jardinero

Happy Birthday to my favorite "bird lady" ;) May this be a start of a new year of adventure and peac for you, my friend. Hugs ~ J.

Birthday greetings, Topper! Hope it's a wonderful day for you! J.

(((((Groucho))))) Thanks. J.

Welcome to GSC, Nowgrown. I was at RC at the same time as your first year, as my family was F11 (as are a few others who post here). Our oldest son was 8-10 years old while we were there, so I probably was around you in Children's Fellowship and no doubt know your parents. Happily, as far as I've been able to determine, most of our Corps left twi shortly before or after graduation, though I've heard a few who stayed in a little longer or migrated over to ex-twi splinter groups. Glad to hear you got out and on with your life. Happy reading and posting. J.

Amen and amen, dear friend. J. ...and Tonto, we know he's a mere mortal, but a hunky mere mortal at that ;) loved the poem, dear Mr. T

Um, there was a witnessing directive to witness to people with jobs, cars and all their teeth. OMG, that's rich! J.

"Highlights of African History and Culture" and A history of the Huguenots" Interesting juxtaposition :blink: J.

Oakspear: And that would surprise us, why? J.

Tommy2Ts - - I didn't know you were bilingual international scum! lol and my dear StrangeOne - - I do believe our western IL farmer friend is correct - - it's wine at nine, or at least that's when we start drinking in Chat, so y'all come join us now, hear? and scum brother of mine, Brother T-Bonehead - - so solly to awaken the sleeper program and send you back into relapse mode - - god, did we really say that crap????? and Goey darlin - - we'll take your kinda slime doing our bidding any day! J.

[/b]Thanks, John. xoxooxxoxo J.

lol, rhino... one run two zoo three tree four door How do you turn this stuff off???? Help! Stop this crazy thing!

Otanjou-bi Omedetou Gozaimasu, Joji! To our resident (and favorite) curmudgeon. May you have many "happy endings" to keep you smiling in the years to come Sometimes we forget to say nice things to people until their special day, but I know many of us really appreciate your wit, appreciation of other cultures and the general onoriness you bring to the cafe. Thanks for being you! Kanpai! J.

Oh ((((((((((((Andy))))))))))) I'm so sorry. I didn't know that. I feel the same way about my sis who died a couple of years back who was my dearest and closest friend. No one yet has filled that space for me. J.

'Tis that time of year it seems. We've just had 4 or 5 dads from our office out at their respective Scout Camps, too. Hope you have nice weather and Andrew earns all his badges. :) Have fun, Ron! J.

????? What does that mean???? You are vpw's granddaughter? J.

Actually this isn't about the Cartoon Wars, but I thought it was funny that South Park received an Emmy Nod for their episode poking at Tom Cruise in "Trapped in the Closet": J.

I thought I'd add a couple of thoughts from a post I made over a year ago on an old thread entitled "VPW, Cancer and Gartmore". This is talking about the opening night of our first year in residence Family Corps XI, August 1984. I think you'll see a little perspective of his concerns for some of his pet programs in my post. This is just months before he died and he was already quite ill: Another post was from my recollection of a SNS hookup we attended just prior to this time (would have been the summer of 1984), shortly after VP had suffered an almost never discussed stroke: Anyway, just some thoughts to throw into the mix. I don't think people really realized just how sick he was during the 83-85 time frame. Could have impacted his decision to talk, confront, or not to - - depending on how he felt. J.

Well, I use purple, because I like it. And I use larger fonts because it's easier for ME to read. Sorry you find it annoying, but feel free to skip any and all of my posts - - it won't bother me in the least. :) Also, I'm on a computer all day at work and receive, write and respond to nearly 100 emails a day, so on my off time - - I like a little variety. Funny the things people get annoyed by. I get annoyed when the checker at the grocery store changes the register tape just before he/she rings me up. Not too much else annoys me these days... oh yeah, except loud people before I've had sufficient coffee Viva le difference! J.

Very interesting questions indeed, Scout. My first impression upon reading through them is to comment that the very thought that you are reassessing where you are, asking those questions and giving some thought to the possibility that "there's more" out there is a good sign. Many people hit mid-life (I'm 51) without much forward thinking, considering, assessing and get totally "blindsided" by it and become poster children for the person who has the affair or, buys the red Porsche or, quits the company after 20 years, or is surprised that women really do change through menopause. Many of my own life changes happened in my 40s also and I've spent the last 7 years since finding myself (as a single again, a single mom, back in school for a bit, in a new career, in a new state, home, group of friends, etc.). My own parents both died when I was in my 20s, but my oldest sister died a couple of years ago and I'm still recovering from that one. I think the questions are very healthy, and I agree - - some posts here do tend to jar my thinking in a good way. A number of us here will tell you that journaling is a wonderful tool to use during this type of journey - - both to begin articulating what might be the forumulation and/or elaboration of an excellent thought, creative idea, self assessment, self debate, etc. It's also a great tool to measure change, progress, successes, etc. as you look back in a couple of years and can see actual milestones you've accomplished (or not). But for the roadmap? I find comfort in talking to older women, my aging relatives, reading, reading, reading which I find to be some replacement for the wisdom I might have gleaned from parents. But I agree - - often life just is what it is and there's no roadmap, or enough preparation that really helps in the tough areas. The natural changes of aging are very real however, and if you are one of the many men (and women) who are somewhat ignorant of those changes (despite 50 being the new 40 attitudes), I would encourage you to read and understand the changes you have, are and will got through physically as you kick and scream and moan and groan and ache through the aging process. That will help you separate the physical from some of the very real emotional challenges you are no doubt handling right now (and sorry to hear about your parents, btw). Good questions! Keep at it. I'll be interested to read all other other 50-somethings chime in. J.

Yeah, where oh where IS Plots? I'm rather missing his moving thoughts on weekends. J.

Oh and here we just thought you were having fun camping or something! We missed you. I like the new shorter name, Cheffie! J.

ROR ~ I think she was up in OR or WA right after she got out, but that's the last I heard of her. J.

Hi Ploem ~ There are at least 3 of us here who were there (as adults) when you were there in 85-86 (me, Tonto and T-Bone). My oldest son was in 3rd grade when you were there and I knew most of the teens, so probably know you and your sister. Welcome to the Cafe. Hope to see you around. Let me know if you have any questions. Jardinero

Hi Clam Glad you still have a sense of humor about it all! J.

Oh, Dot - - I started on House right from the beginning and I love the show! When you work in corporate America, you develop a very jaded view of the world, so he says the things I can't get away with. Now, though, it's on the same time as Boston Legal and as much as I'm not a William Shatner fan, I LOVE his character and James Spader - - OMG - - he is deliciously carnal. I absolutely cannot miss the last 5 minutes of brandy, cigar smoking and their wrap up. The BEST on T.V. imho. Oh, yeah. I was shocked when Candace Bergen joined the cast, but oh, haven't they given her some great scripts! Yummy like reading trashy novels when I travel and can shut out the business for a good dose of humanity spun well for entertainment :) And my other trashy fav is Gray's Anatomy - - only cuz Dr. McDreamy (in real life) is an Indy car owner and I have to support the local economy!!!! Great writing. My entire young staff at work is hooked on Desperate Housewives and Gray's Anatomy, so we have to open all of our Monday staff meetings with the review or fill in if one of us missed something. What a hoot! J.