Kind a cool outside

I just went to throw some trash out and it's a little cool out there. The moon is beautiful and there are tons of stars.

Let's see...what were some good things today. Ummmmm...the piece of shit washing machine worked! At least for one load today. That's all we had. It was actually the equivalent of 5 regular loads. But it worked!

The lunch special at the Triangle Market today was Chili Rellenos...and they were very good. Then....they became screaming HOT! I ate one...and brought the other one home. Husband just ate it and HE thought it was hot, too. And he can eat hotter stuff than I can.

Let's see...what else...One of my friends gave me 4 new pairs of jeans. I am going to wash them tomorrow. They are the right size.  And they are nice and long.

I got a few more things scratched off my to do list. A very good thing.

I think that's pretty much it. Mostly uneventful. 

I think I will read for a while. I know...unusual isn't it. I am very relaxed right now. See you tomorrow....

b

Do you know the easiest way to untangle yarn?

I do. You cut it off. It's less frustrating that way. It's like untangling a fine silver chain. Just leave it alone and get another one. Case closed.

It was an easy day. I was by myself and totally took my time. There was one load of laundry (and it wasn't mine!) so I just sat with a cup of hot tea and  'surfed the net'. I talked to Jennifer until almost noon...and was done with my stuff at 12:30. Smoooooth! 

I had planned on washing 40 bedspreads...but when I pressed the button on the newly installed piece of shit $5000 washing machine...the only thing that happened was the water went in. Then the timer clicked it's way around the dial. Then the water drained out. Then the water went in again. Hmmmmmm....let's see. No agitation...no spinning from hell....just....water in...water out. Grasshopper. So, I called the handy dandy company and miracle of all miracles...the 'salesman', Francisco, was actually in Alpine!. 'Office woman' said she would keep calling him so he could stop by and look at it.

That's why I just sat there. Not because I was waiting for him...but because I was enjoying the quiet. He finally showed up at 3:30 and supposedly fixed it. I'll find out tomorrow. I have no desire to even look at it tonight.

So I came home and cut up the yarn. I am actually using this stuff up pretty quickly and wanted to see what I had left to work with.

There was one room that was a 'stayover'. I just brought towels over there and it was weird. I knew was there was probably nothing in the room, and there wasn't. They had called Jennifer this morning at 6:30 and asked what to do with the key (good thing I didn't answer the phone, I would heave told them!). She said they could just leave it in the room. But they said they wanted to stay another day. She told them just to hang on to the key (duh) and come in later and pay for another day. Strange people to start with. Anyway, they had hung the bed sheet over the mirror, completely covering it. I have no idea why. It was a little eerie. I just backed out and maybe I can get a look at them to see if they are all dressed in black...or hang bones up outside their room tonight.

I wonder if there is anything on TV tonight. I think it's Mickey Rooney day on TCM. I thought they just had Mickey Rooney day a couple of weeks ago...

We watched 9 episodes of The Guns of Will Sonnett last night. I'm not sure if we are ready for another evening of nail biting excitement! Not without a court order and a six pack!

No....there isn't anything on TV tonight. I just looked. Could be an Adam-12 night.

My blood sugar has been staying in the 80's and 90's. That is very good. And I ate 2 oranges at noon. They were small oranges.

I think I will read my blog tonight. That way I can see how many times I repeated myself. I should print it off. I might. It could prove embarrassing! Or just plain stupid.....

Right this minute I am going to eat something. I need to fill the bird feeder, too. See you later!

b

Me and Santa got it going on

Guess what! Santa came by my house today and left a present and some Tension Relieving Tea. Santa is a really smart girl!! And Santa has great taste...she and I have the same wrapping paper! Tell me great mind's don't think alike!!! And Santa is verrry sneaky...you walk outside and POOF!! She's been there! I love Santa. Santa has been a very good girl this year and there is something special for her, too...but she's not getting it till closer to Christmas! Perhaps she thought Monday was the 20th...also!! Thank you Santa!

I must now tell you how to spike your blood sugar.

I really like Hot Chocolate...but it is a no-no. The commercial kind. And I like Malted Milk. But I have to explain further about that. I like the malted milk powder that you add to milk...and I like malted milk balls....but I don't like a malted shake. It's like bananas. I like bananas...but not banana flavored stuff...like candy, Popsicles, pudding...and limes...I like limes, but not lime flavored stuff like lime jello. Anyway, back to the malted stuff.

Husband thought it would be tasty to have the malted milk powder in the hot chocolate. He's always trying to find snacks for me that are healthy and tasty. And won't kill me. At least not right away. And he was right on with this one. And if you drink a (large) mug of it (with whole milk)...your blood sugar goes to 240. Sooooo....Plan 2.

I start with 2% milk...add 2 (really) heaping teaspoons malted milk powder, 2 tsp. Splenda and 2 heaping teaspoons of cocoa. Very good!!! Seriously good. Blood sugar - 180.

Tonight - 1/2  2%milk/ 1/2 water and the rest of the ingredients the same. Very good. Very chocolaty (sp?) Actually less sweet, more chocolate flavor. Blood sugar - 145.

Now you can also take into consideration that I had this hot chocolate after I had eaten a really good meal, all three nights so my sugar would have been slightly elevated anyway. And yes, there are carbs in the malted milk powder which I need to allow for. But I am thinking that even though this is a nice comfort drink it's not something I need to have at night. Kind of like the oranges...oh...and my blood sugar was definitely higher in the morning with Cup #1 and less with #2 and much less with #3....I also think the cocoa itself makes me not so sleepy for a longer period of time. It is also filling. I am not complaining...I will just monitor it. I think I'll make a pint or two of the 'mixture' for convenience.

OK...nutrition lesson over. Or lack of it.

Busy day. And tomorrow I will put my dishes in the cabinet! I really mean it!

Let's see what did I do...worked...took a nap...ate...That's pretty much it. I was tired today and had a sinus headache. It was chilly-er and I thought it was supposed to be windy, but maybe the winds are coming. I can feel it in my face. Like a facial barometer.

I wrote some letters and got two packages ready to mail. See! I really was busy!!

I am trying to find some patterns for cute crocheted animal hats. I have found a few that I know I can change the features on to make them a little cuter. But I thought I would just find a book that would have 20 patterns in it...but no luck yet. I am having to buy and download a few basic patterns which is no problem. I would just like a book.

I might crotch-it for a while. I have to finish the order I have and I still need to make 3 kids hats. I started a purple/lavender/white one for the girl's hat. Not sure about the boy's colors yet. But I am almost done with the girl's and then only have the 2 left - 1 boys and 1 toddler girl.

I guess I'll stop and get busy while I'm in the mood. I see you tomorrow. Have a nice night.

b

O Christmas Tree! O Christmas Tree! How plastic are your branches!

Today is the day! It's officially 'The Holiday's' at our house! The tree is up...the lights are on (not blinking yet...oh yeah...I have to put the blinking bulb in...)..the ornaments are hanging for Tom to knock off...the garland is wrapped around it. No tinsel - Tom eats it. Even some presents wrapped. Husband wants me to make a hat for Tom for Christmas...with slots for his ears. I just might do it.

I was off today. I finally defrosted the little bitty freezer. Like it was going to kill me. It's just a pain in the ass to do. And that's pretty much all I did. The dishes are still in the box. Maybe later...or tomorrow...or Monday. I really want to put them in the cabinet and use them...it's just getting up and doing it. And I'm sure you'd rather have me write bitchy things than not write at all because I am so busy! Let's think about it!

I am drinking some peach tea. It's actually very good. I ordered some Stash tea the other day...the variety pack with 9 flavors. It's tasty. I think it has caffeine. Oh well.

I may crotch-it tonight. I am using up yarn. That's a good thing. I never did take any photos to put them on eBay. You know I wasn't going to. I did think a lot about it, though. Just never got to it. I suppose I still have time. Did I tell you that I thought this coming Monday was the 20th? Well, I did. Imagine my surprise.

I think nothing is on tonight...again. We have a million movies. I just want to see something without war. Or guns. Or cowboys. Or a school marm.

I was watching those Flip this House shows this morning. I like those shows. And it suddenly donned on me! Mumsy (aka Mother-in-Law) has been doing that for years!! Seriously! When I first started working at her Real Estate office many moons ago...I had no idea what I was doing, nor how dramatically my life would change...in a good way. I will tell more of the stories of those good ole days soon...but first, this one.

Musmsy had a work force that consisted of Uncle Ben (a story of a different dimension) and his Motley Crew. Literally. I knew that they did repairs, roofing and remodeling....but I didn't know where the houses that they worked on came from. Mumsy was and still is an investor. She was...I guess you could say...a saver/saviour of properties on the south side of San Antonio. It seemed as if almost daily someone would come in to see her regarding purchasing their home directly rather than selling it. She is an amazing woman. Most of the time not only would she buy their house, but sell them another one in the process. A lot of her business was word of mouth (naturally she ran ads and had many, many listed properties) from families that she had placed in their first homes who would then bring in their brothers, uncles and children because they knew she would treat them fairly and always find a way to make their home buying dreams come true.

Many of the houses she would take in 'trade' were definitely fixer uppers. A lot of them were the poster children for fixer uppers!! I remember lots of them...but a favorite is this one...

She had run an ad for this particular house that was being remodeled. It was for rent with an option to buy...flexible financing. It was a Saturday morning and I was working in the office answering the phone. We would get tons of calls and this was a goodie.

The caller asked if the house was still available.

I said...'Why...yes it is!'

'Oh wonderful'...they answered excitedly. 'Can we go look at it?'

'I'm sure you can', I reply.

'Great...can we come pick up a key?' they ask.

'Let me double check...hold on just a sec', I tell them.

I walked back to Mumsy's office, stood in the door and told her someone wanted to look at the house and could they come by and pick up a key.

She looked at me, smiled and said, seriously, 'Why would they need a key? There isn't any door.'

Hmmmmm.......Makes sense to me!

'Ok', I said. 'I'll just tell them to run on by and if they like it we'll get them a door.'

'Sounds good to me!' Mumsy could solve any problem.

Guess what...they took the house. And they got a door a few days later. And they lived there for years.

But back to the 'flipping'. That was just a small example of what she would do. There were several duplexes in downtown San Antonio that were for sale, but needed to be moved. She bought them, moved them to one acre tracts of land in the country and Uncle Ben and the Motley Crew remodeled them into single family dwellings. I worked with them on one of the houses. I was painting and wall papering. It was fun and quite an experience. I had just never thought about them as being 'flipped'.

Mumsy was the original Flipper. More stories to come...

The Christmas lights are blinking. They are so pretty.

I guess I'll watch Cops. It will keep me occupied for an hour. Have a nice night!

b

Dietitian is happy with me

I had a good report today. There was only one thing to change. I am not supposed to eat oranges in the evening. She thinks that they are making me have higher BS count in the morning. So...I won't eat them in the evening. I will eat them in the afternoon. As a matter of fact, I bought an bag of navel oranges today to celebrate. And I ate one.

She also said more protein...cheeses...avocado...nuts. I don't have to go back unless there is a problem. As a matter of fact, she said I could e-mail her anytime to keep my chart up to date, and I only need to record food intake if I have a spike or a drop. I am happy with that. Now we'll just see what happens at the DR on Monday.

Bobbie and I went to the hospital (dietitian) and then to the Dollar Store. I had to buy a tree. And some ornaments. Look for my new book...'How to Have the Perfect Cheap Looking Cheap Christmas Tree for Under $20!!' coming out soon. We may have the official tree decorating ceremony tomorrow night. Husband is cooking dinner and I am tired and don't feel like doing anything.

It's not because I worked hard today because I certainly did not. The heaviest load I had to carry were the bags from the store. I washed clothes. Cleaned my teeny tiny kitchen. My life is complete. I finished a hat last night and got half way through another one. I should finish it tonight. But I may not. I have a bit of a headache...more of a face ache...like pressure and I'm sure it's because the wind was blowing today. Barometric pressure.

I may only work a few hours tomorrow, if at all. Maybe I can clean some stuff out of this room. I unloaded a few more T-shirts today, quickly, so I didn't change my mind, but there are miles to go before I sleep! The weather is beautiful but it's supposed to cool down on Sunday and Monday and back into the 80's on Tuesday! (I apologize to my family in Maine!!) The point being, it won't kill me to go outside and sort stuff out. I need to put my new dishes away and I have to downsize so I have room for them. Not a problem.

Tom is exhausted. He has been awake almost all afternoon. He can barely move. I hope he can gather enough strength to eat later. He is passed out on the bed next to Husband who is, as we speak, watching an Errol Flynn western. I already forgot the name of it. There are cowboys and horses and a stagecoach in it. And guns. Don't forget the guns. Oh-oh. They are holding up the train. Oh yeah, there is a train in it. And the school marm. And the poker playing, cigar smoking ruffians/villains. It's quite violent. And the cowboys and villains are shooting at each other from a distance of, oh, I'd say 5 feet...and the are all missing each other. But don't worry, they are almost to the water tower. Holy shit! Somebody started a fire (they are still on the train and trapped like rats) and are holding the school marm at bay...poor wench! It's amazing...the flames are everywhere....but there is no smoke. Oh-oh...now they are trying to escape the fire by jumping to the next rail car. If it was me...I'd be toast cuz there's no way I be leaping to another rail car on a moving train...

I must have missed something. Now they are all (the cowboys...not the villains) at the Judge's house saying...'It's a great day to be alive!' They must have survived the jump. And I think the school marm's going to marry Errol Flynn. Slut. She's serving lemonade. Sweet slut.

They are going to Niagara Falls for the honeymoon. The End.

Watching movies is exhausting.

I need to mail some packages on Monday. First, I have to put stuff in the boxes and then I have to mail the packages. It is so much easier to do this now because I can buy postage on line. I hate to stand in line at the post office. Actually, Husband stands in line...but I can feel his pain. So, for him, I will force myself to print out the labels. I know...my 'goodness' knows no boundaries...

Well, me thinks tis time to watch some TV. The program, 'The Good Guys'...which is kind of cute is coming on. Tom Hanks son, Colin, is in it. I'll see you tomorrow. Have a nice night.

b

A Cat Story

Husband BBQ'd ribs tonight and made me some fish. (I am not a big rib eater...nor do I eat big ribs). So we enjoyed the meal with Paul Becker who is here visiting.

We started talking pet stories and I remembered a funny one.

Many moons ago, my mother-in-law (aka Mumsy) and I decided we just had to go somewhere. I am sure it was a very important trip. At that time, she drove this big dark green Toronado with a vinyl top. (She reads this blog and I am sure she's is remembering this moment...) Well, out to the car we go and lying sprawled out on top of the car roof is the family cat, Morris.

Now...normally...Morris would jump off the car, reluctantly, and we never thought twice about it.

We get into the car and off we go...hair blowing in the wind of the open windows...happy and carefree.

We are driving down Pecan Valley Drive on the south side of San Antonio...and people are driving towards us...and waving.

'My!" we said, 'aren't they friendly!!'

Curious...it seems as if everyone is waving?? And pointing??

'Do you know those people?" I ask.

'I don't think so', Mumsy says.

'Hmmmm', I ponder. 'Do you think something is wrong with the car?'

'Well, I just don't know,' she replies. 'Let's pull over and check.'

'OK.'

She pulls over and I get out of the car and make a startling discovery! Morris...in all his glory, his eyes as big as saucers and bugging out of his head, and every hair on his big ole cat body standing up...is literally molded to the roof of the car...his claws seriously embedded in the vinyl top!

'I think I know what they were pointing at!' I tell Mumsy. 'And I think we need to take Morris home!'

So we pull an U and back to the house we went. It took a minute or so to unhook him from the car top and guess what...he never slept up there again!

End of Story.

It was pretty funny. I'm sure Morris didn't think so.

Let's see. what did I do today. Oh yes. We finished grouting everything. And went home. The girls are painting some of the outdoor metal chairs and I think they are almost done with them and will start on picnic tables and fences next. It's a good time to catch up on all of that stuff. As long as the wind isn't blowing. Business is slow,but they need to get some hours in. We don't normally start projects on Fridays so Bobbie and I will not be killing ourselves for a few days.

I went to get the little tree from my personal storage space today. Where it stayed (for a year) happened to be in the direct sunlight. Did you know....if you leave a cheap, green, plastic Christmas tree in a vehicle, in a window, in the direct sunlight...for a year...the exposed part turns blue? And when you pick it up and shake it...the little fake plastic needles fall out??

Well...they do.

And I couldn't find the bag of ornaments, either. I am sure I will find them on December 26th.

Consequently, I shall purchase a new, little, plastic, green tree with little fake plastic needles on it...tomorrow along with some cheap ornaments. I have a brand new string of lights! And the festivities will begin.

Perhaps this year when it's time to 'take down the tree' I will just go ahead and throw it away so I don't have to look for it next year.

We are watching an Indiana Jones movie. I have missed a lot of it (because I am not paying attention). I hope it comes back on later. I am going to crotch-it again tonight. I sold a hat today.

Well...I guess I'll see you tomorrow. Have a nice night!!

b

#222

Interesting...this is my #222 posting! Fee-nom-eye-nal! Let's celebrate...I'll eat some cookies and you can watch me. Yummmmmm....they are delicious!

Guess what? They are made with Splenda and rice flour and carob chocolate chips. I am eating 2 of them. Veeerrryyy Sloooooowly as to savor every morsel. I am enjoying them with hot Constant Comfort tea. The perfect snack.

I spoke with the dietitian and I am to see her at 11:00 on Friday. I will take my 'charts' with me. I have had a couple of 'spikes' but for the most part...I have done very well. I think she will increase my food intake...I'm sure it will depend on if I have gained weight. I think that is a definite yes.

It was like Christmas today. I had ordered a Belgian Waffle Maker which arrived today. I think we will try it out tomorrow. I already have some whole wheat waffle mix and I am able to eat waffles every morning if I wanted to. It looks easy. It the kind of maker that swivels around. Fancy Schmancy.

And...BFFMS brought me some dishes. They are white with a delicate blue flower/scroll pattern and are just beautiful! Thank you SO much Sara! I will use them to eat waffles!

I didn't get the little tree out today. It's on my list for tomorrow. The holiday spirit is churning.

I got a great letter from my cousin Jean today. She is a writer...in every sense of the word, and always pens such newsy letters. I am so guilty of not writing at all...and she did tell me that she has accessed this blog (for which I am truly grateful but more guilty because I find time for this but not to actually write letters) through info given to her by my cousin Susan. Please slap me senseless. I did say that I am writing letters...and I am (!). I just need to write faster. Thank you for reading this Jean.

I think every body should write a blog. What a great way to #1 - remember what I do (almost)
every day #2 - communicate. We all know I use mine to whine.

I got an order for some hats today. As I left the office, I said that I was 'off to crochet' but pronounced crotch-it. I have a great name to put on hat tags...'Handmade by the Crotch-ity
Crotch-iter'...what do you think? I need help with the spelling. And I think an image of an old lady in a rocking chair, crocheting, who looks sort of like Maxine. Huh! Huh?

We finished tiling today. And much more than what we planned. We added the edge around the base of the shower...and also, tiled the small window sills in the all of the bathrooms. The tiles are in place and we will grout everything tomorrow. A feeling of satisfaction. The downside? The noise of the tile cutter and the residue from the cutting of the tiles. I am the official cutter and I got sprayed pretty good with the water that slings off the blade. I know...wear something! Well...sometimes I do. Like a big trash bag...but today...I didn't. So I got kind of wet. But I am done cutting!! But I have a headful of tile shit and I had a Tylenol cocktail when I got home. And I'm sure those cookies helped...

Now my ear itches.

Husband wants a sports jacket. I have no idea why. I have been looking online...but I think it's better to buy one where you can try it on. But I can't criticize. I do crap like that all the time. Order shirts or pants on eBay and hope to God they fit. I'll keep looking for a jacket, though. It would be a good Christmas present. I never know what to get him because he, like me, will buy or order what ever it is when he thinks of it. I have to keep my ears open for hints.

Do you ever get those little cracks on the end of your thumb or finger that sting like a mother when you hit them or get water on them?? I have one on my thumb AND index finger! I think I'll wear gloves with Vaseline to bed tonight. I know it's because I have been working with this tile and grout shit. I use lotion but I need more!

Well, I guess I should go wash the dust off and crotchit for a while. See you tomorrow!

b