Yes, we’ve covered this, I do talk to dead people, but today I went out to visit with a friend, very much alive. We were originally brought together by a mutual interest in needlework, but we found later that we had tons of things in common besides our crafty leanings. We also, much like me and Carol, come from very different backgrounds and wear very different labels. The Sames are bigger than the Differents though. Which we both find extremely wonderful.
Kathy and I had not seen each other in a couple of years. (How that much time got past us was a bit hard to comprehend, we both observed.) But we are mostly all current and caught up now. I wanted to share this with you because there has been much talk lately, out there in the blog-o-sphere, about how we maintain connections, over the years and across the miles.
I don’t think that when we have true friends those years or miles really mean so much. An honest connection and a genuine caring for someone is capable of transcending those obstacles. However, as does happen, when the relationship moves to another, less close (physical or emotional) level, it’s usually best to let it go the direction it needs to. As much as I dislike transitions (and you all know by now, how I much I REALLY don’t do well when things change) I do understand that we need growth. We need to learn and we need to release.
Go here, so you can look at some of the beautiful things Kathy creates. Poke around, then go to the brand new website, which she has put together with her sister Connie*, to see even more fabulous stuff. (Both are now links you can find under the Important Places heading as well.) A few of the topics we discussed today were about my being a radio, JulieLand, reading cards on-line, and how I can’t help but tell you all about the foreign license plates I see. She said, “you are like a train spotter, but with visiting cars!”
*Thank you both, for making my copies, for showing me your wonderful studio and classrooms, and generally for being the amazing women that you are.
Here is what my OCD is forcing me to share, the spotting I’ve done in the past two days, some of them in pictures.
This one is from Florida. Where my Hurricane is now! (She just put up a new post today about what she is noticing on this trip.) I also saw one from Maryland, and then Georgia. After that I drove by a new one from Texas that I had never seen before.
That one above is blurry, but it does say Minnesota. I was in the library parking garage. There was an Alaska vehicle there too, but I couldn’t photograph it because there were people trying to leave and I was kind of already holding up traffic. As I pulled out though, I saw this. 
Remember how I mentioned a while back that I had seen a car with an illegal license plate frame? THIS is the kind of thing I am talking about. If it bugs me, I KNOW it irritates cops. How can drivers do this and think it’s okay? Can YOU find the state? I couldn’t. There is also one that has been avoiding me for weeks now. I thought I saw it again yesterday, but maybe not. I know it has some shades of blue on it….
Just heard from Empress, J.D. is on the road back home. The overly sMother worrying may now commence. Fingers crossed and candles lit that he arrives safely. (Of course I’ll keep you posted, but this will probably go up before we get the “all is well” text.)
In our daily tour around the card altar we’ve landed on another one of Doreen’s decks, and since I asked you to refrain from making juvenile pee pee jokes yesterday, I will not say anything tonight about this unusual illustration. Have at it Lora. And anyone else who just can’t contain themselves.
“Career Transition ~
Archangel Chamuel: Your life purpose is triggering a blessed career change.
You’ve prayed for help with your career, and it is now occurring. Sometimes change is perceived as stressful, yet I am helping to clear the old from your life to make way for the new. Pay close attention to your repetitive ideas, dreams, and visions, as these are Divinely inspired roadmaps pointing the way along your desired path. You may not see the entire road (or where it is leading) but each step will be lit along the way.”
The guidebook goes on to say that this particular angel is often called upon to help with uncomfortable work situations. Even if this message doesn’t mean that tomorrow you will pitch your old job and start the one of your dreams in the next instant, it obviously means that some improvement is very near. Again we see that change is being touted as a good thing. I’ll work on that, as I just said, I KNOW it is healthy for us. You are invited to join me, over here on the “SHUT UP – I’M FINE DAMMIT!” bench.
Look what my son sent me from his phone today, they discovered it near a beach. Seems to be the most appropriate message of all. 
North Carolina
(Thanks Dan, for the google search of what that plate might be, and oh, the irony. J)
Apparently Ohio has the claim for “First in Aviation”, not Kitty Hawk, NC. Thanks, Google for making a liar out of me.
(Jeez, turn off the freaking machine already and go knit me a bat. J)
Yep, Ohio it was. Illinois is worse, because once you get a plate, you can put it on whatever car you want, and they never (well, hardly ever) change it in their system. I am not the best car identifier, but I can tell a maroon pick up from a blue sedan. And the blue sedan had matching registration.
What I really have as a pet peeve is people who can’t tell where to put the new year tag, so they 1) put it over the month tag, 2) put both of them on the back plate or 3) choose a new and exciting location so that multiple years are displayed.
Rant over.
I actually considered adding that in to MY rant, so thanks, nice of you take up the slack. I like that I can depend on you for crap such as this.
Texas started changing their license plates over from 6 digits to 7 last year-ish, and they sent me a new one. I’m terrible at remembering my license plate number. Before my new one, I couldn’t have told you which letter it started with. I even had a picture stored on my phone.
Now? I can tell you that it starts with “BS.” Can’t remember anything beyond that, but I know that my car is the one swearing on the plate.
LOL! Those are the kinds of things that I can remember too! Okay, we now all know that Sierra’s plate is bullshit. Excellent!
My new plate is E SHU. I should be able to remember that one. My first plate was an original “Pacific Wonderland” plate of 7S835, but I couldn’t get a pw vanity plate. I went with the Fallen Officer plates this time around…
I can remember my plate because it’s WOQ (say it like a wok that you cook in) and the numbers are 152 which kinds flows with W-O-Q
Oh oh, I think that card is for me…i’m not changing where I work but my job is changing due to me being awesome
Well, yes we knew that about you, you kinda radiate awesome all over the damn place.
BENCH. That was found on a BENCH, not a BEACH. Though, it IS in Seattle, so, really, the ocean’s never THAT far away…
I thought is was a bench near the beach…. no, my eyes are FINE! I can read those text messages perfectly FINE!
(Thanks for the pic, I do love it.)
You think Chamuel is prepping me for retirement??
Not quite yet, you JUST got a helper in Mayberry…
Love the bench. I really love the bench.
Card fits with my day for certain.
This week at work I get to ‘prove’ myself. One of my co-workers is going on vacation. (The co-worker I gave ‘my’ job to last year so that I could go bobbing about the Bahamma’s all last summer. ) When I came back I took a lesser job, and while I rail sometimes about being a pee-on AND being peed upon, all in all I like the low stress of the thing.
This week I get to step up to the plate and need to not only do my real job, but her’s as well. It’s been well over a year since I played that role. At first I thought I’d be flipping out, but I told my freak out neurons that I can only do what I can do and really if they honestly expect me to both jobs into one day, then they are going to get what they get. I don’t need to prove I’m a good Assistant. I already know my worth, and am happy with the choices I made.
Wow Judie, you are all kinds of awesome too, just like Kris! Way to Change Your Brain on that one!!!
Me, needing a career change? What? Um, yeah. Right. Go talk to the small business people. Get a legal business and all that. Sigh.
In Texas, we also don’t put our tags on our plates. We put them on the front windshield in a noticeable sticker, along with the same-sized sticker for our inspection.
My 7-digit Texas plate starts with a B. That’s all I remember.
I have mosquito bits from an outing yesterday. Symmetrically placed, more or less, on shoulder blades and arms. Maybe they will grow me some wings! Until then, they are … annoying.
Here’s another thing that’s different, from North to South, “tags” -the metal thing that has the numbers/letters embossed in to it and is affixed to our vehicles with screws are License Plates, the stickers that show month and year expiration dates and affix to our License Plates with glue-y adhesive are the tags, or “stickers” (yes, that’s a technical term).
Wish you had some blue stuff for your bites.
Better than the blue stuff for bites (yes, I said better than the blue stuff), is Afterbite. That stuff kicks butt.
WHAT?! I need to know more about this!!!
It’s basically ammonia in stick form, but holy crap does it work. The closer to the time of the original bite, the better. I put it on a wasp sting one of the kids got once; the darned thing looked like an old mosquito bite by nightfall.
Again, the card fits the Fokker household. You are doing these for me, aren’t you?
Yes Sweetie, I live to serve.
Mine starts ESH, but I can’t for the life of me remember the numbers. I know there’s a 4, 7 & 2. I just don’t remember the order, or which one is duplicated. (NY is 7 digits on standard plates, 3 letters/4 numbers.) I still remember my old car, though, long since departed to the junkyard. CGC 8097. *sigh* I miss that car.
Since I haven’t been to work yet today, hopefully that card means positive things for the day. I will be positive. I should be, anyway. After all, I had a good night last night.
Don’t tease us like that! Because now we want to know all about your “good night!”
Teehee. Go look at the Bull card you pulled for today and then you can tell me what you think happened.
You know, I bitched about my job for months after “psycho new company” took us over. They tried to feed us pretty sport bottles full of their brand of koolaid, but I wouldn’t drink. I refused to become one of their “Stepford Wives” kind of zombies. And a month ago, I was among several they let go, because their people were more “suited” to the position. (sneezes and says something I shouldn’t).
Anyhow…even though I abhor job hunting, that was a blessing in disguise. Everyone around me notices how *calm* I am with the absence of all that stress. My cheeks aren’t purple from elevated blood pressure in the afternoon. I can actually smile before I go to bed.
Thanks for continuing to give us a safe haven here, full of useful information! *hugs*
Anything that will help you look less purple with stress I am ALL in favor of!
You are most welcome, it’s my pleasure.
Minnesota, YAH!!! Our state gave up the deal with the license plate covers, everyone has them (not me-when I park, the signs and buildings and stuff sometimes jump out at me and dent my lic. plate) Anyways that is why the picture of the state is between the letters and numbers. That plate is older, they will get a new one soon. Now instead of the state there is a loon. Big issue here, because if in another state are they going to know what a loon is?
Really love the card. I want a new job. I have one, don’t like it, and if another person hands me a pile of stuff to fix, balance or whatever and tell me “I’m lucky to have a job”….you might see me MSN-news page…..
Lol, “signs and buildings and stuff” jump out at me too!!!
We’ll support you, and give the stink eye to anyone who piles more crap in your direction.
hehehehe Love the bench.
I don’t know what my plate is anymore. I had to buy a new van last month and, during registration, I was informed that it was faster and cheaper to get new plates than transfer my older ones. I don’t know why. But, I’m all about the faster and cheaper, so now I have a seven-digit plate instead of six. As if I didn’t have a hard enough time remembering the six. Bah.
@Christine, Maine has a loon plate, too.
When we bought the Wee Walnut, it came with its own (old) plate, my dad looked at it and said, “that’s perfect, Eugene Girl Vehicle.” But I can never remember the numbers.