this too shall pass...

Casey Anthony, OJ and other things :)

2011-07-07T20:08:00.002-05:00

HI!

I have no idea if I even have one follower at this point! So many things happen in a days time and I think, " Gosh, that would be a great blog entry!" In light of what I just saw on FACEBOOK after logging in for the first time... in a long while...I feel inspired.

CASEY ANTHONY:
Hell yes, she is guilty. However, I am becoming more offended by the throngs of people that want to kill her, kill her defense team, kill her parents and kill the jurors. It is such an oxy-moron. Kill HER and everyone around her because a child died. And, yes, the graphic truth is that a child did die. But now the people who want justice for Caylee want everyone to die. ?

Most of the stories with regard to the missing and strange, however, didn't grab our attention. There are children all over this country that are killed and beaten EVERY day by the PARENT on the job. By the parent they trust. Society has latched onto the Anthony case due to a few early factors, that every missing case has. This is ONE story in one million. It happened to make the news.

There are hundreds of story's, however, that did not land so "interesting" on "Anytown USA".

This life is not for us to judge - but to enjoy and learn from each other, whether we agree or not, we are all in the same shoes at some point, or relative...if we have the eye's to see. Anyway!

I have not killed anyone, and am not just hawked from prison ...but I am thinking seriously about making a Spam Pie. Yeah. Who could have thought in a million years, but dammit JIM! I have a recipe for SPAM PIE.

Dean, any thoughts?

Oh blogger...

2011-01-13T05:59:00.002-06:00

I got an email that someone left a message on one of my posts. Albeit a stranger, I couldn't believe anyone still stops in on this thing! That said, as always it renews my interest (or maybe reminds my interest is a better way to say it) and here I am!

I am a pathetic blogger! There is a Seinfeld episode where Jerry is at the airport to pick up the rental car he reserved. The lady at the counter tells him there are no cars available. Long story short, his rant was, "Oh sure you can TAKE the reservation (as he waves his hands around in the air) you just don't know how to KEEP the reservation!"

That's me in blog-land....I love to READ all the blogs, and I even love to KEEP my own blog....I just don't know how to POST to a blog!!! LOL

So, I won't make another excuse and promise to be better! I am what I am! I will make a date with this thing in the next few days to share the recent goings on!

Happy January 13, 2011!

On the Peripheral

2010-11-16T16:17:00.002-06:00

Peripheral: adj - Concerned with the comparatively superficial or not really essential aspects of the subject or matter in question. Un-important, non-essential, sideline or secondary.

I feel peripheral right now. A part - but somewhat non-essential. Outside looking in. I guess I shouldn't be surprised...I carefully created it, so I better learn to love it. I am finding "un-complicating your life" can lead to the feelings of floating around in the periphery - for awhile at least.

Old habits sure die hard.

Time, again...

2010-10-30T09:09:00.006-05:00

Happy Fall! Where does the time go? This is proving to be a more valuable lesson to me everyday. Time (and I touch on this from time to time ;-)

Every once in awhile I find myself living for the destination instead of the journey. Ever feel that way? Where that voice track spins up and tells you, "Well, get through this week and it will be fine." or "Once today is over I can forget about this..." or I used to say, "Once I lose 10 pounds I will be happier..." Even after my mammoth health scare in 2007, I found myself living in a void of time, just waiting to be on the other side. Waiting to be on the other side of whatever situation I was in, because surely THEN my life would begin and be happier than I have ever known. But, that sense of arriving at the destination never really quite takes shape, so I have found.

As I continue to learn more and more about myself (which is a journey, within a journey, maturity brings on more change) I am continually reminded of the importance of being IN the moment. Tomorrow will have worries, issues and blessings all its own (the Bible even tells us this), and we have only enough "power" for one day. If we are just in TODAY - we have enough power. Life is not so taxing, there is TIME to notice things around you and there is more time to enjoy things.

We finally took a much needed vacation a couple weeks ago and spent it on the motorcycle in northern Wisconsin/Lake Superior and then down along the coast to Green Bay, then Door County. I have said this a million times in this blog, but it is worth dinging that bell again. The thing I love most about a motorcycle ride is that it is less about the destination and more about the journey. As we were riding along, day after day that week, we never really knew where we were going to end up, we were just thrilled to be on the journey and took in each moment after moment- of beauty, surprise and absolute wonder of what was coming next!

I think this is how we are meant to live every day. Not focusing on where you are going, but focusing on what is happening around us on our journey -sans destination. When I consider everything I have 'missed' in my life, it doesn't necessarily make me sad, but I think the realization makes me want to be better at throwing the light off of me and shining it somewhere else.

Well, I will set that to the side, for now! Aside from our vacation, we are settling into fall quite nicely! I am thrilled that I am not dreading winter this year. I had that going on last year, and I think I figured out why, so I suppose that was a small conquered mountain. (and here I go about "time" again) But, it is pointless to DREAD anything, you have to be in it whether you dread it or not. That said, I have a welcoming feeling when I think of Old Man winter, and I hope I can find new ways to enjoy it this year.

One great thing about winter is the plowing of the roads! Why you ask, is this so tantalizing? Because, I had my "every 6 week flat tire" again, last week. I am hoping, beyond hope, that with some added road "maintenance" it will plow away the debris that no doubt falls off the truck- loads of junk people take to the landfill. I must be a magnet for these spiky little delights! I did manage to find an alternate route to work, which does not take me by the turn off to the landfill - but, I am so programmed to go the other way, that if I am not reciting "Centennial Road" in my head up until I get to the place I turn - I, inevitably, will go the way my "rat-in-a cage mind" is programmed to go. Who gets a flat tire every 6 weeks?

Good gravy! Have a great weekend! Go Hawks! Go Pack! Go Cyclones (I have to say that now!)
Pictures from vacation will be forthcoming!

Labor Day Weekend Ride

2010-09-11T12:19:00.015-05:00

I have been taking a camera along on the back of the bike and have been capturing alot of what I already know...we live in a gorgeous part of the country.....this is a snip of my Labor Day weekend!

Boarding the Cassville Ferry to cross the Mississippi:

Mark on the other side. I have no clue what he is saying!

The ritual of touching the Mighty Mississippi!

Mark's brother and his wife...and the HD Screaming Eagle - not a subtle bike!

The wonder along the way:

What a great weekend!

Glossed Over: Nordic Fest

2010-09-10T16:43:00.005-05:00

WHELP! It was brought to my attention by one of my dysfunctional, yet lovable friends that I never mentioned....NORDIC FEST in my blog! ( I think its because we have pictures! Janeen, Lisa and me, above)

For those who know the "MESS", and live here, it is what it is. For those that don't, it is an opportunity to experience an awesome Nordic Heritage, (my heritage). Back in the day, my parents were a HUGE part of Nordic Fest. My dad would perform hours and hours of his accordion and fiddle music with his band and my mother spent hours making lefse, in the window of the local store. My memories of the FEST are up close and personal.

Now, since Mom and Dad are gone, it has become more a venue to connect with OLD friends from high school, get hit on by people who were HOT in high school, but are now struggling for their manhood and eligibility and copious amounts of Norwegian Food, for which I love!

And, finally, a FIST FIGHT in the local bar, is always an attraction! Nothing spells "eligible bachelor" like getting yanked out of a bar by the local P.D., and reaching and yelling back at us as though we will be there waiting for you tomorrow. I adored that!

That said, I adore Decorah, Nordic Fest and all it represents! I am forever grateful to the fireman who was asking for I.D.s at the beer tent. I didn't have mine and he would not let me in!! Really? I don't look old enough? Screw the wristband, buddy! TELL ME MORE!!!

But, thanks, Janeen for stealing a wristband off the table, while I tried half heartedly to convince him I am ...um 40 SOMETHING!

Up all night, again....

2010-08-23T10:15:00.003-05:00

I think what I like best about blogging, is that it allows you a place to put these little nuggets of nothingness down and while you have not uttered a word to anyone.... it feels like you had a conversation about it.

I have shared my off and on struggle with waking up in the middle of the night - and then remaining awake for a couple/three hours before falling a sleep moments before the alarm goes off. Last night was no exception, only, I had company.

I woke-up first around 12:30 and then woke-up and stayed away at about 1:30 a.m. As I stared at the motionless ceiling fan, I could tell Mark was waking up, too. Then, he was all the way awake.

So, as I lay there, he has no idea I am awake, but out of the blue he says, loudly, "Is the AIR even on in here???!!!!!" Like I have just been hanging out waiting for a question to be tossed to me, ya know?

I asked him how he knew I was awake and he says, "I didn't know...." So, for my own amusement more than anything, I ask, "So, then, who are you talking to?"

Mark: "You. Is the air on?"
Me: "Well, let me just pull my crystal ball out of the drawer here ...."
Mark: Heavy Sigh..... "funny..."
Me: "Well! I'm not hot...."
Mark: thrashes around
Me: yank covers
Mark: flops over and sighs again...

This goes on for about 30 minutes...meanwhile, I make the mental discovery that when HE is stuck awake - the commotion that endures is as though the earth has spun off its axis. It would not be humanly possible for anyone to fall asleep next to this combination of thrashing and kicking and sighing and tapping on the headboard. Yet, when I am awake, I tip-toe around and slip in and out of bed with the precision of a cat burglar in the night.

So, my Monday morning has become a series of power yawns and I can only hope my dh is joining me as he makes his trek through his day sucking in large amounts of air, wishing it was time to go home.

One more thing....2:52 on the digital clock looks the same if you turn the clock upside down. It's still 2:52.

Hello, I have a flat again...

2010-08-20T09:04:00.004-05:00

Friday off is a good thing. And, thank you to the bagger who put my 6 pack of bottled fizzy water on top of my perfect peaches last night.

I was driving home yesterday from work and I had the perfect blog post all tapped out in my head and do you think I can remember it today? Yeah. Well, anyway....

It's been an odd ball week as far as goings on. I had yet ANOTHER flat tire and have decided I will just send Decorah Tire $16.04 each month so that I can pre-pay for my services. Who gets one flat tire per month? I do, that's who. This time, I picked up an industrial size staple that let the air out of my tire faster than you can say flat tire. Thankfully, Mark was home and he was able to come with a portable air compressor and air it up - and then I made the 2.5 minute drive to the tire place and it was already too flat to go any farther. I can only assume that because I drive by the turn off to a landfill twice per day, that my odds shoot up considerably that I will pick up some sort of spent piece of metal that hurled itself off its trek to eternal rust and rot.

I have to tell you, though - it's a little unnerving that my normal cycle of thought when I get in and start up my truck has become, "Ok - am I prepared for a flat tire today? (then I mental check, wardrobe/shoes, in case I have to walk, do I have a phone book, spare bottle of water depending on where I am going and cell phone and charger....yes, check, yes and yes.... let's go..." Today it is supposed to rain, so I have an umbrella handy, as well. I was MOST pleased my luck held out on Tuesday, however. I took Kona - who is no longer a puppy I can carry under my arm - to get neutered. I cannot imagine a flat tire with an 85 pound dog that is all strung out on pain killers and post anesthesia. Thankfully - Tuesday was flat free...

Read and finished this week, "Women, Food and God." by Geneen Roth. I saw her on Oprah and was inspired enough in that hour to go buy the book. She shares her experience with weight issues and offers some advice that so goes against anything you have ever considered, its worth reading just for that. It goes beyond food, though, and talks about how to shut off that voice in your head that nags at you all day long. It is about being good to yourself and being okay with being nice to yourself. It's not just for women, even though that is part of the title - it is for anyone looking for a "freshly unique" perspective on life and getting to know yourself. It challenges you to look really deep into WHY you are the way you are and think the way you think. After all, this is the driving force behind the voice track in our heads. Interesting!

That's all for now - Have a great weekend!

Back in the Saddle

2010-07-28T11:56:00.003-05:00

Well, where in the world does time go? I had no intention of this obvious simpatico from blogging, but I unwittingly dropped it quicker than a chunk of ham on toast! (I am still lunch meat-free!)

The past few months have been...crazy and I check in on Facebook occasionally, but I have not allowed myself any long term time in front of the computer, so blogging took a hit.

Nothing major going on in my corner of the world - a couple mini crisis' but thankfully things are working out for the people involved.

I actually remembered my dear little blog when I had to get a new cell phone on Monday. That experience was totally blog worthy - and not in a good way. Like kirelimel, I ended up with a phone package I didn't necessarily intend - and a then a phone I am still trying to figure out. The first time it rang, I stood there for about 7 seconds thinking, "now where is that sound coming from???" OH! Its my new thing and its ringing!!!!! It is a stranger in my pocket for a time, I suppose.

Well, I just had to stop and check in quickly and let anyone who might still be reading this know I am alive and kicking! I have four days off starting tomorrow and I am looking forward to it. My "me time" has been minimal and I am feeling it...

Eliminating a Food Group

2010-05-26T18:15:00.002-05:00

Decision time is upon me. I have known it for a long time. I have heard the bad reports about what I love...what I rely on....what I seem to grab at every snack at home:

LUNCH MEAT

Lunch meat, sandwich meat, sliced goo...whatever your term - I am giving it up. Not only is it packed FULL of sodium, the processing that takes place unto this carnivore delight is just not healthy. Period. But, I love it. I have also been known to sneak some bologna once per month and on a daring day, I will open a can of SPAM...(but I really miss the twist key on that thing...that was half the fun and I think it may have burned up some fat calories on the crank...)

My favorite "brand" of lunch meat is the store brand "Our Family" shaved deli ham. I adore it. I eat it on nearly everything. Hormel has a good version too, but strangely the store brand for this particular item is much better. It is shaved so completely thin, you CAN read a newspaper through it and I love one slice on a piece of toast or in my Egg Beater omelet. (No, I am not getting paid for this post....)

In my quest to ingest the things that are more better, than more worse...I see lunch meat as a do-able elimination. In fact - I could be a veg. girl very easy, because beyond the lunch meat thing - I have no desire for alot of "meat" per se anymore.

I never meant to take this post in this direction, but since I am here... I was asked today at my job if I would be willing to "clerk" the auction at the fair. This is actually an illustration of how ignorant I really am:

me: "Of course - so they sell animals to each other?"
work: "No. Pigs will be sold to auction and then slaughtered."
me: "Oh. So - do I have to actually ...touch them...or do anything to the animals?"
work: "Well - no, you just need to take their information.."
me in my head: so, I gotta look in their little eyes and send them off to die.
me out loud: Okay.

We have bought fair pigs for our freezer and as I speak I probably have half a Wilbur in the basement freezer. I have eaten meat my entire life. I grew up on a farm. I absolutely support farms and absolutely believe we truly do and should feed the world. I would never be on a march to end eating MEAT. "THIS" post is not about "THAT".

But, as time marches on for "me"...I am coming to realize that I am a vegetarian in waiting you might say. The more and more I eat meat, I cannot seem to get beyond the face in my plate.

I also know I am a hypocrite. I love my shaved ham because it is not a meat product, it comes in a neat little box with no face and I plan on finishing it off before I go, Cold Turkey! ;)

Dang...I forgot about turkey....I love that, too. Giving up the face in my lunch meat will be way harder than a good steak or a good hunk of turkey. I am gonna try though.

So back off Oscar Meyer....I know what weekend it is!

Thought provokers!

2010-05-19T19:44:00.004-05:00

We managed to squeak out one good motorcycle ride last Saturday. A guy Mark works with was having a cook-out at his house in Coggon (about 2-2.5 hours south). This was reason enough to get the motor runnin' - but I was dying to try out my new helmet and riding jacket. What am I becoming!!??

As we rode and rode along - I decided that a helmet is one of the most thought provoking places you can "be". Life outside of the shell is muffled, your head is snuggly secured and with the face shield down - I felt like I was inside of myself somehow. So - you all know me by now - I had solved alot of societal problems in those 2 hours and pondered a few more revelations I'm sure know one has even thought of yet!

When we got there and went to get off - both Mark and I decided as we GROANED to dismount - we either need to take Yoga or Pilates or something - because we were SO stiff it was laughable. And we laughed and laughed! It was worse when we got home - the ride was MUCH colder and we were much more stiff (we didn't stop on the way) - and neither of us were moving to fast on Sunday either.

Tonight I got to mow. That too leads to infinite amounts of random minutia that drops into your brain before you even realize what your thinking about. I was around the front yard twice before I realized I was actually wondering if there was a heaven for moths and bugs? I don't normally stop for bugs - I will stop and move frogs, however or let them cross - they seem soulful to me somehow - but as I blew through the yard and moths and bugs were flying it occurred to me that heaven would be really full if all the bugs that died every day were up there, too. I concluded there must be OFF! in Heaven. ;-)

Graduation madness is upon us and once again we have committed to go to each and every one we are invited to. I don't know why I find this so amusing but it is! (Perhaps I need to put my helmet on and think about it.) This weekend, however, we have a gathering for one of my husbands side of the family in Des Moines and 2 gatherings on Saturday for my side of the family.

In the interest of not missing any of it - we have opted to divide and conquer this weekend. Mark will go to Des Moines and I will attend a birthday party and a graduation. So - I think we are covered!

Garden is in and everything looks good so far! We got some old carpet from some friends and cut that into strips as wide as the rows to keep weeds down. Suh-WEET!!!! I can literally go down there and yank a couple weeds between plants and I am done. No power hoeing this year... hoeing? Sumthin' 'bout that just doesn't sound right! LOL

Kona is growing fast and is proving to be a handful ....and a total mama's boy. He will be a big boy too, I think. At a little over 5.5 months he is about as long as Jack was and tall - taller than Lucy already. Loads of fun though - reminds me so much of Jack that its spooky some days.

(kirelimel - I neglected to answer your question last time - with this guy hair is not an issue since he is an outside dog now - when we had a Pug, it was hair city in the house...had to vacuum every day - no other way! But I will still say it was worth it!)

Well - I better run - laundry calling - flowers to water and then time to wrap today up at some point! Hope to read some blogs this weekend - post lots of stuff for me!

The Graduate!

2010-04-27T21:12:00.004-05:00

Ah, Finally! The Tuesday night puppy classes draw to a close this evening and Kona was voted the "most improved"! I need to clarify that by adding he is the most reserved, calm..."IN CHECK" German Shepherd I have had the pleasure of being around. I took this picture yesterday and he is now 5 months old!

In class, he was happy to have children pet him, adults with loud voices and big coats, someone else with a kitty, and someone else with a crying baby. In all cases, he was very even, in control and that was my goal.

Anyone who has had a GSD knows that the ear stage can be stressful! His have been up and down, one up one down, the other up the other down, both down then half up...well you get it. It is all over the map while they are teething or stressed, especially. When we got home from class tonight both ears were flapped down at the tips so I know, while he was great there, he was stressing, bad. As I put him in the kennel for "bed" they are both back UP. What a goofy ride for a GSD owner!

I am off tomorrow, and gosh....I am going to appreciate this day off like no other! Why? Because when you have a day off during the week, the sun shine's brighter, the rain smells...clean....

....the outside smells, too. But, at night, it is so quiet that surely the next day could never come. It is that quiet, and yet if you listen hard, you can hear birds. You can hear all of nature preparing for the next day. I have never experienced anything so hopeful! We could learn alot from birds...

Take care, enjoy this spring!

Hump Day!

2010-04-21T07:14:00.002-05:00

It's been a busy spring! I never realized just how much I got accomplished around here in a day's time when I was not working. Now, laundry piles up, dishes pile up, stuff piles up and before you know it you look around thinking, "Is this my house?". I am looking forward to Friday off, but it sounds like rain - so maybe I can get some things planted next week if my scheduled days off pan out.

Beyond that realization, job is going great. No two days are alike - the down side for me remains the vast black abyss of things I do not know - but I will try and be patient as that gap can only close over time.

Getting our garden planned out. As usual - Mark decided to go a step further and built some elevated beds in the center of the garden. I think whatever goes in there will look splendid! I am thinking either very colorful veg, flowers or both. If I ever figure out why my printer won't send pictures back to my computer, I will post some pictures. (No time to sit and figure that out!) We are scaling back the garden a touch this year too. I have to get a grip on my urge to plant anything that will grow and catapult myself to the end of summer when I have truckloads of squash, zucchini, tomatoes and cucumbers! Although, no tomato or cuc went to waste last year - it is just way too much fresh food to deal with, even with giving some away. Everyone seems to be giving that stuff away - at least in my neighborhood.

Puppy kindergarten is almost over! Graduation is next week - but don't look for an invitation to the proud moment! ;) I made Mark take him last night by himself. Kona is pretty much a mama's boy and will be another 100 pound cupcake, just like Jack was! I am glad about that, but he has a more reserved, timid personality. I don't mind that either. I would hate to have an aggressive charging fella on my hands because we have a lot of visitors here. So far, he treats visitors like most of us would treat a stranger on the street. You might get acknowledged and you might not - and he might just go the other direction altogether if it suits him at the moment. But, he has found his bark and there are times I almost think its Jack out there - not to mention, I got a glimpse of him one day in my peripheral vision and it gave me the willies for a split second - I think he will be a dead ringer for Jack. Didn't plan on that either but I will take it!

Time to hit the road and get to work! Have a great day - and Judy, thanks for another gentle reminder I have been away too long! Hope to get around and do some blog reading Friday - ah - the days of coffee and blogging early in the day! I think I might miss that just a little!

2010-03-30T13:47:00.002-05:00

My month of presenting the illusion that I know what I am doing has officially come to a close! LOL The woman I work with is now back from her March vacation and I could not be happier!
So, I am enjoying a day off today and got some much needed housework done and errands up the wazoo are done.

Puppy is growing fast - 4 months old now and at his vet appt last week weighs 45 pounds! He is going to be a big boy! Every Tuesday night, we have been going to puppy kindergarten which is just hilarious! I think the socialization will be good for him. I am getting glimpses of what I believe his adult personality will be. Reserved and gentle come to mind. At class, he is calm and watches the mayhem. I think he would like to get to know the other pups that are on the quiet side so I hope we can make that happen tonight. I have come to call him "chimpy butt" or "monkey" - he has the craziest happy voice - it reminds me of a chimpanzee and it is the goofiest thing you have ever heard. Not really a bark - more of just a long sound he makes - I love it! He is just as smart as they come and can sit already and working on shake and come. He will have no problem with these. I started early!

Sadly, I don't have much to report. We are busy getting into garden and landscaping mode! Mark is creating nothing short of a Martha Stewart garden this year and has been working on that the last few weekends. He loves to play in the dirt - and I end up with a great garden space! I got some lawn chairs out today - and then after chasing them a couple acres across the lawn decided I better put them inside the fenced part by the house! Windy as all get out today!

Well - that's all I got. Judy - thanks for hanging in - and checking back with me! Hope all is well in your neck of the woods and you are not getting all the rain I am hearing about.

Happy Spring!!!

Circling the drain!

2010-03-12T05:20:00.002-06:00

My mind is on overload! Circling the drain! I love my new job. But with the woman I will normally work with every day, gone, for a month, who has been there over 30 years and possesses infinite knowledge about that place, the past two weeks have been mentally exhausting! Not so much in a bad way - I really like the job - but it's alot like trying to drive somewhere you have never been without a map.

There are so many programs, Food and Fitness, 4-H, Agriculture, Horticulture, grants, Farm to School programs - the list goes on. Each day, any combination of calls can come in and any combination of people can come in seeking information. I worked barely 12 days before I was thrown out of the pan and into the fire! I have come to call what I am doing, "the illusion that I know what I am doing". I guess this is a good way really glean some valuable learning experiences!

Everyone I work with (and the woman on vacation) are some of the nicest and most genuine people I have met in a long while. They naturally possess a genuine interest in what they do and a genuine interest in the programs that are designed to add a layer of richness or assistance to somebody's life. In most ways, it is like my dream job. Get paid for making a difference in someone's day. And on a good day...get paid for making a difference in someone's life. What could be better than that.

So, I remind myself to be patient and try and calm that inner beast that needs to know everything right away and know it NOW! They tell me that it will be years before I have a good handle on everything and even then - I will still be learning.

I love the weather right now - it is the time of the year you can FEEL it changing moment by moment! I went outside this morning about 5:00 and the air was light, fresh and you could just smell the humidity - buh-bye snow! See you in a few months!

Have a great weekend everyone! I hope to have the time to make some blog visits this weekend when I am not pressed for time!

Flash update!

2010-03-03T05:43:00.003-06:00

Well - I have not been "here" since the little earth shake and quake a couple weeks ago!

I started a new job 2/1 and the month of March I am full-time, while another woman takes a month of vacation! Out of the pan and into the fire - not such a bad thing for expediting the learning curve!

Life is good. Kona is getting big! Since I have had my computer repaired, it now will not communicate with my printer (that has the slot for my camera card) so I have not been able to load any new pics. I can still print so I don't know what this means - I will have to try and re-install the printer software - that likely will do the trick. So, pictures forth coming!

Had our annual women's camp out last weekend at Backbone State Park in Strawberry Point. What a fabulous time! Lots of friends, walking, hiking, eating and sitting around the fire.

Tuesday of last week I went to the dentist for what I thought was a filling that needed to be replaced. Well, yeah, not in my world. In someone else's world that's all it would have been. In MY world, I have a cracked back molar and need to have it pulled. I had some weird fleeting emotion with this news. My Dentist said, "I have time this afternoon...the pain will not get better unless the tooth is pulled...the tooth is dying."

I didn't want to lose my tooth. I have ALL of my teeth. Never got wisdom teeth and have never had any dental work beyond check ups and cleaning and my teeth are perfectly straight. Every time I would go for a check up he would always tell me how lovely my teeth are and how lucky I am to just have "had them that way" with no work done. I guess a pride thing to now have to have one soldier in this line up... pulled out like spring dandelion.

He also explained that he has done root canal's on cracked teeth before and 9 times out of 10 they end up pulling it anyway - and a couple thousand dollars later no less. So, his sparkling reputation in the back of my mind - I let him pull it.

Anyway I am babbling about my tooth, let's move along. That sucked major mud! I will not be having that done again if I have to have a check up every 3 months for the rest of my life. I go back in a couple weeks to discuss my jaw clenching at night - which is the likely culprit for the cracker and then a fake tooth or bridge or something to put in the vacant lot.

What else. SPRING! I feel like a kid 2 days before Christmas! I have my seed catalogs all stacked up on the table and visions of my outside flower arrangements dancing in my head like.....HUMMINGBIRDS! Ah.....................spring! So much hope with this season for me! Renewal - revitalization - refresh - restart - and regroup. All of my "friends" come back and I have their list of little seeds also stacked on my table. I'm glad I will go back to Mon-Wed-Fri work weeks just in time for April!

Well - time is ticking here and I better finish my coffee and hit the shower. Have a great day!

My first earthquake

2010-02-10T18:18:00.002-06:00

I hate to even post this with what is going on in Haiti...but - the midwest had a mild shake early this morning and it got my attention.

We have been closing our upstairs bedroom door at night with the addition of Kona - he can get noisy with barking and yowling, not so much anymore, but I still am closing the door.

Mark was gone last night because of weather and I woke up to what seemed like someone on the other side of the door shaking the doorknob or rattling the door trying to get in. I went up on one elbow and looked at the door and it was literally shaking in its hinges. This lasted about ten seconds? Maybe less...

With my wild imagination, I immediately assumed I was being haunted. Some wild thrashing spirit apparently only could muster enough venom for one door in the house. Later, I was able to fall asleep with the LOGICAL notion the road maintainer or snow plow went by.

When I got up for the day, around 5:00 and flipped on the news...go figure....an earthquake on the 4 or so scale hit Dekalb IL - and tremors were felt in all surrounding states...at about 4:00 a.m.

So, my house is not haunted and the plows do not do my road at 4:00 a.m.! Next time I will relax and know it is an earthquake. (???!!!)

Back, I think!

2010-02-01T17:42:00.002-06:00

Just got my computer back from from the "repair shop". I have learned that I miss being able to Google the random minutia that pops into my head, checking blog land and I miss email. What a long story this is and totally my fault. Oh well! I have it back now and my little Dell laptop survived and I think I can squeak out another year with it!

More when I have time....I have lots to catch all y'all up on.

Meet, Kona.

2010-01-21T14:50:00.003-06:00

This is Kona! We picked him up on Sunday. He is still adjusting to us but seems to be coming out of his shell a little more each day! This morning was the first morning he seemed genuinely happy to see me and that was fun for me!

Lucy adored him the first moment she saw him and he likes her more than he likes us at the time! I am hoping this is temporary!

He is the softest, cuddliest little thing - its hard to believe he will be looking like Jack before we know it. We are missing Jack's presence alot, but I feel like I just got a little piece of him back somehow with this new guy. Stupid and unrealistic, I know. But, it's how I feel!

Dogs are just the neatest little gifts to us.

Go Hawks!

2010-01-05T10:01:00.005-06:00

I have a little time to kill before meeting a friend for coffee and decided to catch up on blog land. I have visited all the blogs I know and while I didn't leave a message on any of them - I sure enjoy this part of the day! Lots of new posts to read and I love that!

We have begun our search for another German Shepherd. What a learning experience this has become. I have run into dogs costing as much as $2000.00. While the first place I found is close to us and I really had a good feeling about the family raising them, I could not support the many layers that buying a $2000.00 dog feeds into (no pun intended). Not to mention, I just will not spend that much money on a dog...plain and simple.

We will probably adopt another dog, too, from the local shelter this spring, but we both decided that Jack is/was probably one of our best alert systems ever as far as dogs go. Raising him from a puppy allowed us to have a tough looking, intimidating watch dog who just happened to be a harmless cupcake at heart. That is what we are shooting for. We have had some impressive outside friends in our history here, but there was no dog that was more alert and on the job than Jack. Lucy will grace us with a bark about once a week, beyond that she is just content in the yard looking for her next toy to chase around and if someone drives in or something is amiss....it may as well be a cloud passing over head.

Speaking of Lucy - she seems lost at times as she wanders around outside by herself and that is tough to watch. A lonely looking dog just yanks the heart strings completely out of my chest. So, Ms. Lucy has had lots of house time and we hope have someone nipping at her heels before long. She will be a great companion with her sweet, social personality.

Long story short, after A LOT of phone calls all over Iowa, I managed to find a place in Greene, Iowa and I am going to look at three puppies tomorrow. They won't be ready to leave mom for 3-4 more weeks, but I can look at them and the mom and dad and put my mind at rest I am not supporting a puppy mill. It is an older couple raising them and he has done so since 1959. I felt nothing but warmth and the love of dogs from him and he said we were welcome to look around wherever we wanted to. The price is right so I hope it all pans out.

On to other business, this weekend is my husband's family Christmas in Des Moines. Well, it is really less about Christmas and more about a semi annual gathering where attendance is not optional. It happens to be a Redneck theme, thanks to my husband and his brother, so we are encouraged to dress the part. Mark and I will be going as the characters from National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation:

My friend is letting me borrow her mothers "holiday sweater" (you know the kind ;-) and it happens to light up. I will be sure to try and capture a kodak moment to share! We are going down a day early (no one knows this) and we will be placing carefully painted tires in their front yard in the wee hours of Saturday morning. They say things like, "No Hunting", "No Tresspassirs", "No Overnight Camping" and things of that nature. I suppose it is worth mentioning they live in a trailer village and his brother is also a police officer. I questioned going to his house in the middle of the night knowing he has a loaded gun in his house, but Mark seems assured that he can be quiet enough that know one will be the wiser. It should be a lovely greeting for all family and friends that plan to arrive Saturday morning.

Iowa plays tonight! Go Hawkeye's!!!

A most UN Happy New Year

2010-01-02T14:33:00.003-06:00

We went to some friends house for New Years Eve and stayed the night, since our homes are over an hour apart and who wants to drive home at 1:00 on New Years Eve. We were fine - but I always consider the person I am meeting on the road.

We got home in the morning and found that Jack our German Shepherd died in his sleep. We have no clue what happened. Thinking back, he was not himself the past few days and one of those days I did let him hang in the house for an afternoon. Mark mentioned he thought his one side look bloated the other day, but he just figured he'd have a chance to check it out again in a couple days. This is all we know. Jack was almost 12 and we have had him those entire 12 years. This sucks. Bad.

Rest in peace my ole' walking buddy...

It's never too late...

2009-12-29T12:09:00.003-06:00

Since we last talked, Christmas came and went along with the usual associated gatherings. To sum it all up in one sentence, I am thankful for my great friends and great family - and I realize I see too little of some of these people. I was able to connect with some good friends just before Christmas and then time spent with family was fabulous.

As time goes by, I am very aware that my relationship with my oldest brother is becoming more rich and more fun than I could have every imagined.

I was never that close to my two brothers growing up (both older), but, like a lot of things in my life, that has changed a great deal in the last two years. I am coming to realize that my oldest brother, in particular, is more like my dad than I ever knew. He is smart, talented, giving, caring and incredibly hilarious!

My second to the oldest brother is just as "hero-like" in my eyes and when I am in the same room with him I always feel like I am a little kid and I find myself hanging on his every word. There was always a huge part of me that never wanted them to know much about my life years ago. Mostly because I wanted them to think I had it all together and I had a perfect life - because I saw their lives as perfect. Well, their lives were far from perfect and I know that now... As the new year approaches, I have resolved to continue to nurture these two relationships and I look forward to spending more time with them.

So, another lesson comes and goes and leaves a lasting impression. Don't regret the lost time, just move forward and be mindful that with most things in life, it is never too late to pick up the ball and start runnin'!

Happy New Year!!!!

We've had worse!

2009-12-10T18:37:00.003-06:00

The first major winter event of the season and come and gone and left me feeling a little less than bedazzled. Sure, it had all the typical ingredients, snow, wind and now cold...but to be honest - I've seen worse here. Don't get me wrong - I was officially snowed in until about 5:00 today (my neighbor plowed our driveway), but "storms past" proved to be much more picture worthy than this one. I am not particularly glad about that...or sad about that.... ;) It is what it is! The season is young and I am sure I will eat this first paragraph somewhere in the next five months!

Aside from not being able to go anywhere, a somewhat unreliable internet connection and the satellite taking a winter storm break for a few hours - I was entertained by cleaning my half of the bedroom closet, painting, and I have put enough miles on my treadmill to circle the earth a couple times over.

Which leads me to an observation of the "local" radio station during my hour walks to no where. I dare say they are stretching the truth a smidge to say they actually play the best hits around. Every morning and afternoon - random hour increments - I get commercial after commercial and ad after ad and then mindless conversation that makes you want to just put your wrists under the moving belt of the treadmill and call it good. I cannot do it again tomorrow. They barely average 4 songs per hour during the times I was listening. I almost sent them an email - but "email etiquette" entered into my head as I was trotting down the stairs. I would never have said what I was thinking to a living breathing person, so, I thought better of putting it into typeface to last the better part of space and time. I will break out my own music tomorrow and let them continue to yack about their top ten lists, snow analogies and caller 437 who just won a $3.00 coupon for lunch.

So, there ya have it - life returns to normal tomorrow and I hope my husband will come home to shovel. I am on a life long shovel ban - I mess around with it a little but I can't actually move this particular round of heavy, hard snow, so I will leave it alone.

Hello, weekend!

Monday Night Mute

2009-12-08T06:21:00.002-06:00

Mark and I watched half of Monday night football with the TV on mute. That was awesome! LOL

I don't even recall what the announcers were babbling about but Mark and I blurted out at the same time "give it a REST....puLEASE...." or something to that effect. And then I said, "I wonder what it would be like to watch an entire football game on mute?"

So we did. I missed the crowd noise - but nary an over-analyzed, speculative, off base, idiotic, irrelevant attempt at commentary was to be heard from the peanut gallery!

Deer Hunting

2009-12-07T17:05:00.002-06:00

Shot gun deer hunting kicked off this weekend and I always feel a little nervous about it. You can hear gunfire from about every direction and where I live - it would not be impossible for a stray shot to come my way if I were in the wrong place at the wrong time. So, as is the case every year, the dogs are either gated in next to the house or kept in the kennel and I avoid walking outside most of the weekend.

For the first time, Mark got a license and went hunting with our neighbor. I believe our neighbor played a large role in talking him into it - so, he went and before he knew what happened he had sacrificed an entire weekend and ended up with a deer. I have to tell ya, I am not real jazzed about this either...

I had the conversation with him about how we always admire the deer from afar, and I cannot wrap my head around being able to kill anything... and I thought he felt the same. Well, he does and he doesn't, apparently. He didn't go just for the sake of killing something, but with the intention of assisting the over population and of course having some to eat. I am not jazzed about that either (the eating part). So I had another conversation with him (after I spent most of yesterday afternoon choosing my words carefully....).

I asked him if he would be upset if I didn't eat any of it? Our neighbor is processing it and plans to mix it beef and pork and make sausage - or some other form of mystery meat product and then some tenderloins or something. I will try it - and I have eaten venison before- so I don't know where this weirdness is radiating from. We plan to give some away over the holidays to a food bank that takes fresh/frozen meat or to some neighbors that I know would really appreciate the extra bulk in their freezer. So, in that light, I don't mind it as much.

I was thinking more about it today and I think as I get older, I start to consider where our food really comes from I suppose. The meat you buy in the store has becomes less and less of a "product" to me and more and more about what lengths "man" now goes to in order to get "meat to the masses", so to speak... I don't eat much meat these days, I still like it, but there are alot of layers to that decision. I am finding that I feel much better and look much better if I get my protein from plant sources. I do eat more fish than I used to, as well....eh, whaddya do.... it's a personal decision and maybe some day I will be a meat-free'r altogether. I don't have any opinion for or against eating meat, just the "originating" side of it I guess.

One thing I do know for certain is that while M was hunting over the weekend, he spied a couple hunters shooting guns from the comfort of their vehicle parked on the roadway. Another cross section of "man" that leaves me less than impressed. To that end, I am certain these individuals must be the responsible persons for the empty beer boxes all over the roads this morning.

I have zero time for that nonsense and once again it proves for every group of people that get it right, there will always be a cross section people who would not have a clue if it were tied to their back, stuffing a sock in their mouth. Alcohol and hunting do not mix. Even I know that much.

On to the blizzard tomorrow! WOOHOOO! I think I will take some pictures and post them throughout the day so check back! Let's just see how daring Mother Nature is feeling!

IT'S SNOWING!!!!!!!!!

2009-12-03T10:29:00.000-06:00

Post Thanksgiving Thanks!

2009-12-02T18:33:00.004-06:00

I feel like I occasionally lose touch with this thing. Crazier still is that I can actually just completely forget about blog, email, Facebook and a computer (unless of course I need a recipe!). I don't forget, however, about the people who I am able to keep in touch with, thanks to this computer. You know who you are!

For as "unregimented" as my life may appear on the outside (not currently "employed" by definition), I manage to keep my days jam packed with a very wide variety of things and I have grown to like this about myself. I never used to be this way. Another "post health episode" silver lining? I dare say- I don't know. All I do know for certain, is that I understand the importance of using one's time wisely and as I continue to work on this little nugget of wisdom, I am eternally grateful for the realization. Now onto other things...

I have been doing a lot of cooking the past couple of days. Not so much just people food, but Lucy (the border collie) presented herself the other morning with the most pitiful case of diarrhea I have ever witnessed in a dog. She is on a bland diet for about 5-7 days. I will spare the details, but she was miserable and looked miserable and the kennel was an absolute horror. (Mark got that fun cleaning job.) Since she is an "outside dog", the possibilities for what could be ailing her are as infinite as the stars.

I called my former boss/vet and he confirmed what I already knew to do - and he added that I could also give her Pepto Bismol to try and get the bowel movements to ease up. I tricked her into eating it in her food and it was the ticket. Now, I have to boil hamburger and white rice for her every morning while her insides take a rest. (Hmmm - this sounds familiar....LOL) She is on the mend and her bath is on tomorrow's list of things to do.

Our Thanksgiving was about as uneventful as one can be and that's okay. For the first time ever, we met some family at a small restaurant for a buffet, and then went to a house later for dessert (well, not just any house...we knew them ;)

I made lefse again a few days prior to T-day and I think I am getting pretty good at it. I seem to remember something different about it every time I make it. I was pretty little when I watched my mother roll out one after the other - and sometimes it's as though she is right there with me.
Out of no where I remembered a couple little things she used to do - and it made a night and day difference in the finish product.

I never knew my mother past my age of 16 and her age of 46, but I miss that I cannot call her, or have her here to help me with the things mothers and daughters would do together. I never had an adult relationship with her and I miss it. It seems sad to type that and I get a little misty thinking about it - but I am so thankful I can remember what I do remember about her, so that is quite alot in the scheme of things, I suppose. This will be Mark's first year with both of his parents gone and I can already tell this is on his mind.

I can't imagine which one is more difficult? Never having the adult relationship with your parents at all (like me) or having an awesome relationship with your parents and it is taken away before you even know what happened, like Mark. I realize there are just certain things in life we are unable to fit in our earthly schematic, so I don't spend too much time "fellowshipping" with loss and sadness. But it does occur to me from time to time.

If I have learned anything in the past couple of years, it has taught me the importance of a days time, the importance of choosing our words carefully, the importance of relationships, and the importance of putting all of life's undesirable events and feelings into a livable perspective.

I believe fellowshipping with God and not life's events or problems has saved me from a lot of sadness and inner turmoil. Among other things, "casting your care" comes to mind as I type this. (Psalm 55:22)

But, beyond all of the reminders of loved one's who have passed, it was a great holiday and we had some friends in town we had not seen in a few years. We had the luxury of seeing them several times over the entire week. I even managed to avoid any huge food intake mishaps and I believe my discipline is alive and well (for now anyway!) I find I am a much happier person if I force myself to do a few good things for myself every day. I am sleeping like a baby again and that is a very good thing. Once I lose discipline, sleepless nights are soon to follow.

Well - that is quite enough of me for one post - I was all over the map on this one - but I guess it is what it is....the dribble born out of being home alone on a Wednesday night while my husband builds a bank.

Thank you and goodnight, Irene.

You, too, LFF.

Photos and things conquered today

2009-10-27T20:36:00.008-05:00

Sunrise a few weeks ago:

One of our trees before the leaves fell.

My morning walk today! With the fields sans crop, it creates literally acres of places to walk - and I have some fabulous company!

This is our house as it disappears!

Into the sun...

just seems endless....

I am growing to really enjoy this walk/jog every morning and plan to take advantage of this until the snow makes it too treacherous.

Conquered today:

How to prepare and eat a fresh artichoke. Thank you, You Tube...I never knew they were so good!

Baked Kale. Just like potato chips - and as addicting.

I changed out the humidifier filters and "stuff". Mark normally does this but has not found the time.

In a word or two...

2009-10-27T20:36:00.007-05:00

Had a great walk this morning. As I was heading down the road, I noticed that the all of the beans have been harvested out of the field next to our property, so I took my walk in the endless field instead. It was, in a word, awesome. You can just see for miles and miles and it was so quiet (aside from the dogs racing by me in delight every few minutes). Tomorrow I am going to take the camera and post a picture - absolutely lovely. I will have to enjoy this while it is still warm enough and there is no snow to contend with.

Friday night we made our usual trip to Cedar Falls for the Friday the 13th bonfire. I have talked about this before - but I just love this ritual. No one is ever invited...you just go, bring food and it is a different mix of people each time. We got down there around 7:30 p.m. which is much later than usual - we met some friends at Old Chicago to eat and that was ...in a word, CHAOS. Wall to wall people and kids, a soccer team and every other imaginable club and group of people. We managed to get a table after waiting about 20 minutes which was way better than I expected. But I have to say it was sensory overload in that place. Naturally, my chair was next to the table of about 25 16 year old girls and there was no shortage of whacks to the back of my chair as the gal behind me left the table about 49 times during the meal. "Uh...SORRY!" she would say and then run off giggling - after about 20 times of that she just stopped saying anything at all and I just smiled to myself ....Ah to be 16 again and have the ability to drink glass after glass of sugary red soda!

We were at this party until 2:30 in the morning. It was one of those evenings where it felt like about 10:00 and I was shocked when I finally saw the clock. By the time we got to a hotel and to bed we managed only a few hours of sleep. Mark had to be home by 9:00 which translated to leaving by 7:00. I struggled yesterday - too much to eat, too much smoke inhalation (second hand and fire smoke) and a lack of sleep had me feeling like a total train wreck yesterday. Worth it? I don't know about that - but it was fun. Will have to be more careful about the smoke on both counts next time. Nasty, nasty....

Last week I resurrected a fun past time from the 70's - in a word, DECOUPAGE! I had honestly forget about this long forgotten process of shellacking anything within arms length! I am not even sure how it occurred to me - but I had fun looking for things to make forever ageless under a clear film of GLUE!

I ended up collecting some leaves from some of my favorite plants from this summer and made a small leaf box that is pretty darn cute! Rather proud of myself on this count since it was such half baked idea and the materials cost me all of about $3.00. Now that I have a bit of a technique to it I plan to take it one step further - I think the possibilities could be endless. Even the bottle says, "Decoupage ANY surface, to any other surface." Any Surface. ANY SURFACE. Do you see how this could be so tempting to go outside the lines with this one?

Are you kidding, any surface? Really? Well now, let the shellacking begin! Pictures to come!

New shows - fall - gripes...GO HAWKS!

2009-10-27T20:36:00.006-05:00

My new favorite show is Destination Truth on the Sci Fi (Sy Fy) channel. I have seen a couple episodes, in part, before today - but I was home and cleaning and was so sick of the stereo that I switched to television - landed on that channel and by the end of today - I am totally hooked. Interesting television for a change. By about 2:00 p.m. , with my can of Endust in one hand and my dust rag in the other, I was mesmerized by this show. The "truth"part is quite commendable. I won't elaborate on the show here -but I think I will try and stay up and watch the new episode tonight. I would say the episode on Chernobyl is the most noteworthy so far.

I have tried to make a post here, a few times, over the past couple of days and I keep getting error messages, so this post feels like another effort in the unknown. Last night, I typed a much different post - a novel at best , it was all windy (like I get) - and hit "publish post" and it was gone into the stars and sky. I typed it again - just because I apparently have that weird faith that surely the first problem was not my fault and my post was so brilliant that a second send will just fly away into the cyber universe on wings sprinkled with pixy dust. Not so.

In any case - I had some lovely pictures from the weekend. Sadly our way to perky border collie out smarted the cackling squirrel the other day and killed it. I have not been that horrified in a long while. So, I will not be posting the pictures I took of the squirrel the other day in the bird feeder since he/she is no longer with us.... But these two pictures are nice:

Sadly - I cannot post these either..... wtf is wrong with BLOGGER?

I am going to cut my losses here. I have tried to add a couple more and I am getting alot of system grief in the form of little triangles with exclamation points and "auto saved failed" that just keep popping on top.

I have to take a moment to give a shout out to the Iowa Hawkeyes!! We will be at the Northwestern game this weekend in IA City and looking for 10-0!!! GO HAWKS!

Notes from the weekend!

2009-10-27T20:36:00.003-05:00

The 25th DHS class reunion was a smashing success as expected! I had a great time and enjoyed seeing everyone again. I think we have a unique bunch in that seeing each other after all this time is like - well not missing a beat. I am thankful to be a part of such a great group of people. I have great high school memories and I was never more aware of that than I was Saturday night.

I find myself taking a more reflective look at the weekend, likely because of my day on Sunday. My nephew and Godson, was confirmed on Sunday and we were honored to be part of the church ceremony, supporting him at the altar as he was confirmed. I have not been that moved by my time in church since the conference I attended last year with my chum, Janice. I can't explain it - but something about it was very powerful and uplifting.

I am so proud of our nephew and the young man he has become. He is a respectable, thoughtful and talented young man that will without a doubt succeed beyond measure in whatever he does in life. I adored spending the rest of the day at my brothers house with extended family and visiting and watching football all afternoon. (GO PACK!)

All that said, I had so many reminders over the weekend about how many great and precious people I have in my life - from the days gone by to my family and friends now. I am so thankful to be here living this life and feel like I am so blessed and so fortunate.

I think any time we can step back from relatively casual events and pull a deeper sense of meaning from them, we have conquered a tiny sense about life we all struggle to understand at one time or another.

On a lighter note, I am seriously considering burning the boots I wore Saturday night. My feet hurt so bad from wiping up the dance floor all night and trying to get them into a tiny pair of sandals on Sunday was excruciating. I think I will save these for the winter camp out in a couple of months and have a foot cleansing and burn them on the bon fire. I plan to take my feet out of them prior to, however.

Observed in the yard yesterday....

2009-10-19T14:34:00.002-05:00

Ah, forbidden love!!!

Facebook

2009-10-13T21:13:00.006-05:00

I have been on Facebook now since January. While I have totally enjoyed finding old friends and classmates, it has really lost that shiny new nickel feeling. Unless you have enough friends that actually KNOW you, any comments you make are lost on people who have simply added you just because they shared some luke-warm canned spaghetti across the table from you in 5th grade. The people that DO know you fairly well, are normally so consumed with the hundreds of other friends they have, that it is just an exchange of fairly obvious sentences that fall D.O.A for me.

So, I end up just lurking and scrolling and reading. Posting the occasional minutia that occasionally will gain a few responses - if out of sympathy if nothing else. Don't get me wrong - if I sound like I trying to drum up some Facebook business I am not! There is a good deal of modern technology that just gets lost on me, only because it just seems so insanely silly and sometimes clinical. I have to say, I miss reading the blogs and the goings on in peoples life that have that personal touch ... vs. going to the a virtual wall and sharing one liners. (Yes, I would rather read an entire blog of one liners! That's just me.) I realize, however, we live in a world where no one has "TIME" anymore and I think that is how things like Facebook and Twitter are born. Which I think is a good thing, at least in theory. But do people really need to know what other people are doing EVERY moment of the day? Is this leading to where we will have the ability to just have a video on our shoulder all day long with a live feed to a website where all your contacts can actually watch your every moment, instead of just reading about it? In that sense, technology will always get any eye roll from me, I'm afraid.

I am not throwing in the towel on Facebook but I am not hanging my hat on it either. If I must be technologically sound, (heh heh!) give me a blog, email or...what is that thing....OH, a telephone (is that still considered technology?) Facebook, for me, is starting to feel like pulling on a pair of panty hose that are too small.

So those are my mind melds of this evening. Now, I am going to go make a sandwhich, then watch some more TV, then shut off the lights, then pick up my cell phone, then walk up the steps, then turn on the lights, then go brush my teeth, then turn on the bedroom TV, then change, then pull back the covers, then shut off the lights, then get in bed, then pull the blankets back up and watch TV. I will let you know tomorrow if anything else happened....

:)

Feast or Famine

2009-10-10T10:57:00.004-05:00

This is proving to be the weekend of the fluid-like plans. Mid-week there appeared to be great potential for a fun filled weekend. However, that feast of fun has now withered away to a Famine-fest and I am the only one on the guest list. :)

I have gone from spending the day appreciating some local art (friend cancelled), I re-adjusted and was going to drive to Dodgeville to the House on the Rock (cancelled this morning), then... to going to LaCrosse by myself just for kicks- which I just talked myself out of. That would no doubt be a $300.00 bill for a random array of items I do not need. Meanwhile, Mark is somewhere in Southern Missouri no doubt sitting around a campfire with a few hundred other motorcycle riders - either recovering from a little too much whiskey last night or preparing for a little whiskey this afternoon.

So. Here I am with an entire weekend in front of me - and I have no plans. Feast or famine, I tell ya. I will see how creative I can be when left to my own devices, I guess!

Disclaimer: If I cannot come up with anything noteworthy to do today or something that is just plain lame, I plan to lie about it on the next post.

Around the house

2009-10-07T09:55:00.002-05:00

1. We had a guest for supper last night, who also spent the night. He works with my husband and has become one of his/our friends. I stepped into the spare room this morning after they left and as I pondered the messy bed, and then the towels all over the bathroom floor, I wondered what makes some people feel the need to tidy up their stay as if they had never been there. And then, some people can leave an hour clean-up behind and not even think twice. It didn't bother me, mind you - happy to have him over - but I guess it goes back to the human nature thing and what makes people tick.

2. I also noticed a good amount of coffee spilled down the front of the kitchen counters this morning. If there is a way for my husband to get beverage or food product in places they should not be he can do it. Jelly is his biggest nemesis. A peanut butter and jelly sandwich almost always means a few surprises in the days to come. The laundry room door handle, a glob on the floor, and occasionally the remote control.

3. Mark is getting ready to head out on a bike ride for a week. The "Falling Leaf Rally" in St. Louis. and then on to Memphis. I dare say it might end up being known as the "Falling Temperature Rally". We spent a couple hundred dollars on items that will hopefully keep him warm. Sleeping on the ground in a tent does not even sound remotely amusing to me right now.

4. We finally bought an Ipod. Well, I should say it is more for Mark than anyone. I don't think I know anyone who appreciates music as much as he does. And all kinds. He gave me a list of songs he has had in his truck for over a year. He adds to it when he hears something he likes. So I spent an afternoon finding these "off the beaten track" genres and am happy to say I got all but 5 or 6 loaded up for him. It's is fun to see him truly enjoy that the way that he does. Hopefully it will also assist in drowning out the snoring from his biking buddies in the coming week when they have to stay in a hotel.

5. I managed to lose about 9 pounds so far. I am happy with that, but the reality that I cannot "lose it like I used to" is upon me. I am just going to bear that in mind as I continue to inhale whole grains and everything else that does not carry a shelf life of more than one or two weeks. Strangely - dieting is very easy if you just quit thinking about it and get over "how you feel".

6. This time of year it is hard to know when you should turn on the furnace. Thankfully, I have only had to blurp it on to take the chill off and then I shut if off. This holds for a few days with the windows closed since it is really not "winter" cold out. Yesterday, I thought I better bump it up since we were having an overnight guest. I finally remembered to do it about mid-evening after the oven was turned off. I didn't remember the latter part of that little exercise, however, (shutting it off) and this morning I woke up and it felt like the surface of the sun in here. I am sure our house guest must have wondered about this - even for just a moment. Hmmmm...that might explain the messy bed. The covers probably got kicked off in hopes of finding some kind of comfort for sleeping. (I am laughing now.....I would bet that is what happened!)

7. The house is very different without a dog. We had to put our old Pug to sleep a couple weeks ago. I still get up in the morning and have that background thought about him (letting him out, feeding him, etc.). I miss being greeted when I come home, too. This is the first time in 18 years I have not had a house dog. I have let the 2 village idiots in from time to time. As funny as they are - having a german shepherd and a border collie thumping around in here is just sensory overload for me and for them! Bulls in a china shop and hair as far as the eye can see! They will inevitably start to wrestle and that's when stuff starts to get knocked over and then I end up having to drag them back outside. I want another little compandre' but I think it's too soon even for me.

Well I just caught a glimpse of the time and I better get going. Speaking of time - the time stamp on my posts has been all goofed up here for some reason. The time and date are correct on my computer so I don't have a clue how this could be happening. Oh well - I guess I really don't care that much! LOL

Back in the saddle

2009-09-08T10:01:00.004-05:00

It is 11:46 a.m.

Labor day weekend and then a week in Madison last week pretty much blew my good intentions out of the water where "common sense" food choices are concerned. Aside from a lot of swimming in Madison, I have not done much for myself in the way of weight loss since I babbled a few weeks about kick starting a diet plan. How does this happen?

I found myself in Barnes and Noble yesterday, however and have added a very good tool to my inspiration arsenal. I will see what that nets me this week. More on that another time - I don't feel like talking about this anymore because it annoys me. Much like country music makes me angry.

I wish I canned something....anything. I came from a family of gardeners and canners, yet this little act of preserving garden delights never rubbed off on me. I did make some killer salsa on Saturday though. I better learn to like it (love it) because I will be eating tomatoes for some time to come. My cucumbers are about done, thankfully. I think this years garden fare has nearly beat to death my love of certain foods. I hope it returns.

Well - a glass of water and I am going to try and go back to bed now. Sleep has been restless off and on for a few weeks. Things that seem to be just fleeting thoughts by day, awaken me in the night like a 2x4 to the head. There is something so vulnerable about the darkness in the middle of the night. The smallest worry by day is somehow magnified beyond comprehension at these dark hours.

The more you think about something the bigger it gets and unrealistically so, most of the time. What am I worried about you ask? Good question. Nothing worth losing sleep over. I go in spurts. I can be without a worrisome thought for absolutely months on end. Then something [in me] finds something to focus on and its GAME ON. I need to dig out some books to calm that nagging little gnat in my head. There is only one thing that can put this stupid human trick to bed (no pun intended) and it is looking inward and upward.

I think I just answered my own question. My weight is not the only thing that I have lost touch with this summer. Hmmm. I think I know what is keeping me awake.

2009-09-08T10:01:00.003-05:00

Labor day weekend was not kind to my "diet".

kirelimel, suzie Q and more food ramblings

2009-09-04T15:29:00.007-05:00

kirelimel I need to congratulate you on your lucky 8 day! When I read that yesterday, I genuinely felt so happy for you, and I have never met you! Eight pounds in one week is a very noteworthy success! I also wanted to thank you for the "white" tip. I love a good rule of thumb that is easy and easy to remember. The white tip eliminates the flour, the sugar and salad dressings just to name a few! That is helpful because I could eat all white if given the choice. I adore BREAD.

I have not weighed myself yet. I feel like I have lost a few. I believe I have identified another distinct character flaw within myself. If I weigh myself and I have lost weight, then I get kind of relaxed and in two weeks I seem to have found the same five and ten pounds all over again. So, I plan to stay off the scale for one more week at least.

suzie, I am excited you are going to give this a shot, too! I would also encourage you to use the blog as your venting vehicle because I think it has helped for me and it also keeps me "honest".

Your comment about our "minds" is SO right. We are our own worst enemies when it comes to battles of will power. I have gotten to the point I can step back and take a look at something and ask myself, "will this keep my peace?". Shopping is another place I ask this question! ;)

I had to laugh when you said that we tend to make weight loss this big event in our life and TODAY IS THE DAY I START MY DIET. Like the heavens will now part because I have a new idea for the 100th time about how to lose a few pounds! Been there done that and have the t-shirt. I guess we need to just finally get to a point where being healthy is the goal and losing weight ends up being the side effect. That seems to hold more power for me than a diet does.

We are so conditioned to make eating healthy about sacrifice, when really, it does not have to be that at all. I think the biggest key is to just change some habits and start making choices. What is that saying about "doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result" How many times to I need to "diet, lose the weight and gain it back" before I decide it is about lifestyle not diet. (or eating most of days worth of calories in one meal with the promise you will skip supper but then supper rolls around and HECK YEAH I am eating.....duh!)

So, I am keeping it simple and letting myself be hungry and I do most of my grocery shopping in the produce aisle. The old saying holds true, "Eat breakfast like a king, lunch like a prince and supper like a pauper." I go to bed hungry most nights - not because I have not eaten, but because I have eaten only what I know I need - and kept my peace. That and walking every day does so much for the overall sense of well being.

You reminded my of another saying - once in awhile you just have to eat the cookie and buy the shoes! I think if you can find the healthy mix it can all be good!

Keep us posted ladies! Thanks for joining me - the inspiration is great!!!

I'm walkin' on sunshine!

2009-08-28T11:06:00.004-05:00

I logged over 11,000 steps yesterday and that was pretty slow for a typical day for me. I would say I don't really need to wear the pedometer everyday since I know about where I am at in a days time. I had over 5,000 steps logged by about 10:00 a.m., so I am not going to spend much time thinking about this part. As long as I am on the treadmill everyday, I will get there.

Food wise I am doing pretty well - weekends are tough, though. Mark and I like to do alot of different things during the weekend and it usually involves eating somewhere fun at some point. I refuse to get to overwhelmed by this, though. Just as I said about living green in a recent post, small gradual steps have staying power and will likely lead to success over time. I refuse to diet like I did in my 20's, so I am buckled in for slow weight loss over time. Did I just say that?

These past couple of days I have been thinking about more than just "weight". All of us have the power to control the thoughts that drop into our head. Having some negative thoughts and throwing some negative energy around (even in the form of complaining about something in the day) leaves a mark somewhere. I truly believe that we get back what we put forth. It is also impossible to succeed at anything if you are putting yourself down within the walls of your own mind.

Some days, being positive comes easily and I like it when that happens. On the off days, we need to choose to be positive and keep putting one foot in front of the other and be mindful of all the blessings around us. Most things in life are best lived for the experience of the journey and not holding out for the destination. I got reminded that we don't know how long we have on this planet and spending that precious time doing anything but being thankful we are here as we go about our day - is a pointless day.

That said, I am done complaining about 20 pounds and I am just going to enjoy getting back in touch with my pursuit of good health and put a period on that sentence for good.

Well....

2009-08-27T07:25:00.003-05:00

Well, the dreaded "Day One" is behind me and I didn't burst into flames or anything! I am fighting the urge to get on the scale this morning, though. In the past, I would weigh myself each morning and I think that is a bad thing to do everyday. Weight can fluctuate from day to day and really have nothing to do with what you are losing. So, I hope I can keep myself off of it for a week at least. I should have Mark just throw it in his work truck and present to me as he sees fit.

I went to bed feeling hungry last night but I think I slept better for that! I ate a light supper around 6:00 and that I think I will keep doing that. Sort of scale back as the day goes on.

I bought a pedometer yesterday so that I can try and score 10,000 steps each day. I really don't think this will be an issue for me since I beat the treadmill almost everyday now. I will be interested to see how many steps that 30 minutes yields. One little fun find on that count - yesterday I leaned up against the kitchen counter and somehow leaned right on the little gadget and managed to reset all the steps I had logged yesterday afternoon. Wasn't a big deal since I just had it on to see how it worked! But I can imagine if I had done that on a normal day and had not looked at it - I would have been fairly annoyed by that!

Anyway! I think coffee is done. Day Two, HERE I COME!

Let the game begin.

2009-08-26T08:18:00.003-05:00

Since I wrote about my mission to lose 15 pounds yesterday, I have decided to blog about this as I go along. I think it might just keep me honest and provide me with a good "journal" type thingy. I have read it is good to do this, so why not here. I am going to up the poundage to an even 20, however. I got on the scale this morning and yes, Virginia, you can lose 20 pounds and be just fine. *heavy sigh* I am already missing the corn on the cob dripping with butter. I am realizing that there are certain healthy things that I eat, that I also make toxic by the time I am done. Corn on the cob is one of them! LOL (I think that is funny and I have no clue why!)

So, my apologies in advance to anybody reading this who could care less about what I weigh and my journey to make that number smaller. I will try and incorporate my usual mindless dribble so you are not completely bored with me.

This is not going to be easy. I woke up lastnight and pondered for a couple hours why losing weight can be so challenging. For me, it is because my personality is one that operates on immediate gratification. I can stand knowing that this will take me longer than a week or so. Eck. I also hate the feeling of being controlled. When and where this little nugget was born in me, I have no idea. I hate it that there are things that I should not have. "WHO SAYS!" that little voice in my head will yell.

Blah, blah, blah. Quit complaining.

Living green, seeing white, eating less green

2009-08-25T12:55:00.005-05:00

This weekend we spent some time touring Decorah homes that were part of the "dig in" tours. It was pretty thought provoking to to learn about how people are living off the grid and making the most of the resources they have to reduce their "footprint".

The first home we toured was a little less thought provoking. Albeit a great and beautiful home, I had a hard time being there listening and looking around without constantly considering how easy it would be to adapt your lifestyle and "live off the grid" with a seemingly bottomless checkbook. The wind turbine alone is as much as we paid for this house in 1995. Hmmm.

The rest of our stops were much more realistic for the average Joe, however. The common thread seemed to be that no matter your budget there is always something you can do to live even a little bit green. Alot of these families have spent years perfecting and adding to this lifestyle commitment, which seems more do-able in my mind. I think anything you take on in small thoughtful steps that you can expand upon over time, will have staying power.

As August is nearing completion I am realizing that I am not looking forward to winter and I hate that. I have wrote about this before, but as I was mowing yesterday I had a flash in my mind envisioning 40 mph winds and white as far as the eye can see. I will have to do a little mental work on this methinks since I have no plan to leave the area anytime soon! Maybe if we got some snowmobiles I would grow to like it again! Now that might be a thought! ;-)

Switch gears. There was a time in my life where I had a great deal of trouble losing weight. Knowing you have more than 70 pounds to shed is daunting to say the least. So, now (fast forward a few years) that weight is gone - but 10 or 15 is back. That 5 pounds I blogged about so long ago, did exactly what I unknowingly predicted and now its about 15 I should lose. I still exercise every day, but I eat way too much. I am living proof that you can gain piles of weight eating healthy.

I asked my doc at Mayo about this and she assured me that nothing abnormal was going on. The good news is that my body has finally adapted to its own normal again but the bad news is that I am taking in way too many calories for my body as it is now. I should have taken this more seriously when it was only 5 pounds. Famous last words, eh! I think the hardest part is that I don't really eat "bad foods". I am just taking in too much in the wrong combinations I suppose. The busy summer has not helped. Lots of eating out this summer. Lots of hidden calories as I think about it.

So, here it is. That 15 pounds will be GONE by the class reunion. Anyone care to join me?

Weekend stuff!

2009-08-11T09:55:00.006-05:00

Despite the challenging weather this past weekend, we took a much awaited motorcycle trip to parts unknown. Well, not so much - but we got out of the 30-50 mile radius of rides that we normally take!

We intended to leave Friday morning, but the word "hail" in the forecast was too much to overlook. We are prepared for rain, but hail is another banana. I could not, with good conscience, actually drive into that knowing the risk was there. Its one thing to get caught in a storm by accident, but to drive into one with the full knowledge thingy, is just dumb. So we drove the truck to Waterloo on Friday for Mark's work meeting (I went along since I had planned to be gone anyway!) then we met some old friends in Anamosa and toured a motorcycle museum. That was pretty fun and pretty interesting.

The biggest thing I took away from that was how many neat things there are "in our own backyard" to go and see and yet how many weekends do we sit around and complain about nothing new to do. Methinks that problem is best solved looking inward and not outward!

Saturday we were able to leave on the bike with great weather. We went as far as Savanna, IL where I got the experience of entering my first bonafide "biker bar". We pulled into town and there must have been 100 Harley's parked on each side of the street and lots of people just standing around in the hot putrid humidity. The bar is called the "Iron Horse" no doubt a nod to the motorcycle itself and they displayed a pretty impressive piece of motorcycle history, too.

The people are what you would imagine to see - some a bit rough even - but strike up a conversation and I can honestly say I met some of the most genuinely neat people I have come across in a long while. Quick to laugh and quick to ask you about your own life. Next door to this bar was an antique place and that was just neat to walk through. Savanna is a unique place. The river is RIGHT THERE and the "river people" the "biker people" the "business people" and the residents all seem to live together in mutual respect for each other. I couldn't help but wonder about this every time a group of bikes would pass through.

Harley's are loud. When there are more than a few, it sounds like a train rolling through town. I wondered about how non-bike enthusiasts felt about that "intrusion" on their peace and quiet. It seems to all work though. Like I said, the mutual respect thing. The boaters toodling through town pulling a quarter of mill behind them didn't do much for traffic flow either - but it all seems to work. I suppose in a way - the residents that do not boat or bike have the upper hand in the off season. I hope they have a loud parade that stops traffic every weekend. ;-)

The ride home was challenging. The weather took a turn that was not in the forecast on Saturday morning and we did not expect to be trying to calculate Mother Nature's next move all the way home. We planned the trip home to go through Balltown and see the newly built for the second time, "Breitbach's Bar and Supper Club". Had a nice time there and if you have never been there the view is absolutely amazing. We got on our way and were only on the road a few miles before torrential rain.

We found this tiny little town with one bar (the only establishment that was open) and ducked in there until it passed. We again encountered some of the most gracious people. Despite the rain - a great stop! While it seems a good many of our stops were technically "bars", I learned through my experience traveling on motorcycle with Mark, this is where a good majority of great food can be found. He has taken this particular trip before with his friends and was eager to share the route with me. The little "dives' (lacking a more descriptive term), ended up being nothing more than "mom and pop" joints that have been in business since before I was born. The food, of course - was an experience I will treasure! We always left with a smile on our face and felt like we had made a couple new friends.

We eventually got our rain suits on and were on the road after about a half an hour. Until this little thing came across our path:

I believe the weather term for this is "WALL CLOUD". Was glad to have my camera in my pocket! We rode a little closer before finding a little park with shelters. We seized that opportunity and sat there for about 20 minutes while the storm whipped through.

And, our last stop was again - a weather stop! About 30 minutes after the wall cloud stop - the rain was coming down hard. On the outskirts of another little town we saw a huge group of bikers in an old run down gas station sitting under the awning that once covered gas pumps. Mark drove right in under the awning and when we turned the bike off - it was like we pulled into a crowd of people we had known all our life. Not to be a broken record here, but we met another group of awesome people who were glad to have us join their group and wait it out.

I have come to be amused by this unspoken "brotherhood" of sorts when it comes to bikers. Perfect strangers embrace you (figuratively speaking!) just because you share the same interest. No brotherhood seems stronger than the one among Harley riders. I think alot of these enthusiast are misunderstood and judged simply "by the cover" and by a few people that have lended them a negative persona.

There were so many life messages buried in this weekend and for me that is an awesome thing. I simply adore living lessons and realizing it at the time it is happening.

A tough act to follow for sure!

Post Party Ponderings

2009-08-03T10:46:00.006-05:00

What a weekend! After weeks of planning, we finally had our 15th anniversary party Saturday. I imagine we went through what most parents experience getting ready for graduation. The need to have everything perfectly manicured inside and outside is absolutely exhausting. We had a few neat things we just didn't get to on Saturday morning - but I suspect it will store nicely for the next big hoopla!

I described this weekend to a number of close friends as "worlds colliding" - but in a good way! Mark and I have grown to have such a diverse set of friends. You know the kind.... one set of friends you will go to a lovely concert or play and then follow with nice restaurant as "your night out". Yet another set of friends are perfectly happy just to take a motorcycle ride and find a good bar burger. I came to the realization that relatives are much the same way.

We took the time to invite some cousins on Mark's side that we re-connected with at a couple graduations this spring. While they are great people we clearly have NOTHING in common beyond the family tree. And this is okay! We enjoy the cordial small talk but I could tell they were feeling as much out of place here, as we felt in there mud floor machine shed with the blue tarp snapping in the wind. I love this about "people" though at the same time. I have grown to truly embrace the vast differences in people.

One other thing that struck me this weekend is how completely fascinated I was with a few friends I had not seen in awhile sporting a somewhat out-there hair color. Not to end there, I saw a few gals wearing some glasses that I have never dared dream for myself. I might be tempted to tip toe a little closer to something more daring in the near future. Love, love, loved it!

Today I plan to get some things back in order around here, return pans and roasters and hopefully I can get a couple of the pans clean enough to return to their respectful owners by Friday. I got through all of Saturday nights pans. But the ones for breakfast on Sunday for all my campers are another story. Egg bakes when overcooked turn into concrete on the inside of a metal pan. It might be worthwhile just buying a new pan for this friend and fessing up that I cannot get it clean!

Ruthie and Suzie (and Lisa if you read this blog) - great to see you Saturday! (I am still laughing about the "window blind" conundrum in the downstairs bathroom!!! REALLY!!! That was just too darn funny! ) Anyway!....The downside to big parties is that there are so many guests that we were only able to spend a few minutes here and there with everyone. But, your presence meant so much and I hope you had as much fun as we did! Mark and I feel truly blessed to have so many great people in our life and we never felt that more than we did on Saturday.

Our niece took some great pictures and I will post a few here when I get them. I saw her snapping some of the fireworks, too. I hope they turned out! For as many disagreements Mark and I had on those things I think it was a success. Minus the fact, I saw a shovel they were using for something over there while they were lighting them off. The handle has clearly been blown off. I asked Mark about it and he downplayed and since both he and Kevin appeared to have all fingers in tact....I will just let that little doggy lay.

A special thanks to Deep River Band for the great music. It was truly a perfect day and night!

Sara Lee was a prostitute - and other things...

2009-06-14T09:43:00.002-05:00

Yesterday we rode the bike around lovely NE Iowa and a little bit of Wisconsin! What fun! It has a been a great weekend. We decided to stop in and see some friends when we were toodling through their town.

No one was home, however, and that is never a good thing when we stop for a visit. Especially, when the door is unlocked. So today I imagine they are still finding little weird things all over their house. If you ever find yourself in this particular situation, I would encourage you to fiddle around with random items that are just within your eyesight.

Mail that was dripping off the counter was wrapped individually in tin foil and placed in the freezer (in clear sight - surely they need their mail.) We were delighted to find foam peanuts in a box on the floor in the dining room. Those came in handy when we found an open puffed Cheetos bag on top of the refrigerator. That was an amusing swap out.

A jar of salsa was swapped out for a candle on a table, the roll of paper towels became a roll of toilet paper in the bathroom off the kitchen, a jar of peanuts became a jar of dog food - basically the same size kibble - another fun find.

Every time they grab a perfectly folded towel from the bathroom cupboard they will also get 1 of 52 playing cards that are hidden randomly around the house. The half bag of potato chips is now filled with indivually wrapped chips for the ultimate freshness. Each chip was wrapped individually in saran wrap and placed back in the bag.

My favorite, however, was the bag of Sara Lee hamburger buns on the counter. In each bun, is a hand written note of wisdom. Messages from beyond that will carry them through the corpuscles of time (or at least through the next meal.) "Sara Lee was a prostitute" happened to be my favorite. It will no doubt enlighten their day beyond measure.

Not bad for a days work! I will be locking my doors for awhile to come.

What's new?

2009-06-02T17:59:00.003-05:00

Well - I considered myself a faithful blogger and once I stopped for a couple weeks I found out how easy it is to just keep stopping. That make sense?

It's been an unusually busy spring so far. More graduations to go to than I can ever recall. Last Sunday was the most grueling: on the road by m 7 a.m. to be in Oxford Ia (Iowa City) for a breakfast brunch graduation, spent a couple hours there, back on the road home, arrived around 3:00 p.m., back over to Calmar for a second cousins graduation, then back home, changed clothes and went to Waukon for another. We arrived back home somewhat bewildered by the day around 10:00 pm, with out of town family members in tow to spend the night.

Meanwhile we managed to get a garden planted, tear off part of the barn foundation and now my brother is re-blocking it (this barn was built in the 1900's) and then he will pour concrete in the basement so we can store our old cars - OH! and we bought a Harley Davidson (after pondering, penciling and looking and considering this purchase for over a year)!

Did I mention I got a new job in there, too, somewhere? Whew. I will post more another day on that avenue - but suffice it to say - my much adored spare time is now a thing of the past and I never saw it coming! Working FULL time again after two years has been a huge adjustment. But, I think it will be a good one - that is if I survive training and getting up at 4:00 a.m. here for a couple more weeks. Ick.

I bought a Bunn coffee maker. I hate to admit it but "yes" something that plugs into the wall actually has me a little excited. Our old coffee maker was limping along - taking about 2 1/2 hours to make one pot! I would set the timer for 2:00 in the morning so that I would be sure it would be done by the time I got up! Then on its last day - it just died half way through and I had to heat water on the stove and pour it through the top. The lengths I go for a good cup of Joe.

No, I didn't have to buy a "Bunn"..... but oh my - what a good cup of coffee-and in seconds! The best part is that I actually told Mark I paid $100.00. Sometimes I will lessen the blow for his benefit and shave off 20 or 30 bucks just so the sticker shock doesn't blast him up against the wall. But I gave it to him full throttle and after one eyebrow snuck up into his hairline for a brief moment - he had a sip and was impressed.

I am so clever to make that first pot BEFORE breaking the news.

Well... it is going on 5:a.m. as I finish this and I better hit the shower.

Happy Wednesday!

Birds and Blooms!

2009-05-04T18:49:00.004-05:00

We had a fun weekend unearthing all the fun stuff that comes with spring. (Literally and figuratively!) We hung more birdhouses, added more feeders and are happy to report bluebirds have moved in already! The birdhouses are now full! I got up close and personal with a hummingbird this afternoon. We hung out the sugar water feeders and - it took about 3 minutes and we had a hummingbird! That was crazy! I was standing about one foot from it. Got a brief glimpse of an indigo bunting a couple days ago. They never stick around for long. Unlike the thousands of goldfinches we seem to have this year! Never get tired of seeing them. The cardinals also made an appearance.

We walked the dogs down the road to a pond that is near our house. We had to kind of climb up over a little "hill" to get to the water and when we did - we surprised two Canadian geese and 3 little goslings. Lucy splashed right into the water and then thought twice about approaching them when the wingspan ended up being bigger than she was! They guarded their babies fearlessly. Thankfully, she came right back to us, and we got out of there and left them alone. Dogs will have to get wet another day!

On Saturday, I mowed part of the lawn and then we started potting plants. LOTS of them! I absolutely love doing this. We try to come up with something interesting every year and this year is no exception! This one turned out very cool:

So that was the weekend of Birds and Blooms. Simply wonderful!

I feel better now...

2009-04-29T17:58:00.003-05:00

After I posted my little kitty tale yesterday, I kind of laughed as I walked away from my computer thinking, "How pathetic was my life today that getting mauled by the cat was thought provoking enough to actually sit down and type it all out!" I guess there are just days like that so I refuse to be too hard on myself. Besides, I have made the blog rounds today and discover I am not the only one with A)nothing really earth shattering to report or B) not making any new posts at all.

I think I should fight the urge to type something when I don't have that much to say. It certainly presents a skewed glimpse into one's life.

On a somewhat related note, but rather unrelated, I spent a little time on Facebook today and had an interesting exchange about the swine flu. I cannot help but become enthralled when the media gets ahold of something and won't let go. Like a dog shaking a stuffed doll until the stuffing flys out. So my parting paragraph this evening is my observation during Governor Culver's news conference today that I also shared on Facebook (yes I am still thinking about it, and since I have beat it to death on FB, I am going to say it here too):

IF the swine flu has the potential to be the pandemic they are claiming it to be, why not scroll it along the bottom of the television, create an informational website, offer a hotline and appoint specific people at appropriate places (hospitals, clinics) that can act as spokespeople to answer random questions, create a television channel for the specific purpose of talking about swine flu and finally, allow people to sign up for a free flu-shot coupon ....oh wait - I have this confused with the Digital TV switch over...

And that's all I am going to say about thayat..... ;-)

Hells BELLS!

2009-04-28T17:53:00.003-05:00

We have been talking for awhile about getting our 2 outside cats collars with bells to give our birds at least a sporting chance at life. After all, we FEED the cats, its not like we would be handicapping their means to find food.

Today I went to Walmart to see if they had Almond butter (a healthy alternative to peanut butter which has nothing to do with this tale) and for some reason I thought of the collars. Weird. Anyway - I got two and managed to get both cats suited up when I got home with absolutely zero incident.

This afternoon, I grabbed a book and sat outside for a read. Imagine my delight as I heard the bells, before I saw the cats strolling my way! About 20 minutes later, as one naps in my lap and the other at my feet, the one at my feet bolts across the sidewalk like she was shot from a cannon. Then she starts to flop all over the yard and manages to gain the UNwelcome attention of the dogs. I run over to her and she somehow got her lower jaw in behind the collar (it must have been a little too loose) and her mouth is literally stuck open.

I had to laugh. Sorry - I did! I scooped her up to help her and she just panicked and started fighting at me like it was pay per view. I managed to get the collar free from her little lower jaw - but not before she sliced my right palm open with her back claws. It looks as though I shook hands with a butcher knife.

That collar IS in her future - but tonight - I will let her be!

The blur.

2009-04-25T11:56:00.007-05:00

This past week has been a blur. Mark's mother passed away Thursday, April 16, 3 days after her 75th birthday.

I don't have to elaborate on what our week held - the traditional funeral related items to get accomplished. Today we actually woke up and realized we did not have to get ready and go somewhere. That was kind of a welcome relief.

Yesterday we got everyone rounded up and went on an old car cruise. Our attempt at doing something together before everyone goes home today and tomorrow. Mark has 3 old cars and my brother n law has an old convertible. So, we divided up all the people among all the cars and we hit the road! We left at 2:00 yesterday and we drove back in the driveway at 11:00 p.m.! A good time was had by all and the weather was fabulous!

I must tell a funny story from the week! Mark grew up in the house that is right next to a funeral home. They were life long neighbors and friends with the family who runs the funeral home. Mark's father (and now mother) had funeral arrangements and visitation here. At the end of their sidewalk (of the funeral home), 2 lamp posts sit on either side, each with an eagle (about 6 inches tall) on top of each lamp.

When Mark was 8 years old, he shimmied up that lamp pole and unscrewed one of the eagles! He hid it in a random box in his room - he never got caught and never gave it back!

He has had it all of these years. After his mother died, he happened to find it again looking for pictures and decided it was time to return the eagle to its rightful home (and just before the funeral on Tuesday). As we made our way down the sidewalk toward the lamp post, he looked around and then quickly reached up and screwed the eagle back onto its original roost. Nobody saw us and now the lamps are twins again!

I thought Mark should have told somebody at the home that he did this. I know if I ran a business of that nature and noticed this eagle suddenly appear back on its roost after 32 years - I might start questioning my faculties and maybe even start to look over my shoulder once in awhile! Funny!

Anyway - here is a pic of Mark and his Firebird from yesterday and in the other you can kind of see the Chevy and the convertible. I should have taken more -

Fun finds!

2009-04-13T19:50:00.004-05:00

Yesterday I was looking through the junk drawer and found two gift cards! I remember getting them but don't recall the set of careless circumstances that landed them into that black abyss that is the junk drawer!

One was to Von Mauer and the other was to Wal Mart. I called the number on the back of each card and much to my delight, both were still good! After the customer service lady at VM told me I had 100.00 to spend, I did manage to recall getting that one from Mark at Christmas in 2007! The Wal mart card I am happy to report advanced me forward $25.00!

I wish I had known about the VM card a couple weeks ago when I was in Cedar Falls. There is a VM in the mall near where I was staying. Oh well. I got online and managed to find 2 pairs of sandals and some Clinique hand cream and only had to kick in about 6.00!

I decided to act on the Wal mart card too and ended up with a Food Processor. I have been wanting one of these for a long time. You are probably thinking this is pretty lame, but I spend a LOT of time standing at the kitchen counter every day preparing fresh veg and fresh fruit. (It is about all I eat when I am home alone during the week. )So, I am thinking I will just keep this on the counter and then stash it when I need to. Good plan so far...but...

I have already sliced, chopped, shredded and pulverized most everything processable in my kitchen at the moment. Which of course led to alot of eating today. I am my worst enemy! If anyone near me needs a relish tray or fruit tray for anything in the next day or two - look me up. I have a wide variety of perfectly sliced morsels in my fridge right now that I would be happy to part with! LOL

Noted today:

* I always seem to post something on my blog when Intervention is on. At least I am not eating ice cream during this hour anymore. There was a smidge of irony in that.

* I am not sure how much I like the "teller" on the screen at the drive thru bank. I pulled up to it this morning and when I buzzed my window down I noticed I had a tiny black dot under my left eye. (When you first pull up - you see yourself in the screen.) So, I did the ole' "lick your finger and rub like crazy trick" until it was gone. Then suddenly Ms. Teller pops in on the screen and says, "were you done *giggle* I didn't want to interrupt you so I waited until you were done!"

Well, that's nice. Now the entire bank knows how talentless I am with a mascara wand. I think I will wear a bunny head next time. We have one in the attic. Only, I would be the one that somehow would get arrested for a robbery attempt. Certain of it!

* We are buying collars with bells for out two outside cats. This is Mark's solution for the stalking of the bird feeders. While I think this is probably a brilliant idea, I fear this may lead to an onslaught of mice - if the birds are startled by the bells surely the mice will be too? Maybe we could buy little tiny earplugs for the mice.

*Deadliest Catch starts a new season this week. I am fairly excited about that! Suzie are ya with me!

* Snacks that are pre-packaged as 100 calorie snacks are not really that effective if you eat 5 packages at one time. Instead, they should be sold individually (vs boxes of 10). That way you have truly secured a 100 calorie snack item.

A picture is worth a thousand words...

2009-04-08T19:34:00.002-05:00

I was looking through my cell phone for something earlier and I inadvertently hit a few wrong sequences and ended up in my pictures.

I actually had to sit down and just look through them for a few minutes. It became less about what the picture was actually of and more about what day it was when I took each picture.

A picture of Buddy, our black lab of 14 years, 2 months before we would have to put him to sleep.

A picture of my whiteboard in my hospital room when I had my skin graft surgery, last fall. My nurses name was Brian and I had recorded I had peed 200 cc. I am so comfortable on Joseph B, I did alot of things myself - including recording a few of my stats.

A picture of a bear in the forest. Also in my hospital room. Mental to note to find that for my aunt. She loved to peer into that picture when she would visit and I remember thinking at the time I would get that for her someday.

Mark sleeping on the sofa on Super Bowl Sunday - 2008. DURING the game.

A picture of my dear friend Julie playing the Ukulele at the Bon Fire Friday the 13th in March. She actually plays looking at the music. Quite talented!

A picture of our cat sitting on the windowsill looking into the house from outside. It was one of the bigger snow storms this past winter and he was watching us like it was his own television.

There are more but I digress!

I think pictures are a great part of our lives. It reminds you where you have been and the shapes of that particular moment. In other ways, it reminds you just how far you have come!

I posted awhile back about how songs can do the same thing. Sometimes a song is SO not about the song, but what place it takes you back to when you hear it. It makes me think we kind of live in a world that is a virtual sticky note. The simplest item, song or picture is what it is at any moment in time. But our mind has latched onto it in one form or another, only to present it back to us some time much later.

Why can't my mind attach my pin number to something, or my home phone number that I NEVER call. Why must I stand with a vacant stare on my face when posed the question, "What's yer home phone?" Why doesn't my PIN number just flood into my mind when I see the bank? Instead, I wonder "why they bricked up that one window there on the North side....that looks goofy." This enters my mind every time I drive by! No PIN in sight.

So many deep questions!

With such total recall on a wide variety of things, I sometimes cannot remember even driving home from work. Goofy I tell ya. Just plain Goofy. ;-)

Empowered!

2009-04-06T10:02:00.004-05:00

I attended a Women's Conference on Saturday with Janice of "A Work in Progress". This is the first conference of its kind that I have attended and I am so glad she invited me to join her!

It was held at Prairie Lakes Church in Cedar Falls. Becky Tirabassi was the guest speaker. The conference began by lots of singing and at times I felt very close to tears! I was completely moved by the warmth, power and energy filling the room.

Becky talked a lot about the power of prayer and gave endless guidance on how to get the most out of your own prayer life. She was this little dynamo of energy and the entire room hung on her every word!

I have learned some important things about prayer and I walked away with a better grip on my own direction. With most things in life, you can become overwhelmed by the realization that what you DON'T know and understand is a sea compared to the droplet of water that you "get". I understand that the journey is meant to be life long and there is no destination per se. Not on earth, anyway.

One of the things I understand more and more ( in my baby Christian state!) is how your relationship with God and the universe is huge and infinite. It must be woven carefully throughout your entire life, from the most trivial item of the day, to the experiences that we would consider earth shattering.

It was a great day Saturday! I was able to empower my life a little more and I got to spend it with someone very special! Thanks, on both counts, Janice!

Cheetos, Pilates and a good looking guy

2009-03-25T13:46:00.003-05:00

I have always felt the Cheeto (crunchy not puffy) was probably the perfect snack food. I didn't think one could improve upon afore mentioned perfection -that is until today. Standing in line at the local convenience store bored to tears while a random guy explains to the clerk how the government taxes lottery winnings [breathe], my eyes landed on a bag of Cheetos. But wait, what is different about this little amuse bouche? Jalapenos? Really? Well now, this adds a whole new level of excitement to a once hum drum task of getting gasoline. A Jalapeno flavored Cheeto! Dare I buy a bag? Oh my - while salivating at the thought, every ounce of will power and reason got sucked out of the door when lottery guy left. 'Sall I really need to say about this. Delightful! I plan to buy a truckload of these tasty little morsels. I am proud to type this with orange finger tips and breath of fire.

This morning I bumped up my dreadmill workout and added Pilates. (I de-board the dreadmill prior to starting, however.) No, I cannot go and take a class - I would hate that. I bought a DVD. Strangely enough, I managed to pick out the perfect one. It is set up in a bunch of 10 minutes workouts and you pick and choose what you want to do first, then hit play. Depending on how ambitious you feel you can do upper body, lower body, abs, buns, total body or any combination. This is perfect for me since I have to leave the ab department alone or risk a hernia the size of Nebraska. It also came with those stretchy bands. I think I could find a lot of uses for these around the house, too (if I don't snap my eye out first doing pilates). The "instructor" on the series is also quite likable. Not the annoying bouncy aerobic chic of the '80's... So, I think this will be a cool addition. I like it so far and that is 75% of the battle for me.

I saw a picture on Facebook this morning browsing through one of my "friends" albums. It was of her brother n law, who is a life long friend of Mark's. They went to visit him recently in Florida. It appears this friend has put on about 15 or 20 lbs and he looks fabulous. Then it occurred to me that I think most men look better a skosh past- I'll say "thin or trim" for lack of a better way to say it. Not all men - well maybe all men. I have not met "all men" so that is not a fair statement. But, really. Yeah. You heard it here guys - a skosh past trim, please. That's all I got to say about that, too.

There you have my earth shattering mind melds of today. I might have to start making things up about what I have been doing in my life. I so have nothing to report! Well, that is not entirely true. I thought the Cheeto was far more tantalizing than the massive wood burning project I am wrapped up in. Pilates seemed more interesting than my weirdest day at work so far and good looking men seemed much more thought provoking than my weekend with Mark's family. But - that will come another day.

Weekend stuff!

2009-03-16T16:08:00.005-05:00

What a great Monday! Weather is fabulous in this little corner of the world today! I managed to read a few chapters outside in the sun this afternoon. It is so peaceful. The only sound was the wind, a few song birds that I believe are just arriving.... and then the yowl of the two cats fighting at my feet. I guess they were playing - but you would not know that by listening.

Had a great time Friday in Waterloo. Spent some time with my ole' chum, Janice! I got to her house early afternoon, had a brief tour of her lovely home and then off to Panera for some coffee and great conversation. I have now been introduced to a Frozen Mocha Latte. When it comes to coffee and coffee related drinks - I have been living under a rock. So, this is a whole new world opening up to me! Anyway, that couple of hours FLEW by and I can't wait to get down that way again. I am excited about renewing this friendship!

Before leaving town early Saturday morning we had breakfast at the Waffle Stop. Wow, that was fabulous. I think I can safely say it was THE best omelet I have ever had. I love it that you can sit in a booth and just stare into the food prep area and watch the entire process. What a talent these cooks/chefs really possess. They make a pretty tedious task of breakfast for the masses look like a carefully constructed dance. I could watch that all day long.

Oh - back up. The bonfire Friday night. Nothing really to report - out of the ordinary that is. Except for the one guy that kept stirring the fire. This sent ash and red hot embers into the air that eventually landed on everyone's hair and clothing. He just didn't get it. I was out there for for 5 minutes and said, "Carl, leave the fire alone!" He just laughed and stuck that stupid shovel in again. I was amazed that after the 32nd beer he just didn't fall in there himself considering his balance was severely challenged - but I guess that was not to be. Needless to say, I spent most of the night in the house and on the porch with the rest of the people with ashy hair and holes burned in their jackets. What doorknob that guy was.

Well, I am realizing as this post unfolds that I don't have much of anything else. I like having Monday's off. It is a great day to pick up around the house from the weekend, get laundry done and get charged for the rest of the week. I really have enjoyed the day.

One more...

2009-03-14T15:36:00.002-05:00

Inspired by scraping the frost of my windshield in the hotel parking lot this morning:

11) An ice scraper shaped like a number #1, is not. I would have had better luck using a dime.

Random notions of the last 24 hours.

2009-03-12T12:56:00.003-05:00

1) The pictures on a package of food NEVER resembles the contents.

2) I checked my pulse this morning after I got off the treadmill and I can't find it. I am not sure what to make of this yet.

3)Never pick a mushroom out of a hot pan with your fingers. Its like a hot pepperoni on the lip.

4)For every one nice check out girl at Wal Mart, there are 3 more waiting in the wings just salivating at the opportunity to "explain" how NOT to put a bag of dog food on the conveyor belt thingy.

5)There are two parking spots at the front of the store. One is marked handicapped and one is a regular parking spot. A gentlemen with a handicap sign pulls in to park, but takes the regular parking spot leaving the handicapped parking stall open. Has he not just parked in both of them, then? This happens to me alot. I think it is a test. I think the check out girl is behind all of this.

6) Why does my truck seem to run better after I take it through the car wash?

7) Freezing something doesn't mean it is invincible. Just like having 4 wheel drive doesn't mean you can climb Everest in a snow storm.

8) Reading something in print doesn't make it true.

9)The guy who thought of putting Heineken beer in that little keg shaped can was a genius. What a marketing marvel. Why can't they put water in stuff like that. What little imagination it takes to put water in a clear bottle. I mean you can carbonate pop and send men to the moon. Yet our water is sold in clear blue bottles.

10) I think Judge Judy should have a major role in running the government and finance. She is brilliant. I wish she was my friend.

The draw of Friday the 13th....

2009-03-11T07:40:00.003-05:00

There have been two Friday the 13th's 2 months in a row! Not a big deal for the average person. However, for us it means a trip to Waterloo and an evening spent in our friends backyard with a bon fire.

This little right of passage came to be years and years ago. Every Friday the 13th, our friends started having bon fire's and invited all their friends. It is such a regular event that at this point, no one is officially invited anymore. You know to come by the day on the calendar. What I always find strange is the amount of people that "show up" and from where! The "she" of this couple, is also responsible for the Women's Camp out each year - so I have come to know her as a dear friend, along with about 553 other people! They are a fabulously fun couple. One year they were out of town on Friday the 13th and people came anyway! Had the party in the back yard without them. What great spirit.

So, while the wind is hammering away at my house as I type this - I am glad for this little diversion Friday night. Makes me forget that daylight savings time swallowed Spring and left an "unseason" in its wake.

Happy Hump Day!

Converter Box

2009-03-07T15:39:00.005-06:00

We have one little tiny television with an antenna in our bedroom that is not hooked up to our satellite receiver. So a few months ago, I went online to put myself on the waiting list for the blessed $40.00 coupon from Uncle Sam to buy a converter box. (More out of amusement than anything else. I am finding there are a great many things I do strictly for my own twisted amusement). So, yesterday, my $40.00 government coupons arrived! I got two of the sparkly little credit cards, in fact! I only need one, I don't know why I ordered two. Probably because I am "allowed" two by the government, and like free cheese - by golly if they say I am allowed, move out of the way, sistah - it's as good as MINE.

Along with the sparkly little cards, is a list of retailers that carry the converter boxes. Walmart being first on the list and on my way to somewhere else, I stopped there. They were sold out, but I noticed they were selling them for $49.95. Hmmm - they still want 10.00 of mine? Went to Sears and they have the nerve to charge $59.95. Wow, ballsy, but you have not got my card yet. I proceed to a couple more stores listed, and the same thing - each store has jacked up the price of these converters to whatever will pay their light bill that month apparently.

I opt to fork over an additional 20.00 to a local electronics store but not before standing at the counter for 20 minutes while the scared little man tries to get that sparkly card to work. I was so embarrassed for him, as the line grew behind me, that I walked over and stood in front of the big screen TV displays while he frantically smacked his computer keys. He eventually had to call "someone". Maybe George Bush. This was his deal wasn't it?

As I finally left with my purchase it occured to me that it really is true. When the government is involved in day to day trivialities, things just don't go as smoothly as they could if, say, I was doing this in China - and didn't speak Chinese.

Second - while standing in front of the big screen TV, I realized that Geraldo Rivera's nose is the size of my entire left hand. I hope no one saw me measuring - but I had to know.

I don't give up easy, but...

2009-03-05T13:14:00.003-06:00

I have had a notion occur to me off and on for awhile now. While I know friendships can change and morph into something else as time goes by, some friendships remain virtually unchanged and withstand the test of time and tribulation like an old flag waving proudly on the flag pole.

For the friendships that change, at what point do you downgrade a once good friendship to the level where you just do not put forth the effort anymore? I have a handful of people in my life where the relationship has evolved to a "90/10". Effort spent on the relationship is 90 percent ME. The 10 percent on their part is the amount of effort it takes them to contact us to borrow something or cancel plans. Strangely enough, I am not particularly offended by this and so it is not my point for this post. I just wonder at what point do you just let it go and let it be what it has become?

It's ironic that I do have a number of "new" people in my life that are quickly becoming "close" friends. Is this like some sort of cell renewal but on a relationship level?

In a brief conversation with Mark last night (discussing plans that the friends cancelled again), he said, "I just don't know what else we can do to try and spend time with them."

Before I even thought about it, I said, "It's really hard to maintain a relationship with someone who is trying to wiggle out of your life." After I said it, it was like someone else had said it to me. DING DONG.

In some cases, I think it is okay just to let things be. I don't mean that they are now shunned into non-existence. We just let go and allow the 90/10 to morph into the 00/00. No hard feelings either. Just let it be.

Scrap Metal

2009-03-04T19:37:00.003-06:00

I am hovering around the possibility that I may have unconsciously allowed the piece of scrap metal that is my bathroom scale, way too much power in my life. I am removing it from my house.

What has a face, can make you happy or annoyed and has the power to ruin any good meal? A mother-n-law, you ask? Your boss, perhaps?

Nope. Your bathroom scale.

Post Camp Out

2009-03-02T15:35:00.004-06:00

The women's camp out was a staggering good time, as predicted! We talked, laughed, built fires, ate, hiked in the woods, ate some more, and laughed even harder! Going to bed is always the challenge. With that many women in a cabin all laying on air mattresses on the floor, it is not exactly conducive to settling down and getting some sleep! Needless to say, I serenaded the group with my new acquisition from the Dollar Store, a bright yellow recorder! Julie played her ukulele upstairs. Fabulous! I really only know how to play Mary Had a Little Lamb, but I played it with heart and soul! (and over and over...)

Great to see everyone, but sad in that it will be another year before that particular combination of ladies will be seeing each other. I am glad I am able to see a few of them during the year!

All in all, a great weekend!

The XXth Annual Womens Campout

2009-02-23T17:11:00.003-06:00

It is officially here. This weekend is the Womens Campout. This little outing was organized by a handful of friends about 20 years ago. A few "gals" from the Waterloo area would all get together and go winter camping (long before I knew any of them). A new campsite was chosen every year and "yes" they actually camped and slept outside in February. I have seen the pictures!

As friends were added over the years (a friend of a friend, and so on) it has grown to around 16-18 women that still get together every year the last weekend in February. They come from all over Iowa, a couple come down from MPLS and a sprinkling from here to there converge upon Strawberry Point, Back Bone Park. While the camp outs have been moved inside now (we rent a large Cabin), it is a fabulous weekend spent in the middle of nowhere with some of the most colorful women I am privileged to know. This will be my 5th year in attendance.

The weekend is spent eating, talking, building fires, telling stories and the occasional game with electricity. (This game was brought one year by Jackie, bless her heart, you hold onto handles and a random color scheme dances in front of you and when it stops you have to let go - or get a SHOCK. Not for children. I only played once and walked way thinking they were all on crack.)

The women range from nurses, teachers, interior decorator, car salesman, CEO of a family business, personal trainer, the unemployed and a professional chef. This random collaberation is the backdrop for some pretty amazing conversations. But for the most part, it is the silliest weekend of the year and I always drive home feeling so lucky to know these special, funny, witty, talented women!

Trudging along!!!

2009-02-23T07:36:00.002-06:00

Things are the fitness front are going very well. It occurred to me yesterday that exercising has more of a positive affect on my mind and mental well being. Dropping a few pounds could very well become a side effect and not the focus.

I also made conscious decision just to do it in the same way I decide to make the coffee every morning. Accept it and the pay off is endless.

As Amy says, "The DreadMill!!!!"

2009-02-21T07:41:00.003-06:00

Thanks for all the tips and nudges! And, Mike - shame really works at this point! Kidding! I have spent some time thinking about this and reading some of the links you all gave me. Thank you. I feel a little like Oprah right now! LOL I never wanted my weight to become an issue again for me. And, it really isn't at this point, I guess, but I keep projecting this out a couple months and it could be. I am making this about the treadmill, but it really isn't. I just lost my focus.

I am done wallowing in this. Not climbing Everest here, get real and get a routine back and get over it.

Go time.

I need inspiration...

2009-02-19T14:04:00.003-06:00

I have not had a round on my treadmill in about a week now. I am not sure what happened to break the month or two of serious momentum I had going. I cannot get it back!

When I first started to get bored on it, I got CD's to listen to. When that got old, I hauled in the TV from the bedroom once a day. When that got old, I brought a book or a magazine on it with me. Now I cannot think of one thing - aside from maybe being physically tied to it, that has enough oomph to get me on it. I think being able to get outside to walk would help, but then I wonder if that is just another excuse wrapped in Spring's clothing?

I got on the scale this morning and - it shows. Miserably. While I do not "appear" over weight at the moment, it is clear to me I still have the same fat genes and the same fat cells that are just waiting to be filled up. One day of a little indulgence and I pay. I need to get this back in check. Right now, its only about 5-10 pounds I would like to see gone. After everything I have been through - I promised myself I would never be overweight again. If I don't do something now, in a months time it could be 20 lbs.

Do it. Quit talking. Quit typing. Quit complaining. Quit making excuses. Just DO IT.

Right?

Things that go bump II

2009-02-11T21:17:00.002-06:00

I'm back to the topic of things that go bump in the night. I am not crazy. I must put this disclaimer out there right now!

Every so often I am just doin' my daily thing around the house and out of NO WHERE I just become aware of something that is either different or aware of just something I cannot get my finger on. The past couple of days have been like this for me.

I got home from work on Tuesday night around 7:30. The house is completely dark and the first thing I do when I come inside, is to turn on the laundry room light and let the dog out. I got my coat off and turned on the living room lights and flipped on the TV for some noise and let the dog back in. I filled his food dish and shut all of the lights back off, grabbed a salad and plopped on the couch. Buddy suddenly just bursts into the living room (he's blind and deaf) and comes right up to me and just seems really excitable over something. He sniffed around my feet until he finally did sit down, but he kept getting up and just seemed really out of sorts.

Didn't think too much about it since he is so old - but I was sort of keeping my eye on him. I went back out in the kitchen and much to my surprise the lamp is on in the entry way. This is a lamp I only ever have on if we have company in the evening. I never turn that thing on when I am alone. But it was ON. And on the dimmest setting. You have to click it over three times to get to that particular light level. I had not touched it. About the same time I realize Buddy is right behind me kinda looking around - even though he can only see shadows really - or so I think. Weird.

This morning - I set the child gate up in the living room door so that he would not go in the living room while I was in the shower. He can get "lost" in there and I have found him trapped between the wall and the couch on a couple occasions. Just as I was turning the water on upstairs I heard the bang of the gate hitting the kitchen floor and it kept banging like he was all caught up in it. I quickly shut the water off and ran downstairs, afraid he had his leg caught. The gate was on the floor alright, but Buddy was fast asleep in his bed in the laundry room.

Not sure what to make of this yet. I'm sure in a couple hours I will have thought of several logical explanations. But, for now, darkness has me a little on edge tonight. I don't like that feeling.

Random acts of kindness

2009-02-09T09:42:00.002-06:00

Mark and I often just get in the truck and drive on Sundays when we have nothing going on. Yesterday was no exception. Mark wanted to go to Prairie to get bird seed - and I had to tell him the story of the Piggly Wiggly that chased me into the wrong lane of traffic. He thought I was completely on crack. "How could you do that? We have driven out of that lot one hundred times!" I had no defense of course. I think I said, "Well, I....I just - I - don't have a clue." That about sums that up.

As we were leaving Prairie, we passed an antique/thrift store and Mark wanted to go have a look. So we enter a side door and notice an older man and a younger man trying to move a couch out the front door. A cute little gray haired lady watched in anticipation as they moved her "new" couch. Mark and I had split off. I was smelling one of one hundred soy candles and he went off somewhere else. I then hear from behind me from the older man moving the couch say "Oh, I just can't do this..." I immediately hear Mark jump in and say "Oh, here - let me give you a hand with that!" Mark picks up the end of the couch and he and the younger man flip the couch over on its side, and whisked right out the door into the truck. The little old lady was clapping!

I was watching this from the side and it was kind of heart warming - these two little people thought Mark was such a hero for doing this for them. Mark does things like this all the time, I remembered in that moment. One time a lady lost her Christmas tree on the side of the road. It had been curiously tied to the top of the car. Mark pulled over and with his truck load of little fixer things was able to get it back on the car and secured tightly. (Its probably still there!)

He saw a dog get hit once on his way home from work and the car that hit it, kept on driving. Mark pulled over and picked up the dog and carried to the house that was right there. He was met by a woman who was horrified to see her dog this way. Mark helped her with him and eventually left. The following week we got a card in the mail with a long letter of kindness and thanks and $5.00.

I have countless stories like this. It reminds me that little acts of kindness can truly make the difference between a good day and bad day to someone else.

As we were leaving the store yesterday, I had decided on the candle that I wanted and when I got up to the counter to pay for it, the lady pointed at Mark and asked if he was my husband. When I said that he was, she slid the candle back to me and said, "Here, please take this! Thank you so much for the help, I am here alone today." I tried to argue it but she insisted that I have the candle.

So I thanked her and away we went. What a cool little stop that turned out to be!

This little piggy nearly got whacked at the market...

2009-02-04T18:01:00.008-06:00

I have never considered myself to be a bad driver, but today I am re-thinking that possibility. I was in Prairie Du Chien and was going to drive home when I spotted a grocery store. Piggly Wiggly to be exact. So, I got a couple things there and upon leaving the parking lot - I must have had an out of body experience or something...

I pull out of the lot and start heading down the road and I immediately become aware of excessive horn honking and at the same time realize I am driving down the wrong way of a 4 lane highway. When I left the lot, I failed to cross the first two lanes over to the 2 lanes that flow north. Instead, I crossed one lane and began to drive north on the one of 2 lanes going SOUTH.
I immediately spewed out more swear words that I even knew I held in my repertoire. So, I slowed down and had no choice but to drive up the curb onto the meridian separating the 4 lanes and wait for an opening to hop on the correct direction of travel.

Alot occurs to you while you sit in a place like this, let me tell ya. I wish I would have had my camera. I may as well have been on fire, too, for the way people were pressed up against their windshields trying to get a glimpse of the dumb broad sitting on the meridian. I found myself just staring back like I somehow MEANT to be there. Right there. I was not in the wrong here - just move along peeps!!

I eventually found the opening to get back in traffic and was on my way. Its really hard to shake that off. I must have drove about 5 miles wondering how the hell I managed that cluster F&%@.

So, if you are reading this...be glad you were not in Prairie today!

What a dip...

2009-02-02T18:03:00.002-06:00

Before we had determined where we were going for the Super Bowl, my plan was to make a hot artichoke dip for whichever gathering we landed at. Since we ended up going to the party that was over an hour away, we scrapped the dip idea and just grabbed some cold stuff on our way there.

In my quest for something to snack on this afternoon, I remembered (with a good deal of delight) that I had all the ingredients to make this dip. I decided to make it today, with that voice in my head telling me I would only eat a little bit and then put the rest in the fridge (yes, I like it that much).

Well, I am pathetic. I ate the entire dish of dip with a tube of Butter Crisp crackers while I was watching Maury Povich. I don't know what of that last sentence has me in more self loathing. The dip or the show! What an awesome 25 minutes that was. Although, without the crackers and dip, I had to change the channel. My subconscious must relate fattening food with shows that are just as mindless and fattening for the psyche! Could over eating really be that deep?

I doubt it! LOL.

Happy Birthday, Dad.

2009-02-02T09:21:00.002-06:00

No matter how much time passes since their death, I still remember my parents' birthdays every year. Today is my dad's. Despite the fact my father had his fair share of problems in his life, one thing that always stands out when I remember him is his sense of humor.

He was one of the funniest people I knew growing up and I loved to hear him tell jokes to his friends. He had an infectious laugh with a bouncing belly that just made you laugh. He was a hard worker all of his life and he was adored us kids.

My earliest awareness of "Ground Hog's Day" was my dad [his birthday remember!] going outside first thing in the morning to see if he could see his shadow! It was a few years before I figured out Ground Hog's Day really had nothing to do with my dad seeing his shadow. It was also about that time it occurred to me how really funny that was!

So, Happy Birthday Dad!

bkay.

I hear the Earth..move...under my feet....

2009-02-01T03:19:00.004-06:00

I seem to be waking up earlier and earlier all the time. Today is the second day in about 3 or 4 that I am up before 4:00 a.m. feeling refreshed and ready to go. The trouble with that is the fact that M sleeps until about 6:00. I don't want to disturb him so I am fairly limited to what I can do around the house at this hour.

So it occurs to me this morning how many things there are that you do that make noise:

1) Making coffee. Running water at this hour sounds like you are at the base of Niagara Falls.

2) Letting the dogs out of the kennel. As soon as I am spotted leaving the house, a bark fest ensues until I get there - it is the equivalent to a 40 dog lock up.

3) Washing dishes. Forget it. See #1 and add the sound of a diner at around 8:00 a.m.

4) Baking. Add smell to obvious sound issues.

5) (There are 3 oatmeal cookies on the kitchen counter this morning. In a zip lock baggie. I have no idea where these came from. HELL NO. I am not eating one - as much as I want to.

6) Phone a friend. Conversation (particularly, mine) is noisy. This poses a problem for another reason. Who else do I know that is up at this hour, aside from maybe Suzie? But the moment I bank on that and call her, it will no doubt be the one night she has somehow found sleep.

7) Practice for my ping pong tournament. No explanation needed here.

8) I have the television on, but at a sound level best heard with your face about a foot from the screen. I think I will switch to the NASA channel. You can at least watch that without sound.

9)Vacuum. Can you imagine waking up at 3:00 in the morning to the sound of that thing going around the house! Man! I would be so pissed! LOL

10) Flush the toilet. See #1. Water seems to be a common theme here this morning. I never realized how many things involve the movement of water.

Well, I did manage to get a pot of coffee made - but it took about 4 minutes to fill the pot with water - with the faucet on a trickle. I could spit faster.

On another subject, since blogging is not that noisy, at least I don't think it is supposed to be....um - we are torn over what to do for the Super Bowl.

We have a couple parties we could go to. One party will be a drunkfest - which is quite fine! Entertaining, truth be said! But in order to have any sort of quality conversation one would have to arrive ....well, now would probably be good! Since I don't drink anymore, I always tell M when we get invited to stuff like this that I really only have about one or two hours of good conversation before things start going downhill!

About 3 hours into the evening I am fairly certain my hair could be on fire and no one would notice. Unless of course I was walking into the room with an arm load of beer! ("Brenda are you okay?!!! You shouldn't carry all that beer!" as my hair crumbles to the floor...)

But I guess Super Bowl parties are more about eating, drinking and being merry and less about good conversation? Oh and there is that football game thingy in there, too. Kidding! I actually like football alot. I sometimes enjoy not having a favorite team in the SB. It seems you enjoy the game alot more and you don't have to constantly remind yourself that the outcome of the game "has nothing to do with my quality of life so get over it!" Yeah - I like football!

On another less related note, I have switched the t.v. to this show about lock up. Guys in prison. The interviewer asks an inmate, "What do you miss most about life on the outside?" Answer, "Just being able to pick up and go to the beach and watch the tide if I want to. Being able to go to the park with my kids or go ride my bike on a sunny afternoon." I find it hard to believe that a guy doing life in prison for gang related murders really did alot of tide watching and beach combing in his leisure pre-prison days. I'm jis sayin'!!!

Well, I am going to go get myself a cup of that coffee now. It has occurred to me I could grab that new Bible I got and see how Genesis ends. I am at a cliff hanger and cannot wait to read how it goes - something about a flood. ;-)

Saving Private Ryan...

2009-01-28T19:01:00.002-06:00

I had a conversation today that I cannot get out of my head tonight. There is a man I have known for about 15 years now. He is kind, generous, caring, very funny, logical and seems to just have this smart funny, logical sense about him that I enjoy. He is married with 3 children - and a happy person - happy life. Our conversations are always good one's and I come to look forward these chats. I want to respect his privacy so that is all I will say to preface this story.

I had the opportunity to talk with him this afternoon and in the course of conversation he asked if I had seen Gran Torino. Not yet. Somehow the conversation progressed and we eventually landed on Tom Hanks movies. He talked about how bad he hated Forrest Gump. I said, "Who hates Forrest!!!! I loved that movie!" He said it made his skin crawl. Then he asked if I have seen "Saving Private Ryan". As he stood there he began to change right before my eyes.

His face began to get red and I could clearly see he was tearing up and trying to look away from me. Then he says, "I think I lived another life and fought in World War II." I started to laugh, because this guy is just notoriously fall down funny. He said, "NO. I'm serious. All of my life I have been plagued by thoughts of WWII. As soon as I was old enough to learn, it became apparent to everyone around me that I could not handle talking about or even seeing movies about WWII. It is so horrifying to me, that I cannot handle even discussing it like this." He continued on for awhile and told me that when he was 16 he was to be involved in a school project about it. He was eventually pulled out of it because of the emotional turmoil. This has gone on all of his life.

He believes that he fought in that war in another life. Coming from anyone else - I might have just heard it and walked away thinking, "Hmm. Could be." But because it was "him" there is no question in my mind he is a man that is aware of "something" within him that is very staggering.

I didn't ask alot of questions but he shared enough for me to know he did not arrive at this conclusion easily. It was painfully, in fact. I read once that peoples fear's are supposed be due to some trauma in another life that directly involve [i.e.] flying or heights. Hmm. I hope I get to talk with him again about this.

There is really no point to this post. I guess I continue to be reminded of how important it is to keep an open mind when it pertains to life in general. Life is a fascinating journey. For everything we claim we can prove or disprove, can we really?

Another plug in the virtual wall!

2009-01-27T18:47:00.002-06:00

So, I now have the Facebook experience to add to my repertoire of virtual activities to keep me entertained! So far, it is alot like being in a library with a blindfold on. You can stumble in and find all the books but what the hell are they about! There seems to be an infinite array of toggles, tools, walls, messages, notes, pokes, peeks, photo op's, word games, and picture tag. I will figure it out. It's cool to see so many people from highschool I have not thought about in a long time.

As much I as I like this, I am so glad I do not have access to this mental overload at work! I am sticking to my guns about not being overly "plugged in" or too dependent on computer land. I remember when instant messaging first rolled out - I was like a heroin addict. HAD to be on it all the time. Developed a rather large following of people - dare I say "friends" - that I have never met and will never meet! This had to be around 1997? In there somewhere. I had to work weekends because I spent so many work hours with my new "friends". As it has happened with other things in my life, one day I thought about it and decided, "Eh - this is steering in a direction I am not caring for...". There was drama, pressure to "meet real time", obsessions and suggestions began to pop up for some twisted sh#@$. I dropped it cold turkey. It was bordering on creepy and I am too smart for that. (I think...)

At least now, if any of my Facebook friends show up on my doorstep, I am fairly certain I would not be in fear of my well being - well - maybe. Am I giving you too much credit? You know who you are! Kidding!

This is fun! Facebook and blogging - ahh - it's a good thing! (suzie - get yer butt on there now, gerl!)

Monday, Monday...

2009-01-26T17:50:00.007-06:00

Not much to report today. I don't work Monday's, so I spent some time picking up around the house, ran an errand and got home just in time for a very important delivery I was not expecting today!

A Bible. I have a Bible that I got when I was a kid and have tried very hard - and on many occasions - to read it like a favorite novel. It doesn't happen that way though, I stumble - I don't understand certain things and let's be honest - it is not the easiest read. Before I know it, my mind drifts along as I am "reading" and I have not a clue what I just read. Back in the drawer it always goes. I have danced this dance for years...

I know "the basics", like most people do and the stories from the Bible we grew up with. But, I seem to be at a point where I want to understand it beyond my general knowledge of it. So, in "my travels" I found a book, that is "the Bible", but written for a dope like me ;-) So, it arrived today! It is an "amplified Bible" I guess to use the appropriate term. It is not a re-write of the Bible, it just has additives to help you understand what you are reading.

With this particular book, each page offers sidebar explanations to some of the more complicated verses. About every other page will elaborate on a certain aspect of what is being talked about and then explains how certain verses can be applied to your own way of life. Absolutely the best $35.00 I have ever spent. I am 25 pages into it and had a hard time putting it down. A very good sign. :-)

I did one other thing today. Taking inspiration from michaelg, I ventured up into the attic and found my mothers wedding dress. I kind of dreaded doing it because I was uncertain of what condition I would find it in. Turns out, it was as I left it 13 years ago. Yellow, but very much salvagleable. I will need to get the name of that restorer, mg. I am actually surprised at what good condition it is in. That thing has traveled all over with me in my roaming twenties. It is truly amazing it never got left behing at one of my many apartments.

I also found our wedding china up there. A good deal of it was given to us as wedding gifts, but I don't have a complete set and I don't really know if I want one at this point! But, my goal is to figure out what I have and then slowly add pieces - or I guess I could just buy a set of white Corelle and fill in the blanks. I cannot recall one meal in the past 15 years where I have thought, "OH! Let us run get the good China shall we?" Quite the contrary actually in this family! A decision for another day, maybe! But all in all not bad for a Monday, Monday!

When bargain shopping goes bad...

2009-01-23T15:28:00.006-06:00

I ended up having today off, which was a nice surprise. (Some schedule switching, again). That said, I was looking forward to picking up some jeans I ordered from JC Penney. This particular brand of jeans you can buy in the store, but I can never find a long inseam. Only short and average. I like this particular brand because they seem to "work" for my build.

I have several pair of the average length, but find after a few times in the wash - they are high water. So, I ordered some online - same jeans but with the long inseam. While I was there, I picked up a bra on clearance and a hat, scarf glove combo for free! (Buy one clearance get the another clearance item free!)

I get home and can't wait to rip the tags off the jeans and get them washed and ready to wear! After a second thought, I stopped - and thought I should try them on before getting too ambitious. Well.

The jeans are certainly long enough - but waaaay too big. They are the same size as the ones I have on, mind you. Actually, one isn't really TOO big - I could probably shrink the heck out of them - but the other pair, exactly the same - is painfully large. To the point they barely stay up. (?????)

I know this is not uncommon - different fits among the same style of jeans - this is day and night, though. So, I as I stood there, holding them up in front of me, I happened to see the tag on the waistband reads, "Made in Egypt". Huh. Picked up the second pair, "Made in Sri Lanka". Interesting. I picked up the pair that I had worn today that are becoming too short, "Made in China".

So, there you go. Apparently there is no hand book for a "Gold Standard" or anything posted on the walls where these people are stitching up the jeans. Not even a pencil drawing of each size I'll bet. They are clearly winging it....(Yeah, that looks to be about a size 9.....close enough...."

Fiddle sticks - at least I got a new bra, right? NO. I tried that on....it might fit my BARBIE if I still had one. What's the deal!

So - I got nothing. Well, I take that back - I have a hat, scarf and gloves. That might look nice - but without the jeans and the bra - people might talk....

Oh yeah, and what makes this painful is that I have the "free" hat, gloves and scarf because I bought 2 pairs of jeans and a bra that don't fit. What a bargain!

POTUS

2009-01-20T19:27:00.002-06:00

I constructed my day today so that I would be able to watch the Inauguration of our 44th POTUS. I couldn't help but become exhausted by the commentary and specifically the reporting of absolute minutia. I realize the reporters commanding the desk have to bear a considerable challenge in finding things to talk about the entire day while the camera just sits on people... out in the elements - moving and being cold. But, like a good football game, it sometimes is just better watched and enjoyed with the mute button on.

Charlie Gibson turned into the teacher on the Peanuts cartoon after a couple hours and all I could hear was the "wah wah wah..." droning on about drapes or paint color and something about an air freshener in the royal lavoritory. "Huh...what time is it....when is this thing gonna happen?" as I check the clock for the 44th time. It rather made my brief stay on VH1 and the Rock of Love Bus yesterday like landing on PBS.

Oh well. A rather inspiring few hours - mute button and all!

While I am thinking of it-

2009-01-19T18:23:00.003-06:00

I think I might have missed the purpose of the 6 random things tag! I didn't post things about myself necessarily - just anything that had rattled in my head the past weekend and a couple things that really just popped in my head. So there - now that's off my chest!

I have to post this. I grabbed something to eat tonight and since I am alone, I dined in the living room in front of the telly. In my random channel flipping, I came across "Brett Michaels Rock of Love Bus" on VH1. More train wreck television. I was there long enough to see a blonde chick playing hockey and go flying across the ice and she lands hard face first. Her chest takes a big hit. Needless to say, she popped an implant and sprained her wrist. (Good gravy, now I am re-thinking what I did to my wrist...)

Anyway - the medic asked her if her implant was saline or silicone - she didn't know. She was voted off, however, since Brett found out she really had a boyfriend and in a secret phone call to him one night, she told him that Brett's hair extensions were ugly and Brett looked old.

I can't watch that and pay my Dish TV bill with a clean conscience.

I have been tagged to write 6 random things:

2009-01-19T07:02:00.002-06:00

1) If you mix decaffeinated coffee grounds and regular coffee grounds together, the person who drinks the caffeinated coffee will not be able to tell the difference, nor will the person who drinks the decaffeinated.

2) Does the outcome of a football game say more about the team that won or more about the team that lost?

3) I used to think I could not survive without the income from the job I worked at for 16 years. Two years later I am alive and doing very well. (This one inspired by Ruth's list).

4) I went to sleep last night and I felt great. This morning I feel like I have sprained my left wrist. I hope I have not challenged my inner psyche by writing about my lucid dreams. I feel like I was in an all night ping pong tournament.

5) We should hold a national funeral for the "accident". There are no accidents anymore. When something bad happens, people climb out of the woodwork with their blame tags looking for someone to pin them on. Some people just cannot cope with or process an honest accident.

6) This time of year it is hard to find something to do. We thought of a couple museums we should go walk through, but one of them had been flooded last year and was not even open. Later in the day, we found ourselves in a huge antique store in LaCrosse. As I strolled through the hundreds of thousands of old and really old items, it occurred to me this was just as good as a museum. It is a museum in its own right and you can even buy one of the exhibits if you really want to.

Lucid Dreaming

2009-01-18T16:20:00.003-06:00

I have now had a second lucid dream. There are people who try to teach themselves how to do this and while I probably would never do that - I have had 2 pretty cool lucid dreams without even trying.

A couple years ago, I had a dream that I was in a tornado. But I knew it was a dream, and I was telling the person with me, to "come and walk! this is a dream I promise you - we can't be hurt!" It was awesome. At one point in the dream, I wanted to fly (which is strangely a recurring dream of mine - but not lucid). So we flew and flew and a point arrived where I knew I was waking up and I was telling the person with me to hurry and fly because it was almost over.

Friday night I dreamed that I was at our class reunion! It was at Country View Golf Course [again] I think - or so it looked that way. There were dinosaurs running all about in kind of a Jurassic Park fashion and I was hiding behind this small hill with a person I don't think I knew. And then suddenly, I stand up and tell the guy with me that we are in a dream and we should run out and be free with the dinosaurs. Eventually, we are able to get on a couple of them and ride them like elephants. The person keeps asking me if we are going to be hurt and I keep assuring him I am taking good care of both of us - because this is my dream and we can do whatever we want!

This goes on for what seemed a very long time. My friend then asks how long it will all last and I tell him, "as long as I want it to last!" Then I ask him who we should conjer up - "Who would you most like to see or talk to in the entire world?" I don't recall the answer and then I start to smell coffee in the dream.

I tell my friend it is all about to end because I have to go and he is begging me to stay because he wants to talk to some people. Then - boom - I am awake and Mark is downstairs making coffee!

I wonder who I would have brought in to the dream next?! It is one of the freakiest experiences but very cool! The first one I never tried to control the dream, I went more with what was taking place. In this one though, I was creating stuff all over the place and totally commanding the experience! Interesting!

The Snorkel

2009-01-16T07:00:00.004-06:00

As I was tromping around in frigidness this morning at 5:00 a.m. - I wasn't cold at all. I was properly dressed for this kind of air. Out of no where I got an image of the Snorkel Parka!

Growing up, there were 3 or 4 kids in the neighborhood that had them - I never did - but it was the ultimate in sliding gear! Kids that had the snorkel could outlast the kid with the hat and scarf by a long shot!

Sometimes I got jealous of that kid tromping around with the Snorkel Parka! But then again - they never saw anything coming! Peripheral vision was completely obliterated! If you were clever enough you could just walk up and steal a sled or toboggan and they would just stand there! Patiently waiting their turn to go down the hill. Then, the realization that the sled is gone! A couple kids would cry - and you couldn't see them crying thanks to the snorkel - you only heard it.

There were 2 kids I used to sled with that had snorkels (they were brother and sister). They fought constantly and when one of them was trying to get the upper hand, they would start smacking at each other and eventually one would grab the others snorkel! Then it was all over! The person with the handful of snorkel could pull the other to the ground without even trying! I remember laughing so hard I had to sit down in the snow!

Having a hat and scarf wasn't so bad! We had the advantage of a full range of vision! I wish I had one today though - so here's to the Snorkel!

Thump.

2009-01-14T21:47:00.003-06:00

I am not one to get freaked out these days - and tonight is no exception. However, (notice I didn't say BUT), tonight I just have some things going bump in the night I don't know about.

Earlier today, I passed through the living room and I swear I smelled cigarette smoke. So much so, I stopped what I was doing to try and figure it out. It seemed to just go away once I noticed it. We don't smoke and no one has ever smoked in this house.

This evening, there are bumps, cracks and a thump from upstairs that has me looking over my shoulder just a little. At one point, I heard a commotion in the laundry room and thought Buddy must be up to something. Upon further inspection, he is sound asleep in his new little bed. I guess a logical mind would connect these noises to the fact it is painfully cold outside and an old house is just going to make noise? Sounds feasible.

Right?

2009-01-14T15:03:00.004-06:00

facelift in progress...

One more thing..

2009-01-14T09:15:00.002-06:00

NEVER adjust the thermostat this time of year if you are feeling cold. Last night before I went upstairs, I knocked the heat up to 72 degrees. (I hope Mark does not read this!) My intention was to turn it back down in an hour or so...you know....just take the chill off a little..... *eye roll*

Well, this morning - it was like waking up on the surface of the sun. Unlit candles are melting all over the living room. The snow has melted a ring around the house - just like Saturn. Buddy is panting and looking at me like, "Jeez - could ya just put on a sweatshirt next time? I mean, REALLY."

Dumb move. Mental note - leave the thermostat ALONE! No wonder I ran out of propane.

A massage, a big wheel and a random gift...

2009-01-14T07:55:00.005-06:00

Well - I just did the spell check on that last post! Sorry about that!

I had the massage yesterday and it was great! All this time I didn't think I could lay on my stomach anymore - and was prepared for a different massage. At the last minute, while I was still in the room alone, I thought, "I'm just gonna see if it hurts..." So, I gently rolled over and it actually felt really good! Quite comfortable even. So, I got the massage and that did wonders and I found out I am not as decrepit as I thought I was! (I never asked about the crazy message I left, however!)

I got home and was just doing the normal stuff and couldn't help but notice I just felt tired overall, didn't feeling like doing anything and didn't even feel like watching TV. I chalked it up to the overall relaxation of the massage. So at about 6:45 last night, I just decided to go upstairs and read and then maybe watch some TV. That is the last thing I remember! Well, until midnight. With my cell phone on the bed next to me (left over habit from the post surgery days) I am awakened by my text ringy. Who would be texting me at midnight on a Tuesday night?

It was from a girlfriend. She must have been out on the town somewhere - but the text was pretty funny! It said, "There is a report of a drunk and naked crazy person, wearing snow boots and riding a big wheel along I-90. Do you need me to come get you?" I laughed and closed the phone and lay there thinking it would be even funnier to text her back, "No, I got it parked okay, but I think the battery will be dead in the morning...." I imagine that would have been a hit wherever she was at - but I also figured that might be just enough "funny" for her to want to actually CALL me - so I opted to not respond!

I don't know what today has in store for me yet. It's cold, snowy and the wind is blowing what snow we did get, like it's in a washing machine. I will probably venture out later. I had some time to kill before my massage yesterday, so I wandered into JC Penney's. They always have such huge bargains this time of year. I got a pink fleece pullover sweatshirt for $4.99. That's cheaper than Goodwill! Last year, I got Mark a leather coat that was marked down (no pun intended, there LOL) from 75.00 to $6.99! I gave it to him for Christmas and even kept the receipt because I wanted to prove to him what I paid for it! We thought that was so great, we went back and bought 5 more coats and gave them away to a couple friends and a couple people we knew needed a nice winter coat. I think I will do that again with some of these bargains. Maybe I will hit the children's section this time.

So, here's a challenge! I would encourage anyone reading this post to hit your local JC Penney's (or other store) and pick up a few of these awesome bargains. It is a tough time for all of us, I suppose, but there is always someone that is worse off, or so I have found. Pass your bargain along to someone else you know is in need of a little pick me up or drop them off at a center where you know they would help. I have learned the best gift ever, is one where you just do it quietly and tell no one else about it. Not even your spouse. Receive no praise. Your quiet satisfaction will be more praise than you could ever imagine!

Stay happy and stay warm!!! I am envisioning August....98 degrees in the shade and 99% humidity.....wringing wet and trying to look pretty and comfortable with a t-shirt permanently sticking to my back!

Finally, I am getting a massage...

2009-01-13T12:22:00.005-06:00

I am going to get my first massage later this afternoon. This is something I have wanted to do for a long time - but for some reason I have just not made it a priority and I just never make the call. Mark has been after to me to do it because I have a ridiculously "tight" neck and shoulders - it seems all the time. The place that came recommended to me is in Decorah and when I called I got a machine that says "we are in session, leave a message and we'll call you back". That was quite fine - please don't leave someone mid-massage to answer the phone! So, I start to explain what I want and then go to leave my cell number and get the first 3 digits out - then blank. What the heck is my cell phone number? I have NO idea in this very moment! So then, keep in mind I am on a recording - I start to just spew numbers out then, "Wait no - that's not it [nervous laugh] I am such an idiot right now - (another number) - no that's my old number (yeah I said that, too) um....huh - gosh I feel so dumb I don't know what that number is right now...um call me at home - yeah...." So I rattle off that number and painfully so - wishing I had the option to erase and try again. I finally hang up and end the suffering on both ends! Strangely enough, she called me back. I will have to ask her when I am there how dumb I sounded...

On a completely unrelated note! There is a gal that has come to read my blog, her name is Judi, and she has passed along an "award" of sorts to me! The purpose, as I understand it, is to pass this along to owners of other blogs you find inspiring, interesting or just fun to read. It is a way to sort of network and make new friends! Turns out Judi is quite the creative soul! She makes decorations, crafts, loves vintage and has a knack for remodeling and fixing up houses to resell - and that is probably just what she did today! So, thank you Judi!

Here is Judi's blog: http://thevintagehopechest.blogspot.com/

The highlight of my day was the low light

2009-01-10T22:14:00.003-06:00

Today I had to call the neighor to come over and shoot a racoon that took residence under a pine tree near the dog kennel. :(

I tried to help this little guy a few days ago. The dogs found him curled up by the central air unit. We have the occasional raccoon here - usually it appears to be somebody who got tagged by daylight before he could find a place to hide until dark again! So, I put the dogs back in the kennel and was not super confident about walking up and just jabbing it to see what it would do. So I went back in the house and got a broom, climbed on the kitchen counter and opened the window - dangled the broom down to where he was and gave him a gentle poke. He looked up at me as if to say, "Awright - I'm going, I'm going...". He lumbered off to the nearest tree and climbed up and found a spot to curl up again. I had a bad feeling about this guy then. He was moving way too slow - but I thought he deserved a chance...

Jack got to him today before I knew what he was running to. He grabbed the little guy by the back of the neck and tossed him. I immedietily commanded Jack and Lucy back to the kennel - and locked them up in hopes he would run off like all the others. That was not to be - he could not even roll back over on his stomach. He layed there and was clearly suffering badly.

So, with Mark's advice (he was working today) I called the neighbor - who shoots things with ease :-/ That part bothered me. But what else to do?

Okay - enough with the posts about DEATH for awhile - I promise!

The moon is freakishly bright tonight!! It has created this awesome reflection on the iced over snow and it looks like water out there. Very cool! If it was warm - I would be under that sky right now! But if it was warm I would have no reflection, stupid...what am I thinking.... ;-)

Good night....

Thought provoking news....

2009-01-09T20:02:00.011-06:00

I always find it strange when a celebrity either passes on or faces a tragedy in their own life. Most recently, John Travolta's son, Jett. I have been a fan of JT longer than I can even recall. One of my favorite movies was "Michael" - btw.

When I heard about his son, I got this pit in my stomach and could only imagine the horror of losing a child. You truly do not need to know someone to feel and understand their pain. After my mother died, I remember my dad telling me that there are 2 types of deaths that will change your life forever. Death of a spouse and death of a child. My dad was drawing from his deep sorrow in losing my mother - but I imagine that he was qualified to say that losing a child would be equally as heart wrenching.

I lost my parents at an age where I also had the world ahead of me (age 16 for mom and 18/19 for dad). I don't think I completely understood the gravity of what I was living at the time. Or maybe I was just that resilient. I think you lose some of that with age. Maturity adds gravity. I also think "maturity" has a way of robbing [overriding] some very basic instincts and principals we come naturally equipped with.

I watched the Barbara Walters special the other night where she interviewed Patrick Swayze (diagnosed and living -for now- with pancreatic cancer). When asked how long he hoped to live, he said, "Five years" and that was wishful thinking. Then he said, "Two years would be good...". Just typing that is hard to do.

I guess we are all more alike than we are different. Famous or not. I was told last year by someone I respect very much, that we should teach ourselves to approach life (and death) as children do. I can't help but wonder if that is not just trying to re-learn what maturity has robbed from us. Prophetic, really!

On the radio...

2009-01-07T15:28:00.005-06:00

I love songs that had enough of an impact when they were popular that now, hearing them again, can take you right back to a specific moment and you can recall what you were doing.

On the way home today: "Boys of Summer" by Don Henley. I was living in Spillville and moved there briefly to be closer to my best friend who moved in with her boyfriend, who lived with his parents (and I thought this was a good thing to follow....*eye roll*). I hooked up with a gal that was a brief friend to the both of us and lived with her. I remember this song coming on MTV one day when I was sitting on the couch thinking, "Why am I here in this stupid little town, in this stupid little house, doing nothing with my stupid little life, hanging out with these STUPID little people." It wasn't long after that I woke up from that brief walk down that stupid little path and got on my way to my own life. I like that song!

"Brandy" by Looking Glass. I was in grade school - I have no idea what age - but I remember riding my green bike with a red sparkly banana seat in the driveway. The radio was blaring in the garage and I remember thinking, as I listened to the lyrics, "How do you lay whiskey down? Won't it run all over?" Ah - to be young at literal again!

Lastly, "Band on the Run". Endless afternoons working at Wonder Cave with nothing to do but sit and listen to the radio. "Cupid" (draw back your bow-oooo- OH! and let yer arrow go) also reminds me of the summer stint at Wonder Cave. That was a cool job, looking back! Lots of fun jokes (tossing the other tour guide's flash light batteries in the cornfield) and giving lots of tours - a few scary ones, too. But all in all - that radio was our lifeline and it is a good growing up memory.

So then - I am home - and the endless barking brings me back to January 2009!

Am I who I say I am? And more....

2009-01-05T18:36:00.003-06:00

A quick update on the weekend. I am somewhat annoyed to report that I lost miserably in Monopoly. The Slumking cashed in at just over $30,000 in cash and property - and after I deducted my I.O.U. I was $1,500 and some change in the hole. I need to add that I had to practically beg to end the game early. Dr. Phil doesn't even have boot straps long enough to pull himself up from that mess.

On a lighter note - and much less costly... I made pork stroganoff out of my lurking kitchen items last night. It was fabulous! I am a bit concerned at the number of packages of Ramen noodles I have come across. Since I KNOW I was never present at the acquisition of 15 or 18 packages that and the half dozen boxes of Kraft Macaroni and Cheese - I can only assume M must have really thought rough times were ahead. I do like Ramen noodles but I like to watch my sodium intake. I can feel my fingers swelling just thinking about it. I will have to do some of those salads minus the season packet.

Since I am 2 paragraphs into this post and wanted to indulge a little on my 20 minute errand that took 3 hours today - here is the Readers Digest Version - give or take:

Went to US Cellular to get a new cell phone contract. Since I was coming off my friends package plan, I needed to get my own which involved a credit check. I hand over my drivers license and a few seconds in, the guy looks up and says, "Its expired - I can't do anything until you renew it." Argh. I grab my license back and off to the courthouse. I take the little eye exam (does anyone NOT pass that thing?) and then sit down at the table while 'she' enters my information. "Hmmmmm" she says. "HHHHHHHMMMMMM" again. I am staring at her and then, "We run a cross check now with the SS# administration and I am not finding a match. Do you have your SS card?" No. Of course I don't. Since my application for a renewal has now been put into reject status she must fill out a form to give me that states why I cannot renew my license.

Argh. She tells me I must take this form to the SS office to get a new card. I grab my stuff back [again] and off the to the SS office. After gaining access to the cube land to speak to someone (story for another day) yet one more person appears to be dilgently working on my request then, "Hmmm. Why did you say you were here to get a new SS card?" I explain and then she proceeds to tell me that because they still have my maiden name there and I have not just been married, I must produce my marriage license and 2 forms of I.D. with my maiden name. Qualifying items would be an old life insurance policy - you know, anything I would have long since thrown away!!!

So - I grab my stuff back for the last time (2 hours into this now) and drive home to start looking for a needle in a haystack. I did manage to find a few things and brought an entire file of stuff with my maiden name on it just because. Back at the SS office, they seem mildly amused that I am back so quickly as my rather feeble "proof of who I am" tumbles out of my file and onto the counter. I say, "Here we go - I think I have it..." And she laughs! Was she really laughing at me???? So I laughed too! And then it all just seemed really funny! I was annoyed all afternoon and it now just all seemed really funny.

So, I don't have a new cell phone contract - or a drivers license....but dammit! The government finally knows who I really am! What a good days work!

New Year Challenges and Monopoly

2009-01-02T09:21:00.002-06:00

On New Years Eve, we opted for some board games in lieu of going out on the town and ringing in the New Year! This was the catalyst, then, for what has become a weekend long Monopoly tournament! It has been on the kitchen table now since 8:00 a.m. yesterday and we play off and on as we feel like it. The honor system is in place, I might add, so that when we quit - there is no cheating! The game will end at 6:00 p.m. Sunday night and - as the rule states - the richest in money and property will be crowned the victor! It got ugly last night. Early in the game I was winning - and painfully so. I took pity upon my neighbor and sold him Boardwalk so he had some cash flow. Little did I know, that would later set him up as the biggest slum lord in Monopoly history and now I barely have 2 cents to rub together. I plan on digging my heels in deep for the next round, however.

While playing Monopoly and discussing what we should have for the various meals over the weekend, we made a little challenge for ourselves. I'm sure you can all relate to the somewhat full "pantry" of items you have had for months to years that you never seem to try to do anything with. Add to that, a freezer in the basement with miscellaneous cuts of meat - and alot of it - and then a few cupboards with the same random canned food and pasta's. Yet, we always seem to go to the grocery store for the same circular selection of meals. It gets expensive - and yet all this "other" food is here.

We have challenged ourselves to not buy any groceries (aside from fresh fruit, veg and milk, butter and bread (after the frozen bread dough runs out) until we get through the majority of this stuff. All good food items - just requiring some thawing, thought and creativity to put something together.

Last night I made homemade pizza and I must say it was one of the best I ever made. I will keep you posted on Slum Lord Monopoly and the culinary delights I manage to come up with!

Happy 31-Dec-2008!!!

2008-12-31T15:49:00.005-06:00

Since I don't have enough "material" today to create a post - I will steal the listy format to hang a few of today's thoughts out there. (I am painfully bored...)

1. We must call SuzieQ and see if she has fallen and can't get up. She has not posted anything on her blog since being annoyed by people annoyed by the bad weather. I fear one of them may have followed her home and shoved her in her trunk.

2. Dr. Phil. Today he is talking to adults who have amnesia with no recollection of their identity or their past. Did he really need to ask the question of Benjamin (after Ben confesses how tough it is to get a job without a SS#) "Why can't you get a social security number, Ben?" Um...he just told you - he doesn't know who he is. He knows his name is Ben. So, that might be ONE little stumbling block there, Phil. He can't even get a library card in the state he is in. Not knowing who you are is sort of a deal breaker. I could do that show with my eyes tied behind my back.

3. I have a about a 45-55 second walk down the driveway to my mailbox. I feel like I need to send a note to my neighbor and let him know why I am driving my vehicle to get the mail. Sheet of ICE, pal. I just had major surgery 2 months ago and if I fall it's curtains, Buddy! OR - I guess I could wait to see if he asks... ;) I wonder if he is even home...

4. It's New Years Eve. We have no real plans to speak of which is somewhat troubling. It wasn't troubling until I talked to a girlfriend on the phone and she told me about her plans. They are going to Priairie Du Chien to watch the Carp Drop at midnight. Huh. Apparently, somebody caught a monstrous carp in the fall - they got it all taxidermitized - with lipstick - and are going to drop it in the Mississippi at midnight - much like they lower the ball in Times Square. My only response to my friend was, "I hope AP doesn't get ahold of this..."

5. I am re-thinking the Carp Drop. I must broaden my horizons. Or in this case would I be minimizing my horizons? I must email Dr. Phil.

6. I think taxidermitized is a good word. Yes, it is a word. One just needs to think it and type it and it is SO. ;-)

7. If Maury Povich, Dr. Phil and Steve Wilko all got trapped in an elevator - I wonder who would come out with a black eye?

Happy New Year!!!!!! Woo HOO!

Happy Birthday to me!

2008-12-30T21:32:00.003-06:00

This bloomed on Sunday - and it was also my birthday!

I have had Amaryllis' in the past but this is the first time I had 4 flowers on one stem! There is not a way to take the picture to get the other two, obviously, but they are there! Very cool! (Side note: This picture almost didn't take place. As I was walking the container over to the kitchen table I was holding it high enough, and it is tall enough, that I nearly stuck it in the ceiling fan spinning away on high! My spirit would have been completely broken, I tell ya! Whew!)

We had a family get together at my oldest brothers on my birthday, too! I actually had most of my family believing that I had turned 35! That is until my other sister- n- law showed up and did the math - making her husband (my brother) 7 years younger than she is. She was having no part of that! People are funny about age!

I really don't have an issue with being 39.

In the heat of it...I kept my cool ;-)

2008-12-29T18:27:00.004-06:00

Well, heat was restored to my humble hang out, but not before I was mildly annoyed.

The furnace guy came just as I was leaving to go to work. I told him how to get in the house and all other pertinent info relating to my sudden heat loss. As I was leaving Casey's to get water, hubby calls on my cell phone. The furnace guy is reporting there is nary a thing wrong with the furnace and upon further inspection - we are out of propane. Nothing mechanical, merely an absence of the invisible nectar that makes our life happy and warm.

Well, "HOW THE HECK CAN THAT BE?" I not so calmly asked my husband. We are on an even pay program, meaning, they come in and top off the tank each month and we pay a flat fee until June. Then they assess the usage and it starts all over again the following winter. Under this operating "theory" - one should not every experience a shortage of fuel. Heh, heh!

I called the main office of the company that delivers to us, gave the lady the above synopsis, give or take - and after an annoying degree of silence, she spouts off, "Huh - yer right - I wunder why yer out........................." [add more silence here] Well, "I know why we're out. No one delivered propane." I couldn't help myself and felt I used HUGE restraint because I wanted to add, "And, yet yer taking the money from my checking account each month without hesitation and here I sit with a cold house and you have my money - jig is up there sunshine!!!" But, hey it's Christmas. I asked her how we fix the conundrum instead.

She pushed me again. She told me it was not "her" problem and the driver of the fuel truck is the one who holds the key to my happiness, apparently. "Each driver has their own route and they are responsible for topping off the tanks each month. " Breathe deeply. So, little miss sunshine gives me the drivers cell number and then proceeds to tell me that because the tank is bone dry, they will now have to bleed the lines and someone has to be at my house to turn the furnace back on. So, the "driver" who is becoming more God like as this conversation proceeds, has the power to fill his truck with propane, drive it to my house (if he so chooses), fill the tank next to my house (granting my heat request) but he can't go in and turn on the furnace if I tell him how to get in?

So- long story short here - the DRIVER came, my neighbor came over and did the furnace part - and the driver called me about 6:30 that night (I was still at work). I had to give him a little credit, though. I was so annoyed in dealing with his office and this pass the buck mentality, so I asked him why we ran out since we were on "the program". After a short silence, he confessed it was his fault. He misfiled our card and because he had switched to another route briefly to help another guy, he never caught it right away.

I so appreciated his honesty that I thanked him for getting it taken care of and wished him a Merry Christmas. I'm sure he expected a huge butt chewing - because I literally heard a sigh of relief on the other end as he thanked me, again.

Now... I wonder who is going to pay for the service call on the furnace? It won't be ME! *mwaHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHHHA!!!*

You thought losing internet service was bad...

2008-12-23T13:05:00.002-06:00

So, we have all complained about losing our blessed Internet "connection" from time to time. Myself included. But, today I am here merely to say that I would trade this super quick, cat like speed of a connection [to the rest of the free world and beyond] - for one other life luxury.

HEAT.

Around 10:00 this morning, I was standing at the counter writing out some checks. My nose was seriously COLD. It's about this time you look up for a second, take a mental note of your surroundings and, "It's really cold in here. What the?" Lo and behold, upon inspection of the thermostat the house is at 65 degrees. Not super cold - but relative to the fact it is freezing outside and this feels much colder than a 65 degree summer day.

After flipping the switches I know to flip and check when things like this are in question, still no heat. So, I have called the repairman and as I type this it is 1:10 and 62 degrees. I am becoming aware that time is now relative to temperature and pretty soon I won't care what time it is and I will just be checking the temperature. I think I add a layer for each degree lost. I have boots on now.

Yes, I would much rather tear my Internet connection from the wall with my bare hands than be without heat for the same amount of time. Coffee. I will make some coffee.

Neat Snow!!!

2008-12-22T18:15:00.006-06:00

Well, well, well! Mother Nature did not disappoint this past few days! I must agree with SuzieQ - the number of people complaining about the winter weather in IOWA this WINTER is exhausting!

I was in Waterloo for Mark's work Christmas party Friday night and I would venture to say that EVERY person I talked to, known and unknown, rattled off some complaint about the weather.

Are people really surprised at the white stuff coming from the sky - this time of the year -and in this state of the union? Las Vegas - yeah - I might be miffed if SNOW screwed up my plans - but then again - its so pretty in the big scheme. In the big picture. Life is full of these little wonderment's. (I am thinking that's a word.)

A little snow sculpture managed to reach across our front gate over night Saturday! And another drift to the left of that is as tall as I am (second pic)! Aside from the fact it can be time consuming to shovel - I just really have no complaints!

This will likely be a snow cave by winters end! We made a lot of them one year. For what - I really don't know. Maybe just to say that we CAN!

Foot to mouth

2008-12-16T01:18:00.006-06:00

I can relate MG. While I don't have the tickle in my throat that is keeping your house up at night, it seems I have developed a sharp pain in the ball of my left foot. This pain only seems to come on about 2 hours after I have gone to bed. I am hoping I just stepped wrong and this will go away. A cold ice pack seems to stop the little shooter dead in its tracks - but that is hardly something you want on your foot in the middle of the night this time of year.

I had a couple check ups in Rochester yesterday and I am happy to report a sparkling review from both the plastic surgeon and my regular doctor. I don't have to go back to see the young, good looking plastics guy at all - and my regular doctor said, "call me in April - now get out of here and have some fun!" I have the green light to do everything from working to swimming to jogging - I just cannot lift stupid amounts of weight or shovel snow. Thankfully, these were not hobbies I ever embraced, so I think I will cope with the "loss" fairly well!

I had one complaint to report when I went to see the regular doctor today. I cannot sneeze. I mean, the sensation comes, I am almost ready to let it loose and it ends up being a couple quick weird inhales and it sometimes just cannot come out. Its like that cry thing that happens when you have cried a long time and you inhale suddenly and quickly 3 or 4 times in a row. Since she feels there is no medical reason for this - she suggested that I have come to "teach" myself to do this. For the past few months, I have been living in fear of a sneeze and when I feel one coming on I grab my stomach and brace for the worst. It doesn't really hurt to sneeze - I guess I feel like my abdomen might explode and the skin graft will hit the wall. I really don't know.

So, as I sat back this past evening I felt one coming again - I tried to relax and just take a deep breath and it did finally come. And - I am in one piece. She might be right on this. I will have to take inventory of a few more, though, before I will sign off on it! Never underestimate the power of a good sneeze. You will miss this little party trick when you "teach" yourself not to do it.

We ate at the Hu Hut at Apache Mall today. My first experience with filling a bowl with as much random food you can pack in and then standing in line watching it all stir fry on a big round flat top grill at the hand of two guys who walk around smacking spatulas the size of Nebraska. I must say it is a well orchestrated "dance" they do. I couldn't help wondering, as I stood there watching some short little chubby mans sauce bleed over into my pile of random food, if they ever got piles mixed up? I mean how would you really know. The noodle you pick might be a deal breaker - but I thought they all looked the same.

I learned I do not Black Tai Peanut sauce. I made my own little culinary delight from a recipe card that adorns each table. I should have stuck with the first concoction of random ingredients and sauces. I don't normally go for food fair where you play a large role in the meal. I would rather read it and order it and eat it. If I wanted to stand in front of a random selection of food items and figure out what to make with it all - I can do that from the comfort of my own refrigerator. I would go back though. Now, if I can figure out what to order when we go to Panera. That one intimidates me too and I end up with a turkey and cheese every time. Going to places where everyone else knows how to order and "what to do" is unnerving - especially if someone is behind you. I just got "okay" with Subway a few months ago. I hate having the big role. Make me the thing in the picture - is that so hard? Huh? 8 bread choices and 10 different sauces? Oil or vinegar? Club or Combo? I don't know. The picture dude - I want the picture deal up there above yer head! Do THAT.

Well, I should see about some sleep now since my foot thing is gone again. Cold - but gone.

Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow!!!

2008-12-08T17:06:00.014-06:00

Well, I am fairly certain I am going to be home all day tomorrow! It's been freezing rain here all afternoon and Joe Winters (how ironic he is a weather guy with a season for a last name!) says it is going to be nasty. Then again - all the hype usually jinxes any kind of real storm.

I went to the grocery store and couldn't believe the crowds. It amuses me that people always go grocery shopping in midst of a winter storm. I wonder in this day and age if anyone would ever really be snowed in for more than a few days and really ever need a season full of groceries to get by on? I must be banking on that notion because all I bought was my 1lb of radishes, a good supply of fresh cucumbers, misc friut and a jar of Claussen pickles. And Mendota Water. These have become my staples.

My thought for today:

I think that blogspot should also have an instant message feature. I can see some serious internet time in my future tomorrow. How fun to be able to know who is online and just share a little chit chat and post at the same time.

Anyway - in honor of tonights storm - here is a little trip down memory lane from last year:

What picket fence?????

It took hours to get through this and get the sidewalk open. By winters end there was enough snow the dogs could stand on top (lean DOWN) and lick you in the face while you walked down the sidewalk. It was like a hallway!

Trying to find the driveway.

The road in front of our house after the plow finally got through a couple days later.

We get through eventually!

Meet Jack, our greeter!

Fun stuff!

The kitchen sink challenge!

2008-12-08T08:40:00.005-06:00

I was somewhat successful in capturing a picture from my kitchen window - per the Little Sister kitchen challenge. [if I knew how to enter her blog link, I would have done that right here]

So, here's mine! I waited until Mark when outside to see if I could get him in it at some point - and success! More straw for the dog kennel. When he see's this on my blog I will no doubt be on the receiving end of the famous eye roll.

My only regret is that I was unable to catch any sort of sunrise thanks to the cloud cover. Fun project, though! I think even if you have a wall at your kitchen sink you should post it! A wall can really say alot...

I am in the spirit! But not cult like - I mean really...

2008-12-05T17:40:00.003-06:00

Hmm. I think ole Kris Kringle has sprinkled pixie dust over my way. I did some shopping today and if I were a guesser - I would say I have some serious Christmas spirit going on this year! I have always enjoyed Christmas - but this year seems different. Unlike most other things - not going to over analyze it and just roll with it.

Does anyone else feel like shopping at Wal Mart must be the closest one can get to an out of body experience? I had this conversation with a girl friend today. I went there specifically to exchange an item for a larger size. It should have been an "even trip" - no money exchanged - go in, get the right size - I leave the store. Easy in theory, my friends.

As I was walking to my vehicle some 30 mintues later with $70.00 worth of merchandise in my white plastic sacks, it occured to me this was almost cult like. My friend Keri had spoken of such tales - only she had somehow managed to purchase step stools off and on, not recalling she had got one some time before. She warned me, but I never truly experienced it until today, when I ran the "even errand" that shouldn't have cost me one dime. You have no idea what is in your sack as you leave the store- you simply put it in your car and take it home. Keri was so right.

So as I drive off, I am thinking about my little "even errand" that was not to be. An image came to mind, of myself - in the store. I was booking it to the check out between the grocery and the women's department and from a distance I can see this cute little jacket thingy on a hanger. The closer I get, the more I am thinking of 2 or 3 things I could pair that up with - "brilliant - no one would even guess it was from Wal Mart" (not that I care, but I adore fake-out finds like that). So barely missing a stride, I get to the item and "that's really cute" "mine" . I tear it off the hanger smash it in the cart and then GO, GO, GO! It was like someone had just yelled, "FIRE!" I was practically sprinting to the check out. The entire acquisition of said "jacket thingy" took under 3 seconds. Abolutely pathetic. Heart breaking, in fact.

So, I get home, tumble in the door with my sacks of stuff and one heavy one lands on the washer. I take the others and set them on the kitchen table. Got that all put away and then later head back to the laundry room to put some clothes in. I see that last bag on the washer. *forehead crinkles, eyes go squinty on my approach* For 2 or 3 seconds, I was seriously like, "wait now what is that??".

"Oh", as I reach for it. Boots. I got snow boots TOO! Fer freekin frickity frackity frickity! I have no recollection.

Total out of body experience I tell ya ....Wal Mart.