i made a trip up to

Fort Worth this weekend to help Lauren and John where I could on getting into their house.  Cosme had to work on Saturday so I made a road trip of it and left on Friday.  I checked into my hotel with time to kill...

As much as I figured I would, I ended up not using my real camera at all.  I'm so disappointed in myself.

When Lauren got home from work I went over and we didn't really do much.  Saturday was really about cleaning while they also moved furniture in.  Oh, Homer and Heidi also made their debut.  It was funny to watch how differently they reacted.

Heidi, waiting on Lauren to come in with another load while Homer was hidden behind a toilet.

We also went by the reception venue that night where Lauren talked me into ordered a Breakfast Shot without me knowing.  It was actually good, as crazy as that sounds.  Anyway, we didn't stay too long but went to grab food and then it was back to the hotel for me.  The next morning I stopped by the house early so I could get started on my trip home.  (You know, I had to get some cupcakes Lauren was sending home with me.)

Somewhere on my route down 820 to 287, I wasn't paying attention and ended up on 20.  I kept going.  Then, somewhere on my route down 45, I realized I shouldn't be sweating that much and the cupcakes shouldn't be ruining.

Frosting, meet heat.

My a/c was cranked up on 6 (high) but was blowing like it was on 1.5-2.  That was not cool... literally.  I turned it off for a while then back on.  Nope.  The air was cold but just not strong so I guess it could've been worse.  But still, being so hot was making me feel miserable.  I was already hungry and tired (can't seem to wake up after 6:30).  I pulled into Houston and saw a line of cars - stopped.  I was pretty sure it was about to get worse.

45 North

I sat and rolled and sat and rolled for a while and finally picked up speed.  Guess what.  The air started blowing.

By the time I got home I was MORE than ready to be off the road.  I had been worried about the trip because let's face it, my car has seen better days.  It's old, has a lot of miles and is seriously on its way out.  All that worrying was about engine stuff so I guess even though the a/c wasn't blasting, it really could've been a lot worse.

Anyway, today... Today I woke up with a major sinus headache on top of a not-enough-sleep headache.  I went back to sleep after Cosme left (which I RARELY do) but set my alarm for 7:00 so I wouldn't sleep the whole day by.  My head was still throbbing.  Two nasal decongestants and a few bites of Shipley later, I'm starting to feel hopeful.  Not 100% but hopeful.  Now to try and conquer the day while nasal decongestants are in full swing.

it hasn't rained here

in so long.  Even over the last few days, places all around us have gotten rain and we've had nothing.  Today's a different story.  Today we've got the works.  Lots of rain, lots of thunder and lots of lightning.

I think I hear the grass cheering and celebrating.

It's wonderful.  I didn't have to go out and water the grass this morning, moving the sprinkler every so often and getting wet in the process.  I've been trying my hardest to keep it from turning brown so this rain is more than welcome to keep flowing.  The only bad thing is I've got a lot to do today and don't feel like getting wet.  I need to go to Kroger, Walmart, get my oil changed, go to the vet… a lot.  Oh, I've also got laundry to do but with all the lightning, I'm scared to get the washer started.  So I guess I'll just sit here for now and enjoy the sights and sounds of all this.

Before I head off to try to get some of my stuff done I have one more thing to mention.

ELEVEN DAYS UNTIL BLUE BELL IS BACK!

  

i almost ruined it

all.  Well, I was about to but Eric, who doesn't care for carne guisada, decided he was going out so I just had to cook for Cosme and me.  Considering I was still pretty full from my carne guisada at lunch, I only had to worry about Cosme.  Duh, no brainer.  He was going to have carne guisada while I had a bowl of cereal.  Breakdown avoided.

Last night I finally got around to making that Mongolian beef.  It's good and all but there's a reason I hate making Chinese food.  THE MESS.  It's HORRIBLE.  I have to do a cleanup halfway through, including a quick Swiffering of the floor.  Grease goes EVERYWHERE.  

Look at my stovetop!

And those knobs!  UGH.

The worst mess ever.  Anyway, after I cooked it was weird.  I had this burst of energy and felt like cleaning up the mess.

Here we are on Wednesday and I still plan on making dinner.  Tonight is Chicken Alfredo.  I just got home from Kroger but after seeing their signs for Blue Bell's return, I got distracted/excited and forgot to buy chicken.  Looks like I'm going back to the store.

In other news, Operation Declutter has started.  Yesterday I started on the cat/craft/should-be-guest room.  Today I'm taking a break.  I'll get there, I will.  I'm kind of determined.  And look where being kind of determined has gotten me with the whole take-out ban.  

The first step is admitting you have a goal… or something like that.  

right now i'm questioning

that whole "let's eat less take-out" thing I started yesterday.  (Yesterday?  Really?  I only started this yesterday?  #iMightFail)  It's almost 3:00 and I'm tired.  If it were 7:00 I'd put on pajamas, call Pizza Hut and get in bed.  You see how easy it is to get sucked back into the take-out habit?  It really is a struggle.  I did awesome yesterday and had hoped for the same motivation today.  Up until an hour or so ago everything was fine.  All of a sudden though, I'm tired.  I haven't had a Coke and am hoping the one I'm having now will give me a little jolt.  Once it kicks in, I'll prep the meat for tonight's Mongolian Beef.  For real though, today started off great.  I got my usual chores done, went for a pedicure and then even managed to hit up a couple of stores.  Then I came home and had lunch.  Now I feel done.  I don't want a nap.  I just want to go to bed.  And so far, as I slowly sip, this Coke isn't working.  I'm doubting whether or not that jolt is going to happen.

On the plus side, I made that blueberry tart yesterday (and we only ate half of it) so at least I'll have dessert covered for tonight.

Right now I need to go do something to take my mind off how sleepy I'm getting.  And I really just yawned after typing that.  And then I just yawned again after reading that.  Okay, it might be time to guzzle this Coke and get moving… or at least guzzle this Coke.  Wish me luck.

when i get busy and

there's a lot going on, it's so easy to fall into the habit of just getting take-out for dinner.  It's really hard to get out of that habit too.  Trust me.  It started with being busy and then when everything started to calm down, I told myself it's just too hot to cook.  Which really, it is.  Anyway, I've been trying to break the habit of eating out and thought yesterday would be the day but I failed 100%.  I take that back.  I had a bowl of cereal at one point and that's not eating out.  So there.  I only failed 90%.

I went to the grocery store yesterday and, with no special plans, bought a few random ingredients and figured I'd work with it.  Right now I have carne guisada simmering and will put a pie crust together soon for a blueberry tart.  Remember a while back I fell out of the blogging habit and declared my next 30 days of blogging (minus weekends) a few months ago?  Well look at me now.  I think I've been pretty consistent and it's almost as regular as it was a few years ago.  That said, I hope I can do the same thing with cooking.  I really like cooking and baking so we'll see if I can get out of this slump I'm in and get back into kitchen mode.  I honestly think a little rain would help.  I mean who really wants to get out in the rain to pick up food?  Maybe this week's forecast will keep my motivation up.

Now I just need to figure out what to do with the onions, pepper and mushrooms.  Shouldn't be too hard.  Pizza or quiche, maybe?

And guess what.  I already have a few ideas lined up for tomorrow and the next day.  I might can do this.  And to top it off, the sun just went behind the clouds.

Pie crust motivation: ACTIVATED

so this is what

it's come to.  I'm ordering orthopedic type pillows and Kermit and Miss Piggy are splitting up.  Which should we cover first?

The pillows.  My great-grandparent's car had a lumbar support pillow in it.  When I drove their car, I stuck that pillow behind me to check it out and I liked it.  We all know my back's been bothering me for about a year.  Well, we know I've been going to the chiropractor for my aching back for about a year.  I was looking through some catalog that I'm always giving Mom a hard time about.  Between naps and watching her work last week, I picked up one of the catalogs.  OMG.  I found a butt pillow that is supposed to help keep your spine in check.

I also found a 5-in-1 pillow that even stores a remote.  (By the way, I'm the WORST at keeping up with the remote, especially when just lying around in bed.)

But really, that top image of the foot rest?  Who's going to store their remote at their feet?  I never keep my remote at my feet.

Whatever, I bought both… in addition to a back heating pad thing that can be used hot or cold.  I don't know what's worse, the fact that I was giving her a hard time about the catalog or the fact that I ordered so many old people things.  Either way, I'm on their mailing list and I can sit in comfort while I look at the latest catalog.

Now about Kermit and Miss Piggy.  Last week their breakup was announced.  Yesterday at the chiropractor's office I saw this magazine.

That says it all.  The breakup is a publicity stunt they're doing to promote their new show.  That's so Hollywood, even for puppets.  You heard it here first.  You'll see it next in the tabloids.

I've been doing some thinking the last few days and it involves a personal photo challenge, nothing for Instagram and my iPhone, just me and my camera.  I wouldn't post it here but over on the website's blog.  I'd share the link here.  Anyway, it's something I've been thinking about.  We'll see.  The first step was made; I had the idea.  Next step, following through.  Easier said than done.

Speaking of easier said than done, chores.  They're not going to get done on their own so I guess that's the note on which I exit.

i was so excited

yesterday.  There were updates and radar pics all over FB, letting us know of the showers headed this way.  I watched out the kitchen window, anxiously waiting for the rain.  I don't think I have ever been that excited about a nearing storm.  See for yourself.

And then it just blew over like any other rainless day.  That was such a let down.

It really was.

I went outback today to check on the pool.  Eric went outside to feed the dogs yesterday and came back in letting me know how bad Maggie smelled.  Since her main hobby is swimming, I kind of figured something might be up with the pool water.  So I went out there and checked.  It didn't seem bad.  I pulled a few leaves out, added some chlorine tablets and decided to back rinse the pump.  I headed over to the shed, dodging a few toys they had lying out in the yard.  On my way back, I realized one of those toys looked a little odd… I don't know, maybe like a fuzzy, deflated possum-shaped toy… with flies hovering.  UGH!!!  So yeah, it wasn't Maggie stinking up the back patio.  Eric disposed of the remnants and I went on with the back rinsing.  He was rinsing off the shovel and I asked why it was still stinking so bad.  Then I saw the mound of gray fur by the patio.  UGH!!!  I don't think it was another possum but just, I don't know… it just wasn't and I'll leave it at that.

I am sure of one thing though.  I'd like for Maggie to find a hobby that doesn't involve dead critters.

last night i had a little

sinus pressure, maybe because I didn't take a Zyrtec that morning.  I don't know.  Either way, I took 2 nasal decongestants before bed.  That stuff makes me drowsy.  Occasionally, when I get sinus headaches, I'll take a certain sinus/allergy headache pill.  That stuff works but instead of taking the 2 as directed, I take 1.  And sometimes I can stay awake.  Anyway, not thinking straight, I took the 2 pills before bed.  And guess what.  I passed out.  For 2 hours.  Then, as with other meds of that type, I woke up restless and itchy and miserable.  I hate that.  So at 10:30 last night I was wide awake.

When Frankie Goes to Hollywood sang "Relax, Don't Do It", I'm not sure what they were talking about but I wouldn't be surprised if it was in reference to taking one of these before bed.  "Relax, don't do it, you'll fall asleep soon and won't even notice the sinus stuff."

Why didn't I stop and think before taking it?  That makes for a horrible nights sleep.  I mean yeah, I made a rule a few years ago not to take Zyrtec after 12:00 or so but I really messed myself up.  So when at the same time Strat started banging on the door, I decided to just give up and get up.  I came and got on the computer, halfway thinking about writing a blog post about how miserable I was at the moment, but logged in at Ancestry.com.  I love getting on, seeing if anyone has added new pictures I haven't seen.  You know, so I could search old pictures of people who I could easily imagine haunting a house… late at night… when I already can't sleep.  No biggie though.  I found a few pictures but nothing too scary.  (Not near as bad as the photo of the ancestor I won't even open the screen for because her picture is THAT scary.)  Seriously, that mess needs to be in a book or movie or something.

Anyway, that was my late night struggle and speaking of which, I just took 2 nasal decongestants.  I figure so what if I get drowsy for a while, I should be wide awake in a couple of hours.

so i learned something new

yesterday.  First, Eric was changing my spark plugs but he needed the little star shaped tool to remove the cap thing.  Now, you know how some words can sound the same?  Well, I went to the parts store looking for a TORX SET.  I found one.  I found lots of TORX things.  Even, after making a second trip, the correct size in this brand.

POWER TORQUE.  I saw the word torque on my first trip.  Must be a torque set I was looking for.  That's obviously a torque wrench, which I know is a thing because I've heard of it before.  So I got home from the parts store and told Eric I have his torque wrench.

Eric:  Why did you buy a torque wrench?  I don't need a torque wrench.
Me:  Yeah, to take that cap off.  You know, that little star-shaped thing.
Eric:  That's not what that is.
Me:  Yes.  Look at my receipt.  Says so right here.

Eric:  That says "torx".  That's totally different from torque.  Show me what you bought.  (I show him.) That is a torx set.  Pulling up an image on his phone and explaining the usage of one, he shows me a torque wrench.

Yeah.  I definitely didn't buy a torque wrench.  But it did make for an interesting couple of minutes.  Anyway, the spark plugs got changed and now my car starts with no hesitation.  All is good for now.

i went to brazoria

yesterday.  Mom was supposed to leave and I had to run a few water hoses by so she could get them hooked up.  Anyway, while she was trying to finish up her work outside, I was helping standing around.  She was messing with one water hose and a dragonfly landed on a yard art thing she has.  It stuck around for a while, even with us moving all around.  Here are a couple of pictures I got.  (Also, I had to run inside to get my phone and he was still there.)

"Hey lady, what's up?"

"Nothin' much here.  You know, just chillin' on this bell."

He had no problem with me being right there in his face.  It's like he was checking me out as much as I was him.  Here's a video I got too.

I put my phone back inside on the charger after that but I shouldn't have.  A few minutes later a rabbit showed up, then a hummingbird and then some other bird.  It's like we were in a Disney movie or something.  Scratch that.  If we had been in a Disney movie, the rabbits and birds would've been doing the work.

well hello

there.  Since my last post, nearly a week ago, we've done a lot.  We've had a birthday lunch, a couple's shower, there's been some floating, lots of cleaning, cat baths, a little more floating and TONS of laundry.

I have a few pictures from the shower but I think I'll put them up over on FB.  You know, so everyone can see.  I don't have pictures from floating, cat baths or laundry because, well, I don't.

You know how there are those games you play on whatever device you use and then every once in a while you go back to that game?  There's a game I play on my computer every so often and last night I was playing so I thought I'd share it.  I might have shared it before but it's been a while if I have so I'll tell you about it again.  It's called GeoGuessr.  I just do single player and usually either pick the world or the US.  It drops you somewhere with Google Maps.  You have to figure out where you are.  You can go down the road and venture out for clues but when you think you have it figured out, you click on the map where you think you are.  It tells you how far off you are, which determines the points you get.  I like it.  Two things I've realized are, there really are a LOT of Volvos around Sweden and I really have a hard time figuring out whether I'm in Africa or Australia.  Next time you have 5 minutes to kill, try it.  It can be addicting at times.

I will sign off for now.  I'm expecting the exterminator this morning and I should probably put my towels in the dryer too.  So instead of oohing and ahhing over a picture, take a few minutes and see if you can figure out where GeoGuessr drops you.