New Flash!! Don't throw that Shrimp on the Barbie!

By ANDREW BRIDGES Associated Press WriterWASHINGTON Jun 28, 2007 (AP)
Font Size E-mail Print Share
var addthis_pub = 'abcnews';

Farmed seafood has now joined tires, toothpaste and toy trains on the list of tainted and defective products from China that could be hazardous to a person's health.
http://abcnews.go.com/Business/wireStory?id=3327048&Business=true

Perhaps my entry yesterday was a bit too timely!

Ni How MA?

My wonderful mentor and college professor strongly encouraged those of us Saycians to take and learn Chinese in college. He even went to the trouble of making the College find and hire a professor to teach the class. A number of my classmates and I took the class. I also took it when I went to Oxford. I probably did it more to make him happy than my interest. I regret not paying more attention and actually getting into the language. I can remember a bit of the language. I am disappointed in my lack of interest in the class now with the emerging giant in the Far East. Dr. Sayce's point then was "1/5 of the world's population speaks Mandarin not French" My friends that poured themselves into the language did well with it. A number of them went to China after graduation to teach English.

My good friend that is Eurasian now lives outside of Shanghai and owns a hotel and more. She constantly is trying to get me to come out there for vacation.

Okay nice trip down memory lane but what is my point? Why don't I just go find a Mandarin class and start over? I have a growing concern about the amount of products and services being manufactured and created in China. Moreover, the amount of issues with the quality. We have thousands of pets that have died because of the Chinese putting in an additive into a food by product to make it seem better even though it was poisonous. Do they care - nope.

Next case - Tooth paste has been poisoned.

Last night, I saw a case about the tire recall. This is what got me thinking.

Do you remember back in the early 70's when it was "Jap Crap". Now the Japanese make the best of everything. I wasn't old enough to know if there was issues with quality that was dangerous from a health prospective. I have to think the difference is the land mass. It is difficult to have an impact on the food industry when you are an island that imports food.

What do you think the impact of the emerging nation of China will be.... We have already seen the gas price impact. Did you know the busiest Best Buy store is in China? Think about it.

Illegal Aliens Defined

Illegal =
1.forbidden by law or statute.
2.contrary to or forbidden by official rules, regulations, etc.: The referee ruled that it was an illegal forward pass. –noun
Dictionary.com Unabridged (v 1.1)Based on the Random House Unabridged Dictionary, © Random House, Inc. 2006.
Alien =
Owing political allegiance to another country or government; foreign: alien residents.
Belonging to, characteristic of, or constituting another and very different place,
Dissimilar, inconsistent, or opposed, as in nature: emotions alien to her temperament. n.
An unnaturalized foreign resident of a country. Also called noncitizen.
A person from another and very different family, people, or place.
A person who is not included in a group; an outsider.
A creature from outer space: a story about an invasion of aliens.
The American Heritage® Dictionary of the English Language, Fourth EditionCopyright © 2006 by Houghton Mifflin Company.Published by Houghton Mifflin Company. All rights reserved.

Now that we have defined the two words.... Illegal Alien... Why would we give amnesty and citizenship to individuals that have done something forbidden by law and by definition have allegiance to a foreign government? I can't get over this. We have lists of people that want to come to this country LEGALLY. Why should they take a back seat to those individuals that take short cuts, commit crimes (being an illegal alien is a crime), and drain our government resources.

Who would do the work? Perhaps the teenage obese population would be less fat and facing diabetes if they had to, vacuum, mow the lawn, weed, babysit their brothers and sisters or neighbors' kids, work an entry level job at a fast food restaurant. Remember when it was cool to work at McDonald's. Remember when kids had summer jobs? They learned the value of a dollar and why it was important to get an education rather than spend a life time making minimum wage digging ditches.

I developed my work ethic doing yard work and then holding a full time summer job starting at the age of 14. My parents didn't force me to do it. I wanted to. Where is that drive gone?

Send the law breakers back to their countries i.e. -HOME!! Re-open Ellis Island type facilities ... if it worked prior WHY NOT NOW?

definitions pulled from dictionary.com

Driving Miss Daisy through Litchfield County

I spent the weekend doing a number of things I have wanted to do for a while. Friday, I scooted out from work and went to cheer on a family member that was doing a tri-athelelon up in New Preston at the lake. Believe me .... He was a the talk of the event when he decided to do the run pushing his twins ( 2 1/2 yr olds) in the run. Which was nothing but up hill and then down hill. Now that is the way to inspire fitness and competition!

Saturday morning, I spent cleaning the house finally. I hadn't dusted or really vaccuumed in combination since prior to going to Florida. I had cleaned a bit here and a bit there. It didn't take tooo long and felt good to get it done. I then enjoyed creating a menu for our friends to come over and enjoy. My goal is always to cook stuff that can be made ahead and doesn't take much time to ready to serve ...especially in the summer. It is very hard to be at the stove and at the grill, and behind the bar at the same time. We had a great time catching up with our NY friends! I know there is no easy way to get here from there considering it would only be about 20 minutes as the crow flies but you have to go over hill and dale. North to go South again.

Sunday I drove up to Kent to go to this Dog gift shoppe up by the Falls. Not impressed. It had been featured in Yankee Magazine and it was awful. It looked like a bunch of stuff found at yard sales featuring dogs with some bad handmade crafts. Avoid it in the future. I then went down into Kent center and walked around the shops. I found some cute toys for my nephews in a toy store and a wedding shower present. It is always so tough to find something original and pratical when you haven't seen their home.

I stopped at the Covered Bridge and took some pictures. I am beginning to enjoy having this small digital in my bag to snap away at stuff. I wish I had my grandmother's ability to paint.

That is the nagging question someone asked me this weekend. The family member was so happy that we came out to cheer them on with the Tri-Race.. He asked what he could do to support something I did and was into doing. I found myself saying I used to... fill in the blank (skate, ski, dance) Now the only thing I think I do and excel at is working and selling. How do you cheer that on? What does that say at the end of a life time... She really knew how to hock stuff. Perhaps, it is time to find a passion. Any ideas ??? I think I would like it to be either creative or sports related. I feel like I have let a part of me get thrown in the compactor.

Beautiful CT weekend

It was a beautiful weekend here in Litchfield County. We went out for a late dinner on Saturday night. Went to a family BBQ on Sunday. Gardening was done in the rock yard and a stroll through the art show on the green.

It is a lovely area. Annie had a hard weekend. The arthritis is giving her a ton of pain. She has caused sores on her joints from licking them so much. We have finally had to put her on medication for it today after a quick trip to the vet for the baseline blood work. She is just getting old and it is hard to take.

June is Busting Out All Over

It seems the past couple of weeks have flown by! I was so encompassed in work with the Annual Retreat last week and getting the Customer Self Service Conference program and brochure out the door with the rest of my team... I haven't had a chance to write an entry. Again... Bad blogging behavior. So what is new in the world of the Branny's?

Well I finally did it. I am now a red head or strawberry blond. I love it. I wasn't sure at first but it is definitely grown on me. I have lost a couple of pounds doing the WW point system. Seamus is getting more walks as a result.

Annie has celebrated her 11th Birthday in May. She is doing okay for a gal of 77 years old. I think her joints are really beginning to bother her. I don't like what I read on the medication for it. I am trying to balance getting her the appropriate amount of exercise to keep her moving and managing the pain I believe she is in with the shaking of her legs occasionally.

My nephew Jamie is graduating from high school today. I am so proud of him. He is off to University of Lowell next year in the engineering school. He has accomplished so much in 18 years. I can't believe what this young man has gone through and fought to be the success he is today. The sky is the limit I hope for him.

This weekend's plans just got cancelled so... I think the gardens are beckoning to be planted with both perenials and annuals. I don't know why I really haven't done it yet. I guess the digging I have done to date has hit rock after about 3 inches of topsoil and hasn't inspired the type of gardening I have done at my previous homes.

I think Mr. Branny has a race next weekend and then we have plans around the Fourth as usual. Not sure about other vacation time as we just got back from going to Florida to see the Sr. Branny's and spent a couple of days of RR in Naples. I highly recommend the LaPlaya Beach Resort in Naples. Incredible property!! The Boca Resort not so much!

The GNO Month and the Weekend Transport

This month has been a month of fun Friday's. A family member and friend have planned out the past three Friday nights and had a blast. We saw "RENT" at the beautiful Waterbury Palace Theatre. Then the next week to a charity fashion show. Miss Connecticut, Heidi Voigt was there and can I tell you she is a lovely lady, country singer, and all around fun person. This past Friday was a wine tasting for the benefit of the New Milford Mammography Program. Just a great way to bring in summer. The yard is looking great and Spring is definitely here with the return of my allergies. Funny how I didn't really have a issue with them in Georgia of all places.

Back to work today. I am trying desperately to fight the Spring Fever and go for a long walk with the puppies. They deserve it as I abandoned them yesterday to do a transport for the American Brittany Rescue. Attached are some pictures of the puppies that are now in foster care with the organization. I have to say Miss Tansy is a doll! (Pictured above ) This is Shasta below. ..

http://www.americanbrittanyrescue.org/

In Memory of the First Amendment

I am drawn to re-write the lyrics to the Don McLean song "American Pie". Yesterday, the first amendment died. As I type this on Friday the 13th, the date sticks in my head. Finding out that the "right" thing to do is fire a man with a long term career over a fire storm on a slow news day. Yes, he had an error in judgement and said the wrong thing that was awful, nasty, and hurtful. Sexism and Racism should not have a place in society. However, until we reach that utopian society, I am afraid a lot worse is said daily.

When it is uttered, we would hope that the person in error would conduct themselves the way Mr. Imus did. He has apologized. As a result, I see him as a man willing to admit his mistakes, own up to the responsibility and ask how to make it right. It seems that tries to use his fame and privilege of position to raise money for children... I am confused.

I am also grateful I don't have to explain this to my kids. I feel for any parent that is having to explain the entire situation to a child. Here is the Aesop solution to this Fable:

Sometimes doing the right thing frees you from the constraints of a morally corrupt system, but damages the communities ability to have the freedom it deserves.

Freedom of Speech and the Press is officially dead. Long live the freedom of consumerism and to be a coward.

So here is my attempt at the obituary:

The first amendment was conceived along with its' nine other amendments in September 1789 when the congress approved their adoption to the Constitution. Being born in 1791 after the ratification of the States, they have become the most quoted and recognized parts of the Constitution in the 216 years of existence.

Yesterday, the First Amendment finally succumbed to it injuries and illnesses from it life time. It is not clear how many of the rest of the Bill of Rights are still really in existence. Services will be a private matter and donations can be made the Imus Ranch in New Mexico.

http://usinfo.state.gov/usa/infousa/facts/funddocs/billeng.htm

Slippery slope ... free speech?

I written several other blog posts about the Imus situation. I have deleted them as I was concerned about the message that was next to my name. I think Imus made a mistake and said something that wasn't funny and hurtful. Just like Stern, Opie and Anthony and others do every day. Have I been offended by blond and degrading comments regarding female anatomy on these radio programs, absolutely. I find Howard Stern to be obnoxious. By the same point, I kind of like O & A. If they have a radio bit on I don't like, guess what! I change the channel.

Nothing in the statement was against the FCC regulations (to my knowledge). He used language that is commonly used in the community that is railing against him in music and common day vernacular.

Free speech is a right. He should only be fired if:

1) He violated the terms of his contract with CBS and MSNBC
2) His ratings drop and that is in accordance with his contract with his employers.

This is a bit different than arrangement most people have with their employers. He has a contract with his employer and most people work at the pleasure of their employer. (Right to Work States)

For example, if it is against your company's policy to use office equipment for personal use, the following are offense that would justify discharge:

• Sending personal emails
• Visiting web sites for non work related activity (are you reading this at work)
• Using the copy machine to photocopy filers for your personal training side business (Yup, this has happened)
• Making personal phone calls on company telephone lines

So, If Imus violated his contract. Dismissal may be appropriate. (oh btw, he will probably be paid the balance of his contract without working as with Opie and Anthony). Mr. Imus apologized and that should stand for something. He admitted he was wrong, tried to make amends for it, and probably has learned his lesson.

If you really think Don Imus should be fired, what have you said in jest (your mind) that could have been taken wrong, hurt co-workers and caused you to be dismissed?

US Constitution, Bill of Rights....

Amendment I

Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press; or the right of the people peaceably to assemble, and to petition the government for a redress of grievances

Wednesday's Child is full of Woe....

Yesterday was one of those day's I should have either stayed in bed and pulled the covers over my head and said, " Today was not meant for me" or Seized the day and decided to have it be an anti technology day. Of course with the second choice, I probably would have sprained my ankle on mile 3 of a five mile hike or Seamus would have gotten away or the Quiznos Coyote would have decided I was lunch.

I will give you a quick sample of the three things that should have given me pause:

1) Woke up at 4 Am with my previous night's dinner causing upper GI pain. Honestly, this is an incredibly rare thing for me and usually with a pepperoni pizza not a quiche.

2) Finally got a call back from a client that said, not now check back in two months. Totally surprised me. Well, I shouldn't have been in retrospect at least it wasn't no and this does follow their buying habits that coincide with their fiscal year. (This was made better later in the day when I heard a former customer of theirs bashing the heck out of their customer service). Internal giggle.

3) Received a call from a wife of one of my husband's former racing buddies. They came to our wedding and complained the entire time they were there ... even to my Maid of Honour about the accommodations they chose! I had reserved them a suite in the nicest b &b in town not the ski motel they decided to stay in. I haven't talked to this woman since the wedding ... I think. However, we have been on each other's Christmas card list. Monday, I mailed to everyone on the Christmas card list a pre-printed change of address card. In the truest form of the "ME" and 1980's new money society, I obviously had sent this to her exclusively. Sorry babe... I thought twice about even bothering. She called to inform me that she and her husband were separated and had been for three years. She didn't know where he lived, he wasn't riding, he had other issues, and only cared that he made the mortgage payment and sent her money to live on. ( I believe their residence would be valued over the million dollar mark). Say it with me people " GOLD DIGGER" ... I nicely asked for her personally... seemed like the "lady" had been going through a rough time. By the end of the call, I simple said... " I can understand that you have been going through a tough time and hearing from your husband's friends is troubling. I will save you the grief and remove you from my address book and mailing list, best of luck to you and your dogs." I will be more than happy to testify to this conversation if they ever do get divorced. Quite frankly, handing her over 1/2 would make me not want to provide her my address either.

Let's just say the day when down hill from there...

Weekend in Review ..

This weekend we did a lot around the new homestead. One of the faucets in the master bedroom drips. Duchess thinks it is her personal water fountain. We think it is annoying at 2 AM. So off to Home Depot for the necessary supplies.. along with the required rakes, light bulbs, pansies, and a shelf for the laundry room to get the bleach and detergent out of the formal living room, and picture hangers.

We were standing in the bath room fixture aisle having DeJa Vu. I couldn't help thinking it might not be the last time buy them either. Remodeling that bathroom will be on the agenda at some point.

Question, if you were a restaurant today and on a Saturday night you had two tables occupied... would you continue to think not taking plastic was a good idea?

End result is a trip to Costco, Home Depot, car washed, ride in for JB, lots of stuff knocked off the to do list. Next weekend is Easter.. hop hop

Double, Double, Toil and Trouble .... It will be May and Bathing Suit Trouble!

Witch 1" When Shall we three meet again... In thunder, Lightning, or in Rain?"

Witch 2 "When the Hurlyburly's done, When the battle's lost and won."

Witch 3 " That will be ere the set of sun."

Act I, Scene i - MacBeth, William Shakespeare....

Have I gone off my rocker? Nope, I just realized that Memorial Day, Bathing Suits, Sleeveless tops, and shorts are 8 weeks away... (insert music from any Hitchcock movie).

The second realization is that I have been writing this blog for close to ten months and I still haven't found a way or the sustained motivation to kick butt with getting in shape. I do think I am eating better. However, motivating to exercise is my biggest challenge. I am not sure why?

I guess I will get my legs in gear and go for a walk after our sales meeting today. One, it will clear my head and two put some mileage on my feet. As I have said before, I step forward and 2 back.

Fairtax.org

I spent last night doing our 2006 taxes... Or at least pulling the information together into a spreadsheet for our CPA. (Who is terrific if anyone wants a referral in Georgia, Robert Skinner, CPA). I, like many in the States, put this off each year as a dreaded task.

I do prepare all year by throwing receipts into the "Yearly Tax Folder" to be kept safe until the day each year I pull them out to sort into Client expenses, charity giving, office expenses/home office deductions, investment income etc. Each year, I curse myself saying ... I know I gave more to charity... where is that damn receipt!!!

The last two years it has been even more tasking as I have been educated to the "FAIRTAX PROGRAM". A radio talk jock on WSB in Atlanta, Neal Boortz, is one of the prime promoters to this bill that has been introduced into the US Congress year after year. While our elected representatives boast they want to overhaul the tax code, most of them are .. well... Sissies! There! I typed it. It takes guts to say, abolish the IRS. The fact many IRS agents agree this is a fairer and better system is proof this can work! I was against it. I didn't understand how this would work. Real estate values would drop. I would be paying more ... 25% more every time I bought something, went to the doctor, or ordered something online Yikes!! That is a tough pill for a Republican.. but I continued to listen after all, Neal is a Libertarian and somewhat more conservative than Attila the Hun.

Well, I discovered a couple of interesting points. Take out that W2. Total up the amount of tax you paid last year to the State, Federal government, social security, medicare etc. What is the percentage of your income? Mine came to about 26% but that was in Georgia. I am scared to do it in CT.

Now, think about who doesn't pay that percentage but uses a ton of the services you just paid for and by the way you have worked for exclusively this week as we have hit tax freedom day yet.

• Illegal immigrants


• Criminals (drug dealers, pimps, thieves, etc)


• Tax evaders (including some very proper business people that think it beneath them to pay .. taxes - Yes, I am talking about GS.


• Foreign tourists (that stay for ever)

And the list goes on...

There is clear documentation that moving to a federal flat sales tax will also solve the social security issue. Check it out at Fairtax.org or read John Linder & Neal Boortz's book The Fair Tax Book" - Very - short, funny, and mind changing.

Blogging Pulpit

Mr. B and I have been trying to plan a couple of days after my next conference to see his parents and to take a couple of days vacation on a beach. Since my airfare is covered, it all makes sense. How do we go about doing this? Well, the first thought was the Keys. I have never been there and tis himself hasn't ventured out there in close to 30 years.

We researched a couple of great places on line. I decided to see what might be going on in Key West those couple of days. Guess What!! That seems to be "Pride Week". Perhaps, we would be better off going out to the keys another time. I put away the Hemingway novels I had thought about reading.

Next idea, I am a gorgeous resort for our event... why not just stay on there? Himself read the reviews.... yikes .. The reviews on Tripadvisor and epinnions were not so great. So my question is..... DO YOU BOTHER TO RATE PLACES AND EXPERIENCES THAT ARE GOOD?

I am guilty .. I don't. I only use the "Blogging pulpit" many times for ranting about horrid restaurants, experiences, bad customer service, and more.

As I was sitting here, I wanted to share a recent great experience. I have been shopping for new places since the move. A new drycleaner, groomer, nail salon, liquor store, carpet installer, you name it .. We need to find it all over again.

Kudos to the following:

• Tiffany Nails - Great people, awesome value, and clean
• Kovac Carpet - Family business, on time, great advice, and good follow up (they install the runner on the stairs tomorrow
• Ne Jaime Beverages - Have an email newsletter, invited me to a tasting, and have a charity wine tasting event to help buy mammogram machines for the New Milford Hospital.
• Village Green Drycleaners - Have a bin to recycle wire hangers and the plastic, tons of coupons and very welcoming staff

The difference may be I ask questions. I ask politely for recommendations and I tend to like to do business with locals rather than large chains if possible or I just shop the Internet. It was difficult to do this in Georgia with the multitude of strip malls and chains.. but some great local businesses are:

• The Biscuit (homemade biscuits open mornings Wednesday - Saturday - cash only)
• Rose Cottage - Home Decor and gifts
• The Big Shanty Barbershop - my dad loved that place

Okay... that is enough "Do Gooding for the Day"

Vernal Equinox

I was about to attribute the line " Spring has Sprung" to ee cummings. However, it a quick quote search, I discovered it is part of an unknown poet's words.. I checked my Bartlett's quotations. Published in 1937.. that didn't help.

If you noticed the comment on my posting about my Vegas trip, my darling friends in Atlanta are reminding me that the gardens I spent 4 years planting, weeding, bark mulching and paying for have begun to bloom. The wild bradford pears in the common land and along Hackamatack are in full bloom. The azaleas are ready to burst with pinks and pomegranate colours.





On St. Paddy's day, we receive over 10 inches of white stuff and not the petals from the pear trees. We didn't get out to conduct our plans until after 3PM when we were plowed out. Mr. B was beside himself. As St. Paddy's day on a Saturday doesn't happen too too often.





So technically, tomorrow may be the Vernal Equinox. However, it may be April before the flowers signal spring. The original quote and poem seem to be unknown. So I will leave you with thoughts of Spring with this....

"If we had no Winter, the spring would not be so pleasant;

If we did not sometimes taste the adversity,

prosperity would not be so welcome."

Anne Bradstreet

Cead Mille Failte!!!

It is St. Patrick's Day ... or the last work day prior to it. I love St. Paddy's day. Here is Seamus dressed up (for Halloween) as my little leprechaun! Oh.. and is he ever....

Cheers and Slainte to all!

Branny

What happens in Vegas - Ain't Staying There!!!

I am still recovering from my recent trip to Sin City this week for my company's inaugural "C 2.0 Conference / C20". Not for the reasons so many visitors have returning from the LV. Being part of the conference production team is always a challenge. You are up and working prior to your audience and leaving conference floor long after the audience is off having fun at a variety of activities. I have been working at events like this since 2000. I love it! For the first time, I have been able to get honest feedback from the audience, attendees and our sponsors.

Why do you say? Because they have been blogging their hearts out!! We have been able to read opinions, feedback, and comments. That haven't been written on the conference survey forms for just a few to read. They have put it out into the atmosphere for everyone to read. They are posting pictures as well on Flickr.

You will never understand how wonderful it is to be able to read these blogs. Am I tired! Yes, I am exhausted as are my team mates. Half of them are off to do it all over again for our EA Community and Conference next week in New Orleans. Bless their hearts!

Moreover, I am beaming. I learned a ton about communities, blogs, tagging, photo sharing, and the benefits to business along with the challenges and bogs to avoid.

We are becoming a more interwoven fabric of society with the new technology. The "me" society is being heard and is developing into a "We" - hence the "we are smarter" project.

I feel like the last couple of months has been a roller coaster ride with the event. I didn't know what to expect. Their was a ton of ups and downs and corkscrews. The end result was a great ride and I can't wait to be back in line to do it again! WEEEEEE...........

So if you are in the business of selling community and web 2.0 services and products, get ready. I will be calling you shortly to discuss how to reach this passionate audience of enterprise individuals wanting to bring communities to their customers.

http://www.futureofcommunities.com/2007/03/13/community-20-conference-discussion/

ps. Aaron, I tagged this and outed myself.

and now a word from Boomer ....

Stacy P sent this to me. I did it and it is simple and not a information grabbing experience. Stacy has witnessed this first hand as a social worker in Boston, New York and San Francisco. She is my resident social issues queen. So happy clicking

You probably never thought of this, but women's shelters in the U.S. go through thousands of tampons and pads monthly. Assistance agencies generally help with expenses of "everyday"necessities such as toilet paper, diapers, and clothing, but one of the most BASIC needs is overlooked - feminine hygiene products. "Every month" necessities seem to have fallen throughthe…ahem - well, they've been overlooked Seventh Generation, a green paper products and cleaning products company, has a do-good attitude and will donate a box of>sanitary> > > >products to a women's shelter in your chosen state - just for clicking the link (or copying and pasting). Talk about easy, and, yes, it is legitimate!http://www.tampontification.com/donate.php

Thanks for helping out. Please pass this on.

Interesting Search engine

Hey, did you know about www.goodsearch.com ? Everytime you are tempted to "google" something.... check out the above link. They donate to a charity of your choice each time you use them. Am I giving up Googling? Nope, I just try and balance it with goodsearch. My searching pennies are going to the American Brittany Rescue. There are scads of charities and schools on it.

So when you are feeling down and are tempted to google something ... remember good search.

Introducing the Duchess of Brannydoon!

Well, I haven't mentioned the Duchess as she was under house arrest in the townhouse. We were limited to two pets. Now, I have never heard of anyone getting busted for indoor cat that didn't impact anyone, given the issues with the dogs, she was "Clandestine Kitty" for 9 months. She wasn't mentioned in the blog as a result.

This is her coming out entry !! Duchess was adopted by Annie and I from the Bedford NH Animal Shelter in November of 1998. I think the staff thought I was nuts because I insisted on bringing Annie into the interview room. I wanted to make sure they got along. She is a dog loving cat. Duchess is not as friendly with her own kind.

She, along with her canine brother and sister, are loving being in the new house. The human care takers are as well. The move went smooth. We had a bit of a rough period with the furnace and a getting a part but all is well and we are slowly going to make it our own. The impulse is to rush out and order curtains, new lighting fixtures etc. We are forcing ourselves to live in the space for a time to figure out what right for the next 20 years. There you have it! You can start placing bets now.