Bad Month

Yesterday I posted about having had a bad couple of weeks with Miss Goofy out of town, missing my parents and my uncle having passed away. The news keeps on coming.

I got off the phone with my uncle a little over a half hour ago. My grandpa passed away. We suffered while he had Alzheimer's and while he hadn't been Grandpa for several years, it's still a shock to hear that he's gone.

And yet I can't help but feel happy for him. While I hurt he is surrounded by family that loves him and has just been waiting for him to join them.

Don't grieve for him. Grieve for the ones he left behind. There's a lot of us who lost our hero today.

Good-bye Grandpa, we love and miss you.

Where Have I Been?

Don't you hate it when you keep checking a blog and they don't update for weeks? Me too. I do have an excuse this time.

First I was busy getting Miss Goofy ready for her trip. Then while she was gone, frankly I was enjoying being lazy. I didn't do much while she was gone.

Then Wednesday the 13th, I was having an awful day. I was so depressed. I missed Miss Goofy, I missed my mom, I missed my dad. I was really no fun. I woke up the 14th and felt so much better. I knew I had stuff that had to get done, and I was full of energy and ready to get to it. I had several errands that I had to get done.

I left the house around 10:30 and headed for my first stop: the post office. I was filling out the form that I needed when my phone rang. Now I hate when people take calls on a cell phone in public, but it was my grandma and I wasn't about to not take the call. If it had been Music Man I would have told him I'd call him back, but something about it being Grandma made me take the call. It turned out that one of her brothers had died. I remember my uncle Orin. He and his wife were always so nice to me when I was a kid. I actually have a picture of Uncle Orin and my grandpa in my grandpa's garage that I took. I took it cause Grandpa told me I need to take pictures of people when they weren't expecting it. So I took their picture. Orin is turned sideways and laughing. Grandpa has his mouth open in surprise. I don't think he expected me to take that picture. I tried to scan and post it but I'm having issues between my scanner and Vista. We won't discuss it here.

But I'm digressing. So, I knew I needed to get to Music Man's work before I lost it. I finished at the post office, went home so the dog could use the little puppy's room, called Music Man and asked him if he'd like company for lunch. He seemed concerned cause I hate coming down the mountain to the town in which he works. I told him I'd tell him about it when I got there.

I started out and realized he might be concerned about Grandpa so I called him on my cell phone (yes, I used my ear piece, I didn't need a ticket on top of everything else) and told him that Orin had passed away. He was sorry to hear to about Orin.

I got to his work and came into his office. He closed the door and hugged me. Seldom has a hug ever felt so good. I told him I wanted to go to the funeral. It's in Reno. He says okay to start making the arrangements. He put his boss on alert that he was going to need to go out of town for a funeral and they were very kind about it. Boss Man, who isn't actually Music Man's boss anymore but is still a good friend and lived in Reno gave us some tips on hotel rooms. He also checked to make sure that I wasn't leaving from the shop and that Music Man would need a ride home. What a wonderful friend. And I mean that, I'm not being sarcastic like normal.

The funeral was set for Friday the 22nd and we took Grandma with us. Oh and Miss Goofy came home too. The four of us went up for the funeral and while it's not high on my list of fun things to do, it was nice to see so many family members. It did make me and one of my mom's cousins really miss my mom though. My mom was the one who could have told us who everyone was and how they were related us. Although my cousin did a pretty good job. And a big thank you to you. You know who you are. I don't like to use people's names without their permission.

Anyway we came home on Saturday and yes, we tried to get the brakes on the rental car fixed and no they wouldn't fix them without approval from corporate which would have meant staying Saturday and Sunday night and not going to work on Monday for Music Man. So, we drove home carefully and arrived safe and sound. Although I think we had some very busy guardian angels on that trip. The rental company did take $40 off the rental for us though, so the really good deal we were getting was even better.

One good thing about this whole month, I had an idea for a story and I was able to work on it a lot the last few days. I have the outline done, now I just have to write it.

That's all the news from here. Have a good day and remember to pray for your guardian angel. They work harder than we know.

Things My Credit Counselor Has Beaten Into My Thick Skull

Wow, that's a long title isn't it? It might have been easier if I didn't have trouble hearing on the phone and a short attention span. In any event, he's taught me three things that are very important and I will share them with you now.

1. Never pay a collection agency. I know it goes completely against everything in your being, unless you're just a deadbeat. When people say we owe them money, our first instinct is to pay them so that we don't look like a deadbeat. Here's the problem and I never thought of this, you don't owe money to the collection agency. You may or may not owe money to the "original creditor" but you don't have an agreement with the collection agency, your agreement was with the "original creditor". The problem in paying a collection agency is two-fold: one, you may not really owe the money to anyone. Collection agencies frequently look in the papers for people who have died and then try to collect from the next of kin. Two, how do you know the money is actually going to the company that you supposedly owe unless you check with the original creditor. Remember it's always best to call the original creditor and pay them directly. It's in their best interest to have you pay them because then they get all the money and they don't have to pay the agency for collecting from you.

2. Don't use your debit card to pay for things. This is your money and you are giving away a lot of information about how to get your money. Use cash, a check or a credit card. It's much easier to have a charge reversed with a credit card than with your debit card. The reason is you have to sign with the credit card. You don't with the debit card.

3. Always look over your bank and credit card statements. If something doesn't look right, investigate it. Report possible identity theft immediately. Look at your credit report periodically too. You have the right to challenge anything on your report that you think is inaccurate. Remember that time you paid your credit card one day late? Check your report does it say you were 30 days late that time? That will hurt your credit score and the three credit reporting agencies have to report it correctly and accurately. That means it must say you were one day late, not 30.

Miss Goofy Goes on Vacation

Sounds like the name of a children's book, doesn't it? I can picture it now, Miss Goofy getting into all kinds of trouble in New York City. Maybe a Nora story?

Anyway Miss Goofy is leaving either Saturday or Sunday to spend either 9 or 10 days with our good friends TheWeatherGod and DolphinLady. So, what should I do with myself while she's gone? I'm thinking enjoy the quiet and miss her terribly. Music Man is always a mess when she goes to spend time with someone else. He misses her a lot. I do too, but I try to stay busy. Poor Music Man is stuck at work all day with nothing to do except worry about his Miss Goofy. And you know payroll, invoicing, billing, write his paper for school, and whatever else Mr. Division Manager throws at him.

Oh I forgot he's also looking for houses in his spare time. Cause we're moving. Eventually. Someday. Somewhere. Maybe. If we find a place. And he doesn't lose his job pining for Miss Goofy. And pretending to write his paper.

Thatcher and Mom's Table

This is Thatcher. He is laying on the coffee table. I don't know why exactly. I just know that Miss Goofy saw him and snapped a picture of him before he moved. I do know that if my mother had caught him on her coffee table when I was a teenager I would be mourning the loss of my cat. However before she passed away she had relaxed a lot about this table and cats. She actually thought it was funny when Dad's cat would crawl up and stretch out on the table. Just on the coffee table though, she still got upset if he got on the dining table.


Maybe her relaxed attitude came from the relative peace and quiet of the mountains. Maybe she was just mellowing. Maybe she had decided that she'd had that table long enough and it was time to move on. For the record, she bought that table after my real dad passed away. It was in a box and she had to assemble it. The kit included 2 end tables and she assembled all three of them and was so proud of herself. Jujube (aka, my sister) and I were proud of her too.

My desk

Once again my desk is a mess.

I've had plans to booby-trap it. I've had thoughts of taking everything off of it and not letting anyone near it. I've even tried leaving it full and messy. Then I had to find something. It's weird because I didn't think I used my desk that much until now. I now see that I use my desk a lot during the day. A whole lot more than I thought. I always thought my desk got messy because it was so small. Now I marvel at how I kept everything on it without a major avalanche. I also am realizing that my desk is more than just where I keep the computer. It's where I start my day and check in on the world. I make my daily list here. I set stuff here to deal with later, not because I'm procrastinating but because I'm in the middle of six things at once.

It's the heart of my day. It's where I go when I need to rest. Or to see what I need to do next. It's where I make plans. It's where I dream. It's where I write.

So, please stop putting stuff on it!!!! I know I told you to, ignore me. Make me deal with whatever it is now. My desk needs to be clean. For all of our sakes.

California is shaking again

7:42 am on October 1, 1987 in Whittier, Ca a magnitude 5.9 earthquake hit.

5:04 pm on October 17, 1989 near San Francisco, Ca a magnitude 6.9 earthquake hit.

4:31 am on January 17, 1994 in Reseda, Ca a magnitude 6.7 earthquake hit.

11:15 am on December 22, 2003 near San Simeon, Ca a magnitude 6.6 earthquake hit.

11:42 am on July 29, 2008 near Chino Hills, Ca a magnitude 5.4 earthquake hit.

We had an earthquake today. To my family in LA, I know you know about the quake. I hope you're all safe. Email me when you can. You are in our prayers.

These are the earthquakes that I have felt in recent years. I know I've felt others, but these stick out in my mind.

The Whittier quake I was in the car on the way to school. I didn't really feel it, but the wheels on the car tires did feel weird. For the San Francisco quake, we felt it. It was weird though because we knew it wasn't near us. The Reseda quake or as it's more commonly called the Northridge quake I was on the second floor of the motel that we worked at. I was also pregnant with Miss Goofy. That one we felt. Boy did we feel it. It was hard enough to walk across the floor being 7 months pregnant, but the shaking building really didn't help. The San Simeon quake I remember only vaguely. It was so close to Christmas I think I was more worried about other things. I did go see Hearst Castle a couple of years later and was sad to learn that some other property had been damaged by the quake. Today's quake, I will remember mostly cause it made me really dizzy afterward.

I do love the fact that one hour after the earthquake there are people all over LA talking on the news about how they were shook up but life goes on.

The biggest blessing comes from the quake not causing more damage and as of now only minor injuries and no deaths. That is subject to change, but for now, minimal damage and injury.

By the way, Courage is fine. Thatcher was pretty freaked out but is now napping. Courage would probably be better if I hadn't stepped on his tail. Poor dog. Survived an earthquake and then panics when I step on his tail.

What Kind of Fish Are You?

So, what kind of fish are you? (I know we're people, not fish, but I'm going somewhere with this.) The way I see it there are really only two sizes of fish. And two sizes of ponds. I'll illustrate.

I worked for a flower shop. Not for a long time by any means, nor would I say I was exceptional at my job. I did an okay job considering what the conditions of the job were. We had a customer, she and her husband owned a construction company. They were very well off for the standards of this town. While this town has become a major city it still feels more like a small town, especially to most people living in cities like Los Angeles. This customer called and told me that she was taking her sister to lunch at one of the 2 exclusive restaurants in town and would like a nice big bouquet of flowers to be delivered to the restaurant. I took down the information on the date and restaurant and asked what time was the reservation, so that we could get the flowers there a little early. She said in a rather appalled voice, "Lunch is at noon".

I got off the phone and went to tell my floral designer's about the order. They howled. Apparently this is normal for this lady. "Breakfast is at 8, lunch is at noon, dinner is at 6", is what they told me.

I have laughed over the years over this woman's absurd comment. But it got me thinking, she's acting this way because she's a big fish in a little pond. Her husband's construction business was successful in our little town, but it probably wouldn't be in a major market.

Music Man had a friend who like Music Man plays trumpet. One day this friend, who I will call Mr. Braggy, said to Music Man, "Reno has a lot of gigs and they pay very well. We could earn a living there without any problem." It would have been a dream come true for both of them. Music Man thought it over for a few weeks. He realized that Mr. Braggy had enough contacts from all the gigs he was playing around town that they probably could earn a living playing music in Reno. Music Man and I discussed it and decided that if we could get it set up, that was what we would do.

When Music Man went to Mr. Braggy and said, "I've thought about it, let's do this, let's move to Reno. We can put together a group and play. It will be awesome." Suddenly Mr. Braggy started backtracking. He didn't know where any of us would live, what about all our stuff, excuse after excuse until finally he said he liked playing the local gigs he got. A light went on in Music Man's head. Mr. Braggy was a big fish in a little pond and he liked it that way. He had just been bragging to Music Man trying to show him how big a fish he really was.

So, are you a little fish in a little pond, a big fish in a little pond, a little fish in a big pond or a big fish in a big pond? What is it about your pond and your place in it that you like?

As for Music Man, he's working toward, big fish, big pond. I think he can do it. I know I'm biased but I really do.

Challenging Myself

I have given myself several challenges since I started blogging in March. Both for weight loss and in my everyday life. Right now my current challenges are to exercise 1,000 minutes before Labor Day weekend and to complete my daily task list 45 times before Labor Day. The exercise challenge has good days and bad days. I really am enjoying exercising and like the way it makes me feel. I also seem to be fixated on Peanut Butter M & M's and $1 Taco Night at a local restaurant. Those were good tacos. We won't even talk about the M & M's.

My Daily Task List challenge came about because I was writing myself a daily list of the stuff I needed to accomplish but then I wasn't doing any of it. I figured if I made it a challenge then I might actually accomplish stuff. So far, I'm doing pretty good with it. I've got 15 days completed and have 30 left. The weekends are hard cause with Music Man home I never know what we're going to be doing. Once in a while we make plans and they change suddenly, but more often, we just do whatever we want on the weekends. We've been going grocery shopping on Saturdays, and just goofing off on Sundays. I need to make a more relaxed list for the weekends. Maybe just put one or two things on it.

So I'm looking for a new challenge idea for my everyday life. One that I can track here. Being accountable here really helps me. Even if no one reads my blog, I still know it's out there and I have to be accountable to myself. So, now I just need some ideas. Any thoughts?

Look at what I bought Music Man

I bought this for Music Man yesterday:




He had wanted to start taking his lunch and I found this little tray. It included the fork and knife and well, frankly, I thought it was cute. So, I bought it so he could take his lunch this morning. I even bought him the "Beefaroni" he requested. Hey, it's his stomach, he can eat that stuff if he wants. He is a grown man after all. Of course if he complains about how it didn't sit well, I'm inclined to laugh, but that's another story altogether.

However, I did want him to know that he forgot his lunch. Which is the reason for the post. Have a nice lunch out, Honey.

Ponderings

I’m listening to “Redneck Woman” by Gretchen Wilson, and there is a line in there that goes: “and I keep my Christmas lights on on my front porch all year long” and that got me thinking. Why is it that it’s a redneck thing when it’s the front porch and a high class thing when it’s backyard and it’s twinkle lights”

Why is it my dog can be completely ignoring me for a full 6 hours, but as soon as I close my bedroom door, he suddenly needs my attention?

As a child we are told to grow up, yet when we reach adulthood, our parents all say the same thing, “They grow up so fast.” Maybe we shouldn’t tell our kids to grow up?

Why doesn’t truth in advertising extend to things like “hot dogs” and “Girl scout cookies”? There aren’t any dogs in the hot dog and there aren’t any girl scouts in their cookies. At least I hope there isn’t any dog in my hot dog. Maybe I shouldn’t have brought it up.

Why is it I type faster when I go back and correct my mistakes than when I don't?

Why do I still keep saying yogurt when I try to say yoga? And why do I keep putting the u in the wrong place for yogurt and why do I keep putting one in yoga at all?

Music Man

My husband has worked so hard this week. In addition, he's been fighting the flu for about 2 weeks now. He was so tired after dinner that The Cranky Old Man and I told him to go lie down for a little bit. He'd feel much better. I had to disturb him and put some laundry away. Then the lion attacked him. Poor guy. He's going to kill me when he finds out I got bored and took his picture. Actually, that won't bother him. Posting on the blog, that might get him.


I think the pink blanket brings out the white in his sock, don't you?

Thatcher Again

I came into my bedroom a few days ago and found the cat like this. I wondered why he was laying like this. It really baffled me. Fortunately, I have a digital camera and can now share this with the world. You're welcome. So what is he doing?


As you can see from this close-up, he's taking a nap!


Kind of sweet. I have often marveled at how a black cat loves to lay in the sunshine. I had the window open and he was enjoying the fresh air and decided to take a cat nap. Get it? A cat nap? And he's a cat! I crack myself up.

My Music Obsession

As DolphinLady will tell you, I tend to get obsessed about bands and songs. If a song appeals to me for whatever reason, I will play that song until the obsession passes, which can take months. Right now, I seem to be obsessed with Toby Keith's "Get Drunk and Be Somebody". Not that long ago, I was obsessed with "Who's Your Daddy", also coincidently by Toby Keith. That one invokes naughty thoughts in my head, and makes me giggle when Music Man sings it to me. I had a mini obsession with "She's a Hottie" (again by Toby Keith), but that one I know is caused by him singing it in such a deep voice. I love a deep sounding voice. Over the years some of my other song obsessions have included: Hypnotize the Moon by Clay Walker, Born to be my Baby by Bon Jovi, Nothin' Better to Do by L.A. Guns, and On the Verge by Collin Raye. I know there have been others, but looking at my CD collection those are the ones that jump out at me.

What I'm trying to say is when I hear a song and it stirs something in my soul I tend to go overboard. And make everyone around me, hate whatever I'm obsessing about. I don't really have a problem with it, but the people around me tend to. It's kind of funny in a pitiful way when your 3 year-old looks at you as you play a song you're obsessing over for the 30th time that day and says, "NO MORE!!!" and covers her ears. That was about when she ran out of the room and I took the opportunity to listen to the song again without her complaining.

Of course Miss Goofy is not without the same quirk. Between 2 and 4 years of age, she watched Disney's Beauty and the Beast everyday. Sometimes twice a day. Now, she has a play list on her computer with nothing but the Macarena. It's on there for something like 2 hours straight. Seriously, doesn't she know what the repeat button is for? What is wrong with that kid? It's not like when I was a kid and we had to rewind our tapes to keep hearing the same song. She just pushes repeat and poof, no rewinding!

Okay, time to go do some schoolwork. Right after I listen to Get Drunk, I'm only up to 25 times today.

Anti-Procrastination Day

FlyLady defines Anti-Procrastination Day as: The day you do what you've been putting off. Or something like that. So, in honor of my anti-procrastination day, I'm adding a daily list for myself to my blog. And since I think the only thing I did on my list yesterday was make dinner and swish n swipe the bathroom, I'm making my weekly home blessing the thing I add to my daily list for today. And then there's this:


And this:


Music Man and Miss Goofy spent 5 and 1/2 hours assembling Miss Goofy's new bed and bookshelf headboard on Saturday. Good thing I hadn't wanted to you know go do grocery shopping or anything. Okay I did and I was very annoyed when it took so long to get the dumb thing built. And before you ask, yes that is a black comforter and a black pillow. The sheets are pink as is the throw blanket that she has so carefully laid on the foot of the bed in that way that is supposed to look casual and just makes me want to go straighten it. I think I'm going to go buy her the same sheets and comforter only reverse the colors, so she has black sheets and a pink comforter. I'm not sure I can find a black throw like this one though. In case you're wondering why she chose pink and black, then look here:


Apparently if it's good enough for Avril Lavigne, then it's good enough for Miss Goofy. I have no problem with the pink and black and I actually like Avril Lavigne's music, which by the way, both pleases and horrifies Miss Goofy. I'm actually glad that this is my daughter's role model. If only because now she likes pink.

ETA: Music Man also did an awesome job of fixing Miss Goofy's stereo. It seemed when she was taking all the stuff out of her room, she attempted to move her stereo with a CD in it. The CD then got stuck. Music Man had to break the CD in order to free it, and then the part that turns the carousel for the CD's quit turning. He took apart the stereo and fixed the carousel. Thank you Music Man.

Best Parents Ever!!! WooHoo!!!

So, Music Man and Miss Goofy found a new bed frame for her a couple of weeks ago. We told her that we would buy it for her but it had to wait a few weeks. Last night Music Man came home with her new bed. I sent her to shower and helped him move the box onto the front porch. And by helped I mean stood there happily chattering while he grunted and cussed. The box was around 173 pounds. He finally got the box up the steps and on the porch. At this point in time Miss Goofy doesn't know that we bought her the bed. We needed to run to the grocery store to pick up something for dinner. Before we left I told Miss Goofy to walk the dog. I knew she would have to go on the front porch and would see the box for the bed.

When we got home with Domino's pizza instead of something I had to cook, (that alone should qualify us as the best parents ever) we got attacked by Miss Goofy and told we were the best parents ever. WooHoo! Now my life is complete.

We ruined it about an hour later when we made her sit and watch "Revenge of the Nerds". I know it's inappropriate for her. But the movie is so stupid that it's funny. And you'd think we'd still be the best parents ever since she got out of doing her chores for an hour and a half.

Oh and when she got up and went to the bathroom partway through, when she came back, she asked questions regarding what she missed. Yeah, she hated the movie.

Music Man's Father

Music Man's father passed away almost three years ago. He was an interesting person. And by interesting I mean he did some things that were really funny cause they happened to someone else. He was a Viet Nam vet who loved to tell stories that began, "You're not going to believe this s***." Which he told me means that the vet is lying. When Music Man was somewhere around 14 or 15, he was out in the back 40 mowing the lawn. He was wearing the straw, San Diego Zoo pith hat that his dad had given his grandma and had somehow wound up belonging to Music Man after she died. Apparently, the hat looked like something that the enemy in Viet Nam wore. I know this because while my husband was happily tooling along on the ride-on mower, he suddenly hears an odd sound. It was only a few seconds before he realized it was the sound of a 9 MM and it was being fired at him. Music Man dove off the mower and took cover. His father stopped firing when Music Man finally threw the hat in the other direction. I've told this story for a reason. Tonight on the way home from dinner, my husband was explaining his lack of empathy for gang members.

"Oh, you poor thing, did your daddy beat you? Really, too bad, mine fired a 9 MM at me. Quit whining and get a job."

I cleaned that up a bit. There was quite a bit of language that shouldn't be repeated on a family friendly blog.

God, I miss my father-in-law.

Turkey Toes, I mean Nora in her costume

Hi, I'm Nora. This is me in my turkey costume. I'm adorable I know.



Here I am showing off my tail feathers.


My momma wrote a story about me in my turkey costume. If you want to read it, then leave her a message and she'll email it to you.

Gobble, gobble, gobble!!!

4th of July and My Driveway

We had a very nice 4th of July. We went to Grandma's house and had a late lunch. Music Man barbecued Tri-Tip, and I made a Key Lime Pie and brought some rolls. Grandma made her special potato salad and her carrot and raisin salad. We had a very nice visit with Grandma and my uncle and one of my cousins. We left around 6:30 and brought the grouchy old man some dinner. He had an ear infection and stayed home. Around 8:45 we got in Music Man's truck and headed toward the airport. That's where the fireworks were being launched from. Aside from the train blocking our view part of the time, it was a really pretty show.

And then Miss Goofy walked out the back door to throw something away. This is a picture of what she found at the end of the driveway. I am really glad my uncle had snakes when I was a kid. I didn't freak out at all. Not that I went over to make friends, but I was still more calm than Miss Goofy.


He really is kind of cute in a reptile sort of way.

Annoying Email

Have you even gotten an email saying "We will have a major announcement on this day, the email will be in your box then."?

I have a couple of questions for those companies. Why do you send me an email saying you're going to send me an email? Just send me the "big announcement". Here's my reasoning on this point: 1) I won't remember to watch my inbox for your announcement. Sorry, I have a a life (okay I don't but I still won't remember), 2) If it's such a big announcement then just announce it. I mean if it's that important, shouldn't you just tell me whatever terrible thing is happening?

Question 2: Why do you think I care? I may have signed up for your newsletter, but give me a break, I really don't think I meant for you to send me emails telling me you're going to send me emails. That just seems redundant.

Question 3: Remind me why did I sign up for your newsletter? I may not care about whatever you're telling me anymore. Or worse yet, perhaps you've moved on to other things that I don't care about and you're just annoying me.

Question 4: Why do I keep opening your stupid emails? I must think hard on this one.