Because I haven't posted in forever and I can't seem to focus for long on anything, I thought I would post this meme and I would love to get to know what your answers are if you are on my friends list.
Thought I'd jump on the bandwagon:

YOU'RE ON MY FRIENDS LIST, I want to know 34 things about you. I don't care if we never talk, or if we already know everything about each other. Short and sweet is fine... You're on my list, so I want to know you better!

1) Are you currently in a serious relationship?
A. No. Unless you count my 4 cats. I was married once to an addict, who still drives me crazy just being in my presence. Needless to say he stays away! I do believe in love I just don't think it's in my cards, sad to say.

2) What was your dream growing up?
A. Hehe, Ok, this is really funny but all I wanted to do was to be an international jet setter or a queen!

3) What talent do you wish you had?
A. I really want to play the guitar, so bad I bite my lip every time I think about it.

4) If I bought you a drink what would it be?
A. traditional Margarita with a slice of lime on the side.

5) Favorite vegetable?
A. Broccoli

6) What was the last book you read?
A. Currently reading the Golden Compass, and I just finished the Terry Brooks "Shannara" Series, and Gregory Maguire's "Wicked". Next on the list is "The Other Boleyn Sister!

7) What zodiac sign are you?
A. Capricorn. Born the same day as Martin Luther King, just 20 or so years later.

8) Any tattoos and/or piercings? Explain where.
A. Not right now but I keep thinking about it. I love tattoo art, just not sure about putting it in the skin. LOL

9) Worst habit?
A. Smoking. BUt I am working on that.

10) If you saw me walking down the street would you offer me a ride?
A. Of course I would!

11) What is your favorite sport?
A. Horse racing, I would have to say, other wise I only watch sports like a Roman citizen did, waiting for the blood and guts. Well, You Asked!

12) Do you have a negative or optimistic attitude?
A. Ok, for me this is a deep subject, but I consider myself a jaded optimistic, if their is such a thing.

13) What would you do if you were stuck in an elevator with me?
A. Sit down, get comfortable, and then we would talk about everything from a-z.

14) Worst thing to ever happen to you?
A. Heart attack, just after becoming baronage. Talk about timing!

15) Tell me one weird fact about you.
A. I am terrified of crickets, not bugs, not snakes, not spiders but Crickets. Of all things!

16) Do you have any pets?
A. I have four beautiful kitty's, Gypsy, Pumpkin, Twilight and Dartania.
They keep me sane....

17) What if I showed up at your house unexpectedly?
A. come on in make yourself at home! I promote an open door policy.

18) What was your first impression of me?

19) Do you think clowns are cute or scary?
A. I think they are stupid, but I have a weird kind of humor...

20) If you could change one thing about how you look, what would it be?
A. Lose weight.

21) Would you be my crime partner or my conscience?
A. Definitely your conscience. I walk my own path for the most part.

22) What color eyes do you have?
A. Blue

23) Ever been arrested?
A. no

24) Bottle or can soda?
A. No soda please, tea for me!

25) If you won $10,000 today, what would you do with it?
A. Is that all? LOL, Man Inflation sucks, doesn't it? I would buy a new car,since I need one anyway.

26) What's your favorite place to hang at?
A. My Computer room

27) Do you believe in ghosts?
A. Yes.

28) Favorite thing to do in your spare time?
A. Play "World of War Craft", Make Scrolls and Sew Garb.

29) Do you swear a lot?
A. Probably, But driving a school bus helps keep me clean!

30) Biggest pet peeve?
A. Laziness and not putting down the lid on the toilet. My cats like to play in the water. YUCK!

31) In one word, how would you describe yourself?
A. beautiful

32) Do you believe/appreciate romance?
A. Please, sweep me off my feet. If you can! I know its a challenge.

33) Do you believe in God?
A. I believe in undeniable fact. however I would like to think there may be something bigger than ourselves, just don't know what that might be. I call myself an agnostic, for lack of better way of putting it.

34) Will you repost this so I can fill it out and do the same for you?
Sure!

It's my birthday! Wooho made another one intact and pretty much in one piece! Going to get new glasses today if the optometrist will ever call...
I plan to start cutting out a new gown for Manonnin. and maybe start on some back log scrolls I need to get done. Thats what my day will be, I think, baring any unforeseen circumstances.

I just got a phone call telling me that Mary Joe's Fabric Store in Gastonia NC was closing down in March of this year. Was wondering if anyone in that area could verify this as true or false? I have heard stories of this for years but now that Mary Joe herself has passed on and it's up to her daughter who doesn't care about fabric I am told.It may have some validity!
Then what in world will we in the SCA do. I travel aprox. 3 hours just to get fabric now, if this goes under what then? 6 hours? I will be very distressed over this news, if it turns out to be true.... Please let me know if you know something about this?

Glitter Graphics - GlitterLive.com
Christmas was good but whats better is the time to be myself, no where to go, no real work commitments, just me and cats and they are enjoying the fact that I am home giving them undivided attention.
I just read duchesspadr journal and I am right along side her in the cleaning frenzy, I jumped right into the Sewing room/ computer room shredded all the old mail,Filed the rest, threw out old CD cases that I have no idea where the cd's walked off too. Moved the furniture and cleaned every leg and side of it. Organized the books again (it's a never ending process) because I can't put stuff back when I am done with it, apparently. or maybe the cats have been catching up on some light reading?
I have already gotten rid of the Christmas spirit throughout the house, cleaned out the fridge and all the cabinets, and I am now working on the pantry and the Fridge left overs. Tossing old or never used products like half of a bag of basmati rice that has been in their for over 2 years (YuK) Taking inventory of things I need to replace like starch that apparently I used up at thanksgiving, and cleaning out the fridge sucks cause I cant cook for just myself and so lots of stuff goes bad.
I finally got around to making curtains for the computer room. that was over 6 months ago, that I got new windows. Soft Brown Velvet ones, so now I have the perfect girl cave to play in. Plan are on the table for more sewing.

I think I am looking forward to a new year full of promise, and taking stock of the direction I wish to go in. Deciding if I want to get into the CFA again and start breeding Persians, or do I want to take that over due trip to see my brother in NY and live at the cloisters? (Not Really) But you might as well say so, for as much time as I spend in that place.
I am looking forward to a wonderful New Year filled with freedom! It wont be long now before I can call myself just rowen again and not Baroness Rowen!! Yippy!! Going to buy a new car to celebrate! So I am Playing back and forth with either a T-Bird convertible or another Expedition! HUMMM What wonderful choices I have coming this year! I am looking forward to it I think. It's like standing at a cross road, watching the cars go by and now I get my chance to turn. Should I turn right or left?
I'll let you know when I know!
Later

Sometimes friends come from unexpected places, but they are 1 of life's most special gifts. Have a great Christmas ... friends!

Food For Thought – As almost everyone knows (or should know), Al Gore recently joined the U.N. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change in accepting a Nobel Peace Prize for his passionate work to make the topic of Global Warming a matter of international concern & cooperation. He is also on record that “he will donate his share of the $1.5 million that accompanies the prize to the non-profit Alliance for Climate Protection" .

While this issue has on occasion been (& still seems to be) a matter of some dispute, I frankly don’t see how any of us can deny its reality in face of the following pic. While the pic is certainly a humorous look at a serious issue, just think about it & the impact it could have for all of us. For me at least, fashion & global warming have left my body type behind. What might be next in this photo is scary in my book.

My Brother is in town!!!! It was so good to see him. And of all things we got thanksgiving together as a family. Dad, my brother and me. What could be better! Now to get rid of all the left overs. I don't dare eat them this late in the game, and have to get the kitchen ready for Christmas baking. Another tradition I just wont give up, no matter high the grocery store prices get. I will just have be more selective on what to make . Gotta get sewing for twelfth night too! Who's Going!'

Hey all, Just a short note to let you all know that I am alive.. Work has been almost beyond bearing this year,The kids are so BAD! But I made it to thanksgiving week out and maybe I can recuperate enough to keep with the program. How ever In the Course of my self therapy I am writing to say hello, and have a wonderful turkey day. I am cooking in the hopes of getting some more therapy and Pat and Michele and Scott and Woody are going to be the guinea pigs. What Fun! I start becoming the evil genius in the morning.

Here are my answers to Stitchwitche's, meme. But I would pass this on and see what your thoughts are for me? If your on my friends page, feel free to add info of yourself!
1. Do you have a tattoo? Nope - but have been working on a design that I could live with for a while now so, the answer is someday!
2. How old are you? 45
3. Are you single or taken? Married twice gave up after that and now happily single
4. Fish? Ohh Yuke!
5. Do you dream in colour? always
6. Ever seen a corpse? Yep.
7. Hipsters or Hillbillies? peace and love flower child to the core!
8. How did we meet?
At Dame Ann's Birthday party.
9. What's your philosophy on life and death?
Life should NOT be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive and well preserved body, but rather to skid in sideways, chocolate in one hand, wine in the other, body thoroughly used up, totally worn out and screaming "WOO HOO what a ride!
10. If you could do anything with me, and have no one know, what would it be?
Just hang out and talk again.
11. Do you trust the police? More than I trust the bad guys (ditto)
12. Do you like musicals?
Cant stand them!
13. What is your fondest memory of me?
Us , talking about viking embroidery!
14. If you could change anything about yourself what would it be?
less solitary loving person!
15. Would you cheat? For a good cause. maybe if it was really good cause!
16. What are you wearing? My plum satin nightgown
17. Have you ever peed in a pool? Nope!
18. Would you hide evidence for me if I asked you to? nope, but I see nothing!!!!
19. If I only had one day to live, what would we do together?
go to Stonehenge and watch the sunrise, over coffee and a Bagel!
20. Which do you prefer - short or long hair? Long hair DUH!.
21. What's your favorite day of the week? Saturday!
22. What's your favorite color? Orange and red!
23. If you could bring back anyone that has passed, who would it be?
my mom!
24. Tell me one interesting/odd fact about you? I'm Kinesthetic.
25. What was your first impression of me?
Too Cool for words!
26. Have you ever done drugs?
Experimentation, was the word for me at one time! Glad, I'm over all that!
27. Will you post this so I can fill it out for you?
Oh, yeah. See what you started?

God grant me a new brain or at least a secretary.... PLEASE!!!! You know you have aged to perfection when: You no longer need paper and pen to write reminders.
Then one day,With out explanation, you cant find your glasses, you look all over the house,and in the car, and finally give up collapsing on the couch in exhaustion. (All the while they have sat happily on your head giggling at you). While you cant see you cant find that paper list you had placed so Obviously in plain view so you wouldn't forget to go to the business meeting, Open barn, and I am sure their was something else on the paper.... You have busied yourself cleaning the house of any remains of the roommate (No he's not dead!) So you have misplaced all the pens in the house. Or are the cats holding them for ransom, because you also have forgotten to feed them. The computer is a blur,(Remember you cant see) so its obvious that you cant look up any info you need about a certain day, even if it did cross your mind that you where forgetting something.

You get my point! Needless to say I feel like a real boob right now! I forgot about the Baronial business meeting, the open barn at T's and even the Canton meeting even after I got a call from A to remind me! So please if your listening God, Please send me a secretary. One that will parrot everything I need to do 100 times a day, and stick post-it notes on my forehead, glue my glasses to my face and maybe even feed the cats once in a while! Thank you!


Or maybe I can tattoo what I need to do on the back of my head ! HUM! Naaaaa....

Ok, I give! It been a week since I have had any comfort what so ever... I mean by that statement that Living in South Carolina is rather ruff in the summer. I drive a school bus during the day and it's at its best around 112 degrees in side the oven called a bus, then I jump into an unair conditioned car thats somewhere around 120 degrees cause its been sitting on fresh black top for the past 10 hours. only to come home to a house that has broken its Air conditioner and is now sweltering in 90 degree heat. Yep their is no relief. Then when I finally get someone to come out and try to fix the AC, the price tag for an inspection sets me into another sweat. Now thats not to do anything about the AC thats just to show up. Then you have the price tag for the fix and well the waiting. Its enough to send you to the hospital. Wait that cost money too! (hence the fear part, the loathing comes when you have to pay the bill) All the while, you are suffering as if you had been selected for the Inquisition and they keep tossing logs on the proverbial fire, or is that the actual fire. My Brain is cooking! I should be well done by the time I get any relief from this heat!

In other news, The roommate is moving out! Now that a good thing and a bead thing. Seems I have gotten used to high speed internet and well all those history channel shows are so fascinating! Not to mention some company every once in a while. and now all the bills are mine too. So whats a girl to do? Any ideas? On the up side, I can now enjoy my heated home in my birthday suit with no fear of destroying an innocent mind! LOL
Ok, We all know his mind is not innocent or pure for that matter but it sounded good!

Guess taking on another route will help. Going to have a kindergarten run in the middle of the day. They are so cute at that age, no meanness yet! you almost want to snuggle the little tykes like baby kittens, the only difference is they are not fluffy!

Thats the news from me as of late. Just to let you know when you see me in a bad mood, its not you, its the heat! ( And we have two more months of it!)

It's been a while since I posted so I thought a quick update wouldn't hurt. This is a picture of the Tower at Furman University! I love this view!

Summer is over! The proof; Having in service at the bus lot, and having new routs to run. So I spent the day getting all my certifications up to date and running the new routs, in prep for Monday's start of school! The cats must know summer is ending too because they are busy hiding bus keys, and paperwork. Scampering down the hall with my Certification and hiding it so well it took me an Hour to find it! You think they are telling me something?

Last weekend I spent traversing the border of NC and SC. Going to Charlotte, then Gatonia, then Stanly, then Greenville and when I was done I had to back track all the way home again. But it was fun. My father had a great big day and My brother from NY and myself were so proud of him. The whole trek was in preparation of his Financial building dedication at Furman University and another wing for the science building in dedication of my deceased mother. Everyone in my family are Furman Alumni, and it was a proud moments for Our Family, not to mention getting to see the family from all over the country. IE... NY, Tenn, GA, DC, NC, and more. Worst part of the weekend was traveling in 106 degree heat ( not sure what the heat was with the index) with no Air Conditioning. (man am I ready for a new Car) With AC! Best part is that hopefully soon we will all get together for a family reunion! This really got the family talking together and I really hope a reunion is in the works like I hear it is!

So trying to focus on the Barony and its needs, get back to school, and deal with the heat! I'm really looking forward to "War of the Wings" and getting to more events when the paychecks start rolling in once again! I miss everyone! In the mean time I guess its back to sewing and scribing! I looked at my scroll to do list and its getting rather out of hand so I guess I am going to try to get some of these half finished scrolls done and be able to check some work off the old to do list!

Well thats what I have been up to lately! for those inquiring minds. You know!
Rowen

HUM, Very Interesting. And here I thought I was flighty and giggly!

Like I said this is just to bizzare for words

Ok, Back to sewing!

Let me tell you, I am feeling very regretful that I'm not going to make Pennsic this year. Reading all of your journals has me rather melancholic for the days gone by! Just tis morning, I went to the pet store to pick up kitty food (because they were committing mutiny on me) when I got out of the car I smelled Pennsic, yes for a split second I was their in front of the Bread Boule and the Fruity Cobbler. The sounds and smells swirling around me like I had never left there. just over the way was the Tudor house and The Guild of Limners. Memory's of the warm sun shine and cold nights around the fires of Pennsic drumming till the sun comes up, and staggering home to the period pavilion I spent so may hours sewing together. shopping till I couldn't take it any more... and thats alot!;) the watering hole,the great field battle, the smell of sweat,dirt and cooking fires. Pennsylvanian Corn over the fire pit, and Cooper's store chocolate milk. seeing thousands of brightly colored banners and pavilions lining Battle road. and I will never forget the siege on House Morning Star, where we small folks of Tiegh Lion Banna laid siege upon them for their pink flamingo, and the water battle that in sued! Huge quantity's of "Old Castle" Hard Cider in lue (SP) of a surrender! Yep their is no place on earth like Pennsic. I will miss you once again. But I have to say Thank you to the Chinese restaurant next door to the pet shop. I'll give my complements to the chef. They make food that smells of great memory's, but I doubt I will ever eat their!

Ok Here we go,

Famous Artist/Band/Musician: Clannad

4 letter word: camp

Vehicle: Corvette

TV Show: CSI

City: Charleston

Boy Name: Chris

Girl Name: Christine

Alcoholic Drink: Coconut Colada

Occupation: Computer programmer

Something you wear: clothes

Celebrity: Celine Deon

Food: carrot cake

Something found in a kitchen: counter

Reason for being late: crash

Cartoon character: Captn. Caveman

Film Title: cliffhangers

Something you shout: Clear!

Thats was rather hard to think of. Maybe because I am not yet awake. Need Coffee!

THINGS YOU NEVER KNEW YOUR CELL PHONE COULD DO!
There are a few things that can be done in times of grave emergencies. Your mobile phone can
actually be a life saver or an emergency tool for survival. Check out the things that you can do with it:

FIRST

Subject: Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.

SECOND

Subject: Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys in the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your cell phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other "remote" for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!"

THIRD

Subject: Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370# Your cell will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you charge your cell next time.

FOURTH

How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following digits on your phone: *#06# A 15 digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhere safe. When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally........

FIFTH

Cell phone companies are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial: (800) FREE 411, or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so pass it on to your family and friends

Good news!

Dad came through surgery like a champ and is even going home today! Glad I got the house clean and the yard mowed. He worry's so much about the appearance of his home. Its ridiculous. But dad is doing well and coming home! Yippy!! After a long and exciting week maybe this weekend will settle down to something called normal now! I hope so as I could use a break.

Got the god son on Friday and life has been rather full ever since. We have cleaned up the perpetual mess of the backyard and mowed grass till we couldn't see straight. Then off to have some fun at the water park where I got burnt up.spent several hours slathering on allovera(SP) jell and complaining. I hate it when their is no comfortable position to sit stand or lay down. I fell like one of the cats looking for The spot, and not finding it. so now suffering from sun exposure we are heading to the cool comfort of the movie theater where no sun shines. hoping for wide chairs and a story that will let me forget the pain for even a short while.

Then we are off to the hospital to sit and wait for the word that my dad has come threw surgery ok. Gaul stone, and Gaul bladder surgery. I can imagine that what hes going thru is way more uncomfortable then my burn. I just have to worry about him. he's my only parental unit left and is up their in age now.87. I continually have to check on him at home. I have been thinking lately that I may have to impose my will and have him become a member of the I have fallen and can't get up monitoring club! I am over at his house at least three times a week, mowing his lawn and doing odd jobs he needs. making food for the week and now making sure he hasn't fallen or gotten sick. Oh, the joys of taking care of aging parents. But I prefer that over no parents!

Well off the start my day and suffer with my burn through it all. Man was I stupid to go out in the sun with little protection from the sun!

~ Cat Lovers Who Cook ~



Look in cookbook for cookie recipe.
Get cup of coffee.
Get cat off of cookbook.
Find that special recipe.
Get cat's nose out of coffee mug.
Go to fridge and get eggs.
Get dry ingredients from cupboard.
Break eggs in small bowl.
Sift dry ingredients in large bowl.
Answer the phone.

Cat ate eggs; get more from fridge.
Get cat out of flour bowl and dust cat off.
Get Band-Aids for scratches on hands.
Throw flour out and get more.
Preheat oven for cookies.

Glare at cat with desire to bake cat now.
Watch cat run for cover into bathroom.
Flour the counter to roll! out cookie dough.
Run to bathroom to investigate loud crashing sound.
Cat has toilet paper all over floor
and your personal bathroom things
knocked over on top of the counter.

Yell at cat. Cat falls in toilet bowl.
Take cat out of toilet to dry cat off.
Get bandages to cover more scratches
on arms and legs.
Clean up bathroom.
Run to kitchen to see what cat is doing now.

Get cat off floured counter in kitchen.
Try to pick cat hairs out of flour.
Step on cat's tail and get bitten.
Get coat, car keys, and go to store to buy cookies.
Squeeze cat through partially open window into
a stranger's car at the store parking lot.

Eat most cookies on the way home.
Give the last cookie to the cat waiting
at the front door
as the cat has beat you home.

Hows your day going?