Monday, November 26, 2012

ALL CLEAR

All was quiet and clear from any family dramas this holiday. We're not that big on Thanksgiving anyway nor do we like turkey. We did roast one for the dogs and enjoyed creole foods mostly this long weekend along with short trips out of town like Clarksdale and around the blues trail areas. We visited my favorite boat spot and did some light shopping (after that Black Friday mess). I love the new Lynyrd Skynyrd CD "Last of a Dying Breed" I stumbled upon accidentally looking to replace a couple of older ones I loaned to a high school friend (they were damaged in a wreck he had when we first moved here). He was one of the few who would drive the distance out here because he loved the road too :}

It was hard going through both my girls birthdays this month and not having their phone numbers to wish them happy birthday. My youngest granddaughter in Okinawa did write me this week so I can't wait to write her back and send her something (hope she don't grow up like her mom or aunt and hold grudges or decide to permanently not like me :{). I also have to send the magazines we bought for our adopted soldier off too and they, along with last week's letter, will probably get to him before the Swiss Colony sausages do :/  It takes a good while for packages to reach those military addresses but I'll keep them rolling out of here every time I get a chance to hang in my office.

And nothing like a little fan mail with stamps, stickers for their families, packages, CD's, blank cards, snacks and stuff to keep their spirits up. Or at least their minds occupied and pass the time by quicker. We discussed how lucky we are to live in this country and only in america can 2 throw away teens pull themselves up from nothing and nowhere. I remember signing my own report cards in HS and sad no one cared about my good grades. But I put myself through college and I've done way more living than others I've known that I've left behind (or had rolled away from lol :D  Whatever :l). Jim and I joked, walked, laughed at the dogs, enjoyed the weather and nature, and had a lot of in-depth discussions this past week.

The nights have been below freezing so I guess all is clear to start packing early and move them out of my way, then put the rest in my other closet. We want to just take the dogs with us next fall to the Smokies on one of our vacation weeks and hit some flea markets, enjoy the vivid colors of fall there, and hike with the dogs (if we can stay out of surgery :/). I miss the trips to my grandparents home in Virginia as well as their smoked hams they would send during the holidays. And there isn't much family left anymore so there is no need to really hang here for the holidays. So all is clear on that front and it is the perfect time to start a new tradition.

And all was clear for Jim to bust out singing 'Family Tradition' by Hank Williams on that discussion ;).



Sunday, November 18, 2012

JAUNTING AHEAD

Wow! Was it ever a beautiful clear day when we hit the city last weekend! I was only able to get this photo of the seasons color changes (Jim had to reboot the phone later) but our trip was good. My salesperson who has sold us stuff for something like 5 yrs now had taken photos (below), emailed me, and even called me because she knows what we own and what I like. This made the trip successful and easy on us since it's almost a 2 hour trip into Memphis. So heading for our goal out of here...I got the media chest below, 2 foyer tables (Jim picked out the one for the upstairs landing so he could put the coffee tray on in order to open the door :l), silk trees, dressing mirror, etc. We will just finish up the reno's we've already started, repair what we need to, and the house will be ready to show. Then we can jaunt on outta here.

Master bedroom under TV1
Dinner with Paula was awesome too while we where in the city. Nothing like 2 old school Memphis ladies gabbing and giggling over dinner and drinks discussing the city's 'yesteryear' through the 60's and 70's (and cool to learn she worked for a congressman in Washington before returning home). Better to have one's personal company as opposed to emails, cards, letters, phone calls, and dear lord...Facebook :/  I hardly go on there anymore. Jim helped me decide to change our life insurance policies because attorneys aren't going to go into FB to notify my daughter if something every happened. Not to mention her living in Okinawa without a phone and 5 kids would really make her inaccessible to deal with all of our stuff if something should happen to us both at the same time. The church, his grandson, and Paros (yes, things are going to the dogs here lol!). My policies anyway.

So reviewing this year with the shattered arm, lost first adult tooth, Jim's thrombosis, and my dizzy spells which one had me come home from Grenada Thanksgiving shopping last night, (not to mention the dogs sick), I really do think moving is the best thing and our health issues have arisen from the crop dusters (which have been driving me crazy this week). I may can blame ATT for the fall off the table from having to pull unused phone cords up trying to troubleshoot the internet this past spring but the dizziness and shattered bone came from something else. And should've just 'broke', not shattered.

Special order (comes with house lol)
And mentioning ATT, I finally heard from them. I mentioned in an early blog I haven't received a bill from them (which has been about 3 months ago) and thought they were throwing me a bone over here from all that I've gone through to troubleshoot the no speed issue (and dubbed "The Death Crawl") at .2 and .6 mbps :/  It wasn't even a bill. It was a shut off notice with the amount totaling 3 months :o  They should see I pay my bills on time every month for years (except the month someone I knew passed and the surgery/cruise with grandkids month). They said they would give me a $3.50 credit for each bill :l  I told them to stick that credit in their file cabinet because they are the ones who messed up on that (as usual...something they screw up and she laughed worriedly thinking I was going to say ass :). So I paid it in full and told them to send me a label for the modem so I could return it. They said I could write the office because they see where I've been calling them with issues EVERY month for the past 2 years :l  Omg! How inept this was never resolved long before now! Verizon home phones are less than $25 a month btw (you your number and only one base uses phone jack...rest is satelite) and it has everything ATT has. And I got 2 neighbors who dropped ATT already so now :P

Although it's a month early, we got our first freeze temps so I'm going to go ahead and pack my summer stuff for the trip. Jim also brought in the plants and I'm finishing up some crochet products (some say "What's on my hook..." in their blog. Mine is more like "What's on each hook or needle" since I have all sizes lol...but 2 snoods done, another lap afghan, and other stuff in the progress...freeforms etc.). I am looking for some of these 'Ancient Earth Echoes' fiber embellishments for an afghan hound head in browns and golds (with burlap and cheesecloth) I want to start but think they've gone out of business :(((((  I can't remember (thanks to crop fields and ATT :P) where I got them 4 yrs ago. Dollmaker's Ink, JogglesRibbon Smyth, or somewhere in the US I know. Not my places abroad like Stef Francis, The Silk Route, etc. But already started doing some ribbon roses for more elegant masks and one with mink tails. Out of ermine and low on tails but they're not in the budget with Jim being out, the furniture, the trip, holidays, etc :(

Speaking of missing my budget was the beautiful, must own Rose Taft gown a couple of posts or so below. A grand more than I expected (I have to admit...I've never owned anything more than 2k...not even a fur...but there's a first time for everything and with some patience, extra budgeting, and unloading some stuff maybe on ebay lol...  I won't sleep until it's in one of my closets. Not even the crop dusting will erase that thought ;). But with knowing it's made of horse hair (not the kind for hat bands and stuff....but woven into fabrics that hold shape really well and used a lot for upholstry...more expensive than silk and is probably the lining or underneath petticoat) and she probably is a designer for the stars or something :l  Whoa! I'm hopping my dumb southern bunny tail outta here on that lol...

Out of brown, golds, blacks
But not without mentioning Jim and the 'Blow Up Doll' at Hancock Fabrics :l  Oh yeah, lol! When he asked me why I don't make a dress...I mentioned that embroidery, buckram masks, and wall art with raw edge applique is very different than garment makers perfect seaming, tools, jargon (like 'yoke' and whatever else I can't remember from home ec...forgive me Mother Teresa and Ms. Cooper from boarding school :/)...and yes...that mannequin dressmakers use. He goes "Ohhhh. The Blow Up doll at your fabric store!"  :l   :l  Omg!! Is that where he goes the few times he will get out of the car when we are in there?!? Blow up doll?!? In hancock?!?  He goes "Yeah...you change her boobs and stuff."  Omg, omg!!  That's when I had to go find the correct term....'form' lol!!! Can't have him go around life calling it a damn 'blow up doll'!!!! :D  Still ~rolling~ :D

Now back to focus. Just breathe :} Especially when I am in Grand Cayman's Bacarat store. Just think of my goals. And just use my Joy Montano and Ann croft ribbon books for buckram prom and mardi gras ball masks for now and grab the new book by Candace Kling "The Artful Ribbon" later (I am having to postpone my vow renewal and wearing the blue gown for Jim. At least there's a new blog site to follow, ribbonpetals). Check expiration dates on my dyes and how much leather and silk velvet I have (may not be able to have enough masks for this mardi gras because of all these factors, it comes early this Feb, and other stuff going on :( ). See how to open an ebay store, book a room night before cruise, set up house sitter, recall dog sitter at Swan Kennels (how I wish I had a house sitter not afraid of dogs :( ), parking, Terminix pest control coming monday, just got box for Direct Thurs so mail it off on Tues when I go back out of town for thanksgiving dinner and refill prescriptions, look for my taffeta shipment (omg...for only $12/yd out of Denver Fabrics! Same price I get my dupioni or chiffon :) I guess I could just go where I got my dyes from (Jacquard is one) and see about how long the expiration dates come about but I have a lot of different types of dyes :\). Oh! And read up on the last year's camera I got  functions a bit more. Omg. Just breathe :} Oh hell, maybe not the air here :/

That's enough things to do for immediate future and reasons enough to 'jaunt' outta here to a smaller place near a city so I can incorporate help be it dog groomers, less house to clean, no crop dusters, good doctors, no hurricanes, flooding, etc. Ohhh God Bless those in NY and NJ! The guys were all up there helping and I never knew about behind the scene set ups of banks and pharmacies before until now. Just Fema and how other states help with power repairs. Also saw that Nat Geo show on Sandy. It was way bigger than Katrina. It may take us a while to get out of here but a year is my plan. At least the floor, floodlights, and sheetrock is finished in the masterbath but is there anywhere that's safe?!?

We almost have perfect credit that will enable us to obtain a 0% financed vehicle by next fall. We should have everyone paid off by then and although the Miata only has 65k miles on it...it's getting old along with the other van my father bought us (and the Toyota that was sold). It will be the first car/suv Jim has bought since I've met him :l (lol...it's his turn woooooo hooooo!! :D).

Video for now of Sky Lake trip pictures last Jan. Finally learned to work Corel VideoStudio Pro software I bought a year or two ago. Like it better than windows and maybe HP Media Smart so far but a bit more complex :}




May this week's holiday jaunts be safe and delightful for everyone...especially in NY, NJ, and between Isreal and Gaza Strip. There are worse places to be than here right now.



Wednesday, November 7, 2012

PAST FORWARD

Not much today other than a bit relieved no republican in the house to squeeze us financially dry but I hope Obama doesn't fight the house and schmoozes them. More flies with honey ;)

Just did a video set to photos I took last year and this year highlighted main events (Annabelle, Aurora, Mana, little brother, friends, trips, around house). No water, shattered arm, mom's death, tornadoes were the worst of it but there was a lot of great things too. The paintings, trips, grandkids, niece and nephew, little brother, friends, etc. Still another trip and a gown whose style just seems like it was made for me! And it will be lol. As soon as we head out of town this weekend to remeasure :/

So looking back in the past 2 years with photographs set to my Coldplays Xylo Myloto CD (cuts Paradise and Charlie Brown set to my graphics)....we move forward with Obama in charge (still have issues with a couple of things :/).






Saturday, November 3, 2012

CROP DUSTING

Behind me up lane.
Today I picked up where I left off. With Jim back to work and ATT fixed (and thanks to them...so far no bill...and it should be that way for much longer), I came online to see about boosting the router to get games, TV's, and computers online to update them, review policies between Obama and Romney, and check the water report because Jim was complaining of headaches right along with me while he was home. He thought since we didn't take in our 8 jugs of cooler water and relied on tap water that it was the source of his additional illness. I kept saying it's the crop dusters because it's all I heard and noticed this year while I continued to be tired, have headaches, Paros with the lethargy and labored breathing at times yet we drank the spring water and restricted our diets (he is still MUCH better off the chicken jerky treats all these months :).

Our water report wasn't online this year and they said to call so talking with our water guy here in town...he said to stop by and pick up the water quality report. I mentioned that I was sure it was the crop dusting because they were flying soooo close over the house this year to where others mentioned they noticed it too as they drove up. So I go check out the lab and home test links, then head over to pesticide poisoning symptoms at PAN (Pesticide Action Network) to see if I can just figure this out and be done with it once and for all. I mean crap...I'm still freaking out my jaw bone and first adult tooth has just gone 'poof', bones and joints all of a sudden ache and are shattering (and I've had worse falls right before moving here), everyday a headache and haven't had one since Dr. Sharp with the biofeedback and diet therapy in 1995, vertigo, dizzy, P's liver....I could go on (but blamed the lethargy on BP pills and country life which was weird why I should have to take BP pills after a year of living in this peaceful place :l). And hell if running the symptoms down didn't bring up the results of chemicals used in cotton! I am depressed but more so elated that I may finally got to the bottom of this and can rectify...or at least stop it from progressing!!! (meaning we are selling/renting and moving :l).

Now I know that crop dusting and these chemicals are legal...but if it contaminates the water supply or even my air space and me...that is THEIR fault just the same. It invaded MY space. And I know when I took an ex old neighbor to court over a black oak tree whose branches hung over into my airspace and property at the beach house, I won because it invaded MY space. Then there was EPA who told me I couldn't cut down a bush/tree that wanted to grow on the beach. My lawyers said I had repairian rights 200 ft. into the gulf and nothing or no one could block my view...it was my space :P (I just couldn't put up a fence hehe :}). And when I was burning leaves at the lake house one year and the smoke wafted over to my neighbor son's graduation party, well that was his space and such a no-no. I put it out quick, fast, and in a hurry as not to spoil his soiree :}

And all these people that died, or dying of cancer here in this town is soooo sad. Ms. Diane's husband and father who both worked in cotton gins, the neighbor man behind me died last year of cancer, several people from church in town and so on. It's just wrong and negligent for them to fly right over my roof and start spraying so close. Hell, you aren't suppose to even burn leaves when there is a slight breeze. I'm mad and want out. Or at least want my medical bills paid and further testing to keep from losing anymore teeth, dogs, bones, etc.

So this is the hookworm, bible, cotton belt. I spotted where civil rights and another action right organization on this stuff where hand in hand with basic core values. I don't think God had us in the wind to waft over here for no reason either (and ohhhh how I was started this blog for PS links :/ ). And in reviewing policies between Obama and Romney...this mess just made up my mind to vote Obama (right when I was beginning to think Michelle got more done with the obesity program in schools lol because I'm not gay, I bailed my own butt out of problems and debt, and I need my gun for critters :l). His foreign policy and workers rights beliefs just won me over though after reading all I have this morning (thanks to budgeting on Direct TV and dropping game lounge last week :/).

It's wrong others suffer and die from haphazard chemical driving; crop dusting.

*And God...please comfort those who lost loved ones due to Sandy and guide me in voting on Tuesday. I'm soooo flippant on this and feel like a ping pong ball in politics :/ (or open Obama's eyes to moral laws and Romney to us little people's rights :l)*



Thursday, November 1, 2012

GOOD TRACTION

After a month off of work...Jim scrambled out of here so fast today it could have spun our heads around like the exorcist :l Our anniversary day was the day the doc pulled his stitches and gave him the green light to go about his business. We did enjoy the day, had lunch, and put my new ring on my finger :} Of course he had been cleaning out his van and charging it last week, didn't say "I get to go back to work" but sang it coming out of the doctors office :/ And mentioned with all the reno's, laundry, dog grooming, mail, dishes, etc...that it would be a break to go to work :l So my pal and help has good traction and flew the coop :(

But we have the trip coming about. I can't believe it's only a couple months to Christmas and our vacation. The year has gone by so fast. My hand has been in pain from crocheting Paros's snoods while in doctor offices and hospitals, but after not doing any needle work what so ever last winter because of the water issue, it was good to have my hands on it again (and I had some left over pain pills :). No pattern so I will have to plug away with it when I can till I get it right and move on to see what I can do with this hand :/

And like a pastor once said to me, any relationship is like building a house. You start with a sound foundation. One of truth, consideration, etc. and your house won't come down on you. And in moving forward I guess it's like your ride and how sound your tires are...you have good traction. And when Jim realized I had no more rabbits to pull out my hats and my inheritance was really gone, and he told me 2 weeks of his month off there would be no income...I thought I'd have to cancel our trip. It was like yanking Christmas from a 5 year old :l  He was going to go if he had to pull those stitches out himself lol but 2 hours within receiving a blessing card in the mail...we got some help so good blessings or traction there but we will have to hold out on his harley (this is us 15 yrs. ago when we were 6 months into dating and he sold his 9th harley to be able to go on this trip with me I had planned long in advance because I was single at the time and didn't want to fly out of the country alone :)))) We married a year later on the same date.

Now it's been 15 yrs. later, our third trip with carnival and probably our last. Seems each time we go with them something adverse arises. The first trip was 3 weeks (1 week in Miami, flew to Puerto Rico for a 2 week sail to South America) and my bank decides to cut everyone's cards off so they could tie Louisiana and Mississippi branches together :/  Then the 2cd trip was in April...shattered hand and daughter. Now here comes the third. Holland, Cunard, or any other line will just have to do if this one is even a bit bleak. And we are postponing the vow renewal. I won't be able to size my gown down (I got a $1000 Ivonne D from Macktak Mart for half price so kudos to them even with the gown having to be resized ;). Of course I wouldn't have ordered it if I knew he had spent all his personal and sick days :(

Well...joke lately has been about him being on hiatus and how desperate he has been to get back to work. He made those in New York look ok and with as much as he cleaned, reorganized, and charged that van...I wanted to slap him back on the road myself. Too bad he was outta here before I could help him along :D




God bless New York and the east coast with what they are going through. Especially those lost. Lord knows I've had to deal with hurricanes and tropical storms for so long...I know the sick feeling they are having to endure. New York is just too large of a city to have to deal with water, wind damage, and power outages.

With the new year coming...we are leaving behind any and everything that we haven't had a good relationship or track record with (doctors, shops, people, and now even our bank who didn't look out for Jim's best interest and charged him an extra $190 for well...more than a few checks :l  He isn't very savvy at banking either lol :D). He has a taste of what I do around here and hit the ground running this morning! We will just renew vows next year or so but until then...he will just have to remain a "Mr. Tobin" lol :D 

Yep. Good Traction. Makes for a safe journey when moving forward :)))))

Missing Mana