Aloha Friday

In Hawaii, Aloha Friday is the day that we take it easy and look forward to the weekend. So I thought that on Fridays I would take it easy on posting, too. Therefore, I’ll ask a simple question for you to answer. Nothing that requires a lengthy response.  So here's my question for the day:

You get a week long all expenses paid vaca - where do you go?? 

My answer ----> VEGAS baby!!

Follow Friday Four Fill-In Fun #72

This week’s statements:

1. I learned how to make _____ in ____
2. I have always wanted to ____
3. My purse always has a __________and _______________.
4. One day when I am ____________I am  going to _______________________.

1.  I learned how to make quacamole in California.
2.  I have always wanted to open my own shop.  The shop has grown through the years to include yarn, coffee, tea, pastries and specialty items.
3.  My purse always has a number of pens and a hair tie. 
4.  One day when I am wealthier I am going to rescue animals.

Friday!

This has been an interesting week.  I start me new job on Aug 6.  I was hoping to give my notice today and they would keep me next week (for the paycheck you see).  Yesterday I had a visit from the HR lady who told me today is my last day.  I knew it was coming, which is one reason I had been seeking a new job, but honestly I thought they would give me a little more notice.  What irritates me most is that my own recruiter was told Monday and she has yet to contact me.  Talk about lousy communication and unprofessional.  However, I am not unhappy about being off next week.  I plan on finishing up the special order blanket and the DH wants to tackle a little of the train room, which is currently just storage for boxes we haven't yet unpacked. 

Yesterday we had quite a storm come in.  Being the weather geek I am, I was fascinated and thrilled with the skies.  I took pics of the clouds and want to share a few.  Isn't it amazing and beautiful??  It produced quite a lot of thunder, lightning and eventually behind this lots of rain.

     

I won't bore you with more.  LOL

Hula seems to be doing alright.  She is such a sweet kitten.  She is about a year old now and full of curiousity.  She has spent a good deal of her life in the vet's office in one of their recovery cages.  Because of her loss of an ear she has balance issues and she walks a little crooked, runs only a short distance and also crooked and sometimes her head will appear as if she is moving in a circle.  Hence her being called Hula.  She is very affectionate and spent a good part of the evening on the loveseat beside playing with my cotton yarn.  She was in heaven.  Dumpster doesn't seem to pay her much mind.  They have exchanged a few hisses and nothing more.  Hooters is a bit more put out and a tad more aggressive, but I think with time she will be alright.  We are giving Hooters lots of petting and talking to her, letting her know it's all going to be okay.  I have explained to both cats how Hula just needs a good home and a family to love her.  I reminded them both they were also abandoned once and needed a forever home, too. 

If you've not already done so, hop over to Patrice's blog Everyday Ruralty.  She's hosting a party with free stuff and Wendell provides the entertainment! 

Hula

For weeks I have been trying to talk my DH into getting another kitten/cat.  He was relentless telling me "no".  Imagine my surprise when I get a text from our Vet with a picture of my DH with our new addition.  Meet Hula.

She was rescued by the Vet's daughter (Amy) who bottle fed her.  She had been attacked by an animal and the top of her head and left ear had been ripped off and then abandoned.  Amy nursed her back to health and wanted to find her a forever home.  In walked my DH.  LOL  She seems very sweet. 

Thoughtful Thursday

Today I am sending out a big welcome to all of the new readers/followers I have.  The past two days have been a whirlwind of reading new blogs and I've loved every minute of it. 

I am thoughtful today, more so than my usual Libra over thinking, over analyzing self.  Do I have a lot on my mind?  Yeah, I suppose I do.  How much of it am I allowing to take over?  Quite a bit.  There are some things that just stick in that space between annoyance and longing that I cannot shake.  So I am proclaiming Thursday as my "Thoughtful Thursday" blog.  Read on, but do so at your own risk. 

• I am having a difficult time with the design of this blog.  Does anyone else find it hard and confusing to use?  I have simply given up at this point.  It is what it is because I am sick of trying to figure it out. 
• I sort of wish for a government uprising.  I am so tired and frankly, annoyed, by the government BS.  They are all crooks. They are all corrupt.  Bottomline is they need us and if we rise against them they are NOTHING.  We have the power.  We just don't use it. 
• I am seriously considering opening a coffee/tea/pastry/yarn shop.  Not now, of course, but in due time. 
• If I could go into the Witness Protection Program right now I would.  I felt this way last week and it's not left me.  Starting over.  New name.  New job.  New life.  Nothing from my past could come with me.  Nothing.  Imagine that.  Painful.  You bet.  Exhilirating?  Absolutely.  Maybe that's why I love to travel.   Maybe I should stop whining.
• I am fat.  I am also very sick of being fat.  I feel obstructed to do anything about it because of my ... surroundings.  I am working through this.  I am going to find that light at the end of the tunnel and I will own it.  There could be some fall out.  There could be casualties.  There was a time I was running 8 miles a day.  8 miles.  I long for those days.  I long for the strength I had in those days.  I know I still have it.  Underneath all of the fat I still have that in me.  Bringing it to the surface is the hard part. 

Five items seem enough for today.  If you want to post some thoughts for Thoughtful Thursday, I look forward to reading about them! 

Wednesday Hodge Podge

1. The Summer Olympics officially begin this Friday...will you be watching? If you could see just one event in person which one would you pick?

I'm not a huge Olympic fan.  It seems over the years the commercialism has taken over and it's disappointing.  I used to love to watch the Equestrian events and if given the chance I'd probably not pass it up. 

2. Do lazy days make you feel rested or unproductive?

 

This really depends on if I chose to be lazy or if it just turned out to be so.  The DH and I often schedule lazy days.  They are never long enough.  When I am at work and doing nothing I feel it's a wasted day when I could be home being lazy and yet still productive because I can crochet.

3. July 25 is 'officially' Threading the Needle day...can you sew? On a scale of 1-10 with 1 being not at all and 10 being Betsy Ross-like, how would you rate your skill with a needle and thread?

I wish I could sew.  I can thread a needle and whip stitch an open seam and such.  I'd say I'm about a 1.5.

4. Threading the Needle can also mean to walk a fine line between two things or issues (think awkward social situation). When was the last time you had to 'thread the needle', figuratively speaking?

Has to be politics.  I have very strong views but I am not a good debater.  It seems all of my Liberal friends seem to think because I am a Conservative I hate poor people and minorities and that I am against immigration.  This couldn't be further from the truth.  What I am against is big government and all that comes with it.  Not the defense, of course.  I don't think we should ever let our guard down and need to continue to offer military incentives and benefits to attract a good defense.  What I am against is a welfare nation and a socialist attitude of entitlement.  What happened to working hard for luxuries?  And yes, I think a cell phone is a luxury.  I could spend HOURS on this topic, but I won't bore you.  Enough said.

5. Kidney, pinto, black, or navy-your favorite bean?

I'm going to go with kidney beans in my chili.

6. Have you ever hosted a garage sale? Was it more success or bust?

We have and I prefer not to partake.  My husband is the one that sits and monitors the shoppers.  I do not bargain well and don't like how people will argue with you over a quarter.  You either want it or you don't.  We have been lucky a few times and made a decent chunk of change, but I think they are a lot of work to prepare for.

7. What makes you roll your eyes?

So many things...  LOL 

 

8. Insert your own random thought here.

This morning I had an Amish pastry with my coffee.  It was a cream horn.  Some people call them cream puffs.  Whatever you want to call it, this one was simply amazing.  I love strong coffee and a good pastry in the morning.  It goes against everything in the way of good nutrition, I know.  If I could have my way, I would own a yarn/coffee shop and I would make and sell the best pastries for my customers.  They could come and sit, drink their tea or coffee and nibble on a pastry whilst crocheting or knitting and chatting with friends. 

 

---

Wednesday

I took the day off yesterday from work.  I woke up feeling so terribly blah.  It felt good to have the day.  This morning I woke up feeling great and very rejuvenated. 

We had a storm roll in yesterday.  The sky was amazing.  I wanted to share a pic I took before we had the rain pour down.

I want to post a couple of pics especially for Wendell over at Everyday Ruralty.  He's always looking for new friends and I have two girls I think he would enjoy hanging with. 

Dolly is my 11 year old.  I have had her since she was 16 months old.  She is as fun as she looks.  Very sweet personality.

Cheyenne is older (we won't say how much) and quite the regal lady.  She also likes to have fun and loves carrots.



Patrice over at Every Ruralty is having a party each day this week to celebrate her Chats on the Front Porch!  Drop in and visit her and Wendell.  Bring carrots!!

Another Monday

I can't believe it's already Monday.  Even after a 3 day weekend I feel like Monday snuck up on me and the weekend is a blur.  I did spend a good deal of time working on the special order blanket and that was a good thing.  I made some great progress.  Come yesterday evening I was burnt out on it and picked up the cotton yarn to make dishcloths. 

On the job front, it looks like I have sealed the deal.  After the interview on Friday morning the recruiter called me to tell me the company wants to move forward.  Now we just need an offer letter and start date so I can give notice at my current position.  It's been a very painful process but I hope it's all been worth it and I end up loving this new job.  I know I will love the new paycheck.

I've come to the conclusion I am neurotic over the horse fly situation, but honestly who could blame me?  No joke, at one point there were 25 in just one stall.  I was killing them left and right and it seemed like 2 would appear in place of 1 I squished.  The horses are now skittish when they see me with the blue fly swatter.  I'm deadly with that thing.  There seems to be nothing we can do other than to get fans to blow the air around and try to keep them from lighting on the horses.  I have never seen so many and according to our shoer, they are only going to get worse as August approaches.  He said they are everywhere and there's nothing anyone can do.  No spray will deter them.  The only thing that works is a strong fan. 

Today I brought in 4 dishcloths.  I decided I would give them to the very nice lady who runs the office.  I brought in very pretty cloths - all different colors.  I was giddy as I walked to her desk.  Imagine my dismay when she looked at me like I had just handed her a box of rocks.  "What's this?" she asked.  I said, "Cotton dishcloths.  I make them and wanted you to have some."  "Oh.." she said.  "Or you can give them as gifts..." I said.  She said, "Yeah...  Thanks."  Hmmm.  All I could think about was yanking them out of her hands.  But I walked away feeling a tad bit silly and embarrassed.

We did not get the pool.  Target was out of stock and although the weather was warm, I am not certain we would have used it this weekend.  

Well, I hope this finds everyone doing well!  Can't wait to catch up with everyone. 

Monday Quiz About Me

1. What are your favorite pizza toppings?

2. What is the strangest name you've ever heard for a child?

3. What is the best vacation you've ever gone on?

4. What is your favorite quick summer meal?

And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!

 

5.  Trade places with someone for a day.  Who is it and why?

My Answers:

 

1.  Pepperoni, Green Peppers, Red Onions and Pineapple.  Yum.

 

2.  This is a tough one.  I've heard plenty...  I'm going to go with Apple.  I think that's just very uncreative.

 

3.  Well, this is a toss up between the trip to Germany and Oktoberfest in 2010 with my son or the trips my DH and I have taken to Las Vegas.  Both were special in their own way.  Germany was amazing because it was all new and it was beautiful.  Vegas is my favorite place.  I love the lights, the sounds, the gambling, the relaxing...Ahhhh.

 

4.  BLT's.  I don't like frying the bacon but I love to make the sandwiches and I love eating them.

 

5.  As crazy as this may sound, I'm going to say Obama.  I want to know what he knows and try and figure out what he's thinking.  I want to know if my feelings about him are justified. 

TGI-Thursday

Today is my Friday.  I am getting a two hour massage after work to start my 3 day weekend off right.  I am actually sore to the touch in some places and I know the lactic acid has built up in my muscles.  I asked for a deep tissue massage this time.  Normally that's too painful for me and I ask for a Swedish.  I figure I can always tell the therapist to lighten the pressure.  I am so looking forward to this 2 hours.  The day will be spent watching the clock in anticipation. 

It always amazes me how many people do not like massage.  They are not comfortable with others touching them.  My daughter, for instance, doesn't like anyone touching her feet.  My DH would rather die than allow anyone to give him a massage.  My sister thinks the whole idea is creepy.  I find it soothing and energizing.  I used to get a one hour massage but I realized I am just starting to unwind when it's over.  So now I save up my visits so that I always have a 2 hour available.  Most therapists don't seem to mind the 2 hours.  I don't have too many requests and for the most part just give them a free rein to proceed how they want.  I don't like my abdomen massaged.  I find that difficult to relax through.  Sometimes I fall asleep.  Most times I just sort of drop off into a sort of relaxed state and let the massage carry me into oblivion.  I hear the music and allow my body to melt into the table.  When I have had a good massage my nose will run, ridding my body of built up toxins. 

I worked for an hour on the special order blanket. I finished almost 4 rows.  The DH got a migraine and we turned off the lights in the living room and just watched the Reds game.  Since I couldn't see to crochet I took a bath, shaving my legs so as not to gross out the therapist today.  LOL 

Yesterday brought some good and bad news.  Bad news was my current job has pushed back an important deadline for 60-90 days.  If I were them I wouldn't keep me around for another 60-90 days.  The good news is I finally got the phone call from the other job.  I have what I hope is a formality phone interview tomorrow morning.  If all goes well I hope to be starting that job within the next two weeks.  Now there are a lot of pros to this new job.  I want to list them for you:

• More money - you don't have to tell me money isn't everything but this jump in pay is significant and will allow us to do a lot on the property as well as stash some for retirement
• Witness Protection - not really, but close.  Because of the distance I will be spending as many as 3 nights alone in a hotel.  The hotel offers a special discounted rate for military as well as a special stay so many nights and get a night free deal.  They are within walking distance of the new job and they have a fitness room and a pool.  I will have my alone time I seem to be craving right now. 
• Work - this position is one that appears to be hectic and necessary.  I will finally be in a position where I feel needed and valued.  My days will be busy and I will have a lot of responsibility.
• Money - did I mention this job pays more?  Like almost 30k more?  Yeah.  I'm so ready for a change. 

When we lived in CA we had an above ground pool.  We only had it one year.  It was the blow up kind but it was 3 feet deep and at least 12 feet across.  We would float around on hot days.  The DH would bungee a cooler to the ladder filled with ice and beer and we would float about lazily.  It was amazing.  We want to get another pool, although we can't afford that size right now so we are going to check into a kiddy pool that we can just sit in and drink a cold beer.  Something like this:

Just enough to keep us wet and cool when the humidity is just too much.  For $27 I don't think you can beat it.  Talk about redneck and ghetto.  LOL

Okay, enough for today.  I hope this finds everyone doing well! 

Wednesday Ramblings

Breathe in.  Breathe out.  I have a tendency to hold my breath for whatever reason.  I don't breathe deep enough to exhale all of the bad air out of my body.  This morning I am making a point to do so.  Today is my Thursday, which means tomorrow is my Friday and honestly, it can't get here soon enough.  Although I have nothing planned, the weekend means "do what you want" and I intend to. 

As I pulled into our driveway yesterday my car was attacked by horse flies.  I counted no less than 8 swarming my car.  I always pull into the garage.  They followed me in and darting them to get from the garage to the house wasn't fun.  I don't know what is up with them.  I did some reading on the internet and learned they could come from one hive, which would be close by for them to be so plentiful.  But it went on to say the hive isn't really a hive and they lay eggs on weeds and rocks.  Great.  My fly swatter nailed 8 last night.  The horses are now afraid of the fly swatter.  They don't understand I am killing the big monsters and not going to swat them, even though I have never done such a thing in my life. 

I crocheted a little last night, but not much.  I finished up another dishcloth and right now I feel pretty good about the inventory I have so I can work on the Etsy order starting tonight and all weekend long. 

It's time for another massage.  I can always tell because I literally day dream about being run over by a steam roller.  That's how relief for me would come.  A good therapist to me is someone that mimicks this - rolling the toxins out of my muscles.  I could use a good spa vacation.  Every day would be filled with "feel good" sessions of some sort of pampering. 

On that note I'll end my ramblings for the day and wish you all a good day!  :)

Chats on the Farmhouse Porch

QUESTIONS

1. What's your favorite room in your home?
2. If you could go anywhere on a vacation, all expense paid, where would it be?
3. Were you a girl scout or in any similar program?
4. What's your favorite frozen treat?
5. Are you NASCAR or the elderly lady with the pillbox hat when you drive?

1.  I'm going to have to say either the family room (where I do most of my crochet) or our bedroom. 

2.  This is a toss up for me.  I would love a long, all expenses paid trip to Vegas.  I love that town and always have so much fun.  The other part of me would love a trip to Europe, taking time to visit spas along my journey through all the countries. 

3.  I think I was a Brownie for about 2 months.  Just never really took off for me.  My mom wasn't very supportive either.

4.  Ice cream.  I love anything and everything with ice cream. 

5.  I am probably more of a NASCAR driver.  I like to drive and have a strategy.

It's Monday?

The weekend went by way too fast for me.  My son and daughter came in on Friday evening.  They drove together from Plano, TX.  It was sure good to see them both.  Really we didn't do a darn thing.  I think they both were in need of some "veg" time and that's what we did.  DD left this morning at 5, driving back on her own.  I went into work a little late, dropping my DS off so he could catch his flight.  They were in town only two days, but it was so great spending time with both.



Here's the Monday Quiz I always find over The Chronicles of Nani blog.

1. If you could be on a reality TV show which one would you want to be a part of?
I don't watch a lot of the reality TV shows.  I find them so annoying.  That being said, the one I do know a little about and would consider is The Amazing Race, although I couldn't be with my DH.  No way.  We'd kill each other.  I don't know who I could be partnered with...

2. You have the power to create one law, what would it be?

So many...and I get to choose only one?  Okay, then it would have to be that Senators and Congressman DON'T get a pension for life after their term in office. 

3. How's your weather today?

Very muggy and warm.  We had rain over the weekend and we really needed it, but now the humidity is up and being inside with the AC is the only place comfortable for me.

4. Other than the country you currently live in, where would you want to live?

I'm going to say Germany.  Specifically in the south in Bavaria.  When my son and I visited there I really loved it.  I think I could easily make a home there in the countryside and settle right in.  The Germans were so incredibly warm and I found them charming. 


And don't forget to add a 5th Question on your own blog so we can answer as we hop around!


5. Pretend you have the power to change one thing in the World.  What would that power be?  Why would you want this ability?  Why do you think it's important? 

This question seems easy at first, but when you start to answer it I think you realize how much more difficult it really is.  I think most people would readily agree to rid the world of hunger and disease.  I find that very tempting as well, but I also find the notion of ridding the world of corruption and greed even more so.  I think these two evils do greater harm to the overall well being of the human race as a whole.  I think their corruption and greed lead to those suffering from disease and poverty intensified.  I think it's important because I think at this time the world is so corrupt and that we are almost beyond repair.  I want to wipe the slate clean. 

And it's really Friday

For me, it's been a very long week.  I have a lot on my mind and it tires me out mentally.  I am really feeling at a crossroads and at the expense of sounding too dramatic, it's really killing me.  Some nights I wake up from a dead sleep and wonder if there is a way to be put into the witness protection program even though I don't have any incriminating evidence against a mob boss.  To be able to start over; new name, new job, new life.  Just leave everything behind and start new.  Why does that sound so wonderful to me? 

I think I could eat pecan rolls every day.  What is it about pecans on top of a sticky bun?  Together with coffee it's delicious.  When I retire I am going to learn to make my own.  Until then I rely on Panera Bread. 

I measured my Etsy special order blanket last night.  It is 36 inches in length right now.  The order is for it to be 86 inches, so I am getting there.  I have 37 hours into it and that includes rolling yarn, so I'm doing alright.  I should easily make the deadline.  It is quite colorful as she requested.  I truly hope she likes it.  I've already started thinking about the next one.  I bought a beautiful shade of blue called Ocean.  I'm pairing it with a Sky Blue for the main colors.  I'm anxious to see the finished product.  After that one I have the one pounder in a color called Forest Floor.  You can imagine how devine that shade is!  I think I will pair it with either off white or cream. 

I wish I could crochet all day.  On a porch swing with a never ending glass of sweet tea.  No bugs and the temperatures just right.  In a cotton sundress, in my barefeet.  Toes freshly polished...

Friday Statements and Five Questions

This week’s statements:
1. My day always starts by ____
2. I prefer ___ to ____
3. I never thought I’d __________ until I __________
4. I wish I could ________ for ________________.

1.  My day always starts by taking my thyroid pill.  I have Hashimoto's, which means my thyroid is completely inactive.  I have to take my pill one hour before I consume any food.  If I don't take it as soon as my feet hit the floor it doesn't work for me.

2.  I prefer being cold to being hot.  Fall and Winter are my favorite seasons.  I can always layer clothes, but I find it difficult to stay cool.  Could have a lot to do with my thyroid...

3.  I never thought I'd miss the Marine Corps until I retired and realized how great a life it was.  It's something that cannot be replaced in my life and I can't go back to it. 

4.  I wish I could have the ability The Mentalist does for one week.  I can't imagine how wonderful it would be to have his skill.  I know he's not real, but I'm certain there are people like him.  Do they come by it naturally or is something they learn?



1. What's your view on men wearing sandals (yay or nay)?I'm not a fan.  Flip flops or the athletic slides are fine, but no sandals.

2. What song do you love but are embarrassed to admit?

Hmm, I like so many different genre's of music that really anything I listen to I am not embarrassed by.

3. What summer camp should they make for moms?
Time management.  I think that's one thing we all could use more of.  Planning ahead makes life so much easier, especially when dealing with kids and schedules. 

4. What is the most romantic song? (Not necessarily your favorite or your wedding song...)

"Everything I Do (I Do It For You)" by Bryan Adams. 

5. Do you have an embarrassing pregnancy story?

I was in the delivery room.  My feet were in stirrups wating for the doctor to come in.  The room had double doors with windows in each door.  Naturally my legs were open TOWARDS those double doors.  As I am lying there, a crowd of interns shows up.  The double doors are opened wide and a doctor is standing in front of a crowd of about 12 interns.  He's explaining something to them.  All I can remember is lying there with my legs wide open. 

States I've visited - Copying Nani

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The Chronicles of Nani post was pretty cool today.  I love to travel so this was right up my alley.  I decided to follow Nani's lead and find out what a map of the states I've visited would look like.  I also used her example of what qualifies for me being in a state.  I'm not sure I will ever get to Washington or Oregon now that I have left the west coast, but one never knows.  We have friends in Wisconsin and I really want to see Michigan. 

The Flies

Yesterday the DH and I unloaded grass hay from the truck into the shed and onto the outside pallets.  We only had 20 bales, but for some reason they seemed very heavy and horse flies didn't make the job any more pleasant.  In CA I rarely saw a horse fly.  We had the small house flies, but nothing like the giant things we have here in OH.  As we were putting the truck away we had a large one in the cab of the truck.  We swatted and shooed it until it flew out the window.  We took the Jeep to get dinner.  As we were pulling out of the garage we had one large fly from the back of the Jeep to the front window.  I rolled down my window quickly and waved my hands to get it out as fast as I could!  Sighing relief we continued on our way, but not more than half a mile down the road another large one came up from the windshield and dash, buzzing it's discontent and looking more like a Pterodactyl than a fly at this point.  We opened the Jeep windows and by the force of the airflow it was swept out.  Phew.  I was so done with horse flies!!! 

This morning I get into my car to head off to work and just as I put my car into Drive I heard the buzz.  Not another one??  I turned my head to see a large, black horse fly (like the one above) on the passenger window.  My DH laughed at me because I squealed.  I used the auto window to lower that window and it flew out, no doubt thankful to be free of the confines of the car. 

As you can imagine, the horses HATE these things.  They light on them and immediately the girls are aware of them.  They swish their tails and use their hindlegs to get them off their bellies.  I spray the girls with repellent and that helps for awhile, but it wears off.  It seems the very best deterent is the fans we have in the stalls.  The flies don't seem to like the air movement and don't hang around long inside the stalls.  On the outside of the barn you can often see them just landed, not doing much of anything at all except looking icky!!  I squish them.  They bite (well, the females do) and I just don't see the point of letting them hang around to bite the horses or me. 

So happy tomorrow is Friday.  The kids will be here for the weekend. We do have some rain expected tomorrow (80%), but we need it so badly I am not complaining.  Not that I would.  I love the rain.  But we had talked about going canoeing while the kids are here and a thunderstorm would mean that wouldn't happen.  So I am praying for a good rain shower tomorrow and then clear skies on Saturday and Sunday. 

Well that's it for this post.  I think I managed to crochet about 20 stitches last night on the special order blanket before I had to call it quits and head to bed.  I doubt I will get much crocheting done with the kids here. 

Hope you all are having a marvelous Thursday! 

Chats on the farmhouse porch and a new blog!

While browsing through some blogs I came across this one!  She asks questions and I thought I would join in!

Questions

1. Do you exercise?
2. What's your favorite type of party or get together?
3. What's your favorite kind of melon?
4. Do you ever go to a farmers' market?
5. Would you prefer a series of day trips, or a week's vacation?

1.  No, not right now.  I love it but I can't seem to get into a routine I can stick with right now.  All part of my slump I do believe.

2.  I like being social, but not in too big of a group.  I like riding my Harley with others and then stopping at a bar for a bite to eat.  I like going to a place with a good local band and cold beer.  I also like sitting around a campfire talking with friends and enjoying a nice Scotch. 

3.  Watermelon.  I used to be afraid of the seeds, but I'm not anymore.  Sprinkle a little salt and I am in heaven.

4.  Not now, but I did.  I like to go.

5.  I think right now I would LOVE a week vacation.  I would love knowing I had a full week ahead of me.  Day trips are nice, but I find them a little exhausting. 

Wednesday Hodge Podge and other assorted ramblings

At times doing what I have to do is the hardest thing.  I sort of feel like I should be at a point in my life where I get to do what I want.  Not so.  I saw a commercial last night that made me think.  I don't remember what the ad was for, but at the beginning a woman was out for a walk and stopped to tell us she was 62 with a long life ahead of her.  That had me thinking.  Right now at 48 I feel so - dare I say it? - old.  But really it's not.  I think I'm going through a case of the blues and where I don't feel like I am happy and where I want to be in my life.  Things seem to be missing and I don't know how to go about getting them. 

I like questions that make me think.  I like questions about myself.  Nani over at The Chronicles of Nani had this posted today and I thought I'd give it a shot.



1.  How often do you check the weather?  How do you check the weather?

I am a weather geek.  I could blame it all on Jim Cantore, but honestly I was crazy about the weather even as a little girl.  Jim just helps make it a bit more fun these days.  I love to watch the sky and see if I can predict the weather, but normally I just check TWC.  I check out their website as well as follow them on Twitter. 

2. Since this is volume 84 of the Wednesday Hodgepodge, and since I got married in 1984, and since I'm attending a wedding this weekend it only seems right to post something related here.

"Happiness in marriage is entirely a matter of chance. If the dispositions of the parties are ever so well known to each other or ever so similar beforehand, it does not advance their felicity in the least. They always continue to grow sufficiently unlike afterwards to have their share of vexation; and it is better to know as little as possible of the defects of the person with whom you are to pass your life."
Jane Austen, Pride and Prejudice

Agree or Disagree. Why?I can't help but take this as sarcasm.  I have never seen this movie (gasp) so I have no idea if she is serious or not.  Reading it I think of it as a dated sarcastic view of matrimony.  I have known people that got married barely knowing what the other took in their coffee.  They decided for them the journey of getting to know one another was part of their marriage and life.  They are still married and seem quite happy. 

I have also known people that married after a very long engagement.  They were already a couple when they exchanged their vows and had children.  They are also still married.

I think every relationship is different and that every relationship can change.  I don't think we can predict the outcome of a marriage based on what they do or do not know about the other person ahead of time.  I think people are either willing to work on a marriage or they are not.  Tolerance and patience seem very important, as well as mutual respect.  Without those key ingredients I don't see how relationships can survive. 

3.  Do you like to dance?  Have you ever taken dance lessons?

Dancing is okay.  I prefer to listen to music and not dance.  I have not ever taken lessons.

4.  Fresh from the oven peach pie?  Or homemade peach ice cream?

Ice cream.  I cannot pass up ice cream.  I prefer pie over cake, and peach is a favorite of mine, but I love ice cream.

5.  Should people accept unfairness and learn to make the best of it?

Oh boy.  You really want to start something with me, don't you?  I am a Libra.  The balance of the scales I feel lies entirely on my shoulders.  I am old enough to know you cannot and will not ever please everyone all the time.  However, I am also of the mind that when the truth is right in front of you and you choose to not see it or accept it because it's not what you WANT, then you are beyond help and certainly beyond my sympathy or empathy.  You are not entitled nor do you rate anything simply because you are human.  Other than basic human rights, of course.  I believe in being rewarded for hard work and ethical living.  I do not believe in a society where wealth is distributed.  Eventually all those working hard will realize they are not getting the benefits of doing so and stop.  There has to be a reward.  Not everyone has the same taste.  One person's idea of luxury is not for another, so trying to make things fair is based on emotions rather than logic for most people.  I am going to quote my DH who always says, "Fair is what they hold at Del Mar once a year."  Del Mar being the fairgrounds in Del Mar, CA.  I think you catch the gest.

6. The top five all time summer movie blockbusters (released between May and August and grossing at least 100 million dollars) are-Jaws, Raiders of the Lost Ark, Star Wars (the original), Ghostbusters, and ET. Which one's your favorite?
I'm going with Raiders of the Lost Ark.  For many reasons, but mostly because I think Harrison Ford is amazing.  The adventure of the movie was exciting and interesting. 

7.  If given the chance would you like to visit the moon?

I am undecided.  Part of me thinks no way could I pass up an opportunity like that.  I mean, really?  The moon?  Of course I want to go!  As long as it was at a reasonable cost and it wasn't like I got one wish and that was it.  I'd pass if that were the case.

8.  Insert your own random thought here.

Why do stupid people always seem to win the lottery?  Every day I sit in front of my computerized budget tracker and because it's done in Excel I will often make an imaginary deposit for an amount way above my normal paycheck.  No matter what, I still move money into savings first.  Someon could give me $500,000 and I would never have to work another day in my life nor would I require any assisted funding from the government.  I would stop working at my job, but I would continue to "work".  Nothing makes me crazyier than hearing about lottery winners who end up broke.  I think there should be a rule against stupid people playing the lottery.

Yay! It's Friday!

Wait...What??  It's NOT Friday?  The only way I got myself out of bed this morning was joking with myself that today is Friday.  Yesterday seemed so s l o w.  By the time 4 rolled around I was practically running out the door to my car.  When I got home the DH and I put up 10 more boards and moved the portable panels to give the girls more grass.  They loved it.  It's so dry here the grass isn't growing back, so their pasture area isn't much of a pasture.  We need rain and lots of it. 

We didn't have the AC on last evening so holding the Etsy order blanket was just too uncomfortable.  I couldn't seem to get anything started and felt terribly restless.  I took a luke warm bath and tried to relax.  My legs felt twitchy and even Sudoku didn't seem to help me relax.  I fitfully fell asleep, but woke up quite a few times during the night.  I have learned a trick about night waking that I have put into practice and it is working.  When I wake up I don't look at my phone to see the time.  Apparently when you do that it makes you anxious about how much time you have left before the alarm goes off.  So I don't know if it's midnight or 5 am.  I just try and fall back to sleep. 

I read something interesting the other day on Pinterest.  Actually I read two interesting things.  I wanted to share them with you.  The first deals with not being able to sleep.  "If you are having trouble falling asleep it's because you are awake in someone else's dream."  Now I am not sure I really believe this but it sure gave me something to think about.  Wonder if that were true? 

The second one I saw is "The person you fall asleep thinking about and the person you wake up thinking about is the person you love the most or is causing you extreme pain."  Now this I believe without a doubt. 

Tonight is the All Star Game.  Pizza for dinner while watching the game.  Yay!

Oh, and still no call on the job.  I'm beginning to lose hope and starting to think holding out for this position might have been a mistake.  Let's hope I am wrong!

Monday Quiz About ME

1.  What are two must haves when you go on a road trip?

Definitely music.  These days it's the iPod.  In the past it's been premade CDs.  I also like to have some sort of hard candy.

2.  What is your favorite amusement park ride?

When I was younger I was certainly more into the rides.  These days not so much.  They make my neck hurt and I normally get a headache and feel terribly nauseas.  I do like the themed rides (Pirates of the Carribean and Indiana Jones, for example). 

3.  Post favorite picture from the past 6 months.

Hmmm, this is a tough one.  I don't have most of my pics handy, but this one isn't a bad choice.

This is my oldest mare, Cheyenne.  She is in her winter coat as this was taken back in early March.  Such a sweet mare.  <3

4.  What did you call your grandparents?  And if you are a grandparent, what do your grandkids call you?

All of my gparents have passed, but I called them Grandma/pa.  I have grandkids, but sadly we are not close to them.  They refer to me as Grandma Red. 

And for my question...

5.  Name your favorite jello flavor.

I actually like grape or raspberry.  I'm not a huge jello fan, but I don't mind it once in awhile.  My husband makes excellent jello shooters and when he makes them I like the ones with rum best. 

Can there really be too many dishcloths?

I enjoy methodical and tedious work.  I do not know why.  There is something about the repetitiveness that brings me balance I suppose.  That explains a great deal about my crochet work as well.  I love even work and I think dishcloths provide the perfect way for me to achieve that.  I spent a good part of my weekend crocheting dishcloths, in spite of having the Etsy special order to work on.  Here are some pics of the ones I finished.

You can't tell really in this pic, but the color is a bright pink.  I enjoy combining colors that contrast to make fun dishcloths. 

 As you can see I love using the ribbed pattern for just about everything I crochet these days...

Now this one is a bit funky.  It's not for everyone, but I think that's what makes it even more appealing.  I didn't use the ribbed pattern on this on; just a straight sc and I think it came out alright. 

 I've called this one Shabby Chic.  It kind of reminds me of that style.  All of these are done using the scraps in my cotton stash.

 This one is by far my favorite.  How bold and bright is this? 

Well, I have quite a few more I didn't take pics of...  Now I just am not sure what to do with them.  Do I list them on Etsy or simply give them as gifts?  Part of me feels since they are not part of a set it would be senseless to list them singularly on Etsy.

The heat was really unbearable this weekend.  I overdid it on Friday mowing grass.  I felt sick to my stomach and just lied about the rest of the day and evening.  After that I tried to avoid the heat on Saturday and Sunday as much as I could.  The horses fared well during the heat.  I kept their water clean and cool, fans going and checked on them quite often.  They were very happy when the heat wave broke last evening.  We all were.  We didn't get much in the way of rain, but the temps were a good 20* lower. 

I hope this finds you all doing well! 

Over Analyzing

I have a tendency to over analyze.  Everything.  I try not to, but as part of my make-up and being a true Libra I have to.  In order for me to find the harmony and balance I require I must be able to see all sides of an issue.  I'm one that believes once the truth is exposed one cannot help but see it for what it is - the truth.  What I have come to realize is that some people simply refuse to see the truth; or they see it and still choose not to believe.  This confuses me and provides a level of frustration I cannot put into words.  I always remember a woman - a mother - of a 16 year old boy that was charged with robbery.  She refused to believe her son could commit this or any crime.  Even when she is placed in a room and shown a video of a store survellience of her son, plain as day, robbing the place she refuses to believe.  Even when she witnesses him confessing to the robbery she continues to think, "Not my son."  I understand a deep desire for it NOT to be true.  I understand the desire for your faith in the person to be so strong you want to will it to NOT be true.  But when you see it with your own eyes and hear it for yourself, don't you at some point have to face reality?  What is it about the pysche that makes us blind?  This mother decided the video tape showed someone that was pretending to be her son to frame him.  Then when she sat behind the glass listening to the confession of her son she said her son was being coerced into confessing; that it really wasn't him telling the truth.  Things like THAT really, really irritate me.  How do we as a people move forward if we allow ourselves to be robbed of the truth?  At some point her good little boy went bad.  She knew it deep down.  As a mother she probably knew long before this incident he wasn't the innocent child she wanted him to be.  Did she think by continuing to believe in him it would somehow change him?  Did she think by continuing to claim his innocence it would make it so?  Or was the alternative - facing the truth - just too painful?  Did that mean she would have to admit somewhere along the line she failed?  Was that more painful for her than admitting her son had done the crime?  How much of our decision making is based on our own self preservation?

I've had my fill of politics lately.  I know it's got to be a result of the election in November.  The ads and news coverage are relentless.  How is anyone supposed to know who or what to believe?  Do we choose the lesser of two evils? 

Yesterday the DH and I spent a very long time in the heat of a hot, humid Ohio day.  Both of us started out slow.  But when we went outside we literally didn't come back in until 2 to grab a sandwich.  I mowed and dragged.  He worked on building a new garbage area.  I was covered in dirt as the sunblock I was wearing was like a magnet for it.  We got a lot done and we were both dog tired when we finally came in at 4:30. 

Tomorrow is my regular Friday off and the Festival of the Bells starts tonight with a parade.  Free music, food vendors and crafters will line the streets starting tomorrow.  I guess everyone stages their lawn chair and just leaves it until they come back for it when the music starts.  My plan is to sit in my chair, listen to music, people watch and crochet dishcloths (because they are small and easy).  I'm looking forward to a good weekend. 

I've logged in 24 hours on the Etsy order.  Here is a pic of one end of it.  It's coming along nicely.

I'd like to think I am about 1/5 of the way finished.  My deadline is around Aug 15th.  I think I will have no problem being finished on time, if not before.  Unless something comes up that keeps me from working on it. 

Still no solid info on the new job.  I'm not giving up on it. 

Ramblings

Howdy All!  Hope this finds everyone doing well and getting ready to enjoy the 4th - no matter what you plan on doing.  We are going to work around the house.  The grass needs mowed and I'm just the woman to handle it! 

I have been working on the Etsy special order.  It's coming along.  The pics were taken during the power outage so sorry for the poor lighting. 

The DH is on my last nerve.  I swear someone could drop a pile of money in front of him and he'd be pissy because he had to count it.  He's never happy. 

On a good note, tomorrow is a day off and then I work Thursday but I am off Friday!  Woohoo.  Still no word on the other job, although everyone keeps telling me it's a "sure" thing.  Hope they are right.

This morning I treated myself to Panera.  I had an egg and cheese sandwich on ciabatta and a medium coffee.  Oh and one of their amazing pecan rolls.  I swear I could eat pecan rolls every day and never tire of them. 

My pepper plants are about 2 inches tall now.  I'm going to take a pic of them tomorrow and will post.  I'm afraid to touch them - just letting them grow!  I can't imagine eating an actual pepper I have grown myself.  What a treat!

DAUGHTRY is going to be in Kettering on Aug 9th.  I didn't know this so I missed out on the good seats.  I checked the site yesterday and all that's left is the lawn.  I don't want to spend the entire show on the grass behind everyone else.  I'm passing on this show.  Sigh.

The Monday Quiz About Me

1. What is your favorite thing to bbq?

I'm torn between roasted corn on the cob and asparagus.  I love them both.  I can never seem to prepare the corn quite right.  It's either not done or I manage to burn it.  Everyone else seems to have it down to a science.  Me, not so much.  So every chance I have to get some roasted corn, I take it!  I do manage the asparagus well.  I like it many ways; just in butter.  With italian dressing.  With garlic and butter.  To me it's perfect from the grill.

2.  What is your favorite thing to do on a holiday weekend in the summer?

This question can have many answers.  A lot depends on the weather, my finances and what I have been doing up to that long holiday weekend.  I always try to get a ride in on the horses and the Harley.  If money permits I like to go to the casino and drink and gamble.  If I have been running at 100mph at work I like to just chill.  Sitting in a comfy chaise with my current crochet project can sometimes be the best weekend spent of all. 

3.  Who was the last person you ate out with?  Where did you go and what was the occasion?

It was with my DH and we went to a local place called EAT.  Unfortunately the power went out just as we sat down at the counter.  We are friends with the cook so she managed to put something together for us.  There was no special occasion - just a Saturday breakfast out.

4.  Do you recycle?

We do not.  Since moving here we have learned either Ohio isn't into it quite yet or we are too far out.  There are no recycle bins or centers to take items.  We do what we can; trying to use paper (but we love the plastic bags for the cat litter) and we really try to cut down on our trash in general.  We hope in the near future our waste company makes recycle bins handy for our trash.

And the 5th question I've added for you to comment on is...

5.  What's your favorite summer time drink? 

Mine has to be iced tea.  I make my own using a special maker the kids got the DH a very long time ago.  We hav taken great care of it and it's still going strong.  I have the recipe down to a science at this point and it's so refreshing.  I also love lemonade and often make it in the summer as well.  I use real lemons and I think there's nothing better.  I don't add sugar to mine - and we love it.

Friends

Have you ever had been blessed with one of those friends that no matter what just seems to have the biggest heart?  My friend Wendy is like this.  She and I don't talk much - never have really.  Our relationship is all about cards and emails and texts.  We seem to be a set of kindred sisters - our pasts similar yet different and bonding us together.  She always provides me with light when I see nothing but darkness.  She finds a positive in everything and makes me laugh the whole time.  Her sincerity is so genuine that you can't help but know it's real.  Never a false act or phoney remark from this woman!  I cherish our friendship.  She sent me a coffee mug some time ago that I always use at home.  I wanted to share it with you.

Doesn't that just bring a smile to your face?  Knowing that someone would like nothing more than the pleasure of your company and a cup of your coffee? 

Friday night was one of the most interesting that I have experienced weather wise since being in Ohio.  The day was very warm - 100* on my drive home at 4pm.  Oddly, around 5:30 a line of clouds was forming to the north of us.  I wish I had been more alert and taken photos, but honestly I was fascinated.  By 6pm the front was directly over top of us and with it came the winds.  I'm not just talking a steady breeze.  I'm talking a hang-on-to-something-or-else-you-might-get-blown-away 80 mph gusts.  It was to say the very least - incredible.  The horses were inside their stalls but then moved outside of them and to the far end of the barn with their rearends facing the wind.  The barn blocked most of the direct gusts from them.  The dry dirt swirled and debris blew everywhere.  About 20 minutes into the storm we lost power and we didn't gain it back until about 1am.  The wind gusts continued for about an hour and then it rained briefly.  Nothing too tropical, but enough to soak the ground and make the air muggy.  No power meant no fans so the windows were wide open trying to catch a breeze.  Crocheting by lantern has it's challenges.  We went to bed early listening the baseball game on the portable radio.  We were awoken at 1am to the sound of Gretta Van Sustren's voice in our living room.  The TV came on.  The DH got up and turned off lights and such and we went back to sleep happy to have the ceiling fan. 

The next morning all was well and we thought our weekend would progress as planned.  We went to breakfast and right as we sat down at the bar the power went out.  We had a less than ideal breakfast.  The cook put together what she could for us luckily we had hot water for tea and a new pot of coffee had just been brewed.  We went home to find we were also without power again.  It was still early and not yet hot, so we just relaxed and made the best of it.  Around noon the power was back on, but our water pressure was very low.  We learned that a substation was down in a neighboring town due to the power outages all over Ohio.  The generator that was supposed to take over failed so the city was telling us we could be without water for 2-3 days.  Now that was a problem for people like us with horses - who drink 10 gallons of water a day.  So we began filling every container we could find with water and filled both our bathtubs as well.  We are on septic so could use the water to flush if the need arrived.  Saturday evening and night was spent uneventful.  Power stayed on and the water soon became barely a trickle, but we had managed to put aside quite a bit and felt good.  We went to bed around midnight and woke to both power and water.  A sub generator had been located and installed over night so water had been restored. 

We were lazy Sunday morning.  We were just finishing breakfast burritos around 9am when the power went out again.  We simply hunkered in.  I had my crochet out and was sitting next to a window.  The DH was reading the paper at another window and the portable radio was playing in the background.  By noon the power was back on and as of this morning was still on.  I know there are quite a few people out there still with no power and water.  I have them in my thoughts and prayers.