and then there

was yesterday morning when the dogs had a squirrel stuck up in the tree with no way to escape.  The barking started and lasted for an hour and a half.  I'm not kidding.  I finally let them in so the poor guy could get down and run off.

After that was all settled, I went to run some errands.  In this errand running, I found strawberries on sale at HEB... so I bought 2 pounds.  When Eric was about 3, and didn't care for strawberries, I ended up buying a bunch after somebody at work bought a couple of flats from a local strawberry farm.  Anyway, along with bringing home more strawberries than I knew what to do with, I had a recipe for a strawberry pie that I also got from work.  (That's one thing a job at the county was good for: collecting recipes.)  So I brought the recipe and strawberries home and made the two pies the recipe produces and from that point on, Eric loved strawberries.  I was hoping he'd like the pie but he LOVED it.  When I came home from HEB with 2 pounds of strawberries yesterday, I found out that pie recipe is GONE.  I've looked everywhere.  I even looked online but couldn't find it.  Instead of making one of the similar recipes I found, I decided to make a totally different one.  The other involved cool whip and had a fluffy texture.  What I made was just a plain strawberry pie with crust on top and bottom like any other fruit pie... more specifically, the apple pie I made last week.

The reviews said it was a somewhat runny so I added more flour and it still came out a little runny.  You know what though?  That doesn't matter because we ate it anyway and enjoyed it.  Then I had some for breakfast too.  It's thicker today after being in the refrigerator all night and cold strawberry pie is awesome for breakfast.  I just look it as a homemade Pop-Tart.  Makes sense, right?

it seems like a lot

of the neighborhood dogs have been getting out lately.  There are always pictures being posted on our neighborhood's fb group page, showing which dogs have ended up at which house.  Last week somebody had a good idea and everybody has been posting pics of their dogs with names and addresses to the page.  It's created almost like a pet directory for the next time a dog or three come wandering up to your house.  Here's our directory photo.

Maggie always looks like she's smiling for the camera.  Most of the time, Archer just barks at the camera.  I didn't include the cats since they don't get out.

Speaking of Archer, my legs have bruises all over them because of him.  It's not like he does it on purpose, he's just strong and plays a little rough.

When I went out the other morning to take their pictures, Archer was being a little bad.  I was getting really angry and I don't know if Maggie sensed it all or what but she had to (what I'm considering) get onto him for me.  After her second time of pinning him down and growling, she followed him around while he sulked and then he straightened up.  That "good deed" makes up for the other day when I caught her in the front bathroom... digging in the cats' litter box. ugh.

Also, I got this picture the other day.

I guess she's just reminding him who's in charge.
Clearly it's her and not me...

i've got a little

more motivation today than yesterday but I also have a little help with the housework today.

In honor of yesterday being my official No Motivation Monday, here's a video of Strat eating his lunch... in slow motion.

Do I know how to have a wild time or what?  Now if the quality was a little better, that'd be awesome.  Although, I guess me not wanting to do anything about it fits into my A Little More Motivation Than Monday, Tuesday.

it's nasty out

today, I have zero motivation to do anything and blah... just blah.

I've been on the computer trying to mess with a picture from my sister's wedding back in November.  I'm no Photoshop guru and never really use it for anything too technical and that's where I'm having problems.  I was lying in bed the other night thinking about it and had an idea and have been working on that this morning.  Overall, it seems like it would be a good idea but again, I'm no Photoshop guru so it's definitely not going as well as it could.

I think I'll go bring the garbage can in before it starts raining again.  I guess that crumb of motivation is better than none.

between

now and Friday morning, I need to find a remedy for some knee pain I'm having while and because of running.  Back in the basketball days I had tendinitis so it's not like knee pain is anything new that I can blame on being 43 and out of shape... but yeah, there's that too.  (Tendinitis looks wrong but Blogger is telling me tendonitis is wrong.  Whichever it is, I had it.)  My next step is to look for a couple of knee braces and maybe some cushiony insoles and another bottle of ibuprofen.

Speaking of running, yesterday I did my week 2, day 2 of c25k.  I tried another day today but stopped and just walked it because of my knees.  Anyway, after yesterday's go at it, I came home and iced my knees and took some ibuprofen.

If I can't find a remedy for the knee pain, I might have to bow out of c25k and stick to walking.  It's not that I'd be totally bummed because let's face it, c25k pretty much sucks.  But, I'll say it here because I know Cosme won't read it... you know how people always say, "Oh, it's hard but you'll feel better after you do it"?  Well, it's a little true.  So even though the process of c25k sucks, it does feel a little nice when I finish.  (And not just because I reward myself with a large tea from Sonic.)

last monday i

started C25K.  I'm driving to Brazoria every Monday, Wednesday and Friday and doing it through Garden Acres.  I made it through the first week but today's session was rescheduled to tomorrow morning.  Anyway, the first week is a rotation of walking for 90 seconds, running for 60 seconds, walk for 90, run for 60, etc.  This goes on for 20 minutes.  Considering I've NEVER been a runner, that's a lot of work and a pretty big accomplishment to say I finished the first week.  During that week I decided that even if I get stuck doing the first week for a while, I'm still better off than I was.  Anyway, Cosme came home early on Friday and we went to a park across the street and did it.  You know what?  It's a lot harder to do in the warm afternoon than it is in the cool morning.  That was torture.  Plus, Cosme's more like a drill sergeant than an exercise buddy.  He even took my phone away because I kept looking at the time and whining, "making it harder on myself" according to Cosme... whatever.  I ended up making it and went home without passing out.  Sunday morning we went back to the park and did another round since I wouldn't be doing it this morning.  I did a lot better than I did Friday.  When we finished he gave me my phone back and without letting me know in the beginning, we advanced to week 2, walking for 90 seconds and running for 90 seconds.  I did it.  I ran for a WHOLE 90 seconds each round.  Compared to someone like him, who can run miles, my 90 seconds might not be much but for me, that's kind of a big deal.  And today, my legs aren't even sore... for today.

let me talk about

last Friday.  I went to bed Thursday remembering that I was supposed to make baked goods for a lock-in the church was having.  I had stuff for rice krispie treats so I decided that's what I'd make.  I found a new recipe on Pinterest for treats a little gooier than some of the treats that are too dry and not as tasty.  Anyway, I made a batch at 6:00 Friday morning.  It was a flop.  Sure, they tasted REALLY good but they were sticking to the foil.  Anyway, I washed my pot and headed to Walmart for more ingredients.  I came home and started on the next batch and realized the first batch only had half the cereal that it should.  (It's amazing how much better things work out when you grab the correct measuring cup.)  Anyway, the second, third and half batch after that turned out fine.  (I sampled to make sure.)  I was done and dropped them all off at the church, leaving the first batch for us to peel foil from and snack on.

Yummy, gooey goodness.

I was also able to make my appointment at the car dealer for my first scheduled maintenance visit.  No biggie, just a routine oil change, tire rotation, fluids check, wash and all that sort of stuff.  My appointment was at 12:00 and I'd told them I'd wait (when I scheduled the appointment AND when I checked in).  I was given a tour and taken to the waiting area and told they'd be there as soon as they finished, probably in about an hour.  TWO hours later, I was getting restless.  I was looking around on my phone and luckily, I decided to check my email.  Sterling McCall sent an email 30 minutes earlier letting me know my vehicle was ready to be picked up!  WTF?!?!  Nobody bothered to come tell me.  I went up to the front desk and she let me know they were bringing it around so I stood and waited.  I saw one car and thought it was mine but then doubted it.  Let's face it, most of the cars looked alike.  One silver SUV was pulled around and I almost walked out... until I noticed the handicapped placard hanging from the rear view mirror.  I then realized the first car I saw, that had been sitting there all along for who knows how long, had my neighborhood sticker on the windshield.  Again, WTF?!?!  I told the valet and he told me I'd need to get my keys from the desk... you know, the girl who just said they were going to bring my car around.  OMG.  Anyway, I finally got to leave and pulled out onto the 59/69 whatever feder in front of an oncoming car and got honked at.  I was thirst and hungry and had a vicious headache.  I made it to Five Guys in Pearland and ordered.  I was filling up my Coke while lunch was cooked.  By the time I got the lid on my drink, it had fizzled down to only being half full.  I went back to the machine and pushed for more Coke, not realizing the lid had slid back over, causing Coke to spray everywhere.  I finally got my food and dealt with the slow traffic and got home.  My headache went away but I snacked on more rice krispie treats that evening and went to bed after having ginger ale and crackers for dinner.

That was my Friday.  On the plus side, the rice krispie treats were wonderful... until I overdosed.

I'm not even going to read over this.  Thinking about it is giving me another headache.  I'm sorry for any out of place words or punctuation that might have happened in the typing of this post and reliving of Friday.

i tried something i found

on Pinterest.  It's grapes but they were called Sour Patch something-or-other, kind of like the candy.  Anyway, it's grapes and Jello and the recipe's HERE.  Not prepared Jello, just the powdery mix.  I picked cherry because even though I don't like cherries, I love cherry flavored things.  Of course they're not as pretty as the Pinterest version but they are tasty.

And also, there is no sour, just sweet and I can't stop eating them.  I am using a toothpick though.  Could you imagine how my fingers would look by now if I wasn't?  And another thing, I also found a way I like to eat Jello.

yesterday was

the type of day where you just want to sit around, eat lunch and sit around some more and visit.  So that's what I did.  I went to Brazoria, picked up lunch and sat around with Mom.  Today... not so much.  It's 10:30 and I've started my sixth load of laundry.  Today's the type of day where you keep busy and think about what a chill day yesterday was.

good morning

These early morning pictures make me wish I was with Cosme and Eric on their road trip.  I'd find plenty of things to fill up card space with in San Antonio.  Oh well, that's the price I pay for living in a zoo.

On the bright side, the animals are fed, the litter box is clean and nobody's complaining... except for Archer who's found something in the back to bark about.  What else is new?

yesterday was a chilly

day.  I claimed the front room for my hobbies a while back and since I'm always a tad colder than everyone else, I keep a little heater in here.  Anyway, I was on the computer and Eric walked past, making me turn around.  That's when we noticed that Strat was apparently feeling the chill too.

We're both hoping today will be a little warmer.

i killed two

birds with one stone today.  Literally.  Just kidding.  Not only do I have terrible aim, there never has been much power behind one of my throws.  Not that I'd throw a stone to kill birds anyway... unless I was in a horrible situation and needed them to survive.  And in that case, I'd only do it if I had a fire to cook them on, which I probably couldn't do that either.  Lesson here?  I shouldn't put myself in a situation where my life depends on any sort of survival skills.

But really though, what I'm getting at is the photo challenge today turned into an Imperfect366 so I'm posting it here.

let me fill you in

on the backstory here.  Years ago I was a miserable county employee.  After working there for several years, I got a dry patch of skin on the top of my foot that itched like crazy.  I tried every ointment I came across.  I went to a dermatologist and that was a waste of time money.  (I can't call it a waste of time because it got me out of several hours of work.)  Everyone I talked to said it resembled psoriasis.  I researched it and that's definitely what it sounded like.  During this time I also started having stomach issues.  I won't go into to too much detail but it sounded a lot like IBS.  I went to a few doctors and started taking acidophilus.  That helped some of the issues but there were still others I couldn't fix.  Along with these two ailments, I would also get a TON of canker sores.  That wasn't too uncommon because I've always gotten those.  But, those few years, I got them ALL THE TIME.  At one point I had seven in my mouth at once.  I also tried everything for those, from gels to old wives tale remedies.  I even went so far as to collect cigarette ashes from my friend and pack those on them.  It didn't work.  A few years after it all started, and a couple of years after I quit my job, everything went away.  I'd still get the occasional canker sore and stomach issue but for the most part, everything was good.  Although I usually joke and say it's all because I'm allergic to work, I'm pretty sure it was triggered by stress and anxiety. 

Lately, it seems like little symptoms have started coming back here and there.  This time though, I'm taking a different route.  Young Living Essential Oils are my weapon of choice. 

On Sunday I woke up with a canker sore and another one coming along.  By the end of the day, that second one hurt like a big dog.  After doing some researching and putting all my past symptoms together and reading that those all happen to be symptoms of certain things dealing with immune system issues, I first though of Thieves oil.  I brushed my teeth before bed with my Thieves toothpaste and guess what.  Where canker sores usually stick around for a week or so, mine were practically gone.  Seriously.  They lasted one day.  One day!  I also remembered some capsules I bought but never took.  So yesterday morning I started on the Inner Defense supplement.

I'm excited to see how all this plays out.  I'm also feeling pretty optimistic.

i still haven't

made anything with that Skippy peanut butter.  I went to Kroger this morning though, trying to avoid all the rain we were scheduled to have... I was worried because I got a late start and well, here it is right now

It rained for about 10 minutes, 2.5 hours after I got home from my late start.

While I was at Kroger to pick up a few things though, I noticed another one of those sales.  Buy 6 and get the sale price.  I bought 5 boxes of microwave popcorn so I could get a few cents knocked off a package of frozen breakfast sandwiches.  Needless to say, my few items turned into a basket full.  That might actually be a good thing because if you'll remember, a few months back I was complaining about how I was stuck in a routine of eating out.  Lately, we haven't eaten out a whole lot.  Okay, I did pick up Red Lobster last night but only because they have a special right now of grilled shrimp drizzled with maple syrup and sprinkled with bacon... how could I not pass that up?  Oh, there have also been a couple of occasions where eating out was just more convenient but for the most part, I've done a good job at keeping myself in line (and in the kitchen).

While I sit here typing about how well I've done at not eating out, I really should be in there prepping mac and cheese for tonight.

I'm also working on several loads of laundry today.  Strat is supervising.

Speaking of Strat, he was in the living room the other day and I decided since licking is the fastest he ever moves, I'd get a little slow motion video of him. Here it is.

Now I'm off to start the mac and cheese.  That should go really well with the pork chops I picked up (and maybe even one of the boxes of brownies I picked up to meet that 6 item sale price).

You win, Kroger.

UPDATE: Scratch the first picture.  It's raining again.  I guess the forecast was right.

i have not

been able to get warm today.  Well, I got up and started moving and I got a little warm but right now I'm sitting here and I turned the little heater on to help out while I drink my Coke and try not to think about having the munchies.  Although, this would be the perfect time to bake something.  I could use the oven for a little heat and have sweets while I'm at it.

Every so often Kroger does this whole mix and match thing where you can get good deals when you buy 5 or 10 of certain items.  They had one going on last week.  I had no plans of getting anything from that list until I went to buy orange juice.  It was buy 5, get the sale price.  I found my 5 items and before I knew it, I had 9.  That's where they get me.  At that point, knowing I didn't need more of what I already had, I was left walking up and down aisles trying to find the tenth item.  I was getting irritated by the time I saw peanut butter.  So I got it.

The only problem?  It's Skippy.  I bought it with no intentions of eating it plain or on a sandwich.  I eat Peter Pan.  Sure, I could give Skippy a try but no.  I'm not going to.  I like Peter Pan.  I'm stubborn like that.  I had one thing in mind when I bought the (as far as I'm concerned it could be) off brand of peanut butter.  COOKIES.  Thinking about it though, I just baked a cake the day before yesterday and right now I'm not really in the mood to bake anything.  Oh well, I guess I'll just keep sitting here being cold, fighting off the munchies while a full jar of bake-able peanut butter sits in the pantry.

Cake, anyone?

i'm one of those types

that has a hard time saying no.  I remember once Cosme called on his way home from work.  The call went something like this

Him: What are you doing?
Me: Two women are here showing me a vacuum cleaner.
Him: What? Do you know them?
Me: No. They knocked on the door.
Him: Are you crazy??? They need to leave.

So then, I was fretting over how to politely tell strangers to get out of my house, without making it sound like Cosme was some uber controlling maniac... which I managed to do anyway.  ("My husband isn't happy you're here so you need to leave because he's about to be home.") LOL  I know it was stupid but still, I had to say no and that was where I went wrong.  (Note: before they left, they did manage to vacuum my living room and offer me a discount on the new Kirby that was so low she had to write it down instead of saying it.  I told her that no, $700 was way more than I'd pay for a vacuum cleaner.  She asked how much I pay.  I told her $79 was a splurge.  They didn't stick around much longer.)  Anyway, that's one reason I don't answer my door if I'm not expecting anyone.  Last week I'd had enough.

And...

I finally took action.  I bought a cute sign off Etsy.

I really showed them.

And check this out.  The new car takes regular unleaded. (WOOHOO!) I had a bunch of Kroger fuel points after Christmas and I needed to fill up the other day before they expired.

What??? Look at that!  I filled up my car for less than $10.  That was crazy.  The low gas prices might not be the best news for the oil and gas industry but I really liked that little perk my points added.

today's one of those

days where the first thing you read when you wake up is that David Bowie died.  It's not like I knew him but it was David Bowie.  He's kind of a big deal and who saw that coming?  Anyway, David Bowie died.  I wasn't going to post a video but I will, just because this is this is one of those songs that every time it comes up in the shuffle, I have to listen to it.

In other news, I was a Powerball loser.  I won't let that stop me though.  I never buy lotto tickets and I figure I'll give it another shot.  Here's the pic I posted for the Imperfect365 group on flicker.  Actually, now they're tagging them all Imperfect366 so I really don't know what I'm doing... what else is new.

Now I need to go do today's photo-a-day and think of something sweet to bake. 

i was thirsty earlier

and made a sandwich and was about to sit down for lunch.  I was going to get a Coke but guess what.  It didn't sound as good as a glass of tea.  I'M SERIOUS.  I was a little heartbroken but a little excited.  So I went and poured that glass of tea and had my lunch.

No worries.  I eventually had my can of Coke.  And it was awesome.

This was yesterday.  It rained a lot and when it wasn't raining, it was just wet and nasty.  I didn't go further than the garage.

And then there were the drops coming off the house.

And then I came in to finish with arts and crafts.

Now I need to go make more tea... for my next fix.

today is a rainy

day.  A glorious rainy day.  Days like this are pretty much awesome.  I don't need to be anywhere.  I'm caught up on laundry.  Yesterday I got most of the Christmas decorations put away, outside stuff included.  Chili is cooking for dinner.  I'm still due for my Coke.  And arts and crafts time has been in full swing.

I started with an idea but it ended up as something else so I just went with it.

Yesterday though, when it was sunnier, I decided to grill.  There were definitely two fans of that idea.

Hover much?

Something tells me they don't think this rainy day is so glorious.

the pictures are always

of the cats.  Cats, cats, cats.  Today I decided it was a dog day.  The weather is nice, cool and sunny so I went outside with my camera.  I should also mention that when I was at Petsmart earlier, I bought a frisbee.

Look what I have, y'all.

They really wanted it

as a chew toy.

Archer usually retrieves whatever is thrown but then he NEVER brings it back.  He comes close and pivots for me to chase him.  No.  I have a secret weapon.  Maggie.

 I just have to cheer Maggie on to go get it and that usually works.  She's much better at handing things over.

I like getting out there and getting pictures of the dogs but... one thing about getting pics of the cats is being able to walk away from the situation with a clean lens. 

This was after a swipe of Archer's tongue.


Here are a couple I got of each of them.  Archer's black and white went to flickr, fb and instagram.

Maggie always seems to have a smile for the camera.

And now I need to wash my hands again.

once again i

was looking on Pinterest and saw a couple of things.  I think I saw and wrote about the same or similar things last year.  Whatever.  It's along the same lines of every other daily challenge there is.  Write about something, take a picture of something, make something, eat something, clean something, get rid of something... like I said.  Whatever.  I might try it or combine a few.  There's no way I'd do them all.  An example: List 10 things that make you really happy.  No.  First of all, I don't like to open up like that.  Second, I'm not going to jinx myself like that.  What?  Tell the world what makes me happy so it can be taken away?  I really love how McDonalds has $1 drinks all day.  Why would I want to go and talk about it and how awesome it is?  That just sets me up to have it taken away.  Is it just me?  Am I the only overly paranoid or superstitious person out there?  I'll keep it light and not so deep.  Example: What is your love language?  What does that even mean?  I only speak English fluently (and half the time I don't even do that so well).  Or is it deeper than that?  I love to talk about McDonalds $1 drinks?  Again, not jinxing it.  Maybe I've got a few issues to work out.  Or what about this one: Bullet-point your whole day.  Honestly, that's something I don't even want to see.  If I did, I'm pretty sure that's what facebook is for.

I did see a kind of interesting one.  It's a 30 day song challenge.  I'm doing it.  Well, I'll do it as best I can.  Example: What's your favorite song?  (insert eye roll)  I'm not nine.  My favorite song to what?  Clean to?  Dance to?  Chill to?  Drive to?  Oh well, I'll try to sum it up but that's not easy because chances are, in 10 minutes I'll have another song on repeat.  OH MY GOSH.  This is harder than I thought it would be.  Fine.  I don't have a favorite song.  It depends on my mood and what I'm doing. 

Who thought of all these daily challenges anyway?  No wonder I can't find one worth sticking to.

Forget it.  Today they all suck and it's annoying me.

When I was in bed last night looking through all those lists and messing with my camera, I did a selfie.  I camera selfie, not a phone selfie.  Here it is.  I look a little irritated.  That's what these lists are doing to me.

And for the record, I wasn't irritated.  I was just looking at the camera, thinking of things to do.  Now I'm off to wait and see what tomorrow's list challenges bring.

new year,

new goals, blah blah blah...  I don't understand why the new year brings this out in so many people.  Unfortunately, I'm one of them.  I don't fall into the whole "new year, I'm losing weight and working out" mode.  I end up starting the new year looking for a creative outlet.  Kind of like the photo-a-day thing I started a few years ago.  I haven't been doing so well with it lately but hey, new year, new start... or something like that.  Last year I joined a group on Flickr.  I pretty much failed on that one too.  As I got hyped up and had to get started with something today, I noticed my last post there was June of last year.  That's pretty bad.  Anyway, I don't even know if the group is still active anymore but I went ahead and posted a pic.

This is what I posted.

A messy, chocolate-coated whisk, making an even bigger mess on the counter.  I added it to Instagram.  I mean why not... new year, new pictures.  The only thing I am sure of, no matter what outlet I choose, I'm feeling a black and white phase again.  Oh well.  We'll see how far I get this time.

i started looking around

on Amazon yesterday.  They had some pretty interesting items recommended for me, going by my viewing/shopping history.

 After I finish with my 10 pack of needles, I figure I'll make a fashion statement.

 And if the feathers and crazy wig don't work, I can always go with the John Lennon look.

I guess Amazon really has me figured out.

slowly but surely

I'm getting there.  In another day or two, I should be finished with pictures... hopefully.  Yeah, I still have some images I need to sort through but I'm also waiting on a few orders to arrive so I can get those delivered.  And once that's finished, Christmas shopping MUST start.  I mean today's already the 9th.  It is the 9th of December and I have to shop for Christmas presents.  UGH.  I have so much to do.  I have a shopping list started but there's nothing on it.  I'm disappointing myself here.

Here's one of my problems.  Since I started this post, I got sidetracked and have done four separate searches.  Once I finish the pictures, I can do my searching.  So much to do and so little time...

Here are some bananas I bought a few days ago to use for banana bread.

Guess what.  I made time and baked two loaves.  That's one thing I can mark off my to-do list.  Now I just need to get started on all the rest.  I wish a nap was somewhere on that list.

here we are

and it's already December 4.  Christmas Eve is 20 days away and I have two presents under the tree.  I don't really know what to get everybody and I honestly don't feel like thinking about it.  Actually, the thinking about it doesn't really bother me, it's the deciding and buying part that gets me.  I have a few other things to do and shopping just doesn't sound fun.  I was kind of in the mood the other day but I bought something and the mood passed.  Usually I do most of my Christmas shopping online and that doesn't even sound like fun.  Oh well, there's a chance the gift recipients might be a little underwhelmed this year.  I don't know.  I guess I have a few days to change gears.  That's fine because I have stuff to do in those few days anyway.  When I finish with pictures next week though, I'm seriously going to have to TCB.

Speaking of having other stuff to do, I'm in a crazy mood today.  I woke up wanting to TCB.  I guess I better act on it before that mood passes too.

I'll sign off with this.  I wrapped lights around the trees in the front yard the other day.  Strat was watching.

my last post was

over a month ago.  A MONTH.  That month was exhausting, mentally and physically.  (Okay, maybe that sounds a little dramatic but seriously, it can be really draining when you think about all the planning and executing.)  November had a wedding, a reception, Thanksgiving, car stuff, animal stuff, allergy stuff and more.  The day after Thanksgiving was the day I'd been looking forward to.  I stayed in bed the whole day.  It was wonderful.

I'm posting a picture to represent November.  Look at me, getting all deep and heavy with artsy symbolism and stuff.

This was the sunset my first night in Vegas.  It was before everybody else got there so I gambled a little, ate a little and headed up to the room for pictures, tv and rest.  So now think of the sun going down as this last day of November.  Take it all in.  Heavy, I know.

Speaking of heavy, I need to go pick up dinner.

i said i'd be busy

and I wasn't joking either.  Here are a few things that have been going on:

- Cosme left yesterday for Vicksburg.  I wanted to go and do some sightseeing but I think we might go back another time, just the two of us and not with his coworkers and preferably not on a commercial flight.  Did I just admit that?  Crazy, I know.  I think I get less anxious when he flies instead of going on a commercial flight.  There's something about the process of getting to the airport, going through security and doing it all on someone else's schedule that really adds to my stressing out.  It's so much more laid back when you don't have to worry about what's packed where and keeping up with your one carry-on and/or one checked in bag and trying to get to the airport by this time and fighting for a spot for that carry-on.

- The dogs left another possum in the yard for me this morning.  It was a tiny one so I thought I'd handle it on my own instead of bothering Eric.  Didn't happen.  I went to throw it and it just slammed into the fence and bounced back into the yard.  The good news is it's close enough to the wire to keep them away until Eric wakes up... hopefully.  Also, it's cool outside.  TMI, I know.  Or, maybe with it being out of the dogs' reach, a bird will have easier access to it and take it away sooner.  It's been known to happen.

- I have a list of names I need to write in the Parish Book of the Dead for the church.  Since Saturday is the 31st, I need to work on getting that done.

- I need to remember to take our old Uverse stuff to UPS.  Now that the Cowboys had us switch to Direct TV, I don't need any of that anymore... and don't want to be charged for the boxes.

- I have a hair appointment tomorrow.  It's the first haircut I've had in several months and I still haven't colored it since February.  I just can't decide what I want to do.  I was going to get a pedicure today but think I might wait until tomorrow and maybe try to get a bunch of name writing done today.

- I got annoyed with the contractor who did our roof and fence yesterday and hung up on him.  Cosme is right, I have no in between.  I am super sweet or raging mad.  And usually, there's no warning.  I take it and I take it and then I flip.  I've mentioned it before but I've been asked by recipients of the flipped me to please say something sooner if something's getting to me next time.  In most cases, there won't be a next time.  They have either 1) learned not to make it go there or 2) burned that bridge and I don't have anything else to do with them.  In the case of the contractor, it's the latter and I let him know.  It's not that I'm against second chances but I already gave a second chance... and third, fourth, fifth...

- I've been buying this lately.

I can't drink a lot at once, maybe because it's thicker like a smoothie and less like a juice.  I'm not the biggest fan of smoothies.  First of all, it seems like every smoothie I've had has been overloaded with bananas and that doesn't work for me.  Second, meh...  But anyway, this stuff is good.  It's fruity berry goodness.  Try it.  If you don't like it, just send the rest my way.

Now I guess I'll find my calligraphy guidelines and tackle the name writing.  Maybe I'll have one thing to scratch off the list today.

i'd like to take

a moment and share the bougainvillea.  I say the bougainvillea because of the four I planted a few years ago, this is my best and favorite.  One died.  One is doing okay and another is doing a little better than okay but this one... sigh.  I like not only that it's taking over but I love the color.  It's dark but bright but muted. 

I think I'll call this color Melanie Red or Melanie Pink.  Or maybe just Melanie.

Pretty soon I'll have a section of fence that will remind me of California.  I'll probably put a chair in front of it to sit and stare and pretend I'm on vacation.  I'll take a glass of wine out there with me so I can get the full effect.  Oh, that and put the dogs in their cage.  Or maybe just sit so close that I'm within their invisible fence zone.

You should see my grass.  The grass isn't terrible but those weeds that grow and stick up about 2 feet are horrible.  Just horrible.  I called Antonio last week and he said his guys would be here Wednesday or Thursday.  Didn't happen.  I called him yesterday to make sure I was still on the list and told him nobody came last week.  He sounded a little surprised and said he'd be here this morning.  Thank goodness.  The yard is embarrassing.  And then it started raining this morning.  #defeated  Luckily the rain has quit but now if some sun will break through, I'll try to have hope once again.  Maybe if I stare at the bougainvillea long enough I'll forget about the weeds.  #Don'tCountOnIt

it's been a busy busy

week.  On the plus side, I got a lot done.  That's always good.  Now for the bad news.  I've got a headache.  I know it's sinuses and I thought long and hard before I took my Zyrtec D.  I didn't know if I should just take the headache pill and be done with it or the Zyrtec D.  Apparently I didn't think long enough or hard enough because an hour later and I'm still sitting here with a headache.  I thought an early Coke might help out.  Not yet.  My next move?  Breakfast.  That usually helps.

Speaking of food, last week I was watching the Cooking Channel and saw someone making Graham Cracker Toffee.  I hit record and made it a few days later.  I made some with pecans, as the recipe called for

I made some without nuts in case Eric wanted some

And then I also had the pan's liner to lick.

It was all wonderful and I ended up throwing it in the garbage because we couldn't stop.  It was SO addicting.  I need more right now.  It'd probably get rid of my headache, or at least make me forget about it for a few minutes.

i was looking over the

water bill.  I rarely do that unless it's just crazy high.  Anyway, I was looking it over but zoomed in because everything was all shifted to the right so the billing date looked like the due date and other stuff like that.  By zooming in, I noticed the note "*voluntary contribution".  Okay.  Well I noticed the two asterisks included in my breakdown and sure enough, that all adds up to my amount due.  It reminds me of that whole fine print of tips being included.

Now, I'm not about to not donate to the city's emergencies services and I'll even donate the 50 cents to the beautification cause (even though it's a little questionable) BUT... it shouldn't be included in the breakdown of my total.  It should be one of those extras, like "Do you wish to contribute $1 to the Presidential fund?" - or whatever that lame, off the wall one is.  But no, it's thrown in there, mixed with the things we have to pay like garbage and tax.  And tax?  Am I being taxed for a "voluntary" contribution?  This just seems to be getting shadier by the minute. 

What I'm getting at is, sure, $4 isn't a lot of money but to somebody, that $4 could be a loaf of bread and carton of eggs or meat to have for dinner.  That could be going towards a kid's lunch money or haircut.  If the city's going to keep it added into the total due, it should be noted as a mandatory contribution.  There's a difference, you know.