hijacked by a worm

a worm hijacked my computer! the nasty creature took over my browsers and had a hey day redirecting my searches. he was very good at his deception because he made some things work while others did not. just enough truth was kept to keep me unaware of the full extent of his hold upon me. (sounds like someone else i know) i thought it was a problem with my server. the damn computer repair guy - yes that's the name of his company, was able to clean some things off my computer and speed it up a bit but didn't find any viruses. after all of his efforts i was still having browser redirect issues and well most tragically i was unable to access anything google including blog post and comments! i felt alone and stranded and was resigned to just having to get serious and do my taxes. but a bit cautious of this because i wasn't quite sure if the nasty worm was really do more damage than just web browser redirects and didn't want him to have all my tax data information. i tried running a number of anti virus program...he hid from them. and then last night, after most guest has had gone home from little libby lu's first birthday party, i begged my nephew nate to take a look. well to end a long week - he found the worm and fixed my computer. what a good boy he is! thanks nate. now i can blog to my hearts content. and even do my taxes in peace.

beware

first it was friday the 13th and now....the ides of march is upon us. after reading kate's experience on the 13th perhaps there is credence to some superstitions. the old soothsayer warned caesar to be cautious on this day but alas his pride and arrogance got the best of him and oh well...another one bits the dust. i feel a change coming in my life, actually i know of a change coming tomorrow i'm just not suppose to talk about it yet, any way...change is coming. so i suppose i should heed the sage advise to beware the ides of march and be quick on my toes. i don't believe anyone is plotting to do me in, other than my own self doubt that is, so i shall go forward with confidence and just a bit of caution. i can't wait until it is tuesday and then all this superstitious days will be over and i shall just sit and eat corn beef and cabbage. ymmmm!

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for anyone who reads this and is the least bit curious...nothing devastating happened, really. i was just released from teaching the mia maids. i love the yw and am deeply saddened that i won't teach them every week. - but i am happy to be with the primary kids.

who's messing with my clock

i believe in the power of good ideas. without them we would not have almost everything in life that makes it fun and convenient. the idea of the wheel was a good one. fire was also ingenious. the printing press educated humanity. i personally am glad someone came up with the thought to have indoor plumbing. and the incandescent light bulb has changed our world. but when william willett conceived the idea of daylight saving time why was that a good idea? there is a long history to dst. all my life i was told that we change times so that farmers would have more daylight to farm, then i read that most farmers hate the idea and then i learned that the need or the premise for dst most recently has been funded by commercial entities such as clorox, 7-11 and both idaho senators, because more french fries are sold during dst i had to scratch my head and say hmmm... i hate changing times. why should the fact that sale of french fries and slurpees be more important than my own physical well being? it is worse than jet lag and when time changes it takes me nearly 4 months to adjust and then it changes again and i am all mixed up. i don't like people messing with my time.

sisters

"for there is no friend like a sister,
in calm or stormy weather,

to cheer one on the tedious way,

to fetch one if one goes astray,

to lift one if one totters down,

to strengthen whilst one stands."

christina rossetti wrote these words as part of her epic poem the goblin market. it is the story of two sisters. it is the story of one sister's heroic, self-sacrificing love given to save the other. it is the story which tells us that love can be used to save another. i have a sister such as this!

she is my best friend, she is my confidant, she is my sounding board, and at times she has been my frustration. (would she be a true sister without this?) but she has never left me nor betrayed me. by her side i learned how to pretend and how to believe. we took space ships rides together while nestled in the branches of the crab apple tree, and sent secret notes of hopes and dreams out into the world from high a top the mighty oak and spent playtime in the basement with lima beans, chalk boards, the red gingham dress and wooden banister horses. countless adventures experienced. pretend soon lead to reality as true love was found and declared, babies came and were cuddled and real life adventures were taken to places throughout the world. she has shared her life with me. where mine was lacking she filled it in. i do not have the words she has to describe my love for her. i only can echo the refrain, "there were flowers on her pillow, that matched ones on mine. madame alexander dolls and traded valentines....she knew my best, she knew my worst and everything in between ... some dreams have come and some dreams are gone and some remain just dreams ... sisters". thank you sister for all you have given me. happy birthday cori!

could it be ...

... this morning i awoke to the sound of a lovely songbird. it wasn't just a chirp here or there, nor that of a bird just in search of food. it was a high and light hearted full blown song and he sat on the branch of the tree out back until he was finished.

was it a song of spring?

yesterday i saw a yellow crocus popping out of the dull brown earth. (i love the color of dirt but this was unturned earth, packed down by heavy snows and not really pretty). a basket of lovely primroses help to brighten our kitchen table and it probably won't be long before the daffodils and tulips start growing as well.

i know that more snows will come, and this warm weather is just a teaser. but for now, i shall enjoy the lovely gift of the hint of spring.

epilogue: winter must have stalked my blog for she has decided to show her power and has snowed this very evening. but not to worry - the sturdy crocus can last through a storm or two...i suppose i can too! fie on you winter, spring will be here soon.

magical elves

my neighborhood is full of good little elves. after a winter storm, when the snow is heavy and covers our walk and driveway, i think to myself - "oh i must go and shovel all that heavy snow off of my driveway." you see if you don't shovel snow and then drive over it, ice develops. and i have a fear of ice. ie broken ankle 2004! anyway back to my story ... "self, you must go shovel". but before i have a chance to don my snow boots and shovel, i look out and the man elves of the hood, aka hornes, hones, connors, baileys or gardners have already been to my driveway and completed the job. lucky me! but the last two snow storms have been during the daylight hours when most of the good neighbor elf men are off to work. so...i decided to don my snow boots (i still own a pair of moon boots) and shovel, (the nifty yellow handled powerless shovel, not unlike tatiana's, given to me for christmas by reedo) and clear my own driveway for once. this was not necessary however, for the good woman elf ferguson, dressed in yellow, black and brown parka with bright blue and red hat, complete with ear tassels and large ball on top was already pushing her snow blowing machine and clearing the way. i joined her and soon neighbor linda saw us hard at work. (actually suzanne was working, i laughed and took pictures). not wanting to "miss out on the fun" linda hopped onto her trusty fourwheeler, equipped with shovel on the front and joined us. she created a tidal wave of snow and slush as she cleared the road and gutter. good elf karen, yet another neighbor, then came with her large magic driveway ice pick and removed what ice had built up when i drove over the snow before removing it. i continued to laugh and take pictures and shout a mighty thanks that i am blessed to live among such great people. elves truly are magical!

the written word is powerful

tonight as i was busy grazing on the left over food set out on the kitchen counter, while doing the dishes, after already having eaten a large dinner ... i glanced over to see if mom, aka gram, was ok. she had been sitting very quiet for a little while so it caught my attention. (quite often she is singing a little song she has just made up or is watching the news or something) but tonight she was quiet. when i looked over i saw that she had picked up a little book that i had sitting on the end table next to her. it was a book on the wisdom of abraham lincoln. she had picked up this book and instead of just looking at the cover and setting it aside, she opened it up and was reading! now this is really not unusual for the mom i grew up with, but the last few years have taken a toll on her. her eyes are sore and weak and her mind will often wander. she use to be an insatiable reader and still is when we go on our daily "outing" for she will read out load to me nearly every billboard sign and advertisement on passing trucks. but it has been a long time since she has read a book. my sister sherry and i quickly finished the dishes. i then moved over to the family room, sat on the couch and watched my mother read. it was glorious, wonderful quiet. i wish that all who love her could be here to witness this little bit of heaven. will she pick up a book again tomorrow night? perhaps. perhaps not. all i know is that for tonight, for these few moments there is a peace in our home that i will cherish! thank you gram. thank you God!

what a deal

when the economy is slow and the real estate market is, to say the least slow as well, what's a girl to do with all her time and a sincere desire to boost the economy? my advise shop the dillards january sale. i got these cute and comfy boots for 70% off and then an additional 30% off that! i also scored on a great pair of pants, not at $90 but a great $11. i love a bargain.

ps happy chinese new year kate!

a blessed nation

"the time has come to set aside childish things" said pres. obama. "everywhere we look, there is work to be done. starting today, we must pick ourselves up, dust ourselves off and begin again the work of remaking America."

we live in a blessed nation. a nation of hope. a nation of change. we are a blessed people. may we live to be worthy of the blessings. may we work hard. and to follow the words of another great leader, gordon b hinckley - let us try a little harder, to be a little kinder, do a little better, to stand a little taller! i am proud, honored and humbled to be an american.

warning

"warning. warning. danger will robinson! warning. ... that does not compute."

alas the flailing armed robot has died. or at least the guy who played him. bob may, who got the job because the suit fit, and then went on to be the best and most beloved robot in history passed away today. it is the end of an era!

my first tag

I am only doing this because haley, whom I love, tagged me!

8 tv shows I love…(hmm big word, better change it to like!)
1. ncis
2. amazing race
3. missing – or what others call without a trace
4. cold case – especially reruns on tnt until 4 am
5. lost
6. cnn headline news
7. ice road truckers
8. infomercials

8 fav restaurants
1. connors
2. gardners
3. madson’s
4. nicholi’s (although I have never eaten there I am sure I would love it because I am craving erica’s meatballs right now and she learned to make them from her mama and papa)
5. luzzato’s (in milano or here – either place as long as Christine is cooking)
6. In all modesty – libsribs

I prefer eating in. I can eat more that way, but if I do go out, which is not often here are a few fav’s
7. wingers for sticky finger salad
8. applebees oriental chicken salad

8 things I did yesterday
1. laundry
2. started a market analysis for a listing I’m not sure I want
3. showed houses
4. did not sell a house
5. went to yw and was obnoxious
6. ate too many fruit loops
7. grilled wings
8. was tired and yes a bit grumpy because I was too tired

8 things I look forward to
1. a thinner me
2. climbing the great wall of china
3. a chocolate truffle when I finish this post
4. farmington public works removing the snow and ice pile near my driveway which will release the damn of water or shall I dare say damn water building up in my driveway!
5. spring
6. french toast for breakfast – as soon as I go to the store and buy bread
7. selling a house
8. Reading everyone’s blogs!!!!

8 things I like about this season
1. a full moon on a quiet winter night just after a fresh snowfall
2. down blankets, soft pillows, a comfy couch and a remote
3. hibernation
4. after Christmas sales
5. the smell of bbq chicken on a cold winter night
6. good neighbors – no incredible neighbors who keep my walk and driveway cleared
7. soup
8. not having to shave my legs everyday

8 things on my wish list
1. that I’d sell a house
2. that houston, kc and calif and idaho were not so far away
3. for a wii fit so I too can become fit
4. katie’s pain would go away
5. gram’s pain would go away
6. that I could give pi some of my weight
7. a bit of kimball’s persistent nature
8. that I’d sell a house

8 people I tag
1. katie (once the pain subsides enough to blog)
2. annie
3. madie
4. miss emily
5. aaron
6. joseph
7. cara
8.laura

ps - cori, aren't you glad i didn't tag you....but it would be nice to have an updated post now and again!

resolution

1. a resolve or determination: to make a firm resolution to do something.
2. the act of resolving or determining upon an action or course of action, method, procedure, etc.
3. the mental state or quality of being resolved or resolute; firmness of purpose.

i can't decide if i like or dislike it when a word has multiple meanings. today...i think i like it because i can choose which meaning i want to use. take the above word of the day - resolution! hmmm. i think i will rule out definition 3 - considering the mental state i'm in it would not be good to resolve much today. definition 2 - sounds like too much work. so for today i will go with definition 1 and firmly resolve to do something!

new lyrics to an old tune

christmas is coming....and

libby's getting fat!

please put a penny in the old maid's hat

miss ruby louise connors

welcome to the world miss Ruby Louise Connors
born: dec 8, 2008
she is beautiful !

a match made in the kitchen?

my nephew, cousin, dear friend, butler and what ever else i decide to call him, had an epiphany moment when opening his kitchen cupboard. quote: "libby, do you know anyone named bruce? i opened up the cupboard tonight and as always, giggled when i saw your can of pumpkin stuff. but then i noticed right there by you was bruce (yams). thought it might be a sign, a match made in heaven, or at least the cupboard. just thought i would let you know. A a ron" . . . i suppose it is not too far fetched that i would find my one and only via food!

and speaking of food, a big shout out to - a, ash, soph, annie, kate and anyone else who helped provide delicious cookies for my soul and belly! they were yummy. i would have taken a picture to post but ate them too quickly. i must be having sympathy pains for ash because right now, since all my sugar cookies are gone, i am now craving her ginger cookies. ash, you must remove that picture from your blog. it just makes me crave them more. guess i'll just have to waddle over to the fridge and have a chocolate truffle or two instead.