1. I still haven’t checked my Power Ball numbers from June 28th.

2. I grew up in a seriously haunted house. It was a carriage house around the turn of the century and later became a big ol’ farm house. The whole family knew that it was haunted, but we didn’t say as much about it as you’d think. My friends would spend the night with me once or twice and never come back over… Mom spent a lot of time wandering around the house with holy water… Dad seemed to find a kind of comfort in it… my sisters and I woke each other up at least two times a week because of what we’d seen… and to this day, I can’t sleep without a blanket over my ear. I’ll fill you in on the details some day.

3. My divorce should be final by the end of the month. I didn’t know that it could move this quickly!

4. Jennifer is going to a Cubs game in Milwaukee tomorrow with my boss (HUGE Cubs fan). Jen loves the White Sox, but since they’re not playing and she has no opinions on the Brewers, she has decided to dress in her Green Bay get up (complete with a cheese wedge hat) and carry a green and gold football sign. She thinks that if she’s crazy enough they’ll put her on TV. They might. It’s a night game… look for her behind first base. (That’s my girl!)

5. If I’d been born much earlier, had longer hair, was able to sing, and didn’t mind having to wear a hat, I could have been the forth Andrew Sister.

1. I had to go up into Wisconsin last night, and I stopped at a gas station. I asked the clerk what kind of lottery they have up there and she told me that they have Power Ball, but it was only up to 28 million dollars. My first thought, of course, was “Wow! I used to be 28 years old! “ A clearer sign , one could not ask for. Then another realization – yesterday’s date was the 28th. I bought a ticket and went to my sister’s house to let her know that I would be wealthy by the weekend. The drawing was last night and I have not checked the numbers yet, but I’m sure they’re all good.

2. I do not have a fortune cookie today, but if I did have one, and if it was an amazingly magically accurate cookie, it would probably say, “You are falling head-over-heels, toe-curling, heart-thumping in love.” And “Those white sandals make your toes look fat.”

3. Jen had her first ultrasound the other day. She’s only 2 months in, so it wasn’t very clear, but we could see the heart moving! The baby is due the day after my birthday, and has my eyes! (I think)

4. I conducted an independent survey at work today. 32% of employees would eat Stove Top Stuffing if it was prepared for them and offered to them. 66% have inhaled a bug at some point in their lives. The other 2% could not be reached for questioning because they took a TWO HOUR LUNCH! (Way to go, Betsy and Jose… you messed up my survey.)

5. Lecturing Myself:

“Holding on to anger is like grasping a hot coal with the intent of throwing it at someone else; you are the one who gets burned.” ~Buddah

“Don’t hold to anger, hurt or pain. They steal your energy and keep you from love.” ~Leo Buscaglia

“He who angers you conquers you.” ~Elizabeth Kenny

“He who smiles rather than rages is always the stronger.” ~Japanese Proverb

“Never does the human soul appear so strong and noble as when it forgoes revenge and dares to forgive injury.” ~Hubbel Edwin Chapin

“A wise man will make haste to forgive, because he knows the full value of time and will not suffer it to pass away in unnecessary pain.” ~Rambler

(And that's all I that I have to say about that.)

Jennifer says that she won't name the baby Brett Favre, even though he/she IS due on Super Bowl Sunday... so I had to go to the local cat-search-and-rescue shelter. This little guy's such a trip. To a six-week old kitten, EVERYTHING is a toy (everyone, too!) The dogs love him, and he and Hobbes have been chasing each other around non-stop. Calvin whistles at him, but doesn't seem to want any further interaction. He won't drink his water out of a bowl.. he has to have a water glass, and he loves hanging upside-down from things. (He fits right in here.)