Thursday, April 30, 2015

Remember?

Remember that post I posted with the photo of the birds nest sitting on top of our spotlights above the garage.  Well, when I got back from walking one of the dogs a few days ago, it was on the ground next to the garage, with two little white eggs (broken)..these little guys didn't make it.  But the nest is really beautifully made and so took a picture anyway (hubby placed the eggs back in there I guess to make it look like it is suppose to.


I wish they hadn't made it in that spot on top of the light because I was worried about it and sure enough it fell.

Keeping this short tonight. Tired.

Monday, April 27, 2015

Must be the season...

It must be the season for snakes to come out.  I was walking Merlin this evening after dinner and saw one right in front of my across the road from the curb.  At first I thought it was one of those black lines that they have all over the road that was filling in the cracks. But then I saw its beady little eyes and Merlin and I walked swiftly to the other side of the road.  I have no clue what kind of snake it was but it was alive and it was skinny and it did look at me.  That was enough! :)   Although it was gorgeous out and  just about perfect temperature wise that put a bit of a damper on the rest of the walk with my eyes glued to the road ahead of us.

I was trying to remember where it was when walking back so that I could keep any eye out for it in case it crossed the road and would be in front of me again. LOL  But didn't see it thankfully.
 



Sunday, April 26, 2015

Got more cast iron

I know I can't help it. I've grown to love it!

I've been wanting a wok for a long time. I finally got one and it was wonderful to use for this evening's stir fry vegetables.




Here it is in action. :)

We went to see Paul Blart: Mall Cop 2 today.  It was good and funny as Kevin James can be. :)
He is very agile for a big guy!

Saturday, April 25, 2015

Nice, very nice...

I noticed at about 7:20PM how it was still light outside and it made me happy.  I like daylight much more than night and we are coming into the time of year that I really like.  There is something about having daylight long after dinner to do whatever.  Speaking of whatever. I have decided not to bother trying to grow a balcony garden this year. It just is a lot of water and effort and very little harvest. I will just put some flowers up there I think, if that. I sort of feel obligated to make the balconies look nice with flowers and or vegetables but theres no law that says I have to plant any. :-)  So I may just take a break from it this year.   There...that guilt can now go away.  :-)

I noticed a lot of  TV shows are down to the last few episodes of the season or ending altogether.  It seems that Revenge is going to end but I couldn't find anywhere on the Internet that confirmed it was ending altogether.  I don't watch Greys Anatomy very often but I did the other night.  It was a shocker to me (spoiler alert if you haven't seen it) that Derek dies at the end.  I was really sad about it until I jerked myself back into reality that it was JUST a TV show.  :-)  Apparently Patrick Dempsey wants to move on, but it will make Greys not as good without him there.  He was one of the pillars of that show.  Anyway, as I said I don't watch it very often any more anyway.  Now I probably won't watch it anymore.

Well I'm going to go relax with hubby and catch some SNL although it is a re-run.



Friday, April 24, 2015

Hit and Run...a state sport?

Okay I have to discuss something serious right now.  We just got done watching the news and once again in the Austin area there was a hit and run. I continue to be amazed (and not in a good way) at the frequency and amount of hit and runs in this area. I'm not sure if it is just this area or indicative of the whole 'GREAT?' state of Texas.  It is such a common occurance that I'm starting to wonder if it is the state's sport!?  I just cannot believe folks don't stop when they have an accident.  It isn't like they don't REALIZE they hit somebody.  If they don't that is even more scary.  I just don't get it.  Where is the moral fabric? 

There was also a report about how a man whose vehicle hit another vehicle that was waiting to turn at a busy road (where the speed limit is a ridiculous 70 MPH there- that is a whole other topic).  It was not hit and run I don't think (I am not positive)  but if not that is likely because his vehicle sustained damages as well.  Turns out two children died from the accident and more people are still in critical condition. Guess what?  The guy who hit them had been drinking and already had a record of at least two other times drinking and driving (not positive if DUI's) but really?  They were talking about how the accident could have been prevented, likely citing the 70 MPH speed limit but it could have been prevented if that man had his license permanently yanked by the 2nd drunk driving offense.  Poor guy?  How would he get around without a car?  He'd have to figure it out! That is called just punishment for driving drunk!  Just a bit miffed right now and shaking my head. 

I have been on that exact road that has the high speed limit and yes it is high but folks can still drive cautiously. The mindset about speed limits is interesting. The LIMIT is 7o MPH. It doesn't mean you have to drive 70 MPH, that is the MAXIMUM!  Most states I believe you can drive as slowly as 45-50 MPH on that stretch of road before getting pulled over because you are going too slow. I'm not saying everyone drive 45 MPH there but everyone can drive 55 MPH...no one is required to drive 70 MPH.  I bet that man who hit that poor family didn't have a clue how fast he was going anyway.

Guess all I can do is hope and pray that things improve and be always grateful that I don't have to commute to work.



Wednesday, April 22, 2015

Reminder

We got a reminder today that we live in TEXAS!

I was working this afternoon when I heard Ditzy barking very fiercly out back. It was not like her usual bark when she sees someone walking by or the dog next door outside .It was more of a frantic sort of bark.  Merlin was soon joining her and barking at something too.

Hubby rushed outside to investigate and walked over to a fairly large chuck of wood that we had on the cement platform. He jumped back. There in the crevice between the log and the fence was a rattle snake!!  It had a mouse hanging out from its mouth also as he saw a tail hanging out.  I didn't step outside at all!  But we got all the dogs to come in. Last thing I want is one of our dogs to get hurt or die from a snake bite!!

He got a long piece of wood that was nearby and kept stabbing at it.  He was able after several attempts to kill it and he got rid of both it and the dead mouse/rat? that was to be its afternoon meal.  Yuck!   I know we have snakes around here but I don't see them very often (thankfully) and tend to forget about them for the most part. 

I didn't think about it until well after then that we could have taken a few pictures.  But suffice to say it was there in the back yard.  I told hubby we should just get rid of that wood pile altogether, give it away or something. We never use the fireplace and if all that is going to be is a hideaway for snakes, I'd rather NOT chance the dogs getting killed. 

Well now that I have the heebie-jeebies all over again, going to go in the living room where it is relatively safe.  :)

Tuesday, April 21, 2015

Finally posting photo

Here is the other glove that came down from the nest that it was used for. This one is not going to be useful anymore but again it was funny that both garden gloves were taken to be used for some sort of nest. :)






Keeping this short because yes, once again long day at work.  Did get a chance to record a few songs at lunch time. Think I got my hubby addicted to singsnap too.  That's okay, for once we both love the same thing. :)

Sunday, April 19, 2015

Sunny Sunday

Today was very nice out.  Sunny and warm, just a beautiful spring day.

I wanted to post the song that hubby and I sang (he was closer to the mic than I was so his voice comes through more than mine).   This was a song we sang together yesterday. 

http://www.singsnap.com/karaoke/r/b9a5abba7

Today my allergies are bad. I took an allergy pill late this morning but here I sick hacking away.  Oh well.  I know the pollen is really bad out there and the rain and wind kicks it up.






Saturday, April 18, 2015

End of the week

We had a nice dinner with the neighbors tonight at our house.  It was a good time and I'm glad we had company for once.  They are a nice couple and they brought their dog too that my hubby watches sometimes so that was cute. We had us 4 and 6 dogs here but it really went just fine.  I made the Mexican fiesta dip, ranch dip, crab cakes and dreamsicle pie all from my Gourmet Cupboard business. We did have some really hard rain storms though so that was a little scary, as the winds were kicking up a bit but it has died down now so hopefully will be nice quiet evening.

I got hubby hooked on singsnap and now he's a member too.  He needs to get the hang of it like I did but he has a wonderful voice. We even sang a duet together (A Horse with no Name) and it sounded pretty nice. 

Tomorrow I have a little bit of work to do but for the most part the day is mine.  Think I'll do some more singing.  It is very humid and damp from all this rain so I don't think painting a piece of furniture is a good idea (will take a long time to dry). Maybe we can watch a movie too. Hubby picked up some more movies at a garage sale yesterday.


Friday, April 17, 2015

Happy Weatherman

Our local weatherman is going to be proud tonight as they finally got it right.  We got some strong downpours earlier this evening. So finally got the rain as forecasted.  Guess what hubby found in the front yard the other day? My OTHER gardening glove.  Although that one was shredded up some. It was in the front yard near where the other one was found that fell from a nest.  I thought it was so funny that whatever critter used them for a nest took BOTH of them.  I hadn't looked for the other one yet and just assumed it was still on the balcony area.  I took a picture but am getting ready to turn in for the night so I'll post it tomorrow.


Thursday, April 16, 2015

Thursdays lunchtime blog

Thought I would write during my lunch period.  You know the weather folks keep saying day after day how we're in for a lot of rain and sometimes including hail, etc., only to get a light sprinkle if that.  They are so wrong lately, they might as well say there is a chance of rain every day through May! There!  Hubby is waiting to paint the back porch railing that he built. He did part of it and wants it to be fully dry for a few days before he paints the rest. He keeps holding off for the impending storms that don't occur.

I'm glad it is Thursday.  Why?  Because this morning was my last exercise morning until Sunday. I walk tomorrow and likely Saturday but my getting up a little earlier routine to exercise is done this week. Another reason I am glad is that tomorrow is Friday so I'm that much closer to the end of the week.  If I don't have to work all weekend I may start one of the paint projects I have. Hubby got an antique chiffarobe and it needs to be sanded down (a little) and chalk painted.  I just know though that when I am done painting it, I will most likely want to keep it. But where to put it?  We have no room. So I guess I may put it up for sale.  I don't need to worry about that decision right now anyway. 

We're having company for dinner Saturday too, so not sure about the painting. I would like to at least get it started (maybe do the light sanding)  as it has been sitting waiting for me to do something to it for several months now. I'm starting to feel sorry for it. ;-)

The oldest is possibly putting an offer in on their first house today (or maybe they did last night). How exciting getting their first house!  I sure hope that they get a home that they really want.  It has become quite a sellers market as of late at least where she is, and they have lost out on a few they wanted to buy as offers were already accepted.  So wishing her lots of luck!

Tuesday, April 14, 2015

Well it is Spring right?

Tell that to the weather man, weather lady, oh the weather person!  It was pretty cool today (not sure if it got into the 70s) and tonight's low is possibly the upper 40's.  Brrr..sorry but that is cold for Central Texas in mid April. The weather lady that I was watching on the news today at lunchtime said how great it was to have a refreshing cool morning. WHAT?!  It hasn't even been hot yet this year and she is bragging about the coolness already? She must be menopausal!  

What really sucks is I remember when I used to go to nursing homes as a kid to either sing at Christmas time or what not, and would see old people wrapped in shawls and sweaters in a room that was so stifling I wondered how they even breathed in there.  I am going to be one of those old people probably wearing a sweater and a blanket! 


Monday, April 13, 2015

Just checking in...

Another Monday done :)

I noticed something today.  Every time I take a 'potty break' my phone rings.  I can be sitting at my desk all day and nothing, then finally get up because my bladder is going to burst and then the phone rings.  Drives me nuts!  I am not going to get a hernia for any stupid phone call! :)

Okay. .off to watch Night Shift.



Sunday, April 12, 2015

Dinner tonight

I may or may not have mentioned how I love using old fashioned cast iron to cook but I do. So tonight I made crab cakes from my Gourmet cupboard business 

Then I also made Bok Choy and Shitake mushroom stirfry and we also had some rice (you can see that next to the crab cakes.  It was really good.



Did some work today but not a ton. Got a nice visit in over at the folks for a little over an hour.  They both seem to be doing okay, and Dad although thin seems to be holding up well.  He is in fact playing bridge on Tuesday. That's a good sign.




Saturday, April 11, 2015

Done!

I got our tax returns finished today.  Yippee!  Actually this was one of the easiest years, with no student loans, no Sch C's, not even enough to use Schedule A.  So that is done for another year! Yeah! 

Also finally switched out my pocket book to my new one I got last week while down town with the youngest.  :-)  That was fun.  It is interesting finding old movie tickets, receipts and then at the bottom, nearly disintegrated tissues.  Then there are the eyeglasses that are missing one of the lenses, some Bigelow tea that I took from the hotel room back in September when I went to training in Dallas and even some nasal decongestant that I took with me for the flight back east to the oldest's wedding in August.  Yes I pulled out a lot of history from my old pocket book which I am still keeping, just changing it up for a season or two.

Looking forward to seeing what new history my new pocket book will hold. :-)

Friday, April 10, 2015

Promised photo

Hre is the picture of the last two Yuenglings from the other night.



Tonight I had to go back to Shiner bock to have with my pizza. I'm pretty used to that though so it wasn't so bad but was getting all used to Yuengling again.

This morning was thunderstorms and windy cold, down in the 50's.  By 4:00PM it was sunny and 71.  So nice that Mother Nature made it beautiful for my nice walk after a long week at work.  :)

Looking forward to Jimmy Fallon and Friday night "Thank you Notes"

Thursday, April 9, 2015

Friday eve again!

I can tell the warm weather is here. There is a knat flying around my head bugging the heck out of me!!

I just watched Jimmy Fallon singing with Madonna.  He has so much fun!  I don't think I've ever seen a host have as much fun as he does.  Occasionally I think I saw Johnny Carson that happy but that wasn't every day.  How refreshing Jimmy is!

Last night Steve and I had our LAST TWO Yuengling beers with dinner.  I took a picture and will post it tomorrow. I don't feel like getting the cord for the camera out at this point.  Another hour and I'd turn into a pumpkin.  :)

I can't think of anything interesting, unique or thought provoking to write...so nite :)

Wednesday, April 8, 2015

Hump Day Over

I will write tomorrow. Promise. It is late and I'm tired! :)

Monday, April 6, 2015

Mon

Not much to blog about tonight. Another Monday done :)

Sunday, April 5, 2015

Happy Easter

Okay Easter is just about over but thought I needed to say it.   We had a nice visit with the youngest and her boyfriend.  We gave her a little Easter basket with some candy in it. Hubby also got a few extra Cadbury eggs as I like those. 

I did work about 5 hours today but that was it for the weekend.  It was nice and relaxing not working for once for most of the weekend.

The youngest and I went to visit my mom and dad today for about an hour.  It was a nice visit. I took them an Easter Lily plant so that we didn't go totally empty handed.  It was a nice visit and my dad seems to be doing pretty well. 

It started out drizzly and not so cold today but then got colder and dropping into the 50's. We didn't have to turn the heat on but we didn't leave the back porch door open either.  Tomorrow is suppose to get up to the mid 80's, so it will be nicer than today for sure!



Saturday, April 4, 2015

Lazy Saturday

This picture says it all!  :-)  Lazy Day.   I am not working one bit today.  Have a hair appointment this morning, nothing big just a trim.  Growing out my hair but I don't think it will ever get as long as hubby's!  His hair is really long now.  I'll post a picture sometime.  I don't mind that his is long as he keeps it back in a pony tail all the time. He never got it cut very often and it would quickly take on a scraggly homeless person sort of look. One day I asked him if he ever thought about growing it out again as he said he grew it really long when he was in his 20's like down to the middle of his back. So I sort of challenged him to see if he could do it again and it grows fast!  It has to be 7 inches long from his neckline.  Not fair!  My hair only grows to a certain length and then it starts splitting. 

So off to get some breakfast.  Have a great Saturday everyone!





Friday, April 3, 2015

Almost forgot

I almost forgot to blog today because the youngest is here and we are visiting!  Okay we are watching Blue Bloods and I'm on my laptop and the youngest is on her iphone...on and off but yah we're visiting. :)

I took a nice walk after work with Ditzy.  There are a few houses with 'Coming Soon' For Sale signs on them. This seems to be the trend lately I guess to get offers before they actually get officially listed.  Sometimes the signs go down before the Coming Soon portion goes away.  Oh well. Then we have some houses that are bought only to be flipped.  That is happening to a house around the corner now.  It is one of the houses that has one of those 'Coming Soon' signs and they only moved in I think around October. 

There are bound to be a few more houses going on the market soon since 'tis the season.  Would like to see how much any one of them are being listed for, so we'll see.

Thursday, April 2, 2015

Good Friday eve

Yes it is Good Friday eve' but I do not have Good Friday off.  That's okay. At least the youngest is coming to visit finally!  It has been since Christmas. Oye!

It looked like it was going to rain today off and on and never did, at least not yet.

I haven't talked to dad much this week but I think he is fine with using the bag. Hopefully he is eating, and drinking as much as possible!  I will be visiting him this weekend and checking up on him. I'm planning on asking the youngest to come with us as I know dad would like it.

Well I'm off to go watch the rest of Elementary before turning in for the night. 


Wednesday, April 1, 2015

Nice Evening..

Actually the whole day was nice. Started out looking threatening like it might rain but it didn't. Then it cleared up.  And tonight for the first time in a long time I watched the sunset from the balcony.  The sky had some pretty pinks and bluish purple colors going on in the clouds. Very pretty!  And it is still 72 degrees outside.

This morning I had a nice treat for breakfast. Hubby was going out to run an errand anyway and asked me if I needed anything.  Instead of the usual reply that I didn't, I said "Yes!" How about a Sonic Mocha latte and cinnamon filled pastry that you dip in the white icing.  Yum!!  Talk about a sugar rush but hey it was a nice treat and much more satisfying that cereal this time.

I did get my walk in after work though so was able to use some calories there. LOL

Nashville is on pretty soon!  Hope to hear some good singing.  Nite!