Wednesday, November 29, 2006

HOW TO STAY YOUNG

We all need to read this one over and over until it becomes part of who we are!





1. Try everything twice. On Madams tombstone (of Whelan's and Madam) she said she wanted this epitaph: Tried everything twice...loved it both times!

2. Keep only cheerful friends.
The grouches pull you down. (keep this in mind if you are one of those grouches;)



3. Keep learning: Learn more about the computer, crafts, gardening, whatever. Never let the brain get idle. "An idle mind is the devil's workshop." And the devil's name is Alzheimer's!

4. Enjoy the simple things.

5. Laugh often, long and loud. Laugh until you gasp for breath. And if you have a friend who makes you laugh, spend lots and lots of time with HIM/HER.


6. The tears happen: Endure, grieve, and move on. The only person who is with us our entire life, is ourselves. LIVE while you are alive.

7. Surround yourself with what you love: Whether it's family, pets, keepsakes, music, plants, hobbies, whatever. Your home is your refuge.


8. Cherish your health: If it is good, preserve it. If it is unstable, improve it. If it is beyond what you can improve, get help.

9. Don't take guilt trips. Take a trip to the mall, even to the next county, to a foreign country, but NOT to where the guilt is.

10. Tell the people you love that you love them, at every opportunity.


11. Forgive now those who made you cry. You might not get a second chance.
And if you don't send this to at least 4 people - who cares? But do share this with someone.



Life is a Journey...enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Come See us at The Business End! where our focus is on building a successful, home based internet business, in an honorable manner.

307.788.0202
mountain standard time
skype: robbinsrun

Monday, November 20, 2006








This came into my email from my friend Kathy Wilhelm... thank you...






A Great Man.. With an unusually wise sense of humor. I've always enjoyed reading his stuff...........






Will Rogers, who died in a plane crash with Wylie Post in 1935, was probably the greatest political sage this country has ever known. Enjoy the following:

1. Never slap a man who's chewing tobacco.

2. Never kick a cow chip on a hot day.

3. There are 2 theories to arguing with a woman...neither works.

4. Never miss a good chance to shut up.

5. Always drink upstream from the herd.

6. If you find yourself in a hole, stop digging

7. The quickest way to double your money is to fold it and put it back in your pocket.

8. There are three kinds of men: The ones that learn by reading. The few who learn by observation. The rest of them have to pee on the electric fence and find out for themselves.

9. Good judgment comes from experience, and a lot of that comes from bad judgment.

10. If you're riding' ahead of the herd, take a look back every now and then to make sure it's still there.

11. Lettin' the cat outta the bag is a whole lot easier'n puttin' it back.

12. After eating an entire bull, a mountain lion felt so good he started roaring. He kept it up until a hunter came along and shot him. The moral: When you're full of bull, keep your mouth shut.
ABOUT GROWING OLDER...

First ~ Eventually you will reach a point when you stop lying about your age and start bragging about it.

Second ~ The older we get, the fewer things seem worth waiting in line for.

Third ~ Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not me, I want people to know "why" I look this way. I've traveled a long way and some of the roads weren't paved

Fourth ~ When you are dissatisfied and would like to go back to youth, think of Algebra.

Fifth ~ You know you are getting old when everything either dries up or leaks.

Sixth ~ I don't know how I got over the hill without getting to the top.

Seventh ~ One of the many things no one tells you about aging is that it is such a nice change from being young.

Eighth ~ One must wait until evening to see how splendid the day has been.

Ninth ~ Being young is beautiful, but being old is comfortable.

Tenth ~ Long ago when men cursed and beat the ground with sticks, it was called witchcraft. Today it's called golf

And finally ~ If you don't learn to laugh at trouble, you won't have anything to laugh at when you are old.






Life is a journey ... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Friday, November 17, 2006

A Lesson in Love


Hello…

My friend Colleen sent me this today… it was a blessing to me… so I am passing it on to you…

I’ve been crazy busy… It seems impossible that it’s already November 17th, 2006 but alas it is… I have some wonderful puppies I need to photograph and post… and have been working diligently on my online marketing project. I will be starting to train folks in Veretekk soon. And am focusing on helping others get their businesses up and running… sorting through the chaff that is on the internet. As I help others I am so blessed and my own business grows as well…

God Bless…

Life is a journey … enjoy the trip… Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

A lesson in love

Carl was a quiet man. He didn't talk much.

He would always greet you with a big smile and a firm handshake.


Even after living in our neighborhood for over 50 years, no one could really say they knew him very well.


Before his retirement, he took the bus to work each morning. The lone sight of him walking down the street often worried us.


He had a slight limp from a bullet wound received in WWII.


Watching him, we worried that although he had survived WWII, he may not make it through our changing uptown neighborhood with its ever-increasing random violence, gangs, and drug activity.


When he saw the flier at our local church asking for volunteers for caring for the gardens behind the minister's residence, he responded in hi s characteristically unassuming manner. Without fanfare, he just signed up.


He was well into his 87th year when the very thing we had always feared finally happened.

He was just finishing his watering for the day when three gang members approached him. Ignoring their attempt to intimidate him, he simply asked, "Would you like a drink from the hose?"


The tallest and toughest-looking of the three said, "Yeah, sure," with a malevolent little smile.


As Carl offered the hose to him, the other two grabbed Carl's arm, throwing him down. As the hose snaked crazily over the ground, dousing everything in its way, Carl's assailants stole his retirement watch and his wallet, and then fled.


Carl tried to get himself up, but he had been thrown down on his bad leg. He lay there trying to gather himself as the minister came running to help him.


Although the minister had witnessed the attack from his window, he couldn't get there fast enough to stop it.


"Carl, are you okay? Are you hurt?" the minister kept asking as he helped Carl to his feet.


Carl just passed a hand over his brow and sighed, shaking his head.


"Just some punk kids. I hope they'll wise-up someday."

His wet clothes clung to his slight frame as he bent to pick up the hose. He adjusted the nozzle again and started to water.


Confused and a little concerned, the minister asked, "Carl, what are you doing?"


"I've got to finish my watering. It's been very dry lately," came the calm reply.


Satisfying himself that Carl really was all right, the minister could only marvel. Carl was a man from a different time and place.


A few weeks later the three returned. Just as before their threat was unchallenged. Carl again offered them a drink from his hose.


This time they didn't rob him. They wrenched the hose from his hand and drenched him head to foot in the icy water.


When they had finished their humiliation of him, they sauntered off down the street, throwing catcalls and curses, falling over one another laughing at the hilarity of what they had just done.


Carl just watched them. Then he turned toward the warmth giving sun, picked up his hose, and went on with his watering.


The summer was quickly fading into fall Carl was doing some tilling when he was startled by the sudden approach of someone behind him. He stumbled and fell into some evergreen branches.


As he struggled to regain his footing, he turned to see the tall leader of his summer tormentors reaching down for him. He braced himself for the expected attack.


"Don't worry old man, I'm not gonna hurt you this time."

The young man spoke softly, still offering the tattooed and scarred hand to Carl. As he helped Carl get up, the man pulled a crumpled bag from his pocket and handed it to Carl.


"What's this?" Carl asked.


"It's your stuff," the man explained. "It's your stuff back. Even the money in your wallet."

"I don't understand," Carl said. "Why would you help me now?"


The man shifted his feet, seeming embarrassed and ill at ease. "I learned something from you," he said. "I ran with that gang and hurt people like you. We picked you because you were old and we knew we could do it. But every time we came and did something to you, instead of yelling and fighting back, you tried to give us a drink.You didn't hate us for hating you. You kept showing love against our hate." He stopped for a moment. "I couldn't sleep after we stole your stuff, so here it is back."

He paused for another awkward moment, not knowing what more there was to say. "That bag's my way of saying thanks for straightening me out, I guess." And with that, he walked off down the street.


Carl looked down at the sack in his hands and gingerly opened it. He took out his retirement watch and put it back on his wrist. Opening his wallet, he checked for his wedding photo. He gazed for a moment at the young bride that still smiled back at him from all those years ago.


He died one cold day after Christmas that winter.

Many people attended his funeral in spite of the weather.

In particular the minister noticed a tall young man that he didn't know sitting quietly in a distant corner of the church.


The minister spoke of Carl's garden as a lesson in life.

In a voice made thick with unshed tears, he said, "Do your best and make your garden as beautiful as you can. We will never forget Carl and his garden."


The following spring another flier went up. It read:

"Person needed to care for Carl's garden."


The flier went unnoticed by the busy parishioners until one day when a knock was heard at the minister's office door.


Opening the door, the minister saw a pair of scarred and tattooed hands holding the flier. "I believe this is my job, if you'll have me," the young man said.


The minister recognized him as the same young man who had returned the stolen watch and wallet to Carl.


He knew that Carl's kindness had turned this man's life around. As the minister handed him the keys to the garden shed, he said, "Yes, go take care of Carl's garden and honor him."


The man went to work and, over the next several years, he tended the flowers and vegetables just as Carl had done.


In that time, he went to college, got married, and became a prominent member of the community. But he never forgot his promise to Carl's memory and kept the garden as beautiful as he thought Carl would have kept it.


One day he approached the new minister and told him that he couldn't care for the garden any longer. He explained with a shy and happy smile, "My wife just had a baby boy last night, and she's bringing him home on Saturday."


"Well, congratulations!" said the minister, as he was handed the garden shed keys. "That's wond erful! What's the baby's name?"


"Carl," he replied.


That's the whole gospel message simply stated.


Take 60 seconds give this a shot! Let's just see if Satan stops this one.


All you do is:

1. Simply say a small prayer for the person who sent you this.

Father, God bless this person in whatever it is that You know he or she may be needing this day!


2. Then send it on to five other people. Within hours five people have prayed for you, and you caused a multitude of people to pray to God for other people.


Then sit back and watch the power of God work in your life for doing the thing that you know He loves.


GOOD FRIENDS ARE LIKE ANGELS, YOU DON'T HAVE TO SEE THEM TO KNOW THEY ARE THERE

Tuesday, November 14, 2006

Best Prayer I Have Heard In A Long Time...









I Received this prayer from my Cuz
via email... Thanks Linda

Heavenly Father, Help us remember that the jerk who cut us off in
traffic last night is a single mother who worked nine hours that day
and is rushing home to cook dinner, help with homework, do the laundry
and spend a few precious moments with her children.

Help us to remember that the pierced, tattooed, disinterested young man
who can't make change correctly is a worried 19-year-old college
student, balancing his apprehension over final exams with his fear of
not getting his student loans for next semester.

Remind us, Lord, that the scary looking bum, begging for money in the
same spot every day (who really ought to get a job!) is a sla ve to
addictions that we can only imagine in our worst nightmares.

Help us to remember that the old co uple walking annoyingly slow through
the store aisles and blocking our shopping progress are savoring this
moment, knowing that, based on the biopsy report she got back last
week, this will be the last year that they go shopping together.

Heavenly Father, remind us each day that, of all the gifts you give us,
the greatest gift is love. It is not enough to share that love with
those we hold dear. Open our hearts not to just those who are close to
us, but to all humanity. Let us be slow to judge and quick to forgive,
show patience, empathy and love.

If you send this to 5 people, then you have a chance to touch 5 people.
You won't get any wish for material things, however you might just
fi nd a piece of serenity and the warmth of God's touch.

Working for God on earth doesn't pay much ..... but His retirement plan
is out of this world!

Friday, November 10, 2006

IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck

A Dear friend sent me this today... thank you Margaret







IF I HAD MY LIFE TO LIVE OVER - by Erma Bombeck
(written after she found out she was dying from cancer).
I would have gone to bed when I was sick instead of pretending the earth would go into a holding pattern if I weren't there for the day.
I would have burned the pink candle sculpted like a rose before it melted in storage.
I would have talked less and listened more.
I would have invited friends over to dinner even if the carpet was stained, or the sofa faded.
I would have eaten the popcorn in the 'good' living room and worried much less about the dirt when someone wanted to light a fire in the fireplace.
I would have taken the time to listen to my grandfather ramble about his youth.
I would have shared more of the responsibility carried by my husband.
I would never have insisted the car windows be rolled up on a summer day because my hair had just been teased and sprayed.
I would have sat on the lawn with my grass stains.
I would have cried and laughed less while watching television and more while watching life.
I would never have bought anything just because it was practical, wouldn't show soil, or was guaranteed to last a lifetime.
Instead of wishing away nine months of pregnancy, I'd have cherished every moment and realized that the wonderment growing inside me was the only chance in life to assist God in a miracle.
When my kids kissed me impetuously, I would never have said, "Later. Now go get washed up for dinner." There would have been more "I love you's" More "I'm sorry's."
But mostly, given another shot at life, I would seize every minute...look at it and really see it. live it and never give it back.

STOP SWEATING THE SMALL STUFF!!!
Don't worry about who doesn't like you, who has more, or who's doing what
Instead, let's cherish the relationships we have with those who do love us.
Let's think about what God HAS blessed us with, and what we are doing each day to promote ourselves mentally, physically, emotionally. I hope you have a blessed day.

Friday, October 27, 2006

A Crabby Old Man




Opal Louise Morris... Thank you for sharing this with me...M
A crabby old man
>
> When an old man died in the geriatric ward of a small hospital near
>Tampa, Florida, it was believed that he had nothing left of any value.
>
> Later, when the nurses were going through his meager possessions, they
>found this poem. Its quality and content so impressed the staff that copies
>were made and distributed to every nurse in the hospital.
>
> One nurse took her copy to Missouri. The old man's sole bequest to
>posterity has since appeared in the Christmas edition of the News Magazine
>of the St Louis Association for Mental Health. A slide presentation has
>also been made based on his simple, but eloquent, poem.
>
> And this little old man, with nothing left to give to the world, is now
>the author of this "anonymous" poem winging across the Internet:
>
>
> Crabby Old Man
>
> What do you see, nurses. What do you see?
> What are you thinking........... When you're looking at me?
> A crabby old man .............. Not very wise,
> Uncertain of habit, ............. With faraway eyes?
>
> Who dribbles his food. And makes no reply.
> When you say in a loud voice, .. "I do wish you'd try!"
> Who seems not to notice .......... The things that you do,
> And forever is losing ............... A sock or shoe?
>
> Who, resisting or not, .............. Lets you do as you will,
> With bathing and feeding, ..... The long day to fill?
> Is that what you're thinking? .... Is that what you see?
> Then open your eyes, nurse,.....You're not looking at me.
>
> I'll tell you who I am ............... As I sit here so still,
> As I do at your bidding, ......... As I eat at your will.
> I'm a small child of ten . With a father and mother,
> Brothers and sisters .............. Who love one another.
>
> A young boy of sixteen .............With wings on his feet
> Dreaming that soon now. ..........A lover he'll meet.
> A groom soon at twenty ............. My heart gives a leap,
> Remembering the vows. That I promised to keep.
> At twenty-five now, ................ I have young of my own,
> Who need me to guide ......... And a secure happy home.
> A man of thirty, .................. My young now grown fast,
> Bound to each other ............. With ties that should last.
>
> At forty, my young sons ........ Have grown and are gone,
> But my woman's beside me. To see I don't mourn
> At fifty once more, ................ Babies play 'round my knee,
> Again we know children, ......... My loved one and me.
> Dark days are upon me, .......... My wife is dead,
> I look at the future, .............. I shudder with dread.
> For my young are all rearing. Young of their own ,
> And I think of the years....... And the love that I've known.
>
> I'm now an old man................ And nature is cruel;
> Tis jest to make old age ............Look like a fool.
> The body, it crumbles, ............. Grace and vigor depart,
> There is now a stone. Where I once had a heart.
> But inside this old carcass ...... A young guy still dwells,
> And now and again, ...............My battered heart swells.
> I remember the joys, ................... I remember the pain,
> And I'm loving and living............ Life over again.
>
> I think of the years ................. All too few, gone too fast,
> And accept the stark fact. That nothing can last.
> So open your eyes, people, ........ Open and see,
> Not a crabby old man; ......... Look closer.... see, ME!!
>
>
> Remember this poem when you next meet an older person who you might
>brush aside without looking at the young soul within.....we will all, one
>day, be there, too!
>
>
> PLEASE SHARE THIS POEM

Meals on Wheels


I was going through my email... and a friend sent me this... thanks Kathy...enjoy... M

A cat died and went to Heaven. God met her at the gates and said, "You have been a good cat all these years. Anything you want is yours for the asking."
The cat thought for a minute and then said, "All my life I lived on a farm and slept on hard wooden floors. I would like a real fluffy pillow to sleep on."
God said, "Say no more." Instantly the cat had a huge fluffy pillow.
A few days later, six mice were killed in an accident and they all went to Heaven together. God met the mice at the gates with the same offer that He made to the cat.
The mice said, "Well, we have had to run all of our lives: from cats, dogs, and even people with brooms! If we could just have some little roller skates, we would not have to run again."
God answered, "It is done." All the mice had beautiful little roller skates.
About a week later, God decided to check on the cat. He foun d her sound asleep on her fluffy pillow. God gently awakened the cat and asked, "Is everything okay? How have you been doing? Are you happy?"
The cat replied, "Oh, it is WONDERFUL. I have never been so happy in my life. The pillow is so fluffy, and those little Meals on Wheels you have been sending over are delicious!"

Hey we need a cute clean one every once in a while!

Wednesday, October 25, 2006

Sitting on my *ss at the computer when I should be hauling straw


This is one of those tongue in cheek days... so much that needs to be done that at times it seems insurmountable. Note I said “seems” insurmountable... it's not really... but if you look at the whole instead of taking one step at a time... yup... insurmountable... ugh... sooooooo lets take one step at a time... and watch how the scenery changes...
step 1... this note... my computer was in the shop all last week... talk about with drawl symptoms...lol... no computer... ok.... here goes...

Tomorrow is my 15 year wedding anniversary. we've made it 15 years... to me that's an accomplishment.

I have a goal to be met by my 16th anniversary. Get in shape! That's my main goal. Get in shape physically... emotionally... mentally... financially... The past 3 years of illness has wreaked havoc in all 4 areas.

Physically: not being able to work out has turned me into a jabba the hut look-a-like... before the remake. Or rather...I've allowed not being able to work out to turn me into a jabba the hut look-a-like. No excuses... no blaming whomever or whatever... just deal with it and go on from here. So...here's the committment... I'm going to complete one of the races Welcomes You To The always Held The Sunday Of Memorial Day Weekend. Benefitting the Cheyenne Boys and Girls Club. The Cheyenne Track Club/Road Runners Club of America puts them on... they are as follows:
Vedauwoo 5k Walk/Run
Medicine Bow Half Marathon (13.1 miles)
WYOMING MARATHON (26.2 miles) ROCKY MOUNTAIN DOUBLE MARATHON (52.4 miles)

I don't know which one I'm going to do yet... I'll be walking not running... I have 130 pounds to lose and running would destroy my knees... so it's walking. Here is the Link to the Official Wyoming Marathon Website. If any of you would like to join me on race day... or in training. Training updates will be posted on my Life is a Journey Blog.

Be consistent taking my vitamins and minerals. My body is going to need them to grow strong and lean.

Emotionally: Hmmmm…Make a point of living with an attitude of gratitude. Be thankful for the wonderful life I have the opportunity to live.
The Secret is a good place to nurture this attitude

Mentally: Focus my mind in the direction I choose to go… rather than where I am afraid I’ll end up. Take 20 minutes a day for focus and reading. Mentors on a Mission has some excellent insights along these lines, so does The Secret, and Success University.

Financially: This has several areas … all of which are in the work at home arena. Be consistent working with Robbins Run Ranch Pomeranian Kennels. Photography, grooming, kennel care, construction, website updates, marketing. Working towards establishing the boarding end of the business.

Continue to work from home with
Affiliate Marketing.


Reduce debt load, Financial Freedom Society has some wonderful tools in this area. I should say reduce debt load, live financially free. It doesn’t matter how much money you make if you do not know how to live financially free. If you are spending more than you are taking in… you can be making a million a year and still be debt poor. Learn how to handle your funds.

Ok so… how am I going to meet my goals. By helping other people meet their l goals. Most people who start a home business don’t make it. Most people who start an internet business do not make it.

No I’m not being negative, simply stating a fact. By helping other people meet their goals… I meet my goals. If you are willing to learn, and to work I’m happy to work with you. I will not do it for you; I’m not your Mama nor your Auntie Sue. I am a self employed individual, an affiliate marketer, mentor and trainer. This is what I do. I work with a variety of programs some of which are Predator Marketing System, Veretekk, Financial Freedom Society, New Vision, Healthy Pet Net Life Abundance Dog Food, as well as several others.

Predator Marketing System is my featured business. There is excellent training there and good value for your dollar. I use Veretekk for lead generation and newsletters. There is none better on the web. I know … I’ve done the research. Veretekk is the best out there. I also use traffic exchanges to generate traffic. Traffic Swarm and Instant Buzz are 2 of my favorites.

Check them out… Skype me
or give me a call and we’ll see what we can do for you… I don’t bite… well maybe sometimes…lol…

Life is a journey... Enjoy The Trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs
307-788-0202
Mountain Standard Time
skype: robbinsrun

The Business End
a Nifty Linking Tool...
The Predator Marketing System



TrafficSwarm

Click here to get Free Targeted Website Traffic



Quality Products. Healthy Living

Forte

What Is The Secret

Wednesday, October 11, 2006


Welcome to the 2006 edition of getting to know your friends.
1. What time did you get up this morning. 4:30
2. Diamonds or pearls?not really sure… like both… but diamonds would probably take that honor
3. What was the last film you saw at the cinema? gladiator

4. What is your favorite TV show? Cbs Sunday morning…



5. What did you have for breakfast? A slice of heavy whole/cracked wheat bread with butter and honey…
6. What is your middle name? Etta

7. What is your favorite cuisine? Don’t kow if you’d call it cusine or not…but onion blossom
8. What foods do you dislike? Red beer… tastes like a rotton tomato to me
9. Favorite Chip? Kettle fried potato chips
10. What is your favorite CD at the moment? Black eye’d peas elephunk
11. What kind of car do you drive? Silver stick pt cruiser

12. What is your favorite sandwich? ruben

13. What characteristics do you despise? Sloth… yes people that have no intention of following through
14. What are your favorite clothes? Something that moves with me
15. If you could go anywhere in the world on Vacation? Australia or Alaska…wouldn’t turn a bicycle tour through europe
16. Favorite brand of clothing? Is there one called comfortable

17. Where would you want to retire? Cruise ship part of the year… vegas a couple weeks or more… ranch (with full staff thank you)
18. Favorite time of day? Break of dawn
19. Where were you born?sidney nebraska

20. What is your favorite sport to watch? Extreme : skate boarding, surfing, snowboard, ski

21. Who do you think will not send this back? Linda O
22. Person you expect to send it back first?Colleen or Mary

23. Pepsi or Coke?COKE
24. Beavers or ducks? ducks
25. Are you a morning person or a night owl?depends on when I slept last…lol…
26. Pedicure or manicure? manicure

27. Any exciting news you'd like to share with Everyone? I’m learning html…exciting to me…lol…

28. What did you want to be when you were little? Lawyer… rancher… teacher… mom…

29. What is your best childhood memory?? Mom took me down the hill to grandma’s because there was this phenomenal thunder storm… at night… lightening wind… tornadoes… the whole package… sitting in the door way playing with grand daddy long legs… getting the ingredients for grandma to make sour cream sugar cookies… our house was at the top of a little hill …her’s was semi berm at the base of the hill… I remember mom hanging on to me… and the wind blew me off to the side… a little red headed kite… off the ground… that was me… I felt safe …mom was strong… grandma could conquer the world… I was a happy little girl fascinated by the grandeur of the storm…


30. Piiercing? Yes
31. Ever been to Africa? no

32. Ever been toilet papering? no
33. Been in a car accident? Yes…several

34. Favorite day of the week? wednesday

35. Favorite restaurant? Depends on where I am… I love a good cup of strong black coffee… and good service
36. Favorite flower? Bearded iris
37. Favorite ice cream? Dark chocolate chunk fudge

38. Favorite fast food restaurant? Don’t have one
39. From whom did you get your last e-mail? tyra
40. What was the last movie that you rented? Last movie I saw was for love of the game… david was home and loves that show
41. Which store would you choose to max out your Credit card? Dell

42. Bedtime? When I can’t stay awake any more…
43. Who are you most curious about their responses to this? everyone

44. Last person you went to dinner with? husband
45. What are you listening to right now? ..dance like this... dirty dancing havana nights ... the soundtrack is playing in music match

46. What is your favorite color? Deep dark purple or blue almost to black

47. How many tattoos do you have? 0
48. How many are you sending this Email to? 20 or 30 then blog
49. What time did you finish this e-mail? 6:29 am
50. Favorite magazine? Red herring
51. What book are you reading? Jim rhon 12 pillers, couple of dog training books I’m considering recommending on my arfing news site… and kennel site… e books on various internet marketing …. Web development topics… reviewing them to see if I want to recommend them… I love a good sci fi… or a book with some twists to it… see if I can solve the riddle… get bored if I break their story line to early… I like a mind that can challenge mine…

Okay, you made it through, so send this quiz to your friends and take a minute to reconnect.

Friday, September 22, 2006

Two Horses


I don't know who the author of this story is... it came to me via email from a dear friend... enjoy


Two Horses

Just up the road from my home is a field, with two horses in it.
From a distance, each looks like every other horse. But if you stop
your car, or are walking by, you will notice something quite amazing.

Looking into the eyes of one horse will disclose that he is blind. His owner
has chosen not to have him put down, but has made a good home for him. This
alone is amazing.

If nearby and listening, you will hear the sound of a bell. Looking
around for the source of the sound, you will see that it comes from
the smaller horse in the field. Attached to her halter is a small bell.
It lets her blind friend know where she is, so he can follow her.

As you stand and watch these two friends, you'll see how she is
always checking on him, and that he will listen for her bell and then
slowly walk to where she is, trusting that she will not lead him
astray. When she returns to the shelter of the barn each evening, she stops
occasionally and looks back, making sure her friend isn't too far behind to hear the bell.

Like the owners of these two horses, God does not throw us away
just because we are not perfect or because we have problems or
challenges. He watches over us and even brings others into our lives to help us
when we are in need. Sometimes we are the blind horse being guided by the
little ringing bell of those who God places in our lives Other times we are
the guide horse, helping others see.

Good friends are like this .......... You don't always see them,
but you know they are always there. God sees to that. Please listen for my bell and I'll listen for yours.

"Be kinder than necessary, for everyone you meet is fighting some kind of battle."


Have a blessed day!

Life is a journey...enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Tuesday, September 19, 2006

It's a good day in the neighborhood...


Yay... my hubby is home from the train and he feels good... he hasn't felt good in a long time... so that was very good news to me... I was so happy to see that light in his face and eyes... so... on to oxycise... and then breakfast with my happy hubby...


It's a good day in the neighborhood... as in our little ranch ...


Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Good Morning...




Happily I did Oxycise yesterday... want to do oxycise 60 times before my anniversary October 26, 2006. Get rid of some fat... tone some muscle... increase my oxygen levels... basically feel better overall ...


Ensign started eating... yay... he is this sweet little black puppy that was so small he went hypoglycemic... after 4 days of making him eat... he started eating on his own again... still a very specialized diet... but he's eating... happy dance happy dance... tired happy dance...lol... for such a little fellow he could certainly be a tiny tyrant...lol... my husband named him Ensign. Poms are wonderful dogs... but when they are puppies they can be so fragile... that't the main reason I started keeping my puppies longer... before I'll allow them to go into their new homes with their new families... I want my babies to be healthy... and stable... the extra time gives their little bodies time to develop a stronger immune system... and a more stable digestive system... stronger... more stable ... healthier over all...


The morning is flying by... working on the whelping house more today... basic dog care... some grooming... Predator training... I'm learning a lot ... yay... useful info for getting things done on the internet... I've learned a fair bit of search engine optimization... big smile... my marketing skills are increasing dramatically... I'm seeing increased traffic to all my websites... pretty cool... you know between the dogs and the internet I'm working like a madwoman... and I'm having a great time... meeting some great folks...I"m hungry... gonna grab some breakfast... get oxycise done... and get on with my day...


Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Monday, September 18, 2006

Brrrrrrrr...... windy...gray... day...



Hi Ya'll ...It's a windy cold fall day here today... actually it's 54 degrees... so not so cold... but the wind is pushing the temps down with the wind chill factor... wind is coming off the snow in the high country... so...just brrrrr...Ok... I'm done whining about the weather...lol... it's actually beautiful outside even with the wind... and since I live where I do... wind is just part of it... I still wouldn't trade it... it is beautiful out here on my little ranch... the cattle were hanging out on the east side of the hill just on the other side of our circle drive... grazing out of the wind... there is on little black calf out there that was born late in the season... bouncing around enjoying the day...


The happy hairballs are doing great... oh my I have some beautiful puppies... it is so rewarding to watch them develop... I've got to get some photos taken and posted on http://www.robbinsrun.com/ our Poms are Simply Beautiful... if I say so myself... lol...Oh my goodness...


I'm in the process of lining the whelping house with corrugated tin... you know it looks pretty good if I say so myself... I was soooooo thrilled to actually cut it with a circular saw... tee hee I actually did it... yes I was a bit intimated... terrified actually... but I did it... and it came out ok... yes I wore eye protection and gloves...


Predator is taking off... like the space shuttle... http://www.freewebs.com/predatorelite2 see me doing a happy dance all around my office... lol... Mini is dancing right along with me... Happy woman dancing around with a little orange hairball dancing around her feet...lol... hairball would Tilly is looking at me as if I had 2 heads... I can see my new kennel building going up... paid for by Predator... happy me... happy dogs too... Oh yes and those big shades I wanted up over the exercise yards... yippee... Had the electrician out the other day to get his estimate on additional wiring... my big yard lights are going to be on... and heated water in the exercise yards... yup...


Ok...yes I'm excited... I just love it when things come together the way they say they are going to...Yes Predator really works… http://www.freewebs.com/predatorelite3 looks good on paper… and has the added bonus of being the real thing…


You know I'm just having too much fun with these introductory flash pages... click on the links and make sure your speakers are on... enjoy... read... then click through at the bottom of the page to my Predator site.. and watch the movie... the graphics in there are terriffic... while you are in my site... take a look around... then come back later and dig around again... let what you are seeing sink in...


By the way... yes it's real... yes I'm seeing results... good results... yes you can do it... doesn't matter whether you know how to do internet marketing or not...there is live training in a conference room online... step by step training... if you can learn to tie your shoes... you can learn this...


Yes I'm telling everyone I know...probably several times... no that's not my marketing strategy... I'm using thePredator Marketing System... and it works... I'm telling everyone I know... well not everyone... I'm not telling the ones I don't like... only the ones I do... lol... because this is really really good... and I like to share good things with my friends...


Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Happy Hairballs

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Good morning... Wow...Where do I start...


Good Morning... Bright and early... Well early anyway...lol... been up for quite a while already... It's official... it's Autumn... my favorite season... I love the color change in the trees... the easing of the oppressive heat of summer... turning into the crisp days of autumn... we've had a couple of rains... so the pastures are greening again... the cattle have been able to stay on our pasture all summer into autumn this year... this is the first time that's been able to be done since we bought this place in 2003.

The happy hairballs (poms) are in their last shed of the season... before they start packing on heavy coats for winter... they are enjoying the warm days and cool evenings as well... it's fun to watch them tear the straw bales apart that are put in their houses... each house gets a bale at a time... gives a nice deep layer of bedding... their houses are 4ft by 7ft... need to replace some vinyl door stripping... Had an electrician out to give an estimate for wiring... it will be soooooooo nice to have heated waters in the exercise pens... overhead lights... etc...

On the Internet business end... The Predator Marketing System www.predatorelite.com is really popping... and it's pulling the rest of my business portfolio right along with it... Yes I'm doing a happy dance...lol... and grinning from ear to ear... If at all possible... jump on board... because this baby is moving out... building momentum...and picking up speed... It's going to be a wonderful ride... It doesn't matter whether you know what to do or not... because... the training provided is top notch... step by step training... you get into the training ... which is included at no additional cost I might add... and you will have the practical knowledge and skill to market anything you choose... and be successful at it... none of this... I have this wonderful business, product or idea... now what do I do... you'll know what to do... and have the skills to make it happen...

Ok...yes I'm excited... just a little bit...lol....

Gotta run... my happy hairballs need their morning attention...

Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Happy Hairballs
307-788-0202 skype robbinsrun
www.robbinsrun.com (Pomeranian Site)
www.predatorelite.com (Predator Marketing System)

By the way... if you email me and I don't get back with you promptly... pick up the phone and dial it... between my Pomeranians and Predator... I'm not ignoring you just crazy busy... so ...hello... just keep at it till you get me...

Life is for living...not simply existing...
Mary E. Robbins

Friday, September 08, 2006

Crazy Busy...


Hello... Hello... Hello... I've been crazy busy... between the happy hairballs... Pomeranians... and working with Predator... I've been hitting warp speed...lol... I'd love to hear what you think... the ... the movie inside the site is pretty cool... it does take a bit of time to load as well... but the graphics are top notch... here is the url... enjoy... http://www.predatorelite.com the main part of the site is still being tweaked... but it is already a phenominal program... the total package so to speak... gee suppose I like it...lol... It's already after 1 am and I started pretty early this morning... or rather yesterday morning...lol... have classes for a good part of the day... puppy interview... and electrician coming as well... I'm soooooo excited to be getting the ball rolling on wiring my kennel buildings and yard lights and dog houses... yay! Much needed improvements... much needed in my opinion anyway...long way from how I want it... but a step in the right direction... :)
thinking of you...
Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs (Poms)

Saturday, September 02, 2006

Saturday Morning


David has been on the train since 19:35 yesterday... it's 10:46 today... I am not a happy camper about this... it's ridiculous to leave the guys on duty that long... and dangerous... I'm worried...
M

Wednesday, August 30, 2006

Bow Wow Wow...


Wonderful Wednesday Morning...
It's 70 degrees... yay... full day ahead... in truth I've already had a busy morning... today is a photo day... in addition to basic kennel care... construction... training... marketing... and yes I am doing oxyicse and hitting the ellipitical... zoom zoom zoom... Business across the board is looking good... I'm totally revved up about the Predator release this friday... WOW... there is a live conference this evening 7:30 EST (eastern standard time) the location is http://www.mom.ttcglobaltalk.com/ Your user name is your first name and password is guest. Be there early so you can get in... you'll need to download a little program to use the conference room... the program is safe... and no it dosen't cost you anything... See you in the conference! I'll be there... WOW... WOW... WOW... WOW... running with the Big Dogs in this one...Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs (alias Poms)

Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Monday Night...


Hello Hello Hello... I am so excited I could just bounce... boing... zing... bonk... bouncing off the walls... The Predator System is due to be released this Friday... OMG! Yes It's tasty... very tasty indeed... M

Monday, August 28, 2006

Monday Morning


Good Morning World! Early morning view from my front door... cattle grazing... chickens doing their thing... antique tractor... classic jeep... dog house of course... lake and ridge of hills in the distance... and yes I know I need to use the weed eater... lol... I feel much better today... lungs are not on fire! Major relief... it's been raining on and off the past couple of days and cleaned up the air a bit... :) Awful knot or whatever that spot is... is not hurting as much today either... David came home around midnight... I was dozing on the love seat...I woke up... we visited a bit ... just spent a bit of time together... each had a bit of a drink... blackberry merlot for me... mmmm... he had whiskey and soda... I really went to sleep... feels great to actually get some zzzzzzssss... I don't think I got up at all during my short night... a glass of wine and a bit of conversation before bed is a delightful thing... Knotting Hill was on the Television... I like that movie... must have been a Julia Roberts night or something... because Pretty Woman came on after ... I like both movies... but I went off to bed... I'm actually starting to learn my way around Veretekk a bit... Happy to say... still feel like a bit of a boob... but I'm learning... hee hee... just tickles me ...
Puppies were all ok when I went up to the kennel... I was worried... I'd been pretty ill... and I tend to miss things when I'm like that... went after feed yesterday... my P.T. Cruiser was packed like a suitcase... had 30 .... 40 pound bags of feed in there...

It's 55 degrees Fahrenheit here this morning... and damp... yup... it's autumn all right...

Life is a journey... some days feel better than others... Mary e. Robbins & the Hairballs (alias Poms)

Saturday, August 26, 2006

Hard Day... Hard Night...


Hard to breathe today... harder last night... must be the smoke from the fires... pain under my right shoulder blade... so bad it hurts to breathe... even past the pain... it's difficult to breathe... it rained last night... still smells like smoke... rained 3/4 inch... we really needed it... there are no puddles from the rain... it was that dry... monster lightening flashes... need to go buy dog food... don't know if I can drive... hope I'm better tomorrow... hard to talk when I can't get my breath so I haven't been working on the phone either... no air... no speech... moving pretty slow... slow and painful... hurts to breathe... not just under shoulder blade... both lungs hurt... dizzy... been choking a lot the past couple of days... throat swelled up I think... metallic taste in my mouth... hard to walk... face kind of numb... wondered if I would wake up dead today... still here...

David just got called to work... so it's just me and the critters... dogs...chickens...guinneas...cats... cockatiels and such... Today I really don't want to stay out here without another human... I'm not going to tell him that... he doesn't need that on his mind when he's working on a coal train... needs to pay attention to what he's doing... not worry about me... I'm so tired... gotta go to the kennel dogs... they need taken care of... every breath is pain... i am so tired... so tired... gotta change my focus... letting myself be sad and depressed is not going to get those dogs taken care of... change focus... drink some more coffee... seems to help... take some allergy tabs see if they help a bit too... hope so... if there are no more posts... then I'm on the other side... and this body is fertilizer...
sooooo....
Life is a journey... some days are rough going... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Friday, August 25, 2006

Friday Morning...


58 degrees at 8:14 am... it's cooling down... gee big surprise it's the end of August... I started working at 6:30 this morning... busy little beaver... building away... on my trusty computer... only to find that the system I needed to get into with all my prep work... is down... a very good argument for not putting all your eggs in one basket...

I found out yesterday that I need... bifocals... hmmmm.. not sure what I think about that... actually I think I'm going to wait a bit...

Coffee is done... time for a cup of joe...and some breakfast... have to do some tweaking on the windows I fixed earlier this week... grrrr... live and learn...

I think I misunderstood some instructions on one project... gotta double check and make sure... before I offer them to anyone else...

still haven't found myk cell phone... mountains of paper to shred for dog bedding in my office... it is probably lost in there... ugh... I checked my account and no calls are being made... so it's somewhere in this house I think...

want to call Colleen today... and do some dog followup calls... and the list goes on... lol...

suprised me that the system was down... grr... they aren't down very much... so it really was a surprise... kind of threw me off track... I was pretty focused on what I was doing... hmmm... they'll get it back up...

hunger headache... better eat something... tee hee... I am losing weight... hee haw... good by fat... I figure it will take about 3 years to take it all off... or all that I want to take off that is... 131 lbs to go... I do not want to turn into a skin sack hanging on my frame... and have to have surgery to cut it off or draw it up... Hopefully as I slowly take the fat off it will draw up on it's own... face looks a little better this morning... when I look at it I wonder if it's the same thing Bosco had... try not to think about that... but if it is... I have about a year left on this body... before it's decomposing... suddenly I'm tired... just bone tired... amazing what a change in mindset can do... ok... so it's time to change it again... to lets go... ya ya... lets go... ya ya... lets go ...ya ya...

later tater... M

Wednesday, August 23, 2006

Hot Hot Hot


The heat came back today with a vengeance... It's 5:27 p.m. and it's 99 degrees Fahrenheit up on the ridge... that means it's around 110 here in the hollow... oven baked everything...
just a sizzlin... Mary

Tuesday, August 22, 2006

Morning...Stiff and sore

Good Morning... Seems superfluous to say that... I woke up stiff and sore this morning... like I knew I would... always do after pushing it to the limits... I quit working last night when I couldn't hold the drill any longer... pulled the plastic and paper off the windows in the kennel... there are 6 windows each 2 by 4 feet... all in a row... I covered them with fiberglass... green tinted fiberglass... put up 2 8 foot sheets of corrugated tin above them... pulled what seemed like a thousand staples... I'd layered plastic sheeting over plastic sheeting over those windows for the past 3 years... vaccumed up the mouse shit... and brittle plastic pieces... went a little nuts at the screaming of a pup that wanted to be cuddled... I can't stand that sound just sets me off... yes the pup is ok... and not screaming any more... that behavior is discouraged... I've had a wicked time turning that behavior in my dogs around since she was here... I'm not sure what she did... but I have a pretty good idea... her heart was in the right place... but rewarding a screaming shrieking dog... is not a good idea... creates monsters... the same as with children... ugh... I feel sorry for them... she inadvertently encouraged the behavior by rewarding them for shrieking... now they have to learn that it is unacceptable behavior... not just for me... but for their new people as well... Shrieking barking dogs lose their homes... or get hurt by their people...

Back to the windows... as I was turning on the shop vac... I had a first happen... when the vac kicked on a live mouse was blown out of its air exhaust... bounced off my jean clad leg and landed on the floor... I sucked him/her back up into the vacuum... yes I did... dead mouse now... that shop vac is a beast... i think I'm going to cover the outside of that bank of windows with some translucent white fiberglass too... make an air pocket ... and keep most dirt and moisture off the window sills... I have a good sense of accomplishment over getting the windows covered ... but am still pissed over having to take the time to do it myself... after it was promised to be done by another person... frankly I'd rather people not say they are going to do something when they are not... or can not... good intentions or not...

I tried to do a bit on the computer last night... but fell asleep... hand on the mouse... Min Min sitting in the shredder tub... or rather sleeping in the shredder tub... read a bit in a magazine called Tango this morning... interesting... weighed... still 276 lbs... plateaued... I'm down around 9 or 10 pounds over all... and have been a bit grazy the past few days... stress I think... not grazy today... had cereal with berries and milk... and coffee this morning for breakfast... a few hours ago... I had mindset playing in the background about 4 times yesterday while I was inside the house... took that long to turn my shitty attitude around... truthfully I'm angry... just flat pissed off that this work is not done... I needed to be working on the computer and with mentors rather than doing construction on a building that should have been finished out several months ago... and those damn mice... I hate mice... grrrr... chew through the waferboard like it wasn't there... the tin should slow them down... I know another breeder that used stainless steel to keep them out... hopefully the tin can handle it... I was going to bend sheets of tin for the corners but I think I'm going to buy flashing instead... already cornered... part of the wafer board is just hanging there... not attached to the rafters... good grief... sooooo... I'm going to get some steel braces and use them to keep it up in place... pissed me off when I saw that... of course it didn't help any that I was already exhausted... and working over my head with an 8 foot sheet of corrugated metal... I think I'm going to see if I can get a vicoden prescription... hurt all over the place... don't know... pain can really mess with your attitude... in truth I can't remember the last day I was pain free... getting pretty fed up with it... hot bath with epsom salts here I come... then it's on to the day...

later tater... M

Monday, August 21, 2006

Monday Morning


Wild roses by the corner of my whelping house dog run... love those flowers...

It's Monday... yup it is... gack... phhhttt... geez there's an attitude ... Actually I'm kind of pissed at myself that I didn't accomplish more last week... sooooo... here comes another week... goals for the week: 1. oxycise 5 times 2. write down what ever is eaten 3. kennel building lined with the tin I have and the window coverings 4. 3 male dogs dna 5. 3 days 20 minutes a day out going mentors calls 5. follow up on calls made after seminar 6. vaccinate puppies 7. organize office 8. 1 pm mtn seminar m-f 7. traffic swarm during seminar 8. schedule draft 9. dog emails 10. update dog website 11. read 20 minutes a day 11. have car serviced 12. buy kennel feed 13. straw dog houses 14. order door stripping for calf hutches 15 shred paper 16. clean office... have the floor cleared 16. get qualified for mentors 17. one additional mentors sale ... keep looking till you find the right match 18. update dog ads... 19. send out group email with the kennel update... 20. get into veretekk... do some training 21. ffsi ... go through website 22. email rose and mike 23. email ritchie 24. brush one pen of dogs.... ok this is a goal to do list... rough draft...
Ok that's all I'm putting on there...

I am listening to the mindset module while I'm writing... didn't sleep much last night and woke up with a nasty attitude... cat came running up to me when I stepped out the door... I about let the big dogs out to get it away from me... poor cat really isn't doing anything ... I'm just pissed at the world this morning... ok... re-adjust attitude... today is a great day... beautiful outside... lots of potential... I am accomplishing much today... I am enjoying the growing and work process... I am getting much accomplished today... my dogs are doing great... Happy Healthy Wealthy and Wise...

What Do I REALLY REALLY REALLY WANT?!?!?!?! I want to be able to Sleep While the Wind Blows... That's what I want...

Breakfast: slim fast optima and coffee

Life is a journey... how you react to the scenery is up to you... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Friday, August 18, 2006

Can You Sleep When the Wind Blows


Years ago, a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast.
He constantly advertised for hired hands. Most people were
reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the
awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.
As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received
A steady stream of refusals.Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached
the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him.
"Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man.Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help,
Hired him. The little man worked well around the farm, busy from
dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work.
Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore.
Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed
next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters. He shook the
little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming!
Tie things down before they blow away!"
The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No
sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on
the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm.
To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had
been covered with tarpaulins. The cows were in the barn, the chickens
were in the coops, and the doors were barred.
The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down.
Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his
hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while
the wind blew.
When you're prepared, spiritually, mentally, and physically,
you have nothing to fear. Can you sleep when the
wind blows through your life?
The hired hand in the story was able to sleep because he
had secured the farm against the storm.
We secure ourselves against the storms of life by
grounding ourselves in the Word of God.
We don't need to understand, we just need to hold
His hand to have peace in the middle of storms.
A friend of mine sent this to me today,
and I enjoyed it so much, that I wanted to send it to you.
I hope you enjoy your day and you sleep well.

Friday Morning


Was supposed to have 2 pups going to their new homes today... but that had to be rescheduled... plummer coming... going to vaccinate and muck out kennel instead... exhausted yesterday... didn't get what I wanted to done... frustrated and itchy... that's me... dry skin... ugh... new faucet in the kitchen... the old one quit... didn't realize just how much I used that thing till no water... there's water now... gotta move it... by M

Thursday, August 10, 2006

lost another half pound

I fogot... I lost another half pound... that's 5 down ... 131 to go...

how do i do this... how did i get here... what do i do now

Hmmm…. Do I want to do the Mentors Elite Team…
And the Answer Is… let’s see… what could it be…
oh I remember… Yes! Yeah … Well that was a no brainer…

But whether I want to do it is not the question… The Big Fat Burning Question… Is…

HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this… HOW am I going to do this…

That question has been running in an endless loop in the background of my mind… Here’s the rub… I multi-task constantly… not because It sounds cool… or is a fun thing to do… but because at this point it is a necessity… there is rarely a time that I am not doing several things at once… if it’s a call I’m listening to… I mute the phone and go about kennel work… feeding…watering…cleaning… vaccinating…grooming… etc… kennel necessities that must be done… ignore them and animals die… especially in this heat…

I hired a woman to learn the ropes… she has 8 or 10 dogs of her own… wants to run a kennel… I thought it would take a week at the outside to train her… good grief… it was follow the routine… follow the list… took a month… took me more time to train her than to do the work myself and just be done with it… I know it’s a handful…but geez… she only had the morning/mid-day work…none of the evening work…

She lasted about 1. and 1/2 months after training… I told her to wear a bloody straw hat…to hydrate with electrolytes…not pepsi only… to wear loose protective clothing… and hello it’s a freaking ranch…wear stable work shoes… wouldn’t listen… she ended up in the hospital… thought it was her gall-bladder… doctor said no… as it turned out … she had dehydrated herself… low on electrolytes…. Overheated… and beat herself up… she fell all over the place… slip in mud… fall over stock panel fencing… barb wire… she ended up with muscle spasms and intestinal spasms from hell… she thought she was dying… in truth I don’t think she has any idea just how close she was to that very thing… She has a good heart… she would never deliberately do anything to hurt a dog… inexperience an d ignorance … hurt them that way… but not deliberately… damn near killed herself… oh… no I’m not letting her come back out here… not as a kennel manager… no way I’m not body bagging her… no sense… no comprehension regarding working in the heat… the dogs have fresh water and wading tubs… they are in and out of the water all the time cooling off… or just stretching out in the tubs soaking… gotta watch them for hot spots… helps to have an eye for the dogs (Like you have an ear ) … to recognize subtle behavior changes… a sense for what’s happening… keep in mind I have over 30 years experience… I was raised taking care of kennels… and other livestock… my mother started in kennels when I was three… I took 10 years out in the middle… university… and management/ sales positions… sales besides dogs that is… the rest of the time… I’ve been … shall we say dogging it…

Looks Like I took the long way to say… I hired someone to take some of the work/time pressure off… it didn’t work out… made it worse than it was to start with… it’s getting better… the dogs are fine… I’m behind on … let’s see… just about everything… sounds like I just can’t handle my shit… literally…

Actually That’s true… it’s not usually the case… but since spring of 2003 it has been… I still get tired pretty easy… and I’m awfully behind in my office… I am however, making progress… the writing in the box… tells what happened… West Nile Virus nailed me but good… then adhesions… and a very messy hysterectomy… I was sniffing around a Mary Sized body bag last September…

Right after we bought our happy hairball home spring of 2003 … I contracted West Nile Virus… I didn’t realize what I had to start with… awful headache… fever/chills…extreme exhaustion… swelling across the base of my skull from ear to ear… lymph nodes swelled up… awful muscle and joint pain… and then that rash from the top of my head to the bottoms of my feet… like measles on steroids… the symptoms were spread out over 8 weeks… doc said the rash was the tail end of it…however it left damage in it’s wake…nerve damage… the muscle and joint pain stayed with me… so bad it would keep me awake at night and turn my stomach…never ending … I started falling… dropping things… driving my car or the truck was a challenge to say the least… since I couldn’t be sure my legs or arms would do what I wanted them to… makes braking and steering a bit dicey… taking care of my kennel was a nightmare… it was dangerous for me to even hold a puppy… taking photographs and editing them was just sad… motor skills in my hands were …lets just say compromised…

About this time…My upline in New Vision called me and asked me if I was taking my vitamins/minerals … I wasn’t …he informed me that it was Official… they wouldn’t do me any good sitting on the shelf… he also told me that New Vision was coming out with a product with Mangosteen in it… and that it was pretty good stuff… I thought Yeah right… ok fine… I’ll try it… I started on the vitamins with mangosteen as soon as it came out…and I took the minerals along with it…

It wasn’t instant… get real… of course it wasn’t… but about 3 months after I stared taking them… consistently… I realized … “hey” I’m not in constant muscle and joint pain any more…

It seems that there had been another problem brewing along the same time… or rather growing…and in September 2005 the surgeons removed an ovary the size of a cantaloupe… it had split open and was draining … both the uterus and other ovary were enlarged as well… and it seems my insides were stuck… or rather grown together with adhesions… bit of a mess… a very painful mess…

Before surgery the docs gave me the cancer talk… then they gave me the cancer talk again… then they warned me about damage to my abdominal muscles (long vertical cut) and warned me about scarring… after surgery they sent that mess to the lab… there was no cancer… they sent it to an external lab as well… no cancer… yes I’m smiling…

So why do I love New Vision… Because I Feel Good… can I prove that New Vision’s products made me feel good… no… but I know my body needs nutrients so it can heal it’s self… I know my abdominal muscles are healing up and getting strong again… the scar they thought would gap open is not… gaping open… and is disappearing as it heals… I know I can hold my puppies again … not to mention vaccinate and groom my dogs and actually enjoy photography again… that says nerve damage is reversing… at least that’s what it says to me… All I can really say… is I felt bad… Really really bad… and now I feel good… on my way to really really good…

So I enjoy the first light of the morning… my coffee… the birds and fowl… smile at the delight of a puppy and their new people… and I take my Vitamins Essential Minerals plus Mangosteen… and I truly appreciate a company who’s products actually are what they claim to be…



Ok so what’s the point of this writing…
1. To Bitch Whine and Moan… no not really… It’s been a rough 3 years… but both bad and good has come out of it… I’m not the same person I was 3 years ago…no not just the missing parts… attitude has changed… that’s actually a good thing… not such a roller coaster.. .more even keeled…
2. To sort out where I’ve been and where I’m going… not just an idealized … I’m going here… but where I’m actually going… and what course corrections I need to make to get to where I want to go…
3. What would be the most efficient use of my time…
a. Regarding immediate income Mentors
b. Veretekk
c. Ffsi
d. Kennel
e. New vision

4. I can not multi-task and do outgoing calls… not incoming either… I can’t multi-task when I do dog interviews either… those take from 1 to 3 hours … if they come to tour the ranch… it can seriously take a while to get them out of here… when I do a dog interview on the phone… or in person for that matter… they have my full attention…
5. ok… sooooo… does a 30 second phone invite need my full attention… my instinctual response would be yes… they’ll feel it if I’m not paying full attention to them.. I’ll get a better response if I’m focused…

6. Ok… how am I not finding time for a 30 second call… because I lost control of the conversation on the incoming calls… and they were too long… too long… too much of me invested in each call… exhausted…

7. That initial interview process I use with the dogs is kicking in… ok… how do I control that implulse… practice the script… keep a copy of the script infront of me at all times during call periods… use a timer…

8. I’m pretty paranoid of screwing up the closes… ok… so is that the end of the world… no it sucks… but it’s not the end of the world… ok… so what are you going to do about it… change my attitude… they are either going to go for it … or they aren’t… skill level will increase with experience… experience comes from practice… so just do it…

The Past 3 years have been a financial nightmare… I’d get going then I’d crash… work then crash… when I physically crash… I’m just useless… can’t talk… everything just shuts down…passed out walking in from the kennel yards more times than I can remember… bloody annoying that… I do believe my superwoman cape has been shredded beyond repair… I am functioning better… not passing out so much… better motor control… driving long distances really makes me tired… the airport trip is a challenge… it’s approx. a 400 mile loop… that used to be just nothing… now it’s this huge effort… but if I prepare for it I can make it… the pups fly out of the Denver Airport… 2 are going this Friday… the airport trip and basic kennel care is all I’ll get done on Friday… I’ll be pulling out of here at 3:00 am… delivery days, tour days, and heavy interview days are when I could really use someone reliable… I’m not training any kennel help right now… temper’s too short… if he/she didn’t follow instructions I would be sorely tempted to feed them to the guard dogs… mmmm squealing feed… there you go… a stupid human chew toy… the kennel and house guards are the rescue dogs… they range from 70 to 100 plus pounds each… they keep the coyotes, cougar, bobcat, fox, and stray humans out of my home and kennels…
If I make a mistake selling the mentors course… I lose a sale… or have some whining thing hanging on me… If I make a mistake with the kennel… they (Poms) either get hurt or die… make a mistake placing them and you give them a hellish life… make a mistake hiring and dogs get hurt… this time around it was 2 dogs with broken legs (the last time one of my kennel dogs had a broken leg was 8 years ago) a hot spot the size of my hand on a mother dog’s back… that’s huge on a pom… could have been avoided with a comb out after whelping… that’s all it would have taken… and one burned up air conditioner… that could have killed every dog in the whelping house… so what was it… stupidity… carelessness… or inexperience…

OMG… it’s 3:28 am…. I’ve got to get some sleep…

Ok… so do I want to do mentors… I want the results of doing mentors… the gain in self confidence. And the money… I want out from under this massive financial pressure… pisses me off that I have over 100,000 coming in gross between my husband and myself and we are broke… hasn’t been consistent though… over the past three years mine really bottomed out… went in the hole big time… well big time for me… we are somewhere between 200,000 and 250, 000 in debt… might not be much to donald trump… but it’s a lot to me…

Income from the kennel can disappear in a heartbeat… quite a bit of cash flows… but the profit margin can be pretty narrow… in truth… I have some wonderful dogs… and my older breeding stock… and retireds will always have a home… unless I check out before they do… but I don’t want to operate at this volume… I am exhausted… gotta maintain until I get puppies and young dogs placed that weren’t placed while I was ill… that will drop numbers… I want some cash flow so I can contract with a professional groomer… wire this building… heat the calf hutches (4 by 7 houses) in the exercise yards… heated water for winter… shade for summer… security cameras… so I can check on the dogs from anywhere via lap top… guess this is some of my why…

I want out of this financial pressure cooker… David is retiring in 4 years… and has no bloody idea of the finances… he has retirement… but it is approximately half of his current earnings… sooooo I would truly like that replaced and then some before hand… and not by dogs… boarding maybe… but not breeding…

I want some residual income coming in so if I’m ill and can’t sell it doesn’t matter… or if David (husband) crashes again financially it won’t matter…he had a stroke may 2001… 2 weeks after I bought my car on payments… lousy timing on my part… we nearly lost our home that time… borrowed a bunch of money to keep things floating… on a bright note…he had good recovery… found out he was diabetic… now he’s on insulin…he’s lost some motor function… drops things a lot… now we both do… after that west nile mess… hello plastic glasses…

before that I had pneumonia year after year I think it was 3 winters straight… I didn’t have a kennel this size then… emergency appendectomy … before that… went back to work too soon and tore everything open… Hey… I asked the doc… told him what I did for work… he said it would be fine… he was wrong… what a mess… then in 2000 it was adhesions making my life hellish… grew around my intestines and shut them off… I wouldn’t wish that on anyone… awful pain… threw up feces… after surgery I recovered pretty quickly all things considered…

David’s first wife died of huntingtons… horrid disease… and of course neither of them planned at all… so there was a mountain of debt there from medical bills… nursing homes… etc… I did get that cleaned up… paid off…

I’m tired… I’d like a day off here and there… and I’d like to be able to go out to dinner and not cringe at the bill… be able to buy my mom an extreme 4 by 4 power wheel chair… so she can get out and about without getting stuck… I’d like to build a custom house… but unless I have the money for and have found a reliable house cleaner… I don’t want it… I want this kennel streamlined… and the income from there replaced… I can see mentors as a positive way to do that… right now I’m struggling to keep up with the kennel work… I’m making headway placing puppies… and such… but my office is a nightmare of piles of paperwork… even with the multitasking… I need to do mentors… so… what do I not do … so I can have the time to do mentors… there it is… time management… gotta have time to sleep… mind is racing like crazy… gotta get some sleep… 4:06 am… should be up at 6… I’m going to pour a glass of wine and try to get some zzzzz’s so I’m not falling asleep behind the wheel Friday morning…

Thursday, August 03, 2006

boom boom boom

The neighbor is attacking prairie dogs this morning... literally blowing them up... sounds like a war zone... I would imagine it feels like a war zone for the prairie dogs... funny smell then boom your neighbor is blown to bits... the earth shakes... your nose and eyes water... fear everywhere... yeah it's a war zone... dirty nasty job... the problem is they are destroying acres upon acres of land... the balance is off... too many predators have been killed off... so the rodents (prairie dogs) are multiplying like crazy... destroying grazing lands ... breaking horses and cattles' legs when they step in their holes... it's a no win situation... or rather a situation when species compete over the same area... one or the other of the species loses... sometimes both... you know they live in communitites much like we do... post a guard... and work together... kill them... don't kill them... I'll post my confilicted thoughts here... as it is not a good idea to voice them in ranch country...

Wednesday, August 02, 2006

Wednesday... ppphhhhttttt


weight bounced... client canceled puppy pickup... mom's power wheelchair bit the dust... sooooo pppphhhhttttt ... yep that's it... ppphhhttttt!!!!!!!!!!!! had the starter replaced on the 1993 ford pu... that was twice a much as we thought it was going t be... pppphhhhttt!!!!

made the 1 pm conference... that was good...

I know the weight will bounce back down... I didn't eat enough calories in 5 days for that bounce... so it has to be swelling... suck... got my glasses' frames fixed... they are going to replace them... dwr (hubby) went to work... I've been working here all day... frustrated at this point... like that isn't showing in my writing... I'm hungry and I have a headache... and am no way near done for the day... pppphhhhtttt.... need to get away from the computer before it ends up in pieces... like that would solve anything... pppppphhhhhttttt!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Tuesday, August 01, 2006

Not as smoky this morning..



Happily it is not as smoky this morning... Last night it was a bit scary... The temp this morning has dropped to 63 degrees... With a cloud cover... Threatening rain... Hopefully it will rain a bit... Another lightening storm last night... Quite the light show...

yesterday's longer post was actually a letter to my aunt... She is quite the person... In her 90's and a very straightforward person...

I was exhausted most of the day yesterday... I think it was from the smoke... Or who knows... Probably a combination of smoke inhalation, stress, and exhaustion from the day before...

breakfast this morning was toasty o's milk coffee... David was home yesterday... and seemed to think I needed to eat everything he did... no I did not eat everything he did... but I did eat more than usual... my own responsibility... I'm the one that put it in my mouth and ate it...

Life is a journey... today is a new day... Mary E. Robbins & the Hairballs

Monday, July 31, 2006

smokey day


July 31, 2006

Not everything that is faced can be changed, but nothing can be changed until it is faced.-James Baldwin

Smokey here today.... the ridge to the southeast is nearly obscured by smoke... it does seem that it is prime fire season... I don’t think we are in any immediate fire danger… just the smoke… there was a blaze up around Chadron NE too… seems they evacuated part of the town…another blaze up by Devil’s tower… and south east of us in the Wild Cat Hills… looks like mother nature is clearing out some brush… trees…houses…etc…We (David & I) went after a load of dog food yesterday... on the way home the western sky was a thing of beauty... subtle beauty... not the multicolor dance of the sun setting... but a beautiful design in shades of pale gray... as the sun was streaming down through layers of smoke... in this phenomenal fan pattern…

Full day ahead... want to get the dog waters' all freshened before the main heat of the day ... it's only 73 degrees now... according to my weather channel link we are supposed to have thunderstorms later... may the Lord bless us with a gentle rain...

It’s been near or above 100 degrees here for around a month… I’ve been watching the thermometer I have out under a tree… as I walk up the hill to the main kennel runs…

Need to do some more photo editing and upload some more dog pictures to my webpage… answer dog emails… make some initial… as well as follow-up calls regarding puppies… upload more photos to advert. Sites and write some more advertising blurbs… vaccinate…deworm again… pull some more dog undercoat… went through them all last month… start the cycle over again…

I’d hired some kennel help… trained her for a month… she lasted about 1.5 months after training… I warned her about not wearing a hat… told her to drink fluids… to eat… wouldn’t listen… she crashed… physically crashed… left me in quite the lurch… she is feeling better now… for which I am glad… I learned a few lessons in the process… as far as kennel help… I’m not hiring full time… as finances allow… I’m going to hire 2 maybe 3 part-time people… and I believe I’m going to use a professional groomer… to keep up with the Pom’s coats… one step at a time… a bit farther along each day as my health returns… and I pull finances into line… in the meantime… I’m the primary pooper scooper and hair handler…lol… have brush/comb… hair will fly…J

The kennel has to be tended to… it does make my other projects take a back seat… and move finances forward slower… but that’s just the way it is… the pieces are coming together though… slower than I would like…but coming together…

Need to Update mentor’s site… they reworked it …it looks fantastic very nice presentation … need to change a bit of coding so my merchant account will work with it again… I really like the way they put that site together… very nice… I can’t take the credit for it…I didn’t do the work…J But I truly appreciate the fruits of their labors…

I’m learning (seo) search engine optimization and html (a computer coding language used on web pages) very useful tools… the wonderful twist to this tail… is the classes are free… through an affiliate program I work with… veretekk is the name of the company… the seo alone will save me between $1200 and $1600 this year … that puts a smile on my face…

I am happy to say… my fat load is diminishing… he he … makes me pretty happy…
No binging... for the first time in a very long time... I'm at peace with food... when I look back... I can see patterns (that I was not aware of before) even in childhood... of being fixated on food... it's so nice to be free...I receive a newsletter called French Women Don't Get Fat... of course they have a diet program and so on and so forth... something stuck in my mind... They were talking about enjoying food... actually enjoying the flavor... texture... not doing 5 or 6 other things while you rush through a meal... soooo... I thought... hmmmm... methinks... that's a good idea... so I've stopped working out my daily plan while snarfing breakfast... and actually focusing on breakfast and enjoying the moment... you know I'm actually enjoying my bowl of cereal...lol... or whatever I happen to be dining upon... and not driven compulsively to push as much food into my mouth as fast as possible... gee what a thought... ever eat a meal or snack and not be able to remember what you ate... been there done that... not any more... :)
One time when we were chatting on the phone you asked me what I weighed… I told you and you said “that’s disgraceful” that really stuck in my craw… like the truth often does… especially when you’re in denial… well you were right… yes I know that you know that already J … it is disgraceful … as well as damaging to my health… yes I’ve been chewing on it for a while… bottom line is I’m responsible for my weight… when that light bulb went off… another soon followed… I’m responsible for my life… dosen’t matter whether I accept responsibility for it or not… I still am responsible… no other person makes me responsible for it… we have Free Will… therefore we are responsible for our lives... that carries over into all aspects of our lives… pretty much blows any excuses out of the water… it’s one of those what are you going to about it… it’s up to you things… I’m happily surprised at the positive effects this philosophy has had on my life thus far…

I wanted to say “Thank-You!” … yes I mean it… I’d been praying for some answers… and you’re being truthful and straightforward … prompted a sequence that has resulted in some major changes in my life…

By the way… I am losing fat… and regaining some muscle strength… last time I weighed I’d dropped 4.5 pounds… that leaves 131.5 pounds to go… there’s a group of us spread out across the country working on our various life goals… weight fitness… whatever… I sent an email to part of my email address book seeing if anyone was interested… blogging (online journal open to public…maybe our journey can help someone else in their journey) Asked Linda Owen… ok… she’s pissed… not talking to me again… guess she didn’t like my philosophy… she’ll come around… or she won’t… it’s her life her choice… her responsibility… actually that’s the very philosophy that pissed her off… first it was get catty and stick her claws in… yes into me… like that’s anything new… don’t think so… that didn’t have the desired effect… not this time… her nasty sharp claws were rebuffed… no I wasn’t nasty… but I didn’t just take it this time either… she heard the it’s up to you… what are you going to do… and reacted like a cat that had just had a bucket of ice water thrown on it… hissing and spitting…trying to claw all over the place… figuratively speaking of course… on the one hand it’s kind of sad… on the other its… Oh get a grip… I’m leaning much towards the get a grip side…

Have dog clients scheduled to come Thursday and Saturday this week… taking the ford pick-up truck in to the shop this afternoon… it’s clicking rather than starting… it’s gotta be reliable … or it’s going to be gone…

Finances are slowly coming together… geez… I’m not making progress as quickly as I would have liked to… but I am making progress… happily…

Time management has been a major mess for me… trying too much in each day… and ending up with a scrambled mess… working on it…

David is home for a couple of days… he has a doctor’s appt tomorrow… yearly thing to evaluate his meds…

Mom and I chat on a daily basis… I was very happy that her battery pack replacement went very well…

I’m not sure how Clarence is doing… I understand he had his monthly dr’s appt today in Cheyenne… He falls quite a bit… and of course refuses to carry a cell phone or track phone (pay as you go no monthly bill) with him so he can call for help… but then that’s his choice…

I’d really like for mom to carry one as well… of course she doesn’t… then she goes out and gets her wheelchair stuck and fusses about hurting her legs trying to move it…again that’s her choice… I don’t like their decisions on this matter… but again … it’s their choice… their consequences… I used to tear myself up worrying… running after them… Linda too… same thing… it’s her choice… her consequences…

It’s one of those… if you don’t want wet feet… don’t stand in a mud puddle… if you refuse to step out of the mud puddle… don’t whine to me about wet feet… ok… I’m rambling and ranting… and no I’m not going to rewrite it… If I do… I’ll never get it posted… sooooo… here it is…

gotta run... Life is a journey... enjoy the trip... Mary & the Hairballs

'Daily Affirmation' Video