Recipe: Penne alla Vodka
5 years ago
Friday, August 11, 2006
Thursday, August 10, 2006
WHY do I have a dog?
I tell you what. There are days when I don't know what I'd do with out Butch. And then there are days like today when I think to myself, "Why the hell do I have a dog?" Because if I'm even a little bit late, Butch lets me know he's upset by doing horrid things. Usually he will pee or poop on the floor. Sometimes he will turn over a trash can if one is accessable, and eats what ever is in there. You would not believe the things I have seen that dog poop.
As you may recall from yesterday, I worked on my worm farm. Let me explain just a little about that. I have frogs and a bearded dragon that all eat mealworms. Lots of mealworms. The place I volunteer at (Wild Care) raises meal worms for all the birds they take in that eat insects. Someone there offered to make a meal worm farm for me. In a nutshell, mealworms have 3 life stages: The beetle (can't fly) lays eggs, which hatch into mealworms, become pupae and then new beetles. I noticed my mealworm farm was losing ground on the worms, and gaining lots of beetles. So I looked on line to see what I was doing wrong, and as it happens, I need to separate out the 3 stages. This really isn't as hard as it sounds once it gets going I think, but separating it all out to start with took a lot of time. And I put all the "Frass" (waste) in a trash can along with the rotted food in the container. THEN, I FORGOT TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH.
I come home from work, admittedly a little later than usual. I walk in the door and notice that Butch had not pooped on the floor. I tell him what a good dog he is, and take him outside to do what he needs to do.
I came upstairs and Butch had dragged the trash can OUT of the critter room, into the hall and proceeded to string out all that crap PLUS all the stuff I cleaned out of the bird cages last night. Grrrrrr. He didn't even come upstairs with me because he knew he was in trouble. I looked and he was standing on the steps hiding, waiting to see if he was in trouble. I used my stern "you're in trouble buddy" voice and he ran back downstairs. What a gross and disgusting mess to clean up. I really hate to do this, but it is time for Butch to hit the kennel when I'm gone for the day. He'll get over it. He sleeps most of the day anyway.
As you may recall from yesterday, I worked on my worm farm. Let me explain just a little about that. I have frogs and a bearded dragon that all eat mealworms. Lots of mealworms. The place I volunteer at (Wild Care) raises meal worms for all the birds they take in that eat insects. Someone there offered to make a meal worm farm for me. In a nutshell, mealworms have 3 life stages: The beetle (can't fly) lays eggs, which hatch into mealworms, become pupae and then new beetles. I noticed my mealworm farm was losing ground on the worms, and gaining lots of beetles. So I looked on line to see what I was doing wrong, and as it happens, I need to separate out the 3 stages. This really isn't as hard as it sounds once it gets going I think, but separating it all out to start with took a lot of time. And I put all the "Frass" (waste) in a trash can along with the rotted food in the container. THEN, I FORGOT TO TAKE OUT THE TRASH.
I come home from work, admittedly a little later than usual. I walk in the door and notice that Butch had not pooped on the floor. I tell him what a good dog he is, and take him outside to do what he needs to do.
I came upstairs and Butch had dragged the trash can OUT of the critter room, into the hall and proceeded to string out all that crap PLUS all the stuff I cleaned out of the bird cages last night. Grrrrrr. He didn't even come upstairs with me because he knew he was in trouble. I looked and he was standing on the steps hiding, waiting to see if he was in trouble. I used my stern "you're in trouble buddy" voice and he ran back downstairs. What a gross and disgusting mess to clean up. I really hate to do this, but it is time for Butch to hit the kennel when I'm gone for the day. He'll get over it. He sleeps most of the day anyway.
Wednesday, August 9, 2006
Just another day in paradise
Here's a rundown of my day...
I could NOT get up this morning for the life of me. I hit the snooze 4 times. Then, of course I was late to work.
We had a company breakfast today, but not until 9 am, so I was hungry and a little grumpy by the time I ate.
I decided to go to the Co-op and get some bran and some chicken crumbles (bran for the mealworm farm and chicken crumbles for the birds...) and it made me feel like a farmer. HA! However, the Co-op only sells bran in 50 pound bags, and I don't need that much. So I got the chicken crumbles and headed for the health food store where they sell bulk bran. I bought some bran, some rolled oats and some tabouli. YUM! As I'm leaving there, I get a phone call from Sarah advising she's gonna run out of gas. On the way to work her car died a couple of times, and she put it in neutral at stop lights, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't make it home. So I turned the OTHER way coming out of the store, so I can go give her a couple of bucks for gas.
I'm driving along and a kid pulls out from a stop sign and I broadside him in my car. Holy crap. The kid looks at my bumper and rubs at some of the paint transfer and says he thinks my bumper is o.k. Apparently he can't see the large crack and where the bumper is pushed in. I tell him we need to call the police and he says o.k, and then proceeds to tell me about his bad day. Apparently, he is moving (evidenced by his car full of stuff), but the place he's moving into is still occupied by the people that are supposed to be out. The friends he is staying with are tired of him being there. It's finals week and he has to study. And, he's late for work now, and he can't remember the phone number to call and let them know why he's going to be late. That seemed to make him very nervous. I sympathize with him. Suddenly, his car dies. He hangs his head and says "Oh, no. I'm out of gas." How ironic is that? Luckily the kid has insurance and my bumper will be replaced and life will go on.
I drove to Starbucks, gave Sarah 10 bucks, told her I get a new bumper, and her boss gave me a free drink. WOO-HOO! Things are looking up!
I got home and spent a little over an hour messing with my worm farm and cleaning the bird cages, while waiting for the kick-butt meatloaf I'm making in the oven to bake. I ate said meatloaf along with some tabouli and a pita bread I fried up.
Now, I'm heading off to read and go to bed.
Just another day in the life of your typical insurance adjuster. Hee hee.
I could NOT get up this morning for the life of me. I hit the snooze 4 times. Then, of course I was late to work.
We had a company breakfast today, but not until 9 am, so I was hungry and a little grumpy by the time I ate.
I decided to go to the Co-op and get some bran and some chicken crumbles (bran for the mealworm farm and chicken crumbles for the birds...) and it made me feel like a farmer. HA! However, the Co-op only sells bran in 50 pound bags, and I don't need that much. So I got the chicken crumbles and headed for the health food store where they sell bulk bran. I bought some bran, some rolled oats and some tabouli. YUM! As I'm leaving there, I get a phone call from Sarah advising she's gonna run out of gas. On the way to work her car died a couple of times, and she put it in neutral at stop lights, but she was pretty sure she wouldn't make it home. So I turned the OTHER way coming out of the store, so I can go give her a couple of bucks for gas.
I'm driving along and a kid pulls out from a stop sign and I broadside him in my car. Holy crap. The kid looks at my bumper and rubs at some of the paint transfer and says he thinks my bumper is o.k. Apparently he can't see the large crack and where the bumper is pushed in. I tell him we need to call the police and he says o.k, and then proceeds to tell me about his bad day. Apparently, he is moving (evidenced by his car full of stuff), but the place he's moving into is still occupied by the people that are supposed to be out. The friends he is staying with are tired of him being there. It's finals week and he has to study. And, he's late for work now, and he can't remember the phone number to call and let them know why he's going to be late. That seemed to make him very nervous. I sympathize with him. Suddenly, his car dies. He hangs his head and says "Oh, no. I'm out of gas." How ironic is that? Luckily the kid has insurance and my bumper will be replaced and life will go on.
I drove to Starbucks, gave Sarah 10 bucks, told her I get a new bumper, and her boss gave me a free drink. WOO-HOO! Things are looking up!
I got home and spent a little over an hour messing with my worm farm and cleaning the bird cages, while waiting for the kick-butt meatloaf I'm making in the oven to bake. I ate said meatloaf along with some tabouli and a pita bread I fried up.
Now, I'm heading off to read and go to bed.
Just another day in the life of your typical insurance adjuster. Hee hee.
Wednesday, August 2, 2006
When did I get old?
Today Sarah and I had this discussion about how she feels disconnected from everyone and everything. She is not "depressed", she is "anxious". She is questioning the meaning of her existance and is wondering what the meaning of it all is. She is sad, lonely, hurting, and floating around in her universe with no idea what to make of everthing.
I told her that perhaps she should consider medicine. Nothing wrong with medicine. I myself take Welbutrin and Effexor. It makes my mind behave so I can function. It makes the "happy chemicals" in my brain able to so their job. But, she says no way. No medicine. So, I tell her if she really wants to get better she needs to eat right, get more sleep, and get out of her personal pity party and do something for someone else. Find a way to focus on someone else's life for a bit and see if she can do something to make their life a little better. Volunteer somewhere. Do little things for other people. I suggest prayer. No way. God is not the answer for her. Christians are not ... I think she said they are not good people, and the things they do are wrong. I asked her if she is judging God and Christianity by the people who say they are Christians, or by the words God gives us in the Bible. I don't think it matters to her. I guess I just feel that "People" are so fallable and we all do horrible things. God is not fallable. He is perfect. But, I would just be speaking to a brick wall talking to her about anything religious (although spirituality is o.k. in her book).
We then went to the community college to get her signed up. She was angry and frustrated and impatient. She signed up for four classes. She was not excited about signing up for classes when we left, and that just doesn't bode well if you ask me.
So anyway, we are driving back home and I make a comment on how incredibly high the price of gas is. This causes her to come out of her funk and go on a tirade about President Bush and how he is evil, greedy, money hungry and power hungry. I asked her if she thinks Clinton was any better and she says she wasn't paying attention to Clinton. So I point out to her that the "basic" tenants of the Republican party are less government involvement, more opportunity for business, and more of a "hands-off my personal life" approach. Democrats are more about bigger government, taking care of the downtrodden, and making sure the disadvantaged are cared for BY the government. Then I told her that I don't care if the president is a Rep or Dem, he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and has to make decisions every single day that affect millions of people while still attempting to stay true to his Party and his personal beliefs. God help anyone who is in that office, and we sure as heck couldn't do it. By this time I was pretty worked up and mad. I dropped her at her house and I went home.
So, I'm standing in my kitchen, looking out the window and thinking about how angry I was at Sarah's dismissive attitude toward government in general and Bush in particular, and I remembered when I was young and felt that passion of change that only the young people can bring to society. When we get older, there is just too much LIFE going on to get involved in deep philosophical issues, or maybe we are just tired of banging our head against the wall. Don't get me wrong. I still feel passionate about certain things (abortion, stem cell research, debt) but I try not to be dismissive of other's opinions. I try to let other's have their opinions and just calmly disagree if we are discussing an issue we don't see eye to eye on. After all, isn't that what freedom is about? Being able to have and express your opinions, hold your own beliefs, engage in life freely, and not as part of an oppressed society? We should all have to go live in a third world country for six months. That would cure most of us of our distaste for the government we live under.
The tirade is now over.
PS - sarah called and left a voice mail saying she was sorry for upsetting me and for talking to her & taking her to sign up for classes. sigh. Nothing is easy, is it?
I told her that perhaps she should consider medicine. Nothing wrong with medicine. I myself take Welbutrin and Effexor. It makes my mind behave so I can function. It makes the "happy chemicals" in my brain able to so their job. But, she says no way. No medicine. So, I tell her if she really wants to get better she needs to eat right, get more sleep, and get out of her personal pity party and do something for someone else. Find a way to focus on someone else's life for a bit and see if she can do something to make their life a little better. Volunteer somewhere. Do little things for other people. I suggest prayer. No way. God is not the answer for her. Christians are not ... I think she said they are not good people, and the things they do are wrong. I asked her if she is judging God and Christianity by the people who say they are Christians, or by the words God gives us in the Bible. I don't think it matters to her. I guess I just feel that "People" are so fallable and we all do horrible things. God is not fallable. He is perfect. But, I would just be speaking to a brick wall talking to her about anything religious (although spirituality is o.k. in her book).
We then went to the community college to get her signed up. She was angry and frustrated and impatient. She signed up for four classes. She was not excited about signing up for classes when we left, and that just doesn't bode well if you ask me.
So anyway, we are driving back home and I make a comment on how incredibly high the price of gas is. This causes her to come out of her funk and go on a tirade about President Bush and how he is evil, greedy, money hungry and power hungry. I asked her if she thinks Clinton was any better and she says she wasn't paying attention to Clinton. So I point out to her that the "basic" tenants of the Republican party are less government involvement, more opportunity for business, and more of a "hands-off my personal life" approach. Democrats are more about bigger government, taking care of the downtrodden, and making sure the disadvantaged are cared for BY the government. Then I told her that I don't care if the president is a Rep or Dem, he has the weight of the world on his shoulders, and has to make decisions every single day that affect millions of people while still attempting to stay true to his Party and his personal beliefs. God help anyone who is in that office, and we sure as heck couldn't do it. By this time I was pretty worked up and mad. I dropped her at her house and I went home.
So, I'm standing in my kitchen, looking out the window and thinking about how angry I was at Sarah's dismissive attitude toward government in general and Bush in particular, and I remembered when I was young and felt that passion of change that only the young people can bring to society. When we get older, there is just too much LIFE going on to get involved in deep philosophical issues, or maybe we are just tired of banging our head against the wall. Don't get me wrong. I still feel passionate about certain things (abortion, stem cell research, debt) but I try not to be dismissive of other's opinions. I try to let other's have their opinions and just calmly disagree if we are discussing an issue we don't see eye to eye on. After all, isn't that what freedom is about? Being able to have and express your opinions, hold your own beliefs, engage in life freely, and not as part of an oppressed society? We should all have to go live in a third world country for six months. That would cure most of us of our distaste for the government we live under.
The tirade is now over.
PS - sarah called and left a voice mail saying she was sorry for upsetting me and for talking to her & taking her to sign up for classes. sigh. Nothing is easy, is it?
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Truth in voice mails
Every day I change the message on my voice mail, and it goes like this:
You have reached the voice mail box for Christy on July 16. I'm in the office today, but I'm either away from my desk or on another line. I will be in the office today until 3:45 Eastern Time. Please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If you need help immediately, press "0" now and ask for any adjuster in the eastern regional office. Thank you and have a good day.
OK. Let's get real. Here's what the message should say if I am being honest:
You have reached the voice mail box for Christy on July 16th. I'm in the office today but I'm either 1) on another phone call, probably personal, but maybe not; 2) getting a cup of coffee; 3) in the bathroom doing what comes naturally in the bathroom; 4) talking with a co-worker about our personal lives; or 5) just ignoring the phone because I'm doing something else and don't want to get it. I will be in the office today from 7:35 ish to noon, and then 1:30 or so until 3:45. If you want to, you can leave your name and phone number. I make it a goal to answer my voice-mails within the week, but sometimes it does stretch out to two. If you need faster service, here's my fax number 555-1212 or you can mail stuff to my address at "Company Address". Or, if you really want to, you can push "0" now and ask for anyone in the liability department in the eastern regional office. The operator will probably just tell you to leave a message in my voice mail, but you never know. You may be lucky today. Have a good day.
That's what I should say. It would be honest. But I'd probably get fired so I will stay with the message I usually leave. Everyone is happier living the lie that way.
Have a good day.
You have reached the voice mail box for Christy on July 16. I'm in the office today, but I'm either away from my desk or on another line. I will be in the office today until 3:45 Eastern Time. Please leave your name and number and I'll get back to you as soon as I can. If you need help immediately, press "0" now and ask for any adjuster in the eastern regional office. Thank you and have a good day.
OK. Let's get real. Here's what the message should say if I am being honest:
You have reached the voice mail box for Christy on July 16th. I'm in the office today but I'm either 1) on another phone call, probably personal, but maybe not; 2) getting a cup of coffee; 3) in the bathroom doing what comes naturally in the bathroom; 4) talking with a co-worker about our personal lives; or 5) just ignoring the phone because I'm doing something else and don't want to get it. I will be in the office today from 7:35 ish to noon, and then 1:30 or so until 3:45. If you want to, you can leave your name and phone number. I make it a goal to answer my voice-mails within the week, but sometimes it does stretch out to two. If you need faster service, here's my fax number 555-1212 or you can mail stuff to my address at "Company Address". Or, if you really want to, you can push "0" now and ask for anyone in the liability department in the eastern regional office. The operator will probably just tell you to leave a message in my voice mail, but you never know. You may be lucky today. Have a good day.
That's what I should say. It would be honest. But I'd probably get fired so I will stay with the message I usually leave. Everyone is happier living the lie that way.
Have a good day.
Monday, July 24, 2006
If only thinking were as good as the real thing...
Every day, I think about things I should do. Wouldn't it be nice if just by thinking seriously about something it would come to pass? Now, you wouldn't want just any ol' random thought to come about because that would be disasterous. Imagine if some grumpy cashier made you mad and you thought "Ugh! She should get fired!" and bam! she was! Or what if someone thought that about you? Or even, "Man! I wish my boss was dead! I hate him!" Whoa! you go to work the next day, and he's not there because you KILLED him with your thoughts.
On the other hand, if you were to sit down and plan something out, not just a random thought or momentary wish, that would be cool. I would "think" myself fit and healthy. I would "think" myself into liking my job, and getting paid much more than I do now. I would "think" my exercise and eating plans. And I would "think" that sugar/fats/and other ugly unhealthy items do absolutely no harm to my body. All this would come to pass just by thinking about it.
Ah yes. The power of laziness. Thinking is so much easier than doing.
On the other hand, if you were to sit down and plan something out, not just a random thought or momentary wish, that would be cool. I would "think" myself fit and healthy. I would "think" myself into liking my job, and getting paid much more than I do now. I would "think" my exercise and eating plans. And I would "think" that sugar/fats/and other ugly unhealthy items do absolutely no harm to my body. All this would come to pass just by thinking about it.
Ah yes. The power of laziness. Thinking is so much easier than doing.
Wednesday, July 19, 2006
Hump Day
It's hump day, which is so nice. Down-hill slide to the weekend. That alone makes me feel kinda bad, because that means I'm wishing my life away, waiting with bated breath for the weekend (i.e. no work for 2 days) to show up. I wonder if this means I need to search inside for some honest answers about if I like my job. I have a sneaking suspicion I don't anymore. The problem is, I've been there for so long that I get 3 weeks of vacation, and just a couple more years and I'll get 4! I can't get there starting out anywhere else, and I live in a town small enough and far enough away from a large town that this is the only game that will pay me what I'm getting paid. Which ain't bad. I make pretty good money. So, heck. What's the deal with being bored and not wanting to go to work? It's not like the job isn't challenging or anything like that. Perhaps it's a mid-life crisis. Ha.
Meanwhile, Friday is sliding into the home stretch...
Meanwhile, Friday is sliding into the home stretch...
Sunday, May 7, 2006
What's finals week without a party?
Another 3 am rude awakening early this morning. This time, it was a drunk woman, or maybe 2 screaming hysterically at someone else. She was so drunk and hysterical it was impossible to understand what the heck she was upset about. But with THAT kind of hysteria in her voice, I'm guessing someone tried to move in on her man or something similar to that. This has been finals week for the college kids. I'm thinking it started out with an innocent "Hell, yes! School's out for summer!" party, and degraded from there. Anyway, everyone is sleeping with thier windows open because it's so nice out, and that means everyone could hear this disaster unfolding. Someone flashed their outside light on - that slowed things down for about 1 second while the confused drunk was blinded temporarily. I heard doors slam, I heard people trying to get these girls off the deck they were fighting on (thank goodness! What if one had pushed the other off?). Finially my next door neighbor goes out onto her deck and (her voice carries really well, and we could all definately understand what she was saying) yells "Hey! Do we need to call the police? What the F--- is going on?" That had the desired effect of shutting the party down within moments. Doors slammed. A car started and squealed away, hopefully driven by a more sober person than the girl that was yelling. Everyone settles down and tries to go back to sleep.
What this whole episode really made me wonder was this...since we could hear this insane fighting so clearly in the night air, do my neighbors hear me snore?
What this whole episode really made me wonder was this...since we could hear this insane fighting so clearly in the night air, do my neighbors hear me snore?
Wednesday, May 3, 2006
Random 3 am Thoughts
My brother Ray called yesterday. He said his chajuajua Jaz (who is 12) was to get her teeth cleaned, and when the vet did the preliminary blood work, she discovered something in Jaz's blood levels that concerned her. She told Ray it might be Cushing's Disease. This disease causes increased drinking and increased urination, loss of hair, panting and sometimes seizures. You treat it by giving the dog medicine that is very expensive. Anyway, I told Ray how Butch has been peeing in the house, and I can't decide if he's mad about something, or just really has to GO. I took him to the vet and described what is happening, and my vet wants me to bring in a sample of urine. HELLO! How am I supposed to get urine? Butch won't let me anywhere near him when he's "Doing his business". Why would he? I won't either. If I had some one chasing after me when I am trying to pee trying to stick a container under me, I'd run off, too.
So. It's 3:15 am, and for the "I don't even know how many days in a row now" Butch woke me up to go outside. He starts with this little Mruff, which progressively grows louder and more persistent until I wake up. I come back to bed, and Butch has to lay directly on my feet. Sometimes I try to outlast him on who moves first. I'll just leave my feet underneath him, which HAS to be uncomfortable. He'll sigh, but he won't move. I never win unless I wiggle my feet and annoy him. 15 minutes later I'm still lying in bed thinking about how Butch probably has Cushing's disease and what the implications of that may be. I'm hoping that writing this will get it out of my head so I can sleep again.
I'm going to Chicago today for a mediation tomorrow. When I made reservations there was only ONE hotel in downtown Chicago I could get into because of some convention, and that hotel is going to cost my company $285 for the one night, which is twice the price of my plane ticket!! Good lord. On the up side, Chicago is a fun place to go. Now that I've done it a few times the El is fun to ride, and I imagine I can look as bored and nonchalent as the real Chicago people. I'm sure I don't - I probably look like a country girl coming to the big city. But it's fun to pretend.
Sarah is supposed to be moving out. She is getting a place with a couple of her high school friends, and allegedly the move date is this Friday. I see absolutely NOTHING to show she's actually going however. No packing, no excited talking about it, no indication what the apartment number is... very suspicious.
My apartment complex called me today to see if I am renewing or moving. I went to the office and asked them to show me a 3 BR flat and a 2 BR flat. Right now I live in a 3BR townhouse, which I do like. The 3 BR looks o.k., the 2 BR would be a little tight I think. The thought of moving is just not appealing in any way, and I'm trying to decide if the $40-95 difference is worth moving. Changing my address both personally and updating all my licenses etc professionally, packing, unpacking, moving stuff ... I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay where I am. Here, I can have my bird feeder and plant stuff if I want to. I don't have to worry about making too much noise for the upstairs/downstairs neighbor. The positives of staying here outweigh the positives of moving.
Well, I suppose I can go put the iPod on 15-30 minutes and listen to a book on tape, or maybe a podcast of the Dave Ramsey Show. Most of the time I can fall asleep w/i the 15 minutes, and almost always before 30 minutes. I thought maybe Coast to Coast would be on the AM station, but no such luck. That show is a hoot, and if I can't sleep at least I'm amused. Another podcast I love is NPR's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me! which is a totally liberal news show that takes news stories from the week and callers try to guess who it's about. If they win, "Carl" will call and put a message on their answering machine. Even though I'm conservative, I still have a sense of humor and think the show is funny.
Nite. Morning. Whatever.
cje
So. It's 3:15 am, and for the "I don't even know how many days in a row now" Butch woke me up to go outside. He starts with this little Mruff, which progressively grows louder and more persistent until I wake up. I come back to bed, and Butch has to lay directly on my feet. Sometimes I try to outlast him on who moves first. I'll just leave my feet underneath him, which HAS to be uncomfortable. He'll sigh, but he won't move. I never win unless I wiggle my feet and annoy him. 15 minutes later I'm still lying in bed thinking about how Butch probably has Cushing's disease and what the implications of that may be. I'm hoping that writing this will get it out of my head so I can sleep again.
I'm going to Chicago today for a mediation tomorrow. When I made reservations there was only ONE hotel in downtown Chicago I could get into because of some convention, and that hotel is going to cost my company $285 for the one night, which is twice the price of my plane ticket!! Good lord. On the up side, Chicago is a fun place to go. Now that I've done it a few times the El is fun to ride, and I imagine I can look as bored and nonchalent as the real Chicago people. I'm sure I don't - I probably look like a country girl coming to the big city. But it's fun to pretend.
Sarah is supposed to be moving out. She is getting a place with a couple of her high school friends, and allegedly the move date is this Friday. I see absolutely NOTHING to show she's actually going however. No packing, no excited talking about it, no indication what the apartment number is... very suspicious.
My apartment complex called me today to see if I am renewing or moving. I went to the office and asked them to show me a 3 BR flat and a 2 BR flat. Right now I live in a 3BR townhouse, which I do like. The 3 BR looks o.k., the 2 BR would be a little tight I think. The thought of moving is just not appealing in any way, and I'm trying to decide if the $40-95 difference is worth moving. Changing my address both personally and updating all my licenses etc professionally, packing, unpacking, moving stuff ... I'm pretty sure I'm going to stay where I am. Here, I can have my bird feeder and plant stuff if I want to. I don't have to worry about making too much noise for the upstairs/downstairs neighbor. The positives of staying here outweigh the positives of moving.
Well, I suppose I can go put the iPod on 15-30 minutes and listen to a book on tape, or maybe a podcast of the Dave Ramsey Show. Most of the time I can fall asleep w/i the 15 minutes, and almost always before 30 minutes. I thought maybe Coast to Coast would be on the AM station, but no such luck. That show is a hoot, and if I can't sleep at least I'm amused. Another podcast I love is NPR's Wait Wait, Don't Tell Me! which is a totally liberal news show that takes news stories from the week and callers try to guess who it's about. If they win, "Carl" will call and put a message on their answering machine. Even though I'm conservative, I still have a sense of humor and think the show is funny.
Nite. Morning. Whatever.
cje
Friday, April 14, 2006
Ah, Youthhttp://www.blogger.com/img/gl.spell.gif
4:00 am, Eastern Daylight Time, Bloomington IN.
Every door in the house slams either open or shut. The wind is blowing so hard curtains are flying straight out from the window. Suddenly, the rain, lightening and thunder, along with a smattering of hail centers directly over our living quarters. (I would say "House" but it is not technically a house. It's a 'something-plex'.) Anyway, I get up close all the windows because the rain is POURING in. I tell Sarah to come with me to the downstairs bathroom and we head down the stairs. Those of you who know me, know that I am FEARLESS in the face of tornadic weather. But that's mainly because I can usually sleep through it. The tornado sirens are bleating and Sarah, Butch and I settle down in the bathroom and wait for the sirens to stop. However, they don't.
Eventually, Sarah and I start talking, and she begins to tell me how really wrong the world is right now. President Bush is actually EVIL. We are a selfish people who think only about getting rich and not about helping the poor and unfortunate in society. Marriage is a dead institution, people shouldn't have kids because the world is over populated. I take all this in, and say something along the lines that Bush may not be the best president we have ever had, but the other choice was worse. We do tend to like our money here, but aren't we lucky that we have it to like. If, however, she wishes to take her $7.00 per hour salary which is really only about $5.25 NOW after state, federal, county, ss and medicare taxes are removed, and THEN take a couple more dollars per hour out to give to people who don't want to work, then, feel free. I, however, will hang on to my extra bucks. She protested that that isn't really fair and we should all help each other. (Gasp - that sounds suscpisiously like Communism!) So, I point out several people we know that are lazy, do not work, live off other people and the government, but are PERFECTLY healthy and able to work. They just choose NOT to bother. That gave her pause for a moment.
On to the INSTITUTION OF MARRIAGE. We spoke of committment, and I pointed out how hollow committment is if you don't follow through with actual actions of committment. Kids. Yeah, the world may or may not be overpopulated, but the US is not overpopulated. Not having kids here is not going to keep Third World Nations from having kids, however. Hmmmm.
I can see the condecending attitude building and how really stupid she thinks her mother is. And it makes me laugh right out loud. I tell her, "Ah Youth. I remember when I was like you are now. There was a time when I was your age and the most important thing to me was Saving the Whales. Never mind that I lived in Iowa and had never even SEEN a whale first hand. I was going to save them from the tragedy of unfair hunting and extinction. I told her my Uncle Charlie thought that was hysterical and decided to "Save the Walrus" and put an article and magnet on the refrigerator discussing the plight of the Walrus. You know, it was probably 2 years before I realized he was making fun of me, and trying to teach me how silly I was. I remembered him asking me why I picked "saving whales" as opposed to helping starving children in my own area. I remembered looking at him like he was just SOOOO out of touch. Now, I realize how really IN touch he was and how silly I was.
Having said all of this, thank GOD for youth. Because the passion they bring to things in our world really can change bad things to good things. Fresh ideas are always nice. (Not that any of her ideas are FRESH. I've heard 'em all before...) Most important of all, however, is their ability to make us remember our youth and take a break from all that "grownup-ness". Even if it's just for an hour, sitting on the bathroom floor with your almost-grown daughter, waiting for a storm to pass.
Saturday, March 25, 2006
Change is in the air...
Today we had a "volunteer" meeting at Wild Care. It was very interesting, even though I've seen all the animals before, to hear their "stories" and how they came to be part of the Wild Care family. But even more interesting than that was how God spoke to me about diabetes. A woman, probably about my age, maybe just a little older, came in on crutches and said she had to have some sort of surgery on her foot yesterday because of a complication with her diabetes. I didn't think much of it until the woman I work with on Thursday nights told me about her husband (totally separate conversations...) and how he has had diabetes since his 30's and has never tried to take care of it like he should. Now, he can't feel his feet, and can step on a nail and never know it. He recently had heart surgery (diabetic complication) and the wound would not heal (another diabetic complication). He had the surgery MONTHS ago and it is finally just now almost completely healed. To top it all off, his kidneys have failed and he must have dialysis Monday, Wednesday and Fridays. Each session is SIX HOURS and the cost (Medicare) is 35,000 a WEEK. And still, he does not eat right or exercise. He's waiting for a kidney from someone who will die now. Oh my goodness. That is really horrible. And part of me feels he doesn't deserve to get one since he does nothing to counteract his diabetes.
And yet...here I am and I do not watch what I eat or exercise or try in any way whatsoever to control my diabetes other than my medication. And if I lost weight, I wouldn't have to take that medication for a long time, and I could probably stop taking my blood pressure medication and maybe even my cholesterol medication. It's very sad. I know God is reaching out to get my attention. I will pray every day for the willingness to ask for strength to take care of my body. Because I don't want to. It's so much work. And, apparently, I'm very lazy.
On the monetary front...that is certainly two steps forward and one step back. I have put into action a new savings account with money automatically deposited into it from my checking account. (Out of sight out of mind...) It is not linked with my checking account. Different bank, even. I made a budget. I paid bills. I had 50 bucks to get me through this week, and I have a full tank of gas... I got up, I read the 3 chapters out of Dave Ramsey I'm supposed to read, I worked some more on the budget. Everything was great. Then Sarah asked for money and I said no. She said she needs gas. So, reluctantly and trying to riddle her with guilt, "You are taking my gas money...that's all I'm sayin'!", I give her my Speedway gas gift card that has $7.00 on it and told her it has $7.00, that's all I've got. Then I was mad at myself for doing that. Soon, the doorbell rang, and Sarah's new boyfriend "Ben" is at the door handing Sarah money. What?!? Sarah introduces Ben to me, I ask Ben if he's giving Sarah money. Sarah hastens to say she's going to pay it back. I tell him he shouldn't give her any money. (MEAN MOM! and hypocritical, too!) I told him she gets paid on Friday and she WILL pay him back then. (Let's point out here that 1. It's none of my business if he loans her money. 2. It's none of my business if she does or does not pay him back. 3. I'm mad that I gave her money. The real point here is that it was none of my business and I'm mad.) As another aside, Ben is tall and skinny, short hair, seemed polite enough...
Back to the monetary front. I decide I HAVE to have some flavored syrup to put in my coffee. Off to TJ Maxx I go, where fun syrups abound for 1/2 the price of other places. I find a syrup!! Two in fact!! I find a bowl for $2.00 I can't live without. OH! There's another one! I manage to escape TJ Maxx having spent $16.22. I'm driving away, and I remember my mom telling me about a tea sample she tried that she got in a magazine. It was a Tazo green tea with orchids or something like that in it and she really liked it. I'm driving right by Starbucks (I mean Four-bucks) and decide to "pop" in and see if they sell that kind there since I KNOW they sell TAZO tea. Nope. Not that kind. But, while I'm there I'll get a grande almond mocha (ie. four-bucks and 3 cents). I am now down in my checking account 20.25. But I'm not as mad at Sarah any more. hmmmmm. There may be a connection here...
And yet...here I am and I do not watch what I eat or exercise or try in any way whatsoever to control my diabetes other than my medication. And if I lost weight, I wouldn't have to take that medication for a long time, and I could probably stop taking my blood pressure medication and maybe even my cholesterol medication. It's very sad. I know God is reaching out to get my attention. I will pray every day for the willingness to ask for strength to take care of my body. Because I don't want to. It's so much work. And, apparently, I'm very lazy.
On the monetary front...that is certainly two steps forward and one step back. I have put into action a new savings account with money automatically deposited into it from my checking account. (Out of sight out of mind...) It is not linked with my checking account. Different bank, even. I made a budget. I paid bills. I had 50 bucks to get me through this week, and I have a full tank of gas... I got up, I read the 3 chapters out of Dave Ramsey I'm supposed to read, I worked some more on the budget. Everything was great. Then Sarah asked for money and I said no. She said she needs gas. So, reluctantly and trying to riddle her with guilt, "You are taking my gas money...that's all I'm sayin'!", I give her my Speedway gas gift card that has $7.00 on it and told her it has $7.00, that's all I've got. Then I was mad at myself for doing that. Soon, the doorbell rang, and Sarah's new boyfriend "Ben" is at the door handing Sarah money. What?!? Sarah introduces Ben to me, I ask Ben if he's giving Sarah money. Sarah hastens to say she's going to pay it back. I tell him he shouldn't give her any money. (MEAN MOM! and hypocritical, too!) I told him she gets paid on Friday and she WILL pay him back then. (Let's point out here that 1. It's none of my business if he loans her money. 2. It's none of my business if she does or does not pay him back. 3. I'm mad that I gave her money. The real point here is that it was none of my business and I'm mad.) As another aside, Ben is tall and skinny, short hair, seemed polite enough...
Back to the monetary front. I decide I HAVE to have some flavored syrup to put in my coffee. Off to TJ Maxx I go, where fun syrups abound for 1/2 the price of other places. I find a syrup!! Two in fact!! I find a bowl for $2.00 I can't live without. OH! There's another one! I manage to escape TJ Maxx having spent $16.22. I'm driving away, and I remember my mom telling me about a tea sample she tried that she got in a magazine. It was a Tazo green tea with orchids or something like that in it and she really liked it. I'm driving right by Starbucks (I mean Four-bucks) and decide to "pop" in and see if they sell that kind there since I KNOW they sell TAZO tea. Nope. Not that kind. But, while I'm there I'll get a grande almond mocha (ie. four-bucks and 3 cents). I am now down in my checking account 20.25. But I'm not as mad at Sarah any more. hmmmmm. There may be a connection here...
Thursday, December 15, 2005
Thursday, December 1, 2005
Pictures from T-giving And Liz & Matt's Wedding
Photos: Mom holding Sofi, Christy with Yuki and Eliz.
Elizabeth & Sofi.
Yuki in the dog kennel (his choice, honest!)
Matt and Eliz getting married November 25th.
Matt praying to the Stove God that the turkey will turn out just like Alton Brown said it would.
Rudolph grows up and realizes a thing or two...
Good Gad. I haven't watched Rudolph the Red Nose Reindeer for probably 10 years. What a piece of work!
Santa is so self-centered and mean! Telling Rudolph's dad he should be "ashamed" for spawning Rudolph and his defective glowing nose. And then when Rudolph comes home, Santa lays a big guilt trip on him, telling him that "Your dad is out looking for YOU, and without HIM, we can't have Christmas". Nice, Santa. Nice.
The "Island of Mis-fit Toys" - what? Put all your misfits in a group home? Then when another misfit comes along to "show the light" they can be integrated into society? Please. Did they give the misfit toys to handicapped kids? Third World children? Kids on Angel trees? What's up with that? If the toys aren't good enough to be given to regular kids, then how come the elves that made them aren't in prison? Do you think Santa told the elves they should be ashamed for making defective toys?
Poor Herbie doesn't want to be an elf, but a dentist and is not accepted because he doesn't fit into the status quo? But heck, he pulls the Bumble's teeth and he's a hero? And what about the Bumble? He's just being a Bumble. So they "reform him" (basically by emasculating him) and now that they can use him to do their will (re: slave) he's great.
Do you think I've been in therapy too long? It used to be a cute cartoon about being nice to others.
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Butch the Wonder Dog
I took Butch with me to stay at Elizabeth's while I was hanging out with her and the baby. Every morning Yuki and I would take a walk and go to this little playground about 2 blocks away. There is a little pond there with a walking path around it. And on the pond are many ducks and a few geese. So, Butch was running around checking out the lay of the land, and sees a duck getting into the pond from the shore. To fully understand how completely amazing the following is, first consider that
1. Butch will be 10 years old on September 18th.
2. Butch HATES water. In all the years I've had Butch, he would avoid water like the plague. The most I've EVER seen him do, is just walk in water along the shore of any body of water, but only until the water was about 1/2 way up his legs.
So, there we are watching all these ducks waddle down to the water's edge and start to swim. And to my amazement, Butch jumped in and started to swim after those ducks! I start to panic because I think "Butch Can't Swim." I figure he'll just have to drown because I can't go in after him and leave Yuki on the shore alone. I keep calling to Butch, and when he was about 1/2 way across the pond, he finally listens and comes back to shore. Whew! Close call!
The next day, I think to myself, "I'll go the OTHER way so that Butch won't be tempted by the evil ducks. Lo and Behold we come upon an area with THREE small retaining ponds. The largest one is probably one and a half times the size of the duck pond. But, I see no ducks, and feel confident that I can let Butch off the lead and that he will avoid the water. Yuki and I are examining the pond when about 20 ducks came out of one pond, over a little hill and into the pond we were looking at. All the ducks were mallards except one large white one. In the water they go, and in the water Butch follows! Butch is hot on the tail of the white duck. The duck is not at all concerned, and stays just out of Butch's reach, and, in fact, swims in wide circles in the pond. Butch swims in wide circles behind the white duck. Occasionally the duck would switch directions unexpectedly, and amazingly enough, Butch stayed in the game. Finally I decided that Butch needed to come out of the water before he became too exhausted to continue on and make it back to shore. I called him. He continued swimming in circles behind the white duck. I called again and again. Even Yuki got into it. He calls Butch "B" because he can't say Butch. Suddenly he points at Butch and yells, "B!! blah blah blah!!." I'm not really sure what the translation is there, but Butch sure was getting chewed out! When Butch finally did decide to come to shore, he had a bit of a rough time making it to the bitter end. He was really sucking wind when he finally got his feet under him.
Today, I woke up and decided Eliz just HAD to see Butch do this swimming miracle. But Butch refused to leave the house. Why? Because it was raining, and he hates to get wet...
1. Butch will be 10 years old on September 18th.
2. Butch HATES water. In all the years I've had Butch, he would avoid water like the plague. The most I've EVER seen him do, is just walk in water along the shore of any body of water, but only until the water was about 1/2 way up his legs.
So, there we are watching all these ducks waddle down to the water's edge and start to swim. And to my amazement, Butch jumped in and started to swim after those ducks! I start to panic because I think "Butch Can't Swim." I figure he'll just have to drown because I can't go in after him and leave Yuki on the shore alone. I keep calling to Butch, and when he was about 1/2 way across the pond, he finally listens and comes back to shore. Whew! Close call!
The next day, I think to myself, "I'll go the OTHER way so that Butch won't be tempted by the evil ducks. Lo and Behold we come upon an area with THREE small retaining ponds. The largest one is probably one and a half times the size of the duck pond. But, I see no ducks, and feel confident that I can let Butch off the lead and that he will avoid the water. Yuki and I are examining the pond when about 20 ducks came out of one pond, over a little hill and into the pond we were looking at. All the ducks were mallards except one large white one. In the water they go, and in the water Butch follows! Butch is hot on the tail of the white duck. The duck is not at all concerned, and stays just out of Butch's reach, and, in fact, swims in wide circles in the pond. Butch swims in wide circles behind the white duck. Occasionally the duck would switch directions unexpectedly, and amazingly enough, Butch stayed in the game. Finally I decided that Butch needed to come out of the water before he became too exhausted to continue on and make it back to shore. I called him. He continued swimming in circles behind the white duck. I called again and again. Even Yuki got into it. He calls Butch "B" because he can't say Butch. Suddenly he points at Butch and yells, "B!! blah blah blah!!." I'm not really sure what the translation is there, but Butch sure was getting chewed out! When Butch finally did decide to come to shore, he had a bit of a rough time making it to the bitter end. He was really sucking wind when he finally got his feet under him.
Today, I woke up and decided Eliz just HAD to see Butch do this swimming miracle. But Butch refused to leave the house. Why? Because it was raining, and he hates to get wet...
Yuki Speaks Out
Elizabeth, Matt, Yuki, Sofi and I all go to Eliz's home. The baby will NOT nurse. Elizabeth will NOT be consoled. The baby cries, Elizabeth cries. Day one at home, we are up all night with a crying baby. She just refuses to "latch on". What kind of term is "latch on"? Sounds like something to do with a cabinet if you ask me. Day 2 at home. Same song, different verse. Hysterical baby, hysterical momma. By this time, Yuki has HAD it. He walks up to Elizabeth, who is trying to pump milk so we can give it to Sofi with a syringe. He pats her right on the breast, and then points at Sofi who is crying and says, "Baby? blah blah blah." Then he did it again. I start cracking up. I tell Elizabeth that what he was really saying was "Baby? She is crying. Can you please hurry that up and give her something so she'll shut up?"
Later that night, Yuki is playing out in his little wading pool and I can see him through the window. He has several pool toys, including what looks like an oil funnel, which looks like the end of Elizabeth's pump. I look up just in time to see him stand up with that funnel and place it on his chest. Can't you just hear him saying, "Man. If mom can't get her to shut up, maybe I can. How does this thing work???"
Later that night, Yuki is playing out in his little wading pool and I can see him through the window. He has several pool toys, including what looks like an oil funnel, which looks like the end of Elizabeth's pump. I look up just in time to see him stand up with that funnel and place it on his chest. Can't you just hear him saying, "Man. If mom can't get her to shut up, maybe I can. How does this thing work???"
Friday, August 26, 2005
New Baby - and Drama
Here we have a picture of Grandma and new baby Sofi. She's healthy and pretty quiet so far! That could be because she's scared out of her mind. Because Grandma needs to pay more attention to detail.
Matt and Yuki were out playing in the park, and taking a nap at my house. It was just Elizabeth, Sofi and me at the hospital. The problem was, it was HOT in the room. And I don't do well with hot. Hot really stinks. So, I say to Elizabeth, "Man. It's hot in here." She agreed and said that Matt got cold in the night and turned the heat up. (As an aside here, skinny people are always cold. Matt likes the temp to be around 75 degrees. That's just insane.)
So, I say to Elizabeth, "Do you want me to turn the temp down?" "Sure." So I head over to the pretty panel on the wall. I look it over with all the buttons, and can't read the words because it's dark in that part of the room. I try every single light switch and couldn't find one that would come on and illuminate the panel. So I lean in real close, and squint to read the words. I see a square button with a blue outline that says "Cool blue", which I thought was really odd, but, well, blue means cool, right? So I push the button, and wait to see if a temperature readout comes on. Nothing, so I figure it will just cool down on it's own to a pre-set temperature. I walk back to the chair in the room, pick up the paper and start to read. All of a sudden, 5 or 6 nurses burst into the room and say, "Are you ok in here?" I say (confused by the concern in their voices) "Yeah, its just a little hot." One of the nurses turns around and yells into the hallway "It's ok, it was a mistake." I'm still confused. What the heck? Then, it dawns on me. OMG! The button was "CODE BLUE", not "Cool blue". And it doesn't just go off on our floor, it makes the announcement all over the hospital. At this point, I want to sink through the floor. All the nurses leave, and and Elizabeth and I laugh hysterically until we cry. And we sob. One by one, the nurses came in and told us it was o.k., and that it was funny seeing the doctors running down the hall, and really, it was good practice for them. They forgot the crash cart, so it was a good learning experience. Don't worry, don't cry, it's o.k.
I'm pretty sure Elizabeth will never allow me with her again in a doctors office or hospital. But you know, there have been plenty of times when Elizabeth has horrified ME. Karma. It's all about Karma. And in this case, I'd say that was one heck of a payback.
Friday, August 19, 2005
Day Two Without Sarah
Day 2 with no Sarah.
I took Sarah to college (Ball State University) Wednesday. Not much drama. Wasn't too bad. No weeping and gnashing of teeth. Until...Thursday. When I received a heart wrenching e-mail from Sarah...she hates it there, she can't sleep, she doesn't like her room, she wants to come home, she loves me, she misses me... Oh yeah. And, "I want my car!!!"
Today was better. She sounded o.k. when I talked to her. She's made a couple of friends. She'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
Meanwhile, Butch is wondering where she is. I can hear him thinking now..."The tall human is gone. I didn't like her much and she never did pet me, but...man. I think mom really liked her. Am I next???" Poor guy. He'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
I haven't had to cook even once since Sarah left. But tomorrow I will have to, because all the left-overs are gone. Unless I want to eat shredded wheat for many many meals. I'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
And life goes on...
I took Sarah to college (Ball State University) Wednesday. Not much drama. Wasn't too bad. No weeping and gnashing of teeth. Until...Thursday. When I received a heart wrenching e-mail from Sarah...she hates it there, she can't sleep, she doesn't like her room, she wants to come home, she loves me, she misses me... Oh yeah. And, "I want my car!!!"
Today was better. She sounded o.k. when I talked to her. She's made a couple of friends. She'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
Meanwhile, Butch is wondering where she is. I can hear him thinking now..."The tall human is gone. I didn't like her much and she never did pet me, but...man. I think mom really liked her. Am I next???" Poor guy. He'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
I haven't had to cook even once since Sarah left. But tomorrow I will have to, because all the left-overs are gone. Unless I want to eat shredded wheat for many many meals. I'll be fine. Really. Fine. =)
And life goes on...
Friday, June 3, 2005
Friday
TGIF
What a week. Sarah graduated last Saturday and now she thinks she owns the world and should be able to do whatever she wants. 76 days until she goes to school (and counting). . .
What a week. Sarah graduated last Saturday and now she thinks she owns the world and should be able to do whatever she wants. 76 days until she goes to school (and counting). . .
Thursday, May 19, 2005
Retail Therapy
It's been one of those weeks...I've been a little down. Maybe it's empty nest. Maybe it's because I'm not looking forward to "The Party" I'm throwing for graduation, and all the associated hoopla surrounding it. Who knows.
So, last night I decided I needed a hammock. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond. Didn't like the hammock material, so went to Lowes. While in Lowes, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom, so I went clear to the back of the store to the bathrooms, which is far away from the hammocks. On the way OUT of the bathroom, I saw the area rugs, which reminded me that the rug in my room won't stay put, so I put a "rug gripper" in my cart. Walking toward the hammocks, I see the plumbing isle, which reminds me I wanted to look for this aerator thing for my kitchen sink. Don't find it there, sales person tells me to check in a different isle. While walking down that isle I don't find the thing I want, but see some "Spot Shot" for carpet stains and pick that up. Back down the isle, into the main isle back toward Hammocks. I see the stand mixers, and my cart turns all by itself down that isle. I see the beautiful Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers. I think about how my Lowe's card has a special - 12 months same as cash - and after debating (not on whether I should get it, but on which COLOR to get) I decide on the pretty red and put it in my cart. Back toward the hammocks. I see light bulbs. I remember two light bulbs are out upstairs and I have no replacements. Look at ALL the light bulbs, then decide on compact florescent. Then debate on wattage. Finally decide and put a pkg in my cart. This is now very close to the hammocks. I'm in the hammock isle! I stand there for probably 20 minutes debating on whether I want rope or cloth. Eventually I decide cloth, put it on my cart and get a kid to help me with a stand.
I pay for the whole thing on my Lowe's card (12 months same as cash!), work feverishly to fit it all in my car, go home, set up the hammock, and lay in it for an hour looking at the sky. It's a beautiful thing. Maybe today, I'll use the mixer.
So, last night I decided I needed a hammock. I went to Bed Bath & Beyond. Didn't like the hammock material, so went to Lowes. While in Lowes, I suddenly had to go to the bathroom, so I went clear to the back of the store to the bathrooms, which is far away from the hammocks. On the way OUT of the bathroom, I saw the area rugs, which reminded me that the rug in my room won't stay put, so I put a "rug gripper" in my cart. Walking toward the hammocks, I see the plumbing isle, which reminds me I wanted to look for this aerator thing for my kitchen sink. Don't find it there, sales person tells me to check in a different isle. While walking down that isle I don't find the thing I want, but see some "Spot Shot" for carpet stains and pick that up. Back down the isle, into the main isle back toward Hammocks. I see the stand mixers, and my cart turns all by itself down that isle. I see the beautiful Kitchen Aid Stand Mixers. I think about how my Lowe's card has a special - 12 months same as cash - and after debating (not on whether I should get it, but on which COLOR to get) I decide on the pretty red and put it in my cart. Back toward the hammocks. I see light bulbs. I remember two light bulbs are out upstairs and I have no replacements. Look at ALL the light bulbs, then decide on compact florescent. Then debate on wattage. Finally decide and put a pkg in my cart. This is now very close to the hammocks. I'm in the hammock isle! I stand there for probably 20 minutes debating on whether I want rope or cloth. Eventually I decide cloth, put it on my cart and get a kid to help me with a stand.
I pay for the whole thing on my Lowe's card (12 months same as cash!), work feverishly to fit it all in my car, go home, set up the hammock, and lay in it for an hour looking at the sky. It's a beautiful thing. Maybe today, I'll use the mixer.
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