Dogs - 0 Skunk - 2

Willy found the skunk this time. Poor guy was blinded until sometime this AM. He seems to be seeing again. But I can still smell skunk today. Outside, inside, on the dog, on my hands. It's the definitive of ick. It won't come off. I'm sure that when we head to the garden center in a little bit that they'll politely ask us to leave. Because I can't believe that as bad as it was/is, that we don't smell like skunk too.

Good thing I had Selsun Blue still! Stuff really does work. Now it makes me wonder though what it is doing to your head if the stuff is strong enough to remove the smell of skunk.

Wonder if the dogs will figure out now that the black and white rabbits aren't for chasing. I sure hope so. Or they may just become permanently outside dogs. Outside dogs that stink like skunk.

The rest of the Chicken Story

Went and picked up chickens this afternoon. Grandpa Jim's farm has added 12 new members.

Ever spent several hours in a house with chickens in the back room? It's kind of like having a fridge that is going out and you keep hearing the motor running. You kind of tune it out. And then the noise gets louder and you hear it again. Then you tune it out. And then you hear it again and you think, "What is that noise all about?" And then the noise starts to bother you . And then you tune it out again.

Fresh eggs. that will make all of this worth it, right?

we have chickens in the back room.

I think I have lost my mind.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. What are you doing on Monday night? Want to come to my starter show for Partylite?
2. We are planting things in the garden on Sunday. Potatoes, peas, greens, onions, leeks. yummy yummy things. I love spring.
3. Signs of spring - a peek of green in my grass. the moles are active. the cardinals and robins are back!
4. The new puppy is on crack. You should see her run around and around in circles from one end of the house to the other. It's freakin hysterical!
5. Son2 gets to walk across the stage for graduation on May 3rd. We are having a party the same day. Can you come?
6. I am taking the afternoon off. I have an appointment and then I am going home to do some work and maybe read the last of the book for book club tonight. Or maybe I'll just sit on the back deck. You never know with me.
7. I'm working tomorrow at my main job. That sucks. But I haven't worked a Saturday in a while so it's not that big of a deal.
8. I'm looking for a reasonably priced digital camera for Jr. Maybe then he'll send me baby pics. I can't help but think about all of the things I'm missing by not being where Lucas is. :(
9. I want sushi. Not that that surprises anyone. It's pretty common actually. LOL
10. The great pregnant one went to the dr. on Wednesday. According to the measurements from the latest technology, the baby is now bigger than 5 lbs. Apparently feeding her everytime she turned around the last couple of weeks worked. YEAH great pregnant one! Now get off the internet and go have a healthy snack. :D

Not two weeks but pretty close

I'm a bad blogger. I admit it. I go in spurts don't I. Sometimes I run my mouth off like a bad case of verbal manic. Other times I just don't. I think it's just because I feel like I am rambling. Then again, it could just be that I have nothing to say. LOL Me with nothing to say. Yeah right. You know better than that. I think it is more the other reasons. Why I haven't blogged for two weeks:

I'm behind on the book club selection this month. I'll be lucky to get it done before we meet tomorrow night.

I've been on the computer so much working that when I'm not working I've stayed off the computer.

Last time I was on the computer for leisure it was to look up chickens. Don't ask. I'll explain later.

Baby class has taken up a night a week.

I had nothing important to say.

David Letterman has been yawnable and I haven't stayed up that late except tonight. And that's usually when I get my blogging done. I haven't really taken a "lunch hour" in a few weeks. That's the other time I usually get my blogging done.

I've become addicted to other people's blogs. Mahala makes me laugh. I have to catch up with what's going on with Harmony and Maggie. Unclutterer and Zen Habits have so much to teach me. And the food blogs. Who knew there were so many good veggie recipes out there? Oh and the scrapbook blogs. See! It's never ending.

Blockbuster sent me new movies. We're watching Enchanted tomorrow night after book club. If I can stay awake that late.

I've been planning a garden.

I decided to get a part time job helping a friend who is helping me by giving me a part time job to pay off my IRS bill.

I've been doing taxes.

Started selling Partylite again! Want to have a spa or candle party? I'm your gal!

Ok. I see I have no excuse really. I promise to try and do better. :) See BFTLFA! I posted. Now you have something to read.

What time of the day are you?

Found this quiz and subsequent badge over at Harmony's Blog. Thought it fit me quite well. Not sure if that is good or bad but it proves I am not a morning person! If you want to take the quiz yourself, click on the picture!

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Jr had a birthday on Tuesday! Happy birthday to my favorite oldest son. ;)
2. Apparently I wasn't thankful for anything for over a week. Ok, I was. I just didn't acknowledge it on the blog. So I updated it yesterday. A week's worth of blessings in a day. Perspective. I'm glad it worked out the way it did.
3. Last week's scrapbooking weekend was a blast. Not so much the scrapbooking as I didn't get as much done as I would have liked. But the friend part was great. And the rum runners. They were pretty good too!
4. We ended up not going for Kona or sushi last weekend. I was sad. But we ate at PF Chang's. And I made my own sake bomb there. So that was a good thing.
5. We have a new puppy. Courtesy of the friend that lives far away. She's a Shih Tzu and cute as heck. I'll post pics later. The big puppies are a slight bit unhappy with us though. Apparently they feel invaded. And the cat. He's beyond irritated and has spent most of his time outside this week.
6. This weekend's plans revolve around a baby shower on Saturday for the great pregnant one's pending new arrival. Friends and family and fun! I am looking forward to it.
7. I'm feeling like a bad friend because there are a few people that I feeling out of touch with. Even after talking to them. It's just been too long since we've spent quality time together. I need to work on that.
8. Sushi. I want sushi. Is this a recurring theme or what? LOL
9. I need a good part time job. Any ideas?
10. The great pregnant one update: New ultrasound pics. That baby is one of the most photographed babies ever! We'll have pages of ultrasound pics for the scrapbook. He's still looking good but needs to gain more weight. Which means the GPO needs to eat more. Hear that GPO? EAT MORE! So I asked her what she wanted for supper last night. She wanted Grilled Brats. So I fed her Brats. Brats for the brat. How funny.

It's a David Bowie kind of day Part II

Dance the magic dance!

It's a David Bowie kind of day

Not sure why. But it's a David Bowie kind of day. I've been streaming a bunch of his music today. So I thought I'd share. Enjoy while he sings Heroes to you. Besides there are worse ways to spend 5 minutes on a Thursday.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. Eric (Son2) found out yesterday that he has everything he needs done to get his GED. This is huge. He took the classes, passed the tests, and now he is done! He is so proud. And I am very proud of him.
2. I am feeling like a bad blogger because I haven't posted since last Friday's 10 things. :(
3. I am leaving in about 4 hours for KC. I will get to see my best friend that lives far away! This weekend is a scrapbooking weekend. My creative side is VERY happy for that.
4. We are adding a cute little puppy to our family on Sunday. :)
5. I spent the week playing catch up for all the things I pushed aside the weeks before because of the big project.
6. I have done more taxes this week than any other this tax season. Have you filed yours?
7. My house is a mess. And I don't think I care. Ok, obviously I do or I wouldn't even mention it. LOL
8. I have only had 3 diet Cokes this week. I've been good don't you think? My Coke Rewards points balance is hurting though.
9. Jr is in culinary classes at the college. For one of his classes he has to make a vegan menu this week. I had lots of fun sharing some of my favorite vegan blogs with him and referring him to recipe archives on my favorite veggie recipe site.
10. The great pregnant one and I are taking "natural" childbirth classes. The next 5 weeks should be interesting.

Happy weekend! I'll try and check in on Sunday night! Promise.

10 Random Things for a Friday

1. I got to hold Lucas last weekend. I had to share him with other people too but that's ok. Because they kept telling me how cute he was. And I got to agree and smile.
2. Yesterday i was driving like a grandma. then i remembered that i am a grandma now so it was only fitting. then i realized that no matter how i drove i was driving like a grandma. because i am one. so there.
3. Next weekend counts as a vacation. I get to go away from home, with nothing I HAVE to do. Only things I want to do. I like the idea of that.
4. One week from today I will be drinking sake bombs and eat volcano rolls at Kona in KC.
5. I am planting things in my back room to go into my garden. And watching them grow a little more every day makes me very happy.
6. Huge project at work is finally pretty well done. At least my part is. And I can now go back to sleeping and working 9 hour days and going to the gym and eating food that didn't come from Lean Cuisine and spending time with my family like a normal person. Not that I'm anywhere close to normal but you get the idea.
7. I need to buy pet food. The bill for which is only climbing as in the next few months we are adding 2 rescued outdoor bunnies and about a dozen chickens to our psuedo farm/zoo. the manchild keeps saying something about fresh eggs and free fertilizer. huh.
8. I have an entire quart of wheat germ in my cupboard. Don't ask. Long story that isn't worth telling really. What else can you do with wheat germ other than put it into say bread or the breakfast shakes I keep telling myself are healthier than the Cap'n Crunch?
9. I get to play with Lucas again in two weeks. Not that I count days or am obsessed or anything.
10. The great pregnant one says the doctor says the baby is 3 lbs 12 oz. Amazing.

Thoughts for Thursday

If you eat just Girl Scout Cookies for lunch BUT you eat several different kinds does it count as a balanced meal?

When does optimism become denial?

Does spending all or your time deciding what to do count as doing something?

Zen Habits

I am a blog junkie. I admit it. But so many blogs bring so much into my life. The time I used to spend reading not so entertaining or truly un-enlightening magazines, the time lost to stupid tv shows, I've replaced it. With blogs. It's almost sad really. I'm a cyber geek.

Every once in a while I decide that I really need to scale down my blog reading. But then I find these certain blogs that just stick with you. Zen Habits is one of them. His 12 step eating program epitomizes what I am trying to do with my life. Most everything he talks about are things that you KNOW you have to change in your life. At least in my life. Check it out. You might even find that one of his e-books is what you need in your life. I know I need them more in mine.

Click here to view more details on the ebooks

10 Random things for a Friday

1. I get to see Lucas tomorrow!
2. I am 98% finished with this huge project that has been driving me nuts and causing me to be grumpy and sleep deprived and having had too much cafeine and anxiety attacks and just being an all round loser. But it's almost done. Tomorrow even.
3. I have to work on a Saturday. Again. But the project will be done so that's a fire out.
4. My desk is clean. Amber did it. And it somehow makes me feel a little better.
5. I am feeling completely uninspired as to what to make for dinner tonight. Any ideas?
6. Amber is done with her "actually having to go to school" classes in two weeks. Then she's on independent study for the rest of the semester
7. I get to see Lucas tomorrow. Yeah I know. I said it twice. It deserves two.
8. I get to have sushi for supper tomorrow night. Not Kona, but it'll be Pei's and that's just about as good.
9. We are having a baby shower for Lucas' mom (Allison) on Sunday. I get to hold Lucas. That makes me smile. Big. Big Smiles.
10. The great pregnant one weighs 130 pounds. She can't decide if that is good or bad. But she looks good. So it is a good thing. Any bets on how much she'll weigh in 9 more weeks?

A $300 pair of walking shoes

I'm looking for new shoes. Walking shoes to be exact. So in my adventure to zappos I find this pair. Insanely expensive pair of shoes

Seriously. Do people really spend $300 on a pair of walking shoes? I want to meet them. I want to ask them to buy a $200 pair instead. And then buy me a nice $100 pair of Ryka's. Heck for $300 I could by a pair of shoes, new sweats, and next year's gym membership.

And why am I looking on the internet for a pair of shoes anyway. Anyone that knows me knows I'm going to end up buying a pair of shoes at DSW anyway. Because they are next to Archivers and Kona Grill and they have Volcano rolls. And they are worth the 30 minute trip just for those. And sake bombs. Can't forget the sake bomb.

Yeah, I really need new walking shoes. Wanna go with?

OK, mental health break is over. Back to work.

It's Arctic not Artic

the local news channel has a front page story about the cold weather. It's been on the front page of their website since mid evening yesterday. It's titled "Artic blast closes schools". It's ArCtic. Not Artic. Notice the first C? It's driving me nuts.

So I emailed them. Wonder if they'll fix it. I feel better now that I emailed them. Should have done that last night.

Here is our Arctic Cold Blast though --- Keep in mind that the "wind chill" is -25 degrees. It's cold. It's 10:30 in the morning. And it's cold.

Gotta love Nebraska.

3:45 update -- they took the Artic story off the front page. There is now a blurb on the narrative forecast. They must have gotten my email. (or a better spell check)

10 random things for a Friday

1 - I really am craving Volcano Rolls from kona. And Sake bombs.
2 - I want to go see my best friend that lives far away. It's been too long. Besides, it's warmer there.
3 - It's been 11 days since I've seen Lucas. It'll be 8 more before I do. This is ridiculous.
4 - My knee hurts from where I skinned it when I slipped on the sand while walking the day before yesterday.
5 - I am drinking Mango Ceylon Tea (Republic of Tea). This is my 4th cup.
6 - I have 221 coke rewards points. Considering I donated most of my points for Toys for Tots last fall, that's a pretty ridiculous amount of Diet Coke.
7 - I have to work this weekend. It's a 3 day weekend. This sucks.
8 - I cooked dead cow for my husband and Son2 for Valentine's Day dinner. I used Pioneer Woman's Recipe. They liked it. Not so much so the spinach and mushroom side dish. But that's my fault. Not Pioneer Woman's. She said nothing about spinach.
9 - I got paid today and according to "the budget" I have no fun money. This sucks twice.
10 - I want sushi. Lots of it. And Sake bombs. Don't forget the sake bombs.

Spring Comes When?

Valentine's Day

Today I am thankful for my valentine.

He makes my life complete. And I love him. And he's mine. I don't even have to ask him to be mine. He just is.

That and he turns my toes to jello. :)

Love - a wildly misunderstood although highly desirable malfunction of the heart which weakens the brain, causes eyes to sparkle, cheeks to glow, blood pressure to rise and the lips to pucker. ~Author Unknown

For this blessing, I am grateful and indebted.

To Do List

I love Boston Legal. Have I told you that before? I look forward to Tuesday nights at 9:00. I consistently laugh. I laugh hard. I've been known to laugh so hard I cry. It's that good. Do you watch it?

One of my favorite times in the show is at the end when Denny and Alan sit on the balcony and have their little review of the day/week. There are always these little "make you think" comments. It's a great way to end the show. Did I mention I love this show? Tonight was no exception.

"there are many things in life that are paramount. But being there for a friend in pain..."
"Lovers come and go but friends...Not everybody has somebody like us."
"the thing about life. you have always have to keep something on the to do list"

Anybody else a Boston Legal fan? Show of hands

And what's on your to do list?

Strike or not. I love these writers. And hey, did you hear? The Writer's Guild accepted the contract today and go back to work tomorrow. {{jumping up and down}} We'll get good TV sometime in the next month or so. As shallow it is, I'm glad for it. I don't think I can handle another mid season "what will we do now" show get picked up that was thrown out before. They should have left most of them in the trash.

Sicky watch --- I'm feeling better. My voice is still shot, the croupy cough is still hanging around, and I'm tired as heck but a week later and I'm feeling mostly better. Eric is past the worst of it. generic Dayquil and lots of liquids seem to be pushing it through him faster. his voice is about an octave lower though. It's kind of cute. :) Jim on the other hand. He's still icky. He's slept since he got home from work. He has a low grade fever, poor guy. But he went to work today. That's more than I did at this time last week. Gotta give him his props for that. Well isn't that more than you really wanted to know. :)

I had about a dozen more things I was going to talk about today but I'll be darned if I can remember what they were. I'll get back to ya. Probably not until tomorrow though.

Be well!

A sick house

My boys are sick. They may be men the rest of the year but when they are sick they are definately boys. Little boys. Little whiny, grumpy, stuffy nosed, coughing, wheezing boys. I love them. And I feel sorry for them. But last week when I was sick, they didn't really give a fig. And now they want me to take care of them. Ok, maybe not Eric so much. But the oldest one? Yeah, he's a miserable sicky.

I'd take his poor miserable sicky photo. But I think he'd not be so happy with that. LOL

Hope that all at your home are happy and healthy and not so whiny.