Here it is, another weekend of racing and I'm not looking forward to it. It's been that way all year. Plus this weekend they are racing at boring Pocono, which just happens to be a bit north of me.
I never thought the day would come when my interest in racing would be slipping month after month as it has this season.
I think often about the 80's and 90's when racing was magical. The drivers were very colorful and when they had something to say, they said it with no repercussions. I read that NASCAR recently fined two of its star drivers for speaking out about the hand that feeds them. Isn't this a free country with freedom of speech? I guess someone forgot to tell NASCAR that.
The powers that be that run NASCAR seem to think the drivers should shut up and just race their little cars. Yeah, and that's another thing...those cars. Those damn so-called CoT cars, aka Car of Tomorrow. Well, tomorrow has long come and gone and we are still dealing with them. I just wish they would bring back the car they replaced with the CoT.
And I am so sick and tired of all this politically correct crap taking place in this country today. Not only in NASCAR but everywhere you look. It seems no one can say much about anything or anyone without getting in trouble. Why have so many people gotten so thin-skinned? Gee, you can't even think a bad thought anymore without someone getting pissed off. Even those two words, politically correct, drive me insane. I cringe when I hear them, so it took a lot for me to even write about them.
Sorry, I got off track there for a moment. Getting back to NASCAR: I suppose my biggest problem is the way Dale Jr. has been running this season. I truly thought that once he signed on with Hendrick that he would be just as good as his teammates, Jeff Gordon and Jimmie Johnson. Boy, was I ever misled. Don't get me wrong...I will never turn my back on Dale Jr. He will always be my driver until he retires. But with each passing race I always feel maybe the next race he'll do better that he'll finish in the top five, or with a bit of luck and good driving that he'll win. It's not asking for much. Just one lousy little win.
Junior Nation is getting mighty impatient, so I know I'm not alone.
Friday, July 30, 2010
Sunday, July 25, 2010
I Am My Father's Daughter
Being the middle child has always been difficult for me. I always felt my brother, who was born 2-1/2 years before I was, got all the attention simply because he was the firstborn son. Six-and-a-half years after I was born my sister came along, and once again I felt she got all the attention because she was and always would be the baby.
Growing up as a middle child, I self-labeled myself as the black sheep of the family. Don't ask me why, I just did. I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. But I was daddy's girl. And that meant so much more to me than being stuck in the middle.
When I hit those miserable teen years everything changed. I distanced myself from both my parents, especially my father. I wasn't a bad kid by any means, but I wasn't an angel either. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I could no longer live under the same roof, so at the age of 19 I married the first guy that would have me as his wife. I met him toward the end of September and married him mid-January.
My father didn't like him, but he tolerated him as did the rest of my family. I didn't care. He was mine and I was going to change him and the way people felt about him. It never happened. Eventually we had a daughter. She is the best thing that happened to me because shortly after she was born I got a divorce. It was one of the smartest things I ever did.
While all that was happening, the distance between my father and I grew even farther. You see, my family was never the kissy-huggy type. We never said those three magic words to one another: I love you. Not once do I ever remember either of my parents telling me that. And I didn't crave that while I was little because I didn't know any better. And I never witnessed it in other families, so I didn't know what I was missing. I never had to feel sorry for myself because of it.
I remarried. And the love of my life is the one who taught me to use those words; not only between the two of us but to other family members as well. When we married it was my decision to have my father walk me down the aisle. I didn't have that for my first marriage, even though I was married in church. It was a simple private ceremony after services with only our parents in attendance. My second marraige had all the trappings but on a small scale.
Just a few months prior to my second marriage, I was able to finally let down my defenses and give my parents a hug or a kiss and tell them I loved them. And do you know what? They responded, and I was finally able to hear each one tell me they loved me. And it happened every time we parted.
My father adored my current husband and treated him like a son. We visited them quite often and the two of them would sit and talk for hours on end. It was such a peaceful time in my life and had finally brought me full circle.
I loved my mother, but it is my father I miss the most. It's so very hard to shake that daddy's girl feeling once they are gone.
My father and I were like two peas in a pod when I was little. I followed him everywhere so they tell me. As I grew up I realized that I had more of his traits than either of my siblings. My brother looks like my father today and he has some of his traits but he is more like Mom's side of the family. My sister is 100% like Mom's side. Today I am proud to say that, yes, I am my father's daughter...in more ways than one.
Growing up as a middle child, I self-labeled myself as the black sheep of the family. Don't ask me why, I just did. I have always marched to the beat of a different drummer. But I was daddy's girl. And that meant so much more to me than being stuck in the middle.
When I hit those miserable teen years everything changed. I distanced myself from both my parents, especially my father. I wasn't a bad kid by any means, but I wasn't an angel either. Eventually I came to the conclusion that I could no longer live under the same roof, so at the age of 19 I married the first guy that would have me as his wife. I met him toward the end of September and married him mid-January.
My father didn't like him, but he tolerated him as did the rest of my family. I didn't care. He was mine and I was going to change him and the way people felt about him. It never happened. Eventually we had a daughter. She is the best thing that happened to me because shortly after she was born I got a divorce. It was one of the smartest things I ever did.
While all that was happening, the distance between my father and I grew even farther. You see, my family was never the kissy-huggy type. We never said those three magic words to one another: I love you. Not once do I ever remember either of my parents telling me that. And I didn't crave that while I was little because I didn't know any better. And I never witnessed it in other families, so I didn't know what I was missing. I never had to feel sorry for myself because of it.
I remarried. And the love of my life is the one who taught me to use those words; not only between the two of us but to other family members as well. When we married it was my decision to have my father walk me down the aisle. I didn't have that for my first marriage, even though I was married in church. It was a simple private ceremony after services with only our parents in attendance. My second marraige had all the trappings but on a small scale.
Just a few months prior to my second marriage, I was able to finally let down my defenses and give my parents a hug or a kiss and tell them I loved them. And do you know what? They responded, and I was finally able to hear each one tell me they loved me. And it happened every time we parted.
My father adored my current husband and treated him like a son. We visited them quite often and the two of them would sit and talk for hours on end. It was such a peaceful time in my life and had finally brought me full circle.
I loved my mother, but it is my father I miss the most. It's so very hard to shake that daddy's girl feeling once they are gone.
My father and I were like two peas in a pod when I was little. I followed him everywhere so they tell me. As I grew up I realized that I had more of his traits than either of my siblings. My brother looks like my father today and he has some of his traits but he is more like Mom's side of the family. My sister is 100% like Mom's side. Today I am proud to say that, yes, I am my father's daughter...in more ways than one.
Saturday, July 24, 2010
Monday, July 19, 2010
Hot As Hades In The House
I have no idea how hot it was outside but it sure as heck was hot on the inside. 80 degrees hot. My husband was trading out air conditioners yesterday. The poor cats were awake most of the day because there was no place that was cool for them so they could sleep.
We had to purchase a new air conditioner for the family room because the one that was in there was doing weird stuff after 15 years of use. The weird stuff being black sootballs that it blew back into the room. When we turned it on at the beginning of the season we didn't realize it was not doing its job properly. We kept a large bucket on the outside for the water to drip into and that just wasn't happening this year. But it took us this long to realize that. Hey, we're busy people. OK, that's a joke.
So when my husband starting getting dizzy only when he was in that room and nowhere else, it was time to try and figure out just what was causing that to happen to him. After many days of scratching our heads and me getting tired of hearing him ask, I wonder if something in this room is causing this? I told him maybe it was the air conditioner causing it. It was the last thing left to blame. Also, all three of our cats were sneezing and for the most part when a cat sneezes it usually has an upper respiratory infection. And I knew none of them had that.
When we took the air conditioner apart we could see that the water had stayed inside and the black sootballs were actually a form of mold. Any wonder it was making him goofy. Well, I should say goofy-er. But don't tell him I said that because he says I'm the goofy one in the family.
The new air conditioner is up and running and we are both quite anxious to see if what we thought was the cause of his dizziness actually was the mold from the air conditioner. If not, I don't know what else could be causing it. Everything else has been ruled out. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
We had to purchase a new air conditioner for the family room because the one that was in there was doing weird stuff after 15 years of use. The weird stuff being black sootballs that it blew back into the room. When we turned it on at the beginning of the season we didn't realize it was not doing its job properly. We kept a large bucket on the outside for the water to drip into and that just wasn't happening this year. But it took us this long to realize that. Hey, we're busy people. OK, that's a joke.
So when my husband starting getting dizzy only when he was in that room and nowhere else, it was time to try and figure out just what was causing that to happen to him. After many days of scratching our heads and me getting tired of hearing him ask, I wonder if something in this room is causing this? I told him maybe it was the air conditioner causing it. It was the last thing left to blame. Also, all three of our cats were sneezing and for the most part when a cat sneezes it usually has an upper respiratory infection. And I knew none of them had that.
When we took the air conditioner apart we could see that the water had stayed inside and the black sootballs were actually a form of mold. Any wonder it was making him goofy. Well, I should say goofy-er. But don't tell him I said that because he says I'm the goofy one in the family.
The new air conditioner is up and running and we are both quite anxious to see if what we thought was the cause of his dizziness actually was the mold from the air conditioner. If not, I don't know what else could be causing it. Everything else has been ruled out. We are keeping our fingers crossed.
Wednesday, July 14, 2010
Dang, It Happened Again
I've been on a thousand-calories-a-day diet for some weeks, so when we go out to eat breakfast I usually order eggs. This morning I opted to go with an onion omelet made with egg whites. I don't eat fried potatoes unless they look like they were in a fire, so because potatoes came with what I ordered I asked that they be cremated. If they weren't made to my liking I simply wouldn't eat them. I hate mushy potatoes unless they're mashed and I don't eat them that way too often either.
When my plate was placed in front of me, one look at the potatoes and a complaint came out of my mouth. I had asked that they be done the color of my coffee (which I take black) and so I said they certainly don't look like my coffee. As a matter of fact my husband's potatoes were darker than mine were. But it wasn't the potatoes that upset me.
My first bite of the omelet told me something wasn't right. It had the taste of regular eggs rather than egg whites and the consistency was much too thick for egg whites. I have eaten enough egg whites to know the difference. But I was hungry and I kept eating because I felt they had done the right thing by me. Oh dear sweet naive me...
By the time I finished that omelet I felt so guilty because I knew it wasn't egg whites. I mentioned it to the waitress and she said she would ask the cook. The cook, we were told, was from south of the border. And the waitress never came back with an answer.
When we paid our bill my husband asked her again about my egg order and she then told us the cook said he added one regular egg to the egg whites. Now why in God's name would any decent cook do something like that? I wondered if he did that to every egg white order, and if he was aware that there are a lot of people who are allergic to eggs. I prefer egg whites because they are fat free and very low in calories, and my cholesterol is something I really have to work at to keep the numbers low.
There's a reason people order egg whites and it's not the cook's decision to add regular eggs. To say I was really pissed off when we left is an understatement. I felt betrayed. Just like the deal with that chicken sandwich a few weeks ago.
The good thing is that the waitress deducted the difference for the egg whites (they cost more than regular eggs; why, I don't know, since you're not getting the yolks.)The bad thing is, the next time we decide to go there the owner will definitely get an earful about his cook that thinks he is a sous chef and screws with peoples' orders.
Saturday, July 10, 2010
Relief Is Just A Raindrop Away
This is coming:
I can't tell you how much we need rain. Well, I could tell you, but a lot of other areas need it just as much as we do. And then there are areas that are sick and tired of it and wish it would go away because of the flooding it has caused. Just send it here, we will gladly take it for a couple days. And then it can go away, too.
It is so dry in our area that we haven't had to mow grass for quite some time. We have clover in our yard at places and even those are burned to a crisp.
I have to keep fresh water for the cats outside at all times. It isn't easy since we do have lives and aren't always home all day. I do my best. It does my heart good to see them drink after I replace the bathwater caused by the heat and sun.
We had a teaser rain on Friday afternoon while we were in the doctor's office. Since the doctor was running rather late, at least the rain kept us entertained. The weather people claim we are in for a soaking on Saturday (today). I am so ready for rain. What I would really love to do is run around in it with no clothing on, but then I come to my senses and realize where we live has so few people and I can't take the chance of running them all away. Does that sentence make sense? I would probably make an English teacher cringe. Sorry if any of you are out there and reading it and cringing. It's the only way I know how to get my thought across.
It is currently 76 degrees and quite comfortable. The humidity has gone away for now. The heavy rain will move in, create havoc, move out, and within a few days we are in for another heat wave. We just can't win. For now, I will relish the rain.
I can't tell you how much we need rain. Well, I could tell you, but a lot of other areas need it just as much as we do. And then there are areas that are sick and tired of it and wish it would go away because of the flooding it has caused. Just send it here, we will gladly take it for a couple days. And then it can go away, too.
It is so dry in our area that we haven't had to mow grass for quite some time. We have clover in our yard at places and even those are burned to a crisp.
I have to keep fresh water for the cats outside at all times. It isn't easy since we do have lives and aren't always home all day. I do my best. It does my heart good to see them drink after I replace the bathwater caused by the heat and sun.
We had a teaser rain on Friday afternoon while we were in the doctor's office. Since the doctor was running rather late, at least the rain kept us entertained. The weather people claim we are in for a soaking on Saturday (today). I am so ready for rain. What I would really love to do is run around in it with no clothing on, but then I come to my senses and realize where we live has so few people and I can't take the chance of running them all away. Does that sentence make sense? I would probably make an English teacher cringe. Sorry if any of you are out there and reading it and cringing. It's the only way I know how to get my thought across.
It is currently 76 degrees and quite comfortable. The humidity has gone away for now. The heavy rain will move in, create havoc, move out, and within a few days we are in for another heat wave. We just can't win. For now, I will relish the rain.
Wednesday, July 07, 2010
Tuesday, July 06, 2010
One Day Journal
This is going to be an ongoing project over the course of the day. It is supposed to be our hottest day yet. The temperature reached 100 yesterday. It's 11 am and already 96.
My first act of every day is to feed the inside cats and then feed the ones that are outside. The greenhouse we built for them so they would have shelter and a bit of warmth over the winter is about 10-15 (maybe more) degrees higher than it is outside. Had I stayed in there any longer I think my skin would have slid off my skeleton. The older cats are very sluggish, but the little ones (last count was 15) are like the energizer bunny; they just keep going and going till they tire and take a much needed nap. Got to recharge those batteries, you know.
From the looks of it, this it is fixing to be a hellacious day weather-wise.
1:00 PM: The temperature is currently 98 degrees outside. My cats have found cooler spots, if any are available. Best place? Under our deck on the bare ground.
We were planning on going to a folk festival today, but decided to go Thursday instead because of the hot weather this week that was forecast days ago. I am glad we changed days, because today is supposed to be the worst of this current heat wave the northeast is embroiled in. And broiling we are. I am picturing a huge snowbank right about now, with me diving into it head first. Ahhhhhh...
2:00 PM: Just hit 100 degrees. Ouch! Dreaming of Alaska...
5:30 PM: Still 100 degrees and holding. The water in the cats' bowl outside was hot, not warm like it usually is. Hot enough to maybe cause a burn it seemed. Now thinking of a tubful of ice cubes...
6:30 PM: According to the news, the Valley hit 101 degrees today. As I sit here in my air conditioned room looking out the window, I see a soft breeze rustling through the cherry tree and I think, who would ever believe it's 99 degrees outside right now?
7:00 PM: Wow, we have dropped to 95 degrees. Be honest now, do you feel that breeze?
11:30 PM: Finally some relief...86 degrees. Wednesday is supposed to be almost as bad as today. And then we get a change. I am so ready for a change. My cats outside walk around with their little tongues hanging out, so I know they are ready for some change. If only they didn't have those little fur coats...at least we can take our clothes off if we wish. No, I do not wish, I was just saying...
My first act of every day is to feed the inside cats and then feed the ones that are outside. The greenhouse we built for them so they would have shelter and a bit of warmth over the winter is about 10-15 (maybe more) degrees higher than it is outside. Had I stayed in there any longer I think my skin would have slid off my skeleton. The older cats are very sluggish, but the little ones (last count was 15) are like the energizer bunny; they just keep going and going till they tire and take a much needed nap. Got to recharge those batteries, you know.
From the looks of it, this it is fixing to be a hellacious day weather-wise.
1:00 PM: The temperature is currently 98 degrees outside. My cats have found cooler spots, if any are available. Best place? Under our deck on the bare ground.
We were planning on going to a folk festival today, but decided to go Thursday instead because of the hot weather this week that was forecast days ago. I am glad we changed days, because today is supposed to be the worst of this current heat wave the northeast is embroiled in. And broiling we are. I am picturing a huge snowbank right about now, with me diving into it head first. Ahhhhhh...
2:00 PM: Just hit 100 degrees. Ouch! Dreaming of Alaska...
5:30 PM: Still 100 degrees and holding. The water in the cats' bowl outside was hot, not warm like it usually is. Hot enough to maybe cause a burn it seemed. Now thinking of a tubful of ice cubes...
6:30 PM: According to the news, the Valley hit 101 degrees today. As I sit here in my air conditioned room looking out the window, I see a soft breeze rustling through the cherry tree and I think, who would ever believe it's 99 degrees outside right now?
7:00 PM: Wow, we have dropped to 95 degrees. Be honest now, do you feel that breeze?
11:30 PM: Finally some relief...86 degrees. Wednesday is supposed to be almost as bad as today. And then we get a change. I am so ready for a change. My cats outside walk around with their little tongues hanging out, so I know they are ready for some change. If only they didn't have those little fur coats...at least we can take our clothes off if we wish. No, I do not wish, I was just saying...
Friday, July 02, 2010
Dale Jr. Wins One For His Daddy
Congratulations to Dale Jr. for his very emotional win in the Subway Jalapeno 250 Friday night.
I couldn't have asked for a better ending to a race. I know his daddy was looking out for him and had a huge smile on his face as he crossed the finish line.
I couldn't have asked for a better ending to a race. I know his daddy was looking out for him and had a huge smile on his face as he crossed the finish line.
Thursday, July 01, 2010
Yep, It's In There All Right
Preacher was telling his congregation that anything they could think of, old or new, was discussed somewhere in the Bible and that the entirety of the human experience could be found there.
After the service, he was approached by a woman who said, "Preacher, I don't believe the Bible mentions PMS."
The preacher replied that he was sure it must be there somewhere and that he would look for it.
The following week after the service, the preacher called the woman aside and showed her a passage that reads,
"...And Mary rode Joseph's ass all the way to Bethlehem."
****************************************
I had that little gem tucked away for a day when there wasn't anything to write about. Today's the day. I don't like going too many days between a post. I get embarrassed and I don't know why. I feel like people are silently yelling at me when I go to check my site meter. I don't have that many readers, but I still feel like I am letting them down.
I had to slow down on my ancestry search. My great great grandfather on my father's side was in the Civil War. I don't think he actually fought though because he died in 1862. I don't know much about him so I sent for some pension papers at the National Archives. He is the father to my great grandfather who was orphaned by the time he was eight years old. I can hardly wait to get those papers in my hand. Anxious doesn't even come close to how I feel. There are supposed to be eight different papers in the packet and it takes from 40 to 120 days to get them to me. Today is day 20. Once I get more information I will be posting about that.
Also, I have an old picture of my brother and myself back in the day when we were holy terrors. I will have to scan that into the computer and then let all you folks know the trouble we stirred up when we were around 5-7 and 7-9 years old (we're 2-1/2 years apart).
Until then, if an idea hits me in the face I will write about it. Been kinda quiet these days.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Veggie Dreaming
When we moved here 24 years ago, we had high hopes of having a garden. Oh how naive we were. We bought plants and oh so carefully set their little feet into the ground. We watered them, watched them grow day after day, and then reality struck. We forgot about the wild animals. After all, this is a very rural area. So we had to find out the hard way. I will never forget it either, when my husband went out to check on his crop one morning only to find everything chewed down to the ground. Damn groundhogs!
I so badly wanted to reap these:
But those varmints had other plans and I'll bet they couldn't wait till we set out some more plants. Well, we didn't...not for a couple of years. Eventually we ended up buying the empty field alongside of us. We could have planted a huge truck patch but I'm no dummy. I know who would have ended up weeding it all the time.
We did eventually have a nice sized garden though, but we also wised up and used chicken wire to keep out those that didn't belong there. That was long before our cat colony arrived. Maybe they would have kept some of the unsavories at bay.
I truly miss having a garden. I love harvesting all kinds of veggies, especially carrots, radishes, corn, peppers and beans. It's next to impossible having one these days though due to my bad back. In order for me to be able to pull weeds, I practically have to lie on the ground. Even sitting while weeding doesn't work.
It is funny though every Spring when we see the little seed packets in the stores how my husband says he would like to start a garden. It's one thing to talk about it...it's another thing when you expect your wife to do the weeding, cultivating, crop gathering, and then incorporating them into making meals. Yeah, if I had someone doing all that I would have a garden every year.
I so badly wanted to reap these:
But those varmints had other plans and I'll bet they couldn't wait till we set out some more plants. Well, we didn't...not for a couple of years. Eventually we ended up buying the empty field alongside of us. We could have planted a huge truck patch but I'm no dummy. I know who would have ended up weeding it all the time.
We did eventually have a nice sized garden though, but we also wised up and used chicken wire to keep out those that didn't belong there. That was long before our cat colony arrived. Maybe they would have kept some of the unsavories at bay.
I truly miss having a garden. I love harvesting all kinds of veggies, especially carrots, radishes, corn, peppers and beans. It's next to impossible having one these days though due to my bad back. In order for me to be able to pull weeds, I practically have to lie on the ground. Even sitting while weeding doesn't work.
It is funny though every Spring when we see the little seed packets in the stores how my husband says he would like to start a garden. It's one thing to talk about it...it's another thing when you expect your wife to do the weeding, cultivating, crop gathering, and then incorporating them into making meals. Yeah, if I had someone doing all that I would have a garden every year.
Monday, June 21, 2010
Which Would You Prefer Eating?
One day last week my husband and I stopped in at a local fast food restaurant (the one where the girl has red pigtails) for a quick bite to eat. Since I am on a low calorie diet these days, there isn't much I can eat at those places.
I decided to get the Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It was the lesser of all evils. Little did I know what evil lurked in that sandwich. This is what it looks like in their ads:
I would have been happier than a pig in sh*t had it looked like that. I cannot explain what the meat in my sandwich looked like other than these rawhide pig ears for dogs to chew:
No lie...it was flat, same color, very hard and very dry, and had a crust that was not easy to bite a piece off let alone chew it. And do you see that red thing peeking out from under the bun in the first photo? Yeah, that's a tomato. According to their website there are supposed to be one to two pieces of tomato on that sandwich. Mine had none.
For some dumb stupid reason, I ate the damn sandwich. What I should have done was take it back to the counter and asked for a replacement. Grilled chicken is supposed to be plump and moist, not to mention edible. I did say to my husband that I wished I had a camera phone, or at the very least a camera with me. I felt like I was lost in space and I still can't believe I accepted that thing and ate it without so much as a whimper other than complaining to my husband about it. I mean, I have more sense than that. I'm not afraid to complain about other things. But this time, it was almost as if I was under some sort of spell or something.
I have no idea if it was their idea of a joke just to see how far it would go or if they had it laying around and passed it off to me because I looked like the type that wouldn't complain about it. I really don't know. But someone sure as hell saw me coming and decided they needed to have a good laugh at my expense.
Needless to say my husband contacted the corporate office and complained. He didn't really get anywhere either. We will repay them by never stepping inside that particular store again. And another thing, I have had issues with girls that have red hair and pigtails ever since the 2nd grade.
I decided to get the Ultimate Grilled Chicken Sandwich. It was the lesser of all evils. Little did I know what evil lurked in that sandwich. This is what it looks like in their ads:
I would have been happier than a pig in sh*t had it looked like that. I cannot explain what the meat in my sandwich looked like other than these rawhide pig ears for dogs to chew:
No lie...it was flat, same color, very hard and very dry, and had a crust that was not easy to bite a piece off let alone chew it. And do you see that red thing peeking out from under the bun in the first photo? Yeah, that's a tomato. According to their website there are supposed to be one to two pieces of tomato on that sandwich. Mine had none.
For some dumb stupid reason, I ate the damn sandwich. What I should have done was take it back to the counter and asked for a replacement. Grilled chicken is supposed to be plump and moist, not to mention edible. I did say to my husband that I wished I had a camera phone, or at the very least a camera with me. I felt like I was lost in space and I still can't believe I accepted that thing and ate it without so much as a whimper other than complaining to my husband about it. I mean, I have more sense than that. I'm not afraid to complain about other things. But this time, it was almost as if I was under some sort of spell or something.
I have no idea if it was their idea of a joke just to see how far it would go or if they had it laying around and passed it off to me because I looked like the type that wouldn't complain about it. I really don't know. But someone sure as hell saw me coming and decided they needed to have a good laugh at my expense.
Needless to say my husband contacted the corporate office and complained. He didn't really get anywhere either. We will repay them by never stepping inside that particular store again. And another thing, I have had issues with girls that have red hair and pigtails ever since the 2nd grade.
Wednesday, June 16, 2010
Latest Crop
I have nothing to write about so I thought I would post pictures of theses kittens. They belong to our outside cat, Spring. That thing they are playing on is a huge light standard like you find in parking lots. It is where they live. The sun was very bright and kind of washes them out.
These pictures aren't the best because I used a zoom lens. I could never get this close to this pair. They come up to the greenhouse to eat but run when I go out to feed them.
When I first saw them I gave them the names of Pepper (black and white) and Ginger (red and white). It turns out that Ginger is a male, so now we call him Gin. We haven't ascertained what Pepper is yet but that name is good for either sex.
The other kitten we have is younger than those two and belongs to Stumpy. Stumpy is the daughter of Spring and is two years old. We call her Stumpy because she has half a tail. She was either born that way or lost it in an accident. Her mother kept them in a weird place after they were born and the rim was sharp so we are thinking maybe it got sliced off while she was taking them in and out of her nest.
I am really surprised that this is the extent of our kitten crop this year so far. If there are more, they are being well hidden till the time is right to bring them up to the house for food. Time will tell.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Hurry Up And Wait
My time is precious. One thing that has always bothered me most of my life is having to wait. I am very short on patience.
My husband had his annual stress test along with a Doppler test today for his heart. Normally we get an early morning appointment due to his not being able to eat or drink twelve hours prior to the tests. We had an early morning appointment three days ago but it was changed by the cardiology office over a month ago. And so we got stuck with an 11:20 appointment.
I am always prepared to wait the 3-1/2 hours it takes from start to finish. I take my book, the newspaper, a bottle of water, and light snacks. The Doppler test went smoothly and was over in 45 minutes (just in time for their lunch break). And then we waited. And waited. Finally a little after 12:30 they came for my husband. I think it's very rude to have to wait while they take lunch. They need to have someone to cover for them. Why must our time be wasted?
I didn't see my husband again until almost 3:30. Can I mention here that I was really perturbed? And that I was ready to rip lips off? Really...I was fully prepared to march myself through that door and demand to know where the hell he was and what was taking so long. But I didn't want to make a fool of myself so I stayed in my chair fuming beyond belief.
Once we left there, of course my husband is stark raving hungry not to mention he is having coffee withdrawal symptoms, so our next stop was to get to a diner as quickly as possible. And wouldn't you know it, the thruway was backed up and not moving. We had to take a different route which was longer but less stressful.
Once we got to the diner and were seated...guess what? We waited again. My husband said he was ready to get up and get his own coffee. But he persevered and eventually they brought it to our table. Have you ever seen a person who hasn't had coffee for almost 20 hours drink that first cup? Did I say drink? He inhaled it. And when they brought the wrong soup to me he ate it along with his own soup. They did remember to bring my soup. Lucky for them.
On the way home we ran into more heavy traffic on a back road. I have no idea what was going on in our area, other than the fact it was us out there and everyone was just out to give us a hard time. It's called being paranoid. I have the three p's...paranoia, procrastination, and (lack of) patience. But by no means am I a type A personality. If I were, I think I would have been dead a long time ago. Especially with days like this one.
Wednesday, June 09, 2010
I Really Need To Work On This Room
Seriously, I do. When we moved here, this became our storage room. Back in the old days things either went into the attic or the basement. I have no attic, so to speak.
But now that our basement is almost brand spanking new thanks to the flood in it a year and a half ago, things are finding their way downstairs.
I must say though, this room doesn't look like that anymore. No, it hasn't been cleaned out yet...things have been moved around and I can at least walk into it part way.
But now that our basement is almost brand spanking new thanks to the flood in it a year and a half ago, things are finding their way downstairs.
I must say though, this room doesn't look like that anymore. No, it hasn't been cleaned out yet...things have been moved around and I can at least walk into it part way.
I need one of two things: a huge dumpster to throw things into or the ability to be able to burn things like we could when we moved here. Dang township went and made it an ordinance banning the ability to burn anything. They took all my fun away.
But I really do want to get that room straightened up. At least before I croak. I don't need people talking about me after I'm gone. Oh who the hell am I kidding? What do I care if they do talk about me...I won't be here to listen to it.
I'll make a deal with you...when I get it straightened out I'll take another picture and post it right here. But I am going to ask a favor of you ~ please do not hold your breath.
Sunday, June 06, 2010
One Day I'll Learn
I really need to stop watching these NASCAR races. I keep watching them telling myself before every race that this time things might be different. And sometimes during the race things do look different. But not for long. Something usually happens and all hope is lost. Today's race at Pocono was no different than the others.
At one point Dale Jr. was running in the 10th position. Along comes a caution or two and suddenly he is in the 26th position. What did I miss? Why do I bother?
And you know what? I am seriously thinking about not watching them anymore. Between NASCAR throwing cautions for mysterious debris on the track and Dale Jr.'s crew chief, I don't know which is worse.
Those debris cautions? I swear NASCAR calls them toward the end of the races so the cars can then bunch up again because they get stretched out and that makes for a boring race. Well, I've got news for them...the races are boring no matter what they do.
I guess we can concede that racing at Pocono makes for a very long day and a very boring race. I know, I've said that already, but to me the most interesting thing that happened today was the wild crash at the end on the last lap. Dale Jr. made it through and you would think he would have finished higher than he did (18th), but NASCAR has this dumb rule that when there is an accident on the last lap the field gets frozen. At the moment of the crash, basically, that is where those crashed cars will also finish in the race, no matter who goes around them and crosses the finish line. That is ignorant, I am sorry.
I just wish I could wise up and find something else to do when there is a Sprint Cup race on. I say that every week and still I get sucked into it anyway.
At one point Dale Jr. was running in the 10th position. Along comes a caution or two and suddenly he is in the 26th position. What did I miss? Why do I bother?
And you know what? I am seriously thinking about not watching them anymore. Between NASCAR throwing cautions for mysterious debris on the track and Dale Jr.'s crew chief, I don't know which is worse.
Those debris cautions? I swear NASCAR calls them toward the end of the races so the cars can then bunch up again because they get stretched out and that makes for a boring race. Well, I've got news for them...the races are boring no matter what they do.
I guess we can concede that racing at Pocono makes for a very long day and a very boring race. I know, I've said that already, but to me the most interesting thing that happened today was the wild crash at the end on the last lap. Dale Jr. made it through and you would think he would have finished higher than he did (18th), but NASCAR has this dumb rule that when there is an accident on the last lap the field gets frozen. At the moment of the crash, basically, that is where those crashed cars will also finish in the race, no matter who goes around them and crosses the finish line. That is ignorant, I am sorry.
I just wish I could wise up and find something else to do when there is a Sprint Cup race on. I say that every week and still I get sucked into it anyway.
Saturday, June 05, 2010
'bout Time
It looks like it might be a half decent weekend as far as NASCAR is concerned. I have been so frustrated and down and out because Dale Jr. has been in such a slump, it was refreshing to see him doing well during practice. He finished fourth fastest.
Of course when it was time for qualifying I again became agitated and quite nervous, as he has not been doing that very well either. He was the 27th car out and put himself in the second spot, nano seconds out of first place aka The Pole. Of course, butt head vile Kyle had to come along and bully his way to the pole position, pushing Dale Jr. to 3rd. No matter...I am just as thrilled that he qualified in the top five. Now, if only he can finish up there too.
I love the new facial hair he is sporting this weekend. He has gotten rid of the full beard, having had to shave it off for a commercial, and now has a goatee. I am not a big fan of those, but on him it really looks good. But then again I am a tad biased when it comes to him.
I just wish he would wear his cap backward more often. We need that Dale Jr.
Of course when it was time for qualifying I again became agitated and quite nervous, as he has not been doing that very well either. He was the 27th car out and put himself in the second spot, nano seconds out of first place aka The Pole. Of course, butt head vile Kyle had to come along and bully his way to the pole position, pushing Dale Jr. to 3rd. No matter...I am just as thrilled that he qualified in the top five. Now, if only he can finish up there too.
I love the new facial hair he is sporting this weekend. He has gotten rid of the full beard, having had to shave it off for a commercial, and now has a goatee. I am not a big fan of those, but on him it really looks good. But then again I am a tad biased when it comes to him.
I just wish he would wear his cap backward more often. We need that Dale Jr.
Wednesday, June 02, 2010
Refreshing, Isn't It?
As much as I hate winter, this actually looks good. Especially on these 90 degree days we are having. I could dive right into that.
Thursday, May 27, 2010
I Learned Something New Today
It's no secret that I love wine. But due to its caloric content, I only drink 4 oz. a day, usually with my evening meal. If I drank it like I would love to drink it, I would be labeled a wino.
We usually try to visit one of our local wineries. The Valley has proven to be an excellent place to grow grapes for wine. This place is #1 on my list:
Come on grapes, hurry up and grow...
Sometimes when I want a greater variety I will visit our state store, especially when they have their sale on the wines I prefer. Which, by the way, I prefer red over white, and a little on the sweet side. Not a lot, just a little.
When we made our weekly grocery trip yesterday, I found a new item that I hadn't seen before ~ non-alcoholic wine (0.5% alcohol). It was at the very beginning of the store, or in other words, the route we take out of habit. At $4.99 I felt it was a bargain and if I didn't like it, there wasn't much lost. But I knew I would probably like it. *wink*
I put the bottle of red non-alcoholic wine in the cart and proceeded with our shopping as we usually do each week. When we finally got to the checkout, we were told I had to purchase the non-alcoholic wine in the department where I found it. They weren't allowed to do that in the grocery checkout. I finished with our purchases, took the bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a ten dollar bill and marched myself all the way to the other side of the store where our journey began.
When it was my turn at the register, I was asked for my drivers license. What? Why? It's non-alcoholic for heaven's sake. Store policy I was told. So now I had to head back to where my husband was waiting along with my purse that had my drivers license in it. I grabbed my wallet, spun around, and headed to the other side of the store still holding that bottle of non-alcoholic wine. I handed the clerk my license, she scanned it and gave it back to me, and proceeded to plop some kind of round sticker on the cap of the non-alcoholic wine bottle.
I was asked by the same clerk if I wanted my bottle in a bag. Of course I said yes. And she said I had to do it myself. What? Why? It's non-alcoholic for heaven's sake. I was told they have underage clerks who work at those registers at times and they are not allowed to touch liquor in any form. I can understand that. But I did wonder why they have underage clerks working those registers in the first place. Why put them in jeopardy?
The upshot of this is: the clerk that waited on me is someone's granny first of all. And secondly, she had to touch the damn bottle of non-alcoholic wine when she scanned it and again when she plopped the sticker on it. So why was she so darn adamant about putting it into a bag?
I looked around to see if there were any cameras because I was sure as hell certain that this was a joke being played on me. But there weren't any. So I left...with my non-alcoholic wine.
We usually try to visit one of our local wineries. The Valley has proven to be an excellent place to grow grapes for wine. This place is #1 on my list:
Come on grapes, hurry up and grow...
Sometimes when I want a greater variety I will visit our state store, especially when they have their sale on the wines I prefer. Which, by the way, I prefer red over white, and a little on the sweet side. Not a lot, just a little.
When we made our weekly grocery trip yesterday, I found a new item that I hadn't seen before ~ non-alcoholic wine (0.5% alcohol). It was at the very beginning of the store, or in other words, the route we take out of habit. At $4.99 I felt it was a bargain and if I didn't like it, there wasn't much lost. But I knew I would probably like it. *wink*
I put the bottle of red non-alcoholic wine in the cart and proceeded with our shopping as we usually do each week. When we finally got to the checkout, we were told I had to purchase the non-alcoholic wine in the department where I found it. They weren't allowed to do that in the grocery checkout. I finished with our purchases, took the bottle of non-alcoholic wine and a ten dollar bill and marched myself all the way to the other side of the store where our journey began.
When it was my turn at the register, I was asked for my drivers license. What? Why? It's non-alcoholic for heaven's sake. Store policy I was told. So now I had to head back to where my husband was waiting along with my purse that had my drivers license in it. I grabbed my wallet, spun around, and headed to the other side of the store still holding that bottle of non-alcoholic wine. I handed the clerk my license, she scanned it and gave it back to me, and proceeded to plop some kind of round sticker on the cap of the non-alcoholic wine bottle.
I was asked by the same clerk if I wanted my bottle in a bag. Of course I said yes. And she said I had to do it myself. What? Why? It's non-alcoholic for heaven's sake. I was told they have underage clerks who work at those registers at times and they are not allowed to touch liquor in any form. I can understand that. But I did wonder why they have underage clerks working those registers in the first place. Why put them in jeopardy?
The upshot of this is: the clerk that waited on me is someone's granny first of all. And secondly, she had to touch the damn bottle of non-alcoholic wine when she scanned it and again when she plopped the sticker on it. So why was she so darn adamant about putting it into a bag?
I looked around to see if there were any cameras because I was sure as hell certain that this was a joke being played on me. But there weren't any. So I left...with my non-alcoholic wine.
Tuesday, May 25, 2010
Just Can't Catch A Break
I go to my family doctor every six months for a simple checkup. Yesterday my appointment was for 10 am. We arrived ten minutes before that. After I signed in, I gave them my new insurance card as I haven’t been there yet this year and it’s a different plan than last year. They would have asked me for it anyway as they are incorporating them into their computer system for everyone’s account, which is something new for them. That should have been my first clue. I sat down and waited...and waited...and waited. Finally after about 45 minutes of watching new people come in and then being called before me, I went to the window and asked if the doctor was running late. She asked me my name...duh, what a stupid question when I am a patient with an appointment. They should know who I was, right? Because I signed in and they crossed my name off as they put me in rotation plus they scanned my card and put it in my file. I wanted to reach in the window and grab her by the throat, just for being so stupid. One person looked for my file along the wall and couldn't find it there. One person looked through a stack of slips as they called it, and didn’t find me there. Another person looked through another stack of slips and I wasn’t in that one either. Now I am lost. WTF?
Eventually they found me and after I was there an hour and ten minutes I was finally called into one of the examining rooms. When the doctor came in of course I complained to him about it. He said he heard them saying they couldn’t find something when he passed by but had no idea it was me. He also said he couldn’t understand why I had missed my 10 am appointment and yet when he came into the office around 10:30 he looked out the window right at me and my husband while we were in the waiting room. Again, WTF? The nurse that took me into the room and did my blood pressure was apologizing all over the place. She said she wouldn’t be surprised if my blood pressure was higher than normal. It was, and I knew it would be.
The doctor apologized, too. A fat lot of good that did for me. I told him this visit should be a freebie. He ignored me. I had also told the nurse and she ignored me too. When I was finally finished and had to pay my co-pay I said the same thing to that person, that my visit should be free. Guess I don't have to tell you, she ignored me, too. And then to top it all off she wanted to charge me last year’s co-pay which was $10 higher than this year. And she had the new scan of this year’s card with the co-pay amounts right in front of her face. Right there on the inside cover of my folder big as you please. And so I say once again, WTF?
Thank the Lord it will be another six months before I go back because I don't know what they were drinking and I wanted no part of whatever it was.
Eventually they found me and after I was there an hour and ten minutes I was finally called into one of the examining rooms. When the doctor came in of course I complained to him about it. He said he heard them saying they couldn’t find something when he passed by but had no idea it was me. He also said he couldn’t understand why I had missed my 10 am appointment and yet when he came into the office around 10:30 he looked out the window right at me and my husband while we were in the waiting room. Again, WTF? The nurse that took me into the room and did my blood pressure was apologizing all over the place. She said she wouldn’t be surprised if my blood pressure was higher than normal. It was, and I knew it would be.
The doctor apologized, too. A fat lot of good that did for me. I told him this visit should be a freebie. He ignored me. I had also told the nurse and she ignored me too. When I was finally finished and had to pay my co-pay I said the same thing to that person, that my visit should be free. Guess I don't have to tell you, she ignored me, too. And then to top it all off she wanted to charge me last year’s co-pay which was $10 higher than this year. And she had the new scan of this year’s card with the co-pay amounts right in front of her face. Right there on the inside cover of my folder big as you please. And so I say once again, WTF?
Thank the Lord it will be another six months before I go back because I don't know what they were drinking and I wanted no part of whatever it was.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)