but at least today i am slightly better
the wonders of decent sleep and no sinus headache
we examined the studio roof, as in....bernie went up and took pictures for me to look at
as i tried to climb the ladder but that knee i fell on in feb is STILL bad (it goes out on me suddenly - i fell down the stairs the other day because of that)
i called someone .....we'll be seeing our first estimate/opinion i think this week
i want the stove chimney examined as well
i got my winter supply of watercolor paper in- which is 15 full sheets, (even at 1/4 sheets that is a LOT of paintings 60- but if i get 6 out of each sheet, it will be 90)
i still have some left from spring when i ordered last, however this is the bright white paper not the traditional white ......
i started transferring the next layout and cursed myself for being lazy when i was working on this layout.
especially now that i can't find one of the reference photos i used for it
i SWEAR next year i am getting a drawing tablet and a new computer.
meanwhile i am working on getting the existing paintings all photographed for copyright registration
- i will continue to do this until i get enough done for the batch.
-----------
in weather news here, fall has finally arrived, it's been downright chilly. the cats aren't happy since it's not cold enough for their beloved woodstove and right now they aren't in the bedroom at night either
we seem to not be seeing fleas, but i am keeping up the spraying etc.
i made our traditional 'first cold weather' meal yesterday, in the le creuset 4.5 quart soup pot, it's now our new fall tradition...... it's an event when it becomes cold enough to get that soup pot out, last year i made chicken and dumplins, this year a TO DIE FOR beef stew
i had bought a chuck roast from the butcher on saturday as a treat for us, just a small 2 pound one, but we only ate a tiny bit of it......so i cubed it up fine added the reserved juices, and some broth i had in the fridge, a bunch of veggies and a very long, very low simmer
the potatoes thickened it perfectly and we had a wonderful meal
that is bernie's supper for tonight, and the leftover is my lunch for today
i'm going to make enchiladas for today's meal before he goes to work, with leftover chicken and some sauce i had made a while ago and frozen
i like them with veggies in them.......sooooooooo not traditional but i like them that way so we have them that way
now today, once bernie goes to sleep, i am going to put my paper away better, do the dishes, and the budgie cage. start supper and if i have more time after..... work on the paintings
i damaged one already in getting them ready to shoot-
i need to figure a more efficient process i think
i swear in my next studio i am getting flat files and doing all paper cutting on them....and they will be UP not only on wheels but the cutting part will be waist height so i don't break my back leaning over
(should i be clutching the dirt like scarlet ohara now? )
i could easily use the entire first floor of the house as a studio and still need space ...flat files are huge, but they really ARE the best solution to paper storage
i would get them now but
1) calpurrnia would probably piss on them (good thing that damn cat is cute )
2) i have no space for them
3) i can't decide if i want mayline c or wood......
i actually am planning on getting them second hand, they are often available on craigslist and ebay, and if i go with the mayline c, painting them red!
wood maybe i'll just stain and seal..... my biggest fear is getting them, filling them and calpurrnia (good thing she's cute) will back up and spray all over them.....
(she's getting better but this is the legacy from that jackass neighbor and his 10 un-neutered tom cats that are still running around here- any ideas about stopping calpie from spraying would be appreciated--- oh and natures miracle for extreme cat urine does work)
i actually have had to block of sections of the studio so calpie stays out....my painting area is one part that is blocked off (that was my fault, i spilled the liquid maskoid that has ammonia in it)
so this is the state of the household at this point...
i still could use a pep talk...... but not as badly as i needed one the other day
not quite out of the woods on that yet
oh and bernie's discovered BBC documentaries on youtube! .......
he is watching part of one a week..... (he's only really got like 15 minutes at a time so that's why part of one a week)- and we still haven't gotten to the VW dealer to look at jetta diesels for him either yet.....soon though
til next time.....
Monday, September 16, 2013
Saturday, September 14, 2013
i could use a pep talk today
right at the moment i seem to have lost my mojo
partly because i am attempting to get the paintings ready to be photographed
partly cause i am just plain tired
partly cause bernie is exhausted and i am reacting to worry connected with him
we still have fleas...... no where nears as bad, one or two on the cats a day total
but there are still fleas
next week we're starting them on advantage and hoping that it doesn't kill them
anyway i lost my mojo..... i have a layout waiting but can't seem to get it together enough to paint
the paper is up, taped, and ready to go
my water buckets are all clean and filled
brushes are all cleaned and washed
and i am sitting here thinking.... maybe it would be better to forget this
(yes i know, and i also know this won't last- but for the moment.......)
it's turned cold finally, we are almost ready for winter
we still need to do the chimney/stove and get the potatoes and another load of wood
AND fix one part of the roof in the studio (there are three roofs over the studio, we need to fix the topmost one)
now last night i had insomnia so was up reading... from about 1am to about 4am or so
that maybe part of it
or it maybe the weather
or just the ebb and flow of life
but right now .....i sure could use a pep talk
partly because i am attempting to get the paintings ready to be photographed
partly cause i am just plain tired
partly cause bernie is exhausted and i am reacting to worry connected with him
we still have fleas...... no where nears as bad, one or two on the cats a day total
but there are still fleas
next week we're starting them on advantage and hoping that it doesn't kill them
anyway i lost my mojo..... i have a layout waiting but can't seem to get it together enough to paint
the paper is up, taped, and ready to go
my water buckets are all clean and filled
brushes are all cleaned and washed
and i am sitting here thinking.... maybe it would be better to forget this
(yes i know, and i also know this won't last- but for the moment.......)
it's turned cold finally, we are almost ready for winter
we still need to do the chimney/stove and get the potatoes and another load of wood
AND fix one part of the roof in the studio (there are three roofs over the studio, we need to fix the topmost one)
now last night i had insomnia so was up reading... from about 1am to about 4am or so
that maybe part of it
or it maybe the weather
or just the ebb and flow of life
but right now .....i sure could use a pep talk
Monday, September 09, 2013
thyroid meds are a good thing
and i got a renew for the next year!
the doc said 'just in case you don't get the insurance'
that is a huge weight off my mind!
but believe me when i tell you, it cost a LOT of money.....
meanwhile winter preparations continue.... leaves are coming down like crazy, which means the first frost isn't too far off
we need a few more cords of wood, 3 bags of potatoes, the 120# of chicken we get in for winter,
i think also, a bag of sand for the duck room doorway, for the ice during the bad part of the winter
now last winter little vicky taught me a trick which we will be using this winter....
MYLAR blankets to cover doors with....i have saved the blankets of course, and we will be covering the doors with them, i am using the little 3-M clips to hold the blanket up....
i could use the little stationary store clampy thingies and one of the wire curtain rods from ikea (if i could get to an ikea)-- that would allow it to slide but the clip thingies will work too
last year i just taped it up at the top.... i was sort of in a hurry
now the other thing i wanted to do was window quilts, bev down in missouri made them for all her windows and they work great... i was a bit concerned that it would make it hugely dark in here and/or give us a problem with the combustion of the woodstove- maybe we should consider an outside air intake for the woodstove?
i want to bomb and spray the house one more time before we button up for the winter......to make sure that we ditch fleas
which btw, we are going to get the advantage for them this week
we dont' know what else to do...... we've done everything the vet said to do
we've called a few exterminators, two of them wanted us to have yearly contracts with them
one who specifically advertised that he treated fleas.....doesn't! ( i had a long conversation with him about it)
i've gotten a ton of different opinions on the fleas too- it makes my head spin......
meanwhile the cats are running around the house again and boy i did miss them.... they missed the house and sitting on us during the day
they line up to be petted by bernie in the morning
calpurrnia is still not using the litter box however..... the others are
in painting......no, i'm not
i am working on trying to get the paintings photographed however, which is not as simple as it would seem
also to this end i bought some CFL which are NOT cheap..... but have a daylight rating on the KELVIN scale of 5500K which is BRIGHT daylight.. they are used for SAD and also for photography
i suspect that i may be using them for SAD and not for photography although i did get them for take pictures
slowly i am getting the things i need to take these photos with- my goal is to have a standard set up (on the cheap) and take photos monthly then batch copyright them quarterly
i have meanwhile continued to search out agents, manufacturers and publishers who may be interested- recording their submission guidelines etc...
i am so hoping that life is more routine by october
(i also hope we've gotten bernie his new car by october......)
i will say one thing...... having gotten invaded by fleas is a nightmare but we ARE getting spring cleaning done because of it!
so life goes on......
i hope these cooler days find you all well
vi
the doc said 'just in case you don't get the insurance'
that is a huge weight off my mind!
but believe me when i tell you, it cost a LOT of money.....
meanwhile winter preparations continue.... leaves are coming down like crazy, which means the first frost isn't too far off
we need a few more cords of wood, 3 bags of potatoes, the 120# of chicken we get in for winter,
i think also, a bag of sand for the duck room doorway, for the ice during the bad part of the winter
now last winter little vicky taught me a trick which we will be using this winter....
MYLAR blankets to cover doors with....i have saved the blankets of course, and we will be covering the doors with them, i am using the little 3-M clips to hold the blanket up....
i could use the little stationary store clampy thingies and one of the wire curtain rods from ikea (if i could get to an ikea)-- that would allow it to slide but the clip thingies will work too
last year i just taped it up at the top.... i was sort of in a hurry
now the other thing i wanted to do was window quilts, bev down in missouri made them for all her windows and they work great... i was a bit concerned that it would make it hugely dark in here and/or give us a problem with the combustion of the woodstove- maybe we should consider an outside air intake for the woodstove?
i want to bomb and spray the house one more time before we button up for the winter......to make sure that we ditch fleas
which btw, we are going to get the advantage for them this week
we dont' know what else to do...... we've done everything the vet said to do
we've called a few exterminators, two of them wanted us to have yearly contracts with them
one who specifically advertised that he treated fleas.....doesn't! ( i had a long conversation with him about it)
i've gotten a ton of different opinions on the fleas too- it makes my head spin......
meanwhile the cats are running around the house again and boy i did miss them.... they missed the house and sitting on us during the day
they line up to be petted by bernie in the morning
calpurrnia is still not using the litter box however..... the others are
in painting......no, i'm not
i am working on trying to get the paintings photographed however, which is not as simple as it would seem
also to this end i bought some CFL which are NOT cheap..... but have a daylight rating on the KELVIN scale of 5500K which is BRIGHT daylight.. they are used for SAD and also for photography
i suspect that i may be using them for SAD and not for photography although i did get them for take pictures
slowly i am getting the things i need to take these photos with- my goal is to have a standard set up (on the cheap) and take photos monthly then batch copyright them quarterly
i have meanwhile continued to search out agents, manufacturers and publishers who may be interested- recording their submission guidelines etc...
i am so hoping that life is more routine by october
(i also hope we've gotten bernie his new car by october......)
i will say one thing...... having gotten invaded by fleas is a nightmare but we ARE getting spring cleaning done because of it!
so life goes on......
i hope these cooler days find you all well
vi
Wednesday, September 04, 2013
september already?
tomorrow i go to the doctor and lab to get my thyroid meds renewed.... and also i will be setting up some appointments for the endo when my insurance kicks in
meanwhile i have to pay out of pocket
meanwhile here at home we still have stragglers in the flea arena
damn i hate those things
we moved things out of my studio and moved stuff around then it rained and woke some up
i guess better up and sprayed then waiting but damn
anyway bernie opened up the studio by quite a lot- we had it sort of divided up into four areas with the woodstove sort of in the center.....
where i paint was relatively closed off, so that if i was painting and he was watching a dvd, it wouldn't bother me.
now that whole area is opened up to the center of the studio
the back area that we had my very large, long heavy workbench is also opened up
and the workbench is gone
the good news is that i got my cutting table out of there
which is a folding table so is great for not only sewing but if i need to do other things
i still need more bookcases though....i have stacks of books on the floor yet
we are still looking at cars for bernie, we aren't rushing into anything but we're looking
i am hoping to be back at painting by this week
the photographing of my work is going to be delayed for a bit
due to lack of equipment but i am hoping that is very temporary
meanwhile i am studying photography for dummie books
and lamenting ditching the photography classes at school
"famous last words- i will NEVER need photography or ceramics''
ahem
yeah
oye
ok what else?
well i can't believe it's september already.......it feels so condense this year
i mean it was just yesterday that bernie was leaving for the OTR training....
then the driving job....due to the extreme irregularity of his hours we sort of were living in a fog
we are still sort of ........but slowly are getting used to his having actual weekends off
on to the ducks... today phoebe ate a mouse
it was a baby and i didn't notice it on the ground but phoebe sure did ......
one gulp
i'm telling you all
you have a mouse issue........ you want organic........turn a muscovy loose
no more mice
i followed her out of the duck room asking her 'what you got there phoebe'
then i saw a foot and part of the tail hanging out of her mouth
i got a mouse in the kitchen.....i am thinking of parking a duck in a diaper on the counter...
no more mouse then
well to all who celebrate jewish new year.... happy new year
may we all have understanding and peace the world over this coming year
take good care
meanwhile i have to pay out of pocket
meanwhile here at home we still have stragglers in the flea arena
damn i hate those things
we moved things out of my studio and moved stuff around then it rained and woke some up
i guess better up and sprayed then waiting but damn
anyway bernie opened up the studio by quite a lot- we had it sort of divided up into four areas with the woodstove sort of in the center.....
where i paint was relatively closed off, so that if i was painting and he was watching a dvd, it wouldn't bother me.
now that whole area is opened up to the center of the studio
the back area that we had my very large, long heavy workbench is also opened up
and the workbench is gone
the good news is that i got my cutting table out of there
which is a folding table so is great for not only sewing but if i need to do other things
i still need more bookcases though....i have stacks of books on the floor yet
we are still looking at cars for bernie, we aren't rushing into anything but we're looking
i am hoping to be back at painting by this week
the photographing of my work is going to be delayed for a bit
due to lack of equipment but i am hoping that is very temporary
meanwhile i am studying photography for dummie books
and lamenting ditching the photography classes at school
"famous last words- i will NEVER need photography or ceramics''
ahem
yeah
oye
ok what else?
well i can't believe it's september already.......it feels so condense this year
i mean it was just yesterday that bernie was leaving for the OTR training....
then the driving job....due to the extreme irregularity of his hours we sort of were living in a fog
we are still sort of ........but slowly are getting used to his having actual weekends off
on to the ducks... today phoebe ate a mouse
it was a baby and i didn't notice it on the ground but phoebe sure did ......
one gulp
i'm telling you all
you have a mouse issue........ you want organic........turn a muscovy loose
no more mice
i followed her out of the duck room asking her 'what you got there phoebe'
then i saw a foot and part of the tail hanging out of her mouth
i got a mouse in the kitchen.....i am thinking of parking a duck in a diaper on the counter...
no more mouse then
well to all who celebrate jewish new year.... happy new year
may we all have understanding and peace the world over this coming year
take good care
Friday, August 30, 2013
sony nex5r
looks to be my replacement camera for shooting artworks
i have rewards points, and it's on sale at bestbuys.com
i have been saving gift cards.... so this won't cost me much out of pocket at all and i am hoping that by monday i can start to upload files to the copyright office for my batch copyrights
then.....
i will start to submit directly to manufacturers
and continue to submit to agents
if bernie is ok...we'll pick it up tomorrow
he's not feeling too good right now
he seems to have gotten a rotovirus
i was on my way downstairs and he was moaning in agony in the bathroom
i dropped EVERYTHING
he wouldn't let me call 911
he wouldn't let me take him to the hospital or the emergency clinic....he really was in that much pain-
so i gave him a huge barf bag and put him back to bed with pedialyte
and checked on him every hour
he's got to get up and leave for work soon
i am making him broth with rice
in neighbor news they had the line 'surveyed'
i called their surveyor who admitted that his crew did it
i called both the surveyors who did our surveys and told them that this surveyor disagreed with them
that is thanks to a surveyor in town that told me to let the surveyors fight it out first
then if that wasn't satisfactory ......get a third one and take them all to court
oye
i have rewards points, and it's on sale at bestbuys.com
i have been saving gift cards.... so this won't cost me much out of pocket at all and i am hoping that by monday i can start to upload files to the copyright office for my batch copyrights
then.....
i will start to submit directly to manufacturers
and continue to submit to agents
if bernie is ok...we'll pick it up tomorrow
he's not feeling too good right now
he seems to have gotten a rotovirus
i was on my way downstairs and he was moaning in agony in the bathroom
i dropped EVERYTHING
he wouldn't let me call 911
he wouldn't let me take him to the hospital or the emergency clinic....he really was in that much pain-
so i gave him a huge barf bag and put him back to bed with pedialyte
and checked on him every hour
he's got to get up and leave for work soon
i am making him broth with rice
in neighbor news they had the line 'surveyed'
i called their surveyor who admitted that his crew did it
i called both the surveyors who did our surveys and told them that this surveyor disagreed with them
that is thanks to a surveyor in town that told me to let the surveyors fight it out first
then if that wasn't satisfactory ......get a third one and take them all to court
oye
Wednesday, August 28, 2013
guardedly optimistic
today it is raining..... pretty steady out
ok so the laundry is getting rewashed and i don't have cat towels so they get a reprieve from the twice weekly baths-- although in a way i think they like them as i get to hug and cuddle them for a while
one on one
then they get fancy feast
anyway......
humidity makes fleas hatch along with vibrations and heat
i have been walking around in the humid house
not too many fleas on me so far
for which i am grateful
i had planned on spraying down here again today and doing the bedroom after bernie left for work but due to the rain i can't (no cat towels- as the house and them need to all be done pretty much at once)
so tomorrow
i am guardedly optimistic that we are through the worst of this- i still feel crawly though
i called bayer, which makes advantage topical flea control for cats (and dogs but i am talking about cats)
they weren't too helpful however.....
so i still don't know if i can use that stuff on mine safely
i think if we can use it.....we are done with the fleas then
just in case we are going to bomb over the weekend and spray around the house outside
i still can't figure out how three indoor only house cats got this much fleas
up next.....i got the research for the batch copyrights done
all i need to finish is a good enough camera to take the photos
mine is old and 3.2 mp
copyright office says at least 5mp
online sources say 12 mp for art reproduction
so i am left with a dilemma........... which involves a new camera
but which one there are slr and dslr
and what features do i need?
oye
i would imagine image stabilization ........
also a way to photograph the wild birds i paint .....from a distance
and then again.....real close ups to shoot the plants i am painting
plus whatever i absolutely need to shoot the paintings
really what you all see of the paintings online here is soooooooooooo much less that what they look like IRL
the differences are incredible
meanwhile
it's pouring out now and i have to be getting the ducks out in it....
they will give me a really hard time as they hate rain
but then the lure of fresh worms just lying around will have them dawdling all over the back while i try to get them into the pens before i am totally soaking wet
ok so the laundry is getting rewashed and i don't have cat towels so they get a reprieve from the twice weekly baths-- although in a way i think they like them as i get to hug and cuddle them for a while
one on one
then they get fancy feast
anyway......
humidity makes fleas hatch along with vibrations and heat
i have been walking around in the humid house
not too many fleas on me so far
for which i am grateful
i had planned on spraying down here again today and doing the bedroom after bernie left for work but due to the rain i can't (no cat towels- as the house and them need to all be done pretty much at once)
so tomorrow
i am guardedly optimistic that we are through the worst of this- i still feel crawly though
i called bayer, which makes advantage topical flea control for cats (and dogs but i am talking about cats)
they weren't too helpful however.....
so i still don't know if i can use that stuff on mine safely
i think if we can use it.....we are done with the fleas then
just in case we are going to bomb over the weekend and spray around the house outside
i still can't figure out how three indoor only house cats got this much fleas
up next.....i got the research for the batch copyrights done
all i need to finish is a good enough camera to take the photos
mine is old and 3.2 mp
copyright office says at least 5mp
online sources say 12 mp for art reproduction
so i am left with a dilemma........... which involves a new camera
but which one there are slr and dslr
and what features do i need?
oye
i would imagine image stabilization ........
also a way to photograph the wild birds i paint .....from a distance
and then again.....real close ups to shoot the plants i am painting
plus whatever i absolutely need to shoot the paintings
really what you all see of the paintings online here is soooooooooooo much less that what they look like IRL
the differences are incredible
meanwhile
it's pouring out now and i have to be getting the ducks out in it....
they will give me a really hard time as they hate rain
but then the lure of fresh worms just lying around will have them dawdling all over the back while i try to get them into the pens before i am totally soaking wet
Thursday, August 22, 2013
random thoughts and phrases
yesterday i make meatballs.....big vat of meatballs... some plain some in sauces
all for the freezer for later
today i'll make enchiladas, maybe sloppy joe meat- possibly more plain bags of chopmeat
then i am done with that for a while
the flea-ness here seems to be lessening ......... i will keep up the regiment though
fall is in the air
i need to bake
the roof needs to be fixed
the chimney cleaned
paintings desperately need to be painted....(they are stacking up in my brain)
the ducks need to be put out right now and the cats need their canned food for the day
like i said....random thoughts and phrases-brought to you by a not quite caffeinated enough vi
all for the freezer for later
today i'll make enchiladas, maybe sloppy joe meat- possibly more plain bags of chopmeat
then i am done with that for a while
the flea-ness here seems to be lessening ......... i will keep up the regiment though
fall is in the air
i need to bake
the roof needs to be fixed
the chimney cleaned
paintings desperately need to be painted....(they are stacking up in my brain)
the ducks need to be put out right now and the cats need their canned food for the day
like i said....random thoughts and phrases-brought to you by a not quite caffeinated enough vi
Sunday, August 18, 2013
fall is definitely in the air
today, i want to talk about fall preparations,
bulk cooking
and the rest.....
it's been blessedly cool.....
(thank goodness cause when it was stinking hot and the fleas.....i was seriously contemplating drastic measures.)
so without realizing it, i am getting ready for winter.
i got a great buy on chopmeat, and some chicken parts
so i am again going to be bulk cooking
today i did just two meals ahead .......beef and veggie enchiladas (i will be making more for the freezer though in the next few days)
i am going to also be making meat loaf
meat balls in three different sauces, tomato, mushroom, and brown gravy (yes all from scratch)
and probably more stuffed peppers and salisbury steaks
i got about 30 # this time so with the bulk raw i put away and some raw patties for fast burgers
i should be ok for beef type stuff for a while
i did the raw chick parts in bulk figuring when i do get to them i am going to do a tray and possibly freeze them cooked
since bernie starts his permanent shift this week
i want to make sure while we are transitioning i have stuff ready to go for him
i still need the potatoes, and bulk chicken but i think we're going to be ok
the other stuff is the woodstove, roof and basement
which is going to start happening in about two weeks
i still need more wood but i can wait a month to get the last of it in
we also have a tree to get down so when the guy comes with the wood he'll most likely do the tree
we are still seeing fleas...... i am so sick of fleas i can't tell you
but i keep on with everything, this week i am going to get more spray and spray again
and then get the precor and do the overspraying so that we are covered with the insect growth regulator
in painting news, i'm not
i did work on a client portal (agent) website
i also fought fleas
i would love to be knitting but i am afraid to get fleas in the knitting
there are still fleas....did i mention that? OMG it's a horror movie
the fleas are so tiny now that they are barely visible
but they bite HARD
what else?
next week we have to go car shopping.... we've settled on a VW diesel....for bernie
we were going to trade in the van but we've decided not to.....
we need the backup with him driving so far
so anyway...that's what's going on here
i really wanted to post about my bulk cooking..... to remind me-
i don't know WHY i like having the pantry and freezers stocked, and why i want us prepped for emergencies and winter and such...but i know i feel so ....... warm and secure when i am
i just DO better mentally when i know we've got stuff to fall back on
(and that did save us while bernie was laid off- all that preparedness and stocking up paid off)
so happy sunday to you folks....
i hope you are all well and i hope if it's almost fall by yous that you are all getting ready
take good care
bulk cooking
and the rest.....
it's been blessedly cool.....
(thank goodness cause when it was stinking hot and the fleas.....i was seriously contemplating drastic measures.)
so without realizing it, i am getting ready for winter.
i got a great buy on chopmeat, and some chicken parts
so i am again going to be bulk cooking
today i did just two meals ahead .......beef and veggie enchiladas (i will be making more for the freezer though in the next few days)
i am going to also be making meat loaf
meat balls in three different sauces, tomato, mushroom, and brown gravy (yes all from scratch)
and probably more stuffed peppers and salisbury steaks
i got about 30 # this time so with the bulk raw i put away and some raw patties for fast burgers
i should be ok for beef type stuff for a while
i did the raw chick parts in bulk figuring when i do get to them i am going to do a tray and possibly freeze them cooked
since bernie starts his permanent shift this week
i want to make sure while we are transitioning i have stuff ready to go for him
i still need the potatoes, and bulk chicken but i think we're going to be ok
the other stuff is the woodstove, roof and basement
which is going to start happening in about two weeks
i still need more wood but i can wait a month to get the last of it in
we also have a tree to get down so when the guy comes with the wood he'll most likely do the tree
we are still seeing fleas...... i am so sick of fleas i can't tell you
but i keep on with everything, this week i am going to get more spray and spray again
and then get the precor and do the overspraying so that we are covered with the insect growth regulator
in painting news, i'm not
i did work on a client portal (agent) website
i also fought fleas
i would love to be knitting but i am afraid to get fleas in the knitting
there are still fleas....did i mention that? OMG it's a horror movie
the fleas are so tiny now that they are barely visible
but they bite HARD
what else?
next week we have to go car shopping.... we've settled on a VW diesel....for bernie
we were going to trade in the van but we've decided not to.....
we need the backup with him driving so far
so anyway...that's what's going on here
i really wanted to post about my bulk cooking..... to remind me-
i don't know WHY i like having the pantry and freezers stocked, and why i want us prepped for emergencies and winter and such...but i know i feel so ....... warm and secure when i am
i just DO better mentally when i know we've got stuff to fall back on
(and that did save us while bernie was laid off- all that preparedness and stocking up paid off)
so happy sunday to you folks....
i hope you are all well and i hope if it's almost fall by yous that you are all getting ready
take good care
Wednesday, August 14, 2013
Fleas-notes on how we are dealing with them
this is what i have noticed with fleas
vacuuming helps big time
BIG TIME
and when you first enter a room they are going to jump on you....... even if you are (maybe) winning the battle
take the time to pick the damn things off and drown them suckers in soapy water
vacuuming helps
if you know it's going to rain, vacuum a LOT ............. and then spray the knockout spray with the insect growth regulator
they are going to hatch with the humidity...... be ready for them little bloodsuckers
gray or light colored pants/socks help see them while they climb you ew.
some are so tiny you can't really see them.......but you see their movement
don't open your fingers to see if you got them.....do it WAY under soapy water cause them suckers are going to jump
you haven't lived until you get one in your bra ...............or worse
the funny rusty looking spots and such in your socks etc........ yup blood
for really tiny insects they do bite a lot
really a lot
allergy meds help with the itching and the crusts and swelling, the welts and white dots i keep getting with these damn bits
nothing helps too much with the burning from the bites
and most importantly
the SECOND you see one flea
call the vet
vacuuming helps big time
BIG TIME
and when you first enter a room they are going to jump on you....... even if you are (maybe) winning the battle
take the time to pick the damn things off and drown them suckers in soapy water
vacuuming helps
if you know it's going to rain, vacuum a LOT ............. and then spray the knockout spray with the insect growth regulator
they are going to hatch with the humidity...... be ready for them little bloodsuckers
gray or light colored pants/socks help see them while they climb you ew.
some are so tiny you can't really see them.......but you see their movement
don't open your fingers to see if you got them.....do it WAY under soapy water cause them suckers are going to jump
you haven't lived until you get one in your bra ...............or worse
the funny rusty looking spots and such in your socks etc........ yup blood
for really tiny insects they do bite a lot
really a lot
allergy meds help with the itching and the crusts and swelling, the welts and white dots i keep getting with these damn bits
nothing helps too much with the burning from the bites
and most importantly
the SECOND you see one flea
call the vet
Monday, August 12, 2013
much going ons
first off, we lost dulcette.
i went down one morning and she was dead.
she'd been slowing down for a while, and it looked like she just peacefully drifted away in the night
bernie took her out
she was the last of our pure orpingtons, and the very first chicken i got as an adult
the three we have left are speckled sussex orpington crosses
when they go ........no more chickens
i am working on my bio and artist statement
and i am putting together a blog for a portfolio, i was looking at website host companies and there are a few reasonable ones
the free ones i didn't like at all
let me tell you, doing an artist statement and bio is NOT easy
not without sounds like........... well....... an arteest......
and i would rather not do that
when i was writing for money, i wrote non-fiction, and how to or historical stuff,
so writing a bio/statement should be easy right???
yeah......right
we had a productive weekend, bernie got a lot of odds and ends done, as did i,
we had to replace the posted signs on our property line as the petty childish neighbors spray painted them BLACK! so they trespassed and vandalized AGAIN......
bernie told me not to worry as when the fence goes up....they won't be bothering us anymore (he actually called me from work on his break to tell me not to worry-and that if i was afraid to go out we were moving right away into an apartment)
he's right as i have way too much going on with my life right now (and usually always) to waste time on stupidity like this
the fleas are still with us..... not as many, and apparently smaller but still there
the IGR i think is starting to make a dent
i gave the cats the capstar and baths saturday but i wasn't able to vacuum the bedroom
in 'prep for winter' stuff, i got a great deal on chopmeat which i didn't expect but it's in the freezer, i am going to go back and get more, this time with the intention of making more meatloaf for tv dinners, meatballs, burger patties, and maybe stuffed cabbage all for the freezer.
i had also gotten chicken thighs, but when we got home and i went to break down the large 5 pound pack we found out that they were rancid! we returned them and got double our money back.
i still would like to get the chicken thighs for the freezer, but i am afraid to now
i still need to get in the 120# of chicken breast, 3 more cords of wood, and 150 pounds of potatoes
(i could also use 4 pork loins to cut up for the freezer)
bernie has the woodstove to clean and the roof to fix but next weekend he's got work stuff to do
the weekend after i suppose we will be going car shopping for him....
a little diesel car, it will go forever on very little fuel
we are hoping for a used or year end...i would rather not buy a brand new car at the moment
bernie being home daily plus two days a week has made a huge difference already in our lives-
he likes this new company
i was told by someone that knows this company that 'they work them hard, but they give them a lot of paid time off, and a lot of other benefits, such as profit sharing'
in painting news, i have a layout waiting..
i hope to be back at the board soon
the fleas have a lot to do with me not being back there
the other thing which doesn't sound like much but is actually huge, is sunday bernie and i went out!
just to the pet store and the grocery store, but it wasn't a rush rush rush.....
no stress involved. we had whole wheat pancakes for breakfast, i made the batter and he cooked them (which reminds me i have to grind flour this week and make bread)
it's amazing what two full days off and a dependable schedule will do for your life
i will say though, with bernie on second shift for a bit, i don't eat! ......i cook for him but it's too early for me-- which reminds me......i haven't eaten anything besides a small plain hamburger - and that was like 1pm! it's almost 9pm now
i did have a weird craving for generic cheese doodles last week, bernie got me a small bag and it took me three days to finish it-what was that about?
now my friend lotta in sweden posted a quote that struck home with me- i put it below,
As you begin to move into a higher frequency and live in the light of your true spirit, sometimes lower frequencies that have been in your life will sense this and try to drag you back down. This may show up in the relationships, past or present that do not operate in love or serve your spirit's growth, or just people behaving badly when around you. When this happens you might feel assaulted or attacked. Rather than react, fill yourself with love and extend it toward all people in your life, and especially those who cause you pain. Ask your guides to assist you in raising and holding the vibration to unconditional love for all. The negative others will either rise up and feel their own heart and transition into love, or retreat and leave you in peace. We must all do this now. As a race, we are being asked to respond to everything with love. This is our highest purpose in life.
~ Sonia Choquette
www.soniachoquette.com
and i think i am going to listen to my friend lotta in sweden...... (who is a knitting sister to boot)
as seriously i am too busy working with the current series of paintings and looking forward to the next,....if i want to get them finished i don't have time to divert to stupidity
so thank you so much lotta.... i owe you big time
ok now
i am going to post this and investigate if blogger has a template for artists
take good care you guys
(for the 7 people that still follow me)
i went down one morning and she was dead.
she'd been slowing down for a while, and it looked like she just peacefully drifted away in the night
bernie took her out
she was the last of our pure orpingtons, and the very first chicken i got as an adult
the three we have left are speckled sussex orpington crosses
when they go ........no more chickens
i am working on my bio and artist statement
and i am putting together a blog for a portfolio, i was looking at website host companies and there are a few reasonable ones
the free ones i didn't like at all
let me tell you, doing an artist statement and bio is NOT easy
not without sounds like........... well....... an arteest......
and i would rather not do that
when i was writing for money, i wrote non-fiction, and how to or historical stuff,
so writing a bio/statement should be easy right???
yeah......right
we had a productive weekend, bernie got a lot of odds and ends done, as did i,
we had to replace the posted signs on our property line as the petty childish neighbors spray painted them BLACK! so they trespassed and vandalized AGAIN......
bernie told me not to worry as when the fence goes up....they won't be bothering us anymore (he actually called me from work on his break to tell me not to worry-and that if i was afraid to go out we were moving right away into an apartment)
he's right as i have way too much going on with my life right now (and usually always) to waste time on stupidity like this
the fleas are still with us..... not as many, and apparently smaller but still there
the IGR i think is starting to make a dent
i gave the cats the capstar and baths saturday but i wasn't able to vacuum the bedroom
in 'prep for winter' stuff, i got a great deal on chopmeat which i didn't expect but it's in the freezer, i am going to go back and get more, this time with the intention of making more meatloaf for tv dinners, meatballs, burger patties, and maybe stuffed cabbage all for the freezer.
i had also gotten chicken thighs, but when we got home and i went to break down the large 5 pound pack we found out that they were rancid! we returned them and got double our money back.
i still would like to get the chicken thighs for the freezer, but i am afraid to now
i still need to get in the 120# of chicken breast, 3 more cords of wood, and 150 pounds of potatoes
(i could also use 4 pork loins to cut up for the freezer)
bernie has the woodstove to clean and the roof to fix but next weekend he's got work stuff to do
the weekend after i suppose we will be going car shopping for him....
a little diesel car, it will go forever on very little fuel
we are hoping for a used or year end...i would rather not buy a brand new car at the moment
bernie being home daily plus two days a week has made a huge difference already in our lives-
he likes this new company
i was told by someone that knows this company that 'they work them hard, but they give them a lot of paid time off, and a lot of other benefits, such as profit sharing'
in painting news, i have a layout waiting..
i hope to be back at the board soon
the fleas have a lot to do with me not being back there
the other thing which doesn't sound like much but is actually huge, is sunday bernie and i went out!
just to the pet store and the grocery store, but it wasn't a rush rush rush.....
no stress involved. we had whole wheat pancakes for breakfast, i made the batter and he cooked them (which reminds me i have to grind flour this week and make bread)
it's amazing what two full days off and a dependable schedule will do for your life
i will say though, with bernie on second shift for a bit, i don't eat! ......i cook for him but it's too early for me-- which reminds me......i haven't eaten anything besides a small plain hamburger - and that was like 1pm! it's almost 9pm now
i did have a weird craving for generic cheese doodles last week, bernie got me a small bag and it took me three days to finish it-what was that about?
now my friend lotta in sweden posted a quote that struck home with me- i put it below,
As you begin to move into a higher frequency and live in the light of your true spirit, sometimes lower frequencies that have been in your life will sense this and try to drag you back down. This may show up in the relationships, past or present that do not operate in love or serve your spirit's growth, or just people behaving badly when around you. When this happens you might feel assaulted or attacked. Rather than react, fill yourself with love and extend it toward all people in your life, and especially those who cause you pain. Ask your guides to assist you in raising and holding the vibration to unconditional love for all. The negative others will either rise up and feel their own heart and transition into love, or retreat and leave you in peace. We must all do this now. As a race, we are being asked to respond to everything with love. This is our highest purpose in life.
~ Sonia Choquette
www.soniachoquette.com
and i think i am going to listen to my friend lotta in sweden...... (who is a knitting sister to boot)
as seriously i am too busy working with the current series of paintings and looking forward to the next,....if i want to get them finished i don't have time to divert to stupidity
so thank you so much lotta.... i owe you big time
ok now
i am going to post this and investigate if blogger has a template for artists
take good care you guys
(for the 7 people that still follow me)
Thursday, August 08, 2013
fleas, rain, buses and dreams
first off on monday bernie started his new job, he's got a week of orientation and then he has his crew and shop and works nights.
i am trying to find a way to get his tool box down there for him, as he's got no time right now
in flea news......we still have them in every room except it would seem, the bedroom....
so as of this morning the cats were still clear of fleas since monday--yeah!
me not so much
also a moth of some sort laid eggs on my sleep tee! ewwwwww and we won't go there
it's all this damn rain
i just retreated the living room/stairs
i also did a dumbass thing this morning....i vacuumed without putting a bag in the vacuum..... well i wasn't awake
i had a plan..... vacuum the upstairs, the stairs, and the livingroom/kitchen
spray.....
retreat into the studio.... vacuum that
when living area spray was safe..move birds into living room and spray studio
and saturday or sunday rebath the cats and capstar them again..... to make sure they stay clear of fleas
now i am afraid to use the vacuum as i am afraid it will cause a fire
although i did clean it best i could
i have three hours until bernie is going to call home (after work- he is so happy to leave his cell in the van for now)
so i have to wait to ask him
i also treated an old urine stain from calpurrnia ....... so that should also be fine by the weekend
now onto dreams
i dreamt that we built me a mega studio
OMG
40X60 and two stories..... with floor to ceiling windows on the north side, HUGE barn doors of glass that rolled out of the way to get big stuff in and out
two sinks
a bank of flat files for paper and painting storage..... plus a paper cutting area, print shipping area,
a loft for books and office space, display space........be still my heart!
three separate painting areas, an etching press and a book binding press
and a small kitchenette, as well as a half bath with shower
it opened onto the house kitchen (up two stairs and through glass doors)
i dream good don't you know......i also dream BIG
i am trying to find a way to get his tool box down there for him, as he's got no time right now
in flea news......we still have them in every room except it would seem, the bedroom....
so as of this morning the cats were still clear of fleas since monday--yeah!
me not so much
also a moth of some sort laid eggs on my sleep tee! ewwwwww and we won't go there
it's all this damn rain
i just retreated the living room/stairs
i also did a dumbass thing this morning....i vacuumed without putting a bag in the vacuum..... well i wasn't awake
i had a plan..... vacuum the upstairs, the stairs, and the livingroom/kitchen
spray.....
retreat into the studio.... vacuum that
when living area spray was safe..move birds into living room and spray studio
and saturday or sunday rebath the cats and capstar them again..... to make sure they stay clear of fleas
now i am afraid to use the vacuum as i am afraid it will cause a fire
although i did clean it best i could
i have three hours until bernie is going to call home (after work- he is so happy to leave his cell in the van for now)
so i have to wait to ask him
i also treated an old urine stain from calpurrnia ....... so that should also be fine by the weekend
now onto dreams
i dreamt that we built me a mega studio
OMG
40X60 and two stories..... with floor to ceiling windows on the north side, HUGE barn doors of glass that rolled out of the way to get big stuff in and out
two sinks
a bank of flat files for paper and painting storage..... plus a paper cutting area, print shipping area,
a loft for books and office space, display space........be still my heart!
three separate painting areas, an etching press and a book binding press
and a small kitchenette, as well as a half bath with shower
it opened onto the house kitchen (up two stairs and through glass doors)
i dream good don't you know......i also dream BIG
Saturday, August 03, 2013
for the record....i hate fleas
and how, i ask you, on earth do three house cats get fleas
that then explode into a plague worth of moses in eygpt (i was told it was from the rain)
how?
and now i look like i have a cross between chemical burns and impetigo
with a bit of poison ivy looking stuff thrown in for good measure
and it's all from flea bites
!
now the vet gave us capstar and knockout es
but yesterday we got the knockout bombs and bombed the crap out of the house
all the birds including budgies were outside in the days pens
the cats in crates in the van with us
(we also bombed the van)
today i am still getting a few bites here and there......as the stragglers i suppose die
meanwhile it's raining
so yup that means more fleas
meanwhile
i am exhausted with about 2 hours a night of sleep
and itchy
really really itchy
to the point of bleeding itchy
have i mentioned i hate fleas?
that then explode into a plague worth of moses in eygpt (i was told it was from the rain)
how?
and now i look like i have a cross between chemical burns and impetigo
with a bit of poison ivy looking stuff thrown in for good measure
and it's all from flea bites
!
now the vet gave us capstar and knockout es
but yesterday we got the knockout bombs and bombed the crap out of the house
all the birds including budgies were outside in the days pens
the cats in crates in the van with us
(we also bombed the van)
today i am still getting a few bites here and there......as the stragglers i suppose die
meanwhile it's raining
so yup that means more fleas
meanwhile
i am exhausted with about 2 hours a night of sleep
and itchy
really really itchy
to the point of bleeding itchy
have i mentioned i hate fleas?
Friday, July 26, 2013
homemade 'tv' dinners revisited
yesterday, i spent the day in the kitchen
i got a surprise sale on chopmeat so i put up a bunch of stuff
sauce for spaghetti and sauce for pizza
salisbury steak
meatloaf
stuffed peppers
hamburgers
smothered pork chops (got a deal on boneless pork chops too)
today i took out a pork loin roast so i am going to do 'tv' dinners with pork loin,
brown rice pilaf and mixed veggies
i am not sure yet how i am going to cook the pork loin for this but i will by the time it defrosts
i've been looking for the divided foil trays and found them on amazon (250 for 87)- i only want about 50 of the trays though
anyway, i am tired from cooking but it's a wonderful feeling to have all that in the freezer
in other news..we are thinking of trading our kia in for a vw diesel
most likely in about another month or so
i'll miss the kia but we need something much better on fuel
i plan on another van....most likely another dodge caravan.....
i liked the kia for the amount of time i actually got to drive it but the problem with the warranty and the dealership soured me a bit on kia
now for those of yous that have pets....and those pets have accidents....
nature's miracle urine destroyer....
no i don't get paid for this
and oh boy does it work!
ok i have to run now
i am treating the main floor for fleas (which we still can't figure out how we got since the cats don't go out)
i got a surprise sale on chopmeat so i put up a bunch of stuff
sauce for spaghetti and sauce for pizza
salisbury steak
meatloaf
stuffed peppers
hamburgers
smothered pork chops (got a deal on boneless pork chops too)
today i took out a pork loin roast so i am going to do 'tv' dinners with pork loin,
brown rice pilaf and mixed veggies
i am not sure yet how i am going to cook the pork loin for this but i will by the time it defrosts
i've been looking for the divided foil trays and found them on amazon (250 for 87)- i only want about 50 of the trays though
anyway, i am tired from cooking but it's a wonderful feeling to have all that in the freezer
in other news..we are thinking of trading our kia in for a vw diesel
most likely in about another month or so
i'll miss the kia but we need something much better on fuel
i plan on another van....most likely another dodge caravan.....
i liked the kia for the amount of time i actually got to drive it but the problem with the warranty and the dealership soured me a bit on kia
now for those of yous that have pets....and those pets have accidents....
nature's miracle urine destroyer....
no i don't get paid for this
and oh boy does it work!
ok i have to run now
i am treating the main floor for fleas (which we still can't figure out how we got since the cats don't go out)
Sunday, July 14, 2013
yarn, paint, fleas, cats.....oh my
okey dokey, first off.....here is the yarn i dyed yesterday- i am casting on a metalouse from stephen west (free pattern on knitty) in a KAL with luannmargaret had sent me a cone of fingering/lace a bit ago and this was off that cone...i dyed the multi one first
first off yellow while the skein was still twistedthen a deep wine color after retwisting the skein...
then adding literally two drops of blue to the remaining wine color on top of a knotted skein
the leftover purple was for the second semi solid skein (which somehow manages to have a tiny couple of dots of bronzy red on it anyway) you can see it here while i was first drying the dyed skeins and then caked-- none of the pictures show accurate colors though but i swear, you could walk into a room full of hand dyed and pick out my skeins as my am so very loyal (or set in my ways?) to my favorite colors ---- my knitting sister lotta in sweden was so sweet comparing my skein to malabrigo's archangel-- she sure knows how to make someone feel good huh?next up...painting- i finished the second reindeer herder and then did an inuit story about a woman and her son the polar bear- i have to cut paper again then start on a few more........
the fleas? well my INDOOR only cats who have NEVER had fleas in their entire lives......have fleas
so every other day we bath the cats and try to vacuum the floors
meanwhile it is exhausting me
i can't quite get them to the vet atm......so we are bathing cats
i have one more cat to go yet today...... i will say however that i am seeing less and less fleas, and they are smaller so i guess we are making slow progress
bernie had a day off yesterday, they still owe him another day off so i told him.......'hold the one they owe you in reserve and just take weekly days off.... '
meanwhile he put the ducks out for me yesterday and cleaned crates too!
we need to stock up on hay again and two new bales of bedding for the ducks.......
we still have enough to the end of the month though
well right now i am tired and still have one more cat to do
til next time
Saturday, June 22, 2013
who EXACTLY does 'lawncare' in the middle of the night?
apparently people who don't want to be video-d while they are vandalizing an adjacent property!
ok a friend sent me this following funny by email
and boy is it apt to me--- i hate lawns
They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD:
ok a friend sent me this following funny by email
and boy is it apt to me--- i hate lawns
God and Lawn Care...
GOD:
Frank, you know all about gardens and nature. What in the world is going on down there on the planet? What happened to the dandelions, violets, milkweeds and stuff I started eons ago? I had a perfect no-maintenance garden plan. Those plants grow in any type of soil, withstand drought and multiply with abandon. The nectar from the long-lasting blossoms attracts butterflies, honey bees and flocks of songbirds. I expected to see a vast garden of colors by now. But, all I see are these green rectangles.
St. FRANCIS:
St. FRANCIS:
It's the tribes that settled there, Lord. The Suburbanites. They started calling your flowers 'weeds' and went to great lengths to kill them and replace them with grass.
They go to great pains to grow it and keep it green. They begin each spring by fertilizing grass and poisoning any other plant that crops up in the lawn.
GOD:
The spring rains and warm weather probably make grass grow really fast. That must make the Suburbanites happy.
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
Apparently not, Lord. As soon as it grows a little, they cut it-sometimes twice a week.
GOD:
GOD:
They cut it? Do they then bale it like hay?
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
Not exactly, Lord. Most of them rake it up and put it in bags.
GOD:
GOD:
They bag it? Why? Is it a cash crop? Do they sell it?
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
No, sir, just the opposite. They pay to throw it away.
GOD:
GOD:
Now, let me get this straight. They fertilize grass so it will grow. And, when it does grow, they cut it off and pay to throw it away?
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
Yes, Sir.
GOD:
GOD:
These Suburbanites must be relieved in the summer when we cut back on the rain and turn up the heat. That surely slows the growth and saves them a lot of work.
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
You aren't going to believe this, Lord. When the grass stops growing so fast, they drag out hoses and pay more money to water it, so they can continue to mow it and pay to get rid of it.
GOD:
GOD:
What nonsense. At least they kept some of the trees. That was a sheer stroke of genius, if I do say so myself. The trees grow leaves in the spring to provide beauty and shade in the summer. In the autumn, they fall to the ground and form a natural blanket to keep moisture in the soil and protect the trees and bushes. It's a natural cycle of life.
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
You better sit down, Lord. The Suburbanites have drawn a new circle. As soon as the leaves fall, they rake them into great piles and pay to have them hauled away.
GOD:
GOD:
No!? What do they do to protect the shrub and tree roots in the winter to keep the soil moist and loose?
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
After throwing away the leaves, they go out and buy something which they call mulch. They haul it home and spread it around in place of the leaves.
GOD:
GOD:
And where do they get this mulch?
ST. FRANCIS:
ST. FRANCIS:
They cut down trees and grind them up to make the mulch.
GOD:
GOD:
Enough! I don't want to think about this anymore. St. Catherine, you're in charge of the arts. What movie have you scheduled for us tonight?
ST. CATHERINE:
ST. CATHERINE:
Dumb and Dumber', Lord. It's a story about....
GOD:
GOD:
Never mind, I think I just heard the whole story from St. Francis.
Wednesday, June 19, 2013
we have discovered the joy of enchiladas
AND experiments with tortillas will follow....................
actually bernie and i talked about how much the enchiladas i made last night tasted like pot pie!
so i'm thinking...... WHAT IF????
what if i use tortilla for the 'pastry' of a pot pie?
i'm thinking it's worth a try no?
lately i'm doing total dinners to freeze, in addition to all the other stuff we have raw or partly cooked in the freezer
it's helping when he has to be gone on a two day trip.
he can take it and just reheat it at whatever terminal he lands at
and days when either i am not doing too well or i am painting a lot etc...... we can just heat up supper
i used to do things like this when i was working outside the house, because i never knew what time i would be getting in, so it was easy for bernie to throw something in the oven and eat, saving me a plate.
with his new schedule, we never know from one day to the next what is going on so this will work well for us too.
meanwhile i am working on the reindeer herder, she's almost done, i am not liking her as much as the last one....but we'll see when i am finished with her
i may redo her
originally i saw her with a tattooed face! but i didn't want to paint her that way, sometimes i think she's gotten back at me for not doing that by giving me a hard time painting her
i am considering the next in the series as well
and that is our little corner of the world right now......(yeah i know--- abrupt change of pace but hey)
actually bernie and i talked about how much the enchiladas i made last night tasted like pot pie!
so i'm thinking...... WHAT IF????
what if i use tortilla for the 'pastry' of a pot pie?
i'm thinking it's worth a try no?
lately i'm doing total dinners to freeze, in addition to all the other stuff we have raw or partly cooked in the freezer
it's helping when he has to be gone on a two day trip.
he can take it and just reheat it at whatever terminal he lands at
and days when either i am not doing too well or i am painting a lot etc...... we can just heat up supper
i used to do things like this when i was working outside the house, because i never knew what time i would be getting in, so it was easy for bernie to throw something in the oven and eat, saving me a plate.
with his new schedule, we never know from one day to the next what is going on so this will work well for us too.
meanwhile i am working on the reindeer herder, she's almost done, i am not liking her as much as the last one....but we'll see when i am finished with her
i may redo her
originally i saw her with a tattooed face! but i didn't want to paint her that way, sometimes i think she's gotten back at me for not doing that by giving me a hard time painting her
i am considering the next in the series as well
and that is our little corner of the world right now......(yeah i know--- abrupt change of pace but hey)
Sunday, June 16, 2013
muffins
i bake muffins at least every other day or so, in this pan-bernie takes two of them a night and has them for his 'breakfast' at about 6am or so, when he's delivered his last load-
(i pack him sandwitches, a banana, and two muffins along with his thermos of tea every day)
today's muffin is banana oatmeal, with cinnamon and allspice
sometimes i make him blueberry orange, or carrot pineapple, strawberry etc........
all of them include oatmeal, along with freshly ground whole grain flour, two duck eggs (thank you my beloved muscovies) and sometimes coconut, granola, and 85% cacao chips....
depending
his favorites are the blueberry, the banana and occasionally the carrot ones.......
i experiment a lot, and when i have apples he'll get apple in there, or apricots, in the fall he gets fresh pumpkin ( i get small pie pumpkins that i bake ahead)
i feel a bit better about him eating them since they have oatmeal, whole grain flour, cinnamon, olive oil and fresh fruits in there - i am not crazy about the sugar in there but he wouldn't eat them without it
i tried
anyway, i am trying to find some other different muffins for him... stuff that is fast for me to bake as i throw this batter together in two bowls and in ten minutes then bake for 20 minutes
it has to be fast cause it's in between everything else i do
so i have a bit of time to paint around chores.
i am considering sweet potato muffins in the fall...... we'll see
i didn't plant zucchini so they are out
really i would like a rotating roster of maybe 10 or 15 different ones
and then i plan on a baking week to stock them into the freezer
any ideas?
ok here is the basic muffin recipe
now mind i don't actually measure
1.5 cups of flour
3/4 cup of sugar
1 teaspoon baking powder
1/2 teaspoon baking soda
1/4 teaspoon salt
oatmeal..... about 1.5 cups ( i grind it up a bit too)
cinnamon ......i use vietnamese and i use about a tablespoon or so (probably more)
dash of allspice
dash of ginger occasionally (usually with the carrot muffins)
mix that all up in a bowl really well-- if you are adding granola or chips or nuts or raisins add them here
in a separate bowl
1 cup or so of milk ( never measure) to which you added tablespoon or so of lemon juice to curdle the milk
2 duck eggs beat the daylights out of them before you add them to the wet stuff
(or two HUGE chicken eggs but the duck eggs are much better)
1/2 cup of oil (we use olive oil)
then the fruits
3 bananas mashed well
or about 1.5 cups of grated carrots mixed with 1/2 a cup of crushed or chopped pineapple
or 2 cups of blueberries with about 1/8 a cup of fresh orange zest/juice
if you want to use molasses throw in about a tablespoon or so here
mix the wet ingredients thoroughly--- seriously do all your mixing here
the put the oven on at 350
now mix the dry into the wet until JUST combined....don't over mix
there will be flecks of dried stuff here and there
that's ok
fill your muffin pan and bake for about 20 minutes
test with a toothpick - if it comes out clean- take them out of the oven and let cool a bit
then cool on a rack
these are wonderful ............ and bernie loves them (so do i but i don't usually eat them, preferring to save them for him)
he said with a bit of cream cheese he's in heaven
so there you go
let me know if you make them ok? and if you experiment let me know what you did
Wednesday, June 12, 2013
i hate lawns
see the baby?
it's momma was browsing out in the second backyard and left the fawn safely in our care.
then bernie mowed the front and side yards
and disturbed a nest of baby bunnies... i didn't see if he'd gotten any but we did have scared bunnies running around like crazy and now they have no weed cover......or food
needless to say i am upset
i am upset that the asshole neighbor got away with forcing bernie to mow- at least while the baby season is upon us
here i have tall weeds, that are alive with bugs, birds, frogs, toads, bunnies, fawns and other living creatures ............ no chemicals are dumped..... mother nature rules as she should
it's so worth seeing a tiny new born fawn still wet struggling to stand
or watching a cardinal pair raise their little babies in the rhododendron right outside the front windows
now if i had a say, the lawn would so be jettisoned and just stands of native wild plants would be there.... i may reserve a small patch for beans or something like that..... but really i can't see the sense in a lawn. trees........yes absolutely even dead ones.... our native animals get short shifted these days by stupid developers, even stupider homeowners, invasive non-native species, and overly aggressive application of chemicals- to control our native plants!
and then people get mad at me!
the neighbor said our property was a 'shithole'
i don't understand that....it's alive with all sorts of wonderful life...... see that baby fawn???
does this mean that all these birds, and animals should be killed? that their habitats should be annihilated? because one uneducated person thinks that i need to listen to their opinion of what MY property needs to look like?
this is america?
Thursday, June 06, 2013
just some odds and ends
first some observations:
karma is the universe's loving way of allowing you a second (or third or fourth) way to get it right
we all are learning..... but i suspect while we're at it..... we are teaching and setting examples-and some of that at times could be divinely inspired (or whatever your world view of the universe is)
watching ducks bath quietly in the dappled sunlight on a day that is not too hot, and not too cold is one of the good times, even if you get splashed a little - or splashed a LOT
sometimes, you really need to come down on the side of kindness, even though you get shit on for it,
because, you understand the deeper problem. that doesn't mean you are a victim, you can defend yourself...it just means that you don't go any further then that.....no retaliation, no 'teach them a lesson they will never forget' .............
destruction seems to always be followed by CONSTRUCTION, both in housing, nature and human experience
i didn't say any of that was easy, or pleasant, or fun-- although it could be
now:
i am back painting, when i paint, my brain goes into some odd sort of meditative mode, sometimes it's 'out there' seeing the universe from a different vantage point, sometimes it's asking some 'big' questions, and getting some interesting answers.....
i think that's why i keep painting too, because for me it's very healing to be 'out there'
i really do feel better after a few hours of painting
i also find my world gets into a better (most of the time anyway) balance
unless of course the painting is not going well
i've started the reindeer herder/ elen of the ways in earnest now
and let me tell you every part of this has given me a hard time
studies for the aurora borealis (which i also learned to spell properly during the research) took a while
finding her face took a while (the face she kept showing me kept changing)
researching reindeer took a while
then i dreamt the process
which actually worked out a bit better then i thought .....(with the exception of too much 'starry' maskoid)
i am actually on to her face now
i found myself scrubbing the watercolor just like i used to scrub the oil paints.....
adding hazes of transparent color not washes..... but hazes
i'm thinking that may not be a traditional way of doing watercolors........
don't get me wrong, i also use washes...... some very wet juicy ones......but i let them dry a bit then i've been scrubbing over them with color
i'm thinking that is probably part of who i am as an artist, since it's something i've done with oils, acrylics and now watercolors
in addition i've been listening to audio books lent me by a friend.
the only time i can listen and hear them is while painting!
not while knitting or doing housework or in bed.....
and i'm not in a car much so not there
at this point...... this is about it for this post, if i think of something else later, i'll update (most likely in the observations part)
karma is the universe's loving way of allowing you a second (or third or fourth) way to get it right
we all are learning..... but i suspect while we're at it..... we are teaching and setting examples-and some of that at times could be divinely inspired (or whatever your world view of the universe is)
watching ducks bath quietly in the dappled sunlight on a day that is not too hot, and not too cold is one of the good times, even if you get splashed a little - or splashed a LOT
sometimes, you really need to come down on the side of kindness, even though you get shit on for it,
because, you understand the deeper problem. that doesn't mean you are a victim, you can defend yourself...it just means that you don't go any further then that.....no retaliation, no 'teach them a lesson they will never forget' .............
destruction seems to always be followed by CONSTRUCTION, both in housing, nature and human experience
i didn't say any of that was easy, or pleasant, or fun-- although it could be
now:
i am back painting, when i paint, my brain goes into some odd sort of meditative mode, sometimes it's 'out there' seeing the universe from a different vantage point, sometimes it's asking some 'big' questions, and getting some interesting answers.....
i think that's why i keep painting too, because for me it's very healing to be 'out there'
i really do feel better after a few hours of painting
i also find my world gets into a better (most of the time anyway) balance
unless of course the painting is not going well
i've started the reindeer herder/ elen of the ways in earnest now
and let me tell you every part of this has given me a hard time
studies for the aurora borealis (which i also learned to spell properly during the research) took a while
finding her face took a while (the face she kept showing me kept changing)
researching reindeer took a while
then i dreamt the process
which actually worked out a bit better then i thought .....(with the exception of too much 'starry' maskoid)
i am actually on to her face now
i found myself scrubbing the watercolor just like i used to scrub the oil paints.....
adding hazes of transparent color not washes..... but hazes
i'm thinking that may not be a traditional way of doing watercolors........
don't get me wrong, i also use washes...... some very wet juicy ones......but i let them dry a bit then i've been scrubbing over them with color
i'm thinking that is probably part of who i am as an artist, since it's something i've done with oils, acrylics and now watercolors
in addition i've been listening to audio books lent me by a friend.
the only time i can listen and hear them is while painting!
not while knitting or doing housework or in bed.....
and i'm not in a car much so not there
at this point...... this is about it for this post, if i think of something else later, i'll update (most likely in the observations part)
Saturday, June 01, 2013
just a fly by posting
since that incident yesterday, roland the dove hasn't been back
we fear something has happened to him
but we still put out some bird seed for him
i didn't sleep at all
so bernie is putting the AC in the bedroom today
he didn't sleep at all yesterday either so maybe this will help him
i decided that due to the extreme hot weather.....i would make sure all the animals are kept in and cool
in painting news.... i am closer to the layout of the reindeer herder
i still mourn the loss of that thistle as i have that second goldfinch painting for susan to do
it's so hot here
the heat is way too much for may/june......it's more like august heat
i also noticed that another big maple is dying
i am thinking that it's in the water that fed that one and the 300 year old one that died already
we need to get the well checked
and a filter on the drinking water i suppose
it's all a bit overwhelming at the moment
we fear something has happened to him
but we still put out some bird seed for him
i didn't sleep at all
so bernie is putting the AC in the bedroom today
he didn't sleep at all yesterday either so maybe this will help him
i decided that due to the extreme hot weather.....i would make sure all the animals are kept in and cool
in painting news.... i am closer to the layout of the reindeer herder
i still mourn the loss of that thistle as i have that second goldfinch painting for susan to do
it's so hot here
the heat is way too much for may/june......it's more like august heat
i also noticed that another big maple is dying
i am thinking that it's in the water that fed that one and the 300 year old one that died already
we need to get the well checked
and a filter on the drinking water i suppose
it's all a bit overwhelming at the moment
Friday, May 31, 2013
again with the neighbors........
i was going to call the police.....they saved me the trouble!
i was threatened by the 'landscape guy'
who told me that since i posted signs on MY property..... and upset the neighbor
he was not only going to take the fence down but take the signs down
bernie got into it
the owner of the property came out to yell at me
said HI BERNIE
and bernie went off...... he was yelling to keep their low life friends off our property
the cops did come
i showed the cop the survey and he asked where the line was.....i explained to him and showed him the marker and the poles...all clear on the survey and right in front of him
i told him that they had threatened me with taking the fence and the signs down
the cop said that they couldn't do that
i said..... yup that's what i said!
the fence has been up since 2009!
they are going to 'trim the trees'
i said fine do it on their side
(actually that is a great idea for them to do........... )
i do realize that the neighbor told this guy to do this....he admitted that he did do it to the cop (he had told me that she told him to go right up to the driveway)she screamed at me that our property was a shit hole anyway
(we leave it wild for the animals)
i don't think this 'friend' of theirs realises yet that this woman played him........ we've lived here since 87 and we've seen these people use 'friends' over and over
this from the women who would be the FIRST to tell anyone if it was done to her that it was her property and she could do what she liked on it
the guy who threatened me will find out..... cause they will do something that will get him... they always do it
when we first moved in the across the street neighbor told me that this particular neighbor was trouble after a while... too bad she's not still alive (she was 80 when we moved in)
i still can't believe it
but then i have always had a hard time believing it when people are hypocrites-
the cop took my name etc but not bernie's so this should be interesting
ironically i was going to call the police on that guy but bernie said not to- i am sorry i didn't
i still can't believe how upset bernie was
i was threatened by the 'landscape guy'
who told me that since i posted signs on MY property..... and upset the neighbor
he was not only going to take the fence down but take the signs down
bernie got into it
the owner of the property came out to yell at me
said HI BERNIE
and bernie went off...... he was yelling to keep their low life friends off our property
the cops did come
i showed the cop the survey and he asked where the line was.....i explained to him and showed him the marker and the poles...all clear on the survey and right in front of him
i told him that they had threatened me with taking the fence and the signs down
the cop said that they couldn't do that
i said..... yup that's what i said!
the fence has been up since 2009!
they are going to 'trim the trees'
i said fine do it on their side
(actually that is a great idea for them to do........... )
i do realize that the neighbor told this guy to do this....he admitted that he did do it to the cop (he had told me that she told him to go right up to the driveway)she screamed at me that our property was a shit hole anyway
(we leave it wild for the animals)
i don't think this 'friend' of theirs realises yet that this woman played him........ we've lived here since 87 and we've seen these people use 'friends' over and over
this from the women who would be the FIRST to tell anyone if it was done to her that it was her property and she could do what she liked on it
the guy who threatened me will find out..... cause they will do something that will get him... they always do it
when we first moved in the across the street neighbor told me that this particular neighbor was trouble after a while... too bad she's not still alive (she was 80 when we moved in)
i still can't believe it
but then i have always had a hard time believing it when people are hypocrites-
the cop took my name etc but not bernie's so this should be interesting
ironically i was going to call the police on that guy but bernie said not to- i am sorry i didn't
i still can't believe how upset bernie was
Saturday, May 25, 2013
hot, cold, hot, cold, mother nature is having hot flashes
so it's cold today again, during the past week it was over 90 degrees then crashed down into the low 40's WITH RAIN
meanwhile i realized that i was getting ready for hurricane season! i didn't know that until i started making 'we need to replenish the water storage' noises
i am bugging bernie to check/service/run the generator too
and i am cooking full meals to be just reheated or for making salads with
into the freezer they are going.
meanwhile today i baked hamburger buns, and banana muffins so far
this is my new favorite pan- (note i don't get any compensation for this, i am just telling you all cause i love this pan)
it's made in america, in PA no less, and in a few minutes i am again going to use it today for mini meatloafs for the freezer!
and possibly mini pot pies too
it cost 22.00 and was worth every single penny..... i am thinking of getting another one so i can double stuff
i started making the larger muffins for bernie as he is eating one a day for his 'breakfast' on the road. so the muffins always include something like either oatmeal, or granola, and fruits.... nuts, all with our freshly ground whole wheat flour. (and two duck eggs per batch so each muffin has about 1/3 a duck egg....1duck egg= 2 large chicken eggs)
i also have a loaf pan from this company USA PANS, and i love that too...
another pan i would like is their mini cheesecake pan with the bottoms that pop out
so back to the kitchen news, so far i have baked ziti, chicken enchiladas, and i am about to do meatloafs, london broil (in marinades) and some chicken casseroles, plus packs of cooked chopped chicken for salads
if i have time, calzones too.
i still have a large full turkey to roast in the freezer, it's 25# so i want to pick a day bernie will be home
i want to slice that for meals plus make stock and can the stock
when i get done with the bulk of all this i will hopefully be able to relax for a bit
i've been so very sick lately that in addition to making sure that we'll have stuff in case of hurricane power outages, i'll have meals when i'm having a really bad day
in other news, that dove i now call roland is still hanging around, he is afraid of bernie but he appears to be getting used to me
i am trying to get him approachable so i can get him in the house at night
i also want to look at him cause he looks like he's got a bad foot
in idiot neighbor news.... it appears that the threats i got from them were idle
i didn't see a surveyor out there so i am assuming they looked at their old survey and realized i was well within my rights
i still can't believe that these idiots expected me to back off because THEY were upset......wtf? when did their lives become more important to me then MINE ........wait that's right, it isn't!
but apparently they expected me to put their interests over my own!
ok in painting news, i got my art supplies only to realize the one blue i was purposely ordering FOR.....i forgot to order!
well a lot has been going on here lately
we're living in a bubble with bernie's schedule
so maybe next time
meanwhile i realized that i was getting ready for hurricane season! i didn't know that until i started making 'we need to replenish the water storage' noises
i am bugging bernie to check/service/run the generator too
and i am cooking full meals to be just reheated or for making salads with
into the freezer they are going.
meanwhile today i baked hamburger buns, and banana muffins so far
this is my new favorite pan- (note i don't get any compensation for this, i am just telling you all cause i love this pan)
it's made in america, in PA no less, and in a few minutes i am again going to use it today for mini meatloafs for the freezer!
and possibly mini pot pies too
it cost 22.00 and was worth every single penny..... i am thinking of getting another one so i can double stuff
i started making the larger muffins for bernie as he is eating one a day for his 'breakfast' on the road. so the muffins always include something like either oatmeal, or granola, and fruits.... nuts, all with our freshly ground whole wheat flour. (and two duck eggs per batch so each muffin has about 1/3 a duck egg....1duck egg= 2 large chicken eggs)
i also have a loaf pan from this company USA PANS, and i love that too...
another pan i would like is their mini cheesecake pan with the bottoms that pop out
so back to the kitchen news, so far i have baked ziti, chicken enchiladas, and i am about to do meatloafs, london broil (in marinades) and some chicken casseroles, plus packs of cooked chopped chicken for salads
if i have time, calzones too.
i still have a large full turkey to roast in the freezer, it's 25# so i want to pick a day bernie will be home
i want to slice that for meals plus make stock and can the stock
when i get done with the bulk of all this i will hopefully be able to relax for a bit
i've been so very sick lately that in addition to making sure that we'll have stuff in case of hurricane power outages, i'll have meals when i'm having a really bad day
in other news, that dove i now call roland is still hanging around, he is afraid of bernie but he appears to be getting used to me
i am trying to get him approachable so i can get him in the house at night
i also want to look at him cause he looks like he's got a bad foot
in idiot neighbor news.... it appears that the threats i got from them were idle
i didn't see a surveyor out there so i am assuming they looked at their old survey and realized i was well within my rights
i still can't believe that these idiots expected me to back off because THEY were upset......wtf? when did their lives become more important to me then MINE ........wait that's right, it isn't!
but apparently they expected me to put their interests over my own!
ok in painting news, i got my art supplies only to realize the one blue i was purposely ordering FOR.....i forgot to order!
well a lot has been going on here lately
we're living in a bubble with bernie's schedule
so maybe next time
Monday, May 20, 2013
again with crazy neighbors? this time uphill?
this time it was the uphill neighbor that took it into her head to tell her 'landscaper' to clear cut the property to the driveway...... unfortunately it was OUR property that is a strip on the other side of the drive that was clear cut
i lost daffodils, mayflowers, barberry and a scottish thistle i have been anxiously awaiting flower for the goldfinches ( you remember my goldfinch paintings? well the next one was going to be with thistle when it came into bloom and then went to seed.....i've been watching that plant every damn day-
so i posted the line....... as i asked the guy about it and he said 'tilly said to clear it out to the driveway' (little vicky was on the phone and heard that) OBVIOUSLY the neighbor has forgotten her lines no?
well she threatened me! she sent the granddaughter over first to threaten me- claiming it was a misunderstanding! then SHE threatened me..... wtf? i posted signs on MY PROPERTY
i am a half a step away from calling the cops, and if those signs come down i will
and i'll press charges as well- you should have heard them cursing at me! i didn't bother to curse or answer them......... it's not worth it, as this is my property and my right to post signs if i want to.
i remember this one's indignation when she THOUGHT that an uphill neighbor had encroached on her land....here she's doing it to me
one of their excuses for her was that her husband just died in february, yes i do know that.....
which is why i didn't file charges already and just posted the lines
i don't bother ANYONE- i never trespass i don't even go when invited over to someone's house- i leave them alone and i expect my property rights to be respected
meanwhile poor bernie is exhausted and was asleep when this all was going on...at least i hope he didn't hear it, as it was just under the bedroom window.............
he only had about 4 hours sleep yesterday, he had an early run......tonight he's got a lighter run and he leaves later so he can sleep until 7 i think-
he did sleep in the truck this morning for a few hours, which only delayed him getting back to the distribution center.
tomorrow we get the van back again..... we had gotten it back and there was another problem that the dealership caused......so i had to argue with them and back it went
do not buy anything from OUTTEN KIA in hamburg....... they don't honor the warranty that they assured me was bumper to bumper
i got them to give us a loaner twice which they were going to charge for
and by arguing with them got them to fix their mistake again
i am not happy with them at all.......we'd told them that there was a problem with the front end from the first day we bought that van home
it's been one thing after another lately huh?
in painting news i laid down washes for northern lights again.......
i'm getting closer i think i need to do them with an atomizer though.
once i get a good idea of how they work, (and i am working with clear glazes and staining vs non staining pigments) through the studies, i can layout the next painting
it's true, (one of my friends * from TX * said this to me today) i do live in my own little world- it's getting smaller and smaller cause i can't handle these low lives
as i get older i just want peace to paint and cook and garden and enjoy the animals
i expect that since i don't bother anyone .....no one should bother me
(i don't mean friends i mean neighbors and strangers)
anyway that's what's all going on from up here....
oh and the dove is back
i thought the kestrel got him...... there were feathers but apparently not so i named him roland
cause he reminds me of the knights in the disney movie 'sword in the stone'
tiny head big body...... and a bit slow on the uptake there is a picture of him out back
i lost daffodils, mayflowers, barberry and a scottish thistle i have been anxiously awaiting flower for the goldfinches ( you remember my goldfinch paintings? well the next one was going to be with thistle when it came into bloom and then went to seed.....i've been watching that plant every damn day-so i posted the line....... as i asked the guy about it and he said 'tilly said to clear it out to the driveway' (little vicky was on the phone and heard that) OBVIOUSLY the neighbor has forgotten her lines no?
well she threatened me! she sent the granddaughter over first to threaten me- claiming it was a misunderstanding! then SHE threatened me..... wtf? i posted signs on MY PROPERTY
i am a half a step away from calling the cops, and if those signs come down i will
and i'll press charges as well- you should have heard them cursing at me! i didn't bother to curse or answer them......... it's not worth it, as this is my property and my right to post signs if i want to.
i remember this one's indignation when she THOUGHT that an uphill neighbor had encroached on her land....here she's doing it to me
one of their excuses for her was that her husband just died in february, yes i do know that.....
which is why i didn't file charges already and just posted the lines
i don't bother ANYONE- i never trespass i don't even go when invited over to someone's house- i leave them alone and i expect my property rights to be respected
meanwhile poor bernie is exhausted and was asleep when this all was going on...at least i hope he didn't hear it, as it was just under the bedroom window.............
he only had about 4 hours sleep yesterday, he had an early run......tonight he's got a lighter run and he leaves later so he can sleep until 7 i think-
he did sleep in the truck this morning for a few hours, which only delayed him getting back to the distribution center.
tomorrow we get the van back again..... we had gotten it back and there was another problem that the dealership caused......so i had to argue with them and back it went
do not buy anything from OUTTEN KIA in hamburg....... they don't honor the warranty that they assured me was bumper to bumper
i got them to give us a loaner twice which they were going to charge for
and by arguing with them got them to fix their mistake again
i am not happy with them at all.......we'd told them that there was a problem with the front end from the first day we bought that van home
it's been one thing after another lately huh?
in painting news i laid down washes for northern lights again.......
i'm getting closer i think i need to do them with an atomizer though.
once i get a good idea of how they work, (and i am working with clear glazes and staining vs non staining pigments) through the studies, i can layout the next painting
it's true, (one of my friends * from TX * said this to me today) i do live in my own little world- it's getting smaller and smaller cause i can't handle these low lives
as i get older i just want peace to paint and cook and garden and enjoy the animals
i expect that since i don't bother anyone .....no one should bother me
 |
| roland |
anyway that's what's all going on from up here....
oh and the dove is back
i thought the kestrel got him...... there were feathers but apparently not so i named him roland
cause he reminds me of the knights in the disney movie 'sword in the stone'
tiny head big body...... and a bit slow on the uptake there is a picture of him out back
Sunday, May 12, 2013
what a day..............
first off happy mothers day to you moms out there
what a day...bernie broke down with the van.....out near pottsville
beings it's sunday he couldn't get a tow
finally got a tow (350.00 later)
to get the van to the dealer.....then couldn't get a ride either home or to work
everything is closed!
taxi companies
car rentals
the dealership
everything is closed
right now he's sleeping in the van as he's due to drive a route tonight
i am not sure how as he's now stuck in hamburg!
supposedly the company was sending one of the truckers that was out that way to try and get him in to the distribution center
i am needless to say....beside myself with worry
i guess this pretty much settles it....we need a second car huh?
and he needs a closer job no?
now me, i had a rough night.....the overall body pain kept me up
tylenol isn't working anymore
so when the van is back on the road again i need to get to a doctor
i don't want pain killers but i am hoping that adjusting my thyroid meds will help
what a day...bernie broke down with the van.....out near pottsville
beings it's sunday he couldn't get a tow
finally got a tow (350.00 later)
to get the van to the dealer.....then couldn't get a ride either home or to work
everything is closed!
taxi companies
car rentals
the dealership
everything is closed
right now he's sleeping in the van as he's due to drive a route tonight
i am not sure how as he's now stuck in hamburg!
supposedly the company was sending one of the truckers that was out that way to try and get him in to the distribution center
i am needless to say....beside myself with worry
i guess this pretty much settles it....we need a second car huh?
and he needs a closer job no?
now me, i had a rough night.....the overall body pain kept me up
tylenol isn't working anymore
so when the van is back on the road again i need to get to a doctor
i don't want pain killers but i am hoping that adjusting my thyroid meds will help
Friday, May 10, 2013
as things progress......
i'm getting to the point that tylenol isn't helping much anymore
now i have about a 3 hour window of movement from around 1pm
to about 4 ish
i can't get moving before hand
even when i am moving everything is in slow motion and i am sort of lurching around
bernie is alarmed (i am a bit as well but i figure it'll pass eventually)
meanwhile spring has actually gotten here finally....everything is green here even the air
i ordered some art supplies on sale (damn good sale 25% off and free shipping--- M Graham watercolors for 6 bucks a tube!!!!!! i got the two yellows and one blue i was wanting)
i am figuring this....
i can't really walk in the morning, no lifting or such
so maybe i can paint ....?
this way the morning won't be the waste it is now
and by the afternoon i will be more then ready for being able to get up and do some chores
chores are sort of suffering a bit right now.... but at least heating is over for this season
i was getting to the point where i couldn't even lift a log to the woodstove
meanwhile life in our little bubble more or less goes on
when i have a bit of energy i over do it...... but i am mainly concerned with getting meals in the freezer for bad days
this way when i am really bad bernie can just pop one in the oven
i have a few things put by
however i want more trays with things like chicken and stuffing
stuffed chicken breast
meatloaf and mashed potatoes
the proteins i serve chopped over salads
so very slowly.....i am adding to the freezer meals
we do have tons of stuff in the freezer as it is but not already cooked..... so this helps a bit
besides i cook freezer meals from frozen so it saves us a lot of time
meanwhile the garden needs weeding ....which isn't happening
some plants need transplanting .....which also isn't happening
and i need to lay down again as my time up is pretty much at an end for today
now i have about a 3 hour window of movement from around 1pm
to about 4 ish
i can't get moving before hand
even when i am moving everything is in slow motion and i am sort of lurching around
bernie is alarmed (i am a bit as well but i figure it'll pass eventually)
meanwhile spring has actually gotten here finally....everything is green here even the air
i ordered some art supplies on sale (damn good sale 25% off and free shipping--- M Graham watercolors for 6 bucks a tube!!!!!! i got the two yellows and one blue i was wanting)
i am figuring this....
i can't really walk in the morning, no lifting or such
so maybe i can paint ....?
this way the morning won't be the waste it is now
and by the afternoon i will be more then ready for being able to get up and do some chores
chores are sort of suffering a bit right now.... but at least heating is over for this season
i was getting to the point where i couldn't even lift a log to the woodstove
meanwhile life in our little bubble more or less goes on
when i have a bit of energy i over do it...... but i am mainly concerned with getting meals in the freezer for bad days
this way when i am really bad bernie can just pop one in the oven
i have a few things put by
however i want more trays with things like chicken and stuffing
stuffed chicken breast
meatloaf and mashed potatoes
the proteins i serve chopped over salads
so very slowly.....i am adding to the freezer meals
we do have tons of stuff in the freezer as it is but not already cooked..... so this helps a bit
besides i cook freezer meals from frozen so it saves us a lot of time
meanwhile the garden needs weeding ....which isn't happening
some plants need transplanting .....which also isn't happening
and i need to lay down again as my time up is pretty much at an end for today
Saturday, May 04, 2013
it's may, it's may (and not may the duck who lives at vicki's house)
days and weeks get away from me lately
i am still in pain, and it's looking more and more like fibro
but the tylenol is helping (who needs kidneys or a liver)
bernie's got a restart tonight, i find us living for his restarts
apparently that is when i have enough peace to settle and write the blog etc
meanwhile my life is a blurr of ducks, baking, chickens, washing dishes, garden seeds, cooking, and just doing the huge job of trying to keep bernie comfortable while he's in this insane situation of no real time off ....no set schedule.....and endless nights driving loads of meat/produce all over pa, md, de, nj, and ny........
add in the whole i don't feel good thing ....... and OMG
last week i spent almost three days in bed....... i just was in that much pain....i wasn't sleeping either
today is better
not great, i still can't move a hay bale or sack of grain but i CAN stand long enough to wash dishes, if not hang laundry out
in between everything i am cooking for the freezer (yeah so what else is new?)
i have baked ziti in there, soupstocks, and of course portion sized packages of chops and such
but these next few weeks i am planning on more cooked or assembled meals to just throw in the oven
i have to clear out the 150# of different wheats i have in there (freezing to kill any hitchhikers that may be have come along for the ride) i'll be putting the wheat into glass jars
i have to say i am in total love with this no knead bread
i grind up the flour (each cup of wheat berries yields about 1.5 cups of flour)
i put 3.5 cups of fresh ground flour in a bowl
i add about 1.25 TEASPOON of yeast
and about 1.5 teaspoon of kosher salt
then either 2 tablespoons of sugar or i add honey/molasses to the 2 cups of warm water
i stir up the dry stuff well
add the wet
stir it into a thoroughly wet mess which i cover and stick somewhere to rise until i remember it
when it's doubled in size i stir it down for a bit (like thirty seconds!)
recover it
then oil the loaf pan or the 6'' cake/bun pan (like a giant muffin pan but with straighter sides)
the second rise is about 30 minutes ......not too long due to the whole wheat
stir down hard again and then put it in the pan/pans
let that rest about 15 minutes or so......
heat the oven to a tiny bit over 350 (cause of the way my oven heats)
and bake for about 45 minutes for the loaf and about 25 for the buns/rolls
i have been oiling the crusts with either butter or olive oil about 3/4 way through the baking
check the internal temp with a meat thermometer ....i aim for about 190 or so
then let it set in the pans for like 10 minutes before turning the bread/rolls out on a cooling rack until cool
i'm also starting to experiment with the sourdough and with adding stuff to the dough....... like garlic and onions to the rolls etc..
my goal eventually is to switch us over to a much lower gluten diet
but part of that is by way of whole grains in the first place
i told bernie....NO MORE STORE bread unless it's an emergency or i am dead
it's cheaper, healthier, and much more convenient to do it this way-not to mention no 'packaging' to toss
i keep the bread on a plate in the microwave! sorta a small kitchen multipurpose box (cause i also put the bread dough in there for the final rise too)
next up on my list of replenishment?
* cooked turkey cut up and portioned in the freezer as i used the last package last night
* a good sale on beef to grind for chop meat as i want meatballs, and meatloaf in the freezer ready to go
* more chicken based meals already made up (and we eat a LOT of chicken, my friend trish used to beg me 'make something OTHER then chicken for bernie tonight' hahahaha but i make chicken so many different ways that it really is better this way-cheaper too)
*cookie doughs- normally i made a batch and keep it in the fridge and bernie takes out whatever he wants to eat that night and throws it in the oven.... i need the fridge space so i am going to put the doughs in the freezer in 'slice and bake' sized batches i think
* muffins and fruit breads- sliced and portioned in the freezer for him to just grab for his midnight snack/lunch at work....
i need to figure out a better system for him to take food at night with him...he's eating about 7am in the morning and that's not good as he's gone about 12 hours then without anything to eat..... (yes i know the sleep/overnight argument but if you are burning calories you need to fuel things no?)
i tried granola bars but i wasn't happy with them as i felt they had too much sweets ... i wish i could figure something out similar that is cold with high protein
and no soy products
i keep thinking and googling various things..... i am wondering about making bean and rice flours for that? it would be a complete protein no? .........
ok so that's what's going on here.... the world is still moving forward but we are sort of in a bubble-
i long to get back to painting
i've been working on layouts
wondering if i should enter a juried watercolor show..... etc
so there you have it
vi's world in a nutshell ....or a post
i am still in pain, and it's looking more and more like fibro
but the tylenol is helping (who needs kidneys or a liver)
bernie's got a restart tonight, i find us living for his restarts
apparently that is when i have enough peace to settle and write the blog etc
meanwhile my life is a blurr of ducks, baking, chickens, washing dishes, garden seeds, cooking, and just doing the huge job of trying to keep bernie comfortable while he's in this insane situation of no real time off ....no set schedule.....and endless nights driving loads of meat/produce all over pa, md, de, nj, and ny........
add in the whole i don't feel good thing ....... and OMG
last week i spent almost three days in bed....... i just was in that much pain....i wasn't sleeping either
today is better
not great, i still can't move a hay bale or sack of grain but i CAN stand long enough to wash dishes, if not hang laundry out
in between everything i am cooking for the freezer (yeah so what else is new?)
i have baked ziti in there, soupstocks, and of course portion sized packages of chops and such
but these next few weeks i am planning on more cooked or assembled meals to just throw in the oven
i have to clear out the 150# of different wheats i have in there (freezing to kill any hitchhikers that may be have come along for the ride) i'll be putting the wheat into glass jars
i have to say i am in total love with this no knead bread
i grind up the flour (each cup of wheat berries yields about 1.5 cups of flour)
i put 3.5 cups of fresh ground flour in a bowl
i add about 1.25 TEASPOON of yeast
and about 1.5 teaspoon of kosher salt
then either 2 tablespoons of sugar or i add honey/molasses to the 2 cups of warm water
i stir up the dry stuff well
add the wet
stir it into a thoroughly wet mess which i cover and stick somewhere to rise until i remember it
when it's doubled in size i stir it down for a bit (like thirty seconds!)
recover it
then oil the loaf pan or the 6'' cake/bun pan (like a giant muffin pan but with straighter sides)
the second rise is about 30 minutes ......not too long due to the whole wheat
stir down hard again and then put it in the pan/pans
let that rest about 15 minutes or so......
heat the oven to a tiny bit over 350 (cause of the way my oven heats)
and bake for about 45 minutes for the loaf and about 25 for the buns/rolls
i have been oiling the crusts with either butter or olive oil about 3/4 way through the baking
check the internal temp with a meat thermometer ....i aim for about 190 or so
then let it set in the pans for like 10 minutes before turning the bread/rolls out on a cooling rack until cool
i'm also starting to experiment with the sourdough and with adding stuff to the dough....... like garlic and onions to the rolls etc..
my goal eventually is to switch us over to a much lower gluten diet
but part of that is by way of whole grains in the first place
i told bernie....NO MORE STORE bread unless it's an emergency or i am dead
it's cheaper, healthier, and much more convenient to do it this way-not to mention no 'packaging' to toss
i keep the bread on a plate in the microwave! sorta a small kitchen multipurpose box (cause i also put the bread dough in there for the final rise too)
next up on my list of replenishment?
* cooked turkey cut up and portioned in the freezer as i used the last package last night
* a good sale on beef to grind for chop meat as i want meatballs, and meatloaf in the freezer ready to go
* more chicken based meals already made up (and we eat a LOT of chicken, my friend trish used to beg me 'make something OTHER then chicken for bernie tonight' hahahaha but i make chicken so many different ways that it really is better this way-cheaper too)
*cookie doughs- normally i made a batch and keep it in the fridge and bernie takes out whatever he wants to eat that night and throws it in the oven.... i need the fridge space so i am going to put the doughs in the freezer in 'slice and bake' sized batches i think
* muffins and fruit breads- sliced and portioned in the freezer for him to just grab for his midnight snack/lunch at work....
i need to figure out a better system for him to take food at night with him...he's eating about 7am in the morning and that's not good as he's gone about 12 hours then without anything to eat..... (yes i know the sleep/overnight argument but if you are burning calories you need to fuel things no?)
i tried granola bars but i wasn't happy with them as i felt they had too much sweets ... i wish i could figure something out similar that is cold with high protein
and no soy products
i keep thinking and googling various things..... i am wondering about making bean and rice flours for that? it would be a complete protein no? .........
ok so that's what's going on here.... the world is still moving forward but we are sort of in a bubble-
i long to get back to painting
i've been working on layouts
wondering if i should enter a juried watercolor show..... etc
so there you have it
vi's world in a nutshell ....or a post
Monday, April 22, 2013
there is a big RED truck in the driveway
and it is BIG
bernie's last stop was in town so he came home early to sleep
he'll get some extra which he desperately needs
and we'll save some mileage and gas in the van
ok let's see, i finished ice princess
and i've started on the next one which is elen of the ways-she's associated with ley lines and reindeer- and i am sort of at the 'rough' stage
not quite to layout yet
meanwhile i've been sick again.
pain all over my entire body, and now i am wondering if it's something more then just thyroid as i've been taking the meds daily
this laid me low for a few days, i felt better then got sicker
and it's seeming to follow a pattern now, ... some improvement, then right back to full body pain....and exhaustion....i'm so very very tired most of the time.
it's hurting to sit here and type right now
in garden news, my snow peas are up, so is the spinach, chard, lettuces, garlic, leeks, onions, mint, blueberries, catnip, and of course my beloved violets
the seedlings i started in the house seem to be doing ok, not as good as normal years but then this wasn't a normal year.
in the kitchen, i started to use some of the hard white wheat, it makes a softer crumb which bernie likes better, it tastes different from the hard red wheat too.
i am going to alternate the wheats and sometimes mix them
yesterday i packaged about 50 pounds of sausage for the freezer
today i am going to roast red and green peppers and make my roasted pepper sauce
or i will as soon as the tylenol kicks in
i also made yogurt....it's been a while,
muffins (apple cinnamon that bernie said were wonderful)
bread (of course)
and sausage/peppers/onions and potatoes for last night's supper
with all this cooking, the chickens are extremely happy as they get the scraps, parings and peelings
happy chickens equal happy eggies
in knitting news, i am and i'm not knitting
it actually hurts to hold the needles for too long!
my hands twitch for the want of something to do
they are so used to 'sitting down means hands knit'
everything here is in slow motion, and life is in a bubble
with bernie working nights, and me tiptoeing around during the day so he can sleep
and me being in pain a lot
we're just doing what we must to survive
animals get taken care of but not a huge amount of garden walks for them
things get put off that aren't 100% essential at this time
i don't even use the van during the day (yes i know i am reclusive at best) i am trying to save the gas
and i worry that me leaving the house is going to disturb bernie's sleep
any appointments i had i either have to cancel or get rides because i truly never know what time he'll be getting in...
there are some days he doesn't get home until 3pm and he has to leave again at 9pm!
yes i am terribly worried about his health
and when i worry about him i cook for him
he's losing weight though cause he's not eating enough during the night
oye
so there you have it.....life such as it is here goes on
but in a bubble
bernie's last stop was in town so he came home early to sleep
he'll get some extra which he desperately needs
and we'll save some mileage and gas in the van
ok let's see, i finished ice princessand i've started on the next one which is elen of the ways-she's associated with ley lines and reindeer- and i am sort of at the 'rough' stage
not quite to layout yet
meanwhile i've been sick again.
pain all over my entire body, and now i am wondering if it's something more then just thyroid as i've been taking the meds daily
this laid me low for a few days, i felt better then got sicker
and it's seeming to follow a pattern now, ... some improvement, then right back to full body pain....and exhaustion....i'm so very very tired most of the time.
it's hurting to sit here and type right now
in garden news, my snow peas are up, so is the spinach, chard, lettuces, garlic, leeks, onions, mint, blueberries, catnip, and of course my beloved violets
the seedlings i started in the house seem to be doing ok, not as good as normal years but then this wasn't a normal year.
in the kitchen, i started to use some of the hard white wheat, it makes a softer crumb which bernie likes better, it tastes different from the hard red wheat too.
i am going to alternate the wheats and sometimes mix them
yesterday i packaged about 50 pounds of sausage for the freezer
today i am going to roast red and green peppers and make my roasted pepper sauce
or i will as soon as the tylenol kicks in
i also made yogurt....it's been a while,
muffins (apple cinnamon that bernie said were wonderful)
bread (of course)
and sausage/peppers/onions and potatoes for last night's supper
with all this cooking, the chickens are extremely happy as they get the scraps, parings and peelings
happy chickens equal happy eggies
in knitting news, i am and i'm not knitting
it actually hurts to hold the needles for too long!
my hands twitch for the want of something to do
they are so used to 'sitting down means hands knit'
everything here is in slow motion, and life is in a bubble
with bernie working nights, and me tiptoeing around during the day so he can sleep
and me being in pain a lot
we're just doing what we must to survive
animals get taken care of but not a huge amount of garden walks for them
things get put off that aren't 100% essential at this time
i don't even use the van during the day (yes i know i am reclusive at best) i am trying to save the gas
and i worry that me leaving the house is going to disturb bernie's sleep
any appointments i had i either have to cancel or get rides because i truly never know what time he'll be getting in...
there are some days he doesn't get home until 3pm and he has to leave again at 9pm!
yes i am terribly worried about his health
and when i worry about him i cook for him
he's losing weight though cause he's not eating enough during the night
oye
so there you have it.....life such as it is here goes on
but in a bubble
Tuesday, April 09, 2013
Sunday, April 07, 2013
bernie's birthday eve....sorta like christmas eve but with bernie!
he's working though
i have his cake and his card
his present will be at some time in the future however....
i have to say, the 8 weeks over the road training really seems to have changed him
he's much more aware of how truly blessed he is
how surrounded by love
and how much he's always BEEN loved
my parents adored him
i adore him (although there are TIMES............)
our animals adore him......
his sisters too
now he's starting to realize how a lot of people aren't that lucky
the cats have been climbing all over him almost constantly while he's been home.
the ducks and chickens are thrilled when they see him come down to take them out
the other day i was taking them out and while i was, i said to them 'mommy's got a BIG surprise for you.........'
and bernie walked out! OMG they all went nuts.... they were so glad to see him
we spent part of this afternoon talking about how far we've come, how far he's come personally
and what he thinks about it all
i love when he settles to talk to me like that
i swear i live for those kind of talks with him
so tomorrow is his birthday..... 58
we've been together since he was 21 and i was 19.......... wow.......... look at how LONG
we've had ups and downs but somehow.......we've managed to keep choosing each other every day
amazing huh?
i have his cake and his card
his present will be at some time in the future however....
i have to say, the 8 weeks over the road training really seems to have changed him
he's much more aware of how truly blessed he is
how surrounded by love
and how much he's always BEEN loved
my parents adored him
i adore him (although there are TIMES............)
our animals adore him......
his sisters too
now he's starting to realize how a lot of people aren't that lucky
the cats have been climbing all over him almost constantly while he's been home.
the ducks and chickens are thrilled when they see him come down to take them out
the other day i was taking them out and while i was, i said to them 'mommy's got a BIG surprise for you.........'
and bernie walked out! OMG they all went nuts.... they were so glad to see him
we spent part of this afternoon talking about how far we've come, how far he's come personally
and what he thinks about it all
i love when he settles to talk to me like that
i swear i live for those kind of talks with him
so tomorrow is his birthday..... 58
we've been together since he was 21 and i was 19.......... wow.......... look at how LONG
we've had ups and downs but somehow.......we've managed to keep choosing each other every day
amazing huh?
Sunday, March 31, 2013
my birthday, easter and perspectives
saturday (yesterday saturday) was my birthday
it was an interesting day
it had a few ups and downs
i thought bernie'd forgotten me but he didn't
he couldn't get off so i was alone all day
i did some chores, ducks/chickens/ fed and watered everyone
wood in
but blew off other chores like dishes and cooking
i paid for it today
today we had a sort of half ass dinner
i had frozen slices off a smithfield ham in the freezer so we had ham, with baked potatoes and a HUGE salad
no not a normal holiday dinner but the best i can do with the limited time i have
we eat late
the doctor said i shouldn't eat for at least 3 hours before bed but with bernie leaving at 9 and him getting up at 6:30pm taking his shower etc.......
well it'a bout 7 or even 8 before we eat
and no i am not keeping his meal 'warm'
i am thinking of just not eating at all but he'd freak
so i make supper, we eat together and right now i feel like i swallowed a whale
i am so not used to eating lately
nor am i used to eating late
while bernie was gone i would eat maybe once a day
now in other news, i cast on another project, a fast cowl......the first one i cast on really doesn't want to be that particular pattern -- so i had a blue/green in stash since 2010 that wants to be a cowl (sunna part of the spirit trail 2010 club yarns @350 yards really it'll make a great cabled cowl)
it's a simple one
co 248 on size 5 join/place marker
k2p2 for two inches
then i am going to knit an aran pattern out of one of the barbara walker treasuries for the body
3.5 inches on size 5
2.5 inches on size 3
2 inches on size 2 and then 1.75 inches of k2p2 ribbing on the size 2
i have a black/blue/green mini plaid shirt that this will go with....as well as a lot of blue shirts that it will work with.
after this it's back to the premie hats for susan's babies
i planted some seeds during the week in the house for later transplanting into the outside garden, most are germinating already
the cat grass is amazingly fast
calpurrnia will thank me for that one i think
meanwhile .......bernie has reluctantly agreed that this current job isn't working for him either
we are sort of living in a bubble
when he is home-he's sleeping so i tiptoe around
when he's gone i'm exhausted so i am not getting enough done
he's getting nothing done at all since really he's only here to shower, sleep and eat......not even 8 hours normally
7 days a week...(not withstanding that surprise 34 hour reset thingie)
he's realized that not only is nothing getting done around here but just real basic 'bring wood in, feed/water the animals, do dishes' type chores but we are sort of in limbo
besides he misses me
i miss him too even though he's here, he's not
so he's going to start to look locally
he'll be working with this company for a while though as jobs still aren't easy to find
and he does like the company.... if we lived 40 minutes closer it wouldnt' be bad (except the 7 day a week thing)
ok..... i have a meeting in the morning which i am getting picked up for since i won't have the van until sometime in the afternoon maybe
so i need to get some sleep
take good care everyone
it was an interesting day
it had a few ups and downs
i thought bernie'd forgotten me but he didn't
he couldn't get off so i was alone all day
i did some chores, ducks/chickens/ fed and watered everyone
wood in
but blew off other chores like dishes and cooking
i paid for it today
today we had a sort of half ass dinner
i had frozen slices off a smithfield ham in the freezer so we had ham, with baked potatoes and a HUGE salad
no not a normal holiday dinner but the best i can do with the limited time i have
we eat late
the doctor said i shouldn't eat for at least 3 hours before bed but with bernie leaving at 9 and him getting up at 6:30pm taking his shower etc.......
well it'a bout 7 or even 8 before we eat
and no i am not keeping his meal 'warm'
i am thinking of just not eating at all but he'd freak
so i make supper, we eat together and right now i feel like i swallowed a whale
i am so not used to eating lately
nor am i used to eating late
while bernie was gone i would eat maybe once a day
now in other news, i cast on another project, a fast cowl......the first one i cast on really doesn't want to be that particular pattern -- so i had a blue/green in stash since 2010 that wants to be a cowl (sunna part of the spirit trail 2010 club yarns @350 yards really it'll make a great cabled cowl)
it's a simple one
co 248 on size 5 join/place marker
k2p2 for two inches
then i am going to knit an aran pattern out of one of the barbara walker treasuries for the body
3.5 inches on size 5
2.5 inches on size 3
2 inches on size 2 and then 1.75 inches of k2p2 ribbing on the size 2
i have a black/blue/green mini plaid shirt that this will go with....as well as a lot of blue shirts that it will work with.
after this it's back to the premie hats for susan's babies
i planted some seeds during the week in the house for later transplanting into the outside garden, most are germinating already
the cat grass is amazingly fast
calpurrnia will thank me for that one i think
meanwhile .......bernie has reluctantly agreed that this current job isn't working for him either
we are sort of living in a bubble
when he is home-he's sleeping so i tiptoe around
when he's gone i'm exhausted so i am not getting enough done
he's getting nothing done at all since really he's only here to shower, sleep and eat......not even 8 hours normally
7 days a week...(not withstanding that surprise 34 hour reset thingie)
he's realized that not only is nothing getting done around here but just real basic 'bring wood in, feed/water the animals, do dishes' type chores but we are sort of in limbo
besides he misses me
i miss him too even though he's here, he's not
so he's going to start to look locally
he'll be working with this company for a while though as jobs still aren't easy to find
and he does like the company.... if we lived 40 minutes closer it wouldnt' be bad (except the 7 day a week thing)
ok..... i have a meeting in the morning which i am getting picked up for since i won't have the van until sometime in the afternoon maybe
so i need to get some sleep
take good care everyone
Tuesday, March 26, 2013
what a week!
well bernie survived his first week in fleet
last night he had a 34 hour restart so was home all night and today until 9pm
it was such a wonderful surprise for me
he was a bit upset about it and then tried to explain the restart to me
i don't get it
all i get is that the trucking industry wants to know where you are and basically wtf you are doing 24/7
even if you are at home not at work
and the hours......are insane
please
meanwhile he is working and giving it his all.......that's bernie for you
i am trying to be as supportive as i can
we've now made it a ritual to plan his route in the evening before he leaves, he gets his load number, and his locations and times
then i google earth the locations so he can see which way to go into the loading docks
and then print it out for him to take
the struggle to find foods for him to snack on at night continues
he's got those granola muffins i made him the other day
tonight he's got a few of them left, and an apple
the actual meal i sent with him went uneaten by him.......the chickens were happy though
i am thinking next of some turkey/cheese/lettuce rolls in bite sized pieces
along with another granola bar experiment
the granola i made him is not bad, it's got pumpkin seeds, olive oil, peanut butter, flax seed, oatmeal, coconut, almonds, and 65% cacao chocolate
along with honey and molasses
i am going to sneak in some raisins and maybe either dates or cranberries when he isn't looking
i am also considering something along the lines of sliders....but as a cold sandwitch so it would be something like chicken salad, grilled chicken, egg salad, grilled turkey........
on our homemade freshly ground 100% whole wheat bread
small bite sized sandwitches....... maybe that will help too
we were considering a 'lunch box oven' which is a very cool thing, plugs into the cigarette lighter in the rig and heats food up in about 1 hour
but he doesn't get to stop and actually eat so i have to find alternatives
i am going to look into a hot pot for next winter (if he is still driving for a living) for soups and hot tea etc......
the reviews have been mixed on them
i could send something like chicken and dumplins or beef stew in that too
but not a big one....
so yes why do you ask, i am a wonderful old world italian wife
i take care of my family very well
last night he had a 34 hour restart so was home all night and today until 9pm
it was such a wonderful surprise for me
he was a bit upset about it and then tried to explain the restart to me
i don't get it
all i get is that the trucking industry wants to know where you are and basically wtf you are doing 24/7
even if you are at home not at work
and the hours......are insane
please
meanwhile he is working and giving it his all.......that's bernie for you
i am trying to be as supportive as i can
we've now made it a ritual to plan his route in the evening before he leaves, he gets his load number, and his locations and times
then i google earth the locations so he can see which way to go into the loading docks
and then print it out for him to take
the struggle to find foods for him to snack on at night continues
he's got those granola muffins i made him the other day
tonight he's got a few of them left, and an apple
the actual meal i sent with him went uneaten by him.......the chickens were happy though
i am thinking next of some turkey/cheese/lettuce rolls in bite sized pieces
along with another granola bar experiment
the granola i made him is not bad, it's got pumpkin seeds, olive oil, peanut butter, flax seed, oatmeal, coconut, almonds, and 65% cacao chocolate
along with honey and molasses
i am going to sneak in some raisins and maybe either dates or cranberries when he isn't looking
i am also considering something along the lines of sliders....but as a cold sandwitch so it would be something like chicken salad, grilled chicken, egg salad, grilled turkey........
on our homemade freshly ground 100% whole wheat bread
small bite sized sandwitches....... maybe that will help too
we were considering a 'lunch box oven' which is a very cool thing, plugs into the cigarette lighter in the rig and heats food up in about 1 hour
but he doesn't get to stop and actually eat so i have to find alternatives
i am going to look into a hot pot for next winter (if he is still driving for a living) for soups and hot tea etc......
the reviews have been mixed on them
i could send something like chicken and dumplins or beef stew in that too
but not a big one....
so yes why do you ask, i am a wonderful old world italian wife
i take care of my family very well
Saturday, March 23, 2013
maybe it's not the event?
but the reaction? how you deal with the event?
bernie has started his new job, (he started monday night)
it's thrown us again for a loop
apparently this year is about shaking up our lives to the roots
last night we finally had a tiny window of time to talk about the current changes in our lives
finances, etc
we still have more talking to do
at this point we've agreed on a few things
he wants to be home
i want him to be home
and even though he's only home about 8 hours now a day-he's home
he likes the actual driving of the big rigs, but HATES the paperwork, and he's drowning in paperwork
he also hates the traffic he runs into in the morning
but hates OTR more
we also realized that some other adjustments may need to be made, possibly in his job but we're going to have to wait a while to see how and where.
we are sharing the van
so far i've had to postpone and cancel a few appointments as we aren't sure when he is going to get in
most days he's getting in around noon to 1:30pm!
(that is the other thing we're discussing, this is way too late for him to get any quality sleep but he also won't get good sleep at the terminal, and at least home he gets a shower and his own bed)
if we had two cars my appointment issues would be nil but we'd have the expense of two cars which is something i am not happy with- since my car usually just sits the majority of the time
he's also upset that i am still doing all the chores-well yeah
i am not going to worry about him not sleeping enough if he does pen mucking or litter boxes
he stacked two weeks worth of wood on the deck so i am able to bring a small cart load in twice a day
i am taking my time with everything as i am in constant pain from my shoulders and back but i'm managing ........although there isn't time to paint or even sit much (see how long it took me to get the blog updated?)
so there is where we are now
that and a cranky woodstove!
no knitting has happened
no painting has happened
i have been cooking and baking (have to bake bread today)
doing chores, and not sleeping much
during the day i have to be very quiet so he can get some sleep
at night i am too tired to do much but i am not sleeping either
i have roughed out my bio for the agented submissions- and that's where it sits
anyone feel like helping me write my bio?
oye
ok i have to fiddle with the woodstove
it's not happy again
bernie has started his new job, (he started monday night)
it's thrown us again for a loop
apparently this year is about shaking up our lives to the roots
last night we finally had a tiny window of time to talk about the current changes in our lives
finances, etc
we still have more talking to do
at this point we've agreed on a few things
he wants to be home
i want him to be home
and even though he's only home about 8 hours now a day-he's home
he likes the actual driving of the big rigs, but HATES the paperwork, and he's drowning in paperwork
he also hates the traffic he runs into in the morning
but hates OTR more
we also realized that some other adjustments may need to be made, possibly in his job but we're going to have to wait a while to see how and where.
we are sharing the van
so far i've had to postpone and cancel a few appointments as we aren't sure when he is going to get in
most days he's getting in around noon to 1:30pm!
(that is the other thing we're discussing, this is way too late for him to get any quality sleep but he also won't get good sleep at the terminal, and at least home he gets a shower and his own bed)
if we had two cars my appointment issues would be nil but we'd have the expense of two cars which is something i am not happy with- since my car usually just sits the majority of the time
he's also upset that i am still doing all the chores-well yeah
i am not going to worry about him not sleeping enough if he does pen mucking or litter boxes
he stacked two weeks worth of wood on the deck so i am able to bring a small cart load in twice a day
i am taking my time with everything as i am in constant pain from my shoulders and back but i'm managing ........although there isn't time to paint or even sit much (see how long it took me to get the blog updated?)
so there is where we are now
that and a cranky woodstove!
no knitting has happened
no painting has happened
i have been cooking and baking (have to bake bread today)
doing chores, and not sleeping much
during the day i have to be very quiet so he can get some sleep
at night i am too tired to do much but i am not sleeping either
i have roughed out my bio for the agented submissions- and that's where it sits
anyone feel like helping me write my bio?
oye
ok i have to fiddle with the woodstove
it's not happy again
Monday, March 11, 2013
homeward bound.....we hope
bernie has been all over the place trying to get a truck assigned to him that actually RUNS
he's been out over a month this time and wants home time
he is owed i think 5 days now
he's had it right now
now home here, i've got that load of wood in
i've planted some cold hardy seeds
did most of the chores and started to stack that big load of wood
today i washed ponds and buckets and then bathed ducks
i have a couple of extremely happy and clean ducks right now
i am knocking the chores off my list steadily
we got wireless now
i had gotten a wifi router that was reconditioned (before the whole training fiasco and pay mess up)
it was only 25.00! and works very well
so if i need to i can move the laptop to my drafting table (YEAH!!)
and with all the points on the CC due to bernie being over the road we are going to be getting a desktop as a primary or as a back up basically for FREE! (a very cheap one but still)
let's see....
i need to (yes still haven't done it) write my bio for submission
i am having issues with it
in the 80's i was a graphic designer, layout/pasteup artist then art director
also typesetter and illustrator
i freelanced as well
in the 90's i was an original doll artist, then had a wholesale miniature business, then the soap/toiletries business and did a ton of product design and package design
i also wrote a bit and got published
now how on earth to run that all together into a cohesive bio?
oye
meanwhile i am so excited that i can move the laptop to the drafting table to use it for color reference photo's i can't tell you all
HUGE for me
will keep me working (once i get back there)
ok now my wood pile is calling me so i need to go and stack a bit
ttyl
he's been out over a month this time and wants home time
he is owed i think 5 days now
he's had it right now
now home here, i've got that load of wood in
i've planted some cold hardy seeds
did most of the chores and started to stack that big load of wood
today i washed ponds and buckets and then bathed ducks
i have a couple of extremely happy and clean ducks right now
i am knocking the chores off my list steadily
we got wireless now
i had gotten a wifi router that was reconditioned (before the whole training fiasco and pay mess up)
it was only 25.00! and works very well
so if i need to i can move the laptop to my drafting table (YEAH!!)
and with all the points on the CC due to bernie being over the road we are going to be getting a desktop as a primary or as a back up basically for FREE! (a very cheap one but still)
let's see....
i need to (yes still haven't done it) write my bio for submission
i am having issues with it
in the 80's i was a graphic designer, layout/pasteup artist then art director
also typesetter and illustrator
i freelanced as well
in the 90's i was an original doll artist, then had a wholesale miniature business, then the soap/toiletries business and did a ton of product design and package design
i also wrote a bit and got published
now how on earth to run that all together into a cohesive bio?
oye
meanwhile i am so excited that i can move the laptop to the drafting table to use it for color reference photo's i can't tell you all
HUGE for me
will keep me working (once i get back there)
ok now my wood pile is calling me so i need to go and stack a bit
ttyl
Thursday, March 07, 2013
wood, toes, and warmer weather
ok here is the updated ice princess, still not totally finished but soon-
now we have enough wood to last until the big load comes the end of the week.
i dropped a huge log on my poor toes...ouch
meanwhile bernie passed his training in spite of that really terrible trainer he had that forced him to drive team against company policy- bernie had to cause trainers are allowed to toss a trainee out of their trucks in the middle of no where and we have no doubt that this asshole would.... the second trainer not only passed bernie but is going to report to the company some of what happened from the first training
is it wrong of me to wish that his first incompetent trainer pays for the bullshit?
you have no idea what i wish on that first trainer
so he'll be home shortly
i can't wait
i got his cookie dough made, bread dough made, etc etc
maybe then i can get back to normal life and be painting again?
today is warmer, so i washed litter pans
i am not ready to muck pens yet as they really aren't too bad but i may over the weekend if/while bernie is stacking wood
i have to say, if it weren't for my friends and my sister in law, i would not have gotten through this, between my medical issues etc......this was a total nightmare for me
i am so blessed to have the friends i've got and you all not only know who you are but most of you read this blog (yes i do know that)
there aren't words for you guys
you kept me going the past year between when bernie got hurt, then the layoff and then this OTR training
it's been touch and go
let's hope now i can finish some of the paintings and we all get to see them off into the world through licensing agreements- btw, bernie promised that he'll retire and just stay home if i get enough licensing contracts
yes that would be huge impetus for me to get them out there
Tuesday, March 05, 2013
new phone number changed and activated
but of course, not without a few snaffos along the way
bernie is supposed to be finding out today how much longer he'll be gone
funny but with him with this new normal trainer i am not as frantic as i've been
his former trainer is seriously unhinged and i was expecting the guy to drive into a bridge and take bernie with him
we've taken steps to insure that no one can call him that he doesn't want to hear from... on the home phone too
what a freaken nightmare
meanwhile the woodguy called me back and wood will be delivered wen
if i am very careful i won't run out until i got some in and warmed up enough to burn
and some of the new wood won't be too green
so here it is 4am- i've been up about an hour and stoking the stove before going back to bed to catch maybe 2 hours?
i got about 4 hours between when bernie called and me getting up to come down
this was a rough nightmare of a winter and one i don't care to repeat again
ever
hanging is preferable-i don't ever want to have to move the amount of wood the way i did again
but i am most likely going to be stacking three cords by myself, at least the beginning of the stacking
this week i need to do the tax thing too
i can't find all the paperwork since bernie's on the road
oh man
oh and just as an aside..... slightly too salty bread is fine if you make a chicken sandwitch on it.....and don't salt the chicken
just saying
bernie is supposed to be finding out today how much longer he'll be gone
funny but with him with this new normal trainer i am not as frantic as i've been
his former trainer is seriously unhinged and i was expecting the guy to drive into a bridge and take bernie with him
we've taken steps to insure that no one can call him that he doesn't want to hear from... on the home phone too
what a freaken nightmare
meanwhile the woodguy called me back and wood will be delivered wen
if i am very careful i won't run out until i got some in and warmed up enough to burn
and some of the new wood won't be too green
so here it is 4am- i've been up about an hour and stoking the stove before going back to bed to catch maybe 2 hours?
i got about 4 hours between when bernie called and me getting up to come down
this was a rough nightmare of a winter and one i don't care to repeat again
ever
hanging is preferable-i don't ever want to have to move the amount of wood the way i did again
but i am most likely going to be stacking three cords by myself, at least the beginning of the stacking
this week i need to do the tax thing too
i can't find all the paperwork since bernie's on the road
oh man
oh and just as an aside..... slightly too salty bread is fine if you make a chicken sandwitch on it.....and don't salt the chicken
just saying
Monday, March 04, 2013
and we changed the number
since the cell is in my name anyway, (so i can deal with whatever while bernie's on the road)
he called this morning and said 'change the number'
so i did
this former trainer is unhinged
bernie is going to report him to the company too
this trainer was so busy NOT training bernie while flipping out on his personal problems that now bernie is still out on the road, the extra road time/expenses is not what we budgeted for
the good news is the new trainer is actually training bernie
and that it should only take a week
it was clear to the new trainer that the old one did NOT do his job
as bernie is picking up the stuff the new trainer is teaching him...FAST
some stuff he never knew about so old trainer screwed up big time
my question....... do we have a freeken SIGN over our heads?
but i am a lot calmer now that bernie is with someone normal and rational
he called this morning and said 'change the number'
so i did
this former trainer is unhinged
bernie is going to report him to the company too
this trainer was so busy NOT training bernie while flipping out on his personal problems that now bernie is still out on the road, the extra road time/expenses is not what we budgeted for
the good news is the new trainer is actually training bernie
and that it should only take a week
it was clear to the new trainer that the old one did NOT do his job
as bernie is picking up the stuff the new trainer is teaching him...FAST
some stuff he never knew about so old trainer screwed up big time
my question....... do we have a freeken SIGN over our heads?
but i am a lot calmer now that bernie is with someone normal and rational
Sunday, March 03, 2013
not quite yet...
that insane megalomaniac FORMER trainer of bernie's wouldn't sign off on his training
so the company put bernie out for another week or so with a more experienced trainer
well it turns out that former idiot shit for brains trainer didn't bother to actually TRAIN bernie
too busy worried about his marital problems, and trying to control every second of bernie's life to actually do his FUCKING JOB
the new trainer is actually training bernie, who is thank goodness, more relaxed AND
ABLE TO CALL ME ANY TIME HE ISN'T DRIVING- if only for a second
it's helped a lot as i was bitterly disappointed that he wasn't going to be home tomorrow
to add insult to injure
former shit for brains trainer is stalking bernie....calling him constantly...... and not leaving a message
not texting him either
so bernie wasn't about to answer the phone
i told him that is wise cause if it was nothing.... he'd leave a message
he doesn't want to leave a message so i guess he's planning on leaving a threat
OMFG......is this insane?
we are thinking of changing bernie's cell phone number and he is definitely reporting it to the company
meanwhile- i am totally out of wood now
i'm scrounging around for burnable stuff while waiting for a wood guy ANY WOOD GUY to call me back and dump a load
most of what i am trying to burn is soaking wet
this was definitely not my year at all so far
now in a more upbeat vein.....bernie's 'graduation' present came
i got him a sourdough bread book
he's been asking for sourdough
now i am going to get a starter, as i don't have the time to make one myself before he gets home
also calpurrnia is much better....even her cold
but she's shitting all over the damn house
i think that is cause she is pretty much had it with a no daddy house too
mommy certainly is beyond had it with a no daddy house
i need a vacation after this
and to sleep through the night for at least a month
no?
oye
so the company put bernie out for another week or so with a more experienced trainer
well it turns out that former idiot shit for brains trainer didn't bother to actually TRAIN bernie
too busy worried about his marital problems, and trying to control every second of bernie's life to actually do his FUCKING JOB
the new trainer is actually training bernie, who is thank goodness, more relaxed AND
ABLE TO CALL ME ANY TIME HE ISN'T DRIVING- if only for a second
it's helped a lot as i was bitterly disappointed that he wasn't going to be home tomorrow
to add insult to injure
former shit for brains trainer is stalking bernie....calling him constantly...... and not leaving a message
not texting him either
so bernie wasn't about to answer the phone
i told him that is wise cause if it was nothing.... he'd leave a message
he doesn't want to leave a message so i guess he's planning on leaving a threat
OMFG......is this insane?
we are thinking of changing bernie's cell phone number and he is definitely reporting it to the company
meanwhile- i am totally out of wood now
i'm scrounging around for burnable stuff while waiting for a wood guy ANY WOOD GUY to call me back and dump a load
most of what i am trying to burn is soaking wet
this was definitely not my year at all so far
now in a more upbeat vein.....bernie's 'graduation' present came
i got him a sourdough bread book
he's been asking for sourdough
now i am going to get a starter, as i don't have the time to make one myself before he gets home
also calpurrnia is much better....even her cold
but she's shitting all over the damn house
i think that is cause she is pretty much had it with a no daddy house too
mommy certainly is beyond had it with a no daddy house
i need a vacation after this
and to sleep through the night for at least a month
no?
oye
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