Pictures that are placed in places that bombard you with radiation

I don't know why these people who work with radiation think putting pictures of birds, trees and flowers on ceilings and walls make the time less of a pain in the rear, but apparently they do because when I was getting radiation everyday for six weeks, I became very familiar with those birds, flowers and trees!

After the squeeze test (mammogram), I was whisked into the room where the bone density testing is done.

I had almost forgotten this picture on their ceiling, but it took me only about 10 minutes to remember what I found rather interesting although a little unsettling.  I guess they didn't mean for this picture to be intensely view by wildlife biology people!

After getting me all settled on the bed (board), the tech leaves the room while the unit scans the lower body.  Left to my own limited devices, I looked at the picture for a bit, and then partially dismissed it.  Oh, yeah, the two male sparrows sitting on what appears to be an azalea branch with some kind of legume plant growing with it.  Strange composition, but ok.  There is a mocking bird almost out of sight, and some other kind on the right.  I remember this picture, and I remember wondering about some of the composition.

Then I looked further.  On the right, out of focus, are some larger birds seemingly high in the sky above.  On the left, there is a large bird, in pretty fair focus, that is ... a hawk!   What in the world is a hawk doing there obviously circling above these birds?  Who decided to place this bird in the picture.  Did they have some sort of perverse sense of humor, or what?

Well - needless to say, this gave my depraved mind something to do while my legs were pulled into a position that wasn't the least bit comfortable.  I laid there contemplating how long it would take this bird to swoop down on these little sparrows after the camera was gone.  Not long I would think.  They were spotted, and as soon as it could, that hawk would get one of them.

The situation reminds me of one gynecologist I went to.  He had Garfield posters plastered on his ceiling.  I enjoyed them - the first time.  As time went on, and they aged, the humor was gone.  I almost despise Garfield today (just kidding).

Thank you Blogger for one thing!  You save my ramblings.  I thought this post was history because my fingers hit the wrong key.  Nope - there it was.  I am so glad.

And speaking of fingers - thanks for the support and advice with my new meter.  It worked beautifully this morning because I went to the tried and true "finger tip prick" method in the place of the suggested palm, sides of the fingers, arm, leg, etc pricks.  Now to drop 50 pounds to get rid of the meter!

A little time today

For a change, I actually have a bit of time today.  I STILL have been sitting here for a couple of hours, but some of that time was on the phone with Daughter.

JuJu asked me how I managed to get the ridiculous comment verification thingy off.  Honestly, all I remember doing - finally - was going back to the old way blogger used to be.  I knew where that setting was.  On this new look - I have no idea.  JuJu, I will try to find out how again then send you an email!


The biggest news about these parts is the ever-using step granddaughter.  If you don't remember, this young lady (19 1/2) met this fella - slept with him, got pregnant, moved in with him, was convinced to quit her job in SA, moved with him to Alabama where she knows no one, had to go back to SA for court after a shop-lifting charge at Target(??? of all places), not wanting to get married while hugely pregnant,  and now is saying he is not the man she fell in love with, and is thinking of moving away - but NOT to SA (that means to Dad and Step-Mom, Daughter).  Yes, she is a stellar girl.


Needless to say, Daughter is rather beside herself.  When SGD left here at the ripe old age of 14 after living here for  two years, Daughter was quite relieved because Lady Bug would not have the influence anymore.  Daughter would not take SGD back.  She still doesn't want her - at all, but she is so concerned for the baby.


Today, she even said something about trying to adopt the baby because she can see that it will be as screwed as SGD. I told her that we have known all along that the heritage there will never stop.  I flat told her that if she were to do that, SGD will really be in her life, and she will still influence the baby.


The only time SGD calls them is when she wants something.  For months and months on end, her dad would call her.  She never could bother to return the call unless she needed something.  This is her "way to roll."  She lived with them for a bit because her mom was moving to California, and she didn't want to go.  She made up lies about her mother's current man (there have been several).  She caused such a stink - lying on a legal statement about that guy.


She needs Dad and Daughter (mine) now because her mom won't speak civilly to her.  SGD has followed her mom so well.  Her mom was hoping for better for her, I think.


So now she has told Daughter that her physician there wants $1400 because her insurance won't pay.  Then she also needs about $400 for more court costs.  And really she wants to move here to live off them. This is something that is very typical of SIL's whole family.  Daughter thought she could change that trait in SGD, but looks like it won't happen.  I just want this girl/woman away from my three grandchildren in that house.  She is toxic.  


I guess I am really cold.


Anyway - peace.  Have a great weekend.

Sibling rivalry

Ah - what a deep subject for a Monday morning.  It is a subject that I have no personal knowledge of other than my own children since I was an only child.  I see it with G at times.  Whether is was his perception of his mother's actions or not, I know he will occasionally make statements that could be construed as springing from sibling rivalry.  I think that is not the case - I knew the witch for 42 years.  She didn't like any of this family.  My question is rather rhetorical I guess because of my previous statement, but does it ever end?

Daughter had not gotten out to meet the newest baby in the family.  I know she is busy, but ...  So I asked her if she would host family dinner last night since her dad wasn't feeling well and didn't want to infect six children.  She launched into such a tirade!

She had contacted DIL on Saturday asking if it would be ok to come out that afternoon to meet #6.  DIL said it really wasn't because Son had a gig at a BBQ cook off.  Family dinner was brought up, and DIL made a comment along the lines they hadn't decided what they were going to do, but she would let Daughter know Sunday morning.

About 1, Son called me to tell me his had scored a couple of briskets at the cook off, and he would bring one.  When I talked to G later, we decided that (1) it was Daughter's turn to host, and (2) we weren't.  So then I made "The Call."

What a storm I stepped into there.  She was furious with DIL and Son for waiting so long.  They had started pork already.  On and on she went.  I finally just flat told her to let me get a word in.

After a bit, she called and apologized to me.  But, you know, the damage really had been done.  I felt terrible about the situation.  I wish I had the nerve to tell her that she had been wrong for not making time to go out to see the baby.  I know her reaction was partially out of guilt with the situation.  But still.  Even her kids were taking the brunt of all this.

She is so jealous of her brother at times.  There is no reason at all.  They have always been treated equally, and if it was unequal, she usually had the better times.  Son doesn't seem to have these feelings.  He is pretty even tempered - until something really gets to him.  Even then, he blows up and it's over.

Daughter is looking closely at 40.  I can't help but wonder if there might be some peri-menopausal stuff going on there.  I don't know, but this stuff is really getting to me!

Better things to think of - our Pastor was absolutely amazed at the working of the women's group with out initial meeting.  He saw positive things happening the entire time we were together.  My co-conspirator was furious he was there.  She felt he dominated the meeting.  I told her for this first one, it was fine.  I wanted him to see that we were a good thing for the church.  If he comes in the next time, we will politely tell him to get a plate of food and leave!  So there were good things happening on Sunday too!

Peace

Grrr

The women's group a friend and I have wanted to start at church will actually begin on Saturday.  For this, I am excited.  We were going to work on the "children's annex."

A little history here.  We are a brand new church (well - five years old).  We began meeting in an elementary school.  That was good although tiring  because everything had to be stored in a trailer and put out/taken up every Sunday.  Daughter and SIL stayed at that church while we went back to our "home church" after they got a new preacher.  Wanted to give him a chance.  But he was not as dynamic at Pastor C at this new church.

After three years, the school gave us the boot, and a new worship facility had to be found.  So the church relocated in a strip center.  The church sort of has a coffee shop feel, but that's ok.  It is laid back and very progressive.  It works.

After about a year, it was evident that that space was simply too small.  There was no room for the kids.  So another spot was leased about three doors down that gained the name "children's annex."  Now this isn't advertised except among the members because it seems that there is something that prohibits a children's place.  They are probably trying to make sure there is  no day-care locating in that strip center.  So we moved to two services (ugh!), with the children having a 15 minute education experience during the sermon.  It is sort of a Sunday School, but not really.

What does this have to do with the women's group you ask.  Well, the person who is in charge of the education has said she wanted curtains to cover the windows.  OK.  Sharon and I both sew.  She does quilts (and I am hoping before something happens she will teach me!), and you know what I do.  We were all set, and this was going to be the activity for the first meeting of the wg.

When the time grew close for this meeting on Saturday, K said she had consulted a decorator (!?!?!?!?! - we are broke!) who suggested painting phrases and the like on the walls.  She was going to Bed, Bath and Beyond to purchase curtains.  What??  Well, ok.  She said the women could do the painting.  We agreed.  We thought it was all set.

I get an email today saying that she doesn't have time to get the paint and all.  She suggested a stupid ice breaking game for us.  Nope, not gonna' do it.  I hate those stupid ice breakers to begin with.  Always have, and always will.

I forwarded the email to my partner in crime, and she agrees.  So it will be a more relaxed time.  We will eat snacks and lunch, and sit and talk.  We will be looking at things in the future.  We will try to pin down service things for us to do, but first and foremost we will get to know one another.  That's what we wanted all along.  We just threw in the other stuff because our unmarried pastor doesn't seem to understand that there is an underlying desire among us women to simply know one another.   Hopefully there can be some service to the church and community.  He is big on the community involvement.  He doesn't want us to be self-centered.  I think we can handle it all!  Even if K keeps throwing monkey wrenches into plans.

Peace.

Angelica

In just a few minutes, Angelica will be here for the weekend.  You forgot who Angelica is?  Well!  She is the little boxer we wanted to foster (and adopt), but she likes Shadow tooo much!

It should be an interesting weekend.  Lady Bug is off to LSU (??) for a swim meet.  It is a big deal.  The other boxer is going to the vet for boarding, and the old lab will be at home.  I will be going over to let him out, and all.  But I get to have my cutie back here for three days.

Shadow may be traumatized by the whole thing.  If he's smart, he will only come around when she is in the kennel - which will be a lot of the time.  She likes it there.  But I am really happy to be able to have this sweetie!

Haven't gone to the hospital today yet.  Is it just me, or does the wonder and excitement of grandchildren sort of subside - after five or six.  He IS number six.

So, I will go and make ready for the sweetheart.  I hope Simone will be OK.  She has been acting strangely.  That worries me.  She is getting old, and she has had those mast cell tumors.  The vet said they could well start up in the digestive track.  Great.  She already has GERD.  About once a month, the throws up.  She has been acting like she wants to for a couple of weeks now.  This may really set her off.  But we have her nausea meds now.

Have a great weekend.  Keep warm wherever you are.  Seems like winter has found all of us.

Peace.

This and that

Yesterday I moaned and groaned about not getting things done for the Craft Show.  Well, and this is a familiar mantra in Texas anyway, but bring on the rain.  We are forecast to have a 60% chance of rain Sunday.  If that happens, there will be no show.  That would be great because I am not ready at all!!  So - as usual - bring on the rain.

As for Monkey Boy.  I said yesterday that he now loves me while before he really could care less.  It is the strangest thing.  Oh, and I have him once again today.  He is happy to stay with me which would not have been the case in the past.  He is very demonstrative with his affection.  He is really growing into a great kid!

Now the other grandson - the three year old.  I get the same reactions from him that I had gotten from MB.  He refuses kisses and the likes.  He avoids me like the plague.  I guess that one day he will change too.

One day - that makes me think.  It is really strange knowing that my days are numbered.  I don't know how long I have on this earth.   No one really does, but at 66 there are certainly fewer than there were before.  And then there's always the "c" factor looming out there.  Will it return?  Probably.  It almost always does.  Obits will say "fought cancer for x number of years." It is just sobering to realize you are really mortal after all.

OK - enough gloom and doom.  I have MB stationed in front of the TV, and am headed up to sew.  Pray for rain again!  Please - I need more time!

Peace,

So good with technology

NOT!!!  At least not any longer.  When I was an active duty teacher, I was a whiz.  I was the one who my colleagues would call to fix their a/v stuff and consult with about the computers.

Now?  Now I am lucky to get on line.  I have been left in the dust.  If something goes awry with this little gem, I am up the proverbial creek without that blasted paddle.

So now I am the one talking about getting a sling box to go on the cable box here, installing internet at the SSB, putting in two new routers, buying a computer for the SSB, and slinging my tv signal from here to there thus getting rid of the satellite (which has gone up yet again).  Have I lost my everlovin' mind?  I do believe so.

So now we bought a new vehicle that does everything but drive us to out destination while we party in the back.  It has taken me this week of reading and trying to find out how things work.

With my points from my credit card, I got a Blue Tooth a few years ago.  My son helped me to get it to work.  It did a good job, but the battery died.  It, of course in this age of disposable everything, cannot have a new battery put in.  Here in Swampland, if we are on the phone in a school zone - it is a huge fine.  Therefore - must have hands free.  I know you are asking what this has to do with the new vehicle.  Simple!

I have Blue Tooth in the new vehicle.  What does that have to do with my techlessness (love that non-word)?  I got it to work today!


There is hope, there is hope, there is hope!

Peace.

More sane - I hope

I haven't gone back to re-read yesterday's post.  I probably should take it down.  I was distracted by G, and wondering if I were really over whatever had taken control of my body.  One should never write under those conditions!

Things have settled down nicely.  I am feeling pretty well with only a few intestinal growls (I know - too much information).  Son called to check on me last night.  It was strange on Sunday night.  He, Daughter and I were all sick.  He had symptoms more like mine, and I would say we caught the same bug.  If we did however, it was from different sources.  Or this is a mighty bug since I last saw him the week before!

This little business I have going is not a money making proposition!  I told a lady at church I would do three little handkerchiefs for her.  She wanted four letters and the year.  Ok.

I did the first one.  I was all finished with it.  And as usual, with it all finished when I was trimming threads on the back - my super sharp scissors - the same ones that cut my foot when they fell on it - cut a teeny hole in the cloth.  Can you believe?  Sure you can if you have hung around here long enough.

I knew where she got these.  They were really pretty with lace around the edge.  She said they weren't expensive, and I already told her that I hoped it would go well, but there was no way I would ask her to buy another because I was so stupid.  So I set out to the gift shop.  Those suckers were $6! There was only about a thousand stitches to it, so the most I was going to charge was $1 per handkerchief.  So $3 supposed profit as opposed to $6 for the replacement, plus my gas out to the shop.

Perhaps one of these days I will become proficient.  I did learn a lesson here.  I know how to probably not do that again.  You DID notice the "probably."  That's because I know me too well.

All's well that ends well however.  I am only $1 out on this deal (well plus the $3+ for a gallon of gas).  She paid me $5.  One of these days things may go well, and I will make a profit!  But for now, it keeps me off the streets and mostly out of stores.  But I did find Christmas presents in that shop - they have some really cute earrings for the girls.  Probably $50/pair with another $50 for the charms that can be put on - but cute!

Peace.

Guess it's that time of year

Who took the last seven days?  I was just here, and now seven days or so has passed.  Who took them?

I have been a sewing fiend - that part is true.  If I had  not left my camera at the SSB, I could chronicle some of that, but - that camera is sitting on the love seat up there.  So, you just have to take my word for it.

We just this minute returned from Austin where G probated his mother's will.  It was a simple process - taking less than an hour, but it involved driving there, staying overnight and all.

I rode along because SIL has been telling me about an outlet store for the hideously expensive shoes that fit my feet well.  She gets hers there.  So, I was going to use this trip for that.  Guess what!  We were ready to go in at 10:35.  They opened at 11.  There was nothing to do to waste that time, so we hit the road.  

No shoes and a $32 dog boarding fee.  That stinks!

On the trip back, Daughter called.  Our current pastor send them an email that our previous pastor (who confirmed and performed the marriages for both kids, baptized one grandchild and is a good personal friend) has pancreatic cancer.

That is why I am taking the time to post - other than I needed to.  I came home to check my email, and we have one too.  It doesn't sound good.  He is in the hospital now - can't have visitors.  So I don't know how bad this really is.  If you are the praying sort, I know he could use all the prayers offered up.

So - I guess I better unpack and change clothes.  Before I do that - I have to admit these one day trips are killing me.  I don't pack well for them.  In the case of MIL's funeral and this trip - I neglected to pack sleeping togs. This trip - and it is embarrassing -  I forgot underwear.  The old brain is going!  I am used to having most of what I need already in place - like at the SSB.

Oh well, peace be with you.

I really don't get it

Seriously, I am verrrrrry puzzled.  It seems that no plumber repairs leaky faucets these days.  They REPLACE them -- to the tune of several hundred dollars a pop.

Now, if the little guy who is trying to get started had called me back - he very probably would have fixed my leaky kitchen faucet.  That little baby is/was about 15 years old (my, how time flies - seems like I bought it last year), and was a very good, sturdy faucet.  It developed a leak - probably from us not turning it off properly.  It was a single handle, and we would carelessly center the handle to turn it off.  Well - it was leaking unless we really paid attention to what we were doing.

I called Rich weeks ago.  He never called me back.  So I called a big outfit.  I am angry with the plumbers I usually use - but that's another story.  Anyway - we had a leaky faucet in the back yard, and the kitchen sink.  The bill for those repairs was $1600.  Yep - you read that correctly.

The faucet in the back had been "jerry-rigged" so many times, and the pipe itself was badly rusted.  I knew there would be dollar signs with that one.  But the kitchen??  Replace the whole thing?  What happened to repairing the leak?

The same thing happened when the other company was called to repair a leak in the hall bathroom.  It was a good Moen faucet.  I KNOW there is a cartridge in them that can be replaced - and the leak stops.  Nope - the whole thing was replaced.  I thought perhaps this company would be into repairs  not replacement.  I was wrong.  Jeesh!

In other money spending - Simone had her semi-annual check up.  She is well - vaccinated freshly, but she is well.  The whole staff celebrated that.  They know us well.  Very well.  She is such a sweet dog they all love her as much as I do.  The vet said he was delighted to see her doing well.  We have fought her queasy stomach for years, so it was nice to have a well dog check up.  It still cost a bundle though.

Such an exciting life.  I need to schedule a couple more repair people.  The handle on the dishwasher broke - wonder if it will have to be replaced (the whole thing like the faucets)?  Then we have the a/c heater checks.  Don't you wish you had such an exciting life???

Oh, Ju Ju - Shadow did finally come down from the china cabinet.  It took him a couple of days to realize Angelica was really gone.  He didn't even bite me for about a week.  He's completely back to "normal" and I am ready to bring that dog back!

Peace

Stupid, stupid, stupid

I guess I am the epitome of a hard headed German!  Knowing what the CPAP machine did to me night before last, I used it again last night.  Yesterday I was pretty miserable.  G gave me some A**egra to take.  It had an effect almost immediately, though I sniffled and sneezed all day.  Forget tissues - I was using super absorbent paper towels -a lot of them.

So last night I slept with that thing again.  Today I am getting no relief.  That is bad because we are set to lunch with G's last aunts.  I look like Rudolph.  My cheeks are chapped from the tissues and towels.  I have not had allergies this bad in years.  Every little odor sets me off - badly.

So we will see.  All this makes me pray all the harder for rain.  I think it would help -even thought probably not cure anything.  G suggested I have a cold.  I wish.  It would be gone tomorrow.  This feels terminal.

Now back to getting this weight off - again.  That made the CPAP use not needed the last time I lost it.  I really do hate that machine too.  It has head gear reminiscent of the head gear for braces.  Only the little piece fitting over the nose blasts you with air.  Sometimes I feel like I am drowning in all the air.

Well - do visit with the aunts, we have to (gasp) go into town.  They live within the loop.  We never go there. When G asked when to leave, he followed up with "it's either going to take us 30 minutes - or two hours."  How true.

Peace.

Remembering other waiting room disasters

I guess I have mellowed. Yesterday's waiting room fiasco wasn't really that irritating. If I got tired of observing people, I had a good book. My choice of book was, however, off. It is a book that takes more thought.

The people. Well, you have to remember it is a pain clinic. Dispensing highly controlled substances, and here in Swampland that is biiiig business on the black market. We do have many fake clinics about that are there to prey on these folks, make the "doctors" who are "in charge" wealthy, and some of that money filters on down to the local pusher. This clinic has several measures in place to try to stop this activity, but all I have to do is look at some of those souls who share the waiting room with me, and it is apparent they are trying to get the drugs for another reason - money.

Ok, that said, I was reminded of a couple of other instances. One was that I had taken a "sick day" from teaching (if you needed to be off - it was a sick day regardless). I scheduled two appointments for the same day trying to make the best use of the day. The morning was a check with the PCP to follow up on blood pressure meds and the second was an eye exam for the afternoon.

I sat in the PCP's office for an hour. Then in flits Miss Drug Saleswomen. They take her back immediately to see the doctor. WTF! She stays with the doctor at least 30 minutes, and on her way out spends time with the staff. It was then I found out his one of the office staff was his WIFE. They were planning a get away sponsored by the drug company.

There were at least 4 other patients in front of me, and I was getting close to the time I had to be in the other doctor's office. I needed to stop at home for paperwork also. As soon as Miss Prissy left, and the finally called the next patient, I told them I had to go and walked out. I never went back.

The second was when Daughter was three months old. I took her to the doctor because she had a rash. I was a new mother. I had no idea what was wrong with my baby. She had a rash, a fever, and was irritable.

The snake oil salesman, err, doctor was out of the office, but his Physician's Assistant was there. They put my off in a back room. The only thing farther away from the front door was the back door! I waited, and waited. Daughter was surprisingly good. And we waited. I think we were back there for 45 minutes. I got tired of waiting, and I irritated daughter so she would cry.

That brought results! We were seen in about three minutes. But this isn't the end of this story. Oh, no - not at all. The PA examines Daughter. She. Does. Not. Know. What. Is. Wrong. So she sends me down the way to a dermatologist. Really??

We are seen almost immediately. He looks in her mouth - which the PA didn't bother to do. He was dumbstruck. There were the little white bumps on the insides of her cheeks. He, almost laughing, said she had measles. Simple measles.

The good thing that came from that fiasco was we found a great dermatologist who then followed my kids through the teen years and their acne. He was really great.

I guess I would like to say there are good things about spending part of your life in a waiting room; waiting for a medical professional that the office staff double booked so that when you finally get to the secret shrine of all things medical you only see the doctor for 5, maybe 10 minutes. No, it doesn't always end as we would like, but we really have little choice!

I am such a coward

I knew as soon as the subject of the Stock Show was mentioned this morning when Daughter called. I steeled myself for the question. And sure enough - here it came. It went something like this:

Her:"we have to work at the show tonight. I would have the kids go to L**'s house, but I don't want to set upset her girl's sleeping schedule. T** (the usual sitter) has swim practice in the morning, so I don't want to keep her out too late since she has to get up at 5 to get there (a fact I know for sure because they practice at the school where I taught - those poor kids were coming out of the building like drowned rats when I was going to work). I hate to ask ...

Me:"it's ok, I'll do it. "

What was in my mind:

"why don't you tell your dear hubbie that we can't do this thing that goes on for two or more weeks when we have small children that I cannot get a regular sitter during the week that we have to work?!?!?"

Needless to say, but guess where I will be tonight from 5:30 to 11:30.

Peace be with you.

A big let down

It all happened again. The weather people here, once again, got into a frenzy about the great weather event that threatens our very beings - only so have it fizzle leaving with egg on their faces.

So to bolster these sooth-sayers, the stations to broadcast pictures solidly through all the network's programming. And why - because we had a light mist all night, and therefore all bridges and overpasses are slick as, well you can fill that one in.

They had said we would be getting the effects of that low pressure area that was moving from the Pacific coast around noon. What happened then - schools began closing. Now with the information they were given, that was a good call. The evening drive home would be really dangerous. We would be having rain mixed with snow and sleet. Nope.

So rush hours went smooth because about half of the commuters had already left work to pick up their kids. Back to tv. They were still on this old thing of the low still out over New Mexico, but when it came to us - wow, we would be covered with sleet and snow.

Come bedtime. Weather soothsayers said the low pressure was still coming this way. The projected time of midnight would have the low over us, and well, Galveston wasn't going to have three inches of snow after all. But the mainland, well it's not in the projected map area, but we still may have two inches.

In reality, the NASA weather bureau was by far the closest. You could look at the map of what they thought was going to happen in the future, and it was split around us. Do these nuts think we poor citizens are too stupid to read that map? Don't tell me we are going to have 2-3 inches of snow more like about midnight (they were assuming the great unwashed viewers would be in bed, and their forecast still sounded good.)

So comes the morning. Yes we had a bit of ice due to the bit of rain. Yes, driving was a hazard. Bridges and overpasses were covered by a thin coat of ice - most of them closed with some officer sitting there babysitting those ramps.

The television stations had been hyping this storm for a week. Their response was to go live showing the feeds from the road condition cameras around the city, and sending the poor little lambs that are put out in the middle of the mayhem. This time is wasn't much accounting for showing the dumb a**es who went around the blockage of the roads and either crashed, or remained in their card waiting for help.

It was a good thing for most of the school districts to shut down. There goes one of the holidays later in the year. It was a good idea to tell folks to stay home. I will give them that. I won't allow the soothsayers that kept trying to make it snow.

These are the same people who spend all their energies trying to move a hurricane into our area. When you can clearly see the thing will remain in the Atlantic, they show this "zone of uncertainty"to move that storm into the gulf and right up the ship channel to decimate us all. then break away to the poor schlep who is standing out there in front of the camera having tried to find a story that will just knock your socks off. Oh, how they would love to find some story having a brave rescue of a boy and his dog - gotta get the child angle and the animal lovers caught up in the drama. But alas it never happened.

So we are condemned to watch hours and hours of "storm coverage" or escape it all and visit with you guys. Gee thanks to the climate change - we may have the blizzards and all and you in the northers states will have to take the hurricanes - that's a fair exchange!

Peace be with you.

Do you watch Desperate Housewives?

I do, rather I did until I read the paper this morning. All of the stars, except Teri Hatcher, want more money. Those poor little actresses. I guess they are on rice and beans because they cannot afford better food. I guess they are on the streets living in cardboard boxes. Good thing it stays fairly warm in California.

Could you manage on a mere $400,000 per episode. Why of course not. It's inhumane to ask them to struggle on that. Why of course they need more money.

That makes me thing of the millions that sports figures make. Then they want more. What in the world are they spending it one. How can you "need/deserve more money. This boggles my mind.

To my way of thinking, they must sew it together to make sheets for the bed. Perhaps they use it to light fires or candles. I cannot imagine why millions aren't enough.

I laugh when they "fine" sports figures. The amount of that fine is like $2.00 for us. It sounds like it is so much! Ha!

This is despicable when you look at teachers salaries. They have the student's future in their collective hands. Every one talks about education, but when the rubber hits the road, these people disappear.

There are many other jobs where the worker isn't paid a living salary. But coming up with the money to pay these people who are playing a game, and putting on play there never is a problem.

OK, I'm off my soap box. It is one that I have carried for years. I can't understand someone making 400,000 a day of work (I will admit they probably had to work for that one episode, but still!!) wanting more - demanding more. Just can't wrap my mind around such "salary".

Peace be with you (and me!).

I think they need to fire him

I really hate to say that - especially in this time of jobs being difficult to find. I went to the pain clinic today, but that's only to set the locale. When I went to pick up my drugs, the guy picked up a packet, and told me it was $20. That is far less than I usually pay, but the amount does change. I didn't think anything of it.

I got home after the marathon appointment (2 hours). I got my lunch together, and thought I would take two of the pills like I should. I picked up the bag, and there were four bottles there. Mine is three. Then I looked at the name. It. Was. Not. My. Prescriptions!

Fortunately, or not, I have to go back at 4 for PT (I hate it that late) So I can take that poor woman"s back and get mine - IF they haven't been given to someone else.

I was surprised that VISA didn't spot it when he read the wrong name. I heard the name, but thought it could be the pharmacist's name. Didn't happen. I should have snapped to the charge. I didn't.

Every time I go to pick up the meds, it is a complete circus. Normally, there are three or more in there. He grins all the time, and I don't know how he could cause all these problems. A lot of the problems I simply don't know how he screwed up.

As I said, I think he should be fired. He doesn't seem to be able to handle it!

Peace be with you.

Here's a new one

I wanted to begin this post as a story, but there really isn't a good beginning because it never really begins nor ends. It is a true segment in these people's living. So here is just a free standing story that you, at first glance, won't believe. But it is true, sadly.

Poor SIL's dad called. He did his usual hemming and hawing. That's trouble. It means he wants money.

So he went on talking, not really getting to the point, but then it came out. Yes he needed money. He needed money to pay his AT&T UVERSE BILL of $150. Uhhhhhh - excuse me, but just when did cable television become a life need? And this isn't BASIC cable. They have more extras than we do! And our cable bill includes internet.

The more I spoke with Daughter, she said they haven't even had to pay rent yet. He has been able to (supposedly) do enough odd-jobs on the house to pay the rent. Has the owner looked at the house to see these things completed?

The real kicker tho this story is that they put out the plea for money before Christmas. So Daughter and SIL decided they would give them money ($150), and they wanted the other siblings (3) to give the money they would buy for nieces and nephews to the parents. Don't know if that happened or not, but the fact is they were given money - not even a month before.

So here is SIL between Daughter who will squeeze a penny until it yells, and parents who believe it is perfectly ok to ask for money for things that aren't absolutely necessary. With us being gone, and then the day we returned she left for a conference, I haven't heard what happened. All I know is that everyone who hears this request is first completely shocked, and then they laugh at those people's gall.

His family is so very jealous of that Daughter and SIL have. They have said it is because we bought it for them. They have called Daughter a pretentious B*tch, so I can only imagine what they call us. That family knows that Daughter and SIL make really good money, but then they have no real concept of what good money is. They know they have money saved, and certainly have that kind of money available - which they do.

So it appears that truth is really stranger than fiction. These folks will always give me a subject for my blog. G swears he is going to write a book about them, and I haven't even begun to disclose the idiocy of their actions. My, my.

Peace be with you (and Daughter too)

Here and there

I have been thinking of writing an essay to the magazine that is printed by my religion. We get a monthly Lutheran, but I don 't know if they would even consider my essay. I am wondering just where my church has gone. I look for it, but I cannot find it.

I know the young people are not sticking with the ritualistic church as we have known. They are going to these huge non-denominational churches that are really not that at all. They have their feet firmly in the Baptist church, but they don't have that as a link because they don't embrace all the tenets of that religion.

So now the Lutherans are moving that way. Part of our service used to include one of the creeds - Apostles, etc. Not any more. There is no liturgy. The pastors don't wear the garb. They are there in just a shirt and pants. Some will still don the stole for communion. Communion used to be the main emphasis of the service. It was placed after the sermon. Not any more. The music is all new wave Christian. We have a new hymnal, but sometimes it is not used. But even there, so many of the old familiar and comforting hymns are gone. The new hymnal is full of new ones. I just don't know where my old church is. If there is a more "typical, old style" service - it is on Saturday night or the early service. So the main, highlighted service is the new one - that the young people still are not flocking to.

I find the new churches that are non-denominational are there to make you feel good. The music is supplied by a band with speakers that are booming. Communion is just a brief thought - hey - it's in the isle behind the first set of chairs - help yourself. The bread and wine has not been consecrated. It's still bread and wine. Meanwhile, the rock show continues with lights flashing, and the music booming through huge speakers. And the "message" which takes the place of the sermon doesn't give you a challenge, it doesn't inspire you to work to become better - it is "I'm ok - you're ok." Things are good. You are good.

Well enough of my bitching. That's exactly what I have been doing. It isn't the essay I would like to present to the magazine, but it is just my thoughts spilling out. And that's enough.

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This is same song, different verse. Yesterday, G watched Simone walk into a table outside. It has been there longer than she has been here! I thought nothing of it - until. Yep, later she came and put her head in my lap. It was later alright - 15 minutes before the vet's office closed. Her left eye was watering, red, and that third eyelid was halfway over the eye. So we went this morning. She scratched the cornea. Boxer problem with those beautiful, soulful bulging eyeballs.

So she got to go for a ride. We now have the ointment for that scratch. She is to go back next week to see how it is healing. Been there many times with a boxer. Not my first rodeo! Since she was already there, they worked her in for a bath and pedicure. And I am a lot lighter in the wallet.

I wonder if we could claim the vet clinic on our income tax????

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OH, and I went to pick up my sewing machine. The place that accepts USB was broken - again. The guy that repairs them said not to let it happen again. He doesn't know how many more will be covered. I wanted to unload on him. I certainly didn't try to break that d*** thing. How ridiculous. I really think I will not take it there for repair anymore. I think they really believe I am doing this because I don't know how to use the stupid thing.

If it breaks again, I may go somewhere else and trade it for a different brand of machine. He just set me off!!

I have babbled enough. I probably should just hit delete, but I'm going to let this out.

Peace be with you.

I guess they are just too exciting.

Today I ventured out to the high school's FFA Craft Show. This was partially to see how my new knees would fare, and to check out the back. Lady Bug was also singing in the elementary school choir. I think I talked about that yesterday, but you know my memory. Anyway, I get up early, get breakfast done for G, and I am out the door.

When I get there, it is already a madhouse. The parking is way out in the field already, so I slapped the handicapped tag onto the mirror and asked the guy directing traffic if there were any spaces up by the exhibition hall. Well, good old country boy that he was - he had absolutely no idea. His job was to stand out there and direct cars onto the grassy field.

I went on up and circled about a bit. I managed to cuss a couple of SUVs that took enough room for three cars because they didn't know how to park. If the space between them and the next vehicle was just a smidge bigger, I would have been able to shoe horn my little Pontiac in there. I purposely didn't take the truck for that very reason. But three rows over I got my spot.

LB was with the kids across the street. That mom was taking them. They were still here when I left, so I thought I would see them at the show. But that wasn't to be. I poked about a bit, and most of the crap at the show was just that. It was crap that was bought in some discount places - we have one here called Harwin where the places are regularly hit my the police for selling knock off merchandise. But everything they have is CHEAP. That is what I was seeing. Crafts - made by hands - very few.

While I was waiting in the show barn (I told you it was FFA!!!) for the choir, I saw an ambulance come in with all its lights flashing. I didn't know where the attendants went for the longest time. When I finally decided to take another small stroll around the crafts, I saw where they were. In one of the booths, there was a woman about 85 sitting on the floor having fainted I am guessing by the questioning I heard when I passed.

The reason this sticks in my mind is that when we did the show in Mason, a woman went down right in front of our booth. That time, it was heat related. This time I don't know the cause. I guess these craft shows are just getting too exciting for us old folks!!

I looked at most of the booths. I didn't find anything I couldn't manage to live without. I was really sort of killing time trying to find LB and my neighbor. I made one final pass down an isle. It was going to be my last. It was then I saw it. The thing I couldn't live without. When I hang it at the SSB I will take a picture and post it. It was the thing I had been looking for. It had a relative there I also wanted, but couldn't figure a way to hang them both without them looking stupid. I can't wait to get them up and post a picture. You'll just have to wait. So much for the excitement of the craft show.

Peace be with you.

There they are!

Here is daughter and the three kidlets. Doodle Bug (on daughter's lap) has her famous look. This is how 90% of her pictures turn out. Monkey Boy - to the right - is completely incognito! I don't know what that costume ism supposed to be. I thought it was going to be something from Star Wars. Could he be Hans Solo??? Don't know.

Anyway - just glad that day is over. I really don't like Halloween at all. It does seem to be calmer here than usual. When I was out Monday, there were all sorts of pumpkins still intact. Some were even at the street which would have been like an open invitation for smashing. Perhaps next year I will feel confident enough to stay at the SSB.

In my manic/depression that is attacking me these days, I am back on the depressed side again. I would swear my old nemesis menopause is back. The weather has produced a cool snap, and the thought of turning on the heat is sending me right up the wall. In fact, I haven't changed our thermostat over to where the heat will come on - at all. I can set it for air conditioning and heat, but I don't want the heat. I know the a/c comes on at 9:30 because it is set to be cold (68-70) for sleeping.

There is really no pearls of wisdom to impart here - like there ever were. I just feel I will just keep whining about how bad things feel. So - I am going to try to find something productive to do. My addiction to the computer is having to end because there aren't too many more places for me to stick my nose - just some free embroidery designs to add to the 25,000 I already have. Me an addictive personality? Heavens no!

Oh - I don't love Daughter more than Son - I am just terrible at uploading pictures to this place. His just suffered from being first.

Peace be with you.