Done!

With the farookin' newsletter. Finally. And I even caught *this* little typo before it went out for general consumption...

"Please bring your donations for the Food Panty and place them in the Thanksgiving basket. Thanks!"

Whew! Food Panties would be a bad thing, I think. But that's just me.

So now I am going to do something fun - like hang curtains! Whoo!

No seriously, the sun freeking *rises* in the guest room. It's not good, and company is coming, you know! Yay curtains!

In a few minutes I have a date with a good book on the patio - a miracle has happened. Both girls were invited to friends houses to play. I.am.alone. For a little while, anyway...

Bliss.

I really want to blog today...

Or even just read blogs. Or read. Or play. Or sit outside in the sunshine. Or hang curtains. Or lay tile. Anything....

But I am not allowed to until I get this bleepity bleep bleep newsletter done - printed - and outta here.

Sometimes it sucks being a grownup.

Houston, we have color....

The evolution of the basement continues.




What color, you ask?? Blonde SW 6128, of course. I loooooove the color - imagine that. *Me* enjoying blonde. Heh. And this is the color I have decided to go with for the majority of the rest of the house. I am truly in my element.

Flooring starts tonight - I cannot wait.

Turf Wars

As I had mentioned earlier, we are getting a TON of hummingbird visits these days. To be honest, I thoroughly enjoy watching the little guys - I think they are amazing and quite pretty.


But also, these little dudes can be quite tenacious and territorial. It's a freeking hoot watching two or three of them go at it and dive bomb each other. All over a little nectar. Good grief!



What I find really amusing is the fact that I have three feeders around here - it's not like they can't each have their own!! Ha! Of course, I am easily amused - as we all know. So there's that.

I am trying out the new Blogger video option as well rather than upload via YouTube. How is it? Good? Bad? Indifferent??

Conversations I could have never predicted...

...especially since I am a "round eye." As opposed to my "Slang Eye" compatriots.

Me: "Eat your seaweed - it has lots of vitamins and is really good for you..."

Sporta: "Okay - I really like seaweed anyway. Mmmmmm...."

Word up. And yes - dinner was yummy...

Book Meme

I was tagged ages ago by CalTechGirl - time I got it done, don't you think??

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

What are you reading right now?

At the moment? Nothing. But I just finished Hide by Lisa Gardner. It was pretty good...

Do you have any idea what you'll read when you'e done with that?

No clue. I may decide to re-read Harry Potter 7.

What magazines do you have in your bathroom right now?

Magazines? Uh... No magazines. I have hand held Yahtzee and poker games though. Does that count?

What's the worst thing you were ever forced to read?

Forced to read?? Hmmmm.... Well, I forced myself to get through Slaughterhouse Five (Vonnegut) and The Shipping News ( Annie Proulx) I'll never get those hours back again. Gah...


What's the one book you always recommend to just about everyone?

Oh boy - now, keep in mind I read for fun - I'm not all into pretentious authors or novels. I want a great ride and some characters I can laugh with and relate to. So I would say:
The Godfather (one of my all time faves),
Odd Thomas (all of 'em),
Anything by Lee Child (Jack Reacher kicks some serious ass - love him.)
The Stephanie Plumb series by Janet Evanovich.
The Harry Potter books
The Stand by Stephen King

Admit it, the librarians at your library know you on a first name basis, don't they?

They used to - but I have been too busy to even darken the door of the library for 6 months or more. Thank God for Amazon.com.

Is there a book you absolutely love, but for some reason, people never think it sounds interesting, or maybe they read it and don't like it at all?

I don't know - I am not all that worried what other people think about my reading habits. And like I said - I read for pleasure. Of course I think *everybody* would like something I would suggest!

Do you read books while you eat? While you bathe? While you watch movies or TV? While you listen to music? While you're on the computer? While you're having sex? While you're driving?

I am totally stealing CTG's answer here -->That would be: Yes, Yes, Sometimes, Often, Occasionally (usually this has to do with work), NEVER (that would be rude), and ABSOLUTELY not (UNSAFE, hello!!!)

When you were little, did other children tease you about your reading habits?

Of course! Which only made me read more. Books were my friends when I was a kid. My escape, my entertainment, my world. To this day I have a great relationship with my books. (Though I can't for the life of me get the girls interested in reading any of my old Nancy Drews, dang it....)

What's the last thing you stayed up half the night reading because it was so good you couldn't put it down?

Harry Potter 7 - like you didn't already know that...

And via Cal Tech Girl: I've thought of some other book questions for you all:

What book have you stayed up all night NOT reading (because it disturbed you in some way)? Has a book ever entered your dreams?

Slaughterhouse Five - some of that imagery will *not* go away.

What book/ series would you like to write an ending too? Or rewrite? I'm not strictly talking about fanfic, just this: given the opportunity, which stories would you like to work on?

Harry Potter is the easy answer. Otherwise, I just don't know. Finishing someone *elses* work just doesn't sit well with me. I would be better off writing my own book.

Best book to movie transition? And as a corollary, what books should NEVER be a movie?

You know, for the *best* book to movie transition, The Godfather was pretty good. Though you can never match the richness and detail that you get from a book with a movie. I would like to see the Stephanie Plumb series made into a couple of movies as well, provided they were cast correctly.

And which should NEVER be made into a movie?? Well, you know they made The Shipping News into a movie. Boring assed book = boring assed movie. What a waste.

Do you prefer one-off novels or character-driven series books? What's your favorite book series?

Answering the first question - yes!

Favorite book series?? Easy. I'll list them author/character:
Lee Child/Jack Reacher
Janet Evonovich/Stephanie Plumb
J.K. Rowling/Harry Potter
Dean Koontz/ Odd Thomas

Which book character do you see yourself as most like? How about when you were a kid?
Now? Probably Professor McGonagall
As a kid?? Nancy Drew. Definitely.

Ever NOT want to finish a book because you were desperately afraid that the author was going to take it somewhere you didn't like? Ever fling a book at the wall because that happened?

I was a teeny worried that the Harry Potter series would end in a way I wouldn't be happy with - and that it would ruin the books for me. Thankfully, that didn't happen. And no - book flinging is a sin.

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

So there you have it! The book meme is complete! I don't think I will tag anybody - but I will say that it's a fun one to do! If you decide to play, leave me a comment or a trackback so I can check out your answers.

And hey - anybody have an author or book they'd like to recommend?? I am due for some new material. And some time to read would be nice. :^)

Monday...

...with a big side of Monday sauce and a whole lotta nothing besides. Sorry.

Gratuitous basement pictures soon - and WxMan's ginormous TV got delivered today. But otherwise I am working... Not much end in sight. At least now we are getting regular hummingbird visits.

For no good reason that makes me happy...

Things I never thought I'd see...

Like Sporta kneeling in an open *locked door* door way with an array of hair clips, bobby pins, nail files and a metal skewer trying to pick the lock.

:^0

Really... When does school start??? I can't imagine the vocation she is training herself for... I think it may be time to teach her to bake instead.

How bitchy am I?

God love CalTechGirl - she knows just what I need....

You Are 70% Bitchy

While you may not think of yourself as the ice queen, admit it, you're often in a bad mood. And it's those around you who often bear the brunt of your annoyance, even if they haven't done anything wrong!

How Bitchy Are You?

Pretty damn bitchy, apparently. It's Friday though, and I am going to work on the 'tude amongst other things.

WxMan and I treated ourselves to a movie last night - Wild Hogs. I must admit, I found it to be seriously laugh out loud funny in more than a few places. Amazing what a good belly laugh will do to improve your outlook on life. I think I need more of that.

Now all I have to do is convince WxMan that he does *not* need a Harley. Good grief...

Time to cheer things up...

How blonde *am* I??

You Are a Golden Blonde

Men see you as flirty and fun, yet deep and thoughtful. You've got all the pizzazz of a blonde... With the intensity of a brunette.

How Blonde Are You?

Huh. Well, there you have it I suppose... But let it be known, if I show up on your doorstep sporting fuchsia lowlights and three inch nails and I have a lollypop in my mouth??? Odds are I am going to shoot you.

Yup - the attitude is still there. Though toned down a bit which is a good thing... ;^)

Attitude...

Yup - I have one.

One that's not necessarily safe for work...

This sums it up nicely, I think.

And hey - maybe I am channeling Eric's "Roller Derby Queen" a bit as well. But I definitely sound more like Pink than Jim Croce.

Thank God...

Taking the day off...

Well, as much as I *ever* do. I am just tired, kids. Bone tired.

And school starts soon.

And there are appointments to keep.

And errands to run.

And stuff to organize. (the Goodwill folks are going to know me by name soon!)

And meals to prepare.

And folks planning to visit.

And clothes, shoes and supplies to shop for.

And...and...and.... Well, you can imagine. We picked out flooring for the basement yesterday - the walls are being mudded in today and prepped for texture and painting soon. I am loving it.

But right now all I *want* to do is curl up with a good book (and yay - I have a book Meme to post soon, thanks to CalTechGirl) and take an hour or two off... So I think I will.

Be sure to let me know if I miss anything, okay??

We were awash...

...but it was fun anyway.

Not a bad turnout considering the pouring rain, wind and cool temps. And thank God for that because had no-one shown up I think my head might have fallen off. Seriously.

What I had forgotten about college aged kids (which comprises a large percentage of WxMan's employees) they come to eat. And to play. And they did a lot of both...




The food was a bit hit! Though we have quite a bit left over. The good news is that I have the freezer space for it all. And while the Macaroni and Cheese was a grand success (and is subsequently gone) does anybody know if it's feasible to freeze baked beans? That's what I need to know.

And also I need to know why the dish fairies didn't visit last night.... I really could have used the help. Ah well... Happy Monday, y'all.

Gah...

I am currently cooking (and grilling) 27 pounds of bratwurst in the pouring rain.

I.am.an.idiot.

Bleh...

Update: 8:40 - - Nine pounds to go... POURING RAIN... Ugh... I am giving it until 10:00. And then really, I'll have time tomorrow - right?

Two hours and twenty bucks later...

You know? It just astounds me the lengths people will go to pay me to take away my crap. I just love that... Even in the rain. WxMan is going to hang tough until one and then it's off to Goodwill. That's nothing but net right there.

Otherwise, I have 27 pounds of brats to prepare, oodles and scads of macaroni and cheese, baked beans, polish sausage and all the accoutrement's to get ready for the BBQ tomorrow. I would certainly appreciate it if the rain would stop by tomorrow evening. We'll see.

So there you go! Two more batches of toffee to make, more stuff to organize and dinner for 140 - my weekend will be complete! What are *you* doing this weekend?? Tell me that there is still some fun to be had out there!

Lunch with friends...

We are off soon to have a fun lunch with friends here in town.

Kids + swimming pool + hotdogs = a really good summer day.

Yeah, yeah - I should be working and starting the cooking cooking cooking that I need to do for the two gigs on Sunday. But all work and no play make Rich... Well think of a word that rhymes with "Rich" okay? You'll figure it out...

At any rate, earlier this week I had the distinct pleasure of lunching with a blogger that I have long read and admired. I managed to add him to my sidebar under the "Bloggers I have had cocktails with" but had not the time to write a post worthy of our meeting. But *he* has... And he captured it all. So I will direct you to Let the finder Beware...

Thanks so much for meeting with me, Paul! You are a delight... :^)

Walls...

Update: The guys just left and we're all rocked in. It looks fabulous!! Dude hopes to have everything taped and mudded and textured by the end of the weekend. I cannot wait!

Considering what it looked like before, I think the progress is great!



And given the level of noise ::my god, white kind of a mutant dentist's drill from hell are they using now!?!?!?!:: coming from the basement right now - more progress is being made as I type. We are talking paint and flooring by the end of next week! Whoohoo!

I think I will *finally* feel moved in to this place once we are able to occupy those new rooms. Of course, maybe I am simply looking forward to sending everyone to the basement.

You never know....

Toffee...

It's not just for breakfast anymore.

My God, I have to get this stuff out of the house. Or at least make a big batch of Macaroni and Cheese and achieve some balance...

Heh...

Somehow I am not surprised... And I found it over at Roses place. She is more feline leaning - maybe I should give chase more...

You Are: 70% Dog, 30% Cat

You and dogs definitely have a lot in common. You're both goofy, happy, and content with the small things in life. However, you're definitely not as needy as the average dog. You need your down time occasionally.

Are You More Cat or Dog?

There are a few people who's results I would like to see though... Christina? Harvey? Sam? Sticks? Eric? VW? Oddy? What did *you* get?? Anybody else?? :)

Happy Trails!

And a few sore spots... But it was a good day none the less.

We were first greeted by this smiling guy...


He seemed a good ambassador to start our adventure. And yesterday morning was perfect for a ride. It was breezy, the sun was shining, and though the mud was prevalent and deep, our steeds were surefooted and gentle.

Sporta rode a horse named George. They hit it off quite well.


Computa's trusty ride was Congnac - and he was smoooooth...


WxMan made friends with Sam. And remained in his saddle. Always a good thing... In fact, this was the view I had of them for the entire ride. I'll spare you the a$$ jokes...


And my lucky pony was Bob - no I am *not* kidding... He was a really good guy and I apologized profusely before settling myself on his broad back. He was a consummate gentlemanhorse. And here was my view...


I don't know exactly where I am going with all of this - it was just a beautiful day. And I was reminded of how much I have always loved horses.




I could use more days like that - even if it would mean an increase in my advil consumption. Know what I mean?

Things lost, things found, and things to do...

So begins another week at casa de "¿Por qué tenemos nosotros todas estas cosas estúpidas?"

Which loosely translated means "Why the heck do we have all of this stupid crap??" I have been asking myself this a lot lately, obviously...

At any rate, we have another busy week ahead. In the interest of getting myself organized, and because getting my calendar together for the week was on my list (and I loooooove being able to cross things off of my list) here's the plan...

Today: I have a need to go to City Hall and submit some paperwork - the whole family has to go, actually. And it's for a fun thing - so that's all good. I just hope that I show up with correct documentation and that the process goes smoothly. ::crosses fingers:: Later, I have a meeting. I am on the committee to select a new priest for our little church - the interview process starts today. Good gray grief... This should be interesting.

And the Church Newsletter needs to get off the presses (aka my computer) and into the mail by Monday. Huh - going to have to make some time for that....

For the rest of the week, some things are scheduled - some are not. But it's going to be busy none the less... WxMan and I are taking the girls horseback riding tomorrow morning (ha!) - I haven't been on a horse in years. But Daddy keeps his promises, and he promised the girls that we would go sometime this summer. And summer is fading fast...

Tuesday I have lunch scheduled with a blogger I have followed for a very long time, but have never met. I am psyched to get to actually talk to the man! His blog and comments are always insightful and sometimes funny as all get out - it's going to be a great lunch...

This weekend I am catering two BBQ's/picnics for two different groups. Both on Sunday - one for 35 (at 11am) and one for around 100 (at 4pm). So shopping and cooking are going to have to come into play big time from about Wednesday on. Saturday is crunch time, obviously. And of course, the new neighborhood has planned a block long garage sale for that day!

Woot! Maybe while I am madly cooking, cooking, cooking I can get rid of some of this stupid crap!! (Not your chairs though, Tammi. I'll keep them safe!) I think WxMan will be here to help some - so that will be good.

Friday we have a fun lunch thing planned with friends - yay! And Friday night is the premier of the long awaited High School Musical 2 - awaited at least for those in the 16 and under crowd. The girls are going to a party up the street. It should be a blast... (And I need to remember to send a snack.)

Also I am slated to contribute some of my homemade toffee and peanut butter balls for a fund raiser. I have never made toffee or PBB when it is 90 degrees out so this should be interesting. And it will probably get me in the mood for Christmas 6 months too soon... Ha!

Work continues on Operation Basement. The guys got a LOT done this weekend. The dogs are exhausted... ;^)





So we have walls!! And some ceiling!! An some plumbing and wiring happening!! Whoohoo! I have always been able to envision the space - but it is even better than I had thought. We are going to LOVE utilizing this space. Dance Dance Revolution is going to the basement as soon as it's done. That's nothing but net right there...

I am sooooooo hoping that all is completed before a good friend comes up this way for a long awaited visit. That would be so cool...

So there's my week. I am sure there will be blog fodder for days but time to post it? We'll see...

Happy Monday!

Lots of noise...

...coming from the basement. I think the doggies are going to have PTSD before all is said and done. But hey - that's what treats are for, right??

So Buddy, what do you think??


"It's loud, Mummy. I think I need a hug... And a cookie..."

Yup, I figured...

Via Tammi...

72%How Addicted to Blogging Are You?

Mingle² - Dating Site

Y'all are interesting! What can I say?? And these days it's about the only time I sit down. ;^)

Talk about a high wire!

So, you want to feel really great about your job today?? Check out what *this* guy does for a living...

My favorite part? "There are only three things I have ever been afraid of - electricity... heights... and women. And I'm married too!"

Ha!

Painting my self into a corner...

But things are definitely coming together. The Kitchen?? Almost done... (Click to embiggen if you feel so inclined.)




And my "all gross things sink" got installed today in the laundry room - yay!



I couldn't be happier with the progress around here!

Okay, that's a lie - I would love it if everything were in it's place. But I haven't as yet *found* a place for everything yet... And progress is always a good thing. Right?

Now if I could just get the crick out of my neck... Do you think wine can do that?

Today...

Today we have plumbers plumbing.

Insulators insulating.

Inspectors inspecting.

Kids whining.*

And me. I am going to finish painting the kitchen, by God. Pictures to follow...

* I would prefer "kids kidding" but the truth always comes out. Hence the arrival of the inspectors, I would imagine. ;^)

Word...

As Ben Franklin said: "In wine there is wisdom, in beer there is freedom, in water there is bacteria."

I like the way the man thinks...

Update: In all seriousness - there can be some scary things in the water. Hugs to you wRitErsbLock...

The Visitor

Okay - so I am a girl...

A girl who made an Eeeeeek! noise when I saw this guy hanging out on the stairs today...











Once I got over my initial girlieness, though, he seemed quite friendly really. And eager to go back outside - that's always a good thing.











Buh-bye dude. Don't eat anything I paid money for, okay?

And hey - Anybody know what that thing is?? I have never seen anything like it...

How the dentist wrecked my whole day...

...not that that's a bad thing.

We just got home from a day of errands and preliminary back to school shopping. All I can say it GO BACK 1976 and 1986!! Been there, done that, bought wore the tee shirt!!! Why must bad fashion be recycled over and over again?? Why??

Detached "sleeves"? Gimmee a break!





And this dress?? I know I have seen it before - circa 1977ish?? Can I get a witness?? Don't get me wrong - I love the colors. But isn't there a *new* way to wear them?






And no - not this either....

It's a halter dress - for ten year olds?? C'mon folks...


I am not sure if it's good new or bad - but neither Sporta nor Computa were particularly enamored with the selections, colors or styles. This could get ugly. Wait! Some of it already is....

So there's that. I guess I should just try to be grateful that everything isn't showing midriff or hip bones. It's hard though... And really - if the retailers want my money the least they could do is put something cute and comfortable together. Preferably for less than $25. Is that so much to ask??

The really bad news is that we are going to have to go shopping again. I am not so fond of the shopping...

First thing this morning the girls both had dentist appointments. Having been up since 3am (thank *you* thunder storm from hell!!) it was a welcome distraction. So I grabbed my purse, my list, and a book and we headed out.

I just love out dentist - she and her staff are true professionals and really do a great job with all of us. Of course I may just be happy that we got a zero cavity report. It's hard to tell...

So I got to sit down for an hour to boot! The book?? Lean Mean Thirteen - total brain candy. I have had it here since June and not cracked the cover, knowing how hard it would be to put it down once I picked it up. And I did - I picked it up. And I am toast. No motivation to do a thing except follow along with the gang - Stephanie, Morelli, Ranger, Lula, and Grandma Mazur. It's a freeking hoot!

So home now with more storms on the horizon. The good news? I won't have to water WxMan's girlfriend (a.k.a. the lawn). The bad news? It will infringe on my enjoyment of the patio with my book and a glass of wine...

But hey - there's always the couch, right? It's all good.

DONK!

She turns slowly on her stool - unsure what she is going to see pressed against the glass at the window behind her...

Good God, What WAS that?

Her heart rate quickens... unsure... all had been quiet in the house..

A bird?

Imagination??

God forbid, a face???

...

And there is nothing... Though paranoia is an ugly Bitch...

...

Time to finish hanging the blinds...

And lay off of the caffeine...

Framed!!

Or at least the basement is... This is going to be a fun fun space!

This is what we had before....
















And now this is the direction we are going! What a difference 2 days of skilled labor makes!!























Insulation and wiring are slated next.. I am psyched!! :^) WxMan's chair will soon have a new home! Whoohoo!

And in the interest of pictures not being too dungeony - here is a pic of some outdoor landscaping. I like my happy trees....















Bob Ross has got nothing on me. ;^)

New digs, fresh start, and the past came knocking....

But you know? After the initial shock - it was all good.

I think we all can agree that the interwebs can be an interesting place - You never know what you are going to get. Or find. Learn. Or wish you could un-see. (And yes, I am looking at you T1G and you too Contagion.) But I digress...

What seems like ages ago, I wrote a post about my experiences working the graveyard shift at a Mini Mart. Basically the whole post was a way to tell a story about the best way I *ever* got asked out on a date...

There was this guy that would come in on Friday or Saturday nights. Completely unremarkable except for the fact that it was always like 3am and he was always sober. After long lines of drunk people cross your path, the sober ones stand out, I'm tellin' ya...

He was maybe 5'10" blondish, glasses, medium build. Generally pleasant. Fairly nice looking. A nice guy. And one night, right after he paid for his skittles and coke he pulled from his pocket a gift. And laid on the counter a cassette wrapped in a single page of hand written sheet music.

"Here." He said "I wrote this for you."

Then he left.

And damned if he hadn't written me a song. No singing, mind you. Turns out he was a pianist, studying for a music degree at MSU. He had written me a song and recorded it for me.* (This was above and beyond -- there was no casual CD burning in 1990.) So, after listening to that fine piece of music and getting advice from all of my friends (can you imagine the oooohing and awwwwing over *that* ladies?) well, what is a girl to do?

The next weekend when he came in, he asked me out.

And I said okay.

There's no happy ending here. I have no idea where he is today. But I can say that that was far and away the best "date askin" I ever got. Really, bar none.

So as I was rushing around this week (you know, I've been a tad busy...) I took a minute to check my One for the Road email account. And lo and behold I had this in my inbox...

Thu, 26 Jul 2007 02:26:19 -0500
From: "Jonathon Wilson"
To:
Onefortheroad13@yahoo.com
Subject: Mini-mart Princess

Hiya :)

You're never going to believe this, but this is Jonathon Wilson. The guy that wrote you that song in Mini-Mart. Yeah -- like 10,000 days ago.

For some reason, I was missing the old 'Loose Tubes' days and did a search for them -- and up pops your blog entry! HA! What a nice surprise.

Sounds like you have a happy adult life, just like me -- I'm very happily married with three kids. I live down in sunny TX. Life is incredibly good and happy for me.

Drop a line sometime...

-Jonathon

You could have knocked me over with a feather.... Wow.

And he left a darn nice comment on the post to boot. After several email exchanges it sounds as though life is good and he is *still* a nice guy. No surprise there...

So Hiya back, Jonathon! Nice of you to drop me a line! It's nice to know that the nice guys win a few too...

And hey, I found that sheet music if you'd like to have it. As I recall, it was a fine piece of work.

Thanks.

Ack! Why????

Heard in my house over the past 24 hours...

"Mom! I think something just exploded in the microwave!!!" [oatmeal - God help me.]

"Mom! Have you seen Precious?? [the hamster] I can't find her!!

"Mom! Why is there black stuff all over the stove??"

"Mom! Where's my swimsuit?? I have to go in five minutes!!"

And that's just the tip of the iceberg... In addition I have a catering gig on Saturday (35-40 folks) so I will be cooking cooking cooking on Friday. And my relay for life walk on Saturday as well...

So things remain busy. And Explosive. Lovely....

Update: Okay - so I really don't mean to be whiny. I just had a moment of weakness... Things are going great. Really great. And everything is going to work out fine.... Precious is fine. The oatmeal got scrubbed out, and the black?? Well, it will be okay too. I just need to chill.

And cooking relaxes me and makes me happy - and the girls will probably be thrilled to eat something that wasn't prepared by a McAnybody, or that came out of a box. So there's that...

Besides, I have been sort of watching Scott Baio is 45 and Single. Good grief, Chachi. Get a grip. Now that's a freeking mess, folks. What I am living with is NOTHING in comparison....

I know...

I know...

And I actually *do* have something really cool to blog about!

But the time and lack of organization in my personal space is not working for me...

Soon though I hope...