writing love on my arm

Remember, remember the fifth of November,
The gunpowder treason and plot,
I know of no reason
Why the gunpowder treason
Should ever be forgot.

I have posted some cosatume pics on flickr, if anyone is interested. Steampunk, faire, and halloween.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64413776@N00/4067616620/

http://community.livejournal.com/save_dave/14798.html

Tom's link:
http://filkertom.livejournal.com/1076608.html

I don't know Dave. I just know, when my house flooded, those around me gave what was in their hearts and made me feel better, despite the 7 foot of water and game devastation. Music, games, clothes...and I want to pay it forward as well.

The above is my link to what I am donating. If nothing else, send good wishes to his family. Positive energy helps

Bacon Cheddar Cookies


Ingredients:


4 slices thick cut bacon, chopped finely
2 cups all-purpose flour
1/2 teaspoon cayenne pepper
1 cup finely shredded sharp cheddar cheese
1 stick softened butter, cut into cubes ( I use salted)
1 large egg
1 egg yolk
2 tablespoons heavy cream


Preparation:

In a large skillet over medium high heat cook the chopped bacon until very crisp. Drain on paper towel.

In the bowl of a stand mixer combine the flour, cayenne pepper, butter, egg, egg yolk, and cream. Mix until well combined.

Add the shredded cheese and crisp bacon to the work bowl and mix on low speed until combined.

Turn the dough out on to a lightly floured board and roll into a log about 1 1/2″ around. Wrap the log in plastic wrap and chill for at least two hours.

During the last half hour of chilling heat your oven to 350 F.

Once chilled slice into 1/4″ thick disks and place about 1/2″ apart on an un-greased cookie sheet.

Bake for 18 to 25 minutes, or until the cookies are just turning golden abound the edges and the cookies are firm to the touch.

Cool on a rack until they are slightly warm.

Store them in air-tight container when they are are completely cool down and can keep well for 2 days



Enjoy!

Happy early birthday, tarrestrial
!

10 min early :D

http://isolde-deely.livejournal.com/231095.html

If anyone can help me out, it woulkd be appreciated. If not, just cheer me on :)

Thanks!

http://walk.jdrf.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=extranet.personalpage&confirmid=87401443

I'm walking to support Juvenile Diabetes research and cure. If you can help me out, please do so :)

From my page:

Melissa is walking with Alycia's Army on September 12, 2009 in Louisville, KY.

Hi! I wanted to see how I could make a difference for those suffering from this dehibilitating disease, and have offered my time here to help out. I have friends who are diabetic all around me. I have friends who are on pills, diet, and injection based support through this disease that wracks the body. The amount of research out there continues to grow, and if I can help others not suffer the pain, anguish, or loss of livelihood, I will do my best to do so.

Starting early is always a good idea.
So, for Dad, Fred, Steve, Chris, Tonya and all those others I know and cannot name here, but love, I do this for you all.


*******************
Hello! This year, I'll be taking part in JDRF's Walk to Cure Diabetes, along with one-half million other walkers across the country, as we try to reach our goal of raising $105 million.

Type 1, or juvenile, diabetes, is a devastating disease that affects millions of peoplea large and growing percentage of them children.

There is some good news, though. For the first time, scientists are predicting that we CAN expect to see a cure well within our lifetime!

Now, more than ever, you can make a crucial difference. Won't you please give to JDRF as generously as possible? Together, we can make the cure a reality!

Which do you like better, and why? I will be wearing a mermaid black skirt with this.

Thanks!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64413776@N00/3880737198/ silver

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64413776@N00/3879940521/ teal

Should I keep both? They were pricy... opinions?

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64413776@N00/sets/72157621946912327/

If you have a flickr account, please check these out. Assorted GenCon pics.

Despite all the darkness and sorrow, mud and rain. Despite the fireball today, I do have happy thoughts and I had them here. I will write more on this later.

Gen Con Pics :) Clicky!
I just wish my pics of Marc were clear :(

Will be posting more about Gen Con later.

Had to take Nez to the hospital. He was trying to clean the hot water heater, and had the safeties engaged. Apparently there was a buildup.

We went to U of L hospital and were seen pretty quickly. I gave information, and we had him seen. He was scorched across the head, eyebrows, chest, lower regions (was not dressed when he tried this) and his hand and two legs were the worst hit. They laid cool wet gauze on him and gave him 2 ivs full of fluids, as well as oxygen (he did inhale some burned hair, this was the basement...)

They dressed his burns - his hand has some second degree, as well as his legs below the knee. Especially the right leg.

Planning to give him a haircut later - otherwise he will cut it all off. I am trying to stress how clean we have to keep these -I know easy these are to go bad.

I am supposed to take him back to the burn unit tomorrow, since burns do still continue. I have a doc appt at 2 for my eyes. They didn't think he would need surgery so did send him home with a prescription for percoset.

first 2 days at the con

Been wandering around a bit - there is a jacuzzi on the top floor I availed myself of last night. Got some good food at the Ram and wandered through the mall adn around a bit.

Today Foxwit and I went to the dealers room and talked today. He left around 11 am to go play Live Dungeon and Geist. I stayed pretty much in the dealers room. Spoke to Filkertom and MarcGunn and ran into Alphaethan, Foxwit's college roommate. Spoke for a moment, gave a couple hugs and moved on - he was busy. Ran into coworkers. Also ean into someone who knew Botts.

Its been bittersweet. I miss my games. I did find a copy of Facts in Fave. 6.66 deal. LOL
Got chest painted - lol. Ran into the lady who painted my face years ago at the fair.

I went by, and she recalled me, when I verified who it was. She wasn't busy, so painted my chest. I admit it, I love being a canvas:)

http://fragbert.livejournal.com/442522.html


posted all over my friends list.

I love you guys. I really do!

... [M]ost everything that Jesus taught can be distilled down to one simple, if not a bit vulgar, statement: "Life is hard, we're all in this together, don't be a dick."

I think the world might be a better place if people stopped wearing clothing and jewelry with "WWJD" plastered on it, and replaced it with "DBAD".


Let a car into traffic. She's been sitting there for a while and she probably has to be somewhere soon, just like you do.

Smile at someone. They're probably having a shitty day and could use some positive energy. If they're not having a shitty day, it won't hurt to keep their good mood going.

Thank the barista, the cashier, the bag boy, the lunch lady, the crossing guard, the guy that empties your office trash, and the telephone operator. I don't care if it's their job to serve you. We all serve someone.

Find someone (or more than one) on your LJ Friends List that you haven't commented to in a while. Post a comment letting them know that you're glad they're on your List.

Make it a point to compliment someone today. On anything. Everyone has something worthy of praise and admiration.

Tell *everyone* you love exactly that. Life is short, shit happens, and the people who are important to us need to know they've had a positive effect on someone else's life. It's entirely possible that our own lives are measured solely on how we affected others.
Here's today's project: if you're in agreement, and are so inclined, post "DBAD" in your LJ today, with a link back to this entry.

Last week is over. A new week begins.

It was a rough week: A coworker lost their Aunt on monday, one lost their snake.

Tuesday, the flooding. Missed work..basement... Also, something else -

Robert Botts was one of our Supervisors at Charter. He was pronounced missing on the previous Thursday, and I found out on tuesday. I joined the facebook group helping to hunt for him as well. Sent pictures, tried to help as much with the grassroots as possible.

Wednesday, came in a bit dazed. AlphaTom gave me time off the phones to work on team stuff, and to keep an eye on me. He had heard what had happened - seen a picture I sent. Apparently it hit one of the distros. Thursday, we all were talking about Botts. We were being offered VTO (volontary time off) to go join the searches, if time became availiable.

Friday.
Friday, I walked up to my computer, and was setting it up. Cherish came by, and began to gently lead me away, downstairs. I had heard moments earlier that his body was found. I was escorted to HR - one of at least 10 people. Grief counselling. Chuck sat by me and was talking to me, encouraging me to let it all out. I cannot just cry on command though. He talked with me for about 45 minutes during my lunch as well.

I am a morale officer, in a sense. I help make people better, and stronger. And I was hit hard. He wanted me to talk to the concillor about my mom - her loss hit me, from years before. He wanted to have me talk about the flooding as well. I did, actually, and was crying in there as well. Angel was there, and I had her go in first.

Botts was not my supervisor. I was hotelled with his team when I was in HSI. He had the seats in the morning, Beck, at night. He always had a kind word, and was silly. If you were really having a hard time, he would pull you aside and talk to you, helping to let it go, and to laugh. He liked playing with his lazy eye, pointing it out to make people comfortable as well. I alsways liked him, and he would generally say hello when I would pass. I passed on several nesters to his team during my stint as nesting coach as well, letting him know where to place them. When we had the pirate theme day (pirates of the Carribean came out) he was one of those who dressed like a pirate. I posted it on the Facebook page for the others to see as well. We miss him. The details are still being worked out to exactly what happened.

60-70% of the supervisor staff went home or were sent home. AlphaTom was upstairs and immediately gave me a hug when I came up there. This surprised me - I've never seen him do that. He did leave at 8 - he was expressly told by his Manager to leave at 8, if he did stay. I think he was worried about me and some others as well. He's my Alpha, and leader. I will protect him as well.He's going through the transition for business right now. It is the hardest part of the job - you have to get past several months. If I can, I will help him get past this.

.......

my dad was in the hospital for outpatient for kidney stones. He is out, and seems better.

.......
went to frisbee golf, had to stop at hole 16. Overheating, wasp stung, and needed to take my meds. Went to the doctor for my tonsils, and got steroids and antibiotics. I literally cannot go downstairs right now.

at PennStation I heard one of my three trigger songs, and began to cry again. "One Sweet Day" Mariah Carey/BoysIIMen.
I only hope there is some kind of service here that we can all atttend in some way. I'll take unpaid time off. I had a lot of respect for that man, and our Charter Family will miss him.

RIP Robert Botts. You will be missed. Funerals are for the living, and we will continue to do our best and to lift up those around us.

http://erisianagnostic.livejournal.com/5163.html

This is Tom's post.

I haven't created one yet. We also had a music system downstairs as well. Lost some of my CDs.

Filkertom, can I get an album list so I can figure which are missing?

If people want to look for games - the main two that are missed are:
Facts in Five
Dominion.

The two systems we have been playing was Rolemaster (older one)
Champions.

If you happen to see some of the older Rolemaster games, or have spares, please let us know.

Bruce and I will be going to GenCon. At this point, we cannot get our money back. And it will probably be good to be out of the house as well.

Here are some pictures.

Go in, if you want to be depressed. You will have to log into flickr, if you have an account.

I also have a few under isolde_deely in photobucket. Password to view that is melissa (viewer account - not my editing one).

Currently cannot take any more, except by phone.

My camera went for a swim when I fell in checking the storm drain outside that day. Luckily, the chip was okay.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/64413776@N00/sets/72157621962538384/

Thanks for the support everyone - the hugs are helping. Trying to stay strong, for the guys. The gaming and games were more theirs. I lost some things, but not at the same extent as they did.

It is bad.

Today I wake up to the sound of a cosmic scatter gun, shooting ice pellets across my windows. Hail. Joy. Ok, I hear the rain start...sigh, seems like the basement will flood, get some clothes. It will be ankle deep.

Get in the basement - hasn't gotten to that - good. Check the floor, nothing really there. OK.... grabbed an outfit and grabbed cat. Water is now ankle deep - this rarely happens, but can work with it. See that Desi is on top a pile of clothes and cannot escape water. Grab cat. Am now bleeding as cat panics as I rescue from the horrible cat eating flood. Sigh. Gratitude?

Set the phone to alarm clock in case power goes off. Try to go back to sleep. Storm is too loud.

Go downstairs - water is higher, now approaching my knees. I move the gaming books to the table, off the chairs. Move the bottom shelf of games up onto the table for safety. I think that will be okay - I take off the thigh high rennfaire boots I used and go upstairs. The power goes out.

Ok, I have candles. It's affecting the neighborhood. I find out later that 5 inches of rain was falling - per minute. Lightning strikes, wind....I hear a strange noise and go to investigate. Water is pouring in through the crack beneath the side door. The waterfall sound is a literal whitewater waterfall, filling the basement. The path beside the house is under water. The yard is flooded. Water is now covering the bottom front step out front. To the level of the back steps.

Yard is underwater. Go outside - the storm drain isn't flowing. Slip and fall to the road. Ick. Go back to the house, and get my bat staff. Walk down to where the drain should be. I am in water over my waist, just below chest level - free what branches I could find. Pust the staff as far as I can. Solid water, no blockage. No draining at all. The street ones bubble a little.

Check the stairs - basement is still rising. Slip and fall on the stairs. Oww :( I will have some bruises for that.

Neighbors kids are charging to push cars out of the water. Later, the kids father is having a yelling, vernacular infested conversation with one person who had two cars, not paying the kids. He threatens to call the police for robbing the kids. I do see a policeman later that he is speaking to. There also was a firetruck - apparently there was a small fire in the basement where their fuse box shorted out.

Nez is still trying to make his way back to me. He drove Foxwit to work. So we are in three different locations. Foxwit leaves early to rescue me, gets to Southland Terrace - that was the closest Tom could get to home. They finally can go up Central and park in front of Granny's. 3:40, they get to the house.

The water has stopped flowing down the stairs. The water is even to the level of the steps.The basement is flooded. One of my dressers is floating. All my clothes, as well as Foxwit's and most of Nez's. All of our games - board games, magic cards, rpg books and modules, dice. Card games....all is under water. The washer, dryer, hot water heater, furnace - Nez's bike, all under water.

Worst of all, that means I have to redo my 10 page character sheet - if we can run games without the Rolemaster books.....kidding. Trying to laugh, not to cry. Keeping in

Right now, I am at Nez's mom's house. Using an unsecured connection. I'm being forced to eat, because my stressreaction is not to eat. The cats are locked in the house, with plenty of food. Basement is closed off. I feel very guilty leaving them there. I had to call in - and will probably get a verbal at this point.

I hate tuesdays.

Rules:
Using only song names from ONE ARTIST, cleverly answer these questions. Pass it on to 15 people you like and include me (presuming I'm someone you like). You can't use the band I used. Try not to repeat a song title. It's a lot harder than you think! Repost as "my life according to (band name)".


Pick your Artist
Billy Joel

Are you a male or female:
"Shes always a Woman"

Describe yourself:
"Shes got a way"

How do you feel:
"And So It Goes "

Describe where you currently live:
"State of Grace"

If you could go anywhere, where would you go?
"New York State of Mind "

Your favorite form of transportation:
"The River of Dreams"

Your best friend?
"Summer, Highland Falls"

You and your best friends are:
"I go to Extremes"

What's the weather like:
"We didn't start the Fire"


Favorite time of day:
"Lullaby (Goodnight my Angel)"


If your life was a TV show, what would it be called:
"A Matter of Trust:

What is life to you:
"Sometimes a Fantasy"

Your relationship:
"Shameless"

Your fear:
"Two Thousand Years"

What is the best advice you have to give:
"Tell Her About It "

Thought for the Day:
"I've Loved These Days"

How I would like to die:
"Seen the Lights Go Out on Broadway"

My soul's present condition:
"All about Soul"

My motto:
"Only the Good Die Young"

Had an interesting day. Went out to eat, and went over to Thomp to play games, and maybe hottub. Weather was being weatherlike, after all.
Bought a really pretty orange and black bracelet and celtic star necklace from sydb42 and darkwolf :)

Got to hang out with Kisa, Dubheach, B, Peterbeerslayer, T, and the kids - with Nez, Foxwit and myself.

Played Pit, Facts in Five, and I bowed out of the Dominion games. Peter was playing some Flogging Molly and I relaxed in a chair with a nearby kitty. Later, after eating a group of us got in the hot tub and soaked, watching the lightning playing overhead. The few cool drops that hit were really nice and cool.

B, Kisa, Dubheach, Nez, Foxwit and myself were out and I had a lot of fun out of the soak. Got to meet Pixel outside which is colored a lot like Reinheart - wonder if they are related?

Anyway, had a really nice time :) Nez stayed overnight and Foxwit and I went home...after all, the kitties cannot do without us :)

Taking telephone voip calls after 2 days of limited training. Not the trainer's fault - he hasn't been doing too well.He's really sick. We had our ES staff helping us out.

I hate not knowing my job, and having really high handle times for my calls. Sigh.....