Just Random Stuff Today

Toadly seems to be very happy with the house pictures. I haven't mailed it to you yet Bro - I can't find a box! But since Froggy and I have another plan hatched, I might wait for just a bit. (Insert manaical laughter here).

Bugs! Lots of them lately.

This little guy was at the rent house the other day, I took a picture of it for Otter because she is her mother's daughter, after all! She liked the picture, incidentally. I don't think I've ever seen a grasshopper like this one. He was pretty big, too. About 3" long and very big legs.

This is actually a praying mantis, but the pictures aren't very clear. The camera battery was about to die, but he was moving quickly and I didn't think I'd have time to go find new batteries and change them. He was on the fence outside the kitchen window at home.


Still on the fence, I went outside of the yard to take the picture and the angle makes it look like the satellite dish is right there but it really isn't.



This creature is a cocoon, the fuzzy thing beside it is the remains of a fuzzy moth caterpillar we've been seeing bunches of lately. I discovered them when we were mowing the last this afternoon and called Otter to see them. Like I said before, she is her mother's daughter...

I just had the camera too close here, but it's the same cocoon and partially eaten moth.

The lawn mower finally died. Bill was trying to start it yesterday and it simply would not start. It almost started the first time he pulled the start rope, but then it wouldn't even almost start. So we went to Lowe's and bought another one. We were hoping to wait until next spring, because we didn't want to lose a lot of the warranty period with it just sitting over the winter. But we couldn't wait, so we faced reality and got another one. The other reason we wanted to wait is that there really are not a lot of lawn mowers available at the end of the summer. But Bill was able to find one for not too much $$ which is always good. By the time we got it home and he assembled it, it was too late so we used it tonight. And that's when we decided that we should have replaced the old one a lot sooner! (One of the benefits of having an Engineer for a spouse is that "some assembly required" is not a scary phrase.)

It was in the mid-40's last night. Time to get the blankets out! We are still using the fan in our room, but probably not for much longer. Then it will be time to get the humidifiers going. Winter's on the way, and possibly very soon.

Maggie Moo Monday!

Hi! Hi! Hi! It's mee, Maggie! Hi! Hi! Hi!

My mommm and her mommm played a mean trick on mee the otherrr day. They told us wee could go for a riiiide. Wee like riiides. Wee got to go in the carrr. You have to go in the carrr for a riiide. This day, the riiide tooked us to the vvett! I don't like the vvett.

My brotherr Frasier was acting like it didn't botherr himmm, but I think hee was just pretending. Hee acts so brave, but I don't thinnk hee is brave.

The vvett made mee go into a little room, hee made mee leave my mommm and her mommm and my brotherr Frasier all alone. I neeeed to bee there to protect themmm from the vvett. But the vvett tooked mee away and then they did some badd things to my beehind. I was scared, but the vvett tolded mee that it would make mee feel betterr. Then they tooked mee back to my mommm and her mommm and gave me a treat. My brotherr Frasier got a treat, but I was braver than hee was and he didn't have to get anything done to his beehind so I think I deserved the treats more than hee did.

I was realllly gladd when my mommm tooked me outside. Then wee got to go for another riide in the carr. You have to go in the carr to get a riiide. Then wee got to riiide home. I was so happee to bee home! I don't ever want to go back to the vvett, but I think I heard my mommm's mommm say that I might have to go back soon to get that bad thing done to my beehind again. I'd betterr get morre treats!

Chickens, Houses & Family

This is what Froggy & I have been up to. It's a miniature house. There is a story that goes with it, which is where the chickens & family part of the title comes in.

There is a set of minature houses called Liberty Falls. It's a whole vilage, there are people, animals and all sorts of things that go with it. Mom and Dad had the set, they started collecting it in the early 1990's when Dillards stores introduced it. It was very popular at the time. People would line up at the doors of the store before it opened for the day, just to make sure they got their houses. I went with Mom and Dad a couple of times, it got pretty intense! These people were serious about their collection.

When we lost Mom, her collection was split between me, Froggy and Toadly. Well, technically it wasn't me - Otter got Mom's collection and she absolutely loves it. She had it out last Christmas as part of our decor. Froggy, do you leave yours out or is it seasonal?

Toadles has quite an extensive collection, and he has it nicely set up and displayed. But because he is who he is, his collection is shall we say, a little different? For example, I think he has some of his train sets with it or at least close by. Probably also has his lighthouse collection in the same general area.

Toadles announced to us that his Village wasn't complete. It couldn't be complete. It was missing something. Something M.A.J.O.R.

It needed a special house.

One that would be very popular, at least with the male members of Liberty Falls Village.

In short, it needed what our mother would have called a Cathouse. Got it yet? :)

Well, Froggy and I decided that we needed to remedy the situation. So when she was here, we found a L.F. house at a thrift store. Then we borrowed a page from Otter's book and customized it. It has red lights, so Toadles can have his very own Red Light District in his Village. The colors have been changed from what it originally was. The house in particular used to be one of the schools, Bill thought that this was so much fun he got involved and he used his Dremel grinding tool to get the name of the school off of the sign. He also made a few color suggestions in the painting.

When Toadles was here in the early summer, I showed him what Froggy and I were making for him. He thought it was perfect, and he wanted to name it after a house in a certain movie about a special house in Texas. So, in honor of the name choice, the reborn L.F. house has chickens on the roof. Chicks, specifically. They are on the roof so that any low-flying planes can find it and won't have to get lost - with Toadles, getting lost is a frequent occurance, so we thought that his special L.F. house needed a landmark - hence the stickers on the roof! I was going to paint the name on the sign, but it was just too small. But I thought that chicks would be appropriate, considering...

So, Toadles, in a few days your very own Chicken Ranch will be arriving in your mailbox! And please ask Mrs. Toadles to forgive us for this one, but we just could not resist. :)

Toadles, you will have to send us pictures of your Village once you've figured out where the Chicken Ranch fits. I'm sure you'll find a place!

It's Frasier Friday!

Woof. Frasier here. I haven't talked to yuu in a lonnng time. It's been a busy time.

My mommm played a mean trick on mee and my little sisterrr today. Mommm told me I could go for a riiide. I like to go for a riiide. But the riiide took uss to the vett! But I'm a gooood boy so I didn't try to stay away like Maggiee did. Maggiee tried to stay out of the dooorrr at the vett, but her mommm pushed her in the dooorrr so shee had to go.

It wasn't bad, I got two shhotts but then the vett gave mee a treat. It was a good treat. He gave mee two treats! Because I'm so special. He gave Maggie two treats, but I don't think shee deserved another one. But I did. Maybe he gave her two so that she wouldn't feel jealous of me?

Shee had to get two shots and then the vett took her out of the roooom and I think they did something mean to her behind. The vett said she was impacted, but I don't know what that means. But her behind doesn't smell so bad now and she's not draggging it anymore. She always has to get whatever they do to her behind. I think that's why she doesn't want to go in the dooorr.

Or maybe shee's just silly. But I'm not silly. My mommm says I'm her special boy. My mommm understands that I'm Frasier and that I should be spoiled more.

Woof!

All Done!

It's taken us months, but Otter and I finally got out to the garage and reorganized our craft areas. Several months back, like in early spring or thereabouts, Bill switched out my plastic shelving unit that was beside my work bench for a metal one that he had up in the attic. The plastic was lighter, so he wanted to use it in the attic instead of the metal frame/wooden shelf unit that was up there. Otter and I took everything off the plastic shelf and it was all over the garage. Along with all my planting stuff and bird feeders, because Bill also took out two or three other shelf units that where in the garage so I had to find a home for my other, non-craft stuff. So far, so good.

Then our a/c unit messed up, and Bill wasn't sure if it was the inside unit or the outside unit. He thought it was the inside unit. Which meant that I had to move all my still unorganized and on the floor craft stuff in a hurry, because it all happened at the same time. So we literally threw some of the craft stuff on the new shelves, all over my work bench and Otter's desk she uses and in lots of other random spots. (The a/c turned out to be a minor part on the outside unit, so the mass chaotic stuff in the garage was totally unnecessary).

Then the weather got too warm to even think about doing any serious work in the garage. So it all sat where it was parked. Now that it's officially Fall (as of 4:18 p.m. today), and now that it's nice & cool out there, I decided that it was time to get busy. Otter was not amused! Tough, kiddo. :) But since some of it was her stuff, and she uses my work bench along with my paints, glue, glue gun, paint brushes, etc., I didn't feel a bit sorry for her having to do actual work!

We took everything off the shelves, bench, desk, floor, chairs, etc. And then we put it all back on the shelves. It's organized, I can find things now and I have a lot more room than my old shelves had. (FutureJediMom, you can tell Elliegant that I found the crayons!).

And I realized that I have a boatload of bird feeders. I'll probably clean them out, at least some of them are hummingbird feeders that I don't want to use any more. I've been slowly getting glass ones because glass is a whole lot easier to clean than plastic. But I didn't realize that while I was getting new, glass ones - I hadn't gotten rid of the plastic ones. I think I'm going to clean the plastic ones up a little, then see if they are donateable (is that a word?) and take them to Goodwill. Along with a few other things we found out there.

Along with the bird feeders, my plant supplies are also on the shelf. But not too much to clean out there, I did manage to get that at least cleaned out in the spring.

Now I have room to craft, I just need to find time. Maybe Saturday! When I'm not crocheting, that is.

Bill's Done It Again!

He's got an ouchie. This time, it's his back. And it's work-related. And then he told me I could post this!

He came home on Friday complaining that his back was really hurting. He said it had been bothering him most of the day, not from any one time in particular but just hurting. Bad. Of course, he didn't report it to anybody. That would be logical, after all, and this is Billyboy we're dealing with here!

He spent most of the weekend in obvious pain. We had to go to the rent house but he didn't do too much, he just walked behind the mower very slowly. There was no lifting involved, I made sure of that.

So yesterday morning, when he was still in a considerable amount of pain, he finally decided to listen to me. After all, I do have experience with a back injury and I also have quite a bit of experience handling insurance/comp claims from a previous job. I guess I got through to him, because he went to work yesterday and told his boss. Who was extremely understanding and immediately sent Bill to the doctor. The diagnosis is muscle strain, which is what we thought, and he's got Happy Pills to take. He has an anti-inflammatory, a pain pill and a muscle relaxer. He's on regular duty, he just has to be careful.

He took his pills when he got home last night, and he spent most of the evening being grouchy! And sleepy.

He's back to work this morning, he took his anti-inflammatory and also took one with him to take after lunch. He's not supposed to take the pain pill or muscle relaxer when he might be driving or around machinery so they have to wait until he gets home.

At least this adventure didn't involve blood or stitches.

Some Sunday Stuff and Misc. Ramblings

First things first, Froggy this is for you!

I've been meaning to post that picture for ages but I kept forgetting. I think it was from Cute Overload. Funny site.

OK. Enough with the turtle stuff for Froggy. For the moment, anyway.

I'm not sure, but I think the hummingbirds have all gone south for the winter. I haven't seen one in days. I still have feeders out, but I think I'm going to take two of the three down. I'll leave one up for a while, because sometimes they stop on the way south for a pitstop. But it's going to be time very soon to get out my seed & suet feeders.

The bluebonnet that came up in the whiskey barrel is going strong. And it's not alone, there are about 10 plants coming up. I hope that they get to the blooming stage before we get our first freeze. But even if they don't, it's still really nice to know that they are there. But I am concerned that if they have come up now we might not have any more in the spring since they are naturalized now.

We went to the rent house this morning and mowed. I think we are going to have to replace the lawn mower sooner than we wanted to. It's been acting like it was on the verge of breaking beyond help for a while, Bill's been babying it along with the intention of replacing it next spring. But I'm not sure if it's going to make it that long! It smokes, sounds funny, quits a lot and is hard to start. At one point today, Bill thought it had finally quit but then he was able to get it started. We bought it 5 years ago and it's been used a lot, both at home and when we've had to mow at the rent house. And with all the rain we've had lately, the grass is growing fast & tall in short periods of time. We did look at Lowe's the other day when we had to go buy a new blade, and I think we're going to (try to) go with our original plan of replacing the mower next year. Along with the pool!

Otter got to stay home today. She did laundry and dishes for me, so she probably would have preferred going to the rent house to sweep. Such a mean mother, I make her do chores! :)

Fall doesn't officially start until next week, I think on Tuesday. We've had mild weather lately and it's been really nice, between rain storms that is! But tomorrow, Monday, is supposed to be in the mid-80's and we have a chance of SLS's. (Spring Like Storms). Tuesday is supposed to be in the same general temperature range but then it's back to 70's for the rest of the week. We've been seeing trees start to turn for a few weeks now, I'm wondering what kind of winter we are facing and how early it's going to hit. We've gotten quite a bit of firewood but not enough yet. Bill got some, but then the rent house took priority so he put firewood on the back burner. No that wasn't a deliberate pun, Toadly! Anyway, I think he's going to see about getting more firewood soon. We also have to get the fireplace & chimney checked, it's been 2 years and we're going to get the dryer vent cleaned out while we're at it. We have not had time to do anything else towards getting the roof at home replaced, but we'll get back on that soon. It does need to be taken care of, we just haven't had time.

Now, I think I'm going to go play with a certain beagle who is snoozing on the floor beside my chair. She's been following Otter around for a while, but now I guess it's my turn to be graced with her beagle self!

It's Thursday not Wednesday but Nearly Friday

I'm title-challenged tonight, ok? Froggy, you got any suggestions on titles? Sometimes you come up with some good ones.

We actually managed to mow! It quit sprinking today so we got busy. Seems like everyone else in the neighborhood had the same idea at the same time. But we got a later start, we had to go to Lowe's to get another blade for the lawn mower. We only did the back yard, we'll get the front yard as soon as Bill gets home tomorrow. We should have enough time to get it done before sunset, if we get right on it. In the meantime, my feet hurt!

Otter has the day off from school tomorrow. I think it's a teacher workday, I can't remember. She's going to work with me, we'll hit the library at lunch and then after work we're going by to see Miss Dorothy - my 92 year old boss's delightful wife. She's the precious lady who had the broken hip in the spring. She's doing great, but Otter hasn't gotten to see her since before school started and they are both driving me nuts about getting to visit!

Sunday will find us back at the rent house. We're pretty much done, but it's been two weeks since Bill's mowed over there (is there no end to lawn mowing?) and I think that Otter and I are going to vacuum the bedroom and swiffer the rest of the house. We'll probably be done at that point, I don't think there is anything else to be done right now.

I've been paying attention to politics, and I have to say this: Jimmy Carter is an absolute IDIOT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

I think I'll sign off on that note.

Blue & Green Day

Froggy & Toadles, got yours? We're going to eat ours after dinner.

Today would have been our Dad's birthday. If I'm right on my addition, he would have been 90 today. Dad had a huge sweet tooth, and peanut M&M's were about his favorite candy. I think Blues & Greens is what he called them. I'm possibly off on which colors, but that is what we've always called then in his memory. He had a glass pitcher that he kept in the cabinet under the bar at his & Mom's house and all the grandkids knew where they were. He joked about his candy being eaten, but Dad had a good laugh out of it. And he really did love peanut m&m's.

We eat them in his honor/memory every Sept. 15. Otter is allergic to chocolate, but she can have it occasionally and in small doses. She's been avoiding it so that she can have some tonight.

On second thought, we're not waiting for after dinner. After all, Dad wouldn't have!

Some Sunday Stuff! EDITED & UPDATED in Bold at End

First things first: I'm having computer troubles. It's sick. Dr. Bill is fixing it, but I don't know if it will be fixed today or not. So if you leave a comment here and it doesn't show up for a day or so, that's why. Also, if you email me and I don't respond right away, same thing. I don't normally like to let Bill near my computer, it does strange things when he gets through with it. But this time it's necessary. If you need to email me, use Otter or Bill's email address and put my name in the subject. (Otter's email is finally fixed, it turned out to be one little place that should have been clicked and wasn't.)

We're still getting rain very frequently. It's not officially Fall, but I think it really already is. One benefit is that my rain barrel is full. However, the ground is very soft and the dogs don't like to be out in the rain. So they play and go crazy in the living room. Maggie seems to think that the hallway is her personal runway, she seems to really enjoy running up and down the hall. Several times. At full beagle speed. Watch your feet! We have to sit with our feet up on the couch, otherwise they tend to get "runnd over."

Froggy, I keep forgetting to ask you but can you take a couple of pictures of the crochet bag I made you and email them to me? I forgot to take pictures of it. I'm working on a couple of other projects at the moment, I spent quite a bit of yesterday with a hook in one hand and yarn in the other. I got several books from the library the other day, Bill found several pictures he would like me to make. Such as a swim suit. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at that! But it was kind of fun when I had to explain how to read the directions to him, as it's like another language and the Engineer needed a translation. That doesn't happen often! :)

I had more, but it's not in my head any longer. Bill is repeating one word over and over and it's distracting me. Which is probably what he intends. The word? Breakfast!

Later: Bill finished with my computer! It seems to be infection free and working fine. There are a few minor differences. But mostly, the problem now is that I forgot to copy down all my stored email addresses because I thought that the address book would transfer to the back up along with all the stored emails. Which didn't happen! I'm going to rebuild it, but I need a few email addresses from people I can't recover. Jan (in Arizona), you are at the top of my list! Froggy, Toadly, FutureJediMom - I have all of yours. I think I have most family members. But as I find ones that I need, I'll indicate on here so keep an eye out.

This is What it's About

It's about hijacked planes hitting buildings. It's about planes flown by muslim extremists. Planes that killed innocent people. Most of them were Americans, but there were people of other nations who were just as important. It's about innocent blood shed. It's about strength and standing up for what is right, standing up to evil.

It's not about volunteering, although I have heard that today should be called "Volunteer Day" and not what it really is.

If we give in to political correctness over this, what hope is there?

And, more importantly, what would that tell the people who died 8 years ago? What would that tell their families, who were left behind by the evil that attacked us?

Volunteer Day? Get real.

And as for the school of thought that tries to make America look like the bad guy, deserving of what happened because the "others" misunderstood us or tries to make us think that we're arrogant or different or evil Americans - do I really have to say what I think about that? Remember those words I don't use? Well, a whole bunch of them would fit here.

We were innocent.

We were attacked by evil.

We are strong.

We didn't give in.

We stood up to bullying of the worst kind.

We triumphed.

We're still here.

We're not going anywhere.

And we will answer for what is done to us.

Let's not forget.

Thursday Ketchup, Books and Prayers

First things first. I have a serious prayer request. Please click on the link. This is a "friend of a friend", not someone I know personally but literally a friend of a friend. This is the worst situation I can imagine, and I can not even begin to imagine how hard it is for the family.

http://www.caringbridge.org/visit/piercephillips

I finally have time to post my August book list. Of course, it's nearly mid-September... September's book list might be pretty slim, I have not had a whole lot of down time since we've been working at/on the rent house. But now maybe Froggy will quit bugging me about the book list! For the moment, anyway. But here goes:

1. Harry Potter & the Deathly Hallows. Reread x infinity. After we saw the movie of # 6, Otter and I both decided to read the book and see what was different. She actually decided on the entire series. I just was going to read 6 and this book. This one is actually the last one in the series. I think # 6 was on last month's list.

2. Christmas Letters by Debbie Macomber. OK.

3. Plain Perfect by Beth Wiseman. Alright but not wonderful. Very predictable.

4. American Pie by Michael West. Michael is female in this case. This is NOT connected with the really bad movie from a few years ago. But it also wasn't very good, I got just a few pages into it and decided that it wasn't for me. I don't like to hear certain language and I try not to ever use it, so I don't like to read it either. Although if the author was very good, I might have tried longer.

5. Collectible Glassware 40s-50s-60s by Gene and Cathy Florence. I like the books this couple writes. Lots of information and very detailed pictures. They do a lot of research and it shows.

6. Return to Promise by Debbie Macomber. I read this because I like her Blossom Street series. But I discovered with this book that she also writes romance novels. Have I ever mentioned how much I despise romance novels? Well, I do. This was not very good, even by romance novel standards it was bad.

7. Oddball Texas, a Guide to Some Really Strange Places by Jerome Pohlen. Obvious liberal writer, but it was funny. And I've been to quite a few of the places in this book. I'd recommend it.

8. Plain Pursuit by Beth Wiseman. Sequel to # 3.

9. The Shop on Blossom Street by Debbie Macomber. I think I'm caught up with this series so far, I thought I was before but then I discovered a few other books. However, I read them out of order. But they have yarn, so they are books I enjoyed. They aren't romance novels, at least!

10. A Good Yarn by Debbie Macomber. See # 9. I think this might have been the first book in the series.

11. 20 Wishes by Debbie Macomber. # 9 & 10!

12. Waterfalls & Fountains by Phillips Swindells. Research for something I thought about for the back yard but haven't made up my mind about.

13. Forever Liesel, a Memoir of the Sound of Music by Charmian Carr with Jean A. G. Strauss. Interesting.

14. Harry Potter & the Sorcerer's Stone. Part 1. I decided (after reading 6 & 7) that I wanted to re-read the series along with Otter.

15. Harry Potter & the Chamber of Secrets.

16. Harry Potter & the Prisoner of Azkaban.

17. Batman Ego by Paul Grist, Bill Wray and Tim Sale. This was actually one that Otter checked out but of course I had to read it since it's about Batman!

18. The Crochet Dude's Designs for Guys - 30 Projects Men Will Love by Drew Emborsky. I don't know about guys loving all the designs, but it had a pattern for socks and I am planning on crocheting at least one pair and then maybe more, if they turn out ok. And maybe even if they don't!

19. The Anastasia Syndrome & Other Stores by Mary Higgins Clark. I think I might have read this many years ago. Typical fluff, but it was quick and not too bad actually.

20. Getting Started: Crochet by Judith L. Swatz. Periodically, I look at beginner books because they sometimes have different patterns. This one didn't have a whole lot, but there were a few.

21. Lion Brand Just Scarves. Nothing I particularly wanted to make here.

22. The Essential Dale Chihuly by William Warmus. Chihuly is the master!

23. Eye Catching Crochet Fashion Accessories You Can Make by Janet Rehfeldt. I think that there was something I liked in this book, it seems like I copied a pattern from it but it's kind of hard to remember!

24. Marvelously Versatile Chain Free Crochet from Annie's Attic. Interesting idea, supposed to be easy and quick but after looking at this book I disagree. But I am always on the lookout for different crochet.

25. Collectible Glassware from the 40s-50s-60s, 8th Edition by Gene & Cathy Florence. More research, still haven't found exactly what I am looking for but I did find a lot in this book.

26. Chihuly Oklahoma City Museum of Art. See # 22 for comment. This one was well done, and since I've seen the exhibit featured I really enjoyed this. Lots and lots and lots of pictures.

27. Pebble Mosaics, 25 Original Step by Step Projects for the Home and Garden by Deborah Schneeben et al. I have been planning a mosaic pattern project for a while, I'm just not quite there yet.

28. 20th Century Glass by Judith Miller. Research.

Considering that August has 31 days and I read 28 books, I think maybe I had a lot of free time. Which was nice while it lasted!

Otter did have something more than an allergy but not quite a cold. She stayed home yesterday. She woke up with hardly any voice and her throat was very sore. No fever, but I sent her back to bed and she stayed there most of the day. She just got up to eat breakfast about 10:00, and then she went back to bed until about 5:00 or thereabouts. She felt much better today so she went to school and she seems to be over the worst of it. It just barely triggered her asthma.

I can't remember what else, there was something else but I forgot. I guess I'll just have to yak about it later.

More Stuff! Rent House and Misc.

Yes, I know I still haven't posted my August book list. I will eventually, I just have not had a lot of time lately. We are nearly through at the rent house, so maybe that will change soon.

We got the carpet yesterday and the installer is coming this morning. Bill is finished with painting the two bedrooms, bathroom and kitchen. The bathroom needed a coat of Kilz first, since it was tan before and was just barely dark enough to show through the test spots where he put the white paint. There were a whole lot of other things, among them were two fence rail top posts that we had to replace. One was damaged in the ice storm in Dec. 07, but the other one was tenant damage. We've actually done quite a bit over there. We meet with our realtor this week to sign the paperwork to get it on the market. Like Bill says, not a moment too soon!

Froggy, here's some more information regarding Sabbath that Bill found. I forgot to post it on my last one regarding Sabbath.

Saturday is the seventh day Sabbat. Thus, in many languages the Saturday is named after the Sabbath.

Exodus 34:21 For six days you shall work, but on the seventh day you shall rest; even in ploughing time and in harvest time you shall rest

And number 4 on the top 10 FOUR: 'Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy.

Otter is possibly trying to come down with a cold. She has been sneezy and sniffly the last few days, we had her stay home yesterday (Monday Labor Day) while we went to the rent house and she took it easy. She had her blanket and her beagle, she also coughed and sneezed a lot! Since she was home, she did the laundry that was piled up and dishes for me. But she's been trying to head off whatever this is and while she feels better this morning, it looks like it's trying to trigger her asthma. She is going to school this morning, and I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I don't have to go get her during the day.

OK, I'm out of time!

Belief & Sabbath

Somebody asked me about our Saturdays, here's the easy answer.

We are "officially" Southern Baptist. Here's the main website, for info.

http://www.sbc.net/

But we really are more closely like the Seventh Day Baptist Church. We do not belong to the SDB church, it's not a big denomination. We enjoy the SBC (Southern Baptist Church) but there are a few things that are closer to what we believe in, in the SDB church. Here is their official website, which has a good explanation of Sabbath Saturday.

http://www.seventhdaybaptist.org/7DB/default_EN.asp?SnID=607549449

I don't see us officially changing denominations, there is only one SDB church in our area and it's further than we would prefer to travel. Although it might be one we visit in the future. They are not too far apart in doctrine and beliefs.

Sabbath is something we've been observing for the last few years. It took a great deal of prayer and discussion, and obviously it was a big change to get used to. But it's one of the best decisions we have ever made. I resisted it big-time at first, but now I find myself looking forward to the next Saturday from the time one Saturday ends. Otter will frequently tell me on about Thursday that she really, REALLY needs a Saturday and that it can't get here fast enough. I know exactly how she feels!

There are the occasional Saturdays where we go somewhere, they are usually when we have visitors (like Froggy and Toadly who have to go to the flea market!), but we generally don't go anywhere. We stay home and spend the day as a family. We watch a couple of shows we've taped during the week, and we take turns choosing a movie to rent. The shows we tape are Charles Stanley, James Merrit (both Southern Baptist), David Jeremiah (forget which church he's part of) and John Hagee (non-denominational but he was raised Southern Baptist and his sermons reflect that). If the weather is cooperative, and we feel like it, we walk the dogs (which the are always ready for) or Otter might ride her bike - which I would also do if I had one right now! We can read all day, nap all day (Bill's done that!), I have several hours in which to crochet without interruption, we frequently have craft projects, we swam when we had a pool, etc., and there is also Bible reading. Just nothing that would be considered as actual work. It can be a fine line between what is work and what is relaxing, and it can also take a while to figure that out. Sometimes I'll cook an actual meal, but usually is F & F (Fix it and Find out what you will eat!). The computers are turned off by Sunset Friday and aren't turned on until after sunset Saturday with very few exceptions - such as having to print Otter's boarding pass for a trip to Texas one time. (Sunset Friday to Sunset Saturday). Other than the taped shows and the movie, we don't watch tv unless we need to check for potential weather issues during certain seasons - this is Tornado Alley, after all!

We generally stay home, but occasionally we have gone somewhere. When Otter was in karate, the tests were always on Saturday for example. Medical care needs, obviously, are the exception. Occasionally Otter will get invited to a friend's house for a party, sleepover, movie, etc., which will be on Friday night or Saturday and she usually gets to go to those.

The other benefit is that if we don't go anywhere, nobody needs to get dressed. We just stay in our pj's all day. Otter likes to sleep late, when MaggieMoo lets her that is, and then she brings her blanket and pillow to the loveseat and makes herself a nest. She usually has a stack of books beside her.

The Saturday observance of Sabbath is more closely Jewish, and since Christianity came directly out of Judaism we feel like that is one of the many customs that we should honor. We are extremely pro-Israel, we always have been, and that is one reason we originally thought about Saturday observance. We feel, as do many people I've discovered, that there are a great many observances in the Christian church that while not incorrect, have been changed for Man's convenience and not because of God's directives. Sabbath day is one of those things.

One other thing that I have changed about myself: submission. Biblical submission. The Bible is pretty clear about the order of authority within the family unit, and I decided several years ago that I needed to follow God's laws. So I did just that. Submission is a very misunderstood topic and one I'll get into later. This post is already long enough. Also, Blogger may be acting up because I have to keep adjusting my paragraphs.

And One More Rent House Update!

The carpet was delayed until Monday. It rained most of the day. However, I did get a very good price on the carpet pad and they delivered! I got a recommendation from my property manager, I called the man today and he was out there in 30 minutes. He measured the room and also told me that he installs carpet. We'll probably use him, his quote was better than the installer two years ago.

Bill painted the kitchen today. He still needs to paint the entrance way from the back door, the bathroom and the two bedrooms. But he was out of paint, we were tired and ready to go home so he didn't even attempt to start any of the other rooms.

I finished cleaning the vertical blinds and realized that they really don't look that much better. In fact, some of them have holes in them that weren't there two years ago. So the tenant is going to buy us a new set.

The plan is to mow the lawn at home Sunday morning (it hasn't been done in two weeks!), then head to the rent house and mow the lawn over there. Then we are going to get started on whatever hasn't been done, with the plan of finishing up on Monday afternoon. We're picking up the carpet Monday afternoon, so if all goes according to schedule we will be donedonedone by Monday evening. Except for the carpet, but we'll see if he can do it Tuesday. Bill will be off next week, so he can meet the guy over there at any time. Then Wednesday we meet with the realtor.

And hopefully we'll get some interest and get is sold soon after. Very soon, we hope!

Still Another Rent House Update

I haven't forgotten the August books, there are a lot of them but the list is in the other room and my feet are killing me so I'm not inclined to go get it.

The dog smell is gone today, there was still a little bit of the carpet pad in the room and I think that was the smell. I did wash down the walls in the master bedroom, but I think the problem was the pad.

Bill did a few things, I did a few things and then we went to Lowe's for a few other things. Including a new ice maker hose, since the one we put in the rent house apparently went with the tenants when they moved. They'll pay for it, too.

We're nearly done, I'm planning on getting the carpet tomorrow (if it doesn't rain), and I have a recommendation on where to get cheap padding. I'm going to call the person who installed the last carpet for us and see when he can do it. There are still a few things, but none of them are particularly big. I just can't do much at this point because it's things like cleaning the hardwood floor and I won't do that until after Bill's finished painting. And the kitchen, which needs a general wiping down but as that's where we're storing all the tools, etc., it has to wait. We should be able to get finished by Monday.

Getting there.

Rent House Update (Again!)

Bill mowed the lawn at the rent house on Friday. It was so overgrown that it took him over 2 hours, when it should have taken him less than one.

We went back over there bright & early Sunday (yesterday) and got a whole lot of things done. Among other things, we pulled the carpet & pad that was in the master bedroom. And realized that a) the tenant's dog was probably not kept in the kennel when they were gone, b) said dog has probably never been housetrained and c) they didn't clean up after him! The carpet & pad were cut up to smaller pieces, then put in the trash. Then we immediately ran for the soap and water to scrub our hands, which is when I discovered that we hadn't brought any soap with us. Hot water! Today when I went over there, I realized that there is still a strong odor in the master bedroom. The floor is concrete and is looks like it's been sealed, but after Bill looked at it and sniffed around he's decided that the dog wasn't content to just squat - it lifted it's leg and the smell may be in the wall. The wall is paneling and not run of the mill that can be replaced, so we're not sure what we're going to do at this point. I'm going to scrub the walls down tomorrow and we'll see.

I also discovered Thursday that the oven was not cleaned. I went over there on my lunch hour today and sprayed cleaner inside the oven so it would have time to sit, then I went back over after work and wiped it all down. And remembered how much I hate to clean the oven! But it looks much better now. I lifted the top of the stove, it was pretty bad as well but it's now clean. I brought home the metal things that the pots rest on, on top of the stove - I can't remember the name of the things! They went through my dishwasher last night and I brought home the broiler pan and oven racks, which are too big for the dishwasher and will get a serious scrubbing.

Someone we know has given us carpet that was put in his new house in error - it wasn't what they ordered, but the company didn't want it back so they've had it in their garage for a while. I'll pick it up on Wednesday. It is good quality carpet. We'll still need to get the pad, but that's not going to be difficult.

The tenant will still be charged, since the carpet we took out was brand new when they moved in. So they will be paying for it. And for the pad as well. And for the (then brand new) wooden toilet seat that is ruined by mold. And the damage to the outside support pole on the back porch. Also on the advice of our leasing agent, we charge them for things like cleaning the oven since that was something they should have done but didn't - although I would not charge them if it hadn't been so filthy! There are a few other things, but they are small issues.

But even though that sounds like a lot, it really is not as bad as we've had to deal with in the past. The carpet is the biggest expense, the other stuff is relatively minor. But if we are unable to sell it and do have to rent it out again, I'm strongly leaning towards a No Pets policy.

I'm going back tomorrow after work and see about washing the bedroom walls, and I'm going to get a start on pulling the grass that grows up in between the paver stones the back patio is made of. They were a constant issue when we lived there and I've gotten it down to an art because I've had to do it so often. Bill has a few projects that he is working on, things that aren't necessarily damage but that need to be dealt with so we can put the house on the market. Our tenantive plan is to meet with the realtor next week, probably Wednesday, and get the process started.

So keep your fingers crossed for a quick sell and a good one!

Rent House Update

Well, I went to the rent house today. Couple Days, as Otter named it when she was 2 and we moved into it.

It's not that bad. It wasn't as clean as I was hoping, but there isn't much in the way of damage. The carpet in the bedroom will have to be replaced. If we were going to rent it out again, we could probably get by with cleaning it and patching the torn spot because the torn place isn't that big. But to sell it, it needs to be replaced. There are a few other issues that we have to deal with, but they are things like the stove not being cleaned and that sort of thing. The non-paneled rooms will need to be painted, some of that will come out of the tenant's deposit but some of it is because we are putting it on the market. The carpet is tenant damage, but that really is the worst of it. I didn't do too much over there today, beyond cleaning the toilet which hadn't been cleaned in a while. The toliet seat is wood, it hasn't been cleaned in a while and is moldy so it will have to be replaced and that is also out of the deposit. But all in all, it's not that bad.

Bill is probably going to go over there after work tomorrow and mow. Then we'll head over there Sunday after breakfast and get as much done as we possibly can. With the possible exception of all the painting being finished, we can probably get it all done. Except the carpet, obviously, because we have to go buy more and then arrange for it to be installed. But I think we can get everything else done on Sunday. Although we'll probably be exhausted when we get through!

Bill earned billions and billions of brownie points today. He brought me chocolate! He surprised me with it when he came over to the rent house after work. And it was the very dark chocolate, the kind that I absolutely love. So he's a Very Good Boy today.

Redhead Thoughts (With an edit!)

This is an article I read a few weeks back. I saved it with the intention of blogging it but I forgot. I just came across it and I still think it's worth reading. If you are a redhead, you will understand. If not, maybe it will help you to understand any redheads you might have in your life.***

The Pain of Being a Redhead By Tara Parker-Pope

Do redheads feel more pain? Nobody likes going to the dentist, but redheads may have good reason. A growing body of research shows that people with red hair need larger doses of anesthesia and often are resistant to local pain blockers like Novocaine. As a result, redheads tend to be particularly nervous about dental procedures and are twice as likely to avoid going to the dentist as people with other hair colors, according to new research published in The Journal of the American Dental Association. Researchers believe redheads are more sensitive to pain because of a mutation in a gene that affects hair color. In people with brown, black and blond hair, the gene, for the melanocortin-1 receptor, produces melanin. But a mutation in the MC1R gene results in the production of a substance called pheomelanin that results in red hair and fair skin. The MC1R gene belongs to a family of receptors that include pain receptors in the brain, and as a result, a mutation in the gene appears to influence the body’s sensitivity to pain. A 2004 study showed that redheads require, on average, about 20 percent more general anesthesia than people with dark hair or blond coloring. And in 2005, researchers found that redheads are more resistant to the effects of local anesthesia, such as the numbing drugs used by dentists. The mutation in the MC1R gene also occurs in brunets, although it’s less common. In the latest study, the researchers tested for the MC1R gene variant, finding it in 65 of 67 redheads and in 20 of 77 people with brown or black hair. The participants were surveyed about dental-care anxiety, fear of dental pain and whether they avoid going to the dentist. People with the MC1R gene variant had more dental care–related anxiety and fear of dental pain than those without the gene variant. And they were more than twice as likely to avoid dental care. Dr. Daniel I. Sessler, an anesthesiologist and chairman of the department of outcomes research at the Cleveland Clinic, said he began studying hair color after hearing so many colleagues speculate about redheads requiring more anesthesia. “The reason we studied redheads in the beginning, it was essentially an urban legend in the anesthesia community saying redheads were difficult to anesthetize,” Dr. Sessler said. “This was so intriguing we went ahead and studied it. Redheads really do require more anesthesia, and by a clinically important amount.” After publishing research on the topic, Dr. Sessler began hearing from redheads who complained about problems with dental pain and fear about going to the dentist. He said that when someone with red hair is considering a dental or other procedure requiring an anesthetic, they should talk to their doctor about the high probability that they are resistant to anesthetics. “Because they’re resistant, many redheads have had bad experiences,” Dr. Sessler said. “If they go to the dentist or have a cut sutured, they’ll need more local anesthetic than other people.”

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/08/06/the-pain-of-being-a-redhead/?em

***If you are a redhead, then how wonderful! If you aren't, well we still love you anyway. If you happen to have a redhead in your life, then you are a lucky person! (I'm not biased. But I am a redhead. And the wife, mother, daughter-in-law, great-granddaughter, aunt and cousin to many).

Edit: See Froggy's comment about being auburn haired and having the same issues. Auburn is in the red family, so while she's not "officially" a redhead, she is in many ways a redhead. Down to the temper! (Sorry, Froggy, couldn't resist).

Still Calm But Not For Long!

I'm supposed to meet our (former) tenant tomorrow to pick up the keys. Then Thursday I'll go over to the rent house after work and check things out. But I don't expect any bad surprises. Bill will probaby go over there tomorrow when he gets off work to take pictures (standard when someone moves out) and see if there is anything he'll need to do prior to putting the house on the market.

I'm torn. I do want to sell it, we never really wanted to be landlords. But there are some special memories there. Otter grew up there. She was already walking when we moved in there, but most of her childhood was spent in that house. The last time my parents came to see us was when we lived there. And there is one spectacularly special dog that is buried there.

OK, enough! Time for a subject change.

Frasier is spread out between my chair and Otter's. His nose is under her chair and his tail is under mine. If either one of us move, the dog is going to get rolled over on. The thing is, we are on opposite sides of the room - the dog's just big! Very big. And very spoiled.

No idea where Maggie is, but I'm guessing that it involves sleeping. She's probably up in the middle of Otter's bed with her head on the pillow she gets to use and her rear end on the other pillow - the one Otter uses! That's how she was last night. She was comfortable, I'd say. :)

It's been really nice lately, low 90's and 60's at night. Otter's needed her jacket a couple of times in the mornings. I read something earlier that said that September isn't officially here until next Tuesday, but that it's here in every other way based on our weather. I'm wondering if we might be in for an early Fall? Guess we'd better get back to getting firewood because we just might need it this winter.

OK, off to crochet now.

The Calm Before The Storm

I'm going to enjoy it! The calm, that is. The storm will involve the rent house and getting it ready to put on the market. We mowed the front & back yard at home this morning and I took the weedeater to a few spots. We had planned on going to pick up some firewood and a few things this afternoon, but after we had time to think about it we decided to just enjoy the rest of the day. Translation: we are going to be lazy!

Bill's piddling around with the White Lightning and he said he might see what is in various boxes in the garage. Otter is about to play a game on her computer and I'll probably read for a while. And crochet, I'll probably do that. Big surprise, I know.

While we were out in the front, just after we finished mowing, the roofer that is supposed to come tomorrow evening drove by. Since we were out there, he stopped. He said that he usually drives by the day before an estimate so he knows which ladders, etc., to bring. He'll still come by tomorrow evening but he did talk to Bill for a while. We had the insurance inspector come out on Friday (I think it was Friday), she did confirm that there is damage and that it is storm related. But I have to call my insurance agent tomorrow. The inspector's information doesn't show quite the same coverage we think we have. We made some changes a few years ago and upgraded, but she thinks we still have what we had before. I'm hoping that her information was just old, because if it's right then it means that we have been paying for something for the last few years that we didn't get. I'm sure we all know what that means! Texas Woman Time! The inspector wasn't denying that we are covered, she just shows less coverage than we think we have. But since she still had Bill's job phone number from over 10 years ago as current, we think her information was just old.

However, we don't know when we'll get the roof replaced at this point. There are a lot of people having to get roof replacement so the companies are busy. And we have the rent house to deal with so it won't be right away. Soon, just not right away.

Now I'm going to join Otter. She's busy spoiling my doggie. He's not complaining!

Gonna Be Busy!

I might not have a lot of blog time in the near future, and same thing goes for email. I talked to our tenant today, they will be out this weekend and Bill's going to meet them next week to get the keys from them. Then the fun starts!

Since we don't have to wait until after the first, we will be able to get inside the house quicker than we thought and get started on whatever needs to be done. Bill knows that he'll be painting the two bedrooms and the bathroom and probably the kitchen as well since we are going to try to sell the house this time. The kitchen won't have that much area to be painted at least. The master bedroom, living room and dining room are al paneled. It's just the two bedrooms and bathroom, but there might be a lot of prep work involved from what Bill saw when he met the realtor over there a few weeks back. Not necessarily damage, but nail holes from pictures on the wall and so forth. There might also be some exterior wood that has to be replaced, it seems like there were a few spots that we didn't get to the last time the house was empty.

There are also some holes in the yard that their dog put there, we'll have to get those filled in and see if there is anything else that the yard needs. Also, I think that there was one or possibly two windows that needed new glass. And maybe a few other things, but we won't know until we've been inside the house. These tenants have taken pretty good care of the place from what we've seen, so I don't expect a lot of big things but since it's going to be put on the market there will probably be a lot of things that we decide it needs.

And when we get finished with that, or sometime soon anyway, we are going to get a new roof on our home. The insurance inspector came out today and she confirmed that it is storm related damage. We have one quote already, the guy that came out last week (the one we weren't too impressed with) has never sent me his quote, and we have a third company coming out next Monday evening. There are a lot of people needing roof replacement at the moment, so I'm not sure how soon our roof will be replaced. But once we've picked a company, we'll get it as soon as we can.

We also had been planning on doing some exterior painting at home, but that might have to wait a little while because the rent house will be our first priority.

So if I don't blog very often for a while, it's because we are busy!

Run, Otter, Run. You are about to be put to work. Consider yourself warned.

Just A Few Odd Scattered Thoughts

If that's not a Toadly title, then I don't know what would be!

The insurance inspector is supposed to come out tomorrow to look at the roof. Unless it rains. Which it's been doing frequently this week. We'll see what she says, she's supposed to call me when she's on her way and she was going to see if she could aim for around 3:00 since I'm normally home by then. Regardless of what she says, we are still going to see about getting estimates from a couple of other roofers. The guy that came out this week when I was home has already called me and tried the high pressure sales tactic - which anybody who knows me will realize that he was talking to a wall! For a couple of other reasons, we feel like he was telling me what he thought I wanted to hear to ensure a roofing job for himself. Which doesn't mean that the roof is not damaged, because there are definetly tiles missing. But he's not very high on our list of companies to use, if we do have to get a new roof.

When we went to bed last night, there was a t-storm watch until something like 4:00 a.m. At 4:38 a.m., I was awakened by thunder and lightning. I got up to see what time it was, then I turned on the tv to check and it was just rain and noise. I did attempt to go back to sleep for 20 minutes, but I gave up after about 5 minutes. The dogs were very happy, they thought they might get fed early (they didn't). Between 4:30 a.m. and 6:00 a.m., we had 1 1/2" of rain. There were a more than a few loud thunder spells and one time in particular was very loud. It quit for a while, then it started raining when I was on the way to work. Hard. It finally quit around noon, I think it was only in the high 80's today and the afternoon was really nice. The yard looks like it hasn't been mowed in weeks! The morning glories are very happy, they are quickly covering the new trellis.

And we have a bluebonnet! There is a baby bluebonnet in the whiskey barrel and possibly three more. I'd love to have late blooms, but we'll have to see what happens.

My crochet fingers are itching, so I'm going to go satisfy the urge in a few minutes. Froggy, I'm going to finish your tote bag tonight and try to get it mailed to you tomorrow. Then I'm going to get started on Otter's arm warmers. They are going to be really fun.

I'm also leaning towards making a lap sized blanket but I haven't quite made up my mind. I made a blanket for Otter's bed when she had a twin bed, it's one I started many years ago and found it when Mom and Dad came to see us - it was with some stuff that she had and she brought it to me. I eventually finished it, and it will probably even fit Otter's double bed. It was made from a lot of different colors, all bright, and I think it might actually be what I taught Mom to crochet on. But I'm thinking that I need to make another one, but with different stitches and possibly a color scheme as opposed to just different colors.

I'm going to see about learning a few new stitches, the library doesn't have much on crochet (it's loaded with books on knitting, however), but I did find one with some stuff I've never seen before. I love to try new stitches! I thought about learning to knit but I've decided to hold off on that. I might attempt it later on, but I have enough to deal with right now.

OK, off to crochet!

A Roof Over Our Heads

We have a leaky one! We haven't actually seen any evidence of leaking yet, but after last week's hail & wind storm we found a couple of roof tiles in the yard. So we had someone come out and look at it. We've had two people come look. Both agree that there is damage, so the next step is to have the insurance inspector come out and they are supposed to call me in the next day or so to arrange that. Today's inspector said that it is hail damage, and possibly from the storm before this one. So we might be getting a new roof in the near future.

Frasier is in major disgrace at the moment. I've been working on a crochet tote bag for Froggy. I'm nearly through with it, just a couple of finishing touches and then it's done and I can ship it to her. It was sitting on the lower shelf of the table in front of the living room window last night. This morning, I decided I'd better put it up out of doggie reach so I moved it. Then a few minutes later, I looked out the kitchen window. And what did I see? A YARN BALL! The one that I've been using on Froggy's tote bag. It was right in the spot where Fraiser takes their toys when he carries them out - in the muddy spot where it had probably been since yesterday and it had been raining. (Of course, it was the pink camo one that I fell in love with a few months back and haven't used much of. Frasier couldn't get one that I didn't like!) I went out and retrieved it, it was soaking wet. I was livid, but it's kind of late to get on the culprit. I left the yarn in the kitchen on the counter to dry out but it was also smelly - like a wet dog! So I went to Michael's on my lunch hour and got another skein. The first one was drier when I got home but it still smelled, so it got trashed.

And I got another one as well, in a different color. I decided that I deserved a consolation skein. Well, it made perfect sense to me! Bill was amused, which is a good thing because once yarn comes into my possession I hardly ever return it! :) Now I just have to find a project to use it on. I have a couple of ideas. I just might not have any time to work on anything until Saturday.

I forgot to post this, but Otter did get the elective class she requested. It's called something like Personal Clothing Management. Which is apparently the politically correct term for sewing. She's pleased with it, I've shown her a lot of basics but it's been a long time since I learned and I'm woefully out of practice. I told her that she'll have to show me what she learns. They will make a pillow and a pair of boxer shorts, then they can bring in other patterns and get them approved so they can make them. She's really excited about it. Me, too. I think it's a wonderful skill to have. She said that there are no boys in that class, which doesn't surprise me. When I was in 6th grade, we had Home Economics, which had several boys because it also included cooking. It's where I learned to crochet, which I then taught to Mom. It was a lot of fun.

I posted a recipe tonight, Chili. It's on the cooking blog.

Bill!

http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/32428224/ns/weather

Found this article interesting. Anybody that knows my Bill will understand why it is so appropriate that he has a hurricane named after him. :)

Sunday Ketchup

I can't believe it's already the middle of August! Where did the spring go? Summer break is already over and it's nearly Fall!

Froggy, I'm nearly through with the yarn bag I'm crocheting for you. My original thought was that you could carry your knitting in it, but since you don't seem to be very far along in your knitting lessons... :) Anyway, I'll get it finished and mailed to you this week. I'll email you and let you know when. Look inside of it, I also crocheted you two washcloths.

I've been crocheting a lot lately. Well, I normally crochet a lot anyway. But a LOT lately. And enjoying every second of it. I had several projects that were in various stages of construction, including Froggy's tote bag. I've now finished up just about all of them. I'm about to start on Otter's arm warmers, she requested that they be blue & black and purple & black. I'm making her two pair of them. They are basically fingerless gloves although they don't come down on the hands as far.

We are pretty sure that we do have roof damage from last week's storm. Bill called a roofing contractor, he came out and then sent us a proposal for $7,500.00. Which is all fine and dandy, except that he was supposed to call Bill and confirm whether or not there is damage. Nowhere on the proposal does it say anything about roof condition and Bill has called the guy a couple of times to ask specific questions but he's never in and won't return Bill's calls. Which scratches that company off the list immediately! We called a second company, the man I talked to said that he would be out Friday mid-morning. I was home all day Friday, asthma problems, and he never showed up. I left a call on his voice mail Friday afternoon. I'd better hear back from him tomorrow. Otherwise, they will be off of the list as well - actually, I think that they already are! We'll keep looking. When we were mowing last week, I found a couple of pieces of the roof tiles that Bill thought came from a corner area. Then yesterday when we was out in the back yard, he looked up and could see at least one missing tile on another part of the roof. That tile is probably the one that he found today, in the yard. We're going to call several companies this week for inspections & estimates. And since we are very picky, and insist on things being done RIGHT, we might have to talk to several. I've already talked to my insurance company, they said that we have to get the roof checked first and then talk to them about it. Well, I'm trying to do that!

We're supposed to get more rain this coming week. But I don't think it's supposed to be anything bad. We did have a sprinkle yesterday morning but it was short.

Speaking of rain, Bill's absolutely thrilled that there is a Tropical Storm Bill and he's really hoping that it does become a hurricane. Which is expected to happen, possibly soon and it could become a monster. Bill's very happy, except that he doesn't want anyone to be hurt or lose property, etc. However, he'd really like it to hit New Orleans again. In Bill's opinion, Las Vegas isn't Sin City. New Orleans is. As in Soddom and Gomorah level of sin. And he doesn't think that "they" learned the lesson from Katrina. But T.S. Bill is projected to hit Florida and go on up the east coast. Although it's still a ways out so who knows! (Yes, a ways out is correct grammar - if you are a TEXAN). (We have our own language, remember).

I mentioned tote bags earlier. (The one I crocheted for Froggy.) This is an example of how well Bill knows me: He was given one the other day when he was doing the sound for something at work. He immediately brought it home and gave it to me. I guess the first clue that I like tote bags is that I have probably 10 within easy reach. They are all used, I like to store things in them such as sewing supplies, crochet projects in the works, etc. The one he brought me is perfect to carry to work with me when I have crochet projects to work on during my lunch hour. And since I pretty much always have crochet projects to work on, it's going to get carried a lot. For the record, Froggy - I did tell him that if he really wanted to make Brownie Points with me that he needed to bring me yarn! :)

School? Already? Gee Whiz!

School is back in session. Otter is now an official 11th grader. She survived the first day of 11th grade, although she did get lost a couple of times. It's a big campus and very spread out. Her best friend has the same lunch period, so that is a bonus.

She did have one small problem. One of the times she got lost involved going to her locker after her last class and then somewhere in there, she got confused about her location and finding the bus! She finally figured out where she should be and which door to go out, just in time to see the buses leaving the parking lot. Which is when she called me! She was kind of embarassed, but this is the first time she's ever missed her bus so I wasn't upset. She'll probably think it's funny later. I was just pulling into the driveway when she called me.

Since I had planned on a trip to buy school supplies when she got home, we just stopped at Wallyworld on the way home.

We have a tradition. Special breakfast the first day of school and then we either take her out for dinner or she gets to pick what we cook. Breakfast was biscuits and gravy. Toadly & Froggy, you'll like this - her dinner choice was to make buffalo burgers and oven fries. We'll make strawberry ice cream later, if anybody has any room for it! Otherwise, it will be tomorrow evening. Buffalo is pretty filling.

And Maggie has decided that she is entitled to sleep in my bed. She went through a spell several months ago, but she seemed to finally get the point after she'd been pushed/tossed/chased out of my bed and locked out of my room. Then a few days ago, Bill gave the dogs rawhide chips with peanut butter spread on them. It's fun to give the dogs peanut butter, they are hilarious to watch. Anyway, Frasier did his usual trick of taking his outside. Maggie licked most of the peanut butter off of hers (took her a while!), then she carried it off to Otter's bed. Otter eventually took it out of her bed, and it got put in the basket with the dog toys. I thought that Frasier had taken it out when I didn't see it in the basket. However, Otter found it. RIGHT IN THE MIDDLE OF MY BED! Then last night, Bill went to bed before I did. I was just sitting down to watch the news when I heard all this yelling and noise coming from our room. I started down the hallway just in time to see a beagle colored blur leaving our room and flying into Otter's room. Bill said he was nearly asleep, he rolled over and came face to face with Maggie Moo! Looks like we are going to have to re-educate the Magginator!

The Wind She Blows

And in Oklahoma, she blows a lot!

We had a possibility of rain yesterday. Which meant that we were going to get flooded, if they had said a big storm was coming then we wouldn't have gotten anything. It's frequently that way here.

I was cooking dinner so it was probably about 5:30 or so, when it suddenly got windy. Very Windy. Bill saw what he thought were two wall clouds, but I don't think they were. Sometimes there are clouds that resemble wall clouds but aren't. It had been a little rainy earlier, and it was extremely humid already - to the point that I could hardly breathe - and we thought we might be going to get a thunderstorm. We thought right. There was quite a bit of lightning, it was actually pretty to watch. What wasn't pretty was the straight line winds which drove the rain sideways. It lasted quite a while, when we went to bed about 10:00 or so it was still thundering but the wind and hard rain had calmed down quite a bit to a slower rain.

This morning I discovered that we had a pretty big size limb come down beside the garage. It looked like it just missed the gate & fence. It is now added to the firewood pile. No lumberjack injuries, but I do think that Bill needs to get another chain saw since the last one broke.

And tomorrow I'm going to call someone about looking at the roof. I found a couple of pieces of the roof tiles in the yard. One in the front and one in the back.

Also, the things that were blown around on the deck & in the back yard were blown in opposite directions. Which leads me to think that maybe, just maybe those winds weren't so straight lined after all!

There are a lot of limbs down all over the neighborhood. And when I left our subdivision this morning, I discovered that the subdivision next door to us had something interesting in front of it. Ever tried to imagine what a full-sized trampoline would look like if someone tried to make it into a pretzel? I don't have to imagine anymore. It was also blown pretty far, over a 6' brick fence and nearly out into the main street.

Yes, Froggy. I can hear his voice in my head very clearly. And I know exactly what he'd say!

I Share This Opinion Too

Like yesterday's, this is one I did not type or originate but it pretty much sums up the feelings, fears and opinions of everyone in my household.

-----------------------------------

Lou Pritchett is one of corporate America 's true living legends- an acclaimed author, dynamic teacher and one of the world's highest rated speakers. Successful corporate executives everywhere recognize him as the foremost leader in change management. Lou changed the way America does business by creating an audacious concept that came to be known as "partnering." Pritchett rose from soap salesman to Vice-President, Sales and Customer Development for Procter and Gamble and over the course of 36 years, made corporate history.

AN OPEN LETTER TO PRESIDENT OBAMA

Dear President Obama:

You are the thirteenth President under whom I have lived and unlike any of the others, you truly scare me.

You scare me because after months of exposure, I know nothing about you.

You scare me because I do not know how you paid for your expensive Ivy League education and your upscale lifestyle and housing with no visible signs of support.

You scare me because you did not spend the formative years of youth growing up in America and culturally you are not an American.

You scare me because you have never run a company or met a payroll.

You scare me because you have never had military experience, thus don't understand it at its core.

You scare me because you lack humility and 'class', always blaming others.

You scare me because for over half your life you have aligned yourself with radical extremists who hate America and you refuse to publicly denounce these radicals who wish to see America fail.

You scare me because you are a cheerleader for the 'blame America ' crowd and deliver this message abroad.

You scare me because you want to change America to a European style country where the government sector dominates instead of the private sector.

You scare me because you want to replace our health care system with a government controlled one.

You scare me because you prefer 'wind mills' to responsibly capitalizing on our own vast oil, coal and shale reserves.

You scare me because you want to kill the American capitalist goose that lays the golden egg which provides the highest standard of living in the world.

You scare me because you have begun to use 'extortion' tactics against certain banks and corporations.

You scare me because your own political party shrinks from challenging you on your wild and irresponsible spending proposals.

You scare me because you will not openly listen to or even consider opposing points of view from intelligent people.

You scare me because you falsely believe that you are both omnipotent and omniscient.

You scare me because the media gives you a free pass on everything you do.

You scare me because you demonize and want to silence the Limbaughs, Hannitys, O'Relllys and Becks who offer opposing, conservative points of view.

You scare me because you prefer controlling over governing.

Finally, you scare me because if you serve a second term I will probably not feel safe in writing a similar letter in 8 years.

Lou Pritchett

[TRUE-CHECK: http://www.snopes.com/politics/soapbox/youscareme.asp ]

This letter was sent to the NY Times but they never acknowledged it. Big surprise! Since it hit the internet however, it has had well over 500,000 hits. Keep it going. All that is necessary for evil to succeed is that good men do nothing.

It's happening right now.

DO SOMETHING!

An Opinion I Share

(I didn't write this. But I agree 100%)

----------------------------------------------

Life is tough...but even tougher if you're stupid" -John Wayne


AS I PASS THIS ON TO MANY IN MY ADDRESS BOOK I AM AWARE OF THE FACT THAT SOME DAY I MAY N OT HAVE THE FREEDOM TO DO SO---A VERY SCARY THOUGHT.

I have noted that many elected officials, both Democrats and Republicans, called upon America to unite behind Obama. Well, I want to make it clear to all who will listen that I AM NOT uniting behind Obama! I will respect the Office which he holds, and I will acknowledge his abilities as an orator and wordsmith and I will pray for him, BUT that is it. I have begun today to see what I can do to make sure that He is a one-term President!Why am I doing this?

It is because I do not share Obama's vision or Value system for America;

I do not share his Abortion beliefs;

I do not share his radical Marxist's concept of re-distributing wealth;

I do not share his stated views on raising taxes on those who make $150,000+ (the ceiling has been changed three times since August);

I do not share his view that America is Arrogant;

I do not share his view that America is not a Christian Nation; (THIS JUST SHOWS THAT OBAMA CERTAINLY ISN'T UP ON HIS AMERICAN HISTORY!)

I do not share his view that the military should be reduced by 25%;

I do not share his view of amnesty and giving more to illegals than American Citizens who need help; (NO WAY, HOSEA!)

I do not share his views on homosexuality and his definition of marriage;

I do not share his views that Radical Islam is our friend and Israel is our enemy who should give up any land; (GIMME A BREAK!)

I do not share his spiritual beliefs (at least the ones he has made public);

I do not share his beliefs on how to re-work the healthcare system in America ;

I do not share his Strategic views of the Middle East, and certainly do not share his plan to sit down with terrorist regimes such as Iran.

Bottom line, my America is vastly different from Obama's, and I have a higher obligation to my God and my country to do what is Right!

For eight (8) years, the Liberals in our Society, led by numerous entertainers who would have no platform and no real credibility but for their celebrity status, have attacked President Bush, his family and his spiritual beliefs! They have not moved toward the center in their beliefs and their philosophies, and they never came together nor compromised their personal beliefs for the betterment of our Country! They have portrayed my America as a land where everything is tolerated except being intolerant! They have been a vocal and irreverent minority for years; they have mocked and attacked the very core values so important to the founding and growth of our Country! They have made every effort to remove the name of God or Jesus Christ from our Society! They have challenged capital punishment, the right to bear firearms, and the most basic principles of our criminal code; they have attacked one of the most fundamental of=2 Freedoms, the right of free speech! Unite behind Obama? Never!I refuse to retreat one more inch in favor of those whom I believe are the embodiment of Evil!

PRESIDENT BUSH made mistakes during his Presidency, (EVERY PRESIDENT DOES) however; I believe that he weighed his decisions in light of the long established Judeo-Christian principles of our Founding Fathers!!!

Majority rules in America, and I will honor the concept; however, I will fight with all of my power to be a voice in opposition to Obama and "his goals for America ."I am going to be a thorn in the side of those who, if left unchecked, will destroy our Country!! Any more compromise is more defeat!I pray that the results of this election will wake up many who have sat on the sidelines and allowed the Socialist-Marxist anti-God crowd to slowly change so much of what has been good in America!

"Error of Opinion may be tolerated where Reason is left free to combat it." - Thomas Jefferson

"If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under."- Ronald Reagan

GOD BLESS AMERICA --- AND AMERICA , BLESS GOD!

Tired! Tax Free Shopping

will get you that way fast.

We went to the other Sear's store and Otter tried on several shirts, but she only wound up with 2. But they are cute and that gives her 4 new ones to start school with so she's happy. We went to a few other places but didn't find anything. It was still somewhat crowded, but not nearly as bad as Friday afternoon was.

I spent $69.46 total, which includes Bill's jeans and a couple of things for me. We saved $5.92 which isn't a lot, but it all adds up at the end! And it was fun to go shopping. Just hard on the feet!

(Of course, the fact that we mowed the lawn this morning might have something to do with my sore feet.)

Otter now has a new decorative item in her room. Grandpa gave her a traffic cone. You know, the tall, orange, rubber kind that you see in the street to indicate areas to keep out of. Being that she is very much her father's daughter, her first words were "COOL! This will be neat in my room!" No idea what she'll use it for, but she'll find something.

The reason I said that she's her father's daughter regarding the traffic cone is family history. For several years in Texas, we had our own business. We painted parking lots. The politicaly correct term is "pavement markers" but I'm not politicaly correct. The actual name of the business is Striping, which is frequently mis-pronounced as Stripping. There is a difference! But it makes for some fun jokes.

And school starts Wednesday!

Friday?

I sure hope so. I'm tired!

It's the first day of the 3-day Sales Tax Holiday. Clothing and shoes are exempt from sales tax and lots of stores have additional sale prices on those items. We went to WalMart this morning, Bill needed jeans so we got him a couple of pair. Then Otter went to work with me today and we hit the mall immediately after work. Along with nearly everybody else! But the stores we needed to look at are in the mall. While we were in Wallyworld, she did look but it's pretty much stuff she wouldn't be caught dead in and I don't blame her! We went to several stores, Penneys is where we usually buy a lot of clothes but apparently nobody bothered to tell Penneys that if you are going to sell clothing and advertise it as school clothes it's a good idea to check the dress code first! We found her two cute t-shirts in Sears, she tried on several but most of them were out of her size in the ones she liked. We also went to Target, but the only money we spent there was in the snack bar!

We are going to the other Sears store in our area on Sunday afternoon, since they did have a lot of the shirts she likes we've decided it will be worth the crowds.

Froggy, I got your comment about my redneck status now that we no longer have the car on blocks in the yard. But I think that Toadly is the final authority on the subject. It's one that's kind of close to his heart! :) And we have already started the process to sell the rent house, which is the one that is technically up on blocks. We're meeting with the realtor next week. Then, depending on what he says, we'll decide what the next step is.

I'm going to go prop up my sore feet now.

You Might Be A Redneck if...

You have a car in your yard and it's up on blocks.

Toadles said that I was a redneck because of two things: 1) the aforementioned car (the 2nd El Camino Bill bought to strip for parts for the White Lightning) and 2) our rent house is not on a solid foundation so it also is technically up on blocks.

But since we are now one down, I don't know if we still qualify. Toadles?

Bill sold the parts car last night. He put it on Craigslist and immediately got some interested emails. Someone came and bought it last night, he's a reasonably young guy and he's going to restore it. He brought a trailer with him, and left with the blue car on the trailer.

Now, we just have to get rid of the second part of the joke. Anybody want to buy a 3-bedroom, 1-bath, 2-car detached garage house with hardwood floors? Because I'm about to have one for sale.

Poll

A one question poll.

DO NOT MISS YOUR CHANCE TO CAST YOUR VOTE:

This is your chance to vote on Obama's performance on this Economy-AT&T/Yahoo Poll... NOTE: this is a totally unbiased poll. The question is stated very simply... and, to the point. No tricks. No hidden messages. No nothing. JUST A SINGLE, SIMPLE QUESTION. There is no way that anyone can say that it was not a fair poll... or, that it was "phrased" in a way that it can be interpreted later... to fit someone else's desired answer. In other words... it is a spin-doctor's "nightmare."

http://js.polls.yahoo.com/quiz/quiziframe.php?poll_id=46067

NOTE: After you vote, you will see a second page that shows the running total and what the opinions are.

Then pass it on... so others can cast their vote.

(I'm sure we all know what my vote was).

Maggie's Happy!

Because her mom is home!

Otter arrived safely, I picked her up at the airport and her plane was actually a little early. She enjoyed her vacation, but she's pretty happy to be home as well.The doggies were very happy to see her, Maggie especially. Mags has hardly left Otter's side.

Billyboy was pretty glad to see her and Otter was just glad that he did NOT carry out his threat to redecorate her room for her while she was gone. :)

July Books & Sunday Stuff

First things first! My book list for July:

1. October Song by Beverly Lewis. Rerun, but still good.

2. Just Take My heart by Mary Higgins Clark. Fluff as usual and not up to her usual standards. I usually read her books when I want somethis light and fast.

3. Heart & Soul by Maeve Binchy. Rerun but I enjoyed it more the second time around.

4. True Crime, an American Anthology by Harold Schecter. This is an anthology of works by many different authors, I skipped most of it but there was an Ann Rule story I wanted to read.

5. They laughed...From Light Bulbs to Lasers, the Fascinating Stories Behind the Great Inventions that Have Changed Our Lives by Ira Flatow. Yes, that really is the title! Frankly, the title was more interesting than the book.

6. Where's My Jetpack? A Guide to the Amazing Sci-Fi Future That Never Arrived by Daniel H. Wilson, PHD. See # 5 for my opinion!

7. Last Man Out by John Fenton Wheeler. He was the last US reporter kicked out of Cuba after Castro's takeover during the cold war. Very interesting.

8. Batman, Gotham County Line by Steve Niles, Scott Hampton and Jose Villarubia. Yes, I still like Batman stories.

9. Batman, Face the Face by James Robinson, Don Kramer & Leonard Kirk.

10. Death in Winter by Michael Jam Friedman. STTNG. (Star Trek The Next Generation for all you non-Trek fans). I think this is a rerun, I skimmed it and it was pretty familiar.

11. Handle With Care by Jodi Picoult. Froggy told me about this author. The story was interesting but I am not impressed with the author's writing skills. However, I'll probably look for other books by her. There is a recent movie that is based on one of her books, the title is something like The Other Sister. Froggy was going to see it with her daughter, I'll probably see if I can find the book.

12. Life at the Zoo, Behind the Scenes with the Animal Doctors by Phillip T. Robinson. OK, not anything spectacular.

13. Summer on Blossom Street by Debbie McComber. Another author that Froggy told me about. This one is actually part of a series, I might be caught up now but I'm not sure. Her books are good, but still fluff. However, one of the main repeating characters owns a yarn shop so knitting and crochet are frequently featured - so of course, I'm going to read more of her work! I'm also not sure if I'm spelling her last name correctly.

14. Mystic River by Dennis LeHayne. This was turned into a movie a few years ago, which I have not seen, but it was a pretty good book. Suspensful to the end.

15. Unwind by Neal Shusterman. This book is actually in the teen section at the library, Otter suggested I read it, she read it a little while back. It's not extremely well written, but it is one I would recommend. It's got a very pro-life angle, although you might not realize it until the end. It's actually fairly harrowing.

16. Susannah's Garden by Debbie McComber.

17. Back on Blossom Street by Debbie McComber.

18. Gardens for Birds, Hummingbirds & Butterflies. This is part of the Black & Decker Home series.

19. Harry Potter and the Half Blood Prince (# 6) by J. K. Rowling. After we saw the movie, Otter decided to re-read the entire series and I decided to re-read this one. But I might go back and read the first 5 books again.

Otter will be home tomorrow! It's been pretty quiet around the house this week. We did manage to go out to dinner Friday night, to a local bbq place we'd heard good things about. It's called Wild Bill's, which was probably the main reason that Bill wanted to go. It was very good, reasonably priced and a good amount of food. We'll go back.

Speaking of Wild Bill, he's stripped a lot of stuff off of the parts car and is now ready to find it a new home. The parts car, not the White Lightning! It's listed on Craigslist and he's already had some interest. So we might not have a Redneck yard for much longer. He did a lot of stuff to the White Lightning over the last few days and we took it for a test drive just now. He let me drive it this time, we went to the turnpike where the speed is 70 and let me just say this: 70 IS NOT FAST ENOUGH! It is a go-fast car if there ever was one.

Also, our tenant called us yesterday. They have bought a house and will be moving at the end of August. While I am happy for them, we would have preferred that they stay for a while. But at least they gave us notice and we don't have to evict them, which we've had to do twice in the past. We're discussing our options. We are leaning very strongly towards putting the house on the market to sell instead of rent, but we haven't decided yet. We never really set out to be landlords, it just kind of happened.

I'm sure that there was more, but it will wait for another post. This one is kind of long!