It's hard to believe today is the last day of June and tomorrow is July 1st already. Why is it when one gets older the days fly by faster and faster?
Funny story: well, at least I think it was funny. Today is our day to get flyers for various stores in our area that start the new sales week. We used to get those flyers on a Sunday but our newspaper decided they were going to split up Saturday's and Sunday's editions and give us the flyers on a Saturday instead of Sunday. As if I wasn't confused enough before. I paged through our local Kmart and told my husband that they have jeans on sale. He mentioned he needs new ones. Making a long story short we decided to drive over to the store and see if he could find any. Halfway there I realized something and I asked him when this new sale period started. He didn't know. I said I think the sale doesn't start till tomorrow (Sunday). I was right. So we tried to make a day of it rather than turn around and go home. That would be a total waste of gas.
We did go to Kmart, looked at the jeans, and left. We went across the street to Ollie's (an outlet store that makes big buy-outs of merchandise), bought a few things there and went next door to Wendy's. Wendy's is not my favorite fast food restaurant. As a matter of fact, it is on the bottom of my list. I had a very bad food experience and it was this very same store where it happened.
We ended up at husband's son's house to see his new gazebo, stayed there for a bit, and then headed on home to watch the prerace shows. They were supposed to be racing Saturday night in Kentucky but mother nature had other ideas and it was rained out. It will be run Sunday at noon. I have no plans so that works out for me. My driver, Dale Jr., is on the pole.
Sunday, June 30, 2013
Thursday, June 27, 2013
Our Girl Dakota-Sioux
She is the only four-legged female in the house but she rules with an iron fist. Our three boys know where they stand with her.
She will be seven years old later this Fall. Dakota was acquired from a local shelter along with her brother, Junior.
For the longest time, Dakota was very stand-offish and aloof. She did not give two figs about who we humans were as long as the food, water, and treats kept coming. Eventually she developed a strange growth in her right ear. A trip to the vet, an overnight stay for surgery, and a few days later she was back home with us.
Dakota became a different cat after her surgery. She transformed into a very loving cat, one that wanted to be with me a lot more than before.
Today she is the most affectionate cat in the house. She lays with me at night on the recliner while we watch TV. Well, I watch...she snoozes. Prior to her falling asleep she makes biscuits (kneads me), and then she settles in for a nap.
Dakota is quite the talker, too. Maybe that's because she's a female? When she wants something she lets me know and does not give up till she gets her way. I usually know what she is asking for, but there are times I don't know and then she gets frustrated. Hey, I do my best. I do not speak cat but I sure do try.
Thursday, June 20, 2013
barra de la leche de gato
The above two litters are the only kittens that stay by the house. Slash gave birth to two kittens less than a month ago. She had them in the greenhouse where they stayed for a few days before she decided to move them. Mother cats are forever moving their litters. When it rains heavily, she brings them to the greenhouse; otherwise they are kept out of sight where it is cool on these very hot days we are currently having.
Nine kittens and counting...
Sunday, June 16, 2013
Ouch!
First of all, congratulations to Regan Smith, Dale Earnhardt Jr's driver, for winning the Nationwide race in Michigan on Saturday.
After that race was over I watched the Indy cars at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, WI. Marco Andretti had the pole. He led the first 61 laps.
A bad pit stop (fueling issue) put him behind the 8-ball and many laps later the car stopped dead on the track. They said later that it was an electrical problem. He did get back on the track but was many laps down. Marco went into the race 22 points out of first place but because he finished 20th in Saturday's race he fell to third in the points, now 50 out of first. I think it's 50, it could be 51, they don't post the points online as quickly as I would like so I rely on what I see on TV directly after the race, which isn't always correct.
Love thy neighbor...a few towns away, but a neighbor nonetheless.
Congratulations to the winner of the race, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco's teammate. Ryan celebrated in Victory Lane with his 6-month-old son, Ryden. What a great father's day gift for Ryan.
After that race was over I watched the Indy cars at the Milwaukee Mile in West Allis, WI. Marco Andretti had the pole. He led the first 61 laps.
A bad pit stop (fueling issue) put him behind the 8-ball and many laps later the car stopped dead on the track. They said later that it was an electrical problem. He did get back on the track but was many laps down. Marco went into the race 22 points out of first place but because he finished 20th in Saturday's race he fell to third in the points, now 50 out of first. I think it's 50, it could be 51, they don't post the points online as quickly as I would like so I rely on what I see on TV directly after the race, which isn't always correct.
Congratulations to the winner of the race, Ryan Hunter-Reay, Marco's teammate. Ryan celebrated in Victory Lane with his 6-month-old son, Ryden. What a great father's day gift for Ryan.
Thursday, June 13, 2013
Sunday, June 09, 2013
What A Great Weekend For Racing
All my drivers in the four racing venues I follow did well this weekend. Dale Earnhardt, Jr., finished third in the Sprint Cup race today and moved from sixth to fourth in the points.
Elliott Sadler finished third in the Nationwide Series race.
Marco Andretti finished fifth in the IRL (IndyCar) race.
Chase Elliott won the ARCA race.
This photo above is Chase with his famous father, Bill Elliott. Chase is now 17 years old and is running limited races in both the ARCA series and the truck series this year. He does well in both series.
Before there was a Dale Earnhardt, Jr., on the scene, I was a Bill Elliott fan. I discovered him back in the early 80's when I first became attracted to NASCAR racing.
When Chase was born I kind of figured some way or other he would be involved in racing. Bill didn't push him, he left him follow his own path to see what he really wanted to do with his life. He tried a few different sports before he finally settled on racing, and I am glad he did.
His full name is William Clyde Elliott, named after his father, but his godparents started calling him Chase when he was small and it stuck. How fitting a name is Chase for such a youngster to be really good at what he does.
Two weeks ago when Chase was in the truck race he got nailed twice for speeding in or out of the pits and had to go to the rear of the pack. He persevered, never gave up, and finished in the top five. This past Saturday he had to start 32nd (there were 33 cars in the race), by lap 18 he was up to fourth, and went on to win the race. With that win, Chase made history because he became the youngest ARCA race winner.
He is a developmental driver signed by Hendrick Motorsports...a very wise choice made by Mr. Hendrick as he watched Chase coming up in the ranks of racing.
Chase's next step probably will be in the Nationwide Series and eventually the Sprint Cup series. I'll be watching and waiting.
Elliott Sadler finished third in the Nationwide Series race.
Marco Andretti finished fifth in the IRL (IndyCar) race.
Before there was a Dale Earnhardt, Jr., on the scene, I was a Bill Elliott fan. I discovered him back in the early 80's when I first became attracted to NASCAR racing.
When Chase was born I kind of figured some way or other he would be involved in racing. Bill didn't push him, he left him follow his own path to see what he really wanted to do with his life. He tried a few different sports before he finally settled on racing, and I am glad he did.
His full name is William Clyde Elliott, named after his father, but his godparents started calling him Chase when he was small and it stuck. How fitting a name is Chase for such a youngster to be really good at what he does.
Two weeks ago when Chase was in the truck race he got nailed twice for speeding in or out of the pits and had to go to the rear of the pack. He persevered, never gave up, and finished in the top five. This past Saturday he had to start 32nd (there were 33 cars in the race), by lap 18 he was up to fourth, and went on to win the race. With that win, Chase made history because he became the youngest ARCA race winner.
He is a developmental driver signed by Hendrick Motorsports...a very wise choice made by Mr. Hendrick as he watched Chase coming up in the ranks of racing.
Chase's next step probably will be in the Nationwide Series and eventually the Sprint Cup series. I'll be watching and waiting.
Friday, June 07, 2013
This Just In...
Before I get started telling you all about my recent vacuum cleaner purchase, I would like to address the fact that we are in the midst of Tropical Storm Andrea. Of all the weekends to visit us, when NASCAR is at the Pocono track, just north of us, for the race on Sunday. Cup practice and qualifying have already been canceled. Thanks, Andrea. Oh well, the truck race is tonight and being run in Texas, the Nationwide race is Saturday night being run in Iowa as well as the IRL open wheel race being run in Texas during the same time span. I will be switching back and forth as usual.
So let's get on with this review. After many agonizing days, and I mean many days/weeks, I finally made my choice as to which vacuum cleaner I was going to purchase. I had it narrowed down to around three choices. One of them, made in Germany, was just too darn expensive, but it would have been my first choice if that wasn't an issue.
So I wavered back and forth between the two choices that were left. I watch a certain shopping channel and it just so happened that they had one of my choices as their special value of the day. Sometimes those items sell out early but I decided to sit on my decision until I was really sure it was what I wanted. I exhausted every avenue available to me by reading lots of reviews on both vacuums until I was so exhausted I decided to get the special value and be done with it.
Hey folks, it's purple! My favorite color. But that's not the reason I chose this particular vacuum cleaner. I have 4 cats and carpeting throughout the house, so therefore I need a lot of suction all the time. And this seemed to be the one that would give me that.
When it first arrived and after I put it together, I tried it out and was quite happy with what I was seeing and how it handled. I didn't want something that was heavy or hard to maneuver and it only weighs about 14 pounds. A week went by and yesterday I finally decided to really put it to the test.
It has lived up to my standards. It has drawn things out of the carpeting (cat hair) that my other cleaner left behind time after time. It does not throw dust or allergens back into the air, but contains all that in the bag less bin. Which, by the way, is so easy to use. My other vacuum had the same setup but I had to stand on my head to get everything out of the bin even after removing the cup. What I like about this one is the ease of removing the entire bin (the purple part), walking to the trash, push a button on top and the bottom drops open, and I never have to touch anything.
Another feature I love is how well it gets everything along the walls. With my other vacuums I used the hose and an attachment and lost suction. I would have to take the attachment off, get down on my knees, and get those areas that way by making sure the entire opening of the hose was covering the carpet. Now I can stand up and be normal and save my back. And I also find that this vacuum is very maneuverable allowing me to get at places I couldn't with the old cleaner, which is yet another plus.
And lastly, I don't have to buy anything anymore in the way of belts, filters, or bags because there aren't any to replace. The filter is washable and there aren't any belts whatsoever. That was a huge problem with my last cleaner as I was breaking belts a lot and they aren't cheap.
So there you have it. One more problem solved. Next?
So let's get on with this review. After many agonizing days, and I mean many days/weeks, I finally made my choice as to which vacuum cleaner I was going to purchase. I had it narrowed down to around three choices. One of them, made in Germany, was just too darn expensive, but it would have been my first choice if that wasn't an issue.
So I wavered back and forth between the two choices that were left. I watch a certain shopping channel and it just so happened that they had one of my choices as their special value of the day. Sometimes those items sell out early but I decided to sit on my decision until I was really sure it was what I wanted. I exhausted every avenue available to me by reading lots of reviews on both vacuums until I was so exhausted I decided to get the special value and be done with it.
When it first arrived and after I put it together, I tried it out and was quite happy with what I was seeing and how it handled. I didn't want something that was heavy or hard to maneuver and it only weighs about 14 pounds. A week went by and yesterday I finally decided to really put it to the test.
It has lived up to my standards. It has drawn things out of the carpeting (cat hair) that my other cleaner left behind time after time. It does not throw dust or allergens back into the air, but contains all that in the bag less bin. Which, by the way, is so easy to use. My other vacuum had the same setup but I had to stand on my head to get everything out of the bin even after removing the cup. What I like about this one is the ease of removing the entire bin (the purple part), walking to the trash, push a button on top and the bottom drops open, and I never have to touch anything.
Another feature I love is how well it gets everything along the walls. With my other vacuums I used the hose and an attachment and lost suction. I would have to take the attachment off, get down on my knees, and get those areas that way by making sure the entire opening of the hose was covering the carpet. Now I can stand up and be normal and save my back. And I also find that this vacuum is very maneuverable allowing me to get at places I couldn't with the old cleaner, which is yet another plus.
And lastly, I don't have to buy anything anymore in the way of belts, filters, or bags because there aren't any to replace. The filter is washable and there aren't any belts whatsoever. That was a huge problem with my last cleaner as I was breaking belts a lot and they aren't cheap.
So there you have it. One more problem solved. Next?
Tuesday, June 04, 2013
Hello Beautiful Weather
A lot of people don't like summer and the heat it brings with it. I, on the other hand, welcome summer with open arms. I hate winter, I hate the cold air, I hate the ice, I hate the dampness, and I hate the snow the day after. One thing I do like and appreciate is newly fallen snow, especially as it is falling. There is just something magical about that time, so I can't complain about it.
But the next day when things start getting ugly, then it makes me yearn for the warm days of spring and summer. Actually, we did not get to experience spring this year. But that's okay...God willing, I will be around for it next year.
My days are fairly routine. We keep Mondays and Tuesdays open for appointments and if there aren't any, those days become lazy days for us. We do what we want inside or outside and just enjoy the day for what it is.
Wednesdays we do our grocery shopping. These days a person has to visit at least two stores. In our case, what one store doesn't have, the other one does. I am careful on the amount I spend at both stores so it is never out of control.
Thursdays my husband usually goes to an auction. He loves his auctions and getting together with a lot of his friends. It is his day away from working around the house and also away from me. And it also gives me a day of peace and quiet to get things done I ordinarily can't do when he's around.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are filled with nothing but racing on TV, but I don't sit and watch it non-stop. Sometimes there isn't much coverage on a Friday so we take advantage of that and go shopping just to get out of the house for awhile.
And all that brings me to why I don't blog like I wish I could. I just do not have enough material to blog. If I post once a week I call it a good week. Sometimes I get an idea and I formulate in my mind what I want to say and it sounds so brilliant. But when I actually sit down and want to type what I was thinking, I draw a blank. And there went another good post. Poof! Up in the air. I try, believe me, I try. It just doesn't happen. The reason for this post is because I love to type. I always did and I will till the day I die provided my fingers work that long.
And now it is time to go gather my coupons for tomorrow's shopping spree. Whee!
But the next day when things start getting ugly, then it makes me yearn for the warm days of spring and summer. Actually, we did not get to experience spring this year. But that's okay...God willing, I will be around for it next year.
My days are fairly routine. We keep Mondays and Tuesdays open for appointments and if there aren't any, those days become lazy days for us. We do what we want inside or outside and just enjoy the day for what it is.
Wednesdays we do our grocery shopping. These days a person has to visit at least two stores. In our case, what one store doesn't have, the other one does. I am careful on the amount I spend at both stores so it is never out of control.
Thursdays my husband usually goes to an auction. He loves his auctions and getting together with a lot of his friends. It is his day away from working around the house and also away from me. And it also gives me a day of peace and quiet to get things done I ordinarily can't do when he's around.
Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays are filled with nothing but racing on TV, but I don't sit and watch it non-stop. Sometimes there isn't much coverage on a Friday so we take advantage of that and go shopping just to get out of the house for awhile.
And all that brings me to why I don't blog like I wish I could. I just do not have enough material to blog. If I post once a week I call it a good week. Sometimes I get an idea and I formulate in my mind what I want to say and it sounds so brilliant. But when I actually sit down and want to type what I was thinking, I draw a blank. And there went another good post. Poof! Up in the air. I try, believe me, I try. It just doesn't happen. The reason for this post is because I love to type. I always did and I will till the day I die provided my fingers work that long.
And now it is time to go gather my coupons for tomorrow's shopping spree. Whee!
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