Continuing on Wednesdays post of living in that old flat of my Aunts when I was a young person.
My Aunt never would allow us to park in her driveway. We had to do street parking. But in this town with all its snow there are even/odd parking days for snow removal in the city.
This was only for certain times of the year and it was clearly posted on the sign right in front of our apartment.
So on an even day like March 4th, you could park on our side of the street.
On March 5th you would have to park on the opposite side of the street.
When I tell people this they furrow their brow and think it is odd.
And I get that.
But think about those 150+ inches of snow a year. You must be able to plow and right up to the curb. You must be able to plow so people can get out. People did not miss school or work due to 35 inches of snow that fell overnight - NEVER happened.
Snow removal there is a well-oiled machine there because it had to be.
Unlike where I live now and schools are closed on the possible threat of a storm of 1 - 2 inches. Wussies.
Rick was always parking on the wrong side.
He ran home once to pee and change his shirt and ran back out to his car.
In those 5 minutes, he got a ticket.
This man has his vehicle "booted" so many times he made friends with the boot cop.
We were sitting in the Sunroom one day and Rick looks out the window and says, "Ah damn it, the boot cop is here"
Oh, Richard not again!
So Rick yells out the window and waves to him.
The cop laughs and waves.
They chatted from the window. He and Rick built a relationship over the years.
One evening after work we went to our favorite pub for a quick dinner and drinks. Who walks in? The Boot Cop.
He sees Rick and Rick sees him at the same time.
They acted like they were long lost friends.
The boot cop bought Rick a beer. Rick said for all the money he has in tickets he should buy him a beer.
The guy was so nice but seriously Rick has issues with this parking.
He'd forget he had a ticket. He'd shove it in the glove box. I gave up saying anything to him about it. We were not married and this was before there was "our" money. He had his money and I had mine. I was not going to mother him he was an adult. If he wanted to spend all his money giving it to the city for parking fines so be it.
When we were moving Rick saw the boot cop down the street.
Rick told him we were moving but I'm sure the next tenant would keep him busy in front of our old apartment. They actually shook hands and said their goodbyes. I found that all very humorous.
Who makes friends with their boot cop?
Then again, who the hell forgets they have tickets so many times that they get the boot?
Friday, February 28, 2020
Thursday, February 27, 2020
Advancements
I just learned that Audible is now doing series types of shows and I was gobsmacked. Then again this may not be news to the rest of you just not to little ole me.
For those who don't know Audible, it is an app to listen to audiobooks. That was all I knew it was until yesterday. They also have audio versions of magazines and newspapers. What I didn't know was that they had original programs that are like theatre/TV shows on the radio. Is it 1945?
Does anyone see this as advancement? Great yes. Advancement not so much to me. Didn't my parents listen to shows on the radio? I guess because it's the internet and not on the "radio" this is considered new.
I absolutely loved listening to those stories or series on the radio.
When we would drive from PA to Vermont every year there was a channel that we knew of once we got close to Albany. (this was the 70s)
Each time we'd locate the channel we'd wait for a new story.
We loved it while driving for 8 hrs. We laughed at ourselves at the time because to us this was what our grandparents and parents had to do.
But now it was "fun" We even sat in the parking lot of a steak house waiting for the story to be over before we could go in to eat.
So maybe the millennials are finding it fun too and frankly, I don't blame them.
Here is what I learned from a young person yesterday.
They offer original programming with theatre, comedy and mainstream stories and mysteries where you listen to this as if it were TV being read.
I do not have audible so I don't know if this is true. I googled it and got a variety of answers so it must be true, everything on the internet is true right?
Do you have Audible and is what I was just told indeed correct?
If it is true, then my mom's saying of, "Everything old is new again" really applies here don't you think?
For those who don't know Audible, it is an app to listen to audiobooks. That was all I knew it was until yesterday. They also have audio versions of magazines and newspapers. What I didn't know was that they had original programs that are like theatre/TV shows on the radio. Is it 1945?
Does anyone see this as advancement? Great yes. Advancement not so much to me. Didn't my parents listen to shows on the radio? I guess because it's the internet and not on the "radio" this is considered new.
I absolutely loved listening to those stories or series on the radio.
When we would drive from PA to Vermont every year there was a channel that we knew of once we got close to Albany. (this was the 70s)
Each time we'd locate the channel we'd wait for a new story.
We loved it while driving for 8 hrs. We laughed at ourselves at the time because to us this was what our grandparents and parents had to do.
But now it was "fun" We even sat in the parking lot of a steak house waiting for the story to be over before we could go in to eat.
So maybe the millennials are finding it fun too and frankly, I don't blame them.
Here is what I learned from a young person yesterday.
They offer original programming with theatre, comedy and mainstream stories and mysteries where you listen to this as if it were TV being read.
I do not have audible so I don't know if this is true. I googled it and got a variety of answers so it must be true, everything on the internet is true right?
Do you have Audible and is what I was just told indeed correct?
If it is true, then my mom's saying of, "Everything old is new again" really applies here don't you think?
Wednesday, February 26, 2020
Trains.
I read a post about trains then I went to another blog I follow and it was about trains. So I am copying. I know I've written about a lot of this before but I had a lot of newbies so I am going to repeat.
When Rick and I first moved in together we lived in a flat that my aunt owned.
It was 10 blocks from railroad tracks. But boy could we hear the trains as if they were just on the corner.
Every morning at 7:15a the train would come through and the whistle would blow a few times and bam, we're up! That was our alarm back in the day.
God how I hated that damn train in the morning. Someone told me that when the trains go through a city or intersection they must 'honk' as they are going through. Gee, what is the term for the noise they make when they go through a town? Honking does not sound correct.
But you hopefully get my point.
It was going through the city and it honked a lot!
It went through town later on the weekends.
But if you think that would give us a break - you are incorrect.
We were so darn lucky that we lived diagonally from a Catholic Church, who's bells rang on Sunday morning.
There was no sleeping in late at this place.
Besides we lived with ghosts who loved to mess with us.
I googled the old home and saw this photo. Boy the house was old and in need of repair back in the day, this looks far worse. This was from 2020 google street view. The sidewalks are a mess. Oh my, this has not aged well. Note how close the white house is to us on the right. Our bedroom windows faced each other. You will understand this in a minute.
We used the door on the left. You went upstairs and at the top of the stairs was a door that led you right into the dining room. The front of this house has a lot of windows on the 2nd floor - that was a sunroom. It had hardwood floors and when we lived there together it was filled with both of our plants and Rick's ugly living room furniture. Oh, it wasn't that ugly, just a little ugly and dated, but I wanted my big brand new L shape sofa in the living room where we watched TV.
I had to be diplomatic with Rick. I didn't want him to think I was getting rid of all his stuff. Just the boy stuff, like the sepia photo of an old-time woman getting out of a barrel of water and she was naked. Nope, not in my bathroom.
Or as Rick called it, "I girled up the place" Yes sir I did. I lived in this home first and then when I moved to Ohio he loved the place so he rented after me. When I was downsized I went back to my hometown for a year or two and lived with Rick in this flat.
In this house, we were in an old ethnic neighborhood that at one time was really very nice. But as it happens in older cities the old die, the young more to the burbs and the inner-city neighborhoods begin to deteriorate. I would so love to be able to fix a block at a time. But I digress...
This place needed a lot of help and my Aunt would do nothing to fix it.
Since our rent was only $250 a month we did it all. We gutted the bathroom and remodeled it. We tore up the green carpets and refinished the wood floors.
We laid new tile in the kitchen. Yes, we did do a lot. But she only charged us $250 a month. C'mon. We made it look and feel more like us. She didn't care what we did, as long as she wasn't paying.
We were so darn close to that white house you see on the right.
It was an old man named Stanley.
He lived alone. He was very very nosey.
He was gruff until you gave him food. I found the way to his heart - cookies.
He made comments about everything. And if he could make you feel badly about yourself he'd behave like he was doing his job and won the lottery.
When I lived there alone before Rick I walked 3 blocks to my friend Mike's house. Stanley was sitting on his porch chair reading the paper. Honest to God I don't think he read the paper. I think he sat there to see what was going on in the neighborhood and he held the paper to try to fool everyone. No one was fooled. He knew everyone's business on the block.
As I left my house with a bag of goodies I was about to head south 3 blocks on foot. Stanley yells to me, "Your sunroof is open" I said, "thanks but I'll be back soon" He never smiles when he says anything to you either. He was an odd duck.
Well, I get to Michaels and our friend Mark is there. We put on some music and made some Bahama Mamas from the liquor I just brought back from Nassau Bahamas. I ended up falling asleep on Mikes's sofa. I woke up with a blanket on me and I realized it was like 7am. Ooops. I left Mike a note and headed home.
As I am approaching my home Stanley is on the porch in his chair with his paper. All he said was, "Your sunroof is still open" But with a smirk. AH HA, that is almost a smile. So making me shameful makes you happy huh Stanley?
Why did he make me feel so guilty? I was 29 years old! I smiled and said, "yes it is" and walked into my house in the same clothes he saw me leave in and although I did nothing wrong I felt like it was the walk of shame.
While living there with Rick we found him many times eavesdropping and such on us. He was always in our business. Once when closing my bedroom drapes I saw him with his ear to the screen. Literally, his ear was pressed against the screen. Because there was no air in this house, closing up the windows in the summer was not really something we wanted to do.
But he didn't make this easy.
One day I hear Rick in the bedroom talking. Who could he be talking to the ghosts? As I walk down the hall I hear him clap his hands and say, "oh yea, hit me again, oh yea, slap my ass and call me Sally"
Now I am standing in the room and see that he is sitting on the floor in front of the window saying this outside. Clapping his hands and saying the most awful things but it was making me laugh.
I ask the normal question, "What the hell are you doing?"
He shh's me. Then he gets up and pushes me out into the hall before he begins to talk.
Stanley, he tells me has his ear against the window listening to me. I figured why not give him something to talk about?
Oh My God, so he thinks I am smacking you and you're loving it?
Yes, that is correct.
You are a very sick man Rick.
I shake my head and leave him to his game.
This house was a time in our lives that we have such great memories.
The ghosts and scary shit to boot. It's where I made the vow to Rick that I would do his laundry for the rest of his life with no qualms if he did the laundry in this scary basement. After something tapped my shoulder and I twisted my ankle running up the steps I never went back down there - ever!
We had so many fun times there.
The annual Cousins Party was held here. So many family get-togethers.
Once I had my mom and dad and cousins over to play cards. We always invited my parents because they are fun.
My dad was always up for a good time.
This apple didn't fall far from the tree. 😃
Rick and I made a kick-ass punch. Soaked the fruit in alcohol all day.
My mom got lit. She stood up to tell a story while we all were around the dining table. She literally slides down the wall. Jumped up and continued as if nothing had happened. We were all laughing so hard we were crying. My father says, "That's your mom Peg" I said, "technically Dad she's your wife."
That made everyone laugh harder. But mom kept saying, this fruit is so good. This was probably around 1989. My stepmom was only about 47 at this time. I always thought of her as old. HA. She called me the next day and asked what the hell was in that fruit she couldn't stop eating. Alcohol mother, alcohol.
She must have said that evening, Ooh this fruit is so good a few hundred times!
It all makes me laugh to this day.
When Rick and I first moved in together we lived in a flat that my aunt owned.
It was 10 blocks from railroad tracks. But boy could we hear the trains as if they were just on the corner.
Every morning at 7:15a the train would come through and the whistle would blow a few times and bam, we're up! That was our alarm back in the day.
God how I hated that damn train in the morning. Someone told me that when the trains go through a city or intersection they must 'honk' as they are going through. Gee, what is the term for the noise they make when they go through a town? Honking does not sound correct.
But you hopefully get my point.
It was going through the city and it honked a lot!
It went through town later on the weekends.
But if you think that would give us a break - you are incorrect.
We were so darn lucky that we lived diagonally from a Catholic Church, who's bells rang on Sunday morning.
There was no sleeping in late at this place.
Besides we lived with ghosts who loved to mess with us.
I googled the old home and saw this photo. Boy the house was old and in need of repair back in the day, this looks far worse. This was from 2020 google street view. The sidewalks are a mess. Oh my, this has not aged well. Note how close the white house is to us on the right. Our bedroom windows faced each other. You will understand this in a minute.
We used the door on the left. You went upstairs and at the top of the stairs was a door that led you right into the dining room. The front of this house has a lot of windows on the 2nd floor - that was a sunroom. It had hardwood floors and when we lived there together it was filled with both of our plants and Rick's ugly living room furniture. Oh, it wasn't that ugly, just a little ugly and dated, but I wanted my big brand new L shape sofa in the living room where we watched TV.
I had to be diplomatic with Rick. I didn't want him to think I was getting rid of all his stuff. Just the boy stuff, like the sepia photo of an old-time woman getting out of a barrel of water and she was naked. Nope, not in my bathroom.
Or as Rick called it, "I girled up the place" Yes sir I did. I lived in this home first and then when I moved to Ohio he loved the place so he rented after me. When I was downsized I went back to my hometown for a year or two and lived with Rick in this flat.
In this house, we were in an old ethnic neighborhood that at one time was really very nice. But as it happens in older cities the old die, the young more to the burbs and the inner-city neighborhoods begin to deteriorate. I would so love to be able to fix a block at a time. But I digress...
This place needed a lot of help and my Aunt would do nothing to fix it.
Since our rent was only $250 a month we did it all. We gutted the bathroom and remodeled it. We tore up the green carpets and refinished the wood floors.
We laid new tile in the kitchen. Yes, we did do a lot. But she only charged us $250 a month. C'mon. We made it look and feel more like us. She didn't care what we did, as long as she wasn't paying.
We were so darn close to that white house you see on the right.
It was an old man named Stanley.
He lived alone. He was very very nosey.
He was gruff until you gave him food. I found the way to his heart - cookies.
He made comments about everything. And if he could make you feel badly about yourself he'd behave like he was doing his job and won the lottery.
When I lived there alone before Rick I walked 3 blocks to my friend Mike's house. Stanley was sitting on his porch chair reading the paper. Honest to God I don't think he read the paper. I think he sat there to see what was going on in the neighborhood and he held the paper to try to fool everyone. No one was fooled. He knew everyone's business on the block.
As I left my house with a bag of goodies I was about to head south 3 blocks on foot. Stanley yells to me, "Your sunroof is open" I said, "thanks but I'll be back soon" He never smiles when he says anything to you either. He was an odd duck.
Well, I get to Michaels and our friend Mark is there. We put on some music and made some Bahama Mamas from the liquor I just brought back from Nassau Bahamas. I ended up falling asleep on Mikes's sofa. I woke up with a blanket on me and I realized it was like 7am. Ooops. I left Mike a note and headed home.
As I am approaching my home Stanley is on the porch in his chair with his paper. All he said was, "Your sunroof is still open" But with a smirk. AH HA, that is almost a smile. So making me shameful makes you happy huh Stanley?
Why did he make me feel so guilty? I was 29 years old! I smiled and said, "yes it is" and walked into my house in the same clothes he saw me leave in and although I did nothing wrong I felt like it was the walk of shame.
While living there with Rick we found him many times eavesdropping and such on us. He was always in our business. Once when closing my bedroom drapes I saw him with his ear to the screen. Literally, his ear was pressed against the screen. Because there was no air in this house, closing up the windows in the summer was not really something we wanted to do.
But he didn't make this easy.
One day I hear Rick in the bedroom talking. Who could he be talking to the ghosts? As I walk down the hall I hear him clap his hands and say, "oh yea, hit me again, oh yea, slap my ass and call me Sally"
Now I am standing in the room and see that he is sitting on the floor in front of the window saying this outside. Clapping his hands and saying the most awful things but it was making me laugh.
I ask the normal question, "What the hell are you doing?"
He shh's me. Then he gets up and pushes me out into the hall before he begins to talk.
Stanley, he tells me has his ear against the window listening to me. I figured why not give him something to talk about?
Oh My God, so he thinks I am smacking you and you're loving it?
Yes, that is correct.
You are a very sick man Rick.
I shake my head and leave him to his game.
This house was a time in our lives that we have such great memories.
The ghosts and scary shit to boot. It's where I made the vow to Rick that I would do his laundry for the rest of his life with no qualms if he did the laundry in this scary basement. After something tapped my shoulder and I twisted my ankle running up the steps I never went back down there - ever!
We had so many fun times there.
The annual Cousins Party was held here. So many family get-togethers.
Once I had my mom and dad and cousins over to play cards. We always invited my parents because they are fun.
My dad was always up for a good time.
This apple didn't fall far from the tree. 😃
Rick and I made a kick-ass punch. Soaked the fruit in alcohol all day.
My mom got lit. She stood up to tell a story while we all were around the dining table. She literally slides down the wall. Jumped up and continued as if nothing had happened. We were all laughing so hard we were crying. My father says, "That's your mom Peg" I said, "technically Dad she's your wife."
That made everyone laugh harder. But mom kept saying, this fruit is so good. This was probably around 1989. My stepmom was only about 47 at this time. I always thought of her as old. HA. She called me the next day and asked what the hell was in that fruit she couldn't stop eating. Alcohol mother, alcohol.
She must have said that evening, Ooh this fruit is so good a few hundred times!
It all makes me laugh to this day.
Tuesday, February 25, 2020
I got nothin'
I got nothin' today so laugh along with Bill Engvall and tap your feet to a young Johnny Lang.
Part 2
Part 2
Monday, February 24, 2020
Giving up my cell.
Rick and I have found ourselves using our phones too much in the evening.
Then the dreaded thing happened.
The other night I was googling something on my phone and Rick was watching/learning new techniques with acrylics.
Poor Izzy was sitting upright in front of us both staring at us.
I looked up and saw her staring at us.
That was all it took.
I said to him, please put down the phone. He saw what I saw.
We 3 got up and went for a walk to the pond.
We have been doing the phone thing more and more. We don't like it.
After our walk and discussion, we decided to go cell phone free for 1 full day.
During the business week, we both need our phones to communicate.
He will text me as he did this morning to add something to the bid and resend to the company. I text him about a customer he is seeing this afternoon who wanted to change the time by 30 minutes. So we knew things like that go on all day and we wouldn't be able to not use our phones.
We thought we'd try this on Saturday.
Phones were checked and then turned off.
Before I did that I called my mom and was sure she was okay and got caught up.
Then off went the phones. (If an emergency call was needed to get through my family knew to call our office landline)
But then just as Rick was about to turn his off the vet called us.
Izzy's surgery is coming up and he wanted to go over some things with us.
Shortly after the vets call we got a call from the pharmacy about Rick's Rx. We decided that Saturday would not be a good day to turn off our phones.
I deactivated my Facebook about a month ago. Same with Instagram.
(I deleted twitter when we got this imbecile in office)
Sunday morning text my mom that I was doing it another day. (didn't want to have her call and get worried)
No comments from the blog would hit my phone, no emails, no Instagram.
Nothing but my immediate family and life without a cell phone.
We did find there were a few times we would have reached for them.
We were watching a movie and discussing how old this person was.
Rick said, "just google it." I said, "okay" reaching for my phone and then said, "no can do until tomorrow"
Oh yeah.
Frankly, there were a couple of times I wanted to pick it up but when I thought about the reason it was not something that was important or couldn't wait until I was back on the computer and cell on Monday.
Every Sunday we are going to do this to start. We may find we wish to do it more or another day. We are just playing it by ear right now and see what moves us. But we didn't like our behavior and wanted to nip it in the bud as Barney Fife would say to Andy Griffith. (Nip It Nip It, Nip it in the bud Andy)
It was eye-opening how often we are on them. I don't want to be that person who is always on her phone and not looking up.
Nothing is that important honestly.
I see family members and friends always on them and not interacting with people and losing social skills. It's not pretty. I don't want to be those people.
I survived no computer and no cell for a full 24 hr period.
We are going for the trifecta to remove the TV on the same day as well.
Then Rick reminded me that baseball is on Sundays.
Damn it. Okay, I may have to rethink this now that it is baseball season.
My team stinks so maybe it will be helpful. I can still record it and watch it later. Since not on TV or my cell I won't know who won.
Could you do it for a day?
I'm giving it the ole college try!
It may be an epic fail but it is too important to us not to try.
Then the dreaded thing happened.
The other night I was googling something on my phone and Rick was watching/learning new techniques with acrylics.
Poor Izzy was sitting upright in front of us both staring at us.
I looked up and saw her staring at us.
That was all it took.
I said to him, please put down the phone. He saw what I saw.
We 3 got up and went for a walk to the pond.
We have been doing the phone thing more and more. We don't like it.
After our walk and discussion, we decided to go cell phone free for 1 full day.
During the business week, we both need our phones to communicate.
He will text me as he did this morning to add something to the bid and resend to the company. I text him about a customer he is seeing this afternoon who wanted to change the time by 30 minutes. So we knew things like that go on all day and we wouldn't be able to not use our phones.
We thought we'd try this on Saturday.
Phones were checked and then turned off.
Before I did that I called my mom and was sure she was okay and got caught up.
Then off went the phones. (If an emergency call was needed to get through my family knew to call our office landline)
But then just as Rick was about to turn his off the vet called us.
Izzy's surgery is coming up and he wanted to go over some things with us.
Shortly after the vets call we got a call from the pharmacy about Rick's Rx. We decided that Saturday would not be a good day to turn off our phones.
I deactivated my Facebook about a month ago. Same with Instagram.
(I deleted twitter when we got this imbecile in office)
Sunday morning text my mom that I was doing it another day. (didn't want to have her call and get worried)
No comments from the blog would hit my phone, no emails, no Instagram.
Nothing but my immediate family and life without a cell phone.
We did find there were a few times we would have reached for them.
We were watching a movie and discussing how old this person was.
Rick said, "just google it." I said, "okay" reaching for my phone and then said, "no can do until tomorrow"
Oh yeah.
Frankly, there were a couple of times I wanted to pick it up but when I thought about the reason it was not something that was important or couldn't wait until I was back on the computer and cell on Monday.
Every Sunday we are going to do this to start. We may find we wish to do it more or another day. We are just playing it by ear right now and see what moves us. But we didn't like our behavior and wanted to nip it in the bud as Barney Fife would say to Andy Griffith. (Nip It Nip It, Nip it in the bud Andy)
It was eye-opening how often we are on them. I don't want to be that person who is always on her phone and not looking up.
Nothing is that important honestly.
I see family members and friends always on them and not interacting with people and losing social skills. It's not pretty. I don't want to be those people.
I survived no computer and no cell for a full 24 hr period.
We are going for the trifecta to remove the TV on the same day as well.
Then Rick reminded me that baseball is on Sundays.
Damn it. Okay, I may have to rethink this now that it is baseball season.
My team stinks so maybe it will be helpful. I can still record it and watch it later. Since not on TV or my cell I won't know who won.
Could you do it for a day?
I'm giving it the ole college try!
It may be an epic fail but it is too important to us not to try.
Friday, February 21, 2020
Accents
I absolutely adore Celeste Barber.
I just listened to her on Katie Couric's podcast.
After the whole interview, I decided that I'd like an Australian accent.
I think I need to move to Australia to secure this accent.
If you don't know Celeste Barber you obviously don't have Instagram.
She has a special on Netflix that was okay, not great by any means.
But it's her Instagram that slays me. She is so damn funny.
I discovered who she was from her very funny Instagram posts.
I did not know her as an actress or comedian. I don't know that she did anything in America before her Instagram posts made her worldwide famous.
I listened to the podcast and there were a few words that I did not understand.
But there are no closed captions on a podcast and at my desk, I couldn't rewind to try to understand the accent better.
Either way, the accent sounds great and I think I need a new one.
When I went to school I was living in Pittsburgh.
Now they have an accent that to me is like chalk on a board.
A cupboard is a closet. WHAT? The word 'you' was yins.
The word on is very different too.
I did not care for this accent it was grating to me. Lovely lovely people but the accent got to ME only. I did not pick this one up after a few years.
When I lived in Ohio in 1987 they had a distinct accent that was easy to slide into. After I was there a couple of years I caught myself saying some words like they did. Car became CAWR. Bob became BAWB.
(you who watch football know it's their DAWG pound)
I worked with a woman who's husband was named Bob. So I heard that Bawb name a lot.
Then I moved to the PNW. They didn't talk differently they were just cold and anti-social. Quick let's move!
Then I was living in Maryland - the same accent as Pittsburgh.
Had to leave.
Moved 40 miles south to Northern VA. - every accent you will ever hear is located here.
Everyone is from somewhere else so we get 'em all. Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Boston, Southern, Ireland, Australia, Ghana, Minnesota etc. But ya'll is a favorite.
Too damn easy to pick up. I say it all the time but the pretty southern lilt is not in there so I didn't get that part...darn it.
I like a soft Georgia accent. I find a Georgia accent pretty.
Not to be confused with Mississippi or Louisiana. Southern but different.
When I was in the travel industry I traveled so much that when I met someone I could tell where they were from. I recall meeting someone from Canada at a big conference in Vegas that the company had. I knew the accent wasn't just Canada but eastern Canada as in Ontario. Just like here, their regional accents are their own beautiful flavor in each province and city. This man and I talked about work for 30 or 40 minutes and he asked where I was from. I told him. I asked, "Are you from Toronto, Mississauga, that area?" He asked how the hell did I know this? He indeed was from Mississauga. I told him I watched a lot of Canadian TV growing up. I had a customer in Saskacktwan....very different but distinctly Canadian.
Since I've been here I only got the "ya'll" down.
So in a couple of years as we hope to move to North Carolina I may get an accent. I'd sure prefer Australian but can't move there or God knows I would.
I grew up with parents who spoke English but you won't find their words in a dictionary.
My father had 5 goils, his mudda and fodda barely spoke English, his wife made him his sangwich for work and he was a plumma as his trade.
He worked on turlits.
If you can decipher that you could have understood my father. But for some reason that accent I never acquired. Maybe because I went to speech class for the first 7 years of school. I don't know but do find it interesting since I pick up accents too easily.
I could just be like Madonna who lived in the UK part-time for a couple of years. Just a gal from Detroit speaking like the Queen even though she no longer lives there.
I need to get to Australia. I think for the next 20 yrs I could live there and pick up the accent. At the very least I would love trying.
I just listened to her on Katie Couric's podcast.
After the whole interview, I decided that I'd like an Australian accent.
I think I need to move to Australia to secure this accent.
If you don't know Celeste Barber you obviously don't have Instagram.
She has a special on Netflix that was okay, not great by any means.
But it's her Instagram that slays me. She is so damn funny.
I discovered who she was from her very funny Instagram posts.
I did not know her as an actress or comedian. I don't know that she did anything in America before her Instagram posts made her worldwide famous.
I listened to the podcast and there were a few words that I did not understand.
But there are no closed captions on a podcast and at my desk, I couldn't rewind to try to understand the accent better.
Either way, the accent sounds great and I think I need a new one.
When I went to school I was living in Pittsburgh.
Now they have an accent that to me is like chalk on a board.
A cupboard is a closet. WHAT? The word 'you' was yins.
The word on is very different too.
I did not care for this accent it was grating to me. Lovely lovely people but the accent got to ME only. I did not pick this one up after a few years.
When I lived in Ohio in 1987 they had a distinct accent that was easy to slide into. After I was there a couple of years I caught myself saying some words like they did. Car became CAWR. Bob became BAWB.
(you who watch football know it's their DAWG pound)
I worked with a woman who's husband was named Bob. So I heard that Bawb name a lot.
Then I moved to the PNW. They didn't talk differently they were just cold and anti-social. Quick let's move!
Then I was living in Maryland - the same accent as Pittsburgh.
Had to leave.
Moved 40 miles south to Northern VA. - every accent you will ever hear is located here.
Everyone is from somewhere else so we get 'em all. Pittsburgh, Cleveland, Boston, Southern, Ireland, Australia, Ghana, Minnesota etc. But ya'll is a favorite.
Too damn easy to pick up. I say it all the time but the pretty southern lilt is not in there so I didn't get that part...darn it.
I like a soft Georgia accent. I find a Georgia accent pretty.
Not to be confused with Mississippi or Louisiana. Southern but different.
When I was in the travel industry I traveled so much that when I met someone I could tell where they were from. I recall meeting someone from Canada at a big conference in Vegas that the company had. I knew the accent wasn't just Canada but eastern Canada as in Ontario. Just like here, their regional accents are their own beautiful flavor in each province and city. This man and I talked about work for 30 or 40 minutes and he asked where I was from. I told him. I asked, "Are you from Toronto, Mississauga, that area?" He asked how the hell did I know this? He indeed was from Mississauga. I told him I watched a lot of Canadian TV growing up. I had a customer in Saskacktwan....very different but distinctly Canadian.
Since I've been here I only got the "ya'll" down.
So in a couple of years as we hope to move to North Carolina I may get an accent. I'd sure prefer Australian but can't move there or God knows I would.
I grew up with parents who spoke English but you won't find their words in a dictionary.
My father had 5 goils, his mudda and fodda barely spoke English, his wife made him his sangwich for work and he was a plumma as his trade.
He worked on turlits.
If you can decipher that you could have understood my father. But for some reason that accent I never acquired. Maybe because I went to speech class for the first 7 years of school. I don't know but do find it interesting since I pick up accents too easily.
I could just be like Madonna who lived in the UK part-time for a couple of years. Just a gal from Detroit speaking like the Queen even though she no longer lives there.
I need to get to Australia. I think for the next 20 yrs I could live there and pick up the accent. At the very least I would love trying.
Jetsons
Speaking of Artificial Intelligence.
When I said I would never get an Alexa or Echo I heard from a lot of people.
If I ever become so sedentary that I need to have an Alexa or Echo I'll get one. Or if I am wheelchair-bound or seriously ill and my feet can't move then I may need one. In the meantime, I can still move and do things for myself. I'm going to try to do all of this mental and physical as long as I can. Unless of course, Alexa will make me a meal that will allow me to just open the door and dinner is done and there on my plate.
Then I will rethink this whole AI stuff.
You know just like Jane "made dinner" on The Jetsons.😁
I know it works for a lot of people and I am happy for them. Truly am.
It's just not for me. I can't be peer pressured at my age.
I am old and I just don't wish to have it in my home.
But you can have it in yours.
I heard this yesterday on a walk with Izzy. This young woman gave me a really good chance to bite my tongue and keep my opinions to myself.
Here is what our short conversation entailed.
Young woman: Oh, I need to lose a few lbs. I just can't get this holiday weight off me.
Ah, we all understand that!
Hope this cold leaves us soon. Last night I had to keep telling Alexa to change the thermostat so many times. I couldn't get warm.
Now what went through my head was this -
Why the hell don't you get your fat ass off the couch and change the thermostat? Moving can make you warmer you know.
It's even considered exercise to move. The less you move the more you can't move.
But I didn't say any of that I just said -
Yep, the cold is getting to me but it's only for 3 days we can handle it.
I had to walk away.
Don't tell me you need to exercise and lose weight but you can't get your butt to your thermostat. I get it, that's convenient, but c'mon!
This lazy society gets me.
If you can't change the radio, vacuum, thermostat without screaming it into a machine then don't bitch to me about your weight - get up and MOVE.
How the hell did the Jetsons stay so thin?
When I said I would never get an Alexa or Echo I heard from a lot of people.
If I ever become so sedentary that I need to have an Alexa or Echo I'll get one. Or if I am wheelchair-bound or seriously ill and my feet can't move then I may need one. In the meantime, I can still move and do things for myself. I'm going to try to do all of this mental and physical as long as I can. Unless of course, Alexa will make me a meal that will allow me to just open the door and dinner is done and there on my plate.
Then I will rethink this whole AI stuff.
You know just like Jane "made dinner" on The Jetsons.😁
I know it works for a lot of people and I am happy for them. Truly am.
It's just not for me. I can't be peer pressured at my age.
I am old and I just don't wish to have it in my home.
But you can have it in yours.
I heard this yesterday on a walk with Izzy. This young woman gave me a really good chance to bite my tongue and keep my opinions to myself.
Here is what our short conversation entailed.
Young woman: Oh, I need to lose a few lbs. I just can't get this holiday weight off me.
Ah, we all understand that!
Hope this cold leaves us soon. Last night I had to keep telling Alexa to change the thermostat so many times. I couldn't get warm.
Now what went through my head was this -
Why the hell don't you get your fat ass off the couch and change the thermostat? Moving can make you warmer you know.
It's even considered exercise to move. The less you move the more you can't move.
But I didn't say any of that I just said -
Yep, the cold is getting to me but it's only for 3 days we can handle it.
I had to walk away.
Don't tell me you need to exercise and lose weight but you can't get your butt to your thermostat. I get it, that's convenient, but c'mon!
This lazy society gets me.
If you can't change the radio, vacuum, thermostat without screaming it into a machine then don't bitch to me about your weight - get up and MOVE.
How the hell did the Jetsons stay so thin?
Thursday, February 20, 2020
Chat
I have some random items I'd like to talk about.
Dish sent me a new remote control and we didn't need or ask for one.
It came with a note saying this was their newest and as a thank you for being a great customer for all these years. (I know that all satellite and cable companies are losing people in droves)
This remote is voice-activated but of course, you can use your fingers to press the buttons like most people do if you are so inclined.
I said to Rick do you wish for me to activate this remote? (he doesn't do technology at all)
He asked for my thoughts. I said I see no reason to until we have to.
Here is my thinking, is it rational? Maybe not. I think more on the lines of I'm an old broad and so I don't see the need for this new technology.
I have to pick up my remote, press the voice button and say into it what I want to watch. For example press button and say HGTV.
OR I could just push 112 which is a helluva lot faster.
I don't get this whole voice thing. It would be very different I suppose if I had AI in the house in the form of Alexa or some such gizmo but I don't.
With this new remote I must pick it up to talk into to change the channel.
Why does this seem incredibly stupid to just me?
After I shared this with Rick he laughed and said, okay lets try your theory.
He picked up the voice remote at the same time I picked up the other.
I had 112 in before he finished talking.
I don't and I won't have an Alexa or Google Echo so I will have to lift my short arm and push those buttons. How ever will I survive?
So I put this new remote in the nice little bag it came in and put it in a drawer for another time. If our current remote dies I will at least have this one to fall back on. Or the time comes where I see the reason I would need this. Whichever comes first.
_________________________
While playing a kick-ass card game this weekend and listening to tunes we heard a song that reminded us of something. Hitchhiking.
We began talking about how you didn't give it a 2nd thought to pick up a hitchhiker. This was not only the times I said but also the fact that we were 20 and stupid. Of course, being female my father always told me not to, but like most things of my childhood, I did not listen as a young adult.
You would see a long-haired guy with a backpack or just himself with his thumb out and you'd pull over and ask where he was going.
He'd ride with you until you had to let him out.
Rick said he never ever felt worried or scared.
I didn't do it often, just a couple of times, all of them when I was with Sue, my best friend, and my roommate for years. (over 19) We picked one guy up just because he was so damn good looking. George Clooney on the side of the road type of guy but in 70's garb.
Oh, I remember him and his fringed suede vest.
I was driving and Sue was drooling over him.
As I said how good looking he was Rick gave me the funniest look.
Yea, I know, so was Ted Bundy.
I am glad I lived in a time where you could do this though. I know it wasn't safe but I would say today is far less safe.
Then Rick asked if I remembered the phrase, gas, grass or ass...nobody rides for free.
OMG I did remember that phrase. Can you even imagine today that being acceptable in our PC and #metoo world?
That phrase was on T-shirts and bumper stickers etc.
Times they are a-changin' to quote someone else from that era.
Ah, the early 70's.
________________________
I sent Rick to the wrong address again this morning. Oops.
Thankfully he had the original estimate attached to the work order so he saw the correct address on that.
But before he looked, he trusted the address on the work order and went to that house. A nice woman answered the door and he told her his name and company she said, Are you selling something?
He said, "no I'm here to work on your tile and bathtub this morning. Then he added, "Are you the Smiths?" (yes fake name)
She laughed and said no but while your here could you give me an estimate on some work? So he did. (she has since called and booked)
Now running a bit late he called the correct homeowner and told him he was running 5 minutes behind. He had already looked at the original estimate before he called him and saw the mistake I'd made.
The address house number was 11962, I typed 11952. Oh, he hates when that happens. This is when working with your spouse is not good. He will bitch a fit when he gets home. Unlike if I was just an employee who he would talk to nicely about this or fire. I'd be fine with being fired.
I'm thinking I'll flash him when he gets home. He'll forget all about it.
Dish sent me a new remote control and we didn't need or ask for one.
It came with a note saying this was their newest and as a thank you for being a great customer for all these years. (I know that all satellite and cable companies are losing people in droves)
This remote is voice-activated but of course, you can use your fingers to press the buttons like most people do if you are so inclined.
I said to Rick do you wish for me to activate this remote? (he doesn't do technology at all)
He asked for my thoughts. I said I see no reason to until we have to.
Here is my thinking, is it rational? Maybe not. I think more on the lines of I'm an old broad and so I don't see the need for this new technology.
I have to pick up my remote, press the voice button and say into it what I want to watch. For example press button and say HGTV.
OR I could just push 112 which is a helluva lot faster.
I don't get this whole voice thing. It would be very different I suppose if I had AI in the house in the form of Alexa or some such gizmo but I don't.
With this new remote I must pick it up to talk into to change the channel.
Why does this seem incredibly stupid to just me?
After I shared this with Rick he laughed and said, okay lets try your theory.
He picked up the voice remote at the same time I picked up the other.
I had 112 in before he finished talking.
I don't and I won't have an Alexa or Google Echo so I will have to lift my short arm and push those buttons. How ever will I survive?
So I put this new remote in the nice little bag it came in and put it in a drawer for another time. If our current remote dies I will at least have this one to fall back on. Or the time comes where I see the reason I would need this. Whichever comes first.
_________________________
While playing a kick-ass card game this weekend and listening to tunes we heard a song that reminded us of something. Hitchhiking.
We began talking about how you didn't give it a 2nd thought to pick up a hitchhiker. This was not only the times I said but also the fact that we were 20 and stupid. Of course, being female my father always told me not to, but like most things of my childhood, I did not listen as a young adult.
You would see a long-haired guy with a backpack or just himself with his thumb out and you'd pull over and ask where he was going.
He'd ride with you until you had to let him out.
Rick said he never ever felt worried or scared.
I didn't do it often, just a couple of times, all of them when I was with Sue, my best friend, and my roommate for years. (over 19) We picked one guy up just because he was so damn good looking. George Clooney on the side of the road type of guy but in 70's garb.
Oh, I remember him and his fringed suede vest.
I was driving and Sue was drooling over him.
As I said how good looking he was Rick gave me the funniest look.
Yea, I know, so was Ted Bundy.
I am glad I lived in a time where you could do this though. I know it wasn't safe but I would say today is far less safe.
Then Rick asked if I remembered the phrase, gas, grass or ass...nobody rides for free.
OMG I did remember that phrase. Can you even imagine today that being acceptable in our PC and #metoo world?
That phrase was on T-shirts and bumper stickers etc.
Times they are a-changin' to quote someone else from that era.
Ah, the early 70's.
________________________
I sent Rick to the wrong address again this morning. Oops.
Thankfully he had the original estimate attached to the work order so he saw the correct address on that.
But before he looked, he trusted the address on the work order and went to that house. A nice woman answered the door and he told her his name and company she said, Are you selling something?
He said, "no I'm here to work on your tile and bathtub this morning. Then he added, "Are you the Smiths?" (yes fake name)
She laughed and said no but while your here could you give me an estimate on some work? So he did. (she has since called and booked)
Now running a bit late he called the correct homeowner and told him he was running 5 minutes behind. He had already looked at the original estimate before he called him and saw the mistake I'd made.
The address house number was 11962, I typed 11952. Oh, he hates when that happens. This is when working with your spouse is not good. He will bitch a fit when he gets home. Unlike if I was just an employee who he would talk to nicely about this or fire. I'd be fine with being fired.
I'm thinking I'll flash him when he gets home. He'll forget all about it.
Wednesday, February 19, 2020
Old Man Speak
My husband is turning into an old fart.
He would make fun of me when I had insomnia and I would watch QVC.
For some reason that was the only time I ever tuned in.
Things would show up like our bone-conducting headphones.
He didn't laugh once he had those babies to wear for work.
He LOVES them. But that didn't stop him from making fun of me that I have turned into that old woman who watches QVC.
Then one-day last year I saw something on there that I thought would be most useful for us, me especially. It was at 2am and I remember rewinding the entire segment of this product to hit record so I could show Rick in the morning. It is the HALO Bolt.
I showed this to him and asked what he thought, he said, hmm...pffft....argh....mmm.
I admit I don't know his new language but I took it to mean he didn't give a shit. Now, I could be wrong but that was how I interpreted his comments.
Then yesterday he was home with his feet up and I was making dinner.
He said, "what's this you have on the DVR"
Oh, just something from QVC that I wanted to see.
He asked what it was.
Well, it's just steals and deals for the day.
That made him laugh.
He said, "Oh my God you've gone to the other side on me Margaret. You are now recording QVC."
I get it, I really do. I always thought it was an old lady thing too.
Now I find myself even looking at that channel in my guide to see if its anything I'd like. But hey, now I'm an old lady I guess.
He is laughing, heartily I might add.
I responded with, "I'm not making you watch it so don't be an ass"
Oh, I'm gonna watch it to see these great steals and deals.
I know he's making fun of me but I am curious now to see what he says about the HALO Bolt yet again. So he clicks the icon to watch.
He watches 3-5 minutes of this and pauses it and says to me, "We need this Margaret. We need at least 3 of them"
Wait just a minute mister, you said, hmm....pftt....argh...mmmm when I showed it to you last year. You acted like it was stupid.
I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention.
Or paying any attention at all. God, do you see why you frustrate me?
He turns back to the TV and finishes watching the piece on this product.
When they went to another item he turned it off.
Seriously, Margaret, I think we need to get at least 2 of them.
They are on sale and we can do 5 easy payments.
Now it's my turn to laugh at this ass in my great room.
So it went from stupid, to it must not be important if Margaret wants me to watch it so I will pay only half attention at best to, OMG, we must have these.
I told him I'd place an order but we aren't buying 3 right now. Business is slower in Jan.& Feb so not right now. I also told him that he had to say that he liked QVC and admit to watching it or I'm not buying.
He is laughing and refuses to say it. I said well then the 2 I order will be in my car and my boat. You're stranded and on your own.
"You would really be that mean, wouldn't you? Mean as a snake woman!"
"Wanna find out?"
"Fine. I love QVC and you were right. Are you happy now?"
"Yes, Rick I am."
Since this happened he has now done youtube video reviews on the Halo Bolt (compact.)
He is convinced we need this. I just shake my head.
I am always right, sometimes less right, but never wrong.
He's a damn slow learner that old fool.
He would make fun of me when I had insomnia and I would watch QVC.
For some reason that was the only time I ever tuned in.
Things would show up like our bone-conducting headphones.
He didn't laugh once he had those babies to wear for work.
He LOVES them. But that didn't stop him from making fun of me that I have turned into that old woman who watches QVC.
Then one-day last year I saw something on there that I thought would be most useful for us, me especially. It was at 2am and I remember rewinding the entire segment of this product to hit record so I could show Rick in the morning. It is the HALO Bolt.
I showed this to him and asked what he thought, he said, hmm...pffft....argh....mmm.
I admit I don't know his new language but I took it to mean he didn't give a shit. Now, I could be wrong but that was how I interpreted his comments.
Then yesterday he was home with his feet up and I was making dinner.
He said, "what's this you have on the DVR"
Oh, just something from QVC that I wanted to see.
He asked what it was.
Well, it's just steals and deals for the day.
That made him laugh.
He said, "Oh my God you've gone to the other side on me Margaret. You are now recording QVC."
I get it, I really do. I always thought it was an old lady thing too.
Now I find myself even looking at that channel in my guide to see if its anything I'd like. But hey, now I'm an old lady I guess.
He is laughing, heartily I might add.
I responded with, "I'm not making you watch it so don't be an ass"
Oh, I'm gonna watch it to see these great steals and deals.
I know he's making fun of me but I am curious now to see what he says about the HALO Bolt yet again. So he clicks the icon to watch.
He watches 3-5 minutes of this and pauses it and says to me, "We need this Margaret. We need at least 3 of them"
Wait just a minute mister, you said, hmm....pftt....argh...mmmm when I showed it to you last year. You acted like it was stupid.
I guess I wasn't paying close enough attention.
Or paying any attention at all. God, do you see why you frustrate me?
He turns back to the TV and finishes watching the piece on this product.
When they went to another item he turned it off.
Seriously, Margaret, I think we need to get at least 2 of them.
They are on sale and we can do 5 easy payments.
Now it's my turn to laugh at this ass in my great room.
So it went from stupid, to it must not be important if Margaret wants me to watch it so I will pay only half attention at best to, OMG, we must have these.
I told him I'd place an order but we aren't buying 3 right now. Business is slower in Jan.& Feb so not right now. I also told him that he had to say that he liked QVC and admit to watching it or I'm not buying.
He is laughing and refuses to say it. I said well then the 2 I order will be in my car and my boat. You're stranded and on your own.
"You would really be that mean, wouldn't you? Mean as a snake woman!"
"Wanna find out?"
"Fine. I love QVC and you were right. Are you happy now?"
"Yes, Rick I am."
Since this happened he has now done youtube video reviews on the Halo Bolt (compact.)
He is convinced we need this. I just shake my head.
I am always right, sometimes less right, but never wrong.
He's a damn slow learner that old fool.
Tuesday, February 18, 2020
The Purge Continues.
I am fascinated by how everyone thinks about the items to save.
I just think it brought a bunch of interesting comments here on the blog and mostly here at home.
As I stated in a comment to Jean, our neighbors Danielle and Tom stopped by Sunday and they saw our pile by the backdoor.
Tom asked if we were moving. I told them I was leaving Rick.
They got so serious and quiet for a moment.
C'mon, guys, you know better, I'm joking.
Boy did everyone have a comment or two or three about our stash at the back door.
Tom said to get rid of the Christmas things that I couldn't get rid of.
His comment was if you aren't doing the whole Christmas get up anymore then just dump them.
I mentioned some things from my childhood and he said, "It's already inside you, the object is nothing." As he touched his temple and heart.
I understood his point almost enough to get rid of them. But I didn't.
Danielle says, she thinks that the Tuscan tapestry should be saved because there may be a day I will wish to use it again and the rod it's on is gorgeous. Okay, I won't use this again I am certain. I'm not in agreement with her on this one and she didn't change my mind. It's kicked to the curb.
They actually went through our pile and were giving unsolicited comments on each item which was making Rick and I laugh.
When Rick told them I wouldn't throw away my books I thought Danielle's head was going to explode. She doesn't understand people's fascination with books. Of course, I do not agree with her on this one and I didn't think she had a very compelling argument.
She doesn't read so I don't think her comment counts.
There were pieces of luggage that they both said in unison - "oh those have to go, everyone would agree with that!'
Which made us all laugh. They went through the pile and made their comments, made fun of us old people or it just got us all talking and laughing about what people keep and what people don't and how different it is for everyone.
In the meantime, Tom announced that no one would be upset if I made my famous popcorn. I got the hint.
Danielle ran home and came back with a dog and vodka.
I made us some munchies and cocktails and we sat in the kitchen talking about our purging.
They left our home with 3 items. A Shark floor cleaner with a bottle of cleaner (not in that closet but getting rid of anyway)
A curtain rod still in its original packing and 2 lamps both in the original box. Ordered for staging but the house sold before we had time to stage. Just like this one. (back when I was flipping which was some time ago)
It is out of our house and now it's their problem to debate on whether to purge in a few years. Gee, almost like it was my master plan. 😀
I just think it brought a bunch of interesting comments here on the blog and mostly here at home.
As I stated in a comment to Jean, our neighbors Danielle and Tom stopped by Sunday and they saw our pile by the backdoor.
Tom asked if we were moving. I told them I was leaving Rick.
They got so serious and quiet for a moment.
C'mon, guys, you know better, I'm joking.
Boy did everyone have a comment or two or three about our stash at the back door.
Tom said to get rid of the Christmas things that I couldn't get rid of.
His comment was if you aren't doing the whole Christmas get up anymore then just dump them.
I mentioned some things from my childhood and he said, "It's already inside you, the object is nothing." As he touched his temple and heart.
I understood his point almost enough to get rid of them. But I didn't.
Danielle says, she thinks that the Tuscan tapestry should be saved because there may be a day I will wish to use it again and the rod it's on is gorgeous. Okay, I won't use this again I am certain. I'm not in agreement with her on this one and she didn't change my mind. It's kicked to the curb.
They actually went through our pile and were giving unsolicited comments on each item which was making Rick and I laugh.
When Rick told them I wouldn't throw away my books I thought Danielle's head was going to explode. She doesn't understand people's fascination with books. Of course, I do not agree with her on this one and I didn't think she had a very compelling argument.
She doesn't read so I don't think her comment counts.
There were pieces of luggage that they both said in unison - "oh those have to go, everyone would agree with that!'
Which made us all laugh. They went through the pile and made their comments, made fun of us old people or it just got us all talking and laughing about what people keep and what people don't and how different it is for everyone.
In the meantime, Tom announced that no one would be upset if I made my famous popcorn. I got the hint.
Danielle ran home and came back with a dog and vodka.
I made us some munchies and cocktails and we sat in the kitchen talking about our purging.
They left our home with 3 items. A Shark floor cleaner with a bottle of cleaner (not in that closet but getting rid of anyway)
A curtain rod still in its original packing and 2 lamps both in the original box. Ordered for staging but the house sold before we had time to stage. Just like this one. (back when I was flipping which was some time ago)
It is out of our house and now it's their problem to debate on whether to purge in a few years. Gee, almost like it was my master plan. 😀
Monday, February 17, 2020
Stairs
It's a federal holiday.
That means everyone is off today but me and others in the construction industry.
But it also means we are dead in the office.
I find it amusing that when the world is off work they don't call us as much as when they are sitting in their office not working and they call us.
That just makes me giggle on the productivity of the American worker.
Also this was a long weekend for everyone. A great many people are traveling.
I had several cancellations for Saturday. A young woman called and said she and her husband had just realized they had Monday off so they wanted to go out of town for the weekend. No problem, we scheduled it on a day she will have to be in the office and take time off work. Which is what she didn't want to do to begin with and whined and begged for a Saturday. Rick had 3 estimates on Saturday. We do not normally work weekends but sometimes it is required. Since it was just estimates it was just drive time so I scheduled 3 of them for the morning. All 3 canceled because they realized it was a long weekend. So they will be seen over this and next week during work hours. So Rick ended up just having to work around the house. I am not sure he found that much better.
Remember that walk in closet I wanted to purge?
Well we did and it still looks full - how sad is that?
A lot of it is Xmas stuff. I am thinking of giving it all away.
We just don't bother to do all that decorating because no one comes to our home for the holidays. I have put it all up and then the holiday is over and have to take it all down.
We spend holidays with family up north or we are here alone and I just don't care anymore for all the fuss. I know, I know, you all are cringing to think that my banister isn't decked in garland or a tree is not up or the wreath isn't on the door. The table scape is neutral and not in green and red festive toppers and table clothes. Nope, all done with it, but yet I am finding it so difficult to toss it all. Why is that? Especially the old antique bulbs from our mothers etc.
We found some fun things that we had forgotten about. Oh my gosh we found a plaque thanking us for being outstanding volunteers at the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival.
That began our reminiscing about that weekend. Then we found a box of VCR tapes.
We have not had a VCR in about 15 years. So now my work begins to have them made into DVDs. One had written on it, Seattle 1995. Have no idea what is on that but can't wait to see it. We were living there at the time so maybe it's about our first few months there.
Also there was one marked Niagara camping 1987/1988.
There were a good many of these that I so want to see again. That was a fun find.
I see a trip to Costco to see how many I can afford to do at one time.
Then all these cassette tapes. What would I do with all these cassette tapes?
I have an old car that does have a tape player but I don't think I'd ever play them.
The majority of them are when I got divorced.
Splitting up our music and 400 albums was the hardest part of the divorce in regards to "stuff" We sat on the floor and said, "Mine, Yours," and when we both wanted something it went in a different pile. So many of the albums I wanted and lost the battle he made tapes of for me. HA. This was 1983. So I guess we thought that would last.
Anyone need a cassette tape of The Guess Who, George Thorogood? Allman Brothers? Yes if you rattle off the 70's and early 80's I have it in album or cassette form and listen to none of it now unless on my Pandora. Yet, It's hard for me to throw them in the garbage.
Then there are my albums. I have a turntable but....
Where is Marie Kondo and her cold heart to throw it all away for me.
Because this is all on the 3rd floor bringing it all down to the first floor to throw out was a fun time. We went up and down those steps so many times. With boxes, with big bulking things, with garbage bags we filled, with old luggage etc. The garbage is on the 1st floor so all had to go down with us.
When we were done with this chore we were now both on the 1st floor.
I was making myself a cup of coffee and I asked Rick if he needed/wanted anything.
He responded with a very adamant, "yes, I want to not go up the stairs for at least an hour. Can we work down here or how about we watch a movie? I can still sit and would enjoy doing so"
Yes, I know he can still sit since that seems to be his favorite activity these days.
But I too could agree that not climbing the steps for the 200th time would be a nice activity.
So we watched a comedy special on Netflix. It was okay (tom papa) but we were not climbing stairs with boxes so it did what it needed to do.
I know when all this purging is complete I will feel better. But in the meantime, these stairs have become my nemesis. I deal with them pretty well, but I really don't like to have to deal with them.
That means everyone is off today but me and others in the construction industry.
But it also means we are dead in the office.
I find it amusing that when the world is off work they don't call us as much as when they are sitting in their office not working and they call us.
That just makes me giggle on the productivity of the American worker.
Also this was a long weekend for everyone. A great many people are traveling.
I had several cancellations for Saturday. A young woman called and said she and her husband had just realized they had Monday off so they wanted to go out of town for the weekend. No problem, we scheduled it on a day she will have to be in the office and take time off work. Which is what she didn't want to do to begin with and whined and begged for a Saturday. Rick had 3 estimates on Saturday. We do not normally work weekends but sometimes it is required. Since it was just estimates it was just drive time so I scheduled 3 of them for the morning. All 3 canceled because they realized it was a long weekend. So they will be seen over this and next week during work hours. So Rick ended up just having to work around the house. I am not sure he found that much better.
Remember that walk in closet I wanted to purge?
Well we did and it still looks full - how sad is that?
A lot of it is Xmas stuff. I am thinking of giving it all away.
We just don't bother to do all that decorating because no one comes to our home for the holidays. I have put it all up and then the holiday is over and have to take it all down.
We spend holidays with family up north or we are here alone and I just don't care anymore for all the fuss. I know, I know, you all are cringing to think that my banister isn't decked in garland or a tree is not up or the wreath isn't on the door. The table scape is neutral and not in green and red festive toppers and table clothes. Nope, all done with it, but yet I am finding it so difficult to toss it all. Why is that? Especially the old antique bulbs from our mothers etc.
We found some fun things that we had forgotten about. Oh my gosh we found a plaque thanking us for being outstanding volunteers at the Issaquah Salmon Days Festival.
That began our reminiscing about that weekend. Then we found a box of VCR tapes.
We have not had a VCR in about 15 years. So now my work begins to have them made into DVDs. One had written on it, Seattle 1995. Have no idea what is on that but can't wait to see it. We were living there at the time so maybe it's about our first few months there.
Also there was one marked Niagara camping 1987/1988.
There were a good many of these that I so want to see again. That was a fun find.
I see a trip to Costco to see how many I can afford to do at one time.
Then all these cassette tapes. What would I do with all these cassette tapes?
I have an old car that does have a tape player but I don't think I'd ever play them.
The majority of them are when I got divorced.
Splitting up our music and 400 albums was the hardest part of the divorce in regards to "stuff" We sat on the floor and said, "Mine, Yours," and when we both wanted something it went in a different pile. So many of the albums I wanted and lost the battle he made tapes of for me. HA. This was 1983. So I guess we thought that would last.
Anyone need a cassette tape of The Guess Who, George Thorogood? Allman Brothers? Yes if you rattle off the 70's and early 80's I have it in album or cassette form and listen to none of it now unless on my Pandora. Yet, It's hard for me to throw them in the garbage.
Then there are my albums. I have a turntable but....
Where is Marie Kondo and her cold heart to throw it all away for me.
Because this is all on the 3rd floor bringing it all down to the first floor to throw out was a fun time. We went up and down those steps so many times. With boxes, with big bulking things, with garbage bags we filled, with old luggage etc. The garbage is on the 1st floor so all had to go down with us.
When we were done with this chore we were now both on the 1st floor.
I was making myself a cup of coffee and I asked Rick if he needed/wanted anything.
He responded with a very adamant, "yes, I want to not go up the stairs for at least an hour. Can we work down here or how about we watch a movie? I can still sit and would enjoy doing so"
Yes, I know he can still sit since that seems to be his favorite activity these days.
But I too could agree that not climbing the steps for the 200th time would be a nice activity.
So we watched a comedy special on Netflix. It was okay (tom papa) but we were not climbing stairs with boxes so it did what it needed to do.
I know when all this purging is complete I will feel better. But in the meantime, these stairs have become my nemesis. I deal with them pretty well, but I really don't like to have to deal with them.
Saturday, February 15, 2020
One New, One Old, my Favorite Writer.
I love how this quirky man thinks.
Do you know many people in a wheelchair?
Makes sense now doesn't it?
Makes sense now doesn't it?
________________________________
My favorite of all time is now blurry from years ago.
But just listen to him read his essay out loud.
And yes the object he is discussing is a real product.
I recall the first time I heard this with Rick. When David reads a part where he explains,as only he can, the difficulty of peeing while doing other things at the same time. I see Rick pause as if he was thinking about this...and he was.
I lost it.
I recall the first time I heard this with Rick. When David reads a part where he explains,as only he can, the difficulty of peeing while doing other things at the same time. I see Rick pause as if he was thinking about this...and he was.
I lost it.
Friday, February 14, 2020
Izzy
My fur baby needs surgery.
Her 11th birthday will be on Feb 25th.
We are having her surgery on Feb 29th.
I am thrilled they do this on a Saturday so Rick can go with me.
I am very concerned with her being this old and having aesthesia.
She has a mass next to her bum.
It actually just looks like her butt is bigger.
We have been keeping an eye on it. She has had it lanced.
It has never grown until now.
Lately, it's been bothering her more - we think it itches or irritates her because she will scoot like a dog would when they need their anal glands taken care of.
So we brought her back to the vet. No anal gland issue it was this mass.
It grew a great deal. That had our vet very concerned.
Also, nothing came out when they tried to lance it.
Pathology was done and thankfully they did not find any cancer.
Whew.
Because it is growing they must remove it or she will be Poop incontinent and heaven forbid we have her pooping all over.
Our vet and another vet in the clinic both saw her and spoke with us. Basically, it must be done quickly.
Because it is growing quickly now we don't want this too large because if it is it could impede her pooping. If it grows too large from waiting to have the surgery is more difficult because it will then be on her anus and that surgery could cause an issue with the same outcome. So no matter what we do not wish for the poor gal to deal with poop incontinence and I don't wish to deal with it either.
Clean up in aisle 5!
Poor Izzy. 4 days after her birthday we do this to her.
The first hurdle will be no food or water from midnight on.
That will be the hardest part until we bring her home.
She is nothing if not clockwork. She will awake between 5-5:30 and expect breakfast at 6a. And we do not leave the house until 7:15am.
I am certain she will need to wear the cone of shame.
Hopefully, she will just sleep and it will be far easier than her ACL surgery.
It has to be!
I am not ready for her to be seriously ill and leave us. Not yet.
Oh, how I love this sweet big furry beast.
No, not Rick, the other one...right here sitting on the boat.
Her 11th birthday will be on Feb 25th.
We are having her surgery on Feb 29th.
I am thrilled they do this on a Saturday so Rick can go with me.
I am very concerned with her being this old and having aesthesia.
She has a mass next to her bum.
It actually just looks like her butt is bigger.
We have been keeping an eye on it. She has had it lanced.
It has never grown until now.
Lately, it's been bothering her more - we think it itches or irritates her because she will scoot like a dog would when they need their anal glands taken care of.
So we brought her back to the vet. No anal gland issue it was this mass.
It grew a great deal. That had our vet very concerned.
Also, nothing came out when they tried to lance it.
Pathology was done and thankfully they did not find any cancer.
Whew.
Because it is growing they must remove it or she will be Poop incontinent and heaven forbid we have her pooping all over.
Our vet and another vet in the clinic both saw her and spoke with us. Basically, it must be done quickly.
Because it is growing quickly now we don't want this too large because if it is it could impede her pooping. If it grows too large from waiting to have the surgery is more difficult because it will then be on her anus and that surgery could cause an issue with the same outcome. So no matter what we do not wish for the poor gal to deal with poop incontinence and I don't wish to deal with it either.
Clean up in aisle 5!
Poor Izzy. 4 days after her birthday we do this to her.
The first hurdle will be no food or water from midnight on.
That will be the hardest part until we bring her home.
She is nothing if not clockwork. She will awake between 5-5:30 and expect breakfast at 6a. And we do not leave the house until 7:15am.
I am certain she will need to wear the cone of shame.
Hopefully, she will just sleep and it will be far easier than her ACL surgery.
It has to be!
I am not ready for her to be seriously ill and leave us. Not yet.
Oh, how I love this sweet big furry beast.
No, not Rick, the other one...right here sitting on the boat.
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