>> I know I've mentioned it before, but I am nearly at the point where I absolutely loathe, hate and dispise our little local phone company <<
I wrote and SAVED an entire post yesterday..and suddenly the internet connection went DEAD. I mean, right when I went to make sure the post had been saved, it all went away. And yet another phone call to the little phone company...and 45 minutes later, they are still telling me that the reason my internet connection is bad, is because I'm using a phone line to hook up to the computer that's "too long" -- and it prohibits the connection from working properly.
I've never EVAH heard of such garbage in my ENTIRE LIFE -- but that's the only answer I get. Not that, well, the COMPANY may have problems...no, NO!! -- And it's the same story with everybody around here...not just me. And HEAVEN FORBID if you question THEIR "Experts" -- All He** breaks loose, and it just goes to hell in a handbasket.
What I WAZ trying to say yesterday, was that noah & I are 98% finished with the kitchen -- the wallpaper was alot harder to take down than we anticipated, but the change with the pale blue now on the walls is AMAZING -- If the creek don't rise and the cow don't get out, I'll get a shot of the NEW & Improved kitchen tomorrow. We got some of the old holes filled in -- well, noah did the putty work and sanding...I've cleaned up more dust from putty and paint than I thot I'd do -- But it's so wonderful NOT to look at old ..An I MEAN old wallpaper from the early..yup..EARLY 80's up on those walls. Wow.
Now we've started on the front bathroom..and discovered that under THAT shells/sealife wallpaper..is a world of ADVOCADO GREEN..I MEAN -- we always thot the tub/shower color was horrid...
HA!! --
The ENTIRE place was ALL the same color..walls...tub surround...the trim under a couple thin coats of white...yup -- all the HORRID GREEN. When noah looked under the thin coat of paper, and discovered that the color was also on the shower hooks and pole...
"OH NOOO!!! "
Poor Guy...After I heard an horrendous CRASSHHH --- he literally tore the old shower curtain, pole and hardware off and threw it all on the floor.
Right while I waz on the phone w/the crappy phone company.
"Miss..do you need to go see what's going on?"
"No -- tha's just my son tearing a 30 year old bathroom to smither-eens.."
"Well..if your doing construction, then certainly that's why your internet connection isn't working properly.."
Honest, by THAT time, I just hauled off and opened a beer.
Seemed like the thing to do by that point...
So we're on the way to a MUCH fresher bathroom..one with clean walls, a mellow blue embracing the walls, and some antique hardware that the previous owners had installed next to some hardware that looked like they paid $2.95 a piece for.
For Real...
But I gotta run and LAWDY -- le's hope THIS post makes it...
Lady of The Tulips
Wednesday, April 29, 2009
Thursday, April 23, 2009
~~ I think somewhere along the line, I've mentioned that the wallpaper in our little cabin has been an ongoing issue for me...Not like "Well, SHE has issues.." -- no, no. ~~
This is more along the lines, of -- the wallpaper has had far FAR better days, and it just flat out needs to come down. Simple as that. Not to mention that the previous owners were heavy smokers, and we all know that all that smoke has to go SOMEWHERE..namely along the walls, ceiling, etc. etc. -- SO -- that being blabbered...I finally got started on the old wallpaper in the kitchen this morning. I'd figured, that since the section under the top cabinets would be the "Easiest" to get to, and probably the fastest to take down, there I went, boy-o-boy, right at it.
Yes Sir, and Yes Ma'am.
And there I was, nearly 2 &1/2 hours later, still trying to take off all the old paper behind the color paper..all the STUFF with the NAHHSTY glue..all those little bits and pieces that never EVAH want to go away..far, far away..
I gave up 3/4 of the way to the last of the wall space. The old glue wasn't always the same glue from one section to another. It seems that the previous owners used some OTHER type of glues (PLURAL!!) here and there, just like it seemed it was the "right" thing to do.
My hands feel like Tom backed over them with his tractor trailer...
The glue is being discovered here and there in my hair...
And I still have one portion of one wall left to take down.
Is this a good time to start reconsidering a Gin & Juice afternoon??
Ok -- maybe not the gin and juice, but it is time for me to take a BREAK and not attack the walls in the kitchen. I did, however, get some primer on the cleaned up walls, and those poor walls just absorbed that paint like there was no tomorrow. I MEAN -- I've never seen primer taken up in the wall that fast EVAH -- And that kind of scares me, because I'm wondering just what kind of drywall these walls have. After all the noise about some cruddy Chinese Wallboard that's been discovered emiting noxious fumes in homes, that's about the LAST THING I need to discover in this house.
So, as the saying goes, Tomorrow is another day, and the lower section will be finished.
The Good News is, that we now have PEPPERS!! -- Oh boy, can we hear it for some nice, green peppers?!! -- The plants have decided that now's the time for them to sprout, and along with the tomatoes, it's starting to look like we'll have a garden this summer. I've got some other seeds of green beans ready to plant, too, so things are finally looking up in the GARDEN (!!) department. Noah went ahead and planted some corn this morning in the larger garden plot he'd been composting. I'm not 100% sold on that being the best idea...that is, planting the corn slap out in the middle of the garden...not with our little Bambi friends. We haven't seen the "Gang" lately..well, not for a bout a week. But their there.
Just waiting.
Eyeing the garden with their hooves tapping impatiently on the ground.
Waiting for the sprouts to come up..so they can EAT THEM.
>> Now, the reason I say this, is because all my little marigolds finally sprouted..and then when I went to check on them to give them a little sprinkle..
ALL I SAW WAS A DEER PRINT ON THE GROUND...
all the sprouts were gone. Eaten.
THIS MEANS WAR!! -- as Bugs Bunny once said..
Actually it just means I'm pissed off, and don't know just which way to go against those dumb (and they truly are very ignorant beasts..) animals. So I'll ponder on it for a spell..
And go attack my kitchen in the mean time.
I'll get back to you later on...
Lady of The Tulips
This is more along the lines, of -- the wallpaper has had far FAR better days, and it just flat out needs to come down. Simple as that. Not to mention that the previous owners were heavy smokers, and we all know that all that smoke has to go SOMEWHERE..namely along the walls, ceiling, etc. etc. -- SO -- that being blabbered...I finally got started on the old wallpaper in the kitchen this morning. I'd figured, that since the section under the top cabinets would be the "Easiest" to get to, and probably the fastest to take down, there I went, boy-o-boy, right at it.
Yes Sir, and Yes Ma'am.
And there I was, nearly 2 &1/2 hours later, still trying to take off all the old paper behind the color paper..all the STUFF with the NAHHSTY glue..all those little bits and pieces that never EVAH want to go away..far, far away..
I gave up 3/4 of the way to the last of the wall space. The old glue wasn't always the same glue from one section to another. It seems that the previous owners used some OTHER type of glues (PLURAL!!) here and there, just like it seemed it was the "right" thing to do.
My hands feel like Tom backed over them with his tractor trailer...
The glue is being discovered here and there in my hair...
And I still have one portion of one wall left to take down.
Is this a good time to start reconsidering a Gin & Juice afternoon??
Ok -- maybe not the gin and juice, but it is time for me to take a BREAK and not attack the walls in the kitchen. I did, however, get some primer on the cleaned up walls, and those poor walls just absorbed that paint like there was no tomorrow. I MEAN -- I've never seen primer taken up in the wall that fast EVAH -- And that kind of scares me, because I'm wondering just what kind of drywall these walls have. After all the noise about some cruddy Chinese Wallboard that's been discovered emiting noxious fumes in homes, that's about the LAST THING I need to discover in this house.
So, as the saying goes, Tomorrow is another day, and the lower section will be finished.
The Good News is, that we now have PEPPERS!! -- Oh boy, can we hear it for some nice, green peppers?!! -- The plants have decided that now's the time for them to sprout, and along with the tomatoes, it's starting to look like we'll have a garden this summer. I've got some other seeds of green beans ready to plant, too, so things are finally looking up in the GARDEN (!!) department. Noah went ahead and planted some corn this morning in the larger garden plot he'd been composting. I'm not 100% sold on that being the best idea...that is, planting the corn slap out in the middle of the garden...not with our little Bambi friends. We haven't seen the "Gang" lately..well, not for a bout a week. But their there.
Just waiting.
Eyeing the garden with their hooves tapping impatiently on the ground.
Waiting for the sprouts to come up..so they can EAT THEM.
>> Now, the reason I say this, is because all my little marigolds finally sprouted..and then when I went to check on them to give them a little sprinkle..
ALL I SAW WAS A DEER PRINT ON THE GROUND...
all the sprouts were gone. Eaten.
THIS MEANS WAR!! -- as Bugs Bunny once said..
Actually it just means I'm pissed off, and don't know just which way to go against those dumb (and they truly are very ignorant beasts..) animals. So I'll ponder on it for a spell..
And go attack my kitchen in the mean time.
I'll get back to you later on...
Lady of The Tulips
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
>> Well << This was very interesting...I'd gotten something added here yesterday, and it looked all spiffy and wonderful..
And then my internet connection decided to haul off and go kapoot...I mean, there was NOTHING -- no little lights telling me it was running...no little box that said All IsWell
Just a note that said You Internet Connection is not operating --
Well.
That certainly made me feel like a million dollarz
--- But here is what I'd wanted to write -- 1) -- sorry 'bout the blurry bit with my pictures yesterday. The camera is acting really really bad, and had a message that said "Memory is no longer available..." ~~ Yup ~ Add that with the other message from my internet company, and I REALLY felt like finding someplace to run away to..
SO ~~ All that being said..Here is the receipt for the pie that I'd written about the other day. I'm making one for dinner tonight..I'd thot about it yesterday, BUT ~~ We ended up having some really ugly weather and by the time everything settled down, I wasn't exactly in the mood to make a pie. So today is bright, sunny, and warm. Perfect day for this pie ~~
** Light and Fruity Pie **
>> 1 3 oz. pkg. jello
>> 2/3 c. boiling water
>> 2 c. ice cubes
>> 3 1/2 c. ~ or ~ 8 oz. Cool Whip or other non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
>> Fruit (opt.)
~~ Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add ice cubes and stir until gelatin thickens. Remove any unmelted ice. With wire whip, blend in topping. Whip until smooth. Fold in fruit. Chill if necessary until mixture mounds. Spoon into pie crust. Chill at least 3 hours.
Note -- for the pie crust, I usually get frozen pie shells, and bake one to just nicely brown, then once it's cooled, make the filling.
This pie NEVER makes it to the next day, tho I've tried for years to make the guys try to not have 3rds...ha!
So, with that, my stomach is now growling, so I guess I best go eat some lunch...And decide what to have for dinner..to go along with the pie..!!
Lady of The Tulips
And then my internet connection decided to haul off and go kapoot...I mean, there was NOTHING -- no little lights telling me it was running...no little box that said All IsWell
Just a note that said You Internet Connection is not operating --
Well.
That certainly made me feel like a million dollarz
--- But here is what I'd wanted to write -- 1) -- sorry 'bout the blurry bit with my pictures yesterday. The camera is acting really really bad, and had a message that said "Memory is no longer available..." ~~ Yup ~ Add that with the other message from my internet company, and I REALLY felt like finding someplace to run away to..
SO ~~ All that being said..Here is the receipt for the pie that I'd written about the other day. I'm making one for dinner tonight..I'd thot about it yesterday, BUT ~~ We ended up having some really ugly weather and by the time everything settled down, I wasn't exactly in the mood to make a pie. So today is bright, sunny, and warm. Perfect day for this pie ~~
** Light and Fruity Pie **
>> 1 3 oz. pkg. jello
>> 2/3 c. boiling water
>> 2 c. ice cubes
>> 3 1/2 c. ~ or ~ 8 oz. Cool Whip or other non-dairy whipped topping, thawed
>> Fruit (opt.)
~~ Dissolve gelatin in boiling water. Add ice cubes and stir until gelatin thickens. Remove any unmelted ice. With wire whip, blend in topping. Whip until smooth. Fold in fruit. Chill if necessary until mixture mounds. Spoon into pie crust. Chill at least 3 hours.
Note -- for the pie crust, I usually get frozen pie shells, and bake one to just nicely brown, then once it's cooled, make the filling.
This pie NEVER makes it to the next day, tho I've tried for years to make the guys try to not have 3rds...ha!
So, with that, my stomach is now growling, so I guess I best go eat some lunch...And decide what to have for dinner..to go along with the pie..!!
Lady of The Tulips
Monday, April 20, 2009
Well now -- here's a little "Before and After" -- and probably explains why I feel tired still today..all these books, odds and ends nearly did me in, but I Fought On and finally got everything in a place where it A) - either is within reach to read, research, or jus' look at.. -or - B) - Has been shuffled into a paper bag to be donated to the Salvation Army, CHKD Thrift Store (a nonprofit that gives aid to children with life-threatening diseases at a large childrens hosp. in Norfolk, Va.) or just flat out thrown out the window to be taken to the land fill.
Some of my books are naturally going to the thrift store...lots of people like to read old copies of what had one time been a best seller, but Lots of the books just don't interest me anymore. And, too, there are all of the Poltical Science books that I used at Univ. of Connecticut...all those dry, dull, boring essays on Nuclear Use and Disarmement...why Government Procurement Doesn't Mean Aide...I tried to casually hand over one of those books to Danny when he was here a couple weeks ago. Actually I thot I was being Very Clever.
"Hey, Danny! -- Wanna couple a' books?!!"
"Sure, whatta ya got?"
And I casually picked up a tomb of 650 pages -- all about Goverment (SP) Spending...Arms Treaties and National Security..
"WHAT IS THIS??!!" -- he yells, laughing at the same time...
"You SAID you would take one of my books..."
"OH GAWD!! __ Youhad to READ this??!!"
"Yup"...
So -- now the floor is Back to Normal, or as close to being cleared of junk as I can get it this morning...the books look pretty good on their little shelves again..and noah has decided to use another desk/hutch for his books and odds and goodies, instead of MY bookcase...
And I haven't even gotten to the painting of NEW things on my work table...
But all thats for another day...The Dog is sitting out in the hallway..she was pestering me a little bit ago. She can tell by how light it is outside, whether or not it's "Time" for her to go out on her little morning walk. HA! -- I say Little...with her, it's basically dragging mother halfway down our little dirt road, till it meets the pavement, then down and around another block...and back up the dirt road. She Wears Herself Out dragging me all over the place. But ya know what>>it makes her tired enuf at the end, that she won't bother me about going outside again till wayyy later in the afternoon..HA!! Works like a charm...
Lady of The Tulips
Friday, April 17, 2009
~~ "Changing Currents" ~~ 2009 Spring Bay Studio
Here's a couple shots of the finished piece I'd downloaded the other day. It has all of it's final coats of paint, and some small additions here and there. I'm pretty glad with the way it turned out.
There are some little sketches that I've got on my sketch pad, but they aren't quite ready to show yet. Right now I'm getting some of them covered with ink, so they aren't ready to make their little debut to the world. Hopefully tomorrow. And speaking (no..make that writing...ha!) -- of tomorrow, I've got to decide on what to fix for the monthly Pot-Luck Dinner for the property owners association. There is always such good food!! -- Yum!! -- I'm debating between making a fruit pie..with fruit cocktail and jello -- really easy to make, probably the LAST thing I should be eating, as it also has a complete container of whipped cream added to it...Blast -- just don' tell the Doctor!! HA!! -- tha's it!! -- anyway ..where waz I?? -- Oh! -- what else to make for the dinner...hmm..maybe just a little salad will do the trick..much less calories, and considering that Tom HAS to loose weight, probably the better choice..or maybe just say Fo'get aboutit...Have the pie!!
I've also got to check on my order of some fabric..it should be picked up from the factory today and sent on it's merry little way HERE -- but the post office hasn't said when it'll be picked up, so I have to WAIT...I hate waiting...But it should be here in a couple days. And I'm also waiting for some bumper stickers I ordered the other week...they've been on backorder from Gypsy Rose..they are so popular that they'd run out of 'em -- some nifty Grateful Dead Stickers. Tom sez it's time to replace the old one's that've faded on the Very Fine Automobile...makes sense to me!! So that's a couple things to be workin' on...plus getting some painting done in the kitchen!!
Whoo -- hooo -- we picked out a very nice pale pale blue to replace the uuugggllieee wallpaper that smells bad an' is really faded. The elderly couple had put up some wonderful rose-patterened paper..very nicely embossed with shades of blue, pale pale yellow and cream. Very nice. BUT -- they set right slap next to it some icckkkiee martha stewart wallpaper that looks like it may have cost all of $4.99 a roll....ugghhh..so it's OUTTA HERE!! -- yup -- more taking down of smelly old wallpaper, but it's gonna be SO worth it!! -- the blue paint is just a perfect match to some of the pale blue's in the existing wallpaper, so it'll be a good compliment.
Humm -- I've kinda got my hands full for the next couple days!!
So with that, I've gotta run -- Oh -- an I'm also framing a couple pieces to take to a gallery down Ocean Highway...I'll let ya'll know what happenz with that!!
Shwoo...
Lady of The Tulips
Tuesday, April 14, 2009
>>Welll..here are some shots of what suddenly happened here near the shore...
Noah decided to unpack the boxes of my books, and other tidbits..I was out on the front porch, helping him sand and clean up an old dresser of mine...my dad bought it for me when I was in high school, and all these years it's been used mostly by my middle son, Gabriel. Now it's getting a face lift, and Yours Truly helped sand away on the dirt, grime and lots and LOTZ of ink, glue, ETC., all over the drawers...
But that's not what these pictures are...these are the CONDITION of my poor studio...disarray..mess...HELP!! -- it's all right here...BUT -- I've also included a shot of the latest canvas I've worked out...See what I meant when I said the other day about the "Cracking" on the canvas??
I used a procuct that's INCREDIBLY cheap..slathered it all OVAH -- an' got the first couple coats of paint on...it's still W.I.P. -- but I wanted to SHARE it with ya'll --- too much of a light green right now, but it's getting better all the time..
WHICH IS NOT TO SAY --- that the studio is getting better...
Soon --
We had a Very Nice Weekend --- altho friday night was Something To Forget...
We had to wake up to the sounds of the local fire department screaming down one of the little side streets...all 4 engines this time...apparently somebody has lost their house,b but we couldn't see from the main road who's house it was..or is... That was exciting enuf...but then, in the middle of all that, it started to rain..which turned into a thunderstorm..
Which got Little Miss Muffett all a-tither, and she naturally had to come into our bedroom, shaking and panting like The World Was Ending...
And proceeded to wedge herself between the bed and the wall facing the back yard...
And promptly got stuck...
Bad enuf she's a Big Lug at over 90 pounds..but add to it that she was wedged an' realized she WAS stuck..couldn't breathe good..and started hacking...like she was DIEING..
SSSHHCCCCKKKKAACCCCKKKK>>>>
HHHAAAUUUUUUCCCKKKKKKK....
I kept tossing and turning, hoping she'd STOP all this nonsense..
Then I looked at how she was laying against the wall..and promptly started lecturing her..."WILL YOUGETOUTOFTHERE!!!" she just layed there and started hackkkkinngggg again..
Tom finally had to get out of bed, MOVE THE ENTIRE BED, and pull the dog away from the wall..
Just because there were exactly 3 bolts of lightning that scared her...
A Night to NOT Remember...
Easter made up for it al, tho, and Danny came down to eat and Be Merry -- blackeye peas...ham...mashed potatoes...yummm..and a nice pie..Fruit...We dearly love these things..and Very Grateful we Have the chance to eat that much at all!!
So -- now I must leave an' try and figure out what to do with this poor room...sigh...
Lady of The Tulips
Friday, April 10, 2009
"Untitled" -- 2009 Spring Bay Studio
>> Here's the latest little batch of fun I finished just yesterday <<
The fishie are something I put toGether the othEr day whiLe watchIng a BaSebAll gamE --one of The LaSt Spring TraiNing games from Florida..SOO naturAlly, looking at hOW nice it WaS doWn there..it All soRtaa fermented in mE little heAd...an Voila!! -- now If I CaN just get a namE for them, then it's all goNNa Be finE --
I've got a Canvas DryIng on The taBle right now -- it's got 3 coAts of PainT an' some goodies, so IT's gonna be A gooD DaY or So befoRe it's gonNa be dRy Enuf to meSS with...I'm lookinG forWard to GetTiNG it workED out...maybe just a LitTle mORe paInt..aN' a cOUple exTrA's..yess...then it's GoNna be good. I've got some SkEtcHes on the table Too -- HA!! -- thEre muCh different thAn somE of the StuFF I've been doIN -- so Do Let me KNow what ya ThiNk --
TomoRRow The Husband & I are goiNg to the dR's office -- tom HAS to gEt his bLood PreSSure CheCked..an' my oTHer EaR is BothERing me...it's BeEn weIrd for a couPle weekS, but I coulDn't bE thInKin' aboUt goiNg to the Dr. offIce, when theRe's been sUch liTTle work...a DaY off for ToM right now would BE BaD..since they'Ve haD so few Full 10 hoUR days -- maYbe 5 wEEks ouT of tHe pAst 4 moNtHs have been 40 hOUrs...no FreigHt comINg from overSeAs...tha'S not GoOd. And no AnSwer in siGHt...blast...SOO -- what All tHat sEz..is I wIll geT mY heAriNg checkED again...sigh...an' pRoBabLy morE dropz...no tElLing whAt aLL I'l be loaDed doWn with..wheee....
> Must go AndD check my CaNvaS -- it's supOsSed to bE dryIng with No cRacKs in it..WhEn it'S dowNLoAded, I'll shoW why thAt's iMpoRtant...<<
Lady of The Tulips
Tuesday, April 07, 2009
>>> Well <<< This is probably going to be a short post, 'cause I'm in the process of getting the camera to BEhAVE iTself an' get the last blob of paint on a canvas...then finish my blouse...then get some stitching done on another blouse...my, my -- how do people jus' siT around And Do Nothing all day?
The weekend was quiet, so we had the chance to just sit on the deck an' have a nice salad on Sunday Afternoon -- Tom made it just so, with cheese on top, raisins, mushrooms, 2 different lettuce blends, it probably had too many calories in it, but since it was basically the biggest meal of the day, then it wasN't so Bad! -- I took the opportunity on Sunday Afternoon to throw seedZ all over the garden spots along the FrOnt of the HouSe -- marigolds that I've kept -- they got thickly PlaNtEd under some small trees..along with CoSmoS -- NasTurTiums...It was such a niCe DaY!! --
It made up for a WeIrd DiscoVery -- someone, I guess on SaTurday NiGht, came around our corNer too faSt, aNd droVe their Car into the Ditch that runZ alongsiDe the driVeway...HumPH!!..the NeRve!! -- big ol' tiremarks, all down in the mud. WHa' ThE??!! -- Dolt. It made ME somewhat UpSet, butThankful thAt we slept threw the whoLe thing. I also threw some sunflower seeds in a spoT neAr the kiTchen winDow -- finGers are CrosSEd that they'll come In -- that'll be cool!!
Tom had the BRAINSTORM -- of the year -- when we had to go An buy soMe stuFF at the stoRe -- alWays thingS at the HardWaRE store are fAr too overPriced, so he SeZ to me --"You still got that Gift Card from Christmas?" -- uhhh..."Yeah" --- POP!! -- so he chEcks the balance on it, an' lo & Behold, we had $50 !!! SCORE -- so, with that little tidbit happIlY in my pocket, off we went -- got some hardWAre for my old Dresser That NoAh is refinishing..went an' got a sandwich drink and snaCks at SubWay (YUM!!) got a VeRy Cool Sun/Star windcHiMe @ BigLots..then finally used our checking AccOunt to get foodies...Whatta Day!! We saved $20 on top of it using a different sToRE for our WeeKlyFood-stuff..I'd buDgEted for neArly $100 -- but WiTh sales An' coupons...$82 for theWEEK!! --
We weRenT quiTe danCing in The PArkIng lot, But we SuRE were close!! HA!!
So Now it's Waiting Time for the weAther to warM baCk up -- we had tornado watches & WaRninGs most oF the Day yesTerday -- I CouLd heAR the TornAdo SirEn off In Town, but whatever it WAz, it blew pAst us..SHWOO -- so now it's chilly (It'Z been In The 70's) -- an' tonIGht it's to be in the 30'S -- NNNOOOOO -- so the BaByplants in The BedRoom Window will NOTbe set outside till laTer in The WeEk...don' wan' 'em to GeT brown An' baddd...No!! Got 'maters seeded in poTS yesTerday..pepPers too!! - Yeeehhhaww - so h0peFully thoSe'll come up Soon! YES!!
Must go an' get WORK done..no morE mesSin' aroun' !! It's a SuNNy day so I may Do SoME work outDoorS!! WEeE...
Lady of The Tulips
The weekend was quiet, so we had the chance to just sit on the deck an' have a nice salad on Sunday Afternoon -- Tom made it just so, with cheese on top, raisins, mushrooms, 2 different lettuce blends, it probably had too many calories in it, but since it was basically the biggest meal of the day, then it wasN't so Bad! -- I took the opportunity on Sunday Afternoon to throw seedZ all over the garden spots along the FrOnt of the HouSe -- marigolds that I've kept -- they got thickly PlaNtEd under some small trees..along with CoSmoS -- NasTurTiums...It was such a niCe DaY!! --
It made up for a WeIrd DiscoVery -- someone, I guess on SaTurday NiGht, came around our corNer too faSt, aNd droVe their Car into the Ditch that runZ alongsiDe the driVeway...HumPH!!..the NeRve!! -- big ol' tiremarks, all down in the mud. WHa' ThE??!! -- Dolt. It made ME somewhat UpSet, butThankful thAt we slept threw the whoLe thing. I also threw some sunflower seeds in a spoT neAr the kiTchen winDow -- finGers are CrosSEd that they'll come In -- that'll be cool!!
Tom had the BRAINSTORM -- of the year -- when we had to go An buy soMe stuFF at the stoRe -- alWays thingS at the HardWaRE store are fAr too overPriced, so he SeZ to me --"You still got that Gift Card from Christmas?" -- uhhh..."Yeah" --- POP!! -- so he chEcks the balance on it, an' lo & Behold, we had $50 !!! SCORE -- so, with that little tidbit happIlY in my pocket, off we went -- got some hardWAre for my old Dresser That NoAh is refinishing..went an' got a sandwich drink and snaCks at SubWay (YUM!!) got a VeRy Cool Sun/Star windcHiMe @ BigLots..then finally used our checking AccOunt to get foodies...Whatta Day!! We saved $20 on top of it using a different sToRE for our WeeKlyFood-stuff..I'd buDgEted for neArly $100 -- but WiTh sales An' coupons...$82 for theWEEK!! --
We weRenT quiTe danCing in The PArkIng lot, But we SuRE were close!! HA!!
So Now it's Waiting Time for the weAther to warM baCk up -- we had tornado watches & WaRninGs most oF the Day yesTerday -- I CouLd heAR the TornAdo SirEn off In Town, but whatever it WAz, it blew pAst us..SHWOO -- so now it's chilly (It'Z been In The 70's) -- an' tonIGht it's to be in the 30'S -- NNNOOOOO -- so the BaByplants in The BedRoom Window will NOTbe set outside till laTer in The WeEk...don' wan' 'em to GeT brown An' baddd...No!! Got 'maters seeded in poTS yesTerday..pepPers too!! - Yeeehhhaww - so h0peFully thoSe'll come up Soon! YES!!
Must go an' get WORK done..no morE mesSin' aroun' !! It's a SuNNy day so I may Do SoME work outDoorS!! WEeE...
Lady of The Tulips
Friday, April 03, 2009
Since my carmera..no..make that CAMERA is acting up, I'm still working on getting it to behave..
In the meantime, here's a shot of a W.I.P. -- it's a little rough in this picture, but it's coming together nicely. I don't think all the texture I made along the right side and bottom show's up as well on here as I'd like -- but it IS there.. Next time I add some texture, I'll use a little something different. This was something of an experiment, so tha's why it's not quite as thickly painted as I'd like.
There are some more little friends waiting over on my table this morning..oopz...make that this afternoon -- Noah pulled a project on me earlier, that made me sneeze dust, make big and even BIGGER piles of trash..
I FINALLY cleaned out a dresser that's been in the house for about EVAH -- it'd stored some of my art stuff in Norf., an' got packed down here, but I still hadn't cleaned it out. I'd stored all kindz of JUNK -- some old cardstock that I ABSOLUTELY hated..but never got around to throwing out. I can't stand using some of the cardstock that's out there..makes my last good nerve go completely on EDGE..And there was also little bags of old stencil paintings that REALLY sucked...I mean REALLY -- looked like some of the work my kids did 20 years ago...for real..
AND -- I had bags of beads..bags and bags..WHAT THE??!! -- just sitting in a drawer -- I'm STILL confused as to why I plopped 'em all in there..I mean, I've got storage containers for just that purpose..storing beads. But NO -- I haul off an' stick 'em into all these old grocery bags. Somebody PLEEZE tell me WHY?? -- man -- so out all that went. Well-- the beads are where their supossed to be...some decent paper is stored in a file folder like it SHOULD be..an' some old old $^"&$&*)_+ that I couldn't even figure out where it came from? -- In the TRASH -- ahh..now tom's gonna bellyache about "What's all this junk in the trash pile?!" -- uhhmmm..ya think it's TRASH?? Honest -- we have these kind of conversations...
See why my hair is Not Quite the color it needs to be??
But anyway -- so now I'm over to my little work table..I've got to order some fabric for another blouse I've got in the closet...gotta nice batch of patterns not too long ago...99 CENTS each!! --- yeah buddy -- tha's what I'M talkin' about...I mean, I KNOW corporate america is hurting an' all...BUT -- DAYUM -- $14.95 for a PATTERN??!!
Not this Girl!! -- 99 CENTS -- tha's MY kinda price!!
So -- off I go -- an' need to see what Ms. Sara is up to...Noah just said -- "Dog In Flight!!" -- so the dog must've moved from one part of the front room floor to another...sigh...
Lady of The Tulips
Thursday, April 02, 2009
WELL NOW!
Aint that interesting!! --this computer is acting up again..freezing up...acting like it's ready for the junk pile over at the landfill..and then it just goes black..What Fun!!
ButI DID try to post a shot of the blouse I'm working on..I think it did get online somehow...but don' quote me on that. The picture probably is blurry again..noah's done something with the camera and I've got to dig out my little book that's stored away -- check out all the little "How To!!" pages and hopefully fix what ever it is that's ailing the thing. Never A Dull Moment Here!!
However..I am going to try and get a shot of the latest canvas..it's still in the working-out stage, but it's soo close to being done!! --- So that'll be here tomorrow -- I've got a couple other sketches in the works too--so those can be ssssssseeeen later. I got some paint drying over on the table.and it looks ok!!
OH CRAP -- this thing is making odd noises again..I'm SKEERED that's it's gonna die on me again...
So I'll run now while this thing is still in one piece..Do computers actually explode if they get too old?? Do little pieces go flying in the air and impale themselves indiscriminately in the walls??
Just Checking..
Lady of The Tulips
Aint that interesting!! --this computer is acting up again..freezing up...acting like it's ready for the junk pile over at the landfill..and then it just goes black..What Fun!!
ButI DID try to post a shot of the blouse I'm working on..I think it did get online somehow...but don' quote me on that. The picture probably is blurry again..noah's done something with the camera and I've got to dig out my little book that's stored away -- check out all the little "How To!!" pages and hopefully fix what ever it is that's ailing the thing. Never A Dull Moment Here!!
However..I am going to try and get a shot of the latest canvas..it's still in the working-out stage, but it's soo close to being done!! --- So that'll be here tomorrow -- I've got a couple other sketches in the works too--so those can be ssssssseeeen later. I got some paint drying over on the table.and it looks ok!!
OH CRAP -- this thing is making odd noises again..I'm SKEERED that's it's gonna die on me again...
So I'll run now while this thing is still in one piece..Do computers actually explode if they get too old?? Do little pieces go flying in the air and impale themselves indiscriminately in the walls??
Just Checking..
Lady of The Tulips
Monday, March 30, 2009
This picture was taken by noah one day
last week -- I have no idea where it was taken,
or for that matter, why noah took my camera in
the first place..but there ya go...
I only have a couple minutes to pop a quick note on here, and my computer is acting so weird right now, it's beyond me just what the $^"#
*"@ it's doing -- but I'm working on some fabric -- got it all ready to cut for a collage -- there is also some new fabric that got here this afternoon -- yyyaaaa -- for a new blouse --
So things are moving along spiffy -- if this dumb computer would just BEHAVE FOR ME --
Lady of The Tulips --
last week -- I have no idea where it was taken,
or for that matter, why noah took my camera in
the first place..but there ya go...
I only have a couple minutes to pop a quick note on here, and my computer is acting so weird right now, it's beyond me just what the $^"#
*"@ it's doing -- but I'm working on some fabric -- got it all ready to cut for a collage -- there is also some new fabric that got here this afternoon -- yyyaaaa -- for a new blouse --
So things are moving along spiffy -- if this dumb computer would just BEHAVE FOR ME --
Lady of The Tulips --
Friday, March 27, 2009
>> "Here In Our World" << 2009
Here's one of the canvases I finished just this week -- I think it was on monday. I got the rest of the paint on it, got it all cleaned up an' here 'tis
The other canvas I have is drying as we speak..uhm...write? -- well, anyway, it's just over THERE -- on the table, minding it's own business. Which is more than I can say for The Dog -- she's been a little BRAT today -- every time there is some noise from the navy experimental station across one of the peninsula (sp) she absolutely throws a coniption fit...starts acting like IT'S THE END OF THE WORLD..all that. Drives my nerves to their breaking point..
Now, where was I? --
Oh Yeah -- the canvas is drying over yonder, and some of the fabric I've chosen for it is getting set too - some greens, pale turquoise, and soft blues are all over on the table, looking not too bad. The hardest thing this last week, is to try and concentrate on Summer-Type work. The colors that I chose are a good thing to take my mind away from the lousy weather..rainy, rain-sloppy-glop outside. I mean, it's hard to think something like "We've Been Havin' Fun All Summer Long" -- when it's 43 Degrees, rain is falling, the clouds are skirting along the treetops, the Dog doesn't even want to go outside, and my little heater in the studio is not, I mean NOT keeping the room warm enuf so that my fingers can move the way they SHOULD!! --
That was a wayy tad too rant-ish, now, wasn't it? -- But tho I've digressed A LOT -- I just am TRYING VERY HARD to say I'm painting, painting..cutting fabric...and inbetween all this, watching a little bit of Spring Training Baseball from the warm..WARM state's of Florida and Arizona...
Maybe that's why it's so hard to concentrate on making Summer Looking Canvases, when it's WARM SOMEWHERE ELSE...and here my thermometer is barely out of the 40's...
When I least expect it, the temps are gonna shoot thru the roof, an' I'm gonna be suprised like there's no tomorrow.
But >> There IS gonna be a tomorrow -- my fabric that I ordered on Monday got cut in the warehouse on Tuesday, and was shipped out yesterday. So, in THEORY it should be here by Wed. of next week -- I've got another peasant blouse pattern all picked out..very loose and dreamy looking. And -- I might add -- much much less to make than the "SALE" price of one of the largest dept. stores across the country. Theirs is "ON SALE!" for $19.00 -- mine, which is the same pattern...$8.99 for the fabric...HA!! -- I love saving money!!
Must go an' get some dishes finished -- it's starting to rain again, so I need to make sure some potting soil is not too flooded. It's gonna be used this weekend to pot up some tomoatoes, peppers and some additional flowers.
Even tho we had a HERD OF DEER in the side yard this morning (there they are!! Meandering around like they own the place...sheesh) And now tom just called an' said that he's on his way home..an' do I have something for dinner??! -- the fun never endz...
Lady of The Tulips
Thursday, March 26, 2009
~~ OOOhhh Keeeyyy ~~~
So, there I was the other morning, minding my own business, when I realize I can hear a bird stuck in our stovepipe for the woodstove. I walked into the laundry room, grabbed up the broom, and banged a couple times on the stovepipe. I'd heard/read/absorbed somewhere, that when you bang on the stovepipe to scare away a bird, it "Always Works" -- HA!! fat chance, and all that...
SO -- I keep hearing the noise off and on through out the day,and then I just sorta ignored it. Didn't hear anything for some time, 'till I went into the kitchen to rinse my paintbrush out, and get a glass of ice-water. I didn't hear the scratch-scratching in the stove pipe, tho...but I COUD hear a little birdie...seeming REALLY close by -- like in a vent..or SOMETHING..singing it's little song..."Taawwhheettt...Tahhhwweeeett"
I stood still...listened again..
And figured it was the bird that had earlier been stuck in the stovepipe...said, Hmphh...an' went on with my business...
And heard the singing again..but a little louder..
I was next to the kitchen window, standing next to the air conditioner, and figured the bird was sitting on top of the air conditioner..
Wrong --- What happened waz...I opened the door to the woodstove, threw in some trash that had come in the mail ("You Can Have Our Credit Card!! With a Low, LOW Interest Rate!" -- yup..that kind of mail deserves to end up in the woodstove...) and when the papers hit the bottom of the woodstove..I see something HOP off to the right of the pile of papers...
WHAT THE %"*&{$#") !!!
So, I closed the door REALLY fast..caught my breath...an' opened the door RRREEAAALLLLYYYY slowly.
And saw a teeny little bird, wayyy in the back of the stove..staring at me.
The bird had somehow gotten all the way down the stovepipe, and ended up smack dab in the middle of the woodstove.
Thank Heavens it was too warm to use the stove. .that poor little babiee..
So-- I looked at him, while he( or she..) stared at me..I realized I needed to get him out OUT of there, so I grabbed up a kitchen towel, and VERY carefully, reached in the stove, and gently put the towel around the bird. This was after I MADE SURE to throw Sara out the back door, so she wouldn't be in the way. But, there was a glitch in the whole works.
While I was gently carrying the little teeny bird, and trying to keep him calm, I got alll the way to the back door, holding this tiny BLUEBIRD (of all things!) in my hands, and in the instant that I went to open the back storm door, I yelled at The Dog to get out of the way, and took my right hand off of the bird.
Do you have any idea of how fast a bird can fly around inside of 3 rooms of a house? I figured it was flying into the dining room, and kitchen in all of about .0034 seconds...
All I could do was run after it, saying over and over.."OOHH NNNOOOO!!!Oh! Little Baby!! NNOOO!!!" And SMACK..SMACK..the little thing would fly straight to a window, and slam itself into the screen.
Over and Over...
I finally got the kitchen towel in my right hand again, and started to kind of direct the little bluebird toward the laundry room..it somehow realized that the towel was keeping it from going back into the other rooms...it flew straight toward the window in the laundry room...bounced off of that..and stopped on a dresser to the right of the window. And honestlt stood still, and while it stood and looked at me, I could see it's little sides, going in and out REALLY FAST -- the poor thing was totally out of breath!! AAKK!!
So, it went back to the window again, and STOPPED...I took the opportunity to put the towel around the little dear again, and gently talked to the thing...and opened the storm door VERY GENTLY, so I wouldn't scare the poor dear again.
Finally I got the bird, and ME out on the deck, an' as carefully as I could, I walked down the steps, and opened up my hands and the towel...and released the bird..
OOOHHHMMMMYYY WWWOORRRDDDDD
The little thing took off like a SHOT -- and as it sang it's little song, it went straight up into one of our biig trees... And I never saw it again.
It'z a wonder I don't drink heavily...one six pack of beer lasts me anywhere from a week & a half to 2 weeks...bnt after a day like THAT...no, I didn't go hog wild with a 6-pack of beer.
But it REALLY CROSSED MY MIND...
Lady of The Tulips
So, there I was the other morning, minding my own business, when I realize I can hear a bird stuck in our stovepipe for the woodstove. I walked into the laundry room, grabbed up the broom, and banged a couple times on the stovepipe. I'd heard/read/absorbed somewhere, that when you bang on the stovepipe to scare away a bird, it "Always Works" -- HA!! fat chance, and all that...
SO -- I keep hearing the noise off and on through out the day,and then I just sorta ignored it. Didn't hear anything for some time, 'till I went into the kitchen to rinse my paintbrush out, and get a glass of ice-water. I didn't hear the scratch-scratching in the stove pipe, tho...but I COUD hear a little birdie...seeming REALLY close by -- like in a vent..or SOMETHING..singing it's little song..."Taawwhheettt...Tahhhwweeeett"
I stood still...listened again..
And figured it was the bird that had earlier been stuck in the stovepipe...said, Hmphh...an' went on with my business...
And heard the singing again..but a little louder..
I was next to the kitchen window, standing next to the air conditioner, and figured the bird was sitting on top of the air conditioner..
Wrong --- What happened waz...I opened the door to the woodstove, threw in some trash that had come in the mail ("You Can Have Our Credit Card!! With a Low, LOW Interest Rate!" -- yup..that kind of mail deserves to end up in the woodstove...) and when the papers hit the bottom of the woodstove..I see something HOP off to the right of the pile of papers...
WHAT THE %"*&{$#") !!!
So, I closed the door REALLY fast..caught my breath...an' opened the door RRREEAAALLLLYYYY slowly.
And saw a teeny little bird, wayyy in the back of the stove..staring at me.
The bird had somehow gotten all the way down the stovepipe, and ended up smack dab in the middle of the woodstove.
Thank Heavens it was too warm to use the stove. .that poor little babiee..
So-- I looked at him, while he( or she..) stared at me..I realized I needed to get him out OUT of there, so I grabbed up a kitchen towel, and VERY carefully, reached in the stove, and gently put the towel around the bird. This was after I MADE SURE to throw Sara out the back door, so she wouldn't be in the way. But, there was a glitch in the whole works.
While I was gently carrying the little teeny bird, and trying to keep him calm, I got alll the way to the back door, holding this tiny BLUEBIRD (of all things!) in my hands, and in the instant that I went to open the back storm door, I yelled at The Dog to get out of the way, and took my right hand off of the bird.
Do you have any idea of how fast a bird can fly around inside of 3 rooms of a house? I figured it was flying into the dining room, and kitchen in all of about .0034 seconds...
All I could do was run after it, saying over and over.."OOHH NNNOOOO!!!Oh! Little Baby!! NNOOO!!!" And SMACK..SMACK..the little thing would fly straight to a window, and slam itself into the screen.
Over and Over...
I finally got the kitchen towel in my right hand again, and started to kind of direct the little bluebird toward the laundry room..it somehow realized that the towel was keeping it from going back into the other rooms...it flew straight toward the window in the laundry room...bounced off of that..and stopped on a dresser to the right of the window. And honestlt stood still, and while it stood and looked at me, I could see it's little sides, going in and out REALLY FAST -- the poor thing was totally out of breath!! AAKK!!
So, it went back to the window again, and STOPPED...I took the opportunity to put the towel around the little dear again, and gently talked to the thing...and opened the storm door VERY GENTLY, so I wouldn't scare the poor dear again.
Finally I got the bird, and ME out on the deck, an' as carefully as I could, I walked down the steps, and opened up my hands and the towel...and released the bird..
OOOHHHMMMMYYY WWWOORRRDDDDD
The little thing took off like a SHOT -- and as it sang it's little song, it went straight up into one of our biig trees... And I never saw it again.
It'z a wonder I don't drink heavily...one six pack of beer lasts me anywhere from a week & a half to 2 weeks...bnt after a day like THAT...no, I didn't go hog wild with a 6-pack of beer.
But it REALLY CROSSED MY MIND...
Lady of The Tulips
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
>> No picture today, as Noah has done something with the camera, an' now I gotta figure out how to switch some of my shots to another file..or some weird ThaNg..<<
I've got a canvas finally done...got some papers cut for a current canvas, an' have a nice little sketch ready to paint..it's waiting over on my table for me. An' here I am sittin' around doin' nothing with my Art...'cept lookin' around at what other people are doin' --
I try not to feel discouraged with how I see other work being done...It makes me feel like I'm only a kid again, tryin' to do what everybody else is doing, but my work looks horrid. Something like what I did for a show when Iwas in elementary school. I painted a nice little building..a house, I think. It got entered into the show...got all nicely placed on a display table..and one of the teachers came along, an' tells me, "Well, isn't that nice! When you get up into at least the 3rd grade, I bet you can really start to make some good things!!"
I was in the 4th grade...
Needless to say, that was one of many comments made to me about my Art -- not much to look at, but, hey, it "Looks Nice" -- but let's not bet the house on it. That kinda thing.
So, I'm workin' thru all that Negative -- throwing it out the window.
So what If my work isn't like somebody elses?? -- I'm Certainly NOT like anybody else, an' Thank the Stars in Heaven. I'd hate it if I HAD to be a copycat...
But there are days where I want to BE like everybody else...making fabulous ART that takes your breath away...but I guess it's just all "In the Works.." -- the art is gettin' close, but not quite there.
Or maybe it IZ there, but just not quite...something...Kinda like half a bubble off.
Well -- onward to the painting,..my watercolours are sittin' waiting patiently.
And tomorrow I'll tell ya about the little bird that was in the stovepipe..an' how he came to see me...for real..
Lady of The Tulips
I've got a canvas finally done...got some papers cut for a current canvas, an' have a nice little sketch ready to paint..it's waiting over on my table for me. An' here I am sittin' around doin' nothing with my Art...'cept lookin' around at what other people are doin' --
I try not to feel discouraged with how I see other work being done...It makes me feel like I'm only a kid again, tryin' to do what everybody else is doing, but my work looks horrid. Something like what I did for a show when Iwas in elementary school. I painted a nice little building..a house, I think. It got entered into the show...got all nicely placed on a display table..and one of the teachers came along, an' tells me, "Well, isn't that nice! When you get up into at least the 3rd grade, I bet you can really start to make some good things!!"
I was in the 4th grade...
Needless to say, that was one of many comments made to me about my Art -- not much to look at, but, hey, it "Looks Nice" -- but let's not bet the house on it. That kinda thing.
So, I'm workin' thru all that Negative -- throwing it out the window.
So what If my work isn't like somebody elses?? -- I'm Certainly NOT like anybody else, an' Thank the Stars in Heaven. I'd hate it if I HAD to be a copycat...
But there are days where I want to BE like everybody else...making fabulous ART that takes your breath away...but I guess it's just all "In the Works.." -- the art is gettin' close, but not quite there.
Or maybe it IZ there, but just not quite...something...Kinda like half a bubble off.
Well -- onward to the painting,..my watercolours are sittin' waiting patiently.
And tomorrow I'll tell ya about the little bird that was in the stovepipe..an' how he came to see me...for real..
Lady of The Tulips
Tuesday, March 24, 2009
~~ Ok, I admit this little guy is sorta/really..REALLY blurry --
BUT!!
I've been hearing some sorta scratching noise in our stovepipe all morning long, and it dawned on me that there must actually BE something in said stovepipe to make the noise...
And by the looks of this guy, I thot maybe it was him...I mean, look at HIM --- standing there all proud and arrougant...or however that word is spelled.
But I digress -- or actually I haven't said FLIP yet at all...SO --- we are much releaveed -- no, Re-leafed...NO --RELIEVED that Tom is back working this week. He said yesterday that the drivers were looking like they got the manager to be a Nice Guy for a change and keep Tom with the company. The oddball--weird--pisses-me-off thing about the "safety Manager" who DEMANDED tom be fired...WELL -- seems that he is ALSO employed not only by the Insurance Company who insures the trucking company, BUT -- he is also AN EMPLOYEE of said trucking company...in other words, he has 2 incomes from one place.
Now -- I ask you -- does this strike you as SOMETHING like a CONFLICT OF INTEREST??!! -- Well --- apparently it does to a lot of the drivers of the company, as THAT is one of the Big Beefs they had with the Manager of the office. Some schmow who A) Doesn't drive a truck, and B) -- has no idea of what goes on inside a truck, of Anything Else Close...has the power to make one lose their job. Combine all of that with Tom's incident, and there are a LOT of drivers very very angry right about now. I nearly fell over when I was told these little incidents. But -- big money is getting so out of control these dayz, that somethings are just left unanswered.
Makes ya REALLY sick of these fat cats just continually plowing over the little guy...I just hope I'm not around when it all comes back and smacks them upside the head...
So Tom spent the day with one of the other managers..they had a very nice time, and the manager couldn't understand why the dude in the Corporate Office was being such a #}^(+@! -- but who knowz...Tom sez he will be getting a new phone/blackberry type item sometime in the next week or so, as with all the other drivers..this will enable them to process their trucks and freight much faster and let them get additional loads of freight a much sooner than they are now. A win-win situation for everybody...
With all the Fun & Games with tom and his pals...I've been somewhat behind in my ART -- and to top it off, Noah took my camera last week, and I haven't seen it since..No --I did see it on the kitchen bar this morning just before Mutt & Jeff left for work...and I wanted to download my latest canvas on HERE -- but noah took the camera with him..(???!!) in his backback, so I'm left with just this little dude on the top of the page, looking like an old GRUMP -- my last good nerve left town somewhere in the middle of the night, leaving me with a Willy Nelson song stuck in my head..
"It's a Bloody Mary Morning, baby left me without warning
Sometime in the niiiight...."
That's it from here..I'm gonna go check on the dog an' have another cup of coffee...
Lady of The Tulips
Saturday, March 21, 2009
>> Finally!! <<
We've gotten thru this rancid week!! -- I'm telling you WHAT -- there were moments where it seemed like something was going to swallow me up an' spit me into the Albemarle Sound...honest and for real!
Tom talked with his Boss yesterday morning, and the manager had a change of heart!! WOW!! le' me say that again...WOW~~!! We are sooo relieved, it's unreal.
We'd gotten a call on Thursday night from one of tom's driver co-workers, and he said that the other drivers were pretty much up in arms about Tom not coming back to work for the remainder of the week. He said the Manager had a Staff Meeting, (which is nothing more than a 45 minutes Rant on All Things Trucking..) but didn't say anything about Tom coming back to work. That really made some of the drivers Pissed Off-- in the words of our friend, "Tom's the most reliable guy we've got, an' the management wants to lay him OFF??!!"
There were other rants from the drivers, too, but they won't be printed here..
What tipped the scales in Tom's favor, is that the Corporate Office was, yes, totally going on the DOLLARS of the incident. They have no idea of who tom is, what his work ethic is, how he comes in early, drives out of state, gives other drivers help and directions when they need it...Nope. It was all totally based on Economics. Made both Tom & I have that warm, fuzzy feeling...NOT!! But the deciding factor, had to be decided my tom's boss, and he just couldn't make himself put tom out the door. He knows that his hands are tied a LOT of times when he needs somebody to drive out of state for the day. Tom's never hesitated. Most guys come up with the Most LOUSY excuses..none of which are worth the effort to type out here...So, he went with how he sees tom work on a daily basis.
We are now left wondering what's going to happen on Monday -- the Boss has only said, "I gotta plan for ya.." --- ANYBODY have any clue what the #%}^}! that's supossed to MEAN??!! No wonder my nerves are twitching these dayz...
But we ARE SO GRATEFUL that tom still has a job...we read in the local paper about the unemployment numbers for this area...our county is at 12% --- one of the counties on the Outer Banks is 17%..not like there's a chance to find Suitable Employment in this region...
Shwoo...
So, needless to say, the Art has been somewhat shoved off the end of the table for the last couple days...but I wanna get a shot of my latest canvas on here probably Monday. Today I have to get some fabric, clean the kitchen, vacuum the floors, make a salad for the monthly Pot Luck Dinner at the "Clubhouse" -- (it's just a big ol' building where there are meetings..tho the title makes it sound Rather Grand..) AND plant up some pepper seeds, 'maters, and squash in my teeny ittle potts...
What's it like to sit around the house an' do nothing??!!
I WANNA KNOW!!
Must run an' get Stuff Done...
Lady of The Tulips
We've gotten thru this rancid week!! -- I'm telling you WHAT -- there were moments where it seemed like something was going to swallow me up an' spit me into the Albemarle Sound...honest and for real!
Tom talked with his Boss yesterday morning, and the manager had a change of heart!! WOW!! le' me say that again...WOW~~!! We are sooo relieved, it's unreal.
We'd gotten a call on Thursday night from one of tom's driver co-workers, and he said that the other drivers were pretty much up in arms about Tom not coming back to work for the remainder of the week. He said the Manager had a Staff Meeting, (which is nothing more than a 45 minutes Rant on All Things Trucking..) but didn't say anything about Tom coming back to work. That really made some of the drivers Pissed Off-- in the words of our friend, "Tom's the most reliable guy we've got, an' the management wants to lay him OFF??!!"
There were other rants from the drivers, too, but they won't be printed here..
What tipped the scales in Tom's favor, is that the Corporate Office was, yes, totally going on the DOLLARS of the incident. They have no idea of who tom is, what his work ethic is, how he comes in early, drives out of state, gives other drivers help and directions when they need it...Nope. It was all totally based on Economics. Made both Tom & I have that warm, fuzzy feeling...NOT!! But the deciding factor, had to be decided my tom's boss, and he just couldn't make himself put tom out the door. He knows that his hands are tied a LOT of times when he needs somebody to drive out of state for the day. Tom's never hesitated. Most guys come up with the Most LOUSY excuses..none of which are worth the effort to type out here...So, he went with how he sees tom work on a daily basis.
We are now left wondering what's going to happen on Monday -- the Boss has only said, "I gotta plan for ya.." --- ANYBODY have any clue what the #%}^}! that's supossed to MEAN??!! No wonder my nerves are twitching these dayz...
But we ARE SO GRATEFUL that tom still has a job...we read in the local paper about the unemployment numbers for this area...our county is at 12% --- one of the counties on the Outer Banks is 17%..not like there's a chance to find Suitable Employment in this region...
Shwoo...
So, needless to say, the Art has been somewhat shoved off the end of the table for the last couple days...but I wanna get a shot of my latest canvas on here probably Monday. Today I have to get some fabric, clean the kitchen, vacuum the floors, make a salad for the monthly Pot Luck Dinner at the "Clubhouse" -- (it's just a big ol' building where there are meetings..tho the title makes it sound Rather Grand..) AND plant up some pepper seeds, 'maters, and squash in my teeny ittle potts...
What's it like to sit around the house an' do nothing??!!
I WANNA KNOW!!
Must run an' get Stuff Done...
Lady of The Tulips
Wednesday, March 18, 2009
A very quick post will bee this one...I do apologize for not getting a picture on here yesterday or today, but there has something of a fly in the ointment, as it were, as far as thing go around our little cabin..
Yesterday while I had just gotten to the computer an' started to get online, Tom suddenly came walking in the house. MoST UnexPected!! To say the least..Ihadn't heard from him since about the middle of the day, so when I discovered him waltzing in the house @4:30 in the AfterNoon, I was somewhat startled..an' it didn't get any Better whEn he said,"Wait a minute an' I tell you what happened..."
ThaT Is NEVER something you want to hear if a family member is involved in the trucking industry...
Nd it only went downhill from there --- He had an accident yesterday, tho nobody was hurt, or fortunately, killed. He was driving at about 10 miles an hour, when the frozen load of chicken suddenly shifted in the container, and tho he'd checked the hook-up apparatus for the container, it had not been secured completely, and with just a tiny move of no more than15 feet, the entire container lurched to the right, and toppled to the ground. He wasn't injured, his truck is fine. But the container suffered some damage. And THAT is what is the largest problem. And it may cost him his job.
His boss came down to the Port where the incident occured..took a look at Tom, who was in shock over the whole deal (he's been driving a tractor trailer for over 13 years..) and simply said, "I have no sympathy for you.." and proceeded to walk away. That's a very, very BAD thing to hear.
So, now the company Insurance Manager said, "FIRE HIM", and somebody else in charge of MONEY said the same thing..but it's all up to the Boss of the drivers..and he won't say a word till tomorrow..
So we are making it our best to get thru today..I haven't slept too good..for obvious reasons...I feel beat, still somewhat, no, make that still ReallY shell-shocked, and don't know HOW to feel...can't make any kind of plans till we hear from the Boss...can't even figure out WHERE to look for work...what , where..when///nothing.
I'm not sure how to even THINK --
So, I'm going to go and try to keep myself occupied with SOMETHING, just so I wont think about the accident. Lord Willing it'll all turn out --- but it aint lookin' so good..
LAdy of The TUlips
Yesterday while I had just gotten to the computer an' started to get online, Tom suddenly came walking in the house. MoST UnexPected!! To say the least..Ihadn't heard from him since about the middle of the day, so when I discovered him waltzing in the house @4:30 in the AfterNoon, I was somewhat startled..an' it didn't get any Better whEn he said,"Wait a minute an' I tell you what happened..."
ThaT Is NEVER something you want to hear if a family member is involved in the trucking industry...
Nd it only went downhill from there --- He had an accident yesterday, tho nobody was hurt, or fortunately, killed. He was driving at about 10 miles an hour, when the frozen load of chicken suddenly shifted in the container, and tho he'd checked the hook-up apparatus for the container, it had not been secured completely, and with just a tiny move of no more than15 feet, the entire container lurched to the right, and toppled to the ground. He wasn't injured, his truck is fine. But the container suffered some damage. And THAT is what is the largest problem. And it may cost him his job.
His boss came down to the Port where the incident occured..took a look at Tom, who was in shock over the whole deal (he's been driving a tractor trailer for over 13 years..) and simply said, "I have no sympathy for you.." and proceeded to walk away. That's a very, very BAD thing to hear.
So, now the company Insurance Manager said, "FIRE HIM", and somebody else in charge of MONEY said the same thing..but it's all up to the Boss of the drivers..and he won't say a word till tomorrow..
So we are making it our best to get thru today..I haven't slept too good..for obvious reasons...I feel beat, still somewhat, no, make that still ReallY shell-shocked, and don't know HOW to feel...can't make any kind of plans till we hear from the Boss...can't even figure out WHERE to look for work...what , where..when///nothing.
I'm not sure how to even THINK --
So, I'm going to go and try to keep myself occupied with SOMETHING, just so I wont think about the accident. Lord Willing it'll all turn out --- but it aint lookin' so good..
LAdy of The TUlips
Monday, March 16, 2009
Noah went outside the other day an' took a picture of the wonderful tree we have alongside the dirt road that runs past our little cabin. I'm not too sure what type tree it is, but I think it's a Tulip Tree. The University I attended in Calif., had a long walkway past the main cafeteria and bookstore, with several of these trees planted alongside. It was so fabulous to walk to class in the spring, and look at the color, an' also smell the unreal blooms of a wisteria vine that also grew along an arbor overhead closest to the cafeteria. I sometimes wonder what happened to all of those plants, as the University system came along and remodeled all of the area. Makes me sad to think something as beautiful as this tree would be torn out. But whatta I know?
I've also posted a shot of the apron that I put together last week. It has several different pieces that needed to all come together Just Right, in order for the pattern to become one full apron. That's not so bad, but some of the sewing included "On a Diagonal, stitch #9 piece including the edging.." and this was more than once. For Those of You with wonderful math skills, figuring out a diagonal is a piece of cake. But for somebody like me, who looks at a ruler an STILL has trouble figuring out inches, well, this little "Easy" bit of sewing nearly drove me off the deep end. In the end, tho, I finally got it put together, and stitched up the long ties that go around the waist, and added the smaller ties around the neck.
Needless to say, that's probably the hardest pattern I've ever, EVAH put together. I still need another apron, but the extra pattern I bought needs more fabric than Ihave in my stash, so that one isn't gonna get put together for a while. $$ being tight the way they are with EVERYBODY, we are no exception. BUT -- next week should be a tad better, an' then I can order some fabric online.
The other project that needs finishing is a canvas that's just about ready for it's matte medium. I thot about workin' out one that I have had on the table for a couple weeks..but it just isn't jellin' for me, so that one got put away in the hutch, an' is keeping the other canvases company. This newer one should be much easier for me. That's what I'm HOPING...
Sara went an' done DID a DUMMY-Thing last night. Well, actually it's tom's fault.
I'd been tellin' tom to take the trash to the dump, as we don't have trash pickup here in the county. He'd been sayin' all day on Saturday, "I'm workin' on it.." an' would go off an' do something else. Same thing all day yesterday.
I'd say to him, "You need to take the trash to the dump, 'cause when sara goes outside, she's gonna try an' get in that stuff..."
An' Tom would say to me, "I'm workin' on it..."
And nothing would happen...
EXCEPT -- when he let the dog outside last night, right when I was in the middle of putting together a nice fish chowder. While I as cutting onions, potatoes and fish, he let sara out, an' I naturally had no idea. Sooo..when the cat's away, the mice will play, as the saying goes...
The little BRAT got in the trash, an' by the time Tom went outside to let he come in the house, she was standing in a pile of SOMETHING, that she was eating, very pleased with herself, and altogether having a wonderful time.
I nearly jumped out of my skin, when I realized that she was A) Outside, and B) that she was outside LONG ENOUGH to get into said trash...
I yelled something at tom, which I Won't print here, but it WAS quite good at the time. He in turn, yelled at The Dog to get out of the trash, and while she was turning around to walk away from the pile she had made, tom realized she'd been eating SOMETHING...
I threw a TOTAL fit...he said it looked like she'd gotten into some old pork bones that had been in the bottom of the trash bag, but he wasn't sure...she may have eaten some old chickenbones, too. Either way I was a Complete Wreck. All I could think was that her stomach was going to end up like swiss cheese, with the little-razor-blades-pieces of bones slicing their way down inside of her.
Tom said it was "Nothing to Worry About..." an' proceeded to let me know that I was being a Complete Idiot for worrying about the dog...
I went to bed before 8 p.m. --
BUT THE GOOD NEWS -- is that SAra is quite fine today...whatever it WAS that she ate, went thru her, an' she doesn't seem the worse for wear. As for ME -- I slept about as lousy as a person could TRY an' "sleep" -- kept waking up from some HORRENDOUS nightmares...but that's all another story.
Sara is Good Today..well, I mean, she is Still a Spoiled LittE Girl/Doggie, but that's much better than any other outcome, under the circumstances.
AND -- with that I need to go -- It's lunchtime, an' tom is suppossed to call & let me know if the drivers will actually have a FULL DAY OF WORK -- last week they did, for the first time since the year started..it's been REALLLY slow...no freight at ALL -- not sure what this means for the summer season, but from the Port side of things. it looks pretty slim...
Lady of The Tulips
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