HAPPY MONDAY........

Wow, is it ever foggy.  I'm about to cancel the dentist appointment.  Taking Daisy is no problem, that's only a couple of miles.  The snow is just fading away as it's suppose to be in the 50's!!

Joe Paterno died yesterday.  They're saying it was lung cancer, but, I think it was a broken heart.  Penn State did him wrong.  The whole mess is rotten.   There should be a special place in hell for jerks like Sandusky.

So, now ole Newt has the upper hand.  Then Romney, then Santorum.  What a bunch of bananas!  (See posting of Jan 18th).  My cousin is probably thrilled, she thought Newt was THE most intelligent of all the candidates.  I think he's too wishy-washy and goes which ever the wind blows.  I'm still leaning towards Ron Paul, my other cousin says his foreign policy stinks.  I told him f**k foreign policy, bring our troops home, tell everyone who is living in a foreign land, you got 30 days to get your butts home.  Then close and guard the boarders.  Radical isn't it.  Maybe we need a dose of radical, just MHO.

Later................

IT SNOWED!!!!

Got about 3-4" with a layer of freezing rain on top.  Quite nasty to shovel, so I didn't.  S'pose to be in the mid to high 40's this week.  Nature gave it to me, nature can take it away. 

Finally got rid of the couch.  Always hurt my back, so I turned it over to Cleo.  Then she passed and the other two dogs preferred the settee.  So, I got it's cushion re-upholstered in a strong, dark red, denium type.  Looks good, got it covered with an old curtain that was up at the sliding doors that Fred removed.  Have another on the new chair, room looks bigger with less furniture.

Daisy gets her stitches out tomorrow, then I have a dentist appointment for cleaning.  They're gonna want to do xrays and I'm not gonna let them.  Not in the budget, and, besides, the last two times everything was OK.

Later.............

I'M BAAAAACK.................

Still not 100% but feeling better.  Friend Bobby said he had it for 2 weeks, and that's how long it took me to start feeling better, even with good drugs.  Nasty sinisitist and bronchitist, coughing so hard I couldn't sleep. 
Beautiful day today, windy, low 40's.  Getting colder the rest of the week, in the 30's. 
Got the Toro serviced this week, ready for spring!  Got the truck repaired, $1277.  New clutch and all the necessities needed.  Shifts sweet now.  Tried to get 200,000 out of it, but, only made it to 193,800.
Watching some of the Republican hooplah.  What a dog and pony show.  Looks like Romney will get the nod to me.  Not too crazy about him.  Politicians are like bananas;  when they start out, they're green, then they turn yellow and finally rotten.

Later...............

HELLO

Been sick for 2 weeks, and went to the Dr's yesterday.  Still feel like crap, will write more later.

I'M FULL OF KRAUT............

Archie and I  had a  nice dinner at Fred and Bev's house.  Their son, Matt, his girlfriend, Sarah and two other young couples were there.  Plus my other friends, Sue and Sarah.  Then we sat around and snacked and talked while the teenagers played WII.  Went home about 9. 

Went over to the firehall today for pork and kraut with Dad and Sarah.  Someone said they sold over 500 tickets by noon.  It's always so good.  Went home about 3.  Some rain this after but it was a beautiful day.  Around 50 degrees.  Tomorrow it is suppose to be 37 and the next day, not out of the 20's. 

Hope everyone had a safe New Years Eve, and a Happy New Years' Day.

Later..................

HAPPY NEW YEAR...........

A big 'Howdy-Do to http://www.jimandkimscountrylife.blogspot.com/.  I love her header photo.

Found the little do-hickey (another tech-term).  So all is well.  Kinda nice to end this dreadful year on a happy note. 

Best wishes to all of my blogging buddies.  I wish we could all meet sometime.  I feel like I know you guys and gals so well.

Made a some resolutions......
     1.  Try to be a little more kinder, everybody is fighting some kind of battle.
     2.  Try not to be judgemental of someone else.  See #1.
     3.  Continue to lose weight and eat right.
     4.  Be more active.  It is so easy to sit at the 'puter and surf all day.
     5.  Keep a cleaner house.  (Ugh, hate housework)
     6.  Stay off of Amazon and outa book stores for at least six months.
     7.  Shoot more.  Getting a little lax about home defense.

So, everyone have a safe and joyous New Year.  Pray for our President....Psalm 109:8
 
Later................

GOOD NEWS AND BAD NEWS......

Took 'puter to Best Buy, they fixed it in 10 minutes.  $0.  Stopped at Invisible Fence, got battery for Daisy's collar.  $19.  Went to jewelry store, they fixed watch band in 10 minutes.  $0.  That's the good news.  Bad news is I did all this driving the car because when I got in the truck, put it in gear, the clutch sounded like it was gonna go.  Took it over to Sam's and after he heard it, he agreed.  New clutch and probably throw-out bearing and whatever else is worn....$800.  Ouch!  Not in the budget for this year.  Oh well, at 194K, I shouldn't complain.
So, this evening, I set down at the 'puter to update this blog.  WTH, the mouse doesn't have the little dingy (tech talk) that goes into the USB port.  I know I stuck it in there, 'cause they don't need the mouse or the cord when I take it in to the geek guy at Best Buy.  That's the second one I've misplaced.  Now I'll need another mouse.  I think I'm going to bed.

Later................

A HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL...........

'Puter problems, AGAIN!!!  Kinda makes me wish I'd bought a Mac.  Might do that yet.  Mouse, and touch pad quit working on the HP.  Taking it in to Best Buy today.  Got out the POS Dell and it is OK for about 20 minutes, then it gets too hot and shuts down.  My very first HP has a locked up keyboard and I have to prop up the screen 'cause the  hinges won't hold.  GGRRRR!!! I sometimes hate computers, but I will admit, am lost without them.
I'll probably have to leave the HP, then go to the jewelry store and get my watch band sized.  Dad bought me one at the Amish store for $2.50, and it works!  It's a Waltham.  Which I think is a good watch.
Going to Fred's house on New Years' Eve.  Their son, Matt, girlfriend, Sarah will be there, plus some of Matt's friends.  Sue and Sarah are invited, and, yes I'm taking Archie.
So, everyone have a safe and happy celebration of seeing 2011 out and 2012 in.  This has been a tormenting year, and, maybe 2012 will be better????? 

Later...................

MERRY CHRISTMAS TO ONE AND ALL

Here's hoping everyone had a very Merry Christmas.  I spent most of this blessed day with Sue and Sarah's family at their farm.  I think we ate for 3 hours.  Then Archie and I stopped at Dad's on the way home.  He and his lady friend, Sarah, went out to eat after church.  Got home, thru in a load of wash, fed the critters then started the woodstove.  Think I'll read a while then head to bed. 

Later.........

YEAH, GO AHEAD, PISS ME OFF.....................

So, between winning the black powder rifle and installing the two gas wall furnaces.  I figured I should go see my insurance company.  Archie and I go for a visit, and I talk to Jill, my agent.  She ends up changing my policy plan to cover all my firearms for only $40 more a year.  Then we talk about the gas heaters and some how get over onto the wood stoves!  WTH!  "The underwriter wants pictures of your wood stoves and needs you to fill out this questionaire."  WTH!  'How did we get from black powder rifle/gas furnaces to wood stoves?  Which, by-the-way, I've been burning since 1984!'  "Well......."  'Look,' I say,'we went thru all of this when they were both installed.  I insisted on your guy coming down to the house and personally looking at the installation!  I get both chimneys cleaned every year, I burn good, dry wood.  The chimney sweep is very pleased with how the chimneys look when he done.  Call him, he's local.  Call the stove people, they installed both of the stoves and the gas furnaces.  This is pissin' me off girl.'  She just looks at me.  I take the pictures on Sunday.  Take them up Monday.  The other agent, who stops wussin' on Archie long enuf to look at the pics, says, 'Oh, he might not like the distance between the front of the stove and the wood floor.'   GRRRRRRRRRR.  He probably doesn't know a wood stove from a manure spreader.  I tell her after the holidays, I'm buying a hearth rug.  (Which I really am planning on.  Honest.)  She just looks at me.  I not only have my home insured with 'them', but, both the car, truck and my medicare supplement.  Walk lightly my friend, walk lightly.  There is no such thing as loyalty any more.
Other than that, it's been an uneventful week.  A surprise snow on Saturday night, just a dusting of sleet and a little snow.  Today is cloudy and looks like rain.  Not as cold as it has been, not as cold as it's gonna be.

Later.....................

A MYSTERY IS SOLVED............

After going to the range yesterday with Bobby, I decided to go to the insurance office and check on putting a rider on this gun.  My homeowner's insurance would only offer me $2500 if something happened to it.  The fellow told me to insure it for $3500, so she is checking on the best way to handle insuring the new baby, plus others.  Anyhow, left there and went to the gun shop to pick up two more clips for Elsie Pea, and, figured I'd show the guys the new prize.  Had to wipe off the druel at least five times.  They were all envious of me and happy for me.  One guy even offered me $500 for it!  LOL.  Everytime I'd put it back in it's wool sock, another guy came in and I had to take it out and show it and everything else.  Took me about two hours to get my clips and get out of there.  But, it was a blast.  The last guy that came in is retired, as of November 1st, from Baltimore Metro Police Department.  His son is still working in juvy at a neighboring town.  So, we were talking about kids today, and the subject came up about how they wear their pants down around their butt.  This is where the mystery is now solved.  The ex-city cop said, "Do you know how all that started?"  I shook my head, as did others.  He then proceeded to enlighten us........."It started in prison, when a guy would wear his pants down, like these kids now do, it was telling other inmates..'HEY, I'M AVAILABLE'.  When I would arrest a kid, dressed like that, I'd always tell them this.  Some kids having a 28 waist, would buy pants size 54!  Bunch them up in front and hold them.  They were the easiest to catch, 'cause the pants would fall down around their ankles when they'd tried to out run me."  We were all laughing so hard, tears were rolling.  Can't wait to tell my cousins.  Maybe this will convince them to dress more normal.
Well, baked oatmeal is done, need breakfast.

Later.............

FALLING STAR MEANS??????

Dogs got me up at 4:30.  Oh well, hit the coffee pot and took them out.  Sheesh, it is cold out with a heavy, white frost.  Walking around the back yard for a minute while they do their stuff.  Saw a falling star, very big, in the western sky!  It's been a few years, I use to see them on the way to work in the morning.  Since I'm rarely up this early anymore, must be why I've been missing them.  Duh!

Going to the range with Bobby this morning.  He's a member, and if I like it there, I think I'll join.  Would be nice to get to know some more fellow shooters.  Was at the restaurant last night and told Chuck of my good fortune of winning that rifle.  Don't ya know, another guy stopped at the table and Chuck told him.  I don't care for this big mouth, he always looks and acts kinda scuzzy.  Anyhow, he immediately asked me if I wanted to sell it.  He had a friend that would buy it.  I told him ''NO".  To which he said, "Oh, I shoulda married you!"  To which I said, "I will NEVER get married again."  And, he asked, "Well, where are you keeping it?"  I told him, "It's locked up in the gun safe."   (Don't have one, yet.)  I then said, "I need to get home to feed the dobermans."  (Don't have dobies either.)  He just looked at me.  Creepy dude.  I wish Chuck hadn't said anything.  Guess I'd better add a rider to my house insurance.

Got both stoves going this morning, house feels cold and damp.  S'pose to rain tomorrow. 

Later.............

ALL I CAN SAY IS WOW!

Back on October 15th, I went to a local Historical Society's Fall Fest.  They were selling tickets, at $20 a pop, and I told the fellow at the table, "Don't bother selling anymore tickets, I'm gonna win it!"  It was for an 18th Century Gun made by a local gunsmith and his son.  It is a 54 Cal. Flintlock-Colonial Virginia Rifle with a curly maple stock and brass mounts.  Along with this beautiful rifle is a belt knife with curly maple handle in a sheath, a scrimshawed powder horn.  Also a hawk and turkey call, nipple pick and brush.  Measurement piece, a beautiful, handmade leather 'possible pouch' and a very, very sharp hatchet in a leather holder, plus, other accouterments. 
AND, IT'S MINE, ALL MINE!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!  WOO HA HA.
I was in bed Sunday night by 8:30 and around 9 I heard my cell phone beep that little beep that tells me I have a voice mail.  I told the dogs, "Thats the Historical Society telling your mommy that she's won that rifle!"  Now, I need some black powder........

CATS.............

Had to take Elijah, my 22 pound cat, to the vet yesterday afternoon.  I found a lump on his neck on Wednesday night, and when he jumped off of my lap, it burst.  I think he must have scratched it open 'cause it was probably itching.  The vet asked me if he ever went out 'cause she thought it was a bite.  But he only ventures outside when I go out.  She kept him overnight and was going to put a drain in and put him on antibiotics.  This should also help his sinus problem.  Oh joy, giving this cat a pill is a problem.  She told me, "Well, you're retired, bring him by every day and we'll do it.  You don't have anything else to do!"  Then she laughed.  She is a great vet and only 3 miles from my house, right down the road from Dad.  I might take her up on that.  Anyhow, I just called and I can go get him this morning.  There have been a plethora of kittens dropped around here.  The vet has 5 that someone found, plus two more a couple of weeks ago.  Then as I was leaving there was a guy there with the cutest little orange fellow.  It was on their porch, in a box, written on top was "Please take care of me".  How sad.  He and his wife already feed about 25 cats.  Maybe the person knew that.  Also, someone else found kittens in a box with a frozen pork chop?????  WTH.  
Gotta go get my boy.

Later..............

NO REVERSE! WTH!!

If any of you have followed this humble blog in the past, you are well aware of my love-hate relationship with the dealer from whom the PT Cruiser and the Dodge Dakota were purchased.  So, I won't go into any of that crap.  That being said, coming home from the restaurant this morning in the Cruiser, I went over a small rise in the road and then had a change of mind and turned around.  No reverse gear.  It had been giving me trouble the past year, kinda hard to shift into to where you had to play with the clutch to get it to engage.  Must've been the bump in the road that finally caused it to give up the ghost.   And, yes, I was going a bit too fast.  Managed to get to the PO and then decided to take it over to Sam's garage.  He and his wife have been  friends of mine for over 30 years.  He looked under the hood and saw the plastic thingy was in a sorry state.  You have to buy both linkages as a set.  I guess Chrysler figured when one goes, the other is not far behind it.  So, since it'll be Monday before he can start on it, 'cause he had to order the part, and they're not open on Saturdays, I told him to go ahead and inspect it and change the oil.   They use Kendall and I've always used Mobil.  They'll be getting Mobil for me.  At least that is what they told me.  I hope I don't catch them in a lie.  Might have to wander over there on Monday to check for empty cans. 

Later..............