WWDLD?

So, if you're not sporting your WWJD bracelet, you might have a WWDLD version - what would Dalai Lama do?

My aunt Pam sent me an e-mail forward, which I would usually delete (no offense Pam, but I hate forwards!) but this one luckily caught my eye. It was kind of fun and turned out to seem halfway, and probably coincidentally, accurate.

Check it out

And then check out how my answers compare and what that means about me.

Question #1: Sheep, Horse, Cow, Pig, Tiger
Question #2: Dog - loyal, Cat - sneaky (not sure what that means!), Rat - greedy, Coffee - aromatic (not sure what that means either!), Sea - vast
Question #3: Yellow - Sasha, Orange - Colleen V., Red - didn't think of anyone, White - Leanne, Green - Kevin

The last question is a joke, so I skipped it here. What did your answers say?

Cousints

You know how they say you can choose your friends, but you can't choose your family? I am so lucky to have such a great group of "cousints" (as Meg calls them) who I am not only blessed to count as family members, but friends, too.

Maybe I have a different perspective, because I am older than most of them, but it's been amazing to go from playmates to friends, and watch them grow into young adults, through their own experiences and trials. I remember Easter egg hunts, Camp Lucy, babysitting adventures, family reunions, weddings, babies and shore weekends. I'm lucky that we get along so well, and hang out so easily, and keep in touch with each others lives. I'm touched and thrilled when they come to me to share stories, ask advice and even to lend me support, even from across the country, and even when we've grown apart over the years. I'm glad to be a godmother to two lovely young girls who are growing up so fast. I'm glad to pass down family stories and contribute our own. I'm so happy that a few of them have started blogs of their own, so I can stay updated, regardless of if they're in Germany or Newark.

Come to think of it, I think cousins are better than just plain old friends - because our family bond is so strong, you know they'll love you no matter what, and you can be honest with each other, and respect each other, through anything.

Update

Since I have been woefully negligent in updating the blog, I wanted to just put up a quick post to let all my faithful readers know I am alive. I really don't have an excuse except that nothing of humorous note has been happening. This past weekend Kevin and I went to spent a long weekend in the Annapolis area with friends from Etown and their spouses/children. It was nice to see everyone and catch up.

Lunch break over - back to Monday!

Hear ye, hear ye

TO: All readers of JackSoapbox
FROM: Jackie
RE: Comments to page
DATE: 8-7-07

It has come to my attention that there are a number of people reading this blog. This information comes per the counter established on the page, as well as personal accounts from readers at various and sundry family and friend functions.

While I am thrilled to itsy bitsy pieces that you are enjoying the experience of reading this blog, let me remind you that this is different from a book, or a newspaper, or anything else you may read (e.g., back of cereal box, label on shampoo, road signage) in that there is a structured and immediate process for you to give feedback.

All this time, I've been toiling under the misconception that this blog is to amuse me, my dear husband, various friends in exotic lands, various cousins who live via Interweb and the odd passer-by, since they are the few that post messages via the blog. But NO! There are more of you out there, my faithful followers.

Let me encourage each of you to realize your full potential as readers of this blog and post your comments as you see fit. Don't be scared. As a writer, I live for your feedback and interest.

That is all.

I scream, you scream

I know how much you all love to hear about the antics in our neighborhood, so let me bring you up to speed on a funny little appearance this summer.

The lady across the street, who we refer to as "Cheech", has added a new accoutrement to her deck this summer. I'm including a photo. Now, it's a large shot - I didn't crop it down on purpose, so you'd see what we see when we look out the window. If you don't notice the decor item, click on the picture to blow it up.

Now you see it, don't cha?

That's right; it's a giant ice cream cone. And before you can ask, yes, it does light up for those evening sundae soirees on the deck. It's quite an odd sight when you look out your window, especially given that we live nowhere near an ice cream shop of any kind - unless she's dealing some type of black market junk, which may explain the long line from her house every evening. Juuuuuuuuust kidding :-)

Anyway, if you'd like to see if IRL, stop on by. If you hang around long enough, the Mr. Softee truck will swing by with it's happy little tune and you can slurp a root beer float while you check out the cone of coolness.

I wrt lk txt msg

Since I got called out on one of my cousin's blogs (meaning, a blog from my many cousins that now have them, not one cousin with many blogs) because she was not in my "blogs of note" section. I wanted to make sure she wasn't writing an underground, stealth-type blog before I publicized her to the world. That not being the case, check it out (if you can stand spelling errors and TXT MSG vernacular):

http://www.and-the-winner-iss.blogspot.com/

Enjoy!