Paul's Corner

Paul...Yes, it is too bad that people get caught up in game playing. And, sadly, it sometimes sucks us all in as well. But there is a lot of kindness out here too. That positive energy is sustaining. Be well. Linda

Yesterday, my husband (he's a volunteer firefighter) was in the vicinity of a very bad wreck. He didn't have to go, it wasn't his area, but he went anyway. The call was very bad and he just wanted to help. He said that when he got on the scene people started coming out of the woods to get a glimpse of the lady that had died in the wreck...he was so angry at their lack of respect for the lady and her husband (who was still alive). Yes life is full of bad, but it's also full of good too (like people like my husband who just loves to help). We just have to learn to balance it all and work with what we have been given. I love to watch my daughter paint. She is ten and in her eyes, she sees things like a ten year old should but she is able to put those things in such beautiful color, she finds the good in everything. I find myself learning alot from her. That is good...
Hugs to everyone...

The games of Life. I often wonder how I have managed to keep this current position with the CPA because I let him know a year ago I was too old to play games and find myself telling him all too often not to irritate me and DH has told him that he doesn't want to make me mad.
But at 53, I don't feel I need to put up with the BS anymore. I've finally decided not to take any more crap from my dad, and I don't know how much that has to do with his current health problems. I don't put up with the BS dished out by the telephone solicitors. I just wish I could figure out what is BS and what is truth from our politicians. I often feel that I'm just out there cruising down life's highway looking at the scenery and not really getting out to smell the roses.
This is probably just rambling, but it is Sunday Morning about 9:30 and I am going into the office to get more tax work done. The boss probably isn't coming in at all today, so I'm a little pissed. We still have 10 Farm Income Tax Returns to do by Sat. and they haven't even been looked at. So will go in and do what I can and we will just have to see what he gets done this week. If they don't get finished, he will just have to ask for extensions.
Must get going, thanks for letting me ramble. I really appreciate you guys. Even tho I don't post often, I read everything you write and have a wonderfull list of books to read from all of you.
Paul, hope all is going well at work, and that Andrea and the girls are all okay. I know what it is like having kids on Crutches, not a lot of fun.
Hugs all around, and a special hug to Whitney, I know she really needs one today.
Sherrlyn

Paul
You are so right. It is a shame that people get caught up in the wrong aspects of the game of life. They forget and sometimes we all forget to have fun. It is all just a roll of the dice anyway sometimes you get that 7 and sometimes you don't. It's random. But you have to enjoy the pleasures and smile when you can. Laugh when you can and cry when you can.
Sherrlyn. You just need to say what you have to say. I did that with my dad. We're adults. So say it. As far as your boss. Do not take shit from them. I took it from a lady for 5 years. As a result in subsequent jobs I was found to have suffered from Post traumatic syndrome. Still in therapy for that and taking the anti depressants and anxiety pills. Don't take it. You can take him to the labor board as well for harassment and abuse. Just stand up for your rights. Do NOT let an employer abuse you as a person. EVER. I was a CPA and I know what tax season is like. The stress is induced by the partners. It's there ass not yours.

Take care.
Peace Love and Happiness to everyone
Tim

It always seems as if one area where gamemanship is acceptable is the work place. We all hear way too much of "you did that wrong" and "that's not enough" and "that's not good enough" and my favorite, "that's the way we do it". Yep, it stinks. While I can accept the give and take of work, I get darn peeved when things are done unevenly. When people go to work on Sunday and the boss isn't anywhere around, when people are stressed and told that they can do 75%more in 50% more time. And as Paul was saying, we get so suck into the mechanics of providing that we can't always enjoy what we should. Are we achieving a balance? When do we get some exercise? When do we read? Play. Make whoopee?
Capture moments in time!

I posted on Sunday morning, but it seems to have evaporated. Oh, well.

Thanks for the new design, Cat. Thanks for getting up and running so quickly. I'm like Tim. Gotta have my regular fix.

Alright, Paul. What happened to get you so angry about the game-playing? I don't like game playing, either. But then I chose two fields of endeavor — acting and then politics — that required inordinate amounts of time game-playing? Why?

I'm currently reading The Dark Side of the Light Chasers by Debbie Ford. Though I wouldn't ordinarily quote a book before I've finished it, your comments made me focus on what I've been reading. The premise of the book is that what we deny in ourselves, we project onto others. We cannot be whole until we are willing to accept our dark side. She quotes Ken Wilber: "Projection on the Ego Level is very easily identified: if a person or thing in the environment informs us, we probably aren't projecting; on the other hand, if it affects us, chance are that we are a victim of our own projections." So the things we draw to us, that "push our buttons", have lessons for us.

Good evening, Whitney, our love and thoughts are with you!

Beautiful job, Cat, congratulations! Everything is easy to read, and I especially love the "Archives." I'm just a sentimental Grannie... I wanted to re-read the birthday wishes from January, and they were all there to warm my heart once more, and especially the message from Paul, which I treasure, among others.

I checked out the recipes, saw a lovely chicken all dressed and ready to eat, so I got out of there fast! (the waistline, you know!)

My "Follies" show is now in the big theatre, finally, as of this morning. We started at 9:00 a.m. and worked until noon.

The stage is huge, but poorly planned. Even Alan King, the comedian, remarked to a full house Saturday night that the stage was "lousy!"

If a performer goes way out toward the front of the stage to address the audience in the first 4 sections, he loses the other 7 sections on each side, for all they can see are the rear ends of the performers!

My performers, especially the dancers, were complaining, and one threatened to quit, but I held my temper...I would have told her, "go ahead", but she has a great dance number (from "Chicago") with another gal who I love, and that would have trashed that act. So you see, I had to play the game to preserve that important act in the show, so, as Scarlett O'Hara once said, "after all, tomorrow is another day..."

Hey, Cat, I just hit "preview", and wow, how great, our messages go clear across the screen...how'd ja do that?

Love to you all,

Grannie

Paul, I'm so glad you came back to your last post. When I read it the first time it sure didn't sound like you. I just left it that I misunderstood your meaning.

Game playing to me is choosing a course that doesn't allow you to be who you really are. With each roll of the dice we allow another little piece of ourselves to be pecked away, until even we have a hard time remembering who we are. Look at most politicians. I think the only reason they can live with themselves is that they have totally lost touch with the reality of their souls. Just win at all costs.

Of course there are things in life we don't like to do, like working a job we don't especially like, or even moving somewhere you don't want to go. These might be tough choices, but not the kind that make that little bell in your head go off. The one that warns you when you're about to wade into some deep shit.

A great example is when you (Paul) turned down the audition recently. It wasn't that you didn't want the work, was it? More likely you knew it would be playing that GAME of doing something that was not at all what you wanted in hopes that it MIGHT get you something you did want. Not a risk you were willing to take, and rightly so in my opinion.

Of course we tend to think of those that are good at playing the game as being more successful. I doubt they are truly happy people. To stay true to yourself is definitely not the easiest road we can take, but isn't it the only one worth taking? The only game in town?

Thanks for all the work on the site Cat!

Michelle in Chicago

Cat...Great job on Paul's Corner. Color and presentation are my business and this new format looks fabulous! Linda

Cool Cat has been at it again, to dress the site up a bit...looks awesome.....

wow, lots of comments on one's job. I work at a pharmacy. I started out almost four years ago just part time. My mother works there (has for like 15 years), she is over a section of the pharmacy called Medicine on Time. I was originally hired to help her. Over time I went full time and my boss moved me around alot. I began to do Oxygen and Cpap/Bipap set ups then he wanted me to help this other lady because she was really having a hard time keeping caught up. She has since quit and I do all of her job that she used to do and all of what I used to do. Needless to say, I feel very overwhelmed at times. I have tried to talk to my boss on several occasions but he doesnt listen. He has even went as far as giving me this "title", I am the business accounts manager and a raise (which I like the raise but come on)..... When he approached me with that I sat down and wrote down all the job duties I had and all the ones I felt like I should be responsible for and the ones I felt like someone else could handle. I took this to him and he ignored it. I am still overwhelmed. I am not happy with my job anymore but feel very fortunate because some people dont even have a job. (sorry for whining) There are more things that I dislike about my job, such as the boss's mother works there and she is a pain in the butt (you know the type, my son's the boss so I get special attention). There I go whining again....I will stop.

Question, Paul, I noticed that you have poetry on the site now with it set up so we can comment. May I post a poem that I wrote and had published on that section. It is a poem I wrote for my nephew after he died. I would like to share it with you guys. And I must say, your poetry is quite impressive. Hope Andrea and the kids are doing well.

Take care everyone, Whitney and Diane, you guys are in my prayers.

Hugs to everyone

When I read your this new post on Sunday morning, before the site was moved to its new location, you made me laugh quite a bit, because I had had similar thoughts in the last few days about how much I despise playing the game full of unevenness, unfairness, advantages for some, and disadvantages for others. There are quite a few "somethings" out there that I silently want to strangle or help them come to their senses, actually in all honesty, more to their senses according to my preferences or what I want to happen to me. But then there was the part in me that wondered "What the hell happened to Paul, that made him so angry?"—you don’t have to answer that one, unless you want to. And then I reflected about what my role and responsibility is in changing how I play this game or change the perception of what living is, and this is perhaps the place to answer your question, Diane, on the previous post, that you asked me about teaching and controlling 30 kids. What follows is totally grounded in my personal teaching philosophy and how I wish to interact with people, my values, my life philosophy, and also in the fact that I’m teaching people mostly age 18 and up with occasional advanced high school students around age 16 & 17. Mind you, I don’t live by my philosophies and values each and every day, …. You have to find your own teaching philosophy, but you asked me for MY input, so here it is: The short answer is, you can’t control 30 kids/students and it shouldn’t be your goal either, at least not a primary one. Much depends on where you teach, how old your students are, what subject you teach (perhaps not), the teaching philosophy of the school/college, the climate among the teachers. There is a lot of game playing going on in the classroom, in education, and it’s really easy to get sucked into this as the teacher as well, because there is this student you don’t like, who drives you nuts, gets your temper up, or the one you particularly like and it’s tempting to play favorites, and much more. What I do on the first day I meet my students, is I sit down with them and I tell them, that it is entirely up to ALL OF US to create an environment this term where we all can work, grow, collaborate, explore together —or not—and we talk about how we want to achieve that, what our "ground rules" of sorts are going to be that will allow this to become a productive collaboration. Respect is a key element and I include a statement about this on the syllabus, but we negotiate the details of our interaction not just on the first day of classes, but revisit it throughout the term, revise, adapt as we feel it necessary. Getting the students involved in this process makes them much more likely to foster and nurture that kind of interaction, that is respectful, allows for the free and unhindered expression of opinion, because they are part and main contributors of this process, for which they are also fully responsible and they do hold each other accountable in the most amazing ways and I get to be totally hands off, which I love. I don’t like coming in from the position of power that I have as a teacher, it’s a position I tend to feel uncomfortable in, since it goes against this collaborative work where all participate equally. If it’s not working, we will re-negotiate it, but also discuss why we think it’s not working and will then explore other ideas of how to improve our interactions. This sometimes takes a lot of time, but it is time well spent and not just for the constraints of the classroom interactions, but for life-long learning. One of the things I stress strongly is that everyone is entitled to his/her opinion, that it is a valid one no matter what, and that I have to accept it and treat it as such, even when or especially when I don’t hold that same opinion. The point is not to agree or disagree, but to appreciate it as a valid opinion from which I can learn, broaden my horizon, grow. I’ve seen this happen a few times in my classes and it is magical, absolutely fantastic and the credit goes to my students!!!, but of course it doesn’t always work, sometimes more, sometimes less, but just think about what a difference you can make and have made if you can impact just a few students in each class you teach to be more respectful of others and break free from the competitiveness and selfishness that dominate most of the game playing we encounter in our lives. Not playing by the rules is tough, but brining the spark back into life should be worth the effort. I’ll leave it at that for today, though one more thing, what I said specifically for teaching, naturally is extended to the rest of my life and interactions with others, also naturally with varying degrees of success, depending on who I interact with, what mood I’m in, other circumstances. Sorry, this has gotten very long ...
Be well, each and every one, and enjoy the good & beautiful things in life, love life!

Big upps on me again!!! Cat, fantastic upgrade to this part of the site. It looks fantastic!!!!!!!!!!! and I love it and a very big THANK YOU to you for all the time, love and engery you put into this site!!! I know how much work and thought goes into web-design. THANK YOU, CAT, YOU RULE!!!!

Hi Everyone!

Glad you're all enjoying the re-design. I may have cursed a lot as I fiddled with the markup, but don't be fooled--I love this stuff, and I'm really happy with the outcome.

I made one final set of changes tonight, so PLEASE NOTE: you may have to re-bookmark. If you have an address that has the word "sabren", that's the server. Don't sweat it, just put it in your favorites again. :)

Thanks everyone--especially Paul--for being a great inspiration.

Good Evening to All!

Thank you, Evelyn. I appreciate your advice and I agree with your approach. I never saw myself as a teacher, although many of my friends have suggested I'd be very good. So I'm trying to reconcile my image of what makes a good teacher with what I think I could bring to the job. I'm not interested in controlling the students, but rather in moving successfully from subject to subject and keeping the kids on track. I used to help in my sons' classrooms and most of the teachers were nuturing and respectful. (Funny, but Kindergarten was the most exhausting: highly structured and fast-paced. I loved it when a child grasped a concept and her face lit up!) I suppose the one thing I dread is conflict with some of the administrators over the way they want things run. No doubt, I'll have much to learn; but I also know that I no longer have the patience to go along with ego-driven decision-making. I don't want to work outside of the valley and yet I know too much about local district egos. I've seen a few nasty situations arise resulting in the loss of some great teachers. I'm also aware of some of the downsides of the district boards and administrations. But I'll look into it and we'll see what happens.

And Michelle, I know what you mean about losing one's self bit-by-bit when we deny our wants and beliefs. On a personal level, I used to go along to keep the peace. It wasn't long before I didn't even know what I liked or what I wanted. In politics, I think many, but not all, have gone to the dark side. Those politicians who do try to maintain their integrity walk a very fine line every day between satisfying the voters, compromising for some gains, and satisfying their own beliefs. When I ran for Congress against an incumbent (a conservative- homegrown-good 'ole-boy) an audience member at one of the debates asked me if I would vote the way my constituents told me to vote or vote my beliefs. I said I'd vote based on full information (as opposed to political "spin") and according to my beliefs. I told him that if he didn't agree with my beliefs, he was free to vote against me. (I guess he did. The incumbent beat me 2 to 1. But, hey, I got my message out there and I made him spend his money. Yeehaw!!! Oh, and I got to shake hands with President Clinton and Vice President Gore in the Oval Office. Very cool!!!)

Gotta work on my resume now.

waHOOooooo! the new digs are great cat - whoever said you rule, spoke thee truth!!!! whoa! check out the preview!

Hey everyone,

I just wanted to mention something. It's probably already been posted, but just in case, it hasn't. Baz Luhrmann has a new show on Broadway called La Boheme, the classic story of Mimi & Rudolfo except that it's set in the 1950s. Anyway, what this has to do with Paul is this, because La Boheme is very successful, Baz is said to be involved in the works for a stage version of Strictly Ballroom. Has anyone heard of this yet? Once I saw Baz at a U2 concert that we both attended. Anyway, because of a school project, I will be going to see La Boheme in about two weeks, I'll report how it is then. I would love for Paul to be in the stage version of Strictly Ballroom, I think he'd be wonderful in it. Not only that, if you're in it Paul, I'll get to see you in NY! :) Talk to everyone soon.

- Tiffany

Ohhh!!!!! I love it Cat! I'll explore the new features as soon as I can. You're one industrious lady!

Good morning Grandma! I woke up to about a half inch of snow. I haven't had a chance to catch the weather report, but I hope it's nicer in FL. I hope your rehearsals go well today. get those sleepy heads out of bed!

I don't have time to read this morning. I just wanted to say that I hope you all have an excessively great day!

Love!!!
Whitney

This site looks wonderful, Cat!

Paul: I agree w/your thoughts in 'Hold on a Minute'. Game playing (w/heads, hearts, politics, power) sucks! I'm sure all of us can relate to such things & feelings, personally or professionally.
In a job where early on I opted out of the gossip/backbiting environment, backstabbing realm (very prevalent here), it was easy to become a target just by being open, honest, not jumping on the bandwagon of nastiness/powerplays (toward others) & by holding a stance where I did not show approval when that was taking place. Although it might be keeping w/my principles to leave and try to find work elsewhere, I also somehow know that I could run into these scenarios again elsewhere, just w/different experiences and players. I decided that trying to figure out a way to deal with this junk, is maybe not a bad thing for me after all - as tempting as it may be to remove myself from the problem and avoid mean, nasty people or seemingly impossible or difficult situations. I now see this as a challenge to overcome (in self).
I understand that I can't change people or their thoughts, but maybe I can learn to think/react differently in the midst of adversity, ignorance and even evil at times. Keeping a kind of calm in the eye of the storm, is something I would like to try to attain, although at this point, it's a constant struggle, and not caring about what others think - just keeping my head up, personal integrity intact.. keeps me moving forward and through these things, knowing, trusting that those who really matter, who really care and care to know me, will see through to the heart of matters and people, and will be supportive.

Wishing you & all who hit such snags to our positivity, well being, peace of mind/heart much luck, peace, love & hope.

Hugz to all in PC and to Paul and family,
Katalina

BTW: I'll letcha know if/when this strategy is actually working...right now it's so much easier in "theory." IRL: it's hard to see the results initially or up close. But, I still believe that in the long run, it's probably the right direction for me in these types of "games."

How do others here handle "games?"

Warmly,
Katalina

Hi Paul, and everyone!!

Cat, they're right!!! This site is awesome!!! You really worked hard. It's beautiful...Hey, is Paul going to send you some new pictures? Hmmmmm???

Game Playing? It 's the game of life. But what really is game playing anyway? Maybe I've missed the point. Are we playing a game when we don't tell people exactly what we think all the time or is that just being respectful? When we disagree with the boss on something and keep our mouths shut of our opinion, is that game playing or keeping your job? I guess it's just getting along. We can be ourselves yet modified to fit the situation or personality of someone we're dealing with. Modification...hmmm interesting word. I have a friend in Northern California who is 39 has a great job, lots of friends but no wife and no girlfriend. hmmmm. He says that he hates playing games.... I think he just doesn't want to step out of his boat and risk. YOu can't just jump into intimate conversation with someone you don't know very well. Not telling all immediatily....is that game playing? hmmmmmm something to consider and think about.

By the by...I watched Strictly Ballroom tonite with my kids. so much fun.. My oldest daughter, Mary is 12..she loved it. My 2 1/2 year old twin boys liked to dance. I just cried at the end. So beautiful. I heard "Love is in the Air" on the radio Saturday night. Maybe that's why I wanted to see it. It made me cry then to. I could just invision everyone stepping out of the bandstands and dancing together. Just having fun.

Love to you all,

Margie

I just dropped in to say good night to Grandma and to tell everyone that I loved them. I love you.

While I'm here though, I'll share my weight loss achievment for the month because you guys are an important source of support and inspiration for me. I lost another .5 inches in the places I check and another 2 inches of my chest (praise God!). I love being a woman, but it can impose certain physical limitations when I exceed my optimal weight.

I apologize for not sticking to the topic. I just don't want to get too out of touch with everyone though I haven't had time to catch up with the posts.

Hey Cat. I miss the welcoming picture of Paul that lured me to his corner. Won't he supply you with a new one? Paul?

Love!!!
whit

Whitney,

CONGRADULATIONS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

WAY TO GO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Love,

Margie

This is funny, because I too am missing the/a picture of Paul on this part of the site. It's nice to have another visual reminder of what draws me here--aside from all the other wonderful people!!!--and to say a special "hello/Good Morning/Good Evening ..." to Paul every time, not that he necessearily would know it ... :)

Way to go Whitney!!! Congrats! I've been on a plateau for about 2 months, oh well, It's fine though I just enjoy the exercise and the increased flexibility. Perhaps that's where my success lies these days :-)

Katalina, I'm still thinking about your question as to how I play these games, or don't play them. An answer will be forthcoming, I think.

Have a great day! Love, Evelyn

REgarding the game: my co-worker's wife has been in hospital for 5 days with a serious blood clot. She has a 3 week old baby. She's "bummed" because her doctor won't let her get on an airplane this weekend. I told her husband(the co-worker) that while I could understand her being a little stir crazy, I couldn't believe that they would even begin to think that a trip was a good idea. Oops. I should have been sympathetic. And, one of our friends is really handsome 24 yr old single man. People keep trying to "fix him up". The last time he agreed that the woman was nice, but he wasn't attracted to her. I protected his back and said that he should get into a situation where people thought that they had to be a couple if he just didn't feel it. I figure-he'll know. So the games go on in many areas of our lives. I guess today I just feel like I have to carefully choose the one I'll play. And I am at a point where I can make some of my own rules.
I had my husband watch SB with me the other night, I bet I have watched it about 50 times now. He loved it, especially the part about "a life lived in fear is a life half-lived". And, he said, "would you like to take ballroom dancing?" YES!!!!!

"Life seems to be more about the game..." if you let it.

Blessed BE.
Dhiana

Ok, I can't just let it go at that.

Refuse to play the game when you possibly can.
1)Work? Kinda' hard there, but still, you CAN make strides in this. Got a Company Picnic on a glorious summer day that you're dreading 'cause you'd rather be gardening/hiking/staying home? Don't go.

2) Social Convention - Screw it. You've got wedding invitations that have booked up most of your calendar? Decline. Send a personal letter to the couples with your love and advice and best wishes. F&*% etiquette. Don't even send a gift, or send a CD (music) or book, something worthwhile. (I know, *I* judge books and music as worthwhile while some couples think $$ is the only thing worthwhile...whatever!)

3)Learn to say "No." with no "I'm sorry" after it. "Nope, can't contribute. No, don't want your magazine. Can't join you for the workshop, but thanks for the offer. No, I'm not interested in that play, thanks."

4) Marraige/Relationships? The WORST place for games. Be honest, don't pad your answers to protect the other person's feelings, as it always bites you in in the end (in the ass of course!).

Refuse to play the games. It is quite easy, I assure you. Acting? Well, as I said above about work, there is only so much of which we are in charge. But the REST of your life is yours to do with as you dictate.

Smooches,
Miss High Horse Herself (apparantly!)

Good Noon, Whitney (and all of you lovely people),

I am happy to report that the letter to Baz and 315 petition names (all neatly typed by these old fingers), have been sent on its journey as of this a.m.

I want to thank Cat for her guidance, Whitney and Linda for their input, and of course, all of you that supported this project by giving us your names. We finally have been able to do something for our dear Paul, who has done so much for us.

Case in point: Martry Ellen and her husband are going to take dancing lessons, which will undoubtedly enrich their lives...the letter sent to Baz specifically states that "Strictly Ballroom", and Paul's role in it "enhanced, and yes, actually changed their lives by encouraging people to take an interest in the dance..."

Love you all,

Grandma Millie

Hi all in PC! Good day/eve

For me...I'd rather have Life compared to a dance rather than a game. I view dance as active expression of whatever one is thinking, feeling in the moment, and it can be personal, unique, individual or shared cooperatively. That's kind of staying in the Now, yes? Games can imply keeping score, outwitting, maybe even deceiving....can one do this in dance?

Hugznkicks to all,
Katalina

I haven't checked in on this site in MONTHS, and after seeing all the changes it actually feels like a lifetime.. or 2!!! But I love it!!! Great job, Cat!! It's fantastic! It's kind of funny that the topic for this thread is games... it's something I've been dealing with A LOT lately, mostly at work... and it SUCKS!!!! In about 6 months I'll be turning 30 & it's put me in a "taking stock" frame of mind... I've learned & grown a lot throughout my 20's but I think my biggest surprise was in realizing how many "grown-ups" (& other so called authority figures) behave like little more than bullies on a middle school playground!!! or throw tantrums like toddlers when they don't get their way.... it's crazy!! and it seems like more & more it's not just limited to my small world (bosses, etc)... it's causing me to totally redefine what being a "grown-up" means & it's only served to reinforce my hatred of games!!

Good day all.
Hope everyone is doing well. Looks like my entry ticket to the game world may be forthcoming. I got a call today for an interview as a "Controller." My wife was ecstatic. MO MONEY.
A lot more. She's got an interview at a hospital herself..so by March we may be back in 6 figures. Damn I won't know what to do. It'll feel so strange. Except I sell my soul in the process. Money is better than soul for awhile. At least I'll be able to buy a plane ticket when I want to and take a trip. He we come Cancun, London, Melbourne, Hawaii. And I'm going to take a trip back to LA just for me. Probably getting excited way too fast. But $$ will be such a change. Hell then I hire a trainer. Oh yeah!!!

Well take care guys. Looking forward to news from PC about new activities for Paul.

Hey Aunt Mil...if I get the job..I might be able to fly down for your show. It'd be great to see you too.

Peace love and happiness

Tim

ya got it right on your last thread, m'curio

games! change the rules!

later all...

Good morning Grandma. I love you.

Paul...What has happened that has given you so much pain? May you find inner strength to deal with whatever it is. Thinking of you, Linda

Dear Paul,

I read your next posts, but I can't seem to post my reply after either of them; so I'll put it here.

No. I'm not offended. In the Bible, Jobs rails at God. Why can't you? Anyway, I think the Master of the Universe can handle a few angry words. And I think most of us here can, too.

WHAT is going on, Paul? Share if you will please.

this should be interesting!!

Hi Paul,

Hey everyone, give the guy a break. He probably just had a gas pain. hahahahhahah

Hope you have a terrific day Paul...

Love to you and the family,

Margie

Hey PC - Hi Paul!
You guys having a full moon down there?
I think it's cathartic to do a little primal
screaming...ranting, raving, chanting, misbehaving, sometimes...*wicked grinn*
Katalina

Good Evening, Whitney,

Tim, hope you and your wife get those jobs you mentioned...good luck. You deserve some good news! Just let me know when you want to come down to Florida for my "Follies." The morning matinee free for all people from out-of town is at 10 a.m. Monday, March 10th. The regular evening performances are practically all sold out.

In fact, everyone is invited...may I entice you all with 75 degree weather, flowers all over the place, and a great time in our new Theatre?

We are having our first dress rehearsal tomorrow, and everyone in the cast is very excited, just like a bunch of kids! The costumes are beautiful, and come from a costume collection in our village. Others were made by a resident seamstress. Three numbers come from "Strictly Ballroom"...I believe I mentioned this before, but here I go again..."Love is In the Air" sung by the opening chorus, "Perhaps, Perhaps, Perhaps", sung by a gorgeous 70+ woman, partially in Spanish, and then, "Happy Feet" danced by an 80 year old hoffer...she may steal the show!

Elliott and I are doing a "duet." I am lipsyncing a short medley of Patsy Cline's best.."Heartaches" and "Crazy", while Ellie "strums" a toy guitar. Tim, I am trying to figure out how to wear a fancy cowgirl hat, and not mess up my hairdo for the rest of the show!

(My specialty has been lipsynching since I retired. I have fooled many people...I am always asked to perform at parties, etc., which I did this weekend at a 95th birthday party. The honoree asked me to "sing" two songs, and I did. What fun! My repertoire includes the voices of Rosemary Clooney, Ella Fitzgerald, Barbara Cook, Ethel Merman, and the divas, Keri Te Kanawa, and Jesse Norman.)

The show ends with a large group of dancers in Latin costumes doing the rhumba. There are 39 acts in all, and we should get through in less than 2 hours, no intermission, but an introduction of the entire cast at the end, and a short speech of thanks from me.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

Love,

Grandma

Help! Is something stuck on the site? No messages from anyone since my last one! It's getting mighty lonesome down here!

For Kelli on her 17th birthday...

Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday to you,
Happy Birthday, dear Kelli,
Happy Birthday to you!

(Your birthday is tomorrow, Sunday, March 2nd, but I didn't want to be late..it's still Saturday night here in lovely Florida, with temps in the high 70's)...wish you all were here, especially the birthday girl!!!

Kelli, you have the distinction of being the youngest on the site, and I am undoubtedly the oldest, so we have to stick together!

Love,

Grandma Millie

Help!!! I'm stuck, and Cat and Whitney have been emailing me how to get out of here and out with the rest of you all!

I desperately wanted to wish Kelli a Happy 17th birthday, and even made a card which came back because it was deemed "undeliverable." Forgive Grannie, Kelli, but I had good intentions...I made the card weeks ago and thought I sent it last night (Saturday, March 1st) but it did not go through.

I hope I can rejoin you all soon!

Love,

Grannie Millie

Dear Cat,

Here are my comments on Sunday, 5:43 p.m. I already have sent 3 posts, and before that there is one by Katalina.

Now I am going to click on "post."

Grandma

HAPPY BIRTHDAY KELLI!!!!!!!!!!!!

Whit, congrats. You go girl! KICK....

Hi granny

Evelyn, I couldn't resist this small post.I'll post a comment on Paul's post after the stitches come out.

Paul,DITTO. Sow,sow,sow your garden.Shin Kicks. Kick, kick.

Hugs to everyone
Suz