As I headed off to work this morning, I saw an anomaly up in the sky. It really through me for a loop, as I was not used to seeing such an object in the sky. I had heard rumors that it still existed, but I was sure it was gone forever, but this morning I was proven wrong. What wasa the anomaly you ask? It was the sun, shining bright. I was forced to pull out my sunglasses and blow the dust off of them.
Yes folks, perhaps the end of winter isn't so far off afterall. Mayhaps we'll start to see more of the sun... mayhaps...
Thursday, February 28, 2008
recipes
Okay, I fixed two different recipes last night out of my newest cookbook-booklet. One was faboo! The other not so much.
One of my dear friends had a baby last week, and it was my turn in the rotation to fix a meal for her and her family. I gave her a few choices, and she chose the chicken & bean casserole (Mexican dish). I had fixed something similar several months ago for bunco, and it was fabulous, but this particular recipe was anything but that. I made two pans, one for her, one for us. I delivered hers to her with all the toppings and tortilla chips, and a loaf of homemade banana-nut bread. Then when I returned home and took my casserole from the oven and dug in, I was majorly disappointed. Not that it tasted bad, it just wasn't good. What a let-down!
Now the Greek chicken casserole turned out devine! Although by the time I was done with it, it wasn't really Greek anymore. I left out the artichokes and olives, and tossed in some sliced zuccini instead. Then I topped it with crushed cornflake crumbs. It was awesome!
One of my dear friends had a baby last week, and it was my turn in the rotation to fix a meal for her and her family. I gave her a few choices, and she chose the chicken & bean casserole (Mexican dish). I had fixed something similar several months ago for bunco, and it was fabulous, but this particular recipe was anything but that. I made two pans, one for her, one for us. I delivered hers to her with all the toppings and tortilla chips, and a loaf of homemade banana-nut bread. Then when I returned home and took my casserole from the oven and dug in, I was majorly disappointed. Not that it tasted bad, it just wasn't good. What a let-down!
Now the Greek chicken casserole turned out devine! Although by the time I was done with it, it wasn't really Greek anymore. I left out the artichokes and olives, and tossed in some sliced zuccini instead. Then I topped it with crushed cornflake crumbs. It was awesome!
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Wishes coming true
Like the old saying goes, "be careful what you wish for... it just might come true".
I dare say that sentiment is holding true for me and my new office arrangement. It hasn't solved all the problems I'd hoped it would. Some things are worse than ever.
Yeah, I need to get over that fear of starting a new job, suck it up and start looking...
I dare say that sentiment is holding true for me and my new office arrangement. It hasn't solved all the problems I'd hoped it would. Some things are worse than ever.
Yeah, I need to get over that fear of starting a new job, suck it up and start looking...
Fears
While reading a blog that Tex'sMissus wrote about the first day at a new job, it echoed much of the fear I have of starting a new job, and is no doubt the reason I stay at a job where I'm no longer happy.
It got me to thinking about some of my other fears. Some are the all too common, such as the fear of spiders and snakes and I do my best to avoid them... please, don't remind me of Mrs. Peter Wolf-spider, believe me, I was afraid of her.
I have a huge fear of being in a car wreck, yet I force myself to face that fear everyday and get behind the wheel in order to commute to work, the grocery, or wherever. But I think that's why I'm such a horrible passenger, because at least when I'm behind the wheel, I feel like I have some portion of control over my life. My friends/family truly have no idea how sick to my stomach I get whenever they insist upon driving.
I have a fear of losing my spouse. It's not so much a fear of being alone, so much as it's the fear of "what will happen to me?" and the even bigger fear of having to deal with peoples condolences afterwards. I'm not a people person, and I hate having to make idle chit-chat at social gatherings. I'm not sure I could deal with a constant stream of people coming up to me to tell me how sorry they are.
I have a fear of losing one of my children. Although, since I've already had to deal with that twice in a relatively short amount of time, I suppose I can (will) get through it again. The hurt subsides, but never really seems to go away.
I have a fear of losing my home and the things that fill it, regardless of the reason, be it fire, storm, or foreclosure. What's mine is mine and I want to keep it.
I have a fear of being so overweight that I can't get the seatbelt buckled around me. I suppose that's why I keep yo-yo dieting. Everytime I put on a bunch of weight and can no longer see my feet, I diet, lose 30 - 60 lbs, feel better for a while, then slowly regain the weight. Yeah, I know, not a healthy way to go through life.
I have a fear of public speaking. And trust me, having a mental image of my audience being naked doesn't help. I even went through the Dale Carnegie course on public speaking, and had to fight the urge to pass-out everytime I had to stand up and speak. I think it's because I don't like being the center of attention with everyones focus on my. Nor do I like people making a fuss over me.
So what are some of your fears, and how do you deal with them?
It got me to thinking about some of my other fears. Some are the all too common, such as the fear of spiders and snakes and I do my best to avoid them... please, don't remind me of Mrs. Peter Wolf-spider, believe me, I was afraid of her.
I have a huge fear of being in a car wreck, yet I force myself to face that fear everyday and get behind the wheel in order to commute to work, the grocery, or wherever. But I think that's why I'm such a horrible passenger, because at least when I'm behind the wheel, I feel like I have some portion of control over my life. My friends/family truly have no idea how sick to my stomach I get whenever they insist upon driving.
I have a fear of losing my spouse. It's not so much a fear of being alone, so much as it's the fear of "what will happen to me?" and the even bigger fear of having to deal with peoples condolences afterwards. I'm not a people person, and I hate having to make idle chit-chat at social gatherings. I'm not sure I could deal with a constant stream of people coming up to me to tell me how sorry they are.
I have a fear of losing one of my children. Although, since I've already had to deal with that twice in a relatively short amount of time, I suppose I can (will) get through it again. The hurt subsides, but never really seems to go away.
I have a fear of losing my home and the things that fill it, regardless of the reason, be it fire, storm, or foreclosure. What's mine is mine and I want to keep it.
I have a fear of being so overweight that I can't get the seatbelt buckled around me. I suppose that's why I keep yo-yo dieting. Everytime I put on a bunch of weight and can no longer see my feet, I diet, lose 30 - 60 lbs, feel better for a while, then slowly regain the weight. Yeah, I know, not a healthy way to go through life.
I have a fear of public speaking. And trust me, having a mental image of my audience being naked doesn't help. I even went through the Dale Carnegie course on public speaking, and had to fight the urge to pass-out everytime I had to stand up and speak. I think it's because I don't like being the center of attention with everyones focus on my. Nor do I like people making a fuss over me.
So what are some of your fears, and how do you deal with them?
Stupid cooking questions
Okay, I've got some questions which some of you will probably chalk up as being stupid, but I'm willing to risk it, as I need help.
I had a shopping list of ingredients I needed to fix some new recipes, but there were several that I couldn't find at the store last night. I don't know if the store doesn't carry them or if I just wasn't looking in the right place, or if perhaps they are called something else on the packaging.
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil... where might I find those? I figured with the other tomatoe products. Not!
Italian seasoning... where might I find this? The husband & I both looked high and low among the spice section, and the section that had packets of seasonings such as for tacos, chili, etc. Nadda!
Mostaccioli (pasta)... could not find that anywhere in the pasta aisle.
Gruyere cheese. Not only was it not in the deli counter or pre-packaged cheese section, I was given a very odd look when I asked for it.
Anybody have any suggestions?? Or if you live in the Louisville area, any idea which stores do carry these items??
I had a shopping list of ingredients I needed to fix some new recipes, but there were several that I couldn't find at the store last night. I don't know if the store doesn't carry them or if I just wasn't looking in the right place, or if perhaps they are called something else on the packaging.
Sun-dried tomatoes in oil... where might I find those? I figured with the other tomatoe products. Not!
Italian seasoning... where might I find this? The husband & I both looked high and low among the spice section, and the section that had packets of seasonings such as for tacos, chili, etc. Nadda!
Mostaccioli (pasta)... could not find that anywhere in the pasta aisle.
Gruyere cheese. Not only was it not in the deli counter or pre-packaged cheese section, I was given a very odd look when I asked for it.
Anybody have any suggestions?? Or if you live in the Louisville area, any idea which stores do carry these items??
Monday, February 25, 2008
Luv 2 eat
It's no secret, I love to cook, 2nd only to my love of eating. ; )
Virtually every time I go to the grocery, I scan the small cookbooks (about 8 1/2" x 5") located near the checkout lines, looking for the ones dedicated to crockpot cooking, casseroles, or one-dish meals. My collection of these books is steadily growing.
Either because of our schedules, one of us being ill, or umpteen other reasons, it seems like forever since I've actually spent any time in the kitchen doing some real cooking. So maybe that's why practically everything in this new book looks delectible! I wanna try them all, and I wanna try them NOW! The Greek Chicken & Pasta looks good enough to eat off of the page!
Tonight is grocery night, and my list is growing with all the ingredients I'll need for the various recipes I want to try. Too, my friend that had a baby last week, now that she's home from the hospital, all the girls from the bunco group take turns cooking dinner for the new mother for the first couple of weeks, so I want to prepare something good for her.
Okay, so between p.t. tonight and going to the grocery, I won't have a chance to cook tonight. Tomorrow night I have no excuses though. I'll let you know on Wednesday how one of the new recipes turns out.
Virtually every time I go to the grocery, I scan the small cookbooks (about 8 1/2" x 5") located near the checkout lines, looking for the ones dedicated to crockpot cooking, casseroles, or one-dish meals. My collection of these books is steadily growing.
Either because of our schedules, one of us being ill, or umpteen other reasons, it seems like forever since I've actually spent any time in the kitchen doing some real cooking. So maybe that's why practically everything in this new book looks delectible! I wanna try them all, and I wanna try them NOW! The Greek Chicken & Pasta looks good enough to eat off of the page!
Tonight is grocery night, and my list is growing with all the ingredients I'll need for the various recipes I want to try. Too, my friend that had a baby last week, now that she's home from the hospital, all the girls from the bunco group take turns cooking dinner for the new mother for the first couple of weeks, so I want to prepare something good for her.
Okay, so between p.t. tonight and going to the grocery, I won't have a chance to cook tonight. Tomorrow night I have no excuses though. I'll let you know on Wednesday how one of the new recipes turns out.
Random thoughts
This past Saturday was the first time I've missed going to the farm since I became a "regular" so many months ago. I hated not going, but I felt that working up a sweat while out in the cold damp air was the last thing in the world I needed to help me get over pneumonia. So instead I sat around the house like a bump on a log.
Thus far, uncle Fred is still hanging on. Less than 3 weeks ago the doctors didn't think he'd make it through the night, but now he's sitting up in bed, talking, aware of his surroundings, so maybe he'll pull through after all.
I was so light-headed this morning while getting ready for work. I kept having to sit or lie down on the bed and prop my feet up to keep from passing out. I hate that feeling, when everything before you seems to be swimming and swirling, sounds seem to be coming from a far off place, and things just seem surreal. I managed to pull it together and get myself to work though... is it Friday yet?
The UPS man just delivered some office supplies I ordered from Office Depot. Don't you just love shopping on someone else's dollar? I'm just like a kid on Christmas day everytime he comes here.
Once upon a time, I was a really big NASCAR fan, but the past 3 or 4 years, I seem to watch less and less of it. I didn't watch that first lap of the Daytona 500 this year, which is totally unheard of for me. And while I was sick and curled up in the recliner yesterday, it would've been a good opportunity to watch the race, but NASCAR just doesn't seem to be very high on my list of things to do anymore. I might've watched all of 2 laps when I passed through the room my husband was watching it on. Oh well, hobbies come, hobbies go... speaking of hobbies, I had a "date" to scrapbook with one of my girlfriends this past Friday night, but in light of my recent illness, I didn't want to take a chance of getting her or her family sick, so I had to cancel my plans. I was really looking forward to it too, as it's been so very long since I sat down and worked on my scrapbooks. **pout**
I didn't want to get her sick, but strangers I was willing to gamble with, so the husband and I went to dinner then out to Sam's Club to renew our membership, courtesy of my employer. We looked like a couple of kids in a candy store, grabbing up this and that. Yes, it's been a long, very long year of suffering through with a Costco membership. I'm so glad it's expired now!! We did however hit a bit of a snafu when we went to check out. It said our membership cards were invalid. Huh? Impossible, we'd just gotten them. Well, it was possible, as the ding-bat that had set up our accounts at customer service had screwed up and assigned us one account number, but printed out something totally different on the cards. So we had to start over and get new cards made up, again!
Well, I guess I'm still in good graces with my friend, as I'll be watching her dogs for her again this coming weekend while she attends another dogshow. No doubt she was willing to overlook what had happened, most likely because she can't find anybody else to watch them for so little money. Oh well, I'm not doing it for the money. I happen to enjoy being around the dogs, and the solitude of being in the country (as long as I can get past the grandfather clock dinging every 15 minutes). Plus it gives the husband and I a break from one another... absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say.
Only three weeks to go 'til St. Baldrick's! Woo-hoo, can't wait!!!
Thus far, uncle Fred is still hanging on. Less than 3 weeks ago the doctors didn't think he'd make it through the night, but now he's sitting up in bed, talking, aware of his surroundings, so maybe he'll pull through after all.
I was so light-headed this morning while getting ready for work. I kept having to sit or lie down on the bed and prop my feet up to keep from passing out. I hate that feeling, when everything before you seems to be swimming and swirling, sounds seem to be coming from a far off place, and things just seem surreal. I managed to pull it together and get myself to work though... is it Friday yet?
The UPS man just delivered some office supplies I ordered from Office Depot. Don't you just love shopping on someone else's dollar? I'm just like a kid on Christmas day everytime he comes here.
Once upon a time, I was a really big NASCAR fan, but the past 3 or 4 years, I seem to watch less and less of it. I didn't watch that first lap of the Daytona 500 this year, which is totally unheard of for me. And while I was sick and curled up in the recliner yesterday, it would've been a good opportunity to watch the race, but NASCAR just doesn't seem to be very high on my list of things to do anymore. I might've watched all of 2 laps when I passed through the room my husband was watching it on. Oh well, hobbies come, hobbies go... speaking of hobbies, I had a "date" to scrapbook with one of my girlfriends this past Friday night, but in light of my recent illness, I didn't want to take a chance of getting her or her family sick, so I had to cancel my plans. I was really looking forward to it too, as it's been so very long since I sat down and worked on my scrapbooks. **pout**
I didn't want to get her sick, but strangers I was willing to gamble with, so the husband and I went to dinner then out to Sam's Club to renew our membership, courtesy of my employer. We looked like a couple of kids in a candy store, grabbing up this and that. Yes, it's been a long, very long year of suffering through with a Costco membership. I'm so glad it's expired now!! We did however hit a bit of a snafu when we went to check out. It said our membership cards were invalid. Huh? Impossible, we'd just gotten them. Well, it was possible, as the ding-bat that had set up our accounts at customer service had screwed up and assigned us one account number, but printed out something totally different on the cards. So we had to start over and get new cards made up, again!
Well, I guess I'm still in good graces with my friend, as I'll be watching her dogs for her again this coming weekend while she attends another dogshow. No doubt she was willing to overlook what had happened, most likely because she can't find anybody else to watch them for so little money. Oh well, I'm not doing it for the money. I happen to enjoy being around the dogs, and the solitude of being in the country (as long as I can get past the grandfather clock dinging every 15 minutes). Plus it gives the husband and I a break from one another... absence makes the heart grow fonder, or so they say.
Only three weeks to go 'til St. Baldrick's! Woo-hoo, can't wait!!!
My k-9 step-children
As promised, photos of my "step-children" that I took a couple of weeks ago. The black one is Bella, then from top to bottom is Sara, Diva and Candy
From left to right, Candy, Sara, Diva, Sadie & Bella
The grand-dame that is lying down in the forefront is Desiree, who will be 13 years old in May.
Bella, Candy & Diva
I know it's hard to tell, but there really are 7 dogs in this picture...From top to bottom:Sara, Diva, Bella (the top black one), Candy, Cory, Sadie & Desiree
Just to give those of you that don't already know the family dynamics... The big guy in the center that is looking right at me is Cory. He is father to my Bootsy & Olivia. He's also father to Bella (Bootsy's littermate) & Sara. Diva, who's head is lying at Bella's tushy, is the mother to my Eliott & Olivia. Also mother to Sara (who is at the very top of the picture). Sara is a full sister, 'though from a different litter, to my Olivia. Sara is a retired champion showdog, and mother to Sadie & Candy.Friday, February 22, 2008
Catching up
'Tis lunchtime, so I can take a few minutes to finally do some catching up on the blogs.
Being sick truly does suck. The one highlight was that my husband did the laundry for me. I mean ALL the laundry. In our 20 years together he's never done more than one or two loads (of his stuff), and only then because I was out of town and I had to talk him through it over the phone. However, because of his "method" for putting clothes away, I now have twice as much stuff to iron as I might normally. Many items that can normally be taken from the warm clothes dryer and hung up (then worn), he instead folded and left lying in the clothes basket, and they now have creases in them. **sigh** I guess I really can't complain though, he was doing his best to help me. I know many husbands would've just let the laundry pile up 'til I was better. He's a good man.
Too, he waited on my hand and foot when he was home to do so. He happened to be off work Wednesday, and actually stayed home with me. He got bored, which always scares me when that happens, and so he decided to tackle our front bedroom. An area that is also known as: The extreme disaster area. He assembled a shelf, cleared out a corner of the room and placed the shelf there, then stacked some of the camping gear on it. He cleared out some more space, and even managed to clear a path towards the farside of the room. Again, I know he was trying to help, but as I pointed out to him, everytime he "cleans" in that room, I can no longer find anything!
A dear friend of mine gave birth to her first child this week, a little girl. Congratulations Jay & Stacy! I had every intention of going to the hospital, but considering my health (or lack there of), I think she'll appreciate me staying away. As it turned out, shortly after the baby was born it was transported to the Children's Hospital downtown, as she suffered a skull fracture during delivery. Can you imagine such a horrid thing? I'm thinking "law-suit" aimed at the nurse that insisted on a vaginal delivery, knowing full well that a c-section would've been safer considering the situation that caused the fracture. Hopefully everything will be fine and the family will be home soon. I can't wait to see her!!
And now for the really crushing news. As you know, I was kennel-sitting for my friend last week while she was at a dogshow. When she had originally asked me if I could watch her dogs, I had marked it on my calender at home Feb. 14th - 17th. I was simply positive that's when she asked me to watch them, thru the 17th. So on Sunday the 17th, despite feeling incredibly sick, I stayed there until 4:30pm. I'd fed the dogs their evening meal, set the kennel thermostat at 58 degrees, and left. The temperature outside was in the 60's, and since I thought she'd be home that evening, I didn't see any point in turning it up higher. I'd left a note letting her know what time they'd eaten and that I was going home to try and get my fever under control. So when I didn't hear from her later that night, I just assumed she'd either gotten in really, really late, or else was just letting me get my rest. I didn't give it another thought. 5:15 Monday evening my friend calls and informs me she's just passing through Lexington. I'm thinking to myself, "what's she doing there?" Then it dawned on me and I gasped, "You mean you didn't come home last night?!?!?!"
Now I not only felt sick from the pneumonia, but I felt physically ill and consumed with guilt that her dogs hadn't eaten in over 24 hours and had been staying in a cold kennel. I apologized profusely, she didn't seem overly pissed, but just chalked it up to a miscommunication. Still, it didn't make me feel any better. I've not heard anything else from her, so I'm going to take that as a good sign that the dogs were none the worse for wear. I'll probably be crossed off of her kennel-sitting list!
Okay, back to work now.
Being sick truly does suck. The one highlight was that my husband did the laundry for me. I mean ALL the laundry. In our 20 years together he's never done more than one or two loads (of his stuff), and only then because I was out of town and I had to talk him through it over the phone. However, because of his "method" for putting clothes away, I now have twice as much stuff to iron as I might normally. Many items that can normally be taken from the warm clothes dryer and hung up (then worn), he instead folded and left lying in the clothes basket, and they now have creases in them. **sigh** I guess I really can't complain though, he was doing his best to help me. I know many husbands would've just let the laundry pile up 'til I was better. He's a good man.
Too, he waited on my hand and foot when he was home to do so. He happened to be off work Wednesday, and actually stayed home with me. He got bored, which always scares me when that happens, and so he decided to tackle our front bedroom. An area that is also known as: The extreme disaster area. He assembled a shelf, cleared out a corner of the room and placed the shelf there, then stacked some of the camping gear on it. He cleared out some more space, and even managed to clear a path towards the farside of the room. Again, I know he was trying to help, but as I pointed out to him, everytime he "cleans" in that room, I can no longer find anything!
A dear friend of mine gave birth to her first child this week, a little girl. Congratulations Jay & Stacy! I had every intention of going to the hospital, but considering my health (or lack there of), I think she'll appreciate me staying away. As it turned out, shortly after the baby was born it was transported to the Children's Hospital downtown, as she suffered a skull fracture during delivery. Can you imagine such a horrid thing? I'm thinking "law-suit" aimed at the nurse that insisted on a vaginal delivery, knowing full well that a c-section would've been safer considering the situation that caused the fracture. Hopefully everything will be fine and the family will be home soon. I can't wait to see her!!
And now for the really crushing news. As you know, I was kennel-sitting for my friend last week while she was at a dogshow. When she had originally asked me if I could watch her dogs, I had marked it on my calender at home Feb. 14th - 17th. I was simply positive that's when she asked me to watch them, thru the 17th. So on Sunday the 17th, despite feeling incredibly sick, I stayed there until 4:30pm. I'd fed the dogs their evening meal, set the kennel thermostat at 58 degrees, and left. The temperature outside was in the 60's, and since I thought she'd be home that evening, I didn't see any point in turning it up higher. I'd left a note letting her know what time they'd eaten and that I was going home to try and get my fever under control. So when I didn't hear from her later that night, I just assumed she'd either gotten in really, really late, or else was just letting me get my rest. I didn't give it another thought. 5:15 Monday evening my friend calls and informs me she's just passing through Lexington. I'm thinking to myself, "what's she doing there?" Then it dawned on me and I gasped, "You mean you didn't come home last night?!?!?!"
Now I not only felt sick from the pneumonia, but I felt physically ill and consumed with guilt that her dogs hadn't eaten in over 24 hours and had been staying in a cold kennel. I apologized profusely, she didn't seem overly pissed, but just chalked it up to a miscommunication. Still, it didn't make me feel any better. I've not heard anything else from her, so I'm going to take that as a good sign that the dogs were none the worse for wear. I'll probably be crossed off of her kennel-sitting list!
Okay, back to work now.
I'm alive, just barely
Just a quick blog...
Apparently I jinxed myself last week when I mentioned the boss getting sick (again!), because darned if I didn't take ill on Saturday. It's been a miserable week. Doctor said I had walking pneumonia. Fever, chills, aches, horrible headache, and generally listless. At least I was fortunate enough not to have a sore throat or stopped up nose.
This is my first day back at work, and I'm having doubts as to whether I'll last the whole day, but we'll see. Needless to say, the work has piled up while I was off, so I have to get some work done before I can really "play" on the computer, so it may be Monday before I can catch up with everyone else's blogs, reply to comments, and post some of my own stuff.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Apparently I jinxed myself last week when I mentioned the boss getting sick (again!), because darned if I didn't take ill on Saturday. It's been a miserable week. Doctor said I had walking pneumonia. Fever, chills, aches, horrible headache, and generally listless. At least I was fortunate enough not to have a sore throat or stopped up nose.
This is my first day back at work, and I'm having doubts as to whether I'll last the whole day, but we'll see. Needless to say, the work has piled up while I was off, so I have to get some work done before I can really "play" on the computer, so it may be Monday before I can catch up with everyone else's blogs, reply to comments, and post some of my own stuff.
Hope everyone has a great weekend.
Friday, February 15, 2008
Enjoy good health!
Everywhere I turn, others around me are either sneezing, constantly blowing their stuffed-up noses, coughing up a lung, or can't stay off the toilet long enough to enjoy a meal.
What's up with that?
I know, I know, 'til cold & flu season. But I mean, seriously, come on! I'm knocking on wood as I type this, because thus far I've managed to stay healthy this season. An occasional sneeze or sniffing of the nose or clearing of the throat does not indicate bad health, perhaps just a sign of having taken in too much dust or some other irritant. **sigh**
Seriously though, everyone around me does seem to be ill with either the flu, pneumonia, strep-throat, a viral infection or a stomach virus. I don't know how I've managed to escape being ill, but I'm counting my lucky stars. Perhaps it's because of my phobias about toilet seats, not touching door handles in public restrooms, and my constant wiping down of my workspace with disinfecting wipes that has warded off the evil germs. Or perhaps it's all going to hit me when I least expect it. Either way, for now, I'm going to continue on with my ritual of disinfecting my desk, my ritual in public restrooms, and I think I'll eat some more apple sauce to help keep the doctor away.
What's up with that?
I know, I know, 'til cold & flu season. But I mean, seriously, come on! I'm knocking on wood as I type this, because thus far I've managed to stay healthy this season. An occasional sneeze or sniffing of the nose or clearing of the throat does not indicate bad health, perhaps just a sign of having taken in too much dust or some other irritant. **sigh**
Seriously though, everyone around me does seem to be ill with either the flu, pneumonia, strep-throat, a viral infection or a stomach virus. I don't know how I've managed to escape being ill, but I'm counting my lucky stars. Perhaps it's because of my phobias about toilet seats, not touching door handles in public restrooms, and my constant wiping down of my workspace with disinfecting wipes that has warded off the evil germs. Or perhaps it's all going to hit me when I least expect it. Either way, for now, I'm going to continue on with my ritual of disinfecting my desk, my ritual in public restrooms, and I think I'll eat some more apple sauce to help keep the doctor away.
The "children"
It's been a few months since I've seen any of my "step-children", as I lovingly refer to them. My step-children being our breeders 8 great danes. Well, seven actually , because she has one of them at a dogshow this week.
Some of you may recall the trouble I had last time I watched them, when Candy didn't want to come inside and played an annoying game of "catch me if you can". It took the entire time I was there to earn her trust enough that she would even approach me or allow me to pet her. I wondered how things would be this time...? I'm delighted to say it's going much better this time. She hesitated about coming back inside this morning, but when I ignored her and went about feeding the other kids, Candy decided she'd better come in too.
Poor Sadie, she's going through doggie-chemo right now for her pancreatic cancer, and is a rack of bones, but she still has a lot of energy and is very playful. Still has all her hair too, so I guess canine chemo isn't quite the same as human chemo.
Well, I'm doing something quite different this time around. It took a lot of nerve, several deep breaths, and a stern lecture to all the dogs last night. Normally, I don't quite have the nerve to let all of them in the house at the same time, as some of the girls don't always get along. But Genia wanted them all in at night. She suggested putting Sara in the crate at bedtime, and everyone else would be fine. I still wasn't convinced that would solve the problem. While I was up, watching tv, I let them all stay out with me. No fights, no mishaps, other than Sadie eating my pencil eraser that I dropped on the floor. When bedtime came, I put Sadie and Candy in the crates, much to Sadie's dismay. I took Sara & Diva back to the whelping room, which was across the hall from me, and left the others be. This arrangement seemed to work well... until I tossed and turned from 3:30 to 4:30, listening to them move about as they had decided it was time to get up. Sleep was impossible. I shooed them all back out to the kennel then headed back to the house to try and get another hours sleep. I reached for the doorknob to enter the house, but it wouldn't turn. Oh crap!! It was locked. I knew the sliding glass door was also locked. I was dressed only in a light-weight robe, a holey t-shirt, and frayed house slippers and it was only 34 degrees out. I didn't even have my cell phone in my pocket so I could call somebody, and the nearest neighbor is quite a hike away! Dammit!!
I started to shove the locked door, not because I thought it would do any good, but out of frustration, and it gave a little. I pushed some more and it opened up. Whew!! While the doorknob was locked, the door hadn't shut quite tightly enough for the latch to catch, so I was able to get back inside. WHEW!!!! Okay, lesson learned, don't walk out of the house without my cell phone in my pocket, and only exit through the sliding door, as I don't think it can accidentally lock behind me.
I took some pictures of the seven of them all curled up together. It's quite a sight to see. Aside from the two black girls, it's hard to pick out who is who among the sea of harlequins. I'll post them next week after I'm done caring for them.
Some of you may recall the trouble I had last time I watched them, when Candy didn't want to come inside and played an annoying game of "catch me if you can". It took the entire time I was there to earn her trust enough that she would even approach me or allow me to pet her. I wondered how things would be this time...? I'm delighted to say it's going much better this time. She hesitated about coming back inside this morning, but when I ignored her and went about feeding the other kids, Candy decided she'd better come in too.
Poor Sadie, she's going through doggie-chemo right now for her pancreatic cancer, and is a rack of bones, but she still has a lot of energy and is very playful. Still has all her hair too, so I guess canine chemo isn't quite the same as human chemo.
Well, I'm doing something quite different this time around. It took a lot of nerve, several deep breaths, and a stern lecture to all the dogs last night. Normally, I don't quite have the nerve to let all of them in the house at the same time, as some of the girls don't always get along. But Genia wanted them all in at night. She suggested putting Sara in the crate at bedtime, and everyone else would be fine. I still wasn't convinced that would solve the problem. While I was up, watching tv, I let them all stay out with me. No fights, no mishaps, other than Sadie eating my pencil eraser that I dropped on the floor. When bedtime came, I put Sadie and Candy in the crates, much to Sadie's dismay. I took Sara & Diva back to the whelping room, which was across the hall from me, and left the others be. This arrangement seemed to work well... until I tossed and turned from 3:30 to 4:30, listening to them move about as they had decided it was time to get up. Sleep was impossible. I shooed them all back out to the kennel then headed back to the house to try and get another hours sleep. I reached for the doorknob to enter the house, but it wouldn't turn. Oh crap!! It was locked. I knew the sliding glass door was also locked. I was dressed only in a light-weight robe, a holey t-shirt, and frayed house slippers and it was only 34 degrees out. I didn't even have my cell phone in my pocket so I could call somebody, and the nearest neighbor is quite a hike away! Dammit!!
I started to shove the locked door, not because I thought it would do any good, but out of frustration, and it gave a little. I pushed some more and it opened up. Whew!! While the doorknob was locked, the door hadn't shut quite tightly enough for the latch to catch, so I was able to get back inside. WHEW!!!! Okay, lesson learned, don't walk out of the house without my cell phone in my pocket, and only exit through the sliding door, as I don't think it can accidentally lock behind me.
I took some pictures of the seven of them all curled up together. It's quite a sight to see. Aside from the two black girls, it's hard to pick out who is who among the sea of harlequins. I'll post them next week after I'm done caring for them.
"Slip sliding away", or "Click, drip & a ding-dong"
Egad, what a difference it makes from living in the suburbs to staying out in the country when the weather is bad. Not that I'm complaining, as I'd dearly love to live in the country. And if I did have the luxury of living away from the mainstream, I'd be better equipped to deal with it.
That having been said...
Slip Sliding Away:
With the snow and ice we had earlier this week, it's pretty much gone where I live. But after leaving work yesterday, I drove out to the country to house & kennel sit for my friend. Her house sets up on a hill and her driveway is kind of steep with a sharp curve in it. My vehicle isn't equipped to drive up such an ice-covered grade. When I turned off the highway and parked my car to get out and open the farm gate, I picked my way carefully across the slushy, ice covered gravel. Opened the gate, pinned it open, then drove through and stopped about 10 feet beyond the gate. Put the car in neutral and applied the parking brake. I got out of the car to go back and close the gate, but had only taken a couple of steps away from the car before I noticed it sliding backwards.... let's see how fast I can spin around, dash back to the door, jump in and apply the brake without breaking my neck! It took a couple of more tries before I got the car to stay put long enough for me to get the gate closed and get back behind the wheel. Ah, but then a new problem, my tires just spun and I couldn't get any traction to get up the hill. Dammit!! New plan: get the car to stay put long enough for me to get the gate open (again), then roll backwards out onto the highway, and get a running start at it. This plan actually worked. The only drawback is once I had my car parked at the top of the hill, I had to walk back down the icy drive, close the gate, then hike back up the hill. Yes, I'm getting my exercise.
As the temperature actually stayed above freezing overnight, I had hopes that a lot of the ice would've melted by this morning, but it hadn't. Leaving this morning was even trickier!! Driving down the hill wasn't a problem, but I lost count of how many times my car started to slide on the ice when I'd get out. I had visions of it either crashing into the gate, or else rolling over top of my while I tried to open it, or rolling out onto the highway. After several false starts, I finally got underway.
Click, Drip & a Ding-Dong:
It's amazing how little sounds can keep you awake. My friend has little gadgets plugged in everyroom that supposedly transmits a noise that keeps varmits away. I don't know whether or not they actually work on the varmits, but they are certainly annoying enough that I'm tempted to stay away. Every few seconds, it makes a clicking noise. Very annoying! Then the toilet kept making a dripping noise, or maybe it was ice melting off the porch, just outside the bathroom window. Either way, again, it was very annoying. Then there was the grandfather clock. I remember my aunt having one in her house when I was growing up, and when I'd stay with her during the summer, it used to keep me up at nights. Well, the nightmare-clock of my childhood is back. My friend now has one and that constant chiming every 15 minutes makes me bonkers!! Every time I'd just about drift off to sleep, the clock would chime and remind me that I'd been awake for yet another quarter of an hour. Stupid clock!! Needless to say I'm a bit tired this morning.
That having been said...
Slip Sliding Away:
With the snow and ice we had earlier this week, it's pretty much gone where I live. But after leaving work yesterday, I drove out to the country to house & kennel sit for my friend. Her house sets up on a hill and her driveway is kind of steep with a sharp curve in it. My vehicle isn't equipped to drive up such an ice-covered grade. When I turned off the highway and parked my car to get out and open the farm gate, I picked my way carefully across the slushy, ice covered gravel. Opened the gate, pinned it open, then drove through and stopped about 10 feet beyond the gate. Put the car in neutral and applied the parking brake. I got out of the car to go back and close the gate, but had only taken a couple of steps away from the car before I noticed it sliding backwards.... let's see how fast I can spin around, dash back to the door, jump in and apply the brake without breaking my neck! It took a couple of more tries before I got the car to stay put long enough for me to get the gate closed and get back behind the wheel. Ah, but then a new problem, my tires just spun and I couldn't get any traction to get up the hill. Dammit!! New plan: get the car to stay put long enough for me to get the gate open (again), then roll backwards out onto the highway, and get a running start at it. This plan actually worked. The only drawback is once I had my car parked at the top of the hill, I had to walk back down the icy drive, close the gate, then hike back up the hill. Yes, I'm getting my exercise.
As the temperature actually stayed above freezing overnight, I had hopes that a lot of the ice would've melted by this morning, but it hadn't. Leaving this morning was even trickier!! Driving down the hill wasn't a problem, but I lost count of how many times my car started to slide on the ice when I'd get out. I had visions of it either crashing into the gate, or else rolling over top of my while I tried to open it, or rolling out onto the highway. After several false starts, I finally got underway.
Click, Drip & a Ding-Dong:
It's amazing how little sounds can keep you awake. My friend has little gadgets plugged in everyroom that supposedly transmits a noise that keeps varmits away. I don't know whether or not they actually work on the varmits, but they are certainly annoying enough that I'm tempted to stay away. Every few seconds, it makes a clicking noise. Very annoying! Then the toilet kept making a dripping noise, or maybe it was ice melting off the porch, just outside the bathroom window. Either way, again, it was very annoying. Then there was the grandfather clock. I remember my aunt having one in her house when I was growing up, and when I'd stay with her during the summer, it used to keep me up at nights. Well, the nightmare-clock of my childhood is back. My friend now has one and that constant chiming every 15 minutes makes me bonkers!! Every time I'd just about drift off to sleep, the clock would chime and remind me that I'd been awake for yet another quarter of an hour. Stupid clock!! Needless to say I'm a bit tired this morning.
Thursday, February 14, 2008
A special month
It was time to update my blogger profile. Had to change it from "on the backside of 30" to "just turned four oh".
I also added a link for direct emailing should anyone care to contact me directly instead of just leaving a comment. Just click on the "View Complete Profile" and then click on the Email link.
Gee, wonder how much more junk mail I'm going to get now? That little change might not last long.
So many people I know have birthdays this month... not even counting myself, my sister and my father. Sad thing of it is, I can remember the birthdays of people I went to school with 20+ years ago, yet I have a hard time remembering family members birthdays (that aren't this month).
My first beau has a birthday tomorrow. I guess I should send him an email wishing him a happy one.
Throw in my parents wedding anniversary, the anniversary of two of my cousins getting killed this month, and, what else???...
Oh yes, we did get two of our Danes in February.
All in all, it's a pretty special month.
: )
I also added a link for direct emailing should anyone care to contact me directly instead of just leaving a comment. Just click on the "View Complete Profile" and then click on the Email link.
Gee, wonder how much more junk mail I'm going to get now? That little change might not last long.
So many people I know have birthdays this month... not even counting myself, my sister and my father. Sad thing of it is, I can remember the birthdays of people I went to school with 20+ years ago, yet I have a hard time remembering family members birthdays (that aren't this month).
My first beau has a birthday tomorrow. I guess I should send him an email wishing him a happy one.
Throw in my parents wedding anniversary, the anniversary of two of my cousins getting killed this month, and, what else???...
Oh yes, we did get two of our Danes in February.
All in all, it's a pretty special month.
: )
on my mind
So many things, on my mind, making me feel as if the weight of the world is on my shoulders. I desperately need to blog to "therapize" (is that a word?) myself, yet I can't. At least, not at this time. The day will come eventually, but it may be several months from now. In the meantime, I'll continue with this balancing act... the act of keeping my world balanced.
Gasp!!
Oh my goodness! Okay, my St. Baldrick's fund raising is going better than I could've ever hoped for!
I had set my goal as a first-timer at $1000.00. I wasn't sure if I was setting my goal too high or not, but I had to start somewhere, right?
Wow, with the donations that have already posted to the site, plus the two checks I mailed in this week (which will take a few days to post), and the two corporate gifts I've been promised, I've already passed the $900 mark. My heart is beating so hard!! And I've still got a little over a month left to go on fund raising.
Do I dare set a new goal of $2000.00 and see what happens??
I had set my goal as a first-timer at $1000.00. I wasn't sure if I was setting my goal too high or not, but I had to start somewhere, right?
Wow, with the donations that have already posted to the site, plus the two checks I mailed in this week (which will take a few days to post), and the two corporate gifts I've been promised, I've already passed the $900 mark. My heart is beating so hard!! And I've still got a little over a month left to go on fund raising.
Do I dare set a new goal of $2000.00 and see what happens??
Techno idiot
Well, being the techno-idiot I am, I still haven't got to enjoy my new Ipod. I've tried following the instructions, and even got the music loaded onto the computer, but darned if I can get it loaded onto the Ipod. Grrrr!
I told our techno-intelligent neighbor last night I was going to need his help when I get back in town. I'll work on it today, but I don't know if I foresee me figuring it out.
Remember when life was simple and we only had AM stations to chose from, no FM? You could listen to LP albums or 45's, and 8-track tapes were the thing to have... in the past 20 years vinyl albums disappearred, 8-tracks were replaced with casette tapes, which were replaced with CD's, which I figure will disappear completely in the next decade. Transistor radios which were actually smaller than a walkman cassette player, gave way to the large boom boxes, which gave way to the walkman cassette & cd players, which have now given way to the mp3 players.
What's next?
Everytime I think things can't possibly get any smaller and compact, they suddenly come out with a new micro-gadget.
I miss the times when life were simpler. Techno idiots have no place in todays society.
I told our techno-intelligent neighbor last night I was going to need his help when I get back in town. I'll work on it today, but I don't know if I foresee me figuring it out.
Remember when life was simple and we only had AM stations to chose from, no FM? You could listen to LP albums or 45's, and 8-track tapes were the thing to have... in the past 20 years vinyl albums disappearred, 8-tracks were replaced with casette tapes, which were replaced with CD's, which I figure will disappear completely in the next decade. Transistor radios which were actually smaller than a walkman cassette player, gave way to the large boom boxes, which gave way to the walkman cassette & cd players, which have now given way to the mp3 players.
What's next?
Everytime I think things can't possibly get any smaller and compact, they suddenly come out with a new micro-gadget.
I miss the times when life were simpler. Techno idiots have no place in todays society.
Growing weary
I'm truly growing weary of parents that constantly make excuses for their childrens bad behavior. I don't mean to imply that they condone it, just that they have a tendancy to try and downplay it and justify it. Give me a frigging break!! If said parents would stop coddling their kids and make them stand on their own two feet, force them to grow up and act their ages and take responsiblity for their own actions, perhaps our society wouldn't be going to pot as it seems to be.
Okay, before all of the parents out there start crucifying me, I know not all parents are bad, and many do practice tough-love when needed. And I know that a parent loves a child unconditionally and would do anything in their power to help their children. But let me tell you where I'm going with this...
I recently found out that an acquaintance of mine (I refuse to call this person a friend, merely a long-time acquaintance) is under investigation by US marshalls for viewing child porn on the internet. When I found this out, I really wasn't even surprised. Not that I knew this person was a pervert, but yet somewhere in the back of my mind I just suspected that if they weren't already doing such a thing, then it was only a matter of time before he did.
So here's a question for you.... if you only view those materials, but have never actually, physically done anything to an underaged person, does that still make you a pedophile? Personally, I say yes! Well, this man's mother, while she was quite horrified over what this son had done, had the audacity to try and downplay his actions by saying, "well, he only looked, he didn't actually do anything". Give me a freaking break lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're as stupid as he is!!! Maybe he hasn't actually done anything, yet, but looking eventually leads to wanting to act out those kinds of things. I'm sorry, but that's what I believe, and you'll not convince me otherwise.
Woman, perhaps if you weren't in such denial that the marijuana you allowed your children to smoke when they were younger wouldn't lead to other drugs, then perhaps they wouldn't all be in the trouble they are in now that they are adults.
Honestly, I have to fight the urge to just go up and slap the taste out of this woman's mouth every time I see her or every time I hear of some new infraction one of her brood has committed, because I truly believe she is a big part of their problems. But she's never going to back off and say "no child, this time you have to deal with it, I'm not going to bale you out", instead she's going to keep robbing Peter to pay Paul, with Paul being the bale bondsmen or the defense attorney, or the drug dealer that wants his money, or even the child that is needing a fix and threatening to harm themselves if they can't get it, or whoever.
Why can't I just get these people out of my life and not have to ever associate with them? Even if I could, there would just be somebody else equally as bad ready to take their place.
Okay, before all of the parents out there start crucifying me, I know not all parents are bad, and many do practice tough-love when needed. And I know that a parent loves a child unconditionally and would do anything in their power to help their children. But let me tell you where I'm going with this...
I recently found out that an acquaintance of mine (I refuse to call this person a friend, merely a long-time acquaintance) is under investigation by US marshalls for viewing child porn on the internet. When I found this out, I really wasn't even surprised. Not that I knew this person was a pervert, but yet somewhere in the back of my mind I just suspected that if they weren't already doing such a thing, then it was only a matter of time before he did.
So here's a question for you.... if you only view those materials, but have never actually, physically done anything to an underaged person, does that still make you a pedophile? Personally, I say yes! Well, this man's mother, while she was quite horrified over what this son had done, had the audacity to try and downplay his actions by saying, "well, he only looked, he didn't actually do anything". Give me a freaking break lady!!!!!!!!!!!!!! You're as stupid as he is!!! Maybe he hasn't actually done anything, yet, but looking eventually leads to wanting to act out those kinds of things. I'm sorry, but that's what I believe, and you'll not convince me otherwise.
Woman, perhaps if you weren't in such denial that the marijuana you allowed your children to smoke when they were younger wouldn't lead to other drugs, then perhaps they wouldn't all be in the trouble they are in now that they are adults.
Honestly, I have to fight the urge to just go up and slap the taste out of this woman's mouth every time I see her or every time I hear of some new infraction one of her brood has committed, because I truly believe she is a big part of their problems. But she's never going to back off and say "no child, this time you have to deal with it, I'm not going to bale you out", instead she's going to keep robbing Peter to pay Paul, with Paul being the bale bondsmen or the defense attorney, or the drug dealer that wants his money, or even the child that is needing a fix and threatening to harm themselves if they can't get it, or whoever.
Why can't I just get these people out of my life and not have to ever associate with them? Even if I could, there would just be somebody else equally as bad ready to take their place.
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
The Waiting Game
As we were shooed out of my father's pre-surgery room, we shuffled to the waiting area and our crowd quickly grew to number 12... my mother, myself, my sister and her 2 sons, my dad's brother, an old friend (Angie) of my mother's and her husband who is also my mother's co-worker, and 2 sets of neighbors that we had lived near for years before moving out of the neighborhood. Thus we began the waiting game.
Angie and I had both brought large bags, filled with beverages, snacks, and things to occupy our time. My nephews had brought their dvd player, mp3 players, and coloring books to keep them occupied. I had brought my dvd player & cds to pass the time, but never really got to enjoy(?) them. I did manage to work a couple of puzzles, and most of us snacked the afternoon away.
It was good seeing the old friends again, and we all shared stories, caught one another up on our children &/or grandchildrens lives, talked of our pets and generally passed the time away.
I had brought a large glass of iced tea with me, and the 32 oz. I drank seemed to double inside of me and I felt the need to pee 64 oz. out of me. Several trips to the restroom were in order.
Okay, it's no secret that I have a bit of a bathroom phobia, especially regarding public toilet seats. If paper seatcovers aren't provided and I don't have any on me, then I lay down strips of toilet paper to form a barrier. You'd think that a hospital, where one's health is of utmost concern, would provide paper seatcovers, but they don't. Fortunately, I had brought my own.
Everytime I needed to go to the bathroom, I'd reach in my large bag and pull out a seatcover. Some in our group seemed to find this amusing, especially when I offered to share my supply with anybody that needed one.
I discovered that paper seatcovers don't work well with toilets that are equipped with automated flushers.
In this day and age of convenience, and I suppose for sanitary reasons as well, the automated flushing toilet is not one I'm sure I am totally in favor of. Half the time, it flushes before you ever sit down, sending a spray of water at you and wetting the seat. Then it may or may not flush upon standing up, often forcing you to manually flush it anyway.
Yesterday, I encountered the premature flusher. I had just placed my paper seatcover onto the seat, with the paper "tail" hanging down in the middle, and was preparing to unzip my britches when it started to flush, trying to drag my paper seatcover down the drain. I'm slapping both hands onto the seat in an effort to hold my paper cover in place, playing a game of tug-o-war with the toilet's high-powered flush. Finally it stopped flushing, and I raised the seat up to tuck the edges of what remained of my paper cover into place to help hold it there in case of another premature flush.
Once my business was concluded, the auto flusher took the remains of my paper seatcover and I exited the stall.
The papertowel dispenser was automated as well. When these work properly, I'm all in favor of them.
Now here is where I have a problem. Why don't the idiots that design these bathrooms make the doors open outwards?? We are now forced to either grab the dirty door handle with our clean hands to open it, or do as I do and use my dirty papertowel to grab it or else my shirt tail. Seriously, the door should open out so all we have to do is lean against it. Or better yet, since they are into the automation thing, then put a sensor pad in front of the door like they have at the grocery store so that the door will swing open automatically when we step on it.
Yes, I have my little quirks, but that's part of what makes me tick.
Angie and I had both brought large bags, filled with beverages, snacks, and things to occupy our time. My nephews had brought their dvd player, mp3 players, and coloring books to keep them occupied. I had brought my dvd player & cds to pass the time, but never really got to enjoy(?) them. I did manage to work a couple of puzzles, and most of us snacked the afternoon away.
It was good seeing the old friends again, and we all shared stories, caught one another up on our children &/or grandchildrens lives, talked of our pets and generally passed the time away.
I had brought a large glass of iced tea with me, and the 32 oz. I drank seemed to double inside of me and I felt the need to pee 64 oz. out of me. Several trips to the restroom were in order.
Okay, it's no secret that I have a bit of a bathroom phobia, especially regarding public toilet seats. If paper seatcovers aren't provided and I don't have any on me, then I lay down strips of toilet paper to form a barrier. You'd think that a hospital, where one's health is of utmost concern, would provide paper seatcovers, but they don't. Fortunately, I had brought my own.
Everytime I needed to go to the bathroom, I'd reach in my large bag and pull out a seatcover. Some in our group seemed to find this amusing, especially when I offered to share my supply with anybody that needed one.
I discovered that paper seatcovers don't work well with toilets that are equipped with automated flushers.
In this day and age of convenience, and I suppose for sanitary reasons as well, the automated flushing toilet is not one I'm sure I am totally in favor of. Half the time, it flushes before you ever sit down, sending a spray of water at you and wetting the seat. Then it may or may not flush upon standing up, often forcing you to manually flush it anyway.
Yesterday, I encountered the premature flusher. I had just placed my paper seatcover onto the seat, with the paper "tail" hanging down in the middle, and was preparing to unzip my britches when it started to flush, trying to drag my paper seatcover down the drain. I'm slapping both hands onto the seat in an effort to hold my paper cover in place, playing a game of tug-o-war with the toilet's high-powered flush. Finally it stopped flushing, and I raised the seat up to tuck the edges of what remained of my paper cover into place to help hold it there in case of another premature flush.
Once my business was concluded, the auto flusher took the remains of my paper seatcover and I exited the stall.
The papertowel dispenser was automated as well. When these work properly, I'm all in favor of them.
Now here is where I have a problem. Why don't the idiots that design these bathrooms make the doors open outwards?? We are now forced to either grab the dirty door handle with our clean hands to open it, or do as I do and use my dirty papertowel to grab it or else my shirt tail. Seriously, the door should open out so all we have to do is lean against it. Or better yet, since they are into the automation thing, then put a sensor pad in front of the door like they have at the grocery store so that the door will swing open automatically when we step on it.
Yes, I have my little quirks, but that's part of what makes me tick.
Dad's surgery
Thanks to everyone that called or came by the hospital yesterday. Sorry I wasn't able to answer the calls, but my phone wasn't getting a signal inside the hospital. I kept having to run outside everytime I wanted to make a call or check my voicemail... after a couple of times, that got old real quick.
We had a full house, so to speak. Our waiting room was filled to capacity, with 12 strong. It almost felt like a party, and I suppose in a manner of speaking it was, as it was also dad's 60th birthday. We were having a good time, laughing, telling stories and so forth. It helped the time to pass quickly, and kept our minds from dwelling on the possibilities.
The doctor had told us that the surgery could take 4 hours or more, so we were very surprised when he came out after about 2 1/2 hours. He was very upbeat and said everything had gone very well. They only had to remove the left adrenal gland and the mass, and were able to leave the kidney in tact. He didn't feel like it was cancerous, but of course it was sent off to a lab for testing, and we should know those results in a few days.
Dad seemed to be doing well, despite the pain and hunger. If all goes well, he should only have to stay in the hospital 4-6 days.
I actually did fine throughout the whole day, only moved to tears twice, which I quickly hid. The first time when a friend of ours who is going through chemo for his own cancer treatment... after we'd received dad's good news, I looked over at the friend and saw a tear in his eye and couldn't help but wonder if he was jealous of our good fortune or relieved that dad wouldn't have to suffer through what he was suffering. I feel so bad for his family right now.
The second time, after almost everyone else had left except myself, mom, and her friend... mom mentioned she needed to get her overnight bag out of the car, and dad said, "who's bag is that over there?" We told him that was his and he quickly told mom she wasn't allowed to get into his bag. She told him she hadn't planned on it, but he again stated she needed to stay out of his luggage. She finally asked why and he informed her that there was something in it for her.
Despite all that was going on, he still had gone out and gotten her a Valentines Day gift, as he knew he'd be unable to go out when it got here. That really choked me up.
We had a full house, so to speak. Our waiting room was filled to capacity, with 12 strong. It almost felt like a party, and I suppose in a manner of speaking it was, as it was also dad's 60th birthday. We were having a good time, laughing, telling stories and so forth. It helped the time to pass quickly, and kept our minds from dwelling on the possibilities.
The doctor had told us that the surgery could take 4 hours or more, so we were very surprised when he came out after about 2 1/2 hours. He was very upbeat and said everything had gone very well. They only had to remove the left adrenal gland and the mass, and were able to leave the kidney in tact. He didn't feel like it was cancerous, but of course it was sent off to a lab for testing, and we should know those results in a few days.
Dad seemed to be doing well, despite the pain and hunger. If all goes well, he should only have to stay in the hospital 4-6 days.
I actually did fine throughout the whole day, only moved to tears twice, which I quickly hid. The first time when a friend of ours who is going through chemo for his own cancer treatment... after we'd received dad's good news, I looked over at the friend and saw a tear in his eye and couldn't help but wonder if he was jealous of our good fortune or relieved that dad wouldn't have to suffer through what he was suffering. I feel so bad for his family right now.
The second time, after almost everyone else had left except myself, mom, and her friend... mom mentioned she needed to get her overnight bag out of the car, and dad said, "who's bag is that over there?" We told him that was his and he quickly told mom she wasn't allowed to get into his bag. She told him she hadn't planned on it, but he again stated she needed to stay out of his luggage. She finally asked why and he informed her that there was something in it for her.
Despite all that was going on, he still had gone out and gotten her a Valentines Day gift, as he knew he'd be unable to go out when it got here. That really choked me up.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Turning Four-Oh
After some false-starts and hitting a few rough patches this weekend, it ended on a good note.
I met my friend Donna for breakfast where she presented me with a Dammit-Doll, which I've been giving quite a work-out already today. She also gave me a waiting-room-survival kit for tomorrow while my father's having his surgery.
I went and gave blood at the Red Cross on Saturday. I even managed to get through it without passing out... always a good thing!
Sunday I met my three amigos for breakfast where I was presented with a new Ipod, complete with accessories. They were in cahoots with my husband. I truly am spoiled!
We then headed up north to the outlets mall for a day of shopping and indulging. Diet be damned today!! We shopped 'til we dropped before heading back home.
Upon arriving home I found a gift bag sitting on our front porch. It contained a box of fine chocolates and a bottle of sparkling mixed-berry juice (faux wine... I don't care for wine, but maybe this won't be so bad). It was from our next-door neighbors who had seen the large banner my husband had hung across the front of the house, announcing to the world I was now 40.
Everyone was soooo good to me. I hated for the day to end. It's a shame I can't turn 40 everyday. ;)
I met my friend Donna for breakfast where she presented me with a Dammit-Doll, which I've been giving quite a work-out already today. She also gave me a waiting-room-survival kit for tomorrow while my father's having his surgery.
I went and gave blood at the Red Cross on Saturday. I even managed to get through it without passing out... always a good thing!
Sunday I met my three amigos for breakfast where I was presented with a new Ipod, complete with accessories. They were in cahoots with my husband. I truly am spoiled!
We then headed up north to the outlets mall for a day of shopping and indulging. Diet be damned today!! We shopped 'til we dropped before heading back home.
Upon arriving home I found a gift bag sitting on our front porch. It contained a box of fine chocolates and a bottle of sparkling mixed-berry juice (faux wine... I don't care for wine, but maybe this won't be so bad). It was from our next-door neighbors who had seen the large banner my husband had hung across the front of the house, announcing to the world I was now 40.
Everyone was soooo good to me. I hated for the day to end. It's a shame I can't turn 40 everyday. ;)
Friday, February 08, 2008
Why do I even bother???
Arghhh!! I swear, I don't know why I even bother!!
I should've known better than to include in that blog earlier that I had a "date" to go rescue Zack the dane this evening.
His owner called me just a few minutes ago and has once again changed his mind and decided to keep him.
When he told me this, I'm afraid I got a bit sarcastic and said, "Say it isn't so!". I think the sarcasm went right over his head. I think deep down inside I knew he wouldn't give the dog up. I think the only way that family will part with that dog is if the dog dies or the old man dies. Hate to say it, but I fear it's true.
I should've known better than to include in that blog earlier that I had a "date" to go rescue Zack the dane this evening.
His owner called me just a few minutes ago and has once again changed his mind and decided to keep him.
When he told me this, I'm afraid I got a bit sarcastic and said, "Say it isn't so!". I think the sarcasm went right over his head. I think deep down inside I knew he wouldn't give the dog up. I think the only way that family will part with that dog is if the dog dies or the old man dies. Hate to say it, but I fear it's true.
Weather, whether we like it or not
I was asked, in a comment on another blog, what the weather was like (or normally like) around these parts. I thought I'd just post a whole separate blog on the subject.
The "norm" in these parts is: we have no norm, persay.
We live in the area dubbed "The Ohio Valley". For those that live in the area, enough said. That seems to explain it all. For those living elsewhere, it means notta.
From late December thru February is when we are most likely to have snow or ice, but actually, we really don't get that much of either, except on rare occasions. On those rare occasions, we have been known to get about 20" of snow, but again, that's rare. Normally, we only get perhaps 1 - 4" of snow at a time, and usually only a couple of times per season, and typically, it doesn't seem to stay on the ground more than a couple of days before melting off.
Our temperatures do often plunge below freezing, both during the day and night, but seldom do they seem to stay there for more than a few days, typically hovering between 35 & 50 degrees "F" during the days. However, during the month of February, we can almost always count on having a few days in the 60's &/or 70's (before plunging back down into the 20's!).
March usually ushers in the rainy season. April the windy season.
May, the weather is a crapshoot. It's been known to snow on Derby Day (first Saturday in May), but then again, it's been known to be so hot people get heat stroke at the track. Swimming pools are usually uncovered during this month and those that are either brave or have heated pools start enjoying them by the end of the month.
June thru August ushers in the high temperatures, between 80 and 100, with very high humidity and usually a serious lack of rain. It seems like when we do get a rain, it's only a fraction of an inch, just enough to piss you off, or a sudden deluge that the sun-baked ground can't handle and then flooding occurs.
September and October, often still hot and humid during the days, but evenings are usually quite a bit cooler, and the rainy season returns.
November, much like February, is a wide range of temps. We may get up in the morning and wear shorts outside to enjoy the warm temperatures, but by that night, the temperatures have dropped and it's flurrying snowflakes at us.
The Ohio Valley is of course the allergy and sinusitis capitol of the world, at least, in the opinion of most people that live here and suffer with it, in part due to the weather.
So whether or not we like it, that's our weather.
The "norm" in these parts is: we have no norm, persay.
We live in the area dubbed "The Ohio Valley". For those that live in the area, enough said. That seems to explain it all. For those living elsewhere, it means notta.
From late December thru February is when we are most likely to have snow or ice, but actually, we really don't get that much of either, except on rare occasions. On those rare occasions, we have been known to get about 20" of snow, but again, that's rare. Normally, we only get perhaps 1 - 4" of snow at a time, and usually only a couple of times per season, and typically, it doesn't seem to stay on the ground more than a couple of days before melting off.
Our temperatures do often plunge below freezing, both during the day and night, but seldom do they seem to stay there for more than a few days, typically hovering between 35 & 50 degrees "F" during the days. However, during the month of February, we can almost always count on having a few days in the 60's &/or 70's (before plunging back down into the 20's!).
March usually ushers in the rainy season. April the windy season.
May, the weather is a crapshoot. It's been known to snow on Derby Day (first Saturday in May), but then again, it's been known to be so hot people get heat stroke at the track. Swimming pools are usually uncovered during this month and those that are either brave or have heated pools start enjoying them by the end of the month.
June thru August ushers in the high temperatures, between 80 and 100, with very high humidity and usually a serious lack of rain. It seems like when we do get a rain, it's only a fraction of an inch, just enough to piss you off, or a sudden deluge that the sun-baked ground can't handle and then flooding occurs.
September and October, often still hot and humid during the days, but evenings are usually quite a bit cooler, and the rainy season returns.
November, much like February, is a wide range of temps. We may get up in the morning and wear shorts outside to enjoy the warm temperatures, but by that night, the temperatures have dropped and it's flurrying snowflakes at us.
The Ohio Valley is of course the allergy and sinusitis capitol of the world, at least, in the opinion of most people that live here and suffer with it, in part due to the weather.
So whether or not we like it, that's our weather.
Sunshine, on my shoulder...
I dare say, the late, great, John Denver, said it best: Sunshine, on my shoulder, makes me happeeeee!
Indeed, I know have a window right behind my chair, as I sit at my computer, and the sunshine is coming in, making me quite happy. It's not a direct ray that creates a glare on the monitor screen, but it's coming from an angle, and is quite nice.
Indeed, I know have a window right behind my chair, as I sit at my computer, and the sunshine is coming in, making me quite happy. It's not a direct ray that creates a glare on the monitor screen, but it's coming from an angle, and is quite nice.
Olivia's friend
As mentioned in my last blog, we received a Christmas card yesterday. A bit late perhaps, but well intended. That's okay though, as mine to the sender will be going out in todays mail.
She didn't have to bend over too far to get lovin' from Olivia. We exchanged addresses, but, as she mentioned in her card, she'd misplaced ours 'til recently. Well, now I don't feel so bad, as I had misplaced hers as well. But now that I have it, I'll send Ruth our family Christmas photo. Who knows, maybe we'll cross pathes again someday at another resort.
While we were on vacation back in early October, we met a little ol' lady that was staying in the condo right above ours.
Our pathes crossed frequently as we came and went, and at various times and places around the resort. She absolutely fell in love with Olivia (as so many seem to do). On her last day, she wanted to take a picture of Olivia, and snapped this one of Livvie standing up, face to face with
John...
I then had her pass the camera off to John so he could take a photo of Olivia's new friend standing next to her. I wasn't exaggerating when I said she was a LITTLE ol' lady...
She didn't have to bend over too far to get lovin' from Olivia. We exchanged addresses, but, as she mentioned in her card, she'd misplaced ours 'til recently. Well, now I don't feel so bad, as I had misplaced hers as well. But now that I have it, I'll send Ruth our family Christmas photo. Who knows, maybe we'll cross pathes again someday at another resort.The balloon
Aside from having a splitting headache when I left work yesterday, I felt pretty good... mood-wise that is. I was finally moved into my new office and starting to see a light at the end of the tunnel of getting things organized.
But things have a way of crashing down around you in an instance and bursting the balloon of euphoria we ride at times.
On the drive home, I called the husband to see if the furnace repairman had been there yet (yes, for a 2nd time this week), but he hadn't because my husband had been goofing off most of the day and had only just called them. While on the phone, he informed me that his uncle that lives in Leitchfield wasn't expected to make it through the night... however, as of the writing of this blog we've not heard anything so I'll take that as a sign he's still holding on. My mind started racing... okay, if he passes, would the funeral be down there or up here? I know he's being buried up here, and this is where the family is, but he's lived down there for several decades and that's where his friends are? Hmm, maybe a visitation there, then the funeral here... okay, wonder when the funeral will be? Selfishly(?), I'm hoping not Tuesday, for that's the day of my father's surgery. Also selfishly, I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with my plans this weekend, but, that's life. Death waits for no one. Should he go, I'll be there.
So do I call his wife and offer up my "services" so to speak when it comes time to make funeral arrangements? I don't want to seem pushy, but I don't want her being taken advantage of either. They have no children, and my husband & I are probably the closest to them in (physically and emotionally) than all the other nieces/nephews. Just a million thoughts running through my mind!!
Then I got a phone call from the old man with the Great Dane I've been helping out periodically. He informed me he was returning the dog to the breeder tonight and might need my help getting the dog loaded into the car. Part of me is thinking, "thank goodness, let's get this dog into a different environment once and for all" and part of me is thinking, "here we go again!" I seemed to have no control over my voice and before I could stop myself, I offered to come get the dog and deliver it to the breeder for him as he didn't need to be out driving in the country after dark. So I now have a 6pm date this evening to go rescue Zack the dane one last time (I hope)... however, I am supposed to be kennel-sitting for our breeder next weekend, so unless she finds a home for him before then, I'll be spending several days with him and 7 of my other "k-9 step-children" soon.
I arrived at P.T. only to have one of the girls that works there lean in close and whisper to me that she probably wouldn't be working there much longer. They seem to have quite a turn-over in office help. I have my strong suspicions as to why, and I it amazes me that she's stayed as long as she has, but I've grown quite fond of her and always enjoy our playful banter. For some reason, I just about started crying at the thought of her quitting her job. Why am I taking this so hard??? As there were other employees nearby, I couldn't really question her as to what was going on. Normally she's the last one there when I'm leaving, so I thought I'd take my opportunity then. But for some unknown reason, one of the other girls stayed late and was too close for us to talk freely, so she said she'd call me if I'd give her permission to get my number out of my file. Of course I gave it to her, so now I'm fretting wonder if there isn't something else going on at the clinic I should know about.
While I was at physical therapy, waiting my turn to be adjusted by the doctor, my mind was wondering in 10 different directions, and at one point one of the doctors (who has a perpetual smile on his face, even when he's having a bad day) looked over at me while he adjusted another patient and said, "You're not smiling today", I just shook my head and looked away, on the verge of tears. When it was finally my turn, he asked what was going on, and I told him all the crap that was happening in my life at the moment and he just smiled as usual and said, "Don't you just love how all the f***ing sh*t happens all at once?" I just nodded and flopped down on the table. Afterwards, as I was sitting up, he gave me a half hug, finished adjusting my arms, then when I went to stand up, he hugged me again telling me he'd pray for me. By now I was smiling... his good humor is quite infectious.
When I finally arrived home, there was a card in the mail, actually, a Christmas card. A few weeks late perhaps, but the note and the pictures inside did make me smile, and went a long way to re-inflating my balloon.
I'll scan the pix and share them with you in another blog.
But things have a way of crashing down around you in an instance and bursting the balloon of euphoria we ride at times.
On the drive home, I called the husband to see if the furnace repairman had been there yet (yes, for a 2nd time this week), but he hadn't because my husband had been goofing off most of the day and had only just called them. While on the phone, he informed me that his uncle that lives in Leitchfield wasn't expected to make it through the night... however, as of the writing of this blog we've not heard anything so I'll take that as a sign he's still holding on. My mind started racing... okay, if he passes, would the funeral be down there or up here? I know he's being buried up here, and this is where the family is, but he's lived down there for several decades and that's where his friends are? Hmm, maybe a visitation there, then the funeral here... okay, wonder when the funeral will be? Selfishly(?), I'm hoping not Tuesday, for that's the day of my father's surgery. Also selfishly, I'm hoping it doesn't interfere with my plans this weekend, but, that's life. Death waits for no one. Should he go, I'll be there.
So do I call his wife and offer up my "services" so to speak when it comes time to make funeral arrangements? I don't want to seem pushy, but I don't want her being taken advantage of either. They have no children, and my husband & I are probably the closest to them in (physically and emotionally) than all the other nieces/nephews. Just a million thoughts running through my mind!!
Then I got a phone call from the old man with the Great Dane I've been helping out periodically. He informed me he was returning the dog to the breeder tonight and might need my help getting the dog loaded into the car. Part of me is thinking, "thank goodness, let's get this dog into a different environment once and for all" and part of me is thinking, "here we go again!" I seemed to have no control over my voice and before I could stop myself, I offered to come get the dog and deliver it to the breeder for him as he didn't need to be out driving in the country after dark. So I now have a 6pm date this evening to go rescue Zack the dane one last time (I hope)... however, I am supposed to be kennel-sitting for our breeder next weekend, so unless she finds a home for him before then, I'll be spending several days with him and 7 of my other "k-9 step-children" soon.
I arrived at P.T. only to have one of the girls that works there lean in close and whisper to me that she probably wouldn't be working there much longer. They seem to have quite a turn-over in office help. I have my strong suspicions as to why, and I it amazes me that she's stayed as long as she has, but I've grown quite fond of her and always enjoy our playful banter. For some reason, I just about started crying at the thought of her quitting her job. Why am I taking this so hard??? As there were other employees nearby, I couldn't really question her as to what was going on. Normally she's the last one there when I'm leaving, so I thought I'd take my opportunity then. But for some unknown reason, one of the other girls stayed late and was too close for us to talk freely, so she said she'd call me if I'd give her permission to get my number out of my file. Of course I gave it to her, so now I'm fretting wonder if there isn't something else going on at the clinic I should know about.
While I was at physical therapy, waiting my turn to be adjusted by the doctor, my mind was wondering in 10 different directions, and at one point one of the doctors (who has a perpetual smile on his face, even when he's having a bad day) looked over at me while he adjusted another patient and said, "You're not smiling today", I just shook my head and looked away, on the verge of tears. When it was finally my turn, he asked what was going on, and I told him all the crap that was happening in my life at the moment and he just smiled as usual and said, "Don't you just love how all the f***ing sh*t happens all at once?" I just nodded and flopped down on the table. Afterwards, as I was sitting up, he gave me a half hug, finished adjusting my arms, then when I went to stand up, he hugged me again telling me he'd pray for me. By now I was smiling... his good humor is quite infectious.
When I finally arrived home, there was a card in the mail, actually, a Christmas card. A few weeks late perhaps, but the note and the pictures inside did make me smile, and went a long way to re-inflating my balloon.
I'll scan the pix and share them with you in another blog.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
New digs
Well, at long last, after nearly 5 years of suggestions, I'm finally moved into my office. Lock, stock & barrel! The computer is back up and running (obviously). I do have to share this large room with the boss, but I don't have to look at him as my desk-wall blocks my view. I have a nice window right behind me that provides a lovely view of Jefferson Street.
Of course, the other computer and all the printers and fax machine are located in this room as well, so if anybody else needs to use them, they'll be in here, but for the most part, I've got this place to myself.
They typewriter is no longer located on my desk, which opens up a lot of workspace for me. I've got lots more file cabinets to put stuff away, and even one that locks so I can lock up my purse when I'm not in here (not to imply I work with pick-pockets).
Now I just have to go through 3 boxes of stuff that was emptied out of drawers, cabinets, and wherever-piles, decide what needs to be tossed, what I can't live without, and what is necessary to doing business (personal or otherwise).
The larger fridge is now plugged in, so I guess I can take my little one home now... wonder what on earth I'm going to do with it there??
I've got a new, very nice, color printer, just installed yesterday. Now I just need to figure out how to work the darned thing.
Well, it's been so nice these past 4 days, getting to wear my jeans, sneakers and a T- or sweat-shirt. But I guess fun and games are over, back to wearing "nice" clothes tomorrow... Gag me!!
BTW, does anybody know why spell-check doesn't seem to work anymore on the blog-site???
Of course, the other computer and all the printers and fax machine are located in this room as well, so if anybody else needs to use them, they'll be in here, but for the most part, I've got this place to myself.
They typewriter is no longer located on my desk, which opens up a lot of workspace for me. I've got lots more file cabinets to put stuff away, and even one that locks so I can lock up my purse when I'm not in here (not to imply I work with pick-pockets).
Now I just have to go through 3 boxes of stuff that was emptied out of drawers, cabinets, and wherever-piles, decide what needs to be tossed, what I can't live without, and what is necessary to doing business (personal or otherwise).
The larger fridge is now plugged in, so I guess I can take my little one home now... wonder what on earth I'm going to do with it there??
I've got a new, very nice, color printer, just installed yesterday. Now I just need to figure out how to work the darned thing.
Well, it's been so nice these past 4 days, getting to wear my jeans, sneakers and a T- or sweat-shirt. But I guess fun and games are over, back to wearing "nice" clothes tomorrow... Gag me!!
BTW, does anybody know why spell-check doesn't seem to work anymore on the blog-site???
Wednesday, February 06, 2008
"Won" for the little man
I feel as if I scored a win last night, so this "won" is for the little man.
The president of our homeowners association came knocking on our door last night. As soon as I saw him, I wondered if it was because of my desire to put on a metal roof. I hadn't said anything else to anybody (other than grumbling to one of our neighbors). No point in getting into a total frenzy 'til we can find out how much it would cost and whether or not we could afford it.
The purpose for his visit had nothing to do with the roof, rather to do with the trash-collection in our neighborhood.
While we were talking, I was debating on whether or not I should make mention of my desire, and decided to keep quiet (for now). But before he turned to leave, he brought the subject up.
Prez: By the way, Maggie told me you were wanting to put a metal roof on your house.
Me: (I'm thinking, "here we go...", and braced myself for an arguement). Oh...?
Prez: You know what I told her?
Me: What?
Prez: I said it's none of our damn business.
Okay, after I recovered from my faint (figuratively speaking), I picked my jaw up off my chest and smiled at him. Okay, I can relax now, a fight isn't about to take place.
I just told him, I wanted to look into all my options, that it wasn't set in stone.
But he again said it was our house, we could do as we pleased... as long as all the roof was covered in the same material.
Hallelujah!!!
The president of our homeowners association came knocking on our door last night. As soon as I saw him, I wondered if it was because of my desire to put on a metal roof. I hadn't said anything else to anybody (other than grumbling to one of our neighbors). No point in getting into a total frenzy 'til we can find out how much it would cost and whether or not we could afford it.
The purpose for his visit had nothing to do with the roof, rather to do with the trash-collection in our neighborhood.
While we were talking, I was debating on whether or not I should make mention of my desire, and decided to keep quiet (for now). But before he turned to leave, he brought the subject up.
Prez: By the way, Maggie told me you were wanting to put a metal roof on your house.
Me: (I'm thinking, "here we go...", and braced myself for an arguement). Oh...?
Prez: You know what I told her?
Me: What?
Prez: I said it's none of our damn business.
Okay, after I recovered from my faint (figuratively speaking), I picked my jaw up off my chest and smiled at him. Okay, I can relax now, a fight isn't about to take place.
I just told him, I wanted to look into all my options, that it wasn't set in stone.
But he again said it was our house, we could do as we pleased... as long as all the roof was covered in the same material.
Hallelujah!!!
Weathering the storm
I am soooo tired this morning.
After attending a babyshower last night, I got home just in time to go to bed. The husband was at firetraining, so I knew he'd still be a while getting home. It didn't take me long to drift off to sleep... after another day of moving furniture at work, I was whipped. I hadn't been asleep very long when the husband called and woke me up to tell me he was going to be home late. As it was after 10pm, as far as I'm concerned, it was already late. He insisted he needed to stay at the firehouse because of the bad storms headed in our direction. I reminded him he wasn't even supposed to be making fireruns as he was still technically on the disabled list from last summers knee surgery. I also reminded him he had a job driving an 18-wheeler that required him to get up at 3:30am, and that he needed to get some rest, lest he get into an accident and kill some unsuspecting citizen. We argued, I finally got pissed enough I hung up on him. I knew it was a pointless arguement, as it was one we'd had too many times to count over the past 20 years. I hate hanging up on him, angry, and without telling him I love him (as I do any other time), but sometimes it's just best to end a conversation before things get really ugly.
Now that my blood pressure was close to the boiling point, I was wide awake and couldn't go back to sleep, at least, not right away. It took a while, but I finally drifted off again, only to be rudely awakened again, again by the husband, this time upon him coming home and coming to bed. The man can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, but again, it took me a little while to drift off.
Then again, at about 12:05 this morning, I was rudely awakened.
All I want is to SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had left one of the bedroom windows open a couple of inches to enjoy the warm air we were experiencing (thus the cause for the storms). The tornado siren, located about a quarter of a mile from our house (if that), was going off, and it's piercing noise had awakened me. Now the dogs were agitated too, standing outside the bedroom door, dancing in place, wanting to be comforted. It went against my grain, but I ignored them. I needed to go to the bathroom now, but I tried to ignore that too. I finally turned the tv on and watched the weathermen point out the storms headed in our direction.
The husband continued to sleep despite the whining dogs, bellowing storm sirens, and crackling tv. Darn him!!
Sleep didn't seem to be coming anytime soon, so I gave up and went to potty, then propped myself up in bed and flipped the channel back and forth between the weather and an episode of L&O:SVU.
The weather outside worsened. The house sounded and felt at times as if it would blow away. I wondered what, if any damage would be done.
After a half hour of listening to it all, I finally settled back into bed and fell asleep, only to have the next three hours speed by and the alarm clock was blasting me awake at 3:30.
All I want is to SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!
After attending a babyshower last night, I got home just in time to go to bed. The husband was at firetraining, so I knew he'd still be a while getting home. It didn't take me long to drift off to sleep... after another day of moving furniture at work, I was whipped. I hadn't been asleep very long when the husband called and woke me up to tell me he was going to be home late. As it was after 10pm, as far as I'm concerned, it was already late. He insisted he needed to stay at the firehouse because of the bad storms headed in our direction. I reminded him he wasn't even supposed to be making fireruns as he was still technically on the disabled list from last summers knee surgery. I also reminded him he had a job driving an 18-wheeler that required him to get up at 3:30am, and that he needed to get some rest, lest he get into an accident and kill some unsuspecting citizen. We argued, I finally got pissed enough I hung up on him. I knew it was a pointless arguement, as it was one we'd had too many times to count over the past 20 years. I hate hanging up on him, angry, and without telling him I love him (as I do any other time), but sometimes it's just best to end a conversation before things get really ugly.
Now that my blood pressure was close to the boiling point, I was wide awake and couldn't go back to sleep, at least, not right away. It took a while, but I finally drifted off again, only to be rudely awakened again, again by the husband, this time upon him coming home and coming to bed. The man can fall asleep at the drop of a hat, but again, it took me a little while to drift off.
Then again, at about 12:05 this morning, I was rudely awakened.
All I want is to SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
I had left one of the bedroom windows open a couple of inches to enjoy the warm air we were experiencing (thus the cause for the storms). The tornado siren, located about a quarter of a mile from our house (if that), was going off, and it's piercing noise had awakened me. Now the dogs were agitated too, standing outside the bedroom door, dancing in place, wanting to be comforted. It went against my grain, but I ignored them. I needed to go to the bathroom now, but I tried to ignore that too. I finally turned the tv on and watched the weathermen point out the storms headed in our direction.
The husband continued to sleep despite the whining dogs, bellowing storm sirens, and crackling tv. Darn him!!
Sleep didn't seem to be coming anytime soon, so I gave up and went to potty, then propped myself up in bed and flipped the channel back and forth between the weather and an episode of L&O:SVU.
The weather outside worsened. The house sounded and felt at times as if it would blow away. I wondered what, if any damage would be done.
After a half hour of listening to it all, I finally settled back into bed and fell asleep, only to have the next three hours speed by and the alarm clock was blasting me awake at 3:30.
All I want is to SLEEP!!!!!!!!!!!
Tuesday, February 05, 2008
Pardon my lack of interest
If it seems I've been a bit vacant these past few days, it's because, at long last, we're in the process of moving my office from one room to the other. We've been working on it for two days straight, and it will take at least one more to get the job done. I've been getting quite a work-out, but on the plus side, at least I've been able to wear casual clothes
It's amazing how much crap we've thrown away (and probably another ton that needs to be tossed) and still this place seems so crowded. We can't move the computer and other such items 'til the company's computer-guru comes out tomorrow to help us move all the electrical equipment... that's assuming he shows up. If he doesn't, I don't know what we're going to do.
I dread the thought of us trying to move it ourselves and not getting it hooked back up correctly. But I also dread trying to work at a desk where 2/3's of it's in one room, the other 1/3 is right here, and stuff is strewn all around 'til I can find a place to put it.
I guess I'm getting what I've been wishing for. I guess I should be careful what I wish for, eh?
It's amazing how much crap we've thrown away (and probably another ton that needs to be tossed) and still this place seems so crowded. We can't move the computer and other such items 'til the company's computer-guru comes out tomorrow to help us move all the electrical equipment... that's assuming he shows up. If he doesn't, I don't know what we're going to do.
I dread the thought of us trying to move it ourselves and not getting it hooked back up correctly. But I also dread trying to work at a desk where 2/3's of it's in one room, the other 1/3 is right here, and stuff is strewn all around 'til I can find a place to put it.
I guess I'm getting what I've been wishing for. I guess I should be careful what I wish for, eh?
Green Eggs & Ham
I do not like green eggs and ham, I do not like them Sam I am...
Who out there hasn't ever seen the movie or read the Dr. Seuss story. The moral of the story being, "try it, you might like it".
As a child, I always wondered where they got the green eggs from, as I'd never seen any before. All the eggs I'd ever seen were white with a yellow center (except for colored Easter eggs).
Well, I'm here to tell you, green eggs and ham does exist. I had that very meal this past Sunday.
I fried up some ham, then cracked open a couple of eggs into my Magic Bullet, and decided to try something daring (daring for me that is), and through in a few spinach leaves. The M/B not only stirred my eggs into a froth, it chopped those spinach leaves up so fine, they turned the eggs green. I poured it into the skillet, cooked them and came away with green-scrambled eggs.
They were quite tasty.
I do like green eggs and ham, I do like them Sam I am. I like them in a box, I'll even eat them with a fox. I'll eat them on a plane, or on a train...
Who out there hasn't ever seen the movie or read the Dr. Seuss story. The moral of the story being, "try it, you might like it".
As a child, I always wondered where they got the green eggs from, as I'd never seen any before. All the eggs I'd ever seen were white with a yellow center (except for colored Easter eggs).
Well, I'm here to tell you, green eggs and ham does exist. I had that very meal this past Sunday.
I fried up some ham, then cracked open a couple of eggs into my Magic Bullet, and decided to try something daring (daring for me that is), and through in a few spinach leaves. The M/B not only stirred my eggs into a froth, it chopped those spinach leaves up so fine, they turned the eggs green. I poured it into the skillet, cooked them and came away with green-scrambled eggs.
They were quite tasty.
I do like green eggs and ham, I do like them Sam I am. I like them in a box, I'll even eat them with a fox. I'll eat them on a plane, or on a train...
Monday, February 04, 2008
Weekend in review
Ah, 'til Monday, that can only mean one thing... another weekend has come and gone. **sniff**
I heard some talk that there was some kind of big sporting event held over the weekend, but darned if I can figure out what all the fuss is about. There was a Law & Order: CI & SVU marathon on yesterday, so that's pretty much where my tv stayed tuned.
The weather was nice and warm (at least, compared to how it has been of late), which made for a good time at the farm on Saturday. No jacket required. However, after all the rain we've had, the pastures were an awful mess. I was cussing myself for not having taken my rubber boots to wear.
One of the other girls that volunteers there recently bought a new(used) car, that is identical to the one we traded in some 18 months ago. She was having trouble figuring out how some of the bells & whistles worked, so I got in to show her. Dumb ass me, when I got out, for reasons I'll never understand, I took her keys out of the ignition, layed them in the console, then got out and locked the car up. Duh!! Good thing I have AAA. Actually, she does too, but her AAA card and cell phone were now locked up in her car. But AAA came and saved the day.
We had dinner with our friends, belated birthday dinner for my husband... he was craving Mexican, so we went to El Terasco. It was deee-lish!!
That was about it. Nothing exciting to report.
I heard some talk that there was some kind of big sporting event held over the weekend, but darned if I can figure out what all the fuss is about. There was a Law & Order: CI & SVU marathon on yesterday, so that's pretty much where my tv stayed tuned.
The weather was nice and warm (at least, compared to how it has been of late), which made for a good time at the farm on Saturday. No jacket required. However, after all the rain we've had, the pastures were an awful mess. I was cussing myself for not having taken my rubber boots to wear.
One of the other girls that volunteers there recently bought a new(used) car, that is identical to the one we traded in some 18 months ago. She was having trouble figuring out how some of the bells & whistles worked, so I got in to show her. Dumb ass me, when I got out, for reasons I'll never understand, I took her keys out of the ignition, layed them in the console, then got out and locked the car up. Duh!! Good thing I have AAA. Actually, she does too, but her AAA card and cell phone were now locked up in her car. But AAA came and saved the day.
We had dinner with our friends, belated birthday dinner for my husband... he was craving Mexican, so we went to El Terasco. It was deee-lish!!
That was about it. Nothing exciting to report.
Happy thoughts...
Happy thoughts, happy thoughts
I'm trying so very hard to have happy thoughts.
But I'm finding it hard to live and breath
When I'm filled with an annoyance that makes me seethe.
I'm begining to feel as if I'll smother
When I'm forced to abide by the will of another
I live in a place that once felt like home
But now to other places I'd like to roam
For conformity to their idea of life
In my world it's causing me strife
A community of "Communism" comes to mind
When I think of the place I'd like to leave behind
Why should they get to tell me how to live?
They don't pay my bills and to my welfare they don't give.
Okay, I'm obviously unhappy about something, and I'm sure by now you're probably wondering what's going on. And as you well know, I'm going to tell you.
Last week, I emailed a board member of our home-owners association. I couldn't find our copy of our deed-of-restrictions, and asked her to look up something for me, when she got a chance. I was curious as to whether or not there was a restriction as to what kind of materials the homes in our neighborhood could be roofed with... ie, shingles, metal, slate, whatever. Currently, every house in our 80+ subdivision is roofed with shingles. I've seen some homes in other neighborhoods that are roofed with metal. I like the look. From what I've been reading, they are also lower maintenance, not needing to be replaced as often as shingles.
Our house is needing a new roof, and I just wanted to explore our options. We may not even be able to afford a metal roof, but still, I'd like to have the option.
Well, said board member left a copy of the deed-of-restrictions on my front porch Saturday morning, along with a note she'd hand-written. There is absolutely NOTHING in the restrictions stating we had to use shingles, or prohibiting us from using anything else. Her note however, read: While she could find nothing prohibiting us, she didn't feel it would be condusive to the neighborhood. Also, had we asked our neighbors their opinion of us putting on a metal roof?
Okay, this is where I'm ready to blow my stack!!!!!!!!!!
Have I asked my neighbors? Give me a freaking break!!!!
Did one of my neighbors ask me before he put creek-rock around the face of his garage? No! And it's not condusive to the rest of the homes in our neighborhood.
Did two of my neighbors ask before painting the trim on their house recently, to a really bright, aqua color? No!
Did another of my neighbors ask before putting up a black, metal fence instead of a wooden privacy fence to match the others in the neighborhood? No!
Did another of my neighbors ask before putting out a mailbox that had a hideous artsy design to it? No!
Did our new neighbors behind us ask before putting their trampoline in the back corner of their yard, practically up against our fence, so that their bouncing children now annoy the crap out of my dogs? No!!
But have I complained about any of these things? Hell NO!! And you know why? Because these things are on their property, that they paid for.
A man's (or woman's) home is supposed to be their castle. So why can't we keep our castle as we see fit?????
I'm trying so very hard to have happy thoughts.
But I'm finding it hard to live and breath
When I'm filled with an annoyance that makes me seethe.
I'm begining to feel as if I'll smother
When I'm forced to abide by the will of another
I live in a place that once felt like home
But now to other places I'd like to roam
For conformity to their idea of life
In my world it's causing me strife
A community of "Communism" comes to mind
When I think of the place I'd like to leave behind
Why should they get to tell me how to live?
They don't pay my bills and to my welfare they don't give.
Okay, I'm obviously unhappy about something, and I'm sure by now you're probably wondering what's going on. And as you well know, I'm going to tell you.
Last week, I emailed a board member of our home-owners association. I couldn't find our copy of our deed-of-restrictions, and asked her to look up something for me, when she got a chance. I was curious as to whether or not there was a restriction as to what kind of materials the homes in our neighborhood could be roofed with... ie, shingles, metal, slate, whatever. Currently, every house in our 80+ subdivision is roofed with shingles. I've seen some homes in other neighborhoods that are roofed with metal. I like the look. From what I've been reading, they are also lower maintenance, not needing to be replaced as often as shingles.
Our house is needing a new roof, and I just wanted to explore our options. We may not even be able to afford a metal roof, but still, I'd like to have the option.
Well, said board member left a copy of the deed-of-restrictions on my front porch Saturday morning, along with a note she'd hand-written. There is absolutely NOTHING in the restrictions stating we had to use shingles, or prohibiting us from using anything else. Her note however, read: While she could find nothing prohibiting us, she didn't feel it would be condusive to the neighborhood. Also, had we asked our neighbors their opinion of us putting on a metal roof?
Okay, this is where I'm ready to blow my stack!!!!!!!!!!
Have I asked my neighbors? Give me a freaking break!!!!
Did one of my neighbors ask me before he put creek-rock around the face of his garage? No! And it's not condusive to the rest of the homes in our neighborhood.
Did two of my neighbors ask before painting the trim on their house recently, to a really bright, aqua color? No!
Did another of my neighbors ask before putting up a black, metal fence instead of a wooden privacy fence to match the others in the neighborhood? No!
Did another of my neighbors ask before putting out a mailbox that had a hideous artsy design to it? No!
Did our new neighbors behind us ask before putting their trampoline in the back corner of their yard, practically up against our fence, so that their bouncing children now annoy the crap out of my dogs? No!!
But have I complained about any of these things? Hell NO!! And you know why? Because these things are on their property, that they paid for.
A man's (or woman's) home is supposed to be their castle. So why can't we keep our castle as we see fit?????
Friday, February 01, 2008
found money?
Some of you may recall a few weeks ago that I was made aware that my name was on a list for unclaimed money thru the state treasurers office. I sent in the required info, and was sent a claim form to fill out (with all the info I've already sent them).
The claim form tells me I have $25.00 in unclaimed money due me. At this point, I'll take it!!
But I swear I don't recognize the name of the company that owes it to me, and all it shows is their street address, not a city or state. It's a total mystery to me.
I wonder if they hold taxes out on that, since the treasury department is the one holding the money???
The claim form tells me I have $25.00 in unclaimed money due me. At this point, I'll take it!!
But I swear I don't recognize the name of the company that owes it to me, and all it shows is their street address, not a city or state. It's a total mystery to me.
I wonder if they hold taxes out on that, since the treasury department is the one holding the money???
Misery loves company
Well, it was bound to happen. Things were going along too well in our lives. No major incidents or issues to report. It was only a matter of time 'til something happened to bring us back to reality.
**When I arrived home yesterday, the husband was sitting on the end of the bed, head hung low. At first he claimed he was just tired, but I know him better than that. After much insisting, he finally asked me, "for better for worse?" Ah crap, what had happened? He was just depressed because his hours at work have been cut so much. They had already been cut some, but now even more. Makes for a sucky paycheck. However my love, "for richer for poorer". We seem to go through this every winter, &/or every time he has a surgery. Things will get better, given time. We'll just ride this out like we have all the other times.
That having been said...
As many of you know, we spent about $5000 on a new a/c furnace unit about 19 months ago. Well, for the 2nd time in the past 7 months now, it has gone out. We awoke this morning to cold air blowing out the vents. So cold it felt as if the a/c was on. Brrr! The thermostat was set to 65, but the temp in the house was only 62. Brrr again! I turned the thermostat off, then back on, thinking maybe that would reset the whole thing. It didn't. Now it wouldn't come on at all. Well, fortunately the temp outside was supposed to go up to around 40 degrees (I think), so hopefully the repairman can get there and, more importantly, get it fixed before it falls back below freezing. Do I dare hope against hope that it's still going to be covered under warranty??
The inside temp was still at 62 when I left this morning. I know the dogs won't freeze to death while we're gone, but I hope nothing else is amiss with the unit that may cause them harm.
**Well, I'm less than two weeks away from turning 40, and damned if I didn't find an age-spot on my face this week. WTH? Age spots are for OLD people! **sigh** Apply the make-up just a bit heavier over that area.
**After many visits to many different doctors, my father's surgery has finally been scheduled. Hopefully without any more delays. February 12th. Oh yeah, that would also be his 60th birthday... happy birthday Mr. D., we're going to perform major, invasive surgery. You don't mind do you?
**Mom informed me this morning that their tv satellite had gone out, and my father was out of sorts because he was forced to watch only the local channels. I can fully sympathize with that. Maybe now would be a good time to get the dvd &/or vcr hooked up, so he has a back-up method of viewing something while he's on bedrest. Heaven forbid he should lie back and read a book!
**LegMagic. It's supposed to shape and tone the legs, more specifically the thighs. Egads, I didn't really notice it doing much for my legs last night (of course, I'd already done 40 minutes of aerobics before trying it out), but it did make my tailbone hurt like the dickens! I suppose if I keep it up it will certainly help tone my "Kelseycakes" (a.k.a arse cheeks), because you have to clench, flex, then relax your arse so tight while using it. At the very least, I'm strengthening my sphincter muscles. It was all I could do to crawl into bed last night, then crawl out of it again this morning as my tail hurt so much. But alas, no pain, no gain. But then, I've never been a big fan of pain. I wonder if it's too late to dis-assemble my LegMagic, repack it and return it?
Indeed, misery does love company.
**When I arrived home yesterday, the husband was sitting on the end of the bed, head hung low. At first he claimed he was just tired, but I know him better than that. After much insisting, he finally asked me, "for better for worse?" Ah crap, what had happened? He was just depressed because his hours at work have been cut so much. They had already been cut some, but now even more. Makes for a sucky paycheck. However my love, "for richer for poorer". We seem to go through this every winter, &/or every time he has a surgery. Things will get better, given time. We'll just ride this out like we have all the other times.
That having been said...
As many of you know, we spent about $5000 on a new a/c furnace unit about 19 months ago. Well, for the 2nd time in the past 7 months now, it has gone out. We awoke this morning to cold air blowing out the vents. So cold it felt as if the a/c was on. Brrr! The thermostat was set to 65, but the temp in the house was only 62. Brrr again! I turned the thermostat off, then back on, thinking maybe that would reset the whole thing. It didn't. Now it wouldn't come on at all. Well, fortunately the temp outside was supposed to go up to around 40 degrees (I think), so hopefully the repairman can get there and, more importantly, get it fixed before it falls back below freezing. Do I dare hope against hope that it's still going to be covered under warranty??
The inside temp was still at 62 when I left this morning. I know the dogs won't freeze to death while we're gone, but I hope nothing else is amiss with the unit that may cause them harm.
**Well, I'm less than two weeks away from turning 40, and damned if I didn't find an age-spot on my face this week. WTH? Age spots are for OLD people! **sigh** Apply the make-up just a bit heavier over that area.
**After many visits to many different doctors, my father's surgery has finally been scheduled. Hopefully without any more delays. February 12th. Oh yeah, that would also be his 60th birthday... happy birthday Mr. D., we're going to perform major, invasive surgery. You don't mind do you?
**Mom informed me this morning that their tv satellite had gone out, and my father was out of sorts because he was forced to watch only the local channels. I can fully sympathize with that. Maybe now would be a good time to get the dvd &/or vcr hooked up, so he has a back-up method of viewing something while he's on bedrest. Heaven forbid he should lie back and read a book!
**LegMagic. It's supposed to shape and tone the legs, more specifically the thighs. Egads, I didn't really notice it doing much for my legs last night (of course, I'd already done 40 minutes of aerobics before trying it out), but it did make my tailbone hurt like the dickens! I suppose if I keep it up it will certainly help tone my "Kelseycakes" (a.k.a arse cheeks), because you have to clench, flex, then relax your arse so tight while using it. At the very least, I'm strengthening my sphincter muscles. It was all I could do to crawl into bed last night, then crawl out of it again this morning as my tail hurt so much. But alas, no pain, no gain. But then, I've never been a big fan of pain. I wonder if it's too late to dis-assemble my LegMagic, repack it and return it?
Indeed, misery does love company.
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