~ And Other Things ~

Hey folks, hope this finds you all doing well. Between work and getting ready for the wedding next Saturday I've been busy. Real busy. It's a good busy but maaaaaaaaaaaan! I thought I'd add some more pictures from the day at the park. With Dad unable to walk like he use to, hiking was not part of the day. We walked but we did not climb up or down so some of these shots are on the ledge looking down. I did think about taking the trek by myself to get better angles, but I didn't want to make everyone else wait on me.

The old railroad bridge goes over the gorge and is actually to the right of the falls. I suppose combining the two shots would give you some of the full effect. It's a beautiful area :)

Oh, how 'bout having dinner here? Isn't the view fabulous? I'm always amazed at how the trees grow out of the slate on the side. Makes a bit of a dramatic effect when you see it live.

I love this shot! My only wish was that the road wasn't so clean. I think a few leaves covering the blacktop would have added a wonderful touch!

I spent endless hours today in between running and chores trying to migrate my journal. This is almost becoming an obsession, LOL. Actually today I did a lot of thinking. I posted a comment in Magic Smoke the other night. Ok, I've posted several there as well as on the blogger help site. To say I'm disappointed is an understatement. I'm downright pissed off. Not so much because I can't get my journal to migrate over here, but the way both services have treated the situation. Not just with me but with others as well. The condescending responses about how 'easy' it is. How only a handful can't get their journal over to blogger. I could go on, but you all know already. I've asked point blank questions regarding the size of journals, and if mine was just to large. There was mention of embed images and image tags. What does that mean? I know 95% of us used the same methods to put pictures, graphics, and video's in our journals. So what does that mean? Tell me, maybe I can delete something to make it go. But no. I don't get answers I get the typical canned response if I get anything at all, 'we are working on it.' Why can the questions not be answered? Why are they being ignored as though it has not even been asked. Just tell us. If we can't get our journals over fine. I won't waste anymore time trying. If I need to remove something tell me, I'll do it. I grew up with the motto, 'honesty is the best policy.' The treatment I've received (along with others) is horrible. I am not an internet idiot, talk to me, tell me the truth. Don't treat me like I am some lazy jerk who wants to sit on my ass and have someone else do it. Like I haven't tried every possible thing. In the beginning I was told blogger couldn't get it either, so they know it's not me. WTF!?!? Needless to say I feel like a lemming. I followed here to blogger because of the promise to have my journal moved. To be helped with the situation when it didn't work. Now I get treated like some spaz, if I'm treated at all. I've read comments and concerns that have gone unanswered completely. Is that how you help folks???? I'm not real happy with it and I am seriously contemplating going to another blog site. I can start fresh there as I have here and not be treated with such little respect. Being talked to like a child. They are a dime a dozen and it is painfully obvious neither service cares where we end up.

I know it probably sounds like I'm whining, and maybe I am. I'm tired, frustrated, and angry. The loyalty we gave AOL during all the bullshit they put us through, all their issues, and now they treat folks like we are incompetent boobs. I'm hanging out for a bit they still have a few days in my eyes, but not many. It's been over 2 weeks and still no answers and no honesty. I've been patient and did my part. When will these services to their part and be upfront and honest about what is going on? I'll keep you posted.....

hugs

~d

~ The Day or Days ~

   

 My day at the park with my parents and younger sister was fabulous. The weather wasn't perfect, but time spent with each other was! My Dad has some issues with his health. Getting in and out of the car is not the easiest for him, but he wanted to go. I of course drove. Their car :) So I leave work early and get there about 12:15. He was on his way to the computer to make sure he had room on his camera. Mom wasn't thrilled that he waited until the last minute, but what difference does it make really? We have nothing but time. We get Dad situated in the front seat. He has a plastic bag on the seat so he can slide in easier. He is fairly tall, and the bad hip, bad knees, and his unsteadiness from Parkinson's makes it a bit difficult. Ahhhh so we are on way. Dad talks a bit lower these days and his hearing was shot until his recent purchase of hearing aides. What a difference they make!!! We need to get on the highway and it's pretty much on the way back to my house. I pull out of the drive and he tells me to make a right at the corner (as though I didn't know) Within seconds Mom repeats the direction from the back seat. I know no harm was meant and that she did not hear Dad. I pull out making the right and Dad tells me, 'left at the light.' Yeap, you guessed it, Mom followed with the same direction. I make the left and head down the street. It's broken off about half way with a stop sign. A sign I regularly see and stop at as that is how I get to their house each and every time. Dad... 'now there is a stop sign up here that is partially hidden by the leaves.' Uh huhhh.. mom repeats it. Ok, I throw my hands up and say, 'we are in stereo here.' No way I can drive over an hour with constant directions from both of them. Dad goes on to say, 'it's bad enough to have a back seat driver, but you got one up front too.' He's smiling. So I give it back, 'well if N (my younger sister) starts you're all getting out and walking.' He grins and reminds me it's his car. I grin right back, 'but I'm driving.' We all laugh and I explain to my mother that I know she can't hear Dad. But all was good, they stopped. LOL Well, with the exception of Dad letting me know each time the speed limit changed.

The ride was fabulous and view better. The trees on the hills were so vibrant. I wish the sun was out more, so the colors would glow, but it was good anyway. When we got to the park we drove around. Pulling over here and there to look out over the ledge. They call Letchworth the Grand Canyon of the East. Ok, so I don't know who gave it that name, but ..............

There is camping at the park so at one point we drove through the campground section. We found an empty spot, yes there were lots of folks camping! We set up a little bit of a picnic of snacks. Cheese, crackers, grapes, apples. We sat and chatted and took shots of the colors around us. We found some pinecones and Mom wanted a collection for her centerpiece at Thanksgiving. We walked around and collected tons. Then Dad got ansty and wanted to move on so we went.

I ended up with over 100 pictures. I won't bore you with them all, but rest assured you will still see more. I think a few in an entry is more then enough.

I am emotionally drained today. I was exhausted last evening and fell fast asleep the minute my head hit the pillow. Today I put in a full day at work and it was off to the hospital. When I arrived in the department waiting room it was full. Not all surprised, as my sister had a ton of friends, and I mean a ton!! After a few minutes of chit chat the lights flickered and they were about to start. The speech was magnificent and brought tears to my eyes. My sister worked at the hospital for over 20 years. In that time she was a supervisor and students passing through on their rotations were taught by her. She loved that part, and they loved her. Never a doubt. Looking around the room I saw tears, smiles, and at times laughter. It was such a wonderful tribute. They then brought out the plaque. My sister didn't design the waiting room, she didn't pay for it, but she was there always and still is. The plaque was beautiful and graced with a picture of her with one of the biggest smiles I've ever seen. As they walked by me with the plaque to hang it on the wall I got a good look at the picture. I chuckled right out loud between the tears. My brother in law picked the picture and let me tell you he picked a great one. I knew exactly where and when it was taken. Several years ago the girls (her girls) had a Halloween party at the house they rented while in college. My sister and brother in law showed up pretty much unannounced. Surely invited, but I will bet my pay check the girls never thought they'd show. Anyway the costumes were hysterical. My sister dressed like an electrical socket my brother in law, the plug. The picture was taken at the party as they posed. No of course you can't see the costume, or my brother in law, it's a head shot only, but the smile on her face and in her eyes was so her. It was perfect! And in some way it made the plaque even more special. Happy times... and for those of us that know the 'secret' of the picture ...... aaahhh we will always smile if not laugh when we see it.

The night ended great. My boys played tonight. They took on the NY Rangers who have started the season in great fashion winning all five of their games so far. We had won both ours. By the time I got home we were losing 1-0. OUCH! But our defense stood up and for over 20 minutes after the goal the Rangers didn't even have a shot on net. My boys.. well they kept on coming. Fighting for the loose pucks and taking advantage of the Rangers mistakes. We scored on the power play, we scored shorthanded. We scored 3 unanswered goals and went on to win 3-1. Whuuuuuuuu huuuuuuuuu yes there was pleasure there!!

I've continued to try and migrate my journal over here. No luck yet. I've seen were some had theirs go all of a sudden today which is a good thing!! I hope it won't be much longer for my luck to change. Vish did answer my comment on Magic Smoke telling me it takes time and that I am one of only a handful of folks this is happening to. I know she is wrong there. I've been to bloggers help site, and I see the same thing over and over from folks I've heard of, and some I've never heard of. I've seen entries in both journals and blogs saying the same thing. So please if you are having an issue and haven't already let them know, go to Magic Smoke and tell them. Make them aware of the issues so they realize it is effecting more folks then they think. You can find a link to Magic Smoke on the top of every AOL journal. Currently I am watching entries pass by in the background as I try again. Just pass 50% on the download bar and hoping.............. hoping............... ok.. it bombed out again. File transfer failed. That makes 3 times tonight :(

I'm off to bed.. hope everyone is doing good.

Hugs

~d

~ Exhausted ~

 

 

My day was fabulous.  Full of laughs, good chat, and wonderful views.  I'm absolutely exhausted but thought I post a few pictures.  More later.............

Hope everyone is good

hugs

~d