That nasty, darned ole huntin' accident is just the very worst thing that could possibly happen.*
What is the worst thing Dick Cheney has done?
Couric interviewing the veep nominees asked the question. Contrast the answers.
What the heck is that bit about Iraq and support for our armed forces, anyway?
My brain is getting tired trying to figure out why people think that woman is anywhere close to being with-it enough to be veep.
* Maybe to an avid hunter this makes sense. To anyone else... not so much.
Friday, October 3, 2008
Egads
The morons speak. If anyone is interested in what kind of looneywackers we have running around this area just check out the majority of the comments here:
Some thoughtful, some moronic
and the ones here:
Oh, Buffy? Your brain is looking for you...
I may decide to take little Buffo's comments, research them and do a blog. I might go so far as to actually post a comment at the paper's website because, last I knew, none of her facts are within the realm of reality. Including the one about "being fantastic."
Some thoughtful, some moronic
and the ones here:
Oh, Buffy? Your brain is looking for you...
I may decide to take little Buffo's comments, research them and do a blog. I might go so far as to actually post a comment at the paper's website because, last I knew, none of her facts are within the realm of reality. Including the one about "being fantastic."
Beyond annoying
Have been having a one-sided correspondence non-battle with a huge insurance company in Arizona. They bought the company that had one of my annuities and I can't get them to respond to my letters, not to speak of giving me my money. All I have heard from them is some dumb thing about them cancelling my Express Scrips card. I don't have an Express Scrips card. I am not insured with them. I Have An Annuity and I want it back. I didn't object to the original company moving and then moving again in the least. Their service was still great and I trusted them, well, as much as I trust any financial institution. When they were bought out, without a "what do you think" or any notice of any kind from them or their purchaser, I decided enough was enough. I want those funds back so I can put them somewhere they will be doing some good, not sitting around like they are now. My frustration with their non-reponsiveness is such that I am writing them another letter, requiring instructions on how to close the account and get my funds and those instructions will be given in 10 business days from mailing date. I will tell them, right out, that if I hear nothing from them in that time, I am referring their company and this matter to the state commissioner of insurance. I will follow through, too.
Also dealing with a 10 day old mess that has proceeded from an account number mixup. I'm no financial or mathematical genius but there is no way my balance and the institution's balances can be that far apart. Not only that, one of the balances is fluctuating up and down like a proverbial jack-in-the-box. It's making me nervous. Especially considering there is a twelve hundred dollar check out there that hasn't cleared. If nothing else, this will keep me from having to clip my nails as I am currently chewing them down to the quick.
I was looking at Himself's check stub last night and wondering why in the world there is so much (over 25%) being witheld. Turns out Mr. genius decided not to take any exemptions or deductions so he would "get more money back after taxes." Well, sure, dude, that would work just fine if you manage to get that last couple of grand in child support* paid off. If you don't? The govmunt will take every last cent of that windfall and you'll have royally screwed yourself and me. He gave me one of those deer-in-the-headlights looks and said he hadn't thought of that... men.
I must say, even in light of current events and economic woes, we are much better situated than so many others. We have managed to hold on to, and even increase a bit, a small financial pad. We own this house free and clear, no car payments, no credit cards (even though that has messed up my credit rating something fierce), we don't live expecting lots of "things" and "stuff" and we eat out so rarely it's a treat when we do manage it. We did redo the downstairs and most of the upstairs last year** and our bathroom the year before that but stopped there. I would love to have a new kitchen that actually functions as a working kitchen but that is a luxury I am not allowing myself. Finding a job would relieve my mind a lot, as well. I remain hopeful and will keep looking.***
* The child support is an issue that we don't talk about casually. The circumstances infuriate everyone and we don't need that kind of aggravation. At least he finally got off his bum and petitioned for suspension of the payments. This wasn't until 10 months after he should have had it done which is the exact amount of back support he now owes.
** All that wasn't so much because we simply couldn't live with it as it was, nor is it because we "just wanted to do it," nor because we were keeping up with the neighbors. It was solely because my allergies were being aggravated by old, dirty carpet and mold in various places, including the bathroom. We have 2 rooms left, this one and our bedroom, where the original carpet is in place. We will take that out sometime in future but, for now, have eased off from any non-essential expenditures. It would be better for my allergies to have it all gone but I can live with those much easier than I can live with an increasing sense of insecurity about making it through.
*** Last job I had took 6 months to find. Just how this sector works and getting older doesn't make it any easier to find something.
Also dealing with a 10 day old mess that has proceeded from an account number mixup. I'm no financial or mathematical genius but there is no way my balance and the institution's balances can be that far apart. Not only that, one of the balances is fluctuating up and down like a proverbial jack-in-the-box. It's making me nervous. Especially considering there is a twelve hundred dollar check out there that hasn't cleared. If nothing else, this will keep me from having to clip my nails as I am currently chewing them down to the quick.
I was looking at Himself's check stub last night and wondering why in the world there is so much (over 25%) being witheld. Turns out Mr. genius decided not to take any exemptions or deductions so he would "get more money back after taxes." Well, sure, dude, that would work just fine if you manage to get that last couple of grand in child support* paid off. If you don't? The govmunt will take every last cent of that windfall and you'll have royally screwed yourself and me. He gave me one of those deer-in-the-headlights looks and said he hadn't thought of that... men.
I must say, even in light of current events and economic woes, we are much better situated than so many others. We have managed to hold on to, and even increase a bit, a small financial pad. We own this house free and clear, no car payments, no credit cards (even though that has messed up my credit rating something fierce), we don't live expecting lots of "things" and "stuff" and we eat out so rarely it's a treat when we do manage it. We did redo the downstairs and most of the upstairs last year** and our bathroom the year before that but stopped there. I would love to have a new kitchen that actually functions as a working kitchen but that is a luxury I am not allowing myself. Finding a job would relieve my mind a lot, as well. I remain hopeful and will keep looking.***
* The child support is an issue that we don't talk about casually. The circumstances infuriate everyone and we don't need that kind of aggravation. At least he finally got off his bum and petitioned for suspension of the payments. This wasn't until 10 months after he should have had it done which is the exact amount of back support he now owes.
** All that wasn't so much because we simply couldn't live with it as it was, nor is it because we "just wanted to do it," nor because we were keeping up with the neighbors. It was solely because my allergies were being aggravated by old, dirty carpet and mold in various places, including the bathroom. We have 2 rooms left, this one and our bedroom, where the original carpet is in place. We will take that out sometime in future but, for now, have eased off from any non-essential expenditures. It would be better for my allergies to have it all gone but I can live with those much easier than I can live with an increasing sense of insecurity about making it through.
*** Last job I had took 6 months to find. Just how this sector works and getting older doesn't make it any easier to find something.
Plans
Am not really sure what will be going on this weekend, as of right now. Himself will work tomorrow and it's entirely possible that he will work Sunday, as well. He won't know until this evening at the earliest and tomorrow afternoon is more likely.
He did change the air ram on the truck so he is getting power back. He had been having a hard time getting up to 40 mph. The rigs must be in top shape, with everything working properly, to be able to haul loads of up to 88,000 pounds. It's always a good idea to keep things running right but it's especially vital at this time of year. During harvest, there is no time to be messing about with disabled trucks. He isn't the most patient person in that respect, either. His time OTR shows when he becomes frustrated with guys standing around gabbing at the scales or "putting" down the road, talking on their phones.
I may end up driving the rv to the nearest dump station myself. The thing scares me because it's big and heavy and the steering really needs to be tightened up. Himself has a lot more faith in my ability to drive it than I do, to tell the truth. The tanks need to be dumped and flushed, though, so if he works Sunday... well, it's the Old Lady behind the wheel. Duck and cover!
The next thing will be winterizing it. We had talked about taking it out one last time this weekend, which would have obviated the need for me to do stuff myself, but with nasty head colds we really aren't feeling much like camping anywhere. It's not like going 5 miles would be such a big deal but you know how it goes sometimes.
Last night's supper turned out really, really well. Roast chicken with vegetables and red wine and ratatouille. mmmmmmm Have some chicken left and some of the sauce, too, so I'm set for lunch. Since the chicken weighed around 4 pounds you'd think that there would be enough left on the bones that I could make chicken and noodles or something like that. Not gonna happen. There's barely enough left to pick for my lunch, let alone do something with it.
There is no ratatouille left at all. Not one piece of eggplant, not a whiff of tomato, not a hint of zucchini. Hooray! I got up at 2 am to make a bathroom stop and DS2 was back up here, eating the last little bit. That is a situation I can live with, no leftovers.
For one reason or another, the dog didn't get put in her crate last night. When I opened the door this morning she had pooped and piddled. She had also polished off her allotment of dog food and drank all her water. I suppose that explains the mess. She usually can make it through the night without soiling inside her crate so not being able to do it when she's out makes no sense to me. The only time she has problems is if she has had "people food" with a high fat content, like steak trimming or something. I have some dog blankets out on the deck that need to be washed after the last episode of troubles. Ugh.
I do need to go to the store this afternoon. Had been planning on taking a drive down to my southeast but will not have the time nor gas to do that. It's also more important to make sure we have the makings for lunches and meals than for me to go fiddling around, sightseeing. After paying taxes yesterday I don't have a lot of leeway as far as funds go so will get what I must and pass on the rest.
Two of the inhabitants here need to learn to eat leftovers, too. Their refusal to do so jacks the grocery bill up something fierce. I think they should be glad to have food on the table even if it isn't something they are crazy about. Was hearing complaints a couple of days ago from one of them after being forced to eat chunky peanut butter due to the fact that we were out of creamy. That, in my opinion, is such a HUGE non-issue. So what? It's food, damn it. Eat it and be glad you have it.
Another issue in the food department is the stupidity of not liking anything that doesn't come out of a box produced by Big Food. I simply refuse to buy stuff like those "helper" mixes and Blue Box mac and cheese. It's full of crap that isn't good for anyone. Also, please consult with me about what meal plans are for the week before you start eating stuff out of my staples cupboard. God only knows how many times I have looked in vain for a vital ingredient for a meal and it has been eaten by one person. Or, almost eaten as there are some leftovers in the fridge that won't get eaten because they're leftovers. There isn't enough there to do whatever it was that had been planned for that meal so... it's pirate ingredients from a totally different meal which messes up the whole plan for days at a time. The situation is wasteful, selfish and ridiculous. Get your had out of your ass and THINK!
Still looking for some kind of a job that will pay enough for me to take it. The ones available are 20 miles and more away, pay $7 an hour and that would barely cover gas to get there and back. The one that interested me the most is working in the office at a cop, measuring grain dryness and weight. That would be an enjoyable job even with the normal job-related idiocies that go on. It's a jeans and sweatshirt job, too, so wouldn't need to invest a lot on clothes.
Have been using up coffee beans that I have had for well over a year. Even as old as they are the coffee from the Fench press is still better than the store-bought pre-ground. Switching back and forth from Kona to Costa Rican terrazo. Good stuff. Gotta watch that Kona, though. It's darned strong and gives me the jimjams if I drink more than 2 cups. One day I totally miscalculated the amount of beans and didn't manage to make it through one whole cup before I got the shakes. LOL Coffee doesn't usually do that to me so you can imagine that it was really tough stuff.
Having the same struggles with one of the adolescent males that has been going on for well over a year. Teachers are thinking it's no use scheduling a conference when it's time in 2 weeks because, no matter what is said or done, he will pay absolutely no attention. It's a lose-lose situation for him, though. It frustrates all of us no end to have the responsibility for this kid and have our hands tied by his total lack of understanding. He hasn't learned anything about responsibility or accountability, is unreliable and whines when asked to do anything around here. When he does get herded into working by his father, he spends a lot of time trying to sneak off or texting friends on the phone. Then, when called back there is the inevitable, and regrettable, sniveling about one of the rest of us who "never does anything at all."* Classic attempt at misdirection but it doesn't fly anymore with anyone. He also sees no reason why he should do anything around here. That baffles us to the point of total incomprehension. You're living here, eating our food, we're paying the bills and you don't know WHY you should be helping? Is it any wonder that we have all stepped back, raised our hands and said, "You're on your own, kid. If you are so smart and grown up, go for it..."**
I didn't watch the VP debate last night. By the time it came on I was ready for bed, pretty much asleep on my feet. This business of getting up at 4:45 am is wearing me out and messing up schedules.
Waggywaggy has the leaks, again. She is dripping all over the place so, until I can find her doggy diapers, she's banished outside. Currently, she is out there barking. Woof.......woof........woof. She usually settles down and lays in the sun after a while. This doesn't happen all the time and it's impossible to tell when she will do this. She's totally unaware of it, too. Doc said we could try to get a sample to check for bacteria but how the dickens would I do that? I may try giving her a rimadyl just in case it's due to her lame butt. Now, where are those diapers.....
It has warmed up considerably but is still only 55 degrees. That is good for the drivers and guys out harvesting, though, even if the rest of us must wear sweatshirts.
* This is arrant bullshit as every last one of us works our butts off, day after day after day.
** He's wormed his way out of some really nasty situations in the last month using charm and "gawrsh, ma'am, ah jus dint know." That won't last forever, though. The longer the reckoning takes, the worse it will be. That wall is gonna hurt when you hit it. Just don't come to us expecting a bail-out because we won't do it.
He did change the air ram on the truck so he is getting power back. He had been having a hard time getting up to 40 mph. The rigs must be in top shape, with everything working properly, to be able to haul loads of up to 88,000 pounds. It's always a good idea to keep things running right but it's especially vital at this time of year. During harvest, there is no time to be messing about with disabled trucks. He isn't the most patient person in that respect, either. His time OTR shows when he becomes frustrated with guys standing around gabbing at the scales or "putting" down the road, talking on their phones.
I may end up driving the rv to the nearest dump station myself. The thing scares me because it's big and heavy and the steering really needs to be tightened up. Himself has a lot more faith in my ability to drive it than I do, to tell the truth. The tanks need to be dumped and flushed, though, so if he works Sunday... well, it's the Old Lady behind the wheel. Duck and cover!
The next thing will be winterizing it. We had talked about taking it out one last time this weekend, which would have obviated the need for me to do stuff myself, but with nasty head colds we really aren't feeling much like camping anywhere. It's not like going 5 miles would be such a big deal but you know how it goes sometimes.
Last night's supper turned out really, really well. Roast chicken with vegetables and red wine and ratatouille. mmmmmmm Have some chicken left and some of the sauce, too, so I'm set for lunch. Since the chicken weighed around 4 pounds you'd think that there would be enough left on the bones that I could make chicken and noodles or something like that. Not gonna happen. There's barely enough left to pick for my lunch, let alone do something with it.
There is no ratatouille left at all. Not one piece of eggplant, not a whiff of tomato, not a hint of zucchini. Hooray! I got up at 2 am to make a bathroom stop and DS2 was back up here, eating the last little bit. That is a situation I can live with, no leftovers.
For one reason or another, the dog didn't get put in her crate last night. When I opened the door this morning she had pooped and piddled. She had also polished off her allotment of dog food and drank all her water. I suppose that explains the mess. She usually can make it through the night without soiling inside her crate so not being able to do it when she's out makes no sense to me. The only time she has problems is if she has had "people food" with a high fat content, like steak trimming or something. I have some dog blankets out on the deck that need to be washed after the last episode of troubles. Ugh.
I do need to go to the store this afternoon. Had been planning on taking a drive down to my southeast but will not have the time nor gas to do that. It's also more important to make sure we have the makings for lunches and meals than for me to go fiddling around, sightseeing. After paying taxes yesterday I don't have a lot of leeway as far as funds go so will get what I must and pass on the rest.
Two of the inhabitants here need to learn to eat leftovers, too. Their refusal to do so jacks the grocery bill up something fierce. I think they should be glad to have food on the table even if it isn't something they are crazy about. Was hearing complaints a couple of days ago from one of them after being forced to eat chunky peanut butter due to the fact that we were out of creamy. That, in my opinion, is such a HUGE non-issue. So what? It's food, damn it. Eat it and be glad you have it.
Another issue in the food department is the stupidity of not liking anything that doesn't come out of a box produced by Big Food. I simply refuse to buy stuff like those "helper" mixes and Blue Box mac and cheese. It's full of crap that isn't good for anyone. Also, please consult with me about what meal plans are for the week before you start eating stuff out of my staples cupboard. God only knows how many times I have looked in vain for a vital ingredient for a meal and it has been eaten by one person. Or, almost eaten as there are some leftovers in the fridge that won't get eaten because they're leftovers. There isn't enough there to do whatever it was that had been planned for that meal so... it's pirate ingredients from a totally different meal which messes up the whole plan for days at a time. The situation is wasteful, selfish and ridiculous. Get your had out of your ass and THINK!
Still looking for some kind of a job that will pay enough for me to take it. The ones available are 20 miles and more away, pay $7 an hour and that would barely cover gas to get there and back. The one that interested me the most is working in the office at a cop, measuring grain dryness and weight. That would be an enjoyable job even with the normal job-related idiocies that go on. It's a jeans and sweatshirt job, too, so wouldn't need to invest a lot on clothes.
Have been using up coffee beans that I have had for well over a year. Even as old as they are the coffee from the Fench press is still better than the store-bought pre-ground. Switching back and forth from Kona to Costa Rican terrazo. Good stuff. Gotta watch that Kona, though. It's darned strong and gives me the jimjams if I drink more than 2 cups. One day I totally miscalculated the amount of beans and didn't manage to make it through one whole cup before I got the shakes. LOL Coffee doesn't usually do that to me so you can imagine that it was really tough stuff.
Having the same struggles with one of the adolescent males that has been going on for well over a year. Teachers are thinking it's no use scheduling a conference when it's time in 2 weeks because, no matter what is said or done, he will pay absolutely no attention. It's a lose-lose situation for him, though. It frustrates all of us no end to have the responsibility for this kid and have our hands tied by his total lack of understanding. He hasn't learned anything about responsibility or accountability, is unreliable and whines when asked to do anything around here. When he does get herded into working by his father, he spends a lot of time trying to sneak off or texting friends on the phone. Then, when called back there is the inevitable, and regrettable, sniveling about one of the rest of us who "never does anything at all."* Classic attempt at misdirection but it doesn't fly anymore with anyone. He also sees no reason why he should do anything around here. That baffles us to the point of total incomprehension. You're living here, eating our food, we're paying the bills and you don't know WHY you should be helping? Is it any wonder that we have all stepped back, raised our hands and said, "You're on your own, kid. If you are so smart and grown up, go for it..."**
I didn't watch the VP debate last night. By the time it came on I was ready for bed, pretty much asleep on my feet. This business of getting up at 4:45 am is wearing me out and messing up schedules.
Waggywaggy has the leaks, again. She is dripping all over the place so, until I can find her doggy diapers, she's banished outside. Currently, she is out there barking. Woof.......woof........woof. She usually settles down and lays in the sun after a while. This doesn't happen all the time and it's impossible to tell when she will do this. She's totally unaware of it, too. Doc said we could try to get a sample to check for bacteria but how the dickens would I do that? I may try giving her a rimadyl just in case it's due to her lame butt. Now, where are those diapers.....
It has warmed up considerably but is still only 55 degrees. That is good for the drivers and guys out harvesting, though, even if the rest of us must wear sweatshirts.
* This is arrant bullshit as every last one of us works our butts off, day after day after day.
** He's wormed his way out of some really nasty situations in the last month using charm and "gawrsh, ma'am, ah jus dint know." That won't last forever, though. The longer the reckoning takes, the worse it will be. That wall is gonna hurt when you hit it. Just don't come to us expecting a bail-out because we won't do it.
Thursday, October 2, 2008
Getting dizzy flip-flopping?
Well, Gentle Readers, yet another somersault by the Rep. nominee that has ended up with him facing in the opposite direction, yet again. If he keeps this up much more he will need to grow another face from the back of his head, like the Roman god Janus, and 2-sided suits.
This morning on the "Morning Joe" tv show (MSNBC) McCain stated that the very bill he voted to support last night is "putting us on the brink of economic disaster."
If I can find the text of his interview, I will post it. Once my head stops spinning.
This morning on the "Morning Joe" tv show (MSNBC) McCain stated that the very bill he voted to support last night is "putting us on the brink of economic disaster."
If I can find the text of his interview, I will post it. Once my head stops spinning.
Musings
Thursday morning and the sun is shining. It's still chilly out but looking to be a lovely, cool day.
DS2 is pretty excited about going to the AC/DC concert in St. Paul later in November. He will be staying at the Crowne Plaza about 5 blocks east of the Excel Center and is pleased as punch with himself. He has been to many concerts but this will be the first time he will stay overnight on his own. Should be an interesting evening for him. We're happy that he is doing this and think it's good for him. The time is coming when he will be on his own and the more experience he has, the better.
The Crowne Plaza is now owned by Intercontinental. It was the Radisson Riverfront for many years and my favorite hotel. (not like I've been that many places to judge.) One of my favorite things is the view. We have always requested one of two rooms on the 13th floor, either the SE or SW corner. Windows surround two sides of those rooms and the view is great. I especially like watching the city at night, the barge traffic on the Mississippi and the distant lights of cars. I had inquired, the last time we were there, if IC intended to make a lot of changes to the Old Dame and the answer was no. The rooms are understated and elegant, the beds are comfy and the bathrooms are marble. What needs to be changed?
They also have great room service. (Or they did, we haven't been there in a couple of years so maybe they don't offer it anymore. Their chefs were graduates of Le Cordon Bleu and the training showed in every dish.) I love room service, I really do. To have a great meal, a bottle of wine, brought right up to the room, everything set up, wine uncorked and poured? Can't beat it. And there are no dishes to do!
Harvest is now really ramping up. Combines and equipment on the roads, grain haulers all over the place, long hours, dust in the air. Yup, it's harvest. I rather enjoy this time of year even if it's murder on the allergies. Himself is looking forward to the overtime but that's a trade-off. By the time all is said and done, everyone involved with the process from farmers to shippers, will be ready for a long winter's nap. That includes Himself. If we can afford it, we will take a few days off and just relax.
There is something I am supposed to be doing today but I can't for the life of me remember what it is! It isn't on my schedule, which is a mistake, and I don't have a note to myself so... If it's something Himself asked me to do last night or this morning, I'll not remember it, either. Yesterday was spent doing the kind of things that drain the brain and by 7 pm it showed. Managed to get supper around, eat, and then fall into bed around 9. Depending on what the schedule turns out to be later, we will either have chicken in white wine with mushrooms or something with beef. I have a hunk of round steak marinating in red wine, garlic, onions, mushrooms, bay, basil and thyme and that can go a lot of different directions. Push comes to shove? Tuna sandwiches. Just so I know by 2:30 or 3 p.m.
A nice family has taken over the hardware store in town and are working at turning it back into a hardware store. The last owners, although very nice people, didn't quite get the concept. He had worked at Ace hardware for years but that is a totally different type of merchandiser than a small town hardware store. The current folks have a separate variety section but are emphasizing paint and bolts and hardware-type stuff. I would hate see the store close since it was started by my family back in the 19th century and has been around and doing OK ever since.
Somebody ate my lunch. Literally! I had put aside a fish filet from supper last night to have today and somebody ate it. That leaves me with chili or a braunschweiger sandwich, either of which is fine, but I was looking for fish. *sigh*
Am hoping that the overtime Himself has been getting in the last two weeks will cover the property taxes. Mailing off the check today but they won't get it until Monday, then it will take another week for it to clear. That gives me plenty of time to finagle if I must. Hate doing that but no option other than bouncing a check and I am unwilling to do that. 1299.00 is no small sum, either.
Taxes actually fell a little bit this year. That is mostly due to the fact that we now have whole-grade sharing with a district that relies on gambling for a large part of their budget.
I might need to call Janelle and ask her WTF all this means?
About time for another grocery stock-up run. We're fine for now but do have some things that get used up fast. I am so glad to have access to day-old bread stores and an Aldi's. It saves me a lot of cash, especially when buying staples. I am figuring we saved about $100 this week by having lunches made here. I'm not wild about Aldi's sandwich meat but their cheese is fine and tuna and pork/beans is better than you'd possibly expect. DS3 and Himself have been great about making and taking their lunches. SS refuses so he's on his own. I just eat whatever I find around here.
Although we haven't had a hard freeze, there was heavy frost on the ground and cars this morning. I have the plants on the deck covered and think the tomatoes down on the terraces are also OK. They are protected by an overhanging maple branch and are still ripening their fruit. My produce lady has her maters in greehouses so she will be fine.
It didn't get cold enough for long enough to have the heat on, either. I sleep with the window cracked a bit and that means Himself needs blankets. LOL It's that hormone thing, doncha know? Not that it has anything to do with temperature, but he has observed that I have quit snoring since we took the carpets out. That's nice.
DS2 is pretty excited about going to the AC/DC concert in St. Paul later in November. He will be staying at the Crowne Plaza about 5 blocks east of the Excel Center and is pleased as punch with himself. He has been to many concerts but this will be the first time he will stay overnight on his own. Should be an interesting evening for him. We're happy that he is doing this and think it's good for him. The time is coming when he will be on his own and the more experience he has, the better.
The Crowne Plaza is now owned by Intercontinental. It was the Radisson Riverfront for many years and my favorite hotel. (not like I've been that many places to judge.) One of my favorite things is the view. We have always requested one of two rooms on the 13th floor, either the SE or SW corner. Windows surround two sides of those rooms and the view is great. I especially like watching the city at night, the barge traffic on the Mississippi and the distant lights of cars. I had inquired, the last time we were there, if IC intended to make a lot of changes to the Old Dame and the answer was no. The rooms are understated and elegant, the beds are comfy and the bathrooms are marble. What needs to be changed?
They also have great room service. (Or they did, we haven't been there in a couple of years so maybe they don't offer it anymore. Their chefs were graduates of Le Cordon Bleu and the training showed in every dish.) I love room service, I really do. To have a great meal, a bottle of wine, brought right up to the room, everything set up, wine uncorked and poured? Can't beat it. And there are no dishes to do!
Harvest is now really ramping up. Combines and equipment on the roads, grain haulers all over the place, long hours, dust in the air. Yup, it's harvest. I rather enjoy this time of year even if it's murder on the allergies. Himself is looking forward to the overtime but that's a trade-off. By the time all is said and done, everyone involved with the process from farmers to shippers, will be ready for a long winter's nap. That includes Himself. If we can afford it, we will take a few days off and just relax.
There is something I am supposed to be doing today but I can't for the life of me remember what it is! It isn't on my schedule, which is a mistake, and I don't have a note to myself so... If it's something Himself asked me to do last night or this morning, I'll not remember it, either. Yesterday was spent doing the kind of things that drain the brain and by 7 pm it showed. Managed to get supper around, eat, and then fall into bed around 9. Depending on what the schedule turns out to be later, we will either have chicken in white wine with mushrooms or something with beef. I have a hunk of round steak marinating in red wine, garlic, onions, mushrooms, bay, basil and thyme and that can go a lot of different directions. Push comes to shove? Tuna sandwiches. Just so I know by 2:30 or 3 p.m.
A nice family has taken over the hardware store in town and are working at turning it back into a hardware store. The last owners, although very nice people, didn't quite get the concept. He had worked at Ace hardware for years but that is a totally different type of merchandiser than a small town hardware store. The current folks have a separate variety section but are emphasizing paint and bolts and hardware-type stuff. I would hate see the store close since it was started by my family back in the 19th century and has been around and doing OK ever since.
Somebody ate my lunch. Literally! I had put aside a fish filet from supper last night to have today and somebody ate it. That leaves me with chili or a braunschweiger sandwich, either of which is fine, but I was looking for fish. *sigh*
Am hoping that the overtime Himself has been getting in the last two weeks will cover the property taxes. Mailing off the check today but they won't get it until Monday, then it will take another week for it to clear. That gives me plenty of time to finagle if I must. Hate doing that but no option other than bouncing a check and I am unwilling to do that. 1299.00 is no small sum, either.
Taxes actually fell a little bit this year. That is mostly due to the fact that we now have whole-grade sharing with a district that relies on gambling for a large part of their budget.
- School levy is 65% of the bill. Down .0327
- County gets 28%. Down 3.380
- AEA morons 2%. Up 5.8
- Ag extension 1%. Up 3.8
- Assessor (?) 1%. Down 7
- Special appraisal (?what?) .8%. Down 3.8
- Debt service (??what??) .3%. Down 51
- Nora Springs 0%. Uh, WHAT???
I might need to call Janelle and ask her WTF all this means?
About time for another grocery stock-up run. We're fine for now but do have some things that get used up fast. I am so glad to have access to day-old bread stores and an Aldi's. It saves me a lot of cash, especially when buying staples. I am figuring we saved about $100 this week by having lunches made here. I'm not wild about Aldi's sandwich meat but their cheese is fine and tuna and pork/beans is better than you'd possibly expect. DS3 and Himself have been great about making and taking their lunches. SS refuses so he's on his own. I just eat whatever I find around here.
Although we haven't had a hard freeze, there was heavy frost on the ground and cars this morning. I have the plants on the deck covered and think the tomatoes down on the terraces are also OK. They are protected by an overhanging maple branch and are still ripening their fruit. My produce lady has her maters in greehouses so she will be fine.
It didn't get cold enough for long enough to have the heat on, either. I sleep with the window cracked a bit and that means Himself needs blankets. LOL It's that hormone thing, doncha know? Not that it has anything to do with temperature, but he has observed that I have quit snoring since we took the carpets out. That's nice.
Wednesday, October 1, 2008
bbbrrrrrrrrr
"Thursday: Patchy frost before 8am."
I would be willing to say that it's likely to snow in the next month. And keep snowing until next June.
Have had a sweatshirt on all day and wearing shoes and socks. That, alone, should be an indication that it ain't summer no more, eh?
We have 10 cord of wood ready and can get more if we need it. Will be so happy later in the year for that.
Will also be so happy to have spent the time and energy on the canning and freezing. Should have over 100 quarts of maters by the time all of it is done. Just wish I had a chance to get beans and more corn. rats.
It might be a bad winter but we are doing what we can to get ready.
I am also thinking about investing in a fancy-schmancy water purifier that I would have to have imported from England. Isn't cheap, by any means, but will clean river water of chemicals, dirt and other nasty stuff.
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