In 15 days (that's the 14th of Nov.), I'm going on a trail ride (horses that is, not bikes) that will last 2-3 hours, out in the boonies of Indiana, that's north of Madison.
Aside from our guide, there will just be the two of us (me and a friend) as we couldn't seem to interest anyone else in joining us. Not the usual nose-to-tail, plod-along, line of 10-15 sleepy, bored, horses. There will be opportunities to trot (dare I hope canter?) as well.
The closer the date gets, the more excited I get, I can hardly wait!! It will be a good opportunity to see how much I've really learned from my riding lessons and put those lessons to good use.
I just hope the weather holds out... no rain, snow or ice. I can handle temps down into the 40's without any problem. Actually, I'd rather welcome cooler temps (fewer insects!!).
There is still room in our party if anyone would like to join us.
Can't wait!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Friday, October 30, 2009
Thursday, October 29, 2009
Book review
A neighbor-friend (or friendly neighbor if you prefer) recently became a published author. I bought a copy of his work and finally finished it last night. It's actually a quick-reading book, and in a manner of speaking, I've already read it twice, simply because many of the passages in it I would re-read almost immediately, letting the message sink in and then turning it over and over in my head. I started it the very night I bought it and very nearly finished it that same night, but then life got in the way and too, I forgot to take it with me when I went out of town, thus the delay in finishing it.
Anyway... The book is titled: "That's How The Fortune Cookie Crumbles", by Eric A. Sleith III
From time to time I'll share a book with a friend/family member if I think they'd enjoy reading it, but in this case, I'm keeping my copy all to myself. I did something I never do (unless it's a workbook or puzzle book), I wrote notes and comments in the margins all through out the book. Sometimes I whole-heartedly agreed with the author, a couple of times I had to disagree, but hey!, we're each entitled to our own opinions. I couldn't help but think that if the author interacted with some of the people on a daily basis that I do, he'd have a totally different out-look on certain things.
A few things left me puzzled and no matter how I tried to look at it, all I could come up with was a big question mark, and that's exactly what I wrote at the bottom of that/those passages. One day maybe I'll look back at it and it will make sense to me.
Several things made me smile, whether in agreement, or at the visual images that were conjured up as I read them. At one particular passage, I even found myself crying and reaching for the Kleenex as it seemed to open up old wounds. Several of the pages are dog-eared and I have an overwhelming urge to run off copies and hand those passages out to a lot of people and see if they can "get a clue!". I doubt they would, so I won't waste my time or the paper.
There are more than a few lines he's written that I swear I've heard myself "preaching" time and time again, whether to my husband or to the wall or just in my head, but they are absolutely right on target!
Okay Eric, I'll be waiting for you to come around on Halloween night and I'll have my copy of your book along with a pen so you can autograph it. :)
Anyway... The book is titled: "That's How The Fortune Cookie Crumbles", by Eric A. Sleith III
From time to time I'll share a book with a friend/family member if I think they'd enjoy reading it, but in this case, I'm keeping my copy all to myself. I did something I never do (unless it's a workbook or puzzle book), I wrote notes and comments in the margins all through out the book. Sometimes I whole-heartedly agreed with the author, a couple of times I had to disagree, but hey!, we're each entitled to our own opinions. I couldn't help but think that if the author interacted with some of the people on a daily basis that I do, he'd have a totally different out-look on certain things.
A few things left me puzzled and no matter how I tried to look at it, all I could come up with was a big question mark, and that's exactly what I wrote at the bottom of that/those passages. One day maybe I'll look back at it and it will make sense to me.
Several things made me smile, whether in agreement, or at the visual images that were conjured up as I read them. At one particular passage, I even found myself crying and reaching for the Kleenex as it seemed to open up old wounds. Several of the pages are dog-eared and I have an overwhelming urge to run off copies and hand those passages out to a lot of people and see if they can "get a clue!". I doubt they would, so I won't waste my time or the paper.
There are more than a few lines he's written that I swear I've heard myself "preaching" time and time again, whether to my husband or to the wall or just in my head, but they are absolutely right on target!
Okay Eric, I'll be waiting for you to come around on Halloween night and I'll have my copy of your book along with a pen so you can autograph it. :)
Taking a break
I had to take a break from the project I'm working on at work. Typing (or rather, RE-typing) address labels for an event we sponsor in December, all because my Microsoft Access isn't working properly right now, my eyes are starting to cross from reading the spread sheets, checking and double checking spelling and mailing addresses as I go. My head is starting to ache. Besides, it's time for lunch!
Lunch today consists of left-overs. I made a pot of chicken soup last night (mostly from scratch, somewhat) and it turned out purdee durned good if'n I do say so myself.
As I got home later than usual last night because I had several errands to run, I cheated a little bit on this recipe (normally I'd have cooked my own chicken and chopped my own onions, etc.). But here it is if anyone is interested:
1 rotisserie chicken from your local deli (regular flavor, none of those weird flavors like lemon.. blech!!)
1 bag of frozen, chopped onions, celery & red peppers
chicken broth (I used 1 large "box" and a partial can I already had open in the fridge... you figure out the amount!)
1 bag of frozen Reamers flat dumplings (but their noodles would work also)
2-3 cups of water
1 carrot, sliced thin
1 can of Campbells Cream of Chicken & Herb soup
2 cups of frozen peas (steamed/thawed in the microwave)
salt & pepper to taste
In a Dutch oven, add the broth, water and onion/celery mix, start cooking over med-high heat. While it's heating, skin & de-bone the chicken, and add the (shredded) meat to the broth. Add in sliced carrots. After it has started to boil, add the dumplings/noodles, stirring well to separate any that are stuck together. Lower heat to medium and stir occasionally, simmering for about 25 minutes. With about 10 minutes left to simmer, stir in the cream of chicken soup and the peas.
Honestly, I think this is one of those meals that's even the better tasting the next day.
If you'd like it to be thicker, add a second can of soup. If you'd it less thick, either add more broth or water.
Okay, so did I mention what happened at the Girl Scout 5k last weekend? I mean, besides the woman reminding me how old my dog was? The event was held at The Summit, an overpriced, snooty, open-air shopping center about a mile from my house. Seriously, the rare times I even set foot/tire on the property is either for the book store or Office Depot. I can barely afford to window shop in that center! Well, that and there's really nothing in that mall that piques my interest. Anyway...
So Livvie and I arrived just after 7am. The rain had stopped, and it was very blustery 50-ish degrees out and still very dark. We signed in, paid our $25 fee and got our number-bib. The race didn't start 'til 8am, so we still had quite a bit of time to kill. We spent it walking around, doing some stretches, more walking and of course, answering the usual questions that everyone asked about Olivia. This shopping center (and this gives you an idea of how high-falootin' they are) has several rent-a-cops on duty at all times. Some walk around, others ride in golf-carts or a pick-up truck, and still others ride a Segway around. We were approached by the dork on the Segway. He rolled towards us and glided to a stop saying, "'Morning! How are you today?" I replied with a g'morning and fine. He was looking at Olivia, so I thought he was going to start in with the usual questions/comments. But no. Dork started to inform that it was The Summit policy that no dogs were allowed on Summit property. I just looked at Dork.
I mentally counted to 10, took a deep breath and said as calmly as I possibly could without raising my voice, "okay, that's fine. Then you need to go over to that tent and tell them to refund my $25, and then I'll gladly take her off this property. The Girl Scouts gave me permission to participate with her."
Dork started shaking his head as if to say, "too bad, sorry about your luck", but instead said, "nobody informed me of this".
I said, "I ALWAYS get permission before I take her to these events (well, almost always), and the G/S did give me permission. I have bags here to pick up after if she craps. (Heaven forbid she should fertilize their little patches of grass!!!) But like I said, if you want to get my money back for me, I'll leave."
Dork then seemed to reconsider the large woman and dog before him and kind of threw his hands up and while still shaking his head, again said, "nobody informed me of this... but I'm gonna let it go." Dork just stood there on his Segway, as if trying to decide what to do next. I wouldn't quite let it end there though.
A friend of ours is a police officer in a nearby town and occasionally fills in for one of the rent-a-cops at The Summit (yes, I know, that makes him a rent-a-cop too), so I did some name-dropping and asked if my friend was working there that day. I could see the wheels spinning in Dork's brain and he stammered, "uh, no, he worked last night. Well, have a nice day!" and off he rolled.
Hmph! By now I no longer needed to keep stretching and walking around to try and stay warm, as my blood pressure was now near the boiling point. I mean, honestly!! How are people supposed to know dogs aren't allowed on the property? There aren't any signs posted at the entrances... at least, certainly none that I've ever seen!! I was getting madder by the moment as I now expected to be harassed by each of the rent-a-cops that we crossed paths with. But either they weren't as strict as Dork, or else Dork had gotten on the radio after rolling away and informed his fellow rent-a-cops that we had permission to be there, as nobody else bothered us.
I will say that Dork did mellow out after that confrontation. We crossed paths 2 or 3 more times throughout the morning and each time he stopped to talk to us and ask about Olivia, even once getting off his Segway to come over and pet her.
I know the man was just trying to do his job, and I don't fault him for that. But, grrrr!, if the shopping center is going to have that kind of policy, then they need to have it posted where people can see it, AND, they should inform groups, such as the G/S beforehand so that the G/S can inform their participants that pets aren't allowed. It would save everybody a lot of time and hassle.
Okay, guess I'd better get back to work now.
Have a great day!!
Lunch today consists of left-overs. I made a pot of chicken soup last night (mostly from scratch, somewhat) and it turned out purdee durned good if'n I do say so myself.
As I got home later than usual last night because I had several errands to run, I cheated a little bit on this recipe (normally I'd have cooked my own chicken and chopped my own onions, etc.). But here it is if anyone is interested:
1 rotisserie chicken from your local deli (regular flavor, none of those weird flavors like lemon.. blech!!)
1 bag of frozen, chopped onions, celery & red peppers
chicken broth (I used 1 large "box" and a partial can I already had open in the fridge... you figure out the amount!)
1 bag of frozen Reamers flat dumplings (but their noodles would work also)
2-3 cups of water
1 carrot, sliced thin
1 can of Campbells Cream of Chicken & Herb soup
2 cups of frozen peas (steamed/thawed in the microwave)
salt & pepper to taste
In a Dutch oven, add the broth, water and onion/celery mix, start cooking over med-high heat. While it's heating, skin & de-bone the chicken, and add the (shredded) meat to the broth. Add in sliced carrots. After it has started to boil, add the dumplings/noodles, stirring well to separate any that are stuck together. Lower heat to medium and stir occasionally, simmering for about 25 minutes. With about 10 minutes left to simmer, stir in the cream of chicken soup and the peas.
Honestly, I think this is one of those meals that's even the better tasting the next day.
If you'd like it to be thicker, add a second can of soup. If you'd it less thick, either add more broth or water.
Okay, so did I mention what happened at the Girl Scout 5k last weekend? I mean, besides the woman reminding me how old my dog was? The event was held at The Summit, an overpriced, snooty, open-air shopping center about a mile from my house. Seriously, the rare times I even set foot/tire on the property is either for the book store or Office Depot. I can barely afford to window shop in that center! Well, that and there's really nothing in that mall that piques my interest. Anyway...
So Livvie and I arrived just after 7am. The rain had stopped, and it was very blustery 50-ish degrees out and still very dark. We signed in, paid our $25 fee and got our number-bib. The race didn't start 'til 8am, so we still had quite a bit of time to kill. We spent it walking around, doing some stretches, more walking and of course, answering the usual questions that everyone asked about Olivia. This shopping center (and this gives you an idea of how high-falootin' they are) has several rent-a-cops on duty at all times. Some walk around, others ride in golf-carts or a pick-up truck, and still others ride a Segway around. We were approached by the dork on the Segway. He rolled towards us and glided to a stop saying, "'Morning! How are you today?" I replied with a g'morning and fine. He was looking at Olivia, so I thought he was going to start in with the usual questions/comments. But no. Dork started to inform that it was The Summit policy that no dogs were allowed on Summit property. I just looked at Dork.
I mentally counted to 10, took a deep breath and said as calmly as I possibly could without raising my voice, "okay, that's fine. Then you need to go over to that tent and tell them to refund my $25, and then I'll gladly take her off this property. The Girl Scouts gave me permission to participate with her."
Dork started shaking his head as if to say, "too bad, sorry about your luck", but instead said, "nobody informed me of this".
I said, "I ALWAYS get permission before I take her to these events (well, almost always), and the G/S did give me permission. I have bags here to pick up after if she craps. (Heaven forbid she should fertilize their little patches of grass!!!) But like I said, if you want to get my money back for me, I'll leave."
Dork then seemed to reconsider the large woman and dog before him and kind of threw his hands up and while still shaking his head, again said, "nobody informed me of this... but I'm gonna let it go." Dork just stood there on his Segway, as if trying to decide what to do next. I wouldn't quite let it end there though.
A friend of ours is a police officer in a nearby town and occasionally fills in for one of the rent-a-cops at The Summit (yes, I know, that makes him a rent-a-cop too), so I did some name-dropping and asked if my friend was working there that day. I could see the wheels spinning in Dork's brain and he stammered, "uh, no, he worked last night. Well, have a nice day!" and off he rolled.
Hmph! By now I no longer needed to keep stretching and walking around to try and stay warm, as my blood pressure was now near the boiling point. I mean, honestly!! How are people supposed to know dogs aren't allowed on the property? There aren't any signs posted at the entrances... at least, certainly none that I've ever seen!! I was getting madder by the moment as I now expected to be harassed by each of the rent-a-cops that we crossed paths with. But either they weren't as strict as Dork, or else Dork had gotten on the radio after rolling away and informed his fellow rent-a-cops that we had permission to be there, as nobody else bothered us.
I will say that Dork did mellow out after that confrontation. We crossed paths 2 or 3 more times throughout the morning and each time he stopped to talk to us and ask about Olivia, even once getting off his Segway to come over and pet her.
I know the man was just trying to do his job, and I don't fault him for that. But, grrrr!, if the shopping center is going to have that kind of policy, then they need to have it posted where people can see it, AND, they should inform groups, such as the G/S beforehand so that the G/S can inform their participants that pets aren't allowed. It would save everybody a lot of time and hassle.
Okay, guess I'd better get back to work now.
Have a great day!!
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
Just in time for Halloween...
I was bit by a one-fanged vampire this morning that nearly drained me of all my blood.
I went to see our family physician this morning about the myriad of aches & pains I've been having and to get my cholesterol checked, since it had been a couple of years.
Much like a car that's been making a rattling noise for weeks, as soon as you take it to the mechanic it stops just before arriving at the repair shop, only to resume after you drive off the lot, my elbow, which has been hurting viciously for a few months now, miraculously stopped hurting while I slept Monday night. As I left her office I was sure it would probably start up again tomorrow now that the appointment is behind me.
While neither my chiropractor or massage therapist feel that the pain & numbness I've been experiencing in my toe is a neuroma, the people at the shoe store and my doctor both feel that it is. So I guess I can toss a coin and call it in mid-air, heads it's a neuroma, tails it isn't.
She gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory that should (hopefully!!) alleviate some of the aches/pains I've been having. And if I want to go to a podiatrist, I'm welcome to do so. Let's see how the medicine works first.
Then she sent me over to the lab to have some blood drawn.
The vampire stuck me in my left arm and proceeded to draw vial after vial of blood. When she got to the fourth vial, I asked, "are you going to leave any in there for me to live on?"
She finally stopped after the fifth or sixth vial. I lost track as I concentrated on not passing out.
So as I sit here and type this, guess what?! The pain is returning to that elbow. I just can't tell if it's the regular pain or just soreness caused from the needle being stuck in my arm for a short eternity. The reason they drew so much blood was because of the long list of tests she ordered run on me... cholesterol, liver & kidney (I think), vitamin D, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. etc. I should have all those results back in 10 days to 2 weeks. Damn, it's hell getting old!!
I went to see our family physician this morning about the myriad of aches & pains I've been having and to get my cholesterol checked, since it had been a couple of years.
Much like a car that's been making a rattling noise for weeks, as soon as you take it to the mechanic it stops just before arriving at the repair shop, only to resume after you drive off the lot, my elbow, which has been hurting viciously for a few months now, miraculously stopped hurting while I slept Monday night. As I left her office I was sure it would probably start up again tomorrow now that the appointment is behind me.
While neither my chiropractor or massage therapist feel that the pain & numbness I've been experiencing in my toe is a neuroma, the people at the shoe store and my doctor both feel that it is. So I guess I can toss a coin and call it in mid-air, heads it's a neuroma, tails it isn't.
She gave me a prescription for an anti-inflammatory that should (hopefully!!) alleviate some of the aches/pains I've been having. And if I want to go to a podiatrist, I'm welcome to do so. Let's see how the medicine works first.
Then she sent me over to the lab to have some blood drawn.
The vampire stuck me in my left arm and proceeded to draw vial after vial of blood. When she got to the fourth vial, I asked, "are you going to leave any in there for me to live on?"
She finally stopped after the fifth or sixth vial. I lost track as I concentrated on not passing out.
So as I sit here and type this, guess what?! The pain is returning to that elbow. I just can't tell if it's the regular pain or just soreness caused from the needle being stuck in my arm for a short eternity. The reason they drew so much blood was because of the long list of tests she ordered run on me... cholesterol, liver & kidney (I think), vitamin D, inflammation, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. etc. I should have all those results back in 10 days to 2 weeks. Damn, it's hell getting old!!
Tuesday, October 27, 2009
Blah-ging
**I'm finding it harder and harder to get into the spirit of blogging. I seem to go in spurts now, sometimes 3 or 4 in a single day, but then maybe nothing for several days. Sometimes it's because I'm busy at work (or just not at work & have no computer access), but other times, it's just that I don't feel I have the energy, or motivation, or anything worth blogging about. Much less, the desire to read others. It seems when I do get into blogger, I spend so much time back-tracking to catch up on peoples lives that I'm practically worn out. I admit, much or the reading I do of late I just skim through others' blogs, not really taking the time to read every single word, much less leave a comment.
I went through today and deleted a bunch of blog sites that have been on my follow-list, simply because those bloggers seem to have given up on it entirely, not having posted in many months. I was getting tired of the clutter on my list. I guess they were finding it harder and harder to get into the spirit as well.
I'm not giving up on it completely. My blog after all, has been somewhat of an on-line diary or journal if you will, of the week to week happenings in my life. I might someday need to look back and remind myself of some of the things I've experienced.
**Bless his heart, my dear husband has worked so hard on our camper while I was out of town last week. He went down nearly everyday and opened it up. Since we discovered our ant problem several weeks ago, we've set off a total of 4 bug-bombs in it and gone through nearly an entire bottle of bug spray trying to kill all of them. But so far, the ants are winning the battle.
John took the shop-vac down and vacuumed up the many piles of dead ants and got a bucket of bleach-water and wiped down all the surfaces. The next day he'd go back and everything would be covered again. It's a losing battle! :(
Sunday, we filled several empty boxes with all the contents from the camper, and then towed the empty trailer down to Elizabethtown (an hour south of us) to an RV dealership/repair shop. We told the guy there to take their time working on it as camping season was over for us this year... and also, it will put off for us the need to find a place to now store the camper (assuming we get it back bug-free, ha!). His advice for ridding it of the bugs was to spray it down with a citrus cleaner and leave it for several days. So I guess whenever we do get it back that's what we'll try. If that doesn't work, I don't know what we'll do!!
After John dropped me back at the house to tackle the mountains of laundry that had accumulated while I was gone, he went back to the firehouse to wash down all the items we'd removed from the camper.
As it was after 5pm when we arrived back home, I didn't get nearly all the laundry done before going to bed, and he finished it all up the next day while I was at work. I know I may complain about some of the things he does(or doesn't do) from time to time, but truly, I am married to a good man. I was so relieved when I got home after work on Monday to see all the loads not only washed AND dried, but folded and put away as well.
**Did I mention last week that our (health)insurance company and the Nortons doctors/hospitals finally reached an agreement? I found out about it on evening of Monday the 19th and the first thing I did Tuesday morning was call my doctor and make an appointment. It's for tomorrow morning and I intend to hit her with all the aches, pains, numbness, and whatnot I've been having. Chiropractic care and massage therapy are only good for some things. Then again other issues they don't seem to be able to provide any relief whatsoever! We'll see what the medical professionals can do for me.
**Olivia seems to be completely recovered from her parasitic ailment of a couple weeks ago. Thank goodness!!
Now my worry is Eliott. My sweet boy has a front-half to die for! Solid, sturdy, well built. But his back half... well, it's always left something to be desired. He has always looked like two different breeds of dog were slapped together in the middle, perhaps a mastiff in front and a greyhound in the rear. Whenever he puts on weight, it's always in the front, never the rear. So as a result of his back end being weaker, I try extra hard to keep him from putting on extra weight so it won't be so difficult on his hips/hind legs. But I see him getting weaker in small degrees. It's been getting noticeable over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, he's not anywhere near being an invalid and doesn't seem to be in any pain. He still gets out and runs with Bootsy and tackles her, spinning this way and that, but I see her knocking him down more and more because he has trouble keeping his balance, and I seem him standing with his hindlegs somewhat askew at times in an attempt to keep his balance. It just makes me worry and my heart ache. He'll be 6 years old in December and I know that's starting to get up there in Dane-years, but I'm in a bit of denial as he's still my sweet-puppy-boy.
This past Saturday at the 5k I took Olivia to, we were asked (many times) how old she was. My reply: 4 and a half years. Some nit-wit made the comment: Oh, she's starting to get up there in years.
I wanted to reach out and bitch-slap the woman!! I really don't need reminding that my children are aging.
How would she have liked it if I'd asked how old she was... oh, 45? Wow!, you're really starting to get up there in years!! You should probably start looking into moving into an old-folks home soon.
Bitch!
I went through today and deleted a bunch of blog sites that have been on my follow-list, simply because those bloggers seem to have given up on it entirely, not having posted in many months. I was getting tired of the clutter on my list. I guess they were finding it harder and harder to get into the spirit as well.
I'm not giving up on it completely. My blog after all, has been somewhat of an on-line diary or journal if you will, of the week to week happenings in my life. I might someday need to look back and remind myself of some of the things I've experienced.
**Bless his heart, my dear husband has worked so hard on our camper while I was out of town last week. He went down nearly everyday and opened it up. Since we discovered our ant problem several weeks ago, we've set off a total of 4 bug-bombs in it and gone through nearly an entire bottle of bug spray trying to kill all of them. But so far, the ants are winning the battle.
John took the shop-vac down and vacuumed up the many piles of dead ants and got a bucket of bleach-water and wiped down all the surfaces. The next day he'd go back and everything would be covered again. It's a losing battle! :(
Sunday, we filled several empty boxes with all the contents from the camper, and then towed the empty trailer down to Elizabethtown (an hour south of us) to an RV dealership/repair shop. We told the guy there to take their time working on it as camping season was over for us this year... and also, it will put off for us the need to find a place to now store the camper (assuming we get it back bug-free, ha!). His advice for ridding it of the bugs was to spray it down with a citrus cleaner and leave it for several days. So I guess whenever we do get it back that's what we'll try. If that doesn't work, I don't know what we'll do!!
After John dropped me back at the house to tackle the mountains of laundry that had accumulated while I was gone, he went back to the firehouse to wash down all the items we'd removed from the camper.
As it was after 5pm when we arrived back home, I didn't get nearly all the laundry done before going to bed, and he finished it all up the next day while I was at work. I know I may complain about some of the things he does(or doesn't do) from time to time, but truly, I am married to a good man. I was so relieved when I got home after work on Monday to see all the loads not only washed AND dried, but folded and put away as well.
**Did I mention last week that our (health)insurance company and the Nortons doctors/hospitals finally reached an agreement? I found out about it on evening of Monday the 19th and the first thing I did Tuesday morning was call my doctor and make an appointment. It's for tomorrow morning and I intend to hit her with all the aches, pains, numbness, and whatnot I've been having. Chiropractic care and massage therapy are only good for some things. Then again other issues they don't seem to be able to provide any relief whatsoever! We'll see what the medical professionals can do for me.
**Olivia seems to be completely recovered from her parasitic ailment of a couple weeks ago. Thank goodness!!
Now my worry is Eliott. My sweet boy has a front-half to die for! Solid, sturdy, well built. But his back half... well, it's always left something to be desired. He has always looked like two different breeds of dog were slapped together in the middle, perhaps a mastiff in front and a greyhound in the rear. Whenever he puts on weight, it's always in the front, never the rear. So as a result of his back end being weaker, I try extra hard to keep him from putting on extra weight so it won't be so difficult on his hips/hind legs. But I see him getting weaker in small degrees. It's been getting noticeable over the past few months. Don't get me wrong, he's not anywhere near being an invalid and doesn't seem to be in any pain. He still gets out and runs with Bootsy and tackles her, spinning this way and that, but I see her knocking him down more and more because he has trouble keeping his balance, and I seem him standing with his hindlegs somewhat askew at times in an attempt to keep his balance. It just makes me worry and my heart ache. He'll be 6 years old in December and I know that's starting to get up there in Dane-years, but I'm in a bit of denial as he's still my sweet-puppy-boy.
This past Saturday at the 5k I took Olivia to, we were asked (many times) how old she was. My reply: 4 and a half years. Some nit-wit made the comment: Oh, she's starting to get up there in years.
I wanted to reach out and bitch-slap the woman!! I really don't need reminding that my children are aging.
How would she have liked it if I'd asked how old she was... oh, 45? Wow!, you're really starting to get up there in years!! You should probably start looking into moving into an old-folks home soon.
Bitch!
Friday, October 23, 2009
How hot is this??
I'm a warm-bodied person by nature. I'll take cooler temperatures over summer temps anytime. 80 degrees is about as high as I can stand unless there's nearly zero humidity and a good breeze blowing. I've often joked that I've had hot-flashes since I was a kid, simply because I've always preferred the cooler temps.
But something happened a couple of nights ago that I've never experienced before, and I think I had my first true, honest to goodness, HOT FLASH!
It was the middle of the night, the temp in the house was in the low 60's. I was sound asleep (remember, I'm house sitting, so I'm sleeping alone) when I woke up absolutely drenched in sweat, and felt like I was roasting. Not in a feverish kind of way, just over heated. I hadn't been having a bad dream or any dream that I can recall, I simply woke up drenched.
If this is what a true hot flash is like, I'm in trouble. Menopause here I come!!
But something happened a couple of nights ago that I've never experienced before, and I think I had my first true, honest to goodness, HOT FLASH!
It was the middle of the night, the temp in the house was in the low 60's. I was sound asleep (remember, I'm house sitting, so I'm sleeping alone) when I woke up absolutely drenched in sweat, and felt like I was roasting. Not in a feverish kind of way, just over heated. I hadn't been having a bad dream or any dream that I can recall, I simply woke up drenched.
If this is what a true hot flash is like, I'm in trouble. Menopause here I come!!
Lost and found
Sometimes you have to lose yourself before you can find where you are headed.
I've always been somewhat direction-savvy when it comes to driving, in a manner of speaking. In other words, no matter how lost I might think I am, I always seem to come out where I was originally headed.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
For the most part, this is what our interstate systems and the major state highways are, straight lines designed to get you where you're going as quickly as possible, with as few turns as possible.
This is all good and fine for everyday travels to/from work, or when you're in a hurry (which seems to be most of the time). But what about the rest of the time? Sometimes, the roads less traveled are the best way to go, and certainly the most scenic.
In the past few years, I've found myself spending more and more time out in the country, either from the time I spend at the farm in Shelby County, or when I kennel/house sit out in Henry Co. It's easy to find ourselves falling into the routine of finding the shortest, most direct route to our destination. But what if for some reason, your route is blocked off? Perhaps from an auto accident, a train stopped on the tracks, dead cow in the road, etc... Sure, you have the option of sitting there, indefinitely 'til the road re-opens, but who has the time or patience to do that? While I may occasionally have the time to do so, I don't always have the patience to just sit there. I'd rather keep moving. Besides, after a while, I get tired of seeing the same "scenery" all the time. I like seeing new places, different settings, getting out and exploring, whether from curiosity or from necessity.
A few months ago while house sitting, I went out exploring out of boredom. I discovered roads I had never been down before and also discovered a different way of getting to the house, especially helpful if coming to/from the farm or New Castle area.
A couple of days ago, I got stuck sitting for over 20 minutes in downtown Campbellsburg, in the dark, because of a train that had stopped on the tracks. I'd have given anything for the knowledge of a different route at that time.
So I spent the next two days after work, exploring the side roads, finding where they went. Occasionally the road seemed to go on forever with no end in sight and I would turn around and go back. I jotted down several highway numbers and made a mental note of some side streets, then looked them up on the computer this morning. I found that I was often closer to my destination than I realized.
But now I've now got several options for getting around. Yes, some will take me a few miles out of my way or may add several minutes to my commute, but I shouldn't have to sit in traffic for heaven knows how long, and I'm getting to see some very beautiful countryside that I might otherwise never have viewed.
I've always been somewhat direction-savvy when it comes to driving, in a manner of speaking. In other words, no matter how lost I might think I am, I always seem to come out where I was originally headed.
The shortest distance between two points is a straight line.
For the most part, this is what our interstate systems and the major state highways are, straight lines designed to get you where you're going as quickly as possible, with as few turns as possible.
This is all good and fine for everyday travels to/from work, or when you're in a hurry (which seems to be most of the time). But what about the rest of the time? Sometimes, the roads less traveled are the best way to go, and certainly the most scenic.
In the past few years, I've found myself spending more and more time out in the country, either from the time I spend at the farm in Shelby County, or when I kennel/house sit out in Henry Co. It's easy to find ourselves falling into the routine of finding the shortest, most direct route to our destination. But what if for some reason, your route is blocked off? Perhaps from an auto accident, a train stopped on the tracks, dead cow in the road, etc... Sure, you have the option of sitting there, indefinitely 'til the road re-opens, but who has the time or patience to do that? While I may occasionally have the time to do so, I don't always have the patience to just sit there. I'd rather keep moving. Besides, after a while, I get tired of seeing the same "scenery" all the time. I like seeing new places, different settings, getting out and exploring, whether from curiosity or from necessity.
A few months ago while house sitting, I went out exploring out of boredom. I discovered roads I had never been down before and also discovered a different way of getting to the house, especially helpful if coming to/from the farm or New Castle area.
A couple of days ago, I got stuck sitting for over 20 minutes in downtown Campbellsburg, in the dark, because of a train that had stopped on the tracks. I'd have given anything for the knowledge of a different route at that time.
So I spent the next two days after work, exploring the side roads, finding where they went. Occasionally the road seemed to go on forever with no end in sight and I would turn around and go back. I jotted down several highway numbers and made a mental note of some side streets, then looked them up on the computer this morning. I found that I was often closer to my destination than I realized.
But now I've now got several options for getting around. Yes, some will take me a few miles out of my way or may add several minutes to my commute, but I shouldn't have to sit in traffic for heaven knows how long, and I'm getting to see some very beautiful countryside that I might otherwise never have viewed.
Pitawoman has struck again!
Pitawoman has struck again!
It's been a while since anyone has died from my inadvertent thoughts, but indeed, it has happened again.
We were having an audit at work yesterday and I had to go through the files and pull several for the auditor. While looking through the top drawer, the name on one of the files caught my attention, "Mr. Churchman", and I thought to myself, "ugh, that guy was always such a pain in the rear. Hmm, actually, I was thinking he had already passed away a couple of years ago."
I didn't dwell on his file, but kept looking for the files I needed.
As soon as I walked in the door this morning, I saw that the boss had on a suit and groaned, "you're dressed up, guess that means we've got a new call."
the boss: yep, Mr. Churchman
me: wow!, I guess I killed him. Pitawoman struck again!
I'm sure it's all some kind of wild coincidence. But honestly, it does make you wonder if there isn't something to the whole "ESP" thing. Or maybe it was just a premonition?
It's been a while since anyone has died from my inadvertent thoughts, but indeed, it has happened again.
We were having an audit at work yesterday and I had to go through the files and pull several for the auditor. While looking through the top drawer, the name on one of the files caught my attention, "Mr. Churchman", and I thought to myself, "ugh, that guy was always such a pain in the rear. Hmm, actually, I was thinking he had already passed away a couple of years ago."
I didn't dwell on his file, but kept looking for the files I needed.
As soon as I walked in the door this morning, I saw that the boss had on a suit and groaned, "you're dressed up, guess that means we've got a new call."
the boss: yep, Mr. Churchman
me: wow!, I guess I killed him. Pitawoman struck again!
I'm sure it's all some kind of wild coincidence. But honestly, it does make you wonder if there isn't something to the whole "ESP" thing. Or maybe it was just a premonition?
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Random pix
I may have posted some of these photos last week when I returned from vacation, but honestly, I can't remember, and frankly, I'm too lazy to go back and look. So if any of these are repeats, I'm sorry, you'll just have to suck it up and look at them again. ;)
This was on 10/3, the evening of the Light The Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
My darling Olivia with the city of Louisville skyline behind her, and of course, Joe's Crab Shack
I'm just so crazy about this little girl!!!
Monday, the 5th. After we'd finally gotten our campsite set up...
Our little tent. At least we were fortunate enough to have the sun shine down upon us for the first few hours we were there.
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
.JPG)
This was on 10/3, the evening of the Light The Night Walk for the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.
My darling Olivia with the city of Louisville skyline behind her, and of course, Joe's Crab Shack
I'm just so crazy about this little girl!!!
Monday, the 5th. After we'd finally gotten our campsite set up...
Our little tent. At least we were fortunate enough to have the sun shine down upon us for the first few hours we were there.
.JPG)
This tree was near our campsite...
.JPG)
I don't know why, but this tree just said, "photograph me". It looked like it had a couple of arms reaching out to grab something.
.JPG)
Time to start dinner.
The next morning, in the pre-dawn hour...
.JPG)
Olivia was closely supervising John as he set up my stove.
.JPG)
And what else would you expect a fireman to do accept, play in the fire.
.JPG)
Poor Olivia, unfortunately, this is where she ended up spending much of her time because it seemed as if we spent most of our time setting up and then taking down our camp site. :(
10/10/2009
This was taken at Wendell Moore Park, just before the start of the Skeleton Fun Run 5k. John even joined us for the event. Poor Livvie, it was the previous day when she had started getting sick, only we didn't know just how sick she was, thinking the diarrhea she'd had to that point was caused by the new bone we'd given her.
This past Sunday, the 18th...
Olivia and her daddy, a.k.a. "Sparky the Fire Dog".
One of his fire departments was having a community open house for fire safety month.
It's Ronald McDonald!!!!
Liv even got to rub elbows with this famous clown!!!
There was a knock-off version of Sparky there also. And that little bald-headed guy in the background is the chief.
The vendor that provided the cheap-Sparky took a photo with both Sparkys and Olivia. I'd love to get my hands on a copy of it!!
Livvie and I have a 5k planned for Saturday morning at The Summit, for the Girl Scouts. I hope the weather holds out for it, as there's a chance of rain.
Wednesday, October 21, 2009
Good stuff
Just so you know, not everything I blog is negative, complaining, or depressing, this blog is all about some good stuff.
**The other day while at the Wal-mart, I purchased a bag of their frozen, seasoned, deli-style wedge fries. These are some of the best "French Fries" I've ever had in my life. I heat them up in the toaster oven (at work obviously). No ketchup, salt or pepper needed. They're perfect just the way they are!!!
**Kudos to Ken Towery Auto Care!! We've been loyal customers for nearly 20 years. The only time we've not gone to them is when we've gotten body work done (at cousin Dennis' English Station Body Shop) or the handful of times we've taken the car(s) back to the dealer where we purchased it(them).
Last week, John found a nail in one of my rear tires, and I saw it too. Fortunately it hadn't started to go flat! I took my car to Ken Towery's over the weekend but they couldn't find the nail, even checking out both rear tires. It must've popped out! They replaced the valve stems and sent me on my merry way, no charge! I offered twice to pay them, but they declined.
I don't know if this is normal business practice for all customers or just loyal customers, but either way, I appreciated it.
There is a new K.T.'s being built at the corner of Westport Rd. & Chamberlain Ln. and we can hardly wait!! It will be so much closer and convenient for us.
**Panasonic microwaves are the best!!
Our microwave oven is starting to act very peculiarly of late, and I fear it's on it's last leg. But ya know what? It's 23 or 24 years old and gets used a lot!! I purchased this microwave for my parents for xmas of either '85 or '86 for about $300++ (microwaves were expensive back then!!). The thing was huge and took up a lot of counter space that they didn't have. When John & I got married, we purchased a small microwave and traded with them. I know they've gone through a few since then, while ours has kept on working. I don't know if Panasonic still makes microwaves, but when this one finally does crap-out, I think I'll look in to purchasing another by them... hopefully not as large though.
**Halloween is coming up. I've always loved this holiday, for decorating and having fun, but the past 2 or 3 years, I've barely decorated at all, and as we get fewer and fewer kids each year, it justn't isn't as fun as it used to be. For the past several years, John & I have lit the fireplace and sat outside to hand out candy, one year we even did it in the rain! The first couple of years, several neighbors joined us, bringing their bowls of candy and it made for one-stop "shopping" for the kiddos. Even the year it rained we had several people come down, we just all huddled together under the canopy, but still had fun. Last year, I think John & I sat out completely alone. :(
We'll light the fire again this year and see what happens. I'm hoping that since the holiday is on a Saturday, we'll have a better turn out. I've been playing around with my ipod all morning, creating a playlist of Halloween music. Despite the itunes store still being in a foreign language, I was able to find and download some new holiday music. :)
Those are my positive blurbs for the day (who am I kidding?, probably for the rest of the year!)
**The other day while at the Wal-mart, I purchased a bag of their frozen, seasoned, deli-style wedge fries. These are some of the best "French Fries" I've ever had in my life. I heat them up in the toaster oven (at work obviously). No ketchup, salt or pepper needed. They're perfect just the way they are!!!
**Kudos to Ken Towery Auto Care!! We've been loyal customers for nearly 20 years. The only time we've not gone to them is when we've gotten body work done (at cousin Dennis' English Station Body Shop) or the handful of times we've taken the car(s) back to the dealer where we purchased it(them).
Last week, John found a nail in one of my rear tires, and I saw it too. Fortunately it hadn't started to go flat! I took my car to Ken Towery's over the weekend but they couldn't find the nail, even checking out both rear tires. It must've popped out! They replaced the valve stems and sent me on my merry way, no charge! I offered twice to pay them, but they declined.
I don't know if this is normal business practice for all customers or just loyal customers, but either way, I appreciated it.
There is a new K.T.'s being built at the corner of Westport Rd. & Chamberlain Ln. and we can hardly wait!! It will be so much closer and convenient for us.
**Panasonic microwaves are the best!!
Our microwave oven is starting to act very peculiarly of late, and I fear it's on it's last leg. But ya know what? It's 23 or 24 years old and gets used a lot!! I purchased this microwave for my parents for xmas of either '85 or '86 for about $300++ (microwaves were expensive back then!!). The thing was huge and took up a lot of counter space that they didn't have. When John & I got married, we purchased a small microwave and traded with them. I know they've gone through a few since then, while ours has kept on working. I don't know if Panasonic still makes microwaves, but when this one finally does crap-out, I think I'll look in to purchasing another by them... hopefully not as large though.
**Halloween is coming up. I've always loved this holiday, for decorating and having fun, but the past 2 or 3 years, I've barely decorated at all, and as we get fewer and fewer kids each year, it justn't isn't as fun as it used to be. For the past several years, John & I have lit the fireplace and sat outside to hand out candy, one year we even did it in the rain! The first couple of years, several neighbors joined us, bringing their bowls of candy and it made for one-stop "shopping" for the kiddos. Even the year it rained we had several people come down, we just all huddled together under the canopy, but still had fun. Last year, I think John & I sat out completely alone. :(
We'll light the fire again this year and see what happens. I'm hoping that since the holiday is on a Saturday, we'll have a better turn out. I've been playing around with my ipod all morning, creating a playlist of Halloween music. Despite the itunes store still being in a foreign language, I was able to find and download some new holiday music. :)
Those are my positive blurbs for the day (who am I kidding?, probably for the rest of the year!)
Tuesday, October 20, 2009
Miscellaneous stuff
**Can I get a big HALLELUJAH!!!?? Nortons hospitals and Anthem insurance have finally reached an agreement. I heard it on the news late last night, so what did I do first thing this morning? I made an appointment with my doctor to get my elbow looked at which has been hurting for months now. I've been putting off making a final decision about finding a new doctor until enrollment time came around for health insurance. We've always gotten our insurance through my husband's employer, so I was wondering if they'd switch providers in light of all Anthem has put everyone through. But they didn't, they stuck with Anthem. Despite the insurance and hospitals having reached an agreement (for now), it really doesn't ease many peoples fears because it could all go down the toilet again. So I'll get done whatever I can while my insurance will cover my doctors visits. But I'm going to do a hard comparison between the insurance my company offers and Anthems and possibly switch. Now let's just hope that their agreement holds out through the end of next week when my appointment is.
**I've only had one, full-body massage in my life. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had, and I never wanted to go through that again. In case you don't know about it, or have forgotten and need a reminder, read this.
Well, I've been having so many aches and pains of late and some the chiropractor can help me with, others the effect only seems to be temporary, and then again others, he's not provided any relief at all. So I decided to suck it up and get a massage. This time by a woman, this time I can keep my clothes on if I so choose... and I think I'll choose to wear leggings and a camisole. She should be able to work through those items. My appointment is for this Thursday evening, I can hardly wait... to be pain-free that is. We'll see. I'm sure I'll have a blog on Friday to tell all about it.
**I'm still having issues with the Itunes store. I FINALLY found a screen where I can post my complaint/issue and get a reply (hopefully within 24 hours). Seriously, you've no idea how much I've struggled to get through to these people. Hopefully they can get the foreign language changed back over to plain ol' American English that I can read/understand. I have to say that the Itunes 9.0 sucks. It's the worst update ever, even if it hadn't changed the language on my computer. I don't like it!!
**I've only had one, full-body massage in my life. It was one of the worst experiences I've ever had, and I never wanted to go through that again. In case you don't know about it, or have forgotten and need a reminder, read this.
Well, I've been having so many aches and pains of late and some the chiropractor can help me with, others the effect only seems to be temporary, and then again others, he's not provided any relief at all. So I decided to suck it up and get a massage. This time by a woman, this time I can keep my clothes on if I so choose... and I think I'll choose to wear leggings and a camisole. She should be able to work through those items. My appointment is for this Thursday evening, I can hardly wait... to be pain-free that is. We'll see. I'm sure I'll have a blog on Friday to tell all about it.
**I'm still having issues with the Itunes store. I FINALLY found a screen where I can post my complaint/issue and get a reply (hopefully within 24 hours). Seriously, you've no idea how much I've struggled to get through to these people. Hopefully they can get the foreign language changed back over to plain ol' American English that I can read/understand. I have to say that the Itunes 9.0 sucks. It's the worst update ever, even if it hadn't changed the language on my computer. I don't like it!!
Monday, October 19, 2009
The silver lining
I know we should look for a silver lining in every bad situation, but sometimes it's awfully hard. This would also fall under these categories: counting your blessings, or finding the humor, or looking on the bright side
In the past couple of weeks, it has seemed as if a dark cloud has been hovering over our heads, content to just hang there and rain down upon us. It hasn't been much fun. Yes, I've complained, even whined, I suppose. That's my nature. Would you expect anything less of me?
So in light of all the bad, negative crap that we've put up, I'd now like to mention some lighter moments.
*As mentioned in my previous blog, the husband and I both shared great joy in our dog having a normal bowel movement... sometimes it's the little things in life that bring much happiness!
*There were several days of rain/drizzle while we made numerous trips in and out of the house with Olivia. Normally when we're having crappy weather (pun intended), we take Bootsy & Eliott out on a leash as well instead of turning them out in the backyard, because it's too muddy back there and, well, do I really need to explain? However, because of our numerous and constant in/out situation with Liv, I was beyond caring about how much mud the other two tracked in and we let them out in the backyard, one at a time. There was minimal tracking in, and no stupid behavior on their parts. B&E both seemed to understand the need to be tidy during this time. Each went out, did their bizness, and quickly came back into the house. They made me happy each time. Of course, now that Olivia is over the worst of her ills, I'm sure if I were to let them out now and the yard were muddy, they'd both act stupid and come in the house covered in mud. I'll take whatever good behavior I can get!
*Our numerous trips outside with Olivia at all hours of the day/night, constantly retracing our footsteps up and down the sidewalk that runs next to our house while waiting for her to do her bizness, it has given us time to look around at our surroundings, and observe some of our neighbors comings and goings at odd hours, parties 'til all hours of the night/morning even on weekdays, and other strange things...
Several weeks ago, some new neighbors moved in a house a few doors down from us. We've yet to actually meet them, and all we know about them is that they are a young couple, no human children (at least, none living with them), and they have 3 dogs. From the moment they moved in, their dogs set about destroying the blinds on their front window. The destruction would get worse on a daily basis. Any time somebody would walk a dog past the house, their dogs go nuts. Don't get me wrong, our dogs do the same thing, but ours typically go nuts from the back of the house, less visible to the public at large.
After their dogs destroyed the first set of blinds and created an unsightly mess, they finally replaced them. I wondered how long the new blinds would last. It wasn't long 'til there was once again a large gaping hole in the blinds. The second set also got destroyed, but the destruction did seem to take a little longer. Friday night the husband came in and commented that the new neighbors had once again put up new blinds, and wondered aloud how long they'd last. I had also made the same observation and also wondered it aloud to myself. The next morning, less than 18 hours after they'd been installed, I could see where a slat had already been destroyed. These dogs must be going for some kind of record!! I've also noticed that these people have now started keeping the blinds raised about half-way in an attempt to save what's left of the new blinds. Good luck with that! I feel for them, as I know what it's like to have the dogs destroy things, but their situation has, if nothing else, provided some entertainment for us and gave us something else to look for when we made our many trips outside, something that is, besides dog poop.
*Over the past several days, John or I could frequently be found outside hosing down the area of the lawn where Livvie does her business. There was no other way to clean up her mess, and I didn't want her (or some other dog) stepping in it and then tracking it into the house, so we were constantly hosing down the lawn. This wouldn't have seemed so terribly odd except, as I mentioned above, it was raining during most of this time. I'm sure we provided many of our neighbors, if not with some entertainment, then at the very least, a topic to muse over and ponder WHY we would be watering our lawn in the rain at midnight or 6 am or whenever.
For a brief time, I considered getting some yellow caution tape and putting it up around our property line, warning passers by that it was a bio-hazard area and should be avoided. I probably could've gotten away with it as most people would probably think it was some kind of Halloween decoration.
*While I stayed home with Olivia, I didn't get much of anything productive done, but I did watch a lot of tv. Mostly crime shows. There was a L&O:SVU marathon on Tuesday. The rest of the week I watched a lot of "Snapped". For anybody that's unfamiliar with this show, it's about women that suddenly lose it and kill their husbands. While I generally don't condone murder, I have to admit there were a few cases where I could sympathize and empathize. By the end of the week, I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown myself and when the husband arrived home Friday evening, I went shopping. I simply had to get out of the house for a change of scenery and fresh air. If I hadn't, I was afraid I'd end up on a future episode of "Snapped".
Okay, I don't know if there was a silver lining there, but I didn't snap, the husband lived, so I guess there was a bright side, if nothing else.
In the past couple of weeks, it has seemed as if a dark cloud has been hovering over our heads, content to just hang there and rain down upon us. It hasn't been much fun. Yes, I've complained, even whined, I suppose. That's my nature. Would you expect anything less of me?
So in light of all the bad, negative crap that we've put up, I'd now like to mention some lighter moments.
*As mentioned in my previous blog, the husband and I both shared great joy in our dog having a normal bowel movement... sometimes it's the little things in life that bring much happiness!
*There were several days of rain/drizzle while we made numerous trips in and out of the house with Olivia. Normally when we're having crappy weather (pun intended), we take Bootsy & Eliott out on a leash as well instead of turning them out in the backyard, because it's too muddy back there and, well, do I really need to explain? However, because of our numerous and constant in/out situation with Liv, I was beyond caring about how much mud the other two tracked in and we let them out in the backyard, one at a time. There was minimal tracking in, and no stupid behavior on their parts. B&E both seemed to understand the need to be tidy during this time. Each went out, did their bizness, and quickly came back into the house. They made me happy each time. Of course, now that Olivia is over the worst of her ills, I'm sure if I were to let them out now and the yard were muddy, they'd both act stupid and come in the house covered in mud. I'll take whatever good behavior I can get!
*Our numerous trips outside with Olivia at all hours of the day/night, constantly retracing our footsteps up and down the sidewalk that runs next to our house while waiting for her to do her bizness, it has given us time to look around at our surroundings, and observe some of our neighbors comings and goings at odd hours, parties 'til all hours of the night/morning even on weekdays, and other strange things...
Several weeks ago, some new neighbors moved in a house a few doors down from us. We've yet to actually meet them, and all we know about them is that they are a young couple, no human children (at least, none living with them), and they have 3 dogs. From the moment they moved in, their dogs set about destroying the blinds on their front window. The destruction would get worse on a daily basis. Any time somebody would walk a dog past the house, their dogs go nuts. Don't get me wrong, our dogs do the same thing, but ours typically go nuts from the back of the house, less visible to the public at large.
After their dogs destroyed the first set of blinds and created an unsightly mess, they finally replaced them. I wondered how long the new blinds would last. It wasn't long 'til there was once again a large gaping hole in the blinds. The second set also got destroyed, but the destruction did seem to take a little longer. Friday night the husband came in and commented that the new neighbors had once again put up new blinds, and wondered aloud how long they'd last. I had also made the same observation and also wondered it aloud to myself. The next morning, less than 18 hours after they'd been installed, I could see where a slat had already been destroyed. These dogs must be going for some kind of record!! I've also noticed that these people have now started keeping the blinds raised about half-way in an attempt to save what's left of the new blinds. Good luck with that! I feel for them, as I know what it's like to have the dogs destroy things, but their situation has, if nothing else, provided some entertainment for us and gave us something else to look for when we made our many trips outside, something that is, besides dog poop.
*Over the past several days, John or I could frequently be found outside hosing down the area of the lawn where Livvie does her business. There was no other way to clean up her mess, and I didn't want her (or some other dog) stepping in it and then tracking it into the house, so we were constantly hosing down the lawn. This wouldn't have seemed so terribly odd except, as I mentioned above, it was raining during most of this time. I'm sure we provided many of our neighbors, if not with some entertainment, then at the very least, a topic to muse over and ponder WHY we would be watering our lawn in the rain at midnight or 6 am or whenever.
For a brief time, I considered getting some yellow caution tape and putting it up around our property line, warning passers by that it was a bio-hazard area and should be avoided. I probably could've gotten away with it as most people would probably think it was some kind of Halloween decoration.
*While I stayed home with Olivia, I didn't get much of anything productive done, but I did watch a lot of tv. Mostly crime shows. There was a L&O:SVU marathon on Tuesday. The rest of the week I watched a lot of "Snapped". For anybody that's unfamiliar with this show, it's about women that suddenly lose it and kill their husbands. While I generally don't condone murder, I have to admit there were a few cases where I could sympathize and empathize. By the end of the week, I was on the verge of a nervous breakdown myself and when the husband arrived home Friday evening, I went shopping. I simply had to get out of the house for a change of scenery and fresh air. If I hadn't, I was afraid I'd end up on a future episode of "Snapped".
Okay, I don't know if there was a silver lining there, but I didn't snap, the husband lived, so I guess there was a bright side, if nothing else.
Parenthood
As many of you know by now, our baby girl spent the past several days suffering from a parasite that caused her a great deal of diarrhea. (I'll spare you any further photos). I didn't work even one full day last week, and had two whole days off because of this. I was only able to go to work if my husband was able to be home with her. Fortunately, my boss was understanding of the situation and I had lots of sick-time saved up.
I took Olivia back to the vet on Friday because we weren't seeing any signs of improvement. The vet had me put her on a very high-fiber formula of dog food. Her first meal of this stuff was Friday evening, and within 9 hours, her stool had started to firm up. It was sometime after midnight when she showed this first sign of improvement, and I was so excited, I wanted to wake John up from a sound sleep to come outside and admire the pile of dog poop with me. But I let him sleep.
Saturday was the first day that Olivia hasn't had overwhelming urges to go outside. Her bm's were still soft and mushy and a bit bloody, but not splattering liquid either. Sunday morning I was at the farm when my husband, fake-crying tears of joy. He asked me if I wanted him to take a photo of her latest accomplishment, I suggested we have it bronzed.
Ridiculous as it all sounds, we were like two new parents admiring a new baby's first poopy diaper.
With all the work I missed last week staying home to care for my child, I accomplished very little around the house. I did manage to swap out my warm weather wardrobe for my cold weather stuff and straighten the closet up a bit, but that was about all. I came to the conclusion I would not have done well as a stay-at-home mom, had we had human children. It just made me all the more thankful we never had human children. Unless the dog(s) get really sick (which is rare), pets are more self-sufficient and can be left alone for several hours, not needing constant attention. I just don't think I could handle all that neediness and constant care that human children require... now I know why there are so many thriving day-care business out there.
I took Olivia back to the vet on Friday because we weren't seeing any signs of improvement. The vet had me put her on a very high-fiber formula of dog food. Her first meal of this stuff was Friday evening, and within 9 hours, her stool had started to firm up. It was sometime after midnight when she showed this first sign of improvement, and I was so excited, I wanted to wake John up from a sound sleep to come outside and admire the pile of dog poop with me. But I let him sleep.
Saturday was the first day that Olivia hasn't had overwhelming urges to go outside. Her bm's were still soft and mushy and a bit bloody, but not splattering liquid either. Sunday morning I was at the farm when my husband, fake-crying tears of joy. He asked me if I wanted him to take a photo of her latest accomplishment, I suggested we have it bronzed.
Ridiculous as it all sounds, we were like two new parents admiring a new baby's first poopy diaper.
With all the work I missed last week staying home to care for my child, I accomplished very little around the house. I did manage to swap out my warm weather wardrobe for my cold weather stuff and straighten the closet up a bit, but that was about all. I came to the conclusion I would not have done well as a stay-at-home mom, had we had human children. It just made me all the more thankful we never had human children. Unless the dog(s) get really sick (which is rare), pets are more self-sufficient and can be left alone for several hours, not needing constant attention. I just don't think I could handle all that neediness and constant care that human children require... now I know why there are so many thriving day-care business out there.
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Catching up
One of these days, I'll get caught up on all my blog-reading from the past couple of weeks, but right now, I just don't have the time. I'm only getting this blog done in between "chores" at work. Actually, I'm lucky (did I say "lucky"?) to even be at work.
I came in an hour & a half late on Monday from having taken Olivia to the vet. I ended up taking a sick-day on Tuesday to stay home with her, and didn't come in to the office 'til 11:30 today... having waited 'til John got home from work.
Seriously, somebody has to be with her pretty much non-stop right now. The longest stretch she's managed to go without needing to go out has been 4 hours, but that was just once. The rest of the time it's about every two to two & a half hours during the night-time hours and mid-day. Mornings and evenings we often find ourselves taking her out two to four times an hour.
Sorry if you've got a weak stomach, but here's a photo of what my sweet baby is passing.
Gnarly, eh? This is what we get for forgetting to haul our own water to the campground and not boiling the drinking water before she consumed it. Ours was boiled as we only used it for coffee and dish washing. Of course, I'm carrying around some massive guilt for this. I think I'm going to contact the health dept. over in Harrison Co, or the forestry dept. and let them know that their drinking water is possibly contaminated with Giardia.
I've give just about anything for a solid nights sleep, even a mere 6 hours of continuous sleep would be good, but Friday night was the last time I had any decent sleep. Mostly I'm just catching either short cat-naps or 90 minute stretches in between her needs to go outside. All this sleeping in the recliner is wreaking havoc on my body, I'm sure my chiropractor is going to have a field day trying to straighten me back out.
In other news...
The experiment I conducted with the Wm. E. Wright Co. and their offer to send my trimmings for $1.00 and 3 labels... They sent my dollar-check back along with the labels and informed that offer expired some time ago. Oh well, it was worth a try!
Okay, back to work now.
I came in an hour & a half late on Monday from having taken Olivia to the vet. I ended up taking a sick-day on Tuesday to stay home with her, and didn't come in to the office 'til 11:30 today... having waited 'til John got home from work.
Seriously, somebody has to be with her pretty much non-stop right now. The longest stretch she's managed to go without needing to go out has been 4 hours, but that was just once. The rest of the time it's about every two to two & a half hours during the night-time hours and mid-day. Mornings and evenings we often find ourselves taking her out two to four times an hour.
Sorry if you've got a weak stomach, but here's a photo of what my sweet baby is passing.
Gnarly, eh? This is what we get for forgetting to haul our own water to the campground and not boiling the drinking water before she consumed it. Ours was boiled as we only used it for coffee and dish washing. Of course, I'm carrying around some massive guilt for this. I think I'm going to contact the health dept. over in Harrison Co, or the forestry dept. and let them know that their drinking water is possibly contaminated with Giardia.
I've give just about anything for a solid nights sleep, even a mere 6 hours of continuous sleep would be good, but Friday night was the last time I had any decent sleep. Mostly I'm just catching either short cat-naps or 90 minute stretches in between her needs to go outside. All this sleeping in the recliner is wreaking havoc on my body, I'm sure my chiropractor is going to have a field day trying to straighten me back out.
In other news...
The experiment I conducted with the Wm. E. Wright Co. and their offer to send my trimmings for $1.00 and 3 labels... They sent my dollar-check back along with the labels and informed that offer expired some time ago. Oh well, it was worth a try!
Okay, back to work now.
Monday, October 12, 2009
A Vacation Quiz
I'm baaack!! Another week of vacation, come and gone. In case you missed any of my blogs from the previous week, we had decided to go tent-camping for a few days, leaving Monday and returning Thursday.
Now that you know what our plans were, I'd like for you to take a little quiz to see how well you really know Pitawoman. Grab a scrap of paper and something to write with, take the quiz and then check your answers. Sorry, there's no prize for the person that answers the most correctly, this is just for fun.
TRUE or FALSE:
#1) Mother Nature can be a cruel and sadistic force when she so chooses.
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
#2) I cried four times in 3 days for which of the following reasons?
a) My husband was acting like a jerk
b) A song on the radio made me sad
c) The weather turned sucky and ruined our plans
d) "Aunt Flo" arrived a few days early, making me very hormonal, thus not needing a valid reason to cry.
#3) I was very annoyed by which of the following?
a) The older couple parked three sites away that never spoke below a bellow.
b) The five "tween" boys that were loud, obnoxious, and destructive.
c) The insects
d) Life in general
e) The boss calling me 3 times in 12 hours
#4) For which of the following reasons did we come home from our trip 2 days early?
a) I didn't trust my ability to have set the VCR correctly and was afraid I'd miss D.W.T.S., The Biggest Loser, and other favorite shows.
b) Olivia was bored
c) I couldn't find any interesting insects to observe
d) The tent leaked during a 3 hour rain shower and everything inside got soaked
FILL IN THE BLANK:
#5) We experienced deja vu when a ______-_____ stopped at the campground and several ______-_______ ________ unloaded for a field trip.
#6) A 24 hour camping trip created ____ loads of laundry.
#7) Between John, myself and the dog(s), we made ___ trips to various doctors offices between 10/05 and 10/12.
MULTIPLE-CHOICE:
#8) The camping disaster was only a small part of the miserable week. Which of the following incidents also happened?
a) One of the dogs developed severe diarrhea
b) Two of the dogs pooped in the house and I had to steam-clean the carpets
c) Insurance called with their verdict on the camper and we're getting screwed.
d) I battled mice, killing 4 in 24 hours.
FILL-IN THE BLANK:
#9) All the laundry was caught up before we went camping. Between what was created on the camping trip, and other issues, how many total loads did I do between Tuesday and Sunday? ____
Okay, now here are the answers.
#1) Mother Nature can be a cruel and sadistic force when she so chooses. TRUE!!!!!
#2) I cried four times in 3 days for which of the following reasons?
All four answers were correct. The husband was being a jerk while we were packing the cars up Sunday evening, slamming things around and just generally hurting my feelings. On the drive to the campground, the song "Blue Than Blue" by Michael Johnson came on the radio and I started sobbing uncontrollably. After our tent started leaking, I got so depressed I just sat down on the wet mattress and again started sobbing uncontrollably. And yes, A/F did arrive early, just making me plain ol' miserable.
#3) I was very annoyed by which of the following?
Again, all the answers were correct. At first I thought the older couple was constantly fighting, then I realized they were just carrying on ordinary conversation, but everyone in the campground could hear them. The five boys were just generally annoying. The insects! Ugh!! There were bazillions of teensy flying insects swarming all over the place. Life in general because the trip wasn't going well, especially when the rain started right after breakfast. The boss did call three times, but my phone reception was hit and miss, so I waited 'til 4am the next day and emailed him a reply... honestly, what would the workplace have done if I'd been lying in a coma, unable to answer their questions??
#4) For which of the following reasons did we come home from our trip 2 days early?
Only 1 serious answer here, "D" The tent leaked, and our bedding and clothes got all wet. Even though the rain stopped, we had no way of drying everything out. So we packed as much into the cars as we could and came on home, then went back on Wednesday to get the rest of our stuff. :(
But as it turned out, I had set the VCR incorrectly, and indeed would have missed all my shows.
And I really don't think Olivia was having a very good time, as she ended up spending quite a bit of time locked in the car either because of the rain or because we were cooking.
#5) We experienced deja vu when a SCHOOL-BUS stopped at the campground and several SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS unloaded for a field trip. Seriously! The last time we camped at that particular campground the same exact thing happened. I don't know why they can't use other parts of the forestry that have picnic grounds and playgrounds and not bother those of us that are attempting to enjoy some peace and quiet.
#6) A 24 hour camping trip created 13 loads of laundry. Seriously! 13 loads from 1 day of camping.
#7) Between John, myself and the dog(s), we made 6 trips to various doctors offices between 10/05 and 10/12. On Monday, he went to get a physical for the f.d., me to my allergist for a check-up. On Friday I made a much needed trip to the chiropractor. On Saturday, I wasted an hour of time and gas driving to my dermatologist office to have stitches removed from my back, only to get there and discovered they'd decided to close for the day... they hoped it wasn't an inconvenience. When I called their office (didn't need an appointment for suture removal) to get their office hours, the recording (which said they were on another line) never mentioned being closed that day. Was it an inconvenience? Hell yes!!
Also went by the vet's office to pick up some medicine for the dog. Then this morning actually took the dog to the vet as the medicine wasn't helping.
#8) The camping disaster was only a small part of the miserable week. Which of the following incidents also happened?
All the answers were correct. Olivia picked up a parasite while on the camping trip, from the drinking water and she developed severe diarrhea on Friday, which turned bloody on Sunday. She had several accidents in the house and her crate, and just for good measure, Bootsy had a regular bowel movement on the carpet. For spite I think. Insurance called with their verdict on the camper and we're getting screwed. They'll replace the broken body panel on the camper, but nothing else. What's the point?
I battled mice, killing 4 in 24 hours. The only good thing there is that they weren't at my house!
#9) All the laundry was caught up before we went camping. Between what was created on the camping trip, and other issues, how many total loads did I do between Tuesday and Sunday?
21
So now you know that we had a really crappy vacation and I think this was the camping-gods way of telling us to never go camping again.
So, how well do you know Pitawoman?
Now that you know what our plans were, I'd like for you to take a little quiz to see how well you really know Pitawoman. Grab a scrap of paper and something to write with, take the quiz and then check your answers. Sorry, there's no prize for the person that answers the most correctly, this is just for fun.
TRUE or FALSE:
#1) Mother Nature can be a cruel and sadistic force when she so chooses.
MULTIPLE CHOICE:
#2) I cried four times in 3 days for which of the following reasons?
a) My husband was acting like a jerk
b) A song on the radio made me sad
c) The weather turned sucky and ruined our plans
d) "Aunt Flo" arrived a few days early, making me very hormonal, thus not needing a valid reason to cry.
#3) I was very annoyed by which of the following?
a) The older couple parked three sites away that never spoke below a bellow.
b) The five "tween" boys that were loud, obnoxious, and destructive.
c) The insects
d) Life in general
e) The boss calling me 3 times in 12 hours
#4) For which of the following reasons did we come home from our trip 2 days early?
a) I didn't trust my ability to have set the VCR correctly and was afraid I'd miss D.W.T.S., The Biggest Loser, and other favorite shows.
b) Olivia was bored
c) I couldn't find any interesting insects to observe
d) The tent leaked during a 3 hour rain shower and everything inside got soaked
FILL IN THE BLANK:
#5) We experienced deja vu when a ______-_____ stopped at the campground and several ______-_______ ________ unloaded for a field trip.
#6) A 24 hour camping trip created ____ loads of laundry.
#7) Between John, myself and the dog(s), we made ___ trips to various doctors offices between 10/05 and 10/12.
MULTIPLE-CHOICE:
#8) The camping disaster was only a small part of the miserable week. Which of the following incidents also happened?
a) One of the dogs developed severe diarrhea
b) Two of the dogs pooped in the house and I had to steam-clean the carpets
c) Insurance called with their verdict on the camper and we're getting screwed.
d) I battled mice, killing 4 in 24 hours.
FILL-IN THE BLANK:
#9) All the laundry was caught up before we went camping. Between what was created on the camping trip, and other issues, how many total loads did I do between Tuesday and Sunday? ____
Okay, now here are the answers.
#1) Mother Nature can be a cruel and sadistic force when she so chooses. TRUE!!!!!
#2) I cried four times in 3 days for which of the following reasons?
All four answers were correct. The husband was being a jerk while we were packing the cars up Sunday evening, slamming things around and just generally hurting my feelings. On the drive to the campground, the song "Blue Than Blue" by Michael Johnson came on the radio and I started sobbing uncontrollably. After our tent started leaking, I got so depressed I just sat down on the wet mattress and again started sobbing uncontrollably. And yes, A/F did arrive early, just making me plain ol' miserable.
#3) I was very annoyed by which of the following?
Again, all the answers were correct. At first I thought the older couple was constantly fighting, then I realized they were just carrying on ordinary conversation, but everyone in the campground could hear them. The five boys were just generally annoying. The insects! Ugh!! There were bazillions of teensy flying insects swarming all over the place. Life in general because the trip wasn't going well, especially when the rain started right after breakfast. The boss did call three times, but my phone reception was hit and miss, so I waited 'til 4am the next day and emailed him a reply... honestly, what would the workplace have done if I'd been lying in a coma, unable to answer their questions??
#4) For which of the following reasons did we come home from our trip 2 days early?
Only 1 serious answer here, "D" The tent leaked, and our bedding and clothes got all wet. Even though the rain stopped, we had no way of drying everything out. So we packed as much into the cars as we could and came on home, then went back on Wednesday to get the rest of our stuff. :(
But as it turned out, I had set the VCR incorrectly, and indeed would have missed all my shows.
And I really don't think Olivia was having a very good time, as she ended up spending quite a bit of time locked in the car either because of the rain or because we were cooking.
#5) We experienced deja vu when a SCHOOL-BUS stopped at the campground and several SPECIAL-NEEDS KIDS unloaded for a field trip. Seriously! The last time we camped at that particular campground the same exact thing happened. I don't know why they can't use other parts of the forestry that have picnic grounds and playgrounds and not bother those of us that are attempting to enjoy some peace and quiet.
#6) A 24 hour camping trip created 13 loads of laundry. Seriously! 13 loads from 1 day of camping.
#7) Between John, myself and the dog(s), we made 6 trips to various doctors offices between 10/05 and 10/12. On Monday, he went to get a physical for the f.d., me to my allergist for a check-up. On Friday I made a much needed trip to the chiropractor. On Saturday, I wasted an hour of time and gas driving to my dermatologist office to have stitches removed from my back, only to get there and discovered they'd decided to close for the day... they hoped it wasn't an inconvenience. When I called their office (didn't need an appointment for suture removal) to get their office hours, the recording (which said they were on another line) never mentioned being closed that day. Was it an inconvenience? Hell yes!!
Also went by the vet's office to pick up some medicine for the dog. Then this morning actually took the dog to the vet as the medicine wasn't helping.
#8) The camping disaster was only a small part of the miserable week. Which of the following incidents also happened?
All the answers were correct. Olivia picked up a parasite while on the camping trip, from the drinking water and she developed severe diarrhea on Friday, which turned bloody on Sunday. She had several accidents in the house and her crate, and just for good measure, Bootsy had a regular bowel movement on the carpet. For spite I think. Insurance called with their verdict on the camper and we're getting screwed. They'll replace the broken body panel on the camper, but nothing else. What's the point?
I battled mice, killing 4 in 24 hours. The only good thing there is that they weren't at my house!
#9) All the laundry was caught up before we went camping. Between what was created on the camping trip, and other issues, how many total loads did I do between Tuesday and Sunday?
21
So now you know that we had a really crappy vacation and I think this was the camping-gods way of telling us to never go camping again.
So, how well do you know Pitawoman?
Thursday, October 01, 2009
Itunes
I'm getting really, Really, REALLY frustrated with Itunes right now!
The last time I downloaded a song was on Sept. 1st and things were working a-ok at that time. Since then, they up-graded to version 9 or whatever, and I really wasn't happy with this new format, and the way my library is now laid out, but I'm willing to overlook that.
The problem is this: in the past couple of weeks, every time I try to go into the i-store, it comes up in some foreign language that I don't speak/read.
My itunes library is plain ol' American English, but the store is this...
I don't know if you can read the print or not. I've tried and tried to contact them by email, but keep getting passed from link to link to link and can't find an actual email address so that I can email them my problem. I'm really starting to get pissy here!
I tried going in under edit, general/preferences and checking the language, but it's set to English-USA, so that's not the problem. I tried restoring my computers system back to an earlier date this month before the up-grade, but then I was unable to access Itunes at all and had to completely re-download it, and when all was said and done, it was still in this jibberish-language.
Anybody got any suggestions on how to fix this?
The last time I downloaded a song was on Sept. 1st and things were working a-ok at that time. Since then, they up-graded to version 9 or whatever, and I really wasn't happy with this new format, and the way my library is now laid out, but I'm willing to overlook that.
The problem is this: in the past couple of weeks, every time I try to go into the i-store, it comes up in some foreign language that I don't speak/read.
My itunes library is plain ol' American English, but the store is this...
I don't know if you can read the print or not. I've tried and tried to contact them by email, but keep getting passed from link to link to link and can't find an actual email address so that I can email them my problem. I'm really starting to get pissy here!
I tried going in under edit, general/preferences and checking the language, but it's set to English-USA, so that's not the problem. I tried restoring my computers system back to an earlier date this month before the up-grade, but then I was unable to access Itunes at all and had to completely re-download it, and when all was said and done, it was still in this jibberish-language.
Anybody got any suggestions on how to fix this?
Updates on some stuff
Well, I've no updated pictures to show you of my quilt this week, because I just haven't worked on it in the past week. I've either had too much going on, had too much pain in one place or another, or was simply too stressed out over other goings ons. Hopefully I'll have time to work on it while we're on vacation though... although, I often have grand plans of getting things accomplished while on vacation, and they rarely get done. Oh well, we'll see what happens...
I think I finally have the husband talked in to going tent-camping next week, if only for a couple of nights. I've been making lists like crazy. It's been so long since we tent-camped, I hope I remember how! With so many schools on fall-break (why didn't we get fall breaks when I was a kid???), I fear the campgrounds might be crowded. I fear it, but I hope otherwise!!!
The camper saga continues...
We were finally able to coordinate a time to meet our insurance adjuster so he could take a look at our camper. John met him at the firehouse Wednesday afternoon and first showed him the crack in the body. The guy laid on the ground and looked underneath (brave soul!!) and commented on the large number of spiders we had. Uh, duh!!!
Then John opened everything up so he could look inside. This was also John's first good look inside the main body of the camper. Ugh! It wasn't a pretty sight! He said the adjuster quickly exited the camper, scratching and itching, whether he really had things crawling on him or just imagined it, I don't know. There is significant water damage to the floor and cabinets. The adjuster took photos and said he'd go back and discuss it with his boss, but he felt like it would probably be a total loss, as it would cost more to repair it than what it was actually worth. Right now, I'm not sure if that's good news or bad news. We're still making payments to the bank on the durned thing, and I certainly don't want to keep making payments if we're never going to get to use it again. And too, I hate to think that even if they somehow pay off the loan, that we're screwed out of not having a camper to show for all the money we've paid in. I'm sure we'll end up being screwed in the end, it's just a matter of how badly. We await the insurance company's findings.
John set off a third bug bomb in the camper, now that it was opened up to it's full height. I stopped by the firehouse after work to see if things were as bad as I imagined. In some ways they weren't as bad as I feared, in other ways they were worse. I would only go as far in as standing in the doorway and leaning forward to take photos, I didn't want to go any further, for fear something would fall from the ceiling or jump out at me.
Yes, let me remind you that all that black stuff is ants... covering the floors, electrical outlets...
I think I finally have the husband talked in to going tent-camping next week, if only for a couple of nights. I've been making lists like crazy. It's been so long since we tent-camped, I hope I remember how! With so many schools on fall-break (why didn't we get fall breaks when I was a kid???), I fear the campgrounds might be crowded. I fear it, but I hope otherwise!!!
The camper saga continues...
We were finally able to coordinate a time to meet our insurance adjuster so he could take a look at our camper. John met him at the firehouse Wednesday afternoon and first showed him the crack in the body. The guy laid on the ground and looked underneath (brave soul!!) and commented on the large number of spiders we had. Uh, duh!!!
Then John opened everything up so he could look inside. This was also John's first good look inside the main body of the camper. Ugh! It wasn't a pretty sight! He said the adjuster quickly exited the camper, scratching and itching, whether he really had things crawling on him or just imagined it, I don't know. There is significant water damage to the floor and cabinets. The adjuster took photos and said he'd go back and discuss it with his boss, but he felt like it would probably be a total loss, as it would cost more to repair it than what it was actually worth. Right now, I'm not sure if that's good news or bad news. We're still making payments to the bank on the durned thing, and I certainly don't want to keep making payments if we're never going to get to use it again. And too, I hate to think that even if they somehow pay off the loan, that we're screwed out of not having a camper to show for all the money we've paid in. I'm sure we'll end up being screwed in the end, it's just a matter of how badly. We await the insurance company's findings.
John set off a third bug bomb in the camper, now that it was opened up to it's full height. I stopped by the firehouse after work to see if things were as bad as I imagined. In some ways they weren't as bad as I feared, in other ways they were worse. I would only go as far in as standing in the doorway and leaning forward to take photos, I didn't want to go any further, for fear something would fall from the ceiling or jump out at me.
Yes, let me remind you that all that black stuff is ants... covering the floors, electrical outlets...
The cabinets and rails...
All over the pots and pans...
John lifted up the mattress and this is what was underneath. It looks like sand or seed-beads, but it's piles of ants and larvae. Blech!!
I have to say, I was rather surprised that the ceiling seemed almost pristine white. I didn't see that first ant or spider crawling on the ceiling. The canvas and curtains had some black/brownish stuff on it, but we're not sure if it's mold or something left behind by ants.
I believe the white-ish crud on the green canvas is ant larvae.
Makes my skin crawl just thinking about it!
This was taken from the outside looking in at the window coverings. I think this is mold. :(
Just a short video clip of the creepy crawly little things running around all over the bedding. And my husband has the audacity to say I could just take it home and wash it. Hmph!! I'm not about to carry that into the house!!
Then of course there are all the things that are stored in the camper. I know some items, such as the dishes, pots/pans, utensils and a few things like that can be salvaged. That is, if I can just work up the nerve to go in and open drawers and doors and remove them. I fear all kinds of things will start crawling all over me. I told the husband if we could find some of those bio-hazard suits to wear that completely cover you from head to toe, then I MIGHT consider it. The water hoses, playing cards, checkerboard and dominoes, we'll have to trash those. The small micro-wave oven, toaster oven and crockpot (as you can see, we never really "roughed-it" when we went camping), I'm anxious to see what kind of condition they are in and whether or not they can be salvaged.
I had the following conversation with the husband last night:
me: not that I'm holding out hope that insurance is going to take care of all this, but on the chance that they do, do we want to get another camper?
john: hmm, well, if we do, I think we'd be better off getting a hard-body this time. (a hard body is a camper that's already "set-up", not a pop-up camper with canvas sides.
me: yeah, but that means you're vehicle wouldn't be able to tow it (as hard-bodies are heavier), so we'd have to get a new vehicle first
john: of course, I don't know where we'd store the camper at (we're both in agreement it's never going back to our friend's house)
me: well, I'd probably have to give up my riding lessons and use that money to pay to store it at this place up the street. (needless to say, I sounded quite dejected over this). Regardless of where we park it, I think we know now that we need to go and check on it at least once a month, open it up each time to make sure nothing is amiss and to spray for bugs each time.
The conversation ended there. Neither of us really sure what to do about the situation. We really do love to go camping, but it's just our schedules prevent us from going as much as we'd like. So do we really want to go down that road again? Decision, decisions!!
Laughs
I had to attend a meeting for work yesterday, held at one of our other offices. It was an hour long, and with the exception of a short video we were shown, it's an hour of my life I'll never get back. I hate meetings!
The video was an old black & white skit, I believe it might possibly have been performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, but won't swear to it. It was performed by Elaine May & Mike Nichols (Mr. Diane Sawyer).
The skit was about a funeral director (Elaine) and a grieving man (Mike) there to make arrangements for a deceased family member. He was trying to make the cheapest arrangements possible, but the cost quickly added up. I've searched and searched the web this morning, looking for the video so I could post it here, but have come up empty. If any of you know where I can find it, lemme know.
The video was an old black & white skit, I believe it might possibly have been performed on The Ed Sullivan Show, but won't swear to it. It was performed by Elaine May & Mike Nichols (Mr. Diane Sawyer).
The skit was about a funeral director (Elaine) and a grieving man (Mike) there to make arrangements for a deceased family member. He was trying to make the cheapest arrangements possible, but the cost quickly added up. I've searched and searched the web this morning, looking for the video so I could post it here, but have come up empty. If any of you know where I can find it, lemme know.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)