Someone left the remnants of one of those humonguous sheet cakes in the kitchen at work today.
It's from BJ's.
I stared at it thinking how rarely I eat cake, or pastry or even cookies. Very rarely in fact.
So, if I were to have some cake - it certainly would not be a sheet cake from BJ's.
I want something spectacular.
A sliver of triple, chocolate, lacey something or another served on an expenisive, oversized plate with fanciful drizzles of fruity, syrupy swirls. A cake so rich that I would be forced to set down my fork before the plate was emtpy. A cake so supple that it slid across my tongue and melted ever so....
oops... sorry - I got carried away there.
But my point is this. Cake is not something anyone should be eating often. It's a treat. It should be rare, and it should be special.
So make it so.
Wednesday, October 24, 2007
Monday, October 22, 2007
Ménage' toi
Tho the threesome is happening only in my head.
And it’s not hot and steamy.
It’s more like a bad game of Twister. There are three of us in here Vanity, Conscience and Sensibility. It’s like a weesey twist on Freud’s Id, Ego and Superego[1]. And while I consider Freud to be a genius, albeit a deranged genius… my three decided we needed our own definitions. Plus, we didn’t like all those freaky parental references.
What keepsusme from being committed is simply that often times we agree. We know our own strengths, and easily bend to the others area of authority. Sometimes we even work together in pairs.
Take for example getting dressed each morning. Vanity and Sensibility often work together on this to pick an outfit that is both attractive and suits the day’s activity. They are a good team. Let’s say I am feeling svelte one morning. Well then Sensibility will concede to any apparel decision Vanity may arrive at. But let’s just say I’ve had chocolate cake and beer all weekend - Vanity sits quietly while we select something a bit more blousy.
One can argue that in such a case Sensibility is really being vain in trying to cover up any weekend indiscretion in diet, so perhaps it’s not really all Sensibilities decision… and thus arguing may ensue. The decision usually stands, but someone needs to get credit.
Of course it doesn’t end there. What if something goes wrong? Such as when Vanity selects white shorts for a picnic and then there is a spill – well doncha know Conscience steps in to point the finger every time…
So here we are, we three – riding around on the tractor this weekend. And boy was there a raucous lawn discussion going on. Each had such a good point that we actually left it at a stand still and went inside to watch football instead.
Here is our dilemma. Vanity wants to fertilize. In fact, it was Vanities decision to get the fertilizer without the weed-killer so that we could over apply thus achieving a better greening effect.
Sensibility, on the other hand, wants to stop spending all this money on the lawn.
And Conscience knows that if we decided not to fertilize we may later regret this decision.
Conscience also knows there is a possibility of regretting the money spent as well. So you see – our tie breaker Conscience is not helping at all.
Which is why we decided to go in and watch football – where immediately Vanity wanted a beer and Conscience had to remind Vanity, yet again, about the repercussions of beer drinking on our diet… when Sensibility steps in and has the audacity to say she wants a piece of bread – BREAD the other two scream… you must be joking!
It’s a wonder I get anything done at all really.
And it’s not hot and steamy.
It’s more like a bad game of Twister. There are three of us in here Vanity, Conscience and Sensibility. It’s like a weesey twist on Freud’s Id, Ego and Superego[1]. And while I consider Freud to be a genius, albeit a deranged genius… my three decided we needed our own definitions. Plus, we didn’t like all those freaky parental references.
What keeps
Take for example getting dressed each morning. Vanity and Sensibility often work together on this to pick an outfit that is both attractive and suits the day’s activity. They are a good team. Let’s say I am feeling svelte one morning. Well then Sensibility will concede to any apparel decision Vanity may arrive at. But let’s just say I’ve had chocolate cake and beer all weekend - Vanity sits quietly while we select something a bit more blousy.
One can argue that in such a case Sensibility is really being vain in trying to cover up any weekend indiscretion in diet, so perhaps it’s not really all Sensibilities decision… and thus arguing may ensue. The decision usually stands, but someone needs to get credit.
Of course it doesn’t end there. What if something goes wrong? Such as when Vanity selects white shorts for a picnic and then there is a spill – well doncha know Conscience steps in to point the finger every time…
So here we are, we three – riding around on the tractor this weekend. And boy was there a raucous lawn discussion going on. Each had such a good point that we actually left it at a stand still and went inside to watch football instead.
Here is our dilemma. Vanity wants to fertilize. In fact, it was Vanities decision to get the fertilizer without the weed-killer so that we could over apply thus achieving a better greening effect.
Sensibility, on the other hand, wants to stop spending all this money on the lawn.
And Conscience knows that if we decided not to fertilize we may later regret this decision.
Conscience also knows there is a possibility of regretting the money spent as well. So you see – our tie breaker Conscience is not helping at all.
Which is why we decided to go in and watch football – where immediately Vanity wanted a beer and Conscience had to remind Vanity, yet again, about the repercussions of beer drinking on our diet… when Sensibility steps in and has the audacity to say she wants a piece of bread – BREAD the other two scream… you must be joking!
It’s a wonder I get anything done at all really.
[1] Id
In Psychoanalytical theory, the part of the personality which contains our primitive impulses such as sex, anger, and hunger. The id doesn't care about reality, about the needs of anyone else, only its own satisfaction.
Ego
The part of the personality which maintains a balance between our impulses (id) and our conscience (superego). The ego is based on the reality principle. The ego understands that other people have needs and desires and that sometimes being impulsive or selfish can hurt us in the long run.
Superego
The Superego is the moral part of us and develops due to the moral and ethical restraints placed on us by our caregivers. Many equate the superego with the conscience as it dictates our belief of right and wrong.
Saturday, October 20, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
If your clothes dryer is in your main living space or anywhere near an exterior door - when you empty your lint trap (which you are doing EVERY time you do a load) step just outside the door to clean it and then give it a good shake. This will keep loads of dust out of the house.
If your clothes dryer is in your main living space or anywhere near an exterior door - when you empty your lint trap (which you are doing EVERY time you do a load) step just outside the door to clean it and then give it a good shake. This will keep loads of dust out of the house.
Thursday, October 18, 2007
I love NY
I don't really.
I am from Connecticut.
I love Connecticut.
I tolerate New York because it's, as my metropolitan wife calls it, the capital of the world.
Have you ever driven in Manhattan?
I have.
And I am not very good at it.
So here we are, entertaining a coupla Texans with a trip into Manhattan to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a favorite stop for us. We were going to see a special exhibit The Age of Rembrandt. I love Rembrandt. Tho I like many other Dutch Masters as well. We also love the American Wing - those fabulous Hudson River School artists. This display of Dutch painters was organized by donor, rather than artist. It was a fascinating look into American art collectors.
But I digress.
So... we were sitting on Central Park West getting ready to make a left turn into The Park. Doncha just love a ride through the park in Autumn?
Well... I overshot the intersection ever so slightly, so when the light turned - there we were squarely in the crosswalk.
I can see I am in the cross walk.
I can see there are people who need to use the cross walk to cross the street.
I feel remorse.
But, this is New York. And it wouldn't be New York unless I was properly reprimanded.
My reprimand this day came from an attractive yuppyish woman pushing a stroller, her husband clearly in tow.
My windows are up, so she mouths to me with a scowl only a true New Yorker can pull off. "You're in the crosswalk."
She also gestured to the lines, which was helpful - because I am clearly an idiot.
Because I am from Connecticut I mouth to her that I am sorry and I realize where I am, and that it's not where I intended to be, and that if I could move I would, but in the case there really was no where else for me to go but to sit and wait patiently for the light to change while she yelled at me.
She rolled her eyes, and flagrantly made a wide arc around the front of my car.
I kept my foot firmly on the brake.
Because I am from Connecticut.
All in all I consider this light action. The last time I got yelled at in the Big Apple was from a very unhappy NYPD officer on foot in Times Square. He actually leaned into the car to yell loudly at me and was not going to let me go anywhere until he said his peace. I thought he was going to rip me out of the front seat, strip search me and take me to the local precinct.
I was driving a van at the time. The kids were in the back. Luckily they were wearing seatbelts. I think that's the only thing that kept me from being tossed into the slammer. After the fear wore away - they were rather amused. Me, not so much.
Ah well, there's always Metro North.
I am from Connecticut.
I love Connecticut.
I tolerate New York because it's, as my metropolitan wife calls it, the capital of the world.
Have you ever driven in Manhattan?
I have.
And I am not very good at it.
So here we are, entertaining a coupla Texans with a trip into Manhattan to visit the Metropolitan Museum of Art. It's a favorite stop for us. We were going to see a special exhibit The Age of Rembrandt. I love Rembrandt. Tho I like many other Dutch Masters as well. We also love the American Wing - those fabulous Hudson River School artists. This display of Dutch painters was organized by donor, rather than artist. It was a fascinating look into American art collectors.
But I digress.
So... we were sitting on Central Park West getting ready to make a left turn into The Park. Doncha just love a ride through the park in Autumn?
Well... I overshot the intersection ever so slightly, so when the light turned - there we were squarely in the crosswalk.
I can see I am in the cross walk.
I can see there are people who need to use the cross walk to cross the street.
I feel remorse.
But, this is New York. And it wouldn't be New York unless I was properly reprimanded.
My reprimand this day came from an attractive yuppyish woman pushing a stroller, her husband clearly in tow.
My windows are up, so she mouths to me with a scowl only a true New Yorker can pull off. "You're in the crosswalk."
She also gestured to the lines, which was helpful - because I am clearly an idiot.
Because I am from Connecticut I mouth to her that I am sorry and I realize where I am, and that it's not where I intended to be, and that if I could move I would, but in the case there really was no where else for me to go but to sit and wait patiently for the light to change while she yelled at me.
She rolled her eyes, and flagrantly made a wide arc around the front of my car.
I kept my foot firmly on the brake.
Because I am from Connecticut.
All in all I consider this light action. The last time I got yelled at in the Big Apple was from a very unhappy NYPD officer on foot in Times Square. He actually leaned into the car to yell loudly at me and was not going to let me go anywhere until he said his peace. I thought he was going to rip me out of the front seat, strip search me and take me to the local precinct.
I was driving a van at the time. The kids were in the back. Luckily they were wearing seatbelts. I think that's the only thing that kept me from being tossed into the slammer. After the fear wore away - they were rather amused. Me, not so much.
Ah well, there's always Metro North.
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
FREE dog
That's not the title of the post - its a classified.
Do you want a FREE dog? Really. FREE. I will even drive her over.
free to a good home
Or...perhaps if you just call her out the back door she will show up.
That's because she has pretty much rendered the fence useless.
She has somehow figured out how to bend the chain link fence up to create a hole big enough to fit through.
Her first attempt was futile - because there was a wood pile on the other side.
I thought...how smart can she really be if she didn't think that through - so I wasn't worried.
Of course now I realize this was probably just a test hole.
The next time she did it, I thought perhaps the fence had already been loose in that area. So I just grabbed a chain from the garage to fix it temporarily.
Then she did it again.
Now understand that the fence is attached to a 2 inch bottom rail with thick metal twist tie things. They are wrapped around tightly and then twisted several times.
I am trying to figure out how she is getting those off. I have these images of her out there at night in the deep dark of the back yard, working on them one at a time. Every so often glancing up furtively at the house to see if we are watching. Kind of like a well planned prison break. Then, of course, during the day when we are all out in the backyard together she completely ignores the fence so as not to draw attention to her work... clever that one.
This time I used some bungee cords and rope.
I knew this fix was temporary and that it was time to call in professional help.
Yes, I really thought it would hold... at least for a week.
Silly weese.
Here is what happened on Saturday.
My clever and exasperated wife shored up this hole with some garden fencing we had laying around.
So now we have wire, rope, bungees, chains, and cables keeping the fence together.
And FREE dog has to be monitored during her time out in the yard.
The fence guy came by on Sunday. He says he's never seen anything like this.
He stared, and shook his head, and asked several times what type of dog she was.
He'll be back this week to repair and replace large parts of the fence.
Tho I am just about ready to open the gate and call it a day.
Do you want a FREE dog? Really. FREE. I will even drive her over.
free to a good home
Or...perhaps if you just call her out the back door she will show up.
That's because she has pretty much rendered the fence useless.
She has somehow figured out how to bend the chain link fence up to create a hole big enough to fit through.
Her first attempt was futile - because there was a wood pile on the other side.
I thought...how smart can she really be if she didn't think that through - so I wasn't worried.
Of course now I realize this was probably just a test hole.
The next time she did it, I thought perhaps the fence had already been loose in that area. So I just grabbed a chain from the garage to fix it temporarily.
Then she did it again.
Now understand that the fence is attached to a 2 inch bottom rail with thick metal twist tie things. They are wrapped around tightly and then twisted several times.
I am trying to figure out how she is getting those off. I have these images of her out there at night in the deep dark of the back yard, working on them one at a time. Every so often glancing up furtively at the house to see if we are watching. Kind of like a well planned prison break. Then, of course, during the day when we are all out in the backyard together she completely ignores the fence so as not to draw attention to her work... clever that one.
This time I used some bungee cords and rope.
I knew this fix was temporary and that it was time to call in professional help.
Yes, I really thought it would hold... at least for a week.
Silly weese.
Here is what happened on Saturday.
My clever and exasperated wife shored up this hole with some garden fencing we had laying around.
So now we have wire, rope, bungees, chains, and cables keeping the fence together.
And FREE dog has to be monitored during her time out in the yard.
The fence guy came by on Sunday. He says he's never seen anything like this.
He stared, and shook his head, and asked several times what type of dog she was.
He'll be back this week to repair and replace large parts of the fence.
Tho I am just about ready to open the gate and call it a day.
Monday, October 15, 2007
Thank you
I am using this public forum to acknowledge all the various people involved in my very happy, fun filled birthday weekend.
To all those virtual and non virtual particpants - thank you.
You have made this weese feel very warm and fuzzy and loved.
To all those virtual and non virtual particpants - thank you.
You have made this weese feel very warm and fuzzy and loved.
Wednesday, October 10, 2007
there is a time
Autumn is a busy time. The leaves are turning and falling. The birds are gathering in great numbers to make their trek south. And weese begins to ponder and pontificate about the universe and the changing of the seasons and the great joy that the peace of the winter months can bring...
The days are getting shorter and darker. This frightens and upsets many people. The darkness feels as if it’s encroaching on their energy, stifling their joy.
I think, rather, we should look forward to this time of year. It’s a time for healing, of inner rebuilding, of rest. Winter is a necessary time -- juxtaposed to the banter and frivolity of the warm summer months with those long, endless days, and hot, festive evenings -- sometimes enhanced by pink fruity cocktails.
As the days shorten, let the darkening afternoons snuggle you into the sanctuary of your home. Think of the darkness as a warm blanket.
Let it be an excuse to sit and reflect and rest.
And while you are sitting and reflecting and resting - don't become sad or maudlin.
Remember to rejoice in the place you call home. If you cannot - then fix that first.
Your home must be the place you feel best. Fall is a good time to put that in order.
Set your house right, and let the winter happen.
Remember that spring feels so good because of winter.
The days are getting shorter and darker. This frightens and upsets many people. The darkness feels as if it’s encroaching on their energy, stifling their joy.
I think, rather, we should look forward to this time of year. It’s a time for healing, of inner rebuilding, of rest. Winter is a necessary time -- juxtaposed to the banter and frivolity of the warm summer months with those long, endless days, and hot, festive evenings -- sometimes enhanced by pink fruity cocktails.
As the days shorten, let the darkening afternoons snuggle you into the sanctuary of your home. Think of the darkness as a warm blanket.
Let it be an excuse to sit and reflect and rest.
And while you are sitting and reflecting and resting - don't become sad or maudlin.
Remember to rejoice in the place you call home. If you cannot - then fix that first.
Your home must be the place you feel best. Fall is a good time to put that in order.
Set your house right, and let the winter happen.
Remember that spring feels so good because of winter.
But hey… before you go sitting down and putting your feet up – remember there’s a whole lot of fall maintenance to do... more on that later.
Monday, October 08, 2007
Whew
Amazing.
Well... yes, cutting the nails was amazing -- but really I referring to the wedding.
Ok, so did you want some pictures of the wedding? Yeah -- me too.
I actually brought two cameras - and never really touched either one.
So I'll have to wait until someone else posts some somewhere.
For now - we just cracked open our first 'hair of the dog'.
More on that later...
Saturday, October 06, 2007
Prep
Thanks for all the great nail tips... tho after tomorrow I won't need them.
Seriously...these things have to come off.
Despite the fact that I can't pick things up, button my own buttons, or type anymore... we've been busy with wedding preparations this week.
Today was the rehearsal dinner, and tomorrow is the wedding! (which basically means two more days till I can cut my nails... oo am I dwelling a bit).
In the meantime - here's a quick tip-o-day ...
If you're using clear glass vases for your table center pieces - be sure to wash them thoroughly before filling. To get them spot free, wash in super hot water. Thick dish washing gloves are a must for this task.
I love these blue ones. They are thick enough so I can use dishwater over 200°.
Seriously...these things have to come off.
Despite the fact that I can't pick things up, button my own buttons, or type anymore... we've been busy with wedding preparations this week.
Today was the rehearsal dinner, and tomorrow is the wedding! (which basically means two more days till I can cut my nails... oo am I dwelling a bit).
In the meantime - here's a quick tip-o-day ...
If you're using clear glass vases for your table center pieces - be sure to wash them thoroughly before filling. To get them spot free, wash in super hot water. Thick dish washing gloves are a must for this task.
I love these blue ones. They are thick enough so I can use dishwater over 200°.
Monday, October 01, 2007
Femme Fatale
Ladies, ladies, ladies...
how do you do it?
The Sister-In-Law is marrying The Brother-In-Law this Sunday. We are all very excited.
So as part of my wedding accoutrement (yes.. blatent over use of one of my favorite words) I have been growing my nails. The will look FABulous with my outfit. I am wearing black and silver... it's Tahari... I am having my hair cut on Thursday, eyebrows done Friday... wait till you see the shoes.
I am so down with that whole butch-femme thing.
But Oh. MY. Goodness... the nails are making me INsane.
First, there is the maintenance. I have been keeping them polished - because it keeps them strong and frankly at this length I think it looks better.
The time commitment for painting nails is ridiculous. We can put a man on the moon but it takes HOW long for nail polish to dry(flawlessly)? At least when I am painting ...say the garage doors... I can go do something else while I wait for the paint to dry.
But this... THIS requires I do absolutely nothing for the entire dry time. One slip-up and the entire finish is ruined. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to keep weese still for any more than 10 minutes? I have a very short attention span.
Ok so there's that...
Then you have to deal with them just being there. Typing becomes a chore, the remote control takes concentration, and dialing my cell phone is simply silly to watch. Not to mention trying to use hand tools or even just chores around the house.
My Monday morning... a nice tall mimosa, perhaps a breakfast scone, and the nail clippers.
how do you do it?
The Sister-In-Law is marrying The Brother-In-Law this Sunday. We are all very excited.
So as part of my wedding accoutrement (yes.. blatent over use of one of my favorite words) I have been growing my nails. The will look FABulous with my outfit. I am wearing black and silver... it's Tahari... I am having my hair cut on Thursday, eyebrows done Friday... wait till you see the shoes.
I am so down with that whole butch-femme thing.
But Oh. MY. Goodness... the nails are making me INsane.
First, there is the maintenance. I have been keeping them polished - because it keeps them strong and frankly at this length I think it looks better.
The time commitment for painting nails is ridiculous. We can put a man on the moon but it takes HOW long for nail polish to dry(flawlessly)? At least when I am painting ...say the garage doors... I can go do something else while I wait for the paint to dry.
But this... THIS requires I do absolutely nothing for the entire dry time. One slip-up and the entire finish is ruined. Do you have any idea how impossible it is to keep weese still for any more than 10 minutes? I have a very short attention span.
Ok so there's that...
Then you have to deal with them just being there. Typing becomes a chore, the remote control takes concentration, and dialing my cell phone is simply silly to watch. Not to mention trying to use hand tools or even just chores around the house.
My Monday morning... a nice tall mimosa, perhaps a breakfast scone, and the nail clippers.
my walk
I walked at lunch today. It’s part of the new diet regimen.
I find it pleasant enough – it breaks up the day, and it’s not as involved as say… going to the gym.
Which I abhor.
It’s not that I don’t like to work hard. I would just prefer there to be a result of my hard work. O sure…weight loss, fitness, energy, blah blah – but I’d rather something a bit more tangible. Like say … I work really hard for a couple hours a day for a week or so and WALA there’s an addition on the house.
Or… I spend ½ hour in the morning and 20 minutes each afternoon and BINGO I’ve got a patio with outdoor grilling station – you see my point.
But the walking is fine.
I walked alone today – because my walking pal, J9, is a slacker (lets see if that gets her to comment). Since I was alone I had plenty of time with my own thoughts.
So I was walking along deep in thought weighing my options for the lawns fall feeding schedule when I noticed that most of the people walking alone had ipod-ish type things. (I almost typed ‘walkman’ ha!).
I pondered this.
Why do people listen to music as they walk? Does the beat motivate them? Do they change their pace when different songs come on? What type of music do they listen to? Do they silently sing along? Does it help to pass the time? I wondered if some people do it because they are uncomfortable doing things alone. I wondered if certain songs conjured memories… were they reminiscing as they walked. Did some songs make them sad… or happy? Some folks had ear buds, others had headphones – this made me think of the shape of my ears. I happen to have very large ears... well really its the lobes. Then I wondered which earrings I was wearing because I had forgotten. For a short time I played a little game where I tried to figure out which ones were in my ears without reaching up to find out. Then I saw a guy with a hat and wondered if he would have hat head by the time he got back to the office. I ended up behind a woman wearing her Ipod in one of those sporty armbands. I wondered if she had gotten it as a gift. Maybe on a holiday, maybe it was her birthday. Maybe they had cake that day. Cake has flour…and sugar – both of which are not on my diet. The walking is on my diet tho. Which is where this all started about ½ an hour ago. That's when I saw my reflection in the glass door to my office building and noticed which earrings I was wearing...
So…while someone singing sweetly in my ears for my ½ hour walk would be lovely –
I am thoroughly entertained by the tangents of my own thoughts.
I am glad I left my Ipod in the car.
I find it pleasant enough – it breaks up the day, and it’s not as involved as say… going to the gym.
Which I abhor.
It’s not that I don’t like to work hard. I would just prefer there to be a result of my hard work. O sure…weight loss, fitness, energy, blah blah – but I’d rather something a bit more tangible. Like say … I work really hard for a couple hours a day for a week or so and WALA there’s an addition on the house.
Or… I spend ½ hour in the morning and 20 minutes each afternoon and BINGO I’ve got a patio with outdoor grilling station – you see my point.
But the walking is fine.
I walked alone today – because my walking pal, J9, is a slacker (lets see if that gets her to comment). Since I was alone I had plenty of time with my own thoughts.
So I was walking along deep in thought weighing my options for the lawns fall feeding schedule when I noticed that most of the people walking alone had ipod-ish type things. (I almost typed ‘walkman’ ha!).
I pondered this.
Why do people listen to music as they walk? Does the beat motivate them? Do they change their pace when different songs come on? What type of music do they listen to? Do they silently sing along? Does it help to pass the time? I wondered if some people do it because they are uncomfortable doing things alone. I wondered if certain songs conjured memories… were they reminiscing as they walked. Did some songs make them sad… or happy? Some folks had ear buds, others had headphones – this made me think of the shape of my ears. I happen to have very large ears... well really its the lobes. Then I wondered which earrings I was wearing because I had forgotten. For a short time I played a little game where I tried to figure out which ones were in my ears without reaching up to find out. Then I saw a guy with a hat and wondered if he would have hat head by the time he got back to the office. I ended up behind a woman wearing her Ipod in one of those sporty armbands. I wondered if she had gotten it as a gift. Maybe on a holiday, maybe it was her birthday. Maybe they had cake that day. Cake has flour…and sugar – both of which are not on my diet. The walking is on my diet tho. Which is where this all started about ½ an hour ago. That's when I saw my reflection in the glass door to my office building and noticed which earrings I was wearing...
So…while someone singing sweetly in my ears for my ½ hour walk would be lovely –
I am thoroughly entertained by the tangents of my own thoughts.
I am glad I left my Ipod in the car.
Friday, September 28, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
This is actually more of a reminder.
Do you need to seed, re-seed or over seed - do it now.
Fall is for planting. New grass will come up lush and thick and it still has time to get strong before winter.
It's also a great time to install new shrubs or transplant existing ones. Warm days and cool, moist nights make for great root development.
Go on... go plant.
This is actually more of a reminder.
Do you need to seed, re-seed or over seed - do it now.
Fall is for planting. New grass will come up lush and thick and it still has time to get strong before winter.
It's also a great time to install new shrubs or transplant existing ones. Warm days and cool, moist nights make for great root development.
Go on... go plant.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Singing in the...
There was a tall, somewhat athletic woman who walked ahead of me into the ladies room this morning. She apparently works across the hall at another company, and I have seen her just once before so perhaps she is new. She is young, maybe late 20's, and attractive in a natural, hip sorta way. From the way she dresses and carries herself I wondered briefly if she played on my team. Could go either way I decided, and entered a stall.
That's when she started to hum... or even sort of sing softly as she entered the far stall. I thought this curious - and thought how people don't really sing much, and certainly I have never heard singing in the ladies room.
Should I consider this odd? Would this make me uncomfortable? Was this woman very happy? Was she melancholy? Clearly she was confident.
My mind was wandering down this path when I paused it to listen. The sound was genuinely beautiful. Sweet and sultry and only added to by that wondrous tiled-room echoey reverb. It was enchanting. I was surprised at myself for so thoroughly enjoying it.
And then it was over, interrupted by the rush of flowing waters and the soft thud of the door.
I have just refilled my water bottle, and anticipate several trips to the ladies room today.
That's when she started to hum... or even sort of sing softly as she entered the far stall. I thought this curious - and thought how people don't really sing much, and certainly I have never heard singing in the ladies room.
Should I consider this odd? Would this make me uncomfortable? Was this woman very happy? Was she melancholy? Clearly she was confident.
My mind was wandering down this path when I paused it to listen. The sound was genuinely beautiful. Sweet and sultry and only added to by that wondrous tiled-room echoey reverb. It was enchanting. I was surprised at myself for so thoroughly enjoying it.
And then it was over, interrupted by the rush of flowing waters and the soft thud of the door.
I have just refilled my water bottle, and anticipate several trips to the ladies room today.
Tuesday, September 25, 2007
in the night
I woke up somewhere around 3:00 this morning because of a wacky, somewhat scary dream. It didn't take me long to realize I had been dreaming and that I was now awake and safe and comfy with my slumbering wife close by.
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, I realized I had a grammatical error in yesterday's post.
I mean... the error just instantly popped into my head.
How does stuff like that happen?
Then suddenly, out of nowhere, I realized I had a grammatical error in yesterday's post.
I mean... the error just instantly popped into my head.
How does stuff like that happen?
Monday, September 24, 2007
Here we go again
It's that time of year where we begin to change over the wardrobe.
My work attire has shifted from shorts to pants.
And we all know what that means ...right?
It means weese freaks out because half her pants don't fit.
(someone should probably send my patient wife a bottle of red)
I have tried to lose these very same pounds before.
These pounds love me, they are clinging to me tightly.
But I have resolve and no fear of trying again... and again.
(make that two bottles of red for my understanding wife).
And so I started a new diet yesterday.
It's rather regimented, which is good for weese, weese likes regiment.
Oddly this diet includes no beer.
I will let you know how it goes. Which basically means- if I start losing weight you can be sure I'll be blogging about it, and if I don't... well, that will be the end of that then, huh.
Treading trodden trails for a long, long time.
Dave Matthews Band
My work attire has shifted from shorts to pants.
And we all know what that means ...right?
It means weese freaks out because half her pants don't fit.
(someone should probably send my patient wife a bottle of red)
I have tried to lose these very same pounds before.
These pounds love me, they are clinging to me tightly.
But I have resolve and no fear of trying again... and again.
(make that two bottles of red for my understanding wife).
And so I started a new diet yesterday.
It's rather regimented, which is good for weese, weese likes regiment.
Oddly this diet includes no beer.
I will let you know how it goes. Which basically means- if I start losing weight you can be sure I'll be blogging about it, and if I don't... well, that will be the end of that then, huh.
Treading trodden trails for a long, long time.
Dave Matthews Band
Friday, September 21, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Got balls?
I do.
Dryer balls.
I tried these only recently and am so pleased that they made the tip-o-day list.
We have a stacked washer/dryer. Not the fancy new front loader ones - ours is probably a dozen years old. (yes... to those who have seen it... its that old. Perhaps another tip will be how to keep your washer/dryer looking like new.)
They work well, and while they are labled 'full' size machines they are somewhat small. We do our best not to overload them - but regardless the dryer has always taken a long time to complete its work.
Then Aunt Arlene told us about Dryer Balls.
Skeptically I gave them a shot, and was very pleased to find that the clothes dried in less time and had less wrinkles.
The only down side to Dryer Balls can occur when you are unloading the dryer and one or both of these bouncy laundry aids falls out and skips playfully across the floor in the general direction of the FREE dog.
Luckily, we have several of those 20% off coupons for BB&B.
Got balls?
I do.
Dryer balls.
I tried these only recently and am so pleased that they made the tip-o-day list.
We have a stacked washer/dryer. Not the fancy new front loader ones - ours is probably a dozen years old. (yes... to those who have seen it... its that old. Perhaps another tip will be how to keep your washer/dryer looking like new.)
They work well, and while they are labled 'full' size machines they are somewhat small. We do our best not to overload them - but regardless the dryer has always taken a long time to complete its work.
Then Aunt Arlene told us about Dryer Balls.
Skeptically I gave them a shot, and was very pleased to find that the clothes dried in less time and had less wrinkles.
The only down side to Dryer Balls can occur when you are unloading the dryer and one or both of these bouncy laundry aids falls out and skips playfully across the floor in the general direction of the FREE dog.
Luckily, we have several of those 20% off coupons for BB&B.
Wednesday, September 19, 2007
Parking 101
I drove a mini-van for over a dozen years. I loved my van. It looked like new when I traded it in at 13 years and 186k miles. Which should surprise no one.
I loved the way it drove, I loved the way it handled.
I could drive that van just as well backwards as forward. I could park it anywhere.
Now I drive a VW Cabrio. There aren't many cars smaller than that.
So why is it I can't back the thing up?
I mean I can't even back it into a parking space.
I park in the same space here at work everyday. When I arrive there are no other cars near my space, and I like to back in.
I do this everyday.
Yet everyday it takes me two tries.
WTF.
There I am ... all alone... on the roof of the parking garage (in full view of the entire building) attempting over and over again to park my teeny tiny little car into this cavernous space.
Ridiculous.
I loved the way it drove, I loved the way it handled.
I could drive that van just as well backwards as forward. I could park it anywhere.
Now I drive a VW Cabrio. There aren't many cars smaller than that.
So why is it I can't back the thing up?
I mean I can't even back it into a parking space.
I park in the same space here at work everyday. When I arrive there are no other cars near my space, and I like to back in.
I do this everyday.
Yet everyday it takes me two tries.
WTF.
There I am ... all alone... on the roof of the parking garage (in full view of the entire building) attempting over and over again to park my teeny tiny little car into this cavernous space.
Ridiculous.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
7x
I am over 40. This means I wear those ubiquitous magnifying glasses from Wal-Mart to see anything within say… a foot of my face.
This is fine. I have no hang ups about getting older.
But I also like convenience.
This is why I now wear my magna-glasses around my neck. They are always there when I need them. This works for me. I don’t care how it looks.
Where the magna glasses fall short is when you have something in your eye or perhaps need to tweeze a brow. Then – they simply get in the way.
The other day my also-over-40 wife and I were at Bed Bath and Beyond where we came upon a display of magnifying mirrors.
Hmm.
I wondered-- will this work like the glasses or will I just see a blurry reflection of myself 5 times larger….
So I looked.
Wow.
I called my browsing wife over.
She looked.
WOW.
We were mesmerized. We were gigantic… and perfectly. in. focus.
And o….the flaws.
We tried them all. Some had lights, some where chrome, some were nickel, some had different magnifications on each side. It was better than the fun house.
It occurred to us after some time that we were actually in a store – and that we would eventually need to go home, so we decided to purchase one.
After some further experimentation my magnified wife suggested the 10x.
I told her I may never leave the house if I had to see myself that closely.
So we chose the 7x and went home.
I can’t decide whether I wish we had always had one of these… or never discovered it.
This is fine. I have no hang ups about getting older.
But I also like convenience.
This is why I now wear my magna-glasses around my neck. They are always there when I need them. This works for me. I don’t care how it looks.
Where the magna glasses fall short is when you have something in your eye or perhaps need to tweeze a brow. Then – they simply get in the way.
The other day my also-over-40 wife and I were at Bed Bath and Beyond where we came upon a display of magnifying mirrors.
Hmm.
I wondered-- will this work like the glasses or will I just see a blurry reflection of myself 5 times larger….
So I looked.
Wow.
I called my browsing wife over.
She looked.
WOW.
We were mesmerized. We were gigantic… and perfectly. in. focus.
And o….the flaws.
We tried them all. Some had lights, some where chrome, some were nickel, some had different magnifications on each side. It was better than the fun house.
It occurred to us after some time that we were actually in a store – and that we would eventually need to go home, so we decided to purchase one.
After some further experimentation my magnified wife suggested the 10x.
I told her I may never leave the house if I had to see myself that closely.
So we chose the 7x and went home.
I can’t decide whether I wish we had always had one of these… or never discovered it.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Visit
We went to visit the dear Virginians this weekend.
My dog loving wife made a new friend on this trip.
What do you wanna bet she is casually surfing PetFinder right now...
My dog loving wife made a new friend on this trip.
What do you wanna bet she is casually surfing PetFinder right now...
Sunday, September 16, 2007
Thursday, September 13, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
As my patient wife will continually and patiently tell me... don't worry so much.
So all week I'm running around chasing bees laden with tuna... and in the end it all worked out just fine.
So that's my tip.
Don't worry so much.
The-Sister-In-Law's shower last weekend was loads of fun. We never found the nest. The tree was still filled with bees. There were no casualties.
I, of course, immediately identified the guests with bee allergies - and my mom, the nurse, offered to stick 'em with Epi-Pens if need be. Hmm, there's an apple and tree story for ya.
But the real kicker is... today when I pulled into the driveway and looked curiously up at the tree for my buzzy little pals. They were gone.
Huh.
Lets recap:
I worried all week about bees.
The party was fine.
The bees disappeared.
My patient wife smirks.
We cleverly had the food served inside.
Many brave people scoffed at the bees and stayed outside.
We made the 'bride' wear a tiara... with flashing lights.
Bridesmaids in Barbie hats.
Others stayed inside where it was safe (and air conditioned).
And then some of us... simply waited until after the bees bedtime.
As my patient wife will continually and patiently tell me... don't worry so much.
So all week I'm running around chasing bees laden with tuna... and in the end it all worked out just fine.
So that's my tip.
Don't worry so much.
The-Sister-In-Law's shower last weekend was loads of fun. We never found the nest. The tree was still filled with bees. There were no casualties.
I, of course, immediately identified the guests with bee allergies - and my mom, the nurse, offered to stick 'em with Epi-Pens if need be. Hmm, there's an apple and tree story for ya.
But the real kicker is... today when I pulled into the driveway and looked curiously up at the tree for my buzzy little pals. They were gone.
Huh.
Lets recap:
I worried all week about bees.
The party was fine.
The bees disappeared.
My patient wife smirks.
We cleverly had the food served inside.
Many brave people scoffed at the bees and stayed outside.
We made the 'bride' wear a tiara... with flashing lights.
Bridesmaids in Barbie hats.
Others stayed inside where it was safe (and air conditioned).
And then some of us... simply waited until after the bees bedtime.
Beeeeees
We didn’t have a fish.
So we improvised.
We used tuna… Bumblebee of course.
So this should be pretty simple. Put out the ‘fish’, watch the bees go for the fish, follow the bees to their home – then we could plan our attack.
Here is the first chunk of tuna we put out.
I cleverly used the lid as a sorta of serving dish.
We watched… and waited….
My observant wife noticed that the bees were simply drinking the tuna-flavored water.
To correct their behavior we removed the lid – this time using a leaf as the serving dish.I couldn’t just toss it on the ground – that’s simply barbaric.
And we watched… and waited again. No activity.
So we moved the tuna leaf to another location.
And we watched… and waited…
My wife wandered off to water things in the yard, I popped open a cold one and sat in a chair.
And watched… and waited…
And then… they came.
A couple at a time, the bees would work quickly to break away a small piece. Sure enough, holding their precious little piece of tuna tightly, they would lift off. Wobbly and overburdened they head out toward the back yard.
Whoo hoo!
Now all we had to do was follow the bee right back to their lair.
Ok, so …have you ever tried to track a bee laden with tuna?
We tried.
Several times.
Lets review:
We have millions of bees.
We still don’t know where they live.
The party is tomorrow.
We have just begun to feed these bees, who were already quite enamoured with our yard.
Hopefully this has improved their mood.
So we improvised.
We used tuna… Bumblebee of course.
So this should be pretty simple. Put out the ‘fish’, watch the bees go for the fish, follow the bees to their home – then we could plan our attack.
Here is the first chunk of tuna we put out.
I cleverly used the lid as a sorta of serving dish.
We watched… and waited….
My observant wife noticed that the bees were simply drinking the tuna-flavored water.
To correct their behavior we removed the lid – this time using a leaf as the serving dish.I couldn’t just toss it on the ground – that’s simply barbaric.
And we watched… and waited again. No activity.
So we moved the tuna leaf to another location.
And we watched… and waited…
My wife wandered off to water things in the yard, I popped open a cold one and sat in a chair.
And watched… and waited…
And then… they came.
A couple at a time, the bees would work quickly to break away a small piece. Sure enough, holding their precious little piece of tuna tightly, they would lift off. Wobbly and overburdened they head out toward the back yard.
Whoo hoo!
Now all we had to do was follow the bee right back to their lair.
Ok, so …have you ever tried to track a bee laden with tuna?
We tried.
Several times.
Lets review:
We have millions of bees.
We still don’t know where they live.
The party is tomorrow.
We have just begun to feed these bees, who were already quite enamoured with our yard.
Hopefully this has improved their mood.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Beeeees
The next day I began to research.
I learned about bees.
I needed to think like a bee.
Be the bee.
I surfed the internet.
I talked to co-workers.
I called an exterminator...
He listed carefully.
He told me I did not have a nest in the tree.
Keep looking.
Hmm, but how to find the nest ... hmm.
Then I stumbled upon this!
I emailed my clever wife immediately.
So now, let's review:
We have hundreds and thousands of bees.
The party is getting closer.
We still don't know where they live.
But we have a plan.
I learned about bees.
I needed to think like a bee.
Be the bee.
I surfed the internet.
I talked to co-workers.
I called an exterminator...
He listed carefully.
He told me I did not have a nest in the tree.
Keep looking.
Hmm, but how to find the nest ... hmm.
Then I stumbled upon this!
"Bee Lining" for Fish Bait: Bee lining is a method by which a person may locate a yellow jacket nest by observing foragers as they return to their colony with food. A freshly caught small fish should be diced slightly on the exterior with a knife and hung in a tree about 5 to 6 feet off the ground. Foraging yellow jackets will be attracted to the raw fish and will chew off a tiny particle of the meat. By close observation, a person can follow the flight line of the yellow jacket back to her nest. The foraging yellow jacket will normally make a "bee line" straight to the nest which is often no more than 1,000 yards from the food source. Fishermen have been known to use this procedure to discover yellow jacket nests and use the grub as excellent fish bait.
I emailed my clever wife immediately.
So now, let's review:
We have hundreds and thousands of bees.
The party is getting closer.
We still don't know where they live.
But we have a plan.
Monday, September 10, 2007
Bees
Shortly after both my sweet wife and I were stung by insolent bees, I came home from work and noticed some yellow jackets in a tree next to the driveway.
I stopped to see what they might be doing.
Then I notice more. So I stood and stared at the tree for a moment…
and I noticed A LOT more.
Like hundreds and hundreds of bees. In this one tree. Angry little yellow jackets
Uh o.
Now – it’s one thing to have a tree with hundreds of bees in it next to your driveway. But by fantastic coincidence, the first time in 20 years that we have ever seen bees of these numbers in our yard is the year that we are hosting The Sister In Laws bridal shower at our house, in our backyard, with lots of yummy food and tasty guests.
We need a plan.
The plan should include getting rid of the bees.
A friend had recently told me about destroying yellow jacket nests in the ground.
So we wondered if perhaps there was a nest under this tree. Since there are hosta plants planted around the trunk the ground is hidden. Tho we did notice several bees crawling around on the hosta leaves.
Hmm.
So the next morning I get up before dawn. I go out and check the tree – no bees.
Good.
I see one sleepy little bee crawling on a hosta leaf.
AHA!
So I start hacking away at the hostas.
I am cutting and tossing leaves all over the place… and now I even think I hear subtle buzzing sounds, perhaps from the colossal nest I am about to find under the tree roots – I am careful to be nimble tho – just in case I discover the nest and make them all upset. I am planning what to do if I am swarmed… its good to have a plan. I am certain I am on the right track… then I notice a small hole… paydirt! I think… I am getting pretty excited …
I am practically congratulating myself on a job well done. Although I have not actually seen any bees coming from the hole… in fact, I haven’t seen any bees at all …
When my quiet wife comes up behind me and gently asks if I have noticed that the entire tree is filled with bees.
Huh?
Dammit.
Let’s review:
We have thousands of bees.
For some reason the bees like this tree.
Bees sting.
We have determined there is no nest in the ground under the tree.
I have completely hacked up our attractive plantings leaving a stubbly mess.
We are having a big party in three days.
Clearly we need to find the nest…
I stopped to see what they might be doing.
Then I notice more. So I stood and stared at the tree for a moment…
and I noticed A LOT more.
Like hundreds and hundreds of bees. In this one tree. Angry little yellow jackets
Uh o.
Now – it’s one thing to have a tree with hundreds of bees in it next to your driveway. But by fantastic coincidence, the first time in 20 years that we have ever seen bees of these numbers in our yard is the year that we are hosting The Sister In Laws bridal shower at our house, in our backyard, with lots of yummy food and tasty guests.
We need a plan.
The plan should include getting rid of the bees.
A friend had recently told me about destroying yellow jacket nests in the ground.
So we wondered if perhaps there was a nest under this tree. Since there are hosta plants planted around the trunk the ground is hidden. Tho we did notice several bees crawling around on the hosta leaves.
Hmm.
So the next morning I get up before dawn. I go out and check the tree – no bees.
Good.
I see one sleepy little bee crawling on a hosta leaf.
AHA!
So I start hacking away at the hostas.
I am cutting and tossing leaves all over the place… and now I even think I hear subtle buzzing sounds, perhaps from the colossal nest I am about to find under the tree roots – I am careful to be nimble tho – just in case I discover the nest and make them all upset. I am planning what to do if I am swarmed… its good to have a plan. I am certain I am on the right track… then I notice a small hole… paydirt! I think… I am getting pretty excited …
I am practically congratulating myself on a job well done. Although I have not actually seen any bees coming from the hole… in fact, I haven’t seen any bees at all …
When my quiet wife comes up behind me and gently asks if I have noticed that the entire tree is filled with bees.
Huh?
Dammit.
Let’s review:
We have thousands of bees.
For some reason the bees like this tree.
Bees sting.
We have determined there is no nest in the ground under the tree.
I have completely hacked up our attractive plantings leaving a stubbly mess.
We are having a big party in three days.
Clearly we need to find the nest…
Friday, September 07, 2007
Friday
It's Friday.
And I have a story for you... it's about bees.
However - I feel I need to wait. To pause. To pay my respects. To pray.
For Gypsy the cat, and her dear mom Sue.
I have been laboring this morning over whether to blog it or not.
But I must. Because I am so ... sad and heartbroken.
We try very hard to keep our pets safe. We spend large portions of our income on vet bills, the finest pet food, toys and other accoutrement.
We try to keep them from harm by walking our dogs on leashes, building fences and keeping our cats indoors. We make sacrifices so that they will be safe and happy.
We coddle out pets.
Our friend Sue is just like that. Sue is a warm, wonderfully sensitive, creative woman and her best pal for these many, many years has been Gypsy.
This very special feline cuddled Sue through a difficult divorce. She rejoiced with Sue when they got their new house. She loved to visit, and loved to be tied out on her leash while all we silly lesbians sat around in the yard drinking cool drinks and watching her chase bugs. (Yes, she liked to be tied out with her harness on to get some fresh air... always safe... always within site).
Then they met with the bizarre and tragic.
This week a chimney company came to cap off the chimney. Unknown to the workers a raccoon was already in there, now sealed in by the cap. While Sue was out that evening, the raccoon gained access to the house... and to Gypsy. Gypsy did everything she could - and the battle was fierce. Sue came home (thank goodness accompanied by loved friends) to a war zone in her safe and beautiful home.
Vets worked on Gypsy for two days - her injuries were massive. But after her courageous battle - she succumbed to signs of rabies. Yes. Rabies. The raccoon was rabid.
I weep, as I type, for fluffy little Gypsy and our friend Sue.
All the humans involved are now being treated for this dreaded and, here in CT, prevalent disease.
And I have a story for you... it's about bees.
However - I feel I need to wait. To pause. To pay my respects. To pray.
For Gypsy the cat, and her dear mom Sue.
I have been laboring this morning over whether to blog it or not.
But I must. Because I am so ... sad and heartbroken.
We try very hard to keep our pets safe. We spend large portions of our income on vet bills, the finest pet food, toys and other accoutrement.
We try to keep them from harm by walking our dogs on leashes, building fences and keeping our cats indoors. We make sacrifices so that they will be safe and happy.
We coddle out pets.
Our friend Sue is just like that. Sue is a warm, wonderfully sensitive, creative woman and her best pal for these many, many years has been Gypsy.
This very special feline cuddled Sue through a difficult divorce. She rejoiced with Sue when they got their new house. She loved to visit, and loved to be tied out on her leash while all we silly lesbians sat around in the yard drinking cool drinks and watching her chase bugs. (Yes, she liked to be tied out with her harness on to get some fresh air... always safe... always within site).
Then they met with the bizarre and tragic.
This week a chimney company came to cap off the chimney. Unknown to the workers a raccoon was already in there, now sealed in by the cap. While Sue was out that evening, the raccoon gained access to the house... and to Gypsy. Gypsy did everything she could - and the battle was fierce. Sue came home (thank goodness accompanied by loved friends) to a war zone in her safe and beautiful home.
Vets worked on Gypsy for two days - her injuries were massive. But after her courageous battle - she succumbed to signs of rabies. Yes. Rabies. The raccoon was rabid.
I weep, as I type, for fluffy little Gypsy and our friend Sue.
All the humans involved are now being treated for this dreaded and, here in CT, prevalent disease.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Why are the bees mad?
Or are they angry
I was a cautious, careful child. And while I had plenty of fun I found it unnecessary to get overly dirty or raucous. I rarely got hurt, I’ve never broken a bone and I have never been stung by a bee. Really… never.
Until this weekend.
A completely unprovoked attack. I was driving along on the tractor, out in an open field, as I have done for near 20 years now. I saw no bees. I was near nothing.
Hmm.
The next day my gentle wife was stung in the hand while reaching for the wheel barrow.
Have you been stung this year? More and more I am hearing stories of stings and nests and generally large bee populations. Perhaps to the individual it may not seem that remarkable… but when you start to put all the stories together – something fishy is going on.
(key word here is fishy… stay tuned for more and you’ll see what I mean)
I was a cautious, careful child. And while I had plenty of fun I found it unnecessary to get overly dirty or raucous. I rarely got hurt, I’ve never broken a bone and I have never been stung by a bee. Really… never.
Until this weekend.
A completely unprovoked attack. I was driving along on the tractor, out in an open field, as I have done for near 20 years now. I saw no bees. I was near nothing.
Hmm.
The next day my gentle wife was stung in the hand while reaching for the wheel barrow.
Have you been stung this year? More and more I am hearing stories of stings and nests and generally large bee populations. Perhaps to the individual it may not seem that remarkable… but when you start to put all the stories together – something fishy is going on.
(key word here is fishy… stay tuned for more and you’ll see what I mean)
Sunday, September 02, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Anyway...
Fall is fast approaching - you can save some money (and natural resources) as your vegetable garden no longer needs water every day. The plants have matured by now and so require less water. Tomatoes for example are busy ripening fruit, rather than focusing on stem and leaf growth. My well-read wife has heard that if your fruit is slow to ripen, try lopping off the top of the plant to remind it to stop focusing on growth (she cautions me that she has not had to try that here... so your result may vary)
It's Friday...right?
Anyway...
Fall is fast approaching - you can save some money (and natural resources) as your vegetable garden no longer needs water every day. The plants have matured by now and so require less water. Tomatoes for example are busy ripening fruit, rather than focusing on stem and leaf growth. My well-read wife has heard that if your fruit is slow to ripen, try lopping off the top of the plant to remind it to stop focusing on growth (she cautions me that she has not had to try that here... so your result may vary)
Thursday, August 30, 2007
Something is amiss
I have been forgetful.
I am making mistakes because I'm not paying attention.
I've been dropping and spilling way more than usual.
I have been forgetful.
and sometimes i am rushing thru things so i make mistkes.
I just spilled my Diet Cream Soda on the floor.
There are times when I just don't remember stuff.
I really need to slow down and think more clearly.
I tho ardf...ah...eee...........
oops.
I am making mistakes because I'm not paying attention.
I've been dropping and spilling way more than usual.
I have been forgetful.
and sometimes i am rushing thru things so i make mistkes.
I just spilled my Diet Cream Soda on the floor.
There are times when I just don't remember stuff.
I really need to slow down and think more clearly.
I tho ardf...ah...eee...........
oops.
Wednesday, August 29, 2007
Adjusting
Signs that Ferris is adjusting to the new BIG school:
This is all comforting.
He has sampled at least 3 of the major dining halls.
"The food is good here"
He is getting along well with the new roomies.
He has crafted a velcro wall hanger for his Guitar Hero for easy access.
He made it to the biggest start-of-the-year party, as well as stop ins at various frat house parties.
His current Away message:I'm currently in class, please do not IM me for i'm afraid it may damage the learning process of my fragel, eggshell mind.
This is all comforting.
Tuesday, August 28, 2007
Not my dog
On my way into work this morning I saw a dog poking around near the town green.
It was odd.
It shouldn’t have been odd because it was just a dog sniffing around – but as I thought more about it I realized that dogs don’t do that anymore.
Dogs are on leashes, behind intangible fences, in houses or cars… but not sniffing around… on their own… carefree and enjoying a fine summer morning.
When I was a kid you would see dogs. You would see dogs and kids, wandering all over the place. You thought nothing of it.
If your trash got knocked over by the neighbor’s dog you shook your fist, and put the lid on tighter next time, you didn’t call the police or a lawyer.
It was nothing to see a pack of 10 year olds come out of the woods looking like they had been in there for a week.
If you saw your neighbors kid climbing a utility pole you opened the window and yelled at them to get down before they killed themselves. Your neighbor was ok with that because they just chased your dog our of their garage.
They say the world is a different place now, that you can’t let your kids or dogs roam around without a leash and a GPS chip. But what made the world different?
Did the world really become such a bad place? Or did we just think it did?
I suppose I didn’t realize how much I miss seeing dogs wander around.
It was odd.
It shouldn’t have been odd because it was just a dog sniffing around – but as I thought more about it I realized that dogs don’t do that anymore.
Dogs are on leashes, behind intangible fences, in houses or cars… but not sniffing around… on their own… carefree and enjoying a fine summer morning.
When I was a kid you would see dogs. You would see dogs and kids, wandering all over the place. You thought nothing of it.
If your trash got knocked over by the neighbor’s dog you shook your fist, and put the lid on tighter next time, you didn’t call the police or a lawyer.
It was nothing to see a pack of 10 year olds come out of the woods looking like they had been in there for a week.
If you saw your neighbors kid climbing a utility pole you opened the window and yelled at them to get down before they killed themselves. Your neighbor was ok with that because they just chased your dog our of their garage.
They say the world is a different place now, that you can’t let your kids or dogs roam around without a leash and a GPS chip. But what made the world different?
Did the world really become such a bad place? Or did we just think it did?
I suppose I didn’t realize how much I miss seeing dogs wander around.
Monday, August 27, 2007
New Beginning
Ferris has been successfully installed at his new school... or so we hear.
Because he is a man now - he no longer needs his doting parents to help him move in and get settled. So we helped himstuff pack up his car and waved as he pulled out of our driveway.
I am perfectly fine with this. It shows a sense of adventure and independence. In fact, I applaud it.
ok ok... I'll 'fess. The Sister-In-Law and soon to be Brother-In-Law (impending nuptials) were with him. They both work at the BIG school.
We were both very comforted by the fact that he was in very good hands.
Of course move in day with Ferris would NEVER be without some excitement. I can tell you that there were police involved and Ferris did get to meet the hall director and other campus officials - who coincidentally play on the same campus softball team with the Sister-In-Law... its so nice to be connected.
Tragedy averted, no one was injured, and the attempted theft of his laptop was foiled.
We've heard his room is nice and the food is ok...
And so now we'll adjust to our, once again, empty house.
(woo hoo ;)
Because he is a man now - he no longer needs his doting parents to help him move in and get settled. So we helped him
I am perfectly fine with this. It shows a sense of adventure and independence. In fact, I applaud it.
ok ok... I'll 'fess. The Sister-In-Law and soon to be Brother-In-Law (impending nuptials) were with him. They both work at the BIG school.
We were both very comforted by the fact that he was in very good hands.
Of course move in day with Ferris would NEVER be without some excitement. I can tell you that there were police involved and Ferris did get to meet the hall director and other campus officials - who coincidentally play on the same campus softball team with the Sister-In-Law... its so nice to be connected.
Tragedy averted, no one was injured, and the attempted theft of his laptop was foiled.
We've heard his room is nice and the food is ok...
And so now we'll adjust to our, once again, empty house.
(woo hoo ;)
Tuesday, August 21, 2007
Shopping!?!
Somebody shoot me.
Ferris has decided he wants new clothes before going off to his 'new' university (he has transferred to a BIG school for his sophmore year, I may at some point disclose the location of said university... or perhaps just keep watching the news and you'll figure it out yourselves.)
And... he's asked me to go along. Egad.
I will let you know how wesurvive make out.
Ferris has decided he wants new clothes before going off to his 'new' university (he has transferred to a BIG school for his sophmore year, I may at some point disclose the location of said university... or perhaps just keep watching the news and you'll figure it out yourselves.)
And... he's asked me to go along. Egad.
I will let you know how we
Monday, August 20, 2007
Back to School
This is that week where they lift the sales tax so folks can get all their back to school shopping done.
Personally... I would rather pay the tax than deal with the crowds this is going to generate.
Personally... I would rather pay the tax than deal with the crowds this is going to generate.
Friday, August 17, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Take a few moments every couple months to scrub out your outdoor trash cans (I do our recycling bin at the same time too). It really only takes a couple minutes. And if you store your cans in the garage as we do... its so much more pleasant if they are clean and odor free.
I use an old broom to the scrubbing. That way I don't have to reach in and get wet or dirty. In the past I have always used ammonia, but we were fresh out last night.
So I turned to my tidy wife's favorite - Simple Green.
It took all of five minutes to spray them down with the Simple Green, scrub the broom around inside and rinse with the garden hose.
I must say, the Simple Green did a marvelous job, and left the cans smelling extra fresh and clean.
Remember to tie up your bags securely and not to toss in loose garbage and your cans will stay clean longer.
Take a few moments every couple months to scrub out your outdoor trash cans (I do our recycling bin at the same time too). It really only takes a couple minutes. And if you store your cans in the garage as we do... its so much more pleasant if they are clean and odor free.
I use an old broom to the scrubbing. That way I don't have to reach in and get wet or dirty. In the past I have always used ammonia, but we were fresh out last night.
So I turned to my tidy wife's favorite - Simple Green.
It took all of five minutes to spray them down with the Simple Green, scrub the broom around inside and rinse with the garden hose.
I must say, the Simple Green did a marvelous job, and left the cans smelling extra fresh and clean.
Remember to tie up your bags securely and not to toss in loose garbage and your cans will stay clean longer.
Thursday, August 16, 2007
What would you do?
What would you do on a Thursday night if you found you had the house to yourself?
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
That's my gal
So I was having a somewhat trying morning at the office when my intuitive wife sends me this email.
Somehow she just knows when I need to lighten up.
So my tea bag fortune is “Your destiny is to merge with infinity.”
Why not just say, “One night you’re gonna fall asleep and never wake up”?
Phuckin’ genius.
Somehow she just knows when I need to lighten up.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Let's Go Mets
Just in case you were worried I wanted to let you know that there are still good people out there. Not hero’s or saints or do-gooders... just regular ole good folk.
Never let an incident pass where you don’t take notice of it.
Ferris went to a Mets game last week. It was a beautiful day for a ball game, but he ended up leaving the game a little early because he was worried he had left his car unlocked. Perhaps it was in his flustered departure that he lost his cell phone. He discovered the loss just before reaching his car on the shuttle to the parking lot.
He and his buddy repeatedly called his phone on their drive home. Hoping.
They were very surprised when a call came in from Ferris' phone!
The man on the phone said in a heavy accent,
“Hey, who’re you?”
Ferris explained that it was his phone, and that he had just lost it at the Mets game.
The man quickly gave Ferris his Brooklyn address.
Ferris called home and explained the story, and asking for advice.
what to do what do to....
I was trying to think quickly through all the scenarios.
I wasn't all that comfortable giving out our home address, and I didn't want to have this man have to pay for mailing it… while I was working my way through variations on the mailing scenario, my helpful and often too trusting wife shouts out -
"We'll go get it!"
I pause, my eyebrow raises curiously.
"Yah!, I am off tomorrow so Ferris and I can take a ride to Brooklyn to pick it up!"
Somewhat hesitantly I tell Ferris to call the guy back and tell him we'll come pick it up in the morning.
I hang up.
I have the immediate thought that this is a trap and my wife and son are going to be robbed and beaten on the bad streets of Brooklyn. So I start with my niggling nagging advice... don't get out of the car if it looks shady, leave your purse at home...and on and on I go. Sometimes… you really have to give the woman credit for just staying in the room with me.
Ferris speaks with the man from Brooklyn again – the man explains he will be working the next day, and will leave the phone with his father who lives in the same Brooklyn neighborhood just down the street.
In the mean time, my clever wife calls The Brother in Law With Brooklyn Friends to get the low down on the neighborhood.
His response was - it’s a safe neighborhood, tho not a nice neighborhood. We're not talking Park Slope here....
The two adventurers finally get to Brooklyn late the next morning after a couple of grueling hours on the heavily trafficked and under construction BQE.
Ferris, riding shotgun, shouts out to stop when he spies the street number they had been given. Unexpectedly, it’s an apartment building. They were only given a street number, not an apartment number.
Undaunted he approaches two women chatting on the stoop. He explains the story and while they are unsure exactly, they suggest he start on the fourth floor.
He got lucky. He again explained his story to an elderly woman behind the first door he knocked on. She seemed confused, having no idea about any phone – when a mans voice came barreling down the hall.
“The phone!? Yeah, I have the phone!.”
To thank him for his generosity, Ferris gave the man a brand new Mets hat he had gotten last year but never worn.
As Ferris was getting back in to the car with my waiting wife the old man comes out to wave them off.
“Look what I got” he calls out to the ladies on the stoop, smiling and proudly donning his new cap.
A good man in Brooklyn, raised his son to be a good man.
Not a hero. Simply a regular good guy.
It was just a cell phone.
But don't let even a small kindness go unnoticed.
Never let an incident pass where you don’t take notice of it.
Ferris went to a Mets game last week. It was a beautiful day for a ball game, but he ended up leaving the game a little early because he was worried he had left his car unlocked. Perhaps it was in his flustered departure that he lost his cell phone. He discovered the loss just before reaching his car on the shuttle to the parking lot.
He and his buddy repeatedly called his phone on their drive home. Hoping.
They were very surprised when a call came in from Ferris' phone!
The man on the phone said in a heavy accent,
“Hey, who’re you?”
Ferris explained that it was his phone, and that he had just lost it at the Mets game.
The man quickly gave Ferris his Brooklyn address.
Ferris called home and explained the story, and asking for advice.
what to do what do to....
I was trying to think quickly through all the scenarios.
I wasn't all that comfortable giving out our home address, and I didn't want to have this man have to pay for mailing it… while I was working my way through variations on the mailing scenario, my helpful and often too trusting wife shouts out -
"We'll go get it!"
I pause, my eyebrow raises curiously.
"Yah!, I am off tomorrow so Ferris and I can take a ride to Brooklyn to pick it up!"
Somewhat hesitantly I tell Ferris to call the guy back and tell him we'll come pick it up in the morning.
I hang up.
I have the immediate thought that this is a trap and my wife and son are going to be robbed and beaten on the bad streets of Brooklyn. So I start with my niggling nagging advice... don't get out of the car if it looks shady, leave your purse at home...and on and on I go. Sometimes… you really have to give the woman credit for just staying in the room with me.
Ferris speaks with the man from Brooklyn again – the man explains he will be working the next day, and will leave the phone with his father who lives in the same Brooklyn neighborhood just down the street.
In the mean time, my clever wife calls The Brother in Law With Brooklyn Friends to get the low down on the neighborhood.
His response was - it’s a safe neighborhood, tho not a nice neighborhood. We're not talking Park Slope here....
The two adventurers finally get to Brooklyn late the next morning after a couple of grueling hours on the heavily trafficked and under construction BQE.
Ferris, riding shotgun, shouts out to stop when he spies the street number they had been given. Unexpectedly, it’s an apartment building. They were only given a street number, not an apartment number.
Undaunted he approaches two women chatting on the stoop. He explains the story and while they are unsure exactly, they suggest he start on the fourth floor.
He got lucky. He again explained his story to an elderly woman behind the first door he knocked on. She seemed confused, having no idea about any phone – when a mans voice came barreling down the hall.
“The phone!? Yeah, I have the phone!.”
To thank him for his generosity, Ferris gave the man a brand new Mets hat he had gotten last year but never worn.
As Ferris was getting back in to the car with my waiting wife the old man comes out to wave them off.
“Look what I got” he calls out to the ladies on the stoop, smiling and proudly donning his new cap.
A good man in Brooklyn, raised his son to be a good man.
Not a hero. Simply a regular good guy.
It was just a cell phone.
But don't let even a small kindness go unnoticed.
Friday, August 10, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
It's pouring here today, which reminds me to tell you...
pick up a couple of cheap, washable throw rugs at Walmart or Target.
Then on rainy days (or especially snowy days) you can toss these out as extra protection by your main entrance.
Once the sun comes out - give them a good shake or a wash if necessary, roll them up and stick them back in the closet or basement until next time.
I like the rubber backed rugs for saftey and durability - just don't toss them in the dryer, either stick them out on the line or over a drying rack.
It's pouring here today, which reminds me to tell you...
pick up a couple of cheap, washable throw rugs at Walmart or Target.
Then on rainy days (or especially snowy days) you can toss these out as extra protection by your main entrance.
Once the sun comes out - give them a good shake or a wash if necessary, roll them up and stick them back in the closet or basement until next time.
I like the rubber backed rugs for saftey and durability - just don't toss them in the dryer, either stick them out on the line or over a drying rack.
Thursday, August 09, 2007
cha ching
I have no time for blogging.
I am buried in Quicken.
You know Quicken, that silly software program to help you figure out and subsequently track why you have no money in your wallet.
Well I am sucked in. I have just downloaded all my transactions since January '07, and I am categorizing them now.
I was hoping to be able to determine how much money we are spending on things like utilities, clothes and of course Ferris.
Instead, I find it's absolutely REMARKABLE how much money we have spent at the liquor store.
I do really like the whole categorizing thing... this should surprise no one.
I also really like that little cha-ching sound wave every time I enter a transaction. I wish my wallet made that sound every time I took out my debit card.
I am buried in Quicken.
You know Quicken, that silly software program to help you figure out and subsequently track why you have no money in your wallet.
Well I am sucked in. I have just downloaded all my transactions since January '07, and I am categorizing them now.
I was hoping to be able to determine how much money we are spending on things like utilities, clothes and of course Ferris.
Instead, I find it's absolutely REMARKABLE how much money we have spent at the liquor store.
I do really like the whole categorizing thing... this should surprise no one.
I also really like that little cha-ching sound wave every time I enter a transaction. I wish my wallet made that sound every time I took out my debit card.
Tuesday, August 07, 2007
Because I really wonder about stuff like this...
We live on a busy, well traveled country road. The cars drive much too fast. I have a theory about people who drive too fast - but not only would that offend way too many of my friends, it's really fodder for another post.
On our busy road we have a double yellow line, and there are no stop signs, traffic lights or speed bumps to slow people anywhere near our house.
So it just makes me wonder how something like this...
could land in our driveway.
So I try to imagine the scenarios...
hmmm, what do you think?
On our busy road we have a double yellow line, and there are no stop signs, traffic lights or speed bumps to slow people anywhere near our house.
So it just makes me wonder how something like this...
could land in our driveway.So I try to imagine the scenarios...
1) A kid is driving along, almost home and realizes Oh! wait... look what I'm still wearing...
~toss.
2) A couple, hopefully in the backseat, reaches climax say... 1/2 mile or so down the street. She lights up a smoke, he...
~toss.
3) A guy is driving home after a particularly busy night and is cleaning out the car on the way...
french fry box
~toss.
beer can
~toss.
you get the idea....
hmmm, what do you think?
Monday, August 06, 2007
Do you like seafood?
Well if you like seafood and happen to be in or near Connecticut - might I HIGHLY recommend this place.
Run by this woman...
(hey Suze...you might wanna get that website update...eh? :) )
Run by this woman...
(hey Suze...you might wanna get that website update...eh? :) )
Friday, August 03, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
It's steamy here in the NorthEast this week.
To help keep you house cool remember to close the blinds, shades or curtains on windows where the sun will stream in. You will be surprised how much of a difference it can make. Even if you use central air this will help your unit run more efficiently.
Oh, and... if you have pets -please, please don't leave them in your car, or tied out in the yard.
oops... I forgot to mention. If you are closing the shades in the front of your house - always remember your curb appeal and be sure they are all at the same level. Makes for a tidy presentation.
It's steamy here in the NorthEast this week.
To help keep you house cool remember to close the blinds, shades or curtains on windows where the sun will stream in. You will be surprised how much of a difference it can make. Even if you use central air this will help your unit run more efficiently.
Oh, and... if you have pets -please, please don't leave them in your car, or tied out in the yard.
oops... I forgot to mention. If you are closing the shades in the front of your house - always remember your curb appeal and be sure they are all at the same level. Makes for a tidy presentation.
Thursday, August 02, 2007
My name is weese and I....
...drink tap water.
Yes, I do.
In great quantities.
Right out of the faucet (well... I generally use a glass)
I have been drinking tap water all my life. Remember back in the day... they used to recommend it for kids because the water was fluoridated.
Mmmm, fluoride.
These days everyone, everywhere has a bottle of water with them.
While I do agree that bottled water is great if you are on the go - I just don't see the point of drinking it when I am sitting on the patio.
My ecologically sensitive wife sent me this link today from the Times and I couldn't agree more.
In Praise of Tap Water
Yes, I do.
In great quantities.
Right out of the faucet (well... I generally use a glass)
I have been drinking tap water all my life. Remember back in the day... they used to recommend it for kids because the water was fluoridated.
Mmmm, fluoride.
These days everyone, everywhere has a bottle of water with them.
While I do agree that bottled water is great if you are on the go - I just don't see the point of drinking it when I am sitting on the patio.
My ecologically sensitive wife sent me this link today from the Times and I couldn't agree more.
In Praise of Tap Water
Wednesday, August 01, 2007
The Police
I like being able to say 'police' in a post that's not about Ferris.
The concert was amazing. As was the tailgating.
It was the consumate, classic concert scene. Just like the 80's - same people too - we're just a little older now.
My lyrical wife and I are recouping on the patio this morning - laptop at hand and a cool drink by our side.
The concert was amazing. As was the tailgating.
It was the consumate, classic concert scene. Just like the 80's - same people too - we're just a little older now.
My lyrical wife and I are recouping on the patio this morning - laptop at hand and a cool drink by our side.
Friday, July 27, 2007
Bon Voyage
One entry found.
bon voyage
Main Entry: bon voy·age
Pronunciation: \bōⁿ-voi-äzh, bän-; bōⁿ-vwī-äzh, -vwä-yäzh\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, good journey!
Date: 15th century
: farewell —often used interjectionally
For more than 6 years she has sat across the hall from me, in these dark, warm cubicles, our little space heaters cranking away against the big bad A/C.
We roll back our chairs and chat about home, pets, family - give each other advice and criticisms and compliments.
I often call out work questions over the walls - because she is smarter than me, and certainly has a better memory.
She can drink me under the table. But I can beat her at chess. (yes, we have been known to carry on week long chess games at the office.) I am not sure which is a better asset.
She is bright and funny and beautiful. She is my friend.
And she is leaving me. Damn her.
But not for another job, another cubicle, another keyboard...
She is doing what so many of us just dream of: pack up, take off and explore... no particular destination, no schedule except the weather, and a completly open end date.
With her belongings stuffed (neatly organized) into her little (sensible) civic she will throw caution to the wind (and program her GPS) and set out to see the world (well mostly the US). The trip will take her coast to coast, sometimes camping, sometimes staying with friends, maybe the occasional hostel.
Who knows what she will find out there. But I am certain it will be big and wonderful and will change her life.
I wish you well my dear friend.
I will miss you.
bon voyage
Main Entry: bon voy·age
Pronunciation: \bōⁿ-voi-äzh, bän-; bōⁿ-vwī-äzh, -vwä-yäzh\
Function: noun
Etymology: French, literally, good journey!
Date: 15th century
: farewell —often used interjectionally
For more than 6 years she has sat across the hall from me, in these dark, warm cubicles, our little space heaters cranking away against the big bad A/C.
We roll back our chairs and chat about home, pets, family - give each other advice and criticisms and compliments.
I often call out work questions over the walls - because she is smarter than me, and certainly has a better memory.
She can drink me under the table. But I can beat her at chess. (yes, we have been known to carry on week long chess games at the office.) I am not sure which is a better asset.
She is bright and funny and beautiful. She is my friend.
And she is leaving me. Damn her.
But not for another job, another cubicle, another keyboard...
She is doing what so many of us just dream of: pack up, take off and explore... no particular destination, no schedule except the weather, and a completly open end date.
With her belongings stuffed (neatly organized) into her little (sensible) civic she will throw caution to the wind (and program her GPS) and set out to see the world (well mostly the US). The trip will take her coast to coast, sometimes camping, sometimes staying with friends, maybe the occasional hostel.
Who knows what she will find out there. But I am certain it will be big and wonderful and will change her life.
I wish you well my dear friend.
I will miss you.
Thursday, July 26, 2007
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Outdated
While sitting in the waiting room at the doctor's office last week I picked up O magazine.
Oprah had an article in this issue written by some 'light in the loafers' (not that there's anything wrong with that) kinda guy who listed several wardrobe no-no's.
He may as well have been standing in my closet.
Oprah had an article in this issue written by some 'light in the loafers' (not that there's anything wrong with that) kinda guy who listed several wardrobe no-no's.
He may as well have been standing in my closet.
Monday, July 23, 2007
Finally
We finally got around to celebrating The Daughter The Therapists passing of her state boards that she passed in… oh… January I think. My giddy wife wanted to throw her a party - but not a dreary winter party. So we put it off until this past weekend of perfect July weather.
So again, congratulations to The Daughter The Therapist.
We had a lovely time meeting, feeding and entertaining her friends and colleagues.
And it was only the next morning when I woke up that I realized just how much meeting, feeding and entertaining I had done.
So again, congratulations to The Daughter The Therapist.
We had a lovely time meeting, feeding and entertaining her friends and colleagues.
And it was only the next morning when I woke up that I realized just how much meeting, feeding and entertaining I had done.
Friday, July 20, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
I had to run an errand on my lunch hour today. On my way in the car I was pondering my tip-o-day entry . I had a couple ideas rolling around in my head… hmm, maybe some advice on working with pressure treated wood – since I was on my way to Lowes to get some, perhaps another bleachy tip, and then a thought popped into my head. It’s something that my fun-to-hang-out-with wife and I often say to each other.
If you’re out shopping and you see something that you have been looking for, just get it. Don’t make note of it, don’t say it’s not what you came out to get, don’t think about how much it will add to your bill – just get it when you see it.
Because often times you don't see it again.
I rolled that tip around in my head for a while and sorta stumbled on how to phrase it and present it. Then I walked into Lowes and promptly forgot about it.
Until… I saw just such an item.
It’s something I have been looking for. I had seen it once I think… at Lowes or even Home Depot – but not since.
And there it was.
And so I bought it.
And now I’m happy.
And so that’s my tip.
I had to run an errand on my lunch hour today. On my way in the car I was pondering my tip-o-day entry . I had a couple ideas rolling around in my head… hmm, maybe some advice on working with pressure treated wood – since I was on my way to Lowes to get some, perhaps another bleachy tip, and then a thought popped into my head. It’s something that my fun-to-hang-out-with wife and I often say to each other.
If you’re out shopping and you see something that you have been looking for, just get it. Don’t make note of it, don’t say it’s not what you came out to get, don’t think about how much it will add to your bill – just get it when you see it.
Because often times you don't see it again.
I rolled that tip around in my head for a while and sorta stumbled on how to phrase it and present it. Then I walked into Lowes and promptly forgot about it.
Until… I saw just such an item.
It’s something I have been looking for. I had seen it once I think… at Lowes or even Home Depot – but not since.
And there it was.
And so I bought it.
And now I’m happy.
And so that’s my tip.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Words
A picture is worth a thousand words.
Yet when I am in the elevator I only long for two.
Would they PLEASE just write words OPEN and CLOSE next to those ridiculous ‘universal’ symbols they use.
It cant’ just be me.
It happens all the time.
I get in the elevator and notice someone approaching just as the doors begin to close. I want to help. I reach out, finger poised, ready to save the day... and there I stall.
Staring at those stupid little graphics.
Completely helpless.
Not a clue.
The door closes.
Yet when I am in the elevator I only long for two.
Would they PLEASE just write words OPEN and CLOSE next to those ridiculous ‘universal’ symbols they use.
It cant’ just be me.
It happens all the time.
I get in the elevator and notice someone approaching just as the doors begin to close. I want to help. I reach out, finger poised, ready to save the day... and there I stall.
Staring at those stupid little graphics.
Completely helpless.
Not a clue.
The door closes.
Monday, July 16, 2007
The Grooms
My ethereal wife is a Justice of the Peace.
This weekend she 'unionized' two good friends on the day they celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Congratulations to Chris and Danny.
They are a wonderful couple... (and their home is like a movie set.)
This weekend she 'unionized' two good friends on the day they celebrated their 20th anniversary.
Congratulations to Chris and Danny.
They are a wonderful couple... (and their home is like a movie set.)
Friday, July 13, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Summer is in full swing, but you may have noticed your lawn isn't.
If you lawn looks brown don't despair. Grass naturally goes into a semi-dormant state in the heat of the summer. Growth slows down and much top growth turns brown.
Notice the brown top growth is still moist however, so its not dead.
So unless your lawn is crunchy and dusty - don't worry, it will come back when the weather cools closer to fall.
I am sure you have noticed some lawns which still look green and thick. This is most likely due to regular watering, and I would bet the watering is from an in-ground system.
Home watering with a sprinkler can be helpful, and will help your lawn survive a drought. But its unlikely to keep it green and lush like an in-ground, timed system.
Personally, I don't water the lawn*. I let my grass do its natural thing in the summer, plus I don't like to waste a precious commodity on my vanity. (hmm, conservation vs. vanity hmm)
* except for newly seeded areas which may fail without adequate water
Summer is in full swing, but you may have noticed your lawn isn't.
If you lawn looks brown don't despair. Grass naturally goes into a semi-dormant state in the heat of the summer. Growth slows down and much top growth turns brown.
Notice the brown top growth is still moist however, so its not dead.
So unless your lawn is crunchy and dusty - don't worry, it will come back when the weather cools closer to fall.
I am sure you have noticed some lawns which still look green and thick. This is most likely due to regular watering, and I would bet the watering is from an in-ground system.
Home watering with a sprinkler can be helpful, and will help your lawn survive a drought. But its unlikely to keep it green and lush like an in-ground, timed system.
Personally, I don't water the lawn*. I let my grass do its natural thing in the summer, plus I don't like to waste a precious commodity on my vanity. (hmm, conservation vs. vanity hmm)
* except for newly seeded areas which may fail without adequate water
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Tidy
I just got back from having my eyebrows ‘done’.
I go to this little place in town called Oscar. They probably meant to say Oscar’s but the folks there don’t really speak English so I can’t really fault them for their lack of the possessive apostrophe.
My woman today was a new one. She was just a petite flower of a woman… quiet and calm yet confident in her mastery of eyebrow waxing.
I am actually new to the eyebrow waxing routine. As a teen I painstakingly used tweezers. As I got older I basically did nothing except the bare minimum…which was basically to keep them from growing together. But my new eyebrow place was recommended to me by someone well-trusted and equally fastidious (you may draw apple/tree conclusions as you wish).
I believe it was the first time that Ferris shaved his head
when he started to feel his eyebrows were …well as he put it ‘old man brows’.
And so he checked with various girls at school for the best place to correct this.
He found Oscar.
He has been going regularly ever since.
He likes to get it done when he gets a hair cut, which he does at a different place. He is that particular.
They just love him over there. I am sure he must have been the only high school jock to frequent their shop.
As for me, I am pleased with my results. I look tidy.
I go to this little place in town called Oscar. They probably meant to say Oscar’s but the folks there don’t really speak English so I can’t really fault them for their lack of the possessive apostrophe.
My woman today was a new one. She was just a petite flower of a woman… quiet and calm yet confident in her mastery of eyebrow waxing.
I am actually new to the eyebrow waxing routine. As a teen I painstakingly used tweezers. As I got older I basically did nothing except the bare minimum…which was basically to keep them from growing together. But my new eyebrow place was recommended to me by someone well-trusted and equally fastidious (you may draw apple/tree conclusions as you wish).
I believe it was the first time that Ferris shaved his head
when he started to feel his eyebrows were …well as he put it ‘old man brows’.
And so he checked with various girls at school for the best place to correct this.
He found Oscar.
He has been going regularly ever since.
He likes to get it done when he gets a hair cut, which he does at a different place. He is that particular.
They just love him over there. I am sure he must have been the only high school jock to frequent their shop.
As for me, I am pleased with my results. I look tidy.
Monday, July 09, 2007
She's at it again
It's that time of year where my charitable wife puts stuff out at the curb.
She really loves to do this. She can easily get a little carried away too. I keep a close eye on her once she gets going.
She made a cute little 'FREE' sign.
and as stuff was getting taken, she just kept adding more!
I have no idea where all these came from.
She really loves to do this. She can easily get a little carried away too. I keep a close eye on her once she gets going.
She made a cute little 'FREE' sign.
and as stuff was getting taken, she just kept adding more!
I have no idea where all these came from.
Friday, July 06, 2007
tip-o-day
The FREE dog is on antibiotics. Evidently she has some parasite or bacteria or some such thing caused by a deer tick.
We have long used the clever method of wrapping her pills in something tasty. I prefer cheese, but the Doxycycline she is on calls for no dairy. So we have been using soft cookies, bread or pasta. Every so often tho, the FREE dog will get a taste of the pill concealed inside and spit out the whole mouthful.
To keep this from happening I hold another treat in my hand, so she can clearly see it as she eats the first piece. This causes her to gulp it down quickly so that she is ready for more.
The FREE dog is on antibiotics. Evidently she has some parasite or bacteria or some such thing caused by a deer tick.
We have long used the clever method of wrapping her pills in something tasty. I prefer cheese, but the Doxycycline she is on calls for no dairy. So we have been using soft cookies, bread or pasta. Every so often tho, the FREE dog will get a taste of the pill concealed inside and spit out the whole mouthful.
To keep this from happening I hold another treat in my hand, so she can clearly see it as she eats the first piece. This causes her to gulp it down quickly so that she is ready for more.
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
The Italian-Stallion
Ferris and his grandfather have been doing some landscaping work together this past week. After Pop-Pop retired a few years back he modified his pick-up to be a dump truck and has since been delivering small loads of mulch and soil.
And now that he’s got a big, strapping grandson – he is taking on some small scale landscaping work.
I dropped Ferris off at Pop-Pop’s house this morning … it’s on my way to work and …well… Ferris is currently without a car.
I sat in front of the house for a moment this morning …and the only thing I could think of was – please, please just shoot me if I suddenly become enamoured with stick on letters.
You know the ones – they are vinyl and come in ALL CAPS, and all shiny and sparkly.
They are generally used for say… mailboxes and house numbers. But, OH, the possibilities!
Pop-pop has used them all over the back of his big red truck.
In addition to his name and number, it says things like:
‘THE MULCH MAN’
and
‘GITTR DONE’
I can’t decide whether the fact that they are not aligned or spaced properly adds to …or detracts from the look.
This morning I also noticed he is started to write little sayings on the house.
He’s got this Sox banner hanging on the screened porch and next to it has printed in 3” golden block letters ‘LINE DRIVE’.
I have no idea of why… I am sure there’s a story.
This is the curse of the retired Italian man. First they start to ‘letter’ things – then comes plastic lawn animals, this inevitably leads to homemade wine and leather sandals with black socks.
So while our son may enjoy a full head of hair well into old age – vinyl letters are his destiny.
And now that he’s got a big, strapping grandson – he is taking on some small scale landscaping work.
I dropped Ferris off at Pop-Pop’s house this morning … it’s on my way to work and …well… Ferris is currently without a car.
I sat in front of the house for a moment this morning …and the only thing I could think of was – please, please just shoot me if I suddenly become enamoured with stick on letters.
You know the ones – they are vinyl and come in ALL CAPS, and all shiny and sparkly.
They are generally used for say… mailboxes and house numbers. But, OH, the possibilities!
Pop-pop has used them all over the back of his big red truck.
In addition to his name and number, it says things like:
‘THE MULCH MAN’
and
‘GITTR DONE’
I can’t decide whether the fact that they are not aligned or spaced properly adds to …or detracts from the look.
This morning I also noticed he is started to write little sayings on the house.
He’s got this Sox banner hanging on the screened porch and next to it has printed in 3” golden block letters ‘LINE DRIVE’.
I have no idea of why… I am sure there’s a story.
This is the curse of the retired Italian man. First they start to ‘letter’ things – then comes plastic lawn animals, this inevitably leads to homemade wine and leather sandals with black socks.
So while our son may enjoy a full head of hair well into old age – vinyl letters are his destiny.
Monday, July 02, 2007
Green-ness
Earthfriendly
Organic
Eco... blah blah.
You're not helping the environment buying eco-crap if you have not cut down your consumption.
Use less, people.
I am not saying to live a year without new clothes or not to use toilet paper or to build a tree house.
Just be smart. Everyday. When you buy three things at the store - don't use a bag, just carry the stuff to your car.
Reuse bits of paper for lists or notes left on the counter for the kids.
Turn some stuff off in your house.
Waste less food, start by buying less.
Buy a Subaru over one of the new hybrids.
Better yet, buy a used Subaru.
Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
little things add up.
Here is a fun article on the subject. The author balances the ridiculousness of buying green ...
while considering that having folks just begin to think about being 'green' is a good first step.
but...
pulleeezzeee.
Organic
Eco... blah blah.
You're not helping the environment buying eco-crap if you have not cut down your consumption.
Use less, people.
I am not saying to live a year without new clothes or not to use toilet paper or to build a tree house.
Just be smart. Everyday. When you buy three things at the store - don't use a bag, just carry the stuff to your car.
Reuse bits of paper for lists or notes left on the counter for the kids.
Turn some stuff off in your house.
Waste less food, start by buying less.
Buy a Subaru over one of the new hybrids.
Better yet, buy a used Subaru.
Recycle, Reuse, Repurpose
little things add up.
Here is a fun article on the subject. The author balances the ridiculousness of buying green ...
“Green consumerism is an oxymoronic phrase,[...]. The fruit at Whole Foods in winter, flown in from Chile on a 747 — it’s a complete joke. The idea that we should have raspberries in January, it doesn’t matter if they’re organic. It’s diabolically stupid.”
while considering that having folks just begin to think about being 'green' is a good first step.
“We didn’t find that people felt that their consumption gave them a pass, so to speak,”... But they do it as a practice of mindfulness. They didn’t see it as antithetical to political action. Folks who were engaged in these green practices were actually becoming more committed to more transformative political action on global warming.”
but...
"...sustainably-harvested caviar..."
pulleeezzeee.
Thursday, June 28, 2007
and so it goes...
I have a little bit of poison ivy on my hand. I don't know where or when I got it.
The house is in desparate need of a good scrubbing. We have tomorrow off, and scrubbing is first on the list.
I continue to patch my convertible top with gobs and smears of clear silicone. It's working swimmingly.
The weed-n-feed application mysteriously burned parts of the lawn. I am sad.
Our social schedule is packed until mid August. This is fun.
We have taken several days off from work in July. This is very fun.
My alert wife tells me the slugs are back this year. I will put beer out for them.
I may add to this list later, if the mood strikes.
The house is in desparate need of a good scrubbing. We have tomorrow off, and scrubbing is first on the list.
I continue to patch my convertible top with gobs and smears of clear silicone. It's working swimmingly.
The weed-n-feed application mysteriously burned parts of the lawn. I am sad.
Our social schedule is packed until mid August. This is fun.
We have taken several days off from work in July. This is very fun.
My alert wife tells me the slugs are back this year. I will put beer out for them.
I may add to this list later, if the mood strikes.
Tuesday, June 26, 2007
Pride '07
We had such a great time at NYC Pride last year that we decided to add to the fun and go in a day early for the women's dance on Pier 54.
Fantastic. The music was great, the women were hot, and we danced until we couldn't stand anymore.
What I treasure about being able to celebrate Pride in NYC is the powerful ties to the origin of a movement. While this was only our second time ... we again got to talk to someone who was there at the beginning... Stonewall '69.
Sunday morning we walked into a bar (yes.. morning ... bar... hey - it was Pride) and while we were sipping our breakfast mimosa's - our bartender, a retired NYC cop who served The Village precinct, regaled us of stories of Stonewall and how it all began.
So while you are celebrating Pride events around the country and wearing rainbows and watching parades and dancing and enjoying the 'scenery' - remember where it started.
Fantastic. The music was great, the women were hot, and we danced until we couldn't stand anymore.
What I treasure about being able to celebrate Pride in NYC is the powerful ties to the origin of a movement. While this was only our second time ... we again got to talk to someone who was there at the beginning... Stonewall '69.
Sunday morning we walked into a bar (yes.. morning ... bar... hey - it was Pride) and while we were sipping our breakfast mimosa's - our bartender, a retired NYC cop who served The Village precinct, regaled us of stories of Stonewall and how it all began.
So while you are celebrating Pride events around the country and wearing rainbows and watching parades and dancing and enjoying the 'scenery' - remember where it started.
Friday, June 22, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
With the heat and humidity of the summer - be sure to leave the lid to your washer open in between loads. This goes for both front and top loaders. This will keep the machine from smelling musty.
With the heat and humidity of the summer - be sure to leave the lid to your washer open in between loads. This goes for both front and top loaders. This will keep the machine from smelling musty.
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Tuesday, June 19, 2007
It's a Girl!
Shortly after TheDaughterTheTherapist and her HandsomeBeau get their own place - look what they get!
After some internet research and some poking around, she thougth she had a boy. It's actually quite difficult to tell you know.
But the vet confirmed - a little girl.
Weighing in at all of 1 lb. 12 oz.
They call her Sophie.
After some internet research and some poking around, she thougth she had a boy. It's actually quite difficult to tell you know.
But the vet confirmed - a little girl.
Weighing in at all of 1 lb. 12 oz.
They call her Sophie.
Friday, June 15, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Will you be throwing any big parties this summer? Perhaps a graduation, or a family reunion, or perhaps taking part in a town-wide happening such as a lobsterfest or clam bake?
To make the event even more memorable, or to really call attention to your group – whip up some iron-on T-shirts.
They are so easy to do using the iron-on paper right in your own color printer, and you can make as few or as many as you need.
Come up with any wacky design you can think of and start ironing.
Remember, it’s important to use a hard, flat surface – don’t rely on your ironing board for the best quality. And try looking online for affordable (yet good quality) T-shirts if you have a lot to make.
Will you be throwing any big parties this summer? Perhaps a graduation, or a family reunion, or perhaps taking part in a town-wide happening such as a lobsterfest or clam bake?
To make the event even more memorable, or to really call attention to your group – whip up some iron-on T-shirts.
They are so easy to do using the iron-on paper right in your own color printer, and you can make as few or as many as you need.
Come up with any wacky design you can think of and start ironing.
Remember, it’s important to use a hard, flat surface – don’t rely on your ironing board for the best quality. And try looking online for affordable (yet good quality) T-shirts if you have a lot to make.
Thursday, June 14, 2007
Home alone
Recently, I was so happy to find out that dog hair we had found on the sofa was not from the big, smelly FREE dog sleeping there... she simply needed to hide her perfect, like new, never-been-chewed rawhide under the cushion.
Ah.. so foolishly relieved.
I came in from work yesterday evening to find the living room and dining room ransacked. Cushions and pillows all over the floor, blankets strewn about, a lamp tipped over, a picture fallen to the floor, tables askew, the rug bunched up...
It didn't take me too long to figure out that that the FREE dog had happily (or perhaps feverishly) spent the day finding a better hiding spot for her perfect, like new, never-been-chewed rawhide.
In case you need to know - after (I can only assume) trying every other place in the room, the rawhide was finally placed back under a different cushion on the sofa.
Ah.. so foolishly relieved.
I came in from work yesterday evening to find the living room and dining room ransacked. Cushions and pillows all over the floor, blankets strewn about, a lamp tipped over, a picture fallen to the floor, tables askew, the rug bunched up...
It didn't take me too long to figure out that that the FREE dog had happily (or perhaps feverishly) spent the day finding a better hiding spot for her perfect, like new, never-been-chewed rawhide.
In case you need to know - after (I can only assume) trying every other place in the room, the rawhide was finally placed back under a different cushion on the sofa.
Tuesday, June 12, 2007
Summatime
I saw a commercial last night which said that our children are losing valuable information taught to them during the school year over the summer. That they were starting school in the fall at a deficit. This commercial advised that we send our kids to summer classes so as not to let all that pertinent school stuff just leak out of their feeble little heads.
I had summers off as a child and remarkably I can still do basic addition, subtraction and multiplication. I remember what year WWII started, I can conjugate Spanish verbs and for reasons I can’t really fathom I have an uncanny recollection of the battle at Bunker Hill.
But what I learned over the summer was so much more than anything my parents tax dollars could buy me in the classroom.
I learned how to get along with others – sometimes compromising, sometimes holding my ground. I learned the laws of gravity and the repercussions of this awesome power. I learned how to do things for myself, how to be alone, how to make fun from nothing, how to fight, how to make up, how to be a good friend and a bad one.
These are things that blossom in the unstructured environment of the neighborhood streets and lawns and woods.
Having kids sit in classrooms during these invaluable summer months robs them of their greatest and most memorable learning experiences... and some of their most colossal mistakes.
Parents get a grip.
Let the world be their classroom, even if that world is only a block wide, and two months long.
I had summers off as a child and remarkably I can still do basic addition, subtraction and multiplication. I remember what year WWII started, I can conjugate Spanish verbs and for reasons I can’t really fathom I have an uncanny recollection of the battle at Bunker Hill.
But what I learned over the summer was so much more than anything my parents tax dollars could buy me in the classroom.
I learned how to get along with others – sometimes compromising, sometimes holding my ground. I learned the laws of gravity and the repercussions of this awesome power. I learned how to do things for myself, how to be alone, how to make fun from nothing, how to fight, how to make up, how to be a good friend and a bad one.
These are things that blossom in the unstructured environment of the neighborhood streets and lawns and woods.
Having kids sit in classrooms during these invaluable summer months robs them of their greatest and most memorable learning experiences... and some of their most colossal mistakes.
Parents get a grip.
Let the world be their classroom, even if that world is only a block wide, and two months long.
Monday, June 11, 2007
Those late night calls
First, Ferris is fine.
How many blog entries have I started like that?
19 year old boys are invincible, immortal and seemingly made of rubber.
When Ferris was 5 years old he was hit by a car in front of our house. He flew 25 feet across the front yard – right in front of me.
Ferris was fine.
His uncle dubbed him RubberMan from that day on.
With Ferris you can expect anything, so when the phone rings at 2:22 a.m. – it may not necessarily be anything to worry about.
Then again… sometimes it is.
Again. He is fine.
The car… not so much.
At first skillfully maneuvering to avoid a car speeding through a red light – he unfortunately met with disaster when he launched over a ridiculously high curb and down a ditch. Airbags deployed, front under carriage and tires completed destroyed.
He and a buddy walked away.
At first inconsolable, mad and sad… his sister helped to bring him out of his cocoon. They are like that. An 8 year age gap and a bond like cement.
We are grateful for these kids of ours.
And insurance…
How many blog entries have I started like that?
19 year old boys are invincible, immortal and seemingly made of rubber.
When Ferris was 5 years old he was hit by a car in front of our house. He flew 25 feet across the front yard – right in front of me.
Ferris was fine.
His uncle dubbed him RubberMan from that day on.
With Ferris you can expect anything, so when the phone rings at 2:22 a.m. – it may not necessarily be anything to worry about.
Then again… sometimes it is.
Again. He is fine.
The car… not so much.
At first skillfully maneuvering to avoid a car speeding through a red light – he unfortunately met with disaster when he launched over a ridiculously high curb and down a ditch. Airbags deployed, front under carriage and tires completed destroyed.
He and a buddy walked away.
At first inconsolable, mad and sad… his sister helped to bring him out of his cocoon. They are like that. An 8 year age gap and a bond like cement.
We are grateful for these kids of ours.
And insurance…
Friday, June 08, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
Did you forget to put down your Weed-n-Feed application?
I forgot to tell you to put it down.
It's ok.
Do it now.
I actually haven't done it either.
Let's do it together.
Remember, apply in the morning when the dew is still on the grass, and no rain is expected for 24 hours.
Did you forget to put down your Weed-n-Feed application?
I forgot to tell you to put it down.
It's ok.
Do it now.
I actually haven't done it either.
Let's do it together.
Remember, apply in the morning when the dew is still on the grass, and no rain is expected for 24 hours.
Wednesday, June 06, 2007
They grow up so fast
Completely out of character, Ferris decides to bring in the mail yesterday.
Further defying logic – he actually opens some mail addressed to him.
And what does the universe send him on this day.
A medical bill for two million eight hundred fourteen thousand four hundred ninety-three dollars.
He called my calming wife in quiet the distress and read to her over the phone...
Further defying logic – he actually opens some mail addressed to him.
And what does the universe send him on this day.
A medical bill for two million eight hundred fourteen thousand four hundred ninety-three dollars.
He called my calming wife in quiet the distress and read to her over the phone...
Please pay this amount: $ 2,814,493
We have not received your payment for the above referenced account. Your obligation is clear and this account needs to be paid in full immediately. If payment in full is not received within 15 days, your account may be ref…blah blah blah….
Mom. I need to pay this within 15 days ???!!"
Ah… the joys of adulthood.
Tuesday, June 05, 2007
Horticultural Identification
Anyone know how to properly identify Papaver Somniferum?
I am just curious.
...no really
I am just curious.
...no really
Monday, June 04, 2007
Look at this
They say this stuff has negative calories.
No really, if you read the back of the can it says this:
Three cans per day of eniviga have been shown to increase calorie burning by
60-100 calories....
So now that I can no longer go to the gym... I am thinking I drink 6 of these and I am good to go!
Friday, June 01, 2007
Friday
tip-o-day
It’s a great time of year to bring it cut flowers. If you have a small, somewhat sunny, unused part of the yard you can start a cutting bed. Cutting beds should be placed so they are not a focal point. This way you can bring in as many blooms as you want without trying to save some to keep the garden looking colorful.
For cuttings with woody stems, use a small hammer to smash the stems. This allows the flower to draw more much needed water.
It’s a great time of year to bring it cut flowers. If you have a small, somewhat sunny, unused part of the yard you can start a cutting bed. Cutting beds should be placed so they are not a focal point. This way you can bring in as many blooms as you want without trying to save some to keep the garden looking colorful.
For cuttings with woody stems, use a small hammer to smash the stems. This allows the flower to draw more much needed water.
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