Tuesday, January 31, 2006
Snow Geese
The snow geese in this photo made a stopover on the farmer's land adjacent to us yesterday. This photo was taken from our deck. The geese are in the upper left portion sort of under the branch of the tree. (Click photo for larger image)
Apparently they are on their way back to their nesting grounds in the arctic Tundra region.
They have white plumage with black under their wing tips. They are a majestic sight not only while flying but as they land too. Every time I see a flock it takes my breath away. Something like this only happens a few days a year usually in late February. They are earlier this year than other years. And this is the first time I have witnessed them in this particular field. I used to see them on my way to work.
I am wondering if this is a sign of early spring for us, or are they just in a hurry to get back "home."
posted by Cheyenne at 2:09 PM comment(s) made:
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Monday, January 30, 2006
Newspaper Carrier Has A Problem
My newspaper carrier is currently playing games with me. Why, I don't know. I have never seen him/her. The only thing I can think of is that we don't give him/her a monetary gift at Christmas. I never started that and I don't intend to do so with anyone in the future.
The paper is delivered very early in the morning via the carrier's personal vehicle. Our plastic paper sleeve, where the paper is to be put, used to be across the street. And as I have said in the past, the state road in front of our house is like the Daytona 500 at times (without restrictor plates I might add). So we moved the sleeve to our side of the street and put it at the end of the driveway. We are not the only home to have it on this side of the street in this neighborhood. So that should not present a problem to the carrier either.
When it rains, our paper is rarely put in a plastic bag. After that happened several times, I called the office and complained. I have had to call them about this issue three times in the past couple of weeks. Have you ever tried to read a sopping wet newspaper? It ain't easy. The best part is, sometimes it is in a plastic bag, but there isn't a raindrop in sight. Ever. The last time I called they said they would mark that in my file and let the carrier know that the paper is to be put into a plastic bag when it rains. And they would tell the manager. Obviously the carrier was warned. Because now all sorts of things are happenening.
One day last week we received half a paper. There were at least 8 sections and we received only 4. I know it was deliberate. If I am the one delivering papers, I think I would be able to tell if parts were missing just by the look and feel of the paper for that day. I called and complained again about that.
Sunday we didn't receive the majority of our sales supplements. I know for a fact that we didn't get Kmart, Sears, Kohls or Target. Those four are always in with our Sunday paper. So now I am really getting pissed off.
I told the people at the paper that I am going to stand at the end of my driveway with a whip. My husband usually brings the paper in before he leaves for work. That is somewhere around 6:00 am and the paper probably is delivered a little before that time. So you know when it is raining it doesn't take much to saturate it.
Granted, every time I call and complain they credit me with another day added onto my prepaid subscription. I haven't called about Sunday's mishap; I really am getting a bit tired of this chicanery. All I want is to get what I paid for. A dry newspaper with all its parts. Is that asking too much?
posted by Cheyenne at 2:35 PM comment(s) made:
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Friday, January 27, 2006
Here It Is
It took me a long while to figure this out but I think I finally got the hang of it. It also took 5 minutes to upload ~ yep, I have dialup. We're not privy to DSL yet but my server told me it is coming within a few months. I will be first in line.
This photo is the one I took yesterday for experimentation. (click to enlarge) It is my Earnhardt wall and is to the left of our front door entrance. This is what everyone sees when they come into our house. And if they don't like it, they can just turn around and leave.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:21 PM comment(s) made:
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Look Out!
The Japanese have finally figured out a way to get even with us for World War II and the atomic bomb:
It's called a Toyota and there's one coming to a NASCAR racetrack near you.
posted by Cheyenne at 1:13 AM comment(s) made:
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Thursday, January 26, 2006
Digital Camera 101
Although I received my digital camera and photo printer a few weeks ago, I only took the camera out of the box this morning. Up until now it sat here behind me doing nothing. I knew it was there. But I avoided it. Finally, I could no longer do that.
I have just not been in the mood to "deal" with it. I don't know why. Maybe because I think it is too complicated ~ although I don't know that. I have had all kinds and types of cameras over my lifetime and never had a problem learning to use them. Sometimes I didn't even have to refer to the manual to get started.
This, somehow, is different and I need to master it before I even attempt to download the software for computer usage of the camera. Oh boy, just thinking about it gets me fuzzy.
So I sat in the family room this morning contemplating it, which to me was a very major task. Even to the point of depressing me somewhat. And I thought, "Why did I ever buy this camera? What was I thinking?"
But I did eventually get started. I removed the tiny camera from its bubble wrap, and I started reading the "Quick Start Guide." So far, so good ~ reading is one of my strong points. Converting that reading to hands on technology is something of a different nature where I am concerned.
I inserted the batteries and then the memory card. That was easy. Then I set the date and time. Again...easy. I took a picture of my "Earnhardt" wall, then played it back, and damn...THERE IT WAS! Wow! I'm a genius. OK, OK I know...anybody can do what I did.
My next job is to install the software. I'll work on that later. I need to rest now. Just bear with me and I'll master this puppy in no time.
Yeah, I can hear all of you laughing your asses off at this greenhorn. Go ahead...get it out of your system. I'll be OK.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:26 PM comment(s) made:
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Wednesday, January 25, 2006
9-1/2 Years!
It is so difficult to believe that it will take that long to get to Pluto. The planet, not the Disney character. Well, cross that off my list of places to visit. I just don't have the time, or the patience for that matter. My snacks would run out after the first 9 hours (or less probably). So if anyone out there is thinking of going to Pluto in the near future, don't call me ~ I'll call you. Oh, and don't hold your breath on that one either.
posted by Cheyenne at 3:05 PM comment(s) made:
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Odds 'n' Ends
Just to clarify my post about the TV repair yesterday...when he said no charge, it meant no charge for the parts and no charge for the service call. No charge whatsoever. You have no idea what I have gone through over the past year with this TV and the repair people. They have been nice, I have been nice, but it was a bit stressful. And I guess they realized that, so that's probably why I wasn't charged anything for yesterday.
posted by Cheyenne at 3:02 PM comment(s) made:
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Tuesday, January 24, 2006
Now This Is What I'm Talkin' About
I found this at another site.
"Dale Earnhardt Jr. is looking pretty good. The Bud team kept Junior on a pretty short leash for most of the test, but in his final practice Junior worked the draft to perfection. Two times he was able to blast from the back of the pack to the front of a group that included Jeff Gordon, Jimmie Johnson and Matt Kenseth. Before the team's struggles last season, the Budweiser Chevy was often the only car on the superspeedways that could pass without drafting help. Junior was able to do that again in the test, which should mean he'll be a threat to win it all on Feb. 19."
posted by Cheyenne at 4:04 PM comment(s) made:
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Finally...
We have a 61" rear projection TV which we had upgraded from a 52" a little over six years ago. About a year ago, while I was watching yet again "Dances With Wolves", the screen started going darker and darker until it was so dark that all you could see was the whites of their eyes. White eyes ~ no pun intended.
We hauled out our 19" TV from the bedroom, put it on a teacart, and watched that until the repairman came to see what was wrong. He tightened something after taking the front panel off and it was working again. Well, that went on almost every couple of months. It would darken, I'd call and he'd come and tighten whatever again. Finally, he said something else had to be done. Because he was out of options, he called the manufacturer. He agreed with us that this TV is just not old enough to replace it yet. And we just couldn't go on having him come out every couple of months to tighten the sockets.
Believe me, I am so not ready to purchase one of these new TVs. First of all, they are letterbox panoramic and everyone looks chubby and short-legged. You have two options. Panaromic and square, where there is a black frame all around the picture. And then your picture becomes so much smaller but the people are normal, so why bother getting a larger screen in the first place. We looked at them over the holidays and I just could not get a good answer about why people "just don't look normal." The one salesman said he's used to it. Say what? I, for one, do not call these new sets progress. And I truly hope that by the time we are ready to buy a new one that the technology is better than what we have today.
Anyway, back to the repair part: When he called the manufacturer they must have had an answer to our problem because I was told the parts were ordered. That was sometime back in October. By December 20th one of the three parts (sockets) was still not in yet, but he came out to make an adjustment, or what he called a "quick fix" that would last till the other part came in.
It lasted almost four weeks. Friday evening a week ago, it started going dark again. Of course we had to drag the other TV out and hook it up once again. I had planned on calling them the following Monday morning, and that was my first priority when I got up. They beat me to it. Yep, they called me. The third part was finally in so they set me up with an appointment for today.
The repairman left a little while ago. I asked if they were going to send me a bill, thinking this was easily a couple hundred bucks. The man said "this one is no charge."
posted by Cheyenne at 3:33 PM comment(s) made:
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Monday, January 23, 2006
What A Difference A Day Makes
Yesterday was nice enough for us to be outside cleaning up the yard here and there. Actually it was quite balmy. We have 3 acres so there's a lot to cover.
The tarp blew off the old truck, which is where one of the cats (and maybe others) uses as sleeping quarters. So we fixed that and rolled the window down a little farther to make it easier for them to get inside. And we also tied two single pieces of rope, with a knot on the end of each, to a tree branch and left them dangling a few inches from the ground ~ giving them something to play with besides chasing leaves when it's windy, not to mention the white sock they found somewhere that they drag around.
I brought the empty bird feeder up to the flowering plum tree by the house and filled it. That tree is a gathering spot for tiny finches of all colors. It's right outside the kitchen window so I get to see a lot of activity.
The Christmas tree was tossed outside last weekend, so I dragged it out beyond the deck and popped it in a cement block (the 2-hole kind) for other birds to use.
The weather today is very different from yesterday. Late last evening it started to rain, and that changed to sleet and snow by morning making things a tad messy. It was what they refer to as a "wintry mix." Hello winter: I see you are back full force.
And to make matters worse ~ today is supposed to be the most depressing day of the year. Why, I don't know. But I DO know that it hasn't affected me in any way.
BTW when I had my background changed I lost the ability to be able to italicize words and I miss that. So now I just make them all caps. It works I guess but it's just not the same. When I press that icon it says "insert italic tags" and when I do that the tags print in my post. Has anyone else had this problem? And if so, how do I change it? Same things goes with the BOLD icon.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:56 PM comment(s) made:
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Super Bowl Bound
Congratulations to all you Steelers and Seahawks fans.
It's not exactly the Super Bowl I wanted to see, but I will watch at least for the commercials. And hope that they are better than last years.
I'm not a Steelers fan, but since they are from Pennsylvania I guess I'll cheer for them.
Good luck to all!
posted by Cheyenne at 12:24 AM comment(s) made:
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Saturday, January 21, 2006
The Fine Print Will Get You Every Time
After Christmas I decided I needed a digital camera, so I started checking them out online. And with a camera like that, one also needs a photo printer.
After much evaluation of the information I had, I finally settled on Canon products. Like I have said in an earlier post, I never owned a digital camera. Therefore, I wanted something for a novice, easy to use, but I also wanted a lot of bang for my buck.
Once I found what I wanted, I then started looking into the printers. And I figured it would be best if I bought the same brand as the camera. I also wanted a printer that would work alone ~ without the use of a computer.
Upon all my digging around I came across a rebate that Canon offered. There were many combinations available. It just so happened that both my selections fell into the rebate category on the form. I would be able to get $50.00 back.
I printed the form, filled it out with the serial numbers etc., cut the UPC bar codes from each box, gathered both invoices, and addressed an envelope to where the rebate was going. I decided that I needed to make copies of the invoices so I would do that some time today.
AND THEN I READ THE FINE PRINT
"Both products must be purchased at the same place and appear on the same receipt."
Well, there goes my fifty bucks. Is that stupid, or what?
posted by Cheyenne at 1:13 AM comment(s) made:
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Friday, January 20, 2006
Back In The Saddle Again
The sun is shining brightly and it is now 53 degrees. It was 33 when I went out this morning to feed the cats, but because of the sun it felt warmer.
My blog has a new look. Much thanks go to Denise at Moodswing Creations (you can click on her link over to the right). She did a wonderful job working with me.
Now, just because I have my favorite driver as my background, I will still be posting on various subjects just like I was before the change. I don't want to scare anyone away thinking it has turned into a NASCAR blog. But come NASCAR season, I probably will post more about Dale Jr. Especially if he does well.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:04 PM comment(s) made:
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Thursday, January 19, 2006
UNDER CONSTRUCTION
This site is currently under construction. Bear with me until we get the colors of my past posts corrected so they are readble. All good things take time.
posted by Cheyenne at 8:03 PM comment(s) made:
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Truck Driving School
Prop up your feet and grab a snack, this might take awhile.
Back in the very early 80's I had an apartment and was raising my very young daughter.
At one point I was not working, as the place I had last been employed at closed its doors to bankruptcy. It was a trucking outfit.
All my life I had always wanted to drive a tractor/trailer, a "big rig" as they were referred to. So I went to school to learn how. And it turned out to be one of the most memorable times of my life.
I was on unemployment and the school accepted me when I had one week of benefits left. The Government paid me X amount of dollars for mileage back and forth and that was enough to help me financially. It wasn't much but I was also getting a whopping $25 a week child support. And that, folks, is not just another story, it is a whole book!
The course lasted around 15 weeks. We were taught the necessary paperwork like keeping logs for the first two weeks, and then it was hands on learning. No new students were accepted during the entire course and no one left either. Ages varied and the female to male ratio was fairly even. We even had a married couple that eventually got a job with Mayflower Moving.
We learned using both a C.O.E. (cab over engine) and a long nose Mack. You don't see very many cabovers on the road today.
We had one male that wanted to use the truck constantly during "practice" which took place while one instructor was out on the road with one or two students.
We were supposed to take turns doing different things, so if I didn't learn everything I can blame him. One move I didn't like was backing up against a dock using the "blind" side. That meant backing up with no visuals ~ you had to give it your best shot and hope for the best. I truly admire people that can do that without blinking an eye (like my husband who is an excellent truck driver and has been driving for a living since his late teens).
When the course was coming to an end, every member of the class then had to go to the state police barracks where driver testing was held. Both on paper and on the course. We had to uncouple the trailer from the tractor, pull ahead, back up and then recouple. We also were taken out on the street during the test. And I can't forget to mention the pretrip inspection before we even started to drive. That is a must for all truck drivers.
What was really funny then was that some of the guys failed to pass and had to retake the test, where I passed on my first try. And I even missed a gear in town. I heard it, I knew it, but I think my test instructor was a tad deaf ~ or he was impressed that I was a 120 lb. female trying to break into a then mostly male field.
I remember one time driving through Bethlehem with a full load of heavy tiles in a dry van. I don't remember the length of the trailer, but it was the longest allowed on the roads for that time. I was driving on a two-way side street with cars parked on both sides. But there wasn't room for the truck and a car. I felt on top of the world when the car coming toward me had to back up. The power I held at that time. It is unbelievable how some people are so intimidated by trucks. Except those that like to tailgate them or drive alongside them on the highways. Or dash in front of them and expect them to be able to stop on a dime if something would happen.
We finally graduated that October with a small ceremony at the school. Afterward we were all treated to food and drink at a local bar.
I never did get a job driving truck. Not that I didn't try. No one wanted to hire a female back then. One of the other female graduates and I did go to look at used trucks. We had an idea that we were going to go into business together. Except she had no money to add to the partnership and that broke up our friendship.
So I ended up pushing papers at another trucking company. That's where I met my husband. And the rest is history...
posted by Cheyenne at 2:17 PM comment(s) made:
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Wednesday, January 18, 2006
Tidbitz
This morning as I was looking out my kitchen window, I happened to see two birds pecking away at the ground. I had never seen anything like them before, so I did some research. They are Yellow-Shafted Northern Flickers. I think it was a pair; I only watched the male as he was more colorful and I never checked out the other one. I think I was really thrilled to witness these birds. They are really neat. The one I watched had the black bib at its throat with a red crescent on the back of its head. Also the undersides of the wings were yellow, and its belly was gray with round black spots. ********************
Lynn Swann, former Pittsburgh Steeler, is in the running for Governor of Pennsylvania. I am wondering, if elected, will he be able to run with the ball? I know he can catch it. I used to watch him do it all the time. I am fairly stoked about him running for the position. I'm not exactly thrilled with the Governor we have now (Ed Rendell). For one, he used to be mayor of Philadelphia before becoming Governor. So his allegiance lies with that city, and they always come first in whatever he does.
There are three candidates running for the office and one of them will then square off with Rendell. I guess we won't know until February 11th. C'mon Lynn, catch the ball and run with it.
********************
One last thing: why is it whenever I open new bottles of shampoo and conditioner, the conditioner gets empty long before the shampoo does? I have short hair, but no matter what length I have, it's always the same. It drives me insane. So now I try to buy two bottles of conditioner to one bottle of shampoo.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:07 PM comment(s) made:
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Tuesday, January 17, 2006
Brrrrrrrrrrr...
It was freakin' cold yesterday morning, but on cold mornings like that it's a treat for me to see my stray cats waiting for their breakfast.
I remember when it snowed significantly awhile ago and my husband made a path from our deck to where I feed them and then all the way back to the garage/barn for the cats.
Every morning when I go out and start making the "it's time for breakfast" noises of feeding, one by one they start lining up every five feet or so. And when the path was there it looked comical ~ like little planes lined up on the runway waiting for takeoff.
I wish I could put heat in that big old "barn" and feed them back there, but it's a long walk and it's kept locked. The cats get inside through a hole that something chewed open over a year ago. The barn is where we keep our vintage Mustangs but not to worry, they can't damage them. None of them are in pristine condition as far as paint jobs go.
The cats must be doing okay in there and I'm glad they're using it to get in out of the bad weather. It's not only a haven for them, it is also keeping them from roaming too far and getting in trouble or hit on the road in front of our house. That is like the Indy 500 at times. Many animals have been butchered by the crazed drivers that use the road, even though there is a traffic light in the village.
So now I am sitting here waiting for more bad weather. It was supposed to start around 6 AM this morning as ice. As of right now, there is no precipitation at all. I am sure if I were still working we would have gotten tons of ice by now. But because I am not working we get nothing. Pbbbbbbbbt!
posted by Cheyenne at 1:58 PM comment(s) made:
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Monday, January 16, 2006
Amazing Theft
Here's another one taken from the headlines that read: "2-Ton Moore Sculpture Stolen."
My initial thoughts were:
1) Why would anyone do this in the first place?
2) Where would they go with it?
3) How does someone "fence" such an item like this?
You can't exactly stick in your pocket or glove compartment. Then I thought maybe they plan on melting it down because it's bronze and sell it for scrap metal.
Now, how does one hide a 2-ton sculpture, let alone steal one. That's a real head scratcher. Wouldn't someone at the other end wonder where it came from, or why it was there or how it got there even. I know I would, not knowing all the details.
I could understand the melting part but it's still not easy to cart one of those things around on a flatbed trailer. It is bound to bring attention to it somehow somewhere by someone. And yet no one saw anything. Unless it was done by a magician like the Statue of Liberty.
So I ask again, how the hell did this happen? And I haven't read anything about it since it was stolen.
Steal something small and you get caught...steal something huge and no problem.
Oh, the theft was filmed by security video.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:14 PM comment(s) made:
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Saturday, January 14, 2006
Taking Too Long To Get Here
Exactly four weeks from tonight will be the Budweiser Shootout!
Yippee!
How agonizing is this for all us NASCAR fans? The waiting is excruciating.
At least I will be home to view all the daytime programs leading up to the Daytona 500 this year.
My prediction? The driver finishing first will be the winner. Seriously folks, I guess you know who I want to win.
posted by Cheyenne at 4:21 PM comment(s) made:
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Friday, January 13, 2006
Till He Got It Right...On The Head
Four times this "shall remain unknown" gas station was robbed between December 15th and January 4th in a nearby community. The robber remained unknown and uncaught ~ left to roam the streets and do more damage to others.
Another attempt was made this past Tuesday. With one difference. The clerk (a cousin to the owner) said he got tired of being robbed. Well, duh, I would think so. How many times do you need to get robbed before you get pissed off anyway? So finally he decided to do something about this latest robbery: he grabbed a wooden baseball bat and started beating on the guy. Around the head and shoulders no less.
A tip led police to the home of an 18-year-old (with head injuries I might add). He also confessed to the other four robberies at the same station.
I guess he felt it was an easy mark so he just kept robbing them. Easy pickings. Like taking candy from a baby.
He should have been stopped the first time. Being the victim of an in-house robbery, I only have high praise for that clerk. But it sure took them long enough to act against the punk.
Oh, and the police kept the bat for evidence in the case. But not to worry. It has been replaced with another. It's metal.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:52 PM comment(s) made:
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Thursday, January 12, 2006
A Little Explanation Here
This is not a NASCAR blog. Far be it for me to think I am an authority on that subject. I write about whatever is on my mind on any given day. The subjects are very different from day to day.
Fo me to post solely about NASCAR would mean a lot of copy/cut and paste on my part. I do it occasionally but do not want to get in the habit of doing that.
I like to speak my mind. Sometimes what I write about is peppered with some salty language. I can keep up with the "best of the best" when it comes to all those so-called bad words. But I don't want to scare people away. Or have them get the wrong idea about me. I'm not just talking about cussing either.
And when those words do slip into my post, you will know that I am very passionate on what I am writing about.
Now...getting back to NASCAR. For the most part I can't see much past Dale Earnhardt Jr. Sorry, but I am not going to apologize for that. It's just the way it is with me.
I am very anti-Jimmie Johnson and Kurt Busch, for obvious reasons I would think. I have come to tolerate Jeff Gordon because you can't deny his talent.
And if someone does Junior "dirty" they too will remain on my shit (see?) list for possibly the remainder of the season and sometimes well into the next one. Like Mike Wallace last year and for what he did to Martin Truex Jr. all season. Yes, I am naturally a fan of Truex. And I hope both Juniors kick ass this year. Especially against those Hendrick boys. (the flaming fairies as TIREDAWG put it so well in his blog.)
By now you know that I am anti-Hendrick because of his sordid past ~ yet he is so sanctimonious. And I am also anti-Roush because he thinks he can rule over everyone with all his teams ~ especially when he put 5 of them in the Chase. That stinks. And yet he wasn't able to win the championship. Thank you Tony Stewart ~ you are my hero!
Well, there you have it. You now know where I stand where NASCAR is concerned. Take it or leave it. I don't sugarcoat things.
posted by Cheyenne at 2:16 PM comment(s) made:
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Wednesday, January 11, 2006
Grrrrrrrrrr...
I am posting this in the color purple today because I am livid, because that is the color of my face right now. The following letter to the editor appears in the current issue of NASCAR Scene which I received today:
"We have been watching NASCAR races for a long time and we are disappointed with all the praise and advertising for Dale Earnhardt Jr. He wouldn't be anything today if it wasn't for his father."
Well, if it wasn't for his father, he wouldn't even be here! Idiots.
It's statements like that, that piss me off, and I mean piss me off.
Dale Earnhardt made all his kids work for what they have today. He handed them NOTHING on a silver platter. They earned their way to the present. Every one of them. I cannot comment on Taylor Nicole because she is out of the limelight.
It's dumbasses like those people that I'd love to knock upside the head. It is total nonsense; they don't know what the hell they're talking about in the first place.
People! Read my lips...
Dale Earnhardt Jr. did not get to where he is today by riding on daddy's coattails (as some people like to put it).
Get that through your thick skulls.
Please!
posted by Cheyenne at 5:12 PM comment(s) made:
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Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Dale Earnhardt Jr ~ Git-R-Done!
"At the DEI race shop, the sky looks blue, the grass looks green and the No. 8 Chevrolet looks fast for 2006. Earnhardt could be the bounce-back story of the year."
This is not my quote above...but when I read it, it made my heart swell with pride.
(I had a good post going here, but I hit a wrong button and wiped it out. And after I got done swearing at myself, I decided to try again. However, it won't be as good as the other one. Dammit.)
Anyway, I have watched Dale Earnhardt Jr. grow up and into a smart savvy young man. And I might add he's very easy on the eyes.
Dale Jr. is and always will be my number one driver no matter what he does or doesn't do.
One thing I do not understand is why people like to bash on him. If you don't like him why must you say nasty things about him? Honestly, I cannot understand why anyone doesn't like him. What's not to like? I think it's mainly because of who his father was. A lot of people think Dale Jr. had everything handed to him. If they did their homework, they would know differently.
Junior is not like his father. They are two separate individuals. His father could make a 'bad' racecar into a good one. He would race anything on wheels. Granted, so would Junior probably. He lives to race. He is not as aggressive on the track as Dad. But he's learning. And he has accomplished so much more than his father did at his age. He's only 31.
I also think they don't like him because they are jealous. Jealous of the fact that Dale Earnhardt Sr. was and always will be the greatest stockcar driver on God's green earth. There is no comparison to any other driver. And Junior just happens to be his son. A damn fine son too.
So no matter what this year brings, good or bad, I know that he will be out there doing his best. That's all we can ask for now, isn't it?
posted by Cheyenne at 2:24 PM comment(s) made:
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Monday, January 09, 2006
I Am Hap-py Oh So Hap-py
I watched Dale Jr's news conference today from Daytona.
What he said makes me feel good about the upcoming season.
It has been a very long off season for me, as well as all other Nascar fans I am sure.
Dale Jr also tested at Daytona earlier today. He and Bill Elliott were the only drivers to put two cars in the top ten of the speed chart. Bill was 3rd and 8th fastest, and Junior was 7th and 9th fastest. A little note here: I am also a big fan of Bill Elliott's and have been following his career for a long time.
I connected with Junior in '98 when he came on the Busch racing scene. And I have not disconnected since. Even if he finished last in the points for the rest of his racing career, he would still be my number one driver. A real Junior fan is that dedicated.
So there!
posted by Cheyenne at 2:44 PM comment(s) made:
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Out With The Old
Yesterday I collected all the Christmas decorations from all the rooms and got them ready to take downstairs. That will be done today. Unless I get sidetracked. That happens a lot. But it's a good thing.
We bought some new decorations. Dale Jr #8 mainly for my "all Dale Jr #8 tree." So now I plan on getting rid of all the decorations that haven't been used in years. A lot of it is plastic items, so those can be burned. One of my favorite things to do. Burn. I was really maniacal when I burned a lot of stuff from my parents' house. I guess because it wasn't my stuff. They didn't throw too much out, so a lot of it was easy for me to burn.
Ok, I'm getting sidetracked here again. Getting back to why the tree and decorations were still on display as of yesterday: we decorate and put the tree up fairly close to Christmas. Because of that we don't get tired of it once New Years Day rolls around.
Another reason is, my husband is half Russian and his Christmas fell on January 7th this year. So everything stays put till after that day. Last year I took the tree down on January 15th.
And if I were still working the tree would probably be up until this coming weekend. I would not have time to mess with it before then. But because a "crazed despot" decided I wasn't needed where I worked, I now have all the time in the world to do what needs to be done a whole lot sooner. Lucky me!
posted by Cheyenne at 12:16 AM comment(s) made:
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Saturday, January 07, 2006
This Is So Not Right
We received our new prescription benefits card and information through my husband's employer (which, by the way, used to be my employer also).
Normally we purchase our prescriptions four times a year and receive three months' worth of meds for the price of two months. That's how it used to work. Last year our prescription provider was the same as the health benefits provider. I guess they felt it was too overwhelming to handle both duties. For some ungodly reason, our prescription provider was changed for this year. And all I can say is, Oh boy, here we go again. I don't know whose decision it was to make the change, but I can tell you I am not very happy with it at all.
First of all, one of the medications that we both take has gone from $50 to $100 each. I wouldn't mind so much if it only affected just one of us, but that is not the case. Now, as a result, we will be paying $800 for the year rather than $400 for just that one prescription. What I cannot understand is the fact that our benefits did not change in any way shape or form. But because one provider charges double what the other one charges, we are at their mercy and must pay it. Some of the other pills are different in price also.
I e-mailed the new provider stating that if our benefits didn't change, why should we have to pay more for that one medication. They have yet to get back to me. Between the two of us we take 12 meds. I am thinking we are both going to have to re-evaluate this situation with both our doctors. This cannot go on.
I read in the paper daily about the horrors of the new Medicare Part D prescription plan and I just want to vomit. I dread the day we have to tackle that! Why can't this country get anything right when it comes to the health of its people? What the hell are we going to do when my husband no longer works and is no longer covered by an employer's plan? Actually the way things are going, it doesn't matter who covers you because everything is just getting so out of hand. It's almost as if the medical profession and the pill makers are holding the people of this country hostage. And it stinks.
And to make matters worse, if the cost of our medications are over $250 each time (and they certainly will be), they will have to contact me to make sure it is me ordering them with the check card they have on file. The last time that happened to me another prescription provider said they tried contacting me via phone. I suppose they only tried once because the pills never arrived and after awhile I called them questioning where the pills were. They had my e-mail address and my mailing address, but I guess they didn't think that far. After all, that was too easy.
posted by Cheyenne at 12:24 AM comment(s) made:
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Friday, January 06, 2006
Opening Another Window
I don't own a digital camera...ooooh, how can that be you say?
Actually I've been using plain disposable cameras ever since my 35mm stopped working a few years ago. I know, how sad is that.
I have no need these days to take pictures ~ my albums are overflowing. My parents are gone, my family is scattered here and there, and my daughter has no children; thus, I have no grandchildren to dote on and take pictures of them.
Soooooo...
I have decided to get a digital camera anyway. Nothing expensive or fancy. I need to get involved in something like that. I need to broaden my horizons instead of wondering how many days I have left on this good earth. No, I'm not that old, but I still think about it.
I've done my homework on cameras and printers, and I have decided that Canon is the only way to go. The camera is a Consumer Reports best buy, and the printer will allow me to be able to print without using the computer if I choose to. I only hope I can figure out what to do with the pictures once I've taken them. But I am a fairly determined person and I am sure I will be OK.
posted by Cheyenne at 12:10 AM comment(s) made:
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Thursday, January 05, 2006
Knock Knock Who's There?
Sorry folks, but I wasn't able to post lately. Been very very busy. I watched the Penn State game which was on until 1 AM. It went into triple overtime but they finally pulled it out and won 26-23. Yay! And our local boy, Austin Scott, made the first touchdown for them and the last one for them. How neat was that?
My husband had a scheduled day off so he could visit the surgeon that did a total knee replacement for him a year ago this month. That is where we were Wednesday. The good news is, he is exactly where he should be as far as the knee operation is concerned. The bad news is, he has pain, lots of pain! He thinks the pain is from the operation. He has a "knocking" knee and numbness at times on the side of the knee. And sometimes he feels like there is a 20 lb. bag of cement in there instead of the knee replacement parts. His doctor assured him that his knee is fine. They took X-rays again. So he goes back in a year. And I have to listen to his whining about the damn pain. We tried to tell him it is coming from another source and manifesting itself in the knee area. But he is old school and believes what he wants to believe. The knocking and numbness are part of the operation results for the majority of people who have it done. They are very common complaints.
Well, I can't let well enough alone either. When he complains about the knocking, I always have to make a "knock knock" joke. And I am fast running out of them too.
posted by Cheyenne at 12:06 AM comment(s) made:
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Tuesday, January 03, 2006
Where Did It Go?
Every time I log onto my current post I can only see the last two lines. Is anyone else having problems viewing my blog today?
posted by Cheyenne at 4:19 PM comment(s) made:
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Liar Liar Pants On Fire
No New Years resolutions for me. I'm so perfect I don't need to make any resolutions.
OK.....I'm waiting.....
Are you all done laughing your asses off? Yeah, me too.
A truer lie has never been spoken.
Be that as it may, I still don't make resolutions anymore. Year after year it was always the same thing: to shape up and lose weight.
Sometimes it worked, sometimes it didn't. Mostly it didn't.
My weight problem is on my mind 24/7. Has been for a long while. Probably will be till the day I die.
At the age I am now, I would say I am approximately 20-25 lbs overweight. If I were 4 inches taller, I'd be my correct weight for that height. I need to find a 'stretching machine' somewhere. Or I could try and lose the weight.
Guess I gotta lose the weight, huh?
posted by Cheyenne at 12:04 AM comment(s) made:
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