Phone Pig and Other Oddities of Nature

Lately, my daughter dominates control of the phone when I call her. So I have not been able to talk to my son-in-law much. While our conversation was going the other day, I told her that she "hogged" the phone and started oinking at her. She is now my little PHONE PIG. And I mean this in the most affectionate way possible.

Throughout her life, her father and I have called her many meaningless, affectionate names. Beaker...as when she was a baby, she would make tiny 'hep-hep' noises and it sounded like the Beaker character on The Muppets; Inyago Montoya...from the movie The Princess Bride; and other various variations - Beaker Baby, Beaks, Rat, Googs, Punkin. At one point she even detested her own name and insisted everybody call her Kat.


Greg accidentally lost his cell phone on Saturday or Sunday. After tearing the house apart and all the cars, and even trying to locate it with a metal detector we borrowed from a friend...he finally found it this morning out in the new storage building. It had come unsnapped from his belt. We despaired of finding it as the snow covered all the ground and it would have been missing until Spring Thaw...Thank GOODNESS he found it as it has every phone number he ever needed in it and there would have been NO WAY on earth that he could have reproduced them. *Tonight, I will download them into this computer to preserve my sense of well-being in the future*

Last night we turned off the TV so that we could run to the store quickly for a few necessities. While we were gone, the TV blew up and the screen was totally green when we turned it on again. Thinking that it was the fault of the television, we brought down the new one from our bedroom and hooked it up; our stomachs were plummeting as we anticipated having an unexpected expenditure for a new television-the one we presently have is 10 years old; a projection 60 inch; undoubtedly it would be expensive to repair...

(Kelsey & Greg bought the surround sound/tv when they went to order appliances all those years ago - I was horrendously ill in bed with bronchitis - they called to ask me permission to get the TV as it was on sale & the salesman was giving them a smokin' hot deal with the appliance package - I didn't really care what they did as long as I got some rest ; and they proudly brought home the best TV & surround system ever. I am still pretty proud of them for it!)

But when we got the new one hooked up, it was the exact same thing. So we called the satellite cable company and they advised to re-set it and all would be well. Except that the remote failed to work - - which was probably the thing that had set this whole problem in process. Hubby had an extensive phone conversation with a gracious rep! He guided my husband as I worked the controls. Then I had to re-wire everything for sound. What A Night!

In re: Europe Trip - I have scheduled all our related appointments for the upcoming week. Piercings (getting my navel & greg's ear re-pierced), doctor, chiropractor, hairdresser, vaccinations.

Just waiting on a few last minute things to be mailed that I had ordered (please, oh please Dooney & Bourke-send me my new purse b4 I leave!) As I was SO irritated that they released their Christmas/Winter catalog and adding their new style of CROSSWORD without having ANYTHING in stock. I really wanted to order the Medium Sac to go along with the Letter Carrier purse. But nothing is available until about 1 week prior to Christmas. What sort of merchandising is this? Don't they WANT any sales?

The postal service has also been notified to hold our mail until we return. A few last minute instructions on our home to the friends that will be watching it, and we will pretty much be ready to go.

As long as my husband doesn't lose anything else...

Early Morning Gets the Worm

Hubby got a call out early this morning at 4Am. He was out of the house by 5. We had a huge storm front move into the area last night. Six inches so far 1.2.3.4.5.6! and it's not done snowing yet!

As I had nothing better to do and was unable to get back to sleep, I climbed upon the elliptical and proceeded to sweat for one hour. With the cold & inclement weather there will no more brisk walking around the neighborhood for me...

*Note to self - Don't try to exercise on the elliptical while watching CMT - Country Music Television videos. They are just too darn heart-breaking. I start to cry and almost fall off the machine.

days left til we are out of here! On Sunday, we went over to the new Cabelas- which is a giant sporting goods store. I would rather see the displayed, stuffed, dead animals in the wild while they are living; but it was quite an adventure walking around the enormous tribute to consumerism. They even have a restaurant within the store which was emitting discreet but delectable aromas from inside.

Obtaining a wonderful elegant winter jacket for hubby to wear on the trip at only $29 USD; we also picked him up a beautiful pair of black leather gloves, and some walkie-talkies so that we can have fun communicating in Europe.(don't tell the kids-it's a surprise)

We also managed to see a movie "The Mist" which was every bit as scary as the book; but I have to learn not to read the books before I go to see the movie. A comparison, be it negative or positive, is always unavoidable.

Pack, lists, locks, luggage, clothes, shoes, hairbrush, toothbrush, dog, house, cat, fish, tickets, passports, trains, planes, automobiles -- I'm getting pretty nervous. So much to do, so little time left.

Countdown - 18

18 days to go!

We spent a quiet day on Thanksgiving. Besides having an awful cough from this stupid, malingering cold...I just wanted to spend a day with the hubby.

So we got a few things from the grocery store that we had forgotten (stuffing/milk/buns) and went home to make T-Day dinner. Also picked up warm lattes from a place in town.

Stopped at our friends, Joanie & Chachi to see how their building was coming. Greg had to return to take a couple things to them, while I worked out on the elliptical. When he got home, we settled into our dinner and watched the Parades that we had recorded for our viewing convenience.

Greg called his dad later Thanksgiving night. All was well with Marv. He had served some friends at the local church by carving up 18 turkeys.

The kids sent us a cute e-card of a hand drawn turkey. It made us smile.

Yep. We Got It!

Snow.

Not a lot.

Just a dusting.

But it's here.

More of the Same

More rain. Dark. Depressing. Gloomy. Miserable. Dismal.

I went to get my nails done Friday morning. Which was a relaxing, enjoyable time. Except that the nail tech pinched my toes just a little bit too much on my left foot and I lost all feeling in that side of my body!

Afterwards, I went to pick up a prescription. The supreme hassle of getting this simple thing frustrated me so much when the Pharmacy failed to fill it or contact me with their inability to fulfill it. Using the flimsy excuse that they didn't have a current phone number for me & didn't know who the doctor was...these incompetents failed in their jobs. The people there are now rude, discourteous, and intolerable.

When we first started using this "hometown" pharmacy, there were extremely helpful, polite, and service oriented. With the surge in the population, they have added more employees which seems to have brought the quality of service to a new low. They have always had our telephone number; if they don't-the telephone book lists our phone number. Look it up! In addition to this, they have filled the last 3 prescriptions for the past 3 months with the SAME exact doctor. Yet they looked at me like they had no clue.

I had also called in on Tuesday to confirm that they transfer the prescription from their sister pharmacy as I wanted to use the one that was most convenient in locale. I gave all the pertient information again at that time.

When arriving home, I contacted my physician's office to get the prescription filled at a different pharmacy only to learn that the doctor's office was "extremely busy on a Friday" - duh. When is a doctor's office NOT busy? More excuses. More incompetence.

Resolving to get a written paper prescription the next time I had an appointment with this physician, I gritted my teeth and urged the receptionist to get a note to the doctor's nurse so that my prescription could be filled & I could get it picked up. Remember. This is a prescription that was to have been filled on MONDAY.

After 3 hours and 2 more phone calls, the doctor's nurse FINALLY called to advise she had called the drug prescription into the local Walgreens. However, when I got off the phone with her and called the local Walgreens, they had not even heard of me. Never got a prescription from the doctor, either.

So, here it is. Saturday. I am out of my pills. I'll probably fall over dead without them. And two pharmacys and one doctor's office failed in their jobs. If you don't WANT to be in your job and you DON'T like it and you fail the customer, GET OUT OF IT. You are only making it worse for others.

I am thrillingly looking forward to Monday (insert heavy accent of sarcasm here-) when I get to call the doctor's office once again to urge them to actually get my prescription to me via a piece of paper instead of the useless computerized system they are attempting to use.

I will rest in the knowledge that even tho I am dead from my lack of medication, my fingernails & toenails look Marvelous!

Tentative Itinerary

1/Amtrak train to Seattle

2/Fly non-stop Seattle, UStates to London, UK

3/2-3 days in UK with kids

4/Fly London to Resort in Germany

5/Stay for week at Resort

6/Train from Germany to Rome, Italy

7/Train from Rome to Bari

8/Ferry from Bari to Patras, Greece

9/Train from Patras to Athens

10/Fly from Athens to Rome

11/Train from Rome to Paris, France

12/New Year's Eve in Paris!

13/Fly from Paris to London, UK

I purchased Frommer's guides to all the major countries that we will be touring; Kelsey has a guide of Europe by Train.

While I walk 4-6 miles every day...I do not listen to music; instead - I have this chant I do in my head. Sometimes I even say it out loud. "England, France, Germany, Italy, Greece."

Walk A Mile In My Shoes

After fixing lunch for the hubby and waving him off to work, the dog & I walked.

While she peters out after 1 mile, I continue on for another 5 miles while Isabelle rests in the truck.

The hubby got off work early so that he could pay his speeding ticket that came in the mail that he totally forgot to tell me about...he received it back on October 31.

After that incident was finished, we had a small dinner of turkey sandwiches. I immediately konked out on the recliner. I dragged myself upstairs, not understanding why I was so exhausted. Thinking that my cold had returned, I slept for about 2 hours. Waking up felt like walking through sludge- I figured that the Tryptophan in the turkey must have lulled me into the Zzzzzzs.

We finished the night out by watching CSI, Criminal Minds, and the late news which predicted SNOW. Doing a quick walk around the deck amidst the falling precipitation, we kissed in the first flakes of the season. Cold tonight.

Tomorrow, I will need to order some final things for the trip; some neat & cute boots, jeans, & a sweater I found in a mail-order catalog; plus a new Dooney & Bourke purse. There are so many things to get ready for the trip.

I miss my mom.

Nite Nite.

Let Me Hear You Say It Now!

After walking 4 miles, I came home and cleaned house on Saturday. Greg worked on the building for a while until it rained.

Chachi had an argument with Joanie, and he thought she ran away to Montana. However, she was just out shopping the whole day. They are now arguing and neither will talk to the other. Joanie says that eventually they will start talking again. Chachi needs to spend more time with her, instead of doing "guy" things all the time. To resolve this, Greg is going to urge Chachi to not come over as much.

Sunday we got lattes, ran into town so that Greg could get more insulation for the building (the guys cut it incorrectly and wasted a major portion) then when we returned home we went for a walk with the dog. Isabelle & hubby ducked out after 1 mile while I continued on for another 4 miles. When I returned home we both picked up garbage around the worksite.

Monday dawned with dark, cloudy, and forbidding skies. The wind blew & the rain fell in torrents. Veteran's Day was dull & depressing. I ran over to Joanie's & we made bracelets.

4:00 found us in Spoky-Jo at my doctor's office. I have lost 16 pounds. But I think I have lost more in inches. Anyway, everything checked out OK.

We got a "Frommer's Paris 2008" travel guide. I will be ordering more like this over the internet for our trip. It is a very informative book, giving architectural details, travel resources, top attractions & restaurants, museums & highlights plus detailed strolling notations. It will be exciting to have the guide when we visit the different attractions to give us the background info!

How Many Days?

The countdown begins!

Here Kitty, Kitty!

When I went out to feed the fish this morning, I heard a plaintive miaowing coming from the direction of Greg's truck. So, I wandered out and found that there was a cute little kitty stuck under the hood. I called Greg (as I feared that there was going to be blood & guts involved...) and fortunately, he was close enough that he could drop in quickly.

The poor little thing was sitting on the truck battery in a vain attempt to attain warmth. It was shivering and shaking. After a thorough inspection, whereupon we learned it was relatively clean and free of fleas; we took it inside to give it a warm box along with a hearty helping of tuna.

Dubbing the little thing, Augustus 2 - it looks very similar to a cat we used to own, many years ago. After dinner tonight, Gus settled down on Greg's legs & took a long nap. Isabelle kept schnozing the little kitten while it slept, sniffling to inspect this intruder into her home!

It might have caught a ride home on Greg's truck when he stopped at the salvage yard, and hubby will call the guys tomorrow to find out if they are missing a kitten. It might also be an abandoned cat as we live quite close to the highway, where people will dump their animals. In the meantime, I will phone the Vet to get him to look over Gus.

6 Miles A Day

Here is the weather forecast for the next 5 days. We are obviously into the monsoon season. It's going to be quite a challenge to walk 3-6 miles a day in the mud & muck with the rain coming down, but I will do my best.

Since I have started saving the Victoria's Secret catalog front pages on http://www.flickr.com/ since July 4, 2007- I have received over 50 advertising catalogs. Isn't that a bit excessive? Sometimes, I receive two or three catalogs in the mail in one week! Victoria's Secret advertising budget costs must be exorbitant!

I haven't blogged in over 6 days because I have been recovering from the flu/cold. The symptoms branched out and it came right back again. I believe that hubby and I were just exchanging the same cold, over & over again.

We did manage to go to Wally-Mart on Tuesday night. It was quite an accomplishment dragging myself around the store. Getting a cold can deplete your energy.

I did manage to make another bracelet. Also made one for the baby. She will get it when we see them on the EV! (European Vacation)

Only 32 DAYS! I will seriously countdown from now on!

We leave December 10 on the Amtrak train to take us to Seattle in order to board our plane. We reserved a sleeper car so that we board at 2:15AM, we will be able to sleep on the way. Get up and have a leisurely breakfast in the morning of December 10th, then depart the train at 10:20am...taxi to the hotel to stay overnight, then have ample time to get to the airport on December 11 by 1PM for our flight out at 2PM.

The only sad thing in our whole holiday will be that Isabelle has to stay with our friends, Joanie & Chachi. She will have the Greyhounds & Shorty to play with, but she is really a solitary dog. Hope she does well with them for that period of time.

We still have not received any steel or insulation from the Steel Yard yet. In the meantime, Greg had the guys install his wood stove pipe through the roof in order to heat his shop. I urged him to find other sources of heat, but he decided that since we have an excess of wood & it is a warmer heat than others that he would like this best. He still has propane as a back-up.

Sandpaper & Acid

Yep. That's what my sore throat feels like. Just exactly as if two pieces of sandpaper were rubbing back & forth. Then, maybe somebody accidentally poured a bottle of acid down my throat. Without vaporizing the sandpaper. Because the sandpaper is too tough to be melted by just acid~


The cold lingers. I growl sexily when I have a sore throat. And am so weak that I can't even climb the stairs without being out of breath.


My head is under so much pressure, I believe it will burst and green snot will fly out to coat the walls.


Nobody around to make chicken noodle soup with dumplings for me or cover me up with a blanket.


I hate colds.
Made some new domino necklaces the other day for Christmas.

One snowman with a cute little dangly snowman bead at the bottom.

The other is a pic of a vintage Santa.

Building pic. All the girts are up and ready for metal. It was just too late when they finished to take pictures. I dragged myself down there to take these, and was panting like a freight train by the time I got back to the house. The metal won't be delivered until Tues/Wed/Thurs.