The President's Rain

 I almost missed it yesterday ... it was President's Day.  Happy Birthday George Washington!!  This used to be a big deal back when I was working in the dark ages.  Yet another three day weekend.  Nowadays, the only reason I knew that we were celebrating is because the garbage truck did NOT pick up my garbage.  I headed straight for my checkbook to be sure I paid them.  Yessiree they got paid, so I figured it was some holiday or other!!

It rained all night long, as evidenced by the drip drip drip outside the kitchen door.  It didn't take a detective to figure out the gutters were leaking down on to a board leaning again the building.  My gutters are a big problem, but not fixable for a couple of months when they can dry out completely.

This was pretty crazy rain for us.  It's raining so hard my gutters are completely overflowing.  We got close to three inches in this downpour.  It continued for the entire day, so there was no walking or bike riding.  There wasn't even any Quilt Shopping!!

Instead, I basked in the idea of staying home all day long.  I don't know what's gotten into me in my old age.  I never EVER stayed home before.  

This little bundle of joy kept me on my toes though.  I sat on the couch and grabbed the quilt to begin sewing, when look who I found snuggled underneath!!  A big wad of Kitty!!

In the end, staying home was not to be.  I needed to finish up the books for my favorite Queen of Rentals.  Sadly, she was in the hospital for a bit and now in rehab, so I met her daughter at the residential living facility.  This is the gal I rode horses with for several years, camping out in the Sierra Mountains, riding in trail competitions and generally having a blast with my horses.  

Sadly, my horses are gone now and her gorgeous little dapple quarter horse is now 7 years old.  We talked for an hour about Mia and how she is doing.  Kind of like talking about your grandkids.  That's how it is with horse people.

I finished up her books in three hours and I was out the door with a CALL ME when it quits raining and I'll come ride again.  She has three horses and could use another butt in the saddle as we say, to help keep them in shape.  It's probably not a good idea, since it makes me want to get back in the business, but I'm going to do it anyway.  There's nothing in the world better in my book than riding!

Back home, I baked up the latest and greatest DiGiorno pizza.  I baked it 10 minutes less than what they said, and it was STILL a bit overdone.  You can't see the pepperoni because I smothered it in more cheese.

Here's my critique.  It's okay.  I mean I'll eat ANY pizza, so my critique doesn't really mean much.  It needed MORE cheese and a LOT more pepperoni.  Otherwise, it was okay.  Just to show you how dense it is, I didn't eat ANY dinner because I was so very full of pizza dough.

Kitters thought she might like a taste too, but turned it down after one smell.  

That was it.  Just a long day of rain and more rain.  Another downpour dropped another inch or so of water.  We really need the rain, but it's oh so hard to get my fur kids to go outside.  They don't like the rain any more than I do.  We need it for sure, but it's knocking all the blooms off the orchards, so it's probably not going to be a bumper crop year.

SO ... anyone have a horse trailer for sale?  Just kidding ..... maybe ..... yeah, just kidding ..... but boy would I LOVE to have a couple horses to ride again.  The only thing keeping me from doing it is the fact that if I head to the great afterlife in the sky, there would be no one to take care of them and there's no telling where they would end up.  I can't stand the thought of such a thing, so I'll just keep riding someone else's every chance I get.

It's going to be a wet one .... thunderstorms expected for the next three days.  I hope my Bingo armor doesn't get rusty!!!

DAYTONA 500

 Winter has finally hit central California.  I think Mother Nature got a little off with the time change since it's rather late in the year to be having cold, windy, rainy days ..... but here we are!!

If only I could actually CHANGE the time and Mr.-Mr. didn't need to go outside at 4:00 am.  It's like clockwork I tell you.  He can be sound asleep (and of course I'm wide awake) and at the appointed hour, just like Cinderella ... he stands up and stares at me.

Time to go out Mom.  I stay under cover of the patio so I stay dry.

I love Sundays, mostly because I try to be sure NOTHING is scheduled.  We get to hang out on the couch for hours with nothing to do.  On this day however, I really needed to get this quilt finished.  This one replaces the one that magically disappeared at the Lodge.  I sewed the top and bottom pieces on, bordered it and cut out the backing.  I really like the original better, but that material is not made any more.  Now to haul it to the quilt store to be quilted since my machine is out of business for another 4-6 weeks.  

Hmmm ... in looking at this, I think it needs another darker border.  

I admit ... Sundays with nothing to do can be dangerous.  It's those darn ads on my phone that remind me to order things on Amazon, which result in MORE things from Amazon.  These are Sketchers shoes.  Much as I would rather have my old running standby Mizunos ... these are half the price and you don't have to tie the laces.  SO SO easy to slip on and off without using your hands.  I now have three pair and LOVE them.

Soon ... it was TIME.  The Daytona 500 was on today, one of only two races that I watch.  For those who thought it was delayed completely due to weather, instead they began the race over an hour early.  They have EXPERT weathermen, because they get it right every single time.

Why does this interest me, because after all, it's not horses.  Many moons ago I helped run a local construction company that sponsored the tires for a local race car driver.  Boy were those tires EXPENSIVE!  At any rate, he won over and over again.  This was his dream ... to drive in this race.  He never made it due to lack of money, but he did get to run a few time laps on the track.  

Here's the first big wreck ... or maybe it was the second.  In this race, Ford had four cars, Chevy had the same, along with Toyota.  They get behind each other drafting, which makes the lead car go faster.  Towards the end of the race, three of them were side by side in the lead, which controlled the speed of the entire thing.  No one could pass them ... but alas, someone did a boo boo and another wreck resulted in 23 cars being involved.  

Truly, it's all in luck that someone who is leading, actually wins.  There was a bump, a little too strong to control, resulting in another big wreck.  

Reddick was maybe five cars back.  He got lucky (or maybe it was driving expertise), drove around and through the wreck to WIN the race.  You just ever know how it's going to end.  

I spent the rest of the evening stitching binding on this quilt, not that I was motivated at all, to keep it handy for hand finishing while watching TV.  I need to get that stack out of my sewing room.

And yet another.  I think I'm two years late with this one.  While the race was on, I began the hand stitching part of this Halloween quilt.   

Today I have to head out for the last accounting session with my 94 year old client.  I've been doing her bookkeeping for over 40 years.  Hard to believe it's been that long.  I think this will be my last year however since her 65 year old daughter will be taking over.  Pretty crazy to think we are all that old now.

I'm hoping to get an actual day off this week to get to the Quilt Shop.  OH DARN!!!  My excuse is I really need to drive the van and charge up that battery!!  That's my story and I'm sticking to it!!

THE VALENTINE'S DANCE

 It's a lovely DARK 52 degrees this morning in what turned out to be SUNNY California for a change.  Though my camera lightened this image up quite a bit, it's 4:00 on the West Coast and spooky as can be.  Luckily I haven't heard any more of that screaming, but the meows were epic.  Someone wanted IN.

I started Valentine's Day off with a rousing rendition of CHICKEN DANCE, thanks to Dan who played it over the phone while Patty and I just laughed.  How in the world is that battery still working when that card is somewhere between 8 and 10 years old??  It was the perfect way to start the day!

There was no messing around however ... I had to be at the Lodge by 8:30.  Wasn't I surprised to find probably 15 people setting up decorations, along with an empty box of donuts.  Well rats!!  Headed for the kitchen, knowing that's where I would end up.  

We sliced tomatoes, chopped onions, places cheese on a plate and got out all the required cups, plates and napkins.  Boxes of chips were set up and I dumped four huge cans of chili into a pot.  This event is sponsored by Bingo, so the King and I argued over whether it would be enough for 100 folks.  Not a chance, so when his back was turned, I added a little over a quart of water to extend it.  No worries, it was so thick you could still stand an 18" spoon up in it!

But wait ... there's hardly anyone here?  This doesn't look good at all and Bingo has started already!  

Another 30 minutes and the place was packed.  They call numbers until someone wins.  That person gets a new card and everyone else continues to play the one they have.  Easier to win that way.  Soon there are four and five winners.  You should see them!  Oh my gosh ... they jump up and yell at the top of their lungs, SO excited to WIN!  There are actually 18 tables full of kids and adults.

I have to admit, these are not the most expensive prizes in the world, but I guess the kids love them.  Everyone in the place wins something, including some of the parents.  

All the while, I'm hiding in the kitchen tending to the chili.  This is just the craziest thing, but people LOVE this Hormel Chili.  It was too much work to do a double boiler, so I just kept a very close eye on it stirring constantly to be sure it didn't burn.  

At last it was lunch time ... barbecued burgers and hot dogs straight from the charcoal grill outside, buns of course, cheese, tomatoes, onions, mustard, ketchup and relish.  Too bad the person who planned the meal disappeared, because apparently there was lettuce in the walk-in and she didn't tell me.  OH WELL!  We didn't have room on the table for that anyway!  Most all the kids came back for seconds.  

That was followed up by 144 cupcakes with swirly top frosting, home baked by one of our members.  They disappeared in less than 30 minutes.  It's funny how when the food part is all over, the help disappears.  Seems they only stay for the fun part.  

I cleaned up everything and stacked the dishes before going outside to run down the Bingo Kitchen Lady for directions on what to keep and what to toss.  They did the dishes while I wiped the counters.  In no time, I too was sneaking out the back door while the dance was just beginning.  

The flashing colored lights began the same time as the DJ (yup we hired a DJ) began the music.  These kids and adults too ... they love this part more than anything else.  They were all up on the floor dancing as I went out the back door.  Five hours was enough for me!!  We will do it all over again next year.

When I got home, I contemplated the truck headlamp repair, but landed on the couch instead.  Mr. Cooper needed some cuddles!

There was no need for dinner since I ate one hamburger patty covered in a little chili at lunch.  Probably not my best decision of the day.  I felt it for the next four hours and skipped dinner.

This however, made me feel better.  We haven't had much in the way of sunsets lately, and this was a beauty.

The later it got, the darker the colors.  WOW ... it looks like someone painted it.

And so ended another day at the lodge.  I'm glad we can provide some fun for these kids, many of whom rarely get out of their houses.  All in all I think we have six events a year for them.  It's good to be able to provide some entertainment and fun .... and see them laugh!!

I have absolutely NOTHING on the schedule today, though I might try my hand at that headlight!!

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY BIRTHDAY!

 

HAPPY VALENTINE'S DAY to everyone out there in the wild world of the North American continent.  I hope your Valentine got you something special for the day, like a great big hug.  

This Valentine is for my bestest friend Chef Patty.  I tried to find the Chicken Dance on a reel (that's a joke between us from WAY back), but alas it was not to be.  I've no doubt she just went to the drawer and pulled out that card I gave her several years ago and is playing it as you read this.  We laughed and laughed!!  Here's to many more Miss Patty!!

As for me, I survived Friday the 13th.  That is generally a day I stay VERY close to home.  On this day however, there was a personnel problem at the lodge I had to attend.  I've become very laid back.  I just sat there, didn't say a word, and left with a smile on my face.

On the way home, I stopped in to pick up some headlamps for the truck.  Weird looking things, but alas, even though Napa Auto's inventory said they were there, they were not to be found.  Talk about pricey ... I ordered two for a whopping $41.00.  I SWEAR she said two days, but two hours later she called to say I could come pick them up.  I watched an installation video and HOPE it will be an easy job.  

This is my friends visual of Friday the 13th .......

This is my reality.  It's just weird that she follows me everywhere.  Every time I turn around, this is what I see.  

Along with my cup-o-joe ... we look very much like the picture every single morning.  I've just returned to drinking morning coffee ... and not a lot of it.  I might have even given it up were it not for the TEN cans I bought just two weeks ago.  

Finally, in desperation to get some energy back, I went out for a walk.  I didn't quite make it a mile since I keep running into that tree trimming guy who was looking for more work.  I don't know ... he's been working on the corner house for two weeks now, so I'm not sure how efficient they are.  

However ... that's what I needed ... to get some exercise.  Back home, I pulled what I thought was one big pork loin out of the fridge. Turns out it was two small ones.  Easier to sear I thought.  Once done, I threw them in the oven to finish.  Next I did the easiest thing EVER!  

I threw a box of sliced mushrooms in the pan with a chunk of butter, followed by a bag of frozen veggies I defrosted in the microwave.  Lemon Pepper covered everything.  

Just WOW!!  I'm buying stock in lemon pepper.  This was the best meal I've had all month.  FINALLY I was NOT hungry after eating.   I can't even tell you how good this was!  Lucky me, I've even got four more meals to enjoy!  I followed it up with ... you're not going to believe this ... applesauce.  Not cake, not cookies and not candy.  I must still be sick.

Now however, it's time to head out once again.  We are having our Challenged Children's Valentines Day Bingo-Lunch-DANCE.  I will probably be calling Bingo today.  Truly, you haven't lived until you have seen challenged children and adults winning a Bingo game.  Everyone wins, and everyone gets a prize.  Besides that, they get to dance afterwards, probably the only time during the entire year they get to experience this much fun.  

How could I say no to that!!

Happy Valentines Day!!!!!

An Even Shorter One

 This will be even shorter than yesterday's blog.  Shame on me for not taking more pictures, but hopefully I can catch up tomorrow.  Oh wait ... it's the Challenged Children's Bingo Party tomorrow, followed by a Valentine's Day Dance.  You haven't lived until you've seen 100 challenged and handicapped children at the only dance they have ever been to in their lives.  

They go crazy over the music and everyone dances to their own beat, no partner required.  SO ... a late night, followed by an early morning employee problem, followed by putting on my mechanic's hat, followed by Bingo and a dance.  I'm exhausted just thinking about it.

Here's my CREW that keeps me sane.  Almost.  Kitters came crying to the door last night, so what could I do but get up and let her in.  I think she is now spending more time INSIDE than out!  I just went in the bedroom for a second ... and I turn around to see this!!

I did a bit more fridge cleaning and trying to find something to eat.  That's three people now who said to cook rice, but I couldn't find any.  Might as well give Walmart a go once again, so I placed an order.  This time it was delivered right on time, to the right house by a lovely Spanish couple.  

No directions came with this rice cooker, which is a dangerous thing for moi!!  It was probably just perfect five minutes before I shut off the microwave.  It was so overcooked it became hard again.  

I put a big spoonful in that Butternut Squash soup, stirred it up and took a bite. NOPE!  That's not working at all.  I ended up with a small portion of Mexican casserole that really wasn't too bad and didn't seem to bother my oh-so-tender stomach.  

In no time I was ready to head off to the Elks Trustee Meeting.  It was reported they were in the black last month.  Nope .. not true.  I spent most of the hour explaining to our oldest and most esteemed Trustee why that wasn't correct.  He finally agreed, and it was so reported at the next TWO meetings.

I might have made it home at a reasonable hour, but in spite of asking my good friend to bring his truck, he rode his motorcycle.  I can just see him going down the city streets with this 7-ring wire petticoat and this dress flying off the back.  It's a donation to his wife, a member of the Daughters of the Revolution for their reenactments.

And so I drove all over town, making twelve turns, until I had no idea where I was.  When I pulled in his driveway, he informed me my headlight was out.  This is not it.  Mine was COMPLETELY dark.  I didn't notice it since I was always under street lights.  Big sigh!!  I had a terrible time trying to figure out how to get back to familiar streets. 

I guess after my emergency Elk employee meeting this morning, I'll be heading over to the parts shop in the hopes of finding a bulb.  Then if I'm really lucky ... and a very good girl ... maybe I'll get in some sleep this afternoon before finding SOMETHING I can eat!!  I'm beginning to see why Kitters acted so hungry all the time.  That feeling does not go away easily!!

 

A SHORT ONE

 Cold and clouds arrived back in Central California once again.  This is an early morning picture of how low the clouds get around here.  It's okay ... I would rather have clouds and rain over fog any day of the week.  It did get quite windy however.  

What bothers me the most is I either have a heavy ski parka, or just a shirt.  I need to come up with something in between so I don't freeze before the truck heater gets going!

It did get a little exciting about midnight.  I heard the craziest screaming I've ever heard in my life.  I thought CAT, but that was not it. I thought OWL, but that was not it.  I thought EAGLE but we don't have those around here.  It seemed to come from high up in the trees, then from the ground.  It was the craziest sound ... and I never found out what it was.  I think I spotted a big fluffy foxy tail in the back yard, but I've never EVER heard them make a noise like that.  When I opened the door, Kitters came rushing in, so she didn't like it either.  Here's hoping it does NOT come back.

The best news of the day -- we have hired a new gal to take over the accounting duties I've been doing.  Not that I'm going to disappear, because they won't let that happen, but at least I'll just be the "consultant" and "Emergency - HELP" person from now on.  

So here I am driving to work.  Not bad, yes?  I spent the next four hours training in spite of only planning on two.  It's quite complicated and there were lots of OMG's to take care of.  Things that come in the mail can sometimes be scary and overwhelming.  I'm pretty good at explaining stuff, calming the nerves and taking care of the problems.  So is my New Hire.  I think that's because it's not our money!

On the other hand, I can do nothing about the several days of afternoon sun we received, which caused these trees to bloom, just in time for rain.  Very pretty, but YIKES ... that's not good ... not good at all.  Farming is never a guaranteed WIN.  

On the ranch, many years we grew oat hay to feed the cattle.  That's how I ended up being a caterpillar driver, discing the fields.  Imagine moving well over 500 bales of hay (about 100 pounds each) into the barn by hand and stacking it to the ceiling.  I'm pretty sure that's why I've always been strong ... WAY too much exercise.  

On the other hand, some years we got rained out.  If the hay dried in time, we could feed it to the cattle.  If it got moldy, it was a total loss.  We had to then move the cattle around in the fields more often.  You can't leave them in one spot or they will eat the grass to the dirt and no more grass will grow.  Moving cattle from field to field every week was required.  Some years in desperation, we leased grassland in the foothills and hauled them in so our pastures had a chance to grow back.  It was always a throw of the dice.

After four long hours, I was able to sneak out the door and head back home.  My Amazon delivery had shown up, so repairs began immediately on the Kissack Hotel guest bathroom.  They sure don't make things like they used to.  I think I have replaced this toilet handle three times now.  In fact, I've replaced ALL the guts to this one twice.  

It took some adjusting because ... well ... though I have done this many times, the directions were not exactly clear.  I am now open for business since company is coming in about a week.

That was it ... a short one for today.  I made a bit of a mistake with dinner.  I just seem to be starving all the time now, but don't know what to eat.  I was really craving salad, so I fixed up a small one.  Boy did it taste good and I ate every single bite.  Probably not my best idea.  My stomach is still quite sore, but gosh darn that soup is just not doing it for me.  Same for the yogurt.  I need something more substantial.

I'm determined to get out for a walk today ... hoping for some strength to return.  Maybe a little motivation along with it.  I need to finish that "missing" quilt replacement and get it to the Quilt store to quilt.  

Have a great day ... we are on the downhill slide to the weekend!!!

Let Them Eat Cake!

 It's BINGO TIME!  I truly was not looking forward to this, so let's get through the day so I can get some sleep!!

First off ... RAIN.  Yessiree, we woke up to the beginnings of a rainy day.  I tried my very best to sleep in, but it was not to be.  I even tried to sneak in a nap, but I'm not very adept at that one either.  I've been eating better, but think I need those walks to start feeling stronger.  

Watch Kitty was pretty good on this day.  She left me alone while she slept on the chair most of the time.  Why she parked here on the floor is beyond me.  I've never seen a Kitty sit with their back to you.  She laid there are about two hours before chair hopping.

I had a birthday errand to run, so I decided to eat BIG in order not to have fried anything for dinner at Bingo.  At this point, thinking about food makes me a little nauseous.  This was pretty benign, but I had a hard time getting it down.  I settled for the guts and left the pastry part.

In no time I was off to Costco to pick up a birthday cake.  It didn't look like this at all.  They only have about four designs to choose from now, and although the colors are right, there were big tall candles across the top and NO trains.  It said Happy Birthday Kathy and Deanna ... two of our best workers.  Just so you know, it cost me $27.99.

Costco was a madhouse at 2:00 in the afternoon.  Why oh why do they only have THREE stations open when it's this crowded?  I actually spoke that out loud.  VERY LOUD.  Another station soon opened up.

I left the cake in the truck while working with the bookkeeper on LAST year's totals versus THIS year.  It's not good ... and I just cannot seem to explain it to people.  Maybe they just don't want to hear that.  Back downstairs, we could not for the life of us (Steve and I) get that darn Bingo Machine to cooperate.

We rebooted it three times before it began to participate.  It continually wants an update of windows.  With that done, we went for the seven television screens.  I don't know who messes with those, but we spent the next 30 minutes trying to reprogram those too.  Oh the fun!!

It's late ... I usually open at 4:15 and it's 4:30.  The line at the door is epic!  That's when I heard everyone singing Happy Birthday.  Yay ... LET THEM EAT CAKE ... and I'm SURE they will save me a piece.

An hour later after three WAY TOO LOUD rousing Happy Birthday songs, I got two seconds to go get my piece.  There was nothing.  NOTHING!!  That cake feeds 48 people and we only have 18 workers.  How could it be GONE???  I did not get one single bite.  How cruel is that??

I went back to selling for the next 4-1/2 hours.  No food ... I was afraid to eat anything.  It's funny how I have more patience when I'm not hungry.  We had the usual "you didn't give me my card", and deletions when they didn't have enough money to pay for what they grabbed.  I don't know ... maybe add this stuff up in your head first?

Payouts were a pain on this day too ... maybe it was just ME.  We have one guy who LOVES to make said payouts, but he's a little scatterbrained.  He never remembers WHO won, or what game it is.  I was sure I paid that one out twice. 

By the end of the night, I was truly exhausted.  I drove home, ready to crash.  Oh but wait ... My sweet Coopie didn't have as good a night as I did.  There was a BIG mess to clean up.  Kitters of course helped before running out the door.  And THAT is where she stayed.  I didn't need any meowing in the middle of the night, though she did try the door a couple of times.

And so today is a new day ... a day of rest and relaxation ... AFTER I get in a couple hours of bookwork because having been sick, I'm now behind.  

Here's to a GREAT DAY for everyone!!!

Do Not Look Up

 So much for a tad bit of teasing sunshine.  We are now in RAIN mode for the next week.  Ok, who did the rain dance!!  We are actually looking at temps that will bring snow a week from Wednesday.  I hope they are wrong about that one.  

Thank you everyone for the food ideas.  I can do without the bananas (not my favorite), but rice, applesauce, toast ... all right up my alley.  I will be keeping those items, along with soup, on hand from now on.  Much as I LOVE Mac n cheese ... it was not the best for an achey stomach.

Still trying to heal up, I was true to my word.  We spent almost the entire day on the couch.  Those who know me, know that's the hardest thing in the world for me to do.  I just cannot sit on the couch and watch TV.  

On the other hand, Cooper had no problem with that at all.  Thank goodness he is MUCH better today and almost back to normal.  I think he was just mimicking his Mom!  

THIS one ... she is always in trouble!!  True to catdom, she sleeps all day and prowls all night.  She got left outside last night so I could sleep.  No rattling around the house and no meowing to go out.  She also learned her first lesson about being underfoot.  YOWL!!!!!  She walked right up behind me as I was stepping back.  She's okay, but instantly wanted OUTSIDE.  I apologized profusely.

Boy is this ever hard for me to do, but I really wanted my strength back for you know what!  BINGO of course.  My latest Lady in Waiting is being waited on out of town tonight.  I'm on my own!!

Lunch was very simple, after a breakfast of yogurt and a muffin.  I haven't gotten up the nerve to get back to coffee yet.  It was butternut squash soup.  Quite tasty, but not the least bit filling.  Two hours later I downed a bit of Mac n cheese.

I literally wandered the halls of the house all afternoon.  Can you say bored?  I looked at this mess and decided I still felt weak enough to convince myself "I'll do it later".  

But then I looked straight up to see this.  My tip of the day ... DO NOT LOOK UP.  Hmmm this is not good!!  Why are all these things falling apart?

I cleaned off the cupboard but could not reach the light.  Out came my little ladder.  

This literally fell into my hands.  It's completely deteriorated.  I discovered the light in this fixture is not the same as the light in the fixture next to it.  Do you think the bulb is too many watts and that is what caused the burning brown?  I'm just guessing here, but the piece that holds the screw broke off, so it's unusable.  I've ordered another one from Lowes, but think I may need a different bulb.  I'll take the old one out today.

Next up, one of the toilet handles came off in my hand.  Big sigh ... I really did not want to be a handyman today ... or tomorrow for that matter.  I ordered parts for that from Amazon.  

All in all, it was a good day, but the worst part is sitting here, which promotes sitting here MORE, which promotes me not wanting to leave the house at all.  It's probably a good thing Bingo forces me outside.  That and lifting Mr. Cooper's 15 pound body 25 times a day is all that is keeping me moving.  

 Thanks for stopping by ... enjoy your day no matter where you are!!  I'll be in the Castle donning my steel corsets for BINGO protection!