I've been off-line since the end of January, and still cannot get online
with my computer.  Euwck, I'm going through newsgroup withdrawal.  The
same day that we got rear-ended by a looky-loo watching the aftermath of
a three car accident, I got home and tried to go on-line.  Of course my
mouse wouldn't work and my computer acted frozen.  We tried to fix it,
and everything seemed worse.  So I decided to have it professionally
wiped and reformatted.  

Then Amanda's boyfriend's family gave me their old computer, and Mandy
and Rob figured out how to fix this computer.  This is no longer Mandy's
mother's computer.  However, the new computer won't let me do more than
check my email.  I can't even answer back on it.  So, if we don't get
snowed in tomorrow, I'm bringing one of the family's computer gurus over
to get the settings figured out so that I can get on line.  Can you
spell frustrating?  I knew you could.  

So I'm writing this on what used to be my old computer, is now Amanda's
computer, and Rob has been twiddling with the settings, so I have to
search for what I used to have right at hand.  

We're all ok, (I had minor bruising, and back spasms) after the
accident.  We're getting a new rear bumper out of it, and I had to buy
new bumper stickers.  I'm rather bummed about losing my favorite sticker
that said "Therapy is expensive, popping bubble wrap is cheap...you
choose."  But I'm replacing it with one that says "CAUTION:  Weird
Load."  Which fits the merriment that floats around this place.  

The cats are all fine, though they think I'm to blame for the recent
strange weather with cold hard stuff mixed in the rain, Mandy refusing
to let them into her room, and any other strange stuff that has been
happening lately.  Pine Cone has been thinking about space as a new
frontier, and has been watching over the players' backs when they play
"Spaceship Titanic" and other sci-fantasy games on my computer.  I'd
worry about him, but I figure that this one is the Mothership's call.
The rest of the cats have decided that I don't need to sleep in my bed.
A couple of nights ago, we had a six cat bed.  There wasn't much room to
move in there.  

We installed a feliway dispenser in the living room where most of the
cat crazies occurs and Tanada has moved into our room as a result.  She
found she was being nice in the living room.  I think it's time to
install a second infuser in our room.  She'd probably try to move into
the laundry cubicle instead, but at least she wouldn't be swishing her
tail all over my computer monitor.  

well that's pretty much all for now.  I've got over 1500 messages to
skim through, so I'll send out purrs, kind thoughts, and good wishes for
everyone who needs, wants, or could use them.

Pam S. on behalf of herself, Rob, and the NC nine