GETTING IN TROUBLE!

 A good California morning to ya!!  If I could see you, or anything for that matter, I would give you a big wave.  You've heard the saying ... you can't see your hand in front of your face?  Oh yeah ... that's my situation this morning.  I think it was even worse when I drove home last night at 10:00.

But first .... let's visit with Miss Kitters.  She has become a big pain in my patoo!!  Sweet SWEET kitty, which is the only reason she is still alive, is exceedingly good at GETTING IN TROUBLE with a capital T.

First thing in the morning, she jumped up on this not-so-steady table ... or whatever you call this thing I drug back from Tucson.  The lovely mirror is not attached ... it's just sitting there.  I heard the wobble and grabbed it just before it hit the floor.  

Then she made a beeline for my quilting machine, which had a quilt attached at one end and draped across at the other.  She jumped in the middle, thinking she was Tinkerbell!  Down she went ... her not-so-tiny body crashing to the floor, taking both the quilt and the longarm cover with her.  She went ballistic!!  Thankfully I was able to unwrap her before any damage was done ... except to her ego!!

She has become quite possessive too.  OH LOOK ... a STRANGER kitty.  NO ... this one is NOT coming in the house.  Kitters hit the glass running and Kitty #2 disappeared.  I think this is actually her buddy who lives in the garage next door.  Cooper was not impressed!

Once things settled down, I had the weird job of convincing my retirement people that I was still alive.  Anyone had to PROVE you were still breathing?  I've never heard of such a thing, but I made the call. Here's my tip of the day for kids looking for a good job.  Get hired by the State or County.

At any rate, I had to answer 25 questions, several of which I did not know the answer to.  Like who is my beneficiary.  Gee ... I didn't even know I had one!  That was a big FAIL!!  I guess I answered enough correctly however, because my checks will continue to arrive.   They ARE self-funded however, so no one will get my retirement money for months or years until they pass on.  In fact, I think they are hoping people die soon after retirement so they have enough money to actually PAY everyone else!  I know, morbid subject.

Unfortunately, because I AM STILL ALIVE, I had to go to Bingo.  I admit, I was not the least bit excited.  I even showed up an hour later than normal.  I set up the bingo machine and went upstairs without turning on one single TV.  Someone else can do that job from now on.  

That's when that someone else came in and tried to set up the marquee without checking first to see if it was already done.  That messed up the entire system and I had to reboot and do it all over again.

I spent 30 minutes (spending a lot of Lodge money) signing checks, before heading downstairs to set up MY station.  SURPRISE!!  My substitute showed up with bells on!  Truly, I thought she might disappear completely, but it appears she is working EVERY Tuesday.  I did a little happy dance.  

We had lots of new people on this night, so there was lots of explaining.  One couple came in dressed like they were homeless and wobbling like they downed a quart of Whistle Pig Bourbon (Jim, I love this name), before coming in the door.  They wanted to play, but thought it was your normal Kids Bingo.  They took the program and went to sit on the stairs.  Next thing I know, they are heading UPSTAIRS, which is a No-No.  They were brought back and escorted out.  Please come back when you are sober.

I was cranky all night long.  Maybe because the safe where we store everything was a complete disaster ... so much so that I could barely get the game cards out.  I left it the way I found it, adding a few empty boxes from the cards I used.  You would be proud!!  I AM NOT CLEANING THIS OUT!  Whoever puts it in there needs to put stuff away.  The King was as cranky as me because HE had to do it.  No more scullery maid for me!!

On the other hand, the only other complaint for the night came from one who thought she could pull a fast one.  There is always one who tries to get a free card or two.  That's why I always count OUT LOUD as  the cashier hits the cash register keys.  I'm sorry you lost one, but it cannot be replaced.  She stated loudly that I counted wrong.  Well then you should have told me as I counted them WHEN YOU BOUGHT THEM.  I actually ended up giving her one card, which she threw back on the table.  Okay, so I guess you didn't want it after all.

What can I say ... I'm a terrible meanie that wants everyone to have the same chance to win.  No one should get extra cards for free.

We put everything away, but I got distracted by the King on the way out as we discussed accounting problems.  He has been giving more money to one organization than any other.  I think we should spread it out a little more.  And so Nancy came home with a list of organizations to call and see if they would like some free money.  It's nice to have such a problem ... so much Bingo money that we have to LOOK for tax exempt organizations to give it to.  Not a bad problem to have I guess!!

The fog coming home was epic.  I haven't seen it like this in 30 years.  Hopefully I miss all of it today, as I'm headed out to pick up that Veterans quilt embroidery section so I can put it together. 

It's a new day ... so let's see what trouble we can get into NOW!