suit I was born with and a nice red bow tie. I am sure she will be most thrilled. And yes, I do live in fantasyland.

doc, if you had gotten up when I wanted you to, I wouldn’t have had to resort to such tactics! It’s your fault!! LOL

my one cat eats the cover on the bath room scale!

Think we ought to stop cleo before Karen has him arrested?

Cleo, fantasyland doesn’t even begin to describe it!! :-D

DAAAAAAAHH Strip:

Y’mean ”Naughty Nine-Hundred”???

Must’ve dialed it Nine-Hundred times…….

BTW - Hi, Drystyha!

DigitalFrog - thanks for the tips. Since my sons are 16 & 19, both unemployed, there’s no rush. I know it is possible to buy VISA gift cards, so that’s probably the same idea. We’re AAA members here, so I’m sure I could get what you mention. I’ve just tried to discuss matters (financial and otherwise) with my sons as they’re growing up, so that they will develop the right attitudes for the future, before they make a mess of their lives. We’ve let the oldest son carry one of our credit cards, so he has something to buy gas & other necessities with it. But I’m talking about something that will affect their own credit records.

Marker 82

Good Morning all, i see the party is on a role this morning. il be back soon going see what i missed last night. :0)

Just popping in and out as able ☺

☺☻♥♦♣♠•◘○◙♂♀♪♫☼►◄↕‼¶§▬↨↑↓→←∟↔▲▼

╚╩╦╠═╬╧╤ ╠═╬╧╤ ╠═╬╧╤

BRB

SHOWOFF!! HOW DO YOU DO THAT ????????????????

AND YES I MEAN YOU!!!!!!!11

hey doc. a little. im board out of my mind. i feel bad bc im not enjoying this as much as normal bc all i can do is sit around and do nothing. also im worried about one of my dear friends.

Akenta, i dont think she will be coming over today. :( they just left again hopefully she is okay. im worrying like crazy. :0(

doc, I don’t want to grow up either! And I sure as h e l l don’t wanna get old!

Morning tabby & Rad! - Oops! Guess it is after noon now for at least the 3 of us. Doc still has a little morning left.

Tabby - did you get my message on May 22nd, or should I re-post it?

I’ll be working around the house, so I’d better just check in occasionally, or I’ll not get anything done today.

hey dry!!!! my buddy o’l pal!!!!!! (dont ask idk, random) rmom i dont know if i did or didnt if its not tomuch trouble could you repost it for me? :0) doc hi rad how do you do that!?

What did I do?

The Rain is here!! need to do blue for that but heck what can i say i dont know how.

thanks doc. your the best doctor ive gone to yet. :0)

Dry you see Rad playing all sweet and innocent? shame on you rad teasing us like that.

DRY left you a message, well played off of yours on WTP.

╔╦╦═╗ ╠╬╬═╣ ╚╩╩═╝

WHAT!?

I’m just playing to see what Microsoft symbols will work here….

MARKER 104

Alt + 1 = ☺

Radical_Knight I don’t think it’s what you did so much as how you said it.. Once I sent my brother an email like that. I had to send a translation even though he is much better on the computer than I am. Hi everybody. I just popped in and out for the last couple of days so I didn’t have time to join in. This has become one of my favorite sites. It always feels as though I’m talking to good friends. Thanks everyone.

I’ve re-posted this from the 22nd for Tabby’s benefit:

TABBY - Even though I’ve noticed your spelling problems, since I’m not your boss or your teacher, I didn’t think I needed to say anything. But since you asked for our opinions… Many people have difficulty spelling or using a word that sounds the same, but has a different meaning. (Those words are called homonyms.) Since I homeschooled both of my sons from the beginning, I taught them to read. The oldest had difficulties in learning to read, so I know something about reading problems. For some people, reading & spelling come quite easily. (Myself and my youngest son fit in that category.) For other people, it is more difficult. (My husband & oldest son are in that group.) Understanding phonics helps greatly in spelling - it won’t prevent all mistakes, but by sounding out words, many mistakes can be caught. My husband was not taught phonics, and by the time we met, he had developed a hearing loss that keeps him from hearing the distinct sounds letters make. (Like the difference between the way a “B” and a “D” sounds.) So for him, he uses spell checker, which helps some, and asks for help. If he’s writing something where it is important to have everything spelled correctly, he has either myself or our youngest son proofread it first. Our oldest son is much better at spelling than his father, but not nearly as good as one of us to which it comes naturally. His spelling is something he has to work at, but since he was taught to read using phonics, he has the tools to help him. I think it is important to be aware that people often misjudge someone as less intelligent because of their poor spelling. Therefore, when submitting anything like a resume or school paper, it is wise to have someone with that skill review it before submitting it. I can tell you have a very caring heart, and that is much more important than being great at spelling. I hope that you will receive the medical care you need, and heal quickly!

serenasakitty - I feel the same way! Friends without the commuting.

rmom. i remember that. sorry i didnt reply to it. thanks. i have some well had some friends who would kill my papers b4 i turned them in. my spelling has improved w/o my knowing my teacher told me. you guys and galls are great.

Tabby, try using the alt button plus 1 to get ☺

rad it didnt work +1

Did you use the number pad to the right of the keyboard? Hold the alt button, press the one and release the alt button. ☺ should appear in your comment box.

No + sysmol, just use your Alt button and the number 1

Rad i have a lap top… i guess that means it wont work. :0(

Sysmol? LOL… my spelling is attrocious when I don’t look before I post.

Just press and hold the Alt button while hitting the One button on the number pad on the right of the keyboard, then release the Alt button.

i dont have a right key pad. i didnt even realize you wrote sysmol lol so funny. see how bad my spelling can be i dont see others. lol

Hmmm, didn’t think about that.

OK, you have nome numbers on the letter keys right?

1 should be on the letter “J”. Use the Function key to activate the “number pad” . My function button is marked with a “Fn”.

Should have read…you should have SOME numbers on the letter keys…

My spelling here is awful, I’m on a computer here where my wife works and it’s mius much of what I have om MY PC.

i dont see a function key. im computer crazy i dont know how to use it half the time…. give me a min.

i have “f1” with a “?” on it “f2” with some thing o it. looks like a printer. “f3” has www f4 is …. idk f5is a moon. f6 is a lock. f7 ie a sun with arrow down. f8 is sun arrow up f9 is pause/play f10 is stop f11 is rewind f14 is fast forrowed. then there is scroll with num lk under it (same button) then “pause” under being “break” in a box then next insert with prt sc in a box under it then i have delete with sys rq under it. any help at all?

i so i have numbers on the letter keys. lets see. U has 4 I has 5 O has 6 P has * J has 1 K has 2 L has 3 so how do i turn it on?

1

Any other bright ideas Rad? JUST YANKING! :-D Doesn’t work for me either! I was going to give you a smiley face, but since I can’t :-p

hey girl. im glad im not the only one. lol still love ya. :D

My laptop is not connecting to the wireless system here, but on my laptop keyboard (a Compaq), I have a function key in the lower left with a Fn within a Square.

Me & my rocket ship:

»►═╗ ☺ »►████═► »►═╝

i found it!!!! okay now what? ☺ i did it!!!!

Dryi am doing reshearch to find what we talked about, was it on here or some other one? im lost and i want to read this thing i missed.

Hi df! how did u do that?? i wanna learn

Alright DF SHOWFF NUMBER 2!!!

Hey, We got a rocket scientist on board…LOL

i think i need to get a pen and paper and so does dry and you two show offs tell us whats going on. rad i like the pic to the left better. they are both great but looks better the other way. ☺

DigFrog - show off! ☺

Tabby, are you referring to the way my eagle is facing? this is my freebie account when I’m roaming and not on MY computer. The “GENIUS” account, on MY computer has my eagle facing left. I did this so I don’t confuse the two accounts. I only have my paid account on my PC and use no other there.. That way I don’t have to keep signing in.

TRIBE - Do you like the view from yard?

LOL - if you have problems with the ALT+key sequences, I find it easier to copy the characters from the Character Map application in Windows\Accessories\System Tools. Just make sure you have it set to a standard font like Arial or Times Roman.

okay rad now i get it. lol i think u said that a couple of days back i dont remember where but i think i read that.

rmom that is your yard? its beautiful!!!

DF where are you getting them from???? im lost.. whats new.

Tabby - Click your Start button and go to All Programs/Accessories/System Tools - you will find an application there called Character Map. It will show you all available characters for whatever font you choose, but only the standard fonts like Arial or Times Roman will work for posting on Gocomics. The special characters like Rad and I were using about 3/4 of the way down the list. You can just double click to add them to a little area at the bottom where you can copy and paste them elsewhere.

Here’s a link to a screenshot of the tool: http://tinyurl.com/q5d5xv

We are on a hill (at least for KS it is considered a hill) so we have a great view. The sunsets can be gorgeous, as this picture shows.

Marg. not sure if i said it earlery. thanks i would gladly take you. ☺

Tabby - I’d love to be your mom. However, having a daughter in the same house with 19 & 16 year old sons seems unwise. You can call me “mom” though - I don’t mind a bit.

†♥ᴥ super cool thanks DF Dry did you go check them out? its so cool. DF i didnt see the space ship one.

thanks rmom. having a boy and a girl at anytime is crazy. but oh is it fun. i love how i am gaining alot of moms. all a lot better then what i have now. i know she means well but it just doesn’t seem like it.

I made the spaceship from different pieces, I just copied and pasted them into notepad until I got what I wanted, then copied the whole thing into here.

cool

DF - I normally use the character map if I’m using WORD then Copy/Paste into the comment box; however at my wife’s office, they are using a Dell system with a non-standard browser designed specifically for this Office. Their PC Police (IT engineer) keeps their system very spartan and simple. Only what’s required. I’ve found the Alt key with the help of index cards with notes easy enough when using bare-bones systems.

Not everyplace I go has adequate applications.

Tabby - no mom is perfect, because we’re all humans. My mom was pretty close to perfect, but there were some things that I’ve promised myself that I wouldn’t do the same as she did. We can’t pick our families, so we just need to learn what God wants us to, and do the best we can with what we’re given.

Rad - I hear you. I use both myself- have a few of my favorites memorized, use char map for the rest :()¦

thanks rmom. i know that on one is perfect. and it kills me to say that i dont want to be like my mom not at all. it is something every little girl should want is to be like there mom. not me. it is terrible. i know to much about what she does and who she is. I think God is trying to talk to me with it, telling me that that is my chance to lead her to him and this or that, but she wont have it. i just dont know what to do with it but try to be nice ignore the stupid things she does and understand that she cant help it. and then move on. do what is best for my brother protect him and myself.

NO TRASPASORS :

violators will be shot. survivors will be shot again.

found that one one of my sights. thought it was funny.

so i post the no traspasors sign and you all run away. what the heck? lol come back you guys!!

﴾│׃│﴿<*-<

*DF*: Thank you. I’ve never used that application. There’s so much that I don’t know about computers. I taught myself because I wanted to join the X-Files boards way back when. I met people that I’m still friends with.

hey Marg. how are you today? i dont know much either.

Tabby - Don’t feel bad that you don’t want to be like your mom. God made us each different, so you need to be who you were designed to be. Pray for her, give her grace, but you also need to do what you can to stop her bad ways from hurting you or your brother. It sounds like you’re doing the best you can under the circumstances - don’t grow weary in doing good.

Tabby - I’ve seen the sign before, and I do believe that it might make someone think twice before trespassing! I had to go eat some lunch - I was starting to get a headache. I’m back for now, but my hubby & I have to do some shopping later, so don’t worry if I don’t respond immediately.

thanks rmom. you are great. Marg. i like your new pic. its pretty.

its raining again. :0( i just wanna go out side. i lie i just wanna be able to move and not get fussed at or be in pain.

Hello, It took me forever to find the symbols. I had to “search” for the character map.

☺♥☼ means I love the sun!

hey carmy.. how are you? its been a while since i talked to you.

It has been so nice here that I am doing the unheard of in May, watering my outdoor plants.

I’ve got to go shopping, so I’ll be gone for a while.

Tabby - Do you have a library you can borrow from? They are probably closed today, but tomorrow maybe you can get someone to bring some books and/or movies for you. A lot of the libraries are on-line now, so you can see what they have available before going. Most will put things on hold for you too, for a limited time. One library around here charges 25 cents per held item, but all the others are free. (I;ve got cards for libraries in 5 different towns!) It is a great way to pass some time while you’re laid up. If I knew what city the library is in, I could google it, and see what they have, if you want recommendations. BBL!

i have my own library in my room, but none intrest me right now. im destracted by wanting to move. lol

i do love to read im reading a good book now, but i have so much on my mind. and i just keep getting distracted. so i “goof off” on here and on yahoo messenger. lol i read at night when my dad and brother get home from work and want on. thanks. your so kind.

Just dropping in to see what’s happening. Sounds like you’re on the mend tabby. YEAH! As the childless father I won’t attempt to give you any suggestions on your family…besides it sounds like you’ve got some great Moms in the Tribe to help you out.

D_F & RadK Thanks for the advanced computer training. I knew there were fun things to do while chatting with folks. I’m not an artist and I DON’T play one on TV {wink} but I do like to doodle.

I’ll check in later - raining here now so am doing some indoor stuff. C U L8R.

Hi Tabby, Sorry I keep coming and going on here. I keep hanging out with my girls. No school today so they are home. I’m helping them with their laundry.

hey dcguys. hows it going. i do have some wonderful moms here. all of them worried about me. and some great guys also. thanks all of you.

he who laughs last didnt get it. lol

Brown eyed girl. we danced dont stop -jurney play that funky music low rider hernrix voodoo child black dog family tradation dukes of hazzard

share time. bbl

Whoever has the most toys when he dies, wasn’t paying close enough attention to the battle… - from Everything I Need to Know in Life I Learned from World of Warcraft

“Bang a Gong” T Rex

Every year my wife plants new areas. I am becoming the king of watering. Why can’t they invent a really good hose? I spent a bunch of bucks on a rubber hose that was supposed to be the best. It kinks into these tight, hard to release, water choking nightmare kinks. YEEEEEAAHHHH!!!

GIVE ME SERVANTS.

Cleo this may be just the thing for you - and I’m not implying that you’re a dummy: http://tinyurl.com/p79amr I’ve also seen them at Wally*Mart

Cleo, just spent the afternoon planting some tomatoes and more cukes. Have a lot more to do should never have come in here!

Hey Tribe.

I’m on page four. I missed the cool session! ☺

But I’m learning anyways. Thanks Rad!

Tabby- don’t forget me. You want an Aunt, or a sister, or a cousin? I have a big sister, but not a “little” sister. We could do homework together.

RRAmom: Guess I missed you, but I like your backyard. Gorgeous sunset.

Sunrise, Sunset

Cleo: I was just reading in the Reader’s Digest about a fellow who sprated his foot with a power hose to get a fly. Says he still has the scar to remind him that it wasn’t a good idea. Be glad you don’t have a power hose- you’d wipe out your garden LOL

Digital: LOL What where you suggesting? Be nice to cleo when he’s got a hose in his hands! lol

Oh darn. I keep forgetting I can’t edit a previous post, and I deleted one again.

Carmy: Love your new avatar. Lovely bloom on it. How was your day?

Dry: missed you again.

I too feel lucky to have met you people. You are all great to have welcomed everyone so warmly, including me!

I don’t think anyone has mentioned any Fleetwood Mac tunes. They have way too many good ones for me to even begin to list.

DF - We do have some drip setups, but it you saw our yard you would see that to set up our yard to be totally watered with a drip setup, it just wouldn’t work. I don’t mind the watering, it is the hoses that I hate. We have seven different spouts, each with a hose. We have removed ivy, blackberry and St. John’s wart from 4 banks in the last 3 years. Once the plants become established my watering will diminish. My wife is a master gardener and has gone wild with creativity. We have a yard that any park would envy. It is just odd watering in May. The Pacific Northwest is usually a place you only need to water in August and September. It’s funny, you think of this area as a place that is always wet, but we actually have to plant things that are drought tolerant. We get almost no rain in those 2 months. That is the time when I normally need to water. NOT MAY!!

Here’s my post again, from what I can remember of it. (AAADD)

Although I missed the lesson in computer drawing, I did learn something: ☺TA-DA! Thanks Rad.

I’m going to doodle on note pad to see what I come up with. BBL

(Sorry I missed you all. Hi Serena! Hi dcguys, hi to anyone I’ve missed)

Wait. (AAADD) This is what I forgot.

Hey tabby: Would you like an Aunt, sister or cousin? I have an older sister, but not a younger one.

Warning tribe - I’m back! If I’m weirder than normal, it is because I just rode in car with our youngest son at the wheel most of the time. Thankfully, his dad was the driving instructor, so I tried to keep my nose in a book and not notice everything. Times like these remind me why I picked my normal avatar. But maybe this sunset will calm my racing heart down.

JOIN THE ♣!

A ♦ is a Girl’s Best Friend.

Sam ♠

I can’t find my Note book, but I am having fun with this keyboard anyways!

☻? ♣♠♦♥

I ♥♦’s! (Not really, but I had to write it.)

RRAmom: I can sympathize. My dad tried to teach me how to drive, and then inexplicably said he was going to buy an automatic (we had manual) and pay for me to get an instructor. Actually, I’m glad I first learned manual, because I could drive one in a pinch. and I learned way more from an instrustor who didn’t look like he was going to have a heart attack every time I stalled with a transport behind us! lol

Enjoy the sunset RRAmom: Guess everyone’s busy, so I’ll just catch up on some things here.

I have finished my yard work, but my wife has gotten busy. I’m reading a book, but keep coming in to see what is up with you all.

Shikamoo - I see you are really having fun with the keyboard!

My husband wouldn’t hear of letting someone else teach the boys to drive. We’ve succeeded with the oldest, so only one more to go. I’m not a very good backseat driver, but my husband does much better at it. I agree that the best time for someone to learn to drive a manual is when they are still learning to drive. It seems like they don’t have the motivation to learn later. Out of our 4 vehicles, one is stick shift. The oldest has gotten proficient at driving it. The youngest has had some lessons in it, but I wasn’t along, so don’t know how well he did. It is an advantage being in the country, there are several back roads with little or no traffic for a beginner to learn on. The problem today was that we drove into Wichita, and being a holiday, the traffic was fairly heavy at Wal-Mart & the other places we went. There was only one time my husband had to grab the wheel. But I know he needs the practice, or he’ll never get better at it.

Handy list of ALT codes to spice up those messages. http://www.usefulshortcuts.com/downloads/ALT-Codes.pdf Enjoy!

Print this out and hilite your favorites.

RRAmom - My instructer had his own brakes on his side! ☺

But he never had to use them. He took me on the highway for my second lesson, after he saw how I could drive. I learned more from him in a short time, simply because he didn’t me ME nervous! But everyone is different.

I wish my hubby would let me put a “student driver” sign on the car when our youngest is driving. Then the other drivers would give us a little more grace and distance. I took driver’s ed in public school, and yes, they have brakes for the instructor. All we can do is yell, or reach over and grab something. But he doesn’t yell much, so he doesn’t make the boys as nervous as I do. He’s also gotten much calmer when I drive, since he started teaching the boys. It used to be that he made ME nervous, but he’s gotten much better and not so uptight.

Rad & DF - thanks for the computer tips. I don’t think I’ll bother using many of the special codes, but I’m glad others are having fun with them. My oldest son is a geek, so I’m sure he could help me with them. I’m just doing good to spell correctly, correct my typos, and make sure I don’t leave out any words.

My dad tried to teach me to drive, but he had no patience and used to make me nervous. My uncle let me drive an old ‘49 Plymouth on the farm in Alberta. 640 acres to drive with no traffic. I learned to drive on the farms roads and have become a pretty good driver.

I don’t use them much myself. There’s maybe a dozen I might use at work.

Hello everybody! How about all those fun things you learned Rad. Seeing some of those symbols makes me want to play cards.

Games People PLay - Alan Parsons Project How to Save a Life - The Fray Again , Ventura Highway - America Young Americans - David Bowie Shape of My Heart - Styx Miss Sun - Boz Scaggs Piano Man - Billy Joel Rainy Night in Georgia - Elvis Presley Viva La Vida - Coldplay

looks like I missed a fun day. I’ll and make up for it during the week.

Dreams - Fleetwood Mac. I think I still have the record that this is on (no working record player though)

Everyone have a great night!!

One of my alltime favorites Love’s Theme by Barry White and the Love Unlimited Orchestra!!!!

RRAmom: “…doing well I think! (wink, ☺)

I wouldn’t have minded having my dad teach me. I think he was nervous when we moved to the city. He taught me on dirt roads near our cottage.- and we had a ball, apart from the stalling- but that was in the city by then.

The first time I drove on my own was before I actually learned how to drive. I was visiting a friend working on a farm, and for a lark (I suspect) one of the farmers told me to bring in the pickup truck from the adjacent field. They drove me there- and left me with just a walkie-talkie for help. The first thing I said was, “How do I start?” All I could hear was laughter. But it was an automatic, and once I found “D” and “R”, I was all set. I drove bump, bump, bump across the field, turned right on the country road and over to where everyone (my friend included) were killing themselves laughing. But that convinced me that I could drive, and I wasn’t as nervous after that. but I never forgot their jokes. They were a tough bunch to work with, but fun once you got used to it.

Barry White was a big heavy man, but he wrote the most beautiful songs, with a voice that was so sexy and ABSOLUTELY out of this world!!! He died way too young!! Just like John Candy, one of the greatest fuuny men of all time!

Hey- I just read your post cleokaya. I’m glad we all have had teachers who made us nervous, and ones who just let us do it. I must say that driving on country roads is a fun way to learn.

Been fun today, I’m turning in. G’night everyone.

G’night Rad.

Indian food tonight. I made naan. Me hungry.

I just lost three posts trying symbols.

Hey Rad: thanks again for the lessons, and have a good night yourself. I think I’ll have to turn in soon too. Looks like everyone’s gone somewhere. I check in a minute.

Cleo: sounds good. Enjoy. You must have a good East Asia food store near you to make naan. My Dad was in Bombay during the WWII and he would make Madrid curry. Yum. I also worked with someone from Pakistan, and their curries were different agian. He’s bring Ghee and all kinds of things to work.

Dry: There were many good people who dies too young, weren’t there? Just imagine if they had lived a long live. Barry white is not one I know well, but I agree he had a heavenly voice.

Well, guess it’s my bedtime now. glad to spend part of Memorial Day with those south of the border. tell the rest of the tribe good night for me if they show up.

Cleo I hear you - we actually had an RCMP officer talk to our scout troop when I was a youth and he recomended the same thing - get our dads permission, go out on a level field and find out how the car moves and reacts. . I’ve been driving since I was 9 (benefits of living on a farm) and it scared me to death to let my older sons drive. We put both of them through the driver training course run by the autoclub which made a lot of difference to their skills, my insurance, and both our comfort levels. . Armageddon - Prism Error in the System - Peter Schilling

My mom taught me drive stick, but dad had me behind the wheel at a young age as well. I don’t recommend hilly gravel roads for a beginner’s first drive, but I survived. My Driver’s Ed teacher in high school learned not to ever take the wheel from me unless he was ready to take over driving. I had been driving for three years - sometimes alone - before taking the course. At the time the speed limit on the state highway we were on was 75 and I was doing 73. We came to a curve that was about 65 degrees and he thought I should have slowed down more and said something about taking the wheel. I told him if he did he needed to be prepared to drive. When he took the wheel, I let go & took my foot off the gas. Luckily there was no traffic and I pulled the car into the next farm and got out. He never asked me to drive again and I passed the course with an A+.

Anyway, just stopping on my way to go nighty-night. Pleasant thoughts all!

Time Passages - Al Stewart Dreams - Fleetwood Mac Daydreaming & I’m Thinking of You - Aretha Franklin

P&L

Actually naan just requires flour, water , yeast, salt and oil.

so it has been quite for an hour. just when i get to get back on, you all get off. come on people. its only 11:01 over here so its 12:01 were Akenta is… its not to late people up and at em.

well it is now 11:27 seeing as no one is on here, i will make one more round in my comics and then call it a night. ill be back to say goodnight.

i think i am not going to post anywhears but here and WTP and maybe stone soup and dog eat doug. some time calvin and hobbes, but i do know that “Speed bump” is out. not again. im sick of it, not the comic, but the c r a p that comes with it.

not fin yet.

okay now i am done. i think i have learned my lesson for the day. i am officially staying in friendly water, with my post. there is more i want to say, but don’t know how. so instead of bringing this site down, i will just say my byes and goodnights. To all of my “moms” out there goodnight, best of dreams to you and hope you have a wonderful day at work tomorrow. To all my guys and buddies out there, don’t work to hard thanks for the laughs. Doc if you get on soon start off the morning with some good food, just for me. ☺ To all else that i missed sweet dreams, may you all have wonderful days back at work tomorrow. Thanks for making me feel loved and welcomed here. Now i will be going. goodnight to all, peace and love.

p.s. Jfri i am waiting for a weekly update on things. ☺

Goodnight TABBY. I’m glad you like the new daylily avatar. Sleep well, my sweet ‘daughter’.