My *Fantastic* Night

I had a great night last night! (Yes. I am using a sarcastic tone there.) Why, you ask? Some idiot broke into my car yesterday and stole my stereo out of my dashboard. I saw the glass on the ground and thought it kind of odd. Opened the door, put my purse on the passenger seat, and looked to my right to put my key in the car and saw that my car was ripped apart. I wasn't even all the way in the car. I still had my foot touching the ground. I turned around and sat there. One minutes later I called my dad. He didn't answer. I left a message. Four minutes later I called my mom. She was already on her way because she and Dad were going to a dinner downtown. I got out of the car and closed the door and leaned against the front light to wait for Mom. She called the police. An officer came twenty minutes or so later. (Traffic was at rush hour.) Meanwhile I looked, didn't touch, to see what other damage they did. They broke the little window on the driver's side to get in. Nothing else was stolen or broken. I took photos with my camera. When the officer came she took pictures, looked around, put gloves on and looked in the car. She had me open the trunk to see if anything was stolen from in there. I laughed. I don't keep anything in the trunk except of the ice scraper (during the summer). I opened so she could see. She smiled. Ice scraper still there. Carpet spotless from the other day when i vacuumed the car. "That's a really clean trunk," she said. She had to call her Sargent to come and bring the finger print kit. He took another twenty minutes. Finally, he got there and they lifted prints from the inside door handle. There is a little black box that fills the extra space where the stereo is and they got some good prints off that. But that could have been from the installers. The police took that for evidence. Oh, and the police also took the cigarette butt that the guy left in my cup holder. (It's not mine. I don't smoke.) Today I plan on calling Techna Glass to get an estimate on the window. And I woke up in a bad mood still so I'm wearing my red dress and heels. It makes me happy.

And here are some pictures ...

Book Quote

I was reading Emma this morning and I found a funny quote. Mr. Knightley was talking to Mrs. Weston about Emma's reading habits, or lack thereof. He stated:

"She will never submit to any thing requiring industry and patience, and a subjection of the fancy to the understanding."

(Page 32; line nine)

It's so true!! Reading does require work and patience. lol. And as for "a subjection of the fancy to the understanding" I find that rather easy. To let my mind wander in another time, another place, other people's lives. It's fantastic! Reading is so relaxing to me. Even while reading Jane Austen, whom I find somewhat difficult to read and actually grasp picture and interest until well into the story. Austen's books are very well written and they challenge my vocabulary and mind. I love it! I haven't been this stimulated from a book since I read Les Misérables last year. It's nice to be challenged and relaxed at the same time. lol.

Red High Heels

See my pretty red shoes! I bought them from Kohl's last night. I am wearing them right now and they make me smile. They are the first pair of colored shoes I own. They are apt. 9 Kendal Dress Heels in red, obviously. They also come in black. I love them!

Our American Flag

Flag Folding Procedures and Symbols

Although there are no Flag Code provisions requiring any particular method, the traditional method of folding the flag is outlined here.

Tradition also sets the meaning of the flag folds along with actual program for folding the flag.


Straighten out the flag to full length and fold lengthwise once.


Fold it lengthwise a second time to meet the open edge, making sure that the union of stars on the blue field remains outward in full view. (A large flag may have to be folded lengthwise a third time.)


A triangular fold is then started by bringing the striped corner of the folded edge to the open edge.


The outer point is then turned inward, parallel with the open edge, to form a second triangle.


The diagonal or triangular folding is continued toward the blue union until the end is reached, with only the blue showing and the form being that of a cocked (three corner) hat.

Meaning of Flag Folding Program

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our great country was originally founded.

The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted only when draped as a pall on the casket of a veteran who has served our country honorably in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat, the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

Symbols for the folds of the Flag

The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.

The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.

The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain peace throughout the world.

The fourth fold represents our weaker nature; for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace, as well as in times of war, for His divine guidance.

The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”

The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.

The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.

The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.

The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.

The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first born.

The eleventh fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob.

The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance, of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.

See original site.

Laptop Musings

So since I have been getting more into my photography I have wanted to buy a laptop to do editing on and to store them and such. I also wanted to be able to blog everyday. So therefore I would need an Internet connection, which isn't hard to get nowadays. lol. I have looked at NewEgg to just browse through their selection of computers and I have no idea what I'm doing. I'm not a computer geek and know exactly what size memory I should get and what the CPU should be. I may sound like I do but that's what you get for having nerdy friends and four brothers who love video games. I have no idea what I'm talking about. lol. Anyways, what I want in layman's terms ... a small laptop with a full keyboard (that includes the numbers keypad on the right; I use that a lot), light in weight, color: green or white or red (white being my first choice, green being my second choice), enough space for all of my photos in raw form and edited form, fast Internet capabilities, a webcam (not required but I think that would be fun), Windows Microsoft Office (I don't really want to use something other then Microsoft Office, as that is what I have always used), and I suppose I could tell you more if I was asked the right questions. Off the top of my head that's what I got. I don't really care about who makes the computer. I don't care if Hewlett Packard or ASUS makes the computer I just want one that will last me a few years with a company that I can trust.