A BLESSED MEMORIAL DAY TO ALL...

Got invited by my friends, Sue and Sarah, to their mom's farm for a cookout. Archie went also. He had never met Mama D. and Uncle Bryan, Aunt Amy and Cousin John. They thought he was adorable. They have three dogs (down from their usual five). Simon is a golden retriever, 12 years old. Rock and Chloe are Pitt Bull/Lab mix, 2 years old, brother and sister, he's black and she is a dark yellow. Georgous dogs. I shoulda took pics.
Then stopped at dad's but he was working on the hood of the JD620, so I didn't stay long.
Then got a call from Ross to meet him and Artie at the restaurant. Boy, I'm stuffed, I don't know. But, I went, had a fruit platter.
More storms moving thru as I left the restaurant. They all went north and judging from the traffic on the scanner they must've been nasty. Lot of water rescues and wires down. It's still black over by the river, so we might get hit yet. Oh well, my wash is done, the yard is mowed and still managed to spend time with my friends....

IT'S A BEAUTIFUL DAY IN THE NEIGHBORHOOD

Sitting on the front porch with the dogs, Miss Lily was here for a while but when the dogs starting barking at the neighbor raking his hay, she left for the sanctity of the back yard. Then the neighbor drove by, didn't see me sitting here, he about broke his neck looking at the strange car in the driveway. It's a courtesy car from the dealer. Yeh, my baby is in the hospital.
Went to Staples on Thursday to get a new printer. Got halfway through the city and turned on the A/C. Nothing. Crap. Smelled something hot (besides me), smelled like rubber burning. Crap. Got the printer. Left Staples. Turned on the A/C for grins and giggles. HAAAAAAA, cold air. Heard a 'Ding'. Yeh, Yeh, I know I need gas. Drove out of the lot and spied a CHECK GAGES light. Crap. Temp gage is all the way over to the right. Crap. Got out of the city and called the dealer. Now I know what a lot of people think. Why go to the dealer when they charge so much. I've always taken this truck back to the dealer. We have a love-hate relationship, remember? They love my money and I hate it when I yell at them. Anyhow, none of the 'technicians' (what happen to mechanics?) were there, so Ralph had the loaner all ready and said he would call me on Friday.
Friday, I went up there to get Archie's seat and safty vest, talked to the 'tech'. He put in a new fan clutch, the last one was only 5000 miles ago but past the 12 month/12,000 miles warranty by 2 weeks. They might let me slide. Keep in mind, they are on thin ice since the starter issue. (Read blog of 2/5/10). My man, Tony, pointed out the A/C clutch is wobbling, probably the bearings are shot. He was going to flush the radiator, I only had it done at 60,000 miles. The truck has 177,000 miles on it. So, to cut to the chase and make this long story short. Ralph called me late Friday and said the flush didn't do anything and I will need a new radiator. Aftermarket is $172 cheaper than a mopar. All in all I'm looking at $1000 before it's done. Whew. I took the printer back yesterday.

A NEW WORLD ORDER IS ON THE HORIZON

A friend of mine just emailed this one to me. Scary thought for some people. But, by the time a NWO is here, I won't be.

THE CENSUS LADY WAS JUST HERE

All she wanted was my name and birth date and if there is a mortgage and how long and who lives here. We must've talked for an hour. She was quite pleasant and had the prettiest blue eyes. That's done with.
I have a police scanner on 24-7. I've noticed a change in the calls. More 'emotional problems' and 'overdoses'. I guess a lot of people are stressing out with the way things are going? I bet 90% of them voted for you-know-who, IF they voted at all.
Today was 'WhitMonday' for the Amish. That's a holiday for them, they do a lot of visited. I must've passed a dozen buggies to and from town this evening.
It's been raining on and off all day, tomorrow is suppose to be cloudy and more storms coming on Wednesday. This yard is going to be a jungle by the time I can get around to mowing it. Oh well, at least I don't have to shovel it.

ARCHIE WAS THE SUPERVISOR

Too cute for words.

ALL HE KNOWS IS WORK

Dad's very careful when he works in wood. He'll be 92 in July.

JUST PASSING THOUGHTS TODAY

Since my last posting, I went and got that wood, brought it to Dad's and we cut up some more out in the woods, split it all up. It's on his tandem trailer, covered. Probably about a cord. I hope he be here to burn it.
Haven't done a lot this week, however, I did gather up the cook books that I don't use and will take them to the library for their book sale. Still haven't found a home for the freezer yet. I knocked the price down to FREE.
Got new exhaust on the truck on Thursday. I liked the way it sounded before the new stuff went on tho. Slowly working on the living room with part of the front wall and all of the south wall to paint yet; plus the rest of the ceiling. Little steps, and sooner or later it will all come together.
My electric bill was $107 in March, I unplugged the freezer. It was $60 in April, I started to hang the wash out instead of using the dryer. May's bill was $40. Cool!!!
Need to buy more preps this week. Had a friend send me something about the looming crisis and it said we might be OK for June and July but after that, it's anybody's guess.

NEITHER RAIN, NOR HAIL, NOR DARK OF NIGHT...............

This weekend has been absolutely beautiful. I guess Mother Nature is apologizing for what she sent to us on Friday night. I left the restaurant as it was starting to rain, stopped at the store and before I could get out to the truck, it was pouring. I mean buckets. I finally made a run for it, after all, I ain't sugar and am not going to melt, most likely I'll smear. Anyway, on the way home it started hailing, I was concerned for the windshield, so I ducked into a drive-thru porch at one of the churches and waited it out. Got home OK, one of the new maple trees we'd planted on the north side had lost it's top and a couple of limbs came down on the other side of the house, but no damage. A neighbor on the other road lost part of his roof and west of him there was a lot of trees down. One guy closer to the river lost an implement shed and a couple of smaller buildings. Some are saying it was a tornado. Not much in the paper about it 'cause we are the poorest township of the county, and they never write about us.
Went to breakfast with Daddy and Sarah and a couple of her friends, at the fire hall. Then took the trash over to the truck. $4 a month is a lot better that $19. Then went to the grocery store, more preps, but not enough. Came home, got Archie and went to the Historical Society Meeting, I have to take the dog or those older members would have a fit. He's considered the mascot now. Came home and sawed the limbs up and took the top down out of that tree. I was just too beat to mow, so, I was a heathen and mowed the yard today.
I'm also cooking chicken for Archie, he throws up dog food. I cut off the fat and smaller pieces and fried them up for Cleo, made some gravy. She'll love that. Then I'll make some soup for me. Can't buy regular soup 'cause I'm alergic to MSG and it's in most soups. I have to look close when I do buy.
Now, I'm going to clean this house. I'm giving serious thought about contacting an auctioneer and taking the majority of this stuff to an auction house and get what I get. It's dragging me down. I moved the freezer out of the laundry room and managed to get it out to the barn. I have a dolly, I ain't Super Woman. The laundry room looks SSSOOO much better with out it. Gonna make it happen. The less stuff I have the less stress in my life. Still thinking about buying a camper, but that's on the back burner as long as I have my father. But, when he's gone, there's nothing to keep me here.

MUST SEE

This is an awesome video. Do not know how much longer it will stay available. The original link is already gone.

PLEASE WATCH THIS !

PREPPING AND TRUCKIN'

Tomorrow, I'm goin' prepping. I've not been a good girl lately. Been eating out A LOT and sorta in a slump. It's time to get back to basics. I've got a depressing feeling about this summer into fall. There's no one to talk to about it, 'cause I've got a bunch of ostrich's for friends and aquaintences. So, I'm just keeping my mouth shut and buying like crazy for the rest of this month. Oh, yea, and I've got to get new exhaust on the truck. Whoopee! It's got a Flowmaster on it but the pipes have rotted off at the muffler. I get about 60,000 miles out of an exhaust and tires. So it's about 3000 miles too soon. Sure does sound good tho. Coming down a hill yesterday, I pushed the clutch in to downshift and make a turn and the little Dakota sounded like it had a Jake Brake on it. Takes me back to my Corvette days. Once a motor-head, always a motor-head.

BUSY SUNDAY AFTER ALL

I was sorta dreading Sunday, I haven't enjoyed a Mother's Day in 30 years. When your mom has altzeimers, everything changes. So, what to do, what to do.
There was the annual 'Make-A-Wish' truck convoy in our area to go to. This was its 21st year and I had never seen it. It would be something to do and get me out of the house.
On the way to Denise's I stopped at Bob's. I worked with both of these people. I had a rooster-on-a-nest for his wife. She collects roosters. My friend, Pat, that had passed away last year, collected hens-on-a-nest and this was the only rooster. I knew Weezie would love and cherish it also. They were just sitting down to breakfast and asked me to join them for fried taters, cheesey eggs. Bob made me toast. Boy was that good.
Then, Archie and I went on to Denise's house, which is right on the main street and this parade will go right past her big old porch. Archie howled when the fire trucks and ambulances blew their sirens. There was about a dozen people there and a good time was had by all.
On the way home, I stopped at Fred and Bev's to say hey and they invited me to stay for supper. Steak, carrots, culliflower. Yummy.........

MOTIVATION

That's what I need, motivation. I have none. If I had motivation, the ambition would follow, if I get ambition, I'll force the energy to surface, If I had the energy, I would be motivated to do something. AAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHH. It's a vicious circle...

WTH

I am ssssoooo pissed off. If my child was in Live Oak High School. He or she would be wearing red, white and blue for the rest of its life. What in-the-name-of-all-that-is-holy is the matter with that administration? A bunch of panty-waist, a saying that my old granddad used. GGGRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

And another thing, in Missouri, shooting the family dogs IN FRONT of a 7 year old. Talk about tramatizing someone. I am speechless over that one. What a bunch of 'bleeping' idiots.

Went for my catfish tonight. More laughs that ever, and you sure do need laughter this day and age. We had people stop at our table on the way out, perfect strangers, and say 'Boy, you guys are having fun, we were going to come back and sit at this table.' We said, 'come ahead, the more the merrier.'

Got up early this morning to go with Dad to one of his banks. They sent him a letter and a form to sign. His CD account is considered dormant and its the PA state law they have to do this or turn the money over to the state or charge him $25 a year. All he would've had to do is sign the d**n form. No, he has to go in there and make a big deal about it. I said, 'Pull your money out or sign the form.' He signed the form. Then we went to the fuel oil dealers to pay the bill. He'd ordered 200 gallons, 'cause he heats his hot water with it. The guy put in 197.7. So he had to give that lady a hard time. She had his number tho. When he told her why he was there and he didn't get the full 200 gallons. She was quick with a come back......"Did you bring a can?" I loved it. Dad did too, he laughed. He retired from there years ago to take care of Mom. They give him a special price and coddle him, he loves that. But, really, men!!!!

MYSTERY PLANT

OK you flower people, someone tell me what this varmint is.

BEAUTIFUL AZALEA

This is the azalea that has never bloomed this beautifully until this year. Maybe the cooler weather helped. I wish they stayed this pretty all summer.

MEET 'DICKSNICKEL'

This is the walking stick I carved for my friend Sarah. If you read the blog of April 23rd, you'll remember I had to repair it. Turned out OK.

THIS IS SO COOL....

It's almost noon now, the dogs got me up by going bazork at the Amish kids walking up the road. That gets the old heart a pumping. Did a load of blankets and hung them out. Its a bit breezy but sunny. Somewhere in the 70's. Now I'm sitting on the front porch with the dogs and two of the cats. Elijah is on the table, sleeping. Cleo is over by the railing at the driveway side, sleeping. Archie is on the bench, sleeping. Lily is down in the flower bed scoping out the birds at the feeders.
This is really cool, sitting here posting on the porch. I've noticed that everybody that drives past NEVER looks at the house. People in a hurry with a lot on their minds.
The azalea's are blooming beautifully this year. I cut them back last fall, and, since it didn't kill them. I'm cutting them back harder this fall. If they come back then I need to plant about three more to finish out the bed. There is an older couple up the road a piece that always has azaleas and other plants for sale out in their front yard. They look healthy (the plants not the people, not that the people are sick or anything,oh whatever).
I just noticed a plant in the side bed and I don't remember planting it nor do I know what it is. Odd. If I can figure out the new camera, I'll post a picture. Meanwhile, here's a joke for ya all......

A guy walks into a bar, there's a robot bartender.
The robot says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini."
The robot brings back the best martini ever and says to the man: "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "168."
The robot then proceeds to talk about physics, space exploration and medical technology.

The guy leaves, but he is curious so he goes back into the bar.
The robot bartender says, "What will you have?
"The guy says, "Martini."
Again, the robot makes a great martini gives it to the man and says: "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "100."
The robot then starts to talk about Nascar, Budweiser and John Deere tractors.

The guy leaves, but finds it very interesting, so he thinks he will try it one more time.
He goes back into the bar.
The robot says, "What will you have?"
The guy says, "Martini,"
The robot again brings him a great martini.
The robot then says: "What's your IQ?"
The guy says, "Uh, about 50."
The robot leans over and says softly, "So, you still happy you voted for Obama?"

FERHOOTZED

Its an Amish word, not sure of the spelling, it means 'out-of-sorts'. The English have a saying 'at sixes and sevens' and it means a state of confusion. I'm sure I could continue around this world and come up with many more, but, you get my drift. Just waiting for the other shoe to drop, again. Something like waiting on the next storm to come in. You know it'll arrive, you are just not sure exactly when. With all of the tornadoes and earthquakes and volcanic activity, it's enuf to put you out of sorts, but, add all of the stupidity out of Washington, a person could just want to go hide somewhere until it's all over.

Went to a little village yesterday, with friends, Sue and Sarah. It was a May Festival. Good food and nice people. This is one of two 'cottages' that they bought to restore. Check out the size of those stones. It's amazing how high they were able to get them. That nasty crack on the left was caused by freezing/thawing this winter. The museum has a lot of work ahead. One man has almost 1000 volunteer hours in these houses.
Then we stopped at the local golf course for a early supper. She just started serving a dinner menu, hope it works out 'cause the food is great.
It's really cloudy here today, one minute looks like rain and then the sun's out. I put a thermometer up in the maple tree, out of the sun and it has been 80 most of the day. I hope it cools down again so I can finish mulching.
I just cleaned out the little freezer in the laundry room. Getting rid of it. Its a small apartment size unit but I don't need it. Don't know what to ask for it, yet. I'm sure if I advertise it in our local 'advertiser' paper that it'll sell quickly. Whatca think.......$100?