Whatever Happened To Baby Mike?

I was blown away when I saw the latest pictures of Michael Jackson this evening. What on EARTH would make someone do this to himself? His personality just got more and more weird as his outer appearance did, too. How could it not? There's a chronicle of his facelifts and cosmetic alterations at Anomalies Unlimited. Just be forewarned: The writing is wickedly funny, so don't accidently blow pop out your natural, wonderful, unmodified nose. Let's be careful out there.

Basement Blues

Preface: I don't know how one can go into politics without becoming a politician; likewise, I don't know how one can go into sales without becoming a salesman. I guess I can't fault the guy for being a salesman - it's like the old "you can take the boy out of the country, but you can't take the country out of the boy" thing. I'm just full of useful analogies today, aren't I?

This leads me to our appointment with the salesman today. Things got a little bit emotional for the first twenty minutes or so the salesman was here, and I must admit I did ambush him with a bad attitude to begin with. I'd been stewing over this for a whole day, corresponding with the ex-employee, doing more research, learning about alternative methods. In the meantime, he had no clue that I felt this way, and never saw this coming. He got defensive, I got defensive, and it was ugly for a while. The facts don't shine through much when everyone's upset and each has his or her own agenda. (This is why I hate political discussions, LOL).

But then, mercifully, we calmed down and all talked. We pretty much hit a dead end when we tried to get a yet lower price, though he did agree to take off an additional $200 for an online coupon I'd found online yesterday, something they normally only apply to an undiscounted price (who knows...). In all, we're paying over $2000 less than what he originally quoted us.

He took time to straight-out explain the stand-by thing and it did make sense when he laid out the scenario. Customers who want to pick the date the crew starts will pay the premium price, while those who agree to be flexible to within a 24-hour notice time period will get a break on the price. He said the majority of their customers are 2-income professionals who want to know a definite timeframe because they must arrange for someone to be home while the work's being done, so it's a financial incentive when a customer's willing to be flexible. From a business standpoint that does make sense. Having jobs available at short notice keeps their crews busy, plus those customers can get the work done more quickly than they might otherwise, and they save some money.

As for the work itself, the other company we'd considered was B Dry, but they do not guarantee against dampness on the walls, only that there will be no water seepage. They basically drill holes at the base of your basement walls and channel that water into a drain around the perimeter of the basement. The drain is not even cemented over, from what I've been reading. What good would that do us, considering we're finishing the walls? EverDry, however, does guarantee we will not have dampness on the walls.

The EverDry salesman said that EverDry does charge a premium price, but they also guarantee against a lot more. He said EverDry could do the same job B Dry proposes, and beat their price, but it would not solve our problem. And after all the reading I did yesterday (my eyes are still uncrossing), I can see this.

They'll come out and install the EZ-Breathe ventilation system, included in this package, next week (after our 3-day back-out period is over) and get it to work on pulling mold spores, moisture, etc. out of the basement and house, and then we'll be on stand-by following our return from Louisiana. I'll be posting updates, of course! It's like I told him, if I am happy with the work and the results, I will spread the word. I'm not one to only say something when things go wrong; I believe good work should also be recognized and rewarded.

EverPressured by EverDry

My mother-in-law will be moving in with us this coming summer. This is a great thing. She's a sweetheart and I'm really looking forward to having her here. Our basement already has a shower and commode in one corner and a semi-finished rec room with a fireplace, so we're finishing those areas and converting our garage into another room. She'll have a kitchenette of her own and a private bath - what more can you ask for?

Our problem: moisture and black mold in the basement. Before we can do any finishing work, we must remedy those issues. We've done our homework and have pretty much decided on a contractor to do the work. Ouch, what a pricetag. But we're talking health issues here, and we're talking getting it done right the first time so our finished basement rooms don't have to be ripped out to fix a problem down the line.

What I'm writing about isn't so much all of that, but my general disgust at sales tactics by EverDry (aka Ohio State Waterproofing). Since talking to this contractor's salesperson (who, of course said "I'm not a salesperson. I'm a manager with the company and I'm in town doing scheduling work" blah, blah, blah), I've done my homework online, and I've learned how just about everything the guy said to us is his company's standard line. We were given a schpiel about "downtime" and how we can save money on the job if we're willing to be on standby for a crew to come in and work with 24 hours notice. Of course, he cautioned that he only had TWO slots to fill for such customers in our area, and he needed to know in 24-48 hours.

This guy was a good salesman, I'll give him that. He drew little pictures and explained the problem (as they see it) and the steps to solving it. He had pictures. He had statistics. He had hundreds of satisfied customers names and addresses. (We knew one of them - saw her name when he wasn't looking - and called her later.)

I have to tell you, though, I hate pressure tactics and I abhor scare tactics. And that is the standard MO of EverDry. Throughout our cozy livingroom appointment, he kept using the phrase "want me to scare the hell out of you?" and then would proceed to tell us statistics about black mold, sinus infections, etc. He also said that his company had inside information that the government would, in seven months, release data of a study showing that our internal body temperature is the perfect temperature for mold spores to grow, inside our lungs. Jeez!!

I did some deep digging online and found a former employee of the company. He and I have been corresponding, and he's given us much enlightenment. I guess I shouldn't be surprised at just how much of this salesman's words were company lines, but I was. And I felt like we were lied to, manipulated. It made me feel gullible and used, frankly.

The thing is, I've also found through research that the package they offer, this multi-step system, does look like a thorough solution, even if it might be overkill. DH doesn't want to spend a few grand on redoing gutters and grading alone, only to find that the moisture problems persist. I can see that. Better to get it all done, and to have a guarantee. One thing this ex-employee told me is they are good to their customers after the sale.

Blargh. This is so stressful!

Sitting Pretty

Emma has this thing about sitting on things. It's not enough to sit on the chair next to Sarah; she wants to sit on Sarah. Same thing with the footstool or anything else handy. She's so bony and leggy, it's no wonder she wants more cushion. Being amply-cushioned myself, I can only imagine...But that must be it, right?

Sarah was grumbling, by the way. ;)

Tuesday's This-or-That...

Thanks to the Passionate Ailurophile, I now am inspired on Tuesdays. :)

1. Hershey's Kisses: with or without almonds?
Just straight chocolate, thanks. I'll eat whichever kind, though, if given the chance. Chocolate is Heaven-Kiss't.

2. Wizard of Oz: Scarecrow or Tin Man?
Scarecrow's a loveable sort, but his innate floppiness gets on the nerves. I'd have to vote for Tinman. Although Scarecrow is much lower maintenance, could double as winter mulch for a rosebush, and would be a comfy place to rest (ask Dorothy!). Oh, and Tinman is heartless, at least most of the time. Perhaps Scarecrow would be better. This is a trick question, one obviously not thought up by the brainless Scarecrow. Oh, the torment!

3. Meat eater or vegetarian?
Meatsa! Meatsa!

4. Buy books or borrow them?
It really depends on the book. Most novels I just borrow unless it's an author I know already, then I buy paperbacks used or deeply discounted retail. Art, humor, photography, gardening and other more research or coffee-table type books, however, I will buy because I like having them around.

5. At the bank: ATM or human teller?
Usually ATM, unless I am depositing money; I like seeing a face and getting a hand-stamped receipt in that case.

6. Oil or gas (or other) heat?
Gas heat is warm heat. ;) Seriously, it's nice.

7. Pen or pencil?
Lovely smooth-writing, non-fading, non-smudging, archival gel pen!

8. Drive or use public transit?
Public transit? What's that? I'd have to drive my car into the city in order to enjoy public transit, but by that time, what's the point?

9. Who IS James Bond: Sean Connery or Pierce Brosnan (or any of the others in between)?
Oh, Sean. Always. Schmashing chap, that Sean.

10. Your ideal breakfast: full (bacon/sausage, eggs, pancakes, etc) or continental (bagels, muffins, fruit, cereal)?
Full. *burp* Preferably the Sunshine Skillet or Pot Roast Hash at Bob Evans, served with a steaming cup of black coffee, buttery biscuits, mind you, not toast or rolls. Aaaaaaaaah.

Sweet Chevy

I've been working on an eBay listing for one of Howie's co-workers this week. I liked how the photos came out, so I thought I'd put together a gallery for my site. Man, it was so fun photographing this car last weekend. The cars from the 1930's and 1940's are so fluid and fun, especially when you can see stuff reflected in their paint. I'd love to hae a classic car some day; we could afford a newer classic car, but I'd be concerned about upkeep and finding parts for it at a good price. In the meantime, I can just look at these shots, lurk around eBay Motors and dream. Presenting...JT's 1941 2-Door Chevy Sedan. Droool.

Popeye Arm

For those of you who've been wondering how my brother-in-law Steve is doing, I've updated the webpage about him. Again, I strongly caution you if you have a weak stomach for nasty medical pictures. His arm was crushed in a machine accident at work on August 19, and I took pictures for him at the beginning of September and posted them. At the bottom of that page there's an update, along with pictures just taken last night. Like I said, don't go there if you're squeamish.

For those of you who'd rather skip the images, let me just say that prayer and talented doctors can work miracles. He's doing great! Here's the text from the website:

Steve's arm looks so much better now! He had the hardware removed some time ago and had a skin graft done. They took the skin from his upper arm (the very pink skin you see is new growth at the site where they removed the top layer of skin for the graft).

He said the place they removed the skin from hurt worse than his whole arm hurt, ever. Can you imagine? You know how it hurts when you get a bad abrasion - ouch! As you can see, though, things are healing up really well. There's still a lot of swelling (we jokingly call it his Popeye arm), but he continues to regain use of his arm and fingers.

The scar tissue at his elbow limits his movement, so he'll have to endure a few more surgeries as they remove/modify scar tissue to allow more movement for his arm.

Like Sands Through the Hourglass...

Actually, it's Sand in the Gears I'm reading lately. This is some good stuff! From politics to his four-year-old's epiphany and resultant curiosity about breastfeeding, he kept me reading - and thinking.

P.S. Waaay on the other end of the breastfeeding spectrum is this.Yipes!

Tear-Stained Chicken Feet

Jan lost it again on Survivor Thailand. It wasn't a bat this time, but a chicken. Its pieces-parts are now snugly nestled in beneath the sand next to young Oliver the Bat's wee grave. With Helen spouting off recipes like she does, I'm surprised she didn't come up with one for chicken feet. I've a friend in South Carolina who swears by them (crispy!). And I know some Cajuns down the Louisiana way who definitely would know how to make good use of them, though it'd be a lot of work for just two bites. That's why we've told our friends not to divulge the ingredients in our meals until after we've consumed them, LOL. Anyway, I think the Survivors are a little too well-fed if they don't consider the feet as something marginally edible. Shii Ann would have eaten them. ;)

Vikki's Friday Five

Vikki's home-grown, very own Friday Muses. Now these are questions I feel comfortable answering. Whew!

1. If this planet wasn't named Earth, what would you name it?
The Planet Formerly Known As Earth or maybe Earth...NOT!

2. Does 'black' go with everything?
It goes with everything except dog and cat hair.

3. What one food/drink gets your bowels moving the fastest?
Tomatoes. Lookout, people, lemme through!

4. Out of all of the hardwoods, which makes the best wood for building mountain dulcimers?
I prefer a softwood. That makes my dulcimer far more portable, as I can fold it neatly into a square for packing.

5. Do you sprinkle Parmesian cheese on your pasta?
If at a restaurant, yes. At the Olive Garden I tell 'em to be generous with that grater, baby! If at home, no. I mix it into my sauce while cooking it.

Wow. That didn't hurt at all!

Dare I say again...Friday five time

Friday Five, and I've not much to add.

1. Did you vote in your last elections?
Yep. Braved the cold and the rain and did it.

2. Do you know who your elected representatives are?
Mostly.

3. Have you ever contacted an elected representative? If so, what was it about?
Nope.

4. Have you ever participated in a demonstration?
Nope.

5. Have you ever volunteered in an election? What was the result?
Nope.

Gee, do you notice a trend here? I'm one of the marginally-apathetic masses. I do study up on issues and vote my conscience, but I don't rally, march or argue.

Real Guts

Jacqueline Saburido has a lot more intestinal fortitude than those who are afraid of looking like wusses if they don't grab their keys, stagger to their cars and drive their sorry asses home. I think this speaks for itself, but I'll still say it: Yo - Don't drink and drive, ever. This could be one of the folks in the car you plow into because your reflexes are just a little too slow. It could be your wife, or your husband. It could be your mother. It could be your child. Or you know what else? This could be you.

God bless you, Jacqui, and thank you. You are a woman of exceptional courage and I wish all the best to you.

One for the Big White Guy

Yes, it's Gardenwife.com, serving your gold monkey lamp needs since 2002. A picture which Randall posted in his blog last week reminded me a lot of this monkey, so I thought I'd post him here. This lamp is but one of a bunch of shots I took at Hobby Lobby. Have you ever been in a Hobby Lobby? Wow! I was just blown away by that place, as the staff could see; they saw me excitedly wandering around there with my mom for a full three hours one evening a few weeks ago. It's some of the best merchandising I've ever seen; the colors are coordinated and the collections are displayed in a really eyecatching way. I had to take it all in. I had to take pictures. I was conspicuous, but I didn't care. The folks there are proud of their store, and they should be!

Sushi Blues

I finally tried sushi today. Don't ask me what it was, for it was at a buffet at our local Chinese restaurant. There was some sort of green paste in a dish, too, so I took a dab of that on my plate. I have one word for this experience: YUCK. I thought it was as good a time as any to try it, seeing how it was on the buffet, but...Ewwwww. I like just about anything if it's batter-dipped and deep-fried, and I like some fish broiled or grilled, but this raw stuff was really not my thing. I barely touched the tip of my tongue to the bitter, nasty green paste and that was enough to spoil my appetite. But then I further tortured myself by likewise barely touching my tongue to this rolled up concoction. *sigh* I will never be trendy or hip.

Got Cramps?

This has got to be one of the strangest and most disturbing inventions I've seen. Anyone tried 'em?

The Friday Five

Time (already??) for the weekly Friday Five...

1. Were you raised in a particular religious faith?
I wasn't raised in one at home, but my grandma in Ohio was a Christian and she and I talked about God sometimes. In gradeschool my mother and I began attending a church and I got involved with their Pioneer Girls program. In about fifth grade or so, I prayed to accept Jesus as my Savior, but I didn't have a lot of follow-up or encouragement so I never really grew in my faith until years later.

2. Do you still practice that faith? Why or why not?
Yes, I do. I think I have mellowed a lot since rededicating my life to the Lord in high school, though. Back then, I was extremely black and white in my views. I was also hard-headed and really judgemental of people who didn't fit my image of what I thought they should be. I've learned grace.

3. What do you think happens after death?
I think there is an afterlife, that our spirits are eternal.

4. What is your favorite religious ritual (participating in or just observing)?
I love to observe worship dance. At our church, there is a ministry team that does the most beautiful interperative dance to music. It's more than just dance, though; they also incorporate beautiful, fluid sign language into the dance and interpret the words of the music. As far as what I like to participate in, singing is what I enjoy. There is something just so right-on about singing with a group and harmonizing. It's the greatest.

5. Do you believe people are basically good?
That's a tough one. I think mankind is fallen, that the horrid things people do to one another point to this, but I think there's the potential for great good in every person.

The Big Hand is On...Wait! There Are No Hands!

In response to my smart-aleck husband's comment, "You think she is forgetful, wait 'til she tries to tell you what time it is in her car", I write this. This has to do with my dental visits, oddly enough. On Wednesday, the day of my initial consultation, I left my headlights on when I went into the office and returned to find my battery dead. I was in there for just under an hour, and all I got was a few clicks when I turned my key.

Because the only folks I saw walking around nearby were very elderly (I'm talking unsure-on-their-feet elderly, here) I didn't want to ask for someone to jump my poor battery. I called my knight in shining armor, instead. He drove out to jump my car, bless his heart, and I went on my merry way to finish my errands.

This is where the confusion began. Flash forward to Thursday morning. I noticed the car's clock was off, but not by very much. As I drove to the dentist's office, I did some mental calculations (and this is the source of my DH's smart-aleck glee). I knew that my car's clock had been an hour fast (due to the time change and my reluctance to figure out how to reprogram it on this goofy car stereo). I was fine with the discrepancy; I just remembered it was an hour fast and I was okay with that. But then came the dead battery.

No problem...My car's clock had been an hour fast before, so I subtracted an hour. I realized that it had been 11:30am when Howie jumped the battery, which in turn re-set the clock to Noon. Okay, so it also gained a half hour. So what did I do? The logical thing: I subtracted an hour to compensate for daylight savings, then added that other half hour back in to arrive at the right time. With me so far?

I picked Howie up at work Thursday evening so we could have a little date and go out to dinner together on his lunch hour (Pizza Cottage's BLT pizza, yum!). We weren't sure how long we'd be gone, so I consulted the car stereo's clock. As we drove back to his job, I noted the time and explained how I figured the right time now.

Honestly, up until that moment, it made perfect sense to me. As I explained it to him, however, the utter ludicrousness of my methodology became painfully apparent. After he roared with laughter (right along with me, might I add) there was a pause. I said, "Please don't tell anyone this".

He replied, "that's so confusing I wouldn't begin to know how to tell anyone what you were thinking." Now, THAT'S bad.

Are you glad I am not an accountant? Are you relieved I do not chart airline traffic? Do you consider yourself blessed it is not I who handles payroll at your company? You should be. I'm a word-woman, definitely not a math-matron. My Indian name would be She Who Murders Numbers, I think.

Halloween Goof

I just got back from having my teeth clean. Mmmmm, they're nice and shiny and tartar-less. I noticed the hygienist had on a cute halloween sweatshirt and pants, along with fun earrings, but didn't think anything of it. As I was leaving, I saw the receptionist was wearing jammies and had freckles painted on her cheeks. I blurted out, "Oh, that's right, it's Halloween!" She laughed and replied, "I sure hope so! I like to dress comfortably, but I don't think I'd normally wear this to work!" I honestly had forgotten today was Halloween until I was confronted with a baby girl making appointments.

Tooth Hurty

Ok, for those of you who have never heard that riddle, here it is:

Q: What time is it when you're at the dentist's office?
A: Tooth-Hurty

Actually, my teeth don't hurt. They're just wickedly stained from coffee and I was years overdue for a cleaning and exam. We've not been to the dentist since we lost my good dental coverage at my last job and our dentist wasn't on hubby's new plan. The good news is, I have no cavities! Wooo! The semi-bad news is I have a little bit of gingivitis, but not too bad. By the time I left, I found out that both the dentist and hygienist like dogs. Leave it to me to sniff out fellow dog lovers. Howie's having his first appointment tomorrow and I'm getting my teeth cleaned. This dentist is really thorough, so the cleaning comes on your second visit. Yeah, there's not a lot going on in my life...

Oh, well, other than it only being 23 days until vacation now. Wooooo! Every day my Cajun friend Lisa's been sending me a countdown and link to something cheap/fun to do in her area of Louisiana. One link she sent was for the Audubon Aquarium of the Americas in New Orleans. Now, THAT looks awesome. We won't have a lot of spending money on our vacation, but that is one place we have got to see. The other thing we're definitely budgeting to do is The Cajun Man's swamp tour. One other thing that sounds fun is hearing some MUSIC. Today's countdown link was for The Bayou Terrebonne Waterlife Museum, and their homepage says there's Cajun music nights...Only $1 to get in, so it passes the cheapness test.

Other than that, we'll pretty much hang out with Lisa's family and see some sights. I've never been to a place with a tropical climate like Louisiana, so I'm pretty excited about seeing the wildlife down there. The only other tour I would considering paying for is one of a cemetery; I've always wanted to see the New Orleans cemeteries, but Lisa cautioned that they're not safe for people to just walk around in alone, and that we'd better plan on a tour group if we want to see one. The way I zone out in my happy little world when taking photographs, I'd probably be a prime mugging target, LOL.

The Midas Touch

This is Midas, our friend's cat. As you can see, he's a very busy kitty and, though blurry, I think this shot pretty much captures that. He poked around in the woods behind us when we took a walk, taking his good old time and falling behind. As soon as I'd stop and turn around to take his picture, though, he'd dash up my way expecting scritches. Gee, think he's conditioned? ;)

I think I'll make Midas here the focus of my homepage's index page. He's just hangin' out in the woods, checking everything out, kind of like I was the day I took that shot.

It's done.

MM...With Minutes to Spare

My, what an assortment of questions today for Promoguy's Monday Mission 2.43:

1. Ever do anything over and over just to make someone else happy but discover you actually hate it?
Well, something I've discovered in life is it ain't all about me. Of course there are such things I've discovered I've hated. But sometimes in life you grit your teeth and get through the stuff you hate because you love someone enough to sacrifice and step outside of the land of flowers and butterflies. ;)

2. What kinds of obligations do you enjoy?
I struggle with enjoying obligations, per-say. That word has a negative connotation to me, equalling "joyless chore". I do enjoy being married and the obligation and permenance of that relationship. I enjoy helping my mom and mother-in-law learn the joys of computers, too.

3. What are your feelings about celebrating Halloween?
Bah-humbug. I think the trick-or-treating is fun for kids, but I don't like the really gory displays. And I have a personal aversion to the color orange because my father was obsessed with hunter's orange and the spray-painting of such things as trash can lids in said color. That doesn't leave a whole lot of love for Halloween orange, with the exception of real pumpkins, other squash, and leaves.

4. Are there any stories of bodily functions you would prefer people not share with you in conversation?
It depends on the person and the context. I dislike hearing about zits and their poppage. :P

5. What do you think is the most important aspect of personal hygiene that bothers you when people overlook it?
Basic cleanliness and deodorant usage. Oh, man, who can't afford $1.50 for deodorant every few months? And there's running water and soap just about everywhere if you really care to be clean.

6. Ponder the thought of being forever young, living on endlessly, being immortal. What would that life be like for you?
It would be lonely. I can't imagine having to leave those I love behind, to watch the decay and death prey upon them as I saw no end in sight.

7. What's the last thing you felt was "worth fighting for?"
Generally I'm a little wimpy in speaking out about issues, especially those of a more limited interest. I do, however, think the freedoms we have here in the US are worth fighting for. Just the fact that I am free to express such things - that is something worth fighting for.

BONUS: Sooner or later, they all will be gone...why don't they stay young?
Cute, considering. Forever Young.

Today's comment question: What is the last thing you do before going to bed?
Usually, if I haven't already gulped it down, I jump back up and go take my birth control pill. A decade ago, I got into the habit of taking it as I went to bed. Hey, it makes sense since bed is...well, you know, a happenin' place sometimes and we don't want kids. The association has stuck, and I've only missed a few the last 3,650-odd pills I've ingested these last ten years.

Into the Woods

We spent the afternoon at the hilltop home of one of Howie's coworkers today. She owns 13 acres and she built her cedar home up at the top of the property. The property's marvelous, full of old trees and all that wonderful understory of undisturbed woods. Her house is really cool, too, and decorated just as Howie and I would decorate. I told her, she would be the easiest person in the world for me to shop for since all I'd have to do is pick out things I liked.

This get-together was the second in a series the gardening folk at Howie's job decided to do; we've been having a potluck at each person's home every month or two, making the rounds. It's so cool to just kick back and visit, and to tour the different homes and yards. We had two types of chili today, along with a really nice, beefy veggie soup, jalepeno cornbread, rosemary bread, and all manner of toppings on homemade vanilla ice cream. *burp*

I got a chance to see more of the surrounding woods when Teresa took a couple of us to see her favorite tree on the property, a huge old oak that grew into three trunks. What an awesome tree that is! I also found, by seeing some growing on her property, that the wee little sapling I have growing at the foot of our sycamore is a cedar. I think I'll let it grow. :)

P.S. Why is there so much space between this last line and my row of thumbnails? Can anyone help me out here?

Fireworks

I love fireworks. Since I didn't get to see them this year, I thought this was pretty fun to see in my inbox just now. Enjoy the Lady Liberty Fireworks, y'all. :)

Thanks to Those Who Tend My Plot

"Let us be grateful to people who make us happy; they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom."
-- Marcel Proust, French author (born 7/10/1871)

Even more than those gardeners who make me happy, I thank the ones who love me enough to prune me when I have an errant cane or need some shaping. When you're pruned, it makes you grow deeper, stronger roots. When you're pruned, it makes you send out new growth. Pruning hurts sometimes, but it's a good thing. So, thanks.

Friday Five Again

In keeping with the season, Promoguy scared up some good questions this week:

1. What is your favorite scary movie?
It'd have to be Sixth Sense. It was suspenseful and creepy without a bunch of bloody, gross-out scenes. And it wasn't just a senseless violence movie.

2. What is your favorite Halloween treat?
Hmmmmm, it's a tie between Snickers bars and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups. Oh, and Hershey's Dark chocolate mini-bars. 'Course those little Mr. Goodbar's are awfully good, too, and Crackle bars are tasty and textured...Leave the Pixie Stix and Sweet Tarts for the kiddies and give me the CHOCOLATE, baby!

3. Do you dress up for Halloween? If so, describe your best Halloween costume.
When I'm working or have plans with our friends for beggar's night, I do. My best costume was from 1999, The Bad Hair Day Fairy, which I mentioned in my Monday Mission answers (posted late, on Wednesday of this week).

Second to that is my Gardenwife costume, which is basically a straw hat I doctored up with gardening stuff, a fan of fake credit cards in the brim, and a homemade "I break for plant sales" caution sign on its back. I wear a denim jumper, my hat, gardening gloves, flower socks and sneakers with a bold butterfly print.

4. Do you enjoy going to haunted houses or other spooky events?
Not really. I prefer a suspenseful movie to live-action stuff any day.

5. Will you dress up for Halloween this year?
I doubt it. Naaaah. My friends aren't doing beggar's night this year since one of them has to be away on a business trip, and I'm just not in the mood, anyway.

Encouraged by Faythe

I found Faythe's blog while searching for the lyrics Promoguy threw out there for the Monday Mission. Not only does she have some really neat writing in there, but she's also a gal after my own heart when it comes to nature pictures. She's one to get down to the nitty-gritty close-up stuff I love to see. And she loves animals, especially kitties, it seems. She must be a good egg.

Her blog clued me into an article about how one-sided "diversity" can be. Let me preface this by saying that I admit that I am reluctant to get political in my everyday speech or my blog because I don't relish flames. It's so rare for people to be able to discuss liberal vs. conservative ideals without it turning ugly, and I just don't like to go there. I basically like people. And people who live on the way extreme away from what I believe can still be really cool and have great ideas and observances about life -- But sometimes I feel like the same openmindedness is not extended toward those of us on the more conservative side of life. This article on MSNBC really sums up what's frequently been my own experience as a Christian in America.

My Wednesday Edition of Monday Mission

As usual I was running around with hubby on his days off, so my Monday is a few days late. So what's new, right?

PromoGuy's Monday Mission 2.42...

1. Have you ever felt like you were expected to set a good example for others?
Oh, absolutely. I've rebelled against that feeling periodically throughout my life, but I've always headed back. I think the biggest thing I want people to remember about my example is this: I WILL mess up, you can count on that, but I will also own up to it and do better next time.

2. What keeps you on the right path? For example, why do you think you turned out the way you did as opposed to the nut ball sniper out there?
What keeps me on the right path is my relationship with God and my relationships with people who encourage me and challenge me to be a better person. The people you surround yourself with will influence you for the better or for the worse, there's just no way around that. God continues to help me work through pain and anger in my life. I used to be a very, very angry person. I learned early in life that it was easier to feel angry and lash out than it was to allow myself to feel hurt and sad. But through getting to know God, I've also learned that there's an alternative to being angry all the time.

3. Sometimes things seem different than they really are. When was the last time you believed something to be one way only to learn you had it all wrong?
There's so many things in life that prove themselves in this way. I think a biggie for me was my father. After my mom and I moved to Ohio and I only heard from him sporadically, it was easy for me to romanticize him and forget how awful with him life really is. I'd go back to visit him with the hopes that things would be different, and when they weren't, I was so disappointed. Even as an adult, when he got back in contact with me, I thought it might be a chance for us to foster a new relationship, but I learned very quickly (not quickly enough, still) that he was the same user he had always been and that it wasn't going to happen.

4. Can you recall a time when being alert and observant kept you safe?
It's easier for me to recall times when being unobservant resulted in my being harmed, LOL. I am rather klutzy. On a more mental and emotional level, I think I've learned to observe people more closely and to avoid spending time with those who just don't feel quite right to me inside. It may not be that the people pose a physical threat to me or my loved ones, but they may be people who will drain me dry emotionally or keep me in some weird type of controlling relationship. I've been there and done that, and I don't want to go back.

5. Who in your personal circle of relationships do you think is smarter than you? Are they smarter in just one area, or overall? How do you feel about that? How do they interact with you?
People with financial saavy really blow me away. We have friends who are such good planners, investing and making their money grow. My husband and I both struggle to be diligent about saving and planning for our futures; to think some of our peers have thousands of dollars set aside for retirement or their kids' college funds -- and have for years, too -- just blows me away. I can't imagine begin that foreward-thinking; I am such a creature of the moment.

6. Let's daydream a little: Describe in detail the most perfect lazy day, start to finish.
A lazy day would need to be one spent away from home so I wouldn't look around me and see all the things that need to be done. So let's set it at a cabin in the woods somewhere. The weather's quite cool, and it's fall. We went to bed early the night before; the early sunsets have us feeling sleepy earlier than usual. This morning, we've awakened to the sound of birds chattering and the light pattering of rain on the leaves outside and the roof above our heads.

We stretch and sigh heavily, smelling the fresh rain-scented air. Donning our flannel snugglies and slippers, we make a fire in the fireplace and sit looking out the window as we drink our morning coffee. We read a little. The rain stops and the sun starts peeking out from behind the clouds. Getting dressed, we head out for a walk down to the lake and take a rowboat out onto the water so we can fish for a while. The hot coffee from our thermos feels really good going down.

After a few hours, we beach the boat and go back up to the cabin for lunch. A nap overtakes us and we succumb to its wiles, snuggling together beneath the thick comforter. When we awake, Howie feels like reading, but I want to take pictures; I leave him with Lord of the Rings while I wander around the trails and enjoy that sense of really seeing everything for the first time again. In no time, dusk is settling in and I can't believe how quickly the time's passed since I left the cabin. That sense of timelessness permeates days like this, especially when I am behind my camera.

In the evening, we enjoy a homemade stew and bread, then sit and play Scrabble before a roaring fire. The radio is on, playing some light jazz, and the woodsmoke smells good. The fire begins to die back and my eyelids grow heavy; that thick comforter is looking pretty inviting...

7. Are you dressing up for Halloween? If so, what as? If not, how come? What is the most favorite costume you ever had?
No, this year I have no plans. I may have to dress Howie up and send him out the door to his job, though. When I was little, my mom sewed me a leopard costume. I remember really liking that a lot, and I remember being annoyed because kids were pulling on the tail. As an adult, my favorite costume was one I came up with in 1999: The Bad Hair Day Fairy.


BONUS: Come on baby tell me what’s the word?

Grease is the word
(Grease is the word, is the word that you heard)
It's got groove, it's got meaning
Grease is the time, is the place, is the m-o-otion
Grease is the way we are feeling...

Okay, not what Promoguy was lookin' for, but that's what popped into my head, and that's what you get. Sorry, Cameo. Word.

Today's Comment Question: What gives you the creeps?
Oh, that's easy. Centipedes, especially those with the long legs. You know, the ones which seem to hover over the ground as they glide along on all those legs. I think they're cool in their own way, but if one gets on me, I get a little....Twitchy. We rented the lower in an old house a few years back; the house was old, and the basement was damp. So, it was just a lovely home for centipedes and other moisture-craving critters. Normally, you just see them when you descend into the bowels of your house to do laundry. But because the dining room was so neat in this place, we chose to put our bedroom in the finished room down in the basement instead of having it upstairs. Oooooh, I will NEVER forget the night we were lying in bed reading and I felt something plunk down on me from somewhere. It was one of those huge long-legged, creepy centipedes! It skittled down my body until I knocked it off of me (screaming bloody murder the whole time, of course). It disappeared under the bed and we never did find it. *Shudder* Yuck!

Seventh Time's A Charm

Okay, the surprise for Vikki is finally posted. Not sure why Blogger was so sluggish Saturday night, but it seemed to be resolved by the time I took one last stab at it last night. Yippee!

Ain't I a Stinker?

We can't let the bus go blogless, can we? Let's give Vikki a warm housewarming for her return to the online world. :) Waaaah! I can't get it to upload to her blog! She might just have to see it when she goes to update her blog later! Boooo! :(

Little Tease

Now, fellow bloggers and readers Naomi, Pangie and Busgirlie will be able to read past the first post on the Survivor Thialand threads at Dave's Garden, in particular in the Media Forum...But the rest of y'all who don't subscribe can only see the first post of each. Ohhhh, the things you're missing! ;)

The Thursday Three, Belated

How'd I miss these for so long?

1. What is the best Halloween costume that you have ever worn?
Had to be the Bad Hair Day Fairy. I had a wand and everything! I'll have to see if I can scare up that picture, LOL.

2. What is the best horror or Halloween related movie in your view?
I don't much go for the gross-out hacker movies, not anymore. I do like a great suspenseful, creepy movie, though. One of my favorites is The Sixth Sense. I loved that movie!

3. What is your favorite tradition and activity for Halloween and why?
Every year we go out to Pigeon Roost Farm with our best friends and take lots of pictures at the cool photo-op spots they've set up for just that purpose. It's fun to look back at our pictures and see how much (or how little) we've changed. They have tame turkeys and goats which roam around, plus other animals penned for you to see, so it's great fun. Then we go buy pumpkins somewhere cheap, LOL.

Bonus for comments: What should BBQ and I dress up as for Halloween?
I don't know ya, so it's hard to say. How about...Samson and Delilah? The classic brute and his belle.

What Cat Are You?

Take the Purrsonality Quiz!

Ok, I don't know how quiet I am, but I do like to make people happy. :) How about you?

Boxes, Boxes Everywhere, and Not a Spot to Tink

So poignant. God love ya! :) That link may not work until this week's posts are archived over at Busgirlie's page. It's the entry called "Boxes...Boxes... everywhere!"

TGIF Again

Life just seems to be an endless series of Fridays lately. Once again, it's Friday Five time, too:

1. How many TVs do you have in your home?
Three: office, living room and bedroom.

2. On average, how much TV do you watch in a week?
I tend to be online far more than I watch TV. Probably....on average I watch 15 hours/week. It just depends.

3. Do you feel that television is bad for young children?
A qualified yes. My husband and I both rue the fact that our childhood memories are comprised largely of what we watched on TV, not of the games we played or the friends we had. We lived in front of the tube. I think there are great kids shows, no doubt - but I also think it dulls a kid's imagination to have everything fed to them visually without any effort on their part. It's just not interactive. I think there needs to be a balance, and that TV shouldn't be used as a babysitter.

4. What TV shows do you absolutely HAVE to watch, and if you miss them, you're heartbroken?
That varies for us. Right now, it's Survivor Thialand, ER and Dog Days (turn your volume down on that last site, LOL).

5. If you had the power to create your own television network, what would your line-up look like?
Man, it'd probably be the best of several networks' shows! Frankly, it'd be a big pay-per-view thing where people could choose the shows they wanted from all the other cable/satellite networks.

Fleeting Tropics

As the temperatures start their inevitable descent, I realize this tropical hibiscus' beautiful time is short. What a show she's giving for her last hoorah of the season, though. Most of my tender plants survive the winters inside our house, but not very well. This gal will probably look horrible by the time April or May rolls around, but she'll bounce back. Considering I've had her over a year and she's at least tripled in size since I bought her in a wee 4" pot, I feel pretty good seeing these blooms! I really need to set up some plant lights in our office since sunlight's at kind of a premium in our house during the winter months. Here's another shot of her.

Dog Days

Here's my mother, victim of a doggie avalanche. Would that be a puppalanche? The dogs love to cuddle, and with three of them, it can get pretty crowded in the old recliner. Good thing mom loves dogs, heh.

Is anyone else watching Animal Planet's new series Dog Days? Howie and I think it's a hoot, thoroughly enjoyable. We know...It's probably 90% staged, but it's still fun watching these folks as they cater to and play with their canines. The one couple from Episode 1, Lori and Stephen, really remind us of Mad About You's Paul and Jamie. Only Lori and Stephen, like my own DH and I, have decided that dogs are preferable to kids of their own.

I wish our own city had a dog park. The only Ohio dog park listed on Animal Planet's site is in Cincinnati - just a tad too far to go (especially considering Buddy gets carsick, yuck). A friend who works for our local city government told me the subject of a dog park has been brought up recently at city council. I zapped an e-mail off to the fella in charge of Parks & Recreation today, letting him know we'd be in wild favor of such a place. Who knows...Maybe it could happen. Our poor pups need the exercise, and it would be great to meet other doggie people.

With God as My Witness, I Married a Lunatic

But he's fun, and I'll keep him around. I downloaded my pics only to find this fine piece of portraiture in the midst of my shots. He snuck one in there when I wasn't in the room...

Catching Up...

As usual, I didn't blog over the weekend. Howie's off Saturday-Monday, so we tend to do our running around when the weather's nice on weekends. And it's been REALLY nice. While Howie and my dad watched the OSU game at mom & dad's on Saturday, mom and I did some picture-taking in the country, went shopping, and had dinner (and dessert!) at Tom's Ice Cream Bowl in Zanesville. I got some good pictures, some great bargains, and a fully tummy - oh, what wonderful ice cream.

Sunday was terrific. We went to church and then enjoyed lunch with friends at Ruby Tuesday's. It was so good to be around people and to laugh. Howie and I stopped by the house and loaded the doggies up in the car for a ride. We we headed out to our church's property to let the dogs stretch their legs and play. We thought that Emma and Buddy would not run too far away from us since we would be in the huge field away from the road...But they did. They just took off together, mutt and Jeff, and ran straight back down the gravel driveway and toward the road. We got back in the car and headed out after them, and by the time we got back down near the church, they'd stopped running and got in the car. Leashes, always, from now on!

As usual, Sarah found something suitably repugnant in which to roll, so we drove home amist some truly nasty smells. We also learned that having all three dogs in the car does not distract Buddy suffiiently to stop him from getting carsick. So, while Howie gave Sarah a bath, I cleaned the carpet and upholstery in back. Oh, fun.

At the back of the church property there's a tall hill, and at the top of this hill a wooden cross overlooks the valley. For the first time, we braved that steep hill and climbed to the top; we had to stop several times during our ascent, but it was so worth it. A talented stoneworker donated his time and created a tiered patio area there at the base of the cross; I don't think there's a prettier spot to sit and survey the area. :)

Last night we got together with Jeff (not of mutt and Jeff, LOL) and watched Panic Room. It was a pretty intense movie, but somewhat predicable, I thought. I can't remember a movie that has the F-word in it more, either, so be forewarned. I don't want to give anything away here. It's worth watching, but there's a few holes I couldn't reconcile.

Choices, Choices

It's that time again, Friday Five. This sounds like one of those "you have to go live on a desert island - what would you take with you?" kinds of things. We've been watching Survivor Thailand (Bye, bye, Denver Diva, LOL) and I've contemplated what my choice of luxury item would be if I were ever to be thrust into that situation (not a snowball's chance in h*ll of that, though). Anyway, here's the FIVE:

1. If you could only choose 1 cd to ever listen to again, what would it be?
Gosh, that's rough. I think what I'd have to do is make a compilation of my favorite songs onto one CD. I got around that one pretty well, didn't I? One of the songs would have to be Kim Hill's rendition of "You Are Still Holy". Wow, what an awesome song - a real cry of my heart.

2. If you could only choose 2 movies to watch ever again, what would they be?
My first choice was easy: As Good as It Gets. The characters are so full, so real and detailed - it's funny, it's sad, it's thought-provoking...It's a wonderful story of friendship and getting outside of our comfort zones. Choosing a second is so difficult! Right now, I think it would be the 1995 adaptation of Jane Austin's Sense and Sensibility. The cinematography and costuming is so rich and beautiful in that one, and the characters are just terrific. I need to rent that one again - it's been too long since I've seen it.

3. If you could only choose 3 books to read ever again, what would they be?
Definitely the Bible. In particular, I'd like the NIV Life Application Study Bible; I've always liked the NIV translation, and since I'm not heavily into finding the nitty-gritty, original Greek and Hebrew translations, this Bible's study notes are pretty down-to-earth and practical. I don't own this Bible yet, but I want to get it sometime. The second book would be Wally Lamb's I Know This Much Is True, a fascinating (and sad) story of twin brothers and their unique mental illnesses. I was so engrossed by their story, so touched. The book which rounds out my list of three is Colony, by Anne Rivers Siddons. That is another incredible journey through the lives of a family; this one follows Maude Chambliss from the time she's a young bride of an aristrocratic family's son, through her incorporation into their family and becoming a matriarch of her own right. It's really something, in Siddons' lyrical, descriptive writing; it's a true pleasure reading anything by her.

4. If you could only choose 4 things to eat or drink ever again, what would they be?
Mmmmmm. Assuming HEALTH isn't an issue, I'd choose coffee, chocolate, macaroni and cheese, and pizza. No, I don't like junk food. ;)

5. If you could only choose 5 people to ever be/talk/associate/whatever with ever again, who would they be?
Wowsers, I really hate questions like this because I don't want to exclude anyone! And my answer would change depending on what's going on in my life at the time, you know?? Right now, I'd say Howie, Amy, Pastor Steve, Lisa, and Mom. But at any time, Angie, Julie, Naomi, Carol, Vikki....Gosh, any number of folks could swap out! Aaaaaargh!

Do You Really Wanna Hurt Me

I could adopt this as my theme song, only it would be my body singing to itself. I am a klutz. There's no disputing the fact, ask my husband. Bless his heart, once he sees I'm not mortally wounded, he usually breaks into uncontrollable chortles as I jump around or grasp dismally at the injured part of my body. I usually end up crying "it's not funny!", but the fact that I'm laughing doesn't add any weight to my assertion.

I once broke my toe in what proved to be a goldmine of amusement for my husband. We were newlyweds and lived in a huge old victorian home that had been split into apartments. Our back door opened to a hallway which led to a few other apartment doors and to the outside door out back. On this particular evening, I was fresh out of the shower and, ummm, still not dressed. I heard him walking down the hallway toward our door and thought it would be great fun to run and greet him, au naturale.

So, off I went. I rounded the corner and was making good progress toward the door when things went terribly wrong and I ran a bit too close to the desk. Have you ever had your pinky toe bent outward, sideways? No? Trust me, it is no fun. Carried on by sheer momentum, I reached the back door just in time to greet Howie as he walked in. What a sight greeted him: his wife, naked and hopping on one foot, uttering dark, terrible words. Oh, my, we've certainly had our laughs over that one the last ten years.

Today holds no exceptions. I have several nice, deep papercuts on my hands. Actually, they're yogurt container cuts I sustained while washing a yogurt cup for reuse. I don't know how I do it. And I'll tell you what else, it stings when you get homemade laundry soap in those little fissures. Man! I made a triple batch of that today, and wished I'd made it prior to washing out that danged container. Ah well.

Photoshopping

Okay, I am awestruck by Bert Monroy. This guy does unbelievably photo-realistic artwork using Adobe Photoshop and Adobe Illustrator. He doesn't scan photos in and manipulate them; he starts from scratch. Wow.

A Mouse In My Mailbox

Well, technically, we only have a mail slot and it's in our front door, but we did get a mouse in the mail. Okay, technically two mice. And a duck, and a couple dogs (at least I think one of them is a dog). Thanks for the postcard, Busgirlie! :)


Speaking of traveling...We won't be a leavin' on a jet plane for a while yet, but we did buy the tickets for our Thanksgiving visit to Louisiana. I am SO excited - other than visiting Tennessee last year and again this spring, this is the first real vacation (more than 4 days) we've taken since visiting my sister-in-law in 1999. We're going to stay at the home of friends we made via Dave's Garden and met last year. It's really cool to visit people you know, because they know the good stuff to do and what stuff isn't. Lisa and her hubby are really sweet, funny, laid-back folks -- and can they cook. Their little girl was so sweet on the phone the other night - she's a darling little thing, a four-year-old sprite with a smile that could melt the Grinch's heart.

We're don't usually have to dress for summer temps and humidity in November, so I did some shopping for cool and comfy clothes since ours are pretty ratty for anything but yard work. And, like I told my aunt, I've become an old fogey. Yes, I will soon own five seersucker shirts from Blair.com. I bought four seersucker gingham-checked shirts in various colors, along with a pair of shorts. Hey, as far as I'm concerned, they're pre-wrinkled so they'll be a breeze to pack. They're also lightweight and cool to wear. I can wash and dry them and have clothes to wear the next day.

This is my second order from Blair and I've been really happy with their products and with their service. These shirts are on clearance now, and I couldn't pass up $9.99 each, with free shipping and no sales tax. Check out currentcodes.com for all the latest online discount codes for your favorite online stores - that's where I got the code for free shipping. :)

Move Over, Mr. Coffee

We finally broke down and decided to try Gevalia for their free coffee maker offer (pictured at left along with a groovy Dave's Garden coffee mug - they're great!). It's so nice having our coffee brew directly into a thermal carafe, y'all. Vikki told me she has one and it works great, so we thought we'd give it a shot. Of course, it helps that Mr. Coffee, may he rest in peace, died. The first pot I made overflowed the filter basket and poured onto the counter; in my haste to try it out (and thanks to my math-shunning brain), I put in twice as much coffee as I should have. The water couldn't make it through the resulting coffee-ground sludge. So far, there's been a bit of a plastic taste to the coffee, this despite my running vinegar water through as directed, but it's getting better.

While I'm on the subject of coffee, I must mention The Mug of Honor, not to be confused with the DG mug pictured above, LOL.

The mug was given to me by Dad (my stepdad, Bob). He thought it was really something. And it is. It's become a family joke (or a family institution, if you want to be positive). It's a truly repugnant mug depicting an angry-looking, surly cat. It's not just his face that is disconcerting, no. His tail curves around the handle of the mug, and even then the handle is uncomfortable. Every time Dad visits, his coffee is served in The Mug of Honor. It's only fitting that he should enjoy this fine piece of ceramic artistry since he is the one who hand-selected it.

Friday Five?? I Never Did Monday Mission!

It's Friday Five time already? Thanks for reminding me, Naomi - I truly would have forgotten all about it! These questions are nothing to make a stink about; they're treading on thin ice. Those old shoes just love to wag their tongues and sing soul. Ok, I'll stop. Gosh, I'd like to hear Imelda Marcos' answers, or maybe Leona Helmsley's. Shoot, my mom's answers, for that matter. My shoe-happenings are pretty tame compared to theirs, I'd wager.

1. What size shoe do you wear?
Big ol' size 11's. But not wides, just regulars.

2. How many pairs of shoes do you own?
How many do I own, or how many can I wear? I own around eight pair, including winter boots. Frankly, I'm comfortable (and barefoot) and I don't feel like getting up to check!

3. What type of shoe do you prefer (boots, sneakers, pumps, etc.)?
I prefer sandals first, the athletic kind with lots of cushion in the heel. Next to that, I like tennis shoes. I do have a pair of buffalo hide boots I adore.

4. Describe your favorite pair of shoes. Why are they your favorite?
I love the bison boots I got at a warehouse sale at my old job. They're made of soft, supple hide and it's the most buttery leather I've ever felt. They're the type of boots that lace up, and they go just a little above my ankles. There's a rolled cuff at the top, which cushions them against my legs. They're really well made, really comfortable, and really cute.

5. What's the most you've spent on one pair of shoes?
Hmmmmm....Probably $60 for a pair of really good tennis shoes once. Even my bison leather shoes were only $32!

Keats Eats

"...this moment I was writing with one hand, and with the other holding to my mouth a Nectarine - how good, how fine. It went down all pulpy, slushy, oozy..."
-- John Keats, English poet

Now, I enjoy a good nectarine, too. Only I eat it with my left hand so my right is free for mouse-clicking and hunt-and-pecking on my keyboard. ;)

Birthday Grrrrrrrrl

Haaaaaapy Birfday to U
At Disney World, Wooo-wooooo
Happy Birfday Dear Busgirlieeeeeeeee
Haaaaaapy Birfday toooooo Youuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuuu!

And here's a group of adoring fans, waiting for YOU to blow out the candles. Just make believe there are 38 candles. Oh, and pretend that these nice folks weren't randomly selected off the web to serve my purpose, but that they're your good, good friends!



Yep, when you care enough to send the very best....

Got Pollen?

I took this back at the beginning of September at my mom's. This little fella was going from flower to flower, just revelling in the pollen. As you can see, he was covered from head to tail. I used to be afraid of all bees, wasps and hornets. Now, though, now I'm pretty much only really afraid of yellowjackets; those things get right in one's face and cause me to run away, screaming like an idiot. Don't tell me to sit still and they won't bother me. Don't tell me that running only makes it worse. I consider myself fortunate to be able to enjoy little honey bees and bumble bees at this point in my life, because at some point it occurred to me that they're far more interested in the flowers than they are in me. The yellowjackets, however, are another story!

Friday Five Time

I can't believe how this week has flown by...It's Friday Five time already!

1. What are your favorite ways to relax and unwind?
I love cuddling up with DH and reading or watching a movie; if he's not around, I love to snuggle down into the cushions on our couch, adorn myself with a living, breathing blanket of puppies, and read until I doze off in a little nap.

2. What do you do the moment you get home from work/school/errands?
Usually, I head to the bathroom. Then I greet the yipping, yapping, happy dogs and enjoy being Queen of The World for a little while while they scramble out of the cage and go scrabbling on the hardwood floors toward the kitchen. It's a joyful, barking parade to the great outdoors.

3. What are your favorite aromatherapeutic smells?
I like the smell of the steam coming from the dryer vent when laundry's drying, as well as the smell of freshly-laundered linens. The sweet smell of a hayfield just cut is wonderful, as is a hayloft full of sweet hay. When night comes, the sweet nocturnal perfume of nicotiana sylvestris (flowering tobacco) bids me to breathe deeply and drink it in.

4. Do you feel more relaxed with a group of friends or hanging out by yourself?
I guess it depends on the company, the activity and the duration. Generally, as an only child with an active imagination, I can amuse myself and like solitude.

5. What is something that you feel is relaxing but most people don't?
What girl doesn't like backrubs, footrubs and having someone play with her hair? I guess some don't, but I can't imagine being in their ranks. Other than that, I think it's really relaxing to putter in the garden, deadheading, pruning, and admiring all the little things we tend to not notice in our rush as humans.

Bella Bella!

Our pesto-day was a success, everything I'd hoped it would be. Bev brought two big bags full of fresh basil leaves, along with tomatoes and garlic cloves she'd just harvested from her garden that afternoon. Mom was here and, aside from mercilessly dissing my first (admittedly very weak) pot of coffee, was a lot of fun to be with. ;) Bev's pesto recipe was a little different than the one I posted in my previous entry:

• 1 1/2 cups basil leaves


• 1/4 cup nuts (I used walnuts)


• 2 cloves of garlic (if clove is large, use 1)


• 3/4 cup parmesan cheese (Calls for freshly grated, but I used canned, grated cheese


• 3/4 cup olive oil

Put nuts and garlic in food processor and run until incredients are finely ground together. Add basil leaves and process until ingredients form a paste. Add parmesan cheese and blend again, then add olive oil and blend until all ingredients are mixed really well. If the mix looks too runny for your taste, add a little more basil and give it another spin.Toss with cooked pasta and serve hot or cold with sliced tomatoes. :)

This shows you what we enjoyed, farfalle pasta and pesto. Those little pear tomatoes were wonderful dipped in pesto, too! I made a salad using some of the leftover basil leaves mixed with lettuce, and the rest of the basil I will probably dry (if I don't get more parmesan cheese and make more pesto, LOL).

Pesto is so ridiculously easy to make, and it is so flavorful and worth the little effort it takes to make it. Last year it took me hours to make the same amount because I had only an upright blender to work with and it was next to impossible to mix the ingredients with it. The food processor we got for Christmas made it a breeze this time, though. What we're not going to use right away, I put in zip-loc bags and flattened out for freezing. I like freezing it this way, because I can easily break a section of it off the frozen plank-o-pesto and put the rest back in the freezer.

Pesto will keep well in the refrigerator for a week or a little longer; it's best to freeze what you don't want to use in that time. Here's a good pesto link with some recipes and history of this marvelous concoction.

Our Cup Runneth Over

Tomorrow afternoon, my friend Bev is coming over with fresh basil from her garden. My mom is going to be here, too. Together, we will pick the leaves from the stems, talking and laughing. Bev loves gardening, God, dogs and cats, too, so there's no lack of topics. We'll rinse the leaves and pat them dry, still talking.

Then, we'll take the basil and put it to its glorious use: Fresh pesto! The one we're making has basil leaves, fresh parsley, garlic, parmesan cheese, olive oil, and walnuts. It freezes well, so some will be frozen for later. Some, though, we will be compelled to toss with fresh pasta (I use that term loosely - this house has never seen truly fresh pasta). For your cooking enjoyment, here is the recipe:

Re-Evaluating Winter

Here's a winter memory from a lovely snowfall we enjoyed in January, 2002. More below...




I used to say I hated winter, but I'm re-evaluating that statement. The cool fall nights have me in mind of putting the garden to bed, raking leaves, and settling in for a cozy winter. Thought I don't like the usual winter weather our area offers (cold and damp - we get more rain than snow I think), I love the simple rest it offers. The pace of life slows and we light candles on those early winter evenings and listen to music more often. We read, cuddled under the various lap throws that are scattered throughout our home. True, we also wipe mud from the dogs' feet (that's twelve feet now!) and from ours, and the cold can get a little old. But I don't fret about my plants not getting enough water, about the stuff still needing to be deadheaded, and I don't chastise myself for not weeding. Yes, I really do like winter for the different things it offers -- But perhaps I'm only glamorizing it in absentia, LOL. Anyway, wouldn't you think that warm doorway looked inviting? And isn't that guy up there cute?

Okay, Busgirlie, this one's for you. Complete this phrase for me, and end the day-long debate Howie and I have had over this.

She's a Rose Princess
Dancin' ___ ___ ____

I'm still feeling dizzy and headachey, so I've not been at the computer much. Even when I am online, I'm just kind of aimlessly wandering and unfocused (more unfocused than usual, LOL!). Don't expect anything earth shattering from this neck of the woods for a few days, LOL. In fact, the biggest news around our house is that Howie and our friend Mark replaced our horribly wobbly concrete back steps with a nice set of wooden stairs. Wow, what a difference that makes! No longer do we have to wedge bits of stone and concrete beneath the pre-formed concrete steps to keep them from wobbling. No longer is there a loud clunk when we go in or out of the back door. Best yet, we no longer must step down as soon as our feet cross the threshhold of the door; the first step is even with the door now, so there's a nice 14" spot to tread before taking a step down. When negotiating two leashed, enthusiastic dogs, this is a key thing. The dogs didn't quite know what to think of the new steps for a while, and it was funny seeing them react to them. They've given them a good sniffing, though, and now walk on them with almost no trepidation.

Today I give thanks for sweaty men who make the world a better place. :)

FridayFive.org Time

1. Would you say that you're good at keeping in touch with people?
I am much better at it since e-mail. I always mean to pen actual notes, and sometimes I even do, only to forget to mail them; at some point the news in them becomes embarrassingly old and I discard the sealed envelope only to begin afresh. But I am very good about answering e-mail!

2. Which communication method do you usually prefer/use: e-mail, telephone, snail mail, blog comments, or meeting in person? Why?
Nothing beats getting something in the mail and having that handwriting to cherish. Next to that, I prefer e-mail because (1) I am an archivist at heart and I love being able to go back and look at old correspondence, (2) it is so timely and (3) it is so convenient.

3. Do you have an instant messenger program? How many? Why/why not? How often do you use it?
Yes, I have several. I used the free version of Trillian for a while because it allowed me to combine the three IM programs I use into a single application, but it was buggy and I finally decided it wasn't worth the hassle. I use MSN predominantly, though I'm careful to only chat with those I know from elsewhere. I use it daily, several times a day. I also use Yahoo IM and, on occasion, AOL IM.

4. Do most of your close friends live nearby or far away?
My closest friends, my years-long friends live within an hour or so radius of us, and that's nice. Other friends I've met online and, later, in the flesh, are spread all around the country! I love the Internet. :)

5. Are you an "out of sight, out of mind" person, or do you believe that "distance makes the heart grow fonder"?
I think it largely depends on the quality of your relationship with that person. Certainly the personality quirks which annoy us seem distant; it's easy to glamorize a person in absentia. Conversely, a good friend is a sweet breath of fresh air you come to miss like the scent of flowers in the winter.

J.M. Barrie says it best: "God gave us memory so that we might have roses in December". So it is with friends, yes?

Pick A Winner and Take Me To DQ

Joanie's nose-picker story reminds me of a story a friend told me once. He was out driving his car on the freeway and glanced over at the driver of the car next to him as he passed it. That car's driver was a pretty lady, who waved at him. Sweet! What she failed to remember was that she had a wad of Kleenex sticking out of her nose. He politely motioned, pointing toward his nose, and she responded by rolling her eyes a little and waving again, in thanks. This whole interchange took place in a few seconds, a marvel in non-verbal communication.

By the way, to view two funny Kleenex TV ads, go here.

The second thing that entry in Joanie's blog brought to mind was a childhood trip to Dairy Queen with my father. It was a big deal to order for myself, so I marched right up to that counter and very maturely ordered a brassiere burger.

Yeah, as in bra. Over-the-shoulder-boulder-holder. Double-slingshot. I couldn't spell it at that point in my life, but I darned well knew how it was pronounced! I don't remember much except my father laughing and my thinking "well Brazier sure looks like it ought to be prounounced brassiere"!

A Countdown

This nifty list thingie I found on Joanie's site

Ten movies you'd watch over and over:
1. As Good As It Gets
2. Braveheart
3. The Princess Bride
4. Shawshank Redemption
5. Star Trek (any of 'em)
6. The Matrix
7. The Abyss
8. Pleasantville
9. You've Got Mail
10. A Christmas Story


Nine people you enjoy the company of:
Only Nine?? This list is not all-inclusive!
1. Howie (& our family)
2. Amy
3. Angie
4. John
5. Amy
6. Noah
7. Bonnie
8. Lisa
9. Yeah, and me ;)

Eight things you're wearing:
1. Wedding Band
2. Glasses
3. Barrette
4. Right earring
5. Left earring
6. Undergarments
7. Outergarments
8. A smile

Seven Things on your Mind:
1. Getting over this cold
2. Hoping Howie doesn't catch it
3. Cleaning I need to do
4. Deciding it can wait until I feel better
5. Writing, how I enjoy it
6. Contemplating bringing my music keyboard upstairs
7. How fleeting the days are

Six objects you touch everyday:
1. My glasses
2. A coffee cup
3. My hubby
4. My cats
5. My dogs
6. My dogs' leashes


Five things you do everyday:
1. Kiss my hubby
2. Wake up with no alarm
3. Eeeeeeliminiate
4. Surf the Internet
5. Count my blessings

Four bands that you couldn't live without:
1. Phil Keaggy & Sunday's Child
2. The Beatles
3. Men at Work
4. Randy Stonehill & band

Three of your favorite songs at this moment:
1. You're Worthy of My Praise (version from John Tesh's CD A Deeper Faith)
2. Shoofly Pie (Doris Day)
3. You Are Still Holy (as sung by Kim Hill)


Two people that have influenced your life the most:
1. Mom
2. John

One person that you love more than anyone in the world:
1. Howie

Mirror Mirror...

Well, I finally did it. I submitted a photo to
The Mirror Project and they put it up today. I owe it all to Randal, the Big White Guy...Even if he did shave his goatee off in a moment of abandon, I admire the guy. Hey, we even have the same camera - how cool is THAT? If he can take such great shots with his Olympus, I know I can do better.

NyQuil Poster Child

You know that commercial for NyQuil, the one that says it's the "nighttime, sniffling, sneezing, coughing, aching, stuffy head, fever so you can rest medicine"? I am destined to be their poster child, I think. And this cold or flu - whatever it is - wouldn't be so bad if it weren't for the poop.

No, not mine. Buddy's. Our beagle has the runs, and it's been oh-so-fun at our house today. I awoke to the sound of Howie making gagging noises as he cleaned up the first mess of the day, one which the dog managed to make right on top of some computer cables, coax cable and phone lines. I've been taking the dogs out regularly, hoping to avoid any more accidents, but I'm afraid he did it again. I cleaned up the little spot I saw, thinking it was good it was just that little bit...Then I saw more under my desk. Much more. On the carpet, of course.

Waaaaaah! Can I just say that I'm really sick of bodily fluids today, human and otherwise? *sniffle* Okay, I've had my pity party.

Tourism by Microsoft

This computerized kiosk is in the foyer at Heini's Cheese Shop in Berlin, Ohio. People seemed divided into two camps at the sight of me laughing and snapping shots of this thing: those who stared unabashedly and those who averted their eyes. ;)

Better late than never...Monday Mission time!

1. Do you have a favorite piece of poetry or prose written by someone else? Care to share it?

I am very fond of Robert Frost's Stopping by the Woods on a Snowy Evening, especially the last line, And miles to go before I sleep, and miles to go before I sleep. How often I've felt that way when out enjoying time photographing nature, then realizing how late the hour's gotten and how I need to get home!

2. In High School, did you enjoy creative writing? Do you currently do any other writing in addition to your Blog?

I loved creative writing in high school. One year I was an editor for the Literary Magazine, and that was fun, too. I always write, but not always publically. To me, e-mails deserve as much care and attention as "real" writing. Some of my favorite things to read are well-written letters I receive from friends and family. I want to do more writing, though, even free-lancing if I can find the right avenues.

3. Have you ever noticed that the Blog entries you least expect to get the most comments do, and those you expect to generate a lot of feedback don't? Which Blog entry of yours surprised you by getting a lot of comments? Which one did you think would generate a lot but didn't?

I never expect many comments, so I am really glad when I do see them. I get private e-mails from people, too, and that's fine. I just like hearing back from others; the blogger's curse, I suppose!

4. Sometimes you get a chance to make a lifestyle change that has a huge impact on the course your life takes. That is, a moment where something became very clear to you, and that realization changed your life, such as: the need to leave a relationship, to stop an addiction, to bond with someone, to start a new career, and so on. Have you ever had an "awakening" moment in your life?

There are far too many to mention. Realizing I wanted to marry Howie was a big one. We'd gotten to be friends over a period of almost a year, and three days after we first kissed and began dating in earnest, I realized I didn't want to be with anyone but him. I blurted this out to him one evening, then freaked out that I'd said it, feeling it was carved in stone. Then, I realized it was okay even if it had been carved in stone, because it was so true.

Recently, I have become much more aware of how my actions affect other people, both positively and negatively. I know I need to be out with people, not only for myself and my need to connect, but also to encourage them. And I know I need to work much harder on not running late, because it devalues the person who's waiting when I dilly-dally around and run behind. Gee, I think my most recent realization can be summed up in the words it ain't all about me!

5. Then there are other times where you can have a huge impact on someone else's life. You suggest they see a doctor, stop them from taking that last drink, or maybe just say some kind words at the moment. Have you made a lasting positive impact on the life of someone else?

I sure hope so. I try to encourage people, even complete strangers. I try to smile, knowing how one smile can bouy my heart on a rough day. I believe very much in the power of words.

6. Are there any charities or organizations which you support? How did you come to be involved with them?

Mainly, we support our church, though we've been absent for a long time and have not been as faithful with our pocketbooks as we once were. Other than that, I am more vocally supportive than financially.

7. Care to collaborate with me? Help me out and write the rest of this poem:

I drifted though a dream last night,
visions full of colors bright.
My thoughts began to drift to you,
and in an instant we were two.

I touched your hand,
We began to blend,
Filled with a feeling
that should have no end.

A question knitted tight your brow
You tried to ask, not knowing how
To vocalize that heart-felt need
Without sounding full of greed

BONUS: Hey cutie, what's up with this attitude?

Awww, c'mon Babyface, don't be cruel...

Cold Viruses by E-Mail

Well, I have a cold. I swear, I got this virus from my aunt, who e-mailed me and said she and her hubby have just reached the turning point in their colds and are starting to feel better. This insiduous cold virus of hers made its way through cyberspace and landed right on my fingertips. Thanks, Bonnie. *sigh* Right now, I could sing a low baritone rather than alto. I could give Phoebe Buffay a good run for her money with the sexy cold-voice thing. I have a voice which would scare small children, so keep them away. Keep them away, anyway; I don't want their germs right now, since I have quite enough of my own, thankyouveddymuch.

Now that you're sufficiently grossed out, let me post a pretty little picture to make up for it. This is Emma, mooning over her beloved Nylabone:

Lap Dance

This Lap dance is one of the funniest Flash animations I've seen. Don't worry, it's just about a guy and his cat, LOL.

The Bunnies' Keeper

This boy was shielding these dwarf rabbit babies from the sun at the family's small market set-up near Heini's Cheese Shop in Berlin, Ohio. He and his brothers took turns holding the umbrella, and a battery-powered fan also provided a breeze. I stood a discreet distance away and used the zoom on the camera, and I made sure not to get a full-face shot of the boy...But I had to take this picture. Having the LED on enabled me to rest the camera on a fencetop and glance down at the screen to frame the shot rather than holding the camera up to my eye.

Yesterday Howie and I drove over to Berlin with my folks, our friend Kathy following us in her plant-packed car, for a get-together with some other Ohio Dave's Garden folks. We visited a bit in the parking lot of Tis The Season a year-round Christmas shop, traded some plants and seeds, then headed over to Der Dutchman for some good food. It's always been so cool to meet the folks we've come to know and enjoy online, and this was no exception. They're the salt of the earth. :)

I spent the night at Angie's last night and Howie got to be a bachelor and watch a football movie with the dogs, LOL. Angie'd invited me to church with her since it was Friend Day, so I thought why not? It was really cool, from the Sunday school talk to the worship (great music!) to the sermon. It was just what The Doctor ordered. Angie's going to be baptised tonight, so I'm hanging out with her all day and meeting Howie back at the church for the service. It's been such a cool weekend, even if I was reluctant to get moving. I always enjoy being out and around people once I get going...It's just the getting-going that's tough.

Thanks, Angie. :)

The Friday Five

1. What was/is your favorite subject in school? Why?

It was definitely art. It allowed me to be creative without having to adhere to rules of syntax. It also let me lose myself in the medium for even that finite time, something important for a troubled kid. Anyone who creates with their hands will know what I'm talking about; it's wonderful.

2. Who was your favorite teacher? Why?

It would have to be David Scherer, who taught my fourth grade class at Wescott Elementary in Northbrook, IL. He had brown hair and a beard, and kind eyes. My home life was violent and dismal with my father, and I carried my frustration and anger to school. I acted out Mr. Scherer's class as I did in all my classes, but with him I'd met my match. A telling memory I have is about a day he told me to go to the Principal's office. I refused and sat stubbornly at my desk. Well, Mr. Scherer grabbed onto the desk and pulled it -- and me -- down the hallway toward the Principal's office! Looking back, I wonder if he just did that in terrific humor, or if I pissed him off so much he didn't know what else to do!

We had big cardboard study carrols to use in the classroom, letting us make cubicles out of our desks (early indoctrination into a Dilbert society! My God!!). Mr. Scherer set up the carrols like a gameshow set and held spelling contests, too. It was in his class that I learned to spell psychology; we all learned to spell it by year's end. Do kids still learn to spell psychology in fourth grade?

He also was the person responsible for me finishing the required half-mile track for the President's Physical Fitness Program. I was as far from athletic as a kid could be, and I hated gym class. Mr. Scherer stayed after school with me one day and we went around that half-mile track together, alternately walking ten steps and jogging ten steps until we had finished. I still am not athletic, but that memory really stays with me.

And, yes, I was hopelessly in love with him. In truth, he was the first positive male role model I ever had. He left teaching to work at a bank, and for a while we kept in touch by phone. His leaving the education field was a loss for children, especially those without a niche of their own.

3. What is your favorite memory of school?

Second to all those I listed above, it would have to be the times I snuck out of lunch period and went to eat lunch with Joseph Zulawski, my seventh-grade art teacher at John H. Springman Junior High in Glenview, IL. I was labelled a behavioral problem and bussed to that school to participate in that school's special ed classes. I was a very bright girl, and bored silly with what they tried to pass off as lessons. The one place I found myself was in the arts arts, both visual and music. We'd sit and eat and just talk as friends. He was another good man God saw fit to put in my life.

When I graduated from eighth grade, Mr. Zulawski gave me a box of treasures: a box of charcoals, an art gum eraser, a timer...Just an odd assortment of little things, but ones I treasure. I don't do charcoal drawings to speak of, but I still have that worn little grey cardboard box of charcoal sticks. Mr. Z and I corresponded for a while after I moved to Ohio, but we lost touch. He was a good man.

4. What was your favorite recess game?

Reading. I hated recess. I wasn't a popular kid, and didn't play kickball, hopscotch and all that. I was pretty much self-entertaining, and I still am. Not that I didn't want to be with people, and not that I don't enjoy being around people now, no. I just play well by myself. :)

5. What did you hate most about school?

I think the darkest time school-wise was junior high. In retrospect, I realize I was clinically depressed as a pre-teen and teenager. Back in those days, I went to a counselor, but they just didn't give kids anti-depressants. I wonder how differently my life would have turned out had I had those amazing, helpful medications back then instead of decades later.

As I said, I was sent to a neighboring town for school because they had a special ed program. The stigma attached to any kids in those classes was longstanding. That, combined with my then-combative nature and lashing out, made school life difficult. Until I was "mainstreamed" into the "normal" classes there, my lessons were comprised of readings, followed by questions and sometimes puzzles, from workbooks so simplistic it was embarrassing. I would get weeks worth of lessons done in an afternoon, then have time to kill. Nothing's worse than an emotionally hurting, but intelligent child who has run out of things with which to occupy her time. I got in trouble a lot, but Mr. Zulawski was my saving grace and sanity during that time. If you're out there, Mr. Z, I love you.

A new twist on the lemon truism

I read this today at The Anti-Adelphia Movement, and it struck me rather funny:

When life gives you lemons, squeeze the juice into a water gun and shoot as many people as you can in the eye.

Don't you just feel like doing that sometimes? ;)