Frustrating, satisfying day

 

Today has been one of those days. First thing I had to do was to take back a gift that I had bought Pat. He saw it in the store and called it stupid so I knew I needed to return it before he opened it on Christmas. Oh well. I have already got him something to replace it. And of course I have the secret gift the pool table). After I got home every thing was going smoothly. I was getting my kitchen cleaned up when I received a phone call. It was a neighbor telling me that my horse was out and near the road. Great! Just what I needed. I go outside to get her halter and lead rope from the barn and I spot 3 large dogs in the field. Bingo. I knew exactly why my horse was out. Unfortunately I had to catch a horse before I could do anything about the dogs. Pat had his gun but could not shoot because the dogs started running towards Crystal and Patches(my goat). They dove into the creek and I herded Precious up towards Pat. He had a feed bucket handy and she will not turn down food for any reason! She was all sweaty and so was Crystal. NOw top thing on my list was checking her over for cuts and/or bites. Luckily she only had a small cut on her chest. I grab my fence materials and head out to see where she went thru at. I knew she went thru the fence, she is to fat to jump! I found the downed fence. It had broken wire and boards and a broken post. Right next to that spot is a patch of bamboo. It was flat where she fell thru the fence. Precious is herd mare. She will fight and lead danger away from the herd. I was hoping to see one of the dogs while I was fixing the fence. I had my Colt 357 magnum strapped to my hip waiting for a chance.

Back to the house again. I get started on the living room now. Did some serious vacuuming, carpet shampooing  and moving things around. I moved the birds over here by the computer desk and then cleaned the area where they were at real good. I washed the curtains and hung them back, washed the windows and then placed a candle light in the window. I washed out Scampi's kennel and dried it outside. I arranged my plants (which will probably get moved). I combed out Brook's hair and my daughter's hair with a Robi Comb. Trying to stay ahead of that lice crap again. I don't know if it kills lice or not but I rested it on an ant and it killed it! Next I made some turkey and dumplings. I was going to eat it here with the kids but then I remembered that they had to be home by 7 because they are getting a delivery around that time of their new dryer that I bought them. They are paying me back. I put it on a card and they will be paying that. I know they will because they have done it before. My daughter is real good about paying her debts. I did raise her right in that area. So now here I am all alone talking to yall and eating my dumplings ( I sent the pot home with them to eat). I am going to read a few journals and then play some POGO.

woof woof

What Breed of Dog Are You? Celeste, you're a St. Bernard!

No bones about it, you're a dedicated, trustworthy St. Bernard. Loyal and good-hearted, you're as reliable as they come. Your naturally protective personality is reflected in the way you treat people close to you. Sheltering your nearest and dearest from harm (or bad news, for that matter) is high on your priority list. That attitude earns you lots of gold stars, not to mention respect. People admire your strong morals — and how well you stick to them! Focused, steadfast, and determined, you always aim to please. It's a breed like yours that makes the world a better place — woof!

They keep sendingthem, I keep taking them

They keep sending them and I keep taking them. This one is so true. I love a bargain!

Celeste, you're a Bargain Hunter

 

In your life, you're willing to go the extra mile in order to find a good deal. Whenever possible, you hold out until you can find the least expensive version of something you need. Your patience and persistence generally leads you to significant savings, which you likely take great pride in. While some may mistakenly think you are cheap and puzzle over why you prefer thrift stores to overpriced boutiques, you're content to let them squander their cash while you chase down a great bargain.

When it comes to your financial state, you tend to feel like you're about where you think you should be.

In your life, you're willing to go the extra mile in order to find a good deal. Whenever possible, you hold out until you can find the least expensive version of something you need. Your patience and persistence generally leads you to significant savings, which is a great source of personal pride. You also likely use the things you already have until they absolutely must be replaced, thus maximizing your total purchase value on those items.

Among other test takers, 23% are also Bargain Hunters. Like them, you tend to see paying top dollar on something as wasteful and impractical. While some may mistakenly think you are cheap and puzzle over why you prefer thrift stores to overpriced boutiques, you're content to let them squander their cash while you chase down a great bargain.

It's likely that one reason you spend your money sparingly is that you have a good sense of the value of your dollar, and you want to stretch your funds as far as possible. If you don't have to bargain shop for financial reasons, you may also be afraid of not having enough money someday, and thus splurging or overspending may feel more dangerous or foolhardy to you than it does to most. You may also simply enjoy the thrill of haggling and the challenge of the hunt for a deal, deriving pleasure from your great finds.

What is your relationship to money test

just a bit

Time for me to get out the Christmas decorations. I went to the store this morning to pick up some chicken feed, dog food  and bread. While I was there I found poinsettias marked down to 74 cents! At that price I can afford to use lots in my decorations!

Pat is getting used to his new job. He hated it at first. But is just realizing that every job has some bad points. Most of the stuff he just had to get used to.

Brook is working hard on her belt preparations. There is a slim possibility that she will test in the spring for her black belt but I doubt it. She would have to be willing to put in a lot of extra time working on her belt.

Time to get busy. I have to shampoo living room carpet to get ready for tree to go up!

 

a ride

Pat and I went for a ride today and this was one of the sights we saw. It was a good ride!

the season has begun

The season has begun. The day after everybody has stuffed their face, buggies were stuffed. Did I go? Yep, I sure did. My first ever foray into the shopping world of BLACK FRIDAY. Yes , first time. Until yesterday I was a virgin of after Thanksgiving shopping. I thought to myself that I would give it a try just this once. Shopping started at 5am. 4:30 I was pulling into the parking lot. After finding a space 2 miles away(just kidding it was halfway down the row in front of the door), I walked into the store. There I was greeted by no buggies in the store but I was smart, I brought one in that I had found in the parking lot. I walked around the store looking for the coveted things I wanted and I few I did not know I wanted. Many things were wrapped in black plastic waiting for the time to reach 5 am. People were standing around with their hands on the items they wanted. Aisles were blocked bit amazing people would move if you said excuse me. I asked myself where something was and because I spoke out loud I was answered by 2 different people. Surprised me that anyone would be considerate at all. I have heard so many horror tales of what happens! % am came and the wraps come off and hands go to reaching. Around the store I went getting the items I wanted. Some people were walking out with handfulls of things Some had buggies piled to the ceiling with big items. People were in lines for high ticket items, some for hours. I did get everything I wanted with the exception on 1 item. I was going to get a computer for $148 but there was only 10 of them and they had 20 people with hands on them! I think I bought more for me than I did for anybody else! I walked up to the register with 1 buggy (that I had rearranged several times) and walked out with 2 buggies! I also walked out with a much lighter pocket book.

So what did you do on BLACK FRIDAY?

What is your eating style?

What is your eating style?

Celeste, you're an Indulgent Eater

You, more than others, truly gain satisfaction from eating. And because of this, you sometimes have difficulty slowing down or just saying no. You enjoy eating and what's great about that is you understand how to appreciate certain aspects of food that others do not. You see food as more than just a source of nutrition or energy. For you, dining, or just plain eating, can be a really enjoyable experience. On the downside, however, you might sometimes indulge too much in the satisfaction you get from eating.

turkey and stuff

1 pecan and 2 pumpkin pies, 1 turkey thawing, dressing made, sweet potato casserole, green bean casserole, deviled eggs, orange fluff, carrots, mushrooms, celery, salsa, 2 dips all done. 5 am comes early tomorrow and today is not over yet. I have more cooking to do. Potatoes to peel, beans to cook, brussel sprouts to cook. Apple pie and rolls to fix, and I must make some tea. I have no idea who all will show up. His family never rsvps. I just cook and eat. Who ever wants to be here will be here. I will be here and I am ready to stuff myself now!

In the news

In the news this morning is a story of a protest staged in airports across the country. The protest in is support of a nursing mom who was thrown off a plane because she refused to cover with a blanket. Why should this baby have to be covered? Do you like to be smothered while you are eating? Somewhere along the lines, nursing an infant became taboo in public. I am not sure but I believe it is mostly an American taboo. I support public nursing.

Another story in the news is more local. A school bus in Huntsville Alabama plunged off an overpass after possibly being clipped by a car. 4 teenagers are now dead. There are more children in the hospital in critical condition. Please send prayers and good wishes.

And the results are in! The puppies were not born to the cat! Did anyone really believe that story??

More news.... Whopping cough is on the rise. Personally I have seen 2 cases of whopping cough, 1 an adult the other a small baby. It was horrible listening to and seeing that poor baby with the cough. Apparently it is on th rise because the vaccine wears off. there is now a booster vaccine available for ages 11-64.

And in beauty news.... People are growing gardens and making New Orleans bloom again. I am glad that color will once again be coming to that beautiful town. I have always found that growing things gives hope of renewal.

And that is the news. Time to start cooking!

 

times sure does fly

I got up yesterday and it seemed like before I knew it I was going to bed. For some reason time sure did fly yesterday! I don't know why. I really did not do much of anything. Wasted a beautiful day vegging out! I made a couple of pies  and a couple of dishes for dinner today. Washed a few loads of clothes and dishes. Fed all the animals and checked on our new trees. Oh yea, we went and bought some new shoes for the truck and then we went and played pool. PLayed on computer and watched tv. That is it. Nothing really got done beyond normal stuff.

 Did I tell you that I love to play pool? Yep I do. I did not start playing until about 10 years ago. Got pretty good too. I joined a pool league and went to play in the national championships in Las Vegas 2 years in a row. The second year I was playing on 2 teams that made it to the national championship, a ladies team and a mixed player team. That was a busy year for me. I was also playing on a semi pro 9 ball circuit. I ended the year in the money! Since then I have not played as much due to some vicious rumors and vicious females.

 Did I tell you that I met Pat on a blind date? In a pool hall!

Guess what I am buying Pat for Christmas this year!?????

Quote

Courage and perseverance have a magic talisman before which difficulties disappear and obstacles vanish into air. – John Quincy Adams

request

 

I had a request for my dressing recipe. I do not have a written recipe. I make my dressing by taste LOL. I just keep adding until it is almost the flavor I want. The taste gets stronger as it cooks.

Cornbread dressing

10 inch pan white cornbread(using white cornmeal)

egg

celery,chopped

onion,diced

chicken broth

salt

pepper

sage

Fuji apple(my secret)

Crumble cornbread coarsely, mix 1 or 2 eggs in. Saute onion and celery in chicken broth until soft but not mushy. I use about 2 cups celery and 1 cup onion. Add half to cornbread. Add salt and pepper and sage. Use about 1 tablespoon of sage. This is a strong spice. Make sure that you use rubbed sage not ground! Add more to your taste. Add more of the sauteed onions and celery to taste. Grate apple, skin and all into dressing. This adds sweetness to the dressing. Next add  turkey broth until dressing is very moist, not soupy but close to it! Make it look like cornbread before cooking it. If you do not have turkey broth you can use chicken broth from can  Bake in 350 oven until brown on top. Do not overcook as it will become dry.

chit chat

So let's see, what is going on. A whole lot of little things.

Be staying in town this weekend. My niece got all the trees tagged, measured, counted and priced. They are ready for the sales to start next Friday.

I would like to go riding this weekend, horse, bike I don't care!

Brook has qualified for taking her red belt test on December 12th. This will be a hard one! No one else is testing except for some of the lower belts. One more after that and she tests for her blackbelt. I believe I will need to get her a sword or a bo staff or maybe both in the next couple months. She will have intense weapons training in the next 6 months to a year.  Not sure which she will focus on, probably the sword. Her favorite weapons are knives and stars.

Me? I am working on Thanksgiving dinner. Cooked my cornbread today for the dressing. Got my shopping done(I hope). The turkey is in the little fridge thawing. Got a 20 pounder so it will take a bit of time! Next week will be the biggie! Brook will be here because they are out all week from school so she can help me!

Did I tell you my chicken pen collasped? The chickens are okay. The roof caved in on the pen because of the 3 inches of rain we got in less than 12 hours. The power went out the other night. The storm was long past when it went out. It was out for 12 hours! Let me tell you something. If you have ever been in a power outage in the country at night then you know just how dark it can get! It was so dark that my cat Buddy ran into the computer desk after I blew the candles out! I could not see my hand in front of my face. Total and absolute darkness. Scary!

Well that is all for now.

 

They sent me another one!

Celeste, you are not a typical youngest child.

Unlike other youngest children, you are not likely to be especially social, express your creativity, or be particularly affectionate.

In fact, based on your answers to Tickle's Birth Order Test, you are actually more like a middle child due to your even-tempered nature. Similar to middle children, you are probably very stable emotionally which makes people feel at ease around you. You have learned that the best way to resolve conflict is by remaining calm and open to compromise. You tend to radiate warmth, affection and maturity. You are likely to display an extraordinary ability to remain composed even in stressful situations.

Well, seeing as how my niece and nephew lived with us I guess that is why I am more like a middle child!

Here is the test if you want to take it. Birth order Answer no to the last question so you d o not have to answer a bunch of sales questions!

just things

Pat started work at his new job. He seems to be okay with it while I talked with him on the phone. I will find out more today after he gets up.

 Brook had Tae Kwon Do last night. She is doing so well now. She wants new numshuks now. She has foam covered ones right now. She want some wooden ones now. I think that just might make a good Christmas gift! Her kicking has come a long way. She is no longer afraid to get both feet off the floor now! LOL

I got my new blood testing meter yesterday by Fed Ex. Turns out my insurance does not cover the strips for my old one anymore so they sent me a new one. I like it a lot better. It is the One Touch Ultra 2.

I have 3 new hens to replace the ones I lost. I have them in the dog pen with a tarp over it to keep them in. LOL Maybe I won't lose them to dogs and maybe I will get some eggs! Nothing like good farm fresh eggs! They are so rich in flavor!

Well that is it for now. LOL Only 9am so nothing has happened yet.

Is anybody else having trouble with journals this evening? I can open some and not others. I can comment on some and not others. Now i cannot get into my own except by IMing it! If you can read mine and can't leave a comment feel free to email me.

This and that and measuring things

So I believe I am due to do some catching up here.

Pat's aunt died last week. She was the hateful one that lived next door. I did not care for her but hated the way she had to live the last few years of her life. She had Alzheimer’s Disease. Her sons had nothing to do with her. One lived in FL and never came to visit even when she broke her hip. (I feel he is the reason that caused her to advance faster. She was doing fairly well until one Thanksgiving when he came up to visit he knocked on door and she did not answer -it was dark-. So he went back home and never came again to see her. She never believed that Thanksgiving had come after that because he always came on Thanksgiving.) The other son starved her so bad that she was stolen away from her house and taken to hospital where she was admitted for severe malnutrition then sent into a nursing home. We did not go to the funeral. They changed the date of it 3 times.

In other, happier news... Brook and her "squad" made the cut for the talent show. They will be preforming in January. You can be assured of plenty of pictures!

Master Lee will be back this week. He went to Korea to see his wife and to take a few black belts for some studying under a grand master. She has been there since summer to complete her masters degree. She will be gone for 3 more years! She will be coming home for Christmas break and staying a few months.

I am tired. Pat and I went to Nicholson Ga to measure Christmas trees. This is a long and tiresome job! All the trees have to be counted, measured and priced before Thanksgiving when the sales start. Pat and I will be going back to help with the sales too.

Well they kept the pressure on where he was working at. Offered him first shift and a 50 cent raise! What an insult! He turned them down and today he starts his new job.

We have some trees to plant and a few holly bushes too.

Well that is all for now. Got to get my baby ready to go to his new job.

 

Pat

Pat was so upset yesterday and all night long he tossed and turned. After he gave his notice they came on strong with him. Telling him that he does not want to leave, it would be a mistake.  They talked about how he has been there for 14 years(he has been there 20 years) and how he is so valuable to the company( they give another worker the prefered shift that has been there less than half the time he has). They said they have great plans for him(after telling him that they plan on making 2 of the young guys the top dogs). Not once did they mention a pay increase. They are scared because they KNOW that when he leaves they lose their workhorse. He said when I tell them I am leaving all of a sudden I am their golden boy but just the day before I was their whipping oy. Now which is it? Truth of the matter is, Pat is a very hard worker. He goes on and on just like the Energizer rabbit. If they asked him to do something he did it no matter what. Stay late? Yep he did. Go out in a monsoon to work on a truck on side of road? Yep he did it. Stay up all night driving around in zero degree weather starting trucks after working a 10 hour shift? Yep, done that. Drive 2 hours work 16 hours then drive back 3 hours AFTER working an 8-10 hour shift? Yep many a time. If they offer him first shift and a $2 hour raise I don't want him to stay. He would just be staying for the same crap!

some sad news

Last night a fire broke out at the Chattanooga Zoo. 8 animals lost their lives. There were no loss among the bigger animals. The part that burned had small animals and sick/injured animals.

 

another 1

 

I found this on Adventures of an Eclectic Mind

You Should Be a Film Writer

You don't just create compelling stories, you see them as clearly as a movie in your mind. You have a knack for details and dialogue. You can really make a character come to life. Chances are, you enjoy creating all types of stories. The joy is in the storytelling. And nothing would please you more than millions of people seeing your story on the big screen!

What Type of Writer Should You Be?

testing 123

I took another test today. I get these emails from Tickle since I signed up for them. Sometimes they have tests to take in them. with free reports. I will not PAY for them. No way! Anyway this one was to find my best qualities. Frankly I was surprised at the whole report but it did hit me as being pretty accurate for me. Here is the link if you want to take it for yourself~ What is your best quality?

Celeste, your best quality shines through in how Intelligent you are

The fact that you're a smart person who is more able to understand complex concepts than many other people are really draws people to you! But that's not the only thing. Your answers on the test indicate you're an honest person who values the truth and is sometimes willing to make sacrifices in order to uphold it. You are an inventive and creative person who usually has an abundance of imagination and ideas, too.

In all, there are 15 qualities that help define you when you're at your best. Those are the traits potential employers, friends, and partners look for in you. What makes you unique is your particular distribution of those 15 qualities.

We've found that your particular combination of qualities is rare — only 1 in 10,000 people share the same general mix of traits. Those are great odds if you're trying to show a potential employer, colleague, friend, or date why you're exactly the right person for them.

better?

I am getting better, I think.

Saturday we went for another ride in the park and I was so tired when we got home. I laid down on the couchto watch tv and went right to sleep. Pat woke me up around 7 to let me know he was going to go shot some pool with a friend. I said ok and went right back out. All I know after that is getting up in the morning! Somehow I went to bed and even sent a text! No memory of any of that! Sunday I woke up feeling better but weak. Monday was more of the same. Not really feeling like doing a darn thing! I will probably gain 10 pounds. I can't taste anything yet and keep trying to find something I can taste! I really need to give up on that quest.

Today I am still so congested. Still can't smell or taste anything. Guess it is a good thing I can't smell. Brook said there was a skunk outside this morning. Today will be busy. I have to go to the store and shop. I also have an Author's Tea to go to at 10 am. The author I will be hearing? Why Brook of course! LOL  It will be at her school. Then at 3pm I have to be back at the school for talent show tryouts. Yep, Brook is going to tryout along with several other students. SHe and 3 other Tae Kwon Do students are going to be preforming some routines. PLease nobody say "break a leg". She will be the one to actually do it!

Okay. Time for me to get busy with something, like I think the first thing I will do is fix the door. Brook let go of it and the wind caught it, bent the dodad on the bottom that makes the door swing shut. Not hard to fix, a hammer, screwdriver and a vise to hold it. BBL. Have a good day.

 

just a few

Just a few photo opts this week.  My monster bride.

Up next is Don't believe everything is fake!

 

Next is just me.

Wild life seen on my ride yesterday.

Need a closer shot?

 

 

 

Tags: Halloween, scared, bride, hawk, deer, wild life, horse

I have a head cold. I am so miserable! The coughy and sneezing and running nose is getting to me. Trying to ruin what is left of vacation! I will enjoy even if I end up major sick next week!

dang them

I got up this morning unable to sign in to AOL. When I finally got online I find an empty mailbox. AOL decided to send all my mail to AIM! I am not sure I am going to like this free AOL but I will keep it. I do like the KIDS Only feature.

Tags: Free AOL, AIM

alerts

Anybody else noticed that the alerts are different?

Inkblot

I took an inkblot test today. If you would like to try it it is available on Tickle.com. I took it free. I think it is free until Nov. 5th.  My results were... well here you look at them.

Celeste, your subconscious mind is driven most by Kindness

This means you have a deep desire to be kind and fair to others. You may even be preoccupied with finding kindness in the world around you, far more than you realize on a conscious level.

It is possible that the underlying reason you seek kindness in the world around you, is that you fear cruelty, the opposite of kindness. That could drive you to unconsciously project kindness wherever possible into your world. Regardless of its origin, your steadfast adherence to being kind to others is felt by people you are close to.

You are probably more susceptible than others to being overwhelmed by emotions — both yours and others'. It is possible that your unusually empathic nature is a result of your natural sensitivity to others' pain, and your desire to help them avoid it. For this reason, things might affect you more than they affect your friends and family. To protect yourself from too much emotional intensity, you might want to keep an eye out so you can recognize it when it starts. That will allow you to slow things down until you feel grounded again.

Overall, your strong orientation towards kindness gives you an optimistic nature, which translates into you seeing the best in the people around you. Because you're not one to be overly judgmental, others may seek out your company when they need a friend to talk to. People close to you likely know that you care deeply about the inner lives of others and can listen to what they have to say without imposing your views on them.

This is just the short version. The long report is deep. Dang it is good. I need to study on it a bit.