Because most of us have MSN as our homepages, I'm sure you at least glanced at this article. It's titled "Is this your soul mate?". Caught my attention. So, I went to have a peak. Hmm. Kinda interesting, and yet.... not. Says there are five questions to ask your potential soul mate to find out for sure. Even though I've probably found mine, I'm still not 100% positive I believe in them. What I do know is that, as I've stated before, Bryan and I are perfect for each other.

However, sticking to the subject at hand. The questions.

Question #1: “If your company gave one-year paid sabbaticals, what would you do for that year?” Hmmm... for starters, it's not like there would be alot of money, because I just don't make that much. And none of you probably do, either. So, let's change it to the good old standard: If you had a million dollars to spend in a year, without working, what would you do with your time? Seems to me that would get a better response. Doesn't it? I would make sure my bills were paid, then I'd travel. I'd take Bryan and we'd go meet each and every one of you who comment on our blogs. No matter where you live. But we wouldn't stay at your house, so you don't have to worry about cleaning it for us. Hell, we wouldn't even have to see your house if you didn't want us to, just meet up somewhere for drinks and dinner if that's all the time you wanted to put up with us. And because we had a million dollars, we'd even buy! I'd also spend at least a month with my parents. But when it's not so hot in Florida.

Question #2: “Will you share an embarrassing moment with me?” What the hell kind of question is this to ask someone you're just starting to date? Do you really want to know what was the most embarrassing moment in someone's life? Or, because you'd have to reciprocate, would you want to share your  most embarrassing moment? I say NO. I think the "experts" could have come up with something better than this. Let's change this question to: What do you think  would be the most embarrassing thing that could happen to you?  That one I'll answer. I think it would be being the person of the moment at some big shin-dig, thinking you had to let a little "air" loose and then instead of air, it's substance. Yep, that would be a red face moment, to be sure.

Question #3: “If your house were on fire, what’s the one thing you’d make sure to save?” Oh, this one is good. I think I'll keep it. Only it isn't one thing. It's two. And neither are "things". Things can be replaced, or at least fondly remembered. I'd make sure Bryan and Mac were safely out of harm. You all remember Mac, don't you? My golden retriever. Yep.

Question #4: “What’s the biggest misperception people have about you?” I really don't think anyone has any misperceptions about me. I am exactly who I appear to be. Just depending on what day of the month it is, what mood I'm in, and who I'm around would be the only deciding factors of which part of my personality shines thru. I am mature with childlike qualities and I'm the nicest bitch you'll ever meet. I'm also a very intelligent airhead. I think you all know this about me. I think anyone who has met me for more than an hour knows this about me.

And finally...

Question #5: “What’s the one life experience you want a do-over on?” There are some things I wish would have had a different outcome, but in the long run.. nothing. And the things I wish were different, it's mostly material things, so do they really matter? I mean, let's face it.. it's what we've done that make us who we are. Would I be the person I am today if anything in my past was done differently? I don't want to know. Because whatever it was, it led me to where I am. And I'm happy now.

Anyway, I don't think any of these questions amount to a hill of beans in deciding if the person you're asking them to is your soul mate. Nothing beats the way you feel when you're with another person. If your gut is going rumble rumble and you're feeling nauseous, then I don't think you should spend any more time than necessary with that person. If your toes tingle and your heart races and you find yourself getting a giddy feeling... hang on to that person. Or go get a check-up, lol.

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

Weather here is great. Supposed to get a thunderstorm today (Wednesday), but we'll see if it hits us. Snow is all gone. Temps have been in the 40's and 50's with sunshine every other day for at least a couple hours, so no complaints in that department from me.

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

Work is work...  thought we lost two employees last week. One was recalled to active duty in the Marines. He went for his physical, supposedly was flown to San Diego and then while waiting for the bus to take him to  Camp Pendelton, he was informed to get on a plane and get back to St Louis. Guess his lawyer got him out of having to go back. Third shifter, so even tho he wants to cut back to 3 days a week now, it's all good. The other one was a shock to us all... the kid seemed to have a good head on his shoulders. He came in to get his check Friday, about a half hour before his shift, made the comment he had to go home and change his shirt and he'd see us at 2. Just before 2 he calls and says he's not coming back, that he's quit. Talk about being ball-less! Whatever.

~~~~~~~

Have yourselves a great day. Maybe it won't be another week before I find something to write about again.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY

BRYAN

February 20, 1965

Let These Be Your Desires

Kahlil Gibran

Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself

But if your love and must needs have desires,

Let these be your desires;

To melt and be like a running brook

That sings its melody to the night,

To know the pain of too much tenderness,

To be wounded by your own understanding of love

And to bleed willingly and joyfully

To wake at dawn with a winged heart

And give thanks for another day of loving

To rest at the noon hour and meditate loves ecstasy

To return home at eventide with gratitude

And then to sleep with a prayer

For the beloved in your heart

And a song of praise upon your lips.

From: Me

Date: Feb 14, 2007 1:52 PM
HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY!

From: mr wonderful

Date: Feb 15, 2007 11:56 AM
yyea whats so happy about fucking happy about it?

From: Me
Date: Feb 15, 2007 10:14 AM
it's an expression, not a commandment, geesh!
chill out, dude

About the texting, Alex says he's cut way back on it. I haven't checked the bill recently. Bryan was going to add unlimited texting to Alex's phone, don't know if he has yet.

From: mr wonderful

Date: Feb 15, 2007 12:17 PM
instead of puninshing him you kiised his ass

From:Me
Date: Feb 15, 2007 10:28 AM
excuse me?
you are in a real shitty ass mood today, it's quite obvious - between what you're writing me and the post you just put up...
are you trying to start a fight?

From: Mr wonderful

Date: Feb 15, 2007 12:33 PM
me naaaa im in a great mood you just dont now how to play and your the one who needs to think twice on what going on in your world mine is fine busy taking care of MY 4 children tiered and slap happy but not shitty mood im just havung fun

From: Me

Date: Feb 15, 2007 10:38 AM
and just why do I need to think twice about what's going on in my world?

Final Message

Mr Wonderful:

well it hard when one says no and the other just does what the kid wants to spoil him cause they are not there to deal with the reality !

This is the actual, untouched record of the messages that were exchanged the other day. Well, I deleted his name, tho I don't know why. Maybe just because y'all have come to hold such a special place for Mr Wonderful.

Bryan looked at this and asked:"Is this what is the norm for MySpace? Or is it just the way he writes?"

It's the way he writes.

He doesn't think. Either before he writes anything, or before he opens his mouth.

Don't ya just love how he writes MY 4 kids.  He's let the oldest one stay with him. Not at my request. The youngest one asked to live with him only because he was where the kid wanted to be, not because of any preference for him. His own kids he sees every other weekend, or...rather, they come to stay at his place, but he's usually working. However, he'd have you believe he's the only parent any of them have and he's not only doing it on his own now, but always has been. Whatever.

Was talking with a co-worker yesterday about the weather. Tuesday was nasty.. icy sleety snowy.. and windy. Let's not forget the wind. And the fact that when the snow began, it was falling so fast and furious that as soon as you shoveled a couple feet, whatever you had shoveled was covered again. It was almost pointless to even try. However, by Wednesday morning the roads were pretty much passable in most places. At least around here. As I've mentioned to a couple people, the "official" tally for us was 6". I don't see it - except in the drifts, maybe. I don't think we got hit as hard as other areas of the country, nor as hard as was predicted. Supposedly another wave is due to hit Saturday. We'll see.

Anyhow, while co-worker and I were talking, I mentioned that overall I didn't think it's been a bad winter for us. We've had one major storm a month since December, and I think that one was the worst. She, however, begged to differ. According to her, this is what winters were like when she was a kid. Not being from here, and this being my first Missouri winter, I don't know. She claims that the last few years have been incredibly mild with very little snow.

This has been worse than what I recall last winter being like in Detroit, but not the worst winter ever by any standard. The cold hit us in mid-January and has been pretty much our companion since then (been a few 40 degree days tho), but I still don't think it's been bad. Here. I know I've bitched about being cooped up and all, but that happens every year around this time. The worst case of the winter blahs hit a couple years ago when we got back from 10 days in Florida... leaving 80+ in Orlando and arriving in Detroit to barely 20 degrees, snow, and what became the annual basement flooding of the old house. It seemed like forever before Spring came that year.

Back on track. Realistically, I still don't believe it's been a hard winter. For us. Here in the St Louis metro area. Yes, other areas of the country have been hit rather hard recently.. like within the last few days. But really... one blizzard does not make for a bad winter. It makes for a bad few days. Even two or three blizzards don't make for a bad winter.

When I was a little girl, I seem to recall the snow coming in early November and remaining until a January thaw, soon to be replaced by new snow a week or two later. That snow lasted until the end of March, at the earliest. I'd say it's only in the last 15-20 years or so that winters have become mild.

This year, even if co-worker is right and this hasn't been such a mild winter, it's not at all what I think of as bad. There hasn't been even one day the weather has kept me from getting to work, although a couple co-workers have used it as an excuse to stay home a few times, as recent as yesterday when 2 of them claimed they couldn't make it.

I remember the roads being covered in ice at least 2" thick. For at least 2 weeks, and then thawing in patches. I remember one time making the drive from where we lived into Saginaw, a 30+ mile drive, with the snow plowed off to the sides of the road in piles over 10 feet tall making it feel like you were driving in a roofless tunnel. I remember building snow forts that lasted all winter long, and winters lasted from November thru March. 

Anyhow, I'm sticking with my version of this winter. It ain't been so bad. At least, so far.

*hoping I haven't inflicted the wrath of vengeance or anything... tempted the fates, whatever*

~Happy Valentine's Day~

To all of you

As Valentine's Day approaches, I must say that this is the first one ever that I'm actually looking forward to. Not that I'm expecting any great gift . . .  I already have the best I could have, and we have no great romantic plans (I think we're both working that night). Or maybe it's just that I'm not not  looking forward to it. If that makes sense. Afterall, I have become a giant mush-person since Bryan entered my life. It's all sentimental and mushy romance and gooey gooey all the time now. Almost disgusting.

We were watching The Class last night (it was recorded). Richie and Lina had their first fight, and in the midst of it Lina smiled and said that they were having their first milestone in their relationship. I put it on pause and looked at Bryan and said "what gives? we've been together five months and haven't had a fight yet. How are we supposed to have make-up sex if we never fight?" This led to a brief discussion on whether a couple incidents in the past have been near fights. Nope. More like discussions of a serious nature. We don't fight.

He says him and the Storm didn't fight. It was more like him sitting by quietly while she had one explosion after another, cutting away at him like a knife. That woman is Evil incarnate. I'd like her to rot away into a pile of forgotten dust to be blown away because of the way she treated him. Seriously, no person should ever treat another human being the way she treated him. However, it does make him appreciate me more than I deserve, so I can't be completely filled with hate for her. Just mostly.

On the other side of the spectrum, me and Mr Wonderful had enough fights for a lifetime. We never had a civilized conversation. Ever. By the time I'd been living with him five weeks  we'd had so many fights I'd packed up my things and was going to leave at least twice. Then he cried and I stayed. Don't even wanna re-visit that. He could make himself cry at will. But I didn't know that then. The thing is, we fought so much and over such ridiculous things, that at the end I just gave up and quit. The last year we were together we were barely speaking....  well, I was barely speaking. Why bother when every word you say is going to be twisted and turned against you?

Anyhow, at the end of our brief discussion we came to the conclusion that fighting is way over-rated. We don't let things bottle up. We don't accuse. We're both sarcastic by nature, and as much as that can be a hindrance in some couples, it works for us.  I honestly believe that because we spent so many months corresponding, before meeting in person, we know each other on a level that few people know another. Then, too, if there really is such a thing as a soul mate, we've found ours. We truly complement each other. And compliment often, as well, lol.

So, as Valentine's Day approaches. . . my gift was given to me on July 23rd, 2006, when I opened the door to that hotel room in Indy and saw him standing there, waiting for me. My love. My Bryan.

See? I'm just mushy mushy disgustingly sentimental. Sometimes I wonder who this nice person is who took over my mind. Talk about Attack of the Pod People! Oy Vey! Pollyanna took over mine!

I took an IQ test. Scored 126. Impressive, yes, but not overly so by any means. Bryan, naturally, got higher. Thank God, lol...  it would have been a major cut to his sometimes fragile ego had I scored higher. His was in the 140 range. Anyhow, checking my alternate e-mail account this evening I found a missive from Tickle informing that because of my "high IQ" I qualified to get a free full report instead of just the little teaser they give you at the end. Yes, Bryan had to check his e-mail to see if he received the same, but for some reason he didn't. Don't know why. Maybe he'll get his tomorrow. Or maybe they did it randomly, who knows? Anyway, it was pretty darn neat.

According to the teaser I'm a "word warrior".

You are equipped with a verbal arsenal that enables you to understand complex issues and communicate on a particularly high level. These talents make you a Word Warrior.Whether or not you recognize it, your vocabulary is your strongest suit—use it whenever you can.Since your command of words is so great, you are also a terrific communicator — able to articulate big ideas to just about anyone. Your wordsmithing prowess will also help in artistic and creative pursuits. The power of words translates to fresh ideas off paper too.

Because of the way you process information, these are just some of the many careers in which you could excel:

• Writer
• Translator
• Publisher
• Attorney
• Poet
• Politician
• Journalist
• Lecturer

Whoodathunk? Here's how it broke down... okay, probably only interesting to me, but what the hell... this is all about me, right?

Your Mathematical Percentile

Your Visual-Spatial Percentile

Your Linguistic Percentile

Your Logical Percentile

I like doing these kinds of tests. Not to prove I'm smart or anything, I don't need a test to tell me how smart I may or may not be based on the answers given by a percentage of people. I like to do it because it keeps my brain working. My one greatest fear is Alzheimers Disease, or just good ol' senility. Studies have been done proving that if you keep your mind alert and active it won't desert you in your later years. My body has already started to do things I'd rather it wouldn't have done, I don't want to lose my mind, too.

Anyway...

Again, it's late or early, whichever your body's timetable adheres to... mine is asking why I'm not in bed snuggled under the blankies...  so, this is the best I could come up with for now. Got something brewing in my head, though, so might maybe possibly write more much later today. Can you believe it's February??

Take care, have fun... but behave!