How I spent my Christmas

As you may recall, from my October visit to my cousin Kathy’s farm in Cheney. I promised my Aunt Bea, that I would spend Christmas with them. In a call to my cousin a few days before I flew over there, she said not to bring my wimpy little over night suitcase. She told me to bring a large suitcase, because I was going to need the extra space for the presents I would be bring back.

So on Christmas Eve day, I braved the crowds at Sea Tac (Seattle Tacoma) International Airport and flew to Spokane where my cousin picked me up. While I was at Sea Tac, I saw Santa coming out of a Security office, my first thought was that he had been pulled out of line and had been frisked. Poor Santa, he was going to be late for his Christmas rounds. I spent Christmas Eve and day at my cousin’s farm in Cheney. I came home Sunday evening.

It was fun, my cousin gave me a WSU (Washington State University) Cougar football team sweatshirt, a cookbook, Xmas coffee mug and plate, and a box of Chocolates. She has sick senses of humor, because I had told her how I was teasing these two neighbor ladies about how much better the University of Washington (in Seattle) Huskies football team was to the WSU (in Eastern Washington) Cougar team. This year, the Cougars beat the Huskies in the Apple Bowl (after lousing six years in a row to the Huskies). I also got to see my cousin's daughter Sheri Lynn (I hadn't seen her in 15 years) and her husband.

We went to see my Aunt Bea and Uncle Ed on Christmas day. We opened presents and had dinner there. Wouldn't you know it, I had to sit at the portable card table with Sheri Lynn, her husband and Kathy. I told them that us kids still couldn't eat with the grown ups :(. I had a good time. I brought a portrait of my grandfather as a little boy, Mom's doll, and her grandmother’s wedding ring to my Aunt as a present. She was delighted to get them. My Uncle was surprisingly nice, and thanked us for coming. We where told by the Nursing assistance, that my Uncle was couched to be nice. He usually likes to be the center of attraction, and throws a fit if he’s not.

My Aunt asked me when I was coming back. I told her soon, my cousin said I should come back before they get real busy on the farm in March.

Happy New Years

Happy New years to Patty, Kerri, Sue, Kevin, Johnno, Brispaul, Teddy, and Leigh. Enjoy your New Years Eve. Eat, Drink and be Merry, and wishing you all safe journey if you are travelling over New Years. :) Welcome back Leigh, we missed you.

Tragedy

According to Sky News, 69,000 are confirmed dead. There just aren't the words.

Merry Christmas

Everyone, have a wonderful Christmas. I'm looking forward to Christmas, because it means that after Christmas Eve, I don't have to go back to work until New Years Eve. How wonderful is that. I love the cooking bit on Christmas morning, and it will be my excuse to have roast potatoes and Yorkshire puddings, (I'm sure one little Yorkshire pudding won't hurt me my diabetes).

So, however you celebrate Christmas, (if you celetrate Christmas) and whatever your Christmas fayre will be, have a wonderfully Merry Christmas.

Love Sue

Word Number 6.....cicada
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Busy days

My day ahead consists of a totally new morning routine (Insulin, blood pressure tablets, breakfast, diabetes tablet), (in that order). Today that will be followed by, work 9.30 to 2.30, (I'm covering for someone who has the week off), then an extra hour tagged on to the end of that (I have to make it up for Friday, the shop shuts at six, so I have to make the time up). Pick up prescription from the chemist. Then a trip to Somerfield in Pangbourne, to pick up Turkey and two stuffed loins of pork. Then to Tesco to do final Christmas food shopping. Hopefully by about 7.30pm or 8pm I may get a sit down and a cup of coffee.

Tomorrow, well, another round of housework.

Happy Holidays

Here's wishing all of you a very Happy Holiday Season and a prosperous and healthy New Year from the beautiful Oregon Coast. Teddy

Close call with a crocodile

This is why I dont swim in the ocean even with stinger nets
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Change

On the 3rd November, I was diagnosed with diabetes. Was immediately put on tablets to try and control the diabetes, (6 a day), alas these did not work, the blood sugars were still high. Today, I have had my first Insulin injections. My life has changed ever so slightly. Just wanted to share this with you.

Best Beach But we already knew that :-)))
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The Cicada evolving
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"amazing experience"

Had an amazing experience today...actually saw a cicada coming out of its shell.
I have been listening to the noisy insects for years and seeing their shells but never ever saw one evolve...and yes I did have my camera close bycicadaI hope this works...if not I will post the photo

Santa was a bit slow to get out off the way
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WE ARE IN THE RUNNING FOR THE BEST BEACH "cough'' yes it is my photo on page threeHEAVENLY ... anyone who has spent a perfect day fishing, swimming or simply lazing at Saunders Beach - the location for this photograph by John Sheil - will not be surprised to hear it is in the running for best beach in the Townsville Bulletin's Best of Thuringowa competition. The competition, a people's choice award covering 30 categories, is being held in recognition of the 125th anniversary of Thuringowa. The results will appear in a special feature in the Townsville Bulletin this Friday, December 10.


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"Santas nearly here" The kids are getting excited...we had our kids xmas in the park yesterday..80 kids in all..feeling a bit worn out today,they do that to you!!
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For Brispaul is this better :-)))
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"Great Aussie Sunset" I took this through a hole in a shell,It sort of looks like a map of Australian or a type of heart shape!!
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What would you change

If you could go back in time, say twenty or thirty years (depending on how old you are), what things would you change or do differently.

Nice to look at every day

But Scary to live there

BURNING ... angry residents burned down Palm Island's police station and barracks during yesterday's riot.


Anarchy on Palm

27nov04
HUNDREDS of Palm Islanders exploded into a violent rage yesterday, forcing public servants and contractors to be evacuated from the island.

About 80 police officers were flown to the island to restore order after the police station and courthouse were torched and an emergency situation was declared.

Reports from island residents suggested fire bombs were thrown at the buildings about 1pm yesterday and people were walking armed in the streets.

Twenty officers were inside the police station when it was stormed by a mob of residents, who also destroyed some police accommodation, and stole and later burnt a police vehicle.

Soon after up to 1000 people surrounded the hospital where police and hospital staff were held hostage until reinforcements arrived.

A garbage truck was parked across the road to the airport to block police from accessing the town after flying in on helicopters.

The riot erupted after residents attended a public meeting, during which the results of an autopsy report into the death of resident Cameron Doomadgee were made public.

Doomadgee died in police custody last Friday, with the report revealing he died from internal bleeding.

Last night the situation was described as calm, with police regaining control of the airport, closing the canteen and securing other important areas.

All but one of the police officers living on the island had left, along with half the police who were flown to the island earlier this week.

Contractors and public servants were evacuated in droves yesterday afternoon.

Some begged authorities to be flown to Townsville in the emergency helicopters that were transporting police to the island.

One of the workers, who did not wish to be named, told the Townsville Bulletin he saw hundreds of people in the streets of the retail area as he drove from his compound to the airport.

He said that people were yelling and screaming at him.

"I'm happy to be off there," he said."I've never experienced anything like that before."

A television crew that was on the island also fled after the mob of locals storming the police station turned on them, threatening to kill them.

Major incident rooms were set up at the Mundingburra Police Station and in Brisbane to co-ordinate the police response to the incident.

Police Commissioner Bob Atkinson, who flew to Townsville late yesterday, appealed for the community's elders to restore order and calm among residents.

"The critical thing currently is to get through this evening, through the hours of darkness," he said.

"After getting through the night the key objective for us is to identify and have placed into custody and appear before courts the people who we believe are the key ringleaders responsible for these actions.

"I am asking these people to surrender themselves and give themselves up."

Palm Island Council chairwoman Erykah Kyle did not appeal for community calm last night.

She said the residents would do that themselves.

She instead vented her anger at non-Aboriginal workers who fled the island.

"In relation to all those non-Aboriginal people who are here in our community, who are servicing our community and who left our community because of this crisis . . . do not bother returning," she said.

"I am very angry about that - they should be here standing in solidarity with us. When are we going to stand together?"

Thanksgiving

Happy Thanksgiving to all our American friends, especially Gary, Kevin, Leigh, Teddy, and Katy and her boys Clayton, RJ, Mckean and Jarod.

Yes,Yes,Yes!!!!


Historic pub to be rebuilt Friday, 12 November 2004 WALCHA Rd Hotel owner Susanne Long has vowed to rebuild after fire destroyed three-quarters of the historic watering hole with the rest of the building suffering extensive smoke and water damage on Wednesday. Sifting through the charred remains of what was left of the 144-year-old pub, Ms Long remained positive despite not knowing the extent of the damage caused to the building's structure in the inferno. Nine RFS appliances, one NSW Fire Brigade appliance and two bulk water carriers battled for two hours to extinguish the fire and stop it from taking hold of the rest of the building. Three-quarters of the historic pub was destroyed when fire broke out in the kitchen area shortly after 1am with the rest of the building extensively damaged. Ms Long, who was in Queensland at the time of the fire, said the extent of the damage wouldn't be known until engineers inspected the building next week, but at this stage, she estimated damage to be in the vicinity of $300,000. "There's no doubt in my mind we'll rebuild," Ms Long said. "It's just so devastating to see the hotel like this. It's unrecognisable. The items that weren't completely destroyed in the fire have either been damaged by smoke or water. "We were really lucky the dining room, function room and one bedroom at the southern end of the building only suffered minor smoke damage." She said the brick wall at the far northern end of the hotel was left exposed during the fire and may be of some concern. Armidale Dumaresq RFS inspector Trevor Lyons said the fire was believed to have started in the kitchen area of the building, however the exact cause may not be known for some days. "We've not been able to get in to some parts of the building because they are not safe. Once we are able to, we will know for sure what was lost in the fire," Ms Long said. "I'd like to thank wonderful Walcha and surrounding communities for their support during this difficult time."


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Noooooo....My favourite pub from the last 25 years

Fire engulfs historic Walcha Road Hotel
Matt Adams
Wednesday, 10 November 2004

REGULAR drinkers at the historic Walcha Road Hotel were yesterday devastated to find their local watering hole was all but destroyed when fire ripped through part of the 144-year-old

building.

As Rural Fire Service (RFS) volunteers continued to douse the smouldering ruins locals couldn't believe that the twisted metal, charred fittings and furniture and blackened bricks were all that remained of the popular pub.

One-third of the historic pub was destroyed when fire broke out in the kitchen area shortly after 1am, with the rest of the building suffering extensive smoke and water

damage.

A plastic water tank behind the pub melted from the intense heat of the fire along with kitchen utensils, memorabilia and irreplaceable photos.

Kevin Noon, who was a regular at the pub, said it was heart wrenching to see the historic building destroyed by fire.

"It's somewhere everyone enjoys going to have a drink or something to eat," Kevin said.

"From the locals to the out of towners everyone loved it. It had character and so much history."

Nine RFS appliances, one NSW Fire Brigade appliance and two bulk water carriers battled for two hours to extinguish the fire and stop it from taking hold of the rest of the building.

Armidale Dumaresq RFS inspector Trevor Lyons said the fire was believed to have started in the kitchen area of the building before quickly taking hold of rooms below.

"We were lucky because the structure of the building prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the pub," inspector Lyons said.

"The fire was contained to a kitchen area and rooms underneath at the northern end of the pub with the bar and dining area at the southern end suffering severe water and smoke damage. Brick walls near the chimneys were built right to the ceiling and prevented the fire from spreading to the rest of the building."

He said a RFS crew from Woolbrook was at the hotel within minutes to tackle the blaze followed by crews from a number of locations in the New England and north-west area.

John McLaren owns a property nearby and said a lot of people travelled to the area just to have a drink at the pub.

"It's a lovely place for a beer and a catch up," John said.

"Who knows where we'll go now for a beer."

It is believed a number of functions had been booked over the Christmas period, including a New Year's Eve party of 200 from Sydney.

Damage to the historic building is expected to exceed $300,000 with its owners having the hotel for less than 14 months.

Crime Scene officers from Armidale and fire investigators are expected to sift through the remains of the charred building in the coming days to determine the exact cause of the fire. The fire is not believed to be suspicious.

Cicada season has started
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Coral Spawning We had the coral spawning on the weekend,This is a photo on the beach at home yesterday,it was like a thick mud,and I was up to my knees in it,behind this wall of mud was beahtiful clear blue water,It smelled of rotting fish so I was told to shower straight away.It happens every year couple of days after November full moon
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Our we Civilized?

After reading Sue's article about the November 5th national celebration of the executions of Guy Fawkes. I started thinking about how civilized we are. I have come to the conclusion that were not as civilized as we would like to think.

Granted Guy Fawkes was a traitor and deserved to die for his crime. But his execution was truly barbaric, in that after several sessions of severe torture and under great duress, Fawkes finally admitted that the conspirators had planned to free Sir Walter Raleigh and other Tower of London Prisoners by blowing up Parliament with a large cache of Gunpowder.

He was finally hung, drawn and quartered which was the traditional punishment for traitors on January 31, 1606. Guy Fawkes was hung until he was half-dead and then his genitals were cut off and burned in front of him. Whilst still alive, his heart and bowels where removed from his body, he would be decapitated and his limbs removed from his body. Finally, his body parts would be publicly displayed and left for the birds to eat them. All but one of his co-conspirators died this way.

Honestly, the hanging alone (if done properly) should have done the trick. But to be drawn and quartered, this was truly barbaric.

We Americans have had our bout with barbarism too, especially with the Klu Klux Klan treatment of blacks (similar to Guy Fawkes execution) and the recent Abu Ghraib Prison scandal.

The Arabs are not very civilized ether. Arab terrorists decapitating prisoners of war in Iraq and showing it on TV, and now the genocide of native people in Sudan by the Sudanese government.

We haven't progressed very far from our savage Ancestors.

It's Guy Fawkes night tonight.

It's the 5th November, Guy Fawkes night tonight in the United Kingdon. The night when we burn an effigy of Guy, who was tortured and executed, for trying to blow up the Houses of Parliament. Now how weird is that. Click on the Title for a link and explanation of Guy Fawkes Night. We have specially built bon fires to put poor old Guy on, and then light fireworks, all rounded off with an array of different foods and drink, to keep you warm.

"Yes Its Friday"
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"Reflections of Dawn" 10 minutes ago, O what a beautiful morning!!!
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Here we go again

Yes I'm upset! Four more years with Military dodging, bible thumping, cheerleading, lier lier lier pants on fire, Mr. Twig! Now I feel better. I fear for the deficit that our children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren will be saddled with. He is no friend to the conservation of our land especially our beautiful Pacific Northwest. I think we all know he is not the one making the important decisions of this land. He has Cheney and Rowe to do that. I swear I see puppet strings on his arms and legs every time he makes a speech let alone the buldge on his back that even I saw, while on the podium for his first debate with Kerry. Too bad it didn't short out and then the world would have really seen his intelligence come out! The things I fear now: Where next will he invade?, How long before the draft is brought back?, He will destroy the Social Security as we know it so the young people can invest and where will they be investing? I think we all know the answer to that. What I wish: ALL of his military records were found and published, His REAL reason for going into Iraq was made known, His REAL ties to the Arabs and the Royal family there and the Taliban.(How ever you spell it!) I hate to think that after all the Republican errors involving the war, Halliburton, his military service, missing explosives,the flu vacine, etc. that we still have Americans that will put this man back into office by blind faith alone. America is being controlled by fear tactics every day of our lives. I wonder what color the terriorist alert is today? Do I feel any safer after his election in 2000 and post 9/11? A resounding NO! I think that has been proven at our ports and airports. If it continues I do fear for my grandchildren. Me thinks we are in trouble! Thanks for listening. Teddy

lawyers vs engineers

Three lawyers and three engineers are traveling by train to a conference. At the station, the three lawyers each buy tickets and watch as the three engineers buy only a single ticket.
"How are three people going to travel on only one ticket?" asked one of the three lawyers.

"Watch and you'll see," answers one of the engineers.

They all board the train. The lawyers take their respective seats but all three engineers cram into a restroom and close the door behind them. Shortly after the train as departed, the conductor comes around collecting tickets. He knocks on the restroom door and says, "Ticket, please."

The door opens just a crack and a single arm emerges with a ticket in hand. The conductor takes it and moves on.

The lawyers saw this and agreed it was quite a clever idea. So after the conference, the lawyers decide to copy the engineers on the return trip and save some money.

When they get to the station, the lawyers buy a single ticket for the return trip. To their astonishment, the engineers don't buy a ticket at all.

"How are you going to travel without a ticket," asks one perplexed lawyer.

"Watch and you'll see," says one of the engineers.

When they board the train the three engineers cram into a restroom and the three lawyers cram into another one nearby. The train departs. Shortly afterward, one of the engineers leaves his restroom and walks over to the restroom where the lawyers are hiding. He knocks on the door and says,

"Ticket, please."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

One day a man came home and was greeted by his wife in a very sexy negligee.
Tie me up," she purred, 'and you can do anything you want"

So he tied her up and went golfing.

"WorldFlight Has Begun"Live streaming Video from the flightdeck of a 747-400 Qantas Jumbo..whoooo hoooo! There goes my sleep for the next weekworldflight 2004On the way from Sydney to Townsville at moment.Might have to pay them a visit at the airport :-)))
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For Gary and Kevin In yesterdays Brisbane" Sunday Mail" in the travel section
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Vacation

I have been back at work for one week, and all ready I need a vacation. There having me set up alot of accounts, and at the end of the day, I can't account for myself. :D

'' Pelican at dawn"
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Stinger Season has begun eeeek they are here
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Morning sunrise

A visit to Mozambique...be very careful
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My first day back to Work

My first day back to work after a 2 year, 4 month layoff was rather emotional.

First I went to a four hour Orientation meeting at 7:30AM. I received my new badge and a packet of information and forms as I went into the auditorium. There where 300 people with identical packets there. The speakers asked to see how many people were being recalled and who were new hires, almost two-thirds were recalled to work. They told us all about Boeing and all of its different business groups. Boeing has 160,000 employees through out the World in 60 countries. We all listen to the speakers talk about the various financial plans, health plans, life insurance plans, and pension plans. Then we had an ethic lesson on how to handle a situation where we would have access to preparatory information of another company’s proposal. Then we signed forms stating that we had been given the ethics training and a couple other forms.

After all that, we had to listen to a half-hour speech from our representative unions that represent the Engineering and Machinist employees at Boeing. Then we had lunch.

I didn’t get to my assigned work place until 1:30PM. As I walked through the security gate, I felt a little choked up, returning to my old work place. Had to wait a few seconds as the badge reader scanned the database to verify my badge?

Everyone was glad to see me back at work, and came around and shook my hand. They had ordered me a computer for my desk, but the site support people hadn't delivered it yet.

The building still has the nauseating pale Mustard yellow walls, and the old blast doors it had during the 60’s. They where installed by Civil Defense to protect us during nuclear attack from radiation, as we all where supposed to live in the inner hallways for a week or two with supplies. The supplies where throwin away a long time ago.

On the way home, I had the front left tire blow out on me, so I had to put the spare on and drive to the Tire Dealer. Fortunately the tire was under warranty, so I got a new one for the price of balancing the wheel $7.50. :D

Well, I'm glad I'm back to work, layoff was a very trying time for me.

Round the world for Royal Flying Doctors

Its on again,Every year about this time my brother gets involved in a virtual round the world flight in a Boeing 747-400 simulator which is being built in our shop in Sydney,Australia.Starts on 1st November,they live for a week at the shop eating flight food,and drinking beer I think!!!You can actually buy seats for different sections of the journey and follow the flight path around the world, all proceeds go to Royal Flying Doctorsworldflight
If you would like to have a guided tour of the cocpit and how it was built.,click here747-400
I think I did this right,Gary you will enjoy this.

"PINK RIBBON DAY" Dont forget next Monday is Australia's Walk of hope Breast cancer day.Pink ribbons all round,a good cause!!
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Tonites sunset
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5.30 am today from the Northern insomniac at the beach..Bigpond is not working again but the cant stop me sending photos :-)
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Pattycam Watchers Blog

Woops,I think I have stirred Up a hornets nest,But I do love my Beach /Thats if I have done this right Still learning this html stuff news story

Exercise Block !1. PLace block on floor 2.Walk around it twice 3.sit down and relax. You have just walked around the block twice...Walking is good for you. They actually sell these in America
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"Exercise Block"Instuctions 1.Place block on floor 2. Walk around it twice 3. Sit down and relax You have just walked around the block twice. WALKING IS GOOD FOR YOU!
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"DONT JUMP'' We promise we will all be good!!!
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US hurricanes may spell cyclone woes for Qld
Weather forecasters say the severe hurricane season being experienced in the United States may point to the return of an active cyclone season along the Queensland coast.
Jeff Callaghan from the Bureau of Meteorology's severe weather section, says the Florida coast has entered a new 20-year generational weather pattern of advanced hurricane activity.
He says Australia's also due for a generational change and expects the region to experience between four and five cyclones in the next season, which starts early next month.
"In any given year we can get between one and two impacts, that means they'll come close enough to cause flooding, or damage, or the like," he said.
EEEEEK!!
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My Buzznet photos

Ok I think I have finally worked this Blog thingy and html out,with the help of my 13 year old. Precious girl she is ,if this works Just click on Beachut and have a guided tour of Australian beaches etc.All my photos,just work thru my gallerys which you will have to scroll down too. Beachut

"Magnetic Island" Taken thru the norfolk pines the council has planted along our beach front.
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The Bus Tour

This Tour bus driver had just finished a weeklong tour, and was looking for a nice
long weekend. When he got home, he collapses in his easy chair. No sooner than he had done that, the phone rings, the tour manager was on the line. He asked the driver if he could take out a group of deaf mutes on a day sight seeing tour.

The bus driver complained that he was exhausted and looking forward to a little rest and relaxation. The tour manager said that the bus driver was the only one who knew sign language, and promised him a week paid vacation if he did this. The bus driver reluctantly agreed to take them.

The next morning the driver arrived at the station to drive the guided tour. The group of deaf mutes where already there with their translator. The translator told the bus driver that they where ready to begin the tour. He signed for them all to get on the bus.

He was driving them through the countryside, telling them the history of the area and the translator was signing what he said. After some time the translator asked the driver, if there was a place where they could stop and have some food and refreshments. He said he knew of a place and drove them there.

They all filed out of the bus and hit the rest rooms. Then some of them went to the bar and ordered drinks. The bartender was serving drinks, when he noticed one of the Customers tilting his head back, closing his eyes and opening his mouth. This startled the bartender, but he continued to serve drinks. Pretty soon almost everyone at the bar was doing the same thing, tilting their heads back, closed their eyes and opening their mouths.

Now the bartender was scared, he ran over to the bus driver who was at a corner table, reading the paper and drinking a soft drink.

"What are they doing?" said the bartender to the driver. The driver put down his paper and said “Oh God! now we will never get out of here".

Why? said the bartender. "Their singing”.

BTW: I told this joke on a bus tour of the South Island of New Zealand in 1980.
Every one including the bus driver loved it. :D

Re: You are what you eat!!

Breakfast: Coffee
Lunch: Wholemeal Bread, thinly sliced beef, with salad. Pieces of orange and grapegruit.
Tea: Pitta Bread with sliced meat and salad.
Supper: Fruit and small portion of low fat custard.
Additional: Loads of water.

"The face" Someone submitted this to photo site,can u see the face
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City Boy visits the Farm

I just returned from visiting my cousin’s farm in Eastern Washington. After many invitations to visit, I finally had the chance to visit. Unfortunately it was a bittersweet occasion.

My mother’s sister and her husband had moved over to Cheney, which are a few miles outside of the city of Spokane many years ago. Spokane is 300 miles (482.80 km) east of Seattle, Washington. It takes 6 hours to drive to Spokane. In between there is the Cascade Mountain range, the Columbia River and miles of dessert to cross. It can be hazardous to drive over the mountain pass during winter.

Mother and my, first attempt was to fly over to Spokane during the Christmas season some 15 years ago. We were successful, but my Aunts daughter and her daughter had the Chicken pox, so her husband drove us from the airport to visit with my Aunt for Christmas. After many years, several back surgeries, Moms Hip replacement and death. I remembered that I had warned mother that she had to see her sister before one of them died. It was time to make a visit.

The flight over was uneventful (kicking myself for not booking a seat on the right side of the plane (Who knew Mt. Saint Helen would blow that day?). My cousin Kathy picked me up at the airport and whisk me of to see my Aunt Beatrice, then we went to the VFW hall for a Spaghetti dinner. Had to watch what I said there, Republicans all over the place. We staid up to 12:30 catching up on things. I was surprised that they live in a nice ranch style house. My pre conception was an old two-story farmhouse.

Saturday morning, David (my cousin’s husband) drove me around the farm. They have 4 square miles (6.44 square kilometers) of land (all rolling hills) which they grow Wheat on. He took me to a point high on a hill, that over looked the Palouse Plateau. I could see 100 miles (160.93 kilometers) to the south, almost into Oregon and Idaho. David, a ranch hand and Kathy run the farm. Have to admire them for their independence and self-reliance.

Later Kathy and I went to see my Aunt Bea again. I was showing her pictures of Mom and Dad, when my Uncle (100 years old) hinted that it was 4:00 o clock and they where suppose to have dinner and we had to leave. They have caregivers taking care of them in their home. Kathy and I left. She told me, that he was mad because he wasn't getting the attention. Also I found out that he was abusive to her (he adopted her when he married my Aunt) and his own two sons from his previous marriage. After dinner, I showed Kathy how to use the Word program on the computer. She is going to fix up her part of the family tree, that I had given her a copy of the data set and a back up copy.

Sunday morning, David and I went out to bring in a portable generator that they use to pump water to a watering trough for the cattle. They are leasing part of their land to another farmer for grazing. He showed me his Combine that he uses to harvest the Wheat. I sat in the driver’s seat as he explained the controls to me. After that we all went to Aunt Bea's for her Birthday party (she is 88 years old). My Uncle behaved himself. Then it was time to go to the airport, to come home. My aunt was in tears, because I had to go, and asked if I would come over for Christmas. I have to book the flight now.

woops

Pattycam Watchers BlogI knew I forgot something this morning...Breakfast...two coffees...or was that 3

Careful what you wish for

Two guys in a row boat are fishing on a lake. A bottle floats by.
So one guy grabs the bottle and brings it on board. They find that
the bottle has a cork in it, so they pull it out.
Smoke starts pouring out of the bottle, and a Genie appears.

The Genie says, "you have released me from the bottle, so I will
grant you one wish".

One guy says "I wish the lake was full of beer".

The Genie says "It is done" and disappears.

After awhile of drinking beer, one of the guys all of a
sudden gets mad and yells at the other guy
"YOU IDIOT, NOW WE HAVE TO PEE IN THE BOAT".

I found that island in your photo :-)
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Today at dawn Taken at 6.00am...with coffee in one hand and camera in other...Lifes a Beach!!
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"Red sky in the morning" Taken at sand level
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"The pink sunset"
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"Castle Hill" This is where the suprise is hidden Brispaul
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Bad hair day, 22 September 2004, Isle of Wight, a very windy day.
Sue

"Excitement Plus" Todays paper...town has gone crazy,bigpond is buggered...me thinks too many emails going south.Go Cowboys
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"Bit mad up here in the north" This is plastic watertank manufacturer accross the road from work
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"It just gets better" Last nite
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"No pot of gold" I walked for miles but could not find the pot
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The Chicks have hatched
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I thought this was funny
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What Can I say!!!! Sorry Brisbane :-)
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"Game Day" Bring on the Broncos
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WE feel sorry for The Broncos up here so they have put these signs up
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cowboys

Take a trip to the Cowboys web sitePattycam Watchers Blog

Pattycam Watchers Blog

GO THE COWBOYS Will post pickies on Monday http://www.cowboys.com

"You Looking at me???" Oh No what have you done,now I have a pet falcon at work to watch all day
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"Could only Happen Here" Footy fever,Council staff replaced the Queens portrait in the council chambers..Hmmmm!!
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This is such a pretty bird, it's a Mandarin duck.
Sue

I like this picture, it looks as though he going to take a dive.
Sue

What a lovely sight, seven cygnets with their mother, and all their little friends, waiting for a crumb.
Sue

King of the Hill!

I wonder if anyone will ever beat Ken on Jeapordy?? I heard he either got beat or quit as of Tues. but here he is again tonight. His brain power is unbelievable. Since it is a game show that relies on a contestants recall capacity and wide base of knowledge then he is a sure fit! He is close to a million and a half in dollars so maybe he doesn't want to be greedy! For those of you that can't receive this show there are several feelings as to this young man and his extreme success on this game show. I turn in just to see how far he can go and some others think it is getting boring looking at him each night. I imagine it is hard for the show to find people willing to stand up there aganist him. How ever he ends up, who ever beats him if they do, will be much scarier than him. Can't imagine anyone topping him. Go Ken!!! Have a good evening!

"The brilliant Cowboys" Be afraid Broncos be very afraid!!!!
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"Now Ive seen everything" An oxygen bar where you go and breath in pure oxygen for 10 minutes..pick a flovour any flavour..good way to freshen up at 11.00pm on a friday nite
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Our ancestors

A cartoon in last weeks Sunday newspaper, shows a woman typing on a computer and talking to a man seated next to her. She says "Our ancestors were hunter-gatherers, but we've evolved into browser-purchasers."

"White cedar" Remember my white cedar tree we cut down..This is what a local old fellow did with some of it..I saved all the good bits
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