Sometimes in my flurry of every day activity and constant rush I forget to take a moment to just sit quietly and reflect on all that I have to be thankful for.  It is so easy to take things for granted including those who are closest to us.  I wonder why it is always easy to find things to complain about but even easier  to forget to give thanks.  

Did I sleep through a change in our federal law concerning immigration? Call me crazy but I thought it was already a crime to be in this country illegally yet Arizona is on the verge of approving Legislature that would make it a crime under state law.  This would require local police officers to question people about their immigrant status.  If they cannot produce documents showing they are allowed to work in the US could be arrested and jailed up to 6 months and fined $2,500.  Somehow this evoked visions of requiring legal Hispanic immigrants to wear, let's say, yellow sombreros on their lapels to make them easily identifiable. Arizona isn't the only state looking at immigration one of our Oklahoma representatives wants to propose legislation that would basically revoke the citizenship of any child born in the US to illegal parents.  Uhhhhh isn't that unconsitutional under the 14th amendment? 

You know we have had immigration laws for a long time but we didn't bother to enforce them.  Now we want to create more laws?  I don't see how you will gain anything.  Try enforcing the ones we have.  Punish the people who employ illegal immigrants?  

GOD LOVES DRUNK PEOPLE TOO
 
A man and his wife were awakened at 3:00 am by a loud pounding on the door.
 
The man gets up and goes to the door where a drunken stranger, standing in the pouring rain, is asking for a push.
 
"Not a chance," says the husband, "it is 3:00 in the morning!"
 
He slams the door and returns to bed.
 
"Who was that?" asked his wife.
 
"Just some drunk guy asking for a push," he answers.
 
"Did you help him?" she asks.
 
"No, I did not, it is 3:00 in the morning and it is pouring rain out there!"
 
"Well, you have a short memory," says his wife. "Can't you remember about three months ago when we broke down, and those two guys; helped us?  I think you should help him, and you should be ashamed of yourself!  God loves drunk people too."
 
The man does as he is told, gets dressed, and goes out into the pounding rain.
 
He calls out into the dark, "Hello, are you still there?"
 
"Yes," comes back the answer.
 
"Do you still need a push?" calls out the husband.
 
"Yes, please!" comes the reply from the dark.
 
"Where are you?" asks the husband.
 
"Over here on the swing set," replied the drunk.

Here are some of the flowers I planted over the weekend.

Batface Cuphea

 

  midnight blue Lobelia

White Lobelia

Midnight Madness Petunias.....  Just to name a few!

I'm going with a pink, lavender, purple, blues and white.........that's how I filled the window boxes and flower beds.  Now I'm paying for all my hard work with sore muscles and horrible allergies!   But it will all be worth it in about a month.

Old Coot

We all know older people who think that if it isn't the way it was done when they were young then it just isn't any good.  I don't want to be the old "coot" on the block.  I think technology is wonderful even though I don't always understand how to use it.  I've said before that I really don't "GET" texting but then I'm not 14 years old either.  I sometimes wish I could just follow a 14 year old around for a day and see if they really are as different from the 14 year olds of my day or if they just seem that way to me.  I think my biggest concern for the kids today is whether they are really learning how to really connect with others.  I know they think they are connected 24/7 but on what level?  There is something impersonal about words on a screen (dare I call them words) "DIKU) translated "Do I know you?"  I read recently that another concern is that young people use texting as a way to avoid conflict.  It's much easier to say break up with a girlfriend through a text then to do it face-to-face.  Well, aren't they missing out on valuable lessons that will help them navigate in the adult world?  But then again, the adult world they will be part of will probably be much different from the one I know now.  So far, I've never sent a text, wouldn't know how if I wanted to and am far too lazy to type out a message when I can just talk into a phone.  Sooooo call me an old coot.........I just don't get it!

Can't get my mind out of the sewer

Since I seems to be obsessed with this whole toilet subject my search continues......

Now for the practical minded person this little number could be achieved with just a bag of quickcrete and a stick for writing your initials on the front.   This would be a contender but I just don't have enough vegetation in my yard to insure privacy.

Now here is something to inspire the artist in you. 

I really don't know what to say about this one.  I'm not sure what it inspires, but then I guess there is really only one thing a toilet should inspire you to do...   Maybe inspiration is only required if you have prostrate problems but this one just makes me think of an orange dreamcicle..... .

Diamonds ARE a girl's best friend................Personally, I've always known MY butt was priceless:)

This one is actually named "The Throne"

But this one is my favorite!  It's a toilet and a bench!  I love it because it would just be fun to confuse the hell out of your guests!

http://www.brondell.com/products/index.php

Now here's a toilet seat for ya!

DIY

I have a new DIY project on the horizon.  I need to replace a toilet.  Not a very glamorous projec but a necessity all the same.  My standard issue (55 year old toilet) seems to have malfunctioned so I decided I would upgrade to a "comfort height" toilet and save wear and tear on my knee joints.  My quest started yesterday and I NEVER knew there were so many options in toilets these days.  One thing I noticed is that it is hard to find a standard round bowl.  Almost all of them are elongated.  Now, I don't know about anyone else but I just don't have an elongated butt.  In fact, none of my friends have elongated fannies either (at least as far as I can tell).  Isn't that a lot like trying to put a round peg in an elongated hole?  There just has to be some overage!!!!  Another decision to be made is the dual flush versus the regular flush.  So clever.....#1 for #1 and #2 for pooh......How clever!  One feature I want for sure is the self closing lid.  I don't know why I want it since I live alone and no one leaves the lid up unless it is me, but I just think it is clever.  I doubt this will end up being a DIY project since the more I read the more complicated installation sounds.   I may just have to get a porta-potty out back and call it good!