The Secret Resolution/The Secret Revolution

Sunday is here and only three more days of vacation, short as it is. I have relished every moment. I am refreshed and ready to face the new year with The Secret. Hoping I can put all of this knowledge into action, I keep trying to picture a working knee and a knee that functions without pain. Am going to have to start cutting pictures out of magazines. Everyone is going to wonder why I have pictures of parts of the anatomy and pictures of piles of money all over the house. That's the basic premise of The Secret; to picture yourself as it, in it, with it, without it, etc, so you can be in total control of your world. OK, here are some my "it's".

The bicycle picture is a little unfair. It is not only me picturing me with a healthy knee but also losing massive amounts of poundage, PLUS having a new bike. AND YOUTH...don't forget I'm 53 as opposed to the girl in the picture who appears to be in her 20s. I'm wondering if I'm cheating by picturing myself with the extra accoutrement. Well, we'll leave it in, kind of like a four for one, just in case God wants to throw in additional rewards. Oh, and the girl is not working which must mean she's on vacation. Could I possibly dare wishing for more vacation before next Christmas? Maybe I'm losing sight of the purpose of The Secret...

Let's see, here is another one of my "it's":

And how about this "it": No, I don't want to be him...

Speaking of husbands, Jim and Clif have gone to the Independence Bowl this evening to see Colorado crushhhh Alabama, I hope. I told them to throw a beer at Saban for me. No, not really, beer is too expensive at stadiums these days. I'll keep my eye on the game but I actually have the house to myself for three whole hours, and I have so many things lined up to do that we'll be way into next week before I finish. Actually, I do have a fire going. Clif has been so hot lately, I dare not put one log in the fireplace while he is in the house. He's even taken to wearing shorts on the cold days up here. Brrrr!

Thought I'd leave this evening with my new years resolutions in the twenty-first century. Impressive stuff, eh?

Past New Year's Resolutions
2001: I will lose 40 pounds.
2002: I will lose 20 pounds.
2003: I will weigh what I did in 2001.
2004: I will try to develop a realistic attitude about my weight.
2005: I will walk a mile every day.
2006: I will walk a mile at least 4 days a week.
2007: I will try to drive past the gym at least once a week.
2008: I will picture a gym (part of my The Secret plan)

Must leave with a good Ruffinism for the day: Now is the accepted time to make your regular annual good resolutions. Next week you can begin paving hell with them as usual. -Mark Twain

And Then There is a Hero

Joye called me this afternoon. I was feeling so grateful for finally getting a couple of vacation days...actually Joye gave me The Secret for Chirstmas...just began reading it...and then she told me about Eric and what to Google.

Coalition forces save 11-day-old baby By Bagram Media Center Dec 25, 2007 - 12:59:16 PM
Coalition forces medical personnel work to save an 11-day-old baby boy suffering from severe blood loss. Family members brought the newborn to an Afghan National Security Forces (ANSF) and Coalition forces outpost in Shahidi Hasas District, Oruzgan Province, Afghanistan. Coalition medics provided a blood transfusion and report the baby is improving and should return home with his father in the next day or two. (Photo by Combined Joint Special Operations Task Force - Afghanistan)BAGRAM AIRFIELD, Afghanistan - Coalition forces gave an 11-day-old baby boy a blood transfusion at a military treatment facility in Tarin Kowt district, Oruzgan Province yesterday saving his life. Family members initially brought the newborn, suffering from severe blood loss, to an Afghan National Security Forces and Coalition forces outpost in Shahidi Hasas district. Coalition medical personnel say the baby's umbilical cord was cut too short following his birth. "The baby was bleeding from the belly button. By the time he came to our clinic, the bleeding had stopped, but he had a low body temperature of only 94 degrees," a Coalition forces soldier explained. "We provided a transfusion, and now the child is doing very well.""I'm just glad we were nearby and the family could bring the baby to us," a Coalition forces soldier said.This is the second time in less than a month that Coalition medical personnel have saved the life of an Afghan child in Oruzgan.On Nov. 30, an unresponsive 18-month-old child was brought to a combat outpost near Cahar Cineh by an Afghan doctor and family members. According to the child's father the baby would not sleep, so its mother gave the child a hashish pill to help it sleep, an accepted custom in Afghanistan. Coalition medics worked throughout the night with the Afghan doctor to treat the child. The family was able to take the child home two days later. The baby who nearly bled to death, and his father, is expected to return home in the next day or two.

That's Eric Hall in the blue shirt, Joye's son-in-law, Haley's husband, Wesley's and Landon's dad, Brenda's and Butch's son - saving a life. A true hero. Someone making a difference in the world. He's been in Afghanistan for quite sometime now. He only shaved his beard to come home for a cousin's funeral recently. He goes out on dangerous missions - I pray for him and his fellow soldiers that take care of us. He is a hero, and I'll never forget that. We owe them a debt of gratitude. Be well, stay safe.

Ruffinism for the day: The object of war is not to die for your country, but to make the other bastard die for his. - George Patton

Day After Christmas

Did not get a chance to wish everyone a Merry Christmas but hope you all got what you wanted. Ours was very nice and quiet. This was the first year that all three of us went Christmas shopping together and therefore, we knew what everyone was getting for Christmas. We even let Clif pick out his own stocking stuffers this year. So, needless to say, there was no rush to open presents Christmas morning. As a matter of fact, Clif did not roll out of bed until 2:00 Christmas afternoon. And we actually still have not taken the presents out of the Christmas bags as I guess no one actually needs to get at a present yet. We just had the "unusual" Christmas this year.


Clif got a computer for Christmas 3 days before Chirstmas so he actually had time to have problems with it before Christmas. Today, the day after Chirstmas that I had to work, Clif and I exchanged the computer for a new one after I got off work at 10:30 that was totally ridiculous. Why I was needed at work for 2 and 1/2 hours, especially when Mr. G did not show up until 9:30 for work today is still a mystery. Especially since I have only had 4 vacation days this year.

I do work for E-B-E-N-E-Z-E-R.

Bill, Walter, Karen, Steve, Sonny, Ginger, Calli and Blake came over for Chirstmas Eve. We did fireworks, which Blake and Clif took care of in expert firework fashion. We missed Jean and her crew much, although we know they were having a blast down south. We had some wonderful food and it was sooooooooooo cold. There was no longevity outside. We basically went out for the roman candles, the $15 shooter, the $50 shooter and the fountains. Then, the weak ones among us (count me in) scuttled back inside.

The camera was on the bannister the whole time waiting for me to access it. I totally forgot. Blame me. I saw it in person so I can report it was a great evening. Everyone looked great. Food superb. Picture frivolity and color. You're there.

Ruffinism for the day: The biggest difference between genius and stupidity is that genius has its limits. - Albert Einstein

Weary Sunday

I'm knackered, exhausted, drained, bushed, worn-out, fatigued. Saturday was a whirlwind. Jim, Clif and I raced to Shreveport to catch the Christmas spirit and finish our shopping. We took turns driving, took turns admonishing the driver for cussing other drivers out, took turns snapping at each other for poor driving skills, bad Christmas attitudes and so forth...typical Ruffin outing.

Clif treated us to Jason's Deli in Uptown Shopping Center for lunch. They have one in Baton Rouge and Clif frequents it since the frat house mother has taken to serving bizarre meals (cheese grits for lunch...that's it, just cheese grits; ramen noodles with tomato sauce for dinner.) Jason's has a huge menu with great sanwiches and soups and salad bar, and I can see Clif's desire for variety.

Then off to Reeve's Marine in Bossier City. Folks, they have the biggest and best LSU store inside the boat store. It is awsome!! Better than most of the stores in Baton Rouge. Jim wanted a new LSU flag for the front of the house because the old one is wind whipped. And he does not like the tiger on it, so we found a silk screen flag that looks really nice. And they have everything you could ever think of in LSU memorabilia.

Clif told us there was a Home Depot on Pines Road that almost no one goes to and we might be able to find my fireplace screen and new tools. However, they did not have the black screen that I wanted...Then we hit Wal-Mart, Pines Road and that was a HUGE mistake. We might as well have been in Bombay, India or Tokyo, Japan. The massive amount of people was just too much. Retreat and escape were the only sane options.

Then we dove into the DREADED Youree Drive shops. It was CRAZY! Cars and people everywhere. Best Buy was wall to wall people, Bed, Bath and Beyond had a traffic cop inside the store directing traffic, we hit Circuit City and Lowe's again.

Then back to Uptown Shopping Center and Maxwell's for Prime Rib for Christmas Dinner and Brookshires for shopping for Christmas Eve and Christmas Day. Those of us left in town will be shooting off fireworks for Christmas Eve. And eating shrimp, ham, turkey and hors d'oevres. What a whirlwind. I got tired just reliving yesterday.

We all run around crazy and forget the reason for the season. It's Jesus, it's family, it's giving. It's love, it's hope, it's peace. It's thankfulness. And I am thankful for my many blessings. There are so many that have so much less and I forget that sometimes. I pray for their happiness, and warmth, and health...

....AND SANTA CLAUS IS STILL COMING IN TWO DAYS!!!!!

Ruffinism for the day: Anyone who believes that men are the equal of women has never seen a man trying to wrap a Christmas present. -Anonymous

Santa is Going Shopping

I can't believe it is already December 22....we have so little shopping done. Clif and I went out yesterday and did get a bit accomplished. We bought him a new computer. A desktop for school.

He has a laptop but I guess the latest thing at the frat house is downloading mp3's and hd movies and you need lots of processor space and memory. Good thing he'll have plenty of entertainment next semester because his classes are sure not entertaining him much. We have squeaked by our 5th semester with a 2.145 cumulative average. Last semester it was 2.345 so you can see which way we are going. Anyway, the computer is great and that's one thing off the list. We also bought a good grill from Lowe's for Jim and me.
I cannot find Jim his LSU flag (the last one is wind damaged) No one carries the flags with just the letters on them. And Jim cannot stand the picture of the tiger on the flag. We are all going out today to shop together, somehow I don't think we'll have to wake up and open presents Christmas morning. We will all know what we got each other.

The Ruffin family went last Wednesday (my only vacation day this Christmas) and bought socks and underwear for everyone. We are one exciting family. But it really is the only time we are all together at Wal-Mart. I feel so "middle-class." Will report back later if possible.

Ruffinism for the day: "That's the true spirit of Christmas; people being helped by people other than me." - Jerry Seinfeld

I Am Legend

HO! HO! HO! - or is that an obscene statement these days? MERRY CHRISTMAS! It was a very nice Wednesday that I had off. Jim, Clif and I went to Shreveport and appreciated the sensational day. We ate lunch at Olive Garden which we have not done in ages. It was soo good! We shopped for presents, little people presents as Mr. G says. It was a delight. However, my wish for Chirstmas is a new fireplace screen like Jean Calvert has, along with new MANLY tools (NOT the ones that the top screws off.) I want tools that were forged by fire or at least welded that will not fall apart when you try to move heavy duty logs with them. And evidently every other fireplace owner has decided that is this year's present. I will not be deterred though.


And we went to see I AM LEGEND with Will Smith. It was a super movie!

It was imaginative, it was suspenseful, he was great, he ought to earn a Golden Globe but he won't. Even Jim, Mr. Policitcal angle liked it.

Still looking for a good fireplace screen like I want for Chirstmas. Got Jim a Dustbuster and a new LSU flag for the front of the house. Clif is virtually no where near easily pleased. I am doing the best that I can.

Thankful Sunday

Must catch you up on the last few days...Friday and Saturday have been a whirlwind. Talking back and forth with Clif about his last two finals (Friday morning and Saturday morning-what dopey professor schedules a final on a Saturday?). He did well on them but he's been up straight for two weeks pulling all night studying sessions (I'm sure there were a few X-Box games peppered in there somewhere.)

But the horrifying part was the two graduate students that were murdered on campus last week. It is no where near where the sorority and fraternity houses are but it's still on campus and I was personally frightened for Clif. He told me that he and his frat brothers were studying (probably X-Box) in the wee hours of the morning when the campus wide alert and email system went off. They say it was a home invasion. It was in the married couples housing over near the band practice field and kind of near Alex Box stadium. However, Clif said it was more like an execution as both victims (males from India - they were doctorate students) were bound and shot in the head. How horrifying for their families. They say the killers were three young black males and kind of described the vehicle they were in but with so little information, I doubt they will ever find them.

So I was not very thrilled at Clif crossing campus on foot early Friday morning for his final (his walk from the frat house to the quad is quite long - over a mile.) I made him call me and talk to me the whole way to the quad. And ditto with Saturday morning.

When he finished his final, he hit the road for Mansfield. Jim and I have not seen him in a few weeks and we were anxious for him to get here. One of his fraternity brothers had an eight hour drive to St. Louis, MO, yesterday, and I know that young man was in for some heavy rain and heavy snow driving. But it turns out Clif had the tough drive. He hit rain but worse, he had a blowout in St. Landry parish. And his jack was rusty so he had me get in touch with the state troopers (Troop I) to see if one of them could swing by and help him. Turns out some guy stopped and helped Clif out but Clif was soaking wet and muddy when he got home.


But he's HOME!!!!! Yea! We were supposed to go to Mr. G's and Joye's Christmas party last night but Clif was just sapped. And we wanted to spend time with him so we kicked back here, cooked steaks, and Clif showed me all of the songs and movies he downloaded to his external drive hooked up to his X-Box - it plays HD movies. Pretty impressive stuff. He has over 10,000 songs on his external hard drive.

As you can see I finally finished the tree and the house was really nice for Clif when he got in. I'm so glad to have him home for six weeks! Thank you God.

Lost

I so wish, like Neila Calvert and Julie Vacius, that I could say that I've been working hard at my job and traveling, and that's why I have not blogged in OVER A WEEK. Well, I have been working hard at my job and traveling back and forth (3 miles) between the office and my house but I've been absent from blogging because of arthritis. Ouch! It hurts now, I give, God.

The last time I blogged, I had the Christmas tree...the "as is" that I chose by myself from Home Depot stashed in the garage. I had every intention of decorating it last weekend, but I felt like Walter Brennan (he's dead)...and I might be too. I had lofty goals of decorating the house and raking the yard before Clif gets home this weekend.

This is how my tree has looked from last Friday until today.

That was yesterday, today is today (will supply finished product when possible, may be Christmas morning.)

I'm feeling better and have almost finished decorating in time for Clif. It's been a rough semester for him....he's changing majors this spring and this is the last semester (I hope) for b-o-r-i-n-g for him. He wants construction management and we're behind him all the way. Jim and I are both feeling our age and he's been trying to rake the yard. We've been walking the golf course. Trying to keep the stress to a minimum (you'd think we were 90.) I hope this is just a blip in our health and happiness and also hope that spring will bring camping/boating anticipations.

Mr. G gave a good bonus this year but only because of Mrs. G. She IS one of the little people after all. And I am so thankful she has a good batting average. Can we have a hallelujah for Mrs. G! HALLELUJAH! Now about a cost of living raise...perhaps some benefits...

Blessings...I'm thankful this Chirstmas season for my two guys Jim and Clif, for good friends, and for my home. That's all one needs. Except perhaps for new fireplace tools or a pot rack or new kitchen. Stop!

Ruffinism for the day: Always carry a flagon of whiskey in case of snakebite and furthermore always carry a small snake. - W.C. Fields

Christmas Decorations Awaiting

I'm harking back to my Grandmother's (Mamaw's) Christmas Trees of the past. She had a picture window and a round clawfoot table that she put her 4 foot Christmas tree on every year. She had those colored lights that bubbled when they got hot enough. Evidently they had wax in them. There's no telling how many houses those bubbling lights burned down over the years, but Mamaw's was not one of them. They always were busy bubbling away on Christmas Eve. And we always went over to her and Papaw's house on Christmas Eve. Pigs in blankets were her specialty. Their house could not have been over 1,000 square feet but we could always find the best hide and seek spots in that house, and the trees out front were the VERY BEST climbing trees I ever encountered. It was in the Bellaire section of Houston when we were growing up. Nancy used to say they (Mamaw & Papaw) were as poor as church mice...but it ended up that when they both died, their lot was worth over 500k because it was in the center of Houston. So Mamaw and Papaw were not quite as poor as church mice. She gave us pajamas, or knitted/crocheted scarves or hats for Christmas. When we were smaller we were thrilled to open a present on Christmas Eve. When we were a littler older (Becke, my older sister, and I), would go smoke a joint in the backyard among Mamaw's pansies while everyone else opened pajamas and scarves.


Mamaw and Papaw had a small kitchenette which had a radio on the kitchen table. Papaw used to listen to baseball games on it and they both used to listen to Paul Harvey at noon. I can't believe I still hear Paul Harvey on the occasional Saturday. Gooood day!


Mamaw used to make the best spaghetti in the world and the best fried chicken. Can we have a hallelujah for Mamaw's fried chicken?

Enough of the stroll down memory lane, my Christmas ornaments are waiting on me along with the "as is" Christmas tree. Now all I have to do is rearrange the furniture for the tree, have the carpet cleaned, get the DARC to rake the yard, have the kitchen floor re-tiled, wash all the windows, blow off the garage and patio, mow the yard, re-do that wonderful mustard formica in the kitchen that all of you are envious of, and decorate the tree. Oh, and why not put the lights on the outside of the house?

Ruffinism for the day: Never miss an opportunity to make others happy, even if you have to leave them alone in order to do it. ~Author Unknown

O Christmas Tree!

I talked to Clif today...he's on a mega studying marathon for finals next week and will not be able to attend the annual Ruffin Chirstmas Tree Acquisition. As a matter of fact, Jim is so busy putting up lights for the City of Mansfield that he could not attend the annual Ruffin Chirstmas Tree Acquisition. So Susan was the solo attendee of the annual Ruffin Chirstmas Tree Acquisition. Home Depot, don't even unrope it...pick it "as is" in total wrap state...pay for it, throw it in the back of the truck, get it home, put it in the garage in a water filled bucket...Jim has promised to get the decorations out of the attic tomorrow night...otherwise we will have Christmas in the garage this year...as is.

And then Mr. Home Depot was kind enough to give me extra Chirstmas tree boughs to decorate my house so naturally they're resting on my elyptical after the hard day that we've all had.

And as I was building myself a fire tonight, I poked my head out on the patio only to be reminded of what awaits me this weekend...47 pine trees...a son deep in LSU finals and a husband who works until 7 or 8 every night...and wants to leave Mansfield every weekend, only problem is we don't have the money to leave Mansfield every weekend.

Norman is making a brief visit this evening. He has taken to living with his significant other, the bulldog/pit bull around the corner. Last week he had a love affair with a dead deer, we think, and we were forced to leave his comforter outside - he could not enter my house. But since his bath and his mega brush, he is once again prince of the house, welcome and loved. But his true love as the tire chaser of the neighborhood, has yet to be rivaled.

Ruffinism for the day: "Say something idiotic and nobody but a dog politely wags his tail." - Virginia Graham (b. 1912) U.S. author, commentator.

Playing for Keeps

So we're going to play for the National Championship. Bonsai Ben and JJ think it should be Oklahoma and Ohio State. Why not Oklahoma and LSU? Oh, I could give a Jim Ruffin/Bill Calvert analysis ad nauseum but the one thing is THEY PICKED US!!!! And Jim and Clif will go if our TAF points hold out. Jim and I were talking about the years that Gerry Dinardo and Curly Hallman coached and the student body must have been devastated by the horrible records they garnered. Clif is actually attending LSU at a time when everyone is high on the football team, and getting that way for the baseball and basketball teams. Geaux Tigers!

And as late as tonight I have heard rumors that Miles has bought a $2M house in Michigan...and Nick Saban has bought a house in Baton Rouge, and Steve Sperrier has been shopping for real estate in Baton Rouge. What is it with all of these homeless coaches? And why hasn't Michigan picked a new coach? Bo Pellini coaching the defense in the BCS championship even though he's going to be head coach of Nebraska? Get him the hell out of Louisiana so he doesn't steal any players is what I say!!!

I lit the fireplace for real tonight. Actual blazing fire that reached a total burn of everything above the fireplace that could have possibly been there. I'm ready for wintery, cold, Wuthering Heights nights, however, I don't think any of us are in danger of losing touch with our shorts and our short sleeved shirts. But fires are so comforting to me.

Ruffinism for today: “Scientists tell us that the fastest animal on earth, with a top speed of 120 feet per second, is a cow that has been dropped out of a helicopter." - Dave Barry

Panic Saturday, Anticipatory Sunday

This is what Jim and I were doing yesterday morning at the beginning of ESPN's Game Day when Kirk Herbstreit said Les Miles would be announced as Michigan's Head Coach next week. We cussed Miles up one side and down the other. The venom pouring from our veins was visceral. Oh, we knew it all along, we knew he would desert us, we found out Bo Pellini deserted us six weeks ago (made his decision to be head coach at Nebraska), coincidentally about the same time that LSU's defense tanked. We channel surfed to get more opinions, ESPN, ESPN2, ESPN Headlines, CBS, CSTV...life stopped at 750 North Princeton for a few hours, Jim had me caught up in it all.

The Bat Phone was open for calls from Bill Calvert, Jim's fellow college football analyst. Vern Lundquist, Tim Brando, Lee Corso, Spencer Tillman, Lou Holtz, Chris Fowler all weighed in and speculated on Miles leaving. Then Breaking News reported that Miles was having a news conference when he got off the bus. Well we waited around pacing, biting our fingernails, (WHY DO I CARE!?), scratching our heads...Breaking News - Les Miles to hold short press conference when players get off the bus at the stadium.

Jim and Bill huddled on the Bat Phone some more....Jim has a vivid imagination and often describes how to torture people. It usually involves scenarios from old Tarzan movies (swinging trees, traps, sharp bamboo) and Three Stooges (hammers or lead pipes to the head) - he lead a violent childhood...He wanted to do all that and more to Les Miles and Bo Pellini.

Breaking News - Les Miles to hold press conference in 15 minutes when team disembarks from bus. Gnashing of teeth...change a light bulb...walk by the TV...start a load of clothes...walk by the TV.

Breaking News - short and sweet, Les Miles comes out and says, "There was misinformation on ESPN and I think it is imperative that I straighten it out. I'm the head coach at LSU. I will be the head coach at LSU. I have no interest in talking to anybody else. I have a championship game to play and I'm excited about the opportunity of my damn strong football team to play in. And it's really all I'd really like to say. It was unfortunate that I had to address my team with this information this morning, with that being done, I think we'll be ready to play. There will be no questions for me. I represent me in this issue. Please ask me after. I'm busy. Thank you very much. Have a great day."

Oh, darn, now he's not leaving!!! Super Miles. But he didn't say he'd be the head coach next week. Maybe he already talked to Michigan and he has no interest in talking to anyone else. And he didn't say he WASN'T going to Michigan next week. Now we're back where we started and the game is in less than 2 hours.

Game Time and no new news. And of course LSU could not simply roll over Tennessee. We had to sweat the whole game, screaming, hollering, exasperated like all of the fans.

They won but it wasn't pretty and just about everyone on the team is hurt, we won with our 2nd string quarterback (who really should be the starter), our star defensive lineman hurt, Keeland Williams was hurt badly, Favorite, Tremain Johnson were hurt. Oh and when Jonathan Zenon intercepted that pass, my god the roof almost came off of our house. And they won. And we couldn't believe it. And we loved Miles then. So proud, so proud of our team and our coach!

And so then it was steak night, yum, marinated mushrooms, tortellini alfredo, bib salad, Hawaiin rolls. We couldn't believe Pittsburgh was beating West Virginia. What an aberration! A million to one shot, a possible miracle in the making? And could it be possible? Could LSU have that much luck? If only Oklahoma could beat Missouri...the sad thing is there was no way earlier in the day that this day could turn out so wonderful for LSU. Losing a coach, losing the head coach possibly...to winning the SEC Championship and having a shot at the National Championship? Life does not go this way. But lo and behold, we sit here waiting for the BCS show and announcement on Sunday and everyone says LSU will be No. 2. And that we will play Ohio State for the Championship. Can the players get well? Could we really end up showering Les Miles with adoration after we cut him to the quick? The sad thing is that Clif and all his frat brothers as well as the student body, have always adored Les...they never doubted him, were always in his corner. It just goes to show you that parents can really teach their children a lot about life, about winning and losing, about loyalty, about character....

Ruffinism for the day: "Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I assure you, it's much more serious than that." Bill Shankly