Skylights and Google Reader

I just realized that I didn't even enter a title for yesterdays post.  That's okay.....the 3 or 4 of you that read me don't mind, now do you?!

I just did a sad thing and went thru my Google Reader and deleted all the old blogs that I used to read, but for what ever reason the bloggers have quit writing.  I really miss a lot of these people and wonder what is happening in their lives these days.  Many of them are on FaceBook, so I keep in touch there.  I do love FaceBook, but it's no substitute for a blog.  I mean, it  IS if you have a very busy life and trying to blog was just too much to keep up with.  I have let that happen a whole lot the past year or two and the bad thing about that is that ones readership drops off.  Funnily (neener) enough, I have 26 people 'following' me on Reader, but I sure don't have that many people show up in my stats!  Most of them are probably some of the same ones that I just deleted.  LOL

My trip to San Diego was such a delightful change from my usual dreary and relatively isolated life, that I will probably be writing tid bits about my adventures  for quite some time!  Last night while I was replying to a comment that Indiana Terri left, I had made mention of trying to photograph Poolie's posters without the glare from the skylights.  Later I got thinking about our 2nd day there, when I finally decided to ask Poolie what I was doing wrong with the bathroom lights.  I asked her to go in with me and show me the mystery of why it seems so bright in there sometimes and other times, it is pretty dim.  She took me in, showed me the light switch, flicked it on and with a flourish of her hand, showed me that the lights over the sink did, indeed, come on.  I pointed to the ceiling and asked (like the dumb ass Yankee that I am) "what about that light?  it was much brighter earlier!"  As she burst into that delightful laugh that I (usually) love so much, the 'light bulb' in my wee leedle brain went on......and we simultaneously announced that it was a skylight!  O.M.G!!! 

That pretty much sums it up as to why they keep me around, doesn't it?!?  They are the "Larrys" and I am "my brother Darryl and my other brother, Darryl".  And if all y'all are too young to remember the Bob Newhart Show and have no idea what I'm talking about....well......just let Carlton the Doorman show you out! This Yankee isn't the brightest bulb in the box (especially under a skylight, at night) but by God, we won the fookin' war!!!  So there!

And for those of you that would like a bit of a longer trip down memory lane


I almost forgot!  My visit to the Cardio Vascular Center at the hospital here in Rogers yesterday was the usual fiasco.  Yet another reminder of why I drive an hour each way to doctors and the hospital in Fayetteville!  Anyway, once I FINALLY got to the place I needed to be and got signed in, I had the prettiest, bitchiest twit do the tests that my foot doctor ordered.  Holy Crap!  This chick was something else.  The tests were simple enough.  I had to lay on a table and she wrapped the calves of my legs with mondo blood pressure cuff type things and then stuck electrode thingys on my arms and feet and ankles....all whilst 'listening' to my legs.  (Yeah.  That's what I thought!)  Okay, this went on for several minutes while the machine I was connected to was emitting all sorts of bizarre sounds (that were apparently coming from my legs).  Since my spinal fusion, I can't lay flat on my bad very long without becoming extremely uncomfortable.  One of the ways of relieving the discomfort is to bend one,or both, of my legs up.  While she was getting out some more apparatus to attach to my toes, I bent my left leg up just a little, for a moment of relief.  Holy crap!  She turned around and SLAMMED my leg back down on the table and in a very ugly tone told me that I had to keep my legs flat!  Whoa there girly girl!! I rose up off that table and told her that she better not do THAT again!  Told her that leg is attached to a hip that desperately needs replacing and that in the past 2 years I have had a spinal fusion and the other hip replaced and it's pretty damn hard to lay flat on her stupid table while she dicks around!  (yes, I said that) And I told her that is she doesn't finish soon, that my left leg will begin spasming and there's nothing I can do about it!.  She backed down and was all apologetic.  Asked me what happened and if I'd been in an accident or something.  She had me so po'd that I lied.....but it sounded great.  I told her that my horse threw me about 3 years ago.  Hahahaha.  Heck, that's what most people assume happened and it sure sounds better than the truth of falling off my NoridTrac ski machine and landing on a paint can!  Anywho......I should find out in a few days if my toes are gonna fall off or not.  I sure hope not, cuz I'm clumsy enough as it is!

Plays, Knitting & Babies.....Oh My!

One of the major highlights of the San Diego trip was the opportunity to see the videos of 2 plays that Poolie wrote and directed.  They were amazing fun!

One of them was The Wizard of Ahhhhs

 This one was SO funny and had some amazing characters with exceptional people playing the parts!

The other one was Peter Pan

 Another excellent production and had many of the same cast members.  I loved that I could finally see these plays.  The results of something that my dear friend is so passionate about and that clearly shows how very talented she is at creating and pulling together such a magnificent project, just warmed my heart.  I am so proud of her and wish she could pursue this passion of hers more fully.

As for me, my current form  of production is knitting.  My most recent project is a baby blanket for Jin (the gal that works for Chuck).  The baby's due date is April 25th and for what reason I am not sure, the doctor was going to induce her.  Since I leave for Alaska on April 20th, she asked the Dr to induce her on the 18th so that she would have the baby before I leave.  Well........ Murphy decided to 'work' on the baby blanket whilst I was in San Diego.  I had it in a project tote and I really thought it was 'kitty proof', but I was wrong.  She managed to get my 32" circular needles pulled out of this blanket (that was 3/4 finished, btw); she chewed the cable, extensively, ruining a $25 set of needles, AND she chewed on the yarn!  Both on a ball of yarn and also on the edges of the blanket itself.  So on Saturday, I ripped it all out and started over. Of course I was thinking that I had almost a month and that if I worked really hard and put a lot of time in it, I could finish it before little Lilly is born!  Well, yesterday Jin was spotting and having a lot of mucus discharge, along with much pressure.  She saw the Dr and he said she was still well "intact" and to take it easy yesterday and it was okay to return to work today.  Apparently Lilly has other ideas.  Jin called Chuck this AM and told us that she is having contractions, which as we all know, may or may not amount to anything.  Regardless.....I have a feeling that Lilly will be here before her blanket is ready!  I also have a feeling that I need a lock box for my knitting! 

Anyone want a crazy cat???  Free shipping!!!

Spring Cleanup & New Toys!

It was a beautiful sunny day here yesterday and Chuck got lots of yard work done.  Flower beds cleaned up, strawberry bed cleaned up and the garden tilled.  He also got a couple of leaf piles that had accumulated cleaned up so that I wouldn't have to worry about what may be lurking in them.  Copperheads tends to blend in very well with leaves on the ground.......Eeeep!

It IS my favorite time of year here in BF Arkansas.  I got back just in time to see the Dogwoods leaf out and they are starting to bloom.  The woods behind the house are just enchanting when all the Dogwoods are in bloom!

It would have been a perfect day for riding, and oh how I wish I could have hopped on my Susie and gone with him!!  He did have a 'victim' lined up to go riding with him, but he crapped out at the last minute.  It seems his wife had a honey do list that she insisted on being taken care of.  It's hard for Chuck to find 'victims' to go riding with him and that's a damn shame.  I've pretty much come to terms with the fact that I'll never ride again, but some days it's a real downer.

I got all my San Diego photos transferred to Flickr yesterday and actually got them all labeled, too!  I'm not always very good about that, in fact I haven't been very good about uploading my photos to Flickr lately.  I need to stay on top of that!  I didn't take near as many pictures as I intended to whilst in SD because of all of my careful packing, and remembering to pack my chargers for 3 other devices, I forgot my camera charger and extra battery.  Doh!   I will get it packed in one of my bags for my Alaska trip today! 25 days!!  Woo Hoo!!

Poor Gus puppy is depressed this AM.  He had to stay home with me for a trip to the vet.  He hates not going to work with his dear ol' dad!  But his allergies are acting up.  His eyes are running and he's got an itchy bare spot by his tail, so I wanna nip it in the bud early.  He'll snap out of it once he realizes that he will be going with me in the 'Ho and can guard it while I make a couple stops :-)


I was a bad girl yesterday and gave in to my desire for a new toy.  I've been wanting an iPad (or tablet of some sort) for quite some time now, but just couldn't justify spending that much on something that I could live without.  After seeing and playing with Poolie's, the desire to possess one increased tremendously!  And what did I find in my email when I got home, but a notice of a great deal on one at HSN......so.......I ordered this

If I find I'm not totally enchanted with it, I can always send it back......somehow I doubt that will happen.  When Poolie made the comment that since she got that, she never takes her laptop on trips with her anymore, I was 'sold'.  Between the tablet and her iPhone, everything is covered.  And every time I travel, especially by air, I find I want less and less to drag around with me.  I used to carry on all that I could and I just have no desire to do that anymore. 

More San Diego

I'm kinda bored with the look of my blog and have been playing with finding a new background, instead of writing.  I'm not sure if this one is a keeper, but I'm pretty sure that the 3 or 4 of you who read me won't mind if I change it a few times before I settle on one.  LOL

Our 2nd day in San Diego was terrific, except for the fact that Poolie had to work that day.  Important meetings beckoned her. But dear Pam (Poolie's Roomie) took off work early and took Terri and I to lunch.  She had her heart set on taking us to a terrific seafood place, but when we got there it was closed!  Pam was crushed, particularly since she didn't have a 'plan b'.  She recovered quickly tho' and off we went to Anthony's, which had awesome food and a wonderful staff.  Great view, too!

That night, Poolie took us to La Pinata for some amazing Mexican food!

The portions were HUGE and it was ever so delicious!  Best Mexican food I have ever had. And of course we had great fun with it!

 My Fajita salad.  Delightfully delicious and ENORMOUS!!

Terri and her Chimichanga.  We were perplexed (neener) at the huge knife they gave her.  If nothing else, it was a great source of amusement for us!  (Like we need any incentive....Ha!)

Well, I just took a break from writing and read Terri's new post and I guess we went for the awesome pizza that night!   I am easily confused and stand corrected!  LMAO

One of the highlights for the trip was the opportunity to eat out several times.  Neither Terri nor I get to do that very often and Poolie had some primo places lined up for us, that's for sure!! 
We enjoyed breakfasts like this:

And Vegetarian meals like this!

And......I keep getting interrupted and I'm trying to do too many things at once, so.......I'm outta here!  For now.  Sooooo much more to write about!!

San Diego!

I should have been posting everyday during my San Diego adventure, but truthfully....we were too busy 'adventuring'!  CHA!!!  I hauled my laptop along and barely looked at it the whole time.  An occasional look at FaceBook and a comment or two, to make sure I didn't miss anything in Alaska and that was about it.  I think my next toy needs to be an iPad or something similar.  Much easier to transport and it will do pretty much all I need it to do whilst on a trip....I think....must investigate.

It was truly a delightful week, spending time with my 2 BFFs.  Such a unique trio and we have ever so much fun together.  And it was so fantastic to be able to meet some of Poolie's fabulous friends.  Any of you that know Poolie can certainly imagine what wonderful people she has in her life!

Terri and I had coordinated our flights so that we would arrive approximately the same time and also leave at the same time.  Funnily enough (neener) we actually arrived within about 5 minutes of each other and our gates and baggage claim area were right across from each other.  We had tried to call each other on our cell phones, which didn't work out, but we just sort of stumbled across each other a few minutes after collecting our luggage!  It was perfect :)  Poolie did a 'Drive By Pick Up' and we were off!

First stop was at the grocery store to pick up a couple of items for supper.  I had been DYING for a Pepsi!  There was no Pepsi to be found at the Chicago airport and American Airlines serves Coke (patooee).  I did my fair share of complaining, and even tho' I never thought to ask them to get me one, you can see that from the get-go, I was well taken care of.

 See what sweet Terri has in her hand??  It was truly an "Ahhhhh moment"

I just went to post this and realized that the above picture was missing, and now that I've added that, I see that several paragraphs of my entry that followed the picture are missing.  ARGGG!!!!  I put this post off long enough and now that I have finally written it, it has been swallowed up by some Blog Gremlin!  Damn those Blog Gremlins!!  Well, it's like this.  I have places to go and things to do, so......I'll write more later......Really!  I will!!

Booth Update

Well, we got my pretty new red bench down to my booth today, and I got things displayed on it fairly well, I think.

Here's a new front shot, where you can see the curtains I hung above the top shelf to cover some of the ugly pegboard.  There's a light right above it, so the picture didn't turn out real well, but you get the idea.....I hope. :)

The next 2 photos are of a couple of booths across from mine, that the ladies have decorated up really nice.  In the 1st one, that gals husband makes all her cabinets for her.  They are so nice!  My husband would be great at making cabinets for me, but since he's not retired (like he should be) he just doesn't have time.  That booth is going to become available in April, as she is moving to an even larger booth at the front of the shop.  Susan offered to hold the booth for me if I want to move into it after I get back from Alaska.  It is a lot bigger, and much wider and not as deep.  I like that.  Plus it has electricity and mine doesn't.  Makes it nice if you have lamps for sale or to enhance displays.  I think I'll take it.  It's only $10 more a month.

I love doing this!  And will really be able to get into it more and enjoy it more, when I can get around better.  I have already sold a lot of stuff for the month.  Much more than I ever have, and I think it's partly to do with having a better display area.  Also, it's been quite a bit of my jewelry that I have taken in to sell in the display case.  It's encouraging and I'm very pleased!

It was very warm and sunny the past couple of days....in the high 60s.  This AM we awoke to pouring rain and whenever the weather changes so quickly, I hurt.  All over.  Big time.  I read up on it and it's all to do with the barometric pressure and such.  Makes sense, but oh how I hate it!  I would have been a day I would have stayed home and done nothing, but it's the only day Chuck can help me with stuff and I just had to get my new bench set up!  I hope I make it thru my San Diego adventure without any unexpected debilitating weather fronts!.  The girls will just have to roll me around....hahahaha

Progress!

I've been looking for a vintage hutch or some sort of antique table/shelf to use in my booth at the Antique Mall so That I can better display some of my stuff. Haven't had much luck finding the perfect thing...yet...but I will eventually. In the meanwhile I saw this bench a week or so ago and decided that I would buy it, paint it red and use it until something better shows up. This is a picture of it that i had taken from across the road one day, so that I could show Chuck. LOL I went and bought it today and then stopped and bought some Cherry Red paint> Weeeeeeee.......I didn't get to take a 'before' picture, before Chuck dove in and started painting it for me. And he threatened me with my life if I took a picture of him painting. Thus, the picture from across the road.

He hates painting, with a passion, and typically refuses to do it, which is why he didn't want any photographic proof that he actually COULD do it :-). I'll take a picture when it's done, and then again on Sunday when we take it to my booth.  I can drape my vintage table linens over the back of it, set baskets of doilies and towels and other small vintage linens on the seat, along with some other things.  And will be able to set things under it, as well!  I think it will be kewl!!

I am getting so excited for the San Diego trip!   I can't wait to see everyone and enjoy some more of that beautiful city.  And go to Trader Joes! And go to the desert!  But, oh Lord, how I wish I could drive there.  I LOVE road trips and positively HATE flying.  It's not the actually flying part that I hate, but rather the changing of flights and planes and layovers.....but it's always worth it when it's over :)

That's it for now.  I'll post more tomorrow or Sunday when I get my bench in place in my booth!

Wanna Give Someone the Finger!

The first thing I want to talk about today is my ring finger on my right hand.  Or, should I say, my 'Former' ring finger....since I can no longer wear any of my dozens of rings on it!  The knuckle on this finger has taken on a life of it's own, and I really, REALLY don't like it!  Today it hurts.  A lot! So I'm gonna share.  About a year ago I noticed that my knuckle was swelling and it was becoming hard to get my rings on and off.  I figured, okay.  I've got arthritis in various parts of my body, including both thumbs, so it stands to reason that my fingers will eventually be affected. Problem is, it just kept getting bigger and was hurting quite a bit.  I mean, I already take meds for my arthritis (which doesn't take care of all of the associated pain and/or discomfort, but helps a great deal) so why was it hurting so much?  I went to see my Doc so he could determine if mayhaps it was a cyst or a chipped bone or something, and he deemed it good old arthritis. Crap.  So, deal with it.  It was about that time that I took the 1st picture here, back in September.

It quit bothering me and didn't seem to be metamorphosing, so I decided to have some of my favorite rings resized.  At the going price of gold and silver, it is a little pricey these days to go up 2 full ring sizes, but Chuck agreed that it was fine so I did about 8 or 9 rings.  Now, my ring finger WAS a size 9, but this knuckle now required a size 11 for clearance. My middle finger is size 11, so I figured that if my ring finger decided to have another growth spurt, I could always wear these rings on my middle finger.

This second picture was taken this AM, and you can see that it has, in fact, started metamorphosing again. This AM the whole thing is just throbbing and hurts the entire length of it, not just the knuckle. Guess that's what prompted me to finally write about it.That had been my intention when I took the 1st picture, but I never got around to it.  That's just a really big change in 5 months time. I think maybe I'll let Dr. H take another look and see if I can inspire him to snap a little x-ray of it....just for peace of mind....or something. 

The sad thing is, that I have a massive jewelry collection.  Well over 100 rings.  Seriously.  All gold and silver and gemstone.  A lot of them can't be resized 2 sizes, because of their settings.  And the only finger they will fit on is my left ring finger, which houses my wedding ring.  Lots of $$ tied up and just sitting there, but worst of all is the fact  that I dearly love most of those abandoned rings and it gives me a huge sad to not be able to wear them.  Ah, hell...enough sniveling.

Yesterday I went for my 'annual' eye exam.  It's been 2 years :-).  When we 1st moved here I went to Fayetteville Mall, to Sears Optical cuz they had a great sale on glasses happening.  What I found was an awesome eye Doctor!  She's amazing and SO thorough and just plain adorable.  So I continue to go there.  Yesterday, glasses were 50% off and because I am a repeat customer, I got an extra 10%.....sooooo.....when I was having trouble deciding between the purple or the cranberry, I decided to get both :).  I'm really sick of my current glasses (except when I want to read something) so it'll be fun to have 2 new and cool ones to wear.  (life's simple pleasures). 

But, I do have to snivel a wee bit more.  The trek from the parking lot, through half of Sears, to get to the Optical shop, just about did me in.  And the trek BACK to the parking lot DID do me in.  Holy Crap!  I sat in the truck thinking, what the hell do I think I'm doing???  Going to San Diego in 3 weeks.  Going to Alaska in 7 1/2 weeks.  I should be doing these things after my surgery!  Well.....I WILL be doing them then, too. But still.....I need to see my friends.  I can't wait to be together with Poolie and Terri T again!  And God knows, I desperately NEED to see Terri and Riley and Maggie and Emily and Timmy and Xander and....yes, even my SIL, Michael :-).  I just SO hate to be an inconvenience or imposition because of my freaking limitations.  I feel like such a wuss.  But the reality is, not one of them will make me feel that way.  In fact, ALL of them will make me feel like I'm the same old Yankee Chick and the same old Mom and the same old Grammy and it'll all be good!  Damn good!! So what the hell am I whining about?!?!?  It's just been over 3 years of this shit and I'm so sick of it!!! 

It's been exactly 3 years this month since I last rode my Susie, so I guess that makes it 3 1/2 years.  I first went to see the Doc about my severe hip pain whilst riding  back in September of '08. (but I wasn't giving up on riding yet!)  Holy cow!  Holy Moly!  Holy Crap!!! 

Now I want to write about Susie and I want to write about my antique booth, but this is long enough!  Hopefully I will get my butt back here and write about that stuff tomorrow!  In case anyone decides to come and read. :-)

Poolie Sent Me

Yes she did, indeed.  I'd pretty much given up on this whole blog thing, but it does still haunt me  I mean, the urge is still there.......is there a Viagra for blogging???  Hahahaha  Maybe now that I'm getting close to the end of some rough times, I can find more upbeat things to write about.  I felt that all my posts have become negative, but my life has been pretty damn negative for quite some time.  That is simply the way of it!

I do have some upcoming events that will certainly put a positive spin on things and I do need to write about them, right??

First up is my trip to San Diego next month, to spend a week with Poolie and Terri T.  It's been 2 years since we were last together and it's high time to meet up again! 

After that, I will be going to Alaska for a month. Leaving April 20th and returning May 23rd.  I totally can't wait for that!!!  There will be love and hugs and roller derby and fun and movies and fun food and roller derby and hugs and more love and more roller derby and exciting stuff!!!!!!!!


And THEN, on June 11th, I will have my long awaited surgery.  Bionic hip #2 and after my recovery from that, I am hoping and praying and wishing for a far better quality of life than I have had in 3 years!  Or has it been 4???  Too freakin long, that's for damn sure!

So, this is a start.......I will elaborate more on those things and other stuff as well, in the days to come.  I have lots of Roller Derby news and pictures to share.....and I'm sure I'll come up with other things.....I just know it.  And I need to do some new pictures and some tidying up around this here blog page, too.  See ya soon!