A few less leaves to rake this Fall...

We had quite the storm in our neck of the woods last weekend. (around 75 mph!) We had some slight tree damage, luckily the 30 foot limb did not land on our cars, the house or shed. Unfortunatly, the tree did suffer a split higher up, and will have to be repaired. If we don't repair the split, the next high wind, or heavy snow might result in a HUGE limb on someone's garage or house...I have to say we have some pretty great neighbors and family with chainsaws. We had the majority of the mess cleaned up by noon the next morning. Since all the wires (power, cable and phone) were ripped off the power poles we were without a few of life's little luxuries. I am very thankful it was a cool night! In a few days we were back up and running like "normal." Whatever that is. Until my family surprized us with their arrival, Owen, Maggie and I mostly stayed indoors. I didn't want to have to be carrying Maggie around and chasing Owen away from Mr. Nielson's chainsaw. Or, having Owen trip and gowging out an eyeball from the many other small branches that fell. Owen enjoyed helping pick up sticks after there was an extra eye to look after him!

Here's Maggie, cute as can be. The storm didn't bother her at all!

Mini-vacation and yummy garden goodness

First off, I have to say that I was pleasantly surprised to see Kerry Wood back on the mound a few minutes ago. Seems like years since I've seen him pitch. Also, I never can get these pictures in the correct order. This picture was supposed to be last, after the picture of the tomato in Dave's hand. (fresh picked, warm from the sun right outside our house)

More awesome summer veggie goodness from our neighbors yield. (The tomato is ours).
Owen and Maggie learning how to share.

We took a quick trip to Cheyenne, WY to visit my super-great friend Ann. This is not a picture taken in WY, though. On the way back home we detoured through Estes Park, CO. I had never riden a tram or ski lift up a mountain. So for $9, I got a heck of a ride. Before getting in the elevated cable tram lifty thingy I made sure to ask the attendant if she'd ever had any scary experiences riding up and down the side of the mountain. She assured me, that no, nothing bad had ever happened. However, she advised us not to look down on a very windy day. You'll see the cable wires going crazy, which I guess could be a little nervewracking. This picture was taken from the top of the tram ride before we got out to walk around.
This is about half-way up the mountain. Everything is getting smaller.

This is my friend Ann and her son, Lane. I've been friends with Ann since my "North Bend" teaching days. She's one of those gals that you meet, get to know and just want to stay in touch with for a very, very long time...

The first tomato of the season! It was yummy!

A good chuckle

Found this joke at one of my favorite restaurant's website, "Absolutely Fresh Seafood Company."

This has to b e one of the funniest things in a long time. I think this guy should have been promoted, not fired. This is a true story from the WordPerfect Helpline, which was transcribed from a recording monitoring the customer care department. Needless to say the Help Desk employee was fired; however, he/she is currently suing the WordPerfect organization for "Termination without Cause."
Actual dialogue of a former WordPerfect Customer Support employee. (Now I know why they record these conversations!):
Operator: "Ridge Hall, computer assistance; may I help you?"
Caller: "Yes, well, I'm having trouble with WordPerfect."
Operator: "What sort of trouble??"
Caller: "Well, I was just typing along, and all of a sudden the words went away."
Operator: "Went away?"
Caller: "They disappeared."
Operator: "Hmm. So what does your screen look like now?"Caller: "Nothing."
Operator: "Nothing??"Caller: "It's blank; it won't accept anything when I type."
Operator: "Are you still in WordPerfect, or did you get out??"
Caller: "How do I tell?"
Operator: "Can you see the 'C: prompt' on the screen??"
Caller: "What's a sea-prompt?"
Operator: "Never mind, can you move your cursor around the screen?"
Caller: "There isn't any cursor; I told you, it won't accept anything I type."
Operator: "Does your monitor have a power indicator??"
Caller: "What's a monitor?"
Operator: "It's the thing with the screen on it that looks like a TV. Does it have a little light that tells you when it's on??"
Caller: "I don't know."
Operator: "Well, then look on the back of the monitor and find where the power cord goes into it. Can you see that??"
Caller: "Yes, I think so."
Operator: "Great. Follow the cord to the plug, and tell me if it's plugged into the wall.
Caller: "Yes, it is."
Operator: "When you were behind the monitor, did you notice that there were two cables plugged into the back of it, not just one??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Well, there are. I need you to look back there again and find the other cable."
Caller: "Okay, here it is."
Operator: "Follow it for me, and tell me if it's plugged securely into the back of your computer." Caller: "I can't reach."
Operator: "OK. Well, can you see if it is??"
Caller: "No."
Operator: "Even if you maybe put your knee on something and lean way over??"
Caller: ; "Well, it' s not because I don't have the right angle -- it's because it's dark."
Operator: "Dark??"
Caller: "Yes - the office light is off, and the only light I have is coming in from the window." Operator: "Well, turn on the office light then."
Caller: "I can't."
Operator: "No? Why not??"
Caller: "Because there's a power failure."
Operator: "A power .... A power failure? Aha. Okay, we've got it licked now. Do you still have the boxes and manuals and packing stuff that your computer came in??"
Caller: "Well, yes, I keep them in the closet"
Operator: "Good. Go get them, and unplug your system and pack it up just like it was when you got it. Then take it back to the store you bought it from."
Caller: "Really? Is it that bad?"
Operator: 'Yes, I'm afraid it is."
Caller: "Well, all right then, I suppose. What do I tell them??"
Operator: "Tell them you're too stupid to own a computer!!!"
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