It's a Gloomy Day

With highs only in the 50s. Yep, you read right.

Yesterday wasn't that much warmer, only in the 60s, but with the high temps we had last week, it was a nice change, a reprieve of sorts. Tomorrow is supposed to be in the 70s, still not bad.

And then we heat up again. Right now they're calling for highs in the mid 80s next week, but the humidity will be high, which will not only make it uncomfortable, it can also spark thunderstorms.

Okay, we need the rain, so I'm not complaining about that, but out here when we get storms, a lot of times they're strong with hail and yes, even tornadoes. Especially this time of year, as was witnessed last month in a town west of here, Creston.

I was never afraid of thunderstorms until we moved here. Before that, where we lived, we'd have what you would call your garden variety thundershowers and if we did have a thunderstorm, we were never under a severe watch or warning. That all changed out here.

Nope, I take that back, I do remember one storm when we lived out in Virginia. We had driven up to PA to visit my family and on the way up, a tornado hit a store, one like a Walmart or Target in Petersburg, VA. I remember the drive and how they were warning that tornadoes were possible. The thing hit not too far from the freeway we were on too. That was a scary ride. Driving across country when we first moved to Virginia, we stopped for the night in Jackson, MS and one touched down five miles from our motel. Another scary experience.

Now, however, severe storms seem even more prevalent. They occur in areas once not thought to get them. Now it seems, nobody is safe from them.

For today though, we don't have to worry about any of that. Today it's just rain and not even a lot of it, just enough to make the day gloomy. I'm thankful for that.

Whoo!

This morning as I was sitting here in my chair, oh that's right, I didn't tell you that Dave bought me my own recliner several months ago, somewhere around the first of the year because there was snow on the ground.

Anyway, I was sitting here in my chair reading the different sites I go on and it was getting chilly. Dave had the window next to me open all the way. I like that my chair is next to the window. I don't know why I didn't close it before I went to get my coffee, but I didn't. Big mistake that could have been an expensive disaster.

Here's what happened. I decided to get up to close it because the hoodie I had on wasn't keeping me warm. It's an old one, so it's not very heavy. Anyway, my coffee was sitting on the table next to me and was pretty close to the edge to begin with. Stupid me, yes, I will admit, I was being stupid when I attempted to close the window without first moving my coffee cup. I got the window closed, but in the process knocked over the cup, which was about full. UGH! I said some choice words and Dave ran into the kitchen to get some towels for me to clean it up and also a damp rag to wipe the spot so that it didn't end up sticky. Thank goodness he was working at home today.

Besides getting coffee all over me, I also got coffee all over my laptop bag, luckily my laptop wasn't in it, so I averted that disaster. Also, my computer bag is a Vera Bradley, so it's machine washable.  It's in the washer right now. :)

I only have towels to do next and then I'll be done with laundry, so that's cool. I figured getting my laptop bag was a little more important than the towels. And another added bonus, my bag will be nice and clean when Dave and I take our trip. This disaster turned out to be a lot less disastrous than it could have been.

Oh, and I even cleaned out my closet and got rid of some more clothes. Now I have room to buy more. ;)

Land of the Free...

Because of the brave.

While you are partying or barbequing this weekend, make sure to pause to remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that we could be free.

They are the reason we celebrate.

Memorial Day Weekend

May 26-28, 2012

Weird Dream

I had the weirdest dream this morning. For some reason if I'm going to have a weird dream, that's usually when I have it; don't know why, but that's the way it works out.

Anyway, onto my dream and before I begin, I must state a disclaimer that Brad Pitt did not graduate in my class nor did he even go to my high school. Shucks, I'm old enough to be his older sister. I just looked his biography up and I wasn't lying. According to his biography, he's 48, so he's not as far behind me as I imagined. He sure doesn't look that old. In fact, he looks pretty dang good.

Anyway, about my dream. My class was having a reunion and Brad Pitt was a classmate. For some reason, I was in charge of the reunion and Brad replied that he was coming with Angelina of course and in the course of events, somehow was staying at my house where I live now, but my house was in Pennsylvania, not here in Iowa. In fact the reunion was also held at my house. That part is kind of tough to imagine since it's a whopping 1300 square feet, but it did. We do have acreage though.

Before the reunion actually took place and after Brad had said that he was coming, I naturally called my closest friends to let them know that he would indeed be there. Who wouldn't? They of course were as excited as I was, especially since he and Angelina were staying at my house. I guess they had someone stay with the kids back at their place, wherever they live, because the kids weren't with them.

The day of the reunion Brad was very nice to everyone. Angelina was at his side, but didn't say much, but was polite. A good time was held by all and everyone said what a great reunion it was. Before he and Angelina left, they thanked me for letting them stay at my place and Brad handed me a check to pay for everything. I of course wasn't going to accept it, but he insisted. Like I said, it was a weird dream.

I can see where I would be thinking about high school, since I was on the new high school site connected to Facebook, but where Brad Pitt entered the equation, I don't know. I don't remember him being mentioned on TV or having read about him yesterday, so that part's a mystery. It was a fun dream though.

We don't have anyone famous that I know of who graduated from our class, but we do from our school. Barbara Feldon, I think that was her name, who played Agent 99 on the old Get Smart show did. I'm sure there must be more, but she's the only one who comes to mind.

Dave Was Sick Too

Remember the other day when I was complaining about not feeling well? Luckily mine was only a 24 hour thing.

Poor Dave came home from work feeling sick that day as well and he's still sick. Sounds like he has a bad cold and if he had to talk a lot, would lose his voice for sure. To make things worse, he had to go into the office yesterday too. Poor guy couldn't catch a break. Luckily today is a work from home day for him, but he has to go in tomorrow. It's a good thing this coming weekend is a three day weekend and nothing is planned.

I Feel Like %$#@!

I hate when I'm not feeling well. It's not serious, just a stomach ache and a slight headache, but still...

I'm a big baby when it comes to being sick. I hate feeling this way, but I also tend to soak it for as much as I can get out of it, except for today. Dave had to go into the office because his assistant needed the day off, so I can't. He had this feeling that he was supposed to do something or had to go into the office. He thought he may have had to yesterday because Monday is his usual day until he got a reminder email this morning. It was a relief for him now knowing what it was he was supposed to do.

Anyway, I guess I just need to put on my big girl panties, as they say, and deal with my stomach ache on my own.

This morning I thought that it might have been because I was hungry, but I ate breakfast like always and still felt yucky after, so that wasn't it. I just hope it only lasts today. Maybe it's just a 24 hour thing. Maybe I caught something when we were in Des Moines on Saturday or it was something I ate yesterday, which is probably it. Maybe if I get up and move around, since I do have things that need to be done, I'll get it off my mind and start to feel better.

Oh well, since I do have things that I planned to do today, I will do that and hope for the best. I will talk to you all later. Have a great day.

Laundry Day

I'm back on my former routine of doing laundry on the weekend. Today happens to also be nice and cool, so with the windows open the dryer won't heat up the house too much. I've also been able to combine a few loads, so that makes for two less than I had at first after sorting. That's always nice. I do need to change the clothes lines outside though because we're bound to have some hot days. In fact we already have. Would you believe that we've already hit 90 degrees and this is only the middle of May?!

The new washer is working out well, but there are a few things I can't wash in it. Besides the comforter which I couldn't before, I can't wash the larger throw rugs, so they get taken to the laundry mat when they're extra dirty, or vacuumed when they're not.

Dave and I took a trip up to Des Moines yesterday. Along with picking up my ring(s), had my diamond and the two enhancers soldered together; we stopped at Lowes and bought some plants. I bought some more lilies to be planted in the flower bed. These ones are really unusual colors which should look really pretty among the others when they bloom. Now I need to get out there and transplant them. We also got tomato plants, a couple of which we've never grown before. Couldn't find any romas though. Maybe Walmart has some.

Oh, speaking of plants, if you like lilacs as much as I do, Lowes has the Boomerang re-blooming ones. Of course I had to buy one. Now I just need to find a place to put it.

Dave and I are planning on taking a trip down to Kansas City sometime next month to antique shop and see Kenneth and Elicia. We need to work around David's schedule though so he doesn't need to ask for time off. It should be fun though. I love going antiquing and getting to see Kenneth and Elicia is an added bonus.

New Monster Alarm Clock

I created a monster, or should I say a new monster alarm clock.

Now I know that 8:00am may not seem early to you and really it's not to me either, but there are nights when I don't fall asleep right away or don't sleep well and would like to sleep in a little while longer. Well, my new monster alarm clock is making sure that doesn't happen.

Monster alarm clock, you're probably shaking your head right now wondering to yourself, okay, which of the pups is she talking about now, or is it one of the cats?

Nope, it's not one of the cats although Oreo can be a bed hog at times and can be like a ton of bricks to move.

No, the little monster alarm clock I have created is none other than sweet little wall flower (okay, not so little) and a real wuss at times, Jake. Yes, it's hard to believe, but it's the awful truth.

As you know from a couple posts back, he was put on thyroid medication by the vet and has to get a pill twice a day. Well, so that it's a little easier for him to swallow and I don't have to shove it down his throat, something he nor I like, I wrap it in a fourth of a slice of fat free cheese and give it to him that way. The other three get the other three fourths so they're also happy. They now like the fact that Jake has to take a pill and Jake doesn't mind it either, at least he's not complaining or spitting it out like before.

The bad thing now though is that bright and early for the second day in a row, he has woken me up by coming into the bedroom and barking. Believe me his bark was definitely loud, louder than the other three combined and he didn't stop until I was up and out of bed. I was in a nice sound sleep and the next thing I hear is Jake barking. I tried telling him to hush and even rolled over to try to go back to sleep, but to no avail. Dave called it my rude awakening. That about summed it up. Not only that, but he didn't stop until I had gotten out of bed and proven that I was not going back. He made sure of it too by following my every step and if I even looked like I was thinking of going back to bed, he started barking again. By that time, I was wide awake, so even if I was thinking about it, it wouldn't have done me any good anyway. Oh well, I best get used to it because I don't think he's going to stop anytime soon.

Now, if he'll only start barking like that before we go to bed at night to remind me he needs his pill and not in the morning, that would be great because that's when I tend to forget.

Happy Mother's Day

Happy Mother's Day to all of the Moms out there. Hope you are having a fantastic day.

Vet Day for Rolli and Jake

I lost track of time and almost didn't make it, but remembered at the last possible minute and was able to get them there. I was a few minutes late, but thankfully traffic was light and no one was going too slow so I wasn't any later than I was. It ended up costing a lot more than I anticipated, but at least everything that needed to be done was. They were both really good too, but of course they were given pills to calm them before we left. It's nice not having to have Rolli sedated anymore and Jake not fighting either. I do the same with Angel and Max. None of the dogs are too fond of going to the vet and Max also gets car sick, or at least he used to.

Jake and Rolli were only supposed to get their shots and nails trimmed, but didn't realize that they were also due for their heartworm tests, which were negative, thank goodness. I also asked the vet about the loss of hair on Jake's tail, so he did a thyroid test. Jake is now on medication for that. It also explained his sudden weight gain and a few other things. Thankfully it's something that doesn't cost a lot of money to treat. I have to take him back in 30 days to be weighed again to see if he lost any weight and to see if he needs a medication adjustment.

I'm glad I asked though. He used to have the most gorgeous tail and now it looks pathetic. Hopefully he'll get it back to where it was before. He really is a beautiful dog, but right now he is lacking some of that beauty. He's still my protector though.

Dave told me that the whole time I was gone, Max howled. Dave said that he would walk through the rooms howling after he didn't find me. Poor baby missed me. He has become such a mama's boy, even more pathetic than Jake. I never thought that possible, but it's true. He has the cutest howl though. I can just imagine him doing that. He was glad to see me when I got home. Next month will be his and Angel's turn. I'll probably take them at the same time I take Jake. On second thought, maybe not.