Bit of a rough weekend.

Friday was good. We had after work beers with Oliver and Shane at the
Crystal Corner, then we left to try out Taco Palace -- but the line was
long and not moving. The final straw was when the two couples in front of
us let in two OTHER couples that had just come up -- cutting right in front
of us. I couldn't fucking believe it. I was just about to say something
when everyone else decided that we should go to Harmony Bar and
Grill. Their spidey sense must have kicked in, letting them know I was
about to unleash a hurricane of hurt.

The Harmony Bar and Grill was okay, except it took an eternity for our food
to get to us, and the bar staff wasn't very polite. The pizza lady was
having a baby, and so the hamburger dude was overwhelmed. Still, no need to
get pissy -- they could have said it would take two years before we got our
food before we ordered....

Saturday the curse set in, and progressively got worse as the day
continued. By nightfall, I was depressed, drinking wine and blathering on
about the meaning of life, my life and my purpose in it. The DH and I had
a great talk and even went to bed early. We may or may not have some big
things happening in the near future -- I'll keep you updated when/if things
happen.

Sunday we got up to visit the skate part in Sun Prairie. I worked on some
word puzzles and Tim skated. It was nice. We returned home to make some
coffee and had a pleasant morning. Then Tim went off to game and I went off
to nap. After a nice nap, I knitted and watched a little french movie
called the Chorus. Oh it was sweet and it occurred to me that is has been a
long, long time since I've seen a good movie. I even watched the last scene
twice.

This week I am going to a leadership conference in Appleton, so I am going to be out for a few days. Not that you could tell -- I mean sometimes I get into this rut where I only post once or twice a week. Then I have scrabble on Thursday, followed by hosting a soiree on Saturday. I am glad that I've been working on the house with the spring cleaning and all. I am pretty happy with the state of it in general -- and how it's coming along. I still have the guest room to redo.

We STILL have Tyra. HA! Having her for only a week my foot. Well, now Tim knows what it is like to return home to spastic dogs every day, cook his own food, put himself to bed, and all that jazz. Watch, he's going to end up staying up until 2:00 in the morning, boozing and playing games. Men. *rolls eyes dramatically*

My garden sits in the same state that it was when it died. Its so nice that I almost have this inspiration to go out there and clean it up. I have some seeds for flowers and stuff that I have been thinking about putting in planters and the garden, especially since we don't need to actually grow anything useful.

Okay, I never needed to grow anything useful -- and I think I like the idea of perennials more and more with each passing year. Plus, there is some rhubarb that we planted last year, and we can't see it because it's covered with dead leaves and sunflower stalks. Whoa, it's the 24th already? I suppose I should pay the rest of the month bills -- something I usually do on Tuesday's, but since the morning is babysitting followed by going to this conference....then....yeah the mortgage has to be paid.

Well, hopefully blogger is working now. I got dishes that are soaked and tea ready to be drunk before Oprah and resistance band workout time.

-- other things to do this week....write for the writing group, finish up those moccassin's for Hilary, and finish sewing re/making t-shirts I had cut up last week.

It was impossible to get to work this morning, but eventually I got there. I rode my bike which is hard going against the wind the whole time, but easy coming home.

Last night we went to see a band at the King Club - The Voodoo Organist, and I met a very strange drummer.

Oh, the DH is home, maybe more later. I got Friday night stuff to do suckers!

My sheets are all cleaned and dried by the power of SPRING. I even managed to wash the mattress pad, and two or three blankets. The last two are outside now -- hopefully they will have time to dry before it rains. ..... I just checked wunderground and it looks okay for the time being. Everything has been drying really quickly. I swear the sheets must have only taken twenty minutes.

I do think I need to restring the lines though. They are currently too baggy and propped with sticks to make them more taut. I also need to buy more clothes pins -- I am down to half my orginal stock because they are such good food closers.

What else, cleaning up around the house -- enjoying the time to do it. I am going to gone at a conference next week for two-three days and want to get as much cleaning in the house done before then. I am hosting a little party not this Saturday, but the next Saturday and want as little last minute cleaning as possible. Call it a continuation of my complete spring cleaning.

I have been fighting a nap this afternoon -- but wanted to hold out until the mattress pad was dried before putting in the bed, with crisp fresh sheets....I think I'll attend to that matter right now.

Oh and we were accepted for Harmony -- the food drop thing -- I was beginning to wonder. We hadn't heard anything for a month...and now I get a reciept. I go online and see that they haven't even cashed the check! Sheesh. I wonder when they will get around to doing that. I don't like having uncashed checks out there for long, and this has now been out there for a month.

I have a pretty impressive case of Ennui today.

Man, Chimera -- how long does one have to wait for your website to be updated?

I rode bike into work this morning because it wasn't supposed to rain. I was pretty lucky to get to work just as it started to rain. Sheesh. At least it has stopped and the bike ride home should be nice. 80 degree weather is freaking fantastic!

Yesterday I made the sweet bread recipe that Carla had talked about before (in the comments). It was only after I had scaled the milk and added the butter did I realize that it called for 10 cups of flour. TEN. That's a whole lotta flour, it was a good thing I had that much. When I later emailed Carla asking for the oven temp she said that she usually doubled it.

Well, I managed to make 6 large buns, one huge braided roll and 10-15 pieces of fry bread from that recipe. That's a lot of bread. But she was right -- that was some REAAALLLYY good fry bread. I called around to inlaws and Laima's to see if they were around or wanted some, but no one was home. We ended up having fry bread tacos -- and put the rest in baggies. It's so good. I was even thinking of making some for a special event -- I don't know. Like if I have people over for a BBQ, or for scrabble....hm.

Tonight I am watching a movie while babysitting. Tomorrow morning the DH and I drive to Lake Geneva and walk some hounds, then back to Madison to take Pluto to get some shots. Followed by possible skating. I was thinking Inferno - but maybe I have my weekends messed up....

Sunday is some churching (we want to see what the church we haunt looks like when it's "busy") and then a drive up to Chilton to see DH's parents new house and eat some ham. We won't stay forever because we have to leave the pludog at home. OH...we should take him to the dog park Sunday morning - that would tire him out for the whole day...yeah good idea.

In TKD, the little girl has drastically improved. I wasn't at my top form on Wednesday. I heard once, that competition and fighting is 80% or 90 % percent mental. In truth I was only 25% into it and came because I promised Little Girl that I would. I want to encourage her to keep going, and if she is going to keep coming then I should do. Besides she is REALLY into it, and I like that enthusiasm. But Wednesday night I just didn't want to get hurt by the older, more experienced dudes. I had to explain to them that I was NOT doing my best and taking risks because I know I am still too slow and can FEEL my weak spots opening up. I also know that they won't let that happen without taking a shot. Yes, they are pulled punches, but when it comes down to it -- they are fast pulled punches, and they still hurt. Especially when I get them in the head, but mostly I just wasn't in the mood to get hurt.

They say "You gotta get hit to learn to defend." No, I disagree. You can still hit me, just not hard and when I haven't sparred in a month. "They aren't that hard." -- Yes they are. I always bruise, and I was not in the mood for a headache that night.

Did I mention I just wasn't into getting hurt? Why can't we spar lightly? I tried to explain that I need to work up to it. I do.

I feel like such a freaking sissy. :(

Anyway, I am going to have to get over it. Ican't let Little Girl Surpass me -- which I think could happen sooner than I like.

Medical Minutes:

Mom

My mother had a stroke. It happened around five months ago. She woke up one morning and had double vision -- double vision that would be ten times worse if it weren't for her bad cataracts. Yesterday my little bro drove Mom and Frank to Duluth (the first time they have left the state since 1973), to have several eye specialists take a look inside her head and behind her eyes.

There really isn't anything she can do about it. The said to wait for two months and see if it doesn't try to correct itself. Then they will consider prism glasses or a surgery of some kind. I don't know the specifics.

But, it's just SO freaking weird to me that she had a stroke. She is so lucky that double vision was the only side effect. :( I just keep thinking back to that ER episode with that Sex and the City girl who suffered a stroke and had complete control of her mind -- just a body that wouldn't cooperate.

Anyway. I wish she would take better care of herself, but she won't. She just wants doctors to magically fix her up and cure her, time and time again.

Innsmouth

She went into the vet in the morning, and peed in the crate when we shoved her inside. Of course Migo and Arkham had silently vanished moments after they heard me touch the crate. Migo stayed vanished for the whole day -- she REALLY hates the vet and has a long, long memory.

At the end of the day, we were out $230 bucks, but got a case of prescription cat food, frontline and liquid antibiotic medicine. Thank goodness for the liquid format -- Innsmouth was becoming a pill to pill. Heh. She is going to be eating this cat for 6 weeks, followed by another x-ray and then a lifetime of specialized prescription catfood (not as high dosage as the canned right now...but it still isn't something you can get at Petsmart). I guess we can count ourselves lucky that she didn't need an operation, and that she isn't diabetic. I can't imagine giving our cats shots every day. Still...sucky.

Insurance

We are going with Cobra cos it's "easier" than filling out a bunch of questions from nosy blue cross people. I mean, blue cross would help if a horrible accident happened, but then with the insurance we have through cobra -- we could prevent the horrible accidents. What it all really means is that we have to write/pay 700+ a month (although that is offset by DH's current place by 40%). Silver lining on this? Hopefully we can quickly earn the last three thousand miles in order to get two, fully paid roundtrip tickets for our vacation this fall.

Misc

I ordered books from Dover's hobby catalogue, as in, I filled out the paper sheet, wrote a check and sent it in the mail! How old school is that? I have NO idea when my shiznit will come. It's all a very mysterious surprise and rather exciting.

Last night I remembered that with spring/early summer comes the blossoms of dogwood trees. And that reminds me of a friend I once had who passed away. She was a wonderfully sweet, creative, and spunky woman. I think it's neat that an object can remind you of someone. Other things: red indian nose flowers remind me of my Aunt Diana -- they were in full bloom when she passed on. Frogs remind me of my grandmother -- and as for my Aunt Janice....I can't say there is an object. I just didn't know her well enough.

But, I should go take a shower now and see if I can't get in some raking of the dread lawn and some sprinkling of grass seeds before it rains this afternoon/night.

It was good. Very good....and good for you. I think I even used Lite kielbasa. Then I made a rice fruit cake. You take a rice cake, spread some neufchatl cheese on it, and little bit of fat free, light vanilla yogurt. Spread slices of kiwi on it, then a little more yogurt to make the sliced bananas that go on top of that stick.

DELICIOUS!

So was the cookie.

Innsmouth is an expensive cat. She had urinary problems again -- peeing blood, outside of the box, frequently...sigh. DH is taking her to the vet on Wednesday so that they can get a urine sample. I don't think she has an infection -- I think she has crystals. So, you see, we didn't NOT save a ton of money by buying cheaper cat food for all those years. :(

I guess that will put on my hold my plans to take professional driving lessons. Yeah. I need someone who will stay cool and collected when I am slow to start at red light, or who won't yell at me every single time I try to switch gears by "giving it more gas!" or whatever. I do need to get used to the idea of driving too. I can't let this manual thing prevent me from living up to my full road rage potential.

Dinner tonight is...most of a yellow pepper, part of a cabbage, half of a red onion and kielbasa, with a touch of fresh basil and pepper...oh and a little butter. I have no idea how this will taste. Good I hope. I don't feel like making up another dinner.

There isn't anything good on TV (never is for Mondays), and nothing good in the Netflix...actually we don't HAVE any right now. We watched the last one Aristocrats last night -- talk about a filthy pile of...I will never think of Gilbert Godfried and Bob Saget the same again.

I do like Gilbert Godfriend. He's funny. I also liked the Nanny -- so I think that makes me a person that likes stupid voices.

Oh, I have been catching Fraiser on during the day time -- and my god...I laugh so much. I think I should get the DVD's and watch them. It's just my kind of humor.

No babysitting tomorrow, so it's like I have spring break, with two days off. The weather sure makes it feel more spring like and wonderful too.

I had some oatmeal chocolate cookies I had in the freezer for a month or four...I popped them in the oven to see how they'll taste. Oh yes, I know they should have been thrown after 2 weeks...but .... screw that. I am sure they will taste JUST fine. I'll report back to you on that.

Speaking of which... I think I smell something cooking -- ie everything is on while I am in here dicking around on the computer. Well, simmering...simmering and baking you do while you're not there.

On the Today show this morning they showcased a new workout trend called Masala Bhagra, and it looks like SUCH fun. I would love to take that class if they offered it here in Madison. Now I am inspired to listen to my Lagaan music.

I have lots to do today. One I need to crank out some writing, for the writing group that a friend and I started. The first assignment is technically due next Monday, but I get the feeling that everyone in the group is anxious about their writing. As a the born leader I am, I realize that people need a little boost. Usually that boost happens when someone else does something first. Breaks the ice. Gets their swimming suit wet. To be honest, it is one of my big secrets in persuasion -- if you want folks to do something, they are far more likely to do it if you start doing it first.

Anyway. I am just as nervous and quite sure my writing is pretty crappy, but you know what? It's only the first exercise and crappy writing is better than no writing at all. Besides it makes people feel better.

Okay so. I need to do that, post in all my blogs, write a letter (done!), shower/dress, clean the living room and kitchen -- we have a lady coming over tonight to take a look at Laddy the Foster Dog. If she likes him, then she is taking him tonight and Laddy is on his way to a forever home. Ahh, I like Laddy, I think he deserves a good home. but that means I need to finish writing his spec sheet.

Sheesh, lots of writing today.

I also wanted to stop at the library to make a photocopy, then off to walgreen's to drop of a roll of film I have had since Thanksgiving (before I got the digital camera), which would entail that I ride my bike over to the gas station with a few quarters and fill up the tires.

Oh I and I have to walk the dogs before TKD tonight. I wonder if it supposed to rain sometime today -- I have a feeling it is.

I am feeling pretty good about myself today. I am creative. I am vibrant. I am inspiring.

March Photos are now up. Go check em out. A few of my favorites:

Guess what? My co-workers phone fixed itself! Thank god. She noticed that it was clean this morning too "looks like new!" She mentioned that it was on the fritz too, so now I don't feel so bad for almost wrecking her phone with my cleanliness.

They came back from the International trip on Saturday, so my holiday is over at work. Boy is it. Everyone is in the office today and rushing about. I just want to go home. It was really hard to get up this morning because I heard the wind howling through the trees and wet spats hit the ground. But I had to be here, and so I dragged myself in. I almost fell asleep on the bus.

Lots to do today -- I am anxious to get home and do them. Or at least just be home.

Laddy, the foster dog, may have a new home soon. I hope it works out -- although he his a good boy. He's hardly noticeable anymore. He very well may be gone by the end of the month! Then we have to get one more cat to the vet -- Innsmouth cost us a bundle with her two teeth pulling and cleaning, plus shots and "wellness check." I don't think Arkham's teeth are as bad so he should be a tad cheaper. Not by month. Cats. The only cheap pets are barn pets --- cats in particular.

There are lots of things I could talk about. Like, I don't know what time it is right now...Tim changed a few clocks, but since we didn't restart the computer I don't know if it has corrected itself yet. It could be 10.30 right now or it could be 11.30. It's really anybodies guess.

Yesterday was a full day. Laima and I had our Springfest Craft show at the Warner Recreation Center and only made....


hold on to your pants...
.
.
.
.
.
.
ONE DOLLAR!
.
.
.
.
.
I think the fact that is is so pathetic that saves it. Yet we signed up for the Christmas show again. At least at that one we sold enough to cover our vendor fee. We also got some great advice in finding some other shows. I wouldn't mind having two or three shows a year that I do. I am going to make beaded christmas trees for that one. I also commissioned a portrait by a 15 (almost 16) year old girl to draw Laima. I have a pictures of both Laima, portrait and booth to be uploaded later.

Later on Laima and I headed over to the Kohl Center for the annual Wunk SHeek Pow-wow for some free grub, and entertainment. Sure there were dancers and singing going on, but the real entertainment was in the form of a young man who became SO smitten with Laima that he tried every single pick up line known to man. Man was that kid persistent. At one point he was talking about the other people sitting around the drum and telling us who they were (all family).

"And that guy there is my dad," he nodded to a tall, spare man wearing a cowboy hat, ribbon shirt, nice fitting black jeans, choker and feathers.

"The guy in the green jacket?" Laima asked.

"Yeah, that's him," he said.

"We were just commenting to each other that he had a nice style," said Laima.

"Uh, how old is your dad?" I inquired. Wondering how ugly he probably really was underneath that hat.

"He's forty-one" the young man replied. I sat in stunned silence as I realized I somehow became old enough to want to date the father instead of the son. He glanced at us and quickly added "He's married though!"

Anyway. We ended up slipping out behind the bleachers when they were singing. Really, it was the nicest way to let him down.

Finally home at 8.30 - I put some jam jam's on, washed my greasy, made up face and took out my eyes. Even though my glasses are all scratched and grubby, there is something infinitely comforting about putting them on after a long day. We watched MirrorMask and was pretty unimpressed.

The best part about the whole day? Turning of fthe light, snuggling under the blankets and closing my eyes.

__________

Today Tim's gaming was cancelled. It's raining. It's probably cold outside. I don't have any burning crafts to get done, so guess I can get back to work on knitting my pink and black blanket and watching Bewitched or the Constant Gardener. I got a bath bomb yesterday so I could also take a nice bath....hm. I got LOTS of handmade soap yesterday. I think it's been almost 1.5 years now that I have used exclusively handmade soap products in our home. Well, except for shampoo and conditioner, tooth paste, cleaning supplies....