What A Touchy World We Live In Today

For the obnoxious poster.

This is my blog. If I am unable to post for several days there must be a reason for my absence. How does this concern you?

I choose to have a blog.

You choose to remain semi-anonymous. And check in on my comments on life.

Please kindly refrain from those types of comments.

Tisk. What a touchy world we live in today.

Man, Was I Miffed

OMG it just took an hour and a half to load 5 pictures. If anyone out there in Cyber land can give me some hints. Please do. I sit here and get old waiting for them to load. And ya all know from my recent posts that I have a really full social calendar. LOL. I wish.

Any way I promised some pictures of the countryside with the rape seed in bloom. I sorta kinda got some, but where I could safely stop for pictures was not really the best vantage point for a photo Op. Here is what I got. Grumbly tummie and all.

This is on the top of the mountain where I live. I am at the soccer field looking across over. Da Toni's restaurant is just to my back. Did I mention Da Toni. Must have a Da Toni salad.


This is also on top of my mountain.

This is one of the safer places to pull over to get out to take pictures. See the rape seed blooms towards the top of the photo?

This is also on the top of my mountain. The rape seed is over on another mountain. Today was really hazy. Sorry.
This is on the street where I live. My house is directly across the street from the house in the middle of the picture. The street bends a little to the right. Da Toni's is directly to my left. Da Toni's salad. Have I ever mentioned how good it is?

Maybe I am fixated on food 'cause the outing today was almost a total bust. We went antiquing and the place was closed. It was too early to go to lunch so I suggested going to a flower place right down the road. Which had a coffee/bakery right next door. So we had coffee, which led to kuchen, which led to no lunch.

Man, was I miffed. I was looking forward to some soup and salad.

The Detail Is Amazing

I officially hate Google maps. I put in a directions request to go to the town of Michelstadt. The stupid directions sent us on several tiny, and I mean tiny roads that riding on gave me a major anxiety attack. First, we had to go up a mountain to then go down the same mountain. No reason for the mountain climb, there was nothing to see on the mountain that going around wouldn't have cured.

Google maps just figured that "She Who" needed a Sunday afternoon panic/anxiety attack to keep her insanity at a consistent level.

OK.... the rant is over for the moment.

The reason for going to Michelstadt was the Easter Egg Market. I heard about it on one of the Yahoo Groups and then checked it out on the Internet. So when Spousal Unit asked if we had any plans for the weekend, I said yes. Since he was so nice to till my garden Friday and Saturday, I knew he really wanted to spend 2 hours driving each way to look at Easter Eggs.




These eggs are dyed one color and then the design is scraped into the egg by removing the dye.


This lady is dying eggs by using the Batik method. Starting with white wax and then dying, and waxing from light to dark colors.

These eggs are some of her work. The place was so crowded that I couldn't get any closer to these eggs.

These eggs are also examples of scraping away the dye.

I have no idea how these eggs were done. But the detail is amazing.

Back To The Smoking/Quitting Thing Part II

So....

Several years later, enter Spousal Unit. He doesn't smoke and never really did. When I met him he smoked a pipe, on the rare occasion.

After we married he complained once that he wanted me to quit smoking cigarettes. I ranted and raged again that he was being a hypocrite. I hid his pipe and the subject of his smoking was never raised again. (I still have the pipe, but he never asked for it.)

Well the years passed and I have tried every method of quitting possible. Well, almost every method. I haven't tried hypnosis. I really don't think I could be hypnotised. Trust issues. (Later subject of a blog.)

I sorta, kinda, really quit when I was pregnant. During the first pregnancy the Dr. said not to quit, just cut back as much as possible so as to not to shock the fetus. So I did. After the boys were born I just went back to smoking. That fish to water thing.

As the years passed I became a much more "considerate smoker." Of course, I am well trained. The military life does that to you. I asked before I lit up. I went outside before it was required.

These past few years I thought I was doing OK. Little bit of a smoker's cough, but considering that I smoked so many years, not bad.

Well, what's been going on recently with me is that this crap is coming back to bite me.

I have recently been diagnosed with very high blood pressure. Smoking is one of the major causes.

I am now regulated and am responding very well to the medicines. But, smoking can no longer be part of my lifestyle.

I see the difference in my blood pressure now that I am not smoking. With the medicine, I saw a good difference. With no smoking I see a major difference.

So kicking and screaming I will not smoke again. Yes, I am still kicking and screaming, but I won't smoke.

I'll just kick and scream like a little girl. And be glad that I stopped before a heart attack really stopped me.

Back To The Smoking/ Quitting Thing Part I

You know, I smoked for almost 37 years. I smoked for more years than I didn't.

As a kid I hated smoking. Both my parents smoked and I always hated the way it smelled in the house.

Way back then it was no big deal to smoke. Everyone did, or so it seemed.

I remember my mom sending me to the drug store in town to get her a couple of packs of cigarettes for her. No problem, she just sent a note with me asking for her brand and to let me buy them for her. She was ahead of her time in that she sent me with a note. She gave me something like .50 cents for the two packs of cigarettes.

Do any of you remember the candy cigarettes we bought as kids? Cool huh?

I was always a tomboy and athletic. Not the best at anything by far, but a rough and tumble girl that loved playing outside.

Then, when the hormones hit, OMG, I was so into the boyfriend thing.

My first love was a guy that ended up smoking. I ranted, I raged, I gave ultimatums. Quit, or I'll start. "True Love." Ya bullpoopies. I was so naive I thought that "True Love" would win. (As an aside do any of you remember what line that movie is from??) Its one of my favorites.

He didn't quit. I hated the way the kisses tasted. So I started.

My God. Smoking for me was like a fish to water. I could focus. I could calm myself down when psyched out. Smoking became, for me, like breathing. I am so ADD.

So I smoked.

And ended up giving up sports because I smoked. (They even let us smoke in school.)

(To be continued.)

Oh Yeah, By The Way

It is now day ten of not smoking. OMG, Spousal Unit isn't home and all I want to do is go out and buy a pack. I won't, but I want to.

I guess undoing 35 years of a bad habit isn't going to be a walk in the park.

German Signs

I have been studying for my driver's test. I was supposed to have taken it today but Spousal Unit messed up and didn't give me a set of orders. I really think he wants to keep me out of the stores so I don't go shopping. He gave himself a new acronym name on the way home, ISU - Inconsiderate Spousal Unit. Today the name fits. If only because I have to go back to studying the booklet over the weekend to make sure I pass the test on Monday.

OK, class give it your best shot for what these signs mean. Answers to follow.




Sign #1 On coming traffic is going to trash your paint job. Use alternate travel route.

Sign #2 Parking for gay hikers only.

Sign #3 Your car is going to end up in the river. Don't drive on this road.

Sign # 4 Look for the pretty snowflake. While driving at 120 mph.

Sign #5 Big kids kicking the Sh!! out of the little kids. A bully alert.

Sign #6 Hope your're going in the right direction and that the new shocks work.

Wednesday Bites, OOPS, Bytes

Wednesday bites, OOPS bytes.

Work is really slow. I can't stand slow. The day drags on and I can think of three bazillion things to do other than look like I am being productive.

Son # 2 called eight times today. I know it is his way of saying that he misses me and wants to stay in contact. Just come over and visit on occasion or invite me over.

Work does not like Son # 2 calling eight times in one day.

I listed my house over the weekend and had a family that assured me that they wanted to rent. Tuesday they called me and said that it might be too much work for the wife if.... IF he had to deploy. Have they ever heard of a lawn mowing service, and why did they make me wait??

I decided to list the house with a local management company. The manager viewed the house and sent me an email stating that she was anxious to take the listing. Now she hasn't gotten back to me via email or answered any of my phone messages. I don't know if she is swamped or if her assistant, who needs MAJOR customer service skills implanted somewhere, are the reason.

My Last Name Is Not Murphy, but Lately It Should Be

Calamity du Jour - Saturday.

I went over to the other house to clean. The tenants gave me a three days notice that the were leaving. They originally said that they would pay for the 30 days notice. Then Friday they said that they were only going to pay a portion of the rent and to use the rest from the deposit. NOT..... Not per the lease.

They left a lot of crap in the house. Expensive crap, but I really don't need to deal with this stuff right now. They like Trader Joe's and Whole Foods alot so you know the type of crap they left. But I can't use any of this upscale crap right now.

Anyway after we got all the crap out of the house it wasn't too bad. Clean the kitchen and baths. On further inspection, I need to hire a chimney sweep, termite inspector, and rug cleaner.

He also hid that the toilet leaked on occasion.

We are good landlords. As an example: The dishwasher went out and they had a new one the next day.

If they had a problem we fixed it immediately. Why didn't they report this?????

The toilet was leaking and wasn't readily noticeable immediately.

I went in today to show the house and while turning on the lights I went into the bathroom the floor squished.


I spent today shop vacuuming up to close to three gallons of water from the bathroom floor alone. The ceiling downstairs finally stopped running a river of water around 3:00 this afternoon.

My contractor guy was really good and came over immediately. They will start fixing everything starting Monday.

My last name is not Murphy, but lately it feels like it should be.

I Sat on Wet Pants for Several Hours

The rains are upon us. It seems that we can't get away from them. We get to have a day of sun, humidity, and heat. And, then it rains again.

Notice that the windows are up. I wish the windows were up two days ago, when I was going to work.

Mother Nature we need to chat.

I sat on wet pants for several hours before I dried out.

That's All the Rants for the Night

More frustrations:

We are switching to Vonage. With Vonage we are able to keep our local number so people, including our children, can keep in touch with us without paying long distance charges. The two days of frustrating calls between AT&T and Vonage drove me nuts. And that's a short trip. I was finally able to port a local number to Vonage. The AT&T gal was really yucky. She asked why I wanted a local IL number in Germany? Because I can. Understand???????????

AT&T set us up for a new DSL. Hello.... I am disconnecting.

The mail is now being forwarded. The only reason that I caught wind of this latest disaster is because the Post Office got Spousal Unit and Son # 1 confused. We have a Senior and a Junior. The Post Office sorting software has a problem with JR and SR surnames. Son # 1 is staying for the Summer with the friends I am currently with, and my Gal Pal "The Laundry Queen" (TLQ) also works for the Post Office. I need to head some of this off at the source and really get the addresses changed.

I called AT&T this morning and couldn't get a human in a timely manner. After work I went to the house and called from the house account #. It took an hour on the phone to get the new "DSL WE DON'T WANT OR NEED" turned off. Polite and helpful people this time.

I am getting to the point....I don't need to deal with this CRAP. What happened to any sort of Customer Service?????

That's all the rants for the night. I don't want to deal with it more tonight.

We're Getting a Little Crazy Here

These are the last few days and we are really getting serious about the move.

Son #1 informed me that he was going to the Cards game today and that he had already spoken to his beloved father. If I needed him to do anything, it would need to be in the next few minutes, because he was leaving in an hour.

You ask, how many levels of ballistic did I go???

He didn't understand my incoherent shrieks and luckily Spousal Unit arrived on the scene. What he didn't tell his beloved father was that it was a noon game. Beloved father thought it was a night game.

Son #1 did not attend the game today. Son #1 ended up calling one of his friends, who came over to assist in moving the furniture, that we need to put in temporary storage, for him to move back to school this fall.

Son # 2 arrived on the scene and started moving furniture. He, unfortunately had to go to work early in the afternoon. His room is now void of furniture, but the STUFF remains. I had to ask Spousal Unit what it was like. I still won't check his room. I'd have a coronary.

I have all the figurines and collectibles boxed up. I have all the artwork/wall stuff inventoried. My baskets and salt glaze pottery are set aside.

The linens that we are taking are packed and in the blanket chest and cedar chest.

My goal tomorrow is to have all rooms, set aside, as totally storage or shipping. This allows for less direction we must give to the packers.

Monday night, after work, I guess the last thing to do is inventory all my undies and socks.

Good News, Bad News, You Choose

A little bummed right now.

Spousal Unit is on the plane to Germany and I am home with a torn apart house.

The good news is that the toilet is no longer on the front porch. It's in the garage because of the storm last night.

The bad news is that Son # 2 is laying the guilt trip on me right now.

He is claiming that he is getting shafted, a short end of the stick type of deal. What he doesn't understand is that he can't come with us. He will not have a car. He probably wouldn't be able to get a job. He has not done well in college and therefore has no insurance that we can afford.

The company will not pay for his ticket over to Germany because he is no longer in college. And, I am not willing to pay for his college tuition. He tried the academic route, the chef route, and then the electrician route. He passed nothing, Nada, Zip. That's a year and a half's worth of tuition, books and fees just thrown out the window.

Ya gotta sink or swim boy. You are almost 21, as you keep reminding me, and ya done been grown. There is little I can impart to you, at this point, even if you would listen to me.

All I can say is, you're a good kid; grow up a little, find a real job, and get serious about your schooling and future.

Love,

Mom

I Did the Deed Today

I did the deed today. I have been putting it off forever. I didn't wanna do it, I really didn't wanna do it. I had to. I want to go to Germany.

I had to get my picture taken.

I had to get my picture taken for my passport. I can't remember the last time I allowed a real, no kidding picture of me to be taken. I usually cheese it up and do a swirly hair in front of the face thingee. I just do not photograph well anymore.

I used to be cute. Perky was brought up on occasion. Now, I just feel, who.... is that person, that is supposed to be me, in that photo????

YUUUUUUCK.

I did it because I want to go with Spousal Unit.

My Google Ads

For the last few days I have noticed that my "Get Rich Plan by Allowing Google Ads on my Blog Site" have been advertising pantie ad sites. WTF????

I really try to keep the tone of this Blog PG.

I could go all, off on some stuff. I have chosen not to be a Mommy Blog, not a Rant Blog, I'm not sure what I really want to say Blog, but I am working on the voice I want to project Blog.

I am into month two of sitting down every night after work and trying to figure out what I want say and need to post. I am making myself sit down, (I like it, but some nights are easier than others) to discipline myself to write every night.

I can't claim that I have a novel in me. I am more of a stand-up comedian. I can give witty repartee. Zippy come backs. Short stories are more on the line of my gifts. I'm a cut-to-the-chase type of person.

And, I am also very ADD. DUH, if you have been reading any of my posts.

So, I guess I am back to the WTF???? What airspace did the pantie ads come from?

Are all you'se guys reading my posts jumping here from porn sites?

Mother Nature Quit Teasing Me

Woke up late this morning. 7:30 which is late for me.

I got out of bed and Spousal Unit got back in. He is starting to get the creeping CRUD, the illness that I am just now shaking . It is a nasty, draining... what symptom am I gonna' get next??? sickness.

He slept for a few hours and got back up. He was hungry and suggested IHOP. Normally we cook breakfast together on weekends and I almost said no.

Today I thought better of it and said yes. I finished getting cleaned up and off we went.

The weather is glorious. 67 degrees. I wore just a light hoodie and Spousal Unit wore a tee shirt.

Breakfast was uneventful and the food was hot for once.

On the way home I mentioned we needed to go to the grocery store to get more Gypsy Cold Care tea. Spousal Unit tried it this weekend and is starting to appreciate my belief in it. We found the tea and another "Flavor" Throat Coat. We decided to try it, so we got that box too.

All in all it has been a nice day. Worked outside a bit cleaning up in the gardens and Spousal Unit worked in the North pasture cutting up some fallen trees.

I just checked the weather channel. Tomorrow we are supposed to have a 40 degree temperature drop with snow.

Mother Nature sometimes you S*&#.

YUCKY YUCKY Yesterday

Yesterday was really YUCKY for me.

Pine Lawn, MO has just recently passed a new law forbidding the practice of sagging. Guys and gals will be arrested for showing their backsides as a fashion statement. This subject was the main event on the talk radio channels.

I posted and unposted a "She who" RANT about this new law and used a poor apples and oranges comparison to the shooting at Northern Illinois University.

I am very upset about both events.

I am saddened that our future possible leaders feel the need to flash their buns in public as a means of free speech. I am flabbergasted that this is a free speech issue at all. Actually for me, this is a public decency issue. If you want to strut the stuff, do it at home with the SO. I so... don't want to see your JUNK on the street. AND you look ridiculous as you sprint across the street and have to stop to pull up the drawers as they fall down around the ankles.

I am more than saddened about the newest college shooting at Northern Illinois. I have 2 boys that attend college and I am scared for them. As a mother, I worry about them all the time. Mothers do that. I acknowledge that as grown boys/men they must find their way in their own time. Mamma can't kiss the boo boos and make everything better any more. But I still worry.

I also can't obsess over these events without losing myself.

I'll find a balance. It just wasn't yesterday.