Word of the Day

Fliggan - A piece of something too small to verify it's original makeup.

I went outside after breakfast and removed the sheets from last night's sheet dance. Some of the sheets. Just the ones that would get wet from the over-splash from the fountain. I don't really think that it's going to freeze again tonight but....since it didn't freeze last night, despite the forecast, I think it might freeze tonight. Sometimes things get delayed. Rain, snow, cold. I'll leave the rest of the sheets out there and wait and see, re-covering the fountain plants later tonight. Having said that, it feels cold right now despite a reading of 48°F on my outdoor sensor. It's only 64°F inside. I came really close to turning on the furnace yesterday. Close. I decided to make roast chicken for supper last night. Almost two hours of 350°F temperatures in that oven fixed the chill in the house enough that I had to take my sweater off. I may resort to a similar method of heating the house again tonight. Maybe a nice oven-baked casserole.

I've been re-reading some of my favorite books in the afternoon with Gypsy curled up at my side. I do have one new book that I'm planning to set aside for a while if I don't get too itchy and succumb to temptation. Though I haven't received the new books for the writers' contest, I expect to see them sometime this week. I wouldn't want to prejudice my opinions of the new books by comparing them to one written by one of my favorite authors. Instead, I've been re-reading some of my "keepers" which I set them aside when the writers' contest books arrive. I never know what books I'll be judging before they get here. Some end up as good reads, some great great reads, some are just awful and it ends up taking me forever to plow through them. Oh well...it's always and adventure.

Murphyism of the Day

Ralph's Observation

It is a mistake to allow any mechanical object to realize that you are in a hurry.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

After I'm dead I'd rather have people ask why I have no monument than why I have one.

- Cato the Elder (234 BC - 149 BC)

#1 Son LOVES Winter! He revels in the snow! He loves to play in the cold.


Word of the Day

Flavorite - Referring to a flavor that is preferred above all others.

Cold! I'm not going to whine too much because it's REALLY cold in Minnesota and Wisconsin right now. However, it feels cold here in Arizona today. I'm going to have to go out and cover plants tonight. Sheet dance! I was hoping that we'd seen the last of freezing temperatures for this winter season. My hopes are dashed. Dare I hope that my sheet dance tonight will be the last until next winter?

Oh well, I've only turned on the furnace for one day this season so far. I'm a firm believer in dressing for the weather. If you're cold, put on a sweater. The temperature inside (without furnace) is 66°F. That's not bad. That very temperature would be decried by HTP as too hot if we were staying at a hotel. I'll never understand HTP's inner thermostat. He always seems to be freezing when we're home and HOT if we're traveling. Actual temperature hasn't got a thing to do with it. I think he just likes being contrary.

Murphyism of the Day

O'Rourke's Rule

Never fight an inanimate object.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

No one goes there nowadays, it's too crowded.

- Yogi Berra

Mom and Dad in Vegas


Word of the Day

Flatterful - To be full of flattery.

It's my Dad's birthday today! I wish both you and Mom the best of luck at the casinos and the buffets today. You ask how someone could have luck at a buffet? I've always felt that finding yourself in a short line at a buffet fairly lucky. And then...it's really lucky if they keep refilling the food with fresh and tasty food, especially if that food is your favorite. Then, if they end up comping you that buffet because it's your birthday. That's lucky. And you're really lucky if they let you take home leftovers. I called my Dad last night but just in case he drops in to read my blog.....


Happy


Birthday


Dad!



I threw away my first pair of disposable contact lenses and have donned my second pair. This pair should last for two weeks. I was reading the bottle of contact lens solution that I bought. I have that kind of time on my hands. Of course, I've owned and have been using this contact lens solution for two weeks so I took my time getting around to it. It's supposed to be a NO RUB contact lens solution. Big letters on the box. To me, that doesn't just imply that you don't need to rub the contacts with solution when you take you contact lenses out of your much abused eyes, it means that you DO NOT RUB the contact lenses with the solution. You merely drop you lenses into their case and let them soak themselves clean in the solution. Right? Wrong. I read the directions. Why do they tell you that this stuff is a No Rub solution when it isn't? And then they tell you in the fine print that you may need to buy some other product to dissolve protein deposits? The main reason that I bought these disposable contact lenses is because my eyes tend to deposit LOTS of protein on my contact lenses. So much protein that short of a jackhammer (only a slight exaggeration), nothing is going to separate the protein from the lenses without destroying the lenses. I've got allergies. Protein deposits etc. happen when you have allergies. I won't even go into what happens to my eyes and my contact lenses should I dare to wear them, when I spend time in a smoke-filled (despite the much bragged on filtered air) Vegas casino. I think I'd better go see if I can find that special cleaner that they mentioned in the fine print on the contact lens solution box. And I think I need some new eye drops, the kind that will take the red out.

Murphyism of the Day

Anthony's Law of Force

Don't force it; get a bigger hammer.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

The good neighbor looks beyond the external accidents and discerns those inner qualities that make all men human and, therefore, brothers.

- Martin Luther King Jr. (1929 - 1968)

Word of the Day

Flashionable - Being both flashy and fashionable.

One of my rain gauges says that we got one inch of rain yesterday and last night, the other rain gauge tells me that we got almost two inches of rain. Let's just average the two and end up with 1 1/2 inches of rain. That's a lot of rain. I hope that it makes a dent in our drought.

Despite all the rain and the crazy drivers (yes, as usual, there was someone stupid enough to have to be rescued from a wash...actually, I think more than one), HTP and I braved the traffic to pick up my new glasses. I'm not wearing them right now. I wore them this morning before breakfast and while I was working on my Sudoku puzzle but I've put my contact lenses on again.

HTP and I watched another DVD of our 1990 summer vacation. We were in Italy on this DVD. Globus tour. We were touring Rome, Tivoli, Florence, Pisa, and some island which looks more like a huge palace with just a tiny bit of land left over for manicured gardens. More Italy will be on the next DVD. I'm thinking of buying a few sundresses like the ones I wore in Italy that year for my upcoming New York trip. I'll have to keep an eye out at Savers (I love shopping at Savers...thrift stores). I remember how comfortable those dresses were and how well they traveled and I didn't look half bad in them. Of course, that may be because I was a lot younger back then and didn't weigh as much as I do right now but...... As I remember it was really hot and sticky in Italy during the summer and my sundresses were far more comfortable than shorts or pants.

Murphyism of the Day

Fudd's Law of Opposition

Push something hard enough and it will fall over.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

I didn't really say everything I said.

- Yogi Berra

Word of the Day

Flaberjastic - A word used to express something good or fantastic. Commonly used when one can't think of a word to describe something. Often, nobody knows what it means, but its peculiar sound gives it away as meaning something good.

It's raining! It's supposed to rain all day and into the night. There will be at least one stupid motorist who will need to be rescued from a flooded wash today. Gypsy will not want to go outside to do her thing. The paper delivery person delivered our paper way out at the end of the driveway so there was no way that I could dash between the raindrops and stay dry while retrieving our morning paper. Rain really isn't a negative around here. At least not for me. I imagine I'll have to deal with a whole new crop of weeds. I pulled most of the weeds that had sprouted that were a result of the last rain we got. But, aside from the stupid motorists and the weeds and getting wet and having to deal with a rain phobic puppy, rain is a good thing.

My new glasses are here! Eyemasters called me last night to tell me that my new glasses are ready to be picked up. HTP and I are going to drive out there (no washes)to pick them up today. Yes, Eyemasters is open on Sunday. I called over there to check. I didn't put my contact lenses in this morning because I knew that I'd just have to take them out when I get my new glasses fitted. I'm trying to wear my contact lenses more but I'm still having eye strain problems when I want to curl up and read or when I work my Sudoku puzzles. I think I'm just going to have to deal with the reality that I'll have to take the contact lenses out when I'm doing that sort of thing and put them back in afterwards. Contact lenses are mainly a cosmetic thing. Vanity, thy name is Old Grey Frog.

Speaking of reading. I just got an e-mail from the coordinator of the writers' contest that I'll be helping to judge. I should be receiving the books that I'll be judging sometime this week. Woohoo! Books to read! At least....I hope that these books are worth reading. I guess I'll be the judge of that.

Murphyism of the Day

Schmidt's Law

If you mess with a thing long enough, it'll break.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

It is not because things are difficult that we do not dare; it is because we do not dare that they are difficult.

- Seneca (5 BC - 65 AD)

Sailing at The Lake, Dad, DD Daughter and MC Daughter

Word of the Day

Flabbygast - 1.To be overcome with astonishment that despite excessive dieting you haven't lost a pound. 2. As if struck dumb with astonishment that you haven't lost a pound after a rigorous diet.

I made pancakes for breakfast this morning. Yummy blueberry pancakes. HTP didn't complain once that I'd only given him two small pancakes. Portion people, portion. I only made enough pancake mix for two servings and that's what we got. One serving each with just enough fresh blueberries to add color and flavor. I'm making a sandwich for lunch. HTP has been complaining about always getting soup. Liquid in a bowl. Today we'll each get 1/2 of a sandwich with veggies on the side. (Carrots, celery and snow peas). But tomorrow? Soup. Soup is really easy and very few carbs involved or calories. If I get hungry before lunch....maybe I'll share a banana with HTP. It's truly amazing how many calories are in a banana. Who knew?

I need to grind up some beef today. Hamburger. You can only get truly lean hamburger at reasonable prices if you grind your own. It's also the only really safe way to have hamburgers these days. I'm hearing too many e coli news stories these days to want to buy hamburger at the store. I'm going to grill up a couple of burgers for supper made fresh with my own ground beef. Ground fresh. Light buns. I'm going to make use of this neat hamburger press contraption that my Mom gave me so I can freeze some of the ground beef and with the rest I'm going to make my recipe for Stuffed Green Peppers but in casserole format. HTP doesn't like stuffed green peppers. He prefers his green peppers all chopped up and mixed in with the other stuff. I have a couple of green peppers that need using so.... Waste not, want not.

HTP has been continuing with his project of burning all our old digital video tapes to DVD. We've been watching them as he gets them done. The summer of 1990 was incredibly full of activities. A veritable storm of vacation frenzy. I'd forgotten all the things we did that summer. I'm surprised that we survived it all. Oregon caves, redwood forest, San Francisco, Disneyland, Mexico, Arizona, Wisconsin/Minnesota, Disney World, Wisconsin/Minnesota, Washington D.C., Williamsburg, Italy, Wisconsin/Minnesota, Black Hills, Mt. Rushmore, Badlands, Wyoming, Yellowstone, and that's not all. I'm pretty sure we needed a vacation from our vacation by the time we got home to Oregon. I'm worn out just from watching the DVD's and we've only just finished the Williamsburg stuff. I definitely was a lot younger in those days. All of us were.

Murphyism of the Day

Lowery's Law

If it jams - force it. If it breaks, it needed replacing anyway.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Washington is a city of Southern efficiency and Northern charm.

- John F. Kennedy (1917 - 1963)

Old Grey Frog Hiking the Logging Road

Word of the Day

Flabbergusted - To be shocked and astonished and disgusted all at the same time.

I've been trying so hard to be good with our diet but it's hard to resist temptation when there is chocolate in the house. And...just so you know...there is no way that I'm going to throw away the chocolate in the house. The only way this chocolate is going to go away is via my mouth. I'm a total chocoholic. I promise that I'm not running out and buying chocolate at the store. This chocolate is candy that HTP bought me for Christmas. My favorite kind of chocolate. Dark chocolate. Yummy. I've slowed my consumption of said chocolate by sticking it in the freezer but I felt like eating chocolate today so.... OK. I'll put the box back in the freezer. Just one more piece.

So. To keep me from eating all the chocolate in the freezer, I went out to the grocery store to buy fresh veggies and stuff that will help buoy up my will power and keep my mind off the chocolate. I know that HTP is tired of soup or chili for lunch but it really is a diet helper. Besides, the soup was on sale. I also got some spaghetti sauce that was on sale...after I checked the calorie count on the label. Then it was off to the veggie section of the store. Salad fixings. Celery and carrots. Lettuce, salad greens (all kinds). Light salad dressings (a variety). Whole wheat bread for breakfast. Chicken breasts. Skim milk. And can someone tell me why I never can find room in our fridge to store away groceries when I get home?

Murphyism of the Day

Sattinger's Law

It works better if you plug it in.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Leave each one his touch of folly; it helps to lighten life's burden which, if he could see himself as he is, might be too heavy to carry.

- John Lancaster Spalding

"The Grass is Always Greener..." - I'm sure it's lots colder at The Lake

Word of the Day

Firwood - Firewood cut from a fir tree.

Today seems like a nice day for a cup of hot tea. 59°F. Overcast. I don't think we'll actually get any rain today but the sun is hiding behind grey clouds at the moment. A perfect day for curling up with a good book and sipping on a cup of tea. Besides, I've already had my daily quota of coffee. I think I'll make some chili for lunch. It's just that kind of day.

I feel like I'm starring in one of those children's books that I used to read to my kids when they were young. The excuse books. At least, that's how I thought of them. I would have dusted the house but.... I would have cleaned the bathrooms but.... I would have scrubbed the kitchen floors but my toes hurt. I would have sprayed the weeds but it looks like it might rain. I would have vacuumed the floor but Gypsy was just so cuddly and that book was begging for me to read it.

Murphyism of the Day

Wyszkowski's Law

Anything can be made to work if you fiddle with it long enough.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

For what do we live, but to make sport for our neighbours, and laugh at them in our turn?

- Jane Austen (1775 - 1817)

Racking Wine

Word of the Day

FIMS - Foot-In-Mouth Syndrome.

Woohoo! I got to talk to my Ms. En (my grand-daughter) this morning. Well....actually, she didn't actually say anything to me but I did hear her "talking" in the background while I talked to DD Daughter today. It sounds like she's growing up really fast. I can't wait until I get a chance to talk to her in person.

I've delayed blogging today because there really isn't anything going on here. Well...at least nothing to write home about. HTP and I did go out to eat for supper last night. Senior Night at Valle Luna. We had to go out to run some errands and it's hard to pass up happy hour margaritas and 2'fers at Valle Luna. Today? I messed up the kitchen a bit. The wine that I've got brewing in the corner of my living room (because my guest room/library/wine cellar has been transformed into HTP's new office and now I don't have anywhere to put the wine that I'm brewing) needed to be racked. I really should have racked it last month but I never got around to it with all the Christmas preparations and celebration. However, I now have one gallon of prickly pear wine and three and 1/2 gallons of pomegranate wine racked. I don't have to stir the arancello and tangelocello until Sunday. Anyway, I tend to end up spilling a bit of wine here and there whenever I rack wine so I had to mop the floor. So aside from racking the wine and doing the laundry, nothing much has been going on here.

Murphyism of the Day

Watson's Law

The reliability of machinery is inversely proportional to the number and significance of any persons watching it.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Fate chooses your relations, you choose your friends.

- Jacques Delille

Summer of 1990 - Visiting With Friends in Colorado

Where are they now? Left to right. The little boy sitting on his Colorado Mom's lap went on to become a Marine. He got married last spring. The little girl got married in 2006 around Thanksgiving and made her Colorado Mom and her Colorado Dad Grandparents in last year...around Thanksgiving. That's "Grandpa" sitting there next to her. They all still live in Colorado...same house. Next? DD Daughter. She went on to become a Marine. She got married to GI Joe and together they made me and HTP Grandparents in 2007...early birthday gift for HTP. Next comes MC Daughter who became a chef (Cordon Bleu). She got married and is living with her husband (D Buddy) in Minnesota. Sitting on my lap, wearing a Batman t-shirt, is #1 Son. He's living in Minnesota while he finishes up his last year of college. *sigh* Yes, that's me with the fuzzy hair in that really awful purple outfit. You all know where I am. I'm right here. A lot older, a lot more grey hair, and a bit more chubby.


MC Daughter Braving the Migrating Centipedes - Summer 1990

Word of the Day

Fictate - To inform a television or screen character of impending danger under the assumption they can hear you.

HTP has been attempting to convert our digital videos that we took when our children were little to DVDs. We noted that there was a period of time when the kids were young that we shot a lot of digital videos but very few photos. I'm sure the thinking was that someday we'd be able to isolate some of the video shots and print them out as photographs but needless to say, that didn't happen. HTP did get a first DVD burned but with some glitches. (Lots of effort and only one DVD from one video of many). Regardless of the glitches, it was really nice to see my children as children again. The events recorded on this particular video were from our 1990 summer vacation. One video worth of events. #1 Son was such a little pistol back then. A total bundle of energy. MC Daughter was still of an age when she found herself playing tag with the Pacific ocean waves. Daring it to get her. Sticking her tongue out at it. Getting her tennis shoes wet. DD Daughter was at that borderline age, almost a teenager, when she really wanted to play tag with the waves with her sister but she thought she was too old, too grown up, for that sort of kid thing. I'm betting DD Daughter and MC Daughter will remember this vacation if I just mention the centipede migration.

It sure was shocking to see how young I looked back then...not a single grey hair on my head. And, although I think I still may own those Guess jeans (I seldom throw anything away), I know for a fact that they wouldn't fit today. But, maybe, if I'm really good and stick to our diet, I might be able to wear them this summer. No Way! Even if I did lose all that much weight, the only reason I'd put those jeans back on is if I'm out painting or mucking around in the woods. I had to laugh at the fashions back then. And my hairdo. I wonder what I'll think of the fashions of today in another eighteen years? Back in 1990, my daughters favored a lot of neon colors. Neon pink, neon yellow, neon green. Even their sunglasses were neon.

Murphyism of the Day

Laws of Annoyance

When working on a project, if you put away a tool that you're certain you're finished with, you will need it instantly.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Often it does seem a pity that Noah and his party did not miss the boat.

- Mark Twain (1835 - 1910)

Snow at The Lake - 2006

Word of the Day

Fiblag - The period of time that elapses when a police officer asks a suspect a simple question, such as, "Do you know how fast you were going?"

I had a dream last night. I suppose I dream a lot but I don't always remember my dreams even though they come through in living color. This was a nice dream. Nothing like the ones where I'm driving the car and need to quickly stop but my feet can't quite reach the brake pedals because for some reason I didn't adjust the seat properly. Nothing like the ones where I'm madly searching floor by floor for my classroom in this HUGE school...I mean, this place is HUGE... where I'm supposed to be taking a final exam...and the reason I can't find the class is because I only attended the class once or twice. Nor was it like the ones where I can't remember my locker combination or I can't remember where my classrooms are located after Christmas break. And this wasn't like my Mom's calico hair dream where she came to visit and discovered that the shampoo that she found in my guest bath was actually some weird hair dye. No...my dream last night was about a dog. HTP and I had driven to Vegas and had stopped at my folks' place like we always do and.... My folks got a new dog! She was so cute. Actually, I'm not sure if the dog was a male or female but I'm assuming that it was a she because, historically speaking, my folks haven't bought all that many male dogs. I think she was a chihuahua/pug mix. Full grown. She wasn't a puppy. Short brown hair like a dachshund mix dog that my folks used to have. Her nose wasn't pushed in like a pug but it was really short. Dad was sitting with her on his lap when we arrived at their house. I woke up before I found out what her name was but I do remember that Gypsy and my folks' new dog seemed to get along just fine. As I said, this was a nice dream.

The seed catalogs have starting arriving at my home here in Arizona. Every day I've been getting e-mail special offers from these companies. I guess it's time to start thinking about gardening at The Lake. I've decided to wait until I get to The Lake this year before I buy any plants but it is kind of nice to look at the catalogs and think of the coming spring and summer months. I suppose if I actually lived at The Lake for the entire year, I'd be looking outside right now at endless vistas of snow. I'd be planting peat pots full of tomatoes and peppers and eggplant so they'd be ready for planting in the garden as soon as the danger of frost had left. Who am I kidding? I wouldn't use peat pots. I'd use cottage cheese cartons, egg cartons, and butter Tupperware and old coffee tins (which aren't tin anymore...they're plastic). I'm sure I'd be driving HTP nuts with my seedlings. Oh well...I'm not there and I am here in Arizona so I'll just have to wait until I get to The Lake and depend on the nurseries for gardening supplies. But, it is nice to look through the seed catalogs. Only a few more months here before we'll be back at The Lake. I wonder how my new plum tree has fared over the winter? I wonder how my raspberries are surviving...and my blueberries. How much snow is there? Are my special violas that never freeze blooming still?

Murphyism of the Day

Johnson's Law

When any mechanical contrivance fails, it will do so at the most inconvenient time.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Quotation, n: The act of repeating erroneously the words of another.

- Ambrose Bierce (1842 - 1914)

#1 Son - Christmas 2007

Word of the Day

Fenderberg - Any large glacial deposit that forms on the inside of a vehicle's fender during the winter snow season.

My guest room has been vacated. HTP just left to take #1 Son to the airport. It sure is going to be quiet here now that #1 Son has gone back to school. Last night was our last night together here....at least for a while. I made a special roast beef dinner. We played Wii and then watched the movie Ratatouille. This morning we had a nice brunch...at home. I've found that, for the most part, I can provide the same wonderful brunch foods as you'd pay lots of bucks for at a restaurant. I even served mimosas. *sigh* I'm not sure if I'll ever get used to this empty nest thing. Oh well...we'll see all our children again in a few months. And our grandchild.

It froze again last night. However, I don't think we'll be seeing any more freezing temperatures...at least...not for a while. I can uncover all the plants and store away the sheets until the next time.

Murphyism of the Day

Rule of Intelligent Tinkering

Save all the parts.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Fish and visitors smell in three days.

Benjamin Franklin (1706 - 1790)

Mom and Ms. En - 2007

Word of the Day

Faxole - One who gets a new fax machine and insists on sending practice faxes to any friend with a fax machine.

It's my Mom's birthday today!

Happy


Birthday


Mom!


We'll have to go out and celebrate the next time we're in Vegas! I hope you take the time and have a wonderful day.


Today has been set aside as a preparation for departure day. I'm doing some last batches of laundry so that #1 Son won't have to pack too much dirty laundry back to school with him. I mended his winter jacket. A jacket that he WILL need when he gets off the airplane tomorrow night.

I suppose, now that I'm done mending #1 Son's jacket (my excuse for not putting my contact lenses in this morning), I could put my contact lenses in but.... It's not that my contact lenses are all that uncomfortable. Anyway, I think I'll wash my hair first and then give Gypsy a bath. Then...I'll put my contact lenses in.

It froze again last night. The forecast calls for at least one more night of possible freezing temperatures so I haven't taken the sheets off my plants as yet. I think they'll be OK for one more day covered. Gypsy is outside right now sitting on one of the sheets that is covering a smaller hibiscus bush. I suppose the sheet is a lot more comfortable to sit on than the gravel.

I don't think that Gypsy even knows what a lawn looks like. Yet. The people we bought Gypsy from didn't have a lawn. They had desert landscaping...just like we have desert landscaping. It's a lot more practical here in Arizona and it saves on water. It should be interesting to see how Gypsy reacts to our lawn at The Lake.

Murphyism of the Day

Law of Repair

You can't fix it if it ain't broke.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

An invasion of armies can be resisted, but not an idea whose time has come.

Victor Hugo (1802 - 1885)

MC Daughter at The Lake

Word of the Day

Fauxfile - A profile on any of the internet dating sites with alluring content detailing a non-existent person to target a response from a specific or non-specific user.

It's cold outside. 29°F at 7 AM this morning when Gypsy woke me up. No...MC Daughter did not wake me up. She called me after I got up, dressed and in the process of washing my face. She was afraid that she woke me up. Time zone dyslexia. That's where you can't remember if you are ahead of the person in another time zone or behind. She's ahead of HTP and me right now. But that's all beside the point. Baby, it's cold outside. Though the temperature outside has reached a balmy 45°F, there is still a fine layer of ice on my fountain. It's a good thing that I covered the plants last night.

It was nice to hear from MC Daughter this morning. She wanted to know if #1 Son was here. He is...but technically, he isn't here. He spent the night at a friend's house. However, I think she meant, is #1 Son here in Arizona. She wanted to know when #1 Son will be back in the frozen temperatures of Minnesota. If she'd read my blog yesterday, she'd have known when he'll be heading on back to her neighborhood. Oh well...she's been busy at work. It's perfectly understandable that she doesn't have time to read my blog. It was nice to hear that all's well, cold, but well, in Minnesota.


Murphyism of the Day

Ray's Rule of Precision

Measure with a micrometer.
Mark with chalk.
Cut with an ax.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

When I was kidnapped, my parents snapped into action. They rented out my room.

- Woody Allen

#1 Son and MC Daughter Playing in The Snow at The Lake - Once upon a time.

Word of the Day

Fanaddict - 1. One who insists on sleeping with a fan on during cold weather while taking refuge under blanket. 2. A regular viewer of any celebrity news television syndication.

It did not freeze last night. All my dancing with sheets was for naught. However, I'm told that it's supposed to get colder tonight so I'm thinking about leaving the plants covered so I won't have to dance again tonight.

My supply of Christmas goodies are dwindling and will soon be nothing but a fond memory. I've got to clean and store away empty cookie tins. It won't be too long before HTP and I will start our post-holiday diet. Whatever remains of the Christmas goodies on Saturday will be packed up and sent along home with #1 Son when he heads back to school on Sunday. From past experience I've come to realize that HTP and I are not too successful in dieting when we've got company or when we've got Christmas goodies or other illegal forms of sustenance in our home.

Today is day three wearing my new contact lenses. Acuvue2 lenses are disposable lenses. So far, the only problems I seem to have are when I want to read or work my Sudoku puzzles. I CAN read and work my Sudoku puzzles but it takes a bit more effort that I'd like. HTP mentioned that maybe I should buy a pair of reading glasses but I'd have to create a pair out of two set of the drugstore variety. Because one of my eyes is corrected for distance and one of my eyes is supposed to be corrected for near, I'd have to find a pair of glasses that would correct the distance eye and another pair to correct the near eye. Then I'd have to create one pair of reading glasses from the two. I'm not sure it's really worth all that bother. I can read. I can work my Sudoku. It's doubtful that I'll be able to thread a needle or do much mending or needlework. Of course, I haven't tried....yet. #1 Son wants me to mend some seams on his winter jacket so I'll soon find out.

Murphyism of the Day

Four Workshop Principles

1. The one wrench or drill bit you need will be the one missing from the tool chest. 2. Most projects require three hands.
3. Leftover nuts never match leftover bolts.
4. The more carefully you plan a project, the more confusion there is when something goes wrong.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

You always pass failure on the way to success. - Mickey Rooney

My Home at The Lake- I'm betting that there's more snow there right now. That's why HTP and I are here, rather than there.

Word of the Day

Fabtastic - Describing anything that is both fabulous and fantastic.

Well, it's back to "Ye Ole Contact Lenses" for me which meant that I needed to a new contact lens case and some new cleaning/wetting solution. #1 Son pointed out that they've come out with a Visine for contact lens wearers that you can drop into your eyes while you're wearing your lenses. I don't remember that they had that when I wore contact lenses before, a fact that may indicate the last time I wore contact lenses. Oh well...I wore my new contact lenses yesterday and I put them on this morning. Which...of course, meant that I had to put on eye makeup because I didn't have any glasses to hide the lack there of anymore. It's not that I don't like wearing eye make-up. It's just that it takes that much longer to get ready in the morning.

#1 Son and I both ordered new eye glasses from Eyemasters yesterday. There were a lot of frames to choose from but somehow, they all looked pretty much the same. The fashion these days is all about rectangular shaped lenses and frames. There were a LOT of rectangular frames and a very few otherly shaped frames for those of us that like to stick to the old tried and true. #1 Son headed right over to where he started to pick out frames that resembled what he had previously. The last time he bought new frames was when he was in middle school. As he was perusing the selection, I picked out four frames for myself to try on and asked for his impute. Then...after he helped me decide on which of the four frames I'd picked out that would look best on me and after ordering my new glasses and paying for them, I redirected #1 Son's attention to the frames that looked quite different than his old frames. In this effort, I dragooned the help of two woman salespersons. One of the women looked at the selections that #1 Son had picked out on his own and mentioned the killing critic, "Harry Potter. You don't want to look like Harry Potter". We redirected his attention to a few pairs of the many rectangular frames that were bountiful. He decided on a nice pair of Converse frames. Very GQ. My own glasses will take at least a week before they can be manufactured. They'll give me a call when they're done. Such is life when one needs bifocals. #1 Son's glasses were ready for pickup by the time we'd gone over to pick up my contact lenses at Costco and had time for a nice meal at an Oriental restaurant. As for #1 Son's contact lenses, he'll have to order them on the Internet and have them delivered out to his apartment in Minnesota. Costco would have sold them to him but he would have had to wait at least a week because it was a special order. He won't be here in a week. Oh well...at least he has his prescription.

In the meantime, today is going to be spent getting the laundry done because I didn't do laundry yesterday. It will also be spent getting used to my new contact lenses. I've dealt with mono-vision contact lenses before so it isn't too difficult. One eye has been corrected for distance and the other has been corrected for reading. For the most part, this doesn't bother me too much but right now my distance eye is battling my reading eye for supremacy when it comes to viewing my computer monitor. Oh well...I'll get used to it. On other news, it's supposed to get cold again tonight. I'll have to do my sheet dance. Good thing I've got the sheets all prepped and ready out in the garage.

Murphyism of the Day

The Spare Parts Principle

The accessibility, during recovery of small parts that fall from the workbench, varies directly with the size of the part - and inversely with its importance to the completion of work under way.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Some people like my advice so much that they frame it upon the wall instead of using it.

- Gordon R. Dickson

Old Grey Frog Doesn't Look TOO Bad With Glasses....Does She?

Word of the Day

Fabramblicate - The act of incessantly lying during a lecture about "facts", until one forgets what they've previously lied about and contradicts oneself.

The result of my eye appointment yesterday? I can't have lasik/lasik-like surgery. After repeating a lot of tests and subjecting me to another new machine that mapped my eyes topographically, the doctor told me that I'd have to live with my glasses and contacts. Oh well...some day they'll invent something so that I won't have to wear glasses or contact lenses but until that day, I get to go back and have my eyes refracted today so I can get a new prescription for glasses and contacts. They fit me in to have this done today at the same time that #1 Son is going to have his done. We'll go out and fill our prescriptions at Eyemasters and Costco afterwards. It's a lot cheaper, with coupon(s), to have this done at Eyemasters for glasses, Costco for contact lenses.

While at the mall waiting for our glasses (we may have to come back another day), #1 Son and I plan to shop for some new jeans...for #1 Son. I don't need any new jeans. Besides, I'm still thrilled that I can find such a nice selection of jeans in my size in the men's departments at JC Penney's and Mervyn's. #1 Son wants to check out the selection at Anchor Blue. The jeans don't cost much more there and #1 Son likes the different styles they have there. At least, I hope they still have an Anchor Blue store at the mall.

Murphyism of the Day

Anthony's Law of the Workshop

Any tool, when dropped, will roll into the least accessible corner of the workshop.

Corollary

On the way to the corner, any dropped tool will first always strike your toes.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Puritanism: The haunting fear that someone, somewhere, may be happy.

-H. L. Mencken (1880 - 1956)

Islamic Extremism: The haunting fear, indignation, and anger that someone, somewhere, may be happy....and you all thought Puritans were extreme.

-Old Grey Frog

Old Grey Frog Can Wear Contact Lenses But Doesn't Have to Like It. See Her Grin and Bear It.

Word of the Day

Eyelidology - The study of one's own eyelids. Sometimes used as an excuse for sleeping in class.

I've got an eye appointment this afternoon. I had my eyes checked last year to see if I was a good candidate for lasik/lasik-type surgery and was told that I needed to come back in six months (it's been longer than that) so that they can get a good indication of how much my eyes change...or have changed. My thinking is that they're going to tell me that I am not a good candidate for this sort of surgery but I won't really know until after today's appointment. It sure would be wonderful if I didn't have to wear glasses anymore so I'm keeping my fingers crossed that I'm just being pessimistic. Groping around blindly for glasses in the middle of the night, knocking over beverages sitting on the nightstand by mistake, fogged up glasses, dirty glasses, glasses slipping down to the tip of your nose, bent frames because glasses have been sat on by mistake.... *sigh* If I'm not a good candidate, I'll still have to get a prescription for glasses and for contacts. I'm still wearing the same glasses that I wore the last time I got my eyes checked. And these glasses are the same glasses that I've worn for at least one year before that. I haven't worn contact lenses for over a year so I don't have a current prescription. Contact lenses are a must for me right now if I want to go out without glasses...and be able to see.

Murphyism of the Day

Rap's Law of Inanimate Reproduction

If you take something apart and put it back together enough times, eventually you will have two of them.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Defining and analyzing humor is a pastime of humorless people.

- Robert Benchley (1889 - 1945)

Beware the Dreaded Snapping Turtle! - Fall 2007

Word of the Day

Expresshole - One who try to sneak more than the "eight items or less" into the express checkout line.

I made waffles for breakfast this morning. NO! I did not make Eggo or Eggo-related waffles. I made, from scratch, waffles in my seldom used waffle maker. It took me a few minutes to actually find where I'd stored the waffle maker and dust if off, but I was good to go after that. I decided to keep the waffles warm in the warming drawer of my oven until I had enough to serve for breakfast. It was at this point that I found my missing cookie sheet. When I was making Christmas goodies, I'd noted that I was missing one of my cookie sheets. I now need to make apologies to MC Daughter who I thought may have "borrowed" it. Sorry sweetie! I have no idea who thought cookie sheets should be stored in the warming draw but that's another story. I don't use the warming drawer that often and it never occurred to me to look for the missing cookie sheet there. I suspect that it might have been HTP. Anyway, the lost was found and stored away with the other cookie sheets before I started the waffle making process. I finished half the waffles and started frying up the ham. Yummy! I've got enough waffles leftover from breakfast to serve tomorrow or the next day for breakfast...Eggo-style. The nice thing about making homemade waffles is that you can reheat any leftovers in the toaster.

Gypsy and I enjoyed cuddling up on the bed yesterday as I re-read a book or two from my collection. Actually, we enjoyed it so much that I think we'll do the same thing today. I wish I'd taken the opportunity this morning to sneak out and take a picture of Gypsy cuddled up in a sliver of sunshine with her duck/goose. Maybe tomorrow.

Murphyism of the Day

Rudnicki's Rule

That which cannot be taken apart will fall apart.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Make the most of yourself, for that is all there is of you.

- Ralph Waldo Emerson (1803 - 1882)

The Lake

Word of the Day

Execuglide - The act of gliding across one's office in an executive chair on wheels.

Wow! It's the weekend again! How did that happen? You already know how much I look forward to weekends. Oh well...

It's a beautiful day outside. A bit chilly at 58°F but the sun is shining. I suppose I should go out for a walk or do something constructive like spray Round-up on the weed seedlings that are sprouting all over the yard. Oh well...

Somehow I don't feel like doing anything more strenuous than sitting here listening to the water fall in the fountain. I think I'll cuddle up with Gypsy and re-read a book or two.

Murphyism of the Day

Washlesky's Law

Anything is easier to take apart than to put together.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

The incompetent with nothing to do can still make a mess of it.

- Laurence J. Peter (1919 - 1988)

The Reason That I gave Gypsy a Squirrel Toy - Squirrel Problems at The Lake - 2007

Word of the Day

Excess frankage - 1. When one has more hot dogs than buns during a cookout. 2. A foot-long hot dog in a six inch bun.

HTP has headed off to get the tires balanced on the Chevy. We actually may have to have the tires replaced. There is a distinctive shimmy when we drive at certain speeds and the vibrations can't be good for the internal workings of the car. Warranty issue? I was going to follow him over to the dealership in the Gator so he wouldn't have to sit there all day but we decided that maybe, just maybe, the dealership might bring him home and pick him up later. We'll see. I decided that I'd blog and sit ready to head out...just in case.

We went out to eat last night as planned. We ate sushi until we could eat no more. I really would have liked to eat more and probably would have it weren't for that darn rice. It expands in your stomach, filling every little nook and cranny. Actually, I prefer sushimi. That's just the raw chunks of fish. To be real, I don't like ALL raw fish. I won't eat everything on the menu. I'm not fond of eel...fresh water or sea. Or mackeral. I love ahi tuna, salmon, yellowtail, octopus and squid, and fish roe. Yummy. I've had my sushi fix and will survive for a while before I have to go back. I will have to go back for another fix before HTP and I head back to Wisconsin. I actually could make my own sushi and I have done this but I always end up making just one variety. Maybe Sis and I can get together one night for a sushi night at The Lake. Ahi tuna, salmon, bluegill caviar, cebiche, pickled pike, crayfish....just a thought.

Murphyism of the Day

Willoughby's Law

When you try to prove to someone that a machine won't work, it will.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Television has proved that people will look at anything rather than each other.

- Ann Landers (1918 - 2002)

Christmas Goodies Will Not Be Welcome Here After #1 Son Leaves

Word of the Day

Excess bunnage - 1. When one has more buns than hot dogs at a cook out. 2. When the hot dog is shorter than the bun (Where's the meat?)

I stayed up way too late last night. I had two books sitting on my bedside table just begging me to read them and....I did. Both of them. Unfortunately, now I don't have anything to read that I haven't already read here in the house and none of my favorite authors are coming out with anything new until next month. However, there may be some hope in sight. I'm supposed to be helping to judge a writer's contest and I think I'm supposed to get the books that I'll be judging this month sometime. I have no self-control when it comes to buying books. New books with that new book smell. One year I found out that I'd actually purchased and read half of the books that I ending up getting free copies of for the judging. I try not to repeat my mistakes. I'm staying well away from any book stores until after I see what books they'll want me to judge. Unfortunately, I don't think I'll be seeing the books until the end of the month. Oh well...I'll just have to re-read something again. Maybe I'll hunt up something from my bookshelves in the office. Something to read while I take a nap to recover from staying up to read last night.

I bought thirty oranges at the store yesterday and juiced them up for breakfast this morning. 5#/$1 isn't bad for oranges, cheaper than what the citrus grove charges. Unfortunately, they weren't all that juicy. When I juiced 15 tangelos from my tree in the backyard, I ended up with 2 quarts of juice. When I juiced these 30 oranges from the store, I only ended up with 2 quarts of juice. I guess I grow really juicy tangelos on my tree. The oranges were bigger than my tangelos too. Huh?! Maybe I'd have been better off buying my fruit from the citrus grove. I'd juiced the tangelos because I made Tangelocello (started it)the other day. HTP and #1 Son have been really enjoying the fresh fruit juice in the morning with our breakfast. I still have four tangelos decorating my tree outside in the backyard. I plan to save those to enjoy as mid-afternoon snacks after #1 Son heads back to college and I after I again take up the reins as diet gestapo.

HTP and #1 Son are in the mood for sushi tonight. Woohoo! I won't have to cook and (double bonus), I happen to love sushi and haven't had it since we've been back here to Arizona. We have a favorite restaurant here that serves fresh sushi...all-you-can-eat. We eat LOTS of sushi. I'd eat a heck of a lot more if it weren't for the rule that you have to eat all the sticky rice too. I don't like eating all that rice. Too filling...which, I suppose, is the reason for the rule.

Murphyism of the Day

Parker's Rule of Parliamentary Procedure

A motion to adjourn is always in order.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

A happy childhood has spoiled many a promising life.

- Robertson Davies

Tree Frog at The Lake - 2007

Word of the Day

Exaspirin - 1. Any bottle of pain reliever with an impossible-to-remove cotton wad at the top. 2. Any impossible-to-open bottle that claims to be "child-proof".

Gypsy is pretty sure that Old Grey Frog has lost her mind. She watched me with total consternation and puzzlement, following my every movement, as I removed all her "lawn decorations" from our yard. At least, that was my goal, but sometimes it's hard to see the lawn decorations from the gravel. Kind of like not being able to see the trees for the forest? Anyway, cleaning up lawn decorations is one of the not so pleasant things about being a dog owner. Oh well...it's done until next time. I won't go into how difficult this job becomes when it's been raining outside. I suppose Gypsy is on the right track about my state of mind. After all, I not only spent the morning cleaning up "lawn decorations", I also wrote one whole paragraph about this activity.

We got a half and inch of rain over the weekend. At least, that's what my new froggy rain gauge told me when I "reset" it this morning. I hadn't "reset" my other rain gauge from our last rain but I got the froggy rain gauge as a Christmas present from one of my best friends and we haven't had any rain from the time I put it outside until this weekend. The only electronic rain gauge that I own right now is sitting on my countertop at The Lake. Resetting my rain gauges here in Arizona is just a matter of dumping out the water that has accumulated. I "reset" both of my rain gauges this morning.

We need the rain but....I noticed, while cleaning up lawn decorations, that the rain has started up a massive crop of weeds. If I get outside and spray Round-up on all these weeds right now, I won't have too much of a problem. Maybe tomorrow. Unfortunately, I'm pretty sure that these weeds will be six feet tall by then. Weeds grow fast in Arizona. I equate it to the magic beans from Jack and the Beanstalk.

Murphyism of the Day

Wolinski's Law

Teamwork is wasting half of one's time explaining to others why they are wrong.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

It is how people respond to stress that determines whether they will profit from misfortune or be miserable.

Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi

Gypsy

Word of the Day

Exaccurate - Exactly accurate.

Good grief! Where is the time racing off to so fast? I should be doing laundry today. I am doing laundry today but it's not getting done nearly as fast as the time of day. I have, however, been doing a lot of sitting on the couch with Gypsy, watching New Hampshire pick out possible Democratic and Republican candidates, and working on sudoku puzzles. However, I will get the laundry done...eventually. I'm moving rather slow today because I stayed up so late last night watching Pirates of the Caribbean- At World's End. I loved it. Tonight? Maybe we'll watch Transformers.

Murphyism of the Day

Horwood's Eighth Law

In complex systems, there is no relationship between information gathered and decisions made.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

Two wrongs don't make a right, but they make a good excuse.

- Thomas Szasz

Snow at The Lake and why I shouldn't whine about rain in Arizona

Word of the Day

Ex - To render outdated, make obsolete, relegate to the past.

Taking care of business. #1 Son had his doctor appointment this morning. We scheduled an eye appointment for next week. Christmas school break doesn't just mean coming home to Arizona for #1 Son. I imagine that we'll be taking care of buying some new clothes and maybe a new jacket as well while he's here with us and before he flies off on his way back to school.

I also made an eye appointment for me. Last year my eyes were checked for possible eye surgery (lasik or lasik-like) but the doctor wanted to see how much my eyes change in year before he'd let me know if I was a possible candidate for this kind of eye surgery. We'll just have to see. Ha-ha. It would be nice to wake up one day and actually be able to see without groping around for glasses that have mysteriously fallen on the floor overnight.

HTP and I went to see National Treasure - Book of Secrets last night with friends. Loved it. Fun. Afterwards, we all went to dinner at Texas Roadhouse. Again, pretty good. However, not fantastic. My sweet potato didn't taste like a sweet potato because it was overwhelmed by a cinnamon taste. What? Cinnamon? My green beans were canned green beans covered with a bacon sauce. My caramelized onion....wasn't...caramelized. My steak? Well...I'm afraid it had an odd liver taste to it. Don't get me wrong. I love liver but not when I've ordered sirloin steak. However, it was cooked medium-rare as requested. I'm just puzzled as to how they got that liver-like taste on it. The peanuts were good. Everyone seemed to like the fresh rolls too, though, I didn't try one. It looked like the rolls were being served with cinnamon butter which probably explains why my sweet potato ended up tasting so like cinnamon pudding? They must have "buttered" my sweet potato before they brought it to me.

Have I griped enough as yet? It's raining again. My hair is all frizzy because I was standing in the rain again last night and again this morning when I took Gypsy outside. Maybe I'd better go get a bit of cheese with my whine.

Murphyism of the Day

Chapman's Committee Rules

1. Never arrive on time, or you will be stamped a beginner.
2. Don't say anything until the meeting is half over; this stamps you as being wise.
3. Be as vague as possible' this prevents irritating others.
4. When in doubt, suggest that a subcommittee be appointed.
5. Be the first to move for adjournment; this will make you popular-it's what everyone is waiting for.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

There's no bad day that can't be overcome by listening to a barbershop quartet; this is just truth, plain and simple.

- Chuck Sigars

Snow at The Lake - I hear that there's a place in California where they'll be getting 10 feet of snow today? TEN FEET?!

Word of the Day

Evidentually - According to the evidence available, sooner or later, an event is obviously bound to occur.

It's official. Christmas has come and gone. I packed up all the Christmas stuff and stored it away until I start the countdown again on December 1, 2008. I hadn't really planned on packing everything up yesterday but when the mood strikes, it's best to give into it. So far I haven't found anything sitting out that was forgotten by the mad rush to put everything away. Oh...wait...I think I did forget something which I just remembered. The window candles. They were in the guest room window. I'll have to put them away....as soon as #1 Son gets up, which probably won't be until I get home from church today. I hope I remember by then.

It's raining. Despite this fact, Gypsy didn't mind getting outside to do her thing this morning, especially since I insisted and went outside to get wet with her, sans umbrella. She really hates rain or maybe it's just umbrellas. The rain should make my commute to church rather interesting too. I'm not fond of driving in the rain, walking in the rain, wiping rain off my glasses. However, needs must. I'm playing my clarinet this morning for one of the church services and there's just no getting around it. I'll have to take the Gator because I'm not sure if #1 Son left enough gas in the Chevy so I won't have to stand outside in the rain while filling the tank up.

HTP and I are going to see a movie tonight with friends. One of the movies that I wanted to see on The Big Screen. National Treasure II. I'm not sure if they actually call it that but it is a sequel to the other one. We didn't get to see Transformers last night (DVD), but maybe on Monday. I'm looking forward to seeing that movie too.

Murphyism of the Day

Peterson's Principle

Never delay the ending of a meeting or the beginning of a dinner hour.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

The cruelest lies are often told in silence.

- Robert Louis Stevenson

Snow at The Lake (I keep posting these pictures to remind me why HTP and I are not there right now)

Word of the Day

Eufirstics - Two people waiting on the phone for the other to hang up first.

I'm not fond of weekends. For one, the radio programs I like aren't on. I'm not really interested in The Gardening Guy or The Real Estate Guy or The Computer Geek. And then if you flip on the TV to catch the news, it's all about sports, or a panel of people screaming at each other about investments. I do not like waking up in the morning to people arguing with each other.

Forget about going shopping at the grocery stores or the mall. Everyone seems to want to go shopping on the weekends. Screaming, running, giggling herds of unsupervised children, like bumper cars at a fair. And the adults on their cell phones act like human cholesterol clogging up the aisles.

Traffic? More humans with cell phone growths attached to one or other of their ears, wandering from lane to lane on the freeways and byways without a thought in their heads about the other poor drivers on the road. What?! Do they think I'm psychic or something and just know that they're going to switch lanes? Why do they even put that little signal do-hickey in the cars anymore? The majority of drivers these days don't even bother to use it and if they do, they turn it on as they're turning. Well, duh! I can SEE that you're turning or changing lanes now because you're halfway there already. And the parking lots? They boast about how any parking spots they have in their lots but when did parking spaces get so small that you have to use two of them to park your car?

Actually, my favorite time for driving is early on Sunday morning when I'm heading to church. Quiet. Peaceful. Very little traffic. People heading out to get a bit of religion? Could be. Only the grocery stores are open that early.

Unless I'm desperate, you will not find me out and about on a weekend. I'd love to go see a movie or two right now but I think I'll wait until everyone is at work or in school or until most of them come out on DVD in the store. DVD movies were a wonderful invention. You can sit in your own comfortable living room and watch a movie. HTP makes wonderful popcorn. And...if you have to get up to go to the bathroom or answer the phone? You can hit the pause button and continue watching at a later, more convenient time. Actually, I think the movie Transformers will be playing in our living room tonight. Surround sound. Munchies. Maybe a glass of wine. I don't really look forward to sitting in uncomfortable movie theatre seating, battling over the arm rest with some stranger sitting next to me while carefully guarding my purse on my lap because the floors are all sticky with some one's spilled pop, candy and popcorn. However, sometimes you just have to bite that particular bullet if you want to see a movie on the big screen. Oh well...not today. Maybe next week.

Murphyism of the Day

Trahey's Law

Never dump a good idea on a conference table. It will belong to the conference.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

The most important thing is to be whatever you are without shame.

- Rod Steiger

Snow at The Lake - October 2006


Word of the Day

Eripa - The collected mental assessment of an event, place, person or otherwise through research, word of mouth, or the like prior to reaching the destination or meeting in question.

I made and froze eight quarts of Gypsy food last night. Beef and Barley Stew. While at the grocery store, I circled and circled and looked and looked and finally gave up on ever finding the barley I needed to cook up for this recipe. I decided to substitute long grain brown rice instead but...after looking for the stuff for over a half and hour, I got to the checkout line and told the cashier when I was asked if I'd found everything, that no...indeed I hadn't. I couldn't find the barley. "Oh, well of course we have some." She sent someone running, who sent someone else running and after about five more minutes, they brought me a box of barley. OK. They had barley. Where the heck was it! It was by the broth. I'd picked up two cans of beef broth for the recipe and didn't see the barley anywhere in the vicinity but I guess it was "hidden". I LOOKED for it there. Oh well. I got my barley and didn't buy the long grain brown rice. I hope Gypsy likes her Beef and Barley Stew. I won't actually know until I finish up that last bit of Turkey Stew that I made at the end of November.

Because it took so long yesterday while shopping, I didn't get the laundry done until this morning. Even having #1 Son and his friend help make supper last night didn't allow enough time to finish up on the laundry. I made my oven-baked chicken but I didn't think it was too much to ask #1 Son and his friend to help out. I don't mind feeding #1 Son's friends because I'm going to cook meals anyway and one more doesn't make too much difference. However, yesterday it was really nice to have a bit of extra help.

The weather here has warmed up so much that I left the windows open last night. It was just getting too warm inside the house. Stuffy, too. The outdoor temperatures dipping down to the mid-50's felt good. It's nice to be able to leave the windows open for a while again. Too bad that they're predicting colder temperatures next week again. My sheets are all dry and waiting for the dance to begin again.


Murphyism of the Day

Lucas's Law

No one has ever erected a monument to a committee.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

No fear. No distractions. The ability to let that which does not matter truly slide.

- Chuck Palahniuk

Gypsy

Word of the Day

Enterstainment - Dubious, dreadful entertainment which leaves one feeling stained.

Happy New Year! We're back home from Vegas. It was wonderful to sleep in our own bed last night. Although Sam's Town has a wonderful facility (nice rooms), their beds are not MY bed. Their rooms are not MY room. As it was, this last visit, we were given one of the smallest of their rooms that could still accommodate two queen beds. #1 Son was sharing a room with us. On top of that, we were put on the third floor right over one of the banquet rooms where there was a charity event held on New Year's Eve. The rap music reverberated and vibrated well into the New Year and beyond. Even the noise reducing headphones that HTP gave me for Christmas couldn't block out the bass line. Our view was of the parking garage where the light from these huge spotlights cut right through the curtains in our room. A view of The Strip? No way. #1 Son and I had to race down the hall to view the fireworks from the windows near the elevator and there too were more spotlights to compete with the fireworks. Oh well.... HTP and I have decided that 3rd Floor isn't where we want to be from now on. Especially on New Year's Eve.

On a second note to myself (first note being not to let Sam's Town put us on the 3rd Floor again), I've decided that if and when we drive over the Hoover Dam, I'm the one that needs to do the driving. I normally don't get carsick anymore. It's a rare event these days. If I fly, I take Dramamine. I should have taken Dramamine yesterday when #1 Son did the driving across The Dam. The line-up of traffic started before The Hacienda (the first casino that you pass after crossing The Dam into Nevada). #1 Son is a good driver but that hurky-jerky drive with bumper to bumper, slow to no go traffic was a guarantee to make me sick...if I'm not driving. Even with my eyes closed.... Well, I did not get sick. But it was a close thing. We stopped after crossing The Dam because HTP and #1 Son needed to use the facilities. Thank goodness they needed to stop because I did too. I just walked to the side of the road and stared off into the desert, inhaling the fresh (no exhaust fumes)air, while I waited for my stomach to settle down again. While standing out looking over the desert, I saw a desert chipmunk and several lizards. It's amazing how much one notices when one just stands very still and breaths. It took a full ten minutes for me to even think about getting back into that car again so we could continue on. And I didn't even feel half-way better until we got to Kingman, at which point the belated Dramamine that I took finally started to work. Note to self. If I'm not the person driving, I should take Dramamine on long trips. Just to be on the safe side.

Well...enough of that sort of thing. We did have fun in Vegas. I lost more than I won. HTP took home more money than he came with...and so did #1 Son. Plus, #1 Son got this nifty cutting board for racking up enough points on his brand new player's card and he was able to pay for his own breakfast yesterday morning. Gotta love it.

Today is dedicated to doing laundry. Needs must. However, I may go out shopping with #1 Son. There's a couple of books that I'd like to purchase. #1 Son wants to look at some sport shoes. And I want to buy a new orange juicer so I can start that batch of Tangelocello. I need to get the citrus off my trees before the end of the month. On top of all this, I need to make some more dog food for Gypsy. I'm going to make Beef Barley Stew this time. Only...I need to buy some barley....and some beef....and some cabbage....and some other ingredients. I need to go to the grocery store anyway so I can make people food too.

I need to crack down and start some serious training with Gypsy. She needs to learn some basic commands. I've been spoiling her. I just love holding her and so it hasn't been a big deal to carry her outside each morning. However, not everyone (HTP) wants to carry my puppy outside. She needs to learn the command, "OUTSIDE". She also needs to learn the command, "KENNEL". Mancha and Muggsy both knew these commands and the hand signals. Gypsy? Not so much. I'll work on it. I'm hoping that her little bladder problems (she's a leaker when she gets excited) will go away with time. My Mom and Dad looked after Gypsy while we were in Vegas. They tell me that she was a good guest but whenever my Dad reached down to pick her up, she'd get all excited. Good thing they have a tile floor. Thanks Mom and Dad. Gypsy is really sorry that she leaked on your floor.

Murphyism of the Day

Coblitz's Law

A committee can make a decision that is dumber than any of its members.

Noteworthy Quote of the Day

You live and learn. At any rate, you live.

- Douglas Adams