Vacation, in a nutshell
Vacation at Emerald Isle was awesome. The house was gorgeous and the weather (after the hurricane) was perfection. Many fine meals were enjoyed (Dad's beach soup...mmmmmm)and many cool shells were found. We (the kids and I) swam and frolicked and got rolled by bone crushing waves and just generally had a great time in the ocean. I got a nice tan and some way cute freckles on my cheeks ( I hated the freckles for years, but have lately come to accept them--- I suppose because they make me feel youthful??). I had a wonderful time cooking a Mexican seafood feast for the family--2 nights in a row, by special request! *blush* And homemade margaritas were a perfect accompaniment. Another night I served shrimp marinara over angel hair with caesar salad and a lovely chianti. I just LOVE to cook for folks who enjoy eating a s much as I do.
I think the kids really enjoyed this year's Treasure Hunt (a sort of a scavenger hunt with scary parts and dress-up characters and lots of candy). Featured characters this year were the Old Sea Hag (a much-requested favorite), the Floating Skull of Death and the Pirate Ghost. Many thanks to Austin for his spirited portrayal (no pun intended) of the Pirate Ghost.
It was also great to have Uncle Roy join us this year. Unfortunately, he had to take off early to avoid Ophelia and had to evacuate his own home a few days later running from Rita. He said he just couldn't get away from all these women chasing him, LOL!
Really, despite the hurricane, it was one our more enjoyable beach vacations. The only thing that could've made it better was for Em's fam and Race to have been able to stay a bit longer to enjoy the balmy, post hurricane weather.
Just a few random happenings and what-not
*Saturday morning I met Melissa at the local nursery and bought a bunch of perennials in hopes of creating a nice flower bed in front of my house. I had to borrow a pick axe to dig the holes--the dirt is HARD! But it SHALL be worth it to see my beautimous flower garden next year.
*I gave a large, smelly lady who was stranded with a flat tire a ride to her house, whilst en route to Lowe's for mulch. Why wouldn't a person shower? I just don't get that.
*Driving along the other day, minding my own, I was accosted by the sight of a shirtless, overweight, retarded man buzzing along on his (obligatory) motor scooter with his pants hanging so low that the prominent display of the cleft of his behind gave the appearance that he wasn't wearing any pants. Alone in my car, I first screamed in horror. Then, seeing that he actually was clothed, I laughed hysterically. Several days later, while on the way to supper with my friend, I saw the same dude again, still shirtless, with his bum STILL prominently displayed, zipping by on his scooter. My Friend's only response to my startled scream of recognition and outrage was "Heeey, 'just say no' to crack".
* I'm almost finished with Atlas Shrugged. Wowee. Alot to digest, there. I started reading Don Quixote at the beach. And then stopped. I'm trying, I really am, but that book is just soooo loooong and wooordy. I know it's a classic; alledgedly the first "novel" ever written. I hate it that I'm not "getting" it. But, I guess I shall persevere and eventually get it finished .*Sigh*
I have a special prayer request for a member of my extended family whom I know is going through a terrible, heart-wrenching time. Please pray for him. Thanks SO much to anyone who does!
Well, the night is still young and I have tons of work to get finished. So I'd best get to it.
Goodnight.
Monday, September 26, 2005
Wednesday, September 21, 2005
Home Again
I arrived home yesterday after being on "vacation" for 11 days. I put that in quotes because the vacation was interrupted by hurricanes, car trouble and mysterious rashes. Don't get me wrong, it was GREAT! Definitely one of the best beach trips, ever, if only because it was so memorable. I'll write that whole story down later.
As I pulled in last evening it struck me how much things had physically changed around the ole homestead. Farmer Sammy has cut down all of the corn, returning to me my treasured view of the mountains. My lawn has begun to turn brown in preparation for the winter. The dogwood are already displaying their fall colors. There was a smattering of leaves across the front yard. I miss that little bite of crispness in the air, but I know it will be here soon. I love Fall!
There is a young lady whom I pay to dogsit my pups. I will hereafter refer to her as TheBestDogSitterintheWholeWorldPeriod. Not only does she take wonderful care of my dogs when I'm away (to the point where the dogs are happy to see me when I return, but not actually flipping out about it), but she cleans (scrubs) the house, does home repairs like replacing doorknobs and light bulbs and shower curtatins, waters my plants and gets my mail. I hired her to watch the dogs and straighten the house--everything else she did just because she's SO awesome. What a gem of a find! And how nice to come home to a clean house with lights and fully functiuoning doorknobs, where there were none before. That's what I'm talkin' about.
Well,I gotta run. Lots to do today--back to the old grindstone, livin' by the sweat o' my brow and all of that.
Later!
As I pulled in last evening it struck me how much things had physically changed around the ole homestead. Farmer Sammy has cut down all of the corn, returning to me my treasured view of the mountains. My lawn has begun to turn brown in preparation for the winter. The dogwood are already displaying their fall colors. There was a smattering of leaves across the front yard. I miss that little bite of crispness in the air, but I know it will be here soon. I love Fall!
There is a young lady whom I pay to dogsit my pups. I will hereafter refer to her as TheBestDogSitterintheWholeWorldPeriod. Not only does she take wonderful care of my dogs when I'm away (to the point where the dogs are happy to see me when I return, but not actually flipping out about it), but she cleans (scrubs) the house, does home repairs like replacing doorknobs and light bulbs and shower curtatins, waters my plants and gets my mail. I hired her to watch the dogs and straighten the house--everything else she did just because she's SO awesome. What a gem of a find! And how nice to come home to a clean house with lights and fully functiuoning doorknobs, where there were none before. That's what I'm talkin' about.
Well,I gotta run. Lots to do today--back to the old grindstone, livin' by the sweat o' my brow and all of that.
Later!
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
The MALL manicure
I went for a pedicure today. I just went over to the little quickie place at the mall. Melissa and Savannah met me over there--a little girl time together.
You don't expect Spa treatment at the mall nail salon. You expect a quick, okay manicure or pedicure and you expect a little pressure from your foreign nail gal about how "vay pwetty" some 3 inch, airbrushed gel nails would be on your hands. I knew this going in. I was ready.
Well. My particular foreign nail putter-onner apparently just really didn't want to be bothered with yet another richie "round eye" with bad nails on this particular day. Broken-English-Speaking-Miniskirt-Wearing-I'm-Better-Than-You-Nail-Girl decided that not only did I need gel nails to be put on over my own "no look good" nails, but apparently my eyebrows were just disgusting her with their blatant unevenness: "Dey look vay bad. I shape dem fuh you, reah fas".
After the third disparaging remark about my eyebrows and nails, and my third polite refusal of airbrushed gel nails and a "reah fas" brow waxing, she begins loudly chattering with the other nail persons in their foreign tongue. They laughed and bantered back and forth loudly with me sitting right there, gritting my teeth, rolling my eyes at Melissa and trying not to reach across and grab Rude-Foreign-Nail-Girl by her scrawny little neck.
I've never felt SO much like I was living a Seinfeld episode. I'm sitting there, knowing full well that I'm being verbally slammed behind my back--well, in front of my face, really--and knowing I can't nail anybody about it (no pun intended!). I would catch a word of Engish every now and then and concentrate really hard on what they were saying, trying to catch them dissing me.
No luck. They're sly, in their own foreign way. I'll give them that.
Melissa and Savannah were finished well before me and sat there snickering and exchanging significant glances with me, while their nails dried. Their finger and toenails looked very nice. Apparently their foreign nail personages weren't quite so bitter about their job as mine. Maybe it was just my atrociously uneven eyebrows that made her hate me, I just don't know.
Ah, well. Lesson learned. When going for the mall manicure, one must develop a thick skin.
It's not for the faint of heart! LOL! ;0D
You don't expect Spa treatment at the mall nail salon. You expect a quick, okay manicure or pedicure and you expect a little pressure from your foreign nail gal about how "vay pwetty" some 3 inch, airbrushed gel nails would be on your hands. I knew this going in. I was ready.
Well. My particular foreign nail putter-onner apparently just really didn't want to be bothered with yet another richie "round eye" with bad nails on this particular day. Broken-English-Speaking-Miniskirt-Wearing-I'm-Better-Than-You-Nail-Girl decided that not only did I need gel nails to be put on over my own "no look good" nails, but apparently my eyebrows were just disgusting her with their blatant unevenness: "Dey look vay bad. I shape dem fuh you, reah fas".
After the third disparaging remark about my eyebrows and nails, and my third polite refusal of airbrushed gel nails and a "reah fas" brow waxing, she begins loudly chattering with the other nail persons in their foreign tongue. They laughed and bantered back and forth loudly with me sitting right there, gritting my teeth, rolling my eyes at Melissa and trying not to reach across and grab Rude-Foreign-Nail-Girl by her scrawny little neck.
I've never felt SO much like I was living a Seinfeld episode. I'm sitting there, knowing full well that I'm being verbally slammed behind my back--well, in front of my face, really--and knowing I can't nail anybody about it (no pun intended!). I would catch a word of Engish every now and then and concentrate really hard on what they were saying, trying to catch them dissing me.
No luck. They're sly, in their own foreign way. I'll give them that.
Melissa and Savannah were finished well before me and sat there snickering and exchanging significant glances with me, while their nails dried. Their finger and toenails looked very nice. Apparently their foreign nail personages weren't quite so bitter about their job as mine. Maybe it was just my atrociously uneven eyebrows that made her hate me, I just don't know.
Ah, well. Lesson learned. When going for the mall manicure, one must develop a thick skin.
It's not for the faint of heart! LOL! ;0D
Sunday, September 04, 2005
Quick ,un!
I'm in NOVA babysitting thru Monday. I'm VERY tired. W didn't sleep too well last night and neither did I. This was my 4th night of not-enough-sleep, so I'm in a half-zombie state (sickness, work,etc. kept me up the previous few nights). Despite the groginess, it's been nice.
Other than throwing a whopper of a tantrum this morning over cream-of-wheat too long in the making, W has been good as gold. I can't believe how much he's talking now. He's funny and smart and silly and just SO cute. Q and I have spent the last 2 days catching all manner of living creatures and drawing zillions of pictures. He's such a great little kid. Sensitive and intelligent and opinionated and silly. It's great to get to spend time with these 2 little critters.
I'm heading back home tomorrow evening. There's SO much to be done before I can head off to the beach on Saturday. It's going to be a long work week, but I am SOOOO looking forward to vacation! :0)
Other than throwing a whopper of a tantrum this morning over cream-of-wheat too long in the making, W has been good as gold. I can't believe how much he's talking now. He's funny and smart and silly and just SO cute. Q and I have spent the last 2 days catching all manner of living creatures and drawing zillions of pictures. He's such a great little kid. Sensitive and intelligent and opinionated and silly. It's great to get to spend time with these 2 little critters.
I'm heading back home tomorrow evening. There's SO much to be done before I can head off to the beach on Saturday. It's going to be a long work week, but I am SOOOO looking forward to vacation! :0)
Wednesday, August 31, 2005
Tuesday, August 30, 2005
Dog Stories
Evening Jaunts with the Pups
When I take the dogs for our run in the evenings, the ritual goes something like this. I step into the bathroom and put on my workout clothes. The dogs both raise there heads and watch me as I shut the door. When I emerge, donning my workout wear, they are both sitting outside the door looking at me with big, excited eyes. Once they get a whiff of my clothes (no matter how often I launder them, the pups can always tell they're my "outside" duds), the excitement begins. Elvis pants happily and whines and stands underfoot as I fetch my running shoes. Hilda, being female in all ways, makes no attempt to hide her emotions and barks and scampers and jumps everywhere trying to grab the socks from my hand. Leashes at ready, I open the front door and the dogs rush into the yard. I spray my pants legs with bug repellent, attach the leashes and off we go.
This is how it goes every evening. Until yesterday.
I wasn't feeling too wonderful and decided to just enjoy a long, leisurely stroll instead of a strenuous run. With that in mind, I warmed a cup of soup to have for supper while I walked. So, soup in hand and dogs all primed and full of energy, I opened the front door as I normally do. The dogs burst forth, as usual. Suddenly, I hear Elvis' signature long, descending growl. In the blink of an eye, he's off like rocket! To my horror, I see the 2 yippy irritating Pomeranians from up the road fleeing for their lives! E's in hot pursuit with Hilda at his heels!
I will just interject two facts here before I continue with my narration:
These 2 little mongrel neighbor dogs are a menace. They are allowed free reign (no leashes, no fences) of the neighborhood and I have caught them tearing up my trash and crappin in my yard on more than one occasion. So, while I certainly didn't wish for them to die the terrible death that Elvis would surely inflict upon them, I also wouldn't mind the fear of God being put into their little black hearts as regards their trespassing in my yard. The other fact pertinent to this story is that Elvis is sure death to any living animal caught in "his" territory. Once he launches forth, and pursuit begins, it's like trying to stop a locomotive. When he eventually hears me saying "NO!", he'll slow down. But, by then, it's usually too late.
Back to the story:
I immediately flung my supper into the yard and sprinted after the pack, yelling "ELVIS, NO! ELVIS, NO!" in my mean-loud-dog-commanding voice. I could hear a terrible ruckus as they passed from beyond my line of view. As I rounded the edge of the yard, I expected the worst--bloody,mangled neighbor dogs being shaken to death in Elvis' jaws. By some minor miracle Elvis had heard me yelling. He had slowed up enough for the trespassers to escape. They were running as fast as their little legs would carry them, tails between their legs, yelping as if E'd already caught them. I was out of breath and out of temper. Elvis came trotting back to me, quite satisfied with himself. Hilda, at first excited with the chase, was terrified by my yelling and was now seeking reassurance by trying to walk between my legs. We all walked back to the house and I sat and let my heart descend from my throat while the dogs ate my supper off of the lawn. Lesson learned: E must be on his leash BEFORE I open the door.
Treats
It is a ritual to give the dogs rawhide chips when they've come in from doing their business. And so here begins the drama I like to call "As the Rawhide Turns".
Each dog grabs their treat and heads to their customary chewing locations. Elvis puts his treat down between his paws and begins to eyeball Hilda, who's happily chewing away. Eventually, he feigns sleep. Hilda, being a puppy and of a naturally flighty personality, lacks the focus required to completely dispense of a rawhide without distraction. Elvis, the patient scavenger, knows he has only to wait and watch. He's developed quite the taste for a soft, pre-chewed treat, you see. Eventually, inevitably, she drops the rawhide and scampers off, only for a moment, mind you, to investigate some interesting sound or smell. It is all he needs. Smooth as glass, he slinks over filches the treat and slinks back. Hilda, upon returning, is at first bewildered and begins to sniff about. Following the scent too closely to it's source, Elvis growls and hovers protectively over the treats between his paws. At this point, Hilda runs too me and whines and gets another treat. And so the drama continues...
Regarding Hilda's approaching ...umm...b*tch-hood?
Hilda is showing signs that she will soon "become a woman". I've decided to allow this to happen once before I have her fixed. It's supposed to be healthier for the dog. The logistics of it happening, however, will naturally be a problem. When talking to Janelle about it she suggested a Diva Cup. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
When I take the dogs for our run in the evenings, the ritual goes something like this. I step into the bathroom and put on my workout clothes. The dogs both raise there heads and watch me as I shut the door. When I emerge, donning my workout wear, they are both sitting outside the door looking at me with big, excited eyes. Once they get a whiff of my clothes (no matter how often I launder them, the pups can always tell they're my "outside" duds), the excitement begins. Elvis pants happily and whines and stands underfoot as I fetch my running shoes. Hilda, being female in all ways, makes no attempt to hide her emotions and barks and scampers and jumps everywhere trying to grab the socks from my hand. Leashes at ready, I open the front door and the dogs rush into the yard. I spray my pants legs with bug repellent, attach the leashes and off we go.
This is how it goes every evening. Until yesterday.
I wasn't feeling too wonderful and decided to just enjoy a long, leisurely stroll instead of a strenuous run. With that in mind, I warmed a cup of soup to have for supper while I walked. So, soup in hand and dogs all primed and full of energy, I opened the front door as I normally do. The dogs burst forth, as usual. Suddenly, I hear Elvis' signature long, descending growl. In the blink of an eye, he's off like rocket! To my horror, I see the 2 yippy irritating Pomeranians from up the road fleeing for their lives! E's in hot pursuit with Hilda at his heels!
I will just interject two facts here before I continue with my narration:
These 2 little mongrel neighbor dogs are a menace. They are allowed free reign (no leashes, no fences) of the neighborhood and I have caught them tearing up my trash and crappin in my yard on more than one occasion. So, while I certainly didn't wish for them to die the terrible death that Elvis would surely inflict upon them, I also wouldn't mind the fear of God being put into their little black hearts as regards their trespassing in my yard. The other fact pertinent to this story is that Elvis is sure death to any living animal caught in "his" territory. Once he launches forth, and pursuit begins, it's like trying to stop a locomotive. When he eventually hears me saying "NO!", he'll slow down. But, by then, it's usually too late.
Back to the story:
I immediately flung my supper into the yard and sprinted after the pack, yelling "ELVIS, NO! ELVIS, NO!" in my mean-loud-dog-commanding voice. I could hear a terrible ruckus as they passed from beyond my line of view. As I rounded the edge of the yard, I expected the worst--bloody,mangled neighbor dogs being shaken to death in Elvis' jaws. By some minor miracle Elvis had heard me yelling. He had slowed up enough for the trespassers to escape. They were running as fast as their little legs would carry them, tails between their legs, yelping as if E'd already caught them. I was out of breath and out of temper. Elvis came trotting back to me, quite satisfied with himself. Hilda, at first excited with the chase, was terrified by my yelling and was now seeking reassurance by trying to walk between my legs. We all walked back to the house and I sat and let my heart descend from my throat while the dogs ate my supper off of the lawn. Lesson learned: E must be on his leash BEFORE I open the door.
Treats
It is a ritual to give the dogs rawhide chips when they've come in from doing their business. And so here begins the drama I like to call "As the Rawhide Turns".
Each dog grabs their treat and heads to their customary chewing locations. Elvis puts his treat down between his paws and begins to eyeball Hilda, who's happily chewing away. Eventually, he feigns sleep. Hilda, being a puppy and of a naturally flighty personality, lacks the focus required to completely dispense of a rawhide without distraction. Elvis, the patient scavenger, knows he has only to wait and watch. He's developed quite the taste for a soft, pre-chewed treat, you see. Eventually, inevitably, she drops the rawhide and scampers off, only for a moment, mind you, to investigate some interesting sound or smell. It is all he needs. Smooth as glass, he slinks over filches the treat and slinks back. Hilda, upon returning, is at first bewildered and begins to sniff about. Following the scent too closely to it's source, Elvis growls and hovers protectively over the treats between his paws. At this point, Hilda runs too me and whines and gets another treat. And so the drama continues...
Regarding Hilda's approaching ...umm...b*tch-hood?
Hilda is showing signs that she will soon "become a woman". I've decided to allow this to happen once before I have her fixed. It's supposed to be healthier for the dog. The logistics of it happening, however, will naturally be a problem. When talking to Janelle about it she suggested a Diva Cup. BWAHAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Short and Sweet
Yesterday was really busy and really profitable. Two senior sessions (one scheduled, one spur of the moment) and a bridal consultation--all went very well. After the appointments were through, a quick trip to the store and a bit of veggie chopping and fresh herbs and I had a nice pot of chicken soup on the stove. I worked on wedding proofs until the soup was ready and then ate (good soup!) and worked some more. Then off for a long run with the dogs, floor exercises, shower and a quiet hour on the back deck in the cool night air making up my list of things to do for the next day. It was a good, fulfilling day. A great follow up to a nice weekend with the fam.
Elvis and Hilda:
They're good pups!
Elvis and Hilda:
They're good pups!
W's b-day in pictures...
...until my camera battery went dead, heh,heh.
W's Big 2nd B-day Extravaganza:
Happy is the boy who's b-day is celebrated via pool party
There was much running and joyful shrieking of small children
There was much daring-do by users of the newly installed, ultra-firm diving board
There was watermelon...
oh, yes...there was watermelon, my friends
Birthday songs were sung while, 2yr old big boys eyed the cake and tried not to grab the train off the top before the people stopped singing...
...without success.
Happy, dripping, be-toweled crowds formed as cake was cut and handed out
Many gifts were opened and much delight was had by the opener and his crowd of cake-filled onlookers
Many a train was played with on that day, I can tell you
And finally, the image that just personifies the whole event:
How cute is THAT???????
A great party for a totally awesome little critter whom I can't BELIEVE is already 2 yrs old!
:0)
W's Big 2nd B-day Extravaganza:
Happy is the boy who's b-day is celebrated via pool party
There was much running and joyful shrieking of small children
There was much daring-do by users of the newly installed, ultra-firm diving board
There was watermelon...
oh, yes...there was watermelon, my friends
Birthday songs were sung while, 2yr old big boys eyed the cake and tried not to grab the train off the top before the people stopped singing...
...without success.
Happy, dripping, be-toweled crowds formed as cake was cut and handed out
Many gifts were opened and much delight was had by the opener and his crowd of cake-filled onlookers
Many a train was played with on that day, I can tell you
And finally, the image that just personifies the whole event:
How cute is THAT???????
A great party for a totally awesome little critter whom I can't BELIEVE is already 2 yrs old!
:0)
Thursday, August 18, 2005
...cause I'm baaad...like Jesse James
That was a line from a John Lee Hooker song.
Good ole' Johnny Lee.
When I'm feeling particularly pleased with myself it generally pops into my head. It's one of my happy songs. Zepplin's "Rock'n'Roll" is prob'ly my all-time-super-happy-song.That little guitar riff just perks me up every time.
Anyone else have happy songs? You know, the tune or lyrics just sort of jump into your head at a happy or joyful moment? Care to share? I'm quite curious. :0)
It's been a productive and rewarding week. I booked my first "higher end" wedding (well, she's a-movin on uh-uh-up...) and completed a couple of other big work projects as well. Booking that wedding is a big deal for me. It represents my first booking using my new(and still partially under construction) Package pricing. The lady saw my work, saw my (much higher than anything I've charged before) prices and didn't so much as blink. The consultation ended with a smile on her face and a check in my hand. It just doesn't get much better than that, folks.
I squealed--after making sure she had pulled out of the driveway, of course---and then said a prayer of thanks and then squealed some more. And then sang aloud, all low and bluesy-like "'cause I'm baaaad....like Jesse James"... hee-hee!
On the weight loss front...I think I may have. Lost some weight I mean. My jeans seem less snug and my face may be a tad less hugely fat. Could be just wishful imaginings but hey, I'll take that. Workouts and dieting are tiresome, but I 'm doing OK. I did go a little crazy with the Reduced Fat Wheat Thins last night, but aside from that I've stuck to it.
I didn't get a whole bunch finished on the house this week, but it's in the works for tomorrow.
I wish I had a little more energy and a few less headaches. It would make me much more productive. It's most likely just the ragweed pollen giving me problems. The Weird Leg Itch has calmed down for the time being, though. That is good.
Garden club was tonight. We had a flower arranging "party" in the social hall of a local church. There were big buckets full of wildflowers and cut, cultivated flowers and vases of all shapes and sizes. We basically just grabbed a vase apiece and went to cutting and arranging whilst gossiping and politely critiquing and complimenting one another's work. In the end, we had an informal judging and I came in second place. Refreshments followed: Homemade sour cream pound cake, fresh peaches, ice cream and various finger foods. I had a 2in square of pound cake and about 2 tbs of ice cream and peaches and 2 potato chips. It was SO hard not to grab a giant slab of that moist cake and drench it under a sweet mountain of ice cream and peaches and then scoop a giant handful of delightfully greasy chips and a 1/2 pint of dip onto my plate. So. Hard.
Dieting is NOT for the faint of heart, I can tell you. Temptation is all around you. The TV, the billboards,the radio--heck, just the the smell of grease as you pass McDonalds is enough to start my stomach growling and darken my mood. It's just everywhere. And then there's the whole Forbidden Fruit Syndrome at work, as well. It's always that much more delightful to sneak a snack when you KNOW how wrong it is. I mean, having a piece of b-day cake is great when you're not counting calories. But having a little piece when you know you really shouldn't ...when you know how many calories those 3 little bites of luscious, creamy sweetness hold inside their innocently festive exterior...oh, the forbidden joy it brings...maybe I shouldn't be sharing this...I digress. Ahem.
It was so wonderfully cool last night, I took the dogs for a long walk after dark and sat in the field under the giant oaks. The moon was full, or pretty close, and the night time bugs were in full voice. It was just lovely. I prayed and watched the dogs run around and hunt and play. A good time had by all.
I have an awful lot to do before I can leave for the weekend for W's 2nd B-day partaay. I would so like to return home to an organized house and a not insurmountable pile of work to complete. So, I guess it's going to be a busy day tomorrow. That's alright, though. I really dig my work.
But all the same...come onnnn beach vacation!
Okay, gotta run. The cool night air is like an "upper" for dogs. They're laying waste to my living room, as I write. Time for a walk!
Night, all.
Good ole' Johnny Lee.
When I'm feeling particularly pleased with myself it generally pops into my head. It's one of my happy songs. Zepplin's "Rock'n'Roll" is prob'ly my all-time-super-happy-song.That little guitar riff just perks me up every time.
Anyone else have happy songs? You know, the tune or lyrics just sort of jump into your head at a happy or joyful moment? Care to share? I'm quite curious. :0)
It's been a productive and rewarding week. I booked my first "higher end" wedding (well, she's a-movin on uh-uh-up...) and completed a couple of other big work projects as well. Booking that wedding is a big deal for me. It represents my first booking using my new(and still partially under construction) Package pricing. The lady saw my work, saw my (much higher than anything I've charged before) prices and didn't so much as blink. The consultation ended with a smile on her face and a check in my hand. It just doesn't get much better than that, folks.
I squealed--after making sure she had pulled out of the driveway, of course---and then said a prayer of thanks and then squealed some more. And then sang aloud, all low and bluesy-like "'cause I'm baaaad....like Jesse James"... hee-hee!
On the weight loss front...I think I may have. Lost some weight I mean. My jeans seem less snug and my face may be a tad less hugely fat. Could be just wishful imaginings but hey, I'll take that. Workouts and dieting are tiresome, but I 'm doing OK. I did go a little crazy with the Reduced Fat Wheat Thins last night, but aside from that I've stuck to it.
I didn't get a whole bunch finished on the house this week, but it's in the works for tomorrow.
I wish I had a little more energy and a few less headaches. It would make me much more productive. It's most likely just the ragweed pollen giving me problems. The Weird Leg Itch has calmed down for the time being, though. That is good.
Garden club was tonight. We had a flower arranging "party" in the social hall of a local church. There were big buckets full of wildflowers and cut, cultivated flowers and vases of all shapes and sizes. We basically just grabbed a vase apiece and went to cutting and arranging whilst gossiping and politely critiquing and complimenting one another's work. In the end, we had an informal judging and I came in second place. Refreshments followed: Homemade sour cream pound cake, fresh peaches, ice cream and various finger foods. I had a 2in square of pound cake and about 2 tbs of ice cream and peaches and 2 potato chips. It was SO hard not to grab a giant slab of that moist cake and drench it under a sweet mountain of ice cream and peaches and then scoop a giant handful of delightfully greasy chips and a 1/2 pint of dip onto my plate. So. Hard.
Dieting is NOT for the faint of heart, I can tell you. Temptation is all around you. The TV, the billboards,the radio--heck, just the the smell of grease as you pass McDonalds is enough to start my stomach growling and darken my mood. It's just everywhere. And then there's the whole Forbidden Fruit Syndrome at work, as well. It's always that much more delightful to sneak a snack when you KNOW how wrong it is. I mean, having a piece of b-day cake is great when you're not counting calories. But having a little piece when you know you really shouldn't ...when you know how many calories those 3 little bites of luscious, creamy sweetness hold inside their innocently festive exterior...oh, the forbidden joy it brings...maybe I shouldn't be sharing this...I digress. Ahem.
It was so wonderfully cool last night, I took the dogs for a long walk after dark and sat in the field under the giant oaks. The moon was full, or pretty close, and the night time bugs were in full voice. It was just lovely. I prayed and watched the dogs run around and hunt and play. A good time had by all.
I have an awful lot to do before I can leave for the weekend for W's 2nd B-day partaay. I would so like to return home to an organized house and a not insurmountable pile of work to complete. So, I guess it's going to be a busy day tomorrow. That's alright, though. I really dig my work.
But all the same...come onnnn beach vacation!
Okay, gotta run. The cool night air is like an "upper" for dogs. They're laying waste to my living room, as I write. Time for a walk!
Night, all.
Monday, August 15, 2005
Boring update blog
There hasn't been a whole lot going on here lately that seemed blogworthy. Below, I'm listing a few categorized updates on the goings-on in my little life, just for the record. Those of you who come here for entertainment purposes may just want to skip this one---pretty bland stuff. I was up working really late last night (this morning really--5AM!) so I'm just too pooped to be very creative. :0/
HEALTH
My exercise and low-cal eating regimen is still a "go". I've been doing very well and hope to start seeing some results here soon. On a less positive note, I'm facing a return of the dreaded and still inexplicable Leg Itch. Pretty frustrating.
WORK
Business is pretty good. I've had two return-business customers give me more work this week. I got a very nice check in the mail today and have another consultation tomorrow. Last week's GlamGirls session produced wonderful results and I expect good return business from that, too. Lots and lots of wedding work to get finished this week, too!
OUTSIDE-OF-WORK ACTIVITIES
Attended a really nice church on Sunday. Today, I enjoyed a full afternoon with Melissa and the kids and their little friends at the local arcade/batting cage/go-kart place along with some shopping and a lo-cal supper at a restaurant. Sent an email offering to volunteer my time with the local Republican Party. Still working on massive, whole-house reorganization project. Will carpool with Peggy (my landlady) to Garden Club on Thursday. Looking very forward to W's b-day party this weekend and visiting with Uncle Roy (in town from La.) and the rest of the fam.
I have a bit more work to finish here and then I'm hitting the sack early. I look forward to a full, busy day tomorrow! Happy trails to Mel and the kids on their journey to see Race tomorrow.
'night all! :0)
HEALTH
My exercise and low-cal eating regimen is still a "go". I've been doing very well and hope to start seeing some results here soon. On a less positive note, I'm facing a return of the dreaded and still inexplicable Leg Itch. Pretty frustrating.
WORK
Business is pretty good. I've had two return-business customers give me more work this week. I got a very nice check in the mail today and have another consultation tomorrow. Last week's GlamGirls session produced wonderful results and I expect good return business from that, too. Lots and lots of wedding work to get finished this week, too!
OUTSIDE-OF-WORK ACTIVITIES
Attended a really nice church on Sunday. Today, I enjoyed a full afternoon with Melissa and the kids and their little friends at the local arcade/batting cage/go-kart place along with some shopping and a lo-cal supper at a restaurant. Sent an email offering to volunteer my time with the local Republican Party. Still working on massive, whole-house reorganization project. Will carpool with Peggy (my landlady) to Garden Club on Thursday. Looking very forward to W's b-day party this weekend and visiting with Uncle Roy (in town from La.) and the rest of the fam.
I have a bit more work to finish here and then I'm hitting the sack early. I look forward to a full, busy day tomorrow! Happy trails to Mel and the kids on their journey to see Race tomorrow.
'night all! :0)
Friday, August 12, 2005
Dieting Hell, DAY 4
The last few days have been work-as-usual. Except that I'm hungrier and sorer (more sore?). You see, I started on my pre-beach diet and exercise plan: counting calories and running/walking/aerobics/resistance training. Vacation starts Sept. 10th, so I've given myself exactly one month to lose as much weight as possible and tone the flab. Whilst vacationing, it's no-holds-barred eating, of course. Post vacation, it's back to a sensible, healthy eating/exercise plan. Quite suddenly (it seems sudden, anyway) I no longer possess any fat jeans--sadly, I amply fill out the formerly fat jeans and can barely squeeze into my regular jeans. Not good. VERY, not good. *SIGH*
The old metabolism ain't what she used to be, folks. Time to take action. I'm on Day 4 of Dieting Hell and have done really well, thus far. I'm irritable, but I'm OK.
My friend came by on his Harley yesterday evening and took me for a ride up the Parkway. It was really great fun! We rode up into the cooler, higher altitudes of the mountains and took in some gorgeous, hazy views of the valley. We were planning to stop and eat at this restaurant along the Parkway. When we arrived, there was such a long line waiting to get in, that we skipped it and headed back down to a little local eatery (I had a grilled chicken breast, about 6 fries and a diet soda--very diet friendly meal!)
By the time we left, it was dark and we took a long route home, just enjoying the free, adventurous feeling of winding along the back roads in the cool mountain air. Back at my place, I sat in the yard and played with the dogs and started watching for any sign of the Perseids meteor shower. I had the privilege of seeing one really enormous meteor streak across the sky. It was an impressive sight! I was tempted to go and check in Farmer Sammy's fields to see if there was a crater. ;0)
I got up around 4am, this morning, to look for more shooting stars but couldn't keep my eyes open or my head skywards for more than about 20 minutes. I saw a few little streaks, but nothing quite so impressive as The Big One, from the night before. So, I went back to bed.
I would like to add a prayer request for my cousin, Ellen, who is going through a really tough time. Specifically, for her illness and the resulting financial problems. Thanks!
Have a great day, everyone!
The old metabolism ain't what she used to be, folks. Time to take action. I'm on Day 4 of Dieting Hell and have done really well, thus far. I'm irritable, but I'm OK.
My friend came by on his Harley yesterday evening and took me for a ride up the Parkway. It was really great fun! We rode up into the cooler, higher altitudes of the mountains and took in some gorgeous, hazy views of the valley. We were planning to stop and eat at this restaurant along the Parkway. When we arrived, there was such a long line waiting to get in, that we skipped it and headed back down to a little local eatery (I had a grilled chicken breast, about 6 fries and a diet soda--very diet friendly meal!)
By the time we left, it was dark and we took a long route home, just enjoying the free, adventurous feeling of winding along the back roads in the cool mountain air. Back at my place, I sat in the yard and played with the dogs and started watching for any sign of the Perseids meteor shower. I had the privilege of seeing one really enormous meteor streak across the sky. It was an impressive sight! I was tempted to go and check in Farmer Sammy's fields to see if there was a crater. ;0)
I got up around 4am, this morning, to look for more shooting stars but couldn't keep my eyes open or my head skywards for more than about 20 minutes. I saw a few little streaks, but nothing quite so impressive as The Big One, from the night before. So, I went back to bed.
I would like to add a prayer request for my cousin, Ellen, who is going through a really tough time. Specifically, for her illness and the resulting financial problems. Thanks!
Have a great day, everyone!
Tuesday, August 09, 2005
Fairy Shoot
We braved cow-pies and briars and poison ivy and heat and humidity and rain. We dealt with fairy wings that fell off and hair that went flat. But Savannah was a real trooper and we got some very cool images. Totally worth it! They're a little on the artsy-fartsy-weird-fantasy side, but I kinda dig that stuff and so does Savannah. (These are from a couple of weeks ago).
Sunday, August 07, 2005
The Stain
The morning after my last post found me still snoring soundly by 10:30AM. The phone rang, startling me awake and I stumbled around to look at the clock and almost fainted. I'd set the alarm on my cell phone for 7:30 AM and it simply didn't go off. Stupid, stupid phone! I still had a whole room to paint and carpets to clean and a consultation to set up for and errands to run and the rental Rug Doctor was due back to the store by 1PM! So. I decide to cut my losses and headed out the door with the Rug Dr. and a handful of paperwork to run the rest of my errands.
Back home, errands complete. Dive into the painting. Alright, everything's okay. I'm thinking I can get it all done and have the room set back up before my 6PM appointment. It'll be tight, but I CAN do it! 3:45 rolls around and 3 out of 4 walls are painted. Only one wall left, but it's a doozie. Crimson colored paint on a light yellow wall. Gonna need 2 coats, minimum. Start getting set up and begin pulling off masking tape from the previous 3 walls. To my dismay, large chunks of fresh paint begin coming off with the tape. YIKES! Alright, minor set-back, I'll touch it up later. I mask the final wall and look at the clock. 4PM. I go to mix the dark red paint and in that instant the unthinkable occurs. Before my very eyes, there's suddenly, shockingly a half a gallon of crimson paint spreading in a dark pool across my carpet. The horror! The humanity! I stood there for a full 30 seconds, I'm sure, just staring helplessly. How can I possibly get this up? Towels, I thought. No. I don't have that many towels--there aren't THAT many towels in the whole world! It's too thick for towels, anyway. And it's too thin to be"picked up". So I ended up frantically scraping at it with a spatula and then as a last resort with my bare hands, trying to scoop it into a dust pan. I'd then fly into the bathroom and dump it down the drain and fly back to the spill and do it again. Eventually I looked down and realized that at some point in my scurrying, I'd stepped in some of the paint and tracked it all over. OH.GOOD. Bloody footprints to finish out that homicide-scene effect. When I had exhausted the scraping/scooping option, I called Melissa for advice. By this time, my house really did have the appearance of a crime scene. I really should've taken a picture! Anyhoo, she directed me to the WTM board. I posted my dilemma and learned from "the hive mind" that keeping the spot damp and then woking it over extensively with a shop vac is the only possible hope. Not being a shop vac owner, I was preparing for a harried flight to Lowe's, when my phone rang and my consultation appointment postponed for the day. Normally, I would be very disappointed by this, as I always need the work. Today I did a small but sincere dance of joy. Now, I had until the next morning to get the house back together.
The carpet spot cleaner I had poured on the stain needed some time to work, so I got busy and finished the first coat on the final wall before I ran out of paint. I was about to jump in the shower and wash off the worst of the blood-like smudges coating my body, when I had the great misfortune of answering my phone. It was a girl who lives down the street, whom I barely know.Who decided to share her sad, sad life's story with me (I get that alot, for some reason). The tale that followed was a redneck soap opera of abusive boyfriends (the last of whom she's still shacked-up with), illegitimate children, drugs and poverty. Very disturbing. Not one of those conversations where you can easily make an excuse and get off of the phone. So I sat there and said "uh-huh"and "oh,man" at all the right intervals and watched the stain on my carpet set-in. When I finally got off the phone, it was after 8PM. I showered and headed out the door just in time to see teenage-neighbor-boy from down the road approaching my doorstep.The dogs, who had been securely locked away in the office, hearing a strange voice, somehow broke free of their confinement and proceeded to tramp all through the stain and run all over the house confusedly, amid my shouts of "NO! DON'T STEP THERE! GET OFF THAT! COME HERE! NO! NOT THAT WAY!MOVE! MOVE! NO! STOP! STAY!" After helping me wrangle the dogs, teenage-neighbor-boy said that he had a shop vac and ran home to get it. 15 minutes later he arrived, vac in hand. We set it up and plugged it in and turned it on and dirt and ashes flew EVERYWHERE! He said that he had another vac at his house that was newer and he just KNEW it would work(I think he was feeling bad about the dirt and ashes). SO, to save time I drove him home and after some searching through a shed full of junk we found a non-functioning Rainbow. His mom, after hearing my sad spill story, was kind enough to lend me her small carpet cleaner. I took it home set it up and gave it a try and it immediately SPREAD the stain to another third larger than it's original size. And coated the inside of the poor woman's steam cleaner with rasberry colored goo. So, I sent the cleaner home with teenage-neighbor-boy, who promised to get the rasberry mess out of it for me, and I headed to Walmart--open 24/7! :0)
I was back home by about 12AM and went to work. The only plug close enough to The Stain, decided to be tempermenal and kept clicking the shop vac on and off every time I moved it. So, I unscrewed the plate and in prying it off the wall it broke into 6 pieces and took giant hunks of my freshly painted wall with it. GOOD. After fiddling with it for a while the plug began to work properly and I set to scrubbing. The first couple of tries were disppointingly fruitless. I eventually found a method using pitcher's full of bleach water and carpet cleaner that started to do the trick. At about 1:30AM I was making real progress, despite the fact that I had to get up and empty the shop vac about every 90 seconds and refill the pitcher. Imagine my utter discouragement when I felt dampness on my leg and turned around from my cramped hands and knees poisition to see an enormous pool of what loked like ultra-concentrated, rasberry Crystal Light on the carpet around the shop vac barrel and sprayed onto my newly painted wall. Apparently the shop vac had malfunctioned and sprayed the last batch of paint water it'd been collecting ALL.OVER.THE PLACE. The carpet stain was now about twice the size it had been when I started scrubbing. And it was on the wall. And all over my pants leg.
I took a 5 minute break to collect myself and started all over again. I finally fell into bed (the futon, still coverless and crammed into the kitchen) sometime between 3-4AM. My consultation for the next morning was at 10AM and I had a REAL alarm clock set for 7:30. The stain was still there, but no longer looked quite so much like the sight of a murder investigation. The giant dark spot was mostly pink now and could be partially, temporarily covered by furniture. The furniture was still half in the yard and half scattered around the house, but I was just too tired to mess with it.
When I awoke the next morning, painfully bright and early, I rolled over and screamed as a fiery crick shot up my neck and paralyzed me for about 10 minutes. The dull pain in my lower back I was able to just ignore. When the crick finally wore off I got up and got ready. I had to wear long pants, because apparently the combination of bleach and carpet cleaner produces a compound which eats human flesh--there were raw spots on my shins and knees. I put the house back together and had my consultation and it went surprisingly well (later in the week, the lady called and booked the wedding with me--apparently the bloody carpet and my haggard appearance didn't put her off--go figure!).
The next few days were spent moving furniture, scrubbing The Stain and moving furniture again and scrubbing some more. It's finally gone.
I think that the moral of this story might be this:
If you ever spill paint on your carpet, don't panic. Just gather your most precious belongings and put them in a safe place and then burn your house down.
Trust me. It' s just easier.
:0)
Back home, errands complete. Dive into the painting. Alright, everything's okay. I'm thinking I can get it all done and have the room set back up before my 6PM appointment. It'll be tight, but I CAN do it! 3:45 rolls around and 3 out of 4 walls are painted. Only one wall left, but it's a doozie. Crimson colored paint on a light yellow wall. Gonna need 2 coats, minimum. Start getting set up and begin pulling off masking tape from the previous 3 walls. To my dismay, large chunks of fresh paint begin coming off with the tape. YIKES! Alright, minor set-back, I'll touch it up later. I mask the final wall and look at the clock. 4PM. I go to mix the dark red paint and in that instant the unthinkable occurs. Before my very eyes, there's suddenly, shockingly a half a gallon of crimson paint spreading in a dark pool across my carpet. The horror! The humanity! I stood there for a full 30 seconds, I'm sure, just staring helplessly. How can I possibly get this up? Towels, I thought. No. I don't have that many towels--there aren't THAT many towels in the whole world! It's too thick for towels, anyway. And it's too thin to be"picked up". So I ended up frantically scraping at it with a spatula and then as a last resort with my bare hands, trying to scoop it into a dust pan. I'd then fly into the bathroom and dump it down the drain and fly back to the spill and do it again. Eventually I looked down and realized that at some point in my scurrying, I'd stepped in some of the paint and tracked it all over. OH.GOOD. Bloody footprints to finish out that homicide-scene effect. When I had exhausted the scraping/scooping option, I called Melissa for advice. By this time, my house really did have the appearance of a crime scene. I really should've taken a picture! Anyhoo, she directed me to the WTM board. I posted my dilemma and learned from "the hive mind" that keeping the spot damp and then woking it over extensively with a shop vac is the only possible hope. Not being a shop vac owner, I was preparing for a harried flight to Lowe's, when my phone rang and my consultation appointment postponed for the day. Normally, I would be very disappointed by this, as I always need the work. Today I did a small but sincere dance of joy. Now, I had until the next morning to get the house back together.
The carpet spot cleaner I had poured on the stain needed some time to work, so I got busy and finished the first coat on the final wall before I ran out of paint. I was about to jump in the shower and wash off the worst of the blood-like smudges coating my body, when I had the great misfortune of answering my phone. It was a girl who lives down the street, whom I barely know.Who decided to share her sad, sad life's story with me (I get that alot, for some reason). The tale that followed was a redneck soap opera of abusive boyfriends (the last of whom she's still shacked-up with), illegitimate children, drugs and poverty. Very disturbing. Not one of those conversations where you can easily make an excuse and get off of the phone. So I sat there and said "uh-huh"and "oh,man" at all the right intervals and watched the stain on my carpet set-in. When I finally got off the phone, it was after 8PM. I showered and headed out the door just in time to see teenage-neighbor-boy from down the road approaching my doorstep.The dogs, who had been securely locked away in the office, hearing a strange voice, somehow broke free of their confinement and proceeded to tramp all through the stain and run all over the house confusedly, amid my shouts of "NO! DON'T STEP THERE! GET OFF THAT! COME HERE! NO! NOT THAT WAY!MOVE! MOVE! NO! STOP! STAY!" After helping me wrangle the dogs, teenage-neighbor-boy said that he had a shop vac and ran home to get it. 15 minutes later he arrived, vac in hand. We set it up and plugged it in and turned it on and dirt and ashes flew EVERYWHERE! He said that he had another vac at his house that was newer and he just KNEW it would work(I think he was feeling bad about the dirt and ashes). SO, to save time I drove him home and after some searching through a shed full of junk we found a non-functioning Rainbow. His mom, after hearing my sad spill story, was kind enough to lend me her small carpet cleaner. I took it home set it up and gave it a try and it immediately SPREAD the stain to another third larger than it's original size. And coated the inside of the poor woman's steam cleaner with rasberry colored goo. So, I sent the cleaner home with teenage-neighbor-boy, who promised to get the rasberry mess out of it for me, and I headed to Walmart--open 24/7! :0)
I was back home by about 12AM and went to work. The only plug close enough to The Stain, decided to be tempermenal and kept clicking the shop vac on and off every time I moved it. So, I unscrewed the plate and in prying it off the wall it broke into 6 pieces and took giant hunks of my freshly painted wall with it. GOOD. After fiddling with it for a while the plug began to work properly and I set to scrubbing. The first couple of tries were disppointingly fruitless. I eventually found a method using pitcher's full of bleach water and carpet cleaner that started to do the trick. At about 1:30AM I was making real progress, despite the fact that I had to get up and empty the shop vac about every 90 seconds and refill the pitcher. Imagine my utter discouragement when I felt dampness on my leg and turned around from my cramped hands and knees poisition to see an enormous pool of what loked like ultra-concentrated, rasberry Crystal Light on the carpet around the shop vac barrel and sprayed onto my newly painted wall. Apparently the shop vac had malfunctioned and sprayed the last batch of paint water it'd been collecting ALL.OVER.THE PLACE. The carpet stain was now about twice the size it had been when I started scrubbing. And it was on the wall. And all over my pants leg.
I took a 5 minute break to collect myself and started all over again. I finally fell into bed (the futon, still coverless and crammed into the kitchen) sometime between 3-4AM. My consultation for the next morning was at 10AM and I had a REAL alarm clock set for 7:30. The stain was still there, but no longer looked quite so much like the sight of a murder investigation. The giant dark spot was mostly pink now and could be partially, temporarily covered by furniture. The furniture was still half in the yard and half scattered around the house, but I was just too tired to mess with it.
When I awoke the next morning, painfully bright and early, I rolled over and screamed as a fiery crick shot up my neck and paralyzed me for about 10 minutes. The dull pain in my lower back I was able to just ignore. When the crick finally wore off I got up and got ready. I had to wear long pants, because apparently the combination of bleach and carpet cleaner produces a compound which eats human flesh--there were raw spots on my shins and knees. I put the house back together and had my consultation and it went surprisingly well (later in the week, the lady called and booked the wedding with me--apparently the bloody carpet and my haggard appearance didn't put her off--go figure!).
The next few days were spent moving furniture, scrubbing The Stain and moving furniture again and scrubbing some more. It's finally gone.
I think that the moral of this story might be this:
If you ever spill paint on your carpet, don't panic. Just gather your most precious belongings and put them in a safe place and then burn your house down.
Trust me. It' s just easier.
:0)
Monday, August 01, 2005
Just a quick how-do-ya-do
I've spent the last 3 days scrubbing and organizing and cleaning carpets and painting and hauling junk to the outbuiliding. It's past midnight now and I have to repaint the wall I was working on because I truly despise this particular shade, now that it's dry. Dangit.*SIGH*
I have a really busy work week ahead and I'm trying to get all of the house revamping finished so I can hit the ground running.It's going SSSLLLOOOWW. The living room furniture is currently divided between the kitchen and the front yard. I'm really kind of hoping someone will just go ahead and steal the coffee table tonight so I don't have to move it again. Perhaps I should take down the "Beware of Dog" sign. Just for tonight. I really don't like that table, yet I lack the courage or fortitude to just haul it to the dump. It's an antique, I think, and I just keep hanging onto the fantasy that some fine day I'll repair that cracked wheel and I will sand it and revarnish it and I will love it and hug it and squeeze it and....Ah, well. The night is young and the neighborhood is full of ne'er-do-wells. Perhaps fate will smile upon me, yet, heh, heh. ;)
I have pics from Dad's b-day, Jack's B-day and some very cool images I did of Savannah, dressed as a medieval-woodland-fairy-maiden-type-girl. I just don't have time to post them right now. Aaannd I just spilled wine on my keyboard for the umpteenth time. Alrighty, then.
Gonna quit with the wine and get back to work.Will blog more when the housework is through. Nighty-night, all.
I have a really busy work week ahead and I'm trying to get all of the house revamping finished so I can hit the ground running.It's going SSSLLLOOOWW. The living room furniture is currently divided between the kitchen and the front yard. I'm really kind of hoping someone will just go ahead and steal the coffee table tonight so I don't have to move it again. Perhaps I should take down the "Beware of Dog" sign. Just for tonight. I really don't like that table, yet I lack the courage or fortitude to just haul it to the dump. It's an antique, I think, and I just keep hanging onto the fantasy that some fine day I'll repair that cracked wheel and I will sand it and revarnish it and I will love it and hug it and squeeze it and....Ah, well. The night is young and the neighborhood is full of ne'er-do-wells. Perhaps fate will smile upon me, yet, heh, heh. ;)
I have pics from Dad's b-day, Jack's B-day and some very cool images I did of Savannah, dressed as a medieval-woodland-fairy-maiden-type-girl. I just don't have time to post them right now. Aaannd I just spilled wine on my keyboard for the umpteenth time. Alrighty, then.
Gonna quit with the wine and get back to work.Will blog more when the housework is through. Nighty-night, all.
Tuesday, July 19, 2005
Doesn't count! I was on base!!!
Just kidding. I got tagged.
10 Years Ago
I was just over a year into a bad marriage and we had recently moved into my Mom and Dad's basement. I had been working for about a month at a photo lab and custom framing shop and was just starting to get the hang of things there. I was doing little photography jobs here and there on the side and meeting local professionals through the lab.
5 Years Ago
I was STILL living in Mom and Dad's basement(but not for much longer) and was very miserable and depressed with my surroundings and the situation in my marriage. My tiny studio had been open for a few months and I had photographed my first "professional" wedding and had another one booked for the following month.
1 Year Ago
Elvis and I had just moved into my little house in the mountains and I was busy painting and organizing and marketing my business. I had a line on some sports team work and a wedding consultation in the works. I was finally on the road to achieving some of my life's goals.
Yesterday
I arrived home from Mom and Dad's and took the dogs for 2 long walks and worked on a Wedding DVD and cooked myself a really good supper.
Today
Printing wedding enlargements, completing a DVD slide show, shopping at Walmart, arranging flowers on my front stoop, feeling a great swelling of pride in my bosom as I gazed upon my tomatoes ripening on the vine, pizza at Melissa's accompanied by cold Heffevizen(sp?) and good conversation.
5 Snack I Enjoy
Pancho Villa(restaurant) tortilla chips and their fresh salsa, Good Cheese accompanied by Good Wine, Fresh coffee accompanied by any decadent French pastry, Spaghettios, Salt and Vinegar potato chips(Lays or Pringles, NOT Utz!)
5 Bands I know Most Of theLyrics to Their Songs
Hmmm. I'll have to narrow it down: Elvis, CCR, Cream, Dwight Yoakum, Led Zepplin.
Things I would do with a 100 Million Dollars
Well, now (brisk rubbing together of hands before typing). Provide a comfortable, financially worry-free living for every member of my family and scatter some amongst my friends and their children,too. A college fund would be set up for each of my sisters' kids. Build myself a large, secluded house in the mountains with lots of glass and wood and stone located on an enormous tract of land containing virgin(or near-virgin) forest. Some would be invested, of course. I would set up some kind of mentoring organization for less fortunate children. I would buy more digital imaging equipment and hire a person to clean my house for me as well as a personal assistant to help me stay organized.
5 Bad Habits
I'm late for everything, I'm woefully disorganized, I'm a slob(goes hand-in-hand with the disorganization problem),I'm WAY too sensitive sometimes, I'm a midnight snacker
5 Locations that I would run away to
Yorkshire dales in the English countryside, Australia(maybe), Alaska, Ireland, somewhere in the mountains
5 Things That I'd Never Wear
Thong swimsuit, gouchos, short-shorts, heavy rouge, baby seal fur
5 Things I like doing
Hunting, Working, Reading, Cooking, Traveling, Hanging with my family (oops, that's six!)
5 Biggest Joys at the Moment
my work, time spent with family, coming home to a warm welcome from my dogs, seeing my tomatoes and herbs and flowers flourishing, cooking
5 Famous People I'd like to meet
Ann Coulter, President Bush, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Arnold Schwarzenegger(maybe)
5 Movies
Raiders of the Lost Ark, LOTR(the 2nd one makes me cry EVERY time), Pride and Prejudice(A&E's version--Mr. Darcy...*coquettish sigh*), Napoleon Dynamite, Raising Arizona
5 TV Shows
Ummmm. I don't have a TV, so that's a little difficult. Fox news, Friday Night Fights, 24, Farscape(way back when, for a while)
5 Favorite Toys
Canon 1Ds Mark 2 digital camera(now that's what I'm talking about), Glock 45, Subaru Forester, Fender electric guitar, Mac G5 computer
5 People that I Tag
Uhhhhhh.....I don't know anyone who hasn't already been tagged. How sad.
10 Years Ago
I was just over a year into a bad marriage and we had recently moved into my Mom and Dad's basement. I had been working for about a month at a photo lab and custom framing shop and was just starting to get the hang of things there. I was doing little photography jobs here and there on the side and meeting local professionals through the lab.
5 Years Ago
I was STILL living in Mom and Dad's basement(but not for much longer) and was very miserable and depressed with my surroundings and the situation in my marriage. My tiny studio had been open for a few months and I had photographed my first "professional" wedding and had another one booked for the following month.
1 Year Ago
Elvis and I had just moved into my little house in the mountains and I was busy painting and organizing and marketing my business. I had a line on some sports team work and a wedding consultation in the works. I was finally on the road to achieving some of my life's goals.
Yesterday
I arrived home from Mom and Dad's and took the dogs for 2 long walks and worked on a Wedding DVD and cooked myself a really good supper.
Today
Printing wedding enlargements, completing a DVD slide show, shopping at Walmart, arranging flowers on my front stoop, feeling a great swelling of pride in my bosom as I gazed upon my tomatoes ripening on the vine, pizza at Melissa's accompanied by cold Heffevizen(sp?) and good conversation.
5 Snack I Enjoy
Pancho Villa(restaurant) tortilla chips and their fresh salsa, Good Cheese accompanied by Good Wine, Fresh coffee accompanied by any decadent French pastry, Spaghettios, Salt and Vinegar potato chips(Lays or Pringles, NOT Utz!)
5 Bands I know Most Of theLyrics to Their Songs
Hmmm. I'll have to narrow it down: Elvis, CCR, Cream, Dwight Yoakum, Led Zepplin.
Things I would do with a 100 Million Dollars
Well, now (brisk rubbing together of hands before typing). Provide a comfortable, financially worry-free living for every member of my family and scatter some amongst my friends and their children,too. A college fund would be set up for each of my sisters' kids. Build myself a large, secluded house in the mountains with lots of glass and wood and stone located on an enormous tract of land containing virgin(or near-virgin) forest. Some would be invested, of course. I would set up some kind of mentoring organization for less fortunate children. I would buy more digital imaging equipment and hire a person to clean my house for me as well as a personal assistant to help me stay organized.
5 Bad Habits
I'm late for everything, I'm woefully disorganized, I'm a slob(goes hand-in-hand with the disorganization problem),I'm WAY too sensitive sometimes, I'm a midnight snacker
5 Locations that I would run away to
Yorkshire dales in the English countryside, Australia(maybe), Alaska, Ireland, somewhere in the mountains
5 Things That I'd Never Wear
Thong swimsuit, gouchos, short-shorts, heavy rouge, baby seal fur
5 Things I like doing
Hunting, Working, Reading, Cooking, Traveling, Hanging with my family (oops, that's six!)
5 Biggest Joys at the Moment
my work, time spent with family, coming home to a warm welcome from my dogs, seeing my tomatoes and herbs and flowers flourishing, cooking
5 Famous People I'd like to meet
Ann Coulter, President Bush, Peter Jackson, George Lucas, Arnold Schwarzenegger(maybe)
5 Movies
Raiders of the Lost Ark, LOTR(the 2nd one makes me cry EVERY time), Pride and Prejudice(A&E's version--Mr. Darcy...*coquettish sigh*), Napoleon Dynamite, Raising Arizona
5 TV Shows
Ummmm. I don't have a TV, so that's a little difficult. Fox news, Friday Night Fights, 24, Farscape(way back when, for a while)
5 Favorite Toys
Canon 1Ds Mark 2 digital camera(now that's what I'm talking about), Glock 45, Subaru Forester, Fender electric guitar, Mac G5 computer
5 People that I Tag
Uhhhhhh.....I don't know anyone who hasn't already been tagged. How sad.
Monday, July 11, 2005
The last few days...
You know how you sometimes have a day when everything you do just turns to gold? Well, try to imagine the exact opposite of that and you have Wednesday and Thursday of last week, for me. I was literally fighting back tears at one point, just because, despite my greatest efforts there was NOTHING I could do to make things come out as I needed them to. Two labs gave me shoddy, unacceptable work and got it to me later than scheduled, the software I use to send image files to the lab decided to malfunction and cost me hours of productive time to fix, my own "old reliable" G5 Mac (really nice computer) decided to freeze up on me two times and then quit unexpectedly a couple of times,erasing alot of hard work. My website was cancelled due to a billing address error--I didn't update it when I moved and they just cancelled me--no warning or anything. Apparently it had been cancelled for 10 days or more before I was even aware. A potential client was the one to give me the heads up on that--how embarrassing! On top of everything, I contracted a stomach virus. It was one of those every half an hour type deals so I had to carefully time a really fast trip to the local market for saltines and ginger ale, before the next barrage hit me, if you get my drift. Geez. Thankfully, I was feeling much better by the evening hours and I slept like the dead.
Friday was alot better.The sickness had completely passed and the couple of appointments I'd scheduled for the day smoothly. The St. Lucia couple came by and I showed them some more of their images and they were VERY pleased. That always helps to make up for a bad day or two. I took the dogs for a long walk and hit the shower and headed out for a nice supper with a friend. We went to my new favorite place "Milano's". We both enjoyed a glass of wine and I ordered my favorite dish on their menu. It consists of al dente spaghetti tossed with a rich and slightly sweet marinara sauce, ricotta cheese and fried eggplant. It is such a good combination. I indulged a bit and had tira misu and coffee for dessert.Yuh-um!
Saturday, I spent a few hours working on various work projects and returned some business emails and got my website back up and up-to-date with some new images. This was followed by a little house cleaning and the usual walking of the dogs and showering before going up into the mountains to a local Blues Festival. Wow, am I glad I did! We enjoyed a few local acts and when the headliner took the stage, she just blew me away. The Reba Russell Band was there name and they were just great. I just kept thinking, How are you guys still playing at little podunk gigs like this when you're THAT good? Here're a few images from the evening:
There were tents set up offering samples from local wineries and a nice selection of gourmet foods from an upscale store in town,too. The mountains were really gorgeous and there was a nice breeze blowing. A good time was enjoyed by all!
Sunday, I slept in and didn't go to church. I offer no excuses for my behavior other than a general lethargy. *sigh*. I worked on my website and cropped and retouched another batch of images and messed with my little herb garden and tomato plant. I'm rather proud of that tomato plant; it's producing some fine looking fruit. I've got to get it staked a little better, though, or it's going to fall over. I enjoyed another long walk with the dogs and then played with them in the yard for a while.
I am reading the book Ender's Game. It's a simple story, nothing particularly. This is my 3rd time reading it and I swear I get something new from it each time. It's very sad and yet you're SO pulling for the little guy. It's just a good read. Has anyone else read it? Have any insights? I'm just curious.
I also started reading The Historian. It's a new book and is receiving great reviews. It's a vampire story, but by no means typical. It's remarkably intricate and realistic, yet with a delicious, underlying creepiness.
Today's hours were divided between the Dr.'s office(minor problem)and sitting in front of the computer screen. Hopefully, I'll get a little more accomplished tomorrow. Alright folks, I'm hittin' the hay. I leave you with one inspirational quote. This kinda puts the couple of bad days I had last week into some perspective! This is from a London resident:
'No one's going to stop me going where I want to go in my own city,'' said shop worker Stuart Mills, 27. ''You know what British people are like. They'll just carry on.''
You go, boy!
Goodnight, all.
Friday was alot better.The sickness had completely passed and the couple of appointments I'd scheduled for the day smoothly. The St. Lucia couple came by and I showed them some more of their images and they were VERY pleased. That always helps to make up for a bad day or two. I took the dogs for a long walk and hit the shower and headed out for a nice supper with a friend. We went to my new favorite place "Milano's". We both enjoyed a glass of wine and I ordered my favorite dish on their menu. It consists of al dente spaghetti tossed with a rich and slightly sweet marinara sauce, ricotta cheese and fried eggplant. It is such a good combination. I indulged a bit and had tira misu and coffee for dessert.Yuh-um!
Saturday, I spent a few hours working on various work projects and returned some business emails and got my website back up and up-to-date with some new images. This was followed by a little house cleaning and the usual walking of the dogs and showering before going up into the mountains to a local Blues Festival. Wow, am I glad I did! We enjoyed a few local acts and when the headliner took the stage, she just blew me away. The Reba Russell Band was there name and they were just great. I just kept thinking, How are you guys still playing at little podunk gigs like this when you're THAT good? Here're a few images from the evening:
There were tents set up offering samples from local wineries and a nice selection of gourmet foods from an upscale store in town,too. The mountains were really gorgeous and there was a nice breeze blowing. A good time was enjoyed by all!
Sunday, I slept in and didn't go to church. I offer no excuses for my behavior other than a general lethargy. *sigh*. I worked on my website and cropped and retouched another batch of images and messed with my little herb garden and tomato plant. I'm rather proud of that tomato plant; it's producing some fine looking fruit. I've got to get it staked a little better, though, or it's going to fall over. I enjoyed another long walk with the dogs and then played with them in the yard for a while.
I am reading the book Ender's Game. It's a simple story, nothing particularly. This is my 3rd time reading it and I swear I get something new from it each time. It's very sad and yet you're SO pulling for the little guy. It's just a good read. Has anyone else read it? Have any insights? I'm just curious.
I also started reading The Historian. It's a new book and is receiving great reviews. It's a vampire story, but by no means typical. It's remarkably intricate and realistic, yet with a delicious, underlying creepiness.
Today's hours were divided between the Dr.'s office(minor problem)and sitting in front of the computer screen. Hopefully, I'll get a little more accomplished tomorrow. Alright folks, I'm hittin' the hay. I leave you with one inspirational quote. This kinda puts the couple of bad days I had last week into some perspective! This is from a London resident:
'No one's going to stop me going where I want to go in my own city,'' said shop worker Stuart Mills, 27. ''You know what British people are like. They'll just carry on.''
You go, boy!
Goodnight, all.
Tuesday, June 21, 2005
Monday, June 20, 2005
What a Great Weekend!
All of the sports reprints are FINALLY FINISHED!!!!!! :0)
Well, I did get some shopping done on Friday and had a bite out. I didn't realize how long it's been since I've clothes shopped (somewhere other than Goodwill, anyway *sheepish grin*). I am WAY out of touch with the latest--and by latest I mean within 3 years--fashions. I mean, I'm still wearing pants that are not low waisted or cropped or anything. What a nerd I am.
Anyhoo, got that all taken care of: low rise capris; cropped, colorful denims, layered tanks....yeh, I'm back in style. I hope none of that stuff goes back OUT of style in the next 3 years, 'cause that seems to be my average time between REAL clothes shopping trips. You know, I mean besides Walmart and the Re-run shops, HAHA!
FF to Saturday. I had to deliver Bridal portrait proofs and belatedly realized I was missing some. Scramble, scramble, scramble to get them printed and delivered. From there, it was on to cleaning my house---at least enough that I wouldn't be embarassed for the dogsitter to see it while I was gone. Packed for the weekend (in a papersack, actually, no lie!) and headed off to the Beach house.
Mom and Dad were there waiting, refreshingly cool beverages in hand. Melissa and the kids arrived shortly thereafter, and we enjoyed an evening of conversation and laughter, while the kids swam in the river.
Fathers Day was filled with cooking and eating and swimming and tree climbing (I can still climb with the best of 'em) and swimming and fishing and watermelon consumption and gift opening and laughter. It was a great day. I may come back to it in more detail in a later blog
( I'm too beat for details right now---I was up at 4:30AM this morning driving back from the beach for my 8:00AM root canal appointment. Oh joy.) In the meantime, here's a few images from the weekend:
IS there anything more fun than catching bubbles? I don't know what it would be!
Dad opening gifts with Q's help
The Walkman Cometh!
A really good one of Mom
I have more, but I'm too tired to post them. I'll try to catch up tomorrow. Goodnight all!
Well, I did get some shopping done on Friday and had a bite out. I didn't realize how long it's been since I've clothes shopped (somewhere other than Goodwill, anyway *sheepish grin*). I am WAY out of touch with the latest--and by latest I mean within 3 years--fashions. I mean, I'm still wearing pants that are not low waisted or cropped or anything. What a nerd I am.
Anyhoo, got that all taken care of: low rise capris; cropped, colorful denims, layered tanks....yeh, I'm back in style. I hope none of that stuff goes back OUT of style in the next 3 years, 'cause that seems to be my average time between REAL clothes shopping trips. You know, I mean besides Walmart and the Re-run shops, HAHA!
FF to Saturday. I had to deliver Bridal portrait proofs and belatedly realized I was missing some. Scramble, scramble, scramble to get them printed and delivered. From there, it was on to cleaning my house---at least enough that I wouldn't be embarassed for the dogsitter to see it while I was gone. Packed for the weekend (in a papersack, actually, no lie!) and headed off to the Beach house.
Mom and Dad were there waiting, refreshingly cool beverages in hand. Melissa and the kids arrived shortly thereafter, and we enjoyed an evening of conversation and laughter, while the kids swam in the river.
Fathers Day was filled with cooking and eating and swimming and tree climbing (I can still climb with the best of 'em) and swimming and fishing and watermelon consumption and gift opening and laughter. It was a great day. I may come back to it in more detail in a later blog
( I'm too beat for details right now---I was up at 4:30AM this morning driving back from the beach for my 8:00AM root canal appointment. Oh joy.) In the meantime, here's a few images from the weekend:
IS there anything more fun than catching bubbles? I don't know what it would be!
Dad opening gifts with Q's help
The Walkman Cometh!
A really good one of Mom
I have more, but I'm too tired to post them. I'll try to catch up tomorrow. Goodnight all!
Thursday, June 16, 2005
It's been a whirlwind week of researching, ordering and familiarizing myself with new equipment,finalizing trip details and paperwork and printing sports reprints and portrait proofs (I'm up to my ears in them!!). The sports stuff is almost done and so are the bridal proofs.
Tomorrow will consist of more portrait proofs, delivery of proof books, equipment testing, vet appointment and the thorough cleaning of this filthy, scary house. I'm supposed to do a little shopping and then grab a bite with a friend, later tomorrow evening. We'll see if that happens or not---it's going to be a full day!
Here're a few shots taken with my new camera the past couple of days.
Note the new outbuilding :0)
Oh, yeh my tooth still hurts (that was just for you, Melissa!HAHAHA!)
Tomorrow will consist of more portrait proofs, delivery of proof books, equipment testing, vet appointment and the thorough cleaning of this filthy, scary house. I'm supposed to do a little shopping and then grab a bite with a friend, later tomorrow evening. We'll see if that happens or not---it's going to be a full day!
Here're a few shots taken with my new camera the past couple of days.
Note the new outbuilding :0)
Oh, yeh my tooth still hurts (that was just for you, Melissa!HAHAHA!)
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