Now there was a time
when they used to say,
that behind every great man,
there had to be a great woman.

But, oh, in these times of change
you know that's no longer true.
So, we're coming out of the kitchen,
'cause there's something we forgot to say to you.

We say, Sisters are doin' it for themselves.
Standin' on their own two feet, and ringin' their own bells.

Now, this is a song to celebrate
the liberation of the female state.
Mothers and daughters, and their daughters, too,
Woman to woman, we're singing to you.

We're singin', Sisters are doin' it for themselves,
Standin' on their own two feet, and ringin' their own bells.
>>>>>>>>>>>> Annie L.

PS: Happy 95th Birthday, Girl scouts !

(I don't know why I said that, except that it's the kind of pun my Dad used to love. Happy Birthday, Dad)

The MySpace part of it is in reference to the new "online" icon that Xanga is using. I hated the Big Brotherliness of it on MS, and I'm not warming up to it here, either.

Don't get me wrong - - I got nothin' to hide. My doors are always unlocked, and I keep cash in an end table drawer. I couldn't live in a place where I didn't feel perfectly safe doing this. All the rotten things that have happened in my life have had nothing to do with locked doors or money.

At first, when I saw it next to my name, I thought that maybe they'd come up with a new icon for we "False" xangans. (I still haven't figured out what it's supposed to depict?). Then I started hunting around to see who else had one. I realize now, that since it was one a.m., there weren't too many others actually online. The only ones I found were Zimbo and CD. For the life of me, I couldn't figure out what I was doing in such stellar company - icon-wise.

My biggest problem with this little gnat-y thinger, is me...and I realise this. You see, in Moe's little world, Xanga is a bunch of friend's having sometimes goofy (xoofy ?), sometimes meaningful, sometime supportive, sometimes "my-aren't you-a-nincompoop", conversations amongst themselves. I have completely sublimated the fact that this is a business, and the 'corporation' sees all and knows all and will use all, to their business advantage. As a business, I suppose they probably should change and grow. But, do they have to annoy me in the process ? I think not !!

AHA ! You can go to your 'Account Info - Privacy' section and opt out. So, back to anonymous xanga-ing. See you later.

Ta.
,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

For enquiring minds.....this is my favorite picture of me n' hubs. It's amazingly spot-on.

--------------------------
I keep looking at this picture - I told you it was my favorite - and trying to remember how I got my nickname, Moe. I know how Crow got his...and people really did call him Crow. When the nieces and nephews were little, he would hook his thumbs together like bird's wings, and "caw" for them, and dive-bomb them to their utter delight. To this day (they're in their 20s ), he is Uncle Crow. Could it be Moe, or Auntie Moe as I'm known in some circles, was just a good rhyming alternative to my real name. Just to add to the confusion - - at one time, and for a number of years, I was known as Sam. I'm not sure how I got that one either. Hm-m-m. I think I'll go have me some more think. Ta

*
Fairy Tales don't tell children that Dragons exist.
Children know that Dragons exist.
Fairy Tales tell children that Dragons can be slain.
*
- - - * * * * * * - - -
*
Children see Magic because they look for it.
*
*

If you want breakfast in bed, sleep in the kitchen.

As much as I try to be an easy-going, stretch your wings and fly type...I just can't help trying to burst people into flames with my mind.

Don't squat with yer spurs on.

It is important that a man helps you around the house and has a job.
It is important that a man make you laugh.
It is important to find a man you can count on and doesn't lie to you.
It is important that a man loves you and spoils you.
It is important that these four men don't know each other.

When I stand before God at the end of my Life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left, and could say - -"I used everything you gave me."

<#<#<#<#<#<#<# & <#

Well, that's about it for this installment......except for a public service announcement to conserve water - - drink margaritas.

,3,3,3,3,3,3 7 ,3................Ta, dahlins.

When I was in elementary school (last week?), there were 3 holidays in February. We got a day off for Lincoln's birthday on the 12th, and February vacation always centered around Washington's birthday on the 22nd. The third, of course, was Valentines Day. I liked that one the best.

We didn't get the day off, but we got to celebrate with all our friends. A week or so before the day itself, Dad would bring home a cellophane packet of about two dozen little cards for each of us. They were printed on one side only, with animals or cartoon characters. They had very simple expressions on them. No one was declaring their undying love and devotion with these. There were lots of corny ones, like: "please Bee-e Mine" or "Hoppy Valentines Day" or I like you Bear-y much, Valentine". More often than no they needed to be punched out of a sheet of five or six. I still remember how frustrated I used to get when they'd tear or have a jagged edge. Our teachers would give us a list of all the kids in our class. Yes, boys in one column and girls in the other. The rule was that you had to give one to everyone, but of course you could always say that you didn't have enough to give pecker-head Donald Smallidge one.(blecch!).

One of the best parts of this festive occasion was our Valentines 'mail-box'. We decorated ours at home where there was more stuff to put on it. The hardest part was finding shoe boxes for each of us. I always tried to hang on to the one that my new school shoes came in, but unless I had hid it well, the brothers would have disappeared with it, long ago. Some years, all there was, was a Kleenex box. Even if you had to deal with box-less tissues for a couple of weeks, sometimes sacrifices have to be made. Actually, they worked out pretty well. The mail slot was already there, and you just had to reach in to haul out your cards. Tissue paper or kleenex, crayons, cotton balls, paper doilies, oh what fun. {It was probably the beginnings of my crafty nature, and I still have difficulty throwing out a shoe box}. Then, on the day, we'd line them all up and oooh and aaah over them (the girls out loud - the boys snickering quietly). Row by row we'd get a turn at filling our classmates boxes, as we ooh'd some more. The first thing everyone did when they got their Valentines, was count them. More often than not, everyone got the 'right' number of envelopes. It's a lovely memory.

An even lovelier memory is/was/are all my Valentine's memories with My Funniest Valentine. When we were first going out, we'd have some kind of a dinner thing and maybe out dancing with friends and just your normal, that passed for romantic, evening. After the kid was born, we pretty much stuck close to home and hubs would always come through the door with flowers and a heart box of candy for me, and a smaller box of candy for Ann. After I became allergic to flowers, he switched over to cute little houseplants...and candy. Then, he took pity on the poor murder victims (I couldn't help it, I never got enough water as a child), and we were down to just candy. My 'gift' was a card and a Sunday dinner on a Tuesday night type deal.

When the kid finally moved on (not to be mean) we breathed a collective sigh of relief. Yeah, sure candy's always good, and so is a nice dinner to acknowledge the occasion, but there's no offense taken, if you take your plate in to play computer games while I watch Jeopardy. About 10 years ago, I found a Valentine that I really liked - very plain and simple. Hubs liked it,too...so, the next year he gave it back to me. This just amused us both on so many levels - Hallmark's not getting any more of our valentines bucks. We passed this back and forth for the rest of our lives. Except for one, every Valentines night ended with a variation of the same celebration. All 33! Some years were more festive than others, but there has never been any doubt who my Valentine is. The year that was the exception, is the year I ended up in the hospital, and the only food in the house was the Valentine candy. Poor hubs.

So, there you have it. My life of Valentines. You should have so much fun.....Happy, Happy,Joy,Joy...

Ta
<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3<3

Mocketh not, but I have been gathering my tax stuff together. My need-to-know about my finances, and where my economy is headed, has been prompted, in part, because it's an election year. It's time to ask, "what my country can do for me...". My other impetus is that Mass. is always taking its two-cents worth in some form of tax. Time to find the loophole.

One of the exceptions to the "...and the state taketh away" rules is that this year we have raised our minimum wage to a whopping 8.00 per hr. Now, don't start packing - cuz there's lots to consider if you're gonna live here. If you're still game, watch out when they frisk you at the borders.

First, let's go house shopping. Haha. I live in a small, rural town 25 miles to the left of Boston - west of historic Concord, with its Minutemen, and Walden Pond, and pots of 'old money' Oy ! (not) !! Mine is an ex-farming, currently high-tech, average income (ridiculously high), community. We are 10.4 sq. mi. - population about 5,000. The average house price is 545k. I can tell that some of you are unpacking already. (May I also add that my home is wa-a-y below town average.)

Taxes. Let's start with the town taxes. Each town has its own property tax which is set at Town Meeting - an annual event - along with all the other budgetary items. My town has one of the highest in the state at $14.14 per thousand at 100% evaluation (14.14 x 545 = a bunch). Another town tax is the annual Excise tax on any and all vehicles, including boats. It's $25. per thousand on a sliding scale of blue book value, for the first 5 yrs., then it's a flat $25 every year thereafter.

Now, onto, some of the highest in the country - State Taxes. One of the biggies, is the additional 5.3% income tax. Next comes the 5% sales tax on everything except food and clothing. So, buy your new car and pay your 5% sales tax, drive home and pay your (25. per thou.) excise tax. You'd better hope it's fuel efficient, cuz it's going to cost you an addt'l .22 per gal. There's an additional $1.51 per pack of cigs. and an extra $4.05 per gallon of booze, beer, or wine. We have the Bottle Bill which is going to cost you a nickel on every can and most 1 + 2 ltr bottles of beverages. Our tourists get to pay, in general, a 5.7% room tax (up to 9.7 by town vote), and we all pay a 5% meals tax in our restaurants and for take out. Speaking of restaurants, that $8.00 min. wage....it doesn't necessarily apply to waiters and waitresses. Anyone in the service (get tips) industry may be paid as little as 2.63 per hour.

We also have mandatory Health Insurance, compulsory car insurance, annual car inspections. We've legalized same-sex marriages (..but not divorces). We have the best consumer rights law, great conservation programs and mandatory allotment for low-income housing. There are great education incentives and some of the best colleges and universities. We have wonderful hospitals and research facilities. As icing on this chilly little cupcake...we also have, not only The World Series Red Sox, but also,- TA DAH - the 2008 Super Bowl Champions - The Patriots !!!! (Oh, didn't they play, yet??!!) hehehe

There are all sorts of ins and outs to playing the Tax Game, but, they don't call it Taxachusetts for nothing. Maybe someday I'll blog more about why I stay here. You've probably been able to figure out that it has more to do with my roots and my family, than with any fiscal responsibility. These are just some of the factors that I take with me into that voting booth. And when a new tax gets enacted, I grumble just as much about the citizens who don't vote, as I do about the politicians. Vote...please!

Well, it's back to the paperwork, for me. I think I'm gonna need some "people". Wish me luck and deductions. Ta.
___________________________________________________________________________________________
$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$$

1.) Remember back in November, when I told you about writing to the Veteran's Administration. I suggested to them that the certificates of honor, thanking the soldiers for their service, might be even more appreciated by the soldiers themselves. As it stands, they send them to a deceased soldier's family. Last week, I got another certificate in the mail. No response....just another beautiful certificate. I think they 'misconscrewed' . They are busy.

2.) Then there was the birth control commercial that I took to task for undue tackiness. They claimed "it's the most advanced piece of technology you will ever pee on." Clever ? Perhaps...but a little high on the tacky meter. I saw it again yesterday, and, lo and behold, they cleaned it up. Now it claims "it's the most advanced piece of technology you'll ever... ahem, - you know". I was amazed. I guess that I wasn't the only griper.

So, there you have it - you win some, you lose some - sometimes you're the windshield, sometimes you're the bug.

But, it's certainly worth speaking your mind. Ta
____________________________________________________________________________________________-

------------------------
.....no, not the cookies.....New Years Resolutions !
If I did, this would surely be included.....
*****
If you planted hope today in any hopeless heart,
If someone's burden was lighter because you did your part,
If you caused a laugh that chased a tear away,
If tonight your name is mentioned when someone kneels to pray,
Then your day was well spent.

.....sounds very Xanganese, doesn't it ?
____________________________________________________

Jose Cuervo Christmas Cookies

1 cup of butter
1 tsp baking soda
1 cup of sugar
1 tsp salt
1 cup brown sugar
4 large eggs
1 cup nuts
1 cups dried fruit
1 bottle Jose Cuervo Tequila

Sample the Cuervo to check quality. Take a large bowl, check the Cuervo again, to be sure it is of the highest quality, pour one level cup and drink.

Turn on the electric mixer. Beat one cup of butter in a large fluffy bowl.

Add one peastoon of sugar. Beat again. At this point it's best to make sure the Cuervo is still OK, try another cup...just in case

Turn off the mixerer thingy.

Break 2 leggs and add to the bowl and chuck in the cup of dried fruit.

Pick the frickin' fruit off the floor...

Mix on the turner

If the fried druit gets stuck in the beaters, just pry it loose with a screwdriver.

Sample the Cuervo to check for tonsisity.

Next, sift two cups of salt, or something. Who geeves a sheeve. Check the Cuervo.. Now shift the lemon juice and strain your nuts. Add one table.

Greash the Oven

Turn the cake tin 360 degrees and try not to fall over.

Don't forget to beat the turner

Finally, throw the bowl through the window, finish the Cose Juervo and make sure to put the stove in the dishwasher.
-------------------
Now that would have made a Cherry Mistmas !

Thanks for the recipe, Pat. Next year....you and me...cuz you should never bake alone.....
_________________________________________________________________________________________