Flashback Friday

 I just came back into the house after feeding and watering Large Marge.  At the age of 7 years old, I am happy to say that for the past few months, she's been giving us one egg a day.  Can't ask for more than that from the old girl. 

Yesterday, I was in the line at the post office to mail a package, and the guy at the window next to me was there to pick up a very important package: a box filled with 6 just-hatched chicks.  You could hear them peeping, much to the delight of everyone in the post office at that time. The clerks and customers all wanted to look in the box at the little fuzzy yellow chicks. I couldn't help but think back to that day back in April of 2017 when I was in his spot at the post office - waiting to pick up my six chicks.  I truly felt like an expectant mother waiting for my chicks.  I drove probably 10 miles an hour home to make sure they made it safe and sound.  

It's hard to believe that we're down to just Large Marge.  But she's still strong and healthy and pretty.  

Update From The Compound

 Once again, there is no peace in the valley.  We still have the rooster to the left of us crowing all day and all night long.  And we have the big German Shepherd to the right of us barking incessantly all day and all night.  I'm thankful for my ear plugs at night. 

Something You Don't See Every Day

 I was waiting to turn in the corner liquor store yesterday to get a bottle of wine for dinner, and as I was waiting to pull into the drive-thru, a guy on a scooter turned in and got in the drive-thru line.  I kept looking at him, and then finally realized it was a childhood friend that lived in the subdivision across the road from us.  He is probably my age now, maybe a year or two younger.  Anyhoo, seeing someone on a scooter in a liquor store drive-thru is definitely something that you don't see every day. 

Apologies

 I apologize for not posting the past few days. There's no real reason, other than whenever I thought about posting I got sidetracked.  

Flashback Friday

 Tomorrow is the annual Thunder Over Louisville - supposedly the world's largest fireworks show and air show. For those of you faithful readers not familiar with this, it is the big kick off for the Kentucky Derby Festival.  For those of you faithful readers that know me well, you will remember how I would get so stressed up on the Friday before Thunder. For quite a few years, some School Friends and I would get to Slugger Field early Saturday morning and go to the Bats baseball game and then enjoy all of the goings on down on the water front until it was time for the fireworks.  

On Thunder eve, I would be stressed over making sure we had plenty of snacks and more importantly beverages to take.  I would also stress over the weather.  I would stress over finding an available parking spot in the lot next to Slugger Field.  And most of all, I would stress as we fought the massive traffic jam getting home after the fireworks ended.  But now I am stress-free. I would guess it's been over ten years since I went to Thunder. And I sure don't miss it at all.  

Thursday Frustration

 For the past two days, I've been dealing with Walgreens about a problem with one of the Old Man's prescriptions.  It too two days and 4 phone calls, but I am happy to report that the issue has been taken care of for now. 

Stay tuned. 

Second Chances

 On my way home from my Bible study today, I took another indirect route to get the Old Man his apple fritter.  As I was waiting at a stoplight to get back on the the Expressway, I noticed a Norton's Medical Transport van in the lane next to me.  This intersection was by a small airport called Bowman Field - where lots of small and private planes come and go.  As I saw the Norton's van, I couldn't help but think - maybe they came from Bowman Field after getting an organ that was flown in from one of the many private planes there, and that organ would give someone a second chance.  I couldn't help but pray that if that was the case, that the person receiving the organ would be healed and have a good life.  And that the family of the person that donated the organ would also have a good life knowing their family member helped someone else to live. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 I had to run a couple of errands today, and while I was out and about, the humidity was off the chain.  As my grandmother would have said, the air was so close you could barely breathe.  I'm glad I'm back in the house now in my recliner where it is very comfortable.  

Summer Came Early

 As you all well know, I'm not happy in the summer.  Mainly because I like the nice cool air conditioning, while the Old Man gets cold.  So we've tried to compromise.  That having been said, I think summer is here a bit early.  Yesterday it got to 86 here at The Compound, and as I type this it's 83.  The house is still comfortable, I will admit.  Tonight I will open my window and kick my ceiling fan up a notch.  But something tells me we're not done with cooler weather.  

Stay tuned. 

Public Service Announcement

 One morning this past week while the Old Man and I were drinking coffee and watching TV, we started talking about all of the supplements that they advertise on TV.  The Old Man said "those supplement companies should also say that their miracle drugs would also cause weight loss - if you took everything they say you need, you'd be so full of water that you wouldn't want to eat another bite."  I had to agree with him.  This got me to thinking, and I started a list of all of the supplements they advertise on TV.  Once I had a pretty long list, I did some research about the daily dosage.  My findings were a bit surprising, to say the least  Here they are:

Balance Of Nature - 3 of the fruit pills and 3 of the vegetable pills, once a day = 6 pills

Relief Factor - 2 capsules and 2 pills, three times a day = 12 pills

Total Beets - 4 of the chews, once a day = 4

COQ10 - 1 pill, two times a day = 2 pills

Omega XL - 2 pills, once a day = 2 pills

Metamucil - 5 pills, once a day = 5 pills

Prevagen - 1 capsule, once a day = 1 pill

Total People Plus - 1 capsule, once a day = 1 pill

Crazy Saturday

 Today has left me feeling very odd and out of sorts.  Mainly because I was trying to help a friend with a project, and when I asked how the project was going, she went off on me and said she was so busy and didn't have time to worry about it.  I wanted to say "Then why did you attempt this project in the first place?" But I kept my mouth shut, and asked her to let me know what else I could do to help her. 

As my best friend Diva Stacy often tells me, let it go.  

Flashback Friday

 

At least once a week, someone puts a post on Facebook asking their friends to post a cartoon from back in the day that kids today would be clueless about.  

I read one of these posts yesterday, and took a minute to scroll down and see what people had listed.  I can't believe that nobody mentioned one of my favorite cartoons, Deputy Dawg.  I think his cool hat is what made me like him so much. 

New Dessert Review

 

 I stepped out of my comfort zone yesterday and made my first pie.  I am happy to say the Possum Pie was great according to me and the Old Man.  It took longer to get the ingredients together than it took to actually get the pie together.  We are both looking forward to dessert tonight for another slice.  

Two Steps Forward, Three Steps Back

 It's supposed to get to 70 today, 77 tomorrow and the mid 60's the rest of the week.  But the warmer temps come with a price - rain is in the forecast every day this week.  Oh well.  At least it will be rain and not snow or ice.  

We Might Be Out Of Winter

 It was 36 here at The Compound this morning, but right now it is 61 and still very sunny. For that we are happy. There is no freeze warning tonight, and we are thankful for that for all of my friends that have flowers out.  

Stay tuned. 

Winter Is Still Here

 Winter is still here. Once again, it's cold, cloudy and windy today.  And there is a freeze warning for tonight.  I'm afraid that once this cold spell is over, we'll be going right into summer.  

Stay tuned. 

Winter Is Back

 We had temps late last week and weekend in the upper 70s and low 80s.  The past three days the highs have been in the low 40s with strong winds.  And with below-freezing tpms at night.  Looks like we have another day or so of this pattern.  While I don't like the summer high temps, I am sure looking forward to this winter to end. 

We Dodged Another Bullet

 We had big storms move through late yesterday evening, and lots of tornado touchdowns in the eastern part of the county.  But thank the Lord, we were safe here at The Compound.  As I have said before, we are in a little pocket by the river, and that and the Good Lord has given us protection from many storms - both tornadoes and snow.  Thanks again for the safety and protection.  

No April Fools

 Our supper tonight was delayed by about an hour as we were glued to the weatherazzi on TV talking about tornadoes in the area.  Luckily for us, The Compound is in a little pocket right on the river that has shielded us from many, many storms over the years. For that, we are very thankful.  

We got a lot of rain in our part of the county, while the tornadoes and big winds were centralized on the east part of the county.  So far, none of my east end friends had any damage and they are safe and sound.  

April Fools Day

 Faithful readers, today was my Sweet Mother's favorite day of the year - April Fools Day.  She would catch me in 3 or 4 April Fools pranks before I even left the house for work.  And she would call me at work and catch me again a time or two.    I sure miss those days. 

Update From The Compound

 I am very happy to report that my hard head is healing.  And other than some soreness when I inadvertently raise my eyebrows, I still have no pain, thank the Lord. 

Flashback Friday

 

So A Thing Happened . . .

 I want to let you, faithful readers, know about something that happened here at The Compound on Sunday evening.  After supper, I slipped on a rug that was between the family room and dining room, and fell and hit my head on one of the very hard dining room table chairs.  It didn't bleed very long, and the gash was not deep. I didn't and still don't have a goose egg, and no pain in my head.  So for that I can't be thankful enough.  I didn't feel woozy or sick or anything after it happened, and still don't.  The only real pain I've had was yesterday - all of my joints were achy from the fall, but today it's back to quasi-normal.  I look like a comibination of Frankenstein with my horseshoe shaped gash on my forehead and the bruising on my cheek and jaw, but as I sand I cannot be thankful enough that it was not a lot worse than it could have been.  

If you are a pray-er, please say a prayer for continued healing for the scar and for still no pain.  

Give Us A Break

The Old Man's insurance company, Anthem, has called three times today.  Each time I kept on the line waiting to speak to an actual person instead of a robot to see what the problem was.  After the third call, I was able to get some info - there was an issue with one of his prescriptions and they transferred me to his drug store.  Only when they transferred me, the pharmacy was on their meal break.  

I waited ten minutes and then called back.  If I'd been there, the pharmacist would have probably looked at me like I had three heads.  She said there was no problem, and that his prescription was being filled and would be ready later this afternoon.  

Just another trying day here at The Compound.  

Hold On To Your Hats

 We have had wind advisories for the past three days.  I'm glad that I don't wear a wig or a weave, because I'd be chasing it down.  I'm also glad that the spot where we put our big garbage can is in a corner between the back porch railing and the back porch, so it is anchored and is one more thing I don't have to chase down. 

A Day Of Rest

Yesterday wore me out, faithful readers.  I made the Old Man a big breakfast; big meaning something other than his usual favorite Dunkin Sticks or Pecan Twirls.  It's taken me three and a half years but I am finally able to fry his eggs over easy without breaking the yolks.  Then I cleaned up the kitchen, and swept and mopped the kitchen and dining rooms.  After another cup of coffee [for energy], I went to the grocery store.  It wasn't as bad as I thought it would be - I had some coupons, and also got 30 cents off per gallon at their gas station.  After I put away the groceries, I made a pitcher of grape Kool-Aid (something I'd been wanting for a long time but kept forgetting to buy at the store). Then to top it all off, I bundled up and went out in the crazy wind and walked a mile up and down the driveway.

As a retiree, I think I need to start pacing myself.   

Flashback Friday

 This afternoon, I was reminiscing about Friday night supper.  My Sweet Mother and the Old Man would pick up fish from Eddie's Seafood House on their way home from work almost every Friday.  To this day, I can still remember how awesome the smell from the two cardboard boxes of fish was.  It wasn't over-powering - like a smell you'd have to spray Glade to cover up; it was just a good smell.  And the fish and fries were always good, too.  And Friday was one of the rare times that we all had Coke with our meal instead of our traditional iced tea.  

We have kept the Friday fish tradition ever since.  It's good, but just not the same as back in the day.  

Something You Don't See Every Day

 The other day, I went to Krogers to get some fresh fruit, and as I was stopped by the store waiting to turn in to the parking lot, I saw something that I'd never witnessed before.  I was right in front of the gas station in the store parking lot, and in the less-than-sixty-seconds I was stopped and waiting, they were changing the gas prices on the digital sign.  When I pulled up there, it was $3.16 a gallon; when I pulled into the parking lot it was $3.45 a gallon.   That is truly something you [thankfully] don't see every day. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 We went from almost 80 a couple of days next week, to back to winter the past few days.  This is the third morning in a row we woke up to temps in the upper 20's.  Sunday and yesterday the high was in the low 40s and windy.  I ran some errands yesterday and noticed quite a few yards with sheets and blankets covering up their plants so they hopefully wouldn't freeze.  It's ironic that the freeze sure doesn't hurt the weeds.  Go figure. 

Happy St. Patrick's Day

Top o' the mornin' to you, ladds and lasses!  Here's one of my all-time favorite jokes, that just happens to be an Irish joke.

Paddy O'Bryan was not home at his usual hour, and his wife Kathleen was fuming, as the clock ticked later and later. Finally, about 3:00 AM she heard a noise at the front door, and as she stood at the top of the stairs, there was her husband, drunk as a skunk, trying to navigate the stairs.

"Do you realize what time it is?" she said.

He answered, "Don't get excited, I'm late because I bought something for the house."

Immediately her attitude changed, and as she ran down the stairs to help him, she said, "What did you buy for the house, dear?"

His answered, "A round of drinks!"

Newspaper Update

 With the overnight and early morning storms, I was for sure we wouldn't get a newspaper this morning. Or if we got one, I would spend a half an hour with the blow dryer drying out the wet pages.  But much to my surprise, the paper was in the box and was inside a plastic bag - all safe and sound.  We were happy. 

Stay tuned. 

Newspaper Update

 I am happy to report that we did get a newspaper this morning.  Stay tuned to see if we get one tomorrow. 

More Bad Luck

 It's only Wednesday, and it is the second time we have not received a newspaper this week.  If the Old Man was tech-savvy, I would cancel the newspaper subscription and have him read it online, but he's 90 and if he pays for a newspaper, by hell he should get it.  I called and complained again this morning.  Of course, they were apologetic, and said they would credit our account again for today's missed delivery.  Stay tuned for an update tomorrow morning.  

Quote Of The Year

 A good friend from my Bible Study Fellowship group met me and the Old Man for dinner yesterday at our new favorite Mexican restaurant. She wasn't able to come to his 90th birthday party, and still wanted to celebrate with us.  We had a great time talking and laughing and telling stories. 

On our way home from the restaurant, the Old Man said, and I quote "You've made some great new friends in your group.  Don't do something stupid to disappoint them or Jesus."  Believe me - I'm not going to. 

Covid 19 Update

 At the grocery store yesterday, I noticed that there were more shoppers masked up than in the past few months.  It's hard to believe that four years ago last week was when we had the first case of Covid and the country pretty much shut down.  The Old Man and I are very fortunate to have made it through the past four years without getting Covid; I pray that record continues.  

Update From The Compound

 I am happy to report that today's visit from the plumber wasn't bad at all.  He was able to use a sawzall and cut the hose fixture off of the spigot, so he didn't have to replace it.  We are good to go.  I was thankful that he didn't hose me - pardon the pun.  He could have said he would need to replace the spigot and charge me another hour + of labor but he didn't.  I will for sure use this plumbing company in the future. 

I Don't Feel So Bad

 While I was whining yesterday about having to get a plumber to come and install a new outdoor water spigot, another friend was having about ten times worse plumbing problems.  To make the very long story short, they will have to pull up her newly installed wood flooring, replace it all, and fix a major leak that flooded her kitchen.  I sure don't feel so bad now.  

Bad Luck Continues

 Our heating and air conditioning company came today to do their annual spring check on the a/c system.  All was well with it, until the service man tried (key word) to get the hose off of the spigot so he could connect a longer hose and drag it around to the a/c unit to clean it out.  He tried (key word) to get the nozzle off to connect his hose but no luck.  And he tried again to get the hose off of the spigot, but both seemed to be cross-threaded.  This was a big guy - and he tried with all of his might to get both off but no dice.  So he told me to call a plumber and have them come out and replace the spigot, and then put on a new hose.  So that's what I did.  The plumber will be out on Thursday afternoon to replace the spigot, and thanks to Amazon a new fancy hose (as soon on TV) will be delivered tomorrow.  To sum this up, this will be the first check I've had to write for house issues in 2024.  I'd say that's pretty darned good.

Stay tuned. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 As I type this, it's 70 degrees and sunny.  Not a cloud in the sky.  

I ran some errands this morning, and in an hour or two, the Old Man and I are going out on the back porch.  If he feels up to it, we might even make a trek out to the gazebo to sit and enjoy this nice weather. 

Stay tuned. 

I'm In Hell

 Disclaimer: the neighbors I am going to mention are not on Facebook, nor they do know anything about TWIT.

It's rough going the past few weeks here at The Compound - especially the past few days.  One neighbor to the right of us has a rooster that crows all day and night; not just at dawn like most other roosters.  One neighbor to the left of us is on a 10 day skiing trip and his large incessantly barking dog is there in the house (a friend of theirs comes by in the late afternoon to feed him and check on him).  So between the rooster crowing and the dog barking, it's not been peace in the valley.  I even use my ear plugs and can still hear the crowing and barking when I go to bed. 

Pray for me, America. 

In Like A Lion, Sorta

 March came in sorta like a lion yesterday here in the 'Ville.  It was cold and rainy most of the day.  So to me, that falls in the "lion" category.  Today it has been cloudy, cool and drizzly.  

Stay tuned to see how March goes out.  

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 Yesterday, the weatherazzi had everybody all worked up over severe storms with large hail and tornadoes here in our area last night.  I am very happy to report that we didn't get much weather at all here at The Compound last night.  We got some rain and a bit of wind, but nothing beyond that.  

Today, it has been crazy - when I got up this morning it was 60 at 7:30.  At noon, the temp had dropped to 35 with crazy wind.  I'm glad to be inside our nice warm house this afternoon.  

I Want A Do-Over

 Yesterday was not a good day for me here at The Compound.  Almost everything I touched either broke or quit working.  My bad luck started off when I was putting some glasses in the cabinet and broke one of my favorite etched Good Shepherd Security Consulting glasses.  Then the handle of a pan broke off; luckily the pan was empty or else that would have been another piece of bad luck. Then I tried (key word) to turn on the lamp by my recliner and it wouldn't work.  I tried three new bulbs and nothing.  This morning I am going to a lamp repair shop and hopefully they will be able to fix it.  Some might say "just buy another lamp" but not me.  It is one of a set of two heavy, sturdy brass lamps that we've had for years, and I want to keep the matching set. Then to top off the day, KFC got my order wrong.  

I've been up for an hour, and so far I haven't broken or spilled anything.

Stay tuned.

Covid 19 Update

 On my weekly trip to Krogers today, I noticed a few more shoppers masking up than in previous weeks.  I'm not ashamed to say I, too, was masked up.  I'm just still glad that people are concerned and don't want to catch anything. 

Nuff said.  

Flashback Friday

 

I was looking for something in a kitchen drawer the other day, and came across this.  I would bet a twenty dollar bill that there are very few people under the age of 30 that would know what it is.  In case you, faithful readers have forgotten, this is a very old Tupperware Keep Kap to keep your unfinished glass bottle of soft drink from going flat.  I'm not sure when Tupperware stopped selling these, but I remember them being a staple in most kitchens way back in the day. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

It was cold yesterday morning, but the temperature made it up to 68.  And the best part of yesterday was it was the fourth day in a row that we had sunshine.  Not so much today.  It's cloudy and 58 right now, and the temp will stay at 58, and storms are in the forecast. 

While we are on the subject of the weather, I think Puxatawney Phil was right about spring coming early.  This week, I've seen some robins out in the yard, and yesterday morning I saw one of the little yellow and black finches out on the finch feeder. 

Happy Tuesday

 A week ago, I checked online and saw I was available for an upgrade on my iPhone that I have for my Good Shephard Security Counseling business.  I sure jumped on it.  I had an iPhone 8, and the offer for an iPhone 13 was only $1.99 a month for three years,  If I'd bought one on eBay, it would have been almost $400.  So I jumped on it. Score.  And when I bought it, I also upgraded my monthly plan, which will be for $15 less than I'd been paying.  Double score.

As my luck always holds out, it took me two days to get everything copied over from the old iPhone to the new one, but I persevered and did it.  All photos and all of my bizillion songs are now on my new iPhone. 

I'm happy today. 

It Was Peace In The Valley

A week and a half ago, my ATT landline here at The Compound was down.  Yes, a week and a half ago.  It took until late last night for them to get it back up and running.  But in that week and a half, I can't begin to say how peaceful it was without any telemarketers calling.  

This afternoon when the service was back, the phone rang at least 6 times.  I am on the verge of contacting ATT tomorrow and cancelling the service.  If anyone needs to talk to us right away, they all know to call my cell phone if we don't answer the landline.  Part of me wants to keep the landline, but a bigger part wants to give it the ax.

Stay tuned.

Monday, Monday

 I am ready for a nap, faithful readers.  I was up early this morning because I had to meet my income tax guy at my old office at 8:00 to get my paperwork back.  I am not ashamed to say I did not enjoy getting up early.  But it is what it is.  I think I might get in my recliner now and take a nap.  No shame in that, I say.  I've earned the privilege of napping in the afternoon.

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 Here at The Compound, we barely got a dusting of snow last night.  And that was fine with us.  But it was much colder today.  The high was in the low 20's.  As I type this tonight, we are still enjoying a nice cozy Duraflame log burning in the fireplace.  

Stay safe. 

Flashback Friday

 With snow in the forecast for later today, I remember back to the days when I was a kid - when there was snow in the forecast, I would get so excited.  I loved playing out in the snow, and loved getting to stay home from school even more.  On "snow days" when there was no school, we had a lunch ritual.  I would bundle up and put on my snow boots and Gram would send me down to the Little Store.  It wasn't a long walk - the store was just one house down from us. There at the Little Store, I would buy a Chef Boy Ardee pepperoni pizza.  While I was gone, Gram would chop some onion and bell pepper to "doctor up" the frozen pizza.  She would also call our neighbor Alice to let her know what time the pizza would be ready.  Alice, too, would bundle up and put on her snow boots and walk next door to our house, bringing along with her some of the awesome tasting little bottles of Coke for us to have.  

Now with snow expected later this afternoon, instead of being excited I'm nerved up; I told a friend I would pick her up and take her to an eye doctor's appointment because she was afraid she wouldn't be seeing too well to drive home after her eyes were dilated.  Luckily, the current weatherazzi reports say rain will start about 3 or 4 o'clock and then switch to snow a couple of hours later.  So I should be home before roads get slick. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 It's very windy as I type this, and the temperature is 60 and it is sunny.  The weatherazzi is getting us worked up yet again over some snow tomorrow afternoon.  We've dodged a few bullets this winter, and I hope we dodge another one tomorrow.

Stay tuned. 

Peace At The Compound

 It has been peaceful here inside at The Compound since Sunday evening when an ATT land line phone outage started.  As of this afternoon, the outage is still going on.  And we are enjoying not having a bizillion telemarketers call all day long.  This is making me start to think about just cancelling the land line. The only reason I still have it is because some of Bud's friends still use it to call to check on him.  He doesn't have a cell phone, and he still likes to get phone calls from friends and family.  But it is definitely something I will be thinking about in the next couple of weeks. 

Stay tuned.  

Super Bowl Review

 I am sorry to report that last night's Super Bowl aka The Taylor Swift Show was the most lack luster Super Bowl that I've watched.  I don't like the Chiefs, and don't follow the Forty-Niners, so I wasn't rooting for either team. And if someone had held a gun to my head and told me to name three songs by Usher, I would have to tell them to go ahead and pull the trigger.  I did think that Reba did a great job on the National Anthem.  On a side note, it was 50 years ago back in the ancient days of 1974 when Reba sang the National Anthem for the first time at the National Finals Rodeo.  

As for my favorite commercial of the night, my award goes to Dunkin Donuts, starring J-Lo, Ben Affleck, Matt Damon and Tom Brady.  

 

Soup Bowl Sunday

Everyone else is going crazy over Super Bowl Sunday, but me and the Old Man are having Soup Bowl Sunday.  We are getting ready to have a bowl of homemade [by me] vegetable soup and a favorite tuna fish sandwich on toast.  Then later tonight if we aren't still too full, we will have some queso and tortilla chips, washed down with a cold Bud Light.  We are pretty low key these days when it comes to partying. 

May your favorite team win. 

A New Not-So-Guilty Pleasure

 For the past couple of months, on Saturday afternoons the Old Man and I have been watching the QVC channel - mainly because their emphasis on Saturdays is on cooking products and food.  I have to say it's pretty entertaining, especially today's viewing.  The woman doing the hosting reminded me straight up of a Saturday Night Live character that would be hosting something like QVC.  Her comments and jokes were just like something I would have heard on SNL.  

Before you think anything further, in the few months we've been watching the Saturday QVC cooking show, today is the only time I've bought something - and it was something that we saw I think the first Saturday we watched it two months ago - three nesting measuring cups.  The best part of these cups are the way they are designed - you don't have to crouch down and look at the measuring cup level on the kitchen countertop - it has the measurements on the inside of the cups so all you have to do is look down.  

Who knows?  Maybe it will help me to cook more.  

Stay tuned. 

Mullet Watch

 I made a quick trip to our local Wal-Mart grocery store yesterday, and am happy to report another mullet sighting.  This one was gray, and the sides were trimmed high and tight, but the party in the back was long and curly.  I was impressed.

Mullet count: 2

Ohio Valley Weather Update

It looks like Puxatawney Phil has been right for the week after he didn't see his shadow.  It was 62 and sunny yesterday, and today through Sunday the temperatures will be in the low 60's.  After our week of single digit temperatures last month, this is a welcome reprieve. 

Wishful Wednesday

 I really shouldn't say "wishful" because it should be saying-prayers-Wednesday.  I have some friends now going through different troubles, situations, and thanksgivings.  I am praying for peace, comfort, healing, and thanks for the various issues they are going through right now.  

One friend got a great report from her oncologist yesterday - saying still no sign of cancer, and that they would see her in a year for another scan.  Another friend is rejoicing that her doctors said she is cancer free.  Another friend is dealing with debilitating back pain as a result from a fall.  Another friend is dealing with a major plumbing issue at her house, which is a big drama, as all plumbing issues are. 

I'm just thankful for these friends that are a part of the Old Man and my family of friends.  And I am thankful for you, faithful readers. 

I Feel Old

I feel very old today.  I watched the last hour of the Grammy Awards last night, and just now read the list of all of the winners.  Other than Taylor Swift, Miley Cyrus and Chris Stapleton, I didn't know any other winner, nor the majority of the nominees.  Yep, I feel old.  

Mullet Watch

 Mullet sightings here in my 'hood have been as rare as Bigfoot sightings.  But yesterday at the grocery store, I saw a doozy.  It was a long gray mullet.  When I say "long" the party-in-the-back went down to the bottom of his Levi denim jacket he was wearing.  I have to say it was an impressive mullet. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 I am happy to report that we had sunshine all day long today, and the temperature got up to 56.  And just more reinforcement for Puxatauney Phil's prediction yesterday - when I went to the grocery store today, I saw two guys wearing shorts.  

Spring time is coming, faithful readers.  

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 It was a beautiful, sunny day yesterday and the temperature reached 60 degrees here in the 'Ville.  I went to the store, and sure enough, I saw two guys wearing shorts, one of which was wearing flip flops.  I hope that is a more reliable sign of early spring weather than Puxatawney Phil.  

Here Comes The Sun

 I'm not specific, but I'm pretty sure it's been well over a week since we've seen the sunshine.  But it has been out today and for that we are all thankful.  

Back To Business

 I was still tired yesterday from all of the birthday partying going on, so other than go pick up a gallon of milk, I didn't do anything.   Today, it is back to business.  I spent most of the morning going online and printing out statements, receipts, etc for my income tax filing.  It was a taxing chore, pun intended, but it's over.  All I need to do is wait for my retirement fund distribution statement to come in the mail and I will be good go to.

Stay tuned. 

A Day Of Rest

I think I was more tired today than I was yesterday after all of the party preparation and partying.  I made a quick trip to take books back to the library and have been on my throne aka my LazyBoy recliner this afternoon, and will be back in the recliner after supper later. No shame in admitting you are tired, I always say.   

Party Review

 I don't know how to act this morning - there isn't any cleaning or worrying or anything to do today now that the party is over.  But it was a huge success.  The mix of family and friends that came was a great combination - everybody talked with everybody else.  The food was excellent, and his surprise 90 charcuterie boards were almost too pretty to eat.  The hit of the party was his Willie Nelson birthday cake.  all of the love The Old Man said this was one of the best days of his 90 years, and I have to agree.  The best part of his party was all of the love you could feel in the house. 

Party Day

The big party is going on. I will give a detailed report tomorrow. The Old Man has had an awesome day, thanks to the Lord. 

Party Weekend Report

 The celebrating has commenced.  We went to a new Mexican restaurant last night, and all of us agreed it was THE best Mexican food we've had.  The manager of the restaurant is a friend of ours, and she gave me and the Old Man tequila shots to celebrate.  On a related note, the tequila she gave us was 1800 Cristalno, and after just one shot it became my new favorite tequila.

Stay tunred for more party weekend reports. 

Places Everyone, Places

 If you remember watching "Fantasy Island" back in the day, at the beginning of each episode, Mr. Rourke would always announce to the staff "places everyone, places" a few minutes before the guests would be arriving.  With the Old Man's party now just three days away, I am saying "places everyone, places."

My Favorite Cousin and her Dear Husband will be arriving this afternoon.  The spare bedroom and bathroom are cleaned and ready, and just about everything that needed to be put away has been put away.  After breakfast this morning I will do a once over in the back bedroom and bathroom to double check, and will do the same in the kitchen.

The first of the celebrations will be dinner tonight at our new favorite Mexican restaurant.

Stay tuned.

Rain Rain Go Away; Come Again Next Week

 It's been pouring down for a few hours, and is supposed to pour down all day today, tonight and tomorrow. We get a break with no rain on Friday but more all-day rain on Saturday.  It's not the weather we'd hoped for with the Old Man's party on Sunday - we'd planned to park cars in the front and side yards. My Favorite Cousin's Dear Husband is in charge of parking the cars, so I will let him worry with it.

Stay tuned.

The Party Countdown Continues

 Today, I did sweeping, dusting and mopping.  I talked to the baker making the Old Man's epic birthday cake, and talked with the caterer making the charcuterie boards.  So I am still on schedule.  Tomorrow morning, we have early hair cut appointments.  When we get back home, I will clear and clean the dining room table and clear off Snack Mountain.  It is a good feeling to be on schedule and know that it's all coming together.

Countdown - 4 days to go.  

Ohio Valley Weather Update

I am very happy to report that as I type this post the temperature here at The Compound is 40 degrees!  And it is sunny!  Temps are supposed to rise this week, but along with the warmer temperatures comes a lot of rain.  But at least it won't be a lot of snow and ice. 

Stay tuned. 

The Party Countdown Continues

 The Old Man's 90th birthday party is one week from today.  I am happy to report that things are being checked off of my big to-do list and I am on schedule.  The cake is ordered and it should be epic; the surprise charcuterie boards in the shape of 9-0 is ordered, and will be delivered Sunday morning, as will the cake.  The food for our party is all taken care of - two dear family friends are taking care of BBQ pork and baked beans, and my Favorite Cousin will be making macaroni salad, which is the Old Man's favorite. I will devil eggs, so I can say that I did something for his party besides write checks.   Disposable plates, glasses, cutlery and napkins have been purchased.  So tomorrow I will continue with the final phase - the cleaning phase.  I already started by vacuuming the back bathroom and back bedroom, so in the morning after breakfast I will clear out and clean the countertops and the island so we will have room for the food. Tuesday, I will sweep the family room, kitchen and dining room, and then will mop. 

Stay tuned for updates. 

Here We Go Again

Here we go again, faithful readers.  As I type this post, the temperature here at The Compound is 3 degrees.  And also once again, the Old Man and I are very thankful for a warm house.

Stay warm and stay safe. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 The weatherazzi was right - we finally got a measurable snow last night.  According to our weather watching equipment, we got about 2 inches of snow here at The Compound.  It was a fluffy snow, and only took about 5 minutes for me to sweep off the ramp and the front porch steps.  But once again like earlier in the week, we have another wind chill warning for the next 24 hours.  It's days like this that I'm glad I braved the masses yesterday and ran my errands and did my grocery shopping. 

Stay warm and stay safe. 

That Was Easy

 In less than five minutes, I was able to renew my drivers license and my car registration online.  I would have done this online even if it wasn't 13 degrees right now.  Nuff said. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 It was 11 degrees when I got up yesterday morning.  It got to a balmy 17 degrees yesterday.  It was the same this morning - 11 degrees, but at least the sun is shining.  Once again, it's supposed to get to 17.  But hold on, folks - the warm up is coming.  It's supposed to get to 30 tomorrow!  I would be willing to bet if you went to the grocery store tomorrow, you'd see some guys wearing shorts.  There are no words.

Stay warm and safe. 

Ohio Valley Weather Update

 As I type this, the thermometer on the back porch shows that it is 9 degrees here at The Compound. At least the sun is shining, but it is a little bit windy.  I don't even want to look at my weather app on my phone and see what the "feels like" temperature is.  I am just thankful for a warm house.  Nuff said. 

It Finally Snowed

 We woke up this morning to see some visible snow.  We had a small dusting overnight.  The majority of the snow was on the backporch ramp.  But I digress.

The weatherazzi has wind chill warnings out for the next few nights.  Being a person that is hot natured, that even made me feel cold.  The Old Man and I will hunker down and stay inside where it is nice and warm.  I bought a box of Duraflame logs today at the grocery store, we will enjoy a nice cozy fire for the next few nights.

Stay safe and warm. 

Here We Go Again

 Once again, the weatherazzi is getting our city worked up over a chance of some snow tonight.  It's been pouring rain for hours, and supposed to rain all day and most of the night, and will transition to light snow once the temps drop.  I'm sure the grocery stores will be packed today with shoppers getting bread and milk.  

I'm not a bit concerned about this forecast, nor the forecast for possibly 1-3 inches of snow Sunday night through Monday; I'm more concerned that the lows next week will be in the single digits. 

Stay tuned for weather updates.  

Party Countdown

 Today is 18 days away from The Big Party.  Things are coming together.  Yesterday I got some cool 90th birthday ("Cheers to 90 Years) dessert plates and napkins.  Today I did some cleaning and clearing out in the living room.  Tomorrow, I will continue to bust a move in the living room and get it spick and span. 

Stay tuned. 

The Countdown Has Started

Three weeks from yesterday will be the Old Man's 90th birthday.   A few months ago he and I started talking about it, and we decided he deserves a party for this big occasion. When my Favorite Cousin and her Dear Husband were here for a visit in August, we told them about it and we made preliminary plans.  The Old Man said he just wants to be with family (blood kinfolk and long-time friends who are like family) and he said he would like to have an open house.  When my Favorite Cousin was here for their Christmas visit, we made more definite and detailed plans - what we would have to eat and drink,  and who to invite.  This past Saturday I called her and we went over the plans.  I also called and ordered a surprise cake for him, and ordered a very cool charcuterie board that will be in the shape of 9-0. I also wrote out invitations and mailed them. Yesterday I printed out a blank monthly calendar page and wrote down everything I need to do, buy, clean and clear away before the big d Bay. So the countdown is on: 20 days till the Big Day.

Stay tuned. 

Winter Weather Update

 Thankfully, all we got last night and today in the Ville was some rain.  It was a dreary old day but at least none of us had to deal  with snow on our driveways and roads.  

Nuff said, 

Flashback Friday

 The weatherazzi has everyone here in the Ville worked up over a "possibility" of a dusting of snow tonight.  I remember in years past (especially when I was working) I would dread a forecast like this - here in the Ohio Valley, when they say a "dusting" you can expect either nothing or a foot of snow.  Tonight, I don't care. I went to the grocery this morning so if it is raining or snowing tomorrow, I won't have to get out in the mess.  So I am in until Monday or Tuesday.

I am expecting one of the local channels to have an article tonight about local hardware stores being swamped with people buying sleds, snow shovels and ice melt.  Just in case, I have my lightweight plastic snow shovel on the back porch, and have my bucket of ice melt handy.

Stay tuned.  

File Under: WTF?

 The Old Man and I decided we wanted some White Castles today for lunch, so I was only happy to go up and get us a sack full.  I had gone a quarter of a mile to the big Greenbelt intersection, when I noticed a huge funeral procession that was going to be passing through.  I put the Silver Bullet in park (I was first in the lane go through the intersection) and waited patiently, and also said a prayer for the family and friends of the deceased.  But I digress.  After about two minutes, a young woman in a small Kia that was the first car in the opposite through lane decided she did not want to be respectful, nor lawful, and proceeded to pull on through and darned near blocked the funeral procession.  Let me tell you I have never heard so many cars honking at that crazy woman.  As she went on and pulled through the procession, I looked over at her in her little Kia and all she did was throw her arms up in the air.  I am hoping that karma will definitely come back to bite her in the ass.  She sure deserves it.  

Payback Is Sweet

 Back when we still had all six of our girls (chickens) we would get a lot of eggs, thanks to them.  We would take eggs to our friends at  and to my coworkers.  Not things have come full swing, thanks to our neighbors.  They have 8 hens and are getting a lot of eggs.  They brought over a dozen eggs to us this afternoon - and they look like you'd dyed them for Easter - a few eggs were light blue, and others were beige and some even pink.  We couldn't thank them enough.  

A Bittersweet Day

 It was a bittersweet day today.  I spent the day taking down and putting away our Christmas decorations.  I did hate to see our big Snoopy go back into the closet for the next 11 months, but it is what it is.  I still am thankful I had the brilliant idea to clear out my Sweet Mother's closet and use it for our Christmas decorations to keep me from having to make 87 trips up and down the basement stairs.  

Happy New Year

 TWIT and I would like to wish you, faithful readers, a very happy new year. 

The only new year's resolution I am making is to ride the recumbent bike every day.  I've done day 1's ride; 364 more to go.

Stay tuned.