Favorite Things

anyone lived in a pretty how town

I was thinking it might be nice to share some of my favorite things - maybe I'll try to occasionally come back to something that I think is worth sharing. Tonight it's my favorite poem:

A Pretty How Town
by E.E. Cummings

anyone lived in a pretty how town
(with up so floating many bells down)
spring summer autumn winter
he sang his didn't he danced his did.

Women and men (both little and small)
cared for anyone not at all
they sowed their isn't they reaped their same
sun moon stars rain

children guessed (but only a few
and down they forgot as up they grew
autumn winter spring summer)
that noone loved him more by more

when by now and tree by leaf
she laughed his joy she cried his grief
bird by snow and stir by still
anyone's any was all to her

someones married their everyones
laughed their cryings and did their dance
(sleep wake hope and then)
they said their nevers they slept their dream

stars rain sun moon
(and only the snow can begin to explain
how children are apt to forget to remember
with up so floating many bells down)

one day anyone died i guess
(and noone stooped to kiss his face)
busy folk buried them side by side
little by little and was by was

all by all and deep by deep
and more by more they dream their sleep
noone and anyone earth by april
with by spirit and if by yes.

Women and men (both dong and ding)
summer autumn winter spring
reaped their sowing and went their came
sun moon stars rain

This is Fabulous - Check it out!

Summer sent me this link to a 12 question survey that helps you choose the 2008 Presidential Candidate who most closely aligns with your views on big issues:

http://www.wqad.com/Global/link.asp?L=259460

My candidate was Mike Huckabee - who's yours? (According to the survey and if you've actually chosen someone). I'd be interested to hear if anyone got a different survey result than the person they're actually thinking of supporting...

How do you spell S-T-R-E-S-S???

S
E
R
I
E
S

S
E
V
E
N

I CANNOT SEEM TO WRAP MY BRAIN AROUND OPTIONS TRADING, MARGIN CALLS, BOND MATURITIES, ETC., ETC., ETC. ! ! !
Why oh why did I not take more math classes in college? It has been far too long since I used basic mathematical logic!

And Away We Go!

We checked some references and contractor # 3 passed with flying colors - FINALLY. He's preparing the contract and we will be signing up on Monday or Tuesday to get started on our home improvements. Now all we have to do is pray that he doesn't run into any problems on the roof repairs so that we can (maybe) actually afford that metal roof we've been wanting. Take one last look. This place will sure look different with an entire roof rebuild and new looooong front porch!

I'll post some before and after pictures when we get this project started...

GREAT TO BE AN EIGHT!

This morning I realized that I had lost enough weight now to consider trying something. So I went to the closet and pulled out my navy pin-stripe suit, which I haven't worn in nearly 2 years. In fact, I only got about 3 wears out of this thing because I bought it too snug since I really liked it (wanted it for an interview) and they didn't really have it in my size.

I am thrilled to report that this morning I put it on easily and am now wearing it comfortably. My main goal has been officially reached - Size EIGHT and LOVING IT! I would still love to lose about 10 more pounds before the year is out and then I will be in a weight range that is comfortable for me to maintain indefinitely. Still, today is for a little celebration (not talking about cake and ice cream here).

Series 7 - YIKES!

Here we go. The test is scheduled and now I have to see what I've learned over the last eight weeks of studying. November 15th I'll go to Montgomery bright and early with my calculator and drivers license and whatever my little brain can hold. Pray hard! I'm going to pass, but a seven hour test sounds frightful!