Cans stuck- Cane broke. "hehehe"

Good Morning All;
Been a while again, I know...
Nice picture, eh? But of course there is a story to it!
Getting ready to shower the other morning, I needed no more caffeine after opening the shower curtain. The guy on the right -->>>> was jumping across my tub as I reached to turn the water on.
Commence mouth and engage vocal sounds...
Took a while to regulate my breathing - even after Punk came running at my squeal and killed it for me.
But yes, I did get showered, finally.
Spiders, me no likey.
And no, that picture is not the one I had- He was flushed just as soon as I could bear to grab him through the paper towel. I found that picture on a Google search...

I was quite proud of myself yesterday. I didn't whine or beg or complain, but I did get my own trash and recycle dumpsters down the driveway all by myself. I also brought them back up last night; empty of course. It wasn't easy, and I am quite proud of myself.

I haven't mowed my lawn in a long time. ("Ah can't do it, Cap'n, Ah juss can't do it.")
I even tried again yesterday. One little swipe around the yard when, of a sudden, the Cub Cadet began smoking. (Perhaps it is at that age). hehehe
At any rate, I scurried my a$$ off that mower after shutting off both the blades, and the mower.
(Well hey, as much as I can "scurry" anyway).

After this mowing fiasco, I sprayed Raid on all my window sills, and screens. (Now my windows have to be cleaned too)! Hope I have enough vinegar.

I had called Sam, he will come mow for me with the big tractor. Then I called Jim, he will look at my abandoned mower - probably on Sunday. (It is in the backyard, out by the plum tree. I will leave it right there too).

Maybe I have tried enough. Maybe not. (I think I did). There were a few times that my back refused to allow me to even get on the darn rider- A few other times that I could barely move at all to even get outside. So naturally THOSE days are out.

I had wanted to get this all done before my Dr. appointment today. I go in again for 6 more shots to my back.
Casey will be taking me, she is yet sleeping upstairs.
Punk will be having a bath while we are in town. She is still sleeping too, (probably hoping that she never has to have a bath anywhere but here). But she is too big now to have her in the shower with me. Or perhaps I am too scared to even try any more; I'd probably break something else.

Punk went in last week for her annual shots, and her annual checkup too. Again, her "glands" had to be cleared out. Suffice to say she was not pleased. hehehe
She enters the vets office with all pomp and silliness. Gets weighed. Then waits ever so patiently. Once she spots Dr. Spires, that happy and well-behaved demeanor completely disappears, and she (tries most desperately to) head for the door.
At least she has finally learned not to try to "hide" under the chairs. (For some reason this position always left her even more vulnerable to his gloved hand)! hehehe

I had to go to the store the other day- Groceries and all. I use the little electric carts to get around, but have my cane with to make sure I can stand to reach stuff on the top shelf if need be.
So... I get to the canned soups section. I love the Chunky Clam Chowder, and it's too cheap to make me want to make my own little batch. The cans are in roller shelving, instead of sitting right on the flat shelf.  The Clam chowder cans were stuck. I used my cane to stick in the roller thing to free the stuck can. I tried to pull my cane out, and I almost didn't get it back out. The damn self feed shelving had eaten my cane. When I finally got it out, it was bent a bit, and minus the tip!!! I shall try to replace it today.
I sheepishly told the lady at the help counter. She laughed too.
Heck, those cans are probably STILL stuck! hehehe

I'd better close, fold my clothes; and get my backside in the shower.

Love to all.

XOXO
Me

LGBT

awwwwwwww  I tried twice now. My darned picture won't upload...


Good Afternoon All
I have been a true surfer online since about 4 this morning. My eyes are probably even crossed by now!

Yes. I mowed lawns. Friend Jim came yesterday to finish them- Problem is that they are so darned long that I will have to re~mow as soon as the cut stuff dries a bit... (Yes, this is what we farm girls call "hay"). hehehe

In my jogging around the internet, I read about New York legalizing gay marriage.
A great article. (And of course some not~so~bright replies).

As Mama used to say, "What a boring life would be if we were all the same."
Suffice to say her words are still accurate. She is still right.

CONGRATULATIONS NEW YORK, and to all whom this legislation may apply!
What a feat you have accomplished!
I can only hope that you are the sixth state of all of our 50.

Good grief.
Can anyone tell me why such a simple matter has to be 'legalized' to even begin with?!?!
When we start loving and respecting people for who they are, instead of whatever 'tag' we choose to feel the need to put on others, we will TRULY be far, far, ahead of the rest of the world.


XOXO
Me

Wet. Warmer too.

A little bit soggy...
... And yes, the fields 'were' planted-

I hope all is well with everybody in Multiply Land. hehehe Not too many blogs my dears...

It is no longer raining- I believe our skies finally settled down yesterday afternoon. 
Hopefully it remains this way with the sun trying its level best to peek out and warm us up.
Flood warnings and watches seem to be the danger of the day. Not like Minot though- Not even close.

Me?
Wish me luck... John, Brandy, and Miss Ashley stopped by last Monday- They put the belt on the lawnmower so I could mow. (Butthe rains kept coming)...

Even though I think my lawns are past mowing, I am going to try.  (I didn't get it done when I'd wanted to because I couldn't get under the mower back then).
A beautiful breeze should ensure that it's dry enough out there; though with the long grass, who knows?

Wish me luck-  Out I go...
Have a 'wunnaful' weekend!
Love to all.

XOXO
Me

Karma- (and The Gender of the Clot)!

Full Moon...

Good Evening All;
Just 2 short things...
First of all, the very good news.
They have FINALLY arrested the man responsible for Christine Staevens murder.  (CLICK for story).

Hopefully karma will be a bitch for him.
Some of you may remember that I lived across the damned driveway from this man for more than a few years. Now I can share all those awful stories with you, without worrying about my health, home, or longevity...  ?
* Also know if you click on the "murder" tag on my blogs you will see more of the whole story, and my relationship with these degenerates-


Finally, before I go to bed (and totally feel sorry for myself while I nurse my own damned raunchy head), I had an appointment today with the PM doc.
She made a few phone calls after seeing me and wrote me a referral to the hospital.
... Seems I should be worried about that blood clot in my leg?! Ya think?
I was to go there on the way home--- and for what?  For an ultrasound!
(I do not care if my clot is male or female for Pete's sake)! hehehe  And then I would wait around for them to give me yet another prescription for some more chemicals to put in my body? I don't think so!
I am tired of this all. So tired.
So I came home and broke the Cub Cadet. Yes, I tried mowing lawns (again) today- Took a few swipes, put the 'new' belt on twice, and then the damn motor died too. (To hell with it).  I left it right where it died. It can stay there forever for all I effin' care.

I took two aspirin.
... And will see you in the morning.    hehehe

Love to all

XOXO
Me

Splash!

 

The lilacs by the old shed...
Transplanted from Ginny Ryan's home...
...Who originally had gotten them from Mom!

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Good Morning All;
I have been up since three and could not get 'back' to sleep. Still, it is better than a week ago, so that is a good thing. . .
A little rough around the edges today, but really no worse for the wear.
I mowed lawn yesterday.

Punk helped.
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Here she is packing down the grass so I don't have to mow there.

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Then after I had mowed here,
she lay down so I would know I already cut that part.

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Good help is so hard to find these days.

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I had "human" help too.
& what timing when the phone rang!

It was Casey- said she was on her way out to "check on me".
At this point, I had just called down to Kelli's to see if Tim could come to help me get the belt back on right. I had mowed a bit, and up wafted this acrid burning smell that can only be a belt.
Looking it over, it had slipped off one of the front engine pulleys.
Casey beat Tim here, hehehe and between the two of us, we got it back on. I didn't want to pull the whole deck off if I didn't have to. A little elbow grease, me at the front and Casey manually turning the blades, and it popped back in. She quick called Tim and told him that he could go back to enjoying his day off.


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Speaking of Kelli... Here she is, showing off her new Packer shirt-
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She had dropped Mr. Miller off on Friday evening as she had some running to do and wanted to have him in the fresh air.
I thought it would be good exercise for the dogs (and myself) to walk to the woods once more. It was jacket weather- Not too cold, not too warm. Just perfect.

On the walk back, there was Mama Killdeer doing her "I'm wounded" act so we wouldn't go near her nest. (Killdeer do this to show a potential nest thief that 'she' is actually the easy target- A "come and get me" type thing), and makes a lot of noise to call attention to herself.
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They actually flop around acting like they are so very injured.
Fun to watch- She followed us almost the whole way.
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Punk and Miller got to the woods before I did. They would both turn around as if to say "hurry up already"
Slow but sure... And since I have Casey's cane it is almost easy to go into the woods after them.
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I think they were deciding whether or not to go down to the river!

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Down they went, with only seconds before I heard the "SPLASH".
Miller was more cautious than Punk- Kid that she is, she will jump in without a care about how steep the bank is and how she will get back out.
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Mr Miller walked until he found a place to get in.
Punk, trying to rid her fur of any trace of her last bath,
(in the river of course).

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I did not go down, knowing it would have half killed me to come back up. hehehe Those ravines are steep!

After a while the "kids" came back up, tired and wet. Miller had only gone in deep as his belly, Punk was completely soaked, save for the last 12" of her tail. (How she did that is a mystery to me)!?!?
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They both sat for a while, catching their breath from the climb up.

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Punk even gave Miller a kiss when he got back up the hill!
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Miller even wanted his belly rubbed!
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Sorry Big Boy, that is not gonna happen.
He was caked with mud!

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Punk had done something to her leg/paw on the way home-
Kelli checked it for me.
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Punk must have twisted it or something, but she's OK now

What a "show off" Kelli is ~bending over and everything!

(And Mr. Miller ~still waiting for that belly rub)...

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~still waiting...
Notice the bottom half of Punks tail. Dry!

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Time to get my day started-
I have much to do. Casey and Greg will be coming out later, with Master Gabriel as well. it will do my heart good to see them all here!
I have already elected Greg to stay near Gabriel- (He's the only one that can pick him up if he falls down). Gabriel, not Greg. hehehe

Hope you are all having a grand weekend, and that your weather cooperates too!
Be safe. There's a lot of fools out there just waiting to rain on your parade. (In more ways than one).

Love to all.

XOXO
Me

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Posted to Y! 360, Sunday May 24, 2009 - 07:27am (CDT)

Sighs of Gratitude.

 

Home.
From back by the woods.
Picture taken 5/14/09 when Casey and I drove back there.

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Good Morning All;
Waking up today is my first sigh of gratitude. hehehe
I think I have a little bitty blood clot in my right leg, in the calf. Mom would get these too, they would go away on their own. Never the less, when I'd noticed the size difference, I did take 2 aspirin before I went to bed.

I suspect many of you will be off and celebrating in various ways this weekend. Please take care, and be safe always. (For the rest of us with no immediate plans to go anywhere, we'll just have a little bit of fun on here)!

When I went outside yesterday morning, I saw this little girl back by the woods by the six acres. I apologize for it being out of focus- I just couldn't get it right.
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I had hoped that maybe a fawn or two might have followed but no such luck.

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I might have done a few things that made me cuss (and sigh) a few times yesterday.

First came scrubbing my tub...
While I can handle a bit of rust and mag build up, there comes a time that this all bothers me too... So I sprayed it out and tried to scrub it.
Fearing quickly that I would be found dead, fully clothed and with my face in my wet tub, I decided to do it the lazy ladys way.
I swished it with toilet bowl cleaner.
It is clean and sanitary now. Just a few specks of rust leftover. No big deal that. And yes, it works beautifully in a pinch!
BUT... Know too, that I have an old cast iron tub- Not sure you can use that stuff on the new tubs- (I wouldn't try it).
Oh yeah, I scrubbed the toilet too. hehehe

I still have to replace the caulking in the bathroom. It isn't leaking or anything, only dirty looking. That will keep for a time yet.
I know, "Put up and shut up. Anne."

I tried my hand at mowing the lawn. First to inflate the front tire that always loses air pressure if I am not on it every (other) day or so. I was very happy that I had bought that air compressor a few months back. Still, I had to get down on all fours to do this too. But it got done, so the end justifies the means. It also justifies the cuss~words (and the final sigh of gratitude that I didn't die doing this either).

Then to fill the gas tank.
Thinking (positively) ahead last weekend, I had sent Casey and Jenny Mella to the gas station to fill the 5~gallon gas jug. Too bad I didn't have them fill the tank on the rider as well. But hey, I got that done too!
Stand still, take a deep breath, bend, lift, and pour. (I didn't know I could hold my breath that long either).
I was impressed.
(Probably quite blue in the face, but impressed none~the~less).

Know too that all the while, Punk did not leave my side. Sweet sweet dog...

I still had to crawl onto the rider. yikes. Picture that if you will...
(Nah, don't). hehehe
Darn fine thing I don't weigh more than I do because I believe I would have yanked the steering wheel off the darn machine as I held my breath and threw myself over the seat.
Pushing the "st00pid" clutch in was a nasty experience in and of itself. (Yeah, I'd held my breath again)...
Exhale. Just to be able to throw in another sigh of gratitude as that little motor quickly came to life.
Not so for the blades as I flipped the switch for them. They squeaked and whined before they engaged. Having had traumatic experiences in the past of needing to change out the bearings for a mower deck and losing DNA doing so, I thought I had better grease it up good.
I saw my cousin scooting back by the woods, taking the grandkids for rides on their 4~wheeler... And drove up to their place knowing there is no way I can get my shed door up right now to even get to my grease gun.
Wimp that I am, he even greased the deck for me. Thank you Jim.

By this time, the clouds had begun rolling in, just no rain yet. I mowed what my back would allow.

It rained almost all afternoon- Just enough, on and off, to get everything watered, and wet. But we need it so I won't complain.
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Yes, I already know that my lawn looks very sh*tty.
Know that I will never again wonder why some peoples lawns look like this either.

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Know that I took these pictures as dusk was coming on full force.
I shall try to do a bit more mowing today, as I really suffered less than I'd expected later in the day.

Crazy from being so grounded of late, Punk and I decided to take a walk. To the woods.
I MADE IT! (Again I remain impressed by that success as well).
My own priorities being what they are I didn't care if I died out there! hehehe

Punk took her little squeak ball.   ...I took Casey's cane.

We got way back by the woods before we heard this thundering through the woods- As it was getting quite dark at that point, it was hard to see what was making those noises.

• Something running. (And fast).
  
• Twigs breaking.
• Sticks crunching.

Growling and pointing, and with saintly patience, Punk wanted to 'get it' -yet she remained by me.

I do not know what made those noises. Maybe it was a turkey, (and maybe I am glad I don't know). But we headed back home.
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We stopped by the east side of the garden.
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The lilacs pilfered from Kelli's last year are beginning to bloom!
And smell SO wonderful!

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I could have been blind as we rounded the NW corner of the house, and I would have known exactly where I was.
See, even more pleasing to my little nose is the scent of the orange blossoms- Also just now beginning to open.
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Wish I could hold my breath, and hold that scent forever!

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Casey's tulips still trying to look impressive, and covered yet by the raindrops that had fallen.
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And then to see that I had dug up one of the chive plants for transplanting, and not finished cleaning out that spot.

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Part of that plant was transplanted
over to Casey and Greg's a few weeks ago already.
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So that was my Thursday- I have much catching up to do on your own blogs, and will try to do so after I get out and walk a bit more.

Love to all.
Be safe this weekend. And do include a few sighs of gratitude of your own for our military, past and present.

XOXO
Me

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Posted to my Y! 360, Friday May 22, 2009 - 09:24am (CDT)

Halloween and Sunshine!

 

I will post more Halloween pictures in my private album later...

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Good November Afternoon!
Chilly today; compared to yesterdays more mild temps in the 60's.
And I tried to make the very most of it.
I did get Kelli's lawn cut, (after literally HOURS of waiting for my anxiety levels to go down sufficiently enough just to get some gas for the Cub Cadet).
What nasty things these are...
Almost suffocating; and most assuredly stifling...
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So; by the time I could go, I felt compelled to get dressed for the day too.
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And down the road I went on that little rider mower.
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Happy to say that no one drove in the ditch;
although their horns honked very well.
hehehe.

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When I got to Kelli's,
the first thing that greets me is this guy...

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Black cats are simply awesome!
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I thought the horses might be afraid of my costume...

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But neigh, they were not afraid,
only nosy...
hehehe

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They watched for a while, up by the gate to see if maybe I would throw some extra treats their way. That didn't happen, so they mosied on back to graze some more.
(I won't mention that their leaving directly and immediately coincided with my belting out the final na~nahs of "Me and Bobby McGee").

♫... na na nah, na na na nah; na na na na na na nah... ♫

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Oh well!
And time to head home; ~~for the year!

I still have lawn to cut here, but at 48 degrees and breezy, it will keep for a while.
I hate being cold. And no, I will not cut lawn all bundled up.

On 2nd thought, maybe I will do just that... (Gotta get my sunshine)!

Besides, it won't keep 'til we get back from Caseys appointment at the University of Minnesota.

Love to all.
Have a 'wunnaful' ~and sunshiney~ weekend!

XOXO
Anne

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Originally posted to my Y! 360, Saturday November 1, 2008 - 11:59am (CDT)

Turtle Soup

I am not sure how this old entry ended up as a draft, but am off to try to find out.

Tuesday June 20, 2006 - 09:09am (CDT)

Good Morning to All!
   Another "beautimous" day ahead- Like yesterday... and before the hot and muggies return... Enjoy. I shall enjoy it as much as I did yesterday.
   Zoe and Valerie stopped out after work; as did Jenne and Isaiah a bit later- The photo above is of Isaiah under the old crabapple tree... 
It felt uncommonly good to even sit with Zoe by the old barngrade while Valerie tried to learn how to 'serve' with her new ball. A nice break for me, (and no, sitting on the darned mower all day does NOT count)!
   One person emailed me and asked me about my usage of the word "Orwellian" It is from George Orwell's Book, 1984. In it he wrote about 'big brother' always watching you- every little thing you do. Personally, I thinkthat book only made everyone a bit more paranoid in my Mass Media Class- (as if the early 70's didn't already inspire us all to be paranoids!). So much of that book has come to light already- Not by 1984, but by now anyway- Cameras on everything. And no trust. I compared what Suamico has done with the garbage shituation to all of that is all.
Here is a link for you to read a better definition of the term... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Orwellian

I got outside about quarter til 9 yesterday morning, and didn't quit until it was almost 8 last night- An 11 hour day for me- What do you think of that? But I got a ton of work done too- True to form, Waste Management came and picked up my stuff. I know the driver from when we were growing up.And such a nice guy- His dad and mine were real good friends; of course both of them are gone now. And both from abdominal aortic aneurysms. He told me his brother passed away last year- of Lou Gehrigs Disease. Sad that, an that he was gone in a very short while after his diagnosis. Hard on a family to lose even one of the brothers and sisters- Brings with it a real true reckoning of our own mortality when it is our own generation.
   His mom is still feisty as ever -Happy to hear that! The lady smokes a carton and a half of cigarettes every week, and is healthy as a horse! Hats off to her!
   I think when you get to be a certain age, you have earned the right to do as you please- If you want to go drink whiskey and dance naked on a bar or a table with only a lampshade on your head, that is your right!
   I even learned a few things yesterday too. First off please remember that I have lost some weight since last year- (No I haven't been trying, it has just happened)... So my clothes fit a little loose on me. Also remember I have a bit of arthritis in my back and bending hurts sometimes.
   Anyway, the most important lesson I learned is the fact that when you are sitting rider  22hp engine. I had to go over almost everything twice- and what a gas guzzler too! They had brought it to me so completely plugged up with ground/grass clippings that I had to clean the deck (off and out) before I even started to cut. But anyway, the yards/grounds look a heck of a lot better than they did yesterday morning, so I really shouldn't be complaining.
   I also cut back by the old campsite in the woods- Saw an old snapping turtle too. (He is very lucky that I even saw him in the first place or I would have had soup for supper)... There are a few nettles growing back there- (aka "Itchweed")... I have some stuff to spray them with, but will call Greg just to ask him if he wants me to. And a few baby trees I would like to transplant up here as well. I shall also call one of my ex neighbors from when we lived NE of Pulaski- He has a bunch of Ironwood trees back in the corral- maybe he will allow me to dig up a few of the smaller ones... They grow so very straight and tall- So pretty!
   When I came inside to get a glass of water, I noticed a message flashing on the answering amchine- The furniture store- Caseys new bed is in... YAY!!! (Took long enough... I honestly had forgotten about it).  I called her then telling her to grab some paint for her room- She went to Home Depot, and picked out paints for the walls and for the trims. I haven't seen the colors yet, but she said it will go very well with her new carpeting from last year.
   Heck, I'd better close for today and get a bit busy here- Tons of "shtuff" to get done today again. I came in last night because I was so dog-tired- Honestly, I could still be out there pulling weeds! Have a wheelbarrow full of them already!
You have a great day-- And as always, one for me too!

XOXO
Anne

Tuesday June 20, 2006 - 09:09am (CDT)

Dirty. Dirty. DIRTY!

Originally posted to my 360 blog, Saturday June 17, 2006 - 07:39am (CDT)

Dirty. Dirty. DIRTY!

 

Good Morning to All;

   The photograph shows exactly what happens when the temperature reaches 93 degrees in the shade, and Punkin goes for a swim in the pool. It is of course what happens AFTER all of that... when she then decides she would like to play and roll in the old flower bed!   (And still another polish bath to be had before we got to go to bed for the evening)!

   West  Side Power came to relieve me of my brand new lawn tractor.    I had checked the gas, (thankfully), before I had fired it up, and there was crap in the tank???  Looked like cardboard to me, and when Jim looked at it he said it appeared to be oil- I called them, and they brought me an older riding mower to use while they figure out exactly what is in there, and get it all cleaned out. (Oh well, with the unit they brought me, at least I can cut the lawns).  I sure won't enjoy that too much today as the temps will be near to 90+ once more.  One extreme or the other- Just like last summer... I do hate the heat along with the humidity.   And the storms that this weather brings...

    We had a scare with Amos-Kitty too. On Thursday morning he laid on the basement stairway, and tried to catch his breath for ever so long- He has had many episodes like this, and I always put off calling the vet- putting off the inevitable and all.  But seeing him like that, I just couldn't stand it anymore. I called the vet, and made an appointment to see what he thought.  As it turns out, the vet did an x-ray because listening to Amos' lungs sounding SO bad- and in all 4 quadrants of them too-  The xray came back negative for anything real disastrous- Amos is now being treated simply for asthma.  I just give him a little pill morning and night.  Dr. Spires also suggested that is why he doesn't eat or drink much, has been losing so much weight, and goes and hides in the basement.     The prednisone (steroid) will make him hungry(er) and thirsty (er), and maybe put a few of those pounds back on the old kitty!  I am so happy they didn't want to put him down. While we are never ready to do something like that, I think euthanizing him when his time comes is far better for him than letting him just waste away too...

   Yes, I did go in for a shot thursday afternoon... and yes I felt much better yesterday already- (Especially after the almost 15 hours of sleep I had gotten)!  I fell asleep shortly after I had eaten my sandwich that night- after I had gotten the shot... (It always knocks me out).  But I sure didn't mean to be leaving Miss Milly and SaraBelle out, (on their tie-outs), and that I also let Miss Punk have the run of the back entrance. Oops. Casey put everybody where they belonged then when she got back from Jamies volleyball game. 

   I'd better close for now- maybe go vacuum out the basement, as the vet said that the dust will aggravate Amos' asthma. It is the least I can do for him. I don't have much carpeting around the house to hold the dust, (and Lord knows I still get down on my knees often enough to get rid of the dirt on the floors). Hope this helps him out a bit.

   Have a grand weekend!

XOXO
Anna-Anna

Saturday June 17, 2006 - 07:39am (CDT)

I Killed it. I Broke it...

So already this morning I have done a bit of mowing, pulled a few weeds, and done a bit of tilling....

Since it is not yet even 80 degrees, I would have done even MORE of that tilling; ...except for this.....

One VERY Dead Simplicity Tractor/Tiller...

....Do you suppose if I just leave it there that it could somehow be made invisible to the naked eye???

...Just a thought...

XOXO
Anne

PS Now would somebody PLEASE send me a very good looking, hard working, very available capable DENTIST? (Attributes do not have to be in that order of importance)...

...See, I broke one of those teeth things too...

Dang! What a day already!

I sure hope yours is much MUCH better!

.COUNTER: 000000000000000000000001

hehehe

Batten The Hatches!

Good Morning Everyone!

It is snowing a little bit, (and much less than I had expected to see too).

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just a little bit of snow on one of the dogs toys...

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As I was checking on the weather, this has just been brought to my attention from my Stormcenter 2 Personal Forecast page...

"THE WINTER STORM WATCH IS NO LONGER IN EFFECT."

And I was SO very intrigued by that! YAY! They must have changed their minds again!

...Coming back inside about an hour ago, (after taking "The~Whinebag~Mildred~Dog" back out to her kennel), my NOAA Weather Radio had been blasting to the high heavens... And scaring the dickens out of Miss Punk I might add, (who HAD been fast asleep on the couch when I had gone outside moments earlier)...

But after that split~second of relief, the Stormcenter then added the following statement... In effect now is a WINTER STORM WARNING... SNOW WILL TAPER OFF EARLY THIS MORNING...WITH ADDITIONAL ACCUMULATIONS OF AN INCH EXPECTED. LOOK FOR A BREAK IN THE SNOWFALL FOR THE REMAINDER OF TODAY WITH HEAVY SNOW AND GUSTY EAST WINDS OF 15 TO 30 MPH EXPECTED TO DEVELOP LATER THIS EVENING. THE STRONG EAST WINDS WILL CAUSE SIGNIFICANT BLOWING AND DRIFTING OF SNOW...WITH NEAR BLIZZARD CONDITIONS LATE TONIGHT AND EARLY SUNDAY MORNING. TOTAL SNOWFALL OF 8 TO 12 INCHES IS EXPECTED BY SUNDAY EVENING.

A WINTER STORM WARNING MEANS SIGNIFICANT AMOUNTS OF SNOW ARE EXPECTED OR OCCURRING. STRONG WINDS ARE ALSO POSSIBLE. THIS WILL MAKE TRAVEL VERY HAZARDOUS OR IMPOSSIBLE."

Well, ain't that just hunky-dory???!!!

And I did finally get the chains for my Cub Cadet... (the box was MINUS the linkie~thingies though).

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Berta, dealing with "The Missing Link!" hehehe

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And so, we had gotten them on, and at least TRIED to secure them... Then to take it for a 'test drive'...

...Pretty darned comical, that. (I hadn't even gotten OUT of the old garage by the time those chains came off)! We did get a good laugh out of it though... We were frozen already for the Pete Sakes, (and to have cried over it would have only freeze~dried any tears to our faces)...

So we tried a different way, but then neither of us had the strength in our hands to tighten it right. Derek and Casey had come to visit later, and had gone out to take a look. (I was already asleep; having gotten up a little after midnight yesterday). A note on the table when I awoke said if it didn't work just to call over to Dereks and that he has some stuff that will make them work fine.

(Thank you Derek)!

It is still a bit upsetting because all the pieces SHOULD HAVE been there in the first place... Those chains were NOT cheap~ probably because they came from the Peerless Chain Company. (Gee, does that mean that nothing is too expensive for my little Cub Cadet)! hehehe Hey, it's a Princess Snowplow!

Anyway, I DO love to awaken to those notes! (And yes, I can appreciate them even now when I am so b**chy). I awoke with a nasty head once more, but it seems to be a bit better right now... (knock on wood please)... As you well know, I do not even like me like this...

So, it was perfect also to wake up to a note from one of my 'sales' in one of my groups. I have had some siding laying around here. And had put it up for sale last month. I listed it as "For Sale" and included "Best Offer". I had also noted that whomever wanted it that they should come with a trailer to accomodate all of the long pieces. Long story short, the guy that ultimately wanted it, came without a trailer, filled up the back of his truck with some of the shorter pieces, said he would be back in the next few days, and off he went. (This was well over a month ago). I have tried repeatedly to contact him, to no avail and no reply; and so I simply listed it over again. (I also added that "For Sale" and "Best Offer" deos not mean FREE)! hehehe... Even a plug wooden nickel would have helped out a bit, ya know?

But in relisting it, the rat has come out of his hole, and has taken offense to what I had written... (Too bad, so sad)... He had emailed me last month, saying that HE thought it was free, (and honestly kids, if I am going to argue about it, then THAT would make me pretty pathetic, so I told him it was no big deal). He repeated that he would be here "in the next few days" then to get the rest, that he needed to borrow a trailer. (I am thinking that none of his friends trust him anymore either to even borrow him a trailer)... So after my latest listing, this rat reappears, and then dares to take offense?

Win some; lose some... (In all reality, I could care whether he ever sends me that wooden nickel or not, because I do not have to look at his face in the mirror every morning). I've got my own to worry about.

(And now it is official, my own "Whine~Session" has now come to an end)...

Besides, I am thinking that it is much MORE important for me to ignore that mirror and to keep an eye 'outside' for the next few days. (I swear that I am cold to my bones just thinking about it). Time for soup and many, many crackers! ...And time to crank up the heat a notch or two, and to make sure that everyone I know and love is safe and secure throughout.

We will have enough time too, to be making a few necessary potholders, (if you were wondering what the picture at the top is all about)!

I also have to get tons of rummage stuff into the house and get everything marked and tagged. So, yes, we WILL have enough to keep us busy for quite a while!

Stay warm, and have a "wunnaful" weekend, whereever you might be!

XOXO
Anne

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Things NOT to do when you are out-of-doors!?!?

Things NOT to do when you are out-of-doors!?!?

Such a w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l day it was... (and it is really, really friggin' scary to think that it is not even over with yet)!

ANSWER: What are thunderstorms and fires?
QUESTION? Name two things that leave me completely unsettled, unnerved and disquieted...

A nice storm last night;- if ever any storms can be called 'nice' in the first place. But good timing as I had planted a zillion flower seeds yesterday. Besides, storms at night seem to bring in the next morning quiet and calm. As was the case this morning--- Out early to let the puppies out- a quick pee/poo for them, and back inside they went back to sleep. Thinking I could do this fast, I let them out before I had gotten dressed- No biggie, or so I thought... until a car went by and beeped their horn at me. DO NOT go out to 'pee-poo' puppies while you still have your jammies on- You WILL get caught!

Back inside, humiliated, CaseyAnne had come down about 8, having terrible pain once again- She took two pain pills and went back upstairs to sleep. I try not to disturb these few hours of being pain-free for her, so outside I went. (Yes, I got dressed first)!   With the ground and the lawns still wet from last night, my shoes were soaked even before I could let the pups out- And the dogs were soaked very completely by the time they returned to the kennel- (Milly's problem; not mine)!

Keeping in mind my fear of fire, but seeing how very calm the breeze was, I thought it would be a perfect day to get my pile of wood and yard wastes burned.... Of course, given the fact that it had stormed, the pile was quite uncooperative at first... (Damp thing)... I think I may have used every single newspaper in the house to get it going- DO NOT try to burn wet piles of branches if you want to get it over and done with in the same day!

I tried to cut up a few of the larger branches and such to make them more burnable. (10 hours later, it is still going)... A good thing- but have been babysitting my little fire all day- In the meantime, remembering the raspberry branches, I went to go get them... No gloves- (8 hours later, the slivers from those briars are STILL in this lions paw)... DO NOT pick up old raspberry branches without gloves on).

My pile started out about 10 X 8 X 5- maybe bigger? It had burnt down significantly by about 12:30- Thinking it would behoove me to trim the grasses where this pile had been for months, I hopped on the mower. Trimming too closely to a hot spot, and having no shield on my deck; I found out that embers (arrogantly, maliciously and embarrassingly) can really burn your butt, (along with many other necessary anatomical parts)- I also learned that my little rider cannot outrun embers flying around at the speed of light! (All these hours later, I am still embarassed)! DO NOT trim the nearby grasses while the fire still burns!

Filling the mower with gas, I decided to get the west yard cut- I think my neighbors usually have a Memorial Day party, and I so wanted it to be looking nice as their friends and family traveled down their driveway... I cut the little orchard too, west of the barngrade. Almost finished mowing, the mower shuts down on me. Just shuts itself off- no warning- and absolutely NO further cooperation from it either. I looked down, watching, as my blades slowly quit turning...

Being not as ignorant as most, I do know enough to check the gas- Aha, there was still more than half a tank- So I sit, turn the key, and try to restart... It only winds real good- like it is not getting any gas, or spark... As I look at the uncut strip on the lawn, I feel overcome by the need to cuss- (Which I had no problem doing- loudly even). Giving up, and getting down from the mower, I then feel overcome by the need to kick the tires... DO NOT kick tires, or anything else for that matter, while you are barefoot.

I suppose I will be changing the spark plug, buying a new shield- and putting new blades on too- (For some odd, strange reason, they do not mulch rocks no matter how big, or small those rocks may be)... DO NOT trim too close to trees that have roots growing out of the ground. DO NOT mow mulch around these same trees, as the mulch may contain little rocks, and other projectiles that fly up and shoot at various exposed body parts.

Oh yeah, and DO NOT push a rider over gravel and back to the garage while you are barefoot- Obtaining traction hurts.

Hope you all have a safe weekend...  At this rate, I'll probably be in a coma by the time it's over!

   Just kidding...   

   ...er- I hope...    

Anne

PS No, I am NOT blonde......... I just have days that I can develop a certain sense of compassion for all of you who are the brunt of blonde jokes...

Originally posted to my Y!360, Thursday May 25, 2006 - 06:52pm (CDT)