Kick back and catch up!

I decided that today was going to be a kick back and catch up day. I can do that you know. I am retired! I deserve to be able to do that and not be charged sick leave. Or feel guilty for calling in. I even really got dressed! I even really drove into town and asked about the shirts for the play. Didn't get anywhere though.

Our Producer quit, and we cant find her, and she was supposed to have ordered our shirts for the play. These shirts are basically souveneirs and advance advertising for the show. We Buy them, and wear them all the time to get the word out. We have no idea where our money is, and the shirts have NOT been ordered! Me thinks I smell a RAT! It was only 160 dollars, but I think that if we do not get our money back by Monday, that we need to report it as a theft. (I am Really Nasty when crossed) I have values, and I just expect everyone I deal with to have the same values. I have been called a POLLYANNA because I do not see the bad in people first. ANd I am always amazed when We catch a bad employee stealing. (I guess I should put that in the past tense now that I am retired huh) It really burns me to be taken advantage of.

I got the Thanksgiving Issue of Bon Appetite today. I Love that issue! I save them every year. I usually wait until a really nasty day, build a fire, fix a pot of tea or coffee, turn on Classic KING FM and lay down in front of the woodstove and read it from cover to cover. There is something so comforting about that. It seeps clear into the marrow of my bones, and makes me feel so good. I dont know if it is the tea, the fire, the relaxing music, the floor, or the thought of all that wonderful food. I need to wait for Gourmet to come in next and then It is Martha Stewart Living. AHHHHHh I LOVE Fall and winter.

Coupeville has a contest every year. The HArvest Fest is the end of October, and all of the business and houses on Main Street, vie to see who can put up the mose original Scarecrow themed display. One year the local bar, had a scarecrow "hanging" out of the "broken" window. Like it was drunk, and had been tossed out. The High School had the scarecrows all dressed in the cheer leader outfits, The Volunteer fire Dept had an old truck and straw firepeople.
(How safe is THAT?) Today I drove by the old folks home and there is an old folk scarecrow and is being held up by a scare nurse. really cute. I wonder what I could put up? A scare woman in her muumuu with a scare puppy pulling on her hem? NAh

Our shows opening night is Halloween! hope we don't have any mischeif at the Playhouse that night! I can just see our resident Spook actually making an appearance and scaring our cast to death. (they are all old) icky!

OOPS Sadie is awake she's gotta go pottie...

Tech stuff...

Ok, I think I have posting pictures down ok, I just need to keep the cheat-sheet handy. I cant figure out though how to make them smaller. I tried making the pixel coumt half of what it is, But I only got 1/2 of the picture. Hmmmmmmmmm

What I really want to be able to figure out though is how to add links to the Blogs I like. And get my guest map up on the top side, instead of at the bottom, where no one finds it. :-( I read DREAMWEAAVER and the WEB SITES FOR DUMMIES books yesterday, and just got even more confused. I guess I could just start over from scratch and rebuild with tables, but I don't want to. Donna also told me that the colors were in the DREAMWEAVER book. I didn't see them anywhere.

What am I missing here? Even KIDS have better layed out blogs than I have. ARRGGHHHHHHHH!!!!

And Ben!!

and Ben....

Lola!!!

For the past few days I have not had many visitors at all at my feeder. I was worried that I had some bad seed or something. Well yesterday I had two "Lola's"....

Dog Tales

Dog's Pet Peeves about Human's

1. Blaming your farts on me - not funny, not funny at all.

2. Yelling at me for barking - I'M A FRIGGIN' DOG!!

3. How you naively believe that the stupid cat isn't all over everything while you're gone. Have you noticed that your toothbrush tastes a little like cat-butt?

4. Taking me for a walk, then not letting me check stuff out. Exactly whose walk is this anyhow?

5. Any trick that involves balancing food on my nose - stop it.

6. Yelling at me for rubbing my butt on your carpet - Why'd you buy a carpet?

7. Getting upset when I sniff the crotches of your guests. Sorry but I haven't quite mastered that handshake thing ... !

8. How you act disgusted when I lick myself - Look, we both know the truth, you're just jealous.

9. Dog sweaters - Have you noticed the fur?

10. Any haircut that involves bows or ribbons - Now you know why we chew your stuff up when you're not home.

11. When you pick up the crap piles in the yard - Do you realize how far behind schedule that puts me?

12. The sleight of hand, fake fetch-throw - You fooled a dog! What a proud moment for the top of the food chain!

13. Taking me to the vet for "the big snip," then acting surprised when I freak out every time we go back.

Dog toys...

There are billions spent every year on toys for your pets. I will admit that I also am pulled in to the trap, and spend far more than my fixed income should allow me to. Until Sadie...She has a few toys, but her favorites are the trash in my bedroom, the trash in the computer room, the cats catnip mice, (ok, that I bought) and her Uncle Bandit. The two of them are really funny to watch. For 11 years Bandit has been an only child, and spoiled rotten by dear darling daughter. He is a big dog, but believes that his place is inside right by you at all times. Until Sadie...she jumps and bites, and plays, and brings him her puppy cookies, and runs and barks at him. All the while he is laying there growling deep down "leave me alone" growls, followed by an occasional sharp "I SAID LEAVE ME ALONE DAMMIT" bark. I was getting into the shower today, and she was doing her thing and he was doing his, and I immediately thought of HEIDI and Grandfather. Young whippersnappers!!!

She got the hint and decided to move on to other toys. I had just sorted my laundry and it was in piles on the bedroom floor. WRONG MOVE! She pulled my sweat pants into the computer room, and then she grabbed the odd sock or two. Now, I just took my panties away from her. Why do dogs Love to chew the crotch of panties? (Never mind, Kat, don't answer that) I now have her sequestered in the computer room which seems to be her KILLING ZONE. All of the items she finds are brought in here. Lose a sock, check the Office, Lose a bra? check the office, Can't find a cat? Check behind the computer in the office. What energy!! wish I could bottle it!!

OH I forgot!! MEAT DIAPERS!!!! she LOVES to dig in the kitchen trash for those!! They also are in the middle of the office floor.

Well time to get off here and copy GODSPELL CD five times for the staff meeting tonite, GOtta get ready for Auditions, Nov 2+3.

OOPS also gotta clean up the kitchen and get all the pear peelings into the mulch pile. They are drawing fruit flies. Be back later.

Pears

I got up at 7:00 took Sadie out to pee, made a pot of coffee and went right back to bed. Now woke up at 815, drank coffee took Sadie out to pee, picked up poop in Living room because I left her alone while I went back to sleep, and did my blog surfing.

At 10:00 I sat down to start on the Pears. I couldn't remember if I used the apple peeler or a knife to do the pears with, so tried both. It was a knife, the peeler automatically cuts them into rings. (knew there was a reason I didn't like it) I gathered up the jars, and lids and rings, put the canning board on a drawer, started the canner water boiling, made the syrup, and sat down to can. I have two cases of pears and three cases of apples to put up. I just finished with the first case of pears, took about 2 1/2 hours. This is peeling, and coring, and putting them into the jars to get ready for the canner. I have 12 Qts done and 3 in the canner. Taking a break for Lunch then on to case number two.

I love canned pears. I slice them in half and put them in the jar with two peppermint leaves, and fill with the med Simple syrup. Oh they are soooo good!! just a hint of mint, and they are wonderful. I thought about a tinge of green food coloring, but I decided I wanted them plain. Sometimes I use them as a salad. Pear halves with grated cheddar cheese and a spoon of Mayo or Blue cheese dressing on top. Really good. And easy.

Sadie was sleeping right under my chair, which was right beside the stove. I didnot want her to get splashed with boiling water or syrup so I put her out side for awhile. NOPE AINT GONNA WORK MOM!! I CAN YELL LOUDER THAN YOU CAN!! and boy di she ever!! scratch scritch howl, yell. OK SADIE! Spoiled little Brat. I hate people that spoil their kids and pets. MINE aren't!! (yeah, RIGHT!!!)

I have to set lights for OVER THE RIVER AND THROUGH THE WOODS tonite at 5:00 so I may not get the pears finished today. Gotta save time for the NAP!

For centuries and Eons, the lot across the street has not perked. Can't build on it, because there is no way to put in a septic system. Well SOmebody bought it and they are gonna build a 2 story house on it. How can they do that? I thought "doesn't perk" means it NEVER WILL? I have a view of the Olym[ic Mountains over the top of that lot. There it goes. SHIT!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Oh wait until the Planes start!!! They will LOVE that I am sure!!

On to case Number two...

Growing isn't she?

Here is week 4 of Sadie's time with us.

Eastern Washington...

First let me start off by saying that I look forward to this trip every year. I love the colors of the vine maples and the tamarack trees mixed in with the evergreens. We start out by going up Highway 20 (State Route) which leads us up over the North Cascade National Park, Recreation Area, FOrest. etc. It is BEEYOUTIFUL up there, the Mountains are really craggy and the highway has only been open for 30 years so it has not been ruined by businesses. On the way over, we go by three dams and lakes, along the Skagit River, which Seattle City Light put in years and years ago to keep Seattle powered up. I think if it were to be proposed today, the answer would be a resounding NO!! THey wanted to raise the highest and last dam another 400 feet, which would have allowed Ross Lake to inundate British Columbia, and also to flood several of the last wilderness valleys and trails that are left. THANK GOD those wiley Canucks said not only no, but HELL no!! THose saving the last stand of some of the oldest red cedar trees in the world. The drive up past all of these dams and their ensuing lakes is breath taking. Going higher and higher until you are sitting at the crest of the North Cascade Mountains, and then like a slide show, the scenery instantly changes, from verdant evergreens and thick drippy fog, (yep, all the way up) to rocks and sparce dry pines, and brown trees and grasslands. THe air again was thick, but this time with Smoke from all of the fires that have been burning all summer in the upper part of the state and into Canada. One in particular has been burning for 3 months. The color on the trees did not happen this year, too dry, too hot. We drove along the Methow RIver for 30 plus miles and the river bottom could be seen the whole way. SAD!!

We got over to the fruit stand we go to every year, loaded the car with apples and pears, and continued on our way. We followed the Mighty Columbia river down as far as Wenatchee, then turned and took US 2 all the way home. For those of you that have misconceptions about Washsington State, No it does not rain all the time, just on the West side of the mountains, the Eastern Side looks like the rest of the WEST. Desert, Brown, Cactus, rocks, and the Mighty Columbia. While the Columbia starts out in Canada in the Rockies, and wanders down into Washington, the Majority of it is a wide, slow moving meandering river kinda like the Mississippi, until It reaches the first of about 10 dams along its way. These dams are also for generating Hydro-electric power for places no where near Washington. Again, SAD! Along the river are canyons called Coulees that are irrigated and are perfect for growing apples and pears and apricots. The whole way down there are orchards tucked into the banks and the hills along the river. Gorgeous. When the river turns and heads back towards the east and then South, the Wenatchee River takes over the job of irrigating the orchards along Hiway 2. This becomes prettier and prettier as you start the climb back up and over the top into the rainy side. the Town of Leavenworth was an old railroad town that was dying, so the town fathers decided they needed a theme and they rebuilt the town into Bavaria of the West. THe Mountains from there on over look like the Alps in Switzerland, thus the theme.


The first week in October is the Autumn Leaves Festival in Leavenworth, and also Octoberfest. I forgot. People everywhere! wearing weird lederhosen and drinking beer and eating sausages. We got there too late for the fun, but just in time for the traffic. We stopped at a restaurant that was away from all of the festivities and had a really good meal, then continued on our way. As I opened the car door the fruit in the back hit me in the nose. THe whole car smelled just like an apple air freshner. YUMMY.

Bob oped Sadie's carrier and gave her a little bite of prime Rib fat. OH MAN!!!! she allmost chewed his hand off. She has now found there is more than just Puppy Chow in this world. We got back to the ferry landing about 9PM and home about 945, so we were gone about 13 hours. A really long and tiring trip, and usually one that is much longer because of all the stops I make to photograph the colors. Not this time. Too much smoke and fog and no color.

I now have three cases of apples and two cases of pears to put up, so i had better get off and get busy huh?

Day trip

Well I am on my way over the mountains to Eastern Washington to get several cases of apples and pears to can. Lots of Fall color over there, I think I will take my camera...

See Ya when I get home.

FUNNY

Thought this was apropos

Hunkerin' down

The weather has changed with a POW! THe fog has a grip on the land and is not letting the sun get close. It is so foggy out, that the deck has puddles, the grass is wet, and the trees are dripping with the moisture grabbed from the sky. It is cold. Cold compared to what it has been. It is in the 50's which isn't really COLD, but with the humidity so high, it seeps right into your bones. A Grand day for Hunkerin' down as my mom used to say. I got up with Sadie at 6:30 and took her out to pottie, she ran around in the yard until she was really wet, then pooped and wanted to come back in. SO in we came. Shivering from the cold and dampness, because I was stupid enough to go out with no robe, just my ratty looking flannel pj's. So worn, that they are nothing but threads...literally. Holes, sleeves cut off 1/2 way, no hems, COMFY!!! NOthing to keep you warm. Anyway, I digress...We came in, and I stumbled back into bed, and let Sadie run. Donnas room was open, and she was not up yet, so I knew Sadie would find Bandit in there and would wake Donna up, that way I wouldn't get yelled at. (teehee) I pulled the covers back up over my shoulders and turned on Katie, Matt, Al and Ann to get the latest news. It was so comfortable, bed still warm, cool air coming in the window, back and knee finally not aching, and I immediately went back to sleep. The heater cats were doing their job. One on top of my back, two as close as they could get to me on the side. Life is good.

I woke up with three cats levitating off of my bed, and my face getting washed by puppy tongue. Mean nasty Donna must have put Sadie on the bed. Woke up all of us. The cats are ok with Sadie, but not while she is fully awake and they are asleep. So I made a wall out of the pillows that I sleep with, and Sadie and I hunkered down and went back to sleep.

Woke up with Martha making glow in the dark lollipops. A Grand Day for HUNKERIN'...

Ichabod Crane

Tonite as I came home from the playhouse, I had a tough time driving. THe moon was out, sort of, but the ground fog was forming so fast, that in some places you could not see the road. I now have a car with halogen lights for driving in the fog. Guess which two lights are burned out? go figure. ANyway, I was driving up over the high hill, dropping down into Coupeville, and remembered I was out of milk and Bread, so I stopped at Prarie Center and then drove home the back way. The fog was rolling across the newly shorn fields and laying really low in the swales. As my headlights hit it, it turned to instant white, and blinded me. You need to turn your brights down in FOg. I turned down Wanamaker Rd, and started across the now empty fields where corn stalks stood just yesterday. I had the weirdest feeling that I was being followed. I thought immediately of Ichabod Crane and the Headless Horseman, and started beating my horse to go faster. It is amazing how you can buy into the fables so much that reason goes right out the window and fear takes over where you know that in your right mind, there is NOTHING there. Or is there?....

surprise in the grass

I found this today peeking out of the grass. Where I did not plant it.

Fall ? really????

It is October 1, 2003, and if I had been asleep for several months, I would swear it was Mid July. The only thing that shows FALL is the leaves on the trees. Although some July's have been so dry that the leaves are brown then. I drove Sadie to the Vet today, and went the back way along the spit. Admiralty Inlet was very calm, but out on the water, there was a very thin low lying layer of fog. The tops of the Olympics were showing over the haze, and there was no snow on them. THe sun is falling lower and lower in the atmosphere, and the mid day sunshine is showing gold. Summer time shows white sun, fall shows gold.

I woke up at 630 this morning, and it was pitch dark out. What happened to full sun at 500? there was foggy haze over the neighborhood, and when I took Sadie out, the grass was really wet and you could see your breath. Just a hair from the freezing mark. It won't be long now.

Along the spit, the sea grasses were red and gold and yellow. Just about ready to go to sleep. The tide was in and sloshing rythymically on the rocks. I could tell it wasn't July, because the Ferry line only had a few cars in it. July is over-flow time, backed up into the Fort Casey State Park. It is starting to become habitable again. The tourists are almost gone, the ones left are the old farts with their honking big motor homes. taking their time, enjoying our island.

I just had Sadie out to play in the back yard, and there is a rose that I never knew I had trying to make a comeback. I think I will let it. It almost looks like a miniature rose, but I did not plant any of those. It is a bright orange red almost looks like a Flame. I will dig it up and move it into a whiskey barrell so it will have a chance to come back. I had over thirty roses planted when I got my orders to move to Nevada, and my renters trashed my house and my yard. It has been almost three years, that I have been back, and I am just now finding my back yard. I am moving all of the roses, (at least the ones that survived) from the middle of the yard to either around the deck, or into the garden. That way I can mow grass, and not cut them down.

THe Vet had a fit over Sadie, He is the same one who put Mariah down, He was giggling over her, and we were trading potty stories, and laughing. What a difference in visits.

Sadie is in to her terrible twos, and I am finding little "presents" everywhere. I guess now we have to corral her a little more, and watch her a little closer now. She is going longer and longer in between pottie times, and is getting unpredictible. She is almost big enogh to leave out in the yard for a while. I will get her house refurbished and painted, and renamed. and make sure she knows that it is hers. She still is really good about not going in her penned in area. But the floors are starting to become fair game. I pulled up my carpets and put down Laminate flooring when I got back from Nevada, and they are wso much easier to clean up after, but I still dont want poop on my floor. It is pretty bad when one of the cats walks by it and tries to cover it up. Then I see them and think, OH GOD SHE THINKS I DID THIS!! I don't of course, because it looks different. But Darn they are funny.

I am going to try fixing my blog. DOnna wants me to re do the template. I am not sure what Is going to happen here, but either it will work or it wont. I really appreciate the morale support. I have website for Dummies right here, and I am reading it. humphhh...gotta run, Oprah's on!!!

Guestmap.

Ok Now that I know where the template is, and I Re-did it, THe Guestmap is alll the WAAAAAYYYYYY down on the bottom. It said it would be on the sidebar, so I guess I dinked it up again. Bear with me folks. I'll get there yet.

or not...

MUUMUU

HEre is a site that shows what a hawaiian muumuu looks like. Go down 7 or 8 items. This is for Kat who did not know what a muumuu was. They are so comfortable. And in Hawaii you wear them everywhere!! NO BRA!!!!

OOPS

Well obviously I did something wrong here. Guess I better wait until Donna comes home so she can fix it. I being technology-challenged. THis is easy stuff. Little kids can do it. Why can't I? (Shut up Donna!)

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