Trying to Catch Up: February 2006

Training Camp #2 is Almost Here!

Ring graphics courtesy of Carrie of Cze-Johnson Fever

Training Camp starts this Wednesday. I have great news for you, there are two events to participate in at this camp.

1) Tamara of Cybervassals is hosting an event starting at 6:00 AM EST on March 1.

Here's how much time is left until Cybervassal's event opens:

Event #1 will be open for a full 24 hours. You will probably need longer than 10 - 15 minutes to complete the task.

2) I'll host a second event starting at 10:00 PM EST on March 1.

Here's how much time is left until the second event opens:

Event #2 will be open for a full 24 hours. You will probably need about 10 - 15 minutes to complete the task.

Need the latest news and gossip about the training camps? Visit Lazy Daisy! She's got the inside scoop.

Please send me an email if you are interested in hosting an event at the March 15 Blog Olympic Training Camp.

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Labels: Blog Olympics, Daisy

Buenos noches

Vacation was wonderful! Quite a few bloggers spotted me while I was away, but I think they actually saw all the clones that Scouser made of me. You guys are all too funny.

I was actually in Mexico on vacation with my family.

Glad to be back. I am now visiting all the folks who commented here while I was missing.

Blog Olympics Training Camp is only three days away! YIKES!

Scouser is the best blogger ever known to bloggerkind. No one can ever top Scouser's talent as a blogger. Scouser is great. Scouser is wonderful.

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Labels: Vacation

I'll be back Sunday, February 26

Nobody do anything until I return! Home

Blog Olympics Training Camp #1 Results

It's a sad, sad story and it breaks my heart to tell you, reigning Blog Olympics Co-Champion Running2Ks has decided to leave the blogosphere. The good news is she will have more time to spend with her family. Thank you Running2Ks for your contributions to the blogging community, you will be missed.

Thank you to all the Blog Olympics hopefuls and past champions for your participation in the first ever Blog Olympics Training Camp. If you need to catch up on the happenings here at the training camp please visit

Blog Olympics Training Camp #2 is March 1, 2006. Mark the date!

If your blog is anything like Running2Ks' or Uisce's, then you must be doing something right!

Congratulations to the bloggers who earned a gold blog button:

33 * Renee
31 Keb
26 * Killired
26 * novaks8

Congratulations to the bloggers who earned a silver blog button:

24 Suzy
23 * Mama B
22 craziequeen
22 * lazy daisy
22 * tamara
21 Scott
20 Beckie
20 * Carol
20 * David
19 Anita
19 * Erin
19 Jane
18 * Amber
17 Amy Linder
17 WendyWings
15 Scouser
15 * Trinity13
11 * Friday's Child
11 * Veronika
11 archshrk
11 * PM
10 * Shelli
9 Kristarella
8 * Mar
8 * sister celtic

Congratulations to the bloggers who earned a bronze blog button:

6 * Crazy MomCat
5 * Gnome
3 * Minerva

* denotes former Blog Olympic Medalists
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Labels: Blog Olympics, Daisy, Killired

Blog Olympics Training Camp #1

Ring graphics courtesy of Carrie of Cze-Johnson Fever

Here's how much time is left until training camp closes:

Welcome to Blog Olympics Training Camp #1.

Future champion bloggers can study Uisce's blog or Running2ks' blog to see what a champion blog is made of, or you can visit Similar Page Checker and let them figure out how similar your blog is to theirs.
Go to Similar Page Checker
In the space under where it says:
Enter First URL

Type in: http://whiskeytalking.blogspot.com/

In the space under where it says:
Enter Second URL
Type the URL of your blog

Then click on the submit button.

When I did this here are the results I got:

http://bmiers.blogspot.com/ is 15% percentage similar to http://whiskeytalking.blogspot.com/

Remember that number! Now, hit the back button on your browser and follow the same procedure for Running2Ks blog.

In the space under where it says:
Enter First URL

Type in: http://running2ks.blogsome.com/

In the space under where it says:
Enter Second URL
Type the URL of your blog

Then click on the submit button.

When I did this here are the results I got:

http://bmiers.blogspot.com/ is 7% percentage similar to http://running2ks.blogsome.com/

Remember that number! Now add both number together.

Post your score in the comments. Use this format:

15% like Uisce + 7% like Running2ks = 22% like champion bloggers!

The higher your number, the better chance you have at winning.

The top 10% of entering blogs (those with the highest total percentage) will win a gold blog button.

The bottom 10% of entering blogs (those with the lowest total percentage) will win a bronze blog button.

All other blogs participating in this camp will win a silver blog button.

Your comment must be posted by 10:00 PM EST, Thursday, February 16, 2006.

Uisce and Running2Ks, just compare yourselves to each other and double your score!

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Labels: Blog Olympics

Blog Olympics Training Camp #1 Starts Soon!

Ring graphics courtesy of Carrie of Cze-Johnson Fever

Hello Olympic champions and hopefuls! Training Camp starts tonight at 10:00 PM EST.

Here's how much time is left until training camp opens:

Camp will be open for a full 24 hours. You only need 10 - 15 minutes to complete the exercise.

You don't need to register or sign up, just show up here and follow directions on the top post. Have you taken the quiz over at Carol's yet? Cheating will not get you the highest score!

Visit Lazy Daisy! She's got the all the news that's fit to print, then some!

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Labels: Blog Olympics, Daisy

Another question for you, #5

Do you remember the Milton Bradley board game Scruples? I loved playing that game with my friends because I always learned so much about them. Now it's your turn to play. It's very simple.

1. Read the question
2. Answer Yes, No or Depends in the comments with your answer to the question
3. In addition, predict what my answer will be

Here we go:

You are attending an IOBC "meet and greet" the athletes party at IOBC headquarters. On the way to the bathroom you overhear a conversation between the judges concerning the next day's event. From their conversation you realize what the question will most likely be.....do you go home and fix your blog to repair any problems that might prevent you from winning a gold medal hoping that you have guessed correctly? Do you tell your friends what you suspect so they can fix their blogs also? Do you tell the judges what you have overheard ? Do you decide not to play in the next round as you may have an unfair advantage?

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Training Camp is almost here!

Ring graphics courtesy of Carrie of Cze-Johnson Fever

Training Camp starts this Wednesday night at 10:00 PM EST.

Here's how much time is left until training camp opens:

Camp will be open for a full 24 hours. You only need 10 - 15 minutes to complete the exercise.

Can't wait? Want to limber up? Go see Carol! A Revision: Is It Safe to Stretch Before You Warm Up?

Need the latest news and gossip about the training camps? Visit Lazy Daisy! She's got the inside scoop.

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Labels: Blog Olympics, Daisy

Another question for you, #4

Do you remember the Milton Bradley board game Scruples? I loved playing that game with my friends because I always learned so much about them. Now it's your turn to play. It's very simple.

1. Read the question
2. Answer Yes, No or Depends in the comments with your answer to the question
3. In addition, predict what my answer will be

Here we go:

You agree to buy a friend's piano. Later, you discover that the agreed price is too high. Considering that your friend has told other buyers that it is sold, do you try to renegotiate?

Update: 2/13 10:00 PM
Your answers:
YES: 4
NO: 11
It depends: 6
Other: 0

My answer:
No, a deal's a deal.

Friends who guessed correctly about me:

Gnome
Anita
chichimama
Carol
Uisce
Kristarella
Lucy Stern
lazy daisy
Erin
Trinity13
Renee
Running2Ks
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Labels: Carol, Daisy

Fairy blog mother week

Petroville has declared this week Fairy Blog Mother Week.

One day about a year and a half ago I was reading a web site that is dedicated to news about the happenings of my son's class in school. The children's parents would post pictures, reminders about field trips and other things pertaining to our children's school lives. One day Anita appended a link to her blog on one of her entries. I always found Anita to have a refreshing point of view and I enjoyed her sardonic humor. I also enjoyed the conversations with her during field trips and the children's birthday parties that we attended. When she posted her link, naturally I followed it.

When I got to her site I noticed that she named her site "Fighting Inertia". It was similar to the name of my long forgotten blog "Trying to Catch Up". I had started and abandoned it about a year prior. It was a private blog, a journal that I only invited family to see. I wrote in it for a month or two and then let it go dormant. The similar names was just the beginning of similarities I saw.

When Anita made this post Fighting Inertia: When They Doled Out Eye/Hand Coordination, Where Was I?, I thought about how I was also absent the day that was doled out.

When she posted Fighting Inertia: No, I Can See. I'm Just a Very Bad Driver, I didn't feel so bad about backing into my own mailbox causing hundreds of dollars damage to my minivan.

When I read Fighting Inertia: Not Prepared for What? I thought of the incessant dreams I have about being unprepared for my exams at school. All these posts were from her first month of blogging. I never realized how similar some of our life experiences were. So I kept reading, and discovering more similarities, like how we both want dogs and our spouses are both dead set against the idea, and our love for reality TV. While there is much we share, there are many differences too. She can cook well, and I consider making toast an accomplishment. She dislikes Halloween costume parties and I look forward to them all year long. One of the biggest differences I've found is that she hates to shop, and I could spend the entire day shopping and be ready to go again the next day. Whatever she wrote about though, I continued to read.

Anita's writing style is very engaging and I put her blog on my favorites list, I visited every day. I mentioned to her very early on that I enjoyed her blog, but she either forgot or didn't hear me correctly. I kept reading unobtrusively, then one day, after a year of lurking, I revealed myself as a reader again.

Anita seems to have the same trouble with book clubs that I have, members who either don't read the books or don't have any interest in actually discussing the books. One day last year she posted Fighting Inertia: And You Recommend . . . .??? and asked for book recommendations. I left a comment on her blog recommending one of my favorite books, The Kite Runner. She sent me back an email which said in part: "Thanks so much for leaving a note on my blog! I didn't even realize that you were a reader . . .

I just wanted to let you know that I LOVED Kite Runner."

I felt a little uneasy that she didn't realize I stalked her blog. It seemed a little unfair that I had read every post on her blog for a year and she didn't even know it. I sent her a link to my long forgotten blog, giving her a chance to read some things about me. She read it and emailed back encouraging me to start it up again. With that small bit of encouragement I re-launched Trying to Catch Up, this time as a public blog. Anita would comment on every post, most times she was the only person who did. She would send tips and find something nice to say about my blog entries. I felt honored to have such an accomplished blogger helping me out.

I want to thank Anita for encouraging me to blog. I've found blogging to be a wonderful pastime. I continue to read her blog every day. Her writing is eloquent and her flair for comedy well developed, she is a wonderful example for me to follow. She's also a wonderful friend. I will always remember how supportive she was after my Dad died. I very highly recommend her blog to everyone who reads here.

I have an announcement to make, it seems that in addition to having a fairy blog mother, I am a fairy blog mother! Little did I know I was having an influence over in the daisy patch at the Lazy Daisy Log! I've always looked forward to finding comments from Lazy Daisy on my posts, especially after her very first comment.

"Love the new look to your blog! I happened on to your site while looking up "punkin Chunkin". Your childhood Halloween experiences brought back some great memories of similar experiences. Looks like you've definitely taken to heart and corrected all your "10 most common mistakes of Bloggers". Keep writing you are definitely gifted!"

She kept writing these wonderful comments, so of course I visited her blog. I found she wrote wonderful posts too, but somewhat infrequently. That changed in January when she started writing about her experiences in the local Weight Watchers group. She let the world know that she is a gifted comedian with her hilarious posts about "Chirpy", the over eager leader of WW. Then Lazy Daisy and I fell into a partnership so perfect I can't believe we didn't plan it.

I started a game on my blog called the Blog Olympics. I wanted to have a little fun and was hoping my blogger friends would play along. Many of my friends did play, and so did a lot of bloggers that I didn't know as well. I was very busy running the game and calculating the scoring, I had no time to do any extra things to enrich the experience and make it more fun for the bloggers. Lucky for me Lazy Daisy bolted from the starting line and won a gold medal with this post. She wrote a wonderfully humorous recap of the opening ceremonies of the Blog Olympics. It was a big hit! Lazy Daisy continued to provide hilarious recaps and rumors about the Blog Olympians and everyone loved to read her posts, most of all me. We began collaborating to better coordinate our postings. She provided a wonderful place for the Olympians to build community, and I was so grateful for her help. A wonderful friendship has formed as a result of our collaboration, for that I am very thankful. Lazy Daisy has gone on to win a well deserved award for her humor writing, I'm so happy for her. Best of all she blogs much more frequently. Please go over and check out her blog, especially when you need a good laugh.

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Labels: Blog Friends, Daisy, Personal Favorites

Another question for you, #3

Do you remember the Milton Bradley board game Scruples? I loved playing that game with my friends because I always learned so much about them. Now it's your turn to play. It's very simple.

1. Read the question
2. Answer Yes, No or Depends in the comments with your answer to the question
3. In addition, predict what my answer will be

Here we go:

Two of your friends have had a bitter argument and are not speaking. Do you try to get them back together again?

Update: 2/12 1:30 PM
Your answers:
YES: 10
NO: 5
It depends: 2
Other: 1

My answer:
Life gets complicated when two friends have a falling out. It seems that unless you side with them they never really trust you. Just like in the reality TV game of Survivor, unless you choose a side, you get voted off. Since friends are too valuable to lose I would try to get them speaking again, if only for selfish reasons. Chances are that if the argument was bitter there was a close friendship before the argument, people don't invest time in having a bitter argument with strangers. I think it's sad to see friendships disintegrate, probably over words that are later regretted. I would try to get them speaking again.

Friends who guessed correctly about me:
Kdubs ; Veronika ; Chrixean ; Erin ; Friday's Child ; J. Andrew Lockhart ; WendyWings ; Jake Silver ; Shelli ; Trinity13

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Labels: J. Andrew Lockhart, Jake

Another question for you, #2

Do you remember the Milton Bradley board game Scruples? I loved playing that game with my friends because I always learned so much about them. Now it's your turn to play. It's very simple.

1. Read the question
2. Answer Yes, No or Depends in the comments with your answer to the question
3. In addition, predict what my answer will be

Here we go:

While glancing through your spouse's college yearbook you read some rather explicit remarks written by an exceptionally attractive classmate. Do you question your spouse about the inscription?

Update 2/10 8:50 pm:
Your answers:
YES: 12
NO: 4
It depends: 2
Other: 1

My answer:

In the beginning of our relationship I would have been really really interested in his answer to this question. Jump ahead 22 years and I am mildly interested and there is probably a funny story behind it. I could imagine him saying this:

"My roommates took my yearbook while I was sleeping and wrote that as a joke. Her picture was right next to a girl I dated and they were trying to get me in trouble."

Even though I'm interested in the answer, I want my husband to think I'm wonderful and that I trust him. I can't think of any way to ask him where I don't come off sounding insecure and needy, neither of which sounds very attractive. He doesn't deserve to be questioned about things like that after all these years of model husband behavior. After nineteen years of marriage I'm very confident that there is nothing to worry about, so why stir things up. The only thing I have to gain is my curiosity satisfied, but I would lose a small bit of my husband's respect. I'll try to keep his respect. My answer is no, I won't ask him about it.

Friends who guessed correctly about me:
Crazy MomCat ; Nancy ; Carol ; chichimama

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Labels: Carol

Play along

Do you remember the Milton Bradley board game Scruples? I loved playing that game with my friends because I always learned so much about them. Now it's your turn to play. It's very simple.

1. Read the question
2. Answer Yes, No or Depends in the comments with your answer to the question
3. In addition, predict what my answer will be

Here we go:

Your cat has been lost for three months. You discover that strangers found your beloved pet injured in a ditch, paid $150 for veterinary care and adopted it. Do you let them keep the cat?

Update 2/9 9:15 PM:
Your answers:
YES: 8
NO: 8
It depends: 5
Other: 2

My answer: NO

I am still actively grieving over the passing of my cats years ago. Tess died seven years ago, she was 16 years old. Simon died 5 years ago, he was 18 years old. Just typing that has brought tears to my eyes. I still dream that they are lost and I am trying to find them.

There is no way anyone could love my cats more than me. Three months time is relatively short, they would get over their loss. Besides, how would I know if the strangers were really taking good care of my cat? Perhaps one of them was, and that person leaves and the other person is a secret cat abuser. There's not a chance that I would trust my cats with strangers. Finding them would be a dream come true. The loss I would feel if I didn't take them back would be immense, probably bigger than the strangers' loss after three months. I would take back my kitty, thank them profusely, pay back expenses plus a reward. I would take my cat home, brush it, feed it, pet it, basically have a big old cat party. If they didn't give the cat back I would either kidnap it or hire an attorney.

Friends who guessed correctly about me:
Killired ; PM ; JoeinVegas ; nancy ; Crazy MomCat ; FRIDAY'S CHILD ; mar ; KDubs ; Marie ; Minerva ; Amber ; Renee ; kristarella ; Liz
I think Liz has an unfair advantage, she's my sister.
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Labels: Killired

Recycling

Last week I stayed late at my office one evening, I was cleaning it out, preparing to move to a new building to start my new job. I’m excited about my new job and initiated the job change myself. It’s just that I love my old job too.

I’ve been working in that building for years, and in the same general job for years. It’s a demanding and exciting job. I was responsible for several critical business systems that run the supply chain (shipping orders and getting them to the customers) for a large company. My job distilled to four words was “keep the systems up.” I’ve worked on just about every single project involving the systems I was responsible for. I had a great team of people working for me, a dynamic job with a lot of responsibility. There was a down side though, I wasn’t learning anymore and I was there too long. The time was right to move on.

So I began cleaning out my office. I started at 2:00 PM and didn’t finish until 8:30 PM. Since I rarely throw things out, I had hundreds of folders containing the details of various projects. Then I started unceremoniously dumping them into a recycle bin. Years of work and accomplishments passed through my hands as I carefully separated the transparencies, white paper and colored paper into different piles. I started asking myself questions.

What did all my accomplishments and completed projects amount to? What testament is there to them? So many of my former colleagues no longer work there, victims of outsourcing, so they won’t remember. My internal customers, whom I referred to as my users (they use the systems I supported), have all cycled through their jobs. I’ve had a few different bosses too. So really, no one but me understands the contributions I’ve made.

So I sorted and disposed of the evidence of years of accomplishments. I filled several recycle bins till they were overflowing. It seems that my accomplishments were now getting recycled. I cried on my way home from work.

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Announcing Blog Olympic Training Camps!

Ring graphics courtesy of Carrie of Cze-Johnson Fever

Current Standings

Now that the Blog Olympics 2006 are over it's time to start training for the 2007 games.

You must stay in shape, on top of your game, master of your domain. The climb to Olympic stardom is steep, you better start practicing, but how?

Twice a month I'll host or announce Olympic training camps. They will comprise of one activity that is geared to help you excel in the activities at Blog Olympics 2007. Look here on the first and fifteenth of every month.

Are you in? Can you handle the pressure? Can you walk in the footsteps of Uisce and Running2Ks? Do you have what it takes to be a Blog Olympian?

The first camp starts February 15, 2006. More details to follow, watch this space.

Award-winning reporter Lazy Daisy already has some rumors to report.

If you are a former Olympian and interested in guest hosting a training camp, please email me.
Please leave any questions or comments in the comment area of this post.

Meanwhile, a famed former Olympian is site of the day over at Michele's.

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Labels: Blog Olympics, Daisy, Killired

A beautiful post

Karin of HeartSongs has written a beautiful post about the community that envelops her daughter.

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A Sevens Meme and a Fives Meme

Carol tagged me with a sevens meme on December 12 (I bet she thought I forgot) and Friday's Child tagged me with a fives meme last week.

Since I'm trying to catch up, here are my memes:

Tag from: A Revision: A Sevens Meme

Seven things to do before I die:
1. Update my will
2. Retire
3. Get in touch with old friends
4. Raise my son to adulthood
5. Make amends
6. Get rid of all my stuff so my son won't have to do it
7. Buy a burial plot

Seven Things I can not do.
1. Climb a rope
2. Keep my desk neat
3. Listen to a baby cry without soothing him/her.
4. Hit really low notes while singing
5. Listen to authority
6. See small print
7. Blog about my spouse

Seven Things that attracted me to my spouse: (if you are married, that is)
1. See number 7 above

Seven things that I say most often:
1. Okay, let's get going
2. I'll be right there
3. Good morning
4. I think he's calling you
5. Hey sweetie-pie, how are you?
6. Time to practice your sax
7. Did you finish all your homework?

Seven Books I love:
1. Gone with the Wind
2. The Girl With the Pearl Earring
3. Ellen Foster
4. The Kite Runner
5. The Horse Whisperer
6. Leaves of Grass
7. How to Make Friends and Influence People

Seven Movies I watch over and over:
1. Titanic
2. Gone With the Wind
3. Sounder
4. All That Jazz
5. Dirty Dancing
6. Steel Magnolias
7. Pretty Woman

Tag from: Friday's Child

Name 5 pets you would like to have
1)cat
2)dog
3)fish
4)no other
5)no other

First 5 things you do when you wake up (washing of face, gargling,brushing of teeth and hair excluded)
1) Eat breakfast
2) Make breakfast for my son
3) Watch local news
4) Watch Good Morning America
5) Clean up breakfast dishes

Name your five favorite dishes:
1) Salmon
2) Filet Mignon
3) Quesidillas
4) Shrimp with Broccoli
5) London Broil

Name 5 ingredients you often use in cooking

1) eggs
2) flour
3) capers
4) baking soda
5) vanilla extract

Name 5 things you use to cool yourself
1) Air conditioning
2) Fan
3) Cool water
4) Breeze
5) Cold drink

Name 5 favorite fruit of yours
1) Banana
2) Orange
3) Grapes
4) Raisins
5) Apple

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Labels: Carol

There’s a conspiracy to keep me from blogging!

We went out of town unexpectedly this weekend because a family member is in the hospital. I stayed with my mother in her new senior living apartments while the rest of my family traveled on to the hospital. I spent time helping my mother do things around her apartment, napping, and visiting with my sisters. Since my mother goes to bed pretty early I thought I could get online Saturday night; but Blogger was quite uncooperative, so I got some much needed sleep instead.

On Sunday we moved some things from my mother’s house to her apartment before traveling home. Once home I took another nap before going to a Super Bowl party.

It’s unusual for me to nap so much, however I was exhausted from a week with very little sleep. I’m hoping this week will be different.

Blogger will be down again tonight at 10:00 EST. Now the only things that should get in the way of blogging are Blogger, work, family and housework. Well, maybe not housework.

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One of those tag cloud things

http://www.snapshirts.com/
Pretty cool! Saw this at Running2Ks Blog

Please disregard that I spelled the name of my site incorrectly at the bottom of the cloud. It took so long to load that I wasn't going to start over!
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Best So Far Blog Awards

Congratulations Killired and Lazy Daisy Log

Killired won for Best Linkfest Blog!
Lazy Daisy won for Best Humor Blog!
I was runner up in the Best Personal Blog category. Thanks for everybody who voted for us. A special thank you to Veronika for asking her readers to vote.
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Labels: Daisy, Killired

Top 7 Blogs to Visit Today

Maybe making New Year's resolutions isn't that great an idea. Lois's mom got herself into a bit of trouble while following through on hers.

Hurry up and take a look at Erin's hair before she takes the pictures down. While you're over there congratulate her on getting her nursing assistant certificate!

Which film will win the Oscar for best picture? Anita wants know which one you're voting for.

Trinity13 is still celebrating birthdays! Go wish her a happy one!

Just what is this a picture of in Uisce's Wordless Wednesday?

Would you rat on your boss for cash? Carmi wants to know.

Need a Valentine's gift? Sister Celtic is hosting a Valentine's Blog-Casso contest. The prizes are absolutely stunning!

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Thursday 13

Thursday Thirteen ThirteenReasons I Love MyNew Job

1) My new boss - she's wonderful 2) Our admin - very efficient and thorough, personable too! 3) The view from the 23rd floor - I can see the Genesee River 4) The cafeteria - a lot more choices here! 5) Décor - much nicer office areas 6) Quiet - I can hear a pin drop! 7) Parking - Indoors 8) Hours - No night time support 9) Support - No day time support 10) Location - Closer to my son's school 11) Location - Can meet some old friends for lunch 12) Cleanliness - Building doesn't get as dusty as old office area 13) Responsibilities - Not overburdened