Happy Derby Mid-Week

The forecast was very iffy for today, so the SF's and I decided a few days ago to cancel our annual Steamboat Race Party at Cox's Park.  Of course until now, it's been beautiful - pleasant temps and sunny.  Now, it looks like rain.  But in the Ohio Valley, you never know.

I wish everyone in Louisville a happy Derby Mid-Week. 

Happy Rainy Derby Week

As I type this, it is pouring down here at The Compound.  It stormed like a sonofabitch Sunday night and all day and night yesterday, and today was sporadic rain. 

I personally don't have any Derby plans this week, so I could not care less what the weather is.  I just feel a tad bit sorry for all of the hundred thousand plus people that do care because they go to the Oaks and Derby.  Oh well.  Just wear a poncho and go. 

Moving Day

It's been months in the making; well, actually only about a month and a half, but I digress.  Today was finally Moving Day at work.  The boys and I moved today to our new home up the hall.  The boys' new cubicles are in the old Engineering department and my new office is across the hall from their cubicle.  They have quite a bit more space; their cubicles are separate where as their desks used to be in one cubicle.  My office has a bit more space, and I got an awesome new desk and credenza set. 

We're calling this our New Beginning.  We have a new place to work, and in a month we will have a new boss, as our old one is retiring (lucky him).  We're looking at these changes with anticipation, and are embracing and excited about the changes.

Stay tuned; as always, I'll keep you posted.

Link Of The Week

It's that time of year, faithful readers -- Derby week.  And unless you live in Louisville and the surrounding area, you probably don't even know about the Derby Festival.  In case you one that does not know, here's a link where you can find out about all of the Derby Festival events.  Visit http://kdf.org/ and read all about it.  Happy Derby!!!

Happy National Pretzel Day

TWIT would like to wish everyone a very happy national Pretzel Day.  Here's some info about National Pretzel Day.

It’s National Pretzel Day! Centuries ago, Catholic monks created the first pretzels from scraps of leftover dough. The unique knot shape represented the Holy Trinity, but the significance of this symbol has evolved over the course of history. During the 17th century, pretzels symbolized the bond of marriage. This is where the phrase “tying the knot” originated! Today, traditional soft pretzels are popular at sporting events, carnivals, and festivals.

Hard pretzels are a fairly new invention compared to the original soft pretzels. According to legend, in the late 1600s a Pennsylvania baker forgot a batch of pretzels in the oven. The over-baked treats were dark and hard, but the baker sampled one anyway. He was pleasantly surprised by the crunchy deliciousness. Hard pretzels are now one of the most popular snack foods.

To celebrate National Pretzel Day, pick up a bag of your favorite type of pretzels to enjoy today

Flipping The Switch

Yesterday was a bad day.  A very bad day.  And when I opened the French doors and stepped into the family room yesterday afternoon when I got home from work, I felt a blast of heat.  Yep, they had turned the furnace back on.  That didn't help my mood very much.  I was already mad and disgusted, and my allergies were kicking my ass bigtime, and the last thing I wanted was to not be cool and comfortable.  After supper, I made the executive decision and flipped the switch back to a/c.  We all had a great night's sleep.  This morning, the Old Man was up with me while I was getting ready for work and he even commented on how he slept great because he didn't feel like he was smothering.  Nuff said.

I hope we all get another great night's sleep tonight.  I know I need it.

Farmtown 2014

I am happy to report that the 'Rents worked outside most of the day today, and half of the garden is tilled up.  The Old Man reported that once again, he will be planting in accordance to the Farmer's Almanac, and he is predicting a record-breaking crop of tomatoes this year. 

As always, I will keep you posted.

Mullet Watch

It's been very, very slow for mullet watchers lately, but we did have one sighting today. 

A coworker took a vacation day and went to have lunch with his third-grade son at his school.  It was in the school cafeteria where he spotted the mullet.  It was not on an adult; it was worn by one of his son's classmates.  Yep, a third-grade boy.  We all know that this young boy didn't just decide to have this hairstyle on his own; he most likely learned about it from a close family member who also has a mullet - most likely his father or mother.

Things Are Looking Up

Today was one of the better work days I've had in probably a month.  That's about all I can say.

Another Sign Of The Apocalypse

Let me get this out in the open as soon as I can --- last night, the Old Man flipped the switch and turned on the a/c.  And I didn't even say one word. 

Yes, this is another sign of the Apocalypse, zombie or otherwise. 

I was in the back bedroom on the computer late in the afternoon, and it was a tad bit stuffy so I opened up the window.  I didn't make any fanfare or fuss; I just opened the window.  I was in the room about an hour, and when I left the room, I closed the window.  Once again, I did not say a word. 

About an hour later, I was in my bedroom getting ready to watch "The Good Wife" and I heard the Old Man in the hallway, and he flipped the switch.  I don't need to tell you I almost fell off of the bed.  He yelled back at me "Close your window if it's open. I turned on the air."  That was non-issue. I had my window open a few inches, and I heard the a/c when it kicked on (thank goodness).

To sum all of this up, the a/c was turned on and I didn't have to say a word.  I like it.

Happy Easter

I don't know what your religious beliefs may be, but this song sung by Dolly Party pretty much sums up what Easter is all about.

File Under: WTF?

Earlier this week, I stopped at a convenience store close to our company to get a bottle of juice.  As I was in line waiting to get checked out, I discoverd that their POS server/system was down and they were only accepting cash.  No problem with me.  But it was a problem with a lot of people who were getting all pissy and stomping out of the store. 

Friday morning, I stopped again at the store to buy some biscuits and gravy for my only employee on Friday.  When I got to the counter, I saw many signs placed around the counter and store saying "cash only."  I assumed that the POS server/system was still down.  As I was waiting for my biscuits and gravy, a young woman pointed at one of the "cash only" signs and asked one of the clerks "What does this mean?"  The clerk looked at her like she had three heads. The young woman, obiviously irritated, said "This 'cash only' sign - what does it mean?"  The clerk looked at her very sternly and said "Cash only." 

I don't make this stuff up.  I just witness it.

Flashback Friday

In case you can't see the name of the chocolate bunny on the box, it's Lil Traveler.  Nuff said.  

Life Is Not Fair

There's a lot on my mind tonight, and a lot I want to say but I just don't have the energy to type it all out tonight. 

About an hour ago I made a quick trip to Krogers for a couple of things, and I left my phone at home.  When I got back I checked it and there was a message from a dear friend with a prayer request.  Her Sunday School teacher's five year old son was on the sidewalk by their home and was hit by a hit-and-run driver.  The precious little one died shortly after.  Luckily the police found the bastard that hit the boy.  They found drug paraphernalia in his car so he was probably stoned when he hit the boy. 

I'm just sick at my stomach tonight over the loss of this little one's life.  I commend LMPD for catching the guy so quickly, and I hope that justice will be done. 

All we can do is pray for this child's family, that the Lord will give them peace. 

Thought For The Day

If the pay was better, I'd join the circus.

Happy Tax Day

It's April 15, faithful readers, and that can mean only one thing -- our income tax returns had better be postmarked April 15 or else. 

I hope that all of my faithful readers were getting back a refund and filed their taxes a couple of months ago so they could get their refund as quickly as possible. 

I got my refunds back, but being an entrepreneur and business owner, I had to pay a state business tax, which I mailed this afternoon so it will have the proper April 15 post mark.

You've still got a few hours left if you haven't filed.  And according to one of the SF's who manages an H&R Block office, all H&R Block offices are open until midnight tonight in case you haven't filed and want to.  Good luck.

File Under: WTF?

Little fairies or flying insects? Discuss. 

Given the popularity of zombie games, movies and TV shows now, I'm sure there is a generation that believe that zombies do exist.  And if they believe in zombies, surely they believe in fairies.

Link Of The Week

By now, I'm sure you've heard about the Heartbleed bug that is going around.  In case you haven't, it's nothing you can catch by not thoroughly washing your hands or by germs spread by someone not wasthing their hands.  It's a very, very serious internet security threat.  I'm not even going to attempt to try to explain it.  Instead, I will give a link so you can read about it and get info on it from experts.  Visit http://mashable.com/2014/04/09/heartbleed-bug-websites-affected/ and be informed.  This site also has a good chart with different social media sites, search engines, and other popular sites and it tells you whether or not you should go in and change your password right now. 

Stay safe.

Happy Thunder Over Louisville

Today is the kick off for the annual Derby Festival - Thunder Over Louisville.  They claim it to be the largest fireworks display in the U.S.

If you remember, in years past, I would be posting about stressing over me and the SF's (School Friends) going to Thunder.  If you've noticed, for the past five or more years, I haven't posted a thing about it.  Because I am not going. 

The last Thunder we attended will be my last, unless I attend when I have a reserved hotel room downtown.  The frustration and anxiety of getting out of downtown back to home is not worth it.  I am older now and have less patience and will happily watch the fireworks from my couch.

I don't regret not going today, given the fact that a lot of people in Louisville are afraid of the teenage gangs and the violence and chaos that they are responsible for.  I've been saying extra prayers for the past week that things will be safe downtown tonight for the three-quarter-of-a-million people that are expected to be on both sides of the river for Thunder.  That's about all I can do.

Flashback Friday

A few weeks ago, the fire alarm at work went off, and after only a few seconds of the alarm sounding, the receptionist was announcing over the intercom "This is not a drill.  This is not a drill." As soon as I heard that, I grabbed my purse, cell phone, and planner book and gathered my guys and we all scurried out the back door into the parking lot.  It was an unusually cold day, and it was spitting snow while we were out there.  I had also grabbed my jacket, thankfully.  But I digress.

While waiting in the parking lot, my coworker and faithful reader SH walked over, and we started talking.  She, too, had brought her purse and work bag containing her iPad and planner.  I looked around, and most of my female coworkers holding their purses, and I saw a couple of male coworkers holding iPads.  Then I remembered something.  Back in my school days, when we had a fire drill or even a tornado drill, the teacher would bring their grade/attendance book with them.  By golly, if there was a fire and the school burned to the ground, the teachers would still have their grade and attendance books and report cards would still go out as planned.

File Under: WTF?

Three times today, I witnessed a teenager almost getting hit by a car because they were looking at their phones or texting.  Yes, three different times. 

We constantly hear the authorities preaching about how honestly stupid it is for us to text or look at our phones while we drive.  We get that.   But now I guess they need to start preaching about how stupid it is to text or look at your phone while you are walking. 

The Beat Goes On, Sorta

Yesterday, just about everyone on the first floor at work went home with a pounding headache courtesy of the crew pulling up the vinyl flooring in the old Engineering department. It sounded like they were using a jack hammer. This went on all day long.  When I walked past that area on my way out, I was surprised to see the old flooring still down.  I can't begin to imagine what they were doing all day as they made the head-pounding noise.  

After the headaches yesterday, today we will all be buzzed from the fumes of the adhesive. Hopefully we won't have drug testing. 

That's The Way The Ball Bounces, Sorta

The University of Kentucky Wildcats didn't bring home the NCAA Championship trophy this year, but they got farther than at least 62 teams did in the tourny. 

It's pretty shitty the way that a lot of UofL fans are treating the loss.  When I looked at Facebook this morning, I lost track of the number of posts from UofL fans that said they were glad that UK lost.  Isn't that pretty sad?  Sure, if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick UK, but even though I can be hardcore, I would never say I was happy UofL lost. Oh well.  Haters gonna hate.

Go bring home the championship next year, Wildcats.

Go Big Blue

TWIT and I would like to say Go Big Blue as the University of Kentucky Wildcats go up against the University of Connecticut Huskies in the NCAA championship game tonight.  

Of course I hope that my Wildcats will win, but I also hope for a good, clean game with  no injuries.

GO BIG BLUE!  BBN #1

App of the Week

With everybody on the run, it's hard to keep up with what's on TV anymore.  We have access to a bizillion channels on cable or satellite, and we can't figure out easily what's on.  Here's a good app that will help you figure out - it's from the fine folks at TV Guide and the app it aptly called TV Guide.  You can get it for iOS and Android at http://www.tvguide.com/tools/mobile.aspx.

 

Spring Is Here

Spring is here even though you can't tell it by the temperatures today (it's early afternoon and 45 degrees as I type this).  And other than a lot of rain and a lot of allergy problems, we all know what else occurs in the spring:  spring cleaning.  And we've begun our annual spring cleaning here at The Compound.  The Rents started last week by doing a bit of yard work on a couple of the nice warmer days, and yours truly started this morning.  I've thrown away three pair of jeans that had worn out, taken a load of winter clothes down to the basement and am in the process of filling up a garbage bag with clothes I haven't worn in years to take to the clothes closet at church tomorrow.  This is pretty good progress for me on a Saturday. 

As always, I'll keep you posted.

Dear Telemarketers

Dear Telemarketers:

First of all, I'd like to know how come you still call my house when I have been on the Do Not Call list ever since it was created?  Is there some big loophole you managed to get through?

Second, if you really wanted people to positively respond to your plea for a donation to the charity you are working for, you wouldn't call and bother us during the time that we are trying to eat out supper with our families.  For those of us that still have a landline phone, we don't like to hear it ringing while we're having happy conversation at the dinner table. 

Third, I repeat - how come you still call my house when I am on the Do Not Call list?

Yours truly,
Puddin

Flashback Thursday

On this day back in 1974, Louisville and the surrounding area witnessed the worst outbreak of tornadoes in the history of the state of Kentucky. The massive tornado outbreak happened from the Great Lakes down to the Gulf Coast.   148 confirmed tornadoes touched down, with 30 of them in the F4 and F5 categories, resulting in 319 deaths and over 6000 reported injuries.  F4 and F5 tornadoes touched down in Louisville.

My most vivid memories of April 3rd (as we call it here in Louisville) were not of the day that the tornadoes hit, but on the day after.  We are in what we call The Little Pocket, and we were safe from any of the tornadoes.  I really don't think we even got any rain that day.  But I digress.  The day after, of course, schools were closed, and I remember going to the drugstore with Mom and Grandpa.  Dad was with the Boy Scout troop that he worked with, and they were in the Cherokee Park area, cutting down trees and limbs to help homeowners.  Grandma was back at The Compound.  Anyhoo, Mom and Grandpa and I went to the drugstore up on Dixie Highway after we had breakfast, and as I held Grandpa's hand as we walked through the parking lot I remember looking up at the sky, and it was the bluest, most clear sky that I have ever seen.  And to this day, decades later, April 4, 1974, was a day that will always stand out in my memory as being the day with the clearest, bluest sky that I have ever seen.  

April Fools Wrap Up

It almost makes me sad to report that my mother didn't catch me in an April Fools joke yesterday.  It could be due to the fact that they were very preoccupied at The Compound all day long in their fight against the angry group of sparrows trying to build a nest by the gutter downspout.  They said that as soon as they would go out and tear down a nest, the birds would be back to build another one.

And the 'Rents said that they spent all day today doing the same thing.  All I know is there will be a major retaliation here at The Compound from those sparrows.  I'm guessing that none of our vehicles will be exempt from bird poop this year.

April Fools!!

It's just an hour or two before I will be heading to bed, and my sweet mother still hasn't gotten me on an April Fool yet.  I know something big is coming because she hasn't tried all day long.  All I can do is be on my guard for the next couple of hours.  I know it's coming.

As always, I'll keep you posted.