Property Manager calls me this morning before 8 to say; "oops, I forgot to call you yesterday,but there is a realtor who wants to show the place at 11." Are you kidding me? I'm supposed to get 24 hour notice. Well I told her the place was a "pit" and they could come if they wanted to but it wasn't going to do the place justice. I suggested she put them off until tomorrow. Then I got up and started cleaning. Forty buckets of sweat later the downstairs is clean and they decided not to come tomorrow or ever. Oh well, the place really needed a scrubbing. Tomorrow, I tackle the upstairs.

Working on the final self-edit of the book and I can't believe how many boogers still exist. Most of this isn't rewrite by typos and junk like that. It's amazing what you miss. Hopefully by Monday, I will be sending it off to the editors. Finally, today I got some positive feedback from one of the"writers sites" that I posted my first 250 words on. The first comment I got was from a woman who questioned my technical aspects of drowning. ARE YOU KIDDING ME? After that I had three additional posts that were positive offering some constructive criticism. Sheesh!

Didn't make it down to the pool until late in the day, boy,did it ever feelgood. It was a hot one.

Watched the movie "Red Riding Hood" last night. They turned it into an interesting love story. The kind I like. My question to Catherine Hardwick (the director) is; why does everything you do have to come across so dark and brooding. Sure this was another story about werewolves but can't anybody smile. I mean these two people are so incredibly in love and they could look happier, at least when they are together. OK, ok, OK it wasn't a smiley friendly movie, but come on.

That's me on me. From a place where thinking is always optional. (I love that by-line).

You know me; no TV, no newspaper, ah but I do have the Internet, purveyor of truth and news. Yeah, right. You also know I read a lot. Actually I read anything and everything. I read a lot of YA (Young Adult) primarily because that's the genre I'm currently writing. A lot of that is about Dystopian Societies (you know what the world will be like after the apocalypse), think Hunger Games.

My thought for today is: "Are we already there?" and "Would we know if we were?"

I mean checkout the news: Riots and looting in Great Britain. The worst drought and famine in East Africa where thousand of children, yes people, CHILDREN are dying daily. Another headline that says, "Taliban who shot down Helicopter carrying Navy Seals is dead. Like now we should feel OK, justice has been done. Countries going bankrupt, including the US. Politicians sexting -- Oh yeah, that's better than lying cheating and stealing. Are you kidding me? People in Haiti STILL living in tents (well not really tents, more like a drop cloth thrown over a few tree branches. Actually, I've seen a few makeshift homes like that here on St. Croix). Foreclosures, Joblessness and Wall Street Investors losing their shirts, pants and socks. Giant meteor, asteroid or some other space debris heading toward Earth (I kid you not that's on AOL, with an expected arrival date of Oct 2012)

Are you scared yet? You should be. Well maybe not. It's all a part of the plan, well not exactly the plan but at least the prophecy. I'm a firm believer that "if you are prepared, you need not fear". Just how do you prepare for some of these things. Spiritual Preparedness is the only answer, at least, in my opinion. I mean think about it, each and every one of us is living under a death sentence, it began the day we were born. Oh yeah, you think you can escape it, prolong it, make it easier, less painful or whatever, but the end result is still the same, you will be dead. Now me, personally, I believe in the Resurrection, which means that as inevitable as death is, so is Resurrection (as in the reuniting of our spirits with our bodies, as far as I know it has only happened once so far, but that was an example that it will happen for all of us). Just so we're clear on this, that Resurrection is for everyone who ever lived on the Earth, not just the "Good Guys". Hah, you were wondering who gets to decide who the "good guys" are, well that will come after the Resurrection, that's the part you want to be worried about, that's were you get your reward or lack thereof.

Me, I'm looking for my mansion,the one that has been prepared for me. I don't really care how big it is or how well appointed, I'm just hoping it's in the right neighborhood. I want to live next door to my Father. Actually, I'm building that mansion, board by board, shingle by shingle. bought a few nails today -- Visiting Teaching (also received a big bag of mangoes from my companion)--hopefully a few more boards tomorrow, not sure how, but I'm sure the way will present itself. Worry about the World, it's all we've got. Worry about your neighbors, they are your brothers and sisters. Do what you can to help the children, they are the only future we have.

High Tide Low Tide by Bob Marley, give it a listen and see what you think.

In case your wondering, edit is complete. Just killed a few more tress and printed the whole thing out one more time. Now I'll sit down and read it through, just like anybody's book. Then I'll fuss, and fret, and stress over it for a few days and send it off to my two kind hearted editors. Working on a title. Let me know if you just saw the title which one would you be more intrigued by and be likely to want to read: 1. Tidal Pool 2. Ebb Tide 3. Spring Tide 4. None of the above.

Just a few thoughts from my world, where thinking is always optional.

Wanted to post this yesterday, but it got late. spent most of yesterday thinking about some things I learned over the weekend. We all feel good when people turn to us for advice or answers. When they think that we can really affect change. But, trust me, it ain't that easy. It's nice when others have that kind of confidence in you, but do they think about what it might take out of you to even try.

I'm a sucker for those people who are so effective at getting others to fight their battles for them. After all these years, I'm finally learning to concentrate on my own battles. Actually,what I have learned is that most things are not worth battling over. It is so much better to walk away.

This brings me to the important thing that I learned over the weekend. It is: The Spirit testifies of truth. Teach truth and trust the Spirit to testify of same. Once people have a testimony of a truth, it is much harder for them to fall away from it,they are more likely to stick with it and live it. In the end isn't that what all the battles are over truth and untruth (that sounds so much nicer than lies, but alas, it's all the same).

Someone is always asking me to "stick my neck out" and promote their method of teaching, when in fact all I am going to do is to teach truth and trust the Spirit. Then, those people who do not want to learn, or who deny the Spirit, or who hear the prompting of the Spirit and turn from it... Let it be on their head. To those people who want me to "stick my neck out", teach truth yourself and you don't need me. Remember there is only one truth and if we're both teaching the same thing, we'll only reinforce each other and the testimony should be that much stronger.

I'm trying so hard to keep contention out of my life and this "truth teaching thing" looks like the way to do it. After all, it was taught to me by people who are much smarter than I am and by the way; the Spirit whispered to me that these teachings were true.

On another page...I finished the self-edit yesterday. If feels good and scary at the same time. Good because it's finally done. Scary because now it's time to turn it over to the "editors". What if they hate it? What if they think I write at a third grade level? What if I stink in general? I guess I have to find out.

Last night for FHE we went to the beach and then had dinner at "eat" (my favorite restaurant on the island. When you come to visit you'll know if I really like you, because I only take people there I really like.). Rick told me he had not had this much fun since 1978. I'm taking that as a good sign. The beach is a place where I solve a lot of my problems. Some days any water will have to do, but the beach is the best.

Ah, Sunday. Because church can be pretty stressful around here, Sunday isn't as relaxing as it should be, but it is still a day of rest. I taught Youth Sunday School today(not my regular calling, but I substitute for the Sister who normally teaches when she has drill - she's in the National Guard) and those kids always refresh my soul. I hope they are learning as much as I am.

The kids were using my scriptures and one of my "cards" from my Godson's funereal fell out. They wanted to know who that was and the whole story. I was able to tell them about Michael without breaking down. They were genuinely sympathetic,it felt good. The Sunday before the anniversary of his death is always a hard day for me. As long as I live, I will never forget that call from his mother on that Sunday morning telling me that he was killed. One of the top ten horrible days in my life.

I probably haven't told Rachel in a long time, how grateful I am to this day for her going to Chicago with me for that funereal. Especially for her financial help with that whole ordeal. I love you Boo Boo. I am grateful for you in so many ways. This is only one.

We watched"Rio" this afternoon. I bought it the other day. I love that movie. This is the second time we have seen it and now Rick is on his "let's go to Rio"kick again. I would love to. You produce the $$$ and I'm there.

In truth, I have been thinking that I need to get off this island for a few days. I love it here, but everybody needs a little get away. I would love to go to the Dominican Republic. Santo Domingo in particular, so we could go to the Temple, but I may have to settle for Tortolla in the BVI, if I want to go sometime soon. The DR is on our radar for sure, primarily for a Temple trip, but I would also love to see that country. They have 10,000ft mountains. And since they start at sea level, those are real 10,000 footers (unlike in Colorado or Idaho, where the base is 5 or 6,000ft). Anyway...I think we can get to Tortola for cheap. Good thing Rick finally got a passport.

That's it, that's what I think.

Fireside and Meetings last night, after we went out for a bite to eat, got home late, went to bed, you get the idea.

The fireside was wonderful. Sometimes,here on St.Croix, it's easy to wonder if you zigged when you should have zagged on the way to church. The members are so kind and loving. They have such a strong spirit. The leadership is so tough and judgemental that there are many days that it's really hard. Last night having a General Authority come to teach us was exactly what Rick and I needed.

Rick had the good fortune to be counseled and taught by Elder Anderson in a Branch Presidency meeting and I was able to meet with Sister Anderson and Sister Alverado to be taught, counseled and express my concerns for the youth. It felt so good. Now the question is; Can this carry us through the next six months? I hope so.

Rick finished his portion of the edit on my book this morning. I have 24 pages of corrections yet to enter in the computer and one glaring error to correct (it's more than an error. I will need to rewrite a section to add some important details) and then I can sit down and read it through like a "real book". I can hardly wait. I'm also anxious to send it off to my "editors" and see what they think. That ought to be interesting.

We're having a lazy Saturday. Rick is currently taking a nap. When I'm done here, going to wake him up and we will head out to the beach. I need some time bobbing around in salt water.

Last post said "I'm back". wow, that was short lived. What happened to this week, it's Friday already. Make that Thursday. OK, it's not as bad as I thought. I think your getting the picture of what's going on with me. I'm losing it.

Good news of today. The company Rick works for got the bid for phase two of the project they are working on at the National Guard Armory. Hopefully, this means two more years of work. Yes.....

Rick has settled into this job and likes it well enough and hey, in this economy; It's a job. Things are looking up.

Still editing the book and going just a little bit more insane with that project. On one hand, it's hard to let go and on the other I'm ready to move onto book two. The new ideas for the second book keep coming at me and it's hard to concentrate on working the kinks out of book one.

Auxiliary Presidency Meeting this morning. I don't even have the words. I know I need to be there and to keep plugging along, but it is a frustrating experience. We aren't even taking baby steps, it's more like the slime trail from a snail.

We have a special Fireside tomorrow night. The Mission President and a counsellor in the Area Presidency will be here to talk to us. I'm sure it will be wonderful. I could use some Spiritual Nourishment.

We went to see Cowboys and Aliens last night. It was interesting. In my opinion, Daniel Craig makes a better cowboy than James Bond. Harrison Ford, is well, Harrison Ford. Interesting premise and it was fun, but then I always did love a good western. I have to admit there were a few too many things jumping out at you (that really scares the snot out of me) for my taste.

The other night we rented The Adjustment Bureau. Now that was an interesting movie. It's based on a Sci-Fi Short Story. Some incredible insights about "Free Will" and knowing when it's important to follow "The Plan". It made me feel like,maybe I'm not crazy after all. I love movies that make your think. Well, most times, sometimes, I just want to be entertained, thinking being optional.

There you have it my exciting life, where thinking is always optional.

I'm back. For those of you who think I'm a major slacker (that would be anyone who knows me well), NOT this time. I have not had Internet service since early last Thursday. It seems that the condo association decided to go with another provider and they have been in the process for four days. Finally,today I called and said; "Hey, what gives." They gave me my new "user name" and "password" and I am up and running. The best part is, now it's true High Speed Internet. I can get video streaming and music without going through the whole download first business. It is amazing.

The next crisis is that my cell phone no longer works at the condo, "at all". Not even down by the pool. Oh, I get maybe five minutes before the battery runs out. I took the phone in to Sprint, to see if I needed a new battery and they said no. Apparently, the site closest to my condo has been vandalized (people have been stealing the copper wire and selling is at recycling places), so my phone has to work so hard looking for a site, it runs the battery down. Lovely. It still works on call forward if I keep it plugged it, but that means YOU HAVE TO CALL ME.

You may or may not have heard, but Tropical Storm Emily is bearing down on us. The Weather Channel is all excited and keeps predicting that it will reach Hurricane Status. Of course, we are hoping NOT. Decided that we needed to go to the store (you know how I love grocery shopping) tonight and stock up. That was a sobering experience. The place was packed. The shelves were empty. Every check-out was open, and we still waited almost an hour to get through the line. I spent way too much, but we are prepared. I'm going to have to find a way to get some of this money back out of the next four paychecks, but I think we'll be OK. Better safe than sorry.

People in the islands don't take the Hurricane Warnings lightly. I get really aggravated with the media. Particularly, The Weather Channel. They are so excited at he possibility of another disaster. Of course, all of their emphasis is on the potential impact on the States, we really don't matter.

Also,had to buy another tire today. The roads on St.Croix literally eat your tires.

Well that's all folks. Hopefully, I can keep you posted. If we're down for a few days, that could be the storm or it could be the friendly folks at Broadband VI fiddling with the new service. I'll let you know.