What a man, what a man, what a man

Posted on November 15, 2012 by Frog

Yesterday we went to a funeral. The man who died was the father of a friend of ours. I didn’t know him very well, but the better-half did and certainly by all accounts he was a great guy. I was afraid we were going to have to stand during the service because there were that many people filling the chapel.

During the service, the priest told some funny stories that had the group laughing. All in all it was a very nice service and I noticed there wasn’t a lot of sniffling or tears. Are Episcopalians just more stoic? Or, did everyone acknowledge that he lived a long, good life and went very quickly (everyone’s wish)?

The deceased man’s first name is the same as my father’s so there were some parts of the service that struck me in the “holy crap how is that going to work” way. As in, when my father dies how on earth are we going to have a ceremony? Because he’s not religious and he’s not exactly the kind of man that has lots of friends who would like to say something nice about him. I joked with the better-half that perhaps we should have an open-mic and just let people say, “well, he certainly was an asshole, bless his heart”.

I don’t know. I think about my own funeral sometimes and this is what would make me the happiest…a cocktail party. Cremate me and then throw a cocktail party. Play some music, drink your favorite beverage and eat some heavy hors d’oeuvres. People can say, “well, she certainly was an asshole” if the want or they can just enjoy the party.

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Music for your Thursday Morning

Posted on November 8, 2012 by Frog

We got this album the other day…yeah, we still buy CDs.

Love this song:

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Wouldn’t it be cool?

Posted on November 6, 2012 by Frog

If after you get this:

The calls and mailings disappear to the point if Anne Romney is dialing my number her call just gets cut off automagically?

We looked at caller id and found we had 51 calls that were easily identified as political calls from 10/30-11/6.

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This is going to be unpopular

Posted on November 5, 2012 by Frog

Over the past week, I’ve seen some things on the internet, Facebook and Twitter about how selfish the rest of the population of the US is if they say anything remotely nice about the weather or their lives. Because how can anyone say something nice when there’s so much suffering in the NY/NJ area? Someone I know retracted her statement about the amazing weather they are having in FL because, apparently, someone in the Northeast said it wasn’t kind to talk about 80 degrees and sunny when it is cold and dark there.

I have absolute sympathy and empathy for everyone who is without power for more than a few hours. I also feel horrible for and can’t even imagine what it’s like for the town of Breezy Point. They lost so much. It’s really hard to understand the magnitude of practically the whole town being gone. The pictures are startling. It’s like looking at some of the towns in Tornado Alley–everything is gone.

With that said, how can anyone assume that the entire country stops whatever it is we’re doing or ENJOYING because some folks in a couple of states are without power? Dude, move to a hurricane area. We lose power a lot. We have a serious problem with ice in the winter. Oh and if the weather isn’t enough of a problem, we lose power for no freaking reason–because some dipshit drove around a corner too fast and hit a tree/pole, or a snake went into a relay station or whateverthefuck.

Yes, we can start up a generator but when you are without power, and in our case no power equals no water, it freaking sucks. I suppose for people with whole house generators that run off propane/natural gas then it really is like nothing bad happened. But for those of us who have to feed the gas generator and plan which thing can draw current, it sucks. I get it. It’s awful but that doesn’t mean that I hate on other people because they aren’t worrying about basic necessities.

Posted in General Spleen Venting | 1 Comment

Wasn’t that a mighty storm?

Posted on October 29, 2012 by Frog

So, you may have heard that the East Coast is entertaining a guest named Sandy. We prepared by taking the trash and recyclables to the dump, the better-half hit the wine store, I made oatmeal raisin cookies and we sold our first born cat to pay for generator gas. We also moved the vehicles into the garage and I’m proud that we’ve been able to keep the garage pretty darn free of clutter over the last month or so:

All day Sunday we waited for something to happen. Nothing did. We made a bet about when we’d lose power and when we’d get it back. I’ve already lost the “when we’d lose power” category and the better-half’s designated time is fast approaching (I wrote that sentence at 11:36pm 10/29).

Now it’s Monday morning and the rain has finally arrived in full-force. I’m looking out over the pool and the cover pump is having a hard time keeping up right now. That means there’s more water falling than it can pump so it’s behind and partially submerged. The wind is mostly gusty and, knock on wood, we haven’t had any trees come over. I know we’re all supposed to be in our bunkers by now shivering with fear, but it just doesn’t seem that bad in Central Virginia. Of course, as soon as I publish this all hell will break loose. I’m sorry.

Lost power at 4:44pm today and it was back after 3 long minutes ;)

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Self Diagnosis

Posted on October 23, 2012 by Frog

Yesterday I stood up from the couch and headed towards the kitchen. On the way there I decided to kick the ottoman like a punter attempts a field goal from the 50 yard line. After I did that, I hopped around on my right foot and said words that made Lucy’s tail curl. Those words quickly turned into ouch, ouch, ouch, my foot, my foot, oh my god my foot.

Last night the throbbing ache made me think I’d broken a bone (but I’ve never had a broken bone so I don’t really know what that feels like). There’s only a small bruise and all my toes are in their normal configuration. So, I’ve self diagnosed myself with a sprained toe. Yes, I could make a doctor’s appointment, but where’s the fun in that?

All my plans for today have been turned into keeping my foot elevated with Lucy on my lap and a book in my hand. The occasional ice pack should round out the day.

Updated: 10/24/12
Definitely not broken, just finished walking on the treadmill and my toes are significantly less swollen. Just a hard bruise/jam. Thank goodness.

Posted in Generic Thoughts | 1 Comment

Wanderlust

Posted on October 21, 2012 by Frog

A couple of weeks ago I told the better-half I had wanderlust. I think I’ve been stuck at home on the range for way too long. Considering I spent the last two years running up and down Virginia’s fine highways to go to class or go to work or to go somewhere, it’s not surprising that I have been a bit antsy for a change of scenery. I told him I wanted to go somewhere but I didn’t want us to spend a lot of money because, well, I’m not willing to spend $$$ when we’re on one income. Spending $$, sure, but $$$ is right out.

Yesterday we drove to Devils Backbone Brewery for lunch. The wait for a table was about 45 minutes and if we hadn’t driven over an hour to get there I’m not sure I would have been able to handle that much standing around (because I’m not good at waiting). I’m glad we did. It was beautiful yesterday with a bit of a chill from the breeze and the view was pretty darn great.

I was amazed at how many people were indignant about having to wait for a table so I guess the beautiful weather and the fact the brewery recently won some awards at GABF made the brewpub busier than usual. I don’t know why folks didn’t leave to go to one of the many other breweries in the area or the BBQ place down the road. If you are that cranky about waiting for a table, put your butt back in the car.

We sat on the patio and I had to ask the better-half to put down the umbrella because without the sun to warm me, I would have been a chilly mess. He was a good sport about leaning into the shadow of the umbrella to protect his eyes from the sun and was totally comfortable in a t-shirt. I had on a long sleeved shirt and was thrilled with the sun. I forget he’s part polar bear.

We started with two pints of beer, a large pretzel and a plate of deep-fried dill pickle spears. I had the Eight Point IPA (no surprise there) and he had the Ramsey’s Draft. His beer smelled so good. Mine tasted so good (actually his did too). Then I had a cheeseburger with sweet potato fries and he had a smoked prime rib sandwich that was really tasty. My burger finally! took care of the burger craving I’ve had for a month. I had one a couple of weeks ago and they over-cooked it so I was still hankering. The folks at Devils Backbone make a mighty fine burger. We hung out a bit and enjoyed another beer and the scenery. Since it was well after 4 the crowd to get in had died down so we felt no need to jump up immediately from our table. Plus, we got to be a bit judgmental on the freaks seated next to us who waited at least an hour for a seat only to bolt their meal and run out of there like they HAD PLACES TO BE. Plus the woman was a total shrew to the waitress. It wasn’t her fault there were 700 people in front of you in the line so shaddup.

People who don’t need people are the happiest people. Why I don’t sing that more often?

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Red Skies in Morning

Posted on October 15, 2012 by Frog

The above picture does no justice to how brilliant the sky was this morning. Pink was everywhere. Of course, it’s raining now. The rain is a good thing since it was so windy yesterday which made everything seem so dry.

I’ve been working on the weed situation in the flower beds and on Sunday the better-half helped move the remaining part of the mulch pile into beds and around some shrubs. So, I’m especially thrilled with the rain because it will help lock the mulch into place and will give the weed block/fertilizer combo I put down the other day a head start. I know you aren’t supposed to feed in the fall and I didn’t put much down. It was mostly in the interest of ensuring the weeds I knocked back stay knocked back.

Today I’ve been working in the kitchen making chicken stock (made some over the weekend too), chicken and rice soup (for dinner tomorrow) and a cherry/pear compote that will eventually go over a pork tenderloin. I went to the grocery store early this morning to buy said pork tenderloin and wouldn’t you know they only had the kind that is already marinaded. I couldn’t find anyone at the meat counter to hand over a plain one. So, joy, back to the store later this week.

Posted in Eating, Gardening | Comments Off

Wherein I earn my keep as an aunt

Posted on October 5, 2012 by Frog

This afternoon I spent some time spoofing my niece. We were texting back and forth and I pretended to be Simon the whole time. Except when I told her I was Lucy. It was all pretty hilarious with her not quite believing the texts, but, you never know what weird stuff goes on at our house.

My texts are in blue. Niece 1′s texts are in grey.

And, when we wrap it up (Anna and Fuzzy are her cats):

Bwahahahaha.

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More Before and After Pictures

Posted on September 30, 2012 by Frog

We swapped out the massive dresser/cabinet for a smaller, more human-scale dresser that I refinished. We used this dresser at the apartment and by the time it got back to our house it had been pretty severely scratched on the top and on the front. Luckily, the scratches were only on the 1960s finish and not on the wood. So, I stripped the finish and applied a stain/poly combo to it. I spray painted the hardware and I’m pretty pleased with the results.

Yesterday we hauled a bunch of stuff to the better-half’s aunt’s thrift store and to her church for their yard sale next week. It was a total of four loads and we finally got rid of the generator that wouldn’t start. There are some handy older men who go to that church and they think they can tinker with it to get it working. We got the impression that if they could, they may keep the generator for the church, but we’ll see. After they get it working, they could easily get some serious coin for it. They could probably pay rent on the store for a couple of months on that one sale.

I’m very happy with what we’ve been able to do these last few weeks, but I have to tell you that it was AWESOME sitting in the garage yesterday afternoon with a beer and listening to our voices echo. The few items remaining in the center of the garage are recyclables, the cages we use to trap cats and our working generator. It’s hardly anything, really.

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