Just Sunday

It's cold, although it looks warm.  It was supposed to be in the 50's yesterday and then get cold last night with the possiblity of winter weather.  It started out warm yesterday morning, but it didn't stay that way very long.  It got cold, fast.  By mid-afternoon, it was below freezing.  We had firewood inside already, so we started a fire and kept it going until about bedtime last night.  It was rainy most of the afternoon and very windy.  It was well below freezing last night.  As a result, it was icy this morning and we had a little snow overnight.  Not even enough to coat the ground, but it did cover the deck a bit.  It melted off pretty quick, it's sunny but it is still very cold.

I didn't really want to get out, but we had to return the movie we rented on Friday so we got the car defrosted and de-iced and got ready to go.  Only to discover that the tire I've been watching for the last few days was pretty low.  Bill's compressor bit the dust a while back and the parts to repair it haven't arrived yet, so I had to drive it to the nearest convenience store that has air.  Which was about 3 1/2 miles awy.  I put air in the tire (it was very cold!) and then we got our errands done.  I've been watching it for about a week because I suspected it might have a slow leak and it apparently does.  I'll see how it is in the morning, it's going to need to be checked and fixed but I'm not sure if I'm going to work tomorrow or not so I don't know if I'm actually going to be going anywhere.  The movie had to be returned today, and we also went to the post office to mail a couple of things.  We stopped at Michael's, because I'm working on etsy stuff and they had the cotton yarn I needed on sale.  Also, Otter had a bunch of books to turn in at the used book store so I figured that we'd better get it all done while we could, in case the tire needed to be fixed today.  But it held up and got us home, it's still ok but I'll check it in the morning.

While we were at the book store, Otter also picked up a job application.  Because she's made her decision and she will not be going back to school at this time.  She intends to work for a while and then maybe at a later date she might go back.  But not now.

I'm feeling better.  But not 100% yet.  I was seriously concerned on Friday night that I might have the flu, but the muscle aches I had went away and I never developed fever.  I spent most of yesterday on the couch with a couple of blankets and I got a UFO finished.  I started working on my turquoise shawl a while back and then it got put aside for other projects.  I started back on it and after I'd done several rows I realized that I was using the wrong hook, smaller than the one I started with.  The stitches were a little bit smaller but not enough to really notice so I decided to just keep going with the 2nd hook.  It's a small-gauge yarn and very silky, but it took a lot more rows and a long time because of the yarn size.  At one point, I was about ready to just call it finished and toss it in the etsy or donate pile, because it was taking me forever and I really was tired of putting a row on it and then not being able to tell that it had grown any.  I got it out last week and decided to go ahead and finish it, and I did that yesterday.  It looks good, it's a very soft yarn and I am anxious to wear it but I'm not in a hurry to make anything else with that yarn for a while!  I will get pictures on the craft blog soon, I need to get my official photographer to take pictures for me but she's occupied with something in her room at the moment.

Anyway, I started the last paragraph out about the fact that I don't have the flu or at least I don't think I do.  I have been resting as much as I can, today's errands were not that long.  We were probably gone about an hour, they were quick and the video store was not something we could put off since I didn't want to pay an extra day on the movie.  I just figured that we should get all our stuff done while we were out, but I really didn't feel like doing much.  I am able to talk, but my voice comes & goes.  I had a sinus-type headache most of yesterday morning but it finally went away.  I am having some mild asthma symptoms, but they are not too bad.  I'm not sure yet about tomorrow as far as work goes, I'll see how I feel.  I'm just glad that it doesn't seem to be the flu.

Dog Tails

And probably other stuff, too!

The dogsters got their vet check today.  And they got other stuff done as well.  Both dogs got heart worm tests, "regular" worm tests, and they each had to get various shots.  Maggie also got her rear-end squashed, which was not pleasant and since the test for regular worms is similar, she was not a happy camper!  In fact, she peed all over the floor of the exam room - twice!  She never does that, but she was pretty stressed out so I guess we shouldn't have been surprised.  She also got her claws trimmed, it's difficult to say the least so when they asked if I wanted it done I immediately approved it.  Frasier weighs 62.9 pounds and Maggie Moo is 26.2.  They were so glad to get home...

It rained off & on today.  It was not a hard rain or even steady.  But as we were leaving the vet's office, we saw the prettiest rainbow.  It was huge and very bright.  And double!

Otter's still thinking, but I'm pretty sure she's going to sit at least the next semester of college out and try to get a job.

It's been a very busy week.  I'm glad that tomorrow is Friday.  The menu for tomorrow night is spaghetti and garlic toast.  Spaghetti is pretty much my favorite food, and we eat it a lot.  But we haven't had it in several weeks because Bill and I have been trying to be careful with what we eat and that involves some measuring of portions.  Spaghetti is not easy to measure!  But I need my sketti, so we're having it tomorrow.  And probably Saturday/Sunday as well, because I intend to make enough for leftovers this weekend.

I still can't get blogger to load pictures!  It will not let me search for the pictures on my computer, I think that there is a glitch somewhere because the screen will come up and then change.

Red Head Drawbacks and Other Stuff

One of of the drawbacks (bad side effects) to being a redhead is what is known as the "Red Head Curse" and it has a lot of different facets.  One of the issues is the issue known as Red Head Anemia.  I've been dealing with it lately.  I can always tell when my iron level is low and it certainly is at the moment.  I'm actually better than I was a couple of days ago, but I'm still feeling tired and draggy.  I'm not as cold as I was, but it's always going to be a fact of life for me that I get cold easily.  It's just worse sometimes, and this is one of those times.

Not that I particularly enjoy them, but there are times when I wish I could schedule a hot flash!

One of the side-effects of low iron/anemia, no matter the reason for it, is not sleeping well.  I have had a few nights with that but I've had two good nights in a row so I'm hopeful that I'm nearly over this go-round.  I've eaten a lot more protein/iron rich foods the last few days and I think it's making a difference.  I'm still a little paler than usual although I don't think that I've had much of a problem with that this time.

Oh well, it's one of the trade-offs that come with the great benefit of the hair color.  Not much I can do about it, so I'll just do what I always do:  put up with it.

Other stuff:  Otter and I went to the library tonight and literally got more books than we could easily carry.

The dogsters go to the vet tomorrow afternoon.  Along with the normal rear-squash for Maggie Moo, they both need shots and I'm also having them checked for heart worms since they've been off the preventive for a few months and while we're at it, the vet is also going to do a "regular" worm check because I have some suspicions about Maggie Moo.

Otter's still got her difficult decision to make, as regards continuing her college education.  She's seriously leaning towards not going back to school and trying to get a job.  But she hasn't completely made up her mind yet.  I think that's where she stands, at least for now.

I've been fighting allergy symptoms for a couple of days now.  I'm really beginning to suspect the beginning of another sinus infection, but it's still to early to tell.  Sometimes, my allergy symptoms will mimic one so I have to wait a bit before I head in to the doctor.  It might "just" be allergy, I'll know in a day or so.

Of course, a lot of today's issues were caused by the 2 1/2 onions that I chopped up this morning and put in the freezer!  It was so bad in the kitchen that the dogs wouldn't even go in there, and that's saying something because they don't seem to mind very much in the way of smells!  I also started soup this morning, Otter watched it for me all day and stirred it as needed.  The dogs were right in there with her, apparently they liked the smell of soup cooking better than onion armageddon!

2012 Start to Finish!

2012 is just about over, although since Blogger is being so slow it might actually BE over before I get through typing this!  Anyway.  I think we'll be glad to see this year end.  It hasn't been horrible, but frankly we have had better.  We've had worse as well, so I'm not really complaining.  Just stating a fact is all.

January

Well, I brought back a cold from our TEXAS trip in December 2011 and then spent at least half the month fighting it.  It turned into bronchitis and I was very sick.  Otter had a touch of the cold, but she was over most of it early in the month.  I made it into a marathon!

I did manage to get quite a bit of crochet done, mostly because I was home sick so much.

Bill's pachinko collection increased (this happens a lot).

There was a Friday the 13th this month.

Otter got new glasses.  We decided that we don't like the Oakley brand, they don't curve around the ear and keep falling off.  She doesn't want that kind anymore and I don't blame her.

Bill took a turn with the cold but he didn't have a very bad case.

My tendonitis showed up and it stayed around for weeks and weeks.  It's one thing I want to do without for 2013!

Bill's car had a leak in the power steering system.  $516.00 to fix it. Ouch!

Otter was mistaken for an actual librarian at the library one day. :)

February

For a while, we were concerned that Otter might have a thyroid imbalance.  The doctor was too, but so far she seems to be ok.

Bill got the first of what turned into several fillings.  Actually, he got a few this month and then for the next few months.

There was an attempted kidnapping of a 13 year old girl at a school bus stop, less than 2 miles from our house - the boy that tried to grab her was 14 years old.

We had a trace of snow (finally!)

A very special couple I know celebrated their 75th Wedding Anniversary!

We replaced the filter on the ice maker in the fridge.  And discovered billions and billions of multi-colored twist ties.  With no idea where they came from!

This was a leap year, so there were 29 days in February.

March

Froggy's hubby got a great job in the Austin, TX area and they decided to move.

Otter started the month with what she thought was a night of not sleeping and then a cold/allergy coming on - but it turned out to be the flu!  She was one of many in the Tulsa area who got the flu shot and then still got the flu.  She didn't have a bad case, but it was still not good.

The Oklahoma primary was in March.  Our first choice, Herman Cain, dropped out earlier so I voted for the 2nd choice - Rick Santorum.  He won Oklahoma, but ultimately dropped out of the race.

Otter was thinking about changing her major from Library Sciences to an English Degree and that is what she decided to do.

We had a pretty intense hail storm.

I got to crochet again!  I didn't even attempt it for several weeks, thanks to the tendonitis.  Then I had to be careful and just do small sessions.

Bill shaved his beard!

The dishwasher died.  It had been on it's way out for a while, but we were nursing it along.  We didn't replace it at the time and later I decided that I don't really want one.

We actually had weather that was nice enough to sit out on the deck.

The frogs showed up, so the bricks went into the dog water.  Don't want any drowned frogs!  Dead frogs don't eat bugs.

We switched from the humidifiers to the fans in the bedrooms.  In March!

Bill had a cold or allergy.

We had pouring rain for a few days.

Otter's annual lung recheck at the allergist.  He was very impressed with her status.  She also had Spring Break.

Birds started building nests in various places around the house and yard.

Otter turned 20!

April

Discovered a bunch of bluebonnets coming up in the front yard and whiskey barrel.

Also, we discovered the first of what became a major invasion of yellow-jacket nests.

Dallas had tornados!

The iris plants started to bloom.

The vet started really watching Frasier's leg.

We had a nice Easter at Grandpa and Sweetie's house.

Spring Storms made their appearance, especially in the western part of the state.

Otter learned to crochet!

Froggy & Uncle Crazy found a house!

May

We had a storm with a lot of strong wind.  And then we had pieces of one of our trees all over the back yard!

Maggie caught a fledgling mockingbird, but Otter got he to drop it and then Maggie was in major discgrace!

Mother's Day.  We saw the Avengers movie and had buffalo burgers.

The office cat disappeared.  We eventually found her, she was deceased and we think she "came home" to die.  She had adopted us several years ago and was probably just old but she was still a fun pet at work and we miss her.

9 yellow-jacket nests at the office.  That was just in one day, we killed them and they kept coming back!

We got the septic tank cleaned out. Not a pleasant job, but necessary.

June

The hummingbirds showed up!

We moved plastic shelves into Otter's room, now she has a place to put all that craft stash of hers.

More yellow jacket nests.

I got stung by one of the beasties.  It wasn't pleasant.

The drive-in reopened in Tulsa!

We found out (the hard way) that Otter is not allergic to yellow jackets.  We were already destroying them as we came across the nests, but not Bill was on a mission!

Bill's 51st birthday.

Froggy's house in SA was an interesting story.  The first buyer had a stroke just a few days before he was to close, they had to put the house back on the market and the 2nd buyer was kind of a turkey.  But it was eventually sold.

Ozone days started for the summer.

Otter found a wasp.  It was climbing up the curtains inside the living room!

We found a box turtle in the back yard.  She was relocated under the fence.

The supreme court made a collosal mistake.

July

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

A sparrow flew into the dining room window.  It did not survive. :(

We watched fireworks from our back deck.

We found an injured dove in the back yard.  We gave her food and water and kept the dogs out.  After a couple of days, she was nowhere to be seen so we think that the got her strength back and was able to fly off.  There was no sign of anything else.

Still finding yellow jackets.  Still squashing/spraying/killing them.

The Olympics started in London.  We watched quite a bit.

Our neighbor pointed at me as I was driving off one morning - actually it was the husband/boyfriend/whatever he is and he mimed pulling a gun on me and shooting.  This was the 2nd time, the first was just pointing.  I waved at him and gave him a big smile - and then they seemed to do everything they could to avoid us after that.  Guess they didn't like realizing that we don't intimidate?

My favorite author, Maeve Binchy, died.**

August

Otter decided to take a break from college and think about her plans for the future.  She started applying for jobs, then after a long talk with her councilor at school she changed her mind.  At least for the immediate future.

We supported Chick-Fil-A.  And continue to do so.

Otter went to TEXAS for a week, she saw her TEXAS grandmother and most of her cousins.

Found another yellow jacket nest!

The vacuum cleaner died.  Unlike the dishwasher, it was replaced!

I made my specialty soup with frozen vegetables and it worked pretty well.

The vet decided that Frasier's "spot" needed to come off.  We scheduled his surgery for Labor Day weekend so it was actually August 31st.  It was the beginning of a roller coaster that we actually thought at one point was the end of Frasier's time on earth.  He got better!  But we really weren't sure he would at one point and we (and the vet) were actually planning the timing for euthanasia.  It was that close and that serious.

Otter started her 2nd year at college.

The driver's side window fell off it's frame in Bill's car.  We had to replace the motor assembly but the window itself was intact.

September

We didn't get a lot of sleep this month, courtesy of one large, furry dog!

We went to Wallyworld one morning and there were was looked like (literally) millions of crickets!

We got our flu shots.  Later than we planned, but at least we managed to get them!  I had my usual reaction.

Frasier, in his cone, got his head stuck between the couch and a magazine rack.

The dogs came veryclose to getting a cat under the shed.

Talk Like a Pirate Day!  Otter got a free dozen donuts at Krispy Kreme, and so did most of her friends, just for dressing up like a pirate and talking like one.

The dentist agreed that Otter's top wisdom teeth were just about ready to come out.  She also diagnosed the beginning of de-calcifying in Otter's teeth.

October

I brought the hummingbird feeders in the for the year.

Frasier kept us up at night.

I had a chance to educate two neighborhood girls on not throwing rocks at passing cars.  RHTW got the job done and I don't think that they will do it again.

We went to Bartlesville and areas north, one of our shopping rambles.  It turned out to be the last one for the year although we didn't realize it at the time.  It was fun.

Otter and I went to the Fair.  First time in two years.  Fun, lots of walking.

The vet recommended a bitter apple spray for Frasier's leg.  It didn't keep him from licking and I'm firmly convinced that it made his mental state worse.

We had a bad dust storm.

Otter started showing signs of Red Hair anemia.  She's increased her iron intake and is much better.

We heard coyotes.

I found one of the two opal earrings (two different ones) I lost over a year ago.  Thought it was gone for good, it was in the dryer!

The vet had us start the dog on benadryl at night.  It worked two or three nights, then we were right back where we started from.

Bill transplanted an elm tree sapling that came from the elm tree we put in a couple of years ago.

The vet suggested leaving a light on in the living room with the hopes that Frasier would be able to see that there was nothing to bark at.  He only saw that I wasn't in there and he kept barking!

November

The vet suggested tranquilizers.  They did the trick.  He still gets one occasionally, but after about a week of a pill nightly he was much better.

Time change.

Bill briefly considered selling the El Camino.  I'm glad he decided not to.

The "big" election happened.  Without us, frankly.  At least without us on certain parts of it.

I had a cold.

Grass fires in the area, lots of smoke & dust.

My puppy is back!  He's been so much better and actually wore the beagle out on a few occasions.  That is not easy to do, by the way.

We scheduled Otter's oral surgery for mid-December.

I started an afghan for Grandpa for Christmas.  Which I didn't get finished until about 30 minutes before they came on over Christmas morning!

Bill had time off at Thanksgiving.  And he got sick!

Thanksgiving.  We had a great time at Grandpa and Sweetie's.

Otter and I saw an annual exhibit at a local museum.

We took the curtains down from the dining room and put up mini-blinds.

December

Otter made a great find at an estate sale, she found a fairly rare and collectible picnic basket.

12/21/12 happened.  And nothing happened.  We didn't expect anything anyway, but it was fun watching people get stupid about it.

Well, one thing did happen on 12/21/12:  my notary commission was renewed for another 4 years.

We made cookies.  Lots and lots and lots of cookies.

And then I threw away most of my cookies sheets and got new ones!

The dogs jumped the block in the garage.  And discovered a full back of their food.  It wasn't full for long!

Otter had a fairly heavy nosebleed - in line at the dollar store!  Thankfully, they sell kleenex.

Otter had oral surgery.  The two two wisdom teeth came out and the surgery went well.  She didn't have any problems from it.

But she did have problems from the pain pill, it was a hard way to discover a codiene allergy but I guess it was the only way it could be discovered.

Christmas!

V-A-C-A-T-I-O-N!

I turned 51, I caught up with Billyboy.  We went to Incredible Pizza and a few thrift stores.  It was a lot of fun.  Otter made me brownies. :)

Bill was on vacation and he did what he's known for:  he got sick!

I finally gave in and bought a purse.  I buy purses when I need one, but this one was a little different.  And it cost a lot more.  I still can't believe I paid that much for a purse.

We had a touch of snow on the 28th.

One other thing in December:  The publisher that handled Maeve Binchy's books announced that there was one more book and it would be coming out on Valentine's Day 2013.  I'm not sure if it was one that was just never published for whatever reason, or if it was going to be published and then she died.  But whatever the reason, I am going to buy it.  She was a major talent and is very much missed.

I had 4 migraines in 2012.  Which is about the average.  I had a few hot flashes, only a couple of them were really bad (hot flashers, actually).  But I guess it's to be expected.

We had very little car trouble, what we did have with mostly with Bill's car but it's a 10 year old car and has around 150,000 miles on it.  I guess it's to be expected too.

It was a warm year and a dry one.  It didn't feel as hot as 2011, but it actually was.

But we managed to get through the year without losing a special dog, that is something that we didn't expect at one point.  He's an old dog and we're just going to enjoy however long with have him.  And spoil him even more rotten - same thing with the beagle!

But I really, really do NOT want tendonitis.  Ever again.

C is For...

Cookies!

We've been baking.  We mixed up two different kinds yesterday, Hunky Chunky Chocolate Chip and Gold Rush cookies.  Both are Bill's name for them, they are a standard sugar cookie mix but he rearranges things and adds in a few ingredients to make them his own specialty.  Gold Rush uses yellow candy melts, broken into a billion pieces by Bill with a metal meat tenderizer - he has a good time with that!  It also has raisins and walnuts.  The Hunky Chunky Chocolate Chip cookies are similar to a chocolate chip cookie but he uses chocolate bars or kisses, again broken up with his mallet, and sometimes he puts nuts in but I don't think he did this time.  Today, we mixed up the ice box cookies that were handed down from his grandmother or possibly his great-grandmother.  I think the ice box cookie recipe is on the cooking blog - it's the one that uses a pound of butter and 6+ cups of flour!  The ice box cookies are currently rolled and wrapped in waxed paper, sitting in the fridge for a while.  He's going to bake at least some of them tonight.

Most of the cookies are going to work with him this week, but we've had our share to snack on.

Otter made chocolate chip cookies two days last week, they went to school with her and were gone in a matter of seconds.  I don't think I've posted the recipe she used, it's one from my family and it's also used for cut-out cookies with a few changes.  I will eventually get it posted on the cooking blog.

One discovery from the cookie marathon baking sessions is that I need new cookie sheets/baking pans.  The ones I had have been used way past their intended life span so most of them have been tossed.  I told Bill that he can get me some new ones (good ones this time) for my birthday.  And that I will even pick them out myself, I don't mind a bit.  Same thing for my Christmas gift from him - I need new house shoes and that's something I'll have to get myself.

Usually, I don't like picking out my own gift but this is one of those years when I kind of have to!

Otter's about to start her last week of this term at college and it's finals week.  She's also a week away from her oral surgery.  We usually have something special or fun on Friday nights for dinner, I suggested that Otter pick what we eat this coming Friday, since she's going to have a period of a few days when she won't be able to each much "reguar" food.  I think it's going to be DiGiorno's pizza this week.  Which is fine, we haven't had that in a while.  Even though we've had cookies the last couple of days, we've still been fairly good about our diet.

The dogs seem to have recovered from their pig-out session when they tore open the dog food bag last week.  However, Maggie was in disgrace last night - she apparently forgot that she is housebroken and peed on their blankets.  Actually, she might have been asleep and either dreamed or just leaked.  It wasn't a lot, but she's the one that did it.  Shortly after that, she wanted me to let her out so I did.  She immediately went out to the grass and relieved herself there so I'm not really sure what happened.  I washed the blankets last night and Frasier actually slept on them last night - usually, he avoids their blankets for hours after they get washed.  Maggie's also got an interest in something under the shed.  Every time I let them out, they head that direction but then Maggie Moo crawls underneath and it takes a lot of calling to get her back out.  I don't think that there is anything actually under there, usually it's a cat but she keeps going underneath and I'm not sure I like it - there are a couple of animals that burrow and one of them is black & white striped!

It's a little on the cold side today.  It wasn't bad this morning, misting slightly and cool when we got to church.  By the time we got out, it was dry but it was also getting cooler.  Otter and I ran an errand this afternoon and we could tell that the temp was really dropping.  It's supposed to get really cold tonight and we could get the "s" word although that's not expected.  It was supposed to be today but the forecast keeps getting pushed back.  However, since the forecasters here don't know their heads from a hole in the ground, the best thing to do is to be prepared for any and all eventuality!

I've seen a little more about the new Star Trek movie.  The trailer released in Japan is longer than the one here.  It also contains what I'm pretty sure are scenes designed to throw the fans off the track as to who the villian actually is.  The Japanese trailers are leaning in a direction that pretty much none of us want to go - Khan.  But I hope that they are really just trying to muddy the waters on us, because that would be a major, MAJOR tactial mistake on the studio's part.  However, after I went back and viewed the trailer released in the US and noticed a couple of specific characters that were fairly prominently featured, I'm still thinking that it's Gary Mitchell.  Which would make perfect sense and could actually be a good thing.  Khan would be the wrong way to go.  They need to leave him alone, at least for now - maybe forever.

I got a lot of crochet done yesterday.  I'm mostly working on the bigger project that is a Christmas gift so no details here yet, but it's coming along very well.  I have a smaller Christmas gift project that I'll be starting soon but it won't take me as long as the big one has.  Although it is smaller, it's a little more intricate so it will still take a little time.

Think I'll head back in the direction of the kitchen shortly.  Bill's going to be baking those cookies and he's a dirt/clutter magnet.  I've already cleaned the kitchen twice today - once was a full-scale, counter wipe down, wall cleaning assault on flour dust after he mixed up the dough!

Aw, Nuts!

One of the field guys at work sells pecans this time of year.  He picks them himself, I don't know if the orchard is his or a family member's but they are papershell pecans.  They're very good.  But then, pecans are special to TEXANS.  I ordered 5 lbs and he brought them this morning.  My two bosses also ordered 5 pounds each, so he delivered a 15 lb. bag and I split it up.  Then I shelled part of the teenager's portion for him.  They came pre-cracked, so it was relatively easy to shell them.  I brought ours home and Otter promptly claimed them all!  She has to share them, although she probably would prefer not to!  Half of the pecans are in the deep freeze, the other half is in the house freezer but I'm sure that they will not be in any danger of going bad before they get eaten.  I just kind of have that feeling for some reason.  :)

Anyway, I have a pecan pie in the oven now.  Karo Syrup changed their recipe slightly, it used to call for heating the butter/syrup/sugar on the stove then adding the vanilla and stirring until the sugar was dissolved.  After that, the pecans are added and it's all poured into a 9", deep-dish frozen pie crust.  (I don't have the pie crust gene so I use pre-made frozen ones).  Now, it's all just stirred together although the butter is melted (and I think it now calls for less butter than before) and when the sugar is dissolved (takes a while, stirring it by hand like that) then the rest of it is the same.  I decided to follow the revised recipe, at least this time.  We'll see how it turns out.  The pie is not going to be eaten until at least tomorrow night, it takes several hours to cool - unless Bill wants to consume what is essentially molten lava with pecans in it.  I also bought cool whip.  Vanilla ice cream works good on it, too.

Here's a little T & T Thursday:  The UN needs to keep it's nose out of Israel's business!  I do sympathise with the Palestinian people, but the Book states clearly what is Israel and what isn't.  It also clearly states what will happen to Israel's enemies.  The land is Israel and the Jewish people are the chosen people of God.  Don't believe me?  Read the Book!

I have a prayer request.  A friend's daughter lost her baby yesterday.  It was her second child, she has an adorable little boy.  But they are still mourning the loss of a child and prayers would help them.

Otter has 2 weeks and one day left of the current semester of college.  She's looking at her options, since this was her "think about it" semester but I think she's probably going to continue with college at this point.  It's her decision to make, we'll support whatever she decides to do and she'll make the right choice for herself.  We can only give her guidance in this, it's one of those decisions she has to make for herself.

She's also got two weeks until the oral surgery.  Bill and I have 3 weeks of work, then I have a week & a half off in a combination of vacation and holiday.  Bill will have two weeks off in holidays and then he's taking another week off after that for vacation.  Otter will have two or three weeks, I'm not exactly sure when the next term starts because I think she's going to go back.  (See previous paragraph.)

I'm just glad that tomorrow if Friday.  It's been a busy week.

Sunday Rambling

It's Sunday and I'm rambling.

(Also known as the inability to come up with a good title.)

Today was a work day.  We worked in the garage.  Bill's been avoiding the fact that it's dangerous to even walk out there, the danger of being crushed and nobody being able to find him/us/me/Otter/the dogs being the main thing he's been in Denial about.  He finally realized that he has spece to work on the machines, and it's the garage.  But that he didn't have room to work.  Space and room being two different concepts!  He's been cleaning out a little bit at a time, but not really getting anywhere since he hasn't had a lot of time to work on it.  So, we got up this morning and got busy out there.  There's still a lot to be gone through/trashed/donated/rearranged, but it's a lot better than it was when we started.  The trunk of my car is filled to the brim with stuff to recycle - both the stuff we normally have, and a whole lot of stuff that Bill came across.  The back seat of my car was filled to the point of exploding with stuff to donate, so Otter and I went to Goodwill this afternoon.  We'll take the recycling stuff in the morning, we didn't have time today.  There is still a lot to be done out there, but at least I don't have to fear for my life and limbs just by going out to get dog food!

I mentioned that Otter and I went to Goodwill.  We did donate the huge amount of stuff we had.  But we also went into the store part, we were already there after all...  She found a skirt, a pair of jeans and a book.  I didn't find anything but I did have fun:  I tried on 3 skirts.  They were all a size smaller than the jeans that I've been wearing but the jeans are now too big for me.  So, I thought that the skirts might fit.  They didn't fit.  Because they were too big!  I guess I probably should wait before buying any new clothing, although I'm probably going to have to get another pair of jeans soon because I am not willing to risk having them fall off of me!  They are not quite that big, but they are very loose and I have to keep pulling them up.

I mentioned having had to deal with a union in an earlier post.  What I didn't mention is that the one I had to deal with at my previous job (several times) is the same one that the Hostess company had.  The 18,500 employees is "only" the Hostess company.  There will be more affected, such as the delivery drivers that work for other companies entirely.  Such as the Mom & Pop stores that sold bread & other things made by Hostess.  Such as many restaurants that bought their bread from Hostess.  Such as the convenience stores that also got their breads from Hostess and even the consumers who buy brands they like at the grocery stores.  I hope that the union is happy.  Because they are 100% at fault for this.  The company name is not actually Hostess, I just can't remember the exact name but Hostess is probably one of their main trademarks.

I'm fairly sure that Twinkies and many of their other products will be back.  The recipe & rights will be bought out by someone else.  But that won't help all the people who now have no income, who might be facing the loss of their homes, who might wind up hungry & homeless because of selfishness and arrogance by the union.

OK, the soapbox has been returned to it's resting place.  But I can and will get it back out as needed.  I'm sure it will be, it always is.

Movie Review:  Brave.  We rented it to watch yesterday.  And I have seldom ever been as disappointed in a movie as I was with Brave.  I had high hopes and we expected a good movie.  However, it was a complete and utter waste of time and even if we'd seen it at the dollar theater I think it would have been a waste of money.  The animation was very good, and of course we have a fondness for redheaded girls who kick behind.  But that's about the only thing that we liked.  Otter liked it, she saw it in the theater with HP when she was still dating him and she still enjoyed it.  But Bill and I were both very surprised by how little we liked it.  It's Otter's turn to pick the Saturday movie now, I think we're going to be watching the new Spider Man movie.

Bill's off this week.  He is taking Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday as vacation days.  Otter only has classes Monday and Tuesday.  I have to work through Wednesday, and I'm really looking forward to having a 4-day weekend coming up.  I think Otter and I might make our annual trip to a local museum for their Christmas tree exhibit.  But we aren't planning on doing any Black Friday shopping, unless we have to stop at the grocery store or something like that.  I don't think that counts as Black Friday shopping anyway!

I'd like to mention Frasier and how well he's doing, but I don't want to jinx anything.  But it's been nice to sleep all night the last few weeks.  But I don't want to jinx it, so I'm not actually saying anything.  (No, I don't believe in jinxes, curses, karma, accidents or luck.  But I can't think of a good word to use!).

Thursday Ketchup

I thought that Ketchup would be an appropriate title because, among other things, I bought an industrial-sized container of ketchup at Sam's yesterday.  Also mustard.  And a case of Rotel!  And I haven't blogged much in the last few days.

Blogger is acting up again.  It's not telling me that there are comments until I log in, it's supposed to email me but it hasn't been.  I've checked my settings and it's still set up to email me.  I guess it's protesting or something.  So, if you leave me a comment and it doesn't appear for a while it might be a good thing to email me and let me know.

Froggy, I thought you'd like the Eeyore picture.  I thought it was adorable.

Frasier is both better and worse.  He's no longer barking at invisible intruders.  But he's still wanting company at night.  The benadryl did help for a little while but not long.  One of the things the vet suggested was that we leave a light on where he could see that there was nothing to be scared of.  We tried that last night.  Not only could he see that he wasn't in any danger, he could also see that Mom wasn't in the room!  So, I slept on the couch again last night.  First thing this morning, I called the vet and ordered the tranquilzers.  I picked them up today, 20 pills for $26.00.  The dosage is one to two pills, start with one and then work my way up if I need to.  About 45 minutes to an hour before bedtime.  They will make him groggy and hopefully, he'll sleep all night.  I can give him another pill or half pill after 4 to 6 hours, which might mean that they wear off in the middle of the night.  We're going to start them tonight, they don't have to be given around the clock and can be given just at night.

Then, if/when that doesn't work, we have one more thing to try:  allowing him back in our room at night.  He used to sleep at the foot of the bed and was never a problem, but Maggie was.  She would get under our bed, which was not a problem, but she has a habit of licking everything she comes in contact with until it is sodden wet (which makes it smell also).  At first, we thought she was having housebreaking issues, it was that bad.  She's the reason that they are blocked from the bedrooms.  But that's been the case for several years now, and is not a new thing.  Frasier can jump the block, he's tall enough and has done it on a few occasions.  What we're thinking is that we'll take the block down and take him to the bedroom with us (the block will be replaced) and he'll probably (hopefully!) go to sleep.  I might remind him about his ability to jump the block, stand on the other side and call him as an example.  I honestly think that we are going to get to that point, because his problem now is obviously that he wants to be where I am.  And it is me, he likes Otter and Bill, but there is a reason my local mother-in-law calls him a Mamma's Boy.

He does have some vision issues, but that are not as severe as we thought at first.  Of course, that was when nobody (dog included) had been getting any sleep for a period of several days.  We're pretty sure he has some hearing loss but I don't think it's bad.  He's an old man, it's to be expected!  His physical health is good, he does have the spots on his ribcage on one side that I think are cysts but they are fairly small and I think he's had them for a while so they are not an issue.  He's getting playful again, although probably not as bouncy as the beagle is - but then, Beagles are certifiably crazy!  If it takes letting him back into our room to get some sleep, then I'm willing.  He's one of the most special dogs we've ever had.  Even if he can be a pest at times!

We had no trick or treaters last night.  Not even the young ones we usually have before it gets dark.  And after it did get dark, we didn't see any sign at all of any kids on the street.  At all.  We're kind of in the lull - the time between the current crop of kids being too old and the next crop still being really little.  In a couple of years, I think that we'll have more and the houses behind us are probably going to be occupied with families.  We bought one small bad of peanut butter logs and each had one piece out of it.  Then Bill took about half of it to work with him this morning and Otter took the rest to college with her.  I'm not sure about Bill's candy jar, but Otter reported that what she took vanished almost immediately!

I'm going to put my crochet shawl project on hold for a while.  It's gotten to be very frustrating.  I work on it and do several rows, then it never seems to actually get any bigger.  I'm going to start back on my afghan this weekend, it does seem to grow as I add rows at least.  The shawl will eventually be finished - or I'll put the finishing ruffle row on it and call it done, and then I might donate it if I do that because it's not really big enough to fit an adult.

I can't believe that it's already November 1st!

Tired!

Or, in my native language (TEXAN), Teeeiiiirred!

It's been a long day.  My days normally start between 5:00 and 5:15 a.m., but today started at 4:45.  When I was awakened by a beagle, with her face & feet on the side of the bed.  She was whining.  This is not normal behavour for her and she is blocked from getting back to our bedroom anyway.  So, I got up and checked - expecting that I had a sick dog or something, but what apparently happened is that the dog block fell over and Maggie wasn't sure what to do!  It sometimes falls, it gets bumped by feet when we go over it and it gets a little loose.  I think that one dog or the other probably leaned on it, and it fell.  Since it was nearly time for the alarm, I just stayed up.

Frasier had his adventure at the vet today.  He's a sad puppy.  Mostly, he's a sad puppy because he has to wear a Cone of Shame!  I'll post pictures on Sunday.  We took Maggie with us when we took him, it was not possible to get one dog in the leash and out the door without the other one so they both went.  Maggie was happy to get there, which is odd, and happy to go in the door.  Frasier was fine, he wasn't sure what was going on when they took him from me.  We waited until he was out of sight, then we left and Maggie was still happy.  We took her back home, then I dropped Otter off at college and went to work.  I got Otter at lunch and brought her home, then she texted me a picture later of a moping beagle.  Apparently, Maggie Moo missed her brother today.

When I picked Frasier up, he was in his cone already and had been wearing it since shortly after the procedure because he started trying to lick/chew at the spot almost immediately.  Which didn't surprise me one bit.  They gave him a pain shot and I have pain pills for him to take the next few days.  He goes back on the 10th of September for stitch removal.  It was a pretty big place, it was the size of a golf ball without exaggeration.  So, he's got a pretty long incision and shaved area.  He ran into a few walls and door frames, but he's calmed down now.  We have been letting him out through the door instead of the dog door, he can't quite get through it with the cone on.  He's been out to relieve himself and then he had a problem trying to get water so I took the cone off and stood in the kitchen with him while he drank and drank and drank...  Then the cone went back on and he is dealing better than I thought.  But we'll see how he does over the weekend, I think he's going to take some serious watching and I'm thinking that they might get a walk tomorrow.  That way, he can be without the cone for a while.  That depends on if he acts like he's in any pain.  He has flopped down in the floor a couple of times, I think he actually napped once.  Then, he's back up and giving me the sad puppy face!

I did manage to get a little Fenton thinning done.  Otter and I dusted the Fenton and the living room in general.  I decided to donate both Fenton shoes and a "bucket" piece.  I'm not sure if I'm going to get rid of any more of it or not, probably not at this point.

Otter and I are also talking about attending the State Fair this year.  We went two years ago and it wasn't very good, then we skipped last year.  But we might go this year.  To be determined later, it's at the end of September and early October.  If we do go, it will probably be on the last day which is a Sunday.  That's actually a better day to go, the rides are usually discounted and the vendors usually have a lot of discounts.  We'll decide a little closer.  Bill doesn't usually go, the walking is too much for him and his feet since he's usually on them all week long at work.  Also, he doesn't care for the crowds.  He doesn't care if we go and he knows he's always invited, but he usually doesn't go.

We got more rain than I thought we would, from Tropical Storm Isaac.  It was supposed to start raining last night, but it was dry this morning and the radar looked like maybe it was going to miss us.  But it started raining just as we were taking the dogs this morning and it continued for most of the morning.  Then the sun came out and it got warm & humid, then we had extremely dark clouds and a little shower.  I don't think we'll get any more rain from Isaac.

TGIF!

We Made it to Friday!

And not a moment too soon.  Actually, it should have already been here.  It's been that kind of a week.

Just because I thought it was funny!  (And I'm generally on the side of the misunderstood wolf.)

Otter got her textbooks today.  She actually started back on Tuesday, but we wanted to be sure that her schedule didn't change (we thought it might) so she didn't get her books until today.  $330 for books for two classes!  One of the classes required a set of two books and she got new for that one because the used books don't come with something that is required for that class.  I can't remember what it is, but the class is a technology class and deals with computer.  (It's been a long, hard week and I can't even remember my own name too well right now so I'm not even going to try to remember the name of the class!)

The parts for Bill's car repair came yesterday.  He was going to wait until Sunday to work on it, but we have a good chance of a rainy weekend (fingers crossed!) and also he was afraid that the wooden blocks might shift which would allow the window to fall and possibly shatter into a million billion pieces.  So he got right on it as soon as he got home.  It wasn't too hard, just a little tedious.

We decided to get pizza for our Friday Night Dinner.  We usually have something fun or different, as a way to start Sabbath.  Cici's had a special, three single-topping pizzas for $15.00.  I didn't even look at the coupon beyond the price, I thought it was for 3 small or possibly medium pizzas.  I should have looked, because it was for 3 large pizzas!  We're probably going to be eating pizza for the next few meals.  But it was cheap, no doubt about that!

We've decided to put the flu shots off for a few weeks.  We originally planned on getting them next Friday, but that's going to be a somewhat busy afternoon since I'll have to pick BigDog up from the vet and get him situated.  We also think that we should probably wait a few weeks for a couple of reasons:  It's probably going to be Peak Ragweed Allergy time for us and any "illness" (even allergy related) can cause a reaction to the flu shot.  Also, we got them early last year and Otter got the flu at the end of the season.  It was supposed to last longer than that and she might have gotten it anyway, but we're going to wait a little while.  Not long, just a few weeks.

I've been fighting allergies all day and so has Otter.  She texted me this afternoon that she was "pretty allergied up" and I knew exactly what she meant.  At least she can take something for hers, none of it works for me.

Glad this roller coaster week is over.  I'm going to head to the refrigerator very shortly, and then I'm going to open my bottle of wine.  The wineglass is already in the freezer, so it will be nice & chilled.  Also, I put a couple of maraschino cherries in the glass and they are freezing along with it.  Sometimes I put fruit in my wine, grapes work great and so do strawberries.  The cherries will probably work well, but they might be a tad bit on the sweet side.

Then, I think I'm going to bed early!  And I hope that I wake up to a rainy day tomorrow.

Things That Happened Around My House

Well, Bill did survive the b(oring)oard meeting!  But when he went out to get in his car to come home, he discovered tht the driver's side window was nowhere to be seen.  There was no broken glass, so he didn't think he'd been broken into and nothing seemed to be missing from the car.  The window apparently popped out of it's frame and slid right down into the door itself.  It was still light when he got home, but it was getting dark.  He took the door apart, basically, and there was the glass right where he thought.  The plan was to slide it back up and pop it in place, but it didn't want to slide very far before getting stuck.  He thinks the motor that controls the window up/down went bad.  He was eventually able to get the window glass out and up, but then he had to cut a couple of blocks of wood to insert inside the door to hold it in place.  Then he put the door back together, locked the car and called it a night.  He talked to our neighbor who is a mechanic this afternoon, and he told Bill what parts he needs to order and gave him a couple of recommendations on where to order it from.  The part is on the way and should be here in a couple of days.  Bill's probably going to spend Sunday afternoon working on it, until then he just can't roll the window down.

Froggy, Otter is still going to stick with the English degree in all probability.  She is still thinking about her future plans.  But, at least for this semester, she's attending college.  None of her decisions have been rash, she's put a lot of thought and prayer into all of them.  But these are decisions she'll have to make for herself, our role is to guide her and help her as needed.

I will be so glad when next week rolls around and Friday gets here, I really want to get Frasier's spot taken care of.  I think it might have bled slightly again, not a lot and probably because he scraped it but it still needs to come off.

Actually, I'll be glad when it's this Friday too!

Monday. All Day Long!

It's been a "day", as they say.

I didn't quite get finished with yesterday's post, I had an interruption.  No, Bill didn't hurt himself!  Although that is a logical thing to expect.  He did get the gutters cleaned out, which involved him climbing up on a ladder.  But the disruption was the "Teenager", as I refer to my older boss.  He lost his wallet, sometime on Friday is the last time he remembered seeing it.  But he didn't call me until yesterday, Sunday, and he thought he should probably cancel his credit card but he couldn't find the file I keep for him.  So, I went in to the office and helped him get it taken care of.  I didn't mind going in, he needed the help and I'm glad I could help him.  The wallet turned up today, it was at his home and was in a spot that had been checked more than once.  We've decided that he has Gremlins! :)

Back to Bill and the rain gutters.  We got rain Saturday, quite a bit of it and it lasted most of the day.  It was wonderful!  But we discovered that the rain gutters were clogged up in a couple of places.  All the leaves the trees have been shedding, due to the heat and dryness.  Most of the leaves apparently wound up in our rain gutters.  Bill got them cleaned out, and if we ever get rain again we'll be ready.

And because change seems to be the only thing around here that is constant, Otter changed her mind.  She was going to sit out this semester of college and work, she had some concerns about her grades and thought that maybe a break would be a good thing.  But she went out to the college and spent a lot of time with her counsellor, or whatever they are called at the college level, and she's decided not to sit out this semester after all.  She's changed the classes she is taking, she's not taking the original schedule.  She'll be going each day, her classes are just in the morning this time.  She might see about a part-time job, she had put in several applications already and had an interview with one place but hasn't heard back.  But that was when she was thinking she could work closer to full-time hours.  She's holding off on putting in anymore applications, at least for a short while.  She might see about working part-time this semester, but that's to be determined at a later date.

I did mention in yesterday's post that we bought a new vacuum.  While I was gone on my office errand, Bill ran it in the rest of the house.  I had only run it in the living room, with plans to get the rest of the house done in the evening.  Bill ran it for me, and he said he had to dump the cannister several times.  Less dog fur in the back of the house, but still enough "dirt" that we think the old one (the used one that was free) never really worked right at all.  As the Dyson commercial says, it lost suction!  Incidentally, the one we bought is a Bissell and it's probably about mid-range in terms of features and price.  Bill did want a Dyson originally, but I didn't - I think that they are overpriced and also after I looked at them, they seemed to be made of cheap, rather flimsy plastic.  Our carpet cleaner that we got a few years back is a Bissell.

Also, Bill had an errand.  I saw a pachinko on Craigslist, so we went to check it out.  The seller wanted to trade for antiques, Indian stuff or would consider cash.  He was originally saying something like $100 or maybe more, but then he said he'd consider $75.  Bill said it's probably only worth about $40, but they guy said he'd have to think about it.  One thing that the seller did was to tell Bill (after a couple of conversations) that he had someone else who "really seemed to want it" and Bill was pretty sure the guy was bluffing.  So, Bill told him that he should just go ahead and let that other person look at it and then call us if the guy didn't buy it.  He said the seller sounded surprised when Bill said that, and when Bill got off the phone he remarked to me that he thought he'd just called a bluff.  Which was apparently true, because the seller called back about 3 minutes later and suddenly was able to show it to Bill.  We went to look at it, and it's what Bill expected - a $40 machine.  The seller said he'd have to think about it, because he might want to get it restored instead.  Bill gave him a price quote for restoration.  We kind of got the feeling that he was going to talk to his wife about it, and we won't be surprised to get a call that he'll take $40.00 for it.

OK, I think Sunday's post is finished now!

Monday stuff:  Bill's working a b(oring)oard meeting tonight.  I took him dinner, he got Subway tonight.  Then I stopped at Whataburger and got Otter's dinner.  I'm not quite hungry yet, so I didn't get anything for myself.  I will probably get into the soup in the freezer in a while or maybe make a small salad.

I had planned on getting our flu shots at Walgreen's this year, like we've done the past couple of years.  But the health department and VNA, which sponser all of the shot clinics no matter where they are, are also going to have them at Wallyworld.  It will be about $11 or $12 cheaper for the Otter and myself, if we go there.  Wallyworld is already attempting to conquer the world, I guess that they are probably there now!  We'll see if they have to have a Redhead Lesson as well.  We'll still be getting them on the Friday of Labor Day weekend, which is the same day as Frasier's big adventure at the vet.  But I need the weekend and Monday off, since I am pretty much gauranteed to have some type of a reaction.  It's still do-able, I'll either get the Otter and the dog on my lunch hour that day or maybe get Otter at lunch and bring her home then get the dog after work and then we'll go back to the nearest Wallyworld which is just a few miles from the house.  Then we'll spend the next couple of days attempting to keep Fraiser from chewing on himself!  And possibly taking regular doses of Motrin, at least in my case.

Sunday Cookies

Specifically, the chocolate chip kind!

Otter and I went to the dollar store.  They are the only place we can find a certain fudge graham cookie.  There is a package out in the deep freeze, where they are (hopefully) safe from Bill!  He'll find a few in his lunch box this week.  But he's not getting any of them until then.  However, we did buy a package of chocolate chip cookies and they are in the cookie jar.  But since Bill's already located them...

Otter got back from her vacation on Friday.  I picked her up at the airport and we got the requested Whataburger for dinner.  She had a really good trip, she got to see most of her relatives and had a lot of fun.  But then who wouldn't enjoy a week of Nana spoiling?  She went to Natural Bridge Caverns which we'd taken her to before, but it's always fun.  There was a newer section of the cave open that we haven't been to, but since they had to walk up the equivalent of 18 flights of stairs I don't see myself going there any time soon!

The dogs were so happy to see Otter when I brought her home.  Maggie especially, the beagle was overjoyed and hardly let Otter out of her sight all evening.  Yesterday, Maggie was where ever Otter happened to be nearly all day.

A while back, I had a prayer request about a decision that was being made.  The decision was Otter's.  For various reasons, she's decided to sit out at least one semester of college and look for a job.  She's been thinking about this for a while, and we think it's the right decision.  It was not a quick decision, nor was it one that she took lightly.  But we agree with her reasons and support her decision 100%.

It's been nicer the last couple of days, we still were over 100 but not much over 100.  Yesterday was in the 90's.  It was 62 in the morning yesterday, we actually got cold sitting out on the deck!  Today is warm but not overly hot, although it's a little humid.  The forecast for next week is great - there are 80's in our future!

While Otter and I were out, we also went to the library.  She needed to restock, since all her library books were turned in prior to her trip to TEXAS.  I had a few books to turn in and found a few more.

Froggy, I made your hat yesterday!  I used one of the three colors you gave me when I asked what color you wanted, and another color entirely.  I'm also going to make you a scarf, and it will match the hat.  Beyond that, I'm not telling you anything.  You'll just have to wait.  Do you want me to mail it to you, or were you planning on picking it up when y'all come see us in the fall?

You Know the Line From The Wizard of Oz?

The one about "I'm melting!"?  Well, that's how I feel today.

Otter and I just got through loading the trunk of my car with recycling, so we can take it tomorrow.  It's hot and we try not to be outside any longer than we have to, but it took a little creative packing to get it into the trunk and I'm melting now.  Or melted.

Froggy, you asked about Otter's schedule for the rest of summer and school starting again.  She has her last class & final tomorrow.  Next week, Friday Aug. 3, I take her to the airport bright and early so she can catch her flight to see Nana.  (I'm jealous!)  She'll be back the next Friday after that, August 10

Next week, she has a dentist appointment for a cleaning & exam and I've also requested the bigger x-ray to check the remaining two wisdom teeth.  Those are the top teeth.  If they are ready, we'll have to figure out what the schedule is to be able to have them removed.

Froggy, you also mentioned not being able to eat at ChickFilA since you are a vegetarian.  They have a carrot-raisin salad that it out of this world!  I usually get it instead of fries.  They also have delicious lemonade.  We don't eat a lot of fast food, but they are going to be our first choice now.

We have a chance of rain about Thursday.  Everybody get out and do your rain dance!  (Clothing optional, but highly recommended if you are out in your front yard).

I'm Not Really Sure Where I Am Today

Don't worry!  I'm not lost.  I know where I am physically.  It's just that my thoughts are kind of all over the place today.

The shootings in Colorado have been very much on my mind.  I haven't said anything about it because I'm just not really sure what to say.  For a lot of people in my area, it's kind of brought back some of the horror of April 19, 1995.  It's kind of hard to take in, the idea that people were just going to a movie and to have a good time - and that some madman caused their deaths and all the pain & grief related to his actions.

But I do not think the answer is gun control or repealing the 2nd amendment.  Probably a thought for another time, but I don't expect that anyone will really be surprised about my opinions on that subject, which are the same as the other two members of my family.

Otter and I had lunch together today.  We went to a place that we have eaten at occasionally, but intend to eat at more often.  ChickFilA.  While we do not think that people should be mistreated because of their lifestyle, that doesn't mean that we all have to agree or condone actions that we may disagree with.  ChickFilA is a private business and their management is well within their God-given rights to support Christian causes and also to disagree with the so-called mainstream.  We're going to keep supporting ChickFilA.  The management did not say that they want people to be mistreated nor did they say that everyone is not welcome.

Speaking of Otter, she finished her essay/research paper/final yesterday and just had to turn it in today.  She had a couple of things she had to take care of with the enrollment office at the college, and then I picked her up for lunch.  After we ate, we had time so we went to Hobby Lobby and bought the paint for the doll house project that we've been about to do for the last year.  She's still got a couple of things to decide about, but the general plan is to start on it after she gets back from her trip to TEXAS to see her grandparents.  After that, I dropped her off at the library for the afternoon.  Surprisingly, she didn't find much this time.

I finished the fringe on Otter's Autumn Red scarf and made the hat last night.  I still need to bury the tails on the hat, which I might get done tonight.  Pictures will get on the craft blog, eventually.  It's the same basic pattern as the other hats and scarves I've made, I just don't usually use this type of yarn and I don't think I've ever used that particular color.  It's really pretty.

Cold Front Monday

We actually had a cold front hit today.  It only got into the 90's!  But they are actually calling it a cold front.  Makes no sense to me.

Anyway.

At least we didn't have to go to work today.  Otter did have classes, but the first one met at a local museum and they have a paper to write based on some of the exhibits.  Her 2nd class was at the school campus, but I don't think she really feels like she had a full school day.  I took her to the museum, then I went to Sam's which is just down the street and I also went to Hobby Lobby which is across the street from Sam's.  I had a trip planned to Sam's this week, so I just scheduled it for today.  Hobby Lobby was unplanned, but I got to Sam's about 15 minutes or so before they opened and didn't want to wait in the car.  I needed something at Hobby Lobby, and they were already open.  I got out of there just about the time Sam's opened so it worked out great.  I picked Otter up when the class assignment was over, then I ran her through Long John Silver's for lunch and took her back to school for her 2nd class.  She's now through with class for the week, so she's on vacation too.  Well, she does have the paper to write about the museum but that's not going to take her all week.

We had a trip to Petsmart this afternoon.  Maggie the Brave (not really!) needed a new collar.  Of course, Otter chose a girly one!  It's black with dark pink tiger stripes.  Maggie is a silly baby, she does not like to be without her collar.  No idea why, but she gets antsy without it.  She's now sporting her new jewelry, or at least a new collar and a new name tag.  Frasier could probably do without his collar, he doesn't seem to mind when it has to be taken off.

Both dogs managed to get themselves into trouble today, but honestly I think Maggie Moo had more to do with it.  When we got home, they left us a present:  trash strewn all over the kitchen floor!  I took the bag out of the can before I left, but then I forgot to put it out in the garage.  Bill was outside working on something, and they took full advantage of the fact that they didn't have any adult supervision.  It was a mess, but not as bad as it could have been.  Maggie greeted us with a lettuce core, but at least they didn't get into the coffee gounds that were also in the trash!  The last thing I wanted to deal with today would be a caffienated beagle.  Been there, done that and let's just say that it is not an experience I wish to relive.

Can we say Energizer Bunny multiplied exponentially?  :)

Stuff that is on my mind on a Thursday

Just rambles, mostly.

Froggy, we did get rain & thunderstorms in the night.  However, I slept right through them!  I almost never do, but I have slept through two out of the last three.  I guess I must have been more tired than I thought last night.  We got just under an inch of rain.  The wind was pretty bad, according to the news.  But since our tree limbs have already come down, at least in the one tree, we didn't have any issues with limbs.  But I think a lot of people did.  We haven't had a pool for a few years, we did consider replacing the one we had for many years but decided that they were too expensive for what they are and we bought a new blu-ray player instead.  I realized yesterday that if we had bought another pool, we wouldn't have it any longer - because the only place we could ever put one would be right where the tree came apart a few weeks back.

After I got home, I ran Otter to the college bookstore so she could get the books she needs for the classes she starts on Monday.  Even used, it was close to $200.00.  Ouch!  She's been having some allergy issues today, Bill had the house open most of the day and it didn't occur to either one of them that there might be a connection.  OK, so they were both clueless about it.  The only one who would have realized it (me) was not home.  After we left the campus, Otter told me that she was getting a headache and was probably going to take some tylenol.  I suggested she consider allergy meds tonight, but apparently she ran out of it days ago - and didn't remember to tell me!  So, we stopped at Wallyworld and got her some more.  And I made her promise me that she won't wait until she's completely out to tell me that she needs it.

On the way home, we drove by one of our favorite places.  It's a miniature horse farm!  Lots and lots of little horses running around, and this time of year it always has a lot of people driving bay.  There are babies!  The are so tiny, they look like little stuffed animals running around.  Really cute, and it always reduces us into a puddle of girlsyqueal.  Bill's learned to just deal with it, he expects us to "girl out" whenever we drive by the ponies.  Today was no exception, except that it was just us girls as Billyboy stayed home when we were running our errands.  But how could anybody resist?  It's a foal that is not much bigger than the beagle!

Otter commented today that she realizes her Texan accent has come back stronger in the last few weeks.  Probably because she has spent a lot of time at home with the parental units.  I realized that a) she's right and that b) the way I talk at work is 100% different from the way I talk at home in real life.  Real life being TEXAN!  I hadn't realized that I was making the adjustment, but no longer!  I'm TEXAN and proud of it, and my way of speaking/accent is going to reflect that fact.  Otter says she's been working on HP for a while, trying to get him over his (gasp!) yankee ways.  I guess Pennsylvania counts as yankee?  Actually, he talks pretty much like most people around here with the occasional non-local moment.  But Texan women are very strong-willed, and sometimes non-Texans can't cope with our uniqueness.  I think HP does cope, I'm not complaining about him - I like him, actually.  I'm just making an observance about TEXAN and non-Texan.  And the fact that I'm not hiding my accent anymore!  Not that a) I was ever hiding it or b) we don't have an accent but everyone else does.

Strange sight on the trellis today.  I was outside watching the dogs - who have been going crazy with mole hunting lately.  I saw this strange bug land on the trellis, it was not at all afraid of me and I got pretty close to it.  Like I had my face right up to it.  It was carrying a fly, and it proceeded to suck the innards out of the fly.  I thought it looked a little like a dragonfly, but not quite.  I did some research, and it was a juvinile dragonfly.  Needless to say, it is a very welcome bug!  I knew that they ate mosquitos but not that they eat flies.  Apparently, they are pretty carnivorus little beasties and they eat all sorts of other bugs.  Including bees.

The baby birds in the front planter are getting past the bug-eyed alien stage.  There are four after all, Otter got a good picture today.  They are rapidly loosing the fluff and the real feathers are starting to come in.  They will probably be fledging in a few days.  Until then, they are welcome to stay on the porch.  Mama is one busy little bird!

No sign of hummingbirds yet.  They should be here soon.  Hopefully, very soon!

MondayTuesday

While I love having Monday holidays off from work, I never like the Tuesday back at work.  It usually makes up for the day off, and today was no exception!

Bill's off this week, he's got time to use or lose so he's using it while he can. He might or might not be able to take off when I have my vacation scheduled the first week of July.  Because he works for a school district and is basically the only one who does what he does, there are times when he simply can not get time off.  The summer is usually busy for non-teaching staff anyway, since there's a lot of things that they can't do/fix/replace/etc. when the classrooms are full of students.

Otter starts her summer term next Monday, she'll have classes on Monday and Wednesday but July 4th falls on a Wednesday so she'll probably only have one day of class during my vacation week.  However, we are not planning a trip or anything this year.  We will most likely just hang around the house and probably do a few things that are local.  I'm really looking forward to a stay-at-home-vacation, and we are hoping that Bill will be able to take off at least a day or two that week.  Ideally, he'll be off all that week but we won't know that for a while yet.

Since Bill was home today, he had the septic tank cleaned out.  It's supposed to be done between every 3 to 5 years, depending on size & usage.  It's been just over 4 years so we knew we were close.  The guy came out this morning and he said that we could probably have waited a few more months, but that's not something we wanted to wait on.  A few years ago, the city we live in started installing sewer lines to the outer areas (like where we are) but it was left up to the individual residents to decide about attaching or not.  However, there is a stipulation.  Residents that have septic tanks can have them cleaned out and normal maintenance done, but if the septic tank ever fails then the "grandfather clause" that allows the tanks becomes null & void.  In other words, maintenance is ok but replacement or major repair is not allowed.  At that point, the resident has no choice and has to attach to the sewer line.  At the resident's expense, which can run several thousand dollars.  $250 to get the tank cleaned out vs. $5,000 - $8,000 to have a sewer line put in from the house to the city sewer - not a hard choice!  Also, the existing septic tank would have to either be removed (an addition expense and a big one), filled with sand (cheaper but still not cheap) or crushed in place which would also entail having a considerable amount of dirt brought in to level it up - also not cheap!  And then we would have to pay the additional cost for using the city sewer each month.

Froggy - most of that is for your benefit, since you are about to have a house with a septic tank.  They are not really hard to deal with, you'll have to make sure that trees aren't too close to them because tree roots will go to water.  Septic tanks have extensions that allow water to leach out into the surrounding ground, which tree roots love.  Tree roots can destroy a lot of things, including things like sewer lines (as we found out at our old house).  We use a product called Ridex in the septic tank, it's a powdered substance that is filled with bacteria that help the "contents" of the septic tank to be broken down.  It's available at WalMart and probably most grocery stores, it's under $10.00 per box and it's worth it.  We put it in at the first of the month since that's the easiest way to remember.  There are other brands, but that's just the one we use.  Most toilet paper brands are safe for septic tanks, also.  All pipes that drain from your house will lead to it, disposer, toilets, washer, shower, etc.

I'm not sure what your specific situation will be, at least as far as being able to get work done if needed - check with the city, but more and more cities are getting away from septic tanks and going to sewer lines.  Most septic tanks are underground, but some of them are above ground and look like big metal tanks.  The buried ones can be metal tanks but I think they are most often made from concrete and are probably square.  It's not unusual for the grass directly above the tank to be sparse or even have dead spots, and the area where the leach lines (they have a name but I forget what it is) will often have greener grass over them.  In my yard, we can tell where they are by the greener grass and the fact that it's greener in obvious lines.  Also - you want to avoid building over the tank and that includes not even putting up an above-ground pool over it.

And for the record, septic cleaning is not a job I would want!

OK, today's lesson is concluded.  Froggy - there may be a test later!  :)

Sunday Accidents

No, not the bad kind!

This kind:

A web board I'm on had a discussion thread about accidental collections.  You know, where you don't realize you have a collection of something until you are suddenly buried in the item.  I realized Friday that I have one, and it's armadillos.

Bill and I went to a yard sale, as I've already mentioned, and he bought a pachinko machine.  I got another stuffed armadillo.  I realized yesterday that I have an Accidental Collection of 'dillos.  They aren't all stuffed, I have a few brass ones and at least one ceramic one.  And I think a couple more, although I can't really remember at the moment.  With more to come, I'm sure!

Texans like armadillos.  We seem to have odd animals, including scorpions, coyotes, armadillos, rattlesnakes and a few other oddities.

Including chupacabras!  Here's my chupa:

This picture is from a couple of years ago.  But he's still big & furry.  And spoiled rotten!  (So's Maggie.)

Otter didn't see the Batman car on Friday.  She had a good time, although she said that she was very tired from all the walking they did.

Movie review:  Chronicle.  Don't bother.

I'm warm today.  I was very warm yesterday and at one point I gave in and took a nice, cool shower.  Which did help, actually.  I might have to take another cool shower very soon, although this particular warm spell is just starting and I think I'm in for a hot couple of hours.  When your husband puts an ice cube on you and you don't even have time to realize it because it's melted already...

We went to church this morning and it was cold in the sanctuary, as usual.  This time, I didn't mind at all!

Otter and I ran a couple of errands and one of our stops was the dollar store.  We found all sorts of things there that we just had to have.  Including what I think is a new version of one of the only shampoos I can use due to my allergies.  White Rain has always had a fairly low-scent, clear shampoo that we've used for years.  At some point in the last couple of years, they came out with a scented line and Otter's able to use it but I can't.  Recently, it's been harder and harder to find the one I use.  I emailed the company and they did respond, but it wasn't really what I asked them.  What I did find out is that they have discontinued the one I use.  So, I bought as much of it as I could find and also the conditioner that goes with it because it was also discontinued.  I tried a couple things, and have been using baby shampoo lately.  Which works, but not that well because it's not really made for long hair.  Which I have.  And I still needed to use conditioner, although baby shampoo is supposed to not need to be followed with it - well, I guess if you have short hair or are a baby you might not need it!  Last week, I discovered that White Rain has a new product that is almost the same one I've used for years.  It does have a little bit more scent than the previous one, but I tried it and it seems to be working.  It doesn't seem to trigger Bill's few allergies, which a lot of scented things including shampoo can do.  And the dollar store carries it, so I grabbed a couple of bottles while we were there.  I'm going to stock up a bit on it, in case they discontinue this one!

Otter's changed her summer college plans a bit.  She's still going.  But she's put off the math and is taking two classes instead of one.  She's got two weeks left of freedom, then she has two months of two days a week classes.  The school is closed on Fridays during the summer.  Her classes are on Monday and Wednesday.  She'll take the first math class in the fall semester and the second one in the spring semester.  Along with her foreign language class, which is probably going to be Japanese.

I took a quick picture of the bird nest in the planter on the front porch.  I used my cell phone, so I can't post it here.  But we discovered that there are 4 eggs.  Four more little bug eaters!  Mama bird is not leaving the nest the second we come out the door, she is waiting until we are almost to the planter before she flies off and she's not going as far.  She seems to realize that we aren't a threat.

OK, back to my ice water now!