Over my time here at TV.com, I've made many friends, and gotten to know many people.  I've enjoyed all of your company immensely.  However, I've noticed something during my time here.  And it's something that makes me very sad.

I will not name names, for I've seen it from different people.  It's not something that has suddenly cropped up, I've been feeling this way for a while.

You're all so quick to compliment one another, but when it comes to recieving compliments, you shrug it off.  You claim that you're stupid, or some other negative comment.  I'm all happy that you're humble enough to recognize that you're not perfect and that you have faults, but those faults don't rule your life nor do they define who you are.

I have a parable for you all.  It's for everyone, because at some point everyone needs to learn this.  Do not point fingers, do not feel that I am pointing fingers at a few specific people, this is for everyone.  Even I need to be reminded of it every now and then.  Which is why I'm giving this to you.

The Parable of the Rose

A certain man planted a rose and watered it faithfully, and, before it blossomed, he examined it.  He saw the bud that would soon blossom-and also the thorns.  And, he thought, "How can my beautiful flower come from a plant burdened with so many sharp thorns?" Saddened by this thought, he neglected to water the rose, and before it was able to bloom, it died.

So it is with many people-within every soul there is a rose-the Godlike qualities planted in us at birth-growing amid the thorns of our faults. Many of us look at ourselves and see only the thorns-the defects. We despair, thinking that nothing good can possible come from us. We neglect to water the good within us, and eventually it dies. We never realize our potential.

The may seem like such a severe analogy, but it's a real fear.  And I would hate to see that fear become reality for any of you.  You're all so beautiful soul-wise.  Nothing else matters besides that.

My one last plea to you all is to spread this parable to others that may not see it here.  Like I said, it's a real fear.  Everyone has their own brand of individual worth and a reason why they're here.

Your caring friend,
Danielle

Yes, it's my birthday today.  I'm turning 21......on the 21st of September.  Tis a random cool fact.

I haven't gotten all my presents yet.  Some are still in the mail(stupid slow mailing system -grumblegrumble-), but I have gotten some.  But I have gotten some.  And I thought I'd show you one, bexause I do luff it muchly!

This is a picture my friend Andy did for me.  I know Andy from online, so he couldn't really get me anything physical.  It doesn't matter, I luffs it more than anything.

http://img45.imageshack.us/img45/2346/hugei2.png

A few questions you have after seeing it......

1)  Yes, that's me and Andy.  And you're not allowed to comment on Andy's fashion choices. XD

2)  Why am I the one glomping him when it's my birthday?  ....That's a long story.

2) Why is gratifying spelled wrong?  It's not a mistake.  Andy's a grammar Nazi or whatever.  It's intentional. Why? ......................That's an even longer story.

So you should now all marvel at Andy's artistic ability!  Because on this day of my birth Teh Mutant Kitten Queen commands your soul!

I just thought I'd post it because it really made my day.  ...And to embarass Andy some more. XD

I say this because it is true! Today, my dad comes back from the mall(why he had gone to the mall and not invited us in the first place is beyond me) to tell us that there were tiger and lion cubs down at the mall and you could go in and play with them for a few minutes. It costs 25 dollars, though, and I am currently broke. My sister, however, has tons of money from graduation, and she graciously offered to pay for me.

They were so cute!!!!! We went into the cage that had these baby tigers that were only six weeks old. And the worker that went in with us placed the cubs in our laps. ^_^ They slept for all of the eight minutes we were in there, but it didn't matter.

After that, we went to Waldenbooks. Again, I'm broke, so I couldn't get anything. And the new Garth Nix book looked so tempting, too....... But the important thing was that I got to go in and say hello to all my friends. They like it when you do that. It makes books feel loved. -nodnod-

I hereby state that when I finally take over the world, this day shall become another holiday(August really needs one anyway). Why? Well, there's only one logical explanation.

TODAY IS THE BIRTHDAY OF MY BESTEST FRIEND, BREE!!!!!!

Bree is one of the most spooniest people I know. She deserves a holiday in her name. I'm so happy that I've been able to be her friend over these months.

Bree, you'll never know how grateful I am for your friendship. I know that you were the one that mainly came to me, but you have helped me grow in so many ways. These last few months have met the world to me. I love you, Bree. Happy Birthday!

AND ANYONE THAT DOESN'T WISH BREE A WONDERFUL BIRTHDAY WITH BE BRUTALLY SLAUGHTERED BY MY MUTANT KITTENS!!!!!

And now.........I have a card for you, Bree. It isn't one of those sentimental cards because I can't just recall one off the top of my head. So I did the whole sentimental thing before I gave you the card. This card has been passed around in my family for a few years and given to whoever had the birthday at the time. Now I give it to you.

-hands Bree card-

The top of the card shows a dog looking at you from behind his shoulder and his tail moving very fast through the air-

"I love you so much......"

-Bree opens the card-

".......I'm surprised my tail doesn't just fly right off my butt!"

Dani-Teh Mutant Kitten Queen

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, BREE!!!!!!

This just in! Dani has come home from her trips. Yes, you heard right, trips! Over the past few days, Dani has taken a few road trips that have been eating up her time. We caught her as she returned tonight and she had this to say:

"The first place I went was Nauvoo which is about an hour away. Our family went mainly to see the pageant that they have every year, but we went a few hours earlier to see a movie at the Visitors' Center and then just see the sights. I got to see the Nauvoo temple again. It's my favorite temple out of all of them and I plan to get married there."

" And, of course, no trip to Nauvoo is complete if you dont stop and get some fudge. I got chocolate peanut butter fudge. It was absolutely delicious.

The next day, my family took a two hour trip up to St. Louis for a shopping spree. I didn't get that much, but I did get a few things. One is this pretty formal dress. I'm planning to take it back to college and make Arcel speechless.

And then that very next day my family took a trip up to Freeport for a family reunion. It's a five hour trip so Friday and today were spent driving there and back. The reunion was okay, but I was allergic to something in the motel room we were staying in and was miserable for most of the week-end."

Dani says she's fine now, though. We then asked her what the highlight of all her trips was...

"I FOUND FUZZY SOCKS! They're the most softest, most comfortable socks I've ever worn. I luff my fuzzy socks and everyone else must do likewise! BOW DOWN TO THE FUZZY SOCKS OR PERISH!"

And that's this week in the news. Beep beep beep beep beep beep........