Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

Sebastian Maniscalco - DOORBELL ('What's Wrong With People?')

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. I test drove the new electric skillet and made chicken and dumplings

2. When the Young One was little, she would chant "C'mon traffic light" when we were stopped at a red light and the light would change to green. We told her she had special powers. This past week Himself and I were on our way home and I wanted to get home quickly. As we approached red lights I began chanting, "C'mon traffic light" and the light would change to green. Now we know where the Young One got her powers from.

3. Items I had ordered arrived a day early.

4. Since Thursday was the Thanksgiving holiday, there was no play day with Teague. We chatted on the phone instead.

5. We took a trip to the cemetery to bring the Christmas wreath. I even remembered to leave some sunflower seeds so the Weebles would know I had visited. We got there and back before all the holiday traffic.

How was your week?

TBT Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

 In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

June 01, 2007

All Around the Elderly Bush

Himself opened the door and headed to the bedroom.

"So, how are the Weebles?" I cheerfully called.

I heard a muffled groan sounding something like "argh".

"What happened? Do you need an aspirin?"

"No."

"Do you need to blog?"

A chuckle.

"What happened?"

"I went to the Weebles to mow the lawn. Your mother was still in her bathrobe. I didn't see your dad. Figured he was roaming around town. Went to get the lawnmower started and blue smoke poured out of it."

"That doesn't sound good."

"Anyway, I got the mower going and mowed the front. Got to the back and there's your dad standing on a ladder trimming the bushes!"

I shook my head.

"I told him, 'If you fall and kill yourself and Herself finds out I was here when it happened, she'll kill me'"

I laughed.

"He started singing he wished he was dead song. I made him get off the ladder, I finished the lawn and then trimmed the bushes. The bushes were too wide. I couldn't reach all the way to the back so I told him he would have to do the trimming from the inside. He started going on how he would have to climb on the desk under the window. Then he asked me to wash the stairs. "

"I thought you needed a special solution to take the masonry residue off the stairs?"

"Nah, I could use vinegar. So I found a steel brush in the garage, and he got the vinegar. Your mother came to the door as I was scrubbing. She said, 'Don't do that! I need you to take the old man to the bank and the post office'"

"The post office? I gave her a whole roll of stamps with the new postage! I told her that!"

"I know. Your dad was trying to count out pennies so he could buy the extra postage stamps. I told him that her letters didn't need extra postage. He didn't believe me so I sent him into the post office to ask the clerk, and of course, extra postage was not needed."

"What a surprise. Why did he have to go to the bank? Their checks don't come in until the first of the month. She doesn't have any money."

"Well, she had this check 'they' sent her for $4,000. She wanted him to deposit the check and if the bank wouldn't cash it, she wanted him to bring the check back. She's convinced the bank is cheating her."

I borrowed a phrase from Himself. "Help me, Lord. Did the bank cash the check?"

"He went in, but came right out. Said there was a long line, the girls were busy, and he didn't want to bother them. Y'know, one of those checks is going to be for a loan or something."

"I know," I sighed.

"I told your dad he should tear up the contest entries and throw them away. She'd never know. He said your mother would kill him. Actually, that might be a win situation for him. He'd be dead and get his wish. What's for lunch?"

Doodle for Stress Reduction

 

On Mondays via Zoom, I participate in a class where we spend  a half an hour doodling our stress away. 

The suggestion for this class was to draw circle birds with long legs. The facilitator had been inspired by some watercolor birds done in this fashion. I forgot to write down the name of the artist.

T Stands for Bison

After Himself's doctor's appointment, we stopped for lunch at Ted's Montana Grill in Westborough. I had my usual unsweetened ice tea with lemon. The waitress also placed on the table a small bowl of dill pickles which we made short work of.

The restaurant was busy, but not overly crowded. The service was a tad slow, but we didn't have anywhere else to be so we enjoyed a nice, leisurely lunch.

I remarked to Himself how I enjoy this pastime or hobby. That is making appointments or running errands close to lunch or dinner and then going out to eat. For some reason, it's been a while since we have been doing that.

Jaunty, buffalo plaid, napkin

For my appetizer I had a crab cake with kale salad and guacamole. The kale salad tasted like grass clippings. It mad me think of a line from some comedian that "salad is what food eats". The crabcake was delicious.

Besides beef, Ted offers bison which is leaner and contains more protein than beef. I had bison meatloaf with mashed potatoes and carrots. Himself had bison brisket with the same sides. Both were delicious. The portion was generous enough so I don't have to cook dinner tonight.

For dessert, Himself had a giant chocolate chip cookie. Oh, the table covering was a map of Montana.

I had cheesecake with a raspberry coulis

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth's blog to find out what the rest of the T Stands For gang is up to. If you want to play, include in your Tuesday post a beverage or container for a beverage. Don't forget to link your blog to Bleubeard and Elizabeth's page.

Monet and Me

 

decided to try to paint the Christmas baubles after watching the Saturday Happy, Little Time Waster video.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Earlier this week, the big bunny came out to eat grassicles.

Brrrr. Winter is here.

The perfect day to stay cozy in bed.

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

Christmas Watercolour Baubles: How To Make Your Own Cards

The Friday Five Good Things

 Five good things that happened this week.

1. Good news, bad news. The new front doors arrived. The bad news, the company mixed up the doors. New doors ordered and will be installed in the Spring. 

2. The pantry is still organized.

3. We went to Beef's Qi Gong and Reiki Circle. Teague went, too.

4. Boot shoes that I liked went on sale.

5. Invited by a friend to attend his Fall Prevention Exercise Class via Zoom. 

How was your week?

TBT Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Sunday, May 20, 2007

Himself Knows Best

I was relaxing in the sunroom, taking a well-deserved rest. I had me a week dealing with Prissy and her problems. You’ll recall the leaking pipe hysterics. Then there was a call because she had pressed several buttons on her channel changer and changed the picture to video snow.

The phone rang. Himself got up to answer it.

“That’s either The Eldest calling from work looking for a ride home or Prissy.”

“Herself is right here.” Himself handed me the phone and settled Himself in his La-Z-Boy.

I sighed. Prissy. I pantomimed hanging myself.

She had pressed the buttons on the channel changer again.

I looked to the heavens took a deep breath and counted to ten. “Open the front panel of the television and press the button on the far right side.”

She put the phone down, and I could hear her shuffle to the television.

“I did what you said, but nothing happened.”

I told her I’d be over. Hung up the phone and let out a feral yell. "Couldn't you have told her I was dead?"

Himself chuckled. “Cheer up. Soon you’ll be a Weeble, and you can call up people to aggravate them.”

Pictures from Ogunquit, Maine

 

On the way to Ogunquit, we always stop at Nubble Light in York, Maine. The lighthouse never gets old, but it was wicked cold. The gift shop was closed so we wouldn't have been able to buy another sweatshirt like we did in March. We were glad we had brought our Winter jackets.

The seagull didn't mind the cold at Ogunquit Beach

Someone had a tasty lunch

Looking out over the Marginal Way from Perkins Cove

Berries

Where's CJ?

Seagull at the parking area in Perkins Cove

Surfers at Ogunquit Beach 

This dude

had a

really good ride

The moon from our balcony

Good-bye, Beach! I hope to see you next year.

T Stands for Coffee Pod Organizer

 

Once again it was time to organize the blivet of a pantry because someone (not me) keeps buying stuff without checking the pantry. It's a good price. It was on sale. It was Tuesday. The sky was blue.

The pantry is organized by shelf: jams, water enhancers, condiments, oil. Canned goods. Pasta, canned tomatoes, tomato paste, jars of gravy (pasta sauce). Baking, tea,  snacks, paper goods. On the floor, storage for platters, sports drinks.

When it was all organized, I stepped back to admire my work when I saw I had forgotten the Eldest's coffee pods. There is limited counter space in the kitchen and there was no more shelf space in the pantry.. What to do? What to do?

I ordered an over-the-door shoe organizer. I found one that wasn't too long because the closet is built over the cellar stairs so the floor of the pantry would have interfered with a long shoe organizer. 

I found one that was short and not too wide. I'll have to do something about the hooks because the closet door doesn't close all the way. The pockets aren't as deep as I was hoping, but for now it will do.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

Monet and Me

 

were discussing additional uses for the Fandliss Handwarmers Himself gave me as an early gift. They come with a split USB charger for ease of charging, and they hold a charge for a very long time. There are also 3 heat settings, low, medium, and high.

Monet tried them out and thought they made good butt warmers. We brain-stormed where you could put them in your socks, the pockets of your jacket, the pockets of your trousers, brassiere...

The other cool thing is that they look a little bit like a phaser from Star Trek

All in all a very useful gift.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

While I was away, Martha was busy decorating. He put a gourd in each of the lantern planters

but the gourd couldn't be seen. He took a trip to the Dollar Store to find something that would raise the gourds above the planter. The planters still weren't fancy enough so Martha took a trip to the craft store to buy some ribbon and some Fall swag.

I finally took down Ink's flag and replaced it with the November flag.

Winter has come early so the frost shield got put on the car.

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

DIY Cute Cat Bookmark

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things that happened this week.

1. I'm so glad I decided to bring my Winter jacket with me for the trip.

2. Looking for a really good Margherita pizza? Try the Brickyard Hollow Brewing Company in Ogunquit, Maine.

3. Clam chowder and haddock bites at Billy's Chowder House in Wells, Maine. I had Maine blueberry pie for dessert, too, with whipped cream. It's too cold to have ice cream now.

4. Since we had to go to the Norseman to check out, we got an extra walk in at Ogunquit Beach

5. When I got home from my trip, Himself gave me a present. Handwarmers. He was hoping they would come in before I left for Maine. Still lots of time in the season to use them. Because of Reynaud's Syndrome, my hands are always cold.

How was your week?

TBT: Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

The Weeble-Jack

Are you constantly losing your Weebles on shopping trips or other excursions? From the Smartass Brother Company comes this inexpensive, tracking device: The Weeble-Jack System®*.

To operate, clip the Weeble-Jack to the back of your Weeble. Voilà! Instant sight recognition of the whereabouts of your Weeble. The colorful ribbon can be lengthened or shortened depending on your location height requirements and the height of your Weeble. No more frantic, scurrying around a store in search of a Weeble in the pickle aisle!

The Weeble-Jack comes in a variety of attractive colors and holiday themes and will last for four weeks. Look for the Weeble-Jack at fine party stores everywhere. Weeble-Jack clip sold separately and not available in all areas.

*The Weeble-Jack System is a registered trademark of the Smartass Brother Company.

Doodle for Stress Reduction

 

On Mondays via Zoom, I participate in a class where we spend  a half an hour doodling our stress away. 

The suggestion for this class was to draw a leaf and fill it with wavy lines. You could add doodles in between the lines or words.

T Stands for Maybe Having Breakfast

 

at The Egg and I. Two Old Ladies still on the road.

Drop by hosts, Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s blog to find out what the rest of the T gang is up to. If you want to play, include a beverage or beverage container in your post. Don’t forget to link your blog from Bleubeard and Elizabeth’s page.

Monet

 

patiently waits for me to come home. Two old ladies are still on the road.

How Does Your Garden Grow?

 Some of the images from my “garden” this weekend.

Seagull hanging out at Perkins

The Marginal Way from Perkins Cove

Seagull at Ogunquit Beach

Beloved Nubble Light

2OLOTR - Two old ladies on the road. Made it to Base Camp, Mt. Everest

Surfer at Ogunquit Beach

How does your garden grow?

Happy, Little, Time Waster

 

4 Ingredients! NO Knead, NO Wait Crispy Bread (Ready in 60 Minutes – Bakery Quality!)

The Friday Five Good Things

 

Five good things happened this week.

1. I tried a no knead bread recipe baked in a Dutch oven. It turned out pretty good.

2. Last day of class for the term. The day students got a field trip to the Worcester Art Museum Prints Department to see some medieval manuscripts.

3. One of the night students brought in a jar of gold ink for all of us.

4. The groomer was able to squeeze the kitties in for a nail trim

5. My bags are packed, and I'm ready to go.

How was your week?

TBT: Reprints from CJ's Whine and Cheeze

  In 2003, Ma had a stroke. Dad was her full time caregiver until he he had a car accident that totaled the car. So in 2006, I became their chauffeur among other jobs.

At the time, to deal with the stress of running two households and working, I kept a blog entitled CJ's Whine and Cheeze. Egged on by some friends who enjoyed the first read through, you'll see your part when it comes by.

Sunday, May 13, 2007

The Ductless Wonder

The Saturday before Mother’s Day began early with a dash to take my car to the shop for a brake check and oil change. I followed Himself in his car. We made the drop and I drove back and took him to the dojo where he taught budding grasshoppers. Home for a shower and breakfast. I made a mental note for the rest of the day’s schedule:

Drop The Eldest at work.

Get The Youngest Up.

The Youngest to help with the pre-holy day of obligation cleaning.

Wait for call from dealer re: auto

Pick Himself up from dojo after the beginner belt test

Pick car up from dealer with minimal damage to check book.

Stop at party store for table cloth, napkins for holy day table setting.

As the Eldest and I were getting into the car for her commute, Prissy called from across the street. Wanted me to go over when I got back.

I sighed deeply as this coffee klatch would cut a chunk out of the schedule. It’s far easier to go visit Prissy than to try to explain why I’m busy.

When I got to Prissy’s, she was crying hysterically into a dish towel. Crying is to mild a word. She was keening and couldn’t speak. The crying was reaching banshee levels, and I thought one of her children or grandchildren had died.

I kept asking what was wrong. She finally handed me a flashlight, pushed me towards the cellar door. I went downstairs with her following me still with her face buried in the dish towel.

“I don’t know where it’s coming from!” she blubbered.

In the dark recesses of the basement where the spiders lurk, I could see a large puddle of water on the floor. I bit my tongue. Yeah, the water on the floor was a pain in the butt, but nothing to cry hysterically over. Certainly, it deserved speaking in tongues, but not blubbering into a dish towel.

She pushed me toward the well pump. The foundation was soaked. I put my hand up to touch the wall. The light was so dim I couldn’t tell whether the wall was really wet or just discolored from age. Over the pump tank, I felt a fine spray of water on my hand and soon found a pinhole leak in the pipe that leads to the tank.

In between sniffles she tells me she called her children, but all they did was yell at her. They yelled at her to call a plumber. I had the same thought, but tried to keep my voice level and reassuring. What solves all sorts of problems? Duct tape.

I followed her upstairs to get the duct tape. She handed me a roll of electrical tape. I told her I’d go home to get the duct tape and for her to call the plumber.

When I got back, her daughter had arrived and was screaming and yelling at Prissy. Prissy had a small leak last year in one of the pipes over the washer. She had a few of the pipes replaced, but not all the pipes as her daughter told her she should. Prissy can be pennywise and pound foolish, a common OPD trait.

The daughter turned on me. “Duct tape isn’t going to work.”

I almost told her how well it would work if I took a piece and patched her mouth and then shoved the rest of the roll up….nevermind. I went downstairs with The Daughter hot on my heels. I patched the pipe. I went back upstairs and spoke to Prissy. Told her the patch would hold for a little while, but she needed to call a plumber and have him come over in the afternoon. I left as quickly as I could to the wails of Prissy and The Daughter’s yelling.

I tried to recapture lost time and got back to the pre-holy day chores. Not more than an hour went by when the phone rang. It was Prissy, and she wanted me to go over. I looked out the front window, saw the daughter had gone. I had just made a cup of tea so I told the Youngest I would be back on Tuesday and took my cup of tea across the street.

My first question was whether she had got hold of a plumber. When she nodded, I sat down, sipped my tea, and listened to how rotten kids can be. How she asks very little of them and how do they repay her? I nod sympathetically into my cup. Daughter screamed at her because of the leak and son gave her a hard time about coming to spread two yards of loam. After Prissy vented, I made my escape back to the pre-holy day obligations.

The Young One and I cleaned, dusted and vacuumed while watching “My Big Fat Greek Wedding” Just as we were leaving to pick up Sensei Himself. The phone rang. Prissy wanted to borrow a bicycle pump. Himself had some sort of foot operated pump, but this would be buried in the deepest, darkest recesses of the garage where the spiders lurk. I had already braved spiders for one day so told her didn’t have a pump. Not to mention the dealer was close to closing and I had to go pick up the car.

Himself had to listen to me vent on the ride up to the dealer. I’m amazed at the difference in the female generations. The need for someone else to solve the problem of the older generation. I’m glad I put the roll of duct tape on top of my black tool box, my purchased early by me Mother’s Day gift from Himself.