Sunday, July 30, 2006
Board stiff
Much to Lois' disappointment -- I caught this, a photo of her lurking about. She later had long, nice conversations with daughters Beth and Debbie at different times. This summer, she's putting away sweaters. She got them out for a particular restaurant that is typically colder than the Arctic circle, but this time -- not. Jessica was with Lois, Thomas and Marcus at the time.
Returning to a greater level of normalcy, Lois was up for more hours today either dealing with the pain or experiencing less of it. It was a great relief to see her moving and existing. Father too, was more at ease, as her bed rests sit poorly on his heart and mind.
This afternoon, they spent some time watching super-exciting ... golf. Yeah! Didn't I title this bored stiff, well it rhymes anyway.
Marcus has spent now years at the computer reading help useless ads and creating accounts with six some companies apart from the recruiting companies for which he already has accounts. I think now I remember teaching two half-days kindergarten, in teaching virtually the same thing twice. Each day different, each child different, yet sometimes reading a very long-winded tale as prescribed by the lesson, boring the snot out of the kids and you, despite my Robin Williams like attempt to liven the puppy.
I think that the math textbooks were animated next to reading job postings. My word! Also, the jobs often boast poor pay, lots of travel and "duties include, but aren't limited to ..." Marcus, in no uncertain words, has said he hates it.
Entertaining themselves last night, Thomas and Lois watched British comedies on the local PBS. They didn't favor Monty Python's Flying Circus, but liked the "older generation" comedies. Some should just be thrown onto TV Land, gaining yet another earnest viewship.
Friday, July 28, 2006
Fair Tales
Diane went to hospital for ear surgery and did okay. Sadly, she didn't take well to the anestesia and spent her time home puking and resting poorly under lots of fans.
Wednesday, July 26, 2006
Poker
In mid-game, around 9 o'clock, the adult kids come up to feast and feast and feast. I have included this picture because it reminded me of Disney's Bug's Life, "They come; they eat; they leave." Later this was a mantra. This is what I saw when they left to continue playing. What I don't get is why, if the trash in 22" from you, why you don't throw stuff away. I guess it just doesn't make sense to me.
Also, there was in Father's case; ... he eats, he pains like mad. There were hot wings as well as BBQ wings and they fluttered in him though alive -- according to father. In re-using my chicken statement--ran like a chicken to the medicine cabinet. After a night of unrest, he declared, "I think we're gonna be pitching out the hot wings". He dared not let Mother try them as she doesn't like hot and responses poorly to it.
Lois was again, so very sore that she spent much time unavavilable. Earlier in the day, using an ice pad -- simply a honey packet sheet (30 x 50) filled with water, then frozen; broken in a few areas soaking some parts of the bed. Mother was ejected from her rest due to the levee breaking. Anyway -- change of sheets -- good as new -- ice sheet went to trash. There is another one, but empirical data shows it's prone to puncture.
Marcus went out on a trek, prior to returning to help with food prep/settings. On my trip I got a few interesting pictures. I saw two muskrats eking out a living on the very low, dirty river. To my surprise, there was also a duck -- common, and a stork. It was a good photography day.
The directions on the wings was 20 minutes at 400. That didn't work worth squat! I think either the oven is wrong in it's setting or the instructions were a bit off. The wings took double the time and were still .. not fully warm. Nuts! The food, as you can see above, was eaten and everyone, I guess had a good time. There were two smokers who left their butts somewhere no one could find, as they weren't in the ashtrays father set out for them. Come time for mowing and I'll suppose we'll see them in the street or somewhere.
I twice played poker with these guys. The first time, I lost $20 in two hours, then quit. I lost only $5 over four hours the next time. I might play sometime later when they are missing a person, but that ratio isn't so good.
Poker
In mid-game, around 9 o'clock, the adult kids come up to feast and feast and feast. I have included this picture because it reminded me of Disney's Bug's Life, "They come; they eat; they leave." Later this was a mantra. This is what I saw when they left to continue playing. What I don't get is why, if the trash in 22" from you, why you don't throw stuff away. I guess it just doesn't make sense to me.
Also, there was in Father's case; ... he eats, he pains like mad. There were hot wings as well as BBQ wings and they fluttered in him though alive -- according to father. In re-using my chicken statement--ran like a chicken to the medicine cabinet. After a night of unrest, he declared, "I think we're gonna be pitching out the hot wings". He dared not let Mother try them as she doesn't like hot and responses poorly to it.
Lois was again, so very sore that she spent much time unavavilable. Earlier in the day, using an ice pad -- simply a honey packet sheet (30 x 50) filled with water, then frozen; broken in a few areas soaking some parts of the bed. Mother was ejected from her rest due to the levee breaking. Anyway -- change of sheets -- good as new -- ice sheet went to trash. There is another one, but empirical data shows it's prone to puncture.
Marcus went out on a trek, prior to returning to help with food prep/settings. On my trip I got a few interesting pictures. I saw two muskrats eking out a living on the very low, dirty river. To my surprise, there was also a duck -- common, and a stork. It was a good photography day.
The directions on the wings was 20 minutes at 400. That didn't work worth squat! I think either the oven is wrong in it's setting or the instructions were a bit off. The wings took double the time and were still .. not fully warm. Nuts! The food, as you can see above, was eaten and everyone, I guess had a good time. There were two smokers who left their butts somewhere no one could find, as they weren't in the ashtrays father set out for them. Come time for mowing and I'll suppose we'll see them in the street or somewhere.
I twice played poker with these guys. The first time, I lost $20 in two hours, then quit. I lost only $5 over four hours the next time. I might play sometime later when they are missing a person, but that ratio isn't so good.
Monday, July 24, 2006
not chicken
Sunday, July 23, 2006
earning badges
Lois is still sore and resting more. Father took over food to the church food bank/pantry and was an usher again and head counter. I suppose that's better than a bean counter, in some respects.
On Tuesday, Father will host poker, and so there is going to be a mad dash to put this away, that away ... and prep for mass consumption which may or may not happen. At times, the poker guys eat like Ethiopians on their vaction in America, other times sparingly. Who knows what will happen. With the potential for players, it might be baseball -- ninth inning with nine players.
Saturday, July 22, 2006
watching and waiting
Father got a chance to read some of one of the two books he's started.
Thomas and Lois got to see English lampooning with a British comedy, c/o Netflix.
Marcus worked on a few things, but seemed to accomplish nothing, but not necessarily so.
The animals have graced the house with their presence in that the hummingbirds have again found the food, the squirrels were naughty and crawled onto the bird feeder and the rabbits nicely cleaned up the mess. Marcus has been trying to catch a couple of nefarious chipmunks, to no avail. Rascally critters always run away from danger -- well away from Marcus. Some time he will prevail.
Friday, July 21, 2006
ant on ceiling
Father bought two books today, offering opposing viewpoints. Lois went with Daine to do more sewing learning. Not much to report, but we are alive.
Thursday, July 20, 2006
And the good news is
Bethy too has been improving. I need all the wagons in the same direction -- go toward healthy.
What makes a great piece of toast?
Thursday rain
Her computer is wickedly ill-equipped to handle, manage, and print photos. I likened it to an abbacus, for the convenience of conversation with Beth. I suspect that she will call me again to help her with other computer issues concerning a summer project for school -- starting 3 or so weeks from now for teachers. tick-tock-tick-tock.
Marcus hasn't found an advertising job locally, but there are several in Indy. By locally, I mean within an hour, including South Bend -- workplace of Diane's husaband Jim. I am none-too pleased with all of that, but not discouraged too badly. I didn't expect a new-field job in moments.
There may or may no be golf for Father tomorrow, as he plans to do so.
Monday, July 17, 2006
Bonanza
Sunday, July 16, 2006
dinner at Cheng's
Saturday, July 15, 2006
semi-orante lion
The lion is the "King of the Beasts" and therefore, symbolically it shows the royalty or authority. In China these are common as symbols of power. The dimension of red was not discussed by is luck and life.
Let me tell ya!
I skipped it. I sometimes go downtown with friends, but not this year. One family have a "ritual" of riding the helicopter down there. It's pricey, but their boy, Charlie, loves it. I didn't hear it this year, they might not being running it. This same family has other family; they went down and shucked out boku bucks on entertainment. Last year a ferris wheel ride for each person -- regardless of age was $4. Yikes! Skip that all over.
Jessica, Diane's youngstest and nearly tallest child, visited us today and we played Kanasta. Jessica and I were partners and we kicked tail! Lois and Thomas (Mom and Dad) had good cards one game, but timing failed them. The next game, cards were certainly against them.
We tried Chinese food!
Friday, July 14, 2006
Friday - enemy spotted, scout escaped
In a continual battle for supremacy, the citys contracted Inliner and ourselves, this morning, the flakes returned. I wonder what theyre really doing. It certainly isnt doing it right the first, second, third, or fourth time.
Thomas was feeling a little better, having missed golf on Tuesday due to weather, it pained him to miss more. He played 9 holes on Wednesday, but rarely plays more than twice a week. He got tee times and played this morning. He had to ask the fools to move their trucks blocking the drive and then negotiate around a poorly placed car.
Meanwhile, Marcus was working and took note of a few things: the car parked wrong on the street was that of a supervisor who spent her time in the car the entire couple hours they were here. You may recall my complaining about them before. Anyway, if a supervisor doesnt know how to park or realize that the car on the opposite side of large trucks makes passing difficult/impossible, that person shouldnt have that job or responsibility. Also
why on trash day? All the time they appear on trash day with large trucks that block streets. What fools!
Yesterday I saw a hawk or falcon. It didnt stay long, so I'm not sure. It grabbed a bird smaller one, and the other flew away toward the predator likely too scared and slow to know what happened. It took its prey to a tree to eat it there. I feed the birds and the birds feed the birds. Also, the circle is more complicated
the birds sloppily spill food, feeding the squirrels and the chipmunks.
Thursday, July 13, 2006
Bumps in the night
I saw a bird pop out of nowhere. It hopped away from me, then shelted itself under a bush. It eluded my attempts at photographing it. Anyway, during a break from the rain, I stepped out to find it again. It had kept in the same area, but left the bush. ++ bird in the hand, worth two ...
I was hoping to relocate the bird to safer quarters, but it fled from me. I was reminded of the phrase, trying to catch a chicken ... not an easy feat. Small birds are more delicate, so in favor of not hurting it, I stopped trying to "help" it. In my adventures of chasing it, four adult robins were trying desperately to indimidate me, noise -- within 10' of me, to no avail. Later, they still seemed peeved. I thought that birds were supposed to have short memories. Likely my car is "whiter" now.
Mother had a wicked night with aches and pains. She didn't sleep much and I found her on the downstairs floor, still in pain and misery. To bed she went, hopefully to feel better. I don't expect to see her until the afternoon, poor woman. Father will spend today pacing like a hungry caged animal, unable to help her, so in stress cage he'll exist. I have grown accustomed to this stress coaster and am a little better equipped to deal with it.
Last night was another night of neighobor noise, but milder -- loudest things were stereos. Still, stress kept me wriggling like a worm on a hook. My sleep was faulty and my stress isn't any better. I have been a light sleeper for a long while. I try to sleep lightly also due to 6 years ago, the neighborhood had a series of 6-9 house invasions, break-ins, robberies. Once, thankfully no one was hurt, a robber was in the house during children's sleepover. I don't think that you would recover quickly to feel safe then.
Since then, I have slept lightly. With four phones available (2 cell) there is little chance of phone line severing to prevent cops being called. I would like to brazenly attack and brutalize anyone would endanger the family, but my first goal should, and hopefully would be to call the cops and let all persons in the house know that police have been called.
A few neighbors have dogs, but they are friendly enough, a robber might make the gamble. One neighbor has a high-pitched-voiced dog that whines like a siren to be pet. While not an attack dog, this certainly would wake you.
Tuesday, July 11, 2006
preparing for painting
The folks seem to think it looks good so far, one more coat to do today!
Painting day!
It was a silly old thing.
Sunday, July 09, 2006
Kasey looks at camera
Ha ha, grinned the escapee as she wandered still more.
There is another dog next door, name of Daisy, but she isn't nearly so bright. She responds so quickly to treat, that she'd never be "free" for long.
Quilting not quitting
Recapping: Mother finished a quilt, now that she's more skilled.
Father's soreness hasn't left and on some days, he reports very painful experiences. I have some guesses, but I'm no doctor. Father seems resistant to the idea of seeing one again, believing (more hoping) that the pain will go away in just one more week, which he repeats like a mantra. It has affected his golf and life, but ... I digress:
3 Rivers Festival is upon us like a shadow demon -- come, spend too much money in the heat of Fort Wayne. I think this year I'll not do much again. Last year I was there but 4 hours, this year likely the same. The folks likely won't do much as Mom's knees are bugging; one more than the other, and father's shoulder being sore and not likely to drive when he can avoid it.
The 4th of July Fireworks display, I understand, was a dud. The end of festival fireworks tend to "rock" and I'll try to see those. This year they'll be fired late due to Indiana's adoption of the Daily Savings Time lie. No one has shown real numbers to qualify the shift from stone to flesh, or not moving clocks to moving clocks.
Diane's birthday was this weekend, but her weekends are busy, generally with gunk and junk that builds up over the week. Her school work -- reports are stacked at the door, making a pile like Christmas decorations -- yes nearly that high. Now, as they are in folders, files and boxes, you'd think that they wouldn't be safe, but one never knows. I think electronic filing and completion are a smarter way to go. PDF filing. I think I'll file a form HBTY - ASAP 1959*
Happy birthday Diane!
I see also that Aunt Dorothy's birthday is approaching -- shark-liker perhaps?
* HBTY ASAP 1959 = Happy Birthday to You, As soon as possible the year of her birth
Saturday, July 08, 2006
Reaping what she sews
Last night she finished patching up the holes that were sewing misses or perhaps missus (marriage to the process of sewing). With this taste of victory, it seems likely that Lois will combat the projects, finding victory within weeks.
Thomas has plans to paint hallways, ceilings, and living room -- with the free-labor of Marcus. This is two-fold in that is has been a bugger of a long time since it was done, and Thomas and Lois hope to move, I believe, within around two years to a smaller house with utilitarian features, such as bathroom handles, laundry on main floor and fewer, if any, steops. Moving ... and packing -- that will be "fun". There are piles and piles here that will take weeks in themselves to sort.
Marcus' friends put a bid on a house and hope to get it. It would seem that it is within the area of Thomas, Lois and Marcus -- at present. They are going to see their first year anniversay soon. What a way to celebrate -- in a new house, right? They are soon to fill it with their things and new things to be acquired.
Thursday, July 06, 2006
former flower bed
Sleepy Lois and Thomas went out to get bird seed for the winged pigs around here. They eat, well, like birds -- pounds far exceeding their body weight. Their substantial waste creating weeds and millet plants around the circular base of the feeders.
Marcus has battled trees, trumpet plants and grasses this year, mostly to his defeat. Along the North side of the house -- lesser amount of sun, is a patch of ground that weeds and moss always consume. His bane -- trumpet plants -- undefeatable by natural means.
Marcus is still refining his resume' while Lois' knees are painful -- claimed to be an 11 on a ten-point scale, and Thomas' shoulder is still a wreck. Last night he wore a layer of topical cream like (Icy Hot or Ben Gay), but seemingly is not really better today. Man!
Wednesday, July 05, 2006
Firey beginning and end to July 4th
Thomas, Lois, and Marcus were at the Freygangs for the 4th. Lois and Diane were downstairs sewing, which left Father and Marc to sit around and talk. Finally, Diane came up and asked that Father make the pork ribs (pre-cooked). Lois doesn't like her ribs sloppy and gooey like most people, so Father was light on the sauce. Marcus ate fish (shrimp) as other meat is unapealing to him (smell).
One of the Freygangs cooked a communal dessert -- a pizza pan size cookie with super sweet frosting and fruit topping. Later, everyone got more sugar with ice cream.
The girls were happy about firing rockets and fireworks; no longer relegated to spectators alone. Despite her best efforts, Jennifer couldn't light a pair of rockets to fire similtaneously.
Father bought a fair amount of fireworks. The girls like the parachute type, but many failed to eject from their rocket and plummeted to the rocket cooking the chute. Angel tried to get into the mix of things by having her face right in the fireworks. She also rolled in the blackened grass, for dog reasons humans cannot fathom.
The girls disliked the Roman candles as they were limited in number of shells and the speed at which they fired. Marcus tried to speed up things by lighting a series, but each burst blew out the lighter he was using to light the others. Typical of Marcus -- a couple tipped over sending pellets horizontally through the grass. No one was hurt.
For a finale', the girls like the mortar shells. We tried to get three to fire at once, but that never happened. Jenny was able to ignite me with firey debris and Jessica's oddly exploded in the firing tube rather than launch out then explode.
Neighbors all around had thunderous quake fireworks sounding more like artillery and cluster bombs than real fireworks. Others still, had neat low trajectory shells that lit up nicely.
-- Sad to say that Lois got ill early Wednesday morning and puked the ice cream she had, as well as most of dinner. Not the fireworks and explosives we sought.
Monday, July 03, 2006
Defusing the bomb
Anyway ... after hours, Thomas now has his computer where he had it before. Good luck with AOL (Aways Override Links with spam)
Sights & seens
I was amazed that only a small section of the highway was coned off for "repair". I wasn't surprised that there was not a bit of equipment or even a shovel seen there.
Beth had surgery and is recovering from it. Tom has been working on a game "Mechwarriors Mercenaries", circa 1999/2001 ever after not created. He has learned some about programming it for scenarios. He's also interested in Schultzhund training and I got to "help" with that, for what it was worth.
Thomas and Lois had a good, but quiet weekend. Lois still isn't feeling great, but is growing stronger (somewhat) and is working more on her sewing, as assisted by classes that she and Diane take. Having been spoiled, as Thomas has stated, with Netflix DVDs, they each find commercials intolerable, as the rented movies have none. TiVo watchers also get to FF through sections to get to the shows they taped. Friends have TiVos -- novel if you watch a lot of TV, stupid investment if you don't. One night I helped a friend put in a larger hard drive to record more shows at higher resolution -- it was easy, but not written out by TiVo. He found a place that had instructions.
Sunday, July 02, 2006
Stubborn old branch
The dogs, Argos and Samson were happy to gnaw off bits of the spilinters, especially when it was regarded as naughty.