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 |  All about my thoughts. Be afraid! |
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** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I know I look a bit scary, but I don't bite, much  This is my blog. A place to torture people I don't know with rants, opinoins and just plain babbling so I can keep a few friends in the real world. If you like torture, come join me. Fix a cup of tea or coffee and sit back while I tell you about the time when.... |
| Ayron, Kyle and I went up to the St. Paul/Minneapolis area to visit my husband's mother. (Ayron is my husband) We should have gone up there with an empty car because there was almost no where for us to sit when we came back. She let us take all of her late husband's science fiction books - 5 paper bags full. They are all from older authors and in great shape. I was and am thrilled to get them. She also gave us a fairly new rabbit hutch that her husband had bought to collect pigeons in till he could go trade them to another guy somewhere. Apparently pigeons are an issue up there. He caught quite a few only to have more take their place. With next to no modifications I will be able to turn the hutch into a very presentable chicken house. Then I couldn't help myself, I wasn't asking for any of the paper, but I was curious as to why my mother-in-law had so much copy paper, so I asked. Apparently my late father-in-law bought the stuff by the case for his family tree work. We ended up taking to packs of that home too. Don't think I didn't thank Lucy, my mother-in-law, profusely for the wonderful gifts. They were truly thoughtful and wanted things and I didn't feel like I had somehow asked for them without meaning too or was having something dumped on me not even the paper. Oh, oh, I almost forgot the coolest gift of all. Lucy has been doing a lot of crocheting or did right after Duane died, anyway she has made several beautiful pillow tops for the square pillows we put on the couches. She gave me a set to put on my pillows. Now I just need to go get a new set of pillows as my old ones aren't good enough in my opinion. I really, really loved that gift. Someday if I can keep my upgraded membership, I will post a picture of them What the weekend wasn't good for was reading and doing homework. Before when we used to go up to Ayron's parent's house, I would kind of sit in a corner and let Ayron visit with his mom, his dad and his sister when she could come over. Oh I talked a little, but I guess I felt intimidated and not really wanted. No one ever said that, but I felt that way some times without even realizing it. This trip started out that way, but soon I was talking Lucy's ear off as much as I would one of my friends I hadn't seen in a year. It was great. And Lucy shared with me too. Duane could sometimes be a difficult man to get along with. He wasn't mean, just sometimes gruff or stand offish, but he really loved Lucy and she him. Though she doesn't go on and on about it, she misses him. I am sad and glad about that at the same time. That she misses him says that their life together was good and that makes me happy for Lucy, that she had that. I am sad that now she doesn't. Now, don't think that we only just talked. We didn't. Friday didn't work out for leaving the house mainly because I didn't sleep well Thursday night, but that story is for a less pleasant blog. So, Friday though I wanted to head out for the zoo, we didn't. We saved the zoo for Saturday along with taking Lucy to lunch and then everyone going to dinner that evening. Everyone included Ayron's sister Cindy and her husband Kermit. We went to a Chinese buffet that was incredible. The food was good and the company was great. All in all a very satisfying day. I was kind of sad to have to come home today, but there was no one else to do Ayron and Kyle's motor route so we had too. Of course, one of the first things I did was to take a nap. Lucy gave us her bed, but apparently I don't sleep well in beds that are not my own, no matter how comfortable they are and her bed was. So, what did you all do for your weekend? |
| Ayron, Kyle and I went up to the St. Paul/Minneapolis area to visit my husband's mother. (Ayron is my husband) We should have gone up there with an empty car because there was almost no where for us to sit when we came back. She let us take all of her late husband's science fiction books - 5 paper bags full. They are all from older authors and in great shape. I was and am thrilled to get them. She also gave us a fairly new rabbit hutch that her husband had bought to collect pigeons in till he could go trade them to another guy somewhere. Apparently pigeons are an issue up there. He caught quite a few only to have more take their place. With next to no modifications I will be able to turn the hutch into a very presentable chicken house. Then I couldn't help myself, I wasn't asking for any of the paper, but I was curious as to why my mother-in-law had so much copy paper, so I asked. Apparently my late father-in-law bought the stuff by the case for his family tree work. We ended up taking to packs of that home too. Don't think I didn't thank Lucy, my mother-in-law, profusely for the wonderful gifts. They were truly thoughtful and wanted things and I didn't feel like I had somehow asked for them without meaning too or was having something dumped on me not even the paper. Oh, oh, I almost forgot the coolest gift of all. Lucy has been doing a lot of crocheting or did right after Duane died, anyway she has made several beautiful pillow tops for the square pillows we put on the couches. She gave me a set to put on my pillows. Now I just need to go get a new set of pillows as my old ones aren't good enough in my opinion. I really, really loved that gift. Someday if I can keep my upgraded membership, I will post a picture of them What the weekend wasn't good for was reading and doing homework. Before when we used to go up to Ayron's parent's house, I would kind of sit in a corner and let Ayron visit with his mom, his dad and his sister when she could come over. Oh I talked a little, but I guess I felt intimidated and not really wanted. No one ever said that, but I felt that way some times without even realizing it. This trip started out that way, but soon I was talking Lucy's ear off as much as I would one of my friends I hadn't seen in a year. It was great. And Lucy shared with me too. Duane could sometimes be a difficult man to get along with. He wasn't mean, just sometimes gruff or stand offish, but he really loved Lucy and she him. Though she doesn't go on and on about it, she misses him. I am sad and glad about that at the same time. That she misses him says that their life together was good and that makes me happy for Lucy, that she had that. I am sad that now she doesn't. Now, don't think that we only just talked. We didn't. Friday didn't work out for leaving the house mainly because I didn't sleep well Thursday night, but that story is for a less pleasant blog. So, Friday though I wanted to head out for the zoo, we didn't. We saved the zoo for Saturday along with taking Lucy to lunch and then everyone going to dinner that evening. Everyone included Ayron's sister Cindy and her husband Kermit. We went to a Chinese buffet that was incredible. The food was good and the company was great. All in all a very satisfying day. I was kind of sad to have to come home today, but there was no one else to do Ayron and Kyle's motor route so we had too. Of course, one of the first things I did was to take a nap. Lucy gave us her bed, but apparently I don't sleep well in beds that are not my own, no matter how comfortable they are and her bed was. So, what did you all do for your weekend? |
| I came to WDC today to read a few blogs and it seems like no one has written anything since the last time I was here. (sadness) I understand why. Spring is here and it is hard to sit inside and just veg in front of a computer when we can and should be outside enjoying the beautiful weather. Still, I don't like change. And seeing so many writers gone or not writing is change and I don't like it! I have done a little changing of my own even though I don't like change. I am taking an online class at Gotham Writing Workshop. I am hoping to learn things there that will help and motivate me in my writing. I also bought several books for just that purpose also. Not the how to write a book in so many days, but books on plot and structure, Dialogue and grammar. I thought there was one more, but I don't see it at the moment. I am enjoying the class and the exercises. And I like meeting like minded writers. We are all into either science fiction or fantasy or both. I am in class with some very talented writers. One lady is off the charts good. I just read her first offering of her book and trying to find something to be critical about was impossible. Today is an extra day off for me because I worked this weekend for a coworker so she could go see her granddaughter perform. I plan to use the day to work in the garden and write. In two weeks I am supposed to turn in something to be reviewed and I have nada. I also want to turn in something, anything, for the contest that lets us get a free class at Gotham and a six month or one year upgraded membership here. I hope everyone is enjoying their spring and that they are taking advantage of it. I know I am trying. Hugs to all. |
| Yesterday as I watched my oldest son wield my beloved hoe like an ax chopping at the ground, I decided to take his ferret outside for a few minutes while I visited with the boy. Piere, the ferret, immediately began exploring while I tried to keep Wesley from killing my few vegetables or digging up my newly planted seeds. Sniffing and snuffling, the little guy examined my few flowers then moved out over the open space that make up most of my garden at the moment. He soon discovered the chicken pen. In he went to ferret heaven. I allowed him to chase and play with the girls for about five minutes, then I rescued them by removing him from the area. I honestly didn't thing that the little guy would be interested in eating chicken. But he seemed to be giving a real go. Before you start deciding that I am some kind of cruel monster. The chickens are a good four times his size. He is a runt. And they could get up away from him. The girls were in no real danger. In Pierre's defense. I suspect to him, it was all just good fun. After I distracted him from his play we continued to make a circuit around the garage with a short stop at the neighbors then back inside he went. Chasing ferrets is tiresome. By the time I put Pierre inside, I was ready to work on the garden. I once again began the war with the dandilions. I am digging them up individually in the garden. I feed the fallen foes to the chickens. They enjoy the treat and the dandilions don't get a chance to take root. About the time I put Pierre in the house and decided on waging war with the evil weeds that are sneaking into my garden, my husband came home from his second and third jobs. I asked him to please pull the mower out of the garage and start it as I wanted to mow up some leaves. Not only did he pull it out, he started mowing for me. That allowed me to dig my row for the potatoes and fill it in with leaves and dirt before covering the potatoes with more leaves and dirt. All in all a very successful if tardry accomplishment. Maybe I will even get some good sized potatoes this year. Is anyone else gardening yet? What do you like to plant? |
| I am doing everything in my power to postpone some work I am doing on my book. Yes, I am pretending to write a book. It is no where near ready for anyone to see, so I probably shouldn't mention it, but well. I need something to talk about and I just don't think the hair bunnies floating all over my house is all that interesting. Obviously, I am still alive and I am visiting WDC. I just have found that I have lots of things to keep me busy off the computer of late. I have, after all saved up almost a years worth of work and just now have started it. On the one hand it is keeping me busy. On the other, It is keeping me busy. Well, the boy, Wesley, just finished cooking for him and his woman. I may try to sneak a bit to eat before I head off to work. Be well all. |
| In Thursday's blog I said life stagnated for the last year. That is not entirely true, but true enough. When I said that, I had forgotten one important change that occurred this last year, Tibbles. I won't say you all know or knew I had two cats, so the addition of Jamie's three would only equal five. (I hate when someone says and we all know "insert whatever" -- no everyone doesn't) Well, for those of you who read and thought, Renae, you can't coun't, two plus three is five not six, you are right. But... I left out pertinent information. Last summer apparently after I quit blogging we acquired a new member to our family. His name is Tibbles. Tibbles is an interestingly marked cat with a personality that just about anyone would love. I know cats are fickle and I accept that. Dott only tolerates me and only on her terms. Of the new cats Beavis adores Jamie and puts up with others petting him, but he is a bully. Waffle hides..... I mean he hides all the time. The only time any human other than Jamie is allowed to see him is when he gets hungry or has to take a bathroom break. Meemee is very, very friendly, but doesn't seek out attention from others, they have to come to her. Mr. Schnuffles (Dott's brother) is loving, but terrified of life... But Tibbles, Tibbles has reached out and grabbed life and people. There is a story behind Tibbles that I feel needs to be told. I said he has interesting marking and he does. He is grey with black marking, but instead of being stripes or dots his marking are circular. (I will eventually get a picture on here) Anyway, here is the story... Once upon a time-- last summer, Ayron and I had headed to the Fairmont Walmart to go shopping. We went in and shopped around bought the few items we could afford and left. (not very interesting) When we got outside to the car, I saw a half grown kitten huddled under our car. Ayron wanted me to chase him away and be done. I pointed out that he was going to get killed in the parking lot. I called the kitten to me, thinking he would run off and that would be that. He didn't. He hesitantly came to me and then cuddled right up when I held him. Without me even starting to begin my argument as to why we had to take him home, Ayron said, well, get in the car with him. I did expecting to hold a terrified cat for the thirty minute ride home. Not so. Our new friend nuzzled me and was alert and even seemed to enjoy the ride all the way back to the house. I was impressed. Our first opposition occurred when we arrived home. Neither Dott nor Mr. Schnuffles wanted anything to do with this small bundle of energy. (this lasted about a month) Oh, how sweet a story, right? The story doesn't end there.... I once tried to take Mr. Schnuffles to the nursing home because he was such a friendly cat at home, but as I have stated, he is terrified of everything. He hated the leash and after the first time, if I reached for it he hid. He freaked out about the wheel chairs and walkers both and was too terrified to enjoy any of the resident's attention. After such a successful ride home from Walmart I decided to take the now named kitten, Tibbles, up to the nursing home to see how he would react. He sat peacefully in the car looking out the window and then let me tote him around to many, many different rooms and introduce him to people who just adored him. He was a hit and also had a new job. He now goes up twice a week for about three hours at a time to visit everyone and when he doesn't show for any reason, people want to know why. At home he has become best buds with Dott and Mr. Schnuffles, but hasn't quite won over the other three cats that recently moved in. He has however become best buds with Poco the ferret. |
| Bloggity, Blog, blog, blog. My mind is in a fog. The fingers are stiff and thoughts adrift, But I haved returned No bridges burned. Yep, I know. It has been forever and a day since I put any words out there, or is it here? Anyway, not much has happened in the last six months. Life stagnated. Ayron was out of work from February of 2009 till January of 2010 when Fullerton called him back to work. I had made up my mind that we were moving to the East coast, which didn't pan out. So, we are still in the same house with the same pets doing the same thing. Well, almost. Our eldest son moved back and brought his girlfriend, her three cats and their ferrett with him. Did I mention that we live in a one bedroom house with the dinning room already turned into a bedroom for our youngest son? So, now we have five people, six cats and a ferrett all in a one bedroom, one bathroom house. Insane? Probably. Cozy, definately. And I have a source for new material as the cat wars rage on. As this is my first blog in eons, I shall keep it short and comprehensible. Hugs to all |
| Yesterday I stayed home sick. At first I felt bad because I thought I could have made it at work if I tried, but by the end of the day, I was extremely glad I had stayed home and close to the bathroom. My problem is that I feel like I could probably make it at work again today, but as with yesterday, I am wondering if I should stay close to the bathroom? I would like to call in and tell my boss one way or the other, but I need to be up and going for a bit more time before I know. Grrr. I have a great boss and hate the idea of leaving her hanging. I suspect I shall try to go in today for better or worse. At least if I go in and have to come home, she will know I tried. This morning while drinking my first coffee I was doing my usual and watching the chickens in the back. Betty was on top of her improvised coop when I saw she had something green in her beak just before she jumped down and dashed to the other side. I cursed a word rhyming with witch as I realized she had snagged one of the bean leaves, but my mild frustration soon turned to humor as I watched her play keep away with the other chickens. That apparently was her leaf and she wasn't sharing. Wilma chased Betty all over the coop trying to get a taste of the leaf, but Betty was having none of it. Let me assure you that pets are a great source of laughter if you will let them be. Speaking of pets, we watched Marley and me last night. It was a cute movie and made me miss Sasha all over. I personally think that training a dog is very important, but I can appreciate that dogs like people have there limits. I think I am going to crawl back into bed for and hour and hope things settle a little better. Have a great day. Hugs to all |
              Wow, this year has just flown by for me. Maybe it is proof to the old addage that time flies when you are having fun. I have have definately enjoyed myself more than not this year. Work has been wonderful most of the time and I have definately enjoyed my house and yard this year--garden included. That being said, I have to confess that I feel a little like a rat leaving a sinking ship when I say that I have to let my membership lapse for a while. I will still be around, I just won't have the Blog, at least not in this form. I hate to leave, but I am sure most of you out there are going through similar tightening of the belts. In time I am sure that things will swing back up, but for now we just have to ride out the low as best we can. Things I have been doing when not here. I have been working on learning to drop spin with little success. I have been working in the garden on occassion and I have been watching the chickens be chickens. Friday for work I got to hang out in the senor building at the fair. We took those who could and wanted to go to the Jackson county fair. It wasn't very stressful for me, but I think it may have been for the boss. Then after work my husband and I went back so I could pet all the animals and look at a few exhibits. It was a nice way to spend an hour. I hope all who read this are healthy and happy and having a wonderful weekend. Hugs |
Once again I sit at my computer enjoying the day outside. Yesterday evening I went out and pulled weeds. Mundane enough chore, but it is where I put them when I got them pulled that makes this morning fun for me. I put the weeds in the chicken coup and the girls are just having a blast eating. Weeds seem to be to them like icecream and cake is to us. During my weed pulling and dumping spree I took my girls and put them in the small cage that I have located between the peppers and tomato plants, at the moment. They went to town on the greens available there too. As a matter of fact, they were so enthusiastic about eating anything green I had to put a barrier between their cage and the tomato plants because I didn't know if tomato leaves are poisonous to chickens or not and the girls seemed willing to eat anything they could reach. At the end of the evening I made my husband come outside and watch me herd the girls back to their pen. I find it so cute and funny to do. Unlike when I have to catch them to put them in the second pen, when it is time to go home I just open the door and slowly follow and guide them back to their house. They run right for home and the only thing I have to worry about is their finding the doorway. In other less chickeny news, I finished two Barbie and one Kelly dresses. I think they came out lovely as well as the doily I have been working on for my brother and sister-in-law. Here they are. ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** ** Images For Use By Upgraded+ Only ** I hope you enjoy them as much as I enjoyed making them. |
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