THE DUST WILL WAIT

Is there anyone who is satisfied with one packet of instant oatmeal?   (I guess a one sentence post is better than nothing.  I got the idea from Peter --  a blogging friend for five years.)

Thank you Sandy.  ( Myanderings ) Yes my Cyber friend.  You made me feel special.  I love the tea. It smelled so wonderful when I opened the box.  You and I are going to get together sometime.  Outside of this  LCD Monitor and  into some fresh country air.  Yours or mine.  And soon.  I've only flown through Texas once, with grand kids in tow.  Houston was lovely from the air.  So now I'm ready for a tour of your part of Texas. I've had some other pick-me-ups recently, too.  One of my more recent friend-making moments was when I met Iggy ( Intense Guy .)  One day I read his blog and I was hooked.  Is it sexist for me to say HE IS such a nice guy?  Last year he sent me some great tourist info on a local bird and wildlife area where he wanders.  I visited Pennsylvania in 1995 - and fell in love with the southeastern corner, including Philadelphia.   Iggy's posts and photos of his current travel...

Today I opened Bloglines to see how v-e-r-y far behind I am on visiting and commenting on my favorite blogs.   Instead of seeing my page full of unmarked and unread links, I saw a notice that Blogline s will officially shut down on October 1st. Although that deadline is over two weeks away, I knew I better act upon it immediately.  I've overlooked and forgotten many small AND large things the past two months. I don't want to wander away and lose my feeds. Maybe I'm losing my edge, or maybe I'm just tired.  Either way, I couldn't follow the instructions that Bloglines offered to expedite my list to a new provider.  As a result, I sat down and opened two windows and began opening each of my blog subscriptions, sifting, and resubscribing in my new reader.  Throughout the day I stopped by my computer and continued this task. It was eye opening. I've subscribed to a lot of blogs in the past 4 1/2 years. Several of my blogging buddies had moved their blo...

Just when I needed some kitchen inspiration … I WON!  I WON! All Right.   So… everybody who commented on  a recent post by Swampy  ( Anecdotes, Antidotes & Anodes)   won, BUT…that didn’t make it any less sweet.   Especially since I’d been standing in Barnes & Nobles just recently admiring the great success of Ree, The Pioneer Woman. So – here is my prize! ! A personally autographed Pioneer Woman Cooks! When I started blogging over four years ago the Swamp Witch and Ree ( Confessions of a Pioneer Woman ) were two of my very first cyber friends.  I think there was a group of about 10 of us who got linked up through  “blogging chicks;” not to mention a clever and cynical cyber Aussie hunk.  Swampy and I can talk about him later….. I keep track of Ree’s success.  I still read her blog (it’s like a three ringed circus) and now I’ve even watched her television appearance on THE VIEW!!  Swampy...

This morning my husband asked, "Hon! What happened to your list of blogging friends?" Although he is not interested in blogging, I guess he checks out some of my favorite haunts when he has a few minutes. Who'd've thunk? He is now aware that my blog roll is under "View My Complete Profile." This may not be quite as convenient for readers, or for my husband. But it is great for me. I love this feature recently added to Blogger. When I log into the dashboard , I am able to scroll through the new posts and edit my reading list with ease. That "editing with ease" may be a problem, as I keep finding more and more blogs that I love to read. I wish someone would pay me to read blogs. (Isn't that the fantasy? As long as I don't have to put an advertisement on my blog.)

I won two recent giveaways. My mailbox thought it was Christmas. Nights in Rodanthe was one of the books of the several that have been featured at Another Chance Ranch and her From My Bookshelf To Yours series. All read! Loved it. I'm going to give the book to my daughter and then let her pass it on. Notice that Julie also provided her Another Chance Ranch Bookmark. Thank you, Julie. Lisa's Chaos is responsible for the ..uh...ahem.. the.. uh... SALT AND PEPPER SHAKERS. The hubby asked me if I was going to use them. I'm sure it is because they are very petite, and my hubby really loves his salt and pepper. It would be a full time job just refilling them. Yes. I'm sure that is what is worrying him. Look at them. Aren't they cute. The shakers should become a hot potato giveaway. You know...one that keeps getting passed on to the next blogger. Like the Old Maid in the Old Maid Game, or the Bear in Pit. Then one day Lisa will open her mailbox and they wi...

Please follow this LINK over to Anecdotes, Antidotes, & Anodes for information on October Breast Cancer Awareness. Swampy is a breast cancer survivor and tells her story with humor and inspiration. She is keeping one of her posts open for reader contribution as well. If you have a story to tell, she wants to hear and share it with her readers. She is also one of my very first blogging friends and I appreciate her humor, her zest for life, and her toothless grin. (okay, she only photo-shopped the toothless grin) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Comment Highlight from my last post: Mercy's Maid said... I am so sorry! As an aside, Cass at Just Curious is donating $9 to breast cancer research for every comment she gets on this post. ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

I share glass partitions and the late afternoon sun with coworkers. They are good people. Dan (featured here and here ) was at his desk as 5 o’clock pm approached on Wednesday. Doreen stopped to discuss some paperwork and he picked up his refillable water bottle. She had his undivided attention while he took a healthy swig. Immediately his eyes grew wide in horror, his cheeks inflated, and his body jerked right then left. Doreen let out a muffled cry of alarm, dropped her books and bag on his desk, and moved towards him in confusion. (Freeze Action) Two weeks ago I photographed a grasshopper on the glass pane at work and later posted it for Wordless Wednesday. Dan, in particular, was amused by my fascination with the little three-legged creature. Several days after the bug posing session, he humorously called my attention to “your little 3-legged friend” that was now camping by the printer we share. I decided to capture it and throw it out the door, but it hop...

The beautiful and talented Swampwitch is hosting a Cyber Baby Shower today! I'm very excited about it because the mother-to-be happens to be my daughter Karmyn, the author of Dreaming What Ifs. ... Swampy is inviting you and I'm seconding the motion! Find a lovely gift out here in cyber space - remember money is no issue when your imagination is your credit card. Post your cyber gift and link to Swampwitch. Here is my gift to my eldest -- what she really wants most of all. A MAID SERVICE. Click on the Picture and you will find the Merry Maids are world wide. They are even available in the town where Karmyn lives. So hon -- sit back, put up your belly, and let these two do everything today! Now --go get a pedicure! (P.S. Karmyn also has a "guess" contest up at her blog. Date and Time of the baby's arrival . Get your crystal ball out and take a couple of cleansing breaths and push out a prediction. Get over there and leave it in a comment.)

DON'T FORGET TO CLICK HERE TO COMMENT!! Kelly, Passing the Torch, is one of my very first blogging friends. Last year, her company, Empowering Youth, Inc , sponsored a successful effort, Linking for Dollars , and raised $500 for St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital She's going to do it again! You can help. Empowering Youth will pay one dollar to St. Jude, just for posting this announcement. Want something easier? She will accept your comments until Christmas Day, up to a maximum donation of $500 — one dollar per comment . Details are here . Kelly says: Our hope is that during the season of giving, you’ll inspire others to give as well - either from their own wallets, or by linking to us so we reach our $500 goal. How many dollars will you inspire? Please spread the word! It doesn't get any better than thi s! Thanks Kelly, for letting us be a part of your Christmas giving.

Take four little men, a big dog, and a tree, then mix it up with mom and her camera to get an early bowel full of Christmas. I invite you to get your spoonful of early holiday delight by viewing Try It If You Dare , posted by Nan over at Life is Like a Lunch Box She and her family make me smile on the inside and giggle on the outside. I always expect to be entertained and have my spirits lifted when I click on her blog. I'm never disappointed. Nan, I've nominated you for November's Perfect Post . Thank you for letting us share your joy! To see other Perfect Post nominees click on over to Lindsay at www.suburbanturmoil.blogspot.com and Kimberly at www.petroville.com .

When I arrived home from work there was an envelope waiting for me from Willow Tree, NSW Australia. Why? Because of Mappa Tassie . I decided to inspect it closely. Note: There was a Dangerous Goods Statement. Note: It was addressed to a Tough Bag. Oooooouch! Note: I opened it carefully and peaked inside. No poisonous snakes or spiders. Awwwwwww! Surprise. An Australian Flag, Australian Flag Stickers, and Australian Flag Tattoos. And, a 3 phase fridge magnet. Bobble your head and choose between wombats, Koalas and Kangaroos. This is fun! Does it get any better than that. YES! Here is my 2008 Birds of Australia Calendar . You can't impress better than this. Thank you so much Peter. It will hang above my computer desk and I will enjoy it every day next year.

Julie ( Another Chance Ranch ) and Tiffany ( Tiggerlane, the Neophyte blogger ) are soon moving in to their new homes. We watched the groundbreaking, the foundations poured, the walls and roofs raised, and the electricians in the crawl space. We approved tile, cabinets, and faucet designs. The only thing more fun would be moving in with them. In the real world that won’t happen, but I’m sure we’ll observe that part with envy in the near future. Meanwhile, we’ve all been invited to a cyberspace house warming. It’s a Shin-Dig at Swampys! I love cyber shopping! Money is no object. My only limitations was narrowing down the choice of what I would gift these two wonderful blogging friends, with the idea in mind that it would be something they would enjoy at the new house. HAPPY HOUSE WARMIN' TO JULIE! A Chuck Box from Texas Country Furniture I picture you and McD having fun with the grandkids out for a picnic with Hickory, Ruby, and Babe. Just ...

One of my very first blog friends, Julie of Another Chance Ranch , is having her very first give away. So, click on that coffee colored link, leave a comment (tell her I sent ya), and win that travel mug!!

My accidental photograph magically transformed into fantasy by "The Artist Formerly Known as Purple Worms." You meet incredibly talented people in blog land.

Robin gifted me with an ornament filled with Authentic Kiawah Island, South Carolina Spanish Moss, some Hint Mints, and yummy butter mints that melted in our mouths. No reason in particular, but for the fact that she is who she is. Here is the proof. EXCEPT... for the butter mints. As I said, they melted in our mouths. T h a n k you Robin !

I opened my mailbox Saturday to discover an envelope from Amy at A Family Story . I cheated on her 300th post and wrote comments until I was the winner of a Starbucks Gift Card. So now I'm heading down for a Strawberry Green Tea Frappuccino. Or blackberry, or blueberry. Y.U.M Thank you! The hubby rode his bicycle 200 miles on Saturday from Seattle to Portland, and then drove home on Sunday. "I have a present for you from the team," he announced when he arrived home. Don't you think it looks downright sweet on me? Apparently they ate a watermelon during one of their rest stops. The size of the fruit sticker prompted some laughter at my expense regarding the sticker story from last week. Thank you dear, and the rest of you cycling crazies. Today, the mailman delivered a large envelope and a medium sized box from Min of the MamaDrama Bloggers down in Houston. I love saying "Down in Houston." It just rolls off my tongue in a very Texas drawl, and I f...

At 9:42 p.m. Pacific Daylight Time I received my winning comment from Hazel of Adventures in Ruburbia. Her comment: God's timing is perfect. Well... so was Hazels. As soon as I hear from her I'll be preparing her gift and shipping it off to Kearney, Missouri. My 4,999 commenter was sweet Heather of L'Chaim who is also celebrating HER FIRST BLOGGER BIRTHDAY. That, coupled with the several comments she popped off in in a row with such conviction convinced me to give her a prize too. Both of you lovely ladies please contact me at pamelathedust at yahoo dot com with your addresses. Congratulations, and thank you for settling The Dust.

One year ago today this blog was born. This is my 297th post -- I'm closing in on 5,000 comments. I'm happy. I am enjoying writing. Hooked I am , reading all the blogs I've stumbled on in this 365 day journey. One year ago there wasn't a strategy, there wasn't a goal. More than anything I wanted to publish some family history for my grandchildren and write some of my own. Perhaps the genuine plan is to pour like a pitcher, until empty. The most astounding product of this adventure is the friendships. My cyber smiles and hugs are just as heartfelt as the ones I share in person. There are so many bloggers I want to meet. To commemorate this 1st Blog-o-birthday I am going to give away a sweet present to the lucky one who types that 5000th comment. It's not big - it's not exciting. It is a small gesture of appreciation to all of you for being a part of my life this year.

Brood XIII, the official name of this year's cicada hatch, is expected across northern Illinois and in parts of Michigan, Iowa, Wisconsin and Indiana. Cicadas live only about 30 days as adults, and their main goal is mating. The Saginaw News May 21, 2007 Yvonne, at Uniquely Me , knew that I was extremely curious about the nymphs that make her life miserable. She lives right in the midst of the 17 year Cicada hatch. When my phone rang on Saturday I heard a pleasant voice say, "Pamela, this is Yvonne." At her house, the mating insects calls are so loud that they drown out the jets in the landing pattern for a nearby airport . She has to wave her hands and brush them off her body when she walks out of doors. "They are a nuisance!" she confirmed sweetly. She invited me to share in her experience. So I listened as she walked out of her house and braved the buzz to give me a telephone conversation with the hatch. It was definitely one-sided as I listened to t...