A Cat In The Hand Is Worth Two Birds In The Bush!

I bought this computer just over two years ago with my first venture into the world of credit cards. I'm a mature woman and have seen and done a lot in this world, but nothing could have prepared me for this. When I finished high school computers were not standard curriculum and, as was the way back then, I did the family thing with little to do in the way of secondary education. So, with my children married and raising families of their own, some maniacal little voice in my head told me I could get a credit card, buy a computer, learn how to use it, make a whole new life for myself and all would be rosey. NOT!!!

Don't get me wrong! I'm having a wonderful time with this new distraction and I have actually begun building my own web site and totally astonished my daughters.

Life presents us all with roads and potholes and ditches that we have to navigate around and sometimes it seems the road just drops off the edge of the earth when we enter our latter years. Maybe that perception is triggered by menopause, but, hey, men feel the same way so it isn't all hormones. Middle age doesn't mean life is half over, it's just halfway through all those potholes. Opening our minds to all that is available to us if we just make the effort to reach out is a little like turning the headlights on as dusk approaches. All of a sudden everything becomes a lot brighter and it's so much easier to see the great scenery ahead.

Like most people whose children have left the nest, I have pets to keep me company; two cats, a dog and one very loyal two-legged critter that I think I'll keep around for a long time.

Since I've taken up this web obsession my little Russian Blue cat, Nicky, has become a total suck and ever more demanding of my attention. He's an amazing little boy and I love him to death! Then theres Ginny, the orange tabby sumo wrestler and Sammy the cocka-collie. Last, but far from least, is kris, my strength and bain of my existence.

All of this has happened to me in my so-called middle age. A very eclectic family dynamic, a computer that is costing me a lot in hair dye, and a cat that keeps bringing me presents of half alive birds. I think this middle time is going to last a very long time and I intend to keep plucking away at this keyboard and searching sites like this for answers to my never ending list of questions. With a little karma and a smile from the Big Guy, perhaps I will hear some stories from others who have found a place to share.

I think I just gave my author bio, but since you ask...52 year old female disabled by MS; Canadian; live in the country; animal and nature lover; my web site, horror movies and Stephen King novels are my favorite distractions. My loves are my daughters (3), my grandchildren (8), my better half, my pets and my home. I hope to, someday, actually make just a few dollars from my web site. Just so I can say 'I actually did it'.

P.S. Why can't 'AAARRRRRGGGGHHH!!!*&?#*!!' be a keyword?

In The News:

Yahoo! News: Top Stories

Palestinians pray over the bodies of  people killed near a United Nations school Tuesday, during their funeral in the Jebaliya refugee camp, in the northern Gaza Strip, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. Israel's military paused its Gaza offensive for three hours Wednesday to allow food and fuel to reach besieged Palestinians, and the country's leaders debated whether to accept an international cease-fire plan or expand the assault against Hamas. With criticism rising of the operation's spiraling civilian death toll and Gazans increasingly suffering the effects of nonstop airstrikes and shelling, Israel's military said it opened 'humanitarian corridors' to allow aid supplies to reach Palestinians.(AP Photo/Hatem Moussa)AP - Israel resumed its Gaza offensive Wednesday, bombing heavily around suspected smuggling tunnels near the border with Egypt after a three-hour lull to allow in humanitarian aid. Hamas responded with a rocket barrage.



People looks for jobs in front of computer screens at the California Employment Development Department in Sunnyvale, Calif., Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. The country lost nearly 2 million jobs through November and more bad news is expected this week when the government releases data on weekly jobless claims and December unemployment. No matter how bad those numbers are, and economists expect at least another 500,000 jobs were lost last month, the pain is stretching into 2009. (AP Photo/Marcio Jose Sanchez)AP - Pink slips are piling higher as companies scramble to cut costs even deeper to survive the country's economic and financial storms.



President-elect Barack Obama gestures during a news conference at his transition office in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, where he introduced Nancy Killefer, right, to the newly created position of chief performance officer. (AP Photo/Lawrence Jackson)AP - Pointing with concern to "red ink as far as the eye can see," President-elect Barack Obama pledged Wednesday to tackle out-of-control Social Security and Medicare spending and named a special watchdog to clamp down on other federal programs — even as he campaigned anew to spend the largest pile of taxpayer money in history to revive the sinking economy.



Illinois U.S. Senate Appointee Roland Burris, left, meets with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nev., Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, on Capitol Hill in Washington. (AP Photo/Susan Walsh)AP - Senate Democrats beat a hasty retreat Wednesday from their rejection of Roland Burris as President-elect Barack Obama's successor, yielding to pressure from Obama himself and from senators irked that the standoff was draining attention and putting them in a bad light. Burris said with a smile he expected to join them "very shortly."



President-elect Barack Obama is welcomed by President George W. Bush for a meeting at the White House in Washington, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, with former presidents, from left, George H.W. Bush, Bill  Clinton, and Jimmy Carter.  (AP Photo/J. Scott Applewhite)AP - Confronting a grim economy and a Middle East on fire, Barack Obama turned Wednesday to perhaps the only people on the planet who understand what he's in for: the four living members of the U.S. presidents' club.



In this photo provided by the Washington State Department of Transportation, water rushes past a washed out road near Blewett Pass on U.S. highway 97 in Washington State on Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009 in Washington State. (AP Photo/Washington State Department of Transportation)AP - Rain and high winds lashed Washington state Wednesday, causing widespread avalanches, mudslides, flooding and road closures as the heavy snowfall that has buried parts of the state began to rapidly melt.



Workers put bulletproof glass on President-elect Barack Obama's Inaugural Reviewing Stand on Pennsylvania Avenue in front of the White House in Washington, Monday, Jan. 5, 2009. (AP Photo/Ron Edmonds)AP - The upcoming inauguration of Barack Obama is an attractive target for international and domestic terrorists, but U.S. intelligence officials have no information about specific threats to the Jan. 20 event.



Christian Bale accepts the favorite action movie award for 'The Dark Knight' at the 35th Annual People's Choice Awards on Wednesday Jan. 7, 2009 in Los Angeles. (AP Photo/Matt Sayles)AP - Holy, People's Choice Awards, Batman! "The Dark Knight" soared away with every trophy it was nominated for Wednesday at the 35th annual fan-favorite CBS ceremony. The caped crusader flick won five awards, including favorite cast, superhero, action movie and on-screen matchup for Christian Bale's Batman and the late Heath Ledger's Joker.



Harvard's Jeremy Lin (4) drives for the basket in front of Boston College's Rakim Sanders in the first half of an NCAA college basketball game Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009, in Boston. (AP Photo/Michael Dwyer)AP - Jeremy Lin scored 27 points to lead Harvard to an 82-70 upset over No. 17 Boston College on Wednesday night, three days after the Eagles upset previously top-ranked North Carolina.



In this  Sept. 28, 2008 file photo, New York Jets coach Eric Mangini gestures on the sidelines during the third quarter of an NFL football game against the Arizona Cardinals at Giants Stadium in East Rutherford, N.J. The Cleveland Browns have agreed to hire Eric Mangini as their head coach, a person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press, Wednesday, Jan. 7, 2009. (AP Photo/Bill Kostroun, File)AP - Eric Mangini is the new head coach of the Cleveland Browns, a week after being fired by the New York Jets. A person with knowledge of the negotiations told The Associated Press that Mangini will be introduced Thursday at a news conference at the team's headquarters in Berea.



An Israeli soldier stands next to blindfolded Palestinian prisoners after they were arrested during an Israeli military operation in the northern Gaza Strip January 7, 2009, in this picture released by the Israeli Defence Forces (IDF). U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice said on Wednesday she had pressed Israel to seriously consider an Egyptian ceasefire plan as the U.N. Security Council weighed action to end Israel's attack on Gaza. (IDF/Handout/Reuters)Reuters - Israeli warplanes bombed the Gaza Strip on Thursday and tanks pounded Palestinian guerrillas on the ground as U.S. backing for a proposed truce raised expectations of an end to the offensive.



A share trader reacts while checking share prices in front of the German share price index DAX board at the German stock exchange in Frankfurt, December 18, 2008. (Kai Pfaffenbach/Reuters)Reuters - A fresh wave of profit warnings and job cuts soured investor sentiment on Thursday after an employment report suggested U.S. job losses in December could be the worst in almost 60 years.



Senate-designate Roland Burris talks with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid in Reid's office on Capitol Hill, January 7, 2009. (Larry Downing/Reuters)Reuters - In an abrupt switch, Democratic leaders began talks on Wednesday to swear in Roland Burris, appointed by embattled Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate.



President Bush greets President-elect Barack Obama at the White House, November 10, 2008. (Joshua Roberts/Reuters)Reuters - The U.S. budget deficit will swell to a record $1.186 trillion in fiscal 2009, congressional forecasters said on Wednesday, the result of an economic recession that has cut tax receipts and caused massive government bailouts of banks and automakers.



Reuters - U.S. cities are vulnerable to an attack like the gun-and-grenade assault that terrorized Mumbai for three days and killed 179 people, the White House homeland security adviser said on Wednesday.

Ali al-Marri, who has been held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, is seen in this undated photograph released to Reuters on January 6, 2008. An early test for President-elect Barack Obama will be the case of suspected al Qaeda 'sleeper' agent Marri, which will force Obama to take a position on his predecessor's claim that anyone the president deems a national security threat can be imprisoned indefinitely without charges in the United States. (Handout/Reuters)Reuters - The case of Ali al-Marri, accused of being an al Qaeda "sleeper" agent and held for 5-1/2 years at a U.S. military prison in South Carolina, will be an early test for President-elect Barack Obama.



Eggs are stacked up at an egg farm in San Diego County, July 29, 2008. (Mike Blake/Reuters)Reuters - An outbreak of salmonella food poisoning has made 388 people sick across 42 states, sending 18 percent of them to the hospital, U.S. health officials said on Wednesday.



Bernard Madoff is escorted in a vehicle from Federal Court in New York, January 5, 2009. (Lucas Jackson/Reuters)Reuters - Accused swindler Bernard Madoff should be jailed for violating a court order by mailing $1 million worth of diamonds, watches and other jewelry to friends and family, U.S. prosecutors told a court on Wednesday.



A Palestinian protestor flashes the V for 'victory' sign in front of an Israeli soldier near Damascus Gate in Jerusalem's old city. Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.(AFP/Ahmad Gharabli)AFP - Israeli warplanes bombed suspected arms-smuggling tunnels in southern Gaza early Thursday, as diplomats worked to secure a ceasefire in an offensive that has killed 700 Palestinians.



A woman looks at a manometer set on a gas pipe at a compressor station in the Ukrainian city of Boyarka. Envoys from Russia and Ukraine go to Brussels on Thursday for emergency EU-brokered talks to resolve a bitter gas fight between the two ex-Soviet giants that has engulfed Europe in a major energy crisis.(AFP/File/Sergei Supinsky)AFP - Envoys from Russia and Ukraine go to Brussels on Thursday for emergency EU-brokered talks to resolve a bitter gas fight between the two ex-Soviet giants that has engulfed Europe in a major energy crisis.




Everyone Has Been Hurt..... Part 5

Continued...About a year later I met my husband. I met him through... Read More

A Reason For Living in a Nutshell

In brief, my book A REASON FOR LIVING is the product of... Read More

On Stand-by

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 28, 2003My wife... Read More

Taking Life Head On

"We are built to conquer environment, solve problems, achieve goals and we... Read More

For Inspiration Watch a Kite Fly Against the Wind

Given a steady wind and a properly balanced kite, the kite will... Read More

Searching for the Meaning of Life!

Are you looking for the meaning of life?You work all day long,... Read More

Parental Consent

Direct Answers - Column for the week of August 11, 2003I am... Read More

How To Weather Lifes Inevitable Storms

In the Northeast, we have a few months to prepare for winter... Read More

Do You Feel Headed For Shipwreck?

The ocean liner Achille Lauro sailed perpetually under a dark cloud. In... Read More

Does Introspection Assist in Self Progression?

Why would we need to examine our lives? What benefit does it... Read More

Big-Wave Mindfulness: Surfing For A Connection

Surfing is mindfulness in action. Riding the biggest waves is an all-out,... Read More

Why Anyone Can Be Prosperous

In nature, when the season is right, all things flourish and overflow... Read More

A Bad Move

Direct Answers - Column for the week of April 7, 2003My husband... Read More

The Most Powerful Question Ever Asked?

What if every experience in your life is sent to you so... Read More

How Do You Do That? Demystifying People With Disabilities

IntroductionNearly all employers and human resource professionals are aware of the Americans... Read More

A Word Fitly Spoken ~ Acceptance

A WORD FITLY SPOKENA word fitly spoken is like apples of gold... Read More

A Bit Of Turbulence

Direct Answers - Column for the week of July 1, 2002I'm a... Read More

Everyone Has Been Hurt...Part 3

Continued....When I turned 18 years old, I met a new guy, I... Read More

Borne Upon the Wings of Words

How often do you have opportunities every day to exercise your power... Read More

How To Deal With Shyness

Although shyness can be overcome, there is a fair chance that certain... Read More

Head First

I stepped up to the edge and looked down. I closed my... Read More

Voices Inside My Head

Have you ever wanted to do something really major-something stupendous-something totally different... Read More

Take Out Time -- To Just Be Thankful

While sitting here tonight, watching the conclusion of "There Are No Children... Read More

Who are you?

I have a question for you.Who are you?This may be a simply... Read More

FEAR Don?t Let it Control You!

Fear. What is it? Can you touch it? Can you hold it?... Read More

The Red Ribbon

Everyone wants a blue ribbon. Blue. First place. The best. Even kindergarteners... Read More

Energy Work Basics Part 4: Imagine!

Einstein said, "Imagination is more important than knowledge".Did you know that athletes... Read More

Two Drops Of Water

Direct Answers - Column for the week of June 17, 2002My problem... Read More

The Power of Inspiration

INSPIRATION can be a powerful thing. It can keep you going... Read More

To Raise Your Frequency, Just Turn on the Joy!

The feeling response to being filled up with Love from your Spirit... Read More

Trusting Your Genius Within

Comments about New Theories in the Professions and Business!I recall reading an... Read More

Just One Person We All Need

I understand that all the self made people of this world, be... Read More

7 Strategies to Overcoming Anxiety and Panic Attacks

You Can Overcome panic attacks and anxiety! That is great news to... Read More

The Nature of Anger

Excerpt From The Relationship Handbook: How to Understand and Improve Every Relationship... Read More

A Little Blessing Changes Everything

"We're on a one-game winning streak!" That's what freshman Dawan Boxley said... Read More

How To Walk On The Path Of Peace (Part 2)

If you are praying daily for wisdom, for peace, a fuller realization... Read More

Don?t Give Up!

Don't let anyone kid you. The road to self improvement and personal... Read More

Spiritual Bread Making

All the ingredients to make 12 loaves of bread already exist. The... Read More

Who is My Mother?

Text: Matthew 12:46-50, Mark 3: 31-35, Luke 8:19Mother's Day has passed. All... Read More

The Miracle of Personal Development

One day Mr. Shoaff said, "Jim, if you want to be wealthy... Read More

Emancipation

Direct Answers - Column for the week of September 8, 2003When is... Read More

Are We Ever Really Alone?

A new twist on a familiar quote - Chances are you've heard... Read More

What Life is All About?

When we look at lives in any places in this world, we... Read More

Relax. Its Just Your Life

What am I supposed to do with my life? Shouldn't I be... Read More

A Journey of a Thousand Miles

There is a Chinese proverb that says, "A journey of a thousand... Read More

The Importance of Friendship

My students and clients have constantly heard me stress that our Martial... Read More

Happy Ending

I'm writing to you with a completely shattered heart. I've known my... Read More