Some Life From The Past 7 Days

Here is our gal Izzy lying on the floor looking like she's drunk from a bowl of candy.

We were so worried she would be difficult as the trick or treaters came up to the door.

This being her first Halloween and all. As you can see she was thrilled.

It was warm so we pulled up a chair and sat at the door with the door opened. She sat and watched a few and then just laid down and fell asleep. The real little ones got a real kick out of it. The older kids asked if she was okay. I think they thought she was hurt or dead. Some asked if she was real. I guess they thought that was our scary Halloween bit - a dead dog in the foyer. That made us giggle. We even tried to get her to move but then she started snoring so we figured the kids would realize it was a real live breathing snoring dog.

This is our gal who can't let a delivery man or truck allow her to move. She will stop dead in her tracks if there is a delivery truck near by. She will stop and stare until they leave. She does not move, bark or annoy. She will just watch. She will watch the men like they are food. It's funny. This one just pulled over to the side - got in the back of the truck and moved boxes around and made a ton of noise. She just stared. He got back up front and drove away. Then, and only then, could we continue on our walk.

I've been up since 2:30a.m. It was a long, stressful, and ultimately good night/morning.

NINE (9) Long Years I have waited for this.... I love these guys!

2009 World Series Winners.

Part II

Rick walked into her home and she greeted him like a little kid.
She was jumping up and down and as he described it…..she is off her rocker and I couldn’t figure out why she was doing this. He still has no explanation of that behavior. (It just makes me laugh)

She told him that she will be downstairs if you need anything, anything at all. Just call me or come downstairs. He told her this repair wouldn’t take long and he went to work.
Because he does not mix chemicals in a customers home he does a lot of going in and out of their homes to his van to mix the chemicals.

Every time he went out the door she was standing at the side of the door when he came in with a barrage of questions. Do you need anything? Do you want a cup of coffee? Pop? Can I make you lunch? To all of these questions he said, “No thank you Diane I just need to work so I can make my next appointment on time.” (like that would make her back off)

He goes to work and as he is kneeling in front of the tub he turns around to get something out of his box of tools & she is standing there. Stealth Diane he called her.
It startled him and he asked her to leave because she should not be in the room when the chemicals are sprayed. To which she stated it didn’t matter she didn’t mind the smell.
He told her it mattered to him, so you will have to leave the room now. She said, “Gosh you are so kind.” How he doesn’t laugh I don’t know but then again being scared may have something to do with it. He closed the door and locked it.

He went in and out a couple more times to his truck for things and for mixing. She was always at the side of the door when he returned. Just out of sight enough so you couldn't see her when you opened the door at first. He said he actually had goose bumps he was so creped out.

When the job was completed he gave her the invoice and she held the check. She kept her hands over her mouth and acted as though she was horrified. He asked if it looked okay. She said it was wonderful, "You are such an artist".... and then she said, "Working with you has been shear joy." Shear Joy??? Oh c’mon who the hell says that to their contractor I ask you? Try to read that sentence and not laugh your ass off.

He said he literally grabbed the check from her hand since it didn't appear that she was going to fork it over. At that point he said he didn't care about being professional and then he ran out of there before she could try to hug or touch him. He called me from the truck and told me he does not ever want to go back there and if she calls please, please, please tell her we have no room on the schedule….EVER.

So last night when he went into the bathroom to pee I quietly walked in behind him and startled the shit out of him and I said, “You are such an artist when you pee and watching you gives me shear joy!”

Oooh, how that made him jump.
He didn’t find that funny AT ALL....Bad Wife.

My Favorite Expression

Two weeks ago I had a woman call our office for our services. Rick did the job and she wrote me an email saying that he did a fabulous job and thanked us again for getting she and her husband on the schedule so quickly (had a cancellation) and then all these niceties.

Now I don’t get those (niceties) often so you would think I would just love them and not complain. But something about this woman was a bit creepy. I thanked her and thought that was the end of it.

Then she wrote to me on Thursday and asked if she could speak to Rick.
I said he wasn’t in the office but I could help her.
She said, “No I need to speak with him.”
I told her I would page him and have him give her a call when he was able.

Now remember I do not tell people that I am Rick’s wife. They think I am just an employee who works here. I even go by my maiden name here. So keep that in mind.

Rick called her and then Rick calls me from the field to tell me that she is psycho and he thinks she is divorcing because she kept saying she wants this job done before her husband gets home and “that everything has changed in my life in the last two weeks”

He asked me if I could fit her in somewhere so he could drop by and see what needs done and get her on the schedule. "Why the hell couldn’t she just ask you Margaret? “
“Cause I think she’s hot for you “and we both laughed having no idea really.

I told him that his schedule looked like he could swing by there Friday afternoon in between appointments to see what is involved and if it’s as small as you say it sounds you may be able to do the job on Tuesday afternoon. So he told me that when she calls see if that will work for her. "I am not talking to her again - please deal with her for me okay?"

She did indeed call me immediately after I hung up with Rick.
I squeezed her in for the estimate on Friday as Rick and I talked about.
She was thankful I could do this on such short notice.
She thanked me over and over again and then went on a tirade about her hubby, complete with crying. Apparently he just came home one day and told her he didn’t want to be married anymore. She was surprised. He then left the next morning for California for a week. She got a realtor and she is trying to get the home ready to sell. It’s her dream home and yada yada yada…..whimper, whimper, whimper. TMI to me.

She said her husband is cheap and wouldn’t do all these things to fix up the house and she wanted them done before he came home to avoid him bitching a fit. She said he would complain to have to do it but if he doesn’t know it’s been done all the better.
I wanted to scream – I REALLY DON’T CARE LADY..
But I just muttered, Mmm, yes, etc.

Now on Friday Rick goes to do the estimate and then she calls me immediately upon his departure. (in the mean time Rick gets in his truck and tries to call me and gets voicemail because I’m on the phone with her!)

She wanted to book this ASAP and it must be before the dreaded hubby comes home from California. Then she went on this whole tangent on how wonderful Rick is. He is so sweet and handsome. His wife is so lucky. I wonder if she knows how lucky she is to have such a wonderful man in her life. He seems to be such a warm person and he is so good and kind that I know he will be rewarded. (Okay I am stifling a huge laugh here and it’s killing me!)


She then said, “I asked him for a hug and I think I scared him a bit and I just went for it.”
Now I am thinking, do I tell this nut job that I am his wife or what do I do?
I say nothing.
She repeats that he sure is sweet and cute. Okay already I get it!
I book the job for Tuesday – today.

Rick in the mean time has left me a voicemail while I’m on the phone with her to tell me to call him as soon as I get off the phone. I do.
He said, "OH MY GOD this woman is nuts. She started to cry and I put my hand on her shoulders which I know I shouldn’t have and she went in for a hug. I was standing there with my pen and invoices and my tools and I didn’t put my arms around her just stood there with my hands full. She is telling me stuff like I could give a shit. it was so odd and awkward you have no idea.....she's creepy man"

I am now laughing at him.

"I need a shower Margaret this isn’t funny."

He asked, “You know the worst part?”

“That you’re married?”

"No, Margaret that she is gross. Why don’t good looking young ladies do this to me?"

That is what you think is the worse part? Oh brother Rick.... What is wrong with her?"

"She’s been ridden hard and put away wet ya know?"

Ah, there it is…the expression that I had never heard of until I met him and it never fails to make me giggle.

“And she’s old.”

“What are you calling old, old man?”

"Well 60 is my guess.....maybe late 50’s but looks terrible. She has black hair that is like Elvira.
Not a shade found in nature you know? A smoker so her face is all crinkly. And no big boobs like Elvira or curves– she's just a scary homely stick!"

"Okay so what you’re telling me is if she was 25-40 and good looking I would have a reason to be worried."

"Well Bubbaloo…..not worried exactly….and he trails off like I won’t notice."

"Ah, laugh now funny boy she could be dangerous!"

"I know and that is what I'm worried about. I'm telling you she gives me the creeps and it's not becuase she is not nice looking but because she is just creepy."

So today he is at her house working on her master bath.
I called him and he sounded odd. It went like this…..

"Is she standing right there with you in the bathroom as you work?"

"Oh Yes, that’s right I can probably do it on this Saturday."

"Do I have to worry about finding rabbits or my dog boiling in my pot on the stove?"

"You may! I will call you when I leave here and head to the next job and we can figure the schedule as well as the proper top coat?"

"Sure, you’re making me laugh you know, like I’m a stranger."

"Yes,I know but I believe the low VOC top coat will have a lesser warranty."

"Are you scared?"

"A little bit. I’ll talk with you soon and we can discuss it then."

So blogger friends I’ll let you know what happened tomorrow.
I can’t wait until he leaves her house I know he will be calling me immediately.

M & M's and lousy baseball

Not a great day for me.

My team got their asses spanked last night & I have a new addiction..
M & M peanuts…..oh sure they are gluten free but not good for me.

My husband bought Halloween candy this year.
There is a damn good reason why he never has done this before.
I normally buy it every year and I buy candy I don’t like for a reason.
I buy Snickers, Reese peanut butter cups, Kit-kat bars other things I will not eat.
Normally we buy the full size bars from Costco but this year money is tight so we discussed buying Halloween size candy this year and not be as popular as in previous years on the block.

I guess since we discussed this he figured while he was at Costco picking up a Rx he could just pick some up….which is thoughtful kind of….
I really hate when Rick goes to Costco alone because they sell lots of stuff in big amounts. It’s a manly store with big ole sides of beef that he can’t walk away from and bricks of cheese the size of his head so when he walks in there he goes ape shit nuts.
But I digress…. I will tell you some of the escapades another time….back to Halloween.

Numbnuts brings home the variety pack of candy the size of Rhode Island from Costco.
Doesn’t he know that I can rummage through this until I find something I like?
Don’t you think after 22 years he would have figured out that I can hear candy call my name no matter how high you put this enormous bag? (I have step stools goof ball)

Yes I am short, 5’2” and hubby is 6’2” so he thinks if the candy is high I won’t eat it. HA!

The damn fool believed me when I told him that. But last night I kept hearing little whispers of, “Peggy eat me, eat me, up here, c’mon get me, Peggy eat me.”

How can you resist this I ask you?
(Honestly it wasn’t Rick saying those things either – he was already snoring in his chair)

So last night during the horrifically embarrassing game I hit that bag like a raccoon to a garbage can. He and the dog snored as I gained 5lbs from sugar and nuts.
So wonderful for my health issues I know. I ate 8 of them….8!! I am a pig.
While there may only be 4 in each of those mini bags that is still 32 chocolate covered peanuts I unconsciously ate while screaming at my TV.

I waddled upstairs feeling sick from M & M’s and my team’s lousy play.

I am feeling like shit today.

Anyone got any Ben and Jerry’s that may help settle my tummy?

Apple Pie ...part II

My sister wrote & asked me for this recipe after she read about it here.
Then a friend called and asked how to make this as well.
So my ugly but good pie is listed below.
I will write the directions as the recipe called for.
Then I will tell you what I did differently.

Now you are all assuming it’s good and I can’t tell you that because I can’t eat it.
You are going by my husband’s reaction.
He will eat anything…..that my friends is my disclaimer in case you all don’t like it.
BTW he has finished the whole pie as of last night.
I took it out of the oven at 4pm on Saturday and it was gone by Monday night all by himself.
If only women could eat like this....oh we can but then we look like a barn. Sigh.

INGREDIENTS
1 recipe pastry for a 9 inch double crust pie
1/2 cup unsalted butter
3 tablespoons all-purpose flour
1/4 cup water
1/2 cup white sugar
1/2 cup packed brown sugar
8 Granny Smith apples - peeled, cored and sliced

DIRECTIONS
1. Preheat oven to 425 degrees F (220 degrees C). Melt the butter in a saucepan. Stir in flour to form a paste. Add water, white sugar and brown sugar, and bring to a boil. Reduce temperature and let simmer.
2. Place the bottom crust in your pan. Fill with apples, mounded slightly. Cover with a lattice work of crust. Gently pour the sugar and butter liquid over the crust. Pour slowly so that it does not run off.
3. Bake 15 minutes in the preheated oven. Reduce the temperature to 350 degrees F. Continue baking for 35 to 45 minutes, until apples are soft.

Now here is what I did differently than above directions.

1. I used a Pillsbury frozen pie crusts that you roll out – I cheated!I brushed egg white on the bottom crust so that it didn’t get soggy.I added a tsp of cinnamon to the apples and didn’t think that was enough so I just put in more. How much more you ask? I have no idea – maybe another tsp. I also put in a pinch of nutmeg.
2. When it came to the syrup I took the ¼ cup water and removed 1 tsp of it and replaced that with 1 tsp of vanilla. My thinking was it would be the same amount of liquid.I also didn’t pour it over the apples once in the pie crust because I knew I wasn’t doing a lattice top– I mixed it in the apples in the big bowl and then transferred them all to the crust.
3. I didn’t make a lattice top crust. I left some of the syrup out and poured that over the top so I could still get the sugary crunchy top. I am guessing about ¼ c was left out and used on the top. Again though I am guessing. I have to admit I sometimes cook and bake like the old Italian women in my family. All of it done by eye balling it.

Now Tallulah I expect you to perfect this because you are the high priestess of baking and cooking unlike myself. I dabble in comparision.

As Julia would say, Bon Appetit!

Monday Morning Tidbits

• It’s fall and I am loving it. I walked the dog this morning and all the leaves were fragrant and the smell of the air was just…..well fall like. Reminds me of apples. I love everything about fall. The colors, the weather, the leaves, the energy I get from it all. It really has its own energy and it’s one I enjoy much more than summer. It truly is my favorite time of year.

• My boys of summer are now my boys of fall and heading into the World Series. I was up way past my bedtime to watch the final out and jump around my tv room like a crazy old woman. Honestly if someone was looking in my windows they would have seen a woman in her pj’s and high on ½ a pain killer jumping up and down and no one else in the room. Hubby and dog went to bed at a normal hour like normal people. I never said I was normal.
• I made Rick an apple pie. Since I have a gluten intolerance I can’t have any goodies but it sure did smell good. The way he has been eating it since Saturday I would say it was good. He moans when he eats it and that’s a good sign. He laughed when I told him I was going to try something a little different. You see I decided to try this recipe I saw. But I never completely follow a recipe. It didn’t have cinnamon or nutmeg and I wanted both in there. C’mon who doesn’t have cinnamon in your apple pie? Then there was this carmel-y sauce you make and pour over the apples and then again over the top of the lattice crust. I added vanilla to that sauce because well I thought it needed a tsp of that as well. I also didn’t do a lattice crust – and just poured it over the top. It made it sugary and crunchy and everything that Rick loves. He was in heaven. I so wanted to have a piece but I just smelled it. He told me this was by far the best apple pie he has ever eaten so I guess I’ll do this recipe again. That’s a big deal since his mother’s recipe is the one he always wanted me to make before. Not pretty but apparently very tasty.

• My shoulder is giving me a lot of pain. I am concerned because it is just like it was before my rotator cuff surgery. Not good. Yesterday the pain was so bad it made me cry. I fear that something happened to it again. I hung in there until evening when I couldn’t stand it anymore and broke a pain pill in ½ and took it. I hate pain pills. But it took the edge off and that helped me to sleep….some. Not enough though.
• I heard Rod Stewart on TV this morning. No matter what genre that man sings I just love him. Gosh he has to be 60 something by now too. He looks great. I am sure he has had work done but he doesn’t look disfigured you know? I just saw a trailer of a new black comedy with Meg Ryan that looks great to me. But the whole time I just kept staring at her face. Why she did this to herself is beyond me. I too would love to look like I did at 25 but I have never seen anyone be able to without looking odd or disfigured so I guess I’ll just grow old and not I’m sure not gracefully either……going into old age kicking and screaming like I’m doing today.

Depression.

I read a lot of blogs and have noticed a common theme amongst them of late.
Everyone is depressed.

Is it the season? Is it the economy? Is it much deeper than that? I wonder.
Perhaps depressed people write more?

My first thought on reading one today was that I too was depressed when I lived in that part of the world. And the therapists I found there were most unhelpful, unconventional but not helpful by any stretch of the imagination.
So, I wondered if you get depressed living there or do depressed people find their way there?

Then I remembered a friend who lived in Pa. She had SAD, sun affected disorder. It’s that time of year and maybe that is what is causing all the depression.
Could it be that easy? Is it ever that easy?

Doctors don’t know shit about this trust me.
I remember when I had the world by the ass. Wonderful marriage, loved my job, making buckets of $$ and yet I could burst into tears at moments notice.
I couldn't understand why I was in this very dark and alone place.
No sleep, a walking zombie of depression. But my doctor kept insisting there must be something wrong with my marriage. The asshole had me leave with a box of anti-depressants and said, "this will help you." Ah the magic pill which I took.
I felt even worse. When I called his office to tell him that I hadn’t slept in 2 days because of the effect of these he told me, “but you feel better overall don’t you?” WTF?
Come to find out it was my thyroid which every numb nut said was normal.
I hate doctors but you all know that.

So why are so many of us depressed when we seem to have it all?
I don’t like my job, I make no money at said job and I have a wonderful hubby and we are stressed beyong belief with finances right now yet I’m not clinically depressed although a smart person sure as hell should be.

Why do so many women most of all get undiagnosed? Why are we made to feel less than if we do open up and say, “Hey things aren’t working for me right now.”
Why is this such a stigma?
If my heart didn’t work there is no stigma.
It’s an organ it’s not working properly end of story.
My brain is an organ too. If it’s not working properly then why is that a stigma and not workable? Just putting it out there. Got an answer?

Monday Mornings

Not a fan of mornings....any morning honestly.

I am not a morning person as my husband and dog are. Hubby wakes up all happy and talky and I want so scream at him but I remember I don't like to talk in the morning. If he had a tail like Izzy they both would be wagging like crazy in the morning. Both to drive me nuts I swear. How does one wake up like that?

I remember the 1st time I spent the night with him waaaay back in the day. That first night I remember thinking this guy is nuts, his water bed is set to 80 degrees and I'm dying here. I kept opening the window and there was a foot or more of snow and he kept getting up and closing the window. But it was worse come morning.

He got up humming! Humming I tell you!! Whistle while you work sort of thing.
Who the hell does that I ask you?
He was all perky and talking and singing his little song.
I wanted to just get dressed and go home.
But he was having none of that. He just kept talking and asking questions as I slowly moved about looking for my clothes off the floor.

Can't I make you something to eat?
Or would you prefer to go out to get breakfast?
God it's a beautiful day isn't it?
Wanna go to the beach this afternoon?
We can cross country ski or walk on the paths?
Do you have plans today?
Are you mad or something?
Cat got your tongue?
You are okay aren't you?
C'mon let's go get some breakfast on Peach.

OMG I WILL DO ANYTHING IF YOU PROMISE TO STOP TALKING AND HUMMING is what I am thinking but I say nothing and barely make my lips curl up to a smile.

You're not a morning person are you?

Ya think?
Do you get up this happy every morning?

Of course it's morning. What's not to be happy about?

Oh my God I wanted to crawl back into bed with the covers over my head but we all know his bed was hot as hell and the window was closed.
A good lay can only take get you so far is what the song in my head is playing!

He hasn't changed in all these years either only now he has a dog to talk to in the morning. Bad thing is he talks to her about me like I can't hear him.

Mommy is cranky in the morning isn't she Izzy?
She's no fun like we are is she?
It's going to be a beautiful day today too.
Do you want to go for a walk and let Mrs. Cranky Pants wake up and finish her coffee?
Maybe we'll get her to smile by the time we get back.

I guess he thinks this will make me feel better, or talk or smile but really.....
They leave and I swear if I had the engery I would do a happy dance but I might spill my coffee.

I need to just sit and enjoy the quiet non humming home.

This just makes me happy.....deal with it.

Tonight is the 1st game of the playoff's before the World Series.
I will be on the edge of my seat all night. I hope it will be a happy ending.
This is now my life for the next few weeks.
It's a sickness that has no cure....and I love it!
I can not even articulate how much this means to me.
Here comes #27!!!!!!!!!!

This makes me want to move to Canada......again

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2009/10/15/jon-stewart-takes-on-30-r_n_321985.html

Brrrrrr........

Okay those of us in the East and North are freezing our asses off right about now.
Man it's cold. And yes I am a wuss.

Our average temp at this time of year is 68. I even looked it up to be sure it wasn't wishful thinking. It's going to be a high today of 47. It's pouring rain and it's dark out. Jeez this is early isn't it? Kind of like Seattle weather as I remember it.

So here I sit in fleece in October for heaven's sake. I can't imagine my boys of summer will be be able to play ball this Friday night in this weather.
Halloween should be a hoot just like where I grew up....only without the snow.
It always seemed to snow on halloween when I was growing up but honestly it just always snowed up there period.

Last year here we sat out on the porch with our lawn chairs and cocktails and handed out candy to the kids. I love halloween. I love seeing all the kids and I love the chocolate.....hey I bought it.

I remember having what I thought was the most beautiful halloween costume of my whole life.
I guess I was about 6-7 yrs old. It was a fairy costume. White dress with sparkles & big sparkly wings and I wanted to wear this outfit all the time. Yes, I was a fru-fru little girl. (and still am I love me some sparkly) How I loved these wings. That is what I remember most.

It snowed a few feet and I had to have on my snow pants and boots and I thought that was quite enough. But noooooo, my mom wanted me in a coat, scarf up to my nose, hat and gloves.
I really didn't mind the gloves I could still hold my sparkly wand with gloves.
But to cover up my wings?

I am a ole menopausal woman now and I remember this like it was yesterday.
I sure as hell can't find my car in the mall parking lot on most days, but I remember this vividly.
I cried like crazy. I wanted people to see my sparkly wings!!!! I was told that if I kept up this behavior I wouldn't go at all. The idea of no wings AND no chocolate was more than my 6 year old self could handle so I behaved.....kind of.

I know I was wimpering when my coat had to be put on. Just as we were leaving my Mom's sister showed up. My Aunt Dee Dee was a spoiler. I mean to say she spoiled my sister and I like you wouldn't believe. She had no children and being with Aunt Dee Dee was always so much fun to my sister and I. Dee Dee walked in and saw us all wrapped up in snow clothes and said to my Mom, "where are their costumes?" I immediatley asked if I could show Aunt Dee Dee my fairy wings. So off comes the coat and scarf. She makes a fuss just like I wanted.
She asked my mom, "why don't you just cut them off and put them on the coat?"
My mom responded with, "The way they are attached it will rip her costume."
My Aunt said the magicial words, "So what, it's not like she'll be able to fit in this next year right?" At which point I jumped up and down and said, "Yes, mom pleeaaaasssse!"

I don't know how Dee Dee did it but my mom gave in. Dee Dee winked at me and I hugged her.
My mom uttered something about "your Aunt Dee......
So the brat I am got to have my wings on the outside of my snow suit. You could only see my eyes, my wand and my wings but I just didn't care!! I wish I could find a photo of that because that would be a hoot. I know it must have looked completely ridiculous but I was happy as any kid could be on halloween - 2 feet of snow or not!

Toxic People

Toxic People don't know they are toxic.
Negative people don't think they are negative.

Would they see it if they were shown hours of video with their comments and behavior?
You know like the surprised targets see their ugly clothing choices on What Not To Wear?

Something happened to me when I turned 40.
Yes, something other than my tits and ass falling that is.
I started to not be a people pleasing person. I no longer was going to say YES, when I really wanted to say NO. It was truly one of the most difficult things to do. Yes, even more difficult than eliminating carbs or trying on a bathing suit in winter with those glaring flourescent lights!

I started slowly. I found saying No was uncomfortable. I would squirm. But I continued.
I found the uncomfortable place was better than saying yes to do something I couldn't do and then going home to bitch to my husband about how dare they ask me to do this. So I realized that Dr. Phil did say one thing in his life that made sense - people treat you the way you allow them to treat you. I was being walked on because I was afraid if I didn't let them they wouldn't like me. So began my era of "people treat me the way I allow them to treat me."
That became my mantra as I continued to forge ahead with my No's. Oh my family was the worst. I was a bitch they would say. I heard it all. But I stuck to my guns. Even though some of those times made me cry I was determined.

I will bend over backwards for family and friends but I am finding that most will just suck the life out of you if you let them. So are those really friends? I mean c'mon we all know family we're stuck with good and bad. But "friends"? We don't have a lot of options here. We can talk to them. We can try to explain our point of view. Perhaps a when you do this it makes me feel like XYZ. But if they don't understand and continue to do this then is it time to move on or is that mean?

I have chosen to move on. Life for me has been a lot of highs and lows like for most people. Right now I don't need all the negativity. I also don't need the bullshit.
I am straight up no chaser for God's sake - c'mon I don't like bullshit.
One does not have to be hurtful to be honest. That can't be said enough - "you can be honest without being hurtful" repeat after me.

I wrote an email awhile back to some friends as a joke. I know if I posted it here ya'll would comment on the humor or comment in kind with your witty retorts. However I got one back that was negative. One. Normally I would have let it go but it was the straw that broke this camels back.

When discussing this with the person I told her there were 2 but there was only her negativity. I wanted to open dialog. This had been going on for a long time. (my husband pointed out when she was visiting how everything no matter how mundane became a negative comment from her) I was now tired of it to be honest. But I wanted to show her that she didn't have to go there but how? I mentioned that it was a joke she realized that right? oh she did she said. I asked if she could explain why she said what she did then to me I was puzzled. She went on a negative tirade. I realized right then that there was nothing I could say so why say more. She was exhausting and I was tired. I left it float there and I said nothing more. I ended the conversation and in my mind the friendship to. It made me step back and look at all the things said over the years and all the snarky comments said I realized I had to purge this and I did. I sometimes still feel badly but mostly not. She insisted there was a positive comment at the end that I was overlooking. And God love her she was correct and I told her that and that was all I said.
She didn't get it so what point was there of pointing that out to her. It did make me laugh though. The equalivant would be, "You are a Big, Fat, Stupid, Low Class White Trash Piece of Shit, but your hair looks kind of nice." What you didn't hear me tell you your hair looked nice?
That kind of thing.

So I have moved on. You are asking, so why the hell did that come up today?
Because today I saw a quote that read....
Toxic relationships are like broken glass. It’s better to leave them broken...than hurt yourself trying to fix it.

Now if only family members could stop finding ways to suck the life out of me from miles and miles away.

Fall

As you can see by the new header I was at the lake this weekend.

The water was cold (65) the air was crisp (67) and the water was like glass. Great for boating and there were a lot of other boaters doing the same. I love boating this time of year because the leaves are falling and it smells great, you see a whole lot more of everything because the trees are thinning out. Izzy loved all the ducks she saw, that kept her perched up front of the boat watching them all.

It's that sad time of year when the hammock comes down and all the outside furniture comes in or gets covered. The refridgerator and cupboards are emptied and it just makes me sad.

Izzy was in heaven and swam her little head off. She didn't think it was that cold. Brrr....

It's funny but I actually feel badly for her that she has nothing but a city dogs life for the next few cold months. She is so free there, no leashes, running so hard her ears are back and being able to smell everything and anything. Her tail is in constant motion she is so happy. And she sleeps a lot there as well from all the exercise.

Rick and I feel the same. I swear as soon as we pull into the driveway our blood pressure lowers and it's so relaxing. I love the smell of all the trees and fall leaves. It's a bitch to rake an acre of trees but the smell is the best. We did a lot of work on the house and getting things ready for winter but we also had a wonderful time. We drank a lot of wine Saturday while working which I must confess makes for a lot more laughter and fun for tedious jobs that neither of us wanted to tackle.

And then late afternoon on a beautiful Saturday we hunkered down together into the double hammock wrapped in a comforter and had a wine nap, a full 2 1/2 hour wine together with Izzy sleeping by the side of the hammock the whole time with us. She was swimmer dog tired, we were just buzzed in the middle of the afternoon.....life is great.

Now back to city life....kicking and screaming all the way.

One of My Favorite little Trails...by Izzy

Here is a photo of where those snorting deer jumped out at me and Mom that I told you all about a few days ago......

This is me just being pretty staring at the pond that my mean parents won't let me jump in.

This isn't the pond that gave me swamp eye so I don't get it why I can't go in there.

Honestly. Parents!

This below is just me watching some birds.... can you see how dark my winter coat has come in?

My summer highlights are all gone on the top of my head.

For some reason that makes mommy sad - she's nutty, I'm just a dog and I roll in poop so who cares.

Can you see the place they shaved my leg for the IV?

It's itchy and so is my belly that they shaved. I am not happy about any of that but they told me I had to because they didn't want little Izzy's around. I don't see why not they tell me I'm a good girl why not lots of me????