November 29, 2007
I thought I beat this bug, but I apparently haven't. I started feeling bad again yesterday midday. I'm sniffling, coughing and I have a sore throat. Not cool. My voice is jumpy and squeaky and my breathing is weird.
It seems that ever since the chicken pox, my immune system is wonky. All of my bloodwork came back normal, so who knows what in the world is going on. I think I'll just get some rest and hope for the best.
I'm quite interested to see how they are going to bring Rose back to the Doctor, even if it is only for three episodes.
Side note. I'm quite fearful that I will miss the Christmas special. This does not a happy miftik make. I shall have to be a good girl and wait.
It never fails that whenever Josh gets on the phone with someone from his childhood, he regains an accent. It is a funny thing to hear. He goes from normal to southern in a nano-second. I still lurv him though.
I watched a bit of Women's Murder Club a couple of nights ago and one of the characters was having a green wedding. The invitations were designed so you could plant them and something would grow. Honestly folks, if you want to have a green wedding, elope.
I'm being serious. You can buy recycled paper invitations, bamboo utensils etc, but if you really cared about the environment, you'd elope. There is an environmental cost to have these green items shipped to your wedding location, an environmental cost for your guests to drive or possibly fly to your wedding location. The list could go on. Just think about it.
Use the money you'd spend on your wedding for a house, improvements, health related costs or Bob forbid, save it.
This morning I chiseled off the old ceramic towel holder and TP holder from the guest bathroom. I have spent the rest of the morning cutting and fitting drywall and mudding them into place. I looked into what the best ways to do it were and honestly I didn't like anything I found. The holes were under five inches and everyone said I should just use drywall repair sheets. I've done that before and honestly I think it doesn't look good. So, I went ahead and cut drywall to put in place. We will be putting new holders, so it is probably a good idea that I did it this way.
I probably should have taken before pictures to show Josh the holes that were there. I'm saving the fixtures instead. Josh thought I had knocked holes in the wall trying to get the holders off. Nope. I gotz mad skillz yo. Let's just hope my drywall repair work goes OK. I should be able to sand it this afternoon and put another coat on. Hopefully.
I am miftik, the happy cyborg homemaker.
Today I have managed to answer tech questions, shop for groceries, give the cat a bath*, fix code, take apart the guest bedroom toilet, give decorating advice, study code, and turn into the biggest geek ever thanks to Eric's birthday gift to me. They were out of stock for a while, but mine arrived this afternoon. Geeeeeeeeeeeeeeek. I've written on myself, note paper and the psychic paper it comes with. *Squeeee*
*She was a mess. It was easier to just hose her off. Surprisingly, she doesn't fight much in a shower stall. Bathtub, she's a terror.
I'm slowly getting rid of more things. I took another car load to the hospice shop today. I only give them things I know they can sell. They gladly take it. After I unloaded my car, I went in to do a little browsing. I didn't buy much. Mostly adorable old ornaments that I really want to have a go at replicating. We can't have the standard glass baubles thanks to the cat's minor obsession with knocking them off to break them. So, I've been making felt ones and other non breakable sorts.
So, upon my return home I proceeded to clean the garage, again. The tree is in a plastic storage bin. It has been in that plastic storage bin for at least eight years. I can't remember having a tree up since before the 99 holidays. It is a quite small tree. It is a tree that Josh's parents had when Josh was younger, so it is older, but was still in great shape eight years ago. I think.
While digging through other bins I came across Josh's baseball cards. We got a ton of unopened boxes of baseball cards for a steal many years ago. Josh sorted some of them into sheets. I looked through the sheet ones and had to laugh. I found some pretty funny old ones including one young Mr. Manny Ramirez from his first year in the majors. One day I we will get them all sorted and put into books. Just not today.
On that note. I'm going to go open the garage door and dump the contents of the tree bin into the driveway. I don't know what may be or may have lived in that bin, but I want plenty of room to run if I need it.
My cat talks to me. I imagine if she had another cat to talk to, she would. Anyhow, onto the YouTube video, Two Cats Talking. (link via my mother in law)
The new refrigerator was delivered today, an hour before the start of our "delivery window". From the outside, it appears to be the same size as the old one. On the inside we have way more fridge space, but it seems like less freezer space. I put two water filters in the fridge to make it look a little less empty. It was kind of sad actually.
Otherwise my day was full of cleaning and moving things. We don't often use the door that the fridge came through, so it had boxes and storage bins blocking it from opening completely. Now they are surrounding the dining room table until I decide on a different location for them. Too much stuff.
Two zucchini butterscotch cakes, check.
Two apple pies, check.
Three spinach pies, check.
One replenished Epass, check.
Let's hit the road.
Happy Thanksgiving all!
As I was going through my reworked apple pie recipe to prepare the dry ingredients for tomorrow I realized I forgot something at the store. Sour Cream. I have to find something else to get at the store. I'm going to be super mad at myself if I have to go for that one thing. /sigh
We ordered a refrigerator today. It is due to be delivered on Friday. We didn't get some overly large stainless steel fridge. We don't need one. We got a smallish (not the smallest) basic white fridge. It didn't cost an arm and a leg, but after researching, it was the one for us. It isn't an energy hog and it isn't too large for our needs. We have quite a bit of wasted space in our current fridge because it has too much space.
My only gripe about the fridge is that I think I will need to paint the kitchen. Apparently the previous owner didn't get behind the fridge very well. I'm guessing that she probably couldn't move the behemoth of a fridge on her own and just opted to paint around it. We've been talking about painting the kitchen, but nothing has been decided. Maybe I should go primer white. You never know.
I have been battling what seems to be the flu. For a few months now, I don't get congested like normal people. I get congested sinuses and I have chest congestion. But I don't usually have a stuffy nose for too long. Does this mean I am any less sick? No. Last week I was pushing fevers near 103° F. For the past few days though I've been fine between 9am and noon, after that I'm down hill and feeling miserable. It isn't fun. I've managed to get my errands done in this time. By 12:30pm, I don't have any energy, I ache, I'm feverish and I feel like my head is going to explode.
Tomorrow I have promised my niece that I would help her paint and redecorate her room. I hope I am feeling well enough. She trusts my vision, so I've been making small plans. I'm going to take pictures. It was last painted six years ago. That would have been when she was seven and going through a Harry Potter obsession. The room was sponge painted and a sun/moon border was put up. She's thirteen. Yes, it is time. I'll be taking pictures. Don't worry.
Torchwood Babiez, a Torchwood comic with a twist.
This is not allowed in my house. Those freaking angels frightened the life out of me.
My cat has discovered where I am keeping the food I am using to lure the kittens. Unfortunately, she has discovered that it is fairly high up, in a box. What has she started to do? She has reverted to her kitten ways of climbing as high as she can and jumping to that box. Surprisingly she hasn't managed to tip it over. She jumps and gets all four feet on the edge of the box. Then she makes a move towards the bag. It is quite amusing and scary to see her teetering on the edge there.
I know the medicine is making her hungry all the time, but this is too much. I've moved the food to the top of the refrigerator. I hope she doesn't figure it out. When she was thinner she could jump from the floor to the top of the refrigerator. If she ever got that fit again, I'd be screwed.
I'm attempting to take a butterscotch zucchini brownie recipe that I got from Josh's cousin and cut out as much sugar from it as as possible. I decided to give the Splenda Brown Sugar Blend a try and reduce the amount of butterscotch bits in half. The results? It isn't so much of a brownie anymore. It is more of a sweet zucchini cake with butterscotch bit topping. It isn't bad at all. I was just expecting something different. It may have been the pan I used as well. I probably could have used a larger pan. Oh well. It is still completely edible and actually quite tasty.
At 5 A.M, Monday, November 11, 1918 the Allied powers a signed a cease-fire agreement with Germany at Rethondes, France, ending World War I.
"To us in America, the reflections of Armistice Day will be filled with solemn pride in the heroism of those who died in the country's service and with gratitude for the victory, both because of the thing from which it has freed us and because of the opportunity it has given America to show her sympathy with peace and justice in the councils of the nation."
-President Woodrow Wilson, November 1919
Between the wars, November 11 was commemorated as Armistice Day in the United States, Great Britain, and France. After World War II, the holiday was recognized as a day of tribute to veterans of both world wars. Beginning in 1954, the United States designated November 11 as Veterans Day to honor veterans of all U.S. wars.
January 13, 1968 Johnny Cash and the Tennessee Three gave two concerts for the inmates in dining room 2 at Folsom Prison in California.
I was listening to an interview with the Tennessee Three today and they announced that they are planning and hoping to play once again in Folsom on the anniversary of their playing there 40 years ago with Johnny Cash. They are also hoping to get to play in San Quentin on that anniversary as well.
You know, I do believe today was the first time I've said, "I want to go to prison".
Yes folks, it's that time of year again. The nominations are approaching which means movies shall be viewed.
On a side note. It will be interesting to see how Love in the Time of Cholera
We got our second report regarding my sister in law today. She's been hiking and camping around India for a week and a half. She called Josh's parents to report that she was doing fine and was in Dharamsala (home to the current Dalai Lama) after spending a few nights hiking and camping in Kashmir. The first report arrived in the form of an email upon her learning of the Red Sox winning the World Series. I can't wait to see pictures.
I miss the days when players were professionals. I miss the days when a player was courteous to their competitors. I miss the days when people played the game for the game. I miss the days.
Welcome home Discovery. I was outside and boom boom. Yay! The Space Camp geek in me squeed a bit.
My nephew was being a notty boy while I was on the phone with my mother. So, I had her switch to speaker phone. I went into mean Santa mode. Apparently I scared him enough that he ran out of the room. I feel bad, but then I don't. Weird.
Today I am starting a new schedule. It seems to be working. I have 35 minutes until I am going to start studying my java cert. I'm getting things done this way.
With my cat having asthma, I decided to give feline pine a try. It works great for the liquid portion. The solids, oh dear gord. It's killing me. I think if her litter box were outside, it would be fine. The problem with most litters is the dust. I have air filters near the box, but that doesn't help while she is in the box. /sigh I'm still tempted to just potty train her. Wouldn't that be easier?
So I went to the thrift store. I was seeking yarn (I am surrounded by retirement communities, put it together). Instead, I found a brand new sizzix die for my die cutter and... the best score EVAH... a freaking Wii remote for $6! It was in the Target donation bins, so someone probably bought it, used it for a bit, then returned it. So, high on my score, I went to the hospice resale shop. I got there and spotted a couple of bins of fabric samples. I kind of um, ended up buying 140 samples*. My favorite was a tiny square featuring a little organ grinder monkey.
*To my defense, it cost me a hair over $6 for all of it.
I heard a loud noise outside. There was a opossum in the front yard and the kittens and mom were on the porch. I went to scare the opossum away and in doing so, momma and the kittens went running. In addition, my cat decided to take the opportunity to see what the front porch was all about. She made it about two feet before I got her. In those few seconds though my face met the door.
So, now I am sitting here with my cheek hurting. I can see a small amount of color coming, so more than likely it is going to look like I got in a fight. If it looks "good" I'll take pictures, don't worry. I'm just happy my cat is safe inside, momma and the kittens are OK and the opossum is gone.
Good gravy is it hurting now.
I am 83 and one third percent done with my Yule shopping for the kids. What that means is I have one present left to purchase. I did fairly well in getting what I set out for. I bought three presents at one store (plus another for my mom to give to one of the kids) and two more at another. I specifically went for things I knew they wanted or things that I knew would appeal to them. They aren't the hottest new items on the market, so I wasn't concerned about waiting for the deals. Their parents will be buying them those things.
I even bought a little more wrapping paper so I can get this stuff done. I'm going to clear out space in the closet and put them there. Then I can call that done.
I made a pie this morning. I am working on an apple pie recipe* that uses the least amount of sugar and that is easier on the glycemic index. Josh is going to take the pie in to work tomorrow to see what the guys there think. I made a 2.5" pie for Josh to eat over the next few days. I don't like apple pie, but I enjoy making it. I think I may do a bit more holiday baking this year. I can make my holiday bread lump. Basically it is bread with different cheeses and some vegetables in it that you bake on a cookie sheet. It looks like a lump and is quite yummy. I wonder how well my recipe would translate using soy flour??
*If the boys at work like it, I'll post it in the recipes section.
My mom, nieces and nephews came over to visit for a few hours. My mom got her pillows, Brittany some clothes and discs. Oh, and everyone played a bit of Wii. Shalyn has informed me that she wants a My First DDR for Yule. Brittany seemed rather excited that Shalyn might get it. Shalyn also wants a keyboard, but I'm not sold on getting her that. She can just play my piano that is still at my parents house.
So mom played the Wii and it was classic. I heard, "No, wait, I want to try again." more than twice, especially during the cow racing. Gabriel was a ham and a half. Watching them attempt DDR was classic. In bowling, my mom turned red from laughing at Gabriel do his victory dance (he knocked down a bowling pin). I tried to get pictures of the dance but he would stop as soon as he saw the camera. So most of the shots are from the side, when he didn't see me. He didn't do so well at DDR, but he's three and he was nearly doing the splits just trying to get his little feet on the left and right arrows.
The kittens have been spotted. They were on the front porch about an hour ago. They ran off with mommy when there was a loud noise outside (car backfiring possibly). They are so freaking adorable. It was too dark to get a good picture of them. Maybe tomorrow. My cat saw them from her bedroom and has been patrolling the house faithfully looking for them. She seems to be doing fine on her medicine so far.
After spending some three hours manicuring our yard (after 45 minutes it became a manicure in my book), I came in to find my cat breathing oddly in addition to her more frequent asthma attacks (YouTube video link). I made her a vet appointment for one hour and twenty minutes later. That was just enough time for the sedatives I was supposed to give her. So I gave them to her and watched her. They did nothing. I thought, OK, maybe they'll kick in at the vet's office. Nothing. She was just as bad as the last time (and the time before that). This time though she had a male vet tech there. With him pinning the front half of her down and the vet holding down her hind legs, the vet was able to listen to her heart (she wasn't able to check the lungs) and give her a steroid injection.
The vet really doesn't want her on daily steroids, so she is trying other medications. The risk of her developing diabetes is pretty high, so we are trying to avoid that. So, $161 later, I have three pills a day to sneak into her and another that I can mix with her food. Oh yeah, this will be fun.
So I finally bought DDR for the Wii today. Oddly enough I went to three different stores until I found one. They had three in stock. They don't know why they are selling like crazy this week, but they are. Maybe with the Guitar Hero 3 release, people realized that it was out. Who knows. What I do know is that I thought boxing was a good workout. Holy carp was I wrong. I am going to be so sore tomorrow, but I am having a blast. The cat is keeping a watchful eye on me. My only complaint is the smell of the mat. It has a stinky new DDR mat smell.
No sign of the kittens since that first day. I have made contact with my favorite window cat. He was quite friendly and his actions make me believe he was/is someone's cat. I will be pissed if he is chipped and just being allowed to run around.
News flash. Paul Tibbets (pilot of the Enola Gay) has passed away.
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