SummerAngel

My 2nd Opera Anniversary

Monday, December 27, 2010 12:08:41 PM

I stumbled upon Opera on Christmas Eve 2008, while searching for Christmas images to add to my pictures to use as my Screen Saver on Christmas Day.

Although I have made 182 friends over the last two years, 7 of them stand out. I will expound on why these 7 hold such a special place in my heart.

Kim's 2008 Christmas Theme was the first Opera Blog I had ever viewed. It was gorgeous and I felt I had to let her know. In order to leave Kim a comment to express how amazing I thought her design was, I signed up early on Christmas Day morning for an account of my own. Kim promptly replied to my comment and suggested I add her as a friend. I did, and Kim became the first of the 182 Opera friends I now have. Kim is obsessed with penguins. You will find almost anything and everything penguin related on her blog. Thank you for welcoming me and for being my first Opera friend Kim. Without your kindness, I wouldn’t be here today.

Jax later rode into Kim’s life and onto my friends list as well. Our Southern Gentleman’s posts are sometimes funny, sometimes informative, and most of the time revolves around Kim. A view of his blog and a listen to his tunes will explain why he’s Cruisin’ Eagle Style.

Sunny is not only my Texan friend, but also Opera’s Master Blog Design Wizard. This CSS Code Genius uses his ability to create Awesome Blog Designs for anyone who asks and he also tweaks our codes after Opera’s many upgrades. He spends countless hours seeking images and CSS Codes to please those of us who request the impossible of him. He truly has a heart of gold that is as big as Texas and this is why Sunny Rules!!!

Linda, another Texan, is my loveable, feisty, sometimes red headed, night owl friend. Every good man has a great woman guiding them and Linda nudges Sunny to be all he can be. Linda’s techie skills amaze me and will be a wealth of knowledge to me should I ever decide to change my OS and become -virtually Microsoft free. Linda’s interests are many and it is always refreshing to see her unique blog designs, posts, and comments.

D’s two loves in her life are her hubby and her fur kids. She was a god send to me during the time I was laid off work. We would spend all night long chatting and finding cute smilie images to send to each other. You have been a great friend and partner in crime D.

Helen is my South African Monkey Lady friend. I have followed her monkey troop posts, pictures, and videos for some time now. I have come to love the monkeys as she has shared her adventures with us. I have been awed by her ability to get up close and personal with them, excited about each new birth, and saddened by the recent disappearances of Bossman and Hoppy. Thank you Helen for giving me this glimpse of your awesome and unique experience.

Jimmy is my Canadian friend who is forever trying to escape from my island. He is a witty and loveable sweetheart. Although he is in college, he has managed to accumulate over 21,000 comments in just one post. He is the latest of my special friends to surf onto my beach and I have enjoyed getting to know him.

I have made other really good friends, too numerous to mention, who have come in and out of my Opera life in these last two years. So, thank you to all my friends, and especially my seven special friends, for making the past two years at Opera so much fun.

True Story of RudolphPrecious

Comments

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Angel Jrisis1977 # Monday, December 27, 2010 12:44:17 PM

congratulation !! . . .

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 12:48:04 PM

http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//ty.gif - Risis. I haven't seen you around lately.

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 1:02:41 PM

My dear Annette, it is such a honor and a pleasure to know you with your sharp wit, wonderful sense of humor, a serious side and and playful nature.
The troop and I wish you many more years in Opera.
Happy Anniversary
http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Cheers.gif - http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Dance.gif - http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Fool.gif - http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Dance.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 1:10:39 PM

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 1:15:42 PM

Arvind Yadavaarvindyadava9 # Monday, December 27, 2010 2:30:56 PM

I am not in your friend's list. Still, please accept my congratulations on your completion of two years with OC, and best of luck for further continuation. Have a -- good day/goodnight !

Tom RondelloFrlmnk # Monday, December 27, 2010 2:51:09 PM

http://files.myopera.com/Frlmnk/Mandocafe/phpSF5VVzPM3rdi.jpg -
Isn't it all enough to make you wonder if you should be wearing a wetsuit or at least a rash guard?!

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 2:54:00 PM

for your congratulations and
http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//welcome.gif - to my blog.
I hope we can become good friends. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Happy.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 2:57:27 PM

Originally posted by Frlmnk:

Isn't it all enough to make you wonder if you should be wearing a wetsuit or at least a rash guard?!

??? Did I miss something???

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 3:15:13 PM

Whatever it is that you missed, I must have missed it too. Where is you "Welcome" fishy?.http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Oo.gif -

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 3:19:42 PM

Annette, Arvind is a very good friend to have, you cannot go wrong.
Aaaah the fishy is back!!!!http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/ThumbsUp.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 3:25:18 PM

Originally posted by NitroH:

Where is you "Welcome" fishy?

Here he is Helen http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/files/welcome.gif -
and he should be in my Write a comment box too.

While I have him out...
http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/files/welcome.gif -
to my blog Arvind!

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 3:36:40 PM

Yes he came back when I was writing my message about Arvind. I am delighted to see him....it is a him...is it?

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 3:59:55 PM

Yes, the fish is a 'him' and Risis named him Nemo. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Happy.gif -

NitroNitroH # Monday, December 27, 2010 4:31:42 PM

Aaaaah hello Nemo, that is why they could not find Nemo, he has been here all along. My dear, it is taking me about and hour to get from one site to the other and then another hour for the message to go through. So I am going to wish you a wonderful evening and a good night's rest.
Hugs and congrats once again.http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Cheers.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 6:12:11 PM

Congratulations ...

Annette! http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yahoo.gif -

http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Dance3.gif -

Ohhh Yeah! I remember our meeting. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yes.gif - You probably thought I was some Big Flirt what with my comment about you looking like Sandra Bullock. You probably thought, "

Aww Geez. Just what I didn't need. I guess I'll need to keep my guard up in case I have to set him straight." http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/LOL2.gif -

Anyway, I am honored that I made your Special Place in Your Heart List.

http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Adore.gif - http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Dance.gif - Heyyy! You were my 1st Blog Design Protégé. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yes.gif - Hah! I was still a little wet behind the ears myself ... and yet I had the audacity to have a Protégé.

http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/LOL2.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 6:15:40 PM

Hey, I see you figured out the solution to the problem with the animated Smilies hogging up an entire line. I saw your request for help earlier, but then had to go do something. By the time I came back, you had neutralized the problem.

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 6:17:30 PM

Uh Oh! That reminds me. I have to prepare your Happy New Year Header. Hopefully I can have it done before Pumpkin Time today.

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 6:54:48 PM

Originally posted by Suntana:

You probably thought I was some Big Flirt what with my comment about you looking like Sandra Bullock.

At least you didn't propose. If you'll remember, I got numerous offers of marriage before I deleted my photo and first blog post. I revealed way too much personal info in that first blog post...http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yes.gif -

Originally posted by Suntana:

You were my 1st Blog Design Protégé. Hah! I was still a little wet behind the ears myself ... and yet I had the audacity to have a Protégé.

One learns the most when one prepares to teach. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/ThumbsUp.gif -

Originally posted by Suntana:

I saw your request for help earlier

http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Hit.gif - And, just why didn't you drop everything to assist me??? http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//tameu.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 7:05:43 PM

Originally posted by NitroH:

it is taking me about and hour to get from one site to the other and then another hour for the message to go through

You are such a patient person Helen. I could/would never wait that long. I have found that my system is trying to perform some type of maintenance when my pages don't start to load right away. I have it set to defrag and do a virus/malware scan on a weekly basis. No matter when I schedule these activities, it seems I am always trying to navigate to somewhere on the internet and have to abort until the scheduled action has finished. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Sad.gif -

L2D2 # Monday, December 27, 2010 8:42:26 PM

Congratulations on your 2-year blog anniversary Annette. Chuck was amazed that you picked up CSS so quickly and ran with it. He is pretty proud of you I think.

And I am honored to be on your special friend list. I have been blessed having you as a friend. You are one of the nicest people I know and very thoughtful of others. You have done a beautiful job on your design and I have received the benefit of your CSS code, enabling me to make transparent designs myself. I thank you for that.

Congratulations on 2-years of OC blogging. May you have many more!

Jaxs Powelleagle4eyes # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:01:25 PM

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY MISS SCARLETT

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:09:01 PM

Sunny's detailed CSS Code explanations made learning easy. I have even, on occasion, tweaked/manipulated code to produce a desired design on my blog.

A quick glance back at my earlier comments shows me that you made your first comment on my blog on March 27, 2009, so I have known you almost as long as I have been on Opera. I have enjoyed your wit and seeing you coerce the 'impossible' in regards to what you wanted in your designs out of Sunny.

I look forward to getting to know you even better in the years to come. http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//ph.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:30:58 PM

Ahhh! Why yes, I do remember something about you getting marriage proposals from 20-year old college dudes. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/BigGrin.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:39:25 PM

Originally posted by SummerAngel:

I have enjoyed your wit and seeing you coerce the 'impossible' in regards to what you wanted in your designs out of Sunny.

Sometimes I give in to what she wants. Other times I have to put my foot down and go, "Okay, young lady ... Peppermint, NO! No means NO! Now stop crying and get up off the floor. Another tantrum like that and you're getting a Timeout. And then I'll send you to bed early ... like at 3:00AM." That'll larn ya. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Dance2.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:42:03 PM

BTW, Annette, here during your 2nd Blog Anniversary celebration are YOU at least now ABOVE the weather? Are you now on the upswing of your Cold / Flu?

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:48:55 PM

Helen, you have some serious problem somewhere. Even with my Dial Up, things are never THAT slow. Have you tried Firefox, Chrome, IE and whatever other Browsers for the sake of isolating the problem.

Maybe Annette's on to something. Maybe the problem isn't Opera or MyOpera, but rather, your computer or ISP or whatever?

Have you done Virus and Malware Scans recently to rule that out? You do have ONLY Panda Anti-Virus, right? You don't have TWO Anti-Virus Apps installed, do you?

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 9:58:09 PM

Originally posted by Suntana:

Sometimes I give in to what she wants. Other times I have to put my foot down and go, "Okay, young lady ... Peppermint, NO! No means NO!

Yeah...right...like you would EVER get away with that http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/LOL2.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 10:07:20 PM

Originally posted by Suntana:

are YOU at least now ABOVE the weather?

I have more awake hours now. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Happy.gif -
The congestion has moved from my head to my throat where it is more manageable.

The weather is awful here. We have at least a foot of snow and it's freezing. It hasn't been above 26^oF here all day. I haven't been out of the house in over a week, but I think I'll be well enough to return to work on Sunday night.

L2D2 # Monday, December 27, 2010 10:31:23 PM

Just don't go back and have a relapse, Annette, because I promise you, the relapses are worse than the original case, and they take longer to get over because you are already in a weakened condition, along with your immune system. I know from experience. So, if you feel the least bit bad, don't go back to work.

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 10:46:09 PM

Linda, if I do have a relapse and it is worse than the original case, I can promise you I will not survive it.

I will have to go back to work on Sunday night. Otherwise, they will take back all the holiday pay I have already received.

We have to work at least eight hours the day prior to and the day after each holiday. The only exception is to schedule vacation days in advance. Being sick and/or having a doctors notice is not considered an exception.http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Sad.gif -

L2D2 # Monday, December 27, 2010 10:54:10 PM

Sounds familiar. Well, just pamper yourself as much as possible and take it as easy as possible. You are going to be weaker than you realize.

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:09:32 PM

Originally posted by SummerAngel:

Yeah...right...like you would EVER get away with that

Well ........... I tell her that AFTER she leaves ... after having told me, "And don't be late with delivery of my DEMAND. I don't like to be kept waiting. And I don't want to hear any excuses like that it's NOT possible or you don't know how to do it." Okay, so maybe I dreamt I told her that other stuff. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/LOL.gif -

L2D2 # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:17:56 PM

Good thing you were wise enough to crawfish, Chuck. I was getting ready to get my poke stick ready. And might even borrow Annette's dead fish weapon.http://files.myopera.com/L2D2/STUFF/Smilies//JC-hysterical.gif -

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:19:49 PM

Good to hear that you ARE seemingly on the upswing and more towards the exit of your Cold / Flu, Annette.

Wanna hear something stupid?
Okay, yesterday at my niece's party, the arriving people would usually want to shake everyone's hand, regardless of that we didn't all know each other. So, I'd tell everyone, whether I knew them or not ... "I'm sick. I have a Cold. So, just sort of ignore me, avoid me." Everyone would happily oblige. Then there was one guy who even though we don't know each other and aren't gonna be Buddying around anytime soon, INSISTED on shaking my hand despite my warning. He carefreely goes, "Ehhh, that's OK. I'm NOT afraid. I never get sick." WTF?

I was like, "O---Kay."

It didn't dawn on me until this morning that Okay, maybe HE won't get sick, but what about the OTHER people with whom he then subsequently went and shook hands after me? He could get THEM sick.

Suntana # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:23:58 PM

Crawfish? Hmmm? No doubt another one of those Southernisms, Eh?

NOT another Fish Smack.
Annette already gave me another one earlier today.

And with having a Cold, it's gotta hurt more.

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:25:53 PM

Yes Linda, he sure weaseled his way out of that one. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/LOL.gif -

SummerAngel # Monday, December 27, 2010 11:50:12 PM

I find the custom of handshaking to be a nasty and unhealthy form of greeting.

During each and every church service I attend, the pastor announces the time for the congregation to "take this time to mingle and shake hands with your neighbors and anyone visiting today." I normally carry individually packaged sanitary hand wipes in my purse to use after shaking hands with anyone. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/ThumbsUp.gif -

But, even worse are the people who insist on hugging you. http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//bigeyes.gif - I especially dislike being hugged by the people who drown themselves in cologne or perfume. The smell lingers long after they have gone.

Suntana # Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:04:29 AM

Originally posted by SummerAngel:

I normally carry individually packaged sanitary hand wipes in my purse to use after shaking hands with anyone.

Alright, Annette! Rock ON! http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yahoo.gif -

During the last couple of days several people HAVE humored me with my switcheroo to those Howie Mandel-like Knuckle Taps instead of handshakes.

Bottom line, if someone voluntarily WARNS me that they are sick and suggest that I avoid them, I will be more than happy to oblige.

Where I think handshaking SHOULD be off limits by Federal Freakin' LAW is once one is eating. It's like yesterday when that guy insisted on shaking my hand, I was already dead smack in the middle of eating my Pizza. HELLO!!!!! Sick or NOT, I am EATING and I don't know where your hand has been.

SummerAngel # Tuesday, December 28, 2010 12:32:45 AM

Originally posted by Suntana:

that guy insisted on shaking my hand, I was already dead smack in the middle of eating my Pizza. HELLO!!!!! Sick or NOT, I am EATING and I don't know where your hand has been.

http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Stop.gif - Just the thought of that is enough to make you sick.

Jaxs Powelleagle4eyes # Tuesday, December 28, 2010 2:17:10 AM

You don't like hugs?
I understand not wanting to hug someone that went swimming in cheap cologne

But what about me? I love HUGS and I don't swim in cheap in cologne

NitroNitroH # Tuesday, December 28, 2010 6:27:38 AM

Originally posted by SummerAngel:

I have it set to defrag and do a virus/malware scan on a weekly basis.

Annette, I have my maintenance settings so that it only does maintenance when my PC is idle. It was so frustrating, but I worked on the other PC until I found the message went through finally.

Tom RondelloFrlmnk # Tuesday, December 28, 2010 1:20:59 PM

http://my.opera.com/Frlmnk/blog/2010/12/28/please-dear-god-however-you-choose-to

Lovinmalamuteslovinmalamutes # Wednesday, December 29, 2010 11:23:25 AM

During those nights I had a great time. I was happy to keep you company as I was looking for company too. Insomnia is my middle name and I suffer from it severely. Annette, you're a great friend, and I think it's time to.....

Tom RondelloFrlmnk # Wednesday, December 29, 2010 1:59:55 PM

Originally posted by SummerAngel:

??? Did I miss
something???

Yeah, the part where I break rocks for a living. It's kind of a Heimdahl/Loki, Jeckyl/Hide thing.
It's almost made a ballarina out of me.
Just because I exist!
Royal Robins might have understood.

MosesMosesTheDog # Wednesday, December 29, 2010 2:31:44 PM

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY

L2D2 # Thursday, December 30, 2010 9:33:01 AM

I have to say I'm a hugger and the only handshake I dislike is one of these limp ones where the hand gives the impression of a dead fish.

Used not to be a hugger, but I've changed over the years. I feel letting people know I love them is much more important than germs. I do agree about the colognes, though. I can't tolerate perfumes anymore anyway because of my lung disease.

L2D2 # Thursday, December 30, 2010 9:34:53 AM

And just telling someone I love them is not enough---seems too cold. I say it AND hug. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/BigGrin.gif -

I just removed a lot of the smilies from my Mint User JS. Some of them I would like to add back, renamed so they will work.

SummerAngel # Thursday, December 30, 2010 1:54:20 PM

Jax, I don't mind hugs, but I do find it hard to breathe during and after hugging some of my fellow church members who shower themselves with fragrance. http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Yes.gif - http://files.myopera.com/Tamil/Smilies/Happy.gif -

SummerAngel # Thursday, December 30, 2010 1:56:00 PM

Thank you D. I appreciate you more than you know. http://files.myopera.com/SummerAngel/Smilies//ph.gif -