My life, My Opinions.

Today I had some one send me a private message in Facebook suggesting I should just shut up and quit being a "bitch know- it- all", I should stop spreading my "F' ed up opinions, and shoving my Ann Landeresq crap down other people throats..
Interesting enough I have known this person for over 30 years.. I have, on many occasions been sought out by this person seeking compassion and support and comfort, sharing long night "fix it all" gab sessions.
LOL they should have known that I like talking about my life observations, knowing me for so long. But coming from some one I respect, I feel I must answer, so here it is.

 I have for well over 50 years, seen funny things, scary things, and important (at least to me) things I like to share.  I can't help being a wise person its just simply my nature. Being a person who, through life's journeys have experienced more than my share,  and in doing so learned many of life's lessons, I have learned to be wise.. I am often sought out by people for compassionate support and comfort.
 If those things are "landeresq" more power to it.
None of my observations, opinions, and humor is or was meant to dictate anything, or to force anyone to change who or what they are. Merely offer you a new thought, idea, or way of seeing something different. 
If in reading words I have written, spoken, or shared, you have an epiphany. Or it gives you courage or information to help you in your life,  that was the point. We learn by sharing.
   Being compassionate is simply who I am. I genuinely care and love people.
I feel deep connections to the people I love, I am not worried about superficial things like hair color, financial things, or location, I care who you are. What you feel, and what you need.
You are everything you are and should be loved and respected for your beliefs, who you love, who you have become in your lives. For me,  everything you are is loved by me.
I deeply love those of you I am close to, time and location does not matter, I loved you deeply then and I do now. To me, you are the most beautiful person/people I have ever known.
I admire your talents, courage to live your lives as you have. I am proud of all of you, and feel privileged to have been part of your lives, then and now.
  I am Maternal. Deal with it. 
That's right I mother everyone, That too is simply who I am. And as a motherly person I am aware of your needs, and will with out provocation put my arms around you and hug you, reminding you, you are a person of worth, truly loved and wanted.. I will always know when you are in need of love. I always know when you need help, reassurance, and even a stern word or two. Call it psychic or mothers intuition. Deal with it.

And as for You,  my old friend,  NO, I will not stop being a Wise Woman, giving motherly advice, showing compassion and sharing my life knowledge for I can not change who I am. Nor should I.
Instead, I will love you for who you are, for your rather abrupt opinions, and yes, to me they have value.
And also for your need to be loved unconditionally. I will love you always.

Kate

Finding Joy..

Today I heard Carol Burnett talking about the last days with her deceased daughter Carrie Hamilton, and how her daughter was able to experienced joy every day before she passed away.
 I thought a lot about that statement..'Finding Joy Every Day'.. And I realized that I didn't, not daily, in fact I can't remember when the last time I experienced any Joy.. sad to say. 
   Has my life been so rushed, or bad lately that I have no joy? It sure seems like it. And just like so many people out there I have a hell of a lot of stuff in my life to deal with. So Today I decided that I did need Joy in my life. Now just how the heck do I accomplish this?
  Thinking about it  as I was driving down the freeway on one of my many jaunts to the city, looked around at the beautiful landscape, at the clouds, and sunshine, birds flying  and flowers.
The Columbia Gorge is awesome this time of year.. And you know what, I felt a twinge of joy, sure it wasn't the rainbows, butterflies and unicorns, kind of joy, but there was something.    It's a start....and that's better than nothing.
   So, my personal goal is to try to find some wee bits and pieces of joy on a daily basis, and not feel so rushed that I can't stop, feel and see whats right there in front of me everyday.
I know,  for a lot of people that know me, I'm one of those "always up and happy people", but that's not the way I perceive myself,  I see myself like most people do, I am always lacking, always needing to improve, never quite up to snuff,  just missing the wave, or simply striving to always be a better person, and falling a wee bit short.  So taking a cue from Carrie I will see and feel joy daily. For my self. For all of you who mean so much to me, how can I not? You deserve and do I,  JOY.

                                         Carol Burnett and  her daughter Carrie Hamilton 
                          In January 2002, Carrie died of lung and brain cancer at the age of 38.

I am an American.

I read his today, it says what I feel about the medias coverage of these events, why give them the coverage, exposure, and make them the entire focus ..  focus on America on the GOOD not the bad. 
Kate

Thank you John Glen, for sharing your feelings and opinions, and helping the rest of us say  it too.

I don't want to know his name. I don't want to see his face. I don't want to know his life's history, his back-story, who his family is, where he went to school, or what he liked to do in his spare time. I don't want to know what "cause", if any, he was fighting for. I don't want to know why he did it, or may have done it, or what possessed him to carry out his actions. I don't want to know. Because that's what he really wants. I'll be damned if I'm going to give him what he wants.

Put him on trial, but don't cover it. Tell me when you decide to jail him for three lifetimes - because that number matters. That's the number of lives he has to now pay for. That's all I want to know about him. Nothing else.

Instead, tell me about the first responders who ran towards the fray, within seconds, fearless. Tell me about the ones wearing the yellow volunteer jacket, or the neon police vest, or even the ones in the regular everyday t-shirt who became a helper. Tell me the story about the first responder who held gauze over a wound until they made it to the hospital. Tell me the story about the volunteer who held the hand of the injured spectator until they got into the ambulance. In six months, tell me the story of those who lost a limb, who beat the odds, pulled through countless surgeries, and are learning to walk again. Tell me the story about the love, the compassion, and the never-ending support of thousands, millions, of people who support the victims here. Tell me their stories. Tell me everything you can, because they are the ones that matter. Tell me of the good that they have done, are doing, and will continue to do, regardless of... No, not regardless of, in spite of. In spite of that someone who would do them harm. Because that's what freedom in this country means. It means coming together in the hardest of times, even in the face of unfathomable adversity, to make life better for all those around us.

John Glen

Positive vs. Negitive...

  We have all heard that we learn from our mistakes, however I think its more important, and certainly more productive to learn from our successes, we feel better about ourselves, and are more willing to move forward, with conviction that we will succeed again and again. Simply learning from our mistakes tends to make us learn to keep making them.
  Mistakes are indeed a learning process, don't get me wrong, but when we focus on the negativity of our mistakes we don't move forward, and instead feel rejected, stupid, and useless for making those mistakes in the first place. So for every mistake we make, learn, move on and make a success out of it, a positive outcome. Feel good about ourselves, and keep moving forward.

Kate

Life is a dance..

...and those who were seen dancing
were thought to be insane by those 
                          who could not hear the music...                      

Neitzche      

     We dance.. all of us, weather its movement or simply day to day things we do, everything is a dance, we move forward and move backward, in everything. Relationships are a dance, emotional, commitment, love, hate, compromise.
     My life is a series of dances, juggling all the complicated steps I need to take to keep my family grounded and moving forward, but even then we stumble and fall, and that again is all part of the dance. We learn from stumbling and falling, those experiences allow us to learn, to grow, We learn more complicated steps, and become better people and we fly..
      In these lyrics to a John Michael Montgomery song say it in a nutshell.
 "Life's a dance you learn as you go, sometimes you lead sometimes you follow,Don't worry 'bout what you don't know,life's a dance, you learn as you go."
      I think a lot about the phrase, take one step forward and two steps back, but it should read you take two steps back, and make one forward, eventually we will all move forward, so don't let the two steps back be a negative experience, but instead a learning one, sometimes in that learning process, we find the path forward we have set ourselves on is not the right one and a correction of course is needed for happiness.
     So.. I hope you dance, don't listen to those telling you, you are insane for the joy of dance.. they just can not hear the music.

Kate

Love and respect...

 I think everybody should get rich and famous and do everything they ever dreamed of so they can see that it's not the answer.  ~Jim Carrey

   A very deep and interesting statement from Mr. Carrey, what then is the answer? 
For some strange reason most of us dream of being rich and famous, why then isn't that dream worth making come true?
How about  simply that dream lacks one major thing humanity needs to make us all happy.
That's right,  just one thing..LOVE. Without Love we can't really be happy, no amount of false Fan adoration or excess funds makes happiness. 
   Granted we can justify the use of funds, and adoration to imitate love but deep down, at the end of the day, the fans, and cash flow go away. (And no you really can't buy love, not real love anyway). We as  human beings need a measure of comfort that  some one loving us affords, the deep innate need to be cared about by another life force. ( And yes, cats and dogs count),  Man or Woman, or Child.
I for one need to know that some one, out there some where loves me. No matter what, I am loved. And for me that makes it OK.  I am not sure that  having a body in a bed is all that necessary, but I do need to know that you love me. It give me a sense of security , and that no matter what, I can make it through any hardship, hateful situation, bullying, or nastiness that creep out of the dregs of life. 
I intern feel also that everyone is deserving of my love and affection, no matter who they are, or what they believe, or how they choose to live their lives, they DESERVE my love and respect. Period. No exceptions.
We see so much in the media, about marriage equality,  and the world striving for equality in all things, My personal belief is of course everyone deserves those things, and who am I to deny anyone the right to love, and family, and all the other rights afforded to any one else on the Earth.
I know so many people believe that we should pick and choose who gets those rights based on sex, color, age, or race, but truthfully no one should have the right to disallow any other human being the rights to happiness and love. Stop using the Lord as a reason NOT to allow people to love each other, Hes not the one using that voice. Dumb people are.
I love many men, and women, I have some very dear and loved friends, My love and respect for them does not depend on their sexual identity, place of residence, time, religion, or hair color.
All of you know who you are.. I love you deeply and dearly. forever.

My philosophy, if indeed I have one, is love one another, because we can, and respect each other because its right, all life is important and deserves a voice. 
Kate

Loving your pets.

                                 This is Lilly and Noddy, they are my beloved puppy kids.

Regardless of your dog’s age, you play a key role in helping him or her combat illness and remain as healthy as possible. Remember, your dog cannot describe symptoms to you, but they can show you signs of disease. Awareness of the signs of the most common diseases is one way to help reduce your pet’s risk of being affected by them. It’s a little scary to consider that 10% of pets that appear healthy to their owners and their veterinarians during annual checkups have underlying diseases.
The top 10 signs that your dog may be ill are:

1. Bad breath or drooling
2. Excessive drinking or urination
3. Appetite change associated with weight loss or gain
4. Change in activity level (e.g., lack of interest in doing things they once did)
5. Stiffness or difficulty in rising or climbing stairs
6. Sleeping more than normal, or other behavior or attitude changes 
7. Coughing, sneezing, excessive panting, or labored breathing
8. Dry or itchy skin, sores, lumps, or shaking of the head
9. Frequent digestive upsets or change in bowel movements
10. Dry, red, or cloudy eyes

If your best friend shows symptoms of being ill, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

                                                  This blog is dedicated to Lucy

Pay It Forward...

I have been reading several posts about paying it forward, helping those in need, and caring about humanity as a whole, I know I have said in the past that its is so easy to do these things simply because you can, how did it feel? Did you think about your act of kindness before you did it? Was it compassion the drove you to help? Did it take anything away from you to do these things? Did you expect a thank you, or payment in return? We are as a whole a "ME" society, we tend to think of ourselves, and our Families first, as well we should, but we should also think of those who don't have family, or anyone that thinks of them first, and simply act.. and in that single compassionate act we become one family, one people, and love grows. Kate

Greatness..

The most prolific days of your life won’t likely be easy. It’s not in the serenity of your comfort zone or the inactivity of a lazy day that drives greatness. Great demands drive the growth of great virtues. Contending with great challenges forms the foundation of greatness.

Kate

Mistakes...

Mistakes are made to be corrected, not to be insulted. I would rather live my life with mistakes made and lessons learned than to live it full of regrets, if only and what could have been.  Do not punish yourself for mistakes you've made in the past... reward yourself for the great person those mistakes helped create.  Sometimes we have to cross the lines to appreciate what we have or to learn how to do the right things. It doesn't mean you won't cross that line again after you learn the truth. Mistakes are Human kinds way to greater learning, understanding ourselves and finding peace with in the universe. 

 Kate

Save a life.

                   How to save your life if you're having a heart attack

If you have potential signs and symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or the emergency number for your country and get immediate medical attention. By taking quick action, you may save your own life.
Even if you're not sure you're having a heart attack, call 911 or the emergency number for your country and get immediate medical attention. Taking quick action can save your life.

The United States have the most advanced medical technologies for saving lives. However, not getting prompt medical care due to denial is one of the reasons why many people die from a heart attack.

Most people don't call and get emergency help because they don't want to be embarrassed if they're wrong and they're not really having a heart attack. So, millions of people that could have been saved end up dying.

If you're wrong -- and you're actually not having a heart attack -- the paramedics will give you the option of not going to the hospital. They'll check you first to make sure you're not having a heart attack or any other health problem that requires immediate medical attention. If they're convinced that you are medically stable, you will be asked to sign a release of liability and you don't have to go to the hospital .

If you're having a heart attack, never drive yourself to the hospital emergency room. You might lose consciousness or die on your way to the hospital. If your heart attack makes it increasingly hard for you to breathe, you might crash your car and die -- even if you could have survived your heart attack with appropriate medical care.

What are potential signs that you're having a heart attack? One or more of the following classic symptoms of a heart attack require you to get immediate medical attention: Learn the signs and symptoms of a heart attack.

    Increasing shortness of breath that's not relieved with resting
    Pressure on your chest or chest pain
    Pain that's radiating to your left arm
    Nausea or even vomiting
    Abdominal discomfort that feels like heartburn, especially one that's not going away

For women, signs of a heart attack may differ from men. They can have the classic symptoms of a heart attack or at least one of the following symptoms:

    Sudden and overwhelming fatigue
    New pain to shoulders
    New back pain

If you have potential signs and symptoms of a heart attack, call 911 or the emergency number for your country and get immediate medical attention. Even if you're not sure you're having a heart attack, get checked by health care providers as soon as possible. By taking quick action, you may save your own life.
Remember..even if you THINK you may be having a heart attack..dial 911.

No Need For Fame

You don't need to be famous in order to be quoted. Use your voice; for you may never know who might be listening...Kate

Some advice from Robert A Heinlein

There Ain't No Such Thing As A Free Lunch

Lemons

lemonade stand! (Photo credit: amy.gizienski)

If life gives you lemons, make lemonade. But don't stop there, kick it up a notch and add cherries, blueberries, raspberries, or strawberries. You never want them to see how sour you think those lemons are.

Rainy Day Blues

 Rainy days suck.. I cant get out and walk.. I'm stuck inside with a pot of hot chocolate and cookies.

 Well Boo Hoo ..get over it.
There are lots of ways to stay fit or get your 20 minutes of exercise at home on rainy days. On days that it is raining and I can't go to the track or walk in the neighborhood, I find things to do in the house that take energy and cause me to move my body. Many of us have come to the conclusion they cannot exercise because they don't have a gym membership. News flash! You really don't need one if you are creative enough.
What can you do around the house on rainy days to get plenty of exercise?

• Take down all your curtains from your windows and then wash all your windows on the inside. You can do the outside at a later time when it is nice outside. Make a solution of half vinegar and water, and wad up some old newspapers. There is something about newspapers that cleans windows really well. While you are washing the windows give all your mirrors the once over at the same time. Get your whole body into this exercise. Spend a good bit of time on each window and mirror. Set your spray bottle down on the floor after you spray one of the panes of glass. When you are ready to work on the next pane of glass reach down and pick up your spray bottle. Trade arms when cleaning your windows to give both arms a good work out.
• Dusting is another good way to exercise your body. Instead of using one of those dusters that allow you to do almost nothing, dust the old fashioned way. Do you have ceiling fans? Get up on a step stool or little ladder and clean the ceiling fan thoroughly. Clean those blades really well. I like to use a commercial dust cleaner such as Endust on a rag to do my dusting. While you are at it, look for cobwebs in the corners of your ceilings. I dust the entire perimeter of my ceiling and walls with a broom and an old towel tied to it. I spray it with Endust and go over every ceiling. Occasionally I even dust my ceilings in the same way. Since I have asthma, this helps to keep the dust down. I don't dust without Endust though. Spraying Endust on my dust rag (old towel, in my case) keeps the excess dust out of the air.
• Cleaning your cupboards and cabinets is another good way to work out. You do a lot of reaching to get all your glasses and plates out of the cupboards. I take my time removing everything from the top and bottom cabinets. This is good exercise because it causes you not only to reach, but it causes you to lift. The bottom cabinets will cause you to bend and reach. You might just want to sit on the floor or get on your hands and knees to empty out your bottom cabinets. Next wipe down all your cupboard and cabinet shelves with something like Green Works, or you can also use the vinegar and water.
• Stripping your beds and remaking them is also a good exercise. Strip the beds and launder the sheets. Go to your linen closet and put new sheets and pillow cases on and remake your beds. Done right, this is a good exercise. Be sure to miter your corners when you put your top sheet on your beds. If you have a large family, you will have a few beds to make. This could take you up to 30 minutes in some cases. This is a great workout. Be sure not to flip those sheets. You spread germs by flipping the sheets. Take your time and place your sheets on the bed without flapping them in the air to get them to spread out.
• Scrub the doors in your home that have handprints on them. Little kids with dirty hands tend to leave their marks on your front, back and inside doors. I don't have kids, but the doors still tend to get dirty, so I take a bottle of green works and scrub these areas.
• Cleaning your refrigerator is great exercise. Take everything out of your refrigerator. Throw out all the science experiments you have growing in there. If the shelves come out of the fridge, go ahead and take them all out. Wash the shelves in dish detergent and let them drain while you clean the inside of your fridge. I use a weak solution of Green Works on the inside of my fridge, and then I wipe it down. Dry the shelves and place them back and replace your food items neatly back into the fridge.
• Sweeping and mopping is another good way to burn off some calories. Take your time sweeping the floors, and then mop. I like to get down and clean the edges with a sponge. I pour a pail full of water and I also use my Green Works. I spray the corners and the perimeter of my flooring and baseboard and clean these areas by hand with a sponge. When the perimeter is cleaned I then mop the conventional way.
• Cleaning the bathroom is a chore almost everyone hates to do, but it can be done rather quickly. Just go ahead and remove everything from the bathtub, shower, sink and toilet. Spray everything down with a really good bathroom foam or spray cleaner and let it soak for a few minutes. Go check your emails and get a cup of coffee or glass of tea while you are waiting for the bathroom to soak. When you are through with your break, go back and finish the bathroom. It will be easy to clean. Put everything back in the bathroom that you took out to clean it. I clean the inside of my toilet with the toilet wand made by Clorox. The scrubbers are a very effective way to clean the toilet. You don't have to touch anything dirty.
• Vacuuming the carpets is another good way to work out. It's easy to do. Just move all the furniture you can to one side of the room and vacuum carefully to keep the marks looking neat. Then move the furniture back, and move the other furniture and do the same. I don't move anything really heavy, but I do move what I can. I move one chair and the end tables and coffee table an ottoman when I vacuum the living room.

I'm sure there are other things I could do on a rainy day, but that's all I can think of for now. I'm pooped now. It's time for a cold drink and some cookies.

Kate

My Personal Life...

The Gates

Standing watch at the gates.

The night sky cold in its darkening.

Too many this time of year.

My soul cries for lost light.

In the distance a flame dances.

Requiem for those lost.

Pity for those found.

Cold steel rests in my hand.

Time is fleeting the night wanders.
Stars gleaming casts no light.
Hope is lost among the weeping
Standing watch at the gates.

C 2009

Kate Fox

In the early 2000's I was privileged to write, compete with,  and publish my poetry.

 'The Gates' came from a dream I had one dark and stormy night

 after watching too many old knight in shiny armor movies. I was surprised how dark the image was in my mind. My hope is that this piece stirs experience with in you and brings images for you to explore.

From time to time I will post these pieces,  just to share. 

At present I am deep in the throws of a novel, daily making me think and feel, it is also greying bits of my hair, as I wake up from dreaming the next plot. Hopefully it to will  be published.

Kate

Just a day in the life of...

 

  ( this is not my Grandmother, however it is a common image from that era)

Today I am 20556 days old. 

Sounds weird huh? Well I feel old, I feel all the old age thingys that most of us senior citizens feel...

HEY WAIT A GOSH DARN MINUTE......

OK so I am NOT that old yet, but I do feel like I'm getting older.. as do we all, the trick is NOT to think you are old before you actually are old. 

If you feel like death warmed over, guess what.. you will be.

I often think of Both of my own Grandmothers they were told that at around 45 or so,  they are elderly and needed to act their age. So they acted old At 45 and both My Grandmothers were white haired, had dentures, wore glasses, and sounded creaky.  

At My age today, I do not have grey hair, glasses,  dentures, or any of those problems. 

I honestly believe they looked and acted old because they were TOLD they were old. A problem that was common back then. 

But  today, with better nutrition, health options, exercise choices, and general knowledge,  we tend to be healthier and look younger. Not to mention live longer.

I refuse to be old.. there fore I am not.

Age is irrelevant. Maturity IS relevant. Don't Try to be OLD. Be mature. with grace and decorum... then wear purple with polka-dots,  glow in the dark yellow tennis shoes, with orange stripped tights, and a sparkly Tiara. Basically.. feel good, be happy and live life as best you can. 

  Kate age 40.

Life and Times of a Queen.

He called me the "B" Queen of the Universe..I just looked at him and said.."back off Buddy, do you really want to tick off a hormonal Lady with the powers of the universe at her command? SERIOUSLY?" *Queen Wave*
Kate

Twelve Tools We Should All Have In our Home Tool Box.

Tools...

Not a dirty word Ladies, We all need a home tool box, I for one like my tools, I own my own home and have a honey do list that's 5 miles long . Being a single Lady,  there is not a significant other available for that list, I have to do it myself, simple home maintenance. You simply do not need to go buy high end tools, some you can even find in the Dollar store. I buy most of mine in Wal-Mart, or the Dollar store, you can even find some great buys at garage sales and flea markets.

I am guessing there are a lot of single folks out there, that need some advice on this subject. so here is my list.

1. First and foremost you need a good Claw Hammer, its the go too tool. A good, solid hammer can be used for driving nails into wood as well as small demolition jobs. Go for the classic 16 ounce hammer. It’s heavy enough for most basic home repair needs, but light enough for you to carry around without it being a nuisance. While your grandpa probably used a hammer with a wooden handle, you shouldn't  Wood handles break easily. Go with something that has a long-lasting synthetic handle. Also, when picking out a hammer,
2. A Measuring Tape.Whether you’re building a gun cabinet or measuring to see if that flat screen TV will fit in your den, a dependable 25′ retractable metal measuring tape is a must. Plus, they’re fun for your kids. I remember my brother and I would take my dad’s measuring tape and extend the tape all the way out, lock it, and then watch it retract. It was double fun when the end would accidentally pinch my brother’s finger, and he would start crying.
3. A set of  Flat-head Screw Drivers.A flat-head screwdriver has a single blade that fits into the single slot of a flat-head screw. Flathead screws have been around for along time, and these are what most people think of when you say screwdriver.While the Phillips screw has quickly taken the place of flat-head screws in most projects, it’s still a good idea to have a few flat-head drivers in your tool arsenal. In addition to driving in screws, flat-heads can also be improvised for different uses like light prying, scrapping, and nudging. Quick tip: make sure the electricity is turned off BEFORE you start sticking a screwdriver in a light socket to pry out a broken bulb. Trust me.
4. A set of Phillips Head Screw Drivers,the Phillips head screw has quickly replaced the flat-head screw in most projects. A Phillips head screwdriver has a four star point at the end that fits into the corresponding screw’s shallow, cross-shaped depression. This design allows a user to apply more torque than is possible with a flat-head screwdriver. The depression forces the blades of the Phillips screwdriver to slip out before any damaging over-torquing can occur. As mentioned above, Phillips screws have pretty much replaced flat-head screws, so make sure you have a good set of Phillips screwdrivers in varying sizes.
5.Crescent Wrench. Of all your tools, this baby will probably see the most action. It’s like having 50 wrenches in one. The crescent wrench is an adjustable wrench with a sliding jaw that changes the width of the wrench. So you can use the same tool on different size nuts and bolts. Remember, when you’re using a crescent wrench, the movable jaw is located on the side towards which the rotation is to be performed. This reduces the chance of backlash.
6. Socket Wrench (aka the ratchet). When you have a large project that requires you to tighten and loosen a bunch of nuts and bolts, it’s time to put aside the crescent wrench and reach for its more efficient brother. The socket wrench’s ratcheting mechanism allows you to tighten a nut without having to remove and refit the wrench after each and every turn. This can make your life a whole lot easier when you’re taking on larger projects. A 3/8-inch socket wrench with a couple of extenders and a set of sockets should do the trick.
7. Vise Grip (locking) Pliers. Vise grip pliers come in handy when you need an extra hand but only have your own two mitts to work with. Vise grip pliers are pliers that can lock in place. Some locking pliers use a mechanism that allows one- handed release of the locking mechanism; others require two hands to disengage. They are versatile tools that can be used as pliers, a pipe wrench, an adjustable wrench, wire cutters, a ratchet, or a clamp. Standard 5-10WR pliers are good for most stuff around the house and garage.
In an emergency and you need to turn off water or gas this is the tool you need.
8. Needle Nose Pliers. An essential electrician’s tool, needle nose pliers are good for any household project which requires you to cut, bend, grip, or strip wire. Because of their long and skinny shape, they’re particularly useful for getting into small cavities.
9. Cordless Drill and Bits. I didn't think I would ever need one of these, boy was I wrong! I bought some flat pack furniture and spent one day fighting the screws and the old hang crank screwdriver thingy... and the next day went out and bought my first cordless drill/Electric or battery operated screwdriver!! believe me when I say that was the single most happy making tool I have ever bought.A good cordless drill is an essential tool to have in your toolbox. It can be used for drilling holes into sheet rock or driving screws into a 2×4. When choosing a cordless drill, you want one with lots of power, which is measured by the amount of voltage in its battery. You can get drills that have batteries that go up to 18v. But when you increase voltage, you increase weight. That 18 volt bad boy weighs 10 pounds. 12 volts is a good size. It’s enough power to do most stuff around the house but isn’t too heavy. Also, make sure the drill you get has multiple speeds and is reversible. The reversible feature will come in handy if you need to take some screws out when your tree house goes awry.
10. Level. yes you do need one..Whether you’re hanging up pictures or putting a mantle over your fireplace, a straight line is absolutely crucial. You don’t want to put a bunch of nails in the wall, only to step back and see that’s it’s crooked. To get the job done right the first time, you need to use a level. There are some sophisticated laser levels available these days, but you can’t beat the satisfaction of finally nudging that bubble into place. Of course if you have the iphone level app, you’re all set.
11. Utility Knife, stop using the kitchen knives for this purpose.While it may not be the most exciting of the tools, your utility knife will never be found gathering dust at the bottom of your toolbox. Every project always provides plenty of things to cut and scrape, hundreds of tasks that cry out for the utility knife’s super sharp blade.
12. And last but never least, people buy yourself a good sturdy Tool Box.there are several options out there, from wooden boxes( I don't recommend this type if you have issues with lifting heavy things as it adds to the weight of your tools) I prefer the heavy canvas or big plastic bucket type.

So these are my recommendation for a simple home tool box, you can add things like extension cords, and a myriad of other tools( and you will if your anything like me..lol) .. but this is the starter list. Leave a comment with your suggestions of what should be in a home tool kit.
Kate

..

Susquehanna River Hills (Photo credit: Nicholas_T)

Make a commitment to your self to look around 
and really see what you have been given.

-Kate

Feeding your Inner Wolf

grey wolf (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

One evening an old wise Cherokee sat by the fire and told his young Grandson about the human experience. He described a battle, a fight that rages on inside of us all. A battle between two wolves. One is evil, and one is good. The Grandfather explained that the first wolf, the evil one, represented anger, envy, jealousy, sorry, regret, greed, arrogance, self pity, guilt, resentment, inferiority, lies, false pride, superiority, and ego.
The second wolf, the Grandfather continued is the good one. This wolf represented joy, peace, love, hope, serenity, humility, kindness, benevolence, empathy, generosity, truth, compassion, and even faith. The Grandson thought about this situation for some time. He then asked his Grandfather 'Which wolf wins?'
The old Cherokee looked at his Grandson and simply replied, 'The one you feed.' What you feed grows, and what you starve dies.

Which one are you feeding?

-Kate

Trapped In Bed

DIY Network logo (Photo credit: Wikipedia)

When you are stuck in bed..ill, or injured, or bored...refrain from watching hour after hour of DIY channels on television.. You end up hating your room, and getting your crazy on with weird paint choices. Puce and oxblood...REALLY??
-Kate

Forever 

I breathe in the scent of the sterile room 

Lights blind in my darkness 

You came to me in a moment of eternal time 

Amid the pain and anguish of that hell 

 I held your soft tiny hand in mine 

Whispered of a mothers love 

Your ancient eyes opened 

In a moment of clarity I knew you 

With a soft almost mythical breath I feel you go 

I hold that moment in my soul 

Forever

(c) 2009
Kate Fox

Family quarrels have a total bitterness unmatched by others. Yet it sometimes happens that they also have a kind of tang, a pleasantness beneath the unpleasantness, based on the tacit understanding that this is not for keeps; that any limb you climb out on will still be there later for you to climb back. Sometimes we hurt the ones we love the most because we absolutely know they will not throw us away for it.
Family is Family..
Kate

It's so funny how we set qualifications for the right person to love, while at the back of our minds we know that the person we truly love will always be an exception... Kate

Just Ranting About Life..

  It occurred to me that we spend a lot of time with our I pad, I pods, smartphones, texting, TVs, stereos and all the modern technology, and we seem to fall more and more away from the communication, and old fashioned values we were taught, mostly without even thinking about what cost that is having on ourselves and our families, and as a nation.
   I find this move away from communication and family  values very alarming. Granted,  I use a computer, cell phone and reader, but I am a non-texter, by choice, if I want to talk to you I do it by telephone, that's right, I call you, or I talk face to face. 
   I have watched people walking down the streets texting, they don't even look up and watch where they are going, what can they be so engrossed in that they walk right out into traffic? 
   I have often heard of people (kids) texting whilst asleep..and not even being aware of doing it. Come on people put that phone down. Parents make the kids put the phone in YOUR room at night.
  I actually over heard a teenager at my kids school tell his parents that he couldn't text them because he left his phone at home ..(snickering as he said).he didn't know how to use the public phone, let alone where it was located..REALLY? That wouldn't have passed my "MOM Radar". COMMUNICATE.
  I hear little kids wine at their parents to get them the latest and very expensive smart phone..AND the Parents DO IT...holy cow people...my parents made me earn my allowance and I had to bank it. Mom wouldn't have paid that much money for anything..
  What I'm getting at is the breakdown in family values and parenting skills that were so common 30 years ago that simply do not exist now. Why is that? and is that one of the reasons families are breaking down? Why we are loosing entire generations of kids? 
  You're damn right it is.
  What can we do about it? Well in my opinion, take away the cell phones from your kids..limit the computer time/games,  get rid of the ipads/pods. Take the doors off bedrooms, (harsh yeah, but they can't slam their doors and hide from life,  they have to talk then don't they?). Parents need to learn to say NO. Make them communicate.  

And I'm sorry but texting isn't communicating.. its a game,"everybody is doing it.. how many words and how fast can you do it"
   TALKING is communication.
  Sitting down at supper and actually talking to your kids.. or your spouse, housemate, boy/girlfriend.  
  Talking is becoming a lost art, how are we supposed to learn how to be social, or form relationships that mean something, to make lasting friendships, and families, if all we can do in type LOL and CUL8R? Put the phones in a basket at supper time, NO PHONES, just a suggestion...
 Another thing that ticks me off,  did you know they actually tossed out writing in most schools, "cursive" is simply too hard to teach, why bother when they can use a computer keyboard instead ? SERIOUSLY?
I was livid when I found out they were not teaching my kid to write his own name.. and now at 18 he prints his name like he is 5...and I mean it looks like A 5 year old scrawled it.
 REALLY good idea don't you think? Picture this.. a man in corporate America.. buying a business... signing the papers .. and his signature.. that printed 5 year old scrawl. Would YOU trust that guy?? Heck no. 
Whats worse, 10 to 1 YOUR kid can't process the "how to of cursive handwriting" either because schools didn't bother to teach him or her how. Really great self-esteem booster for our kids isn't it.
  How many other things are our kids and family loosing? Holidays, Traditions? Family Stories and Histories? 
  We do not need to make our lives miserable, but really? We can learn from our Parents and Grandparents, they sat around the supper table and talked to each other, and families were intact and more tightly knit back then, so they must have been doing something right.

  OK, enough ranting about this subject. We simply need to take this problem in hand and do something, or we are going to loose generations, of our families, of our teaching values to our kids.. If you think you can do the techno-thingys with your kids, and still instill family values..I encourage you to really take a look at what is really happening.
  I know most of you who read this will not exactly agree with the loss of the texting, phones or other techno goodies, but isn't it time to sit on our porches, with a glass of lemonade and just talk to each other again?

  P.S. and no my kids do not have or use cell phones, computers, or video games. If they want those things they have to earn the money to buy them, or save for them and even then time is very limited for their use, and that's MY choice.  My kids? They talk.

Kate

“Too many people waste their lives grieving because they do not have something other people tell them they should want. Whether you are happy or not depends to some degree upon outward circumstances, but mostly it depends how you choose to look at yourself, whether you measure what you have or what you have not.” Kate

My Best Daily Advice: ..Forget about growing old with grace and decorum... grow old with hilarity and drama. Kate

Something I've learned....

Let your love be stronger than your hate and anger.
Learn the wisdom of compromise, for it is better to bend a little than to break.
Always believe the best rather than the worst of the one you love.
People have a way of living up or down to your opinion of them.
Remember that true friendship is the basis for any lasting relationship.
The person you choose to love is deserving of the courtesies
and kindnesses you bestow on your friends.
And your friends deserving of the courtesies and kindness you bestow upon the one you love.

I am a continual work in progress. I strive for equality, balance and compatibility -- driven by my love of God and his principals and my innate sense of fairness. This provides a certain degree of predictability in my actions, and is my recipe for success. As in all things truly worthwhile in life, love is an art, sketched and painted atop a canvas of mutual respect. Such a foundation allows only for the occasional brush stroke to cover a mixed message or misunderstanding, and avoid use of the paint roller.
Take it one day at a time, valuing all things with such an openness as to provide not only the proper balance, but to allow for proper action when needed. Communication is the key. Unconditional forgiveness. Most of all laughter. "Grow old with me, for the best is yet to be.."

Kass