books & buttons

Even tho I really enjoy the little mp3 player for listening to books when I walk, I also take pleasure in reading books. Bookmarks can sometimes be more hassle than they are worth in paperbacks. So, I always use a simple little paperclip. Well, in an effort to make the simple paperclip bookmark even handier, I 'customized' it so it's even more functional for my fingers.

Now, if you would like one of these just send me $1000 and I'll get one off to right away.
Or, you can just look at the pictures and make one yourself with a large paperclip, a loop back button and some super glue.




We have a Disabled Veteran's Thrift store nearby. Every Sunday they run what I call the quarter sale. Their dating system is by color code -- colored tags; orange, white, blue, yellow, green. Every Sunday they choose a color and anything with that color tag is a 25c or 5 for a $1. Needless to say, I generally walk away with a couple 33 gallon garbage bags FULL for less than $10. I figure I can by a piece of clothing with 4-8 buttons on it for a mere 20c. Of course it's not just clothing, it's anything. It's one of the highlights of my week.

Okay, I think I just revealed how dull my life really is.

frame it up

The malemate managed to wash AND dry the cell phone on Sunday. Surprisingly, it actually had some life left after all that - that is until I saw that it needed charging. I plugged the phone in to get it charged.
That phone is no more.

So, that meant a trip to Joplin to get a replacement. I had a couple other stops to make anyway, so it was going to be a worthwhile. One of the stops was to deal with eye glasses. I've been wearing some form of corrective lens since I was 9. It's face jewelry as far as I am concerned and because of that I get what I want, not what I can afford necessarily.

They had changed their sign out front to read "SARAH PALIN GLASSES ARE HERE!" I walk in and the place is swarming with customers. Obviously, the new America's sweetheart has been good for the eyewear industry. I notice that one of my favorite clerks is wearing the Sarahcuda frames. They look darling on her.

But for me, I chose what I call the Aristotle Onassis look and I am good with that.

barnyard sale!

I'm out here at the OK! cousins this weekend. Sadly, they have the farm for sale. It's time to wind down, I guess.

But how does one downsize all those toys, tools and equipment without going through an auctioneer?
A barnyard sale of course.
The OK! cousins called and asked if we wanted to come help.
Hell yes!
So the past two days we worked the barnyard sale and I'm actually going home with less than I came with.
But then, JAH (female OK! cousin) did not have any of the household stuff on this sale. That will be for another weekend. I'm pretty sure I'll need to rent a pull trailer at that point.
Well, maybe I lied a little. I am going home with a huge old metal water trough. And won't that be cute painted barn red and placed in front of my house with sweet potato vine and flowers?

JAH and I did steal a couple hours yesterday afternoon to take a long spin around the nearby sections on the ATVs. We were on a mission. I mentioned I wanted to check out the pecan trees and see how they are doing, because the one across the road was barren of any pods.
Off we went.
It looks like pecans are going to be very expensive this coming year. We did not find one tree with pods on. Not a single one.
Apparently, they had no rain here in the month of July and that is the time of year that the pods form.
I guess I'll survive a year without pecans, but those poor squirrels are going to have a helluva time. They have not had a nut famine in years.
The strong will survive.
Thank God the government can't meddle in that cycle of life and fuck it up.

dead woman walking

I was walking into a store yesterday and since it was a perfect sunny day, I had my sun glasses on.

Two young boys were coming out, followed by the mother tugging a younger third tyke.

The middle-aged boy, I would say he was somewhere between 4 and 6 years of age, points at me and yells, "Look mommy, a dead lady!" Mom, tried very hard to to act like she wasn't listening to the little waste of egg and starts fussing with the one she's dragging along like it was a security blanket.

Well, noticing that she hadn't responded and hence assuming she didn't hear him, proceeds to yell much louder, again with his finger pointing straight at me, "LOOK MOMMY, A DEAD LADY!"

I need botox ...
and some serious plastic surgery.

yo momma didn't tell you?

I have heard people say 'things that my mother told me', and I'm sure somewhere buried in the bowels of my mind, I have run across one or two things that my mom told me. But, the one thing she never talked to me about is menopause.
A couple critical things I wish she would have mentioned:
1. For some females (such as those from her bloodline), hot flashes will last a lifetime.
2. A female should never eat after the age of 40 because one ounce food in the mouth equals one pound of fat on the thighs and you know how much volume fat has.
3. A female will never get a good night's sleep once the perimenopausal stage begins.

Something that really tweaks me is that the malemate went through manopause whilst we were living in California. He had the night sweats baaaaaaaaad for about four years. I don't think he's had a night sweat since then. I started having them around 1999, and although I don't have them every night, I STILL get them and that includes ... while I am on hormones!
grrrrrrrrrr snap bite blood

I really don't give a shit about the scare of cancer and hormones, because I'm pretty sure I'd be homicidal without them -- so which is it gonna be? Me with a 50% chance of not getting cancer or others that would have 0% chance of survival with me off them? hmmm?

Yeh, it's been some serious sleepless nights the past week and the wicked witch of the Midwest is back.
I think I need a double dose...
and just to be on the 'happy side', I best wash 'em down with double shot of likker.

gambling solo

I had such a GREAT day today. The malemate recently took on a part-time job ... on the weekends. That would be the very same days that I am not working. Yeah, as of today, I am really happyHappyHAPPY about this.

So, I dropped him off at his work and came back home.
I piddled and paced around for a couple hours thinking about the things I should be doing and, more so, the thing I want to do.

So, I jumped in the car and went gambling.
All by myself.
I was there for about 3 hours and broke even.
Damn, it felt good to go gambling without an 'overseer'.
In fact, it felt so good, I think I may just go do it again tomorrow.

almost forgot to mention

I am thrilledThrilledTHRILLED on the McCain pick!
and I got such a warm feeling all over myself when I heard the words Palin and barracuda used in the same sentence, on the news.
I think I'm in love -- not lust cuz that's just not for me, although she is a juicy-looking tart doncha think?

So, my question is ... will b. hussein o. and/or biden actually be alive and well come election day? will one or the other bow out or check out so billary can slime her way into one or the other positions?

on another note, 2 weekends ago during the Democratic convention--that wife swap hug between the hussein's and the bidens - it sure looked like the 'hug' between michelle and biden was much more than congratulatory/appreciative.
verrrrrrrry intimate /me thinks.
interesting that michelle tolerated biden that far 'into' her space. But she didn't pull away at all -- in fact, she leaned into it. curious for sure.

the last 3-day weekend of summer 2008

wowOwow when i was younger, i could not wait for the three big weekends of the summer.
and now - they seem to come and go and i just let them pass me by. i didn't even get in a single float in this summer.

however, since this past week was national bowling week, i did do my part in participating in the attempt at setting the nationwide world record for the most games bowled in one day (August 30) ... and for my 'efforts' i got the t-shirt to prove it.

and then it was back home to a martini
speaking of which, it's time to freshen it

raaaaaaaaaape!

I hit a snag the past couple weeks. Some good news, some not so good.

The not so good:
My toshiba tank crashed - only because of a stupidStupidSTUPID reaction on my part.
I pulled the power and removed the battery because it seemed to be 'hanging' during a restore after installing xp sp3.
The tank was out of commission for a spell.

The good:
I picked up a new account

The not so good:
With the crash, I lost the photo of JockFullofNuts' dick

The good:
The new account has bunches of work, I don't work Mondays, and I'm educating myself -- gastro -- yeah, burping, belching and pooping. oh well.

The not so good:
It doesn't pay worth a shit.

The good:
The tank is back ... sans XP SP3 and I don't believe I will ever try 'upgrading' to it again. If it ain't broke, don't fix it.

and now, on to the strange title:
I have a real hard time reading forwarded mail, regardless of who it comes from. Luckily,most of the people that know me well, know that I open very little of it, so I get very little of it.

However, this is so damn funny -- well as funny as statutory rape can be:

gotta love that southern hospitality

The walk through the hood this morning was in a very fine, cool, soothing mist.
Thank you God.

During the walk, I noticed that off to the side of the new house that one of the builders has just finished, there was a pile of bricks.
I called and left a message asking if I could have 15 of them to line my ittybitty flower bed with.
I got a call back late this afternoon from the builder's wife.
She said in her ever-so-southern voice, "I mint to get back to ya soona. You jist go ahead and git yuself some of them bricks. In fact, you best get 20 of thim, jist to make sure you have enough."
Life in the Midwest.

stuffing my olive

rant on

My younger brother and his wife were in Iowa this past week.
Interesting thing - prior to them making the trip to Iowa, he emailed me and asked if I was going to come up while they were there.
HUH? You ignored your family for almost 10 years and had not been home for more than that, and then Mom went and interrupted your Mexican vacation by dying and you had to terminate the holiday early to jump a plane back for the funeral -- sans the wife -- and this was AFTER I had emailed and called you 2 weeks prior to her death to tell you that she had been placed on hospice care.
ohhhhhh I really need to let go of that anger.

However, no, my dear little bro, I will not be there while you are there. I will be there on Thanksgiving ... as I am every year -- and besides, I have been there 4 times already this year. And you have been there how many times in 13 years?
But I do love you and miss you, very much, and I miss what we had.

rant off

I spent the weekend in Arkansas at Cap'n Max and Shar's. It was Cap'n Max's birthday. I think I can safely say, all that were present had a great time and those that didn't ... well they weren't drinking the right stuff.

Speaking of drinking, I was introduced to dirty martinis this weekend.
That's a shame. It's a shame because I really like them.
Or maybe I just like the olives.

Which also reminds me -

knock knock
who's there?
olive
olive who?
olive you

teehee
save it for the grandkids -- it's never wasted with them

me and Firefox 3 NOT

I installed the Firefox 3 on the notebook. It let me know that several of my add-ons were not compatible.
I can live with that for now, as I know that sooner or later the creators of those add-ons will catch up.
However, I could no longer download files.
After a few searches on the support site, it didn't appear there was much 'real' support for this issue. grrrrrrrr
So, I started my day off with a 'restore'

I'm not lovin' computer technology today

the dead vibr8or

my favorite vibrator broke.

needless to say, the next problem is ...

... how does one dispose of a broken vibrator?

i didn't feel comfortable throwing it out in my own trash

sooooooo, on the morning walk 'round the hood,

i dropped it in my 70+ year old neighbor's trash

/methinks those trash guys are going to have a whole new respect for her

I think I've got it

The photos from the AK trip have become quite the hassle. My Dad does not have a computer but he does have a DVD player on his tv. Well, since realizing my CD/DVD player was fried, I did purchase a new one and this time I bought a DVD burner as well -- hoping to get these photos onto something that Dad could watch. Poor ol' guy has no bragging rights to show his buddies.

So, over the weekend, I spent many hours just researching softwares that would make a slide show of photos to a DVD that could be viewed on a DVD player attached to a tv.

After researching and reading many reviews on various programs that do this, I decided on ProShow Gold. It looked easy enough. So, I decided to try using my brand spanking new Vuze program to see if I could find a copy.

Well, looky there! There's several versions available. I grabbed one that had good comments, but was not the latest version. I installed it without any problem and found that I could get the latest version now that it was installed. OhHappyIsMe.

The past two days I have been assembling and editing the 272 photos. First I had to renumber all the photos as both Peg and I were taking photos and I needed to get them in chronological order. I added a bunch of instrumental music and some motion effects and, as of this moment, in about one hour, I SHOULD have a DVD that will play on his player.

I'm saying a prayer - and just for a little extra, I'm crossing my fingers ... and toes.

educating myself

The other day I realized my CD/DVD drive was not working. I have only used this maybe 25 times in the past 3 years, so yeah, it was a little upsetting. But, that had cause to go to the local computer guy to have a new one installed. This time I got a cd/dvd burner. I probably won't use that any more often than I used the CD burner, but it was one of those 'gotta have it' days.

Whilst I was in the shop, there was another customer, whom it appeared to be a regular. I was talking about pirating DVD movies and such and how to get around the copyright locks. He proceeded to tell me about BitTorrent and about downloading and installing a client and then basically getting anything I want; movies, music, audio books, and most importantly, a program called 1 click dvd copy pro and the key.
I guess it is time to educate myself on this matter.

I downloaded and installed Azuerus - now called Vuze. I searched and found the program the guy told me about and then I thought, "hmmmm, I missed Sex and the City when it was in town, I wonder if that is on here."
Well of course it is! So, I read the comments on various uploads and found one that had all positive and started the download.
Well shitShitSHIT! It was 5:50am and my "unlimited download time" on this fucking satellite connection is from 3am to 6am. That put a halt to that download...
...for now anyway. :)

In the meantime, I guess I need to educate myself on the BitTorrent terminology.
It's a whole new world again.
Today I love computer technology.

once again

It's Independence Day...again. I love fireworks. I think I'll be going to the grand opening of the Downstream Casino. I heard they will be doing fireworks at 10pm. Of course I'll get there early to make a 'contribution' to the casino.

I am looking for new work to add to my current contract...again. But, that's okay. Someday I'll find a contract like what I had with manda. It is worth the effort.

I started smoking whilst on vacation...again!
Yeah, I suck.

My Dad gave me a rain gauge when I was back home. It rained 1.3 inches on last Sunday.
At least I THINK it rained 1.3".
I really don't know, because the other day I noticed that when the malemate waters the lawn it hits the gauge and he doesn't bother to empty it. So, I guess I can truthfully say, "It rained on Sunday", and I know this only because I got caught in it on the morning walk.

some more of then

I haven't mentioned lately how much I am enjoying my new ZEN V Plus player. I ripped and burned several books on CD to it before the trip and am still going through them on the morning walk. It's Grrrrrrrrrrreat! But unfortunately, when I lie down to listen, I fall asleep. Then I have to playback until I figure out where I dropped out at. That is not so grrrrrrrreat.

One of the things my Dad was adamant on, regarding the AK trip, was that we bring lots of salmon home. Well, that we did - about 40 pounds worth. There were 5 in the fish wheel when we arrived outside of Glenallen. One was a big king red. Tony (the owner of this fish wheel) swapped it out with someone else's down the river as the red salmon are really only good for smoking according to those that fish salmon and we weren't going to be there long enough to wait for that. Yeah, I did not know that the reds are generally used only for smoking by the natives because when a king turns red, they are about to die. Imagine that -- cuz in the market, the canned red salmon is considerably higher priced. Interesting, huh? BTW, fish wheels are illegal for the non-Alaskan natives, but that does not stop the seven owners of the seven wheels that were set in this area. A little rebel in us all.

Here's a pic of me after grabbing one of the silver salmons out of the fish wheel on the Copper River (which is a glacier river, hence the silvery gray color of the water). Obviously, it has just dawned on me that coming down the ladder was a helluva lot easier than going back up and I'm contemplating how many strides it will take me to get back to land ... without getting wet, of course.



Before I left, Peg gave me this pic. It's so appropriate for us. I hung it in the office across from where I sit so when I look up it is the first thing I see. I miss her.

back home blues

The poop plugging pills that the doc gave me the day before leaving for Iowa worked wonders and I was able to make it up there. I was in discomfort and kept my distance from Dad and the family so as not to give IT to anyone. The next morning I got up and felt much better and the best news was that Dad felt good and it seemed we were going to Alaska.

We boarded the plane and off we went. Peg picked us up at 8:30 Thursday night and the vacation was on. We had decided to do an 'on' day and then an 'off' day in order to keep it paced well for Dad to be able to enjoy all that we had planned.

I can never put into words how fabulous it is to see Peg. We just click. And when we laugh, we laugh til it hurts ... and several times we ended up peeing our pants. I love her so much, it tears me up when I think about how I wish we lived closer, but know that it's not going to happen any time soon.

To keep it short, we did see a lot and I got to drive the 2.5 mile tunnel that goes into Whittier and we saw the lazy man's way of fishing salmon and ended up bringing home about 40 pounds of the stuff. We took a train trip (now THAT'S the way to travel!) and then on a 5 hour boat cruise through Resurrection Bay where we saw 2 orca whales, a humpback whale, harbor seal, puffins, black bear and cub and much more. It was a wonderful time and Dad says he's going back in two years.

I'm in!

flu tag and I'm it

If this doesn't suck! I woke around 11:45 last night with that horrible acid stomach and I knew whatever was in there, was not going to stay in there very long. Sure enough. I got to the bathroom and up came the acidy water followed by a rush to get turned around to flush out the other end. God, I hate being sick.

At 8am the malemate called and made an appointment with the doc. They got me in at 9:15. He gave me a shot to stop the nausea and make me drowsy. Off we went to get the diarrhea script filled.

The malemate felt really good this morning when he woke He was even planning on going to the gym before he realized he needed to tend to me.

It looks like it may just be a 24 or 48 hour thing. I'm already feeling better after the injection, meds, ice chips, room temp 7-up and best of all hydrocodeine :) Of course I'm scared to eat anything, but hey, that might be a good thing too.
As of this moment, the trip is still on unless my dad doesn't want to take the chance of catching this crud. Then, we'll just have to do it another time. I'm confident that things will be moving along as planned for tomorrow morning.

is that crap contagious?

Upon my awakening to a another Sunday morning, the malemate tells me he will not be going to do the volunteer work that morning because he's been in the bathroom most of the night puking and pooping! I felt a panic coming on and instead of my morning cup of java - I did a healthy dose of xanax.

The panic had nothing to do with him being sick, spending most of his day in the bathroom and possibly dehydrating to death, it had to do with ME and and my dad and the fact that we are to leave from Omaha on Thursday and the malemate better damn well not give that crud to ME and fuck up MY trip! He went to the doc this morning, and sure enough, the pukingshits are contagious. So, I'm calling on prayers that he simply keeps it to himself!
The good news is the doc thought that I probably would have gotten it by now if I were going to get it. Just the same, say the damn prayers -- I need 'em!

On another note, I've been making a different kind of rag rug lately. It's called naalbinding or toothbrush rugs. It's easier than shirret, and looks good in a lighter weight fabric. There's some very good instructional videos on youtube by LauraJane for making a variance of the method I use -- if you are interested:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yGr-LiPboEY&feature=related

The most noticeable variances are that I only use one strip of thread except when I begin a new oval rug -- which I begin by braiding a strip about 12" long. The other main variance is I cut my fabric on the bias because I can't stand all the little fiber dusts that are created when the fabric is torn with the grain. I also use the slit and slip method to join the fabric rather than sewing them together.

Here's one that is made of "reclaimed" denim jeans/dresses and a part of a sheet, shirt, tablecloth, etc. Whatever scraps of fabric that caught my eye at the moment.




Well, if all goes well ... and I mean WELL, as in BE WELL, I'll be leaving here on Wednesday for Iowa then to the air on Thursday afternoon to arrive in Anchorage around 8pm.
Yeah me!
Happy is me!
WELL is me!
Let's keep it that way, ya hear?

to me from me ... with like

I walk in the mornings - if not on the treadmill then around the 'hood' which often ends up at Walmart.
This morning the walk did take me to Walmart, so I strolled around the store and landed in the electronics department.

I looked around at the telephones, the laptops, the cameras and then to the mp3 players. Well, wouldn't ya know, they just happened to have a nice little 2 gb Creative Zen V Plus on clearance for $48. I just had to have it because after all, it had a lime green button.

I have never ever played around with one of these things as I seldom listen to music, except when I walk and then I have a little fm radio that I listen to so that I can catch the latest news on what towns got blown away the night before by the killer tornadoes.

I get it home and RTFM. I get the software installed and start to add some songs to it. I add a few, then a few more and I realized that it can hold a BUNCH. So, I started adding entire CDs to it and it still has only taken up 250mb!

I called the OK! cousin and told her that I treated myself. And she informs me that I can go te the library and get the books on CD and rip those and play them on this thing! I think I peed a little.

Tomorrow I'm off to the library to get signed up and then I'll be searching for some James Patterson, John Sanford, Patricia Cornwell on CD.
The flight to Alaska just got a little more pleasant.

10 days to unbaked alaska

The countdown begins. I'm so excited and more importantly my 84-year-old dad is really excited. I think we've covered everything health-wise for him to be able to fly comfortably -- manOman I sure hope so.

And Peg is so excited. I just know this trip is going to be fabulous. She's getting things lined up for us to do and I think she's even going to have a project or two for the 2 of us to do. Peg and I can really work well together and we're both project people.
DAMNIT I wish we lived closer to each other. I love her so much and love being around her. Maybe someday.
But for now, I'll settle for the the 9 splendid days with her ...
... and my dad.

m-i-c-k-e-y's

The few that read this blog are probably not old enough to remember Falstaff beer. The bottled Falstaff had riddles printed on the inside of the bottle cap. It was probably the only reason to drink Falstaff.


I recently discovered that Mickey's Fine Malt Liquor also has riddles in the bottle caps.

I'm going get riddled tonight.

what is the 1st thing you'd buy if ...

you won the lottery.

I got a letter in the mail about a week ago informing me that I was being contacted regarding $2.1M.
I decided to give it a call because - how the hell did they find me?

Well, the gal started with the dreaming/feeling sales tactic by asking the question:
"what is the first thing you will buy with the $2.1M?"

My response: "a hotHotHOT pink car; not because I like the color hot pink but because my malemate will never drive a hotHotHOT pink car. It will be alllllllll mine and I will never have to adjust the mirror or seat ever again."

After an actual real laugh from the gal on the other end and her unsuccessful sales pitch, she informed me that I had not won yet, but ...

she was in the process of transferring me to her supervisor when I disconnected.

I really would like the hotHotHOT pink car though for the same reason. It's a damn shame that I let that stranger get my hopes up like that.
I was that |-| close. damn!

let 'r blow

Apparently my town was hit by a killer tornado yesterday late afternoon, a tornado that caused several fatalities. I stood outside for quite awhile and watched the maniac skies gather up their power, but I didn't see a tornado form. Apparently it formed a few miles north of our house. The malemate and I will be heading to Joplin this morning which will take us close to the area that was hit.

The malemate and I volunteer at the Salvation Army on Sunday mornings. We have been doing this every Sunday that we are in town for about 2 years. I admit, I really look forward to those few hours on Sunday mornings. I get to do a bunch of cooking and I don't do ANY cleanup.

This morning it will probably be a madhouse as the Salvation Army in Joplin provides all the food when temporary shelters are set up in the area. I'm guessing there are several temporary shelters set up in Picher, OK and Neosho, MO.

Admission of guilt: As I watched the angry skies, I prayed that it would keep moving north and not affect me. Yeh, bitchRme -- just cuz I have no life here, doesn't mean I want it taken or damaged!

Lastly, Happy Mother's Day to all of you women that had the courage to be somebody's mom.

beware! the pope is here

As we watched the news of the pope's arrival to the U.S.A., the announcer stated that his age was either 81 or 82.

The malemate asks: Why is it that they always put such an old man in that position?

I could only respond with the obvious: Because at that age they probably think they are too old to be able to diddle the little boys anymore.

a-las-ka

When my Dad retired, he had every intention of the two of them doing a lot of traveling around the country.

In 1996, along with another couple, they made a leisurely trip from Iowa to Utah to California and then back home. For reasons unbeknownst to me, Mom was not so much into making anymore trips.

Today Dad called and after a short conversation he says, "Would you like to go to Alaska?"

Now, had he asked me about any other place, I would have had to think about it, but Alaska?

I don't think he even had the third sylable out when I responded with a yesYesYES!

He told me to make the arrangements and he and I would make a trip up there this summer. I don't think I have been on a vacation with my Dad since I was 12. This should be a hoot. I can't wait to tell cousin Peggy!

-1+1=0

As I mentioned previously, my mom and I had differences. One of those differences being politics. She was a democrat and me ... not a democrat.

So, during the funeral arrangement days and between the bursts of tears, there were also jolts of humor. I said to the malemate, "Well, that will be one less democratic vote this election year." We chuckled.

The next morning the malemate and my two brothers took a li'l road trip to visit one of the relatives. They were gone for most of the day. When they got back the malemate pulled me aside and said, "Remember the comment about one less democratic vote?"
I nodded yes.
He said, "Well, you can cancel that because your younger brother jumped the fence since we last saw him!"

B-R-A-T!!!

thunderation

A huge thunderstorm just passed through. It brought quarter size hail with it.

I love a hearty thunderboomer ...

... until it takes my internet out. grrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

thanks for birthing me Mom

Towards the end of my mom's life, she didn't have much to look forward to except for a smoke now and then, a whiskey water now and then and her weekend date with dad, where he would pick her up and bring her home for the day.

During this last bout, she didn't even get to have any of those things. Dad could no longer take her home for a day, she could no longer go out for a smoke and the whiskey had become an absolute no-no due to the inability to stabilze her sugar.

Before the viewing on Sunday, March 16, 2008, I told Dad I was going to put a bottle of whiskey and a pack of cigarettes in the casket with her. He really liked the idea of that. I was pleased.

So that afternoon, when the family was at the viewing and after I had delivered the "goods" to mom, I was sitting by Dad and he said, "I would just love to have one more drink with her, just one more."
I looked at him and said, "that is do-able Dad."
I gathered up my two brothers and the four of us went up to Mom, and I reached in and took out the bottle of whiskey that I had tucked inside the casket moments earlier and handed it to Dad. He openend it, touched her hand with the bottle, in a toasting gesture, and took a swig. He then handed it to my older brother, who said a few toasting words and took a swig, then handed it to my younger brother who did the same and then it was handed to me and I followed suit. The cap was placed back on the bottle and tucked back into place with her.

She loved a snowy day. The day of the funeral, when the church service was over and the doors opened, to place her in the hearse, it was snowing. She got a beautiful heavy, wind-free snow during the entire time we were at the cemetary. It stopped when we all arrived back to town. The power of spirits, huh?

After the burial, we went back to the house. We were joined by the grandkids, great granddaughter, more family and friends. The younger brother put on the DVDs that Dad has been making over the past few years of the old still photos and the old home movies. I think there were 15-20 of us gathered around watching these DVDs. There was much warm chatter going on while viewing the captured memories and we all laughed hard while watching these. I was so glad I got to enjoy them with both my brothers at the same time.
What a neat gift my Dad has made for us.

it'll be alright

That's the phrase that was placed on Mom's headstone. it's the phrase she said repeatedly whenever anyone asked her how she was doing whilst coping with her diseases. She never ever complained.

She left us silently. Her sisters and brother, grandkids and great grandkids were all able to make it in time to see her before she passed. My younger brother didn't.

He had pretty much abandoned the family for the past 8 years. He even cut off communications with me for a long spell. I left him a message on his cell phone the weekend prior to her death regarding the urgency of the situation, but still no response. I told my older brother and my aunt, if we could just get his voice to her ear I am certain she will let go, as I know she is waiting for him.

While the malemate and I were en route back up there, he finally called Dad and Dad and my older brother arranged for a phone call to her room. She was non-responsive by that time, but they put the phone to her ear and the younger brother told her many loving things. Dad said she raised an eyebrow when she heard his voice. An hour later, on March 13, 2008, she left us for the hereafter.

She and I had a lot of differences, but I did love and respect her. Not everyone can be a wife for 61 years to the same person, or a mother to three brats. She did them both and she did them quite well.

She will be missed by many.

I will be writing a little more about this later as there was some really touching things that occurred over the past week that I want to document for myself, but not today.

home and back

I took a trip to Iowa this past weekend to check in on the parent situation. I am really glad I did. Mom is a tough ol' bird, but I think it will take more than that this time around. Dad is doing various strange things to cope. But, I did spend some good alone time with each of them and had some hearty laughs.

Going home is always interesting. I have been away from there since the early 70's ‑‑ yet, I still call it home. Then when I see how Dad is dealing with his life, I think I should really live closer. I just can't bring myself to want to be in that town though. All they do for entertainment is drinkDrinkDRINK. As we all know, I too enjoy my drink now and then ‑‑ but I really want more than alcohol.

So, I happened upon one of my old lovers when I was there. We acknowledged each other ‑ not much more. Of course my first thought upon seeing him again was of that night. I wonder if that was his too. My second thought was, I'm so glad that relationship never evolved into anything. I'm guessing he is too

I can't think of a title for this

It's been a little different around here lately. Meloncoly I s'pose you could say.
My mom was placed on hospice a week ago. I'll be making the trip up there later this week while she is still somewhat lucid.
For those of you that don't know, the guidelines for Medicare to foot the bill of hospice, the diagnosis has to be 6 months or less to live.
I asked my dad if he understood what hospice means? He wasn't clear. I told him it means terminal, but I didn't tell about the 6 month thing.
I told him that they will not be giving her any more chemotherapy. He said, "well, we have 2 appointments this year, one in July and one in December. It's on the calendar here."

Denial. It's natural. After all, she's been his only love for over 61 years.
God bless him.
And please God, is it really necessary for her to suffer even more? You sure seem cruel and unloving at times.

Oklahoma! not the musical

I was in OK over the weekend. The OK! cousins and their friends needed some more people to win money from - and that is where the malemate and I came in.

Pecan trees are indigenous to OK and since the OK! cousins live on an acreage, there is much access to pecans. One afternoon I took the ATV and went out and picked up a bucket full. They were not that big this year, so getting a quart of meats will take awhile.

Whilst in OK, we took a drive around a 'hood' in Shawnee. It had mostly all brick homes. I'm thinking I will be readying this house for sale before the end of the year and yet another move will be occurring ... to OK ... to the mouth of tornado ally.

And speaking of blowjobs - doesn't that suck that the damn conservative masquerader McCain got the majority of the republican vote in the primary?
He better be careful with his arrogance regarding the republican vote.

crossing my fingers

It's Friday and I am excited.

I have been getting shit for work since before Christmas. I have been assured by LLS that all is well and that it is just a slow time for the ICs. So, I've been patient with all this, but I started to watch the various opportunities on the MT sites. I found one yesterday that may just be the one. It would fill in nicely with what I have going with LLS.
crossing my fingers

We have some people coming over on Sunday afternoon for cocktails, munchies and gambling. I think it will be some poker and some LCR (my personal favorite). I am not too hip on the entertaining thing, but I think they are low-maintenance and maybe will want to lose some $$$ to me :^)
crossing my fingers

I think the monthly tag sale at the airport is this weekend. I will be heading out there as soon as the malemate gets back from the gym. Maybe I'll find some unbelievable bargains.
crossing my fingers

I finished the rug. I am so disappointed and unhappy with it. I had a mohair wool blanket that I had to use so that I could get rid of it - because I simply cannot and will not throw away wool! Well, it was a bit too thick to work with.



It's called roses are not red.
But, I started two new ones, in colors I am happy about. I am hoping they will turn out to be a matched set to use in the living room. It's a matter of having enough fabric to complete 2 rugs.
crossing my fingers

It's the weekend and it's supposed to be up to 60 degrees on Sunday.
crossing my fingers

life in the blah lane

This week I cried. Emotions came crashing down when I realized how much I hate being away from good friends. I have never referred to the malemate as my best friend. I have loved him, but he has never been a best friend. I don't share any in depth things with him anymore. I have no desire to, because early in the relationship, I realized he does not give it back.

In depth shares are a tit for tat thing for me. It's a trust builder. I'll gladly reveal, but I would hope that you trust me enough to also feel safe enough to do the same. I don't have that kind of feeling with him -- and obviously he does not with me either, as he has given up so very little over the years.

I just miss having a good friend within 10-15 minutes away. I am guilty of not orchestrating anything to change that in this town, which is really kind of strange for me. Making new acquaintances, some of them which turned to best friends, has never been that hard for me. I think it's because I have been 'out there' and open. None of that is true any more. I'm caged within my own anger. I wonder what will change that and when/if it will change.
I sure hope I'm not too old when it does.


I went and saw the movie "the bucket list".
I laughed.
I cried.
I was entertained.
I would rate it 8.5 out of 10

to me from me

After switching to the Dvorak method of typing, I treated myself to a Typematrix 2030 Dvorak keyboard. Then about a year later, I decided I should probably have another as backup. I called the company only to be told that they did not have any of the Dvorak keyboards in stock and did not know when they would be. They suggested I order a different one. Since I did not have much choice, I did just that. It's now about a year later after ordering the 2nd keyboard and I really want another one like my first. I emailed the company again whining about them not having the Dvorak nor did they even have the qwerty 2030s available any longer and how desperate I was to get another one. I even asked if they were going out of business as I have watched as their inventory depleted on the website.

Surprise, I received a response within minutes. NO! they are not going out of business! They placed an order over 20 months ago and still have not received the shipment as they are a 'little fish in a big sea'. However, she was in the warehouse last week and found a couple of the Dvoraks that she could sell .

The invoice was included in the email, the order was placed and only the waiting is left. Happy is me.

God, I want a cigarette.

The 70plus-year-old neighbor received a computer from her son for Christmas. It has the dreaded Vista on it. She called today and asked if I could take a looksee as she was having issues with it. I have never played with Vista, so we clicked, tapped and moused our way through a couple of the issues.

Poor ol' gal made the jump to Vista from Windows 98.
I think she wanted a cigarette too.
I want a Macintosh.

rugging me

I finally started a rug! I kept telling myself that I would get started on one when the weather turned cold -- because after all, wool is just too hot to work with in the summer.

Well, the cool weather started and it got colder and colder and I kept buying more and more wool coats, blankets, etc. at the thrift stores and storing it all away in bins in the garage, and still I did not start a rug.

So, here I am with a garage full of plastic bins which are full of wool and mothballs, thinking I should probably buy more bins because I am running out of space in the bins that I have to put my wool bargains, which I will be making rugs out of and absolutely no plan to actually start one.

The realization set in, once again, that simply put, I am addicted to a bargain - doesn't matter what it is -- if it's a good deal, I want it.

Oh, and before I forget, happy new year and happy blogging anniversary Jock. I thought about you on the 31st, but I was too busy bowling for bux to stop by your blog and acknowledge it.
Maybe I should go do that now.

reaching back

It's almost Christmas and even though I don't 'do' Christmas anymore - I do still believe in presents ... the to me from me kind. Except this year I haven't really seen anything that really excites me -- well except for my new Lapinator -- which I really am happy with.

I did buy something else though that the OK! cousin introduced me to. She had purchased a bunch of the Dead Sea salt and mineral items and we did a makeover the last time I was there. I fell in love with the Swisa Dead Sea salt 'peel'. So, I went out onto eBay and won myself some -- at 1/5 the price she paid -- yikes for her.

The malemate turns 60 on Dec. 27th. He is into the party and 'give me all the attention' thing. He is married to the wrong person for that -- cuz a party-planner Martha Stewart, I am not. I probably could have just left that last sentence at simply 'he married the wrong person' :)
Regardless ...
I bought him a Chicago Bears bowling ball (he has been a Bears fan for over 50 years) and the OK! cousins are coming up for the weekend. They will arrive on Friday and will depart on the 2nd.
That's about all the party I am giving him -- anything more, he'll have to get on his own.
I so wished I felt like I used to feel about him.
Maybe in 2008.

hotmail f_k_d!

I cannot believe how badly Microsoft, with all it's money and collective wisdom, could FUCK a perfectly fine working email (hotmail) so badly. They have fucked it up so badly with this LIVE bullshit, that I think I am going to have to change my primary email address ... AGAIN.

Yeah, it's a pretty ugly start to the day.

recall from the 70's

I was listening to our dear JockfullofPodcast and for some reason I started to recall my first Mr.
Yes that would be the first man that made me a Mrs.
I so loved this man. But, he was 11 years my senior and had 'seen the world' -- well, enough so that he was ready to plant it all back in Iowa.
Me? well, not so much.
He was done sampling what was outside of his safe zone.
He had served 2 tours of Viet Nam as a Marine during the bowels of the 60's.
Obviously, I could not, or did not relate to this.

Have you ever loved a soldier? Have you ever loved a Marine?
Have you ever been loved by a Marine?
He had the ability to give all of himself, and did so. If only I had been 'adult' enough to know and appreciate that quality.
Ah, the regrets of life. We all have them.

Intereresting thing about my first Mr. ...
I had not had much sex prior to meeting him. Anything beyond missionary sex was a new experience. Oral sex was unfamiliar territory for my mouth. But, my friends had told me about it and instructed me -- savor an ice cream cone, they said.

One night the #1 Mr. and I were getting reacquainted for the day -- and I thought I would try the cone on him.

Oh my God! you would have thought I was going to circumcise him with my teeth!

The #1 Mr. had a very hard time using the word no with me - but he pulled my face up toward his face and said, "NO, no more."

We finished with the intercourse and later I asked him why he stopped me. He said there were whores in Nam that would place razor blades in their mouths and give head and he could not remove that thought from his mind.

My dear #1 Mr. had many things that he could not stop his mind from associating to his life during the Viet Nam conflict. I was too young and ignorant to understand the depth of traumatic stress syndrome. He died at the young age of 39.

ice ages and kotex

I took a trip to the OK! cousins this past weekend. It was a late Thanksgiving celebration and was supposed to be my first sampling of deep fried turkey.
The turkey thing did not evolve because the turkey cooker had a hole in it and the oil was leaking. Luckily, the cousin had a smaller backup -- which did not accommodate the turkey, but did accommodate a chicken.
So, deep fried chicken it was.
Simply not the same as broasted.

I have been hit with ANOTHER fucking ice storm! The second one in the same year. However, Oklahoma has it much worse this time than here in Missouri. When I left the OK! cousin's house this morning they had no electricity -- which means they also had no heat and no water. I called them about 15 minutes ago, they still had no power. I invited them over, but they can't let the fireplace go cold for fear of the pipes freezing.
Sucks to be them.

I stopped at an Asian market in Tulsa - but they had no eundan. The clerk did not know where I could get it. On the up side, I still have not smoked. I even stopped at the Cherokee casino and gambled for a bit and did not smoke.
Yay me.
I missed it terribly at that point.

If you are as old as me or older, you will absolutely see the humor in this.

Classic Kotex

where o where is the eundan?

Tonight, around 7, it will be 7 days since I sucked some nicotine into my lungs.
I miss it.
I need a replacement.
I need eundan.

I used to get this stuff called eundan when I lived out in CA. I would get it from this quick mart that was owned by Koreans.
It reminds me of sen-sen. Okay, you have to pretty old to remember sen-sen. Eundan is tiny licorice mint balls.
I really want to find this again, but am not having much luck. I am sure there must be Korean markets around here - but where?
I thought one could buy anything online. Guess not.

I need an eundan fix. I need to find a source.
Can you help?

bitch on a keyboard

I have not smoked since about 7pm on November 30. So yes, I am in a bit of a snit these days. The bottom line is, if I really intend to get some lipo done - I am quite sure I cannot be a smoker. The good news is, now that I am eating everything in sight I can get it all lipo'd off when the time comes. There are pluses (or would that be plus sizes?) to everything.
Something to bitch about.

I won a bid on a Lapinator Plus. I wish I would've had one for the trip back to Iowa over Thanksgiving -- instead I had my makeshift board that is so heavy it would like to break my wrist just picking it up. And now, we are taking off this weekend for the OK! cousin's and I am pretty sure I placed the bid too late for it to get here before Friday.
Another thing for me to bitch about.

The work issue was all in my panicky pinhead. All is fine on that front except LLS said she would not have anything for me on Friday and would I like to work on Monday (yesterday). "Sure", says I. So, I wait around the house all day, checking in on the ftp throughout the day -- nothing gets uploaded to me. I could've been out gambling - but no, instead I hung around here waiting on work that never materialized.
The third item for me to bitch about.

My sleep habits are so fucked up. I often go to sleep at 9-9:30 and wide awake at 2am. I am not one to lie in bed and hope to fall back to sleep - as history has shown that that does not work for me, I just get achy and bitchy (bitchier). I am not sure what to do about this. I have tried alcohol, sleep aids, reading, tea, xanax, self hypnosis - nothing has straightened this out. I would think that now that I am post menopausal this would have resolved.
The fourth thing for me to bitch about.

Something that has been on my mind lately. I take xanax - it's no secret. I have taken it off and on since the early 80's when I had a panic attack during the Christmas holiday. Yeh, I think I have hated the pressure of the "holiday season" since way back then. Needless to say, I don't "do" the Christmas thing anymore.
Anyway, back to the gist of this. I have come upon people in my life that have been in that panic state and at which time I have offered them some xanax. Now, I know it is a narcotic and highly addictive -- IF IT IS ABUSED. Some of these people that I have given this to have their own medical insurance - so after they have tried them and found that they worked for them, why the hell don't they go to their doctor and get their own script? I have had 3 different people tell me they want to buy my script.
WHAT? Go to your own doctor and get your own script! I am not a drug dealer!

Not too long ago I made a comment to one of them, "if it weren't for the xanax I would not have any friends at all."
I'm starting to think that is truer than I care to admit.
And that, my textual voyeurs, is my last bitch of the day.
Be well and save the bitching for your blog. :)

let's try this again

While I was in Iowa this past weekend, I ran into this couple that I have known since junior high. We have stayed in touch and often times chat online. I convinced them that the three of us should stop smoking by December 1, 2007. I told them that since we are all online during the day, that we could give each other support.
I have been smoking heavier than I have in the past 5 years since that conversation.
Wish us luck.

The cooked duck sucked -- I started gagging.
Apparently it is an acquired taste.
I was going to have chimichangas for a backup, but instead I went with Paula Deen's hot spinach-artichoke dip.

I am having a problem with my work again. I missed the word left in one of my reports from a week ago. Left, right ... to someone that does not have a left or right knee -- what does it matter? I communicated with her (LLS) both on the phone and via email a few times yesterday, but so far there has been no communication and no work uploaded today.
This MT work is so simple in concept -- but it's so fucking hard some times.

gobble gobble quack

It was off to Iowa on Wednesday. I managed to get the power car/notebook adapter about 2 days before -- so I did my work all the way there. Worked quite slick. Kept my mind and attention off the malemate's driving.
No speeding tickets again this year.
Kinda pisses me off, because I told him about 3 years ago that the next speeding ticket he got that I was getting some plastic surgery done. I guess he doesn't want to foot that bill.
He will though.

I got to see the latest addition to the Faulkner clan who is not named such. He is a beaut -- unfortunately the mother (my niece) did not give him our sir name -- sad too because we have no more boys to carry on the name -- my 2 brothers are the end of the line unless one of the nieces has a boy and gives him the name. Sad when it comes to that.

We had the traditional turkey dinner with all the trimmings. The turkey was dry - as always. Why is that? I have decided I am going to get myself a turkey this season and see if I can make it without it being dry. The challenge.

One of my cousin's husband is an avid hunter. It's duck and goose season. She hates them both. I have never had duck.
Thanks to her, I now have two - which I will attempt to roast tomorrow.
However, I will have a backup option ... just in case.

i think i can, i think i can

1This past weekend the malemate and I did a tango workshop in Arkansas. Talk about a humbling experience. One of the instructors is from Argentina and the other is from Brazil. It was an quite the exhausting and fulfilling experience.
It would be nice if we could have retained a least one step that we learned for the $170 that we spent on the afternoon.

A couple weeks ago, our regular dance instructors ask us if we still did any swing dancing. Well, the malemate responds with a much-too-quick 'YES'. I am cringing, as I know there is more to come and i know we have not done much swing dancing in almost 5 years. End result, he volunteered us to do a demonstration for the chamber of commerce here in town.
Okay, I can do this. After all, there will probably only be 25-40 people there.

The time draws near (last weekend, and the event is Thursday) and I hear one of the other 'performers' tell that she had to get a new a dress.
WTF? It's just a quick demonstration and you went out and bought a new dress?
She proceeds to tell me that the theme for this event is 'dancing with the stars'
WTF? What kind of chamber gathering is this that they need a theme?
So, I fat finger my way through the internet to check out the chamber's calendar of events.
OH SHIT!!! This is their annual banquet with installation of officers! This is much bigger than she led on for us to believe.
shitShitSHIT!
So, on the day of the event, I call the chamber to get the gist of just what the hell is going on. First, I am told by the voice on the other end, whose name is Donna, that they have sold about 253 tickets.
WHAT? And will all these people show up? "Oh yes," Donna says, "it's our biggest gathering of the year."
shitShitSHIT!
And what is the agenda, I ask. Donna tells me about the happy hour (thank GOD!), the dinner, the presentation of awards and installation of officers, and lastly the entertainment. I ask what is the entertainment.
Donna tells me that there are 4 sets of dancers coming in to perform.
oh FUCK! Now, it all comes to surface. The malemate and I are part of the entertainment.
Thank GOD I got my Xanax refilled yesterday and thank GOD I got my scotch refilled last weekend --- and because of these 'tools', I am pretty sure I can do this.

Late in the afternoon we started donning our duds and doing some practicing.
Then it was off to the event we went.

First thing on my agenda: Locate the bar and get my order in, as does the malemate.

The program starts and they go through their looooooooooong list of kudos and then the time has arrived -- and we are on.
shitShitSHIT! I need more scotch. I need more Xanax. My mouth is dry. The floor is sticky.

The music starts and it's just the malemate and me.

Bottom line, it was not flawless. But, we made it through and many people came up to us afterward and gave us sincere thank-yous and compliments.

The malemate is such a good lead.
Thank you God for that.

old ladies gone drunk

I took a trip to the 'Palm Desert of the Midwest' this past weekend. I wanted to see Cap'n Max, Sharon and Kat.
It was just a quick overnight trip.

I arrived on Saturday morning - just in time to hit the last hours of one of the big twice-yearly tag sales. Unfortunately (or maybe not) it was pretty well picked over and I only ended up with some tote bags to use as trash bags in the car. That is probably a good thing though, as I really don't need anymore junk.

Then Cap'n Max took his harem out for an excellent lunch. One of the harem members could not make it because she was making 'goodies' for later that afternoon. I am so damn glad she didn't come with us because she was making my new favorite snack: bacon wrapped jalepeno poppers.
Good God those things are fabulous!
Dammit, I wish I didn't have such a taste for the fat foods.

I brought the flow-bee because Sharon was in need a cut. She and Kat took off for early mass (because with all the scotch in the house, there was no way they would be able to make it to Sunday morning mass). I went out to the deck to get the 'salon' set up for when they returned. They were back in no time and the scotch was poured and the haircuts began. Sharon was very pleased with her cut and although we all liked Kat's, I don't think she was too happy with it.
Like our mother's always told us - 'it will grow out'
I am thinking that is not what she wanted to hear, so I only thought it :^/

Then it was off to the den for a good ol' girltalk session. The Pinch flowed ever so smoothly as did the topics of conversation.
Too bad I can't remember all of them.
What I do remember is that it was such a pleasure to be back in the warmth of friends I love.

I miss them.

silly stuff I do

I drink coffee - not out of a china cup, not out of a ceramic mug, not out of a stainless steel thermos.
I drink coffee out of styrofoam cups -- not just one, but 2 styrofoam cups -- one stacked inside the other.
I do this because it keeps the coffee hot longer.
Makes sense doesn't?

However, when I pour the coffee into my double styro cup, I start the pour close and then quickly lift the pot away from the cup, whilst still pouring.
This is to cool the coffee down before it even enters the double styro cups.

Ridiculous.

I know you want to chat me ... no?

It is Saturday. For some reason I was looking forward to this day. No reason in particular. Perhaps it had something to do with exchanging emails with Peg yesterday and finding out that she got herself a new computer which brings her back online. I have missed her so much these past few months. So, I phoned her this morning. It was 10:00am my time, 7:00am her time.
I was being courteous and let her sleep in on a Saturday morning.

Me: You are not online!?!?! You need to get your ass online so I can get the rundown on what has been going on the past few months.

Peg: Can't we do that now while we are on the phone?

Me: Well, yes, I guess we can, butButBUT, don't you want to use your new computer so we can chat?

Peg: Uh, no. I have to prep the living room so I can paint it today.

Me: So, you aren't really going to be focused on the conversation are you.

Peg: Probably not.

Me: Okay, I'll keep it short then. CLICK!

Then I went back to the computer and there was my friend Debbie in CA.
Happy is me.
Debbie was stuck doing floor time. And if you know anything about the real estate market in California you know that she had LOTS of time to chat with me, because the phones in the real estate offices are not ringing these days.
Needless to say, I had her attention most of the afternoon...whether she wanted it or not.
Poor Debbie.

annual turkey drop

The WKRP tv show, with the now famous line of: ""As God is my witness, I thought turkeys could fly!!!" -- Arthur Carlson, WKRP in Cincinnati, brought much attention to the annual turkey drop in Arkansas. Many think this no longer occurs because of the outrage associated with that particular episode.

They would be so wrong. The annual Turkey Trot celebration carries on, along with the live turkey drop

dance dance dance huh?

The Argentine tango lessons have continued.
That has GOT to be the hardest dance the malemate and I have tried to learn.

However, after everyone left last night, and it was just the instructors, the malemate and me, the instructors asked us if we still did swing.

I responded with: "yeh ... kinda"

and simultaneously the malemate responded with: "oh yeh! we do the west coast swing"

All i could think was Ohhhhhh shit! What is he getting us into?

The instructors asked if we would be willing to do a swing at the Chamber's mixer next month.
The malemate said, "Sure"

huh???

I think the Friday dance date is going to last a little longer than usual this week and the next and the next ...

eBay - I miss you skippy

I haven't sold on eBay for a couple years. I became disenchanted with all the rules and regulations regarding what can and cannot be sold on there and what wording can and cannot be used, etc. But, I had/have a few things that I cannot get rid of at a tag sale. So off to the turbolister I went.

All the descriptions, categories, shipping weights, photos were in place and I held my breath and hit the button that uploaded the whole lot about 9pm. The next morning I rush to 'my eBay' only to find that eBay had already killed one of my listings for unacceptable wording! And of course all 7 listings had the same wording for accepted payments. Apparently eBay finds the wording "instant CASH transfer" unacceptable, even if it refers to their beloved PayPal.

So, I decided fuckum - I'll remove everything that has to do with PayPal and take my chances that the items will still sell at prices I could live with.

They did all sell. And I am okay with the winning bids. There was only one little hitch and the woman felt it necessary to contact eBay AND PayPal. I can't believe that she actually thought I would risk my 100% pos feedback for a niggling $64 transaction -- and this woman says she's a doctor.
Yeh, I know, a PhD doesn't necessarily mean there is any common sense.

Now, if I could just find a buyer for the 40, framed and matted, with team and score plate, super bowl programs AND the helmets.
Maybe next month.

Does anyone remember skippy from eBay?
10 years ago, on the eBay support forum, skippy was the man.
But then, that was back in the day when eBay still cared about customer service.

My GOD! has it been that long? Damn, I am getting old.

jailhouse rot

I called Jim and asked him what was going on with Magg and he told me she was out and was staying with some friend's in CA until after the restitution hearing on the 11th. It dawned on me that I could actually call and talk to her now. I got the number from Jim and ringydinged her. It was so good to hear her voice. She sounded very shaken and it worries me. She said she never did get to see the evidence, but she heard something to the effect of all the voided receipts for the past 7 years. She told me about what caused voided receipts in the system she was required to use. I remembered about them after she said it ‑‑ the realtors that were non‑paying on their yearly association dues were carried for 3 months and then they were taken off the books by entering a voided receipt ‑‑ because that was the only way that system would let them get a 0 balance. It all makes sense now and what a shame that the e.Diane.smith and 12 people on the board of directors cannot even interpret their own records.

Unfortunately, her nightmare still is not over as she thinks she will have to do the balance of her time in jail because they will not accommodate her on doing work release in OK.

Jim is having a very terrible time with this news. I know they are both mentally shattered right now. I can only hope and pray that they will find the inner strength to wait it out ‑‑ for each other's sake.

mish mash of bits and pieces

I spent a few days at the OKie cousins this weekend. Lots of poker, cocktails, food, bowling and fun. But on Sunday we took a roadtrip to OKC to see some of the sites. The main site was the Oklahoma City National Memorial for the 168 that were killed when mcveigh and nichols blew up the Murrah building. It is fascinating art. The reflecting pool is amazing, so seamless. The symbolism and the architecture is impeccable, very well thought out.

I've been trying to find a decent .flv player that does the few things that I want it to do - mainly resize quickly and maintain somewhat of a play list. I came across this VLC player It seems to be pretty good for a freebie. The other one I checked out is Sothink flv player

Today Magg goes to court for the restitution hearing. I wonder if she will get to come home soon. She wrote that the bitch e.diane smith was present at the last court date. She said she really looked like shit. Did my heart good to hear this.

I started out on my morning walk around the hood and didn't notice the neighbor sitting on his stoop. He greeted me and I stopped to chat with him for a few minutes. Something caught my eye and I looked down. I said to the neighbor that there was a baby snake about 5 feet from me and that it was a coppery color. The neighbor made his way down to where I was and announced that it was a copperhead. YIKES!
The neighbor did the hero thing and that copperhead is no more. Sure hope the mom and/or brothers or sisters don't avenge the death. double YIKES!

I have been battling with trying to get my laptop to show on LCD tv. I bought the cable the walmart clerk told me I needed and I tweaked and adjusted and cussed and still the pc would not show on the tv. It consumed me - the fact that I could not make this work.
Today, I went to the local computer shop and the kid there sold me 2 cables to replace the one.
AND he even told me that if I could not get it to work, to bring the cables and my notebook down to his shop and he would get it working for me.
Now, that's the kind of service we all love ... and miss.
But, the kid sold me the right cables and all is working beautifully!

And dammit, wouldn't ya know, that pilates dvd plays perfectly on the tv now via the notebook.
I am left with no excuses.

who is the real racist

I read that jesse jackass jackson thinks Obama is "acting white", huh?

Obama probably has more class in his dingle berries than that piece of black trash jesse jackass jackson will ever hope to have.


thoughts from yours truly,

a conservative :)

all by myself ... temporarily

I got happy when I realized that I wouldn't be going bowling with the malemate this afternoon.
I got happy when I realized I would have the house to myself for a few hours to do whatever I wanted.
I got happy when I realized I could turn the tv off and just listen to silence.
Ahhh yes - silence.

And now, here I sit at this machine.

The OK cousins arrived on Saturday and it was pretty much a drunken, sleepless weekend. We had some other people come over on Saturday night and we played cards. It was a whopping $5 buy in. Yeh, heavy gamblers are we.

Sunday we did some road tripping and then around 9pm we went bowling til midnight.

Monday we did a float on the Elk. The weatherbug showed that it would be mostly sunny with a chance of rain. Well, fuck the weatherbug. It rained almost the entire time we were on the river.

The float was not so relaxing this time.
First, we had heavy rains almost every day the week before so, the river was very high ... and running very fast.
We are used to it being shallow, where the bottom is visible the entire float. I knew we would probably going to have some problems with as fast as it was running.

The malemate would make sure of it.

We get the canoes in the water and about 5 minutes into the float I see a huge uprooted tree in the middle of the river. The left side of it looks a little calmer than the right side. The OK cousins take the left -- cuz they are older, you know ... and wiser.

The malemate gets this 'gotta be in the lead' and aggressive attitude.
Off to the rougher right he steers us ... right into a large root that is about head height.
I grab the root to try to push us off and away from it.
The malemate leans to the right and I can feel the canoe is going to tip.
Sure enough. The canoe tips and dumps us out into the water and then flips completely over.
Life jackets? Nah, we don't need those bulky , ugly, dirty things.

The water is moving so fast and I know I have to grab the canoe, because I have no idea when we'll see it again if I don't.
I finally get a hold of it, then the malemate also gets a hold of it and we struggle our way to a little tiny area of shore.
We didn't have anything strapped down inside. At that point, I'm assuming that all is lost with no chance of retrieving because of the fast current.
We finally reach the tiny beach and attempt to get the canoe flipped over ... full of water
and
I couldn't believe my eyes when I saw that all 3 bags/coolers, 2 aluminum chairs and the oars were all still there.
We finally got it unloaded so we could dump out, what seemed like tons of water, and then reloaded and off we went to finish out the wet, rainy trip.
I'm glad that was the last Monday of the season to do a float. I don't think I have it in me to do it again this year.

On a lighter note -- when was the last time you saw a walking stick bug out in the open?
I had one visit me yesterday. It stayed above the front door all day long. Then, when I went to check it after the sun went down, it had moved on. It measured about 6" long from tip to tip and it looks like it was missing one of its legs. Curious looking critters aren't they?

paint me a rainbow

Today will be a good day. I hired a painter to come in to paint the peak ceiling in the living room. It's going to be the luscious color of ceiling white. Yeh, sounds boring, but since white is my favorite color, it will be a welcome change. I'm hoping that painting away the blue will paint away my blue attitude toward this house. Sometimes that is all it takes to spur me into decorating. I can only hope that is true this time -- and if not, at least it will brighten up the living room ... somewhat.

The 3 day weekend took me gambling two times. Both times I lost my ass. I figure I am down $300 now. Sure hate that. The good news, en route to gambling, I got me a new pair of bowling shoes -- and they are gaudy! Shiny white with purple stripes -- they will go perfect with my neon ball and socks.

The new work is interesting but the billing is a fucking nightmare and for that reason alone, I'm not sure I'll last after the 6 month commitment. I'm hoping I can move over to a single account rather than three accounts. The owner was on vacation this past week so I had very little work, which pissed me off. But, I am at her mercy. I really think there is something strange or maybe the word is 'shaky' going on with this new company. I can't put my finger on it, but I'm leaning towards perhaps she is going to be taken over by a national in the near future. I just hope it doesn't happen until after the first of the year, as then I will have the 2 years experience that many of the companies require.

I spent some of the time this weekend watching a few vlogs. Those are strange and most not so interesting, alot like these blogs. But then, it was something, non-productive, to do while I nursed my scotchies.

I have nothing funny, catchy, informative, or interesting so I'm outta here for now.

momma needs a new pair of shoes

The Argentine tango lessons are going quite well. We received 2 free lessons during the time the regular facility was having the floors refinished and now because of the membership, we will receive another 6 weeks free. These are 2 hour lessons, which is very unusual and very generous of the instructors.

I have found that this guy: Emiliano Delau on youtube really gives some good instruction.

Last week the male instructor's wife was not there, so I got to dance with him quite a bit. It was my first time doing a close embrace -- manOman talk about a connection moment! That alone has made it worth learning the dance. The female instructor had talked about that 'connection' a few weeks ago, but not having done it, it meant nothing to me. I get in now. Unbelievable the difference it can make in one's attitude towards the dance.

So now, I'm off to net shop for some real dance shoes because the malemate and I have a standing date to practice on Monday afternoons.

Perhaps he and I will get to that connection moment.
I can only hope.

I know I really should ...

I know I really should be writing a letter to Magg. I am sure she feels very alone out there in lala land in the jail. And, I have very good intentions of getting that done this weekend. The public record said that she got a year in jail, but her hubby tells me the public record is wrong ... huh??? So, I'll write her and get the real scoop -- is the public record wrong or is she just pacifying Jim? I guess he'll figure it out soon enough when September 27 rolls around and she does not get released.

I know I really should be making arrangements to see my folks. I think it will be two years since I was 'back home'. My tinydot of a hometown had a huge quasquicentennial (125 years) celebration last weekend. I know the malemate wanted to go to it. I could care less if I ever go back, and I certainly won't go back when there is a huge function going on. Because of that attitude/fear I missed out on seeing friends from 'ago'.

I know I really should be getting this house decorated so if/when the day comes to put it on the market, it will be completely presentable and most importantly, 'sale-able'. Today it is one year since I moved in here and I still have not grown any fonder of it.

I know I really should get myself dressed and do the daily walk around the 'hood. But, I've got a cuppajo to finish first.

Priorities, it's always about the priorities.

It has been sweltering here. The temps have been in the low to mid 100's for over a week now. The humidity is a close second in percentages.
I can see the clouds in the distance, but I know they are not coming this way.
I miss the rain.

heating up

The heat is on here in the Ozarks so the outdoor activities have pretty much stopped. However, this weekend the malemate and I will volunteer at the first Salvation Army Ride for Hunger.

I don't ride.
Sux being ascaredycat when it comes to motorcycles -- cuz the bikers do have the best costumes.

I will be at the terminating point selling raffle tickets.
Initial thought = B_O_R_I_N_G
and you would be right.
But, the second part of my assignment, is to find a man for the gal that orchestrated this function.
hmmmm not so boring.

Sadly, I won't be putting Harley steel between my legs, but I will gladly paint my toes with their orange.

A splurge for me cuz painted toes is something I do maybe once a year.

Yes, wench, I have those freakish long second toes. So, do ya wonder if those were my toes you took a pic of and shamed to the whole wide world? ;^)






another li'l splurge ... I bought myself a new hat for the occasion.
I'm ready.

new to the 'hood

I have new neighbors.
Can you guess what nationality they are?

That is not a stereotype -- simply an observation.

floating away

The new work is slow starting. Apparently, the fact that I only requested work for Tuesday through Friday has created a problem for them. I don't know how much of a problem, but I do know there were no files on the ftp when I got up this morning and it's now 4pm on Tuesday afternoon and there still are no files. I would like it to work out as I think it will be interesting work. It's med/legal stuff for worker's comp claims outta California. If you know anything about worker's comp in CA, and all the phony bullshit that people claim, it's clear to see, it should be pretty secure and abundant work -- once I get rolling.

In the meantime, as I wait it out the anger festers. I have found myself falling back into the head-banging anger modes again. Yeh, time to start up with the fucking meds again, I guess. So, hello meds, good bye scotch ... maybe.

The malemate and I did manage to get an 8 mile float in yesterday. It was perfect weather and I really enjoyed the time out there. The banks of the Elk are privately owned, so some of the houses are right up to the waterfront. I think I need to make friends with some of those people. I rather like the thought of happy hour whilst sitting on the riverfront deck.
Would you like an umbrella and a skewered lemon in that scotch & soda?
Yes, yes I think I would.

weekend with the okies

The malemate and I took a weekend off before I start the new work. We were invited to the annual Woody Guthrie Folk Festival in Okemah, OK. We arrived in OK on Thursday and headed to the festival on Friday. We made it as far as the Lou's Rocky Road Tavern, found a roost in the beer garden, and that was the only place I needed to be. It was "open mic" there and many artists played during the 7 hour stay. I had a great view of the stage and the waitress was ever prompt with the brew.

I wish I could remember the name of the band in the photo -- they were the most unique. I don't know if you can tell it in the photo, but the drum is a suitcase and his cymbal is a ceiling vent -- the other, as you can see, is a trash can. The singer sounded like Satchmo. veryVeryVERY entertaining.

Then there was a young gal name Amanda Joy. She played two sets. I could've listened to much more of her. She was oh-so yummy on the ears.

Arlo Guthrie did make an appearance at the tavern whilst I was there, but he didn't sing. I only know of "Alice's Restaurant" - and would've liked to hear that from him. But, it was not to be.

Many musicians passed before my eyes as I filled my person with the OK 3.2 beer. Yeh, what a pisser huh? That's one positive for the show-me-state of MO, at least they have high point beer. But, on the other hand, with the candy-ass alcohol content of OK beer, I was able to stay sober longer to savor the sounds of the artists.

I even got flirted on by a handsome-hardbodied-single-blue-eyed-cowboy ... named Kenny ...5 years my junior. Yeh, I felt fine that night.

wanna dance?

The malemate and I had our first Argentine tango lesson last night. I think we'll need a few more than 5 lessons to accomplish what the tango dancers on youtube can do.

wash it down with a brew

Caption for the photo: Globe//Gary Crow ... Flooding on Steve Owens Boulevard made it appear that Miami, Okla., was awash in beer Wednesday, July 4, 2007, rather than water from the Neosho River.

While some parts of the country are sweltering in the "dry" heat, this neck of the woods has been seeing torrential rains. The photo above, of one of those huge billboards, was 'borrowed' from a local paper. It was taken on July 4. It is an excellent infusion of humor after viewing the slide show of the devastation.

I've been submitting resumes, getting responses and doing testing. I'm really out of my comfort zone here. The testing is tricky since I've not had the schooling for MT, which not only includes terminology, but the general accepted formats for the various reports. I've been made one offer, but the pay is so low I'm thinking it might be more fun just to do the CastingWords thing of typing podcasts. It's a bitch out there and I've been a bitch in here.

The good news is, the neighbors left on vacation this morning and left me in charge of their garden. The tomatoes are starting to turn. Needless to say, there will be BLTS with real Ts by the end of next week.

And now it's time for alcohol.

bang zoom crack pow kaboom sparkle

Here it is the 4th of July already.

I do love fireworks displays. When I was growing up in Iowa, fireworks were not allowed. However, we lived about 2 miles from the South Dakota state line and just on the other side of the bridge, one of those fireworks stands always popped up around mid June. Needless to say, it was the hotspot for the youngins that time of year.

When I lived in the desert out in Southern California, we were outlawed from shooting off fireworks. Hence, you would never see a fireworks stand. The droughts were persistent and in the 10 years I lived there, I think there were only 2 years that the city I lived in put on a display in one of the local parks.

Well, now that I live in the show-me-state of misery, fireworks are prevalent. About mid June the temporary tent firework stands starting emerging all over. One day there would be nothing on that vacant lot and then overnight one of those tents would be there. They pop up like mushrooms around here and it seems they are on almost every street corner.

I took a stroll through one of the larger ones the other day. WoWoW!

It's one of those times of year that I wish I was filthy rich so I could go blow a few thousand on fireworks displays. But, I settled for just a few (since I'm still not working), and hope that the neighbors all have jobs and lotsa bux to blow on the displays ... for my pleasure, of course.