HUGE DAVE RAMSEY SALE!!

Mr. Dave Ramsey is having a Labor Day Sale here.

Books, Cd's, DVD's can be found for $10. If you buy more than $65, you'll get free shipping.

Woo Hoo!!

I got myself this software for $10. It's an immediate download -- no shipping!

What a deal.

I'm now ready to work on our budget.

°Ü°

Remember, debt is normal. BE WEIRD!!!
(ha ha... you know who said that.)

He pays attention to details that way -- He's that kind of a God

Recently Dan and I had a discussion -- a money discussion. We agreed... yes we did too -- stop laughing... We agreed to stop spending so much. There -- that wasn't so hard.

We agreed on some other stuff too -- but this is a family blog. LOL Rated G... so there.

But -- since we've decided to stop spending so much, I think God has perked up his ears and started paying attention.

Here are a few examples.

I went to our local farmers market to buy me a pig. Not really -- to buy some sweet corn to put up for the winter. When I saw the sticker $5/dozen, I thought they were crazy and I told them so. Not really... I said, "Thank you for telling me," and I didn't buy any. None at all. So there. How is that for sticker SHOCK!

I came home and the very next day a neighbor drove up and said, "Do you like sweet corn?"

Well -- SURE, sure we do.

We could pick all we wanted, when ever we wanted, and pay nothing. Yippee!! So I picked me some corn and put it up for the winter and I praised the Lord. He provided. We wanted corn -- he didn't give us Lima beans. Isn't that nice of God -- he pays attention to details like that. He's that kind of a God.

AND

I think I already told you about Uncle George and his fair maiden Aunt Joyce. They blessed us over and over and over again with all those baseballs, and soft balls, and gloves, and bats, and a net thingie that is still up in our garage. What a blessing. Uncle George did not bring us down a pogo stick. We are not pogo'ers... although we could probably learn, but we do play softball and baseball, and one of us is even left handed, and did you know Uncle George brought a left handed glove down here. We serve a great God... he pays attention to small left handed details too. He's that kind of a God.

AND

Some blessed soul gave us a check for $xxx.xx I'm not telling -- it's a secret and this is a family blog, and if I told you the secret -- then I'd have to kill you... that's not very family blogish, now is it? After they handed us the check -- they said, "So - how much would you think you would need for curriculum this year?" I quoted them a number. They nodded and said, "Well well well... isn't that swell." OK - not really, but it rhymes, and it's similar to what they said. After they left and we said thank you over and over again and wiped the tears from our eyes... yes we did too... we opened up the check. JUST THE EXACT AMOUNT I QUOTED TO THEM!!! Yes it was. It was too... I serve a God who likes to meet your needs to the penny. He knew the details even before I SAID THEM OUT LOUD -- He pays attention that way -- He's that kind of a God.

PRAISE GOD FROM WHOM ALL BLESSINGS FLOW

PRAISE HIM ALL CREATURES HERE BELOW

PRAISE HIM ABOVE YE HEAVENLY HOSTS

PRAISE FATHER SON AND HOLY GHOST

AMEN

Thank you God -- My heart over floweth with praise for you today.

Dynamic Duo

Tori and I got to do a babysitting job together. I'll tell you what -- when you babysit babies as good as these... it doesn't even seem like a job. Someone PAID me to snuggle with this little guy. Mucho Malachi. He loved our animals. He sat by Ebony for a long, long time. He squeezed our kitties. LOL He'd call for them and squeal when they would jump and play... oh it was fun to watch.

Being twins -- you'd think SAME, SAME, SAME... well -- they aren't. They are as different as two peas in a pod. HA! just kidding... They are individuals. It was very fun and interesting for me to watch.


This is Isaiah, in the blue... the go getter. I didn't get to snuggle with him much. Since he is the lite weight of the crew... Mansel usually grabbed him first. Mansel is my baby lover. Ü Malachi carried around a toy racket for a long time, and Isaiah pulled this wagon around. Having not had a baby in the house for a while, it was fun to remember what babies are like -- for a day. Danielle really pleasured in "talking" baby talk to them. Someone wondered if Ebony could understand them, since we couldn't.
Here they are together. I think they look as different as night and day -- you can see they are family, but not identical twins. My children on the other hand... they kept saying, "The one in the blue or the red?"

I did a horrible job on these photos - I'm disappointed I don't have better shots to share. I was taking them too quickly, I guess.

Thanks Bob and Necole for trusting us with your precious treasures yesterday. What a blessing they were to us. Our house was full of joy and laughter all the day long. (Well -- except when Wayne spilled his red drink on the carpet.) LOL AND... I even took a nap. Always nap while babies nap, that's my rule.

Just Because

(Click on photo to enlarge)

Isn't she pretty...

I tried to sign my blog up for "post for pay". I got declined because they said my blog was most photos -- not enough words. Hmmm... sometimes words don't cut it. Ü What can you say about this sweet little face? My thoughts are -- LORD -- help me! Give me the strength and widsom to raise her to become a lady who loves you and her main desire isto to please you in everything that she does. She is so precious.

One Big Zucchini!

Wowza... I forgot that Zucchini grow FAST overnight... this one got left for several nights, apparently.

We are liking zucchini best with garlic salt sauteed in olive oil, or grilled.

I'm thinking we need to make some zucchini bread, or SOMETHING.

CUTE KITTIES

I'm not really an animal person.
But I overheard Tori telling someone -- "My mom only likes kitties, she doesn't like any other pets."
Ü
Well -- what's not to like about kitties?

They are so stinking cute!!
And pouncy.
And CUTE!
And fun to watch.

And CUTE!! Did I mention that one yet?
Don't you agree?
Yeah -- their mommy is so proud -- or is that tired?


Well -- I'd be tired with 4 babies at one time too.

Where oh where have my matching shoes gone?

Have you ever found yourself in this spot?

1 left yellow striped. 1 left red. 1 left pink. 1 right blue striped. 2 too small shoes. Oh look... 2 slippers that match.
Well -- I chose the left pink and the right blue striped, since I was going to walk across the gravel road to the mail box.


Anyone seen any flip flops? I seem to be missing a few. (Those offensive croc flip flops were no where to be found! Weird...my daughter likes them. :loony: )

Uncle George & Aunt Joyce

Uncle George
Aunt Joyce

These dear folks are Dan's Uncle and Aunt. They have taken to us. We love them. They found out that our kiddos did little league softball and baseball this spring. Uncle George is an assistant baseball coach for Roosevelt High School in Des Moines. This man is full of knowledge.
He gave a little bit of his knowledge to our kiddos today.

He brought with him a net... a big enough net fit on our big garage/shed thing from floor to ceiling. We park our car in there. Well... now we've got a battling cage thing. I know -- my verbiage is so technical... I hope I'm not losing you. He also brought a "Tee". Tees are not just for t-ball apparently. Amazing... he stood Mansel up to the tee... showed him how to hold the bat in his hand. Hand him relax. Demonstrated how to lift the bat. Get ready. Elbow down... Relax... tense muscles are not as reactive as lose muscles. Get your bat off of your shoulder. Keep your legs relaxed. Get ready... swing... WHILE twisting your hips. Turn your back foot on the ball of your foot. Swing the bat so the heel of the bat "breaks the window" and then follow through with your wrists. Hit the ball with the sugar. Ever hear of the sweet part of the bat... that's your sugar. Let's do it again. Let's do it again. GREAT swing. Let's do it again. Good hit. Let's do it again. Did you feel that? The sweet of the bat? Let's do it again.

I mean -- he had a steady stream of information... just flowing out of his mouth. He stopped once and said, "I'm coaching them like I coach my Senior High kids." It was GREAT! He coached Tori, Mansel and Milo. When he was done... finally took a seat and sipped some tea... Milo, the 6yo was hitting the ball off of the "T" every time. He never ounce hit the rubber part of the "T". Amazing... It is amazing what good coaching does. I really am amazed.

He showed Tori and Mansel how to "soft toss" the ball to each other. One crouches down and tosses the ball and they hit it into the net. Did I mention he brought bats and balls and gloves for the kids? He found a left handed glove for Mansel. It's a Nokona brand. Leather... I did a search that glove new is worth over $100. This is stuff kids leave laying around. Can you imagine that? I can't... We were blessed today.

He left a bat bag, full of bats. One is a neat bats that is weighted so you can feel if you are swinging correctly. If not the weight slides to the end of the bat early, if so, then the weight slides to the end of the bat at the right time.

Ever hear a bat go "woosh"? Well -- if you hear the sound too early -- you are not swinging correctly...

He pointed out that good coaching is about teaching young kids correct technique. He named a baseball coach who didn't even play professional baseball... but he is a wining coach. That reminded me of Tony Dungee... he wasn't a FANTASTIC football player, but he IS an OUTSTANDING coach. I'm pretty sure Uncle George has athletic ability -- but I know for SURE he is a great coach.

I found an article in the Des Moines register about his Roosevelt Team. He was an assistant coach... he helped turn that team around.

I feel so blessed that we could squeeze a little bit of wisdom out of him today. In just a few short hours he poured himself into our kids! Thank you Uncle George.

Those photos above -- they totally capture their personalities. Uncle George -- layed back, deliberate, OK -- what's next. Aunt Joyce -- happy go lucky, laughing and hugging!

We really enjoyed their visit!

We can't wait to see the fruit from the seeds you planted today.

PLAY BALL!!

Fresh

I know I show these boys with fresh hair cuts often. I love seeing how they grow. Usually in the middle of the summer -- I'll shorten the sides again and leave the top long. Then it looks like a real hair cut... not just a buzz. Sometimes we add some gel. I love these boys!

Imagination

This is one of the best investments I've ever made. Buying a parachute for Danielle.

It has become a universal toy -- all the kids love to play with it.

One of the favored things is making a tent. Usually we do this indoors. But the kids decided to do it outside this day.

They ALL were involved.

Pretty colors.

What is your favorite toy that they whole family enjoys?

Brrr.... Funny Girl

While we were working outside the other day -- Danielle wandered into the basement and started digging through the snow clothes box.

She came back outside -- ready to go!!

She pretended for about 30 minutes it was SOOO cold outside. She would shiver, say brrrr... all the while sweating in 80° humid Iowa summer weather.

She kept asking us if we were cold.

No -- silly girl... but we are having fun laughing at you!! She seems to love the sound of our laughter, because she stayed in it way longer then I would have.

Wordless Wednesday

Bent Chimneys

We recently had a storm -- and the wind blew -- and the chimney did NOT withstand. The frame that holds it in place is bent.

So - we put up some scaffolding.


And gathered our helpers.
Recruited some haulers.


Some more helpful then others.

And got to work. Actually we mostly stood around and watched Dan work -- but that's par for the course around here... just ask him.


I did get to go to the top and hand him a nut or too.

Did I get a photo of the finished project? No...

But it's done.
Whew... now we'll be set for another year of burning wood for heat.
Praise the Lord.

A Few of my Favorite Things

You know that song... Da da da da... OK -- I only know the tune.

Ok -- so forget that song... I'll just tell you about a few of my favorite things about the Iowa State Fair.

4H - when we got to the state fair, one of the first things we did was stop at the outdoor horse arena and watch the 4H competition. One good thing about that is when the judge declares the winner -- she told us why and how the others could improve. What she was looking for. We got inspired. After that show we walked through the horse barn and saw some folks we knew from Knoxville. They told us about the 4H clubs in Knoxville -- there is one for girls who DON'T have horses, but want to do 4H with them. WOW - that would be Tori. So we are going to look into that. See... we never would have known that if we didn't go to the fair.

Story telling - you know me... always love to tell a good story. LOL We sat down in the afternoon for some story telling. The adults got up and held a mic and just told stories. There were some famous names... famous in the story telling circles. Lee Klein was probably my favorite.

Animal Learning Center - This is what the Iowa State Fair web-site has to say about that building. This agricultural education exhibit features live births of various species including cows, sows, nanny goats and ewes. Fairgoers of all ages will be drawn to the chicks and ostriches hatching, along with the baby ducklings.

Little Hands on the Farm - Little Hands on the Farm teaches children the importance of agriculture and how it affects their daily lives in a fun and interactive way. Children become farmers at this hands-on exhibit. Children obtain a gathering basket and proceed along a path that includes a garden, grain bin, apple orchard, chicken coop, tractor shed, sheep barn and dairy barn. After gathering particular items along the way they get the chance to sell these items at the Little Hands on the Farm Farmers’ Market for a Little Hands dollar to spend at the Grocery Store for such items as a piece of fruit, a granola bar or an ice cream sandwich. I think my kids favorite thing was driving the little tractors.

Sun Shine - clear skys with a high of 85. Beautiful... couldn't ask for any better weather to be at the fair.

Normally -- I hate the state fair. I'll admit it -- I'm not very rural. Walking through the swine barn isn't really the most exciting thing I would choose to do. Walking around all the delicious food that has an exhorbant price is depression. Pork chop on a stick... $6. Can you believe it? Crazy. One fried oreo -- $3.50. You know what? I did pretty good on my diet actually -- because I bought NOTHING. Who can afford that? You'd have to take out a loan in order to feed a family of 7 a pork chop and an oreo. Then they would still be hungry.

I suggest you pack a lunch. That's what we did. Went to the car for lunch, then left the fair grounds at 8:00 for supper.

So -- there are some minuses... but the fair has improved much in the past few years, I'll admit. I can now say -- I enjoy going to the fair.

When I say that - do you picture me in bib overalls? LOL

WORLD RECORD - kind of corny

The Iowa State Fair decided to break a record this year. The most people simultaneoulsy eating a corn dog. Hey locals -- if you click on that link -- you can see my friends Earnie and Anetha in the DM register video. Ü Someone decided to have free addmission to the fair from 5:30 - 8:30 a.m. to get peole to come to the fair to help break this record. They had made 8,400 corn dogs in anticipation of the crowd.

Someone underestimated the greediness... um, I mean... the FRUGALITY of Iowans. LOL!!

We got up at 5:00 a.m.
We were on the road by 6:00 a.m.
We hit University Avenue at 7:00 a.m. the exactly same time as 10,000 other people, I think.

We DID get into the fair for free, at 8:15 -- saving us $38.00 -- but we did NOT get in line to eat a corn dog. We had heard on W.H.O. radio that they had only made 8,400 corn dogs. We also heard that the grand stand was getting full. We decided that at 8:15, we didn't have enough time to get over to the grand stand to try to get in on the corn dog eating event.

We are glad we decided that.

10,000 people in the grand stand, that means some people were just watching 8,400 people eat a corn dog, and 5,000 people were standing in line LISTENING to 8,400 people eat a corn dog.

3, 2, 1, CHOMP.

So -- they broke the record... 8,400 people simultaneously eating a corn dog and A TON O' CHEAP PEOPLE who got into the fair for free.

°Ü°

STUPID SHOES!!

We went to the Iowa State Fair yesterday.

I'll blog about that later...

but for now...

I'd just like to rant a little.

MY FEET WERE NOT READY FOR THESE SHOES!!

Oh My Word.

I got them on Friday -- Woo Hoo... won them off of e-bay... thought I was so smart... wore them every day including to church on Sunday -- to get my feet (toes really) ready to wear these comfy shoes to the state fair.

They would be cool... flip flops are not hot -- are they?

They would be comfy... I'm always hearing how comfy crocs are. UGLY but comfy...

Good marriage - crocs and flip flops... oh... my feet would be in heaven .

WRONG...

my TOES are crying today. I've got 5 blisters total between my 1st and 2nd toes. Oh waaah.... how do these little kids do this? Wear these flip flops all day long and run around and not blink a wink at their toes.

I'm too told for this stuff... give me my tennis shoes. they are hot, heavy, and ugly -- but they never give me blisters.

HAPPY HAPPY BIRTHDAY TORI!!

08/08/08
Today is Victoria Joy's 13th Birthday. I have entered the phase of having a young adult in my home. Tori!!! We love you and look forward to how God is going to use you. She is beautiful. (I'm so jealous of her hair) She is loving. (Oh how she treats the animals around here - it amazes me) She is kind. (She really helps me with the babies, she will make a wonderful mother some day) She is a peace maker. (I often hear her working with the youngers to help them learn to get along)
She is full of joy. (She isn't like me with my out loud LAUGH! But when she looks side ways at me in the car and laughs out loud at me -- it's a picture I want to always remember. He face GLOWS!) She is patient. (One thing about an old house -- it's not sound proof. In sharing a room with her 4yo sister, I often hear her showing patience with Danielle. She is so gracious sometimes!)

Oh -- I could go on and on... but I'd rather spend the day with my new teen. 13... I can't believe it.

SLOW DOWN!! I don't want t miss anything!

°Ü°

Chapman Interview

Many have probably seen this already, but for the few who haven't... this is amazing.



I could only pray that I would react as Mr. Chapman did in the midst of crisis.

"Will Franklin - YOUR FATHER LOVES YOU."

What comes out of your mouth is what is in your heart. I truly believe that.
May God bless the Chapmans for their transparency.
May He continue to heal them and comfort them.

New Blog

Well -- I've gone and dun it...

I'm started YET ANOTHER blog!!

I'm going to do this to hold myself accountable.

I love to blog.

I hate to write myself notes about what I've done for school that day, or trying to remember -- just what DID I do all day, when my dh asks me that infamous question, or keeping any symblance of MEMORIES of my children's education.

So -- here it is... my attempt at killing several birds with one stone.

Johnston Academy

Catchy Title... huh?

I know -- the creativety was just oozing out of my pores this morning.

I've got a start on it.

I'm supposed to update it weekly.

Yeah -- I've got a family blog I'm supposed to update monthly... that I forget about... so I'm praying you'll BUG ME if I forget.

Oh hey... I've got a google calendar -- I just might schedule this. Hmmm...

Good Bye Netflix - Hello Direct TV

During the summer -- we suspend our Direct TV. We don't watch much TV during the summer normally. But we do like to have family movie nights, once a week, and sometimes a date night for dad and mom. So we do Netflix.

This summer -- summer is ending early. Well -- sort of.

The Olympics are starting Friday. My dear husband got the TV up and running so we can watch the Olympics this year. I'm SO glad he got it going early -- Track and Field is my most favorite sport to watch EVER!! I think that was developed at an early age, due to my Dad and Mom taking us to the Drake Relays annually. Hooray... I'm one happy momma.

So - I'll suspend Netflix (you can do that for a while), and Let the Olympics Begin.

What's your favorite Summer Olympic Sport? Are you going to be watching?

Sunday School Lesson Continued

Oh wow... Romans 5.3 Normal every day verse -- until you start digging.

And not only so, but we glory in tribulations also: knowing that tribulation worketh patience;

Robertson says: It is one thing to submit to or endure tribulations without complaint, but it is another to find ground of glorying in the midst of them as Paul exhorts here.

OUCH! ... glory in tribulations. :sigh: so THAT's why the Word of God is called a SWORD!!


OK -- does glory mean what I think it means?

Here is the Strong's definition.

G2744
καυχάομαι
kauchaomai
kow-khah'-om-ahee
From some (obsolete) base akin to that of αὐχέω aucheō (to boast) and G2172; to vaunt (in a good or a bad sense): - (make) boast, glory, joy, rejoice.

Webster says:

Glory
GLO'RY, n. [L. gloria; planus; hence, bright, shining. Glory, then, is brightness, splendor. The L. floreo, to blossom, to flower, to flourish, is probably of the same family.]

1. Brightness; luster; splendor.

The moon, serene in glory, mounts the sky.

For he received from God the Father honor and glory,when there came such a voice to him from the excellent glory. 2 Pet 1.

In this passage of Peter, the latter word glory refers to the visible splendor or bright cloud that overshadowed Christ at his transfiguration. The former word glory, though the same in the original, is to be understood in a figurative sense.

2. Splendor; magnificence.

Solomon, in all his glory, was not arrayed like one

of these. Mat 6.

3. The circle of rays surrounding the head of a figure in painting.

4. Praise ascribed in adoration; honor.

Glory to God in the highest. Luke 2.

5. Honor; praise; fame; renown; celebrity. The hero pants for glory in the field. It was the glory of Howard to relieve the wretched.

6. The felicity of heaven prepared for the children of God; celestial bliss.

Thou shalt guide me with thy counsel,and afterwards receive me to glory. Psa 73.

7. In scripture, the divine presence; or the ark, the manifestation of it.

The glory is departed from Israel. 1 Sam 4.

8. The divine perfections or excellence.

The heavens declare the glory of God. Psa 19.

9. Honorable representation of God. 1 Cor 11:8.

10. Distinguished honor or ornament; that which honors or makes renowned; that of which one may boast.

Babylon, the glory of kingdoms. Isa 13.

11. Pride; boastfulness; arrogance; as vain glory.

12. Generous pride.

GLO'RY, v.i. [L. glorior, from gloria.]

To exult with joy; to rejoice.

Glory ye in his holy name. Psa 105. 1 Chr 16.

1. To boast; to be proud of.

No one should glory in his prosperity.

Look at #9. Honorable representation of God. Hmmm... am I close? I think that's it. During tribulations (which mine are so puny, I really shouldn't even be mentioning it) glory, or be an honorable representation of God. Can't be done in my own power. That much I know. I think I'll start praying in that way... Lord - help me to be an honorable representation of You in the midst of stuff.

Just A Reminder to Self

Maintain an Attitude of Gratitude

That is the title of this week's Sunday School lesson.

I was instructed to read Philippians 4.8. Php 4:8 Finally, brethren, whatsoever things are true, whatsoever things are honest, whatsoever things are just, whatsoever things are pure, whatsoever things are lovely, whatsoever things are of good report; if there be any virtue, and if there be any praise, think on these things. Then the workbook says, "What things should the believer think on?" I think we all KNOW what we are to think on. I was more interested to see what "think on these things" meant. I want to know HOW.

So I looked up that verse on e-sword. Ooowww... I found some interesting things.

Henry says: think of these things - imitate them in what is truly excellent among them, and let not them outdo you in any instance of goodness.”

Gill says: think on these things: meditate upon them, revolve them in your minds, seriously consider them, and reason with yourselves about them, in order to put them into practice.

Robertson says: Think on these things (tauta logizesthe). Present middle imperative for habit of thought. We are responsible for our thoughts and can hold them to high and holy ideals.

Imitate the excellent. Let not them outdo you. Meditate on them. Revolve them in your minds. The kicker... WE ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR OUR THOUGHTS.

How do you do Philippians 4.8?

My First 4k

I DID it!!! Woo Hoo!! I ran in the Knoxville Dollars for Scholars 2nd annual 4k.

Tori (my 12yo) did GREAT -- she got 21:00 (something). She stopped a few times. This was her first race, so she didn't know about pacing herself. She was at 8:54 1/2 way through. She slowed down a bit at the end.

I didn't stop (that was my goal) and I got 29:29. Hooray! Less than 30 minutes. So I'd have to work a bit to do a 5K under 30 minutes. I was at 16:48 1/2 way through. So I picked up at the end, apparently. But we were running down hill the last 1/2 more so then the first. There were a few hills... but not anything like the ones I run here at home. I was talking with Rachel, a girl from church who does cross country, and she mentioned how long her stride was going down those hills. DOH! I didn't even think about that. So I'll add that to my plan for running hills... STRETCH!! LOL

I can't wait until next year -- I'm going to do it again. August 8, 2009.

That will be incentive to STAY IN SHAPE through the winter and be able to beat my time next year.

Most of the time I ran with my friend Connie. At the end I said, "GO CONNIE!! Beat last years time!" and she took off. What fun!! I think she said she DID improve over last year. That's fun.

I didn't cry, like I thought I would, but I sure felt elated!!

OK -- enough about me.

I'd really encourage you to try something like this -- make it a goal. I started c25k in March. I couldn't HARDLY run the 1 minute time... I REALLY was huffing and puffing at the beginning. PRAISE GOD!! It is so fun to see the improvement. DO IT!! Find a race and DO IT!!

One funny... there was a 4k and a 1/3 marathon today. The man who won the 1/3 marathon yesterday came in before the LAST people finished the 4k. AMAZING!!! I think he may have had a 5:23 minute mile pace. WOW!

It was a small race -- only 250 people... but Knoxville is a small town... only about 7,500 people altogether. The 2nd year the race was run. It'll be fun to run this every year.

LURKERS COMMENT DAY

I've got a friend - Tawna -- she just told me she reads my blog all the time. Who knew??? Not me -- why? Because she never leaves a comment.

So today... today I declare it to be LEAVE A COMMENT IF YOU ARE A LURKER day. Ü

I KNOW that you are out there... I see the hits all the time... I don't know who you are... usually just what city and state or even country you are in... but a friend? Are you a friend? THAT information, I don't know.

Some people stop me and say, "I read your blog." Oh YEAH!!! An in real life comment... that's always fun... but today -- you have to come out of that closet and TYPE "I Read Your Blog."

That doesn't mean you have to LIKE my blog... LOL just say -- "Hey."

Ok -- Tawna... you going to be first?

(I realize... you may be lurking for a reason... so there may be very few comments today.) LOL

Oh well -- I'll just through this challenge out there anyway... give it a try. It'll make my day.

p.s. You can always comment anonymously. No one will evah know who you are...