I am just sooo... Dial tone. I got nothin'.

I woke up today just ready to go back to bed.  I won't bore you with the details, but let's just say 4 hours of sleep isn't enough.  Especially when it's broken up by needing to stand and stretch a hamstring...

Sigh.

So I will delight and amaze you with this Thursday Thunks that I thought was interesting.

1. Would you try a dog food flavored jelly bean? What about skunk spray or vomit flavored?


I actually tried a dog biscuit once, just 'cuz.  Long story short, I can't see why the dogs like them.  Eh.  So, probably not.  Definitely not if it was a wet food flavor.  (Since they come in flavors like liver, that doesn't improve matters. EEEEEW.)  Skunk spray.  Hmm.  I wouldn't try them, but I know a couple people I might be more than happy to give a big ol' bowl full to.  (With my luck, they'd love 'em.)  And for all the Harry Potter fans, there IS a vomit flavored one... Jelly Belly Company put out some screwy flavors, (Bernie Botts Beans) and that was one of them.  It doesn't necessarily taste like vomit to me, but it wasn't a pleasant one... It was however, better than the sardine flavored one.  (Which isn't saying much.)

I joke not. 
2. Are any keys on your keyboard worn off?

Not yet.  The J, K, and the E,R, and T  keys are getting there.  However my right click button is down to the plastic.  (I don't use the J key that much, all I can figure out is that it's the home key.  The F key isn't worn much.  The mysteries of my typing.  And having much, too much time on my hands to stare at a keyboard...)

3. Why are the lids on coffins nail/locked/sealed? Are we afraid they are going to get out?

Fear of Zombies? 
Making sure we don't fall out?

(Yes, Mom, I was thinking of the hospital stay with that comment!) 

I really don't know why, except that at one time there was a lot of grave robbing.  Maybe they are more fearful someone might get IN.  Does seem like an inconvenience for CSI guys when they have to exhume a body to prove foul play... ; )

4. True love. Define it.

A. When you go into surgery, and you wake up with your family around you asking if you are okay, before the nurse even knows you're conscious.

B. Husband taking you to the Tom Petty concert when he really doesn't give a hoot about Petty.

C. Allowing each other passions, goofiness and eccentricities that make them a more unique person.  Especially when it involves animals, funny costumes, rock stars, gardening or conversely, large, highly technical machinery and boats.  Just sayin'...
5. Where is the strangest place you are ever fallen asleep?

On a bus going to Missouri, waking up to hear the bus driver and a blind passenger discussing Soul music.  Then hearing the blind passenger sing "Three Blind Mice".  (And everyone in the front 6 rows cracking up.)
6. A doctor walks up to you and says "I will change anything you want... big or small... doesn't matter how much it costs, I'll do it for free!". What do you have him fix or change on your body?

Since I don't like surgery, this is a harder one to answer.  But I suppose... Getting rid of some of my scars.  Or a "tummy tuck".  I think that's what it's called, making the poochy part of my belly not so poochy.  But I would really not want to go through it, so I would more than likely smile and ask said doc to offer it to someone else...
7. The last picture you took - share it.

Oddly enough, it was the picture for my blog photo, of BTK.  (I am still working on Bunny Ears for his Easter photo.  Husband is mildly amused at this...  Can't imagine why...)

 

8. Blue or black ink. Your preference?

Never really thought about it.  I prefer pencil, oddly enough, but probably black ink.  But I really figure if the pen works, I am happy...
9. You are walking down the sidewalk on a city street and you see a little girl, about 3 or 4 years old, she asks you if you can tie her shoe for her. What do you do?

I would first look to see where Mom, Dad or other Significant Caretaker was.  I would then see what was up with the shoelace, and tie or fix, asking where Mom, Dad, or other Significant Caretaker was, see if she knew her phone number, and then probably call the police, to make sure she wasn't out by herself any longer.  (Staying with her, of course.)
10. What channel numbers are ABC, NBC, CBS and FOX for you?

Lessee.  2, 8, 6, and 12/49 respectively.  (And right now I can't get 12, so I am going through Perry Mason withdrawal at the moment...)
11. Did/do you have any marriage deal breakers?

I had one boyfriend that informed me that we would have "at least 4 kids."  I told him that I wanted to finish school, he thought that was all right, but we'd have kids right after I got out.  He then mentioned I would probably have to put off getting a job while I was pregnant.  That was what his mom did.

IZZAT SO? 

Same boyfriend also didn't think I should make noise when I drove. "You are to be quiet, do not talk, do not make noise."  And since I was pissed at this beyond words very passive aggressive, I made a point of making noises like laying rubber when I took off, and screeching when I went around corners.  He tsked and scowled at me a lot for that. 

The topper was that he was nearly helpless, but didn't like me working on his car.  I am not talking a rebuild here folks, he was embarrassed when I and my Dad fixed a headlight that he'd had aligned wrong.  (He didn't know how, and had someone at a gas station do it. Wrong...)  I guess I should have let him shine the light at the tree tops, but thought perhaps he'd prefer actually lighting the road. 

He was an okay guy, I guess, but he showed his true colors when he broke up with me, which I won't go into, but let's just say he was NOT the answer to Question #4. 

So, I think I have now used up all the vim and vigor one very strong cup of caffeinated tea can give me.  I will now return to using one brain cell at a time.

Good day!

Timing? What's that?

In the great scheme of things...  I am doing okay, time wise, except I keep getting people saying, I would like you to do X, then don't give me a time. 

I half expect to have everyone want me to be available on one day, for a 3 hour period, or some equally stupid thing.  On the bright side, I finally dropped one volunteer job I had been doing for about, uh, 12+ years, possibly as long as 15.  Getting sort of tired of it.  I just felt someone else could do the job, why must I?  And, amazingly enough, not one, but two people stepped up to do the job! 

W00t! 

At the substation, doing my receptionist bit for the deputies again.  Had this gent come in, and ask me if the email for a particular deputy was correct.  After a bit of futzing about, I was able to double check it, and it was.  He then asked if he could phone said deputy directly.  I said no, but gave him the voice mail that we are supposed to give out.  (Volunteers are not to give out direct numbers unless told to by said deputy.)  Then the gent asks if said deputy is on duty today.  After a quick check, yes, he should be on, this evening. 

After a long pause, he glared at me, and said, "You know, I have been trying to get a hold of him for two days.  Maybe I should do something bad so that he will show up immediately..."   I didn't say a word.  I just used the you are saying something stupid, I will wait until your brain reboots look that I have found to be effective.  If I had been in the mood, I should have said what I was thinking, "Gee, maybe some people ARE doing something bad, and that's why he can't just jump on your request."  But I decided to just keep my mouth shut. 

He did get the hint, from my glare, and blushed slightly, mumbled, "maybe not...", then left.  (Am I good, or what?)  ;)   

(Don't answer that...)

I am pleased to say scale day was one pound down.  Getting back to exercising actually helps!  (Today, especially.  I had no motivation.  If it weren't for Rudee, I might have gone back to bed.  It was that bad...)

So.  Other than our house and the biggest part of our property smells like a forest with the compost, all is pretty much is as usual. 

And for some of the comments I don't know if I got to:

John... about the socks.  Email me, "rencatus at yahoo dawt com", let me know what you are thinking of.

Bon Bon.  Here is the lead in about the cougar from my blog.  Feel free to peruse...

http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar.html

http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougar-cougar-cougar-cougar-oh-and.html

http://egginmypocket.blogspot.com/2009/12/cougars-end-warning-some-graphic-pics.html

If I missed anyone else... Um.  I guess you can always leave a comment? 

(sheepish grin)

Little piffle bits 'o stuff...

(I was going to put this on Wednesday, but didn't get it put on the blog.  So, Thursday is a day, right?)

I haven't anything that is really enough for a good blog, so I just threw a few things in, and pick what ya want.  Sort of like tapas, but less calories.

***

Well, I should have bought a lottery ticket...

I told Husband last night that today was weigh in.  I added, "I just hope I haven't gained anything, I tried to exercise more, but I had also been nibbling a bit more than usual.  I would be happy if I just stayed the same." 

I am exactly the same as last week. No gain, no loss... I stayed the same.  I am not going to complain.  I will need to work harder next week, but at least it wasn't a gain.

***

I am making split pea soup for dinner.  Husband looked at me stirring it, then said, Hey, we have Whirled Peas!  (He's been around me much too long if he comes up with puns like that!  But then he's the same guy that comments about my needing some cheese when I have so much "whine".  Eye roll, please!)

***

Christmas gave me new pants (ONE SIZE SMALLER, not that it's important... cough... Grin.) 

It also gave us a new bed cover, and skirt. 

It also made me nearly want to thump Husband's melon.  I will add the proviso that I was in a nasty, foul mood, and he had the bad luck to come in when I was putting the new covers on the bed.  I had purposely tried to work on this when he was outside, as his help can vary from helpful to... just leave. Please. 

Sooo, he decided that he wanted to help.  Okay.  I get out the bed skirt.  In case you don't know, it goes between the box springs and mattress.  Husband didn't know this, thought it was a sheet, and put it on the top.  I promptly took it off, and asked him to lift the mattress. 

But it's a sheet.

Noo, it's a bed skirt.  It goes (pointing) there.

I think that would get wound up in the vacuum. 

(Snarl.) It won't reach the floor, so no, it won't. (Besides, I vacuum, not you, why should it matter?)

What do we need a skirt for?

This went on for a few minutes, until he realized I was bearing my fangs in a very threatening manner, as well as twisting the skirt into something more resembling a large croissant... He then just stopped talking and lifted the mattress.  I put the skirt on the bed, we put the comforter on, and he left.  I finished with the pillows and throws, and decided it looked nice.  Husband decided it was fine, after making sure I was not going to lunge at his throat like a rabid wolf.  But he still doesn't really "get" the skirt thing.  As long as it is where its supposed to be, I don't really care. Hmph.

***

I found out the term "snow line" can be extremely literal.  We were warned last night that it was going to snow today.  When I started to exercise, it was snowing at the house.  I walked to the top of the place, and it was not sticking on the way up, except to the back of Rudee, and occasionally to my nose. (Yes, I sneezed.)  But I reached the upper pasture, and there was just the barest start of a blanket.  I did my walking, and it takes me about 45 minutes to an hour, total.  This was long enough to see the green of the pasture turn almost white. (And sneeze several more times.  Darn flakes...)  But walking back down to the house, not a bit was sticking.  It felt sort of surreal.  

I saw, looking at the area around, no snow to a certain point, then pouf, like someone had stuck a ruler on the ground and edged everything to that point on all the local hills.  I also found out, that when I am walking, and it's snowing, I can't walk without my coat.  Oddly enough, my arms started to ache.  I should have known better, it isn't the "nice" dry fluffy snow, we had that white cow plop that does nothing but make things wet and cold.  But the pasture did sort of look nice.  Here's hoping that it doesn't freeze tonight...

***

  I have been trying to buy a t-shirt online.  This really shouldn't be such a trial. I thought.  Ok, my first plan, find the shirt, find how to pay by check, (I don't have credit cards), and get shirt... 

I tried this, send the check off, got it back, wrong address.  Huh.  Well, okay, it's the one on the site, but there are two others, try again.  Return, wrong address... again.  Huh?  They had that address on the site...  That doesn't make sense.  I tried the third snail address, with the same result.  I decided to stop pounding my head against the wall at that point. 

I was supplied with a gift card that should cover the shirt and shipping.  So, I look on the site.  But by this time, the shirt is available in Small, or XXX Large.  I can't wear either.  So, I email them, last week sometime, right before Christmas, "do you have, or will you get a size Large?" 

Today, my inbox had the response to the effect of, we received an email from you, please call or email us if you have a question. 

I am truly thinking this could be a Perry Mason title "The case of the Sh*tty Shop". Or, "The case of the WTF Website."  (Sorry... But it is beginning to bug me.)  So, I will try calling the number, and see if TALKING TO A REAL PERSON might help.  But, I have the sad thought, just because it's a phone number, doesn't equal a real person. 

Voice mail hell, anyone?  Maybe I will just roll up into the fetal position right now...

Dang it, I really want the stupid shirt...

I'll write, honest!

Catching this real quick at the substation.  Husband has been on the computer, (he is designing new and interesting molds for the company he works for, jewelry, and some boating 'stuff '), when I have been available to blog.  When I am home.  It's been not HARD stuff, except for one class... (I was the presenter. In a class of adults.  Most of whom knew as much OR MORE about the subject than I did.  It was... unique. I survived, thank G*d.)

I will be busy on weekends in June, but I am hoping against hope that I can catch up during the week.  I have been doing the usual sub station work, (having, through good fortune and a weak stomach) avoided cleaning buckets (which in a former life held powdered egg, were cleaned, not so well, and put away wet.  I did... 2, before I decided losing my lunch was NOT worth it.  I offered to do almost anything else, which led to a lot of cutting out of booklet material.  I can cut with the best of 'em, and so decided that would suit me much better.

I had been to an ag fair, and was spinning.  I had a young girl come up (first one!) and ask if that was the "thing that the girl did in Sleeping Beauty".  I told her yes, and I was impressed she knew about this.  She then peered at my wheel and said, what did she stick her finger on? 

*sigh*

Wouldn't ya know, that would be the ONE time, no one had brought a wheel with a flax spike.  I explained it to her as best as I could, but really wished I had a picture or something, I don't think that she quite understood my explanation.  And no one else had anything like that on their wheel, either. Poo.

I helped at the Triathalon, and the gal I mentioned was there, just as neat as always, she was getting a smidge pink when she got back, (she is fair skinned and blonde, and I don't think she used quite enough sunscreen), but she was absolutely glowing with happiness to be on the go again.  I had to leave early, or I would have sought her out.  I really think she's cool.  Even with a sunburn...

I am mulling over dropping some things I do for my ren faire.  I haven't decided if it will be permanent or not, but after 10+ years, I think I want to just have a year where I play.  Not be responsible for a bunch of artsy fartsy flakes creative volunteers, who have great ideas, but getting all coordinated has to be a reason for at least some of my grey hairs.  And I want to try out a character other than the peasant I normally use.  A crazy gypsy type... Which is probably not so far removed from me.  (But then, neither is the peasant.) 

I was encouraged to try a noble, but I keep thinking that between the fact I don't do well with layers, and I am not comfortable being a 'boss' (but people keep wanting me to be a guild leader, which in turns amazes and depresses me), so I haven't really worked on that.  I do have an idea for an outfit, however, if Lady Whatshername ever does come to fruition, if I can afford the  red and black velvet.  (Yes, velvet, or at least fake velvet, that was all the rage with the hip nobles of the 16th century.  Just because it's 90 degrees and out in a hay field, details, details...)

I am laughing, sort of, I have had noting but my 'regular' things to do, and very little on weekends.  Come June, however, I will have at least a choice of 2 (or more) every weekend!  Oh, and I was told I could go and help out at the ren faire and do some training the weekend I am going to see Petty.

HA!!!!
Don't EVEN think so!

(I promise, I will get about and read my friend's blogs, I am not ignoring all of you!  Honest!!)

Country. Kinda long.

Since I can't remember what I did with the articles I was going to write about, and yesterday's post sucketh, yea, verily, I am going to write about a topic.

Country, as it relates to me. I know I am in the country because...

When I was growing up, Santa wore rubber boots. When you were young, and you asked the older kids, you were told it was so he could make it through (a local neighbor's place near the school) dairy farm. When you were older, you figured out Santa WAS the neighbor at the dairy farm. If you were older and had a better imagination, you told the kids that Santa came to school right after cleaning out Rudolf's stall.

If you were a smart aleck kid, you mentioned scours...

I plead the fifth...

Missed dinners because of neighbor's needing a calf pulled (occasionally it was our calf. We had a very friendly neighbor bull, and he tended to be much stronger than our fences.) Mud up to your (ahem) because the calf of this bull found any way possible to get OUT of the fence and get in the garden. Usually when my dad was gone, and most neighbors might or might not be able to help. It was usually raining cats, dogs, and assorted golden hamsters, too.

I am not a vegetarian. That was one tasty cow. Revenge is sweet.

Fishing with my grandparents, and learning how to cast without getting line in the tree, cleaning fish, how to put a worm on the hook, not the hook in a finger... (Most of the time, anyway), and finding that fish just seems really cool to take pictures of when you are nearly the same size as they are... (I was fairly small when they first started taking me to fish.)

Glorious battles with wooden swords made from garden stakes, and whips from willow branches, fought on a sheep loader, which would be either a grand castle, or more likely, because of its shape, a mighty ship.

Practicality invaded my later years. Having no animals to load, my dad converted it to a ramp to work on cars. I then decided it was a great starting point for my go cart. I think I wore out that poor cart, I know Dad and I tore it down and fixed it at least twice before things in it just flat dropped out when we opened it up.

Having more animals nearby than other kids. Might explain a lot, now that I think about it.

Trying to use a St. Bernard for pulling a sled.

Trying to stop a St. Bernard, after you get him started running.

Sitting in church, and having most of the men leave in unison, because the volunteer firemen had a call out. (If you didn't hear the Plectron in the back, the pastor would usually announce it.)

Having nearly no males, and sometimes a paucity of females at church, during deer season.

Neighbors that we'd trade with, giving us venison. Or a good story of why they didn't HAVE venison that season. (Amazingly, it never seemed to have anything to do with the keg of beer that was brought along...)

Mom's venison chili. I could hardly wait when she was making that...

Neighbors that were in their late 90's that could tell me about things like what dirigibles were like, walking to school, getting water at school from a spring in a bucket, and sharing it with a tin cup, horse drawn buggies, then to cars, then to hearing about the moon landing, (that he thought was just nonsense and a waste of effort...) and how to plant (which I will add, when I remember the details, works like a charm), and always having someone around that seemed to know a little about almost everything. I wonder what they would have thought of the Internet.

Sheep being born, then getting to help dry them, and have the newborn try and nuzzle your finger, as you are trying to show it mama sheep's teat.

Climbing in the hay and finding kittens. Then needing to tear down one of the walls of the hay barn, to find a kitten that fell down inside.

Feeding the cows. One rattle of grain in a coffee can had them racing across the field to the barn. If we were making applesauce or canning corn, they would get the waste, which was almost a sure bet to see cattle battles. Cows have flat heads. They tend to use this like a bulldozer, to push another cow out of the way. The other cow responds alike, and soon you have two cows grunting and pushing, and bawling because they can't get to the goodies. So the aforementioned calf walks up and gobbles down as much as he can, as fast as he can, leaving two exhausted, annoyed, and slightly concussed cows.

Even now, I still know that I will see neighbors that will stop in the road to have a conversation with another neighbor. Sometimes we might have 3 or 4 vehicles, a regular town meeting, just because someone met someone headed to/from town.

Horse riding as a means of transport, as much as pleasure.

Hay balers, seed trucks. Fertilizer trucks. Irrigation pipe.

Vivid rainbows as the water is sprayed over the plants in the field.

The unmistakable aroma that occurs when the water being sprayed over the field is GREEN. Yeah, living near cows has some... Realities.

Wild animals nearby. Hearing coyotes sing. Seeing wild turkey, and deer. Watching the ravens carefully pick acorns, fly way up, fling the acorn down on the pavement, and then eat the soft center that has been opened up.

Watching a chicken chase a bug so intently that she traces its every movement, leading to a zigzagging, drunken looking race around the pasture.

And being able to watch the sunset off the porch, and know that I will be able to see a lot more country, tomorrow.

Took three times, but I did it!

Well, I received a Lovely Blog award, and had absolutely NO clue how to show it off... Thank you Amy, the instructions made sense, and after I fought the computer, swearing every inch of the way worked out the details, it showed up, pretty as all get out! There is hope for me yet, computer wise.

In other news, In-Laws will be leaving... today? I think? I haven't heard them stir this morning, but when they do, things will be packed, and they will head to a daughter's place nearby to say bye for the season, then off to... Uh. South. Missouri? Florida? (I am soooo lost on keeping up with where, what, 'n when.)

Bless Husband, the dryer has been a thorn in my side since not very long after we bought it. So, I have endured checking clothes to make sure they aren't smoking (I am NOT joking), having it then decide to go the other direction and be barely hot enough to dry the clothes, now... It just quit. I do dry some items outside, when I can, or in front of the fire place in the winter, but with our combined allergy problems, we almost have to have the dryer. So, what now?

Thought I, yesssss, new dryer, finally, after 15+ years, I think I got the $ out of it.

But no.

Husband fixed the heating element. Which lasted exactly 4/5 of my laundry. The last load was as wet as when I put it in, and cold. Oh, Husband, ding dong the dryer's dead!

But, today, Husband is off to the appliance repair shop to get a new heating element. Ok. Let's see... I keep hearing about a cash for clunkers for appliances. Think Husband would notice if the dryer looked a little different?

Yeah. Probably. Bummer. Never thought it would be a bad thing to have a husband that can wash his own clothes!

So, let us all hope that the new element is agreeable to the dryer, and I might have clothes that are dry and do not smell as if I have been barbecuing polyester...

(Small add-on here. Finally convinced the computer to let me see Masterchief's blog, go see, it's cool! And also, check out the carnage on Enter the Blogger's page- no one was hurt, but something tells me the train conductor and the trucker probably both had to clean out some underwear!)

Blogthings...

So. I was bored the other day and found this goofy little quiz site called Blogthings. I started taking some of the quizzes, and these were ones that amused me for one reason or another...

You Are a Werewolf

You're unpredictable, moody, and downright freaky. You seem sweet and harmless, until you snap. Then you're a total monster. Very few people can predict if you're going to be Dr. Jekyll or Mr. Hyde. But for you, all your transformations seem perfectly natural. Your greatest power: Your ability to tap into nature Your greatest weakness: Lack of self control You play well with: Vampires

What Kind of Monster Are You?

I found the 'werewolf' ones interesting, I took about three tests that came up with me being a werewolf. I guess going through menopause, it seems appropriate. But it keeps saying I would do well with vampires. Now, if you are a fantasy geek like I am, you know that vampires and werewolves aren't friendly with one another! So am I the Werewolf Diplomat to the Vampires? Someone call Obama! I may have a job!

You Are a Siamese Cat

You are a very communicative creature. You're eager to express yourself - and do so often. You are very dependent and love attention. You will complain if you are not getting enough affection. Even though you are very loving, you can seem aloof, unpredictable, and stubborn in relationships. A relationship with you takes a lot of patience.

What Breed of Cat Are You?

Not much I can add to this one, Loves the siamesy cats, and for good or ill, the description fits both of us rather well...

Your Superhero Name is The Rocket Marvel

Your Superpower is Spiritual Your Weakness is Alcohol Your Weapon is Your Golden Amplifier Your Mode of Transportation is Helicopter

What's Your Superhero Name?

This was pure fun. But I think it's great that my weapon is the Golden Amplifier, I am a radio amateur, after all... But a helicopter? I am a superhero! Can't I just fly? Maybe I am one of those Batman types, that haven't come from somewhere else, or affected by some agent...

Blogger... What do I do?

Ok, had this hilarious idea for a blog. Can't get the pictures to load, even tho Blogger SAYS that you can load pictures from the internet. So, if it will let me do LINKS today, maybe I can still get a point across.



Seperated at birth??? You decide...

http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1808700560/photo/582603



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http://www.nasm.si.edu/exhibitions/StarWars/images/BookImages/yoda.jpg



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So. I think with some of the comments, I might put the horns above the head. I might re-do the horns as well, but I have a project or two ahead of this one, so it will give me some time to ponder on it. Comments are, however, still welcome.

Celtic Horoscope...

Found this at a little website called Blogthings, thought this one was kinda nice... Although I really didn't know the Celts HAD horoscopes. Eh.

You Are A Fig Tree

You are very independent and strong minded. A hard worker when you want to be, you play hard too. You are honest and loyal. You hate contradiction or arguments. You love life, and you live for your friends, children, and animals. A great sense of humor, artistic talent, and intelligence are all gifts you possess.

What's Your Celtic Horoscope?

And best of all, I like Newtons, too!