Willow Tree

There went the camera

*groan*.
Camera fell and went to h*)). Lovely right?
It will be at least several months before we can get another digital if then.
Rats.
And I was just learning to have fun with it.

I know it is not such a big deal really; but dang it all.
Why does this keep happening to us?

We Are Living in a Sci-Fi World

Depressed people may now have another alternative to pills and talk; a small implant that stimulates the vagus nerve. So how does this device work?

Well, apparently this particular nerve, which wanders about the whole body, brings information to the various areas of the brain that control mood, sleep and various other functions. The device stimulates that particular nerve; it was originally used to treat epilepsy And I don't why it works.  But it also apparently helps to reduce depression in about 40 % of the patients treated. More on the testing data.

Why does it work? You got me! But here's an explanation.

Yeah, I got all the info from the articles; I'm not that smart on my lonesome!!!
 

OOPS!!!!!

Thank you Delftman for your advice!!!! I got small pics. Now to have fun with the camera.

I told you all, I'm eight! Now leave me alone!!!!
(I'm getting more work tonight, I'll resume the mantle of an adult tomorrow)

I did it I did it I'm doing the happy dance

Yes I'm about 8 years old. And enjoying every minute of it.

Trying again. I shall get it one of these years!!!!

Testing Photobucket

By posting a pic. of my daughter's very special cake.<img src="http://i26.photobucket.com/albums/c135/RachelAnn13/Picture_0083.jpg" alt="Image hosted by Photobucket.com">

For those who use feed readers

What do you use? What is the benefit vs.going to the website?

Pregnant Cat Question

So does anyone know of a way I can get the cat to have her kittens in a place where I want her to have them--say a lovely bin which I emptied of my things and filled with nice, soft, yet old sheets that can be tossed out after the kitties are done with them, rather than places I don't want as her nesting grounds---say the dryer, or the laundry pile or behind the refrigerator....

Cause she's a stubborn animal, but really, I may want fluffly kitties, but not spun dry ones.

Thank you Phin

Well, thanks to phin I have installed performancing...now I can work and blog at the same time. (hopefully my boss didn't just read that)

I love computer gadgets

Israel & Euthanasia

Meira Online did an excellent two part piece on Israel and Euthanasia. Part one here. Part two here. Go read.

My Dog and Cat

and somebody please tell me how to make them smaller!!!

Happy Chanukah Everyone!!!!!!

Robin, this one is for you!!!!! You will have to scroll to really see everything. And no making fun of my latkahs!!!!! (Livivot here in Israel!)

Eli Cohen

While I was working this morning I listened to a most interesting program on Arutz Sheva, about Eli Cohen, whose bravery led to our victory in the Golan Heights during the Six Day War. He worked as a spy in Syria, was eventutally found out and hung on May 18th 1965. His body was never returned to Israel, to his wife, his family.

I can not do the story justice. I urge you to read the Arutz Sheva article, listen to the Tovia Singer program. read the information on the website dedicated to his memory and sign the pettition to release his body back to his loved ones and his beloved country.

It is time, way past time, for Eli to come home.

If You Keep Doing That We're Going to Turn Off Your Electricity

NOT.

With three Kassam attacks against Ashkelon in recent days from Gaza, Israel threatened to turn of Gaza's electricity for two hours - but then realized that the hospital there has no generators.

So if you keep doing that we'll just bluster and blow and tell you were are going to do something but then take it back.

HERE THIS. ROCKET ATTACKS ARE AN OUT OF WAR. If the gazans ill and injured die because their leaders aren't willing to stop attacking Israel, IT IS THEIR LEADERS FAULT!!!

Turn off the electricity and tell the world if they don't like it YELL AT THE PA.
Not us.

Know Thy Enemy

I have a powerpoint presentation sent to me by Tamar Jonah from the Tamar Jonah show on Arutz Sheva. Unfortunately, aside from forewarding it to you, I don't know how you can see it. I will forward it to anyone who asks; or if someone has the knowledge of how I can upload it here, please lmk. HOWEVER: only for those over the age of 18 and who can stomach some sick stuff concerning the behaviour of the Palestinian people. I won't be able to watch. It is important stuff though; you have to know what these people are capable of; it is beyond the norm. I don't even want to tell you here in this place...though I will in an individual letter; though be patient. I have a tremendous amount of work. I think it would be fine to post the presentation on your own blogs as well. Tamar is sending it out to anyone who asks.

my e-mail is up there. or just leave a comment and a request...or info on how I can put it on my blog.

Wishing Sharon

A Refuah Shelamah. I might not like the man but I didn't wish him a stroke.

Joy and Sorrow

So the phone has been ringing the door bell buzzing and cakes and cookies and all sort of goodies are coming in to the house in honor of my daughter's Bat Mitzvah.
The Kiddish is tomorrow and the Artist is very happy. New dress, new necklace, pretty new hair things and friends abound.

I just wanted to catch up on the news.

Kind of wish I didn't.
There are five children who are going to have a very sad Shabbat tomorrow. Their father has been killed, murdered, mercilessly stripped from their lives.
May Hashem grant them comfort and healing in the trying times ahead. May Hashem take some of the joy that has come my way and place it in their heart to help the bitterness. May they be comforted among the mourners of Tzion.

I Agree With Her

Julia of One Odd Goose that the way the bodies of those men and women who have died fighting for the freedom of Iraq is horrific. Actions speak louder than words, and the actions of the US government, shipping the dead home as if they were baggage tells a lot about the respect they have for the fighting men and women.

I don't necessarily blame Bush; but someone messed up and this situation should be changed pronto.

dh got me

An anti-rsi keyboard mouse and mousepad. YEAH!!!!!!!
It really helps. My hand is still achy but it is a lot better now and as soon as I get use to this new keyboard I should be able to do my job a lot faster.

THANK YOU DH!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Who Said This?

Muslims were only introduced to the city in 622 and that too because of the Jewish connection, when it was made the Qibla (direction of the prayers) of the Muslims which was later changed. But Jews are associated with Jerusalem for over three thousand years without any interruption. "They pray in its direction, mention its name constantly in prayers, close the Passover service with the wistful statement "Next year in Jerusalem," and recall the city in the blessing at the end of each meal." Also Jerusalem appears in the Jewish Bible 669 times and Zion 154 times.

Muslims must be informed that Palestine is simply a real estate issue created by Arab anti-Semites to keep the war of attrition against the Jewish State going.

Another thing that must me remembered is that Jerusalem as part of Israel will remain open to all those who honestly and sincerely believe in Abraham and his faith. People who did not hesitate in destroying the tomb of Joseph and do not feel any shame in preventing the faithful from worshipping at the Western wall cannot be given such a sacred trust.

This man.
Who writes/edits this paper.
See/hear his interview on Arutz Sheva. I teared up.

She

She being the artist finished a book in a day. Less than a day. less than 3 hrs. really; we came home from the library and she began reading; 175 pages. Nancy Drew. A page a minute.

This is a child who didn't learn to read till she was 8. Basic words at 8; and then she flew! Now I can't get her nose out of a book. She describes it as "eating" and the books "make her read". Four years make such a difference!

All those whose kids aren't reading at the "right" time, take heart. My daughter was the same way. And she is now a fantastic reader.

Now if only I could get her to like math.....................

I Confess

Well don't blame me, Shilo Musings made me.

I confess:
I use my slippers like shoes and I'm barefoot as much as I can.
The dishes often sit in the sink for too long.
Yes the house did look like that before the break-in.
I like to listen to my kids Jim Weiss tapes/cds. I'm glad they still like to listen to them to. I hope my grandkids will like them as well---when I have grandkids.)
I'm avoiding going to the dentist.
I wish I could avoid work.
I'm kind of glad my cat is going to have kittens.
I eat all the black and red and white jelly beans first. Actually I probably eat all the black and red and white jelly beans. My kids are lucky to get one or two of those colors.
My kids are the best kids in the world even though the constantly drive me crazy.

and I tag:
Meira Online
house of joy
my husband who will either not do this or kill me for tagging him... :-)

This is the Speech

My dh is going to give for my daughter, The Artist's Bat Mitzvah:
(It is Parsha V'yishlach) Though he'll do it in Hebrew and there will be some minor adjustments to focus on my daughter.

She has a new pretty dress courtesy of a friend, and many friends have offered to bake cakes etc. for the event. She'll probably wear the necklace from her Bubby and Zaidy.

The Artist isn't talking. She'll probably blush a lot and hide against me.

Notes on Working at Home

Treat it like work.
Take breaks.
Take lunch.
Just because the work is on your plate doesn't mean you have to do it NOW.

I've been driving myself nuts. No matter what she handed me I've been working on it straight, few breaks, trying to get it all done. Last night I saw she gave me 100 more to do and I broke down in tears....and I realized I really have to protect myself becaue no one else would.

So that 200 that she sent last night? I'm taking a break and I'll get to what I can and work for about an hour more (I worked last night till midnight and this morning have been working since about 7). Then I stop.

No matter what.

I Am Wiped

Title says it all.

Still Waiting (update)

For that job in Emerald City.

So far I've been working like mad; I am slllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllllow right now but hopefully I'll get faster and better and then I can get back to not cleaning the house a bit better.

My girls have been very supportive; even when they just get potatoes and sandwiches for dinner. They've been fantastic; helping me with a lot of things without complaining.

I did do some stumbling during quick breaks and found this and this : it is great for the kids and those of us who have never grown up. Great stress relief. Especially the first link. You just can't go wrong. The littlest one's can always create something beautiful.

I haven't really been keeping up with anything else...news has sosrt of flown over my head, though I did hear about the deaths in Natanya. And a soldier was stabbed to death as well. Yep, this giving up land is sure decreasing the violence.

My daughter's Bat Mitzvah is next week. I need to bake a couple of cakes and find out what else everyone else is bringing.

That about wraps it up...

have a great weekend everyone.

How Pathetic Is This

No, this pig was not drawn by the Artist or the Monkey it was drawn by moi.

Hey, I waited till after work?

So...my chances of getting a job as an illustrator are
1. Go for it girl!
2. Um, sure. Try anything
3. Keep your day job.
4. NEVER EVER DRAW AGAIN!!!

Some People Should Just Never Leave Home

I stumbled across this.
Really, how did these people survive?

btw, I was

On this site today.

And the answer is yep, she is.

Anyone awnt a furball?

Got a Job

A work from home deal. I've been giving it my all, and getting a bit too stressed out over it. What I am is a "researcher" I check the accuracy of addy/phone number for a particular company.

I have to learn to pace myself though and realize that I need to do things like eat, sleep, and occassionally admit defeat. I hate making mistakes. And I hate having work in front of me; so today I spent almost six hours doing the work non-stop.

Not a good idea. My stomach is in knots and my arm is aching.

But I'll get there. As I get faster I'll be able to earn more money at a reasonable pace.

In any case, I've made $50 bucks since Sunday, which sounds a whole lot better in shekels

Right To Torture

McCain Won't Compromise on Torture Ban

McCain, who was tortured by the Vietnamese has taken a strong stand against torture.

One of his objections is that evidence obtained through torture is unreliable. And I agree with him in that respect. To end pain and humiliation one might very well say anything (which is why I have a problem with one defendant coping a plea by giving evidence against another. ) I am less concerned with his worries about te reputation of the USA. I don't think we should use a criterion of "what someone else will think of us" but what G-d will think of us. But that is me.

The trouble is, at least for me, how do we define "cruel and inhumane"? And what means are left to extract important, perhaps life-saving information? What is considered torture and what is considered humiliation is a somewhat subjective; there are areas where most of us would consider the action "torture" but there are iffy areas in between.

I am really asking; I don't have the answers. What do you all think? Beyond the obvious---what, iyho, would constitute torture? Humiliation?

Name

Five things that make you smile.

Do you Stumble?

I just upgraded my Firefox and was looking at extentions, found Stumble. It is fun.
Some great finds, both useless, helpful and sweet.:

A juggler
and
Cooking by Numbers.
Pets and their pluses

Can't I get a job surfing? I'd be great at it.

Fascinating!!!

Here's a picture of a sandstorm in action. I had no idea that a sandstorm could be so powerful!
I'll take the rain please.