Re-Paid and Laid-Back!

Top O' The Morning to all!

The picture is my payment for all those silly hours messing with Casey's laptop!  (Kind of makes it all worthwhile then, wouldn't you agree)?!? 

So, I see you want to know what I did to fix the blasted thing??? 

In all honesty I would have shared that with you ...if only I really knew...  (I know what I didn't start with though- and that is I had no idea how I was going to even get through all of the testing)-   You have to be real fast in order to even catch the F12 on that first page as it is trying to start up windows-   Call me 'Speedy Gonzales'...       After so darned many hours of running through all those tests,  I then did everything that you all had suggested- (and thank you for those)!    I believe, that coupled with your suggestions, and many prayers, (and yes, even a few cuss words),  it all paid off in the end!  I held my breath as she checked into it- all of her files were there; and all of her pictures too! YAY!

She came out then yesterday afternoon- and her car was followed within seconds by Jenne and Isaiah too!  (I just love it when they're all here... or even any ONE of them too)!

And so does Miss Punk...  Getting real excited even when the cars pull in (that is, if she recognizes the cars)...  although she did try to take out the delivery man from Townline Sports Pub!    ...But that's a whole 'nother blog!

Punkie kisses Isaiah all over, and over again- and he says "OW!" ...and then giggles, because of course it doesn't really hurt.  Such a funny little man we have!   I think she really loves kissing him because he is almost two- and given that, he always has yummy leftovers on various parts of his unclothed and exposed anatomy!   The fingers, the face and the neck- (and if he is really sloppy, it is then that he might even get a stain licked right off his jeans or his shirt)!  

After the kisses, Punk thought once more that her single most important duty in this world is to be a lapdog; taking a running jump to 'F~L~Y ' through the air and land on Jenne's empty lap!   

ALL 75 pounds of her...

Isaiah, seeing that someone else was on Mammas lap was more than a bit concerned, and also had to find a spot for himself!

 

 

It was hysterical to watch...   "Jay-Jay-saiah" was so very good yesterday, many kisses for his grandmother too! (Oh, the JJ part? Stands for "Jenne Junior" of course)!

They didn't get here early enough to join us in our daily walk to the woods... but those dogs had more than a ton of fun back there. Punkie still thinks that all leaves are toys, and are hers alone; and that the remaining corn stubs are also there for her entertainment.  Remember that this pup always helps me pull weeds, (she really DOES); and seeing all this stubble in the cornfield she proceeded to try to pull out the stubby stalks.  (That, or she was using it as 'doggie-floss')!  Either way it was fun to watch.  A rabbit threatened to have me lose Miss Milly, but after a little squeak on her special ball she came right back to me.    Milly went down by the river, and Punk was having nothing to do with navigating that cliff... 

 

 

 

Not much other news...  More laid back this morning than anything else- at least until I start on the brunch!

I have checked out my eBay junk, and I am so sad   to report that I will not be made rich from all this stuff I have on here...   But at least I shall be bringing it to the trash tomorrow and cleaning my back room out that way- (that is, only until I go back up to the attic and start digging around again)!  We shall see...   (Go ahead, make my day)!!!

Time for me to close and don my lucky Packer sweatshirt once again!

Before I do, I do want to ask you this...

Are you sick and tired of looking at pictures of my life and times?    

Are you tired of hearing me endlessly prattle on about unimportant things?  

(As most of you know,  I do have an opinion on just about anything in this world)... 

... That written,  I am going to go out real far on my proverbial limb- and must ask everyone, what do you think I should write about tomorrow???

You got questions???  I've got answers!!! 

You got topics, I've got opinions on those too!  

(You like teal?  I don't).

In the meanwhile, have a 'wunnaful' and warm Sunday!

...And may all your favorite football teams win today... (Unless you are rooting for the Buffalo Bills)!   hehehe...

XOXO

Anne

I AM the "Alpha Dog" ...

Good Morning Family, Friends and Lurkers... You will be much relieved to know that I have readjusted my "pity-pot" attitude and feel much better this morning!  (Colder, but better)...

KC's laptop is up and running!!!  Say YAY!!!  

After driving all the way to Appleton yesterday, she found out that The DELL Store does NOT repair what they sell, (and there are NO geeks around that are authorized to do so)...   So, after another long night of me being ready to throw her laptop in the river, it is up and running... And I also believe she has all of her files, pictures and settings! Not my business, and I am not going through it...  I have already called her cell; having to leave a message because it is shut off at that ungodly hour in the morning- But this kind of news makes me want to load Punkie in the car and drive over there and share!  (Yes I am tooting my own horn, but I am proud of myself too)!  And MORE than a little overjoyed, (and confounded), that my little efforts have paid off!

Another noteworthy problem, being my darned Rendezvous... Casey drove the rental down to Appleton yesterday, and picked the Buick up... (and cautiously drove it home too).  She parked it on the apron of the garage... and it is still there....  

Hmmmm...   

...I'm not even so sure that I want to bring it into the garage...

How would I go about that anyway if it again malfunctions?  Do I put it in drive and then back up into the garage, or do I put it in reverse (and then back up into the garage)???  Guess the worst of the problem is that I only have one garage door.   SO,  if I do back it up into the garage, just how the hell do I get it out if I have all these 'reverses' on my PRNODL123???    hehehe... ???   ...or not...

So they have told me that there is nothing wrong with it- (a point I shall try not to debate until it either happens again, OR is in my obituary)...  They say I should just trust the possessed car?   Ok.  I will.  ...(but ONLY with a certain solid trepidation).

Miss Milly, Miss Punk, and myself took our daily walk back to the woods yesterday afternoon. I do love the longer earlier shadows of the trees now that daylight savings time has ended...  A bit of a breeze, and two dogs that are doing their level best to not get along. To not jinx it all,  I hesitate to even say that Miss Milly is being very intolerant of Punk at this point. Her "wrestling" has turned a bit too mean for my taste, and for Miss Punks as well...  Punk is having quite a time getting away from her own mother when that happens...  I shall keep a very close eye on the situation and hope that Miss Milly will once again be a little more gentle with her dog.  And I know dogs will be dogs- but the fact is that I had to separate them twice now as Millys jaws were almost unrelenting on Punkies neck. 

I AM THE ALPHA DOG!   ...(And a darned good thing it is for me, that for some reason, they both still believe that)!

I received a phone call from Miss Kara last night- (She is one of the people that have adopted a pup from this litter).  Her "Lily" is going through all of the things that Punkie is, develop'mental'ly speaking.  But Lily has an outbreak of some sort- I do not know if it is allergies or even a yeast infection. Disease and infestations have been ruled out by her vet- but yesterday to have had her pup break out- open sores on her feet and back, reminds me of when Mary was going through her weekly chemo treatments...  I wonder many things about Karas pup... If it is a reaction to anything in her home, why would it take until now to manifest itself?  Or perhaps the lawn maintenance has changed their treatments of the lawns surrounding the apartments she lives in... I am at a loss to help her out...    Any suggestions???

The picture above?  I have it hanging in the bathroom- a reminder of how life can be...   and a "Good Morning" greeting for myself every day!  (Punk cannot yet talk to greet me herself... Bless her heart though, Lord only knows, she tries)!!! 

 

Have a grand weekend!!!

 

XOXO

Anne

 

(Look out Casey, here we come)!!!!

 

FAILURE! ...NeedaGeek...

I've seen better days...   And quite frankly, so has Casey! (The picture above indicative of what she would like to be doing to her computer)...

In my own humble opinion, her laptop is ready to be shot... 

So,  in an attempt to keep me from doing so, she will be bringing it down to Appleton today...  I have run every test known to mankind on the freakin' thing, to no avail... But I have isolated two error codes that may/may not be her problem- (or may just be the beginning of the diagnosis for her)... She has a Dell Laptop, and the two error codes are OFOO:0244, and OFOO:1344- oops, make that three- there is also an OOFO:1A44...  

 

 

 

She was attempting to read her blog comments yesterday, and to even write a blog- and to also try to set up her classes for January. (She has so little time to do all this)...  In the meantime, a friend had called, and the call had knocked KC's computer offline... After this, it never did start up again... (wtf?)...   Oh well,  I tried to save her a dollar or two...   My friend Kelli said that her geek friend doesn't work there anymore, so off to the Dell Store in Appleton she goes...

 

 

She had dropped the computer off here before going to work.  She was so very excited to finally be back at work and all- (Even though she could have returned 2 weeks ago with her Dr.s blessings, the gal that manages Suamico Citgo said she didn't want to take a chance on having Casey have a relapse or something)...      ...And so,  Casey patiently had waited out the entire month of October, listening to her "Dr." Manager)...   

SO anyway, back to work, finally, for CaseyAnne!    YAY!!!    When she got there, the manager told her that she was "letting her go because 'things were not working out'" ...

 ?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?!?

Casey returned here in quite a panic, and so full of tears too.... All the real important things to her,  lost to her within the last few weeks, (including part of her damned lung)!   How much can a kid take anyway?  (And this is WAY past 'things that make one stronger' so please do not even go there with either of us)...    Kind of a frustrating way for her to be quickly approaching her 2nd decade of life...   She'll be 20 in January.

About that job now, she has filled in on the schedule countless times- she has worked many, many times to help everyone out.  NONE of her customers EVER had a problem with her either. She has had NO complaints of any kind- She is always smiling and cheerful.  She has worked through this latest pneumothorax, (an entire shift)! She has worked through much of her other pain as well.  (AND she levelled with this gal during her interview too, about all of her medical problems and all)...   Oh, I am so upset with this wench for doing this to her... For making her wait to return, through the whole month, (while KC could have been looking for something better)- and then telling her to go home?!?!?!?  After just having given her a substantial raise???

Wow-  Much less than a 'class act', wouldn't you agree?   I just feel so damned bad for Casey...  Her rent was due...  How nasty... I will help, but she hasn't asked... yet...

Now, in response to my defective, possessed vehicle...  (I DO believe now that this Buick Rendezvous will be the death of me)... I have just spoken to the service guy from Gustmans- HE says there is nothing wrong with my car!  A wrong comment to make, but certainly NO big surprise there... 

I have already been told there is no way this could have happened either...  Cars simply do not go reverse when they are in drive... 

(Duh, well--   They're not supposed to anyway)...  

He said they put it on the little handheld computer thingamabob and there was nothing wrong- That they did a physical inspection of the transmission linkages, (is this even possible to do without taking anything apart)?, and they 'saw' nothing wrong with that either....   He also told me, when pressed that  they have done nothing to it.  Great!   I am having as good of luck with this car as I had with my brand new cub cadet.

150 thumbs DOWN to both of these things...

My last 3 vehicles have been buicks, and I never had a problem with ANY of these cars.  I actually have driven them into the ground so to speak, (and even $old them afterwards)...   Built like tanks and ready to give their own lives before they will ever take yours...  One was a 1986 Buick Electra Estate Wagon (and on a comfort level alone,I could have put those 200,000+ miles on it all at once and never suffered any back pain)...  The other was a Roadmaster. It currently has 230,000+ miles on it and still runs beautifully...   So what the heck is up with this unsafe Buick Rendezvous???

I have ranted long enough here... My apologies for that.

Nasty.   Two days in a row that literally and figuratively knock the wind out of a person... (Hey, I had a husband like that too, but that's a whole 'nother blog)!

Hope your days are going much much better in your own little corner of the world!!!! 



XOXO

Anne

 

I shall promise to try to return tomorrow in a better frame of mind!

(and if by some chance I do not ever return, please make sure that it will be in my obituary that my car killed me)!

hehehe ?

"Unca BoBBie" Speaks!

All this, and after I told him it wasn't MY Fault!!!

Here is part of a note I had in my inbox this morning-

Lordy he has been so busy (HVAC), with service calls that he hasn't written in more than a few days...  (And I don't mind telling you I was getting a little worried)...

His subject line:  "I don't have enough adjectives to describe you"... 

Uh oh...    (So then I worried just a little bit more)-    

 

Here's the note...

Good Morning Anne;

     What can I say to you that doesn't bring tears to my eyes---You don't know just how much I appreciate you and your friends sending me all the greetings. Believe it or not I finally did read all of them finally today. Almost a week late. Just so busy, I just couldn't find time to read them all the same day. So many.

     Sure wish you would thank all your friends for the greetings. It was so kind of them to take their time to make me (big) happy. Makes me feel so good inside, but brings tears in my eyes. A million thanks to you.

     Sorry I didn't get back to you yesterday and maybe the day before. Just busy bigtime.

 

..(he then wrote about his work- and his (soon-to-be ex) wife,

and then, he finishes his letter THIS way)...

 

Want to thank you a zillion times for being so thoughtful in having your "Blog" friends send me all the greetings.

I will never forget it.

In the next election have you thought of running for "Angel"?       

 

I would vote for you twice!

 

                           Unca---------------Booobby

 

 

This is one of the nicest, kindest men in the whole world!  And you have given him a birthday to remember!!!

And since he has asked me,   I will thank everybody on here for him.

Thank you SO much- (not only from him, but from me as well)!

The above picture is Unca BoBBie and Casey-  last year at his sisters home.   A grand memory that was too!

For those who took the time to send my octegenarian uncle a few breaths of fresh air on his birthday, I thank you again... 

Know this too,   If it was within my power to hand out 'wings' to you all, I would do so in a heartbeat!

You have certainly earned them, and more!

I love you guys!!!!

XOXO

Anne

 

 

"She" Stepped on My HEAD! ARF! # 3

ARF!!!!

Yeah- It's me again- PUNK... And so I am laying at her feet, (What more does she want for cryin' out loud?), and she moves off of her chair and she steps right on my head!

Now granted, I might have grown a bit lately...

I don't fit under her desk like I used to, so now I lay kinda backwards under there... but for her to step on my head is nasty! Now I have a headache- YAY- Just like she does sometimes... (I hope I barf all over)! (No, not really. I am just being sassy). I really do try to be good...

But still, I do that a lot- (Be sassy)... And sometimes I just can't help it. C'mon, ya gotta give the kid a break here I am only 7 months old... plus a few days too.

Talk about barf- She took me to Alabama with them- and after I did just that, she tried to hide my most favorite blanket in the whole wide world. (She is mean, remember)? And then she buys me a different one that smells like new... Sorry but I don't be liking that smell...

They had a "Change Your Fur Day" just a few days ago- "She" tried to make me change mine, but no~siree~bob I wasn't going to parade around like some weird thing. I am DOG! Maybe I was kinda sassy that day too... She put me in the entrance for a while- and even tied me up with my leash because the little man, Isaiah kept letting me in the house! (That was so nice of him)!

I have never been stuck to anything like that when I had my leash on;

and I got all confused and tangled up...

But the treat was really, really yummy. (And better than mine ever could be)! I stole a bat candy- right out of the garbage- ("she" wasn't looking)- And I had almost the whole thing gone, (wrapper and all), before she caught me. Honestly, you would think she was gonna have a heart attack by the way she freaked out! But I'm OK already! I tried to tell her that the silly bat was NOT made out of REAL chocolate, but she just looked at me funny when I tried to talk. (I tell ya, I don't have any luck with the talking part)...

My tongue gets all knotted up when I try...

See????

And then she laughs at me!

I HAVE to be the very most abused puppy in the world! Don'cha think?

She makes me go outside- even though I am begging her to let me out- and then doesn't let me in real fast... It is pretty COLD out there in the middle of the night; maybe I shouldn't be waking her up to let me out then, I don't know. She makes me wait a whole two or three minutes sometimes -and my paws get SO freezie cold!

And it ain't like I can rub 'em together, (although I tried THAT once and almost broke my neck)... But that's OK, I almost broke her neck too when I tried to wave when someone was leaving- I jumped up on the door, MISSED, and fell into herself. Oops...

She called me a big...

(what was it again?)?!?

...Oh yeah, she called me a BIG LUG!
(What's a lug)?

But I am not so big that I still don't fit on the couch with her- and sometimes she falls asleep, rolls and stretches, and kicks me then. I just go down from there until I wake her up to let me out. 'Payback' I think she calls it...

She wasn't going to write at all today- I heard her say that her niece is going to try to marry a man she only talked to over the internet, and that this niece is going all the way to India to marry him too. (She says that's just plain nuts; and has written to Tanya many times about the whole thing, and she won't listen to her). 'She' called them "words of wisdom"; but if that's what they are, then I don't ever want to talk anyway- (These words of wisdom make her cry LOTS).

She is online a LOT, and just keeps going to her nieces page and trying to make sense of it all.

Sometimes there is something for her to read, but mostly there isn't. She keeps writing anyway, and leaves LOTS of comments for Tanya to read on all of her blogs.

Her sister adopted Tanya about 10 years ago; so that makes Tanya as lucky as my 'she' is- Two whole families! But one of them isn't so nice to Miss Tanya either, and that is SAD.

And NOW, The Little One
Anyway, KC has just called and said her Dell Laptop is broken and that it appears to be all empty... But maybe my "she" knows this person who will take a look at it for her too, and she told CaseyAnne to call them.

KCN is REALLY upset now too, and cannot even get it running. 'She' told her to to not be so upset, and to cross that bridge when she has to...

Maybe some of you know what happened after the little had to start it in "safe mode"? I'd be a real hero then!

So it started out as a fine fine day for me, and now everybody is real upset...

Maybe she will go to the woods with us (me and my mama) ...

...At least then she cannot step on my head-

But wait, she can throw me over a cliff... Yikes. (Yokes)?

(Oh, what's a dog to do)???

ARF! ARF!!

(remember, that's like 'aloha' in dogspeak)...

PunkiePup

HAPPY NOVEMBER!

Good Morning!

Halloween is OVER already-     But the storytelling of it sure isn't!!!  I have been on here for too long already- and have read about the fun; the freaks, the fanatics- and the fearless- ...and a few of the 'fearfuls'  too!

I fall into the latter category- Not being prudish about it all,  but being awed by the masks...  I don't like 'em. Nope, not a mask! Not me!  Too scary for me!!!

I very much prefer a cowboy or a spiderman costume...

 

                  

 

I don't mind the weird makeup...   

...But we found out that our Little Isaiah surely did when Casey had materialized from the bathroom WAY different than when she went in!   He didn't stop crying 'til... (he's probably still crying about that one)!  

He didn't mind his vampish Aunt Roberta; nor even his own mother who had turned a ghastly shade of green...   

 

                  

 

But Auntie Casey was a WHOLE 'NOTHER STORY! 

 

 

And then to have "Sister Grandma"  to want to take a group photo was just too much as he found himself right next to the lady of his nightmares! 

WAY TOO MUCH!

 

 

They were planning on hitting the big city of Pulaski to go trick or treating this year, but Mother Nature ixnayed that destination fast enough- (After all, it is MUCH warmer in the mall)!  By the time they got to Bay Park Square,  there were already many places devoid of candy- but they had much fun even strutting their stuff!   

While they were all at the mall, Miss Zoe and Miss Valerie had come out here- (I had almost given up hope seeing them, but they had so many other places to go to also)-   And getting Valeries own makeup on sure wasn't easy for Zoe either...

Well worth the wait for me...

to see what a very cute witch Miss Valerie had become!

 

 

Zoe and Eric had celebrated too... Herself as a Bingo Bitch, and himself as the Grim Reaper...

(What? Waiting to take her away)?...

 

Jenne and Myself-            and then Miss Valerie and Myself    too...

                 

 

I told Casey to drive and offered my Rendezvous for them to all pile into while they went out and about...    Which they gladly accepted!   Jennifer opted to take her own car back into town though-  And then the freakiness began for Miss Casey and Roberta...   As they were leaving the mall, my car did something I have never even ever heard about before, let alone experieced...  As Casey was backing out, she had to pull forward again-  Putting the car in drive, she touched the gas a bit, and then the brake...  NO BRAKES!!!    And the now possessed Buick kept going in reverse!!!   How very scary for them all- And not too happy to hear about this either as there were 2 of my children and one of my grandchildren in that vehicle...    (thank God it is still under warrenty)-    The boys at Gustmans in Kaukauna will be getting an earful very shortly.  

Has anyone else ever heard of a car going in reverse while the lever is clearly in DRIVE???  And why did the brakes malfunction???    

After shutting it off for a few awful moments (while they tried to regain some semblance of composure), CaseyAnne started it up again- and the car was fine?   Please let me know what this could possibly be???   Oh just give me a '63 Chevy- I can fix ANYTHING on that one!!!   Those were the 'Good Ole Days' (in the history of the automotive industry anyway)!  And no more of these malfunctioning computers in our cars either!   While I don't mind if my PC does this at home, (wait, yes I do), but it is relatively safe if it does... This car BS could have been doom and gloom-

I'd better close-    I have a phone call to make!

Hope your own Halloweens were as grand as mine!   And yes, if I can just eliminate the possessed Buick; and realize that Little Lawrence was trick or treating and having fun in Alabama too,  I will know it was a grand holiday!

 

XOXO

Anne

aka "Sister Grandma" 

Um, wait-  That's just WRONG!

(And sure doesn't sound like a proper family tree to me)........

Brewing BOO...................

Welcome to my Brew Pot...

 

And a very big "BOO" to you too! 

 

First, and MOST importantly; kindly remind me NEVER to make fun of the "loo" again... (It has been my very best friend since last night)... 

...I think I must have eaten something that tried to kill me.  Perhaps it was the "Coyote Stew"! 

Settle down already!  I was just kidding! 

 The danged coyotes LIVE-   

(Now, I KNOW I don't need a bunch of twisted and persistent PETA people jumping on me for those soup references)...    And am ALSO thinking that what a scary and wonderfully spooky night it will be,  if those wild animals are around tonight!

When we were kids, there were 3 of us neighbor families that always got together- Us, The Ryans and the Kobielaks... and a total of 14 kids...  We would change 'host familys' each year.  There was an OLD church up the road, complete with an ancient cemetery- We usually ended up walking there at some terrible hour of the night. (Those of us that were BRAVE enough to anyway).  And OH, the ghost stories that some could tell!  We were always scared out of our wits, though no one would ever have admitted it!  

What a treasured trail of memories for me- where my mind goes...

Would that we could ALL be that young again- for just one more Halloween...   And all together- the kids, and all of our parents too.   (Wouldn't we listen more?  Learn more?  Cherish more of the 'all' of us)? I'd like to think that I would... 

Incidentally, the town razed that old church about ten years ago.  (Maybe too many kids around on nights like tonight)?  Wimpy me, although I LOVE old cemeterys, I still get the creeps at that one!

Casey, if you are reading this, I hope that you will be posting the 'History of Our Flintville' in your blog, (and what happened the night you and your friends were all camping in the woods)...

 

I have seen many Halloween posts on here -to die for -with respect to their creativity- and can only wish I was that talented too! 

I would wonder if  Yahoo would ever consider nominating a few of you to be able to win a contest--- Somebody should tell them to create contest pages for days like this... Oh, no money to be paid out or the like- but how about at the very least an "honorable mention" on their best of blogs place for a day or two???  ( I put a quick comment on their site- but I don't know if they really read those either)...  How could they possibly have the time anyway? 

We finally exchanged names for Christmas on Sunday- Is that some weird type of blaspheming to mention one holiday while another is here? Too darn bad if it is...   -(no nasty comments please)...  

Think I shall blog about that later though- Zoe KNOWS I have one wonderful blackmail picture to post!!!  

It's payback time for that!  

...I'd fallen to sleep after the game, and somebody decided it would be entertaining to take pictures of my dead body on the couch. (No, I  won't be sharing THOSE shots, as I cannot bear to part with them)...

...And even if  aforementioned child did NOT have anything to do with that, they are all guilty until somebody starts talking!  Yesterday, in the wee hours of the morning, as I sat quietly by myself, I put Sundays pics on my computer...  and I damned near scared myself half to death seeing those shots...   Imagine my innocent surprise!  (geesh, they probably taped it too)!!!

I'd better close and find some wicked clothing to wear... (oh never mind, I always have wicked clothing)... 

Bwuahahaha.......................

Hehehehe

 

Blessed Be!

XOXO

Anna-Anna

How the heck do you spell cemetary/cemetery anyway???? with an 'e' or an 'a' ? They both looked right; sadly too they both looked wrong- and I am too lazy to get up and grab a dictionary...

--------------

And our own little traditions? 

Just always the reading of the Little Orphant Annie...

LITTLE Orphant Annie's come to our house to stay,

An' wash the cups an' saucers up, an' brush the crumbs away,

An' shoo the chickens off the porch, an' dust the hearth, an' sweep,

An' make the fire, an' bake the bread, an' earn her board-an'-keep;

An' all us other childern, when the supper-things is done,

We set around the kitchen fire an' has the mostest fun

A-list'nin' to the witch-tales 'at Annie tells about,

An' the Gobble-uns 'at gits you Ef you Don't Watch Out!

 

Wunst they wuz a little boy wouldn't say his prayers,--

An' when he went to bed at night, away up-stairs,

His Mammy heerd him holler, an' his Daddy heerd him bawl,

An' when they turn't the kivvers down, he wuzn't there at all!

An' they seeked him in the rafter-room, an' cubby-hole, an' press,

An' seeked him up the chimbly-flue, an' ever'-wheres, I guess;

But all they ever found wuz thist his pants an' roundabout

An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you Ef you Don't Watch Out!

 

An' one time a little girl 'ud allus laugh an' grin,

An' make fun of ever' one, an' all her blood-an'-kin;

An' wunst, when they was "company," an' ole folks wuz there,

She mocked 'em an' shocked 'em, an' said she didn't care!

An' thist as she kicked her heels, an' turn't to run an' hide,

They wuz two great big Black Things a-standin' by her side,

An' they snatched her through the ceilin' 'fore she knowed what she's about!

An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you Ef you Don't Watch Out!

 

An' little Orphant Annie says, when the blaze is blue,

An' the lamp-wick sputters, an' the wind goes woo-oo!

An' you hear the crickets quit, an' the moon is gray,

An' the lightnin'-bugs in dew is all squenched away,--

You better mind yer parunts, an' yer teachurs fond an' dear,

An' churish them 'at loves you, an' dry the orphant's tear,

An' he'p the pore an' needy ones 'at clusters all about,

An' the Gobble-uns 'll git you Ef you Don't Watch Out!

 

Photo 'jacked' from  tw.knowledge.yahoo.com/question?qid=1005021706289

Stolen From "The Library"

Good Morning! I sure wish that my lurkers would leave a footprint on my pages, maybe even on my heart...

I received a comment from Miss Glenda who simply stated that since she has been on the 360 that she hasn't even taken the time to scrub her toidy! 

*Stomp*   *Stomp*   *Stomp* as I ran to check my own...  

...Whew!; mine was OK; ...and there were NO spiders at all!  Yes this is an actual unretouched photo!   (The one in the house was clean too)!!!  *wink*  Thanks for the reminder Miss Glenda!

(OK, everybody remembers the urban legend about some poor chick sitting on a toilet at ____  (fill in the blank), and got bit by some narfy arachnid and died)...  Too bad, so sad... it was not true anyway!  Check that link and those stories out!!!

I never really worried about the spiders as much as I did when there used to be the old outhouse type of johns at the rest stops on the highways- You would go in there and it smelled like something dead?    Confession being good for the soul,  my own greatest fear was that BATS would come flying out just as I sat down...   (Stop your darned hysterical laughing now)-    It doesn't 'end' there...    I would never use one of those if it was close to dusk or dawn.  (Don't know if I even would to this day)?!? Hmmm- No, I just don't think so... (I can't do it, Cap'n, I just can't DO it)!

And speaking of leaking...      ...Well, wasn't I????...

Lots of you have asked for my recipe for the leek soup- It takes a whole six months or longer to make you know, and yes, I will probably send it on (if you really want it), in a message to you... Let me know!

Another asked where my little Punkie was, since she was NOT included in any pictures?  She was trying diligently to save us all from the coyotes of course- (and once I had realized THAT, my camera was the very last thing on my mind)...   

Steve wrote that coyotes were attacking dogs down in his neck of Wisconsin... (That is too close for comfort, even if it is 75 miles or so)...  But then again, Miss Milly is kenneled at night, and Miss Punk is on the inside most of the time-  So they should be OK-  (In the event that they wouldn't be, please remember my ability to use my guns)!    I promise that Annie Oakley WILL strike again, if ever that is the case.  Gee, does anyone any have coyote recipes then???    just kidding...

One of my neighbors works for the DNR- and should this become an nightly occurance, or manifest itself in any other dangerous or nasty way, they will be removed post haste.

I love all of your comments you know- and cannot possibly pay tribute to them all; but OKA made me laugh 0ut loud at her reference to when she was in her wheelchair (and keeping her humor in check) quickly quoted Teri Garr and asked, "Does this wheelchair make my butt look fat?"  (THIS is the kind of attitude and sense of humor we all need more of)!  A blessing to hear from those of you that shared your own stories too- I will not betray any confidences either- if you have written  a message to me, never worry you will not be "quoted" on my blog.  (Guess that one simply must fall under "do unto others")...   You have become an integral part of my life just by checking in and being there for me!   But I sure wish the lurkers would show themselves too.   (And Stasha, if you keep doing your danged "happy snow dance",  you will be back to being a lurker here)! 

Gotcha!

 

A dear friend of mine has a houseboat for sale...  I will happily move in with anyone that buys this!  AGAIN, I was just kidding;  (you guys scare me)!  But DO take the time to check this listing from eBay out! 

She said she sure got a lot of crazy, weird, (stupid) questions too.  People are like that sometimes, (but hey, stupid or not, if they got the ca$h for it, then I say "MOOOOVE OVER, intelligence" )!

And then there's the ebayer who is trying to $ell 7  "stupid insulators" - A funny posting!

'Butt' now, back to the topic of the day...

Zoe had called me the other day whilst I was upon my throne- She asked what I was doing?    DOING????

????...

I told her I was reading Edgar Allan Poe.  

The sassy girl found my answer, (which was simply and innocently stated), to be extremely hysterical---   I suppose I could have come up with a zillion other 'things' I might have been doing, but she caught me off-guard, and so I only spoke the plain truth.    And I was reading EA Poe too!!!     NOT  "The Telltale Heart" or even "The Raven" - Rather a lesser known title of "The Black Cat"   ---Nasty story, that- (and I was happy that it was daylight)! It surely keeps with the season at hand...

And so, my question to all of my friends, family (except Zelda of course), and lurkers out there too-  Do you have a "Library" in your own water closet?

Have a wunnaful day!!!!

hehehehehehehehehehe........................

 

XOXO

Anne

Hit the Floor GROWLING

Good Morning to all!

I woke at about 3:30; with Miss Valerie asking to be warmed up- So into my waterbed she went!  Nice and warm there!  (A little FYI  for those of you that might be having hot flashes and night sweats, having a controlled temperature waterbed also keeps your body temp in line! Cool in summer, warm in winter-  But do get one that you can control the waves in too-    "Word to the Wise" too:  Do not ever "sleep on cheap"-  any mattress can ruin your back that way).

Imagine my surprise this AM-  coming back here (over an hour after having Valerie go back to bed), and finding out it was only quarter to four?!?    Yes, I had completely forgotten about Daylight Savings time- Did you?  (FALL BACK kids, or you will be very early for mass and/or your football games)!       

Go  Packers!!!!

 

Cool picture up above, right?  Miss Valerie, peeking over Isaiahs chair...  Zoe and Eric had a Halloween party to go to- Zoe borrowed a few pieces of my moms old jewelry for her costume...  Jenne and Isaiah had also come out to visit... And to eat the windfallen apples, there are some left that the deer haven't gotten to yet...

  

 

 

Isaiah LOVES those apples!!!

 

 

             

 

And we all got to play outside for a long time before we got too chilled...

 

            

 

DID YOU KNOW???   Hanging upside down makes you feel warmer too- (the old heat rising thing)... hehehe...

 

Not to be left out, my Little man, Isaiah also got up on that old clothesline to 'warm up'... 

 

                     

 

Valerie and Isaiah first tackled each other...

 

 

 

 

And then Jenne got way too close- so they tackled HER too!

 

 

And  I  got spend my day laughing!!!

 

After all of this, we came inside- a good hand scrubbing to warm those little fingers up; and Miss Valerie read to Isaiah while Jenne and I made a fresh pot of leek soup! 

 

                     

 

and THAT, finishes warming you up all the way through!!!

 

Isaiah ate TWO bowls- Valerie, recovering from a strep throat only ate one...  

Shortly after 'food', there was more than enough commotion around here when Punk started growling- No amount of consolation for her, and so she went outside; where she stood guard right by the door- more growling and woofing...  Miss Milly, out in her kennel was also more than a bit concerned...   Jenne and I took our flashlights out and waited to see something--- anything.    But we saw nothing that the dogs would be so overconcerned about with their barking and growling. 

(It IS kinda creepy to know there is SOMETHING going down somewhere and you haven't got the slightest clue WHAT it is)...  

Making Punkie come in made matters worse too; by then she was in her fierce protective mode, and there wasn't much to calm her...  I called my cousin who came down and checked out the fields and the little orchard too...   ...NOTHING!    

Earlier, Jennifer and I had heard something- an odd barking and growling that was NOT coming from my two dogs.  CREEPY...    Jim thinks maybe those coyotes are back- He will come check the sheds, barngrade and pumphouse in the light of day- perhaps even today?    It took Miss Milly and Miss Punk until after 9:30 to settle down- Jenne and Isaiah had left, and who can sleep with all that noise, so Miss Valerie never did fall to sleep until almost 10.  She has been down four times last night- duty calls, but is ever so tired with her throat healing- and from being so active yesterday-  Kids get as "passed tired" as we do, and I am hoping that maybe she can get another hour or two anyway...  She needs that to heal and to be well...

But, like I said, I got to laugh almost all day long- had two of my grandchildren here,  and so it was a very fine day for me!!!

 

we are all more than a little tired here...

 

XOXOXOXO

Anne

 

 

PS     I also want to thank everyone who has had ideas for me to keep my house warm... I would love a woodstove- or that wood pellet thing- But am sure wondering how one goes about getting homeowners insurance then, ...without having to build an extra chimney, nor having to pay through the teeth for such...   Any ideas???   (cuz God only knows my teeth can't take it anymore)!!!

 

Ahem... "MAGNET for MAYHEM???"

A very GOOD MORNING to you all!!!

First and foremost to be thanking everyone for their wonderful support.  And for you to know that your friendship is sustenance for my very soul at times!

Thank you. Thank you. Thank you!!!!!

"Magnet for MAYHEM" ??? (Somebodys got some 'splainin to do)!

And FYI, there isn't too much that could make me stop writing anyway; though if my fingers don't start working again, I will be SO tempted to get one of those computer programs that type what you say!!!  No fingers involved!  YAY!!!   Maybe I should put that on my Santa list too-  But I think there will be no Christmas this year if we can't get everyone together to exchange names! 

(Ya hear me, Girls)?

No, I will still write.

And I will still insult the crap out of some people.

I will sadly hurt someones feelings- (IF I DO, please KNOW it is never intentional- unless you've got it coming)... 

I will still forget my medication... (WHAT?)!   

I will still LOVE every conceivable name for me that you could possibly come up with! 

I will still transpose a few neccesary letters in my words..

I will still NOT know how to write either.

But "oh well" And hehehe.

"Magnet for MAYHEM" ??? (Ya better start'splainin)!

And there was even Miss Brattzie that did a tribute on my behalf- and told then of the courage it took her aunt to laugh through the very worst adversity of all. Please check out her blog(s) when you have a moment.

I have also made a mental note never to eat Miss Leticias BROWNIES either...

And I see that my "friend" the BEAR -was picking on DeeAnne and me once again--- Warning- This bear can be ruthless! But if you want a good laugh, you can go to his pages, and check out the idiotic laws still in place in California and Wisconsin... (My squirrels are worried)! Poor things. And I think that will get me arrested!

Speaking of 'getting arrested' and 'Wisconsin'... just 'what the hey' is going on in this wonderful state of mine??? - Kids plotting to blow up their schools?- Yet another stupid kid trying to kill his mom by poisoning her milk? (duh)- Gimme a week with those kids!

Do you still think I'm a "Magnet for MAYHEM" ???

That said...

It's no darn wonder I am addicted to my little 360 here... I would much rather be reading all of your own stories, poetry, news and sassy comments too, than ANY of that crap! My horoscope today said, "What you've waited for is here -- there is no need to look for something better."

See? We've got it all on our 360's!

 

I spent yesterday putting more stuff on eBay- and to my great dismay I will not be getting too rich in the near future as have NO BIDS this morning... Darnitallanyway.             ;-)

We did get back to the woods yesterday- (Milly, Punk and myself)- Was even kind of nice out there in the sun-   Miracles never cease as Miss Milly seems to be regaining her hearing...  Twice I said 'Milly come here'- and twice she came to me!   Usually she cannot hear me...

Or, I think, it is a classic case of that 'selective hearing'... Could it be that she is like my kids that way too... ???

You think I'm a "Magnet for MAYHEM" ??? (I can't HEER you)!

...Can you hear me NOW? G I R L S ????

I think we shall try to do that name exchange tomorrow after mass, (or I shall just have to be the Grinch from Hallows Eve til Christmas night)!!!

Casey stopped by yesterday afternoon- It was almost time for me to be taking a break anyway- and so I did- I even put my foot in my mouth then as I said to her, "Hey go outside with me, I want to smoke a cigarette and get some fresh air." She looked at me, and simply said, "WHAT?"   (I had to remove my foot from my mouth before I could set that same foot outside)!

Yes, I know I should quit smoking.   But I don't drink anymore- and when I did it wasn't well or often.    I don't take drugs- (well not THOSE kinds of drugs anyway);    And I haven't a man in my life at the moment, so it is sadly, my ONLY vice!

Hope everyone is having a grand weekend!   (I have to get back to eBay now)...

...and I thank you again!!!!

XOXO

Anne!!!   -or whatever you want to call me...

...just as long as it's not  "Magnet for MAYHEM"

...hehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehehe...

Cranberries and Heart Attacks...

Good Morning!

Once again to begin my entry with an non apology-   No wait, on 2nd thought, that is giving the issue WAY too much attention; so I have now chosen to 'end' this blog with that bit of info...

The photo above with the High Bush Cranberries, the evergreens and a few sumacs thrown in- Oh, I wish I was decent at framing is all-  It would make a great Christmas card too if there had been a bit of snow! 

Speaking of Christmas cards, they are another of my passions, so if you would like to be included on my little list please send me a message. (No Silly Friends of mine, do NOT put your address in the comments section)!

I spent yesterday trying to dig some old things out of the attic to list on eBay- (yes Mombie, it IS getting a wee bit chilly up in that attic)!  And to do the research on so many things just boggles ones mind...  (To me, reading is like the old Lays Potato Chip commercial... you can't eat just one).  I cannot stop reading just because (maybe)  I found the history of the item, or the mfg company that I was looking for...

Almost had my first heart attack too.  After checking the fuel oil in the tank, I thought to call Olsen Oil for a fill.  The bill? A few dollars and cents short of $500.00!    Madder than a (cold) wet hen,  I promptly turned the thermostat off!   I have since set it to a balmy 64 degrees...  Think 'balmy' -think 'warm'   -Repeat after me... "This IS more than warm enough"... "This is MORE than warm enough"... "This is MORE than warm enough"...

(Um NOPE, it's not working)! 

...And so I am back here with my turtleneck and a sweatshirt- warmish booties, (with a dog on my feet too)! And I am thinking that perhaps a blanket would be nice also...   [They were wrong again- those nasty meteorologists- They said it would only get down to 36 degrees, and right now it is 33.1 degrees,  ...and falling]!  

Funny sense of humor that God has; as I wrote this last paragraph,  I heard the furnace kick in...   (I'm not laughing)!   And yes, I know it will be getting much worse before it gets better!  It is high time to adjust my internal thermostat then...

And now, speaking of my internal thermostat- No, my internal 'upsetometer' I shall fill you in...

It has been brought to my attention that I say unfeeling and uncaring things- And that in my last few entries I have been urged to 'take it back' - ...the little jokes about the Alzheiners etc etc etc.  

Once again, it is NOT my intention to hurt anyones tender feelings, nor do I mean to make light of this terrible disease-  But I wanted to let you know that you were terribly wrong in assuming that I have never watched anyone have to die from this disease.   My mothers cousin- who was very close to our hearts- spent her last years in a nursing home-  Alone, except for the company that my mother and I, and my young children provided when we could get away- (Generally this was 2 or 3 times a week; and I am sure that my girls will also remember visiting her there)... After about 15 years of fighting this beast, she passed on-  

As I simply stated in my prior entry "Think Own Digest Feel"  I stated that 'short of murder and mayhem there are not too many scenarios that I remain virgin to'    This would be another of those experiences and scenarios.  

I shall NOT be urged to dwell on these experiences and memories as negatives- nor shall  I be persuaded to say I am sorry for making light of it.   We have learned much from them; and we have grown because of it...

If I cannot find a wee bit of joy; a twinkle in everything, then I believe I might have lost a little part of myself along the way. 

Gee,  I am thinking that in this blog alone, I have made fun of the weatherman, chickens, bills and heart failure.    Should I now be waiting to hear negative input from these persons as well?   I think not.  My own sense of humor, the ability to laugh at adversity- and yes even disease- is what makes me ME!   Stare it in the face.  Find the joy! (Think "out of the box")... Laugh often.   And then GET OVER IT already!

Another bit of insight here...  When I would go with my sister Mary to her chemo appointments, we were literally surrounded by people that were so sad, and in such dire circumstances.  We CHOSE to make light of everything that went on- including others-  (And those people actually even had the nerve to thank us for that)! For being able to see past the gloom and doom of their situations, and for bringing a bit of joy to them as they received their own chemo treatments. Some of these people had only weeks to live, and I'd like to think that giving them a few smiles hopefully made their last days of this Earth a bit easier. 

Many years ago I had cut out this writing in the paper and even though it is written with another New Year in mind, I do not hesitate to use it now...

"So there caller.  Do NOT call me unfeeling! It is just that when the New Year rings in, I am NOT engulfed in a great emotional tide. Instead, I wonder how the new year will stack up against the old one.

You don't just slice off a 12 month helping of life, digest it and forget about it.   You sort it and you savor it. You turn it over in your mind and you store away the good. You take the bad and learn from it. You chuck out the mediocre, the indifferent and the innocuous."

I have learned that without joy, there would be no reason for the new year- let alone a new day!

May you all find joy, and laughter, in each new day!

XOXO



Anne

 

And after the comment, please don't forget about my Christmas card list... (You are too that special to me)!

Whoopsie-Dazey

Good Morning to All;

And a very fine morning it is!   (Well so far anyway- am trying not to jinx it by remarking too much)!  But I feel so GOOD!    

My headache is GONE.     

Very completely gone!  (And "finally" too I might add)!

Perhaps it was the visits from Zoe and Jenne and grandbabies that was this turning point- (Perhaps unloading my 'bad days' on all of you unsuspecting friends of mine)?!  Perhaps too it was my extended little walk in the woods with Miss Milly and Miss Punk.

And ever so funny as we got back there- Punk is so amused by all the leaves, and chooses to nosedive right into them all.  At one point, back by the cliffs that are over the river, she unearthed a pinecone with her nose- A little yelp for that- I bent down and clearly NOT thinking,  flung the darned cone over the ridge...

 

... I say I was not thinking. And I wasn't! 

Had I been, I would have thought to remember that Punk is a Labrador-Retriever..    Seeing me throw something like that, she took off like a bat out of hell.  (She can't help it, it's in her blood)!    Before I could even say "NO!", she was over the ridge (cliff) and completely vanished into the ravine...    I could hear the slide on the leaves- and 2 little yelps; but could see no dog until gravity loosed its hold on her...   And then only to see a speck of a dog all the way down by the river!  As I saw her shake off, and try to start climbing up the cliff I had to laugh.   Thankful that she was neither limping nor whimpering.   Miss Milly was also watching- (having plunked her own backside down as soon as I had so carelessly tossed the stupid pinecone)! 

And Punk could not have gotten up that hill if there was the worlds largest doggie bone up there!

First she tried one way...

She tried another...

And yet another...

Finally Miss Milly could stand it no longer and went to help her now exhausted little pup...

 

 

I know that the pics do not accurately reflect the steepness (is that even a word?), of the cliffs, but it is darn near impossible to come back up the same way one went down... (and I don't mean 'ass over teakettles' either)!  Milly led Punk all the way back down, and then back up on the deer path-

And Milly - so very afraid of water, had fallen in the river helping out her little dog.  She came back topside more than a bit dirty and wet.

After she had led her pup back to me, she then went down- disappearing once more; and leaving Punk to watch and wonder above...

 

(Punk says: "no way in heck am I going back down there!")!!!

 

Milly followed the river a while- and Punk and I just kept heading eastward. From up above we could not even see her, let alone hear her footsteps below. And we were BOTH very surprised when suddenly Milly was standing right behind us! 

A great little hike for all of us... And high time to get back home- (The top photo on the page is of us heading back up to the farm)...

After getting back home, I transplanted a bush that had clearly been planted in very much the wrong place, with respect to mowing the lawn-  Zoe and Valerie came at that point (where did my day go?)-    Miss Valerie and I then transplanted 4 young trees to the east line of the property.  (She is such a great help to me, and is so very entertaining too)! Having sort of wasted my day with other ventures, I had not cooked anything, so out of the freezer comes a frozen pizza!  But we all must have been real hungry because it sure hit the spot too!

I hope you all had a great day too- A bit chilly in these parts, but such a good day to be outside!    I am afraid that there are too few of those days left in 2006... It refreshes us all!!!

 

XOXO

Anne!

 

PS     They say it is always good to learn something new each day- and I surely did yesterday!  ...

...I have learned that dogs don't bounce!