Saturday, February 28, 2009

Might As Well Laugh

Hello, everyone. I think I must be living an I Love Lucy story. I'd try to explain it all but that would take the whole night and I'm just about to fall asleep at the wheel - so to speak.

Short version - picture this. Harry is the chosen one to have the pleasure of the first shower in the newer version of our master bath. He turns on the water, undresses, checks the water temp, seems fine, steps in - then it happens - the water is cold. Jump back! Adjust the water, feels fine, steps forward - super hot - jump out of shower and yell. Does that paint a picture? It seems that something went wrong in the installation and the gizmo that mixes the water is not functioning properly. Those are my words - I don't dare print Harry's words or I'd be put in blogland exile. Plumbers will be here Monday to correct the problem. I'm so tired of this mess that I could see the beauty of a galvanized tub on the screen porch. Only old folks will understand that comment.

Sarah and Baby Mav are sick with a flu-like bug. Both have seen the doctor and are on meds. I went out there this afternoon to be with Mav while Sarah got a much needed nap. At least I was out of the house for a while. Mav is a bit fussy but still a little treasure. I enjoyed my time with him.

All is well on the home front other than all the above and the stress of taking care of a badly failed reef tank and all the related clutter.

Now I'm going to bed before I find myself asleep with my face in the keyboard. Good Night to all.

Monday, February 23, 2009

Update on the Construction Site

Monday night and all is well - at least well contained and that's something. Tomorrow we go to a small town a little more than and hour away. We're taking our plans for new custom reef tanks to a prime fabricator. (He built our new frag tank and it's perfect.) Yes, I did say tankS. After hours of ideas, drawing, and discussion we came to agreement on a footprint that is a bit different. Once again, I remind you that I'm always thinking outside the box. Some folks would say that I'm just plain weird.

The big thing is that the new tanks will be in the sun room on tile floors. No more worry about the hardwood floors or the rugs. This is going to dictate that most rooms in the house will be re-arranged. Too much to try to write about. The bathroom is ready for cleanup except that the hinges for the vanity doors are on backorder. Reattaching the doors is a snap and will take less than an hour.

I'd forgotten how much I enjoy the type of work I've been doing so don't feel sorry for me. I will try to post every day or two and will certainly use my rest breaks to have another cuppa coffee and keep up with the activities of my blogging friends.

Stay safe and be happy.

Sunday, February 22, 2009

Here In The Real World

Picture our real world this morning. Speaker above the possible waterline. Kitchen with towels ready for a possible dribble. Furniture out of place. Everywhere you look - disarray. This was my view as I was attempting to make my list for today. You did notice the clamps holding the 225 gallon salt water tank to prevent a BIG catastrophe, didn't you? So I decided to move to another chair to change the view.Folks, it ain't no better from this end of the room. This is Sunday - Family and Friends Day. I can just see it now. The adults will ignore the mess and settle in. They won't want to make a big deal of this confusion and make me feel bad. The kids will see it as an opportunity to enjoy the new possibilities.
My world and welcome to it. Have a happy Sunday. I intend to.

Friday, February 20, 2009

Where I Live

Only time for bullets for an update.

1) I finally have everything under control on my project . . and
2) Harry's frag tank (for baby coral) was delivered and is really pretty . . but
3) It's a lot of work to get a new tank plumbed, wired, balanced, and into service . . and
4) Last night (Thursday night) the 225 gallon tank's two top braces came loose . . but
5) It didn't give way, break, or leak . . and
6) Today we had to get clamps to keep pressure on the sides until a solution can be found.

Besides all this Jesse is pretty sick with whatever over half of his class - and his teacher - have had. Mary's fibromyalga (spelling?) is flaring. I'm having pain related to an old injury and am on meds again. Harry is ready to run in circles and say bad words - no wait, I think he already did that. I need a big Margarita but I'll be happy with a good night's sleep instead.

Nothing's happening to cause long term problems but the present surely is a jumbled mess. How's the world treating you?

Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Hello, My Friends . .Hello

It's been a week since I posted a new blog entry. A busy week, I might add. I've finally quit "stewing" over the fiasco going on with remodeling. I found the button that puts me in "get over it and get on with it" mode. It took a while, didn't it? The final on-line orders for 'stuff' has been confirmed. It's almost victory time.

A lot of last week was devoted to NASCAR. As usual, it'll take me half of the season to relearn who is driving which car and who is being the biggest jerk this year. The big race on Sunday was a let down. The only good thing was that a fellow who had never won Daytona was declared the winner since he was out front when rain ended the race. Maybe this isn't the prediction of things to come this season.

All the kids were here Sunday afternoon except for Mary. She stayed home to nurse a major cold/flu. Dinner was roast beef, new potatoes, corn on the cob, slaw, and carmel pound cake. I sent left overs home with kids and a special serving for Mary. I hope she felt like eating a little. Of course, everyone was watching the race. James and Jesse have race video games and love racing. Mav is still too young to notice the race very much but he surely does know how to laugh and play with his toys.

Harry's new frag (baby coral) tank was delivered on Saturday. The next project will be to get it set up and in operation. I won't have a lot to do on that project. I'm the bathroom contractor - Harry manages the reefs.

I may not post much and comment only a little, but I do think of you, my peeps, every day and picture you having much to smile about.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

In a "Wait" Situation

I've caulked and painted myself into a "wait" situation. I could be busy with other things but I decided to take the rest of the day off. Harry is cooking this evening. It's to the shower and pajamas for me as soon as I pusha-da-button and publish this. Later I intend to catch up on reading blogs - unless I fall asleep with my face in my dinner plate, that is.

Ricky surprised me with a series of pictures that he shot while on a business trip. I'm posting one because I think it's so interesting. The picture is taken from Corona, CA, with Mt Baldy (tops at 10,500 ft) as the subject. I was taken with the palm trees backed by snow. Isn't Mother Nature wonderful? Ricky, I enjoy your sharing pictures with me. Thank you.



Ricky, I'm also posting a picture (below) of the painting your mother did. I decided it needed a more important frame. What do you think. This painting means more to me than words can tell. Thank you so much.

Now, it's off to the shower. Later, folks.


Monday, February 9, 2009

Can Spring be Far Away . . .

Look what's happening in our yard? Harry noticed these brave little flowers and made pictures this morning.



Sunday, February 8, 2009

Can't Think of a Title

Today was quieter than usual. It seems a flu like bug has bitten several of my clan and they elected to not spread the joy. Buddy, Sarah, and Mav were here to keep the old folks company. Without them Harry and I would have rattled around all day just looking confused. Old folks have a problem dealing with change, you know.

Mav is nine months old now and becoming his own little man. He has opinions about what he wants to do and where he wants to go and tries to accomplish it fast before anyone can catch him. He has seven - yes 7 - teeth and is cutting another. He's also happily cruising around as long as he can have one hand on something to steady himself. Growing up too fast, I say. Don't they all?

My projects are going very well considering that I'm not as young as I once was and that I'm dealing with an old house. This old house will never be a mansion but she is really comfortable and worn with love. I even admire some of her dents and scratches. The tile work is complete in the master bath. Thank heavens the contractors are out of here and I can finish the job myself. Speaking of tile, I only had the floor tiled. The tub has a marble surround and the vanity top is the same marble. (I decided to keep the original vanity and re-work it myself.) Most people prefer tiled walls in their bath but I prefer to have painted walls. They feel more welcoming.

It's bedtime here in rocket city. Tomorrow is another day as a construction worker for me. I'm not complaining - I'm bragging that I'm able to do the little bit that I can do. Take care, everyone. My best to you.

Saturday, February 7, 2009

End of the Week

I wish I had something interesting to share with the world but - alas - spackle, primer, and paint do not make exciting plots. It's a slow process and when the usual day to day routine is thrown in my days are just using me up. My plan was to have my part of this growing project complete by the end of today. Not gonna happen - not gonna worry - gonna do the best I can and not get all up in the air. Projects in an old house are never easy.

We are expecting fairly warm days today through next Tuesday. That will give me a window to take the cabinet doors to the screened porch to sand them. A big help to say the least. It'll be good to be outside for a while even if it is to work.

Isn't this just the most exciting blog post you've ever read? No? I thought so. Maybe I can come up with something more interesting in the next few days. I do owe Brad a bit of trivia that he asked for a couple of posts ago. Brad, I haven't forgotten that you wanted to know about my short tenure at a TV station. I'll tell you the short version of that chapter soon.

Hope your weekend and all the days to follow are happy and care free. Thanks for stopping by.

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Only a Meme

Too tired and busy to really post. Stole this meme from Smoocha. I can answer questions a few at a time while I'm taking a break and have something to post by late today. Hope no one is stripping wallpaper today - I am!


[Have you ever...?]

Gone on a blind date? Yep, with Hoyt Axton. Blind date - Never again!
Skipped school? No, I'm a coward.
Watched someone die? Yes
Been to Canada ? Yes, Last summer. Loved it!
Been to Mexico ? Yes, Canada was more fun.
Been on a plane? More times than I can count.
Been lost? I've had many adventures - most of them happy.
Been on the opposite side of the country? Yes.
Gone to Washington, DC? Yes for weeks at a time.
Swam in the ocean? Many times.
Cried yourself to sleep? Let's not go there!
Played cops and robbers? No. Cowboys and Indians on real live horses.
Recently colored with crayons? Almost every week.
Sang Karaoke? Yes, but I didn't enjoy it.
Paid for a meal with coins only? Who hasn't.
Done something you told yourself you wouldn’t? Yes, went on a blind date only once. See above.
Made prank phone calls? I take the fifth.
Laughed until some kind of beverage came out of your nose? Just this past weekend - coffee.
Caught a snowflake on your tongue? Yes.
Danced in the rain? Yes, it was heaven.
Written a letter to Santa Claus? Probably.
Been kissed under the mistletoe? Yes, Harry even brought the mistletoe.
Watched the sunrise with someone you care about? Yes.
Blown bubbles?Of course.
Gone ice-skating? Not that I recall.
Been skinny dipping outdoors? Yes, but I should take the fifth.
Gone to the movies? More than I can count.
Saved someone’s life? Not really.
1. Any nickname? Pugar (Sweet as sugar and mean as a booger) and Snowflake.
2. Mother’s name? Mary Ruth
3. Favorite drink? Coffee
4. Any Tattoos? Nope
5. Body piercing? Ears.
6. How much do you love your job? Not the job I'm doing today.
7. Favorite vacation spot? On the water.
8. Ever been to Africa? Does Egypt count?
9. Ever eaten cookies for dinner? Probably as a child.
10. Been on TV? Yes, I worked at a TV station for 6 miserable months.
11. Ever steal any traffic signs? No! I do not steal.
12. Ever been in a car accident? Yes, enough said.
13. Drive a 2-door or 4-door vehicle? 4 door. Thank God!
14. Favorite Salad Dressing? Depends on the salad.
15. Favorite Pie? Lemon.
16. Favorite Number? Eight
17. Favorite Movie? Tender Mercies
19. Favorite Dessert? Not very fond of desserts.
20. Favorite food? Salads:_
21. Favorite day of the week? Sunday, I get to see all the kids
22. Favorite brand of body wash? No brand - Lavender
23. Favorite toothpaste? Arm and Hammer
24. Favorite smell? Coffee, clean babies,Good male cologne.
25. What do you do to relax? Read, paint, do needlework
26. How do you see yourself in 10 years? Old - really, really old:(
27. How many siblings do you have? All deceased.
28. Furthest place you will send this message? S. America.
29. Who will respond to this the fastest? No idea.
30. Who is your favorite dog of all time? Akido!!!

Nothing to write? Try this.